of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



215 



small granular cells with distinct nuclei, these apparently being external 

 to the encysted masses forming the tumour, for the contents of the cysts 

 were mainly granular. On the other hand, a section of a tumour lying 

 beneath the skin of the coloured surface near the tail, and containing a 

 softened surface which, to the naked eye, resembled tubercle, the structure 

 was mostly granular, with occasional large and small granular cells and 

 fatty globules. In this tumour two bodies occurred in conjunction, appar- 

 ently immature examples of Diplozoon paradoxim. Traces of cysts or 

 capsules were also present, as if the tumour originally had been of the 

 ordinary miliolar character. 



In the same example a deep scar, covered with skin, existed at the base 

 of the dorsal fin, about 2 inches from the caudal rays. This appeared to 

 be the cicatrix formed by recovery from a similar affection, which had 

 caused the loss of the tips of the neural spines at the part. 



Amongst other diseases noted are a large cystic tumour of the head of 

 a cod, and the frequent occurrence of various affections amongst the adult 

 coal-fishes. In the tanks the rocklings are subject to many abrasions, 

 which resemble superficial ulcerations. In the dead examples these sur- 

 faces are covered with bacteria, but in the living only small hooked para- 

 sites were found. 



The fungus disease (Saprolegnia ferax) of the salmon occurred on a 

 Grayling captured in the Tay. 



The Effect of Storms on the Marine Fauna. 



Certain forms of marine animals escape capture under ordinary circum- 

 stances, either by dredge or trawl, and the most patient search by those 

 who have come long distances to study them has often been baffled. Thus 

 the common spoon-worm, has been searched for in vain by the dredge for 

 many years, and no greater success has followed a careful scrutiny at 

 extreme low water and between tide-marks. Yet a single storm, such as 

 that which recently happened in November, tossed on the east and west 

 sands of St Andrews hundreds of examples in perfect condition, just as 

 they were found nearly half a century ago on these sands by the late Pro- 

 fessor Edward Forbes. This may be taken, then, as an example of the 

 effects of special wave-currents on the bottom-fauna. 



The great storms affect, directly and injuriously, the fish-fauna of the 

 bay to a comparatively slight extent. A few green cod (saithe), haddocks, 

 young whiting, gunnels, Yairell's blennies, sand-eels of various sizes, small 

 wee vers, common flounders (the emaciated adults occasionally suffering 

 from the multiple tumours), and plaice are stranded, the most abundant 

 species, however, being the armed bullheads (Agonus), which, along 

 with other denizens of the sand, have been dislodged and swept shorewards. 

 The purses containing the young skate likewise suffer to a certain extent, 

 but free examples of any size are seldom or never seen. Their intel- 

 ligence, activity and tenacity of life enable them to surmount such difii- 

 culties. 



The effect on invertebrate life is more distinct, and such storms must act 

 as periodic checks, of a character more pronounced than anything due to 

 man's influence. The beach is strewn with masses of various kinds of 

 sponges, in the crevices of which many of the higher forms (e.g., sea-slugs) 

 lurk ; and miniature forests of zoophytes cover the tangles, are scattered 

 freely as arborescent tufts, or rolled into felted balls by the action of the 

 surf. Fine examples of an anemone (Peachia) living freely amongst 

 the sand are mingled with the large common forms and the rare Cerianthus 



