of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
279 
Diaptomus, Holopedium gibherum, Polyphemus^ and Polytrephes. Both 
tow-nottings were similar as regards variety of species, but in that from 
the deep water Bosmina and Diajptomus were more plentiful than in 
the surface gatherings. 
Loch Oich. 
This loch is about four miles long by about half a mile broad. Its depth 
varies considerably, but the deepest part is towards the east end, where 23 
fathoms occurs. The loch is studded with islets and shoals, so that 
though the track for vessels is carefully indicated by buoys and beacons, 
it is rithcr intricate, and requires more than usual care and watch- 
fulness on the part of those navigating it. The storm we experienced 
was so violent when passing through this loch that it would have been 
at considerable risk, if not actual danger, to have slowed the steamer for 
the purpose of dredging ; the best we could do under the circumstances 
was to use our tow-nets as frequently as possible. The tow-nettings 
obtained, both as regards number and variety of species, were similar to 
those from Loch Ness. The level of Loch Oich is 50 feet higher than 
Loch Ness or 100 feet above sea-level, and the Eiver Oich flows out of 
it into Loch Ness. 
Loch Lochy. 
Loch Lochy— the westmost of the three lochs under consideration — is 
much larger than Loch Oich, being about ten miles long by about one mile 
in breadth. It is of considerable depth, reaching to 76 fathoms at one 
place. We dredged in the deepest part and also in about 40 fathoms. 
The material brought up in the first dredge from the deep part resembled 
that dredged in Loch Ness, and was also similarly devoid of living 
organisms. The second dredge was a failure — the net being empty when 
hauled up. The tow-nettings from this loch were similar to those from 
the other two. 
On our return journey a further effort was made to examine the lochs, 
but no additional information was obtained. 
Though we were unable to find any trace of animal life at the bottom 
of Loch Ness and Loch Lochy, our experiments were too few to make it 
safe to found any theory upon them ; besides, they were not carried out 
under very favourable conditions. It is not improbable that living 
organisms may exist at the bottom of these lochs, bat by being more or 
less localised in their distribution be easily missed ; still, if it be the case 
that the peaty deposit which is being formed in the deeper parts of Loch 
Ness and Loch Lochy is the same all over the bottom, there is little 
likelihood of animal life being very abundant, if present at all. 
The following are the lists of species obtained in the tow-nettings from 
the three lochs : — 
CRUSTACEA. 
COPEPODA. 
Diaptomus gracilis, G. 0. Sars. In the three lochs, more or less commoD. 
Cyclops stremms, Fischer. In the three lochs. 
,, thomasi, ? Forbes. Loch Oich, not common. 
