170 Part IT.—Sixteenth Annual Report 
(e) AMPHIPODA. 
We shall now proceed to consider the Amphipoda recorded in the lists 
of tow-net fauna, and at the very outset we meet with a marked differen- 
tiation in regard to the distribution and numbers of certain of the species. 
Twenty-two species of the Amphipods mentioned in the lists of tow- 
net gatherings are more or less fully defined by name. The distribution, 
as regards the numbers and the frequency of three of the species, is so 
different from the others as to indicate a more or less decided difference 
in their habits and mode of life. The three species I refer to are Hyperia 
galba, Hyperoche taurtformis (Spence Bate), and Parathemisto oblivia. 
Moreover, while these three differ more or less distinctly from the other 
Amphipods mentioned in the tow-net lists, they are also in their own 
habits somewhat dissimilar to each other. Parathemisto, for example 
(and perhaps also Hyperoche), is to a large extent a free-swimming 
species ; on the other hand, the Hyperve are also characterised as mess- 
mates of large Meduse, and live a considerable part of their lives 
under the shelter afforded them by these curious organisms, Hence the 
distribution of Hyperia in the Firth of Forth depends to some extent on 
the presence or absence of Meduse, whereas Parathemisto being a “ free 
swimmer,” its movements are not so limited as those of the other. 
The following is a list of the Amphipods referred to by name in the 
lists of tow-net fauna :— 
Hyperia galba (Montagu). Iphimedia obesa, Rathke. 
Hyperoche tauriformis (Bate). Apherusa bispinosa (Bate). 
Parathemisto oblivia (Kroyer). is borealis (Boeck). 
Euthemisto (2) compressa (Goés). Paratylus  swammerdami (M. 
Calltsoma crenata (Bate). Hdw.). 
Hippomedon denticulatus (Bate). Dexamine sp. 
Bathyporeia sp. Melphidippella macera (Norman). 
Ampelisca sp. Amathilla homart (Fabr.). 
Stenothoé marina (Bate). Gammarus sp. 
Argissa hamatipes (Norman). Gammaropsis erythrophthalma, 
Metopa alder, Bate. Lilly. 
Perioculodes longimanus (Bate). Pariambus typicus (Kr.). 
As it is not my intention to describe in detail the distribution of all 
the Amphipods named in the list, I shall confine my remarks chiefly to 
the Hyperiide, because of their great importance both numerically and 
as fish food. 
Hyperia galba. This Amphipod is occasionally present in the Firth 
ot Forth, but usually in limited numbers, and the records of its occurrence 
seem to indicate that it is as frequently captured by the bottom tow-net as 
it is by the surface net. In 1889 the records of it for the selected 
stations are very few. It is recorded in the bottom tow-net lists for July, 
and again in November. The November record describes it as common. 
It is recorded for Station V. in August and November, and described as 
frequent in the bottom tow-net gatherings and few in the November 
surface-net gatherings; and it occurred sparingly in the bottom tow-net 
gatherings from Stations VIII. and 1X. in August. But the infrequency 
of the records of this and other species in 1889 is no doubt partly due to 
there being no lists of tow-net fauna for March, April, and May (with one 
exception—viz., for Station V. for surface net in May), and for nearly all 
the months of October and December. In 1890, though there are frequent 
