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taken in September which also refused food. A number of squilla (Lysiosquilla spinosa) (the mantis, shrimp) appeared in August, and one night twenty fine specimens were taken. The specimens we secured varied from £ in. to 2 in. They are rarely seen in Otago waters. A variety of sea-worms and fish-lice are generally exceedingly plentiful when the light is turned on, and occasionally small squid and octopus are attracted. Swimming crabs (Nectocarcinus antarcticus) are fairly common. One species of sea-worm (Nereis sp.) grows to a fair size, and, being bright red in colour with a golden egg mass attached, they form a most interesting sight when they appear in hundreds swimming rapidly in graceful curves through the water. Mullet chase and seize these worms, but always fresh supplies appear. Using this worm as a bait on a small hook it is possible to catcli mullet and warehou in the area illuminated by the light. During the months December to April the tremendous shoals of whale-feed (Munida gregaria > which covered the surface of the harbour waters have made collecting by light-attraction rather unproductive, as the masses of red whale-feed are attracted by the light, and swim up in such vast numbers that it is impossible to see anything else in the water. Whale-feed appeared near the station in November, and gradually the following swarms arrived until by the end of March they were in masses everywhere. Large numbers were stranded on the beaches. They form a limitless supply of food for all fish, and it is surprising to note that the number of fish in the harbour this year is rather below normal. During December dogfish (Mustelus antarcticus), moki (Latris ciliaris), warehou (Seriolella brama), small mullet (Agonostomus forsteri), garfish (Hemirhamphus intermedins,) and a large number of wrasse (Pseudolabrus sp.) were in the vicinity of the Station, and a few blue cod (Parapercis colias) were also taken. Flathead (Kathetostoma giganteum), greenbone (Coridodax pullus), kelp-fish (Odax vittatus), triggerfish (Pseudomonacanthus scaber), black cod (Notothenia microlepidota), and pigfish (Congiopodus leucopoecilus) were more or less plentiful, and a few kahawai (Arripis trutUi) appeared in the vicinity of the Station. . The seine net gave only poor results, a few small flounder, leather-jackets, and pigfish being tfie usual haul. The set-net produced large moki and dogfish, and the latter were rather too plentiful, lne net could not be left for any length of time without risking considerable damage. Several medium-sized octopus (Octopus maorium) appeared in March, and a couple were secured for the aquarium, along with one or two fine jellyfish which floated in on the tide. Small, not yet identified, squid laid eggs in the tank, and these eggs took seventy-five days to hatch out. Professor Percival, of Canterbury College, sent a number of elephant-fish eggs (Callorhynchus milii),. and these, with skate eggs (Raja nasuta) laid by a captive female skate, were retained for hatching. Several lots of elephant-fish eggs were sent back to Canterbury College as the embryos showed development —a very interesting and perhaps unique experiment. Both skate and elephant-fish embryos were taken from their egg-capsules and kept alive in glass jars, and developed quite normally. They lived equally well whether left in their normal state or taken out of their protective cases, and the young fish with the large yolk-sac attached were very interesting to visitors. The yolk-sac of the elephant-fish was completely absorbed by October ; but we could not induce them to take any food, and although they were tried in various ways and different situations they all died. Their delicate snouts were destroyed by bumping up against, the walls of the tanks and ponds. Small skate hatched at the same time were quite easy to keep. The incubation period of the skate from the date of egg deposition is 362 days —i.e., twelve months. From the time we received the elephant-fish eggs their incubation period was 314 to 326 days —i.e.,, more than ten months. Several trips were made to Otago Heads for specimen fish for the aquarium, but the results were not evry favourable, few fish of special interest being obtained. Mr. Hansen, of the fishing-launch " Grace," brought in some fine specimens for the tanks, and MrHayward, of the " Stina," presented a fine torpedo-ray (Narcobatis fairchildi) 39 in. in length, which lived for some time, and proved attractive to visitors. This fish was capable of giving a quite powerful electric shock. We have also to thank Captain Black, of the " Hananui," for a very fine collection of large anemones, hermit-crabs, spider-crabs, and star-fish, including the curious Panopaea zealandica. Mr. Adams accompanied the " Hananui " on one trip, and spent two days between Moeraki and Oamaru, but was unfortunate in striking very bad weather. He was able to bring back some fine spider-crabs, sea-slugs, brittle-stars, and sea-urchins. A number of fish have been sent to the Station by fishermen, and these have been identified for them.. Three lots of various forms of marine life (live material) have been collected for the use of the, Otago. University, and we have been able to supply to their specification. The Sea-fisheries Investigation Committee visited the Station in April, 1937. Mr. Hefford, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, paid an official visit in February, and Mr. Campbell, Secretary of Marine, visited the Station in March. Professor Marples, of the Otago University (recently arrived from England), with University studentsmade a visit, and expressed surprise at the variety of iife held in the aquaria. The Dunedin Naturalist Field Club, various school classes, and fifty-three students from the Training: College were shown over the aquarium, and were very interested in the particulars and information given by Mr. Adams. The Training College has arranged to repeat this trip at an early date. Bad weather early last year cut down the number of visitors, but a surprising number have been to the Station during recent months despite the assumed difficulty of access and the expense of bringing down a family party. Experiments with balanced aquaria have been continued and satisfactory results obtained.

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