GENERAL REMARKS ON THE MARINE
NATURAL HISTORY OF THE
COLNE ESTUARY.
By H. B. SORBY, LL.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
[Read at the Meeting on the Colne, September 9th, 1879.]
MY studies of the marine animals and plants in the Colne
district have been almost entirely confined to those parts
not included in the Oyster Fishery, and to the summer months.
In the Colne itself and the adjoining creeks I have collected such
animals as float near the surface, or can be obtained on the
shore at low water ; and outside the limits of the fishery I have
often dredged and used a small trawl, though very rarely at
any considerable distance from the shore. I have never
attempted to examine the whole district, or to make a complete
list of what I have found ; and now that I am living on the
yacht I have but few books and specimens to enable me to
identify some of the animals and plants which I have collected
at various times. My impression is that during the last ten
years there has been a decided change ; since, when I first began
to dredge, I found several interesting things which I have not
seen for several years, and we now obtain others which I do not
remember seeing previously. This may be partly due to mere
annual variation, which certainly is considerable, and it would
need much more extended observations to be sure that there is
a change of a more permanent character.
In almost all cases my aim has been to collect only such
objects as could be efficiently mounted as transparent lantern
slides, and I have paid little or no attention to such as were too
minute or too large, or otherwise unsuitable for that purpose. I
have entirely neglected many important groups of animals and
microscopic plants. It will thus be seen that what I can now
give is only a very imperfect sketch of the Natural History of
the district as a whole.
The chief objects collected when floating past the yacht
are the common Medusa (Aurelia and Cyanaea). Rhizostoma pro-
bably occurs, though comparatively rarely. The pretty little
Cydippe is sometimes common and small. Crustaceans like Idotea
may be caught.