Occurrence of Sea Urchins on the Foreshore in Britain

IN the Jour. Marine Biol. Assoc. , vol. 16, No. 1, May 1929, Dr. J. H. Orton asks for information regarding the occurrence of Echinus esculentus above low water mark on the British coasts. On the north coast of Scotland I have observed this species at different times of the year. Between April 8 and 16 of this year, E. esculentus was quite plentiful above low water mark on the rocky shores of the west side of Loch Eireboll, more especially in the numerous bays and inlets around Rispond, the organisms having frequently become stranded in the rock crevices as the tide fell. During August and September, on the other hand, this species is not quite so abundant, although on many occasions I have captured specimens with a landing-net as they retreated down the rocks with the ebbing tide.