The Starfish and Its Kindred 57 



tofore the greatest losses seem to have been sustained 

 on the Pacific coast. Whether this has been due to a 

 greater proportion of wood structures in those waters 

 which were subject to infestation, or whether it was 

 due to other natural conditions, is not clear; at any 

 rate, there has been a striking increase in the preva- 

 lence of this pest in the shore waters of the Atlantic 

 coast. It has, in fact, made its appearance in extraor- 

 dinary num.bers in all congested harbors along the 

 Eastern seaboard as far north as Long Island Sound. 

 Within the next few years, at its present rate of in- 

 crease, it will have established itself in every seaport 

 and harbor in the United States. 



It threatens not merely man's property, however; 

 it is a real and constant menace to his life. Indeed, I 

 think it may be said without exaggeration that indi- 

 rectly the shipworm has sent more men and boats to 

 the bottom of the sea than have been wiped out of 

 existence by the direct violence of storms. 



However, the destruction of the old hull was com- 

 pensated for by its picturesque appearance and the 

 fantastic beauty that the living forms lent to its 

 vanishing shape. But, although the beauty of the spot 

 was quite irresistible, other attractions also took me 

 there. From my station on the little platform, I could 

 study with the greatest ease the habits of my favorites 

 in their natural surroundings, and follow the growth 

 and succession of various types as these were mani- 

 fested throughout the different seasons. It was, in 

 truth, an ideal observatory. 



Now, needless to say, the starfish, which in point of 

 numbers was second only to the mussel, engaged a 



