Preface 



In the preparation of this report on the Echinoderms 

 to be found in that part of Long Island Sound which borders 

 the Connecticut coast line the writer has been influenced by 

 two incentives: first, to aid in arousing an interest in the 

 study of a most remarkable group of animals of common 

 occurrence; and, second, to aid in the dissemination of use- 

 ful knowledge of the structure and habits of the starfish — the 

 deadliest of foes to the oyster, which constitutes one of the 

 state's valuable natural resources, and with which a large 

 and important industry is connected. With these ends in 

 view, an attempt has been made to furnish such adequate 

 illustrations of each of the species of Echinoderms found in 

 the waters of the state as will facilitate their easy recognition, 

 while the economic importance of the starfish has been as 

 fully investigated as the conditions would permit. 



Free use has been made of the many excellent treatises 

 on the animals concerned; and grateful acknowledgment is 

 made to Professor A. E. Verrill, of Yale University, for the 

 use of specimens and photographs; to Professor Hubert 

 Lyman Clark, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Har- 

 vard University, for the use of a number of the photographs 

 which illustrate his excellent report on the Echinoderms of 

 the Woods Hole region; and to Mr. Davenport Hooker and 

 Mr. Stanley C. Ball, for assistance in the preparation of the 

 illustrations. 



In the bibliography at the end of the report will be 

 found a list of some of the most useful publications on our 

 native species of Echinoderms, including those on the 

 economic importance of the starfish. 



