OBSERVATIONS UPON THE GROWTH-RATE AND OECOLOGY OF 



GORGONIANS. 



By Lewis R, Cary. 



The following account includes the record of observations, extending 

 over a period of three years, upon the growth-rate of three species of gor- 

 gonians under the natural environmental conditions found on the reefs about 

 Dry Tortugas, Florida. The oecological data have been secured in the 

 same periods of observation and are supplemented by observations made 

 at Montego Bay, Jamaica. 



RATE OF GROWTH OF GORGONIANS. 



The records of the growth-rate of Gorgonia flabellum and Plexaura 

 flexuosa are for specimens occurring on the reefs immediately surrounding 

 Loggerhead Key, the location of the Tortugas laboratory. All of the 

 specimens have been allowed to remain in their original place of attach- 

 ment except those shown in the accompanying plates, the measurements 

 of which are given in table 2. These were cemented to tiles in order that 

 they could be more easily photographed from time to time to afford a visual 

 as well as a linear record of their growth. 



Table i. 



' These specimens had been exposed to the air for a long time during an exceptionally low tide on June 6, 

 1910, so that the height given in the table does not represent the actual growth since attachment, but the 

 amount living at that time. 



6 81 



