14 REPORT OF COMMISSiOK^ERS OF INLAKD FISHERIES. 



animals before spawning, and tlius destroj^ both stars and spawn.) 



X. What are the habits of the "fry" or free swimming young? 

 (The young of many marine animals, while far more abundant 

 than the adults, are far more delicate and easier of extermination.) 



XI. What is the duration of the larval period ? (If an effort is 

 to be made to destroj^ the larvae, when must it be made?) 



XII. What are the habits of the young star-fish ? (It is possi- 

 ble that the young star-fish, like the young of many fish, tend to 

 gather in schools. If so, the young might be killed 'off in thou- 

 sands.) 



XIII. What is the rate of growth up to sexual maturity ? 



XIV. What is the size and age at sexual maturity? 



NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL MEANS OF DESTRUCTION. 



XV. What are the natural enemies of the star-fish ? 



XVI. Is the popular idea that the dismembered fragments of 

 a star-fish will regenerate new star-fish founded on fact? 



XVII. What are the artificial methods of destruction now in 

 use in Rhode Island or elsewhere? 



IDENTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION. 



I. Does the animal, knoivn to our fishermen as the star- fish or five- 

 finger, helong to one or several species ? {It is evident that, %f 

 there are iwo or more species, artificial or natural agents de- 

 structive to one may prove quite harmless to the others). 



In a description of the star-fishes of the world W. Percy Sladen 

 recognizes 810 species of these animals, nearly 100 of which are 

 found only in very deep water — below 500 fathoms — and at a 

 depth of even 2,900 fathoms. Several species are found in the 

 waters of Narragansett Bay : — 



The common star-fish (Asterias Forbesii). 

 The puriDle star-fish (Asterias vulgaris). 

 The blood star-fish (Cribrella sanguinolenta). 

 The snake star-fish (Ophiopholis aculeata). 



