SKA A N I M A I ,S OF THE ATLANTIC COAST 19 



Nantucket and Norfolk. The same thing, perhaps 

 in a lesser degree, is true of the marine animals. 

 The most important reason for this fact is the 

 presence of the cold Labrador Current north of Cape 

 Cod and the warm Gnlf Stream that flows south of 

 the cape. 



Other factors also play a part, For instance, 

 Cape Cod itself acts as a barrier and helps keep 

 distinct the animals north and south of that cape. 

 Again, the rocky coast of New England is very 

 different from the sandy beaches of the south shore 

 of Long Island and from New Jersey southward. 

 This variation in habitat accounts for some of the 

 differences in the marine life of the two regions. 



Proceeding southward the next important 

 boundary line is reached at Cape Hatteras and here 

 again we note a marked change in the fauna. As at 

 ('ape Cod, there is a noticeable difference in the 

 water temperature north and south of Hatteras, 

 although here the change is more gradual. The 

 Gulf Stream, which is fairly close to the shore from 

 Florida north to Hatteras, is deflected out to sea at 

 this point and proceeds northward a greater distance 

 from shore. The warmer waters south of Cape 

 Hatteras allow the growth of coral reefs and thereby 

 afford a habitat for sea animals not known north of 

 that cape. 



There is somewhat of a boundary at the south- 

 ern part of Florida and many species are restricted 

 to the perpetually warm seas of the Florida Keys, 

 the Bahamas and the West Indies. It is in these 

 tropical waters that one finds the greatest variety 

 and abundance and beauty of marine life. The 

 many colored shells are rivalled by the brillancc 

 of the corals, sea fans, sponges and other inhabitants 

 of the tropical sea. 



