4 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



sand, upon closer examination proved to contain setfe of annelids, 

 with occasional shreds of cuticle. As the body of the annelid is 

 being digested, the intestine, gorged with sand and mud, often 

 remains in a condition that admits of identification as annelid remains. 

 It is doubtless true that much of the material recorded as ostracodes 

 and small univalve shells has been introduced with annelids. 



In the beginning of this work the author was often greatly puzzled 

 when attempting to determine the quantitative values to be placed 

 on the different food materials. After some practice, however, one 

 develops a method which takes into account such material as can 

 readily be separated and classified, and often makes it possible to 

 reduce the unidentified debris to small proportions. In view of the 

 nature of the food of many annelids it is to be noted that the per- 

 centage of materials counted as annelid does not always indicate 

 similar percentage of food ingested. Doubtless, also, especially in 

 the beginning of these studies, the estimated jjercentage of debris is 

 sometimes larger than it should be, due to the fact that portions of 

 the mucous membrane, which are detached when the contents of 

 the alimentary canal are removed, become mixed with the food 

 proper. 



Plant material was noted in only 20 of the flounders, approximately 



5 per cent of the whole number examined for food. In all instances 

 where plant remains were- noted in the contents of the alimentary 

 canal, the amount was always both absolutely and relatively small. 

 Usually it consisted of a few fragments of filamentous alga?, the pres- 

 ence of which could be accounted for as material wliich had acci- 

 dentally been taken in along with the proper food of the fish. No 

 place, therefore, was given for plant remains in the table of quantita- 

 tive estimates. 



It would seem, however, that the winter flounders may, on occa- 

 sion, make use of plant food. From unpublished food notes made in 

 connection with the examination of winter flounders for parasites, 

 mostly by Vinal N. Edwards, out of 82 examinations, 23 records note 

 the presence of plant remains in the aliment aiy canal. In some 

 cases considerable amounts of })hint material were present. Tlius, 

 on three dates — ^April 14, November 7, and 12 — the record reads, 

 "Stomachs filled with eelgrass;" on August 31, ''Stomach and intes- 

 tine filled with green seaweed;" on September 30, ''Stomach full of 

 algae (Ulva)." It is likely that the eelgrass is eaten for the incrusta- 

 tions of the tunicate Botryllua f/ouldii. 



A detailed account of the results of the examination of each of the 

 398 small flatfish would make a very bulky report, and is considered 

 unnecessary. Illustrative details, omitting some of the notes on 

 Entozoa, are here given for one station only. 



Food anj) Entozoan Parasiteh ok Small Winteii Flounders. 

 station 19. katama bay, july 27, 19l5. 



[Fish seined in water 1 to 4 feel, in depth. Bottom, sand with red seaweed and other alga^. The bay had 

 been closed on the oeeaii sid(! for the preceding six years; there was, therefore, little current produced 

 by the tide. Winter flounders, few. Figures rcfcrfiiig to food represent average per cent of volume; 

 lengths are given in millimeters. ] 



1. Length, 28. — Food: Copepods, 95; debris, 5. Entcjzoa: 111 appen<liciilate dis- 

 tomes, J. ivory-white sporozoan cyst on intestine. 



2. Lfru/th, .¥). — Food: Alimentary canal empty. Entozoa: 3J7 appendiculate dis- 

 tomes in stomach, in intestine, 



