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Notes on some Sagartiidae and Zoanthidae from 

 Plymouth. 



By 

 Chas. L. Walton. 



Sagartia Incise, Verrill. 



This small species was described by Verrill in 1898, and first 

 observed by Miss Verrill in 1892 near New Haven, U.S.A. 



In 1902 Parker noted a number of new localities, and remarked 

 upon its rapidly extending range on the American coast. 



It has been known at Plymouth for a considerable period, being 

 first observed in the Millbay Docks in 1896, and was identified by 

 Mrs. Davenport in October, 1902. It was then to be found in the 

 Cattewater, and I have lately observed it abundantly near high-water 

 mark, under and upon stones in Eum Bay, and on Drake's Island in 

 the Sound. It is thus extending its range here also in a quiet way. 



It is certainly remarkable that this species should make its appear- 

 ance on the American coast about 1892 and in Plymouth Docks in 

 1896. It is of course possible that it existed in both localities for 

 some time previously, but it could hardly escape notice for long in a 

 locality so constantly examined as Plymouth. As observed by 

 Davenport (1903): "When the water becomes foul, or from other 

 causes, it may voluntarily detach itself and float about the aquarium 

 or hang upside down from the surface film." This I have also 

 observed. Since it frequents docks, piers, and other situations, and 

 near high-water mark, it is liable to become attached to the bottoms 

 of ships, even floating to them in the still water usual in such places 

 and being very hardy, would survive a voyage, and again change its 

 environment at the next port of call. It is significant that it was 

 first noted at Plymouth in the Docks, and next in the Cattewater. 



It is thus possible that it is not native to either the eastern coast of 

 America or to South Devon, but was introduced into both areas about 

 the same time. 



