184 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [478] 
Ascidians. 
Page. Page. 
Cynthia partitac-2.-..-... 311 | Molgula Manhattensis..... 311 
Bryozoa. 
Page. Page. 
Boeulasinrrita,:..-.....--: 476 | Vesicularia dichotoma..... 476 
Escharella variabilis. ..---- 476 Aleyonidium hirsutum..... 476 
Membranipora lineata ...-. 406 | Pedicellina Americana..... 405 
RADIATA. 
Hehinoderms. 
Page. 
Asteriaswarenicolac: 16 -aea.e ee <2 Fee eRe Men eaten, Fata 3a. tea 
Acalephs. 
Page. Page. 
Obelia gelatinosa.......-..- ool | Halecitum  Sraciers 2-222 476 
O;diaphana et~ 25 Pc Teese 327 | Sertularia argentea........ 408 
O.pyritormis 220. 2266 Se . 390 
Polyps. 
Page. Page. 
Metridium marginatum.... 329 | Sagartia leucolena...-..... 329 
PROTOZOA. 
Sponges. 
Page. Page. 
Tedania, Species... .- 2-2. 33 Red branching sponge...-.. 476 
Hlichonmdria: sp 52..4 655. 330 | 
III. 4.—ANIMALS INHABITING EEL-GRASS IN BRACKISH WATERS. 
A large portion of: the shallow parts of nearly all the harbors, estu- 
aries, and ponds is occupied by a dense growth of eel-grass, Zostera 
marina, in summer. This plant flourishes both on sandy and muddy 
bottoms. During the fall and winter it is mostly torn up and drifted 
away by storms, but in the spring a new crop starts up and grows very 
rapidly, the narrow, ribbon-like leaves often becoming six feet or more 
in length during the summer. 
These tracts of eel-grass are the favorite resorts of a considerable 
number of animals, which seek these places either for food or conceal- 
ment and shelter, or for both combined. Other species, including certain 
hydroids, bryozoa, and ascidians, grow attached to the leaves of the 
eel-grass. 
