[91] ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS. 5938 
The various pieces of drift timber found floating in the Gulf Stream 
have always been found filled with the burrows of a large species of 
Teredo (T. megotara, fig. 127), which seems to be the only common species 
in that region. 
Among the most abundant forms of pelagic life are several species of 
Salpa. One of these is the common species of the New England coast 
(Salpa Caboti, figs. 147, a), which grows to be only about an inch long, in 
the solitary form, but it often occurs in vast quantities, completely filling 
the sea, so that surface nets are quickly filled and clogged up with it. 
In this there are delicate reticulations of clear blue lines on the edges of 
the mantle, gills, and other internal organs, and the nucleus is usually 
deeply tinged with blue, 
A much larger species, which is also very abundant on most trips, 
often grows in the solitary form to the length of 3 to 4 inches or more, 
with a diameter of 1 to 1.25 inches, while the chained individuals are 
sometimes even longer, with each end running out into along, tapering, 
acute tip, while both ends are abruptly terminated in the solitary in- 
dividuals. The body has eight longitudinal angles or keels, serrated 
along their edges. The chains often become several feet long, but easily 
break up when disturbed. This species (figs. 148-150) is related to S. 
maxima Forskal, but is apparent]y distinct. It is, however, probably 
identical with S. clostra, M. Edwards, of the Mediterranean, well figured 
in the illustrated edition of Cuvier (Plate 121, figs. 2-2d). 
In this the whole body is nearly colorless, except the nucleus, 
_ which is dull orange or orange-brown, but whitish on the sides. On 
many occasions a bushel or more of this species has been caught in the 
trawl, evidently from near the surface. In the summer of 1884, this 
species was taken in Vineyard Sound and Buzzard’s Bay, August 25 
to September 5, in considerable numbers, but not so large as those found 
in the Gulf Stream. This must be an unusual occurrence, however. A 
special collection of this species was made in 1882, by hardening in 
chromic acid, to be used by Professor Brooks for making sections in 
studying its anatomy and embryology, and were found by him very sat- 
_isfactory. | 
Another very interesting species (S. pinnata), previously known from 
the Mediterranean, was taken in 1883, off Cape Hatteras. In this species 
the chained individuals are united together in such a way as to form 
circular or wreath-like groups. Species of Doliolum (fig. 146) and of 
Appendicularia were also taken, but have not been studied with care. 
Large specimens of Pyrosoma have also been taken on several occa- 
sions. Some of these were 15 to 18 inches long, and nearly 2 inches in 
diameter at the larger end, tapering gradually to the small end. 
The floating masses of sea-weeds (Sargassum and Fucus) are nearly 
always covered with various species of Hydroids and Bryozoa. Among 
the latter is an encrusting species which covers the fronds and bladders 
with a delicate calcareous network, and when the Sargassum is dried 
H. Mis. 67 38 

