88 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
besides numerous varieties of each species. These were studied 
in the living condition, and many specimens of each kind were 
preserved for later anatomical and histological investigation. 
More than fifty cases of dried corals, containing about 1,500 speci- 
mens, were obtained, forming probably the largest collection of 
Hawaiian corals ever made. These have been received at the 
Museum and will constitute an important series for studies on 
the variations of coral growth. A special feature of the collection 
is the large number of the mushroom coral, Fungia, showing all 
the stages of growth in both the fixed and free conditions. 
While engaged in studying the specific characters of the 
corals, a series of experiments upon the physiology and reactions 
of the living polyps was carried out, a line of investigation upon 
which scarcely anything has hitherto been done. Important 
facts bearing upon the method of feeding of living corals were 
learned; ‘particularly the part played by mucus, or slime. 
Particles of food placed on the disc of the polyps lead to an exu- 
dation of mucus, the opening of the oral aperture, and the 
establishment of an inhalent current by means of which the nu- 
tritive substances are ingested, after being imbedded in the 
mucus. 
In addition to the collection of corals a representative series 
of Hawaiian actinians was also secured to supplement the 
‘“‘ Albatross’’ collections made by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries 
in 1902, upon a report of which Dr. Duerden is now engaged. 
Several specimens of crabs having the peculiar habit of carrying 
an actinian in each claw were also obtained, and observations 
and experiments made upon their habits and relationships. It 
is found to be a remarkable case of commensalism: the actinians 
serve to protect the crab, and in addition the crab actually makes 
use of the actinian in order to procure its prey, abstracting food 
from it. The crab in its turn has undergone certain structural 
modifications on account of the association. 
THE Department of Invertebrate Paleontology has two 
parties in the field this season: one in charge of Mr. Walter 
Granger, searching for fossils in southwestern Wyoming, and the 
other under Mr. Barnum Brown exploring fields in Montana. 
