36 INLAND FISHERIES. 



across tlie narrow portion of the month of the East and West 

 Passages and the Sakonuet Kiver. Above this line neither 

 " purple " nor " maroon stars " occur, and below this line common 

 "live-fingers" are very infrequent, and even when found are 

 generally of small size. Whether the latter owe their distribution 

 to the direct influence of the salinity of the water, temperature, 

 nature of ocean bottom, depth, or food, we are unable to say, 

 although it seems probable, from such observations as we have 

 made, that the animals flourish in warmer and brackish water of 

 moderate depth ; this, however, may result from the fact that the 

 stars find in this environment their most abundant food supply. 



In certain localities, and particularly over mussel beds, the star- 

 fish are so numerous that they actually form a covering over the 

 sea bottom. Mr. Gardiner has informed us that near the old 

 Nayatt Light he has taken twelve hundred bushels of stars from 

 four acres of sea bottom, an average of three hundred bushels to 

 the acre. The average potato crop is 91.8 bushels per acre.* 

 There is a long mussel bed lying in the west channel, and since, as 

 Dr.Mead has shown, the reproductive energy of the star is di- 

 rectly dependent upon the food supply, there are places over this 

 mussel bed where the starfish become gigantic in size, and where 

 there are enough eggs extruded during the breeding peiiod to 

 keep the entire Bay stocked with the pest. 



The Commission has located the enemy, tested its strength, is 

 acquainted with its habits, and purposes to begin a war of exter- 

 mination. Its first method will be to hire the necessary boats and 

 go directly to the localities where the enemy is intrenched, dredge 

 the stars from the bottom, and thus destroy the breeders. The 

 Commission has consulted many of the leading oystermen, and 

 is convinced that this method of procedure is practicable, and that 

 the money expended will be many times returned in the increased 

 receipts from the rental of land suitable for oyster culture. 



The following is the special report of the investigations of Dr. 

 A. D. Mead, made under the direction of the Commission. 



* In Rhode Island, 1880-1889. 



