INLAND FISHERIES. 55 



The small starfishes, such as live iipou the eel-grass, are re- 

 markably hard}' in some respects. They will live for weeks and 

 even months, in a small dish, without chaug-e of water, and with 

 the minimum amount of food. During- the first Aveek in July 

 I carried a number of free-swimming brachiolaria, like the one 

 figured, to Providence, for further examination. They were car- 

 ried in a glass one-quart butter jar, and, after one or two speci- 

 mens Avere taken out, the jar was closed and left on my desk un- 

 opened during the rest of the summer. In a few days the larvae 

 had all set, and when I examined the dish again, on September 

 5th, it contained still a few live starfishes, which were, however, 

 very small. Upon watching these specimens it was observed that 

 the n]ore enterprising individuals were eating their companions, 

 and finally only one star remained. This one lived in the jar for 

 weeks, but, unfortunately, I am not able to record the exact date 

 of his death. 



On the other hand, the same young starfishes, which can live so 

 long without food or change of water, perish quickly if left out 

 of the water, especially if the sun is shining. They cannot live, 

 therefore, above the low-water mark, unless sheltered by a dense 

 growth of vegetation. Large starfish can endure very much 

 longer exposure, since their bulk prevents their drying so quickly. 



On July IGth I made a special search for young stars, on the 

 sea-weed, above the low-water mark. I found none, yet just below 

 low-water mark they were excessively abundant. At the same 

 time it was noticed that, above the line vvdiere the starfish were 

 abundant, there was a thick set of one-year-old oysters, while be- 

 low it the oysters were absent. The oysters set somewhat later 

 in the season than the starfish, and the latter, therefore, are ready 

 to prey upon the young oysters as soon as they appear. When, 

 in addition to these facts, we take into account the extraordinary 

 voracity of the young stars, their immense numbers, and their 

 special fondness for oysters, we are led to conclude that one rea- 

 son Avhy a considerable set of oysters is so rarely obtained below 

 low water is that they fall prey to the starfish. The oysters which 



