NO. 17 SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, 1g16 45 
STUDY OF THE MARINE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA OF CHESA- 
PAK EB AWS 
The hydrographic and biologic study of Chesapeake Bay begun 
by the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries in 1915 was continued during the 
past year. On two of the cruises of the steamer Fish Hawk, used 
for these explorations, the U.S. National Museum had a representa- 
tive aboard with instructions to give particular attention to the inver- 
tebrate fauna of the bay. 
Mr. J. A. Mirguet was detailed for this work from April 20 to 
April 26, 1916, during which time dredgings were made at Stations 
Nos. 8497 to 8536 inclusive. A few of these dredgings were made 
in Lynnhaven Sound and in the vicinity of Cape Henry. The others 
were in various parts of the Chesapeake between the mouth and the 
Patapsco River. But little opportunity was afforded for collecting 
along shore, the only work of this kind being done during a brief visit 
to the shores of St. Mary’s River and Buckroe Beach. 
Mr. William B. Marshall was detailed to the Fish Hawk for 
similar work from July 12 to July 31, 1916. During this cruise, 
Stations Nos. 8593 to 8622 inclusive were investigated, extending 
from the mouth of the bay to above the Patuxent River. Near the 
capes the dredgings yielded rich returns, but the fauna appears to 
dwindle out to the northward. 
On this cruise, many opportunities occurred for collecting along 
shore and in the inlets and back bays. Lynnhaven Inlet and its 
shores, the shores of Fisherman's Island and at New Point, Cedar 
Point, and Solomon’s Island were carefully examined. Lynnhaven 
Inlet yielded some fine material and interesting data. At Cedar 
Point a fresh-water lake of many acres in extent comes to within 
a hundred feet of the bay, above which its banks are elevated but 
a few feet. A small mollusk (Amnicola) is abundant in the floating 
vegetable matter and seems to be the only molluscan life occurring 
in the lake. 
With a small dredge operated from a motor-boat, five or six hauls 
were made in Mogothy Bay at depths of from 20 to 32 feet. The 
fauna proved to be very rich, probably owing to the narrow channel 
and fair current and the clean shores and flats covered with sea- 
grass. Unfortunately the netting of the dredge was carried away 
by the weight of a mass of coral. Having no means of making 
repairs, the party returned to the ship which then moved to another 
station, leaving the investigation of Mogothy Bay unfinished. 
