f427] INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF VINEYARD SOUND, ETC. 133 



bases. Where eel-grass or algae afford opportunities for its attachment, 

 the M. Manliattensis (p. 311, Plate XXXIII, fig. 250) generally occurs. 



The Bryozoa are not numerous, unless where dead shells are scattered 

 over the sand for their attachment, when many of the same species that 

 inhabit shelly bottoms may occur. The only species that are frequent 

 on the true sandy bottoms are Bugula turrita, (Plate XXXIY, figs. 258, 

 259,) which occurs attached to eel-grass, &c., and Eschar ella variabilis, 

 (p. 311, Plate XXXIII, fig. 256,) which iucrusts dead shells or other solid 

 objects ; with the last, Membranipora lineata, (p. 406,) and several other 

 species may sometimes be found. 



Several species of Echinoderms inhabit the sandy bottoms. The most 

 abundant one is the &quot; sand-dollar,&quot; Echinarachnius parma, (p. 362, Plate 

 XXXV, fig. 267,) which occurs in immense numbers on nearly all sandy 

 bottoms, except on the most exposed shoals. Another related species, 

 Melitta testudinaria, was dredged two or three times in Vineyard Sound, 

 but the specimens were dead and broken. It is a very abundant species 

 south of Cape Hatteras, and may be distinguished by having five large 

 oblong perforations near the edge. 



At least three species of Holothurians live upon the sandy bottoms. 

 The most common one is the Thy one Briareus, (p. 362,) conspicuous on 

 account of its large size and dark purplish-brown color, as well as for the 

 numerous long papilla that cover its body. It was found on a sandy bot 

 tom off Waqupit, with the Eulima oleacea (Plate XXIV, fig. 149) adher 

 ing to its surface, just as they occurred together on shelly bottoms, (see p. 

 418.) The Pentamem pulchella, (p. 420,) also inhabits sandy bottoms, in 

 shallow water. During the past winter Mr. Vinal N. Edwards collected 

 numerous specimens of this and the preceding species on Nobsca beach, 

 after storms. They doubtless live in the sand, in shallow water, a short 

 distance off the beach. In similar situations the Caudina arenata, (p. 362,) 

 occasionally occurs, but it is apparently rare in this region. It has a thick, 

 yellowish white, harsh skin, without suckers, and its body tapers off into 

 a slender caudal portion. The common star-fish, Asterias arenicola, 

 (p. 326, Plate XXXV, fig. 269,) is not uncommon on sandy bottoms, though 

 more abundant in rocky and shelly localities. The Ophiura olivacea 

 (p. 363) lives among the patches of eel-grass in shallow water on the 

 sandy bottoms, and travels over the surface of the sand quite rapidly 

 by means of its slender, flexible rays. 



Of Hydroids very few species ordinarily inhabit sandy bottoms, and 

 the only one that is usually met with is Hydractinia polyclina, (p. 328,) 

 which lives on the shells occupied by hermit-crabs. Others occasionally 

 grow on the eel-grass or on dead shells. 



The Cliona sulphured, (p. 421,) is the only large sponge that is com 

 monly met with on sandy bottoms, but another bright yellow siliceous 

 sponge, forming smooth, firm, crest-like lobes and plates, occurred on 

 Edgartown beach. 



