132 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
and natural-history points of view. He has now complete accounts 
of the life histories of the southern sand-dollar and the most abun- 
dant of the Beaufort ophiurans. His signal suecess in rearing these 
forms from the unfertilized egg to the adult condition has been due 
to his employment of a particular method of feeding. Muddy sand, 
rich in diatoms, is dredged, and is kept in proper lght, in labora- 
tory aquaria, until the number of diatoms has vastly increased. Such 
diatomaceous sand is used as stock food. A supply of it is added to 
each aquarium jar in which the larve are kept; the water in the jar 
is not changed, and the jar is kept covered. 
Dr. Hamaker carried on observations on the natural history of the 
Beaufort actinians, studying their characteristic features in the living 
state, both in their natural habitat and when kept in the laboratory 
aquaria. Their variability and individual color changes make this 
study from life essential to a successful systematic treatment. Notes 
were made on the breeding, food, ete. Material was prepared for 
careful histological work, and the study of this material was continued 
during the year. 
Mr. H. B. Torrey studied the early development of an annelid 
(A.riothea), one of the most abundant worms on the sand shoals. Mr. 
Torrey’s attention was concentrated upon the ‘‘cell lineage,” or the 
origin of particular layers and organs from particular segments of the 
egg. Incidentally observations on the general natural history were 
made. The eggs are laid in jelly masses, very frequently at any rate, 
in the early morning. The eggs emerge from the mouth of the burrow 
already fertilized. The larva is an opaque modified trochophore, 
free-swimming in the jelly. It emerges from the jelly in from two 
to twelve days, and then has a structure adapted for bottom life. 
Axtothea is a» common article of food for several bottom-feeding fish 
(hog-fish, croaker, sea mullet). 
Dr. E. B. Wilson and Dr. Crampton made studies of the early - 
development of the eggs of the various invertebrates. The former 
gave special attention to the development of the unfertilized eggs of 
the white sea-urchin, which are made to develop parthenogenically 
under the stimulus of magnesium chloride. Dr. Crampton studied 
the behavior of the eggs of the oyster and other mollusks when sup- 
mitted to unusual chemical and physical conditions. 
BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY ON THE GULF OF MEXICO. 
For a number of years the establishment of a biological laboratory 
on the Gulf coast of the United States has been under consideration 
and has been urged by members of Congress and private citizens of 
the Gulf States. During the Fifty-sixth Congress unusual attention 
was given the matter and a number of bills providing for the station 
were introduced. In order to put the Commission in possession of 
full information regarding the available sites, it was determined to 
have the entire Gulf seaboard canvassed in advance of any action 
