102 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
that such copepods as Pontella meadii and Anomalocera patersoni appeared in the 
tow only after this weather. Dr. H. M. Smith attributes the presence of prac- 
tically all of the small tropical fish that are taken each year in the Sound and at 
Katama Bay to southerly winds. The floating Sargassum offers shelter for these 
animals after they have been passively transported up from the south, and as 
the weeds are blown inland the fish accompany them. During the winter months 
such winds are fatal, but in summer the broad expanse of water extending from 
the coast reaches a temperature as high as that of the stream. Here any forms 
Variation in the constituent parts of the plankton at Woods Hole during the year 
PLANKTON 
Summer Spring and fall Winter 
Temporary Constant 
Many | ‘ 
oéelenterates " 
Permanent Temporary Temporary Permanent 
Usual Ocean Larval Benthos, Benthos, Benthos, Few Larval Ocean Usual 
neritic forms nekton adults carried carried larvée nekton forms neritic 
adults blow (fish and lar- by cur- by cur= of (fish) blow adults 
and lar- in and vée (ad- rents and rents and Benthos in and lare) 
vae squid) ults on- on float- on float- and free- vae 
ly in ing ob- ing ob- swimming 
breeding jects jects adults 
season) 
Fig. 7 
carried out of their caurses can exist very well until the temperature drops in the 
fall, when all perish. 
The shallow waters of the immediate region, sheltered as they are by the arm 
of Cape Cod, respond very quickly to changes of weather, heating rapidly and cool- 
ing suddenly. In summer Buzzards Bay is warmer than Vineyard Sound, the 
maximum temperature occurring at the head of the bay, the minimum around 
Cuttyhunk. Such conditions continue through August and into October. With 
the sudden drop in air temperature the bay water responds immediately and results 
im an exact reversal of the conditions found in August. At this time the water of 
