BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF WOODS HOLE AND VICINITY. 21 



(2) From an analysis of these large sheets the distribution of each species was 

 ascertained. The list of stations for each of these species was recorded serially upon 

 large blank cards 5 by 8 inches in size. Here were entered, along with each station 

 number, the abundance, where stated, or any item of interest which had been noted in 

 the original records." These cards, under each major group, were arranged alphabetic- 

 ally and kept for reference. The distribution of each species by stations could thus 

 be determined on a moment's notice. 



(3) A sheet 8 by 1 1 inches in size was devised, having the headings indicated 

 herewith. This was intended either for use in abstracting data from various pub- 

 lished records, or for the entry of information furnished directly by observers, A 

 single sheet was devoted to each species so listed, and the printed headings are self- 

 explanatory. These sheets were padded in blocks of 50 each. 



Record Blank for Notes Upo.n Local Species. 



Observer's name 



Name . specific 



Name, popular or local 



Relative abundance 



Distribution, geographical (state any locality where species is known to occur) 



Distribution, seasonal (with exact dates, in case of rarer species) 



Habitat (host, if a parasite) 



Reproduction (sexual condition, breeding habits, etc.) 



Food 



Method of collecting 



Economic data 



References in literature (to local occurrence only) 



Remarks (any ecological or otlier data of interest. May be continued on back) 1 . 



(4) A rather elaborate system of cards was devised for recording in permanent form 

 the summarized data derived from all of the sources detailed previously. Separate cards 

 4 by 6 inches in size were printed, with headings corresponding to each of the subdivisions 

 of the sheet just described (3). The name card was of heavier material and provided 

 with a projecting index margin, or "tab" intended to bear the specific name. Thus a 

 complete record for a single species would consist of 1 1 cards, although, as a matter of 

 fact, this number would seldom be used, owing to the lack of certain data. In addition, 

 a heavy red index card was prox-ided for each family, and a blue one for each class. A 

 large mass of data was transcribed upon these cards in typewriting, but it must be 

 confessed that the system was found to have serious faults in practice. In the first place, 

 it was, as should have been foreseen, too cumbersome. In the second place, data were 

 entered on different cards which should not have been separated. For instance, "rela- 

 tive abundance" should not commonly be separated from "geographical distribution," 

 since it often happens that a species may be abundant in one locality and very rare at 

 others. The phrase "scarce to abundant" does not describe such a situation with 

 sufficient precision. In a similar manner "habitat" and "season," or date, should be 

 included with each individual entry of the occurrence of a species. The total number of 

 cards per species should evidently be greatly reduced. Nevertheless, the system, even 

 as described, served a useful purpose during the preparation of this report; and it is 



a The burdensome task of transcribing these records was carried out with creat care and precision by Mr. C. V. Morrill. 



