120 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
During the summer of 1903 thirteen persons at the laboratory 
carried on special lines of investigation, which are summarized below: 
The early development of an ascidian ( Cynthia sp.) was investigated by Prof. W. Kk. 
Brooks, of Johns Hopkins University, during two weeks in September, in order to 
compare certain structural characters of the eggs and larvee and certain features in 
the development with corresponding stages in Salpa. 
The study of Phoronis architecta, began by Mr. R. P. Cowles, of Johns Hopkins 
University, two years ago, was completed, and the study of the development of a 
species of Ascarus parasitic in the toadfish, also a research on the cell lineage of 
Axiotheca murosa, a species of annelid found in the vicinity of Beaufort, were taken up. 
Studies of peculiar ecelenterate larvee, which present divergences from other larval 
ccelenterates already described, were conducted by Mr. L. R. Cary, of Johns Hop- 
kins University. The specimens were taken in the tow nets, and from the small 
actinians developed from them it appears that the species is Paractis rapiformis. 
The effect of X-rays on the development of the chick was studied by Mr. P. K. 
Gilman, with results that are expected to exert influence on certain lines of surgery. 
Living eggs of Fusciolaria tulipa and the method of ingestion by the few fertile 
eggs of the large number in the same capsule which never undergo development 
were subjects of investigation by Dr. O. C. Glaser, of Johns Hopkins University. 
Studies on the breeding habits of the pipefish were continued by Mr. E. W. 
Gudger, of Johns Hopkins University, the method by which the female transfers 
her eggs to the brood pouch of the male being especially observed. Material was 
preserved to serve as a basis for a study of the embryology of the species. 
About 275 species of insects occurring in the vicinity of Beaufort were collected by 
Mr. Franklin Sherman, jr., and notes were made relating to the habits, comparative 
abundance, and other matters concerning 32 species. Special attention was paid to 
species of economic importance, viz., the harlequin, cabbage bug, chinch bug, cotton 
louse, cabbage louse, spotted melon beetle, striped melon beetle, spotted belidnota, 
herbivorous lady beetle, pine weevil, potato beetle, tortoise beetles (3 species), horse- 
flies (3 species), apple-tree tent-caterpillar, bean-leaf beetle, house fly, large corn- 
stalk borer, corn-hill beetle, and blister beetle. 
Collections representing 380 species of Hydromeduse were made by Mr. Samuel 
Rittenhouse, of Johns Hopkins University, who also preserved material for work on 
the development of Turritopsis. : 
The plankton of the harbor was studied by Dr. Adolf Reichard, and material was 
collected for a research on the development of Appendicularia. 
The collection of annelids at the laboratory was rearranged, labeled, and studied 
by Mr. Clarence A. Shore, of Johns Hopkins University, who also made additional 
collections whenever the tides and weather permitted, obtaining several hitherto 
unrepresented species and bringing the total number up to 52. 
The alge of the region were studied by Mr. W. D. Hoyt, of the University of 
Georgia, 54 species being collected. Notes on the structure, habitat, and reproduc- 
tion characteristics of each were filed in the laboratory catalogue. 
Fishes of the vicinity of Beaufort were collected by Mr. George T. Bean, a number 
of species obtained whose occurrence was before unknown bringing the list up to 119. 
Records of the food, breeding habits, and economic importance were preserved. 
The study of a destructive parasite of the oyster, a trematode of the genus Gaste- 
rostomum, was continued by Dr. D. H. Tennent, of Johns Hopkins University, who 
has traced the complete life history of this worm. The adult form lives in the 
alimentary canal of several species of Beaufort fishes. 
