VII. BIOLOGY 



In the small samples taken across the new ice area, shell content 

 varied between and 60% and averaged 40% (Table 11). All but three 

 contained erect, calcareous Bryozoan remains. About half contained 

 silicious sponge spicules (probably derived from the very large sili- 

 cious sponges which live out in the open portions of the Sound). 

 Small gastropods were frequent and there was a considerable represent- 

 ation of broken shell fragments which has been lumped together as 

 "calcareous detritus." The bottom, even under what until recently had 

 been more or less permanently ice-covered water, appears to be very 

 rich in invertebrate life. Among the organisms found on the bottom 

 at the icehole or in the water are the following: 5 species of fish, 

 spongin sponges, calcareous hydroids, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, 

 starfish, brittle stars, several types of isopods, sea spiders, shrimp, 

 prawns, two forms of amphipods, various tubed annelids, barnacles, 

 nemertine worms, bryozoans, pteropods, ostracods, pelecypods, brachio- 

 pods, several species of sessile turnicates, f oraminifera, gastropods, 

 and one squid. Some of the fish living near the bottom were caught 

 in a fish trap, while others were caught on hook and line or with a 

 dip net at the surface. Those which were tried were found to be good 

 eating. There also were two kinds of amphipods, one living in the 

 upper waters and the other at great depths. Bait in fish traps came 

 up covered with them and fish left in live cans in the icehole were 

 soon killed and reduced to skeletons overnight, all the work of these 

 voracious little creatures. 



86 



