THE FOOD FISHES. 603 



In the first years, the operations were carried on in a sail-boat ; then a steam launch was 

 used. Afterwards, through the courtesy of the Revenue Marine Department, the steamer 

 Moccasin was tendered for this purpose, its steam arrangements for dredging being of great 

 service, and a great improvement on the tedious hauling of the lines by hand. 



Among the facts brought out by examination of the invertebrate animals of our coast, is 

 the fact that the common green Sea-star {Aster las are a i cola), found at low water in large 

 numbers, is destroying the oysters in great quantities. The Star appears in groups of hundreds 

 at a time. Once it lias found itself attached to the shell-fish, it throws its arms completely 

 around the creature, opens its month, and protrudes the extensible lips or oesophagus until it 

 has quite inclosed the shells, when it preys upon the soft parts at leisure. In one instance, at 

 Westport, Conn., this Sea-star destroyed two thousand bushels of oysters, occupying beds of 

 about twenty acres in extent. An amusing result of ignorance of the reproductive power 

 of this invertebrate is known, in the case of some oysterinen. who viciously tore in twain all 

 the Stars they could reach, which Stars simply followed their own law of nature, by setting- 

 up each piece by itself— a separate establishment. The truth is, there was a multiplication of 

 Sea-stars, instead of any reduction. 



The Ilydroid polyps are found in still pools of overhanging rocks left by the tide, or grow 

 upon Funis and other sea-weeds at low-water mark. The Sertularia piumila is an abundant 

 species. 



The Campanularia Jlexuosa is another similar Hydroid, found growing abundantly at 

 Eastport, Maine, on the piers in the harbor. The Pennaria is a beautiful species, having 

 numerous bright-red flower-like hydroids. It occurs in pools left by the tide, attached to 

 stones. The tile-fishes feed on these low forms of animal life, their stomachs being filled by 

 it, their sharp teeth being well adapted to cut the i (ranches of this plant-like creature. A species 

 called Hyoocodon prolifer is one of the most interesting. It is one of the largest and most 

 beautiful of the tubularians, and is very conspicuous on account of its deep orange color of 

 the hydroids. 



The Hydractinia is met with covering the dead shells used by Hermit-crabs. It has a 

 soft, velvety appearance. 



Of the Actinias, there are several species. One species of genuine coral is known, a little 

 delicate cup, named Astrangia, common in shallow water on stones. The most common is the 

 Fringed Anemone (Metridium marginatum). It is largely spread over the rocks at low tide. 

 In full expansion it is very graceful, and some are as large as a tea-cup. Their colors vary, 

 some being pinkish, and light fawn-color. A pale salmon is common, and dark umber. 



The White-armed Sea Anemone (Sagartia leucolima). It is common at low water. It is 

 more elongated and slender than the last. Under the rocks and usually attached to their under 

 surfaces are found hydroids and brvozoans, and some beautiful naked mollusks, as the Doris, 

 Doridella, etc. These, as well as most of the species of marine objects, will be found described 

 with more or less particularity in their appropriate places, in the chapters of this work on 

 Invertebrate Animals. 



Among the crustaceans found in these waters, along the southern coast of New England, 

 south of Cape Cod, is a small crab, Pinnotheres maculatus, which lives in the live mussel- 

 shell, ensconced between the valves and covered in by the mantle, as is the Pinnotheres of 

 the oyster. 



Four or five species of Crabs are known to this region. The "(riven Crab" (Carcinus 

 granulatus) is common, living well up toward high-water mark, and hiding among loose 

 stones. 



The Common Rock-crab {Cancer irroratus) is generally common among the rocks at low- 

 water mark, and often lies buried in the sand and gravel beneath them. It is usually larger 

 than the preceding, measuring four inches across the back. It is not confined to rocky beds, 

 but is found in sandy places. The males exhibit at times most comical combats. It is widely 

 diffused, extending to Labrador and southward. Like all the other crustaceans, it is greedily 

 devoured by the Cod. Haddock, and other large fishes, as the Sharks and Pays. Other small 

 crabs, are the Panopeus depressus and Pawpeus sayi. They are usually found in company. 



