THE FOOD FISHES. GOT 



The general appearance is something like a lobster without claws. The antennae and month 

 accessories are very inconspicuous. Specimens ten inches in length are found on the beaches 

 south of Cape Cod. Instead of forming a pair of pincers, as in the lobster, the last joint of 

 the great claw has a row of spines which shut into corresponding sockets, and serve both as 

 weapons and to hold their prey securely. The stout caudal apppendages armed with spines 

 are also used as weapons. The colors are brilliant, and the creature attractive for its curious 

 form. 



In speaking of the Shrimp, we should have added that a Prawn {Palcemojietes vulgaris) 

 is also common on the muddy shores, and especially where the eel-grass is abundant. 



Among the bivalves that grow exposed to the reach of fishes, and form an abundant 

 portion of their food, is the Ribbed Mussel (Mbdiola plicattola). It is very abundant near 

 and even above high-water mark, along the muddy borders of marshes and banks, and among 

 the roots of eel-grass. A species, the Mbdiola Jtamatus, is found among the oyster-beds, and 

 is thought to have been introduced from the South by adhering to oysters brought from there. 

 Mussels are a favorite food shell-fish in New York markets. Their red fiesh and sweetish 

 flavor, however, render them unpleasant to many. A favorite form is the pickled Mussel. 



Under a heading of the text on food of food fishes, in one of the Reports of the Fishery Com- 

 mission, is a chapter "On the Animals Inhabiting Piles and Timbers of Wharves and Bridges, 

 Bottoms of Vessels, Buoys, and other Submerged Wood.' 1 This is an interesting subject, and 

 one of the greatest economical importance. 



Beyond all others, perhaps, in its relation to the welfare of man, and the interests of all 

 marine industries, is the Teredo, or Ship-worm, so called. This pest is well known. For a 

 long period, the bottoms of sea-going vessels, or, rather, those that are exposed to salt sea- 

 water, in latitudes where the temperature is from moderate to warm, the copper sheathing 

 became a necessity. Some small coastwise vessels depend on verdigris paint, and the oppor- 

 tunity of an occasional change into fresh-water rivers, where the worms immediately die. 

 AVe have seen the effects of the Teredo in the Gulf of Mexico, where the piles of wharves 

 would become replaced by the shells of the pest in a comparatively short period. 



The timber would present a perfectly sound appearance, but on close inspection the 

 exterior would be seen to be pierced, and the surface completely overspread by minute holes. 

 On sawing through, or breaking a portion (for the timber is not strong enough to resist a 

 stout pull), the interior wood is seen to be missing, and replaced by the shells, which have 

 grown steadily larger from the commencement, the larger end containing the head, which, 

 with its powerful jaws, has consumed the wood as it progressed. The floating timber always 

 kept at our navy and other yards in salt water, is injured greatly by several species of pests. 

 The Teredo navalis is the same as that which did so much damage in Europe, on the coast of 

 Holland, several years since. Though called a worm, it is a true mollusk, belonging to the 

 '•shell-fish." Wooden buoys would only last two years, so rapid is the destruction caused 

 by this creature. From Cape Cod to New York, along the coast, this pest is very abundant. 



Tii Florida, a beneficent provision against the ravages of this creature is found in the wood 

 of the palmetto-tree. It is never in the least harmed by it or any other pest. The trees are, 

 therefore, in great request for piles of wharves. 



Among the various forms of the lower invertebrates, great numbers have been brought to 

 light through the dredging of the members of the Fishery Commission. Bryozoans are espe- 

 cially abundant along the south shores between Cape Cod and New York, on rocky bottoms, at 

 all depths. Some are encrusting, as Escharella, Alcponidium, Eschar ipora, etc. A large 

 number occur in rocky pools at low-water mark, or attached to the sea-weeds between tides. 



As there is no work extant that is convenient for the student or casual observer, we regard 

 it as useful to give some indications of these lowly but very interesting forms, that they may be 

 sought more readily. The Alcyonidium ramosum is one of the most conspicuous species, 

 and may be found attached to rocks at low-water mark, or in shallow water. A. Mspidium 

 is common, though it has hitherto escaped the attention of writers before the commission. 

 The Vesicularia diehotoma is abundant in similar localities. V. cuscuta is a creeping 

 variety, resembling a miniature dodder plant, cuscuta, from which it gets its specific name. 



