66 GRIFFIN. 



HABITS AND EXTERNAL CHARACTERS. 



My attention was called to the presence of this species in 

 Manila Bay by Mr. Dean C. Worcester, about February 1, 1909. 

 The animals were then congregated in enormous numbers for 

 miles along the coast, just below low tide level. At the spot 

 where they were first discovered, there were areas where the ani- 

 mals were so numerous that it was impossible to move without 

 treading on them, and the outstretched hand would cover three or 

 four almost everywhere it could be placed. The aclesias were 

 then engaged in depositing their eggs which are produced in 

 enormous numbers. The egg capsules are inclosed in a cord of 

 greenish mucus, one of which when unraveled proved to be 27 

 meters in length. The tangled egg-masses are attached, if pos- 

 sible, to stakes or stones ; sometimes one animal after another de- 

 posits its eggs at the same place, until there is an accumulation 

 sufficient to fill a large pail. An immense number of the egg 

 masses which are deposited on the bottom are washed ashore, 

 forming a windrow which extends along the beach for miles. As 

 the eggs develop, the color of the mass changes to light brovsm. 

 The egg masses are eaten by many persons in the form of a salad, 

 dressed with vinegar and olive oil. The aclesias themselves also 

 serve as food to a limited extent, the thick body-wall being 

 cooked and eaten. In the years 1909 and 1910, the aclesias 

 first appeared along the shore of the bay near Manila about 

 the first of February. During the middle of the month, their 

 numbers and egg-laying activities were greatest; then the num- 

 ber of aclesias lessened day by day. Few were left at the end of 

 the month, and after the first week of March it was impossible 

 to find any of them along the beach. 



The first individual and eggs of the next season were found 

 December 4, 1910; the principal activity in egg-laying occurred 

 during January, 1911, instead of in February as in the previous 

 years. Many aclesias, however, remained along the shore until 

 the last week of February. Other duties rendered it impos- 

 sible to determine the extent of coast line along which the aclesias 

 appeared during the years mentioned. 



The author has found this aclesia to be an extremely useful 

 form to use in his classes. The supply appears to be regular and 

 unlimited.^ 



The animals are of large size, clean in appearance and odor, 



' In 1912 no aclesias had appeared by March 11, the date on which the 

 author left Manila. 



