r228 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Molgula and a compound tunicate are found on the eelgrass. 

 The snail, Ilyanassa, is yerv abundant everywhere. It is a very 

 efficient scavenger, a dead fish or other form being covered in 

 a very short time with these snails. 



Colonies of Hydractinia are also found on the surface of 

 ;^hells occupied by hermit crabs, Eupagurus, but are never seen 

 on an unoccupied shell, indicating that being moved about is 

 necessary for the Hydractinia. 



SALINITY OF THE WATER 



Several observations were made as to the salinity of the water 

 'of the inner basin at Cold Spring Harbor and the results show 

 that the water in the basin is brackish, its density being 1.015- 

 1.017. At the pool a stream of fresh water enters. This 

 spreads out over the salt water only mingling with it as it 

 reaches the expanse of the basin. 



This brackish condition affects the plant and animal life. 

 Exactly what animal forms are prevented from getting a foot- 

 hold is not determined. 



In the towings forms brought in with the fresh water 

 were present. Diatoms, Nostoc, Oscillaria, Yolvox and Spiro- 

 gyra were among the plant forms taken. Daphnia, Gammarus 

 and Cyclops occurred in considerable numbers. . At times, 

 specially at night, the surface waters teemed with copepods. 

 At night too the surface towings showed the presence of small 

 Nereis virens and Nereis pelagica, Synapta, 

 Palaemonetes, Hydromedusae, Ctenophores, young Rhyncobolus, 

 small Siphostoma, young Squilla, Eotifers, Mysis, Nauplius, 

 Trilobite stages of Limulus and starfish larvae. On a few 

 nights in September there was a special abundance of Hydrome- 

 dusae. 



SUMMARY 



The fishing industry of Long Island is relatively small, and is 

 confined chiefly to the south shore and eastern end. The great 

 traffic in the sound has been put forth as a reason for the absence 

 of fish in numbers there; while the physical conditions of the 

 south shore seem to preclude the gathering of fish in great num- 



