LX IV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
The observations made upon the distribution of starfishes as deter- 
mined by the salinity of the water are not conclusive, owing to the fact 
that they were confined td a single month, during which there was a 
considerable rainfall, although the latter apparently had only a slight 
effect upon the bottom densities. According to the statements of the 
oystermen, ; the upper limit of the starfishes in Providence River is 
usually in the vicinity of Field’s Point, but during seasons of prolonged 
drought they have been known to ascend as far as the Ohio bed, near 
the lower bridge at Providence. The mean density of the water at the 
bottom off Field’s Point in September, 1888, was about 1 .0187. Off Mob- 
jack Bay, in the southern part of Chesapeake Bay, the average density 
in April, 1889, was about 1.015. As starfishes are rare, if not entirely 
absent, in the latter locality, well known for its oyster beds, it is pos- 
sible that the lowest limit of density in which they can survive for any 
length of time may be found between the two figures given above. 
That these animals might be driven out of Providence River by the 
freshening of its waters was demonstrated in 1886, but under condi- 
tions which proved nearly as destructive to the oysters, although the 
direct cause of the injury done to them was probably not the same. 
Starfishes had been very plentiful in 1885. In February, 1886, while 
the ground was coated with a frozen crust of snow, a heavy rainfull 
occurred over the drainage tributary to Providence River, producing 
an unusual freshet and bringing down large quantities of mud, which 
covered the beds on the west side of the river, and is said to have 
destroyed nearly the entire crop of oysters there. The starfishes disap- 
peared at the same time throughout the entire river, because, it was 
supposed, of the great inroad of fresh water, and they did not again 
become abundant until the summer Of 1888, after a lapse of a year and 
a half. Those observed at the mouth of the river by the Fish Hawk, 
in September, 1888, were of large and nearly uniform size, very few 
young ones being found among them. 
Several means of protection have been suggested for Providence 
River, but none of them seem feasible. Inclosures in the way of screens 
about the beds, while they might exclude large objects, would not keep 
out the young starfishes and drills, and as both of these species remain 
in the river during the entire year, they would have to be constantly 
removed by the methods now in use. Furthermore, such barriers would 
be expensive and could not readily be made durable. Should the pond 
system of oyster-culture be introduced in this region, however, the 
trouble with enemies could be largely, if not entirely, overcome. Star- 
fishes are known to have a great fondness for the common mussel (My- 
tilus edulis ), and it has been considered that colonies of that species 
planted around the oyster beds might serve as a partial protection to the 
latter. Two extensive mussel beds are situated at the mouth of Provi- 
dence River, one on either side of the narrow channel opposite the 
Kay at Point light-house, but, while a half bushel pf starfishes were 
