REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1901 rll3 



as Spanish shark, was very abundant during the summer and 

 proved very destructive to netting. A sand shark examined 

 July 19 was found to be feeding on fiatfish and eels. 



On the evening of July 23 a clam fisherman killed seven indi- 

 viduals of this species by means of a horseshoe spear, and we 

 also speared several. The cove was " full of sharks," to use 

 the language of fishermen, and it was almost useless to set a 

 gill net at night. The sharks, in their efforts to secure the men- 

 haden, caught in the nets, bit great pieces out of the netting, 

 and usually forced the entire body through the rent thus made. 



July 31 the sand sharks were found to be feeding on eels. 



Anguilla chrysypa Eafinesque 

 Eel 

 Howell's point July 13 



Whale House Hole Aug. 10 



Quantic bay Aug. 22 



Swan river Aug. 29 



Eels taken at Meadow point July 19 had been feeding on com- 

 mon shrimp, soft edible crab and the common killy (Fwndulus 

 heterocUtus). 



During the summer months the most effective bait for eel- 

 pots was found to be the horseshoe crab; and- the best form of 

 eelpot for practical use appeared to be a rectangular wire pot. 



Eels caught on July 25 had eaten live killifish and shrimp. 



An experiment was made with pieces of shark for eelpot bait ; 

 but this proved decidedly objectionable, only two small eels 

 having been taken in pots during the night when such bait was 

 used. 



Eels speared near Fire Island Aug. 1, had in their stomachs 

 shrimps, crabs, and small mussels. 



Aug. 3, eels taken at Meadow point had eaten shrimps and 

 soft edible crabs. 



On the night of Aug. 9 eels were very abundant near the Bell- 

 port Life-saving station, and about 20 pounds of large eels were 

 speared. 



