Contributions to tiie Fauna of the Bahamas 21 



Going from land towards the sea the first region that can be distinguished 

 is a narrow land area (Fig. N, a) characterized by a low growth, stones, dead shells 

 and corals thrown up by the waves, as well as sea-weed. Tliis area is not reached 

 by the sea except on rare occasions. The most characteristic animal found here is 

 a shell, Tectariiis muricatus L., clinging to stones or plants and bushes by means 

 of a secretion, which hardens in the air, as a thin membrane attaches the limb of 

 the shell aperture to the stratum named. The foot is always fully withdrawn and 

 the shell closed by an opercle, thus keeping the necessary moistre, when the animal 

 is not crawling about, which I never observed in day-time. The shell is almost 

 chalk- white owing to the great insolation. The occurrence of this shell here is of 

 interest, as it is a gill-breathing form, that must be developed in the sea. Among 

 the sea-weed, more or less decaying, sand fleas abound. A fcAv shells, small cen- 

 tipedes, earth-worms, small 

 crabs and Forficulids will be 

 found. After storms mouse 

 fishes {Pferophryne histrio) 

 and other animals living 

 among the sargasso weed 

 may be found thrown up. 

 Shells oE Spirula are rather 

 common, but I never saw 

 the animals thrown up. 



Outside this land area 

 follows a region that occu- 

 pies that part of the rocky 

 shore with a comparatively 

 smooth surface with rather 

 large but shallow holes 

 which only at high tide is 

 reached by the sea (b). The holes are then filled with water, often remaining there 

 when the sea draws back, but they are sometimes laid quite dry at ebb-tide. Small 

 areas of coral sand, recently thrown up by the waves are found at some places. 

 The vegetation is very insignificant consisting only of a very thin cover of algae, 

 and is sometimes entirely wanting. The only variétés of animal life here are three 

 shells, Tectarius nodulosus Gm. var. dilatatus d'Orb., with a greenish shell, Litlorina 

 ziczac Ch. and small specimens of Nerita versicolor Lam., the larger specimens of 

 which occur in the following region. 



There is not much difference between the last named region and the following 

 (c) as to the stratum. This is made up of rocks, with holes like those in the 

 preceding region, but the surface of the rock is not smooth but extremely ragged 

 and pitted. The same form of Nerita, the young ones of which were found in the 

 region inside of this, occur here, but also two other species, the »bleeding tooth » 



5- 



Fig. M. Brackish pond (Near Wide Opening, Andros). 



