550 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The illustrations for the present report were made — in all but one instance, 
Trochostoma oollticum — from specimens taken in the Woods Hole region. The 
figures showing the external appearance of the different species, and the denuded 
tests of the sea urchins, are from photographs made by Mr. J. D. Figgins. So far 
as possible, these photographs were from living or freshly killed specimens, and are 
represented natural size. It is due entirely to Mr. Figgins’s patience and persistence 
that the results have been so generally satisfactory, and it gives me pleasure to 
express my sincere thanks to him. The other figures are from drawings, and are 
intended to show those characters which are of importance in the identification of 
species. 
In the choice of names, 1 have endeavored to make as few changes as possible from 
those in common use, but pre-Linmean names have been rejected, as no good reason 
has ever been given for introducing them into modern literature. The name of each 
species is followed by that of its describer; if, however, that describer did not place 
the species in the genus in which it is now included, his name is inclosed in paren- 
theses. There is no good reason for appending the name of the writer who placed 
the species in its present genus, and the custom is bad in its effects. Popular names 
are given where any are in common use, but none has been coined for any of the less- 
known species. No attempt has been made to give a complete synonymy, but the 
names used in the most important papers dealing with the echinoderms of the New 
England coast, and in standard works on the various classes, are given under each 
species. A bibliography also is appended, in which the titles of such works will be 
found, and there is an index to all names, including synonyms. 
The work upon which this report is based has been carried on exclusively in the 
laboratory of the United States Fish Commission at Woods Hole, in part during the 
summers of 1898, 1899, and 1900, but particularly in 1902. It gives me pleasure to 
acknowledge my indebtedness to the Commissioner, Hon. George M. Bowers, 
for the opportunity thus given me, and to Dr. Id. M. Smith, who, as director of the. 
Woods Hole laboratory, has afforded me every facility for carrying on my investi- 
gations. I dice all other workers at the Woods Hole station, I am under special 
obligations to the veteran collector of the Commission, Mr. Vinal N. Edwards, who 
has supplied me with many important data concerning the local distribution and 
habits of echinoderms. Mr. George M. Gray, of the Marine Biological Laboratory, 
lias also assisted me with information and specimens. 
