20 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
blades with sharp or jagged edges, which would cut or lacerate one’s legs and hands 
in the most painful manner. Then most of these species, at least MUlepora alci- 
cornis, Pterogorgia acerosa and Phipidogorgia flcibellum , have the sting cells well 
developed and render one’s condition still more uncomfortable. Swimming about 
in the open places among the corals, hiding under the spreading blades, and resting 
quietly in the nooks and corners everywhere, gaily colored fishes could be seen. The 
most abundant was perhaps Atmdefduf saxatilis 1 called “mariposa” by the natives; 
tangs, cockeye pilots, blennies, the young of several snappers ( Neomoenis synagris , N. 
analis ) yellow-tails, parrot-fishes, and scorpsenas were also noticed. 
Among those coral masses, covered more or less with algpe, were found a good 
many crustaceans, and down in the interstices were star-fishes and sea-urchins. The 
most abundant urchin was an exceedingly long-spined species ( Diadema ), the wound 
from whose spines is very painful. Very few mollusks were found among these 
corals, but in the shallow water nearer the shore, in the sand, or among the masses 
of Porites, shells were fairly abundant, though the species represented were few. 
Decidedly the most abundant was a little Donax , which was common just at the 
water’s edge, and, as the waves receded, numbers could be seen hurriedly burrowing 
themselves in the sand. So quickly would they disappear that it would require 
prompt action to dig them out before the coming of another wave. 
Another good seining-ground was on the sandy beach up the coast for a mile or 
more above the reef and toward Punta del Algarrobo, in front of a large cocoanut 
grove which extends along near the shore for considerable distance. The water 
increased in depth moderated, the bottom was of sand covered with a liberal growth 
of alga?, and fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, sea-urchins, sea-cucumbers, etc., were 
reasonably abundant. The most common fishes were the smaller scaroids, such as 
S parisoma xystrodon , S. niphobles , S. hoplomystax , S. fiavescens , and Scants croicensis. 
The short-spined white sea-urchin ( Toxopneustes variegatus ) was abundant, as was also 
the large sea-cucumber ( Holothuria surinamensis) . 
Considerable work Avas done with the boat dredge in Mayaguez Bay. The larger 
part of the bay was covered, but the only dredging-grounds of value Avere betAveen 
the coral reefs already described and Punta del Algarrobo. The southern part of 
the harbor was dead bottom and almost completely barren. The principal objects 
obtained with the boat dredge were many small crustaceans, including several species 
of crabs not obtained before, five or six species of sea-urchins, and a few mollusks. 
The dredging in this vicinity was somewhat more satisfactory, and some of the 
stations Avere particularly rich, especially in bivalves. One station which proved 
exceedingly rich is No. 6062. The dredge was hauled here in 25 to 30 fathoms OA^er 
bottom composed of mud, sand, and shells and in about 3 pints of material saved 
more than 100 species of mollusks were represented. 
Puerto Real de Cabo Rojo. — This small bay and vicinity proved very good 
collecting-ground. The best, perhaps, was along the south side of the small bay, near 
the cocoanut grove of Senior Don Ignacio G. Vidal. The bay here was well supplied 
with algse, the bottom was usually suitable, and fishes were abundant. Much of the 
shoi*e in this vicinity is covered with mangrove bushes, and it is here that the largest 
and best oysters are obtained. It was learned that some oysters are occasionally 
gathered here for the market at Mayaguez and perhaps other toAvns of the island. 
