THE ANTHOZOA OF THE WOODS HOLE REGION. 
By CHARLES W. HARGITT, 
Professor of Zoology, Syracuse Uriiversity. 
J’ 
INTRODUCTORY. 
The present report aims to present in convenient form a synoptic account of the 
Anthozoa (Actinozoa) of the region, adapted alike to the needs of the general worker 
in systematic zoology and those desiring in brief compass a modem survey of the habits, 
characteristics, and local distribution of the group. 
The material forming the basis of the report has been collected for the most part 
by the writer at various times during the past five years, though some of the specimens 
of deep-water habitat were collected by the Fish Hawk during dredging expeditions at 
various times within the past lo years. A record of these latter collections will be 
noted in connection with the several species concerned. 
It is again my pleasure to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Vinal N. Edwards in 
many ways. My thanks are also due to Commissioner George M. Bowers and to Dr. F. B, 
Sumner, director of the laboratory, for many courtesies. 
GENERAL ACCOUNT. 
Anthozoa are marine animals of various range of distribution, habit, size, etc., and 
variously known as actinians, sea anemones, polyps, etc. In general they are more or 
less sedentary, i. e., attached to some permanent support, such as rocks, piles, etc., or 
in some cases (Alcyonaria) rooted in the sandy bottoms where they thrive, or in still 
other cases (corals) forming a calcareous skeleton, which in the subtropical species gives 
rise to complex reef masses. Not a few of the actinians have a measure of locomotor 
power and creep, snail-like, over the supporting base to which they are attached. And 
again still others are given to a commensal mode of life, forming the well-known partner- 
ships with hermit crabs or other creatures of similar habit. Further notice of these 
peculiarities will be given in connection with the species which exhibit the trait. 
Anthozoa, in common with other classes of coelenterates, may live a wholly solitary 
and independent life, as in most actinians, or may form highly complex colonies, as in 
most corals and Alcyonaria. In the case of colonial species the polyps are usually 
335 
