234 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
noticeable and characteristic animals of the West Indies, and any visitor to the 
islands at all interested in natural history is sure to find specimens which it would be 
of interest, if not of importance, to identify. At present there is no single work, 
nor indeed any popular book of any kind, by means of which this could be done. 
The Porto Rican collections have afforded the opportunity to prepare such a paper, 
since they include many of the common littoral echinoderms of the West Indies. It 
is hoped that these very artificial “ keys” may be of use, not only to travelers and to 
residents in Porto Rico and the other islands who are interested in marine life, but 
especially to students or specialists in other fields of zoology who may visit the 
West Indies and wish to know the names and history of the echinoderms with which 
they meet. The “keys” may also be of use in Florida and along the Gulf coast. 
It must be borne in mind that our knowledge of West Indian echinoderms is far 
from complete, and there are doubtless many of the less common “littoral” species 
not included in these “keys.” Specimens of such forms may or may not fit by accident 
into the key, but the brief account given under the name of each species will assist 
in preventing mistakes. There are quite a number of species which were not taken 
in Porto Rico, but which will very possibly be found there. Such forms have been 
included in paragraphs following the lists of species, with brief statements of their 
distinguishing characteristics, to assist in their identification if found. It is of great 
importance that specimens which do not answer to the descriptions here given should 
be preserved in spirits and if possible forwarded to the Fish Commission or the 
National Museum at Washington for identification. In this way the present list will 
lie extended until it includes all of the littoral echinoderms of the West Indies. 
In presenting this report I desire to express my deep appreciation of the cour- 
tesies I have received from the Hon. George M. Bowers, FI. S. Commissioner of Fish 
and Fisheries; and also from Dr. Hugh M. Smith, of the U. S. Fish Commission. 
