534 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XV, October 1961 
correlate observed distributions on the basis of 
and in relation to other factors in the environ- 
ment. These comparisons may be largely qualita- 
tive in the first instance, but the intent is that 
they be not only qualitative but also quantitative 
in the final analysis and, as in all branches of 
science, eventually permit predictions. At best, 
however, only a descriptive treatment can be at- 
tempted at this point and can only point the way 
to further studies and hypotheses. 
There have been many attempts to describe 
the zonation of marine organisms on the shore, 
and a great jumble of appalling confusion in 
ecological terminology has evolved to the point 
where some magic significance is sometimes 
associated with the terms and units involved. 
Although the need for this descriptive phase of 
the study (with a minimum of terminology) is 
recognized at an early stage of study or in a 
new area under investigation, once it has served 
VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION 
TIDE LEVEL 
LIST OF SPECIES 
51 • 
116 - 
56 • 
79 ■ 
93 • 
89 ■ 
109 
104 
70- 
50- 
68 - 
67- 
83 
119 - 
86 
9 
55 
117 ■ 
49 - 
25 
24 
10 
* * 
B 
r~ ^ ^ IX 
i n x r i 
i x i xx 
^ £ s? $ $ 
100 
45 
57 ■ 
65 
107 
22 
88 - 
69 
18 
78 
74 
15 
53 
26 
29 
I - 
38 
54 
17 
30 
106 
105 
32 
6 
108 
5 
63 
60 
7 
16 
60 
II 
73 
115 
Fig. 50. Vertical distribution of some marine benthonic organisms at Hope Island. 
