The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-23
A VALUABLE RESEAR Oh
INVESTIGATION OF BEAUFORT
FAUNA AND FLORA.
A MUSEUM OF SPECIES DISCOVERED
This is Another Step Taken in the Direction
of a Comprehensive Biological
Survey of North
Carolina.

Beaufort, \. c., August 22.-(Special
Correspondence THE United States
Fish Commission has been maintaining
at Beaufort, n. c., since the first OF
June, laboratory for research in marine
biology. This laboratory will remain
open until the middle of September. Ia
bles have been, or are now, occupied by
the following gentlemen:
DR.. H. V. Wilson, Director of the La
boratory. Professor of Biology, Universe
ty of North Carolina.
DR.. ]. Y. Graham, Professor of Biolo-
gy, University of Alabama.
DR.. J. l. Hawaker, Professor of Biolo-
gy, Trinity College, n. G.
DR. f. n. Berger, Professor of Natur-
al Science, Baldwin University, Ohio.
DR. S. A. johnson. Associate in Bot
any, Johns hopkins University.
DIR, G. A. Drew, Instructor in Zoology
Johns Hopkins University.
DR.. Caswell Grave, Bruce Fellow
Johns Hopkins University.
Mr.. w. G.. Cocker, graduate student,
11oI)klHS llUIN0TSllY.
Mr.. i. e. Pearson, Professor of BioIo-
gy, Guilford College, North Carolina
Mr.. G. A. Shore, student, University
of North Carolina.
Among the researches which have been
in progress during the season, may be
mentioned: Systematic enumeration OF
the marine algae of Beaufort; mic-osco-
pic anatomy OF the sense organs of me
dusae; habits of Linguls; embryology Of
the brittle stars or 0phiurans; breeding
times Of bivalve mollusks; habits of Vol
dia; larval development of sea anemones,
laryal development of the brachiopods:
spawning times of the edible fish of fhe
harb0r; systematic zoology Of the birds
of the region: systematic zootosy of the
Porto Rico sponges; breeding time of the
Beaufort sponges.
All members of the laboratory have
shared in the general investigation Of
the Beaufort fauna and flora. The
steam launch has been at work nearly
every day with the dredge or trawl and
the bottom has been fairly well explored
inside the harbor. in the adjacent sounds,
and off the sea beach within fiyc-mile
limit. A number of amanal forms, ordi-
Marty only seen upon the beach after a
gale, have been thus located in their
home ON the sea bottom. The burrow-
ing species (worans of many kinds, crus-
tacea, mollusks, sea anemones), the shore
forms, and the pelagic fauna, compris-
ing the innumerable and mostly minute
animals that swim or float at the sur
face of the sea, have all been more or
less Systematically studied. A reco:d
has been Kept of each species discovered,
its favorite localities. and the methods
to be followed in collecting it. When
ever possible, notes have been made on
the habits. breeding times, and life his
tories of the various forms. "A museum
collection of the species so far discovered
has been made, largely for the use OF
future students in their Identification
Of forms. The Beaufort fauna is rich
one, and the mere cataloglling of the
species, after the manner just indicated,
will require some years. This systema-
tic and geographical portion Of the work
of the laboratory is another step in the
direction of a comprehensive biological
survey of North Carolina, such as has