Pre-test Methods of collection were the same as for previous sur- veys, that is, hand pries and gloves were used when necessary to obtain specimens found while wading or swimming. The con- tents of the small dredge were examined on the stern of the "M-boat” from which the dredge was towed. Special attention was given to locating certain common animals intended to serve as a basis for comparing localities. sponges, crabs, corals, sea urchins, red-eyed crabs, These were primarily | sea cucumbers, hermit crabs, snails, ghost crabs, clams, rock and oysters. While collecting these primary kinds, other invertebrates were also sought to obtain a collection that would be representative of the locality. While most of the collecting was done on the lagoon side of the islands, approximately one-third was on the outer side, chiefly at Engebi, Runit, Japtan, and Igurin. Specimens from Piiraai were collectedby the crew of "M-poat™ No. 38. In preparing specimens for ashing, small specimens were ashed entire while large ones were dissected and the tissues ashed separately. In the case of intermediate-sized speci- mens, hard parts such as exoskeleton or shell were separated Smaller samples of hard parts from soft parts for ashing. than of soft parts were used in order to equalize the quantity of ash on the plates. Animals from which tissues were dis- © sected and ashed were: sea cucumbers, sea urchins, large crabs, snails, and giant clams. Analysis of the data was based on sample counts of one or - 30 - nae AOA y4t yur