EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 8, 1998, by and between Equity Residential Properties Trust and Merry Land & Investment Company, Inc., as amended by the First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger,...

                           EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT
NUMBER    EXHIBIT

2.1       Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated  July 8, 1998, by and between
          Equity Residential Properties Trust and  Merry  Land & Investment
          Company, Inc., as amended by the First Amendment to Agreement and
          Plan  of  Merger, dated as of September 4, 1998 (incorporated  by
          reference to  Appendix A of EQR's Proxy Statement dated September
          14, 1998 relating  to  the Special Meeting of Shareholders of EQR
          held on October 15, 1998  which  was  part  of EQR's registration
          statement on Form S-4/A (SEC No. 333-61449)).