BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 407 



should be iairly tried by the stopping-, during certain seasons of the 

 3'ear, of the use of traps and all nets, to the end that it may be de- 

 termined whether the fisheries may not be wholly or partially and 

 gradually restored, and the public, on the whole, be better and more 

 economically supplied; that in view of such costly scientific research as 

 has been made, and such evidence as has been at the public expense 

 collected, it is too late to say that the fishes have merely disappeared. 



Wherefore, we pray that proper legislation may be had to prevent 

 the setting of stationary apparatus for catching fish, and the use of nets 

 and other movable devices, earlier than the first day of May in any 

 year, with three open days after in each week, and lor such other acts 

 and laws as shall to justice and the well-being of the people in this re- 

 gard appertain. 



Bill authorizing inquiries respecting the destruction of 

 OYSTERS BY STAR-FISH, ETC.* — Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of 

 Bepresentativcs of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

 That the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries shall prosecute investiga- 

 tions and inquiries in respect to the destruction of oysters in the natural 

 oyster-beds lying within the waters and jurisdiction of the United 

 States, by star-fish, winkles, and other animals destructive to oyster 

 life, and also whether any and what protective measures should be 

 adopted in the premises, and shall report upon the same to the next 

 Congress ; and the sum of $10,000, or so much thereof as may be neces- 

 sary for such purpose, is hereby appropriated from any money in the 

 Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, in order to 

 enable said Commissioner to make the investigation herein provided for. 



Fish and lobsters in Raritan Bay. — Mr. Uriah Seely wrote, about 

 February 15, 1886, from Great Beds light-house, near South Amboy. 

 N. J., substantially as follows: During the past summer there was bet- 

 ter fishing than for years past in Earitan Bay and along the shore. 

 Weakfish, bluefish, and striped bass were abundant ; and there was an 

 unusual quantity of horsefeet or king-crabs. The bay was full of men- 

 haden most of the season, probably because the fish-oil companies have 

 not fished for them here for two years by reason of the oyster-stakes 

 tearing the nets. 



Lobsters reappeared here again last season after an absence of about 

 twelve years. I discovered them late in October, and caught about 100 

 before the cold weather set in, after which I could not catch any. 



On January 20, 188G, a few days after the ice had left the bay, just 

 before sundown, I saw a large black object, about 10 to 15 feet long, 

 out near the channel. While looking at it, suddenly it surged up 

 bodily and then settled out of sight and did not again appear; and I 

 now suppose it was a small whale. 



* This bill (H. R. ]04'.?G) was introduced in the House of Representatives hy Mr. E. 

 W. Seymour, of Conn'.'cticnt, on January 10, 1SS7, and wa^ read twice, referred to the 

 Committee on Connreree, and ordered to be printed. On February o, 1 hat committee 

 resorted the bill, with an amendment chan^injj the appro;)riarion to §0,000. 



