170 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



been created. Professor Baird, at that time assistant secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, was appointed and entered at once upon his 

 duties. 



The summer of 1880 marks the tenth season of active work since its 

 inception in 1S71. The Fish Commission now fills a place tenfold more 

 extensive and useful than at first. The present essay aims to show, in 

 a general way, what it has done, is doing, and expects to do — its purposes, 

 its methods, its results. 



The work is naturally divided into three sections : 



1. The systematic investigation of the waters of the United States and 

 the biological and physical problems which they present. The scientific 

 studies of the commission are based upon a liberal and philosophical 

 interpretation of the law. In making his original plans the Commis- 

 sioner insisted that to study only the food-fishes would be of little 

 importance, and that useful conclusions must needs rest upon a broad 

 foundation of investigations purely scientific in character. The life 

 history of species of economic value should be understood from begin- 

 ning to end, but no less requisite is it to know the histories of the 

 animals and plants upon which they feed or upon which their food is 

 nourished; the histories of their enemies and friends and the friends and 

 foes of their enemies and friends, as well as the currents, temperatures, 

 and other physical phenomena of the waters in relation to migration, 

 reproduction, and growth. A necessary accompaniment to this division 

 is the amassing of material for research to be stored in the national and 

 other museums for future use. 



2. The investigation of the methods of fisheries of past and present, 

 and the statistics of production and commerce of fishery products. Man 

 being one of the chief destroyers of fish, his influence upon their abun- 

 dance must be studied. Fishery methods and apparatus must be 

 examined and compared with those of other lands, that the use of those 

 which threaten the destruction of useful fishes may be discouraged, and 

 that those which are inefficient may be replaced by others more service- 

 able. Statistics of industry and trade must be secured for the use of 

 Congress in making treaties or imposing tariffs, to show to producers 

 the best markets, and to consumers where and with what their needs 

 may be supplied. 



3. The introduction and multiplication of useful food-fishes through- 

 out the country, especially in waters under the jurisdiction of the 

 general government, or those common to several States, none of which 

 might feel willing to make expenditure for the benefit of the others. 

 This work, which was not contemplated when the commission was 

 established, was first undertaken at the instance of the American Fish 

 Cultural Association, whoso representatives induced Congress to make 

 a special appropriation for the purpose. This appropriation has since 

 been renewed every year on a more bountiful scale, and propagation is 

 at present by far the most extensive branch of the work of the commis- 



