BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 21 



It is not unlikely that the Saxidomi, recommended by Mr. Dall, and 

 my favorite Schizothwrus, can also be obtained at the same place and at 

 the same time, which will save great trouble and expense and kill three 

 "birds with one stone." I am of the opinion, however, that in order to 

 be successful, I shall have to go up myself. As to the method of con- 

 veyance, after a careful consideration of the question, and of Mr. Hemp- 

 hill's views, as expressed in his letter to you, of October 17, 1881 (page 

 200 of Bull. U. S. F. C), I think the plan suggested by him, in the 

 main, is the one to be pursued, for I do not believe that any fair per- 

 centage of either species can be carried through alive to the Atlantic 

 coast packed in seaweed. All of these species are Gapers, otherwise I 

 should think the chances better. The lowest tides occur in the last of 

 May and the first half of June, when the weather is quite warm on this 

 side of the continent, and often so on the Atlantic side. Ice, a good 

 supply of salt water procured outside of the bay of San Francisco, 

 where it is pure, and careful attention while on the cars will also be 

 needed; and finally, the locality on your side wherein to plant them 

 must be determined on beforehand. As to the character of the station 

 in Budd's Inlet, as to climate and sea-bottom, reference to the Coast 

 Survey chart of said inlet, and to the Coast Pilot of Washington Terri- 

 tory, will furnish most of the information necessary in this direction. 

 Dr. Dall knows the climatal peculiarities. I have discussed this point 

 with various intelligent persons on this side, and all parties, I find, 

 agree with me, that the Chesapeake Bay region is more likely to meet 

 the requirements than any other place on the Atlantic side. You are 

 better able to judge of this matter correctly than we are here. 



I have a letter from Hemphill at hand. He informs me that his inten- 

 tion is to be here by the middle of this month and to go east to Minne- 

 sota by June 1, if possible. It occurs to me that an arrangement might 

 be made with him to superintend the transmission overland and take 

 care of the tanks en route, for then we should be morally certain that 

 no pains would be spared to make the experiment a success, so far as 

 the transshipment part is related to the whole matter. 



If you are disposed to authorize the expense, as indicated in the fore- 

 going, and the employment of Mr. Hemphill to take charge, as sug- 

 gested, from San Francisco, to your hands, or your orders, please tele- 

 graph me at once, as I want every moment to push matters, so that the 

 plan above outlined may be carried out. 



Tanks must be made and cans for sea- water, &c, got together, and 

 arrangements made with the railroad folks, so that there will be no 

 hitch to endanger our movements by delays. 



Berkeley, Cal., May 8, 1882. 



