i8o The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. IV, No. 8, 



I may say that I spent the greater part of the time from June 23 to August 

 1st last, at Sandusky, Toledo and about the islands, and found the -whole 

 region unsurpassed in richness of material and in advantages for study. 



The plant that I consider necessary for success in this undertaking may 

 be briefly outlined as follows: i, The main thing is a building that shall 

 give shelter and security to the investigators and their outfit. This could be 

 constructed in the simplest manner ; the size should be sufficient to accom- 

 modate six to ten men, say 24x30 feet, and with two floors; the lower 

 for the storage of boats and apparatus, and for the coarser operations of 

 " preparing " ; the upper for tables and aquaria. 2, The necessary furniture 

 for convenience in work (apparatus, books, etc., could be moved up from 

 the university and returned annually); 3, boats, nets and aquaria. 



Note : Michigan has siich a station supported by the Fish Conunission, 

 the university furnishing the investigators and the apparatus. The station 

 is movable. It is this year as last at Charlevoix, where a building has been 

 rented for a term of years as I understand it. The president, at least, of 

 the Fish and Game Commission of Ohio favors a similar arrangement, but 

 has, at present, no funds. 



The State Hatchery at Sandusky, which Mr. Vincent kindly allowed me 

 to use last summer, is well located, but it is not suitable for the work con- 

 templated, as the main room is wholly occupied by hatching jars and 

 apparatus. By making comparatively slight changes it would serve the 

 purpose very well. 



I was told by men interested that the United States Fish Commission 

 want the hatchery for a railway shipping station to accommodate distribu- 

 tion of fry from the United States Hatchery at Put-in-Bay. 



Note 2 : I cannot help but think it would be better, if expedient, for the 

 university to own and control the matter without reference to the Fish and 

 Game Commission, except to co-operate with it in every way possible in 

 securing knowledge of the habits of fishes, on which intelligent culture 

 depends. It would then be a university affair and those in charge would 

 have but one aim and one master. It would leave us independent to work 

 in any line without criticism. 



THE COI,l,ECTlON. 



The second question may be more briefl}^ stated. A complete collection 

 of the fishes of the State does not exist. It is much needed : i, Students 

 of fishes often want an authentic collection for comparison and identification. 

 2, Questions in law often arise that cannot be truthfully settled without such 

 specimens. 3, Such a collection must awaken interest in the subject; and 

 4, it would sureh' prove of much immediate usefulness in the Department of 

 Zoolog}'. 



The amount needed to enable a vigorous prosecution of the work during 

 the coming summer, I estimate as follows : i, A barrel of alcohol, I30 ; 2, 

 five pounds of formaline (a new preservative), $6 ; 3, bottles and anatomical 

 jars, fco (for one year's work); 4, nets, etc., $15 ; 5, for buying desired spe- 

 cies of fishermen and in the market some student help in dredging and for 

 transportation, $50. Total, #150 



The last fi.sh cannot be .secured the first or second year, but all the food 

 fishes and many others maj- be had at once ; these will include nearly all the 

 larger species, so the cost hereafter will be slight annually and no special 

 appropriations will be necessary. 



I would like to begin preparation at once and to be able to secure during 

 the winter such species as come to the Columbus market in good condition. 



Mr. Vincent has agreed to aid in every way possible in this matter. 



Respectfully, D. S. KelliCOTT. 



