OCEAN TEMPERATURES AND CURRENTS. 245 



system which should represent the pohcy or plan of 

 action of the Commission. 



Such has been my understanding of the work in 

 hand. Professor Baird was an organizer of great power, 

 and doubtless knew well that the only chance of success 

 in this important work was to gather facts broadly, before 

 attempting to particularize. Later, when, in their turn, 

 the biological and embryological work took such shape 

 that the practical work of the Commission (which was 

 being carried on in a limited way) could be benefited 

 by the aid of facts obtained by specialists in these 

 departments, the results attained in the practical work 

 showed the advantage gained by this greater knowledge 

 of the life-laws of each species. The work of the biolo- 

 gist thus came to the aid of the practical fish culturist, 

 enabling him to avoid mistakes, which in many instances 

 would have blocked his way to success, by showing him 

 the periods at which especial attention should be given 

 to the developing fish, and the best methods of raising 

 them. 



In all these matters, Colonel McDonald, the head of 

 the practical work of the Commission under Professor 

 Baird, followed in his predecessor's steps, w^hen he 

 became Commissioner. 



It was soon evident that the study of the conditions 

 involved was incomplete, as it did not include a knowl- 

 edge of the physical conditions under which marine life 

 exists. Attempts were made to stock localities in a hit- 

 or-miss fashion, which were sometimes successful, and in 

 other instances resulted in failure. Conditions once 

 favorable were changed, partly by man's interference and 

 partly through natural causes. Thus it became necessary 



