COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 43 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE CONTINUED EXAMINATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND 

 BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF NARRAGANSETT BAY. 



While the physical and biological investigations of the bay were 

 continued to a certain extent this year, only a small portion of time 

 could be expended upon it for reasons given above. 



The physical conditions (temperature, weather, etc.) were more 

 favorable to the fishing industries this year than in 1910. A chart 

 of the weekly averages of water and air temperatures at the Wick- 

 ford Hatchery, between November, 1910, and January 1, 1911, are 

 given here, and compare quite favorably with previous years. The 

 water temperature was somewhat higher than in 1910, especially for 

 the months of November and December. 



The biological conditions worthy of note, were as follows: 



The absence of such great schools of small fish as were seen in other 

 years, especially 1910. 



A quite large and general set of oysters. 



The occurrence of an extensive set of soft shell clams on almost all 

 shores of the bay. This was unfortunately followed by a tremendous 

 mortality, leaving in many localities windrows of the tiny shells on 

 the beaches. At the commencement of this year, 1912, it is quite 

 uncertain if enough have survived, except in a few localities, to stock 

 the shores even fairly well. 



The scallop set near Wickford was greater than for a number of 

 years. However, in the fall of the year at every low tide, number of 

 gulls could be seen feeding upon them. At the commencement of 

 the cold weather and ice a large part of the remaining scallops have 

 worked out to deeper water and are consequently safe, but it is certain 

 that a large number were destroyed by the gulls. 



