24 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



matical formulas; but we believe in the great resources of Narra- 

 gansett Bay and other waters of the State, and the investigations 

 which we have made so far substantiate and greatly strengthen this 

 belief. A systematic census so laid out that all facts of known 

 value or of possible importance shall be brought together in accessible 

 form is not impracticable, and would result in great good to the State. 

 This survey is alread}' commenced. A provisional list has been 

 made of the fishes known to inhabit or to visit the bay, of the in- 

 vertebrate forms which have been taken on various dredging ex- 

 peditions and on other excursions, with notes on their abundance 

 and distribution, and of the diatoms found at the surface of the 

 water. The density and temperature of the water has been taken 

 in various parts of the Bay on several expeditions, and regularly at 

 the Wickford station. A daily record of the occurrence of microscopic 

 forms which are taken near the surface of the water has been kept by 

 preserving samples of the "tow" for future reference, the number of 

 unknown forms being so great that at present this is the only pos- 

 sible way of keeping a systematic record. The shores of the Bay 

 have been examined several times in search of clam sets, and gen- 

 eral observations on the contour, extent, character of the soil, etc., 

 have been taken. Within the past year a more thorough and sj^s- 

 tematic survey of the shores has been undertaken. The Bay is 

 divided arbitrarily into a number of sections, and each section is 

 surveyed separately. The declivity of the shore is determined by 

 means of a levelling instrument, and the extent of the area exposed 

 at low tide is calculated. The character of the soil, the presence 

 or absence of ell-grass, sea-weed, and thatch, and the abundance of 

 the clam set are systematically recorded. The data thus collected 

 mil be represented as far as possible upon sectional charts for con- 

 venient reference. Additional data respecting an}' of these shore 

 sections — the animals and plants found upon them — their abund- 

 ance in different years, changes in the character of the shore such as 

 frequently occur, will also be systematically recorded as they are 

 from time to time obtained. 



