EEPORT OF THE SECtlETAEY. 77 



young were liatclied out. This experiment, it is hoped, will be contin- 

 ued in future years on a much larger scale. 



Perhaps the most important result of the work of the Commission in 

 the line of the propagation of fish is that of the multiplication aud dis- 

 tribution of the imported German carp, of which, as already explained, 

 there aro three principal varieties — the scale, leather, and mirror carp. 

 The distribution of the young of these fish was commenced in the au- 

 tumn of 187:). A very large yield in 1S80 permitted them to be sent to 

 a great many applicants throughout the country, some thousands in 

 number. The demand, however, is increasing, and is likely, for some 

 time, to more than k<^ep pace with the supply. It is gratifying to know 

 that the etforts of the Commission to introduce this fish meet with favor- 

 able recognition. 



An account of tlie operations of the United States Fish Commission 

 daring the first decade of its existence, detailing somewhat fully its 

 l)lan of work, and the scientific and economical results accomplished by 

 it, was prepared by Mr. G. Brown Goode, and read before the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science at its Boston meeting, held 

 August 28, 1880. This paper will be found in full in the appendix to this 

 report. 



FISHERY CENSUS OF 1880. 



In July, 1880, an arrangement was made with General Francis A. 

 Walker, Superintendent of the Tenth Census, by which an investiga- 

 tion of the fisheries of the United States was undertaken as the joint 

 enterprise of the United States Fish Commission and of the Census 

 Bureau. It was decided that this investigation should be as complete 

 as possible, and that both the United States Fish Commission and the 

 Census Bureau should participate in its results. The preparation of a 

 statistical and historical report upon the fisheries, to form one of the 

 series to be presented by the Superintendent of the Census as the re- 

 sult of his investigations in 1880, has been the main object of the work; 

 but in connection with this statistical work, extensive investigation 

 into the methods of the fisheries, into the distribution of the fishing- 

 grounds, and the natural history of useful marine animals, has been 

 and is being carried on. 



The direction of this investigation has been idaced in the hands of Mr. 

 G. Brown Goode, who was appointed agent of the Census Ofiice, and 

 who has been carrying on this work in addition to the xjerformance of his 

 duties in connection with the Xatioiml JVluseum. The work which was 

 begun on July 1, 1879, has been vigorously prosecuted since that time, 

 and the final report will probably be presented as early as July, 1881. 



The plan of the investigation was drawn up before the beginning of 

 the work and has been published in an octavo pamphlet of 54 pages, 

 entitled " Plan of Inquiry into the History and Present Condition of the 

 Fisheries of the United States." Washington: Government Printing 

 Office. 1879. 



