REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 73 



the occurrence of which along our shores was entirely unknown at the 

 time, not being taken on the trawls of the fishermen, while at the same 

 time it is possibly the most abundant species of its family on the coast. 

 In the smallness of its mouth, which prevents its being captured by the 

 hook, and the lack of use of the beam-trawl as a fisherman's engine, 

 are to be found the explanation of the ignorance of the fishermen in 

 regard to the species. 



The second division of the work of the United States Fish Commis- 

 sion, that of the multiplication and distribution of useful food-fishes, 

 has also been carried on during the year on a greatly enlarged scale. 



Special work was done at Avoca, in Albemarle Sound, in connection 

 with the shad and fresh-water herring, many millions being hatched out, 

 of which the greater part were distributed to the interior waters of 

 North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and other States. A very 

 important extension of the work consisted in the successful experiment 

 of the artificial propagation of the striped bass or rockfish, a species of 

 great economical importance, but which had hitherto eluded all our 

 search during its spawning season. 



The second station for the hatching of shad was established as in pre- 

 vious years at a point a short distance below Havre de Grace, on the 

 Susquehanna River, where also many millions were produced. About 

 half of the number were planted in the Susquehanna itself, for the pur- 

 pose of keeping up the supply. The remainder were distributed to. 

 numerous States throughout the Union. 



The station on the McCloud River, California, for procuring the eggs 

 of the California salmon, was efficiently worked by Mr. Livingston 

 Stone, the superintendent. About eight millions of eggs were obtained 

 and distributed, for the most part, to the commissioners of the different 

 States. One hundred thousand eggs were presented to each of the 

 governments of France, Holland, and Germany, where the California 

 salmon is greatly appreciated from its promise of furnishing a very 

 important addition to the food resources of Europe. 



Arrangements are now being made on the McCloud River for the 

 hatching of the California trout, which has some peculiarities which 

 render it desirable for introduction to the Eastern States. 



Other stations were at Bucksport, Me., for the propagation of the sea- 

 salmon, and at Grand Lake Stream for land-locked salmon, both being 

 in charge of Mr. Charles G. Atkins, and furnishing their quota of mate- 

 rial for the multiplication of food -fishes. 



After several years of effort, the commission has been able to obtain 

 a stock of German carp for distribution. This fish promises to be of 

 great economical value, and the demand for it is very great, numerous 

 applications being received every day from all parts of the country. 

 About ten thousand have already been distributed, at the rate of about 

 eight pairs to each applicant, meeting but a small part of the demand. 

 The stock for the year 1880, it is hoped, will supply this in a measur- 

 able degree. 



