48 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



ington in this couuection by furnishiug information as to expected 

 storms in advance of their publication in the daily newspapers. The 

 vessel usually started out in the afternoon of one day and reached the 

 desired ground by daylight of the following morning ; then, after spend- 

 ing the day in dredging, returned the next night, reaching its berth the 

 following morning, or usually after an absence of from thirty-six to 

 forty eight hours. 



The work in the laboratory at Wood's HoU commenced on the 8th 

 July and continued until the middle of September. I remained until 

 the 4th October, after which I returned to Washington. 



As in previous years, Prof. A. E. Verrill, of Yale College, had charge 

 of the collections and researches into the invertebrates, assisted spec- 

 ially by Mr. Eichard Eathbuu, Mr. Sanderson Smith, Mr. B. F. Koons, 

 and Mr. E. A. Andrews. Prof. L. A. Lee, of Bowdoin College, Maine, 

 as a volunteer, rendered essential aid. 



The fishes were in charge of Dr. T. H. Bean, of the National Museum, 

 assisted by Mr. Peter Parker, of Washington. 



The results of the season's work were very satisfactory. 



The locality of the tile fish ground — the new food fish discovered 

 within the last few years, and referred to in a previous report — was re- 

 visited, and numerous specimens obtained for the purpose of testing 

 their eatable qualities. Other species of rare fishes — quite a number 

 new to science — were secured. Very large collections of invertebrates 

 were made, including many of great rarity, as well as a number of 

 undescribed species, while abundant material was obtained in all de- 

 partments for distribution by the Smithsonian Institution to colleges 

 and academies throughout the country, and for exchange with foreign 

 museums. 



The " Fish Hawk " made some interesting deep-sea collections on her 

 return to AVashington, where she arrived in the early part of October. 

 Her services were again called into requisition in the celebration of the 

 capture of Yorktown, having been tendered to and accepted by tlie 

 Secretary of War for his special service and that of his stafi:". 



As usual at the summer stations of the Commission, there were numer- 

 ous visitors*at Wood's Holl during the summer, among them several 

 naturalists, who desired to make special investigations in their respec- 

 tive branches. 



The fact that the entire coast of the eastern United States from tbe 

 Bay of Fundy to Long Island Sound has now been thoroughly explored 

 by the Fish Commission, and the geographical distribution of the various 

 species of marine animals ascertained, renders it desirable to fix per- 

 manently upon a station where the necessary appliances for storage of 

 material for fitting out the exploring vessels can be kept, and where in- 

 vestigation of the animal life can be i)rosecuted to the best advantage, 

 and also from which easy access can be had to any part of the North 

 Atlantic Ocean. Believing that all these requirements are met at 



