124 PKOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



AIY AIVAL,YSIS OF W^ATEK DESTRUCTIVE TO Fli^H IN THE OULF 



OF ITIEXflCO. 



By F. M. ENB>LICEI. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D. C, AjjHI 5, 1879. 

 SiE : Having completed the examination of sea- waters from the Gulf 

 of Mexico, so far as the scant supply would permit, I have the honor to 

 offer the following report thereupon, the water in which the fish die 

 being designated as A, the good water as B : 



A. B. 



Specific gravity 1. 024 1. 023 



Solid constituents (total), per cent 4. 0780 4. 1095 



Ferric compounds, per cent 0. 1106 0. 0724 



Injurious organic matter ratio=3 ratio=2 



I find that the water A contains a large quantity of Algce and infu- 

 soria. It is eminently probable that the former may have had an in- 

 jurious effect upon the fish. Specimens of the algae have been submit- 

 ted to Professor Goode, who will send them to some expert, in order 

 that their specific character may be determined. 



The "dead fish" in possession of the United States National Museum 

 are such that any examination of the organs of respiration will be of 

 no avail. 



I cannot find, even by spectroscopic analysis, any mineral constituents 

 in the water A which could noxiously affect the fish. 



In my estimation the death of fish was caused by the more or less 

 parasitic algae, which are found in large quantities in water A, but do 

 not occur at all in water B. 



In case the same phenomenon should recur, the presence of an expert 

 in the questions involved, more particularly chemistry and botany, would 

 most likely lead to definite results. 

 Eespectfully, 



r. M. EXDLICH. 



Prof. S. F. Baird, 



ISecretary Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington, B. G. 



