126 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



distinction from those tliat go in schools and are taken with the net, 

 and the bottom-fish seem to be more affected by this water than the 

 others. Numbers of sharks and rays, eels and catfish are thrown up 

 dead on the beach. 



I am not aware that there has been any report of this matter made 

 to your commission, or any attempt made at the analysis of the water, 

 and would not have taken the liberty of writing, save for the fact that 

 the greater part of our fishermen are comparatively illiterate. My own 

 opinion is that the state and condition of the water are caused by some 

 volcanic action at the bottom. I may be wrong in my technical names 

 of the fish, but our fish have never been properly classified, and I give 

 you the best I can do. 



With a renewed apology for the liberty I have taken, 1 remain, most 

 respectfully, 



M. A. MOORE. 



Professor Bated, 



Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries^ Washinf/ton, I). C 



OlS THE J>KSTBlJ€TIOr¥ OF FISH BY POff.IjUTED \f'ATFRS IN THE 



Gll,F OF MEXICO. 



By W. C. W. OLAZISR, Assistant SuB'g:con, M. H. S. 



Treasury Department, 



Office Supervising Surgeon- General * 

 United States Marine Hospital Service, 



Washington, D. C, December 7, 1880. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter received 

 on the 3d instant from Assistant Surgeon W. C. W. Glazier, of this 

 service, now on duty at Key West, which it was thought might be of 

 interest to you. 



Very respectfully, 



JOHN B. HAMILTON, 

 Surgeon- General U. 8. Marine Hospital Service. 

 Prof. S. F. Baird, 



Comtnissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 



United States Marine Hospital Service, 

 District of the Gulf, Port of Key West, Pla., 



Siirgeon^s Office, November 25, 1880. 

 Sir: I have the honor to report, as a matter of scientific interest, 

 that it has occurred several times that fishermen returning from the 

 coast of Florida with fish, in an apartment of their boats communica- 

 ting freely with the surrounding water, have had them die suddenly on 

 reaching a certain kind of water distinguishable by its color. This has 



