44 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



various species of fish are hatched for the purpose of iUustrating the 

 nietliods of fish-culture. This brancli of the work has always formed 

 an attractive and very interesting- exhibit. 



Following is a record of the fish and eggs received at the station 

 during the year, eggs hatched, and fish distributed: 



Central Station Aquarium (L. G. Harron, Superintendent). 



In addition to his regular duties in charge of the aquarium at 

 Central Station, the superintendent was detailed to the station at 

 Woods Hole, Mass., from July 8 to August 15, for the purpose of 

 superintending the arrangement and stocking of the aquarium there. 

 In February he was detailed to superintend the installation of a live-fish 

 exhibit af the Sportsmen's Show in Boston, and from March 24 until 

 May 14 he was detailed in charge of the shad hatchery at Bryan Point. 



During the summer the aquaria were kept well stocked with the 

 various species of fresh- water fishes found in the Potomac River and 

 five species of ornamental fishes, some of which have been kept in the 

 aquarium for years. In the fall, as soon as the water temperature 

 was sufliciently cool to maintain them, various species of Salmo7iidae 

 were introduced into the aquarium and carried through the winter. 

 An assignment of trout, salmon, and grayling, representing nine 

 species, was received from the aquarium at Buffalo, at the close of the 

 exposition, and held until December, when the stock was drawn upon 

 to stock the Fish Commission exhibit at the Charleston Exposition. 



A live-fish exhibit of marine species was maintained in the aquarium 

 from September until May 15, when the salt-water exhibit was given 

 up entirely, and the closed circulating system connected with this 

 exhibit was used for suppl} ing the fresh-water aquaria, which were 

 cleaned out and completely stocked with fresh-water fishes. The 

 adoption of closed circulation for supplying fresh water is an experi- 

 ment to test the feasibility of using the system of closed circulation 

 for this purpose at the St. Louis Exposition in order to insure having 

 perfectl}^ clear water in the aquaria at all times. At the close of the 

 year this system was in successful operation, and the exhibit showed 

 great improvement over its appearance when the filthy water of the 

 Potomac was supplied to the aquarium from the city water mains. 



