CXLVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 COLLECTIONS AND REPORTS. 



A small collection' of lisbes obtained by the Albatross on the coast 

 of southern California in April, 1897, was transferred to Dr. Charles 

 H. Gilbert, of Stanford University, for examination and report. The 

 collecting was done in the neighborhood of Santa Catalina Island and 

 Monterey Bay, with dredge, gill net, trawl line, hand line, and shore 

 seine. The greatest depth at which trials for lish were made was 581 

 fathoms ofl" Monterey Bay with gill net and beam-trawl; another trial 

 with these appliances in the same region was in 278 fathoms ; all the 

 other collecting was in water less than 100 fathoms deep. Dr. Gilbert's 

 rei^ort, which appears in the api^endix to this report (pp. 23-29), shows 

 that 62 species of fish were secured, one-third of which are rockfishes 

 (^corpcenidw), while most of the others are the common shore species. 

 Off Santa Catalina Island, at depths of 47 fathoms and 80 fathoms, 

 respectively, two undescribed species were obtained, one an agonoid 

 {Averrimcus sterletus), the other a cottoid {Badulmus boleoides). 



The interest of late manifested in the fish and fisheries of Florida 

 has suggested the need of a comprehensive report on the fish fauna of 

 that State. The preparation of such a report has been begun by Drs. 

 Evermann and Kendall, based on extensive collections made by the 

 Commission, and on previously published lists of Florida fishes. About 

 600 species are now known from Florida waters, and the fish fauna is 

 consequently more varied than that of any other State. Some addi- 

 tional field investigations in certain sections are desirable; these will 

 doubtless considerably augment the list. 



In conformity with the established custom, natural-history objects 

 obtained by the field parties and vessels of the Commission have been 

 transferred to the United States National Museum. The large collec- 

 tions of aquatic animals sent to the Museum during the year included 

 reptiles, batrachians, mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, 

 besides rare fishes and types. These collections are studied and 

 reported on by specialists connected with the National Museum and 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



Arrangements have been made to supply to the leading educational 

 institutions of the country sets of named marine and fresh- water fishes 

 in alcohol. After collections have been reported on, and complete 

 series of specimens have been reserved for the Government, the best 

 use to which they can be put is to donate them to universities, colleges, 

 and schools having biological courses, and to State museums. 



The various i^apers pertaining to the functions of this division which 

 have appeared during the year have been mentioned in the foregoing- 

 report of the Commissioner. 



