288 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



in which catfish fishing is carried on, returning to Morgan City on the 

 21st, where he remained until the 24th. Messrs. Chamberlain and 

 Center reached Morgan City on April 20, and the next four days were 

 devoted to examining the fish which were being i^repared for shipment 

 in the three fish-houses of that place. Collections were also made in 

 the waters about Morgan City. 



On April 24 Professor Evermann went to New Iberia, at Mr. Brous- 

 sard's request, to examine Lakes Tasse and Peigneur, in that vicinity. 

 Mr. Chamberlain joined him on the evening of the 25th, when both 

 proceeded to Beaumont, Tex., where they spent one day, and then 

 proceeded to Lufkin, Tex. After spending one day at Lufkin, 

 examining the Neches and Angelina rivers, they went to Logansi)ort, 

 where the Sabine Eiver was examined April 29. From Logansport 

 Mr. Chamberlain went to Melville, La., where he spent four days 

 examining the catfish handled there, while Professor Evermann went 

 to Athens, Ga., to examine a site for a proposed fish-hatchery at 

 that place. Mr. Center remained at Morgan City compiling the statis- 

 tics of the catfish fishery at that place until April 27, when he returned 

 to Washington. Professor Evermann returned to Washington May 4. 

 On May 7, Mr. Chamberlain completed his inquiries at Melville and 

 the investigation was brought to a close. 



During the conduct of these investigations we were the recipients of 

 numerous courtesies from various gentlemen, who by their kindly and 

 intelligent interest contributed in no small degree to the successful 

 completion of the work. Thanks are especially due Hon. Robert F. 

 Broussard, Hon. A. Baldwin, and Mr. Edward G. Schlieder, of New 

 Orleans; Messrs. Edgar Bass, John Dalton, and Manuel Cogueuhem, 

 of Morgan City, and Mr. Charles Larson, of Bayou Chene, La. 



SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI. 



The object of the investigations in this region was to determine the 

 general character of the waters, the species of fishes inhabiting them, 

 their abundance and habits, and the desirability of introducing other 

 species of food or game fishes. 



Baldwin Lodge, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 39 miles 

 northeast of New Orleans, was the center of our operations. This 

 place is within a short distance of the mouth of the Pearl River, where 

 it empties into Lake Borgne. The surrounding country is, in tlie main, 

 low, level, and subject to overflow} much of it is tide marshes and 

 bayous, narrow channels or creeks; ponds and lakes are numerous. 

 Bayou Isle aux Pois (or Campbell Bayou) runs immediately in the rear 

 of Baldwin Lodge, opening into Pearl River on the west and into Grand 

 Plains Bayou at the other end. It is about 90 feet wide and 12 feet 

 deep. Its shores, except at Baldwin Lodge, are low and marshy, and 

 overgrown with marsh grass and a few bushes. Grand Plains IJayou 

 connects with this bayou to the eastward and extends several miles to 

 the north and east. It is of the same general character and of about 



