PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1927 ' 



By Elmee Higgins 



Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry 



(With the collaboration of investigators) 



CONTENTS 



Page 

 Introduction 199 



Atlantic and Gulf coast investigations 203 



Cod, pollock, and haddock .- 203 



Smelts of New England 207 



Mackerel -— 209 



Fisheries of the Middle Atlantic States 210 



Larval fishes 211 



Texas shore fisheries 212 



Pacific coast and Alaska investigations 214 



Alaska salmon 214 



Columbia River salmon 217 



Embryology of the chinook salmon 217 



Alaska herring 218 



Investigations of interior waters 219 



Great Lakes 219 



Wisconsin lakes -. 220 



Invest igations of shellfish and terrapin 220 



Surveys of oyster bottoms 220 



Study of the factors that control oyster spawn- 

 ing and setting 225 



Page 

 Investigation of shellfish and terrapin — Con. 



Physiology of the oyster 226 



Seed-oyster production and collection 227 



Oyster drill 229 



Scallops 230 



Alaska clams.. 231 



Alaska shrimp 232 



Fresh-water mussels 232 



Terrapins 233 



Investigations pertaining to fish-cultural opera- 

 tions 234 



Experimental trout culture 234 



Pond culture 237 



Pathology of flshes__ 239 



Studies on interior lakes. 242 



Fisheries biological laboratories and field 

 stations 245 



INTRODUCTION 



A conspicuous characteristic of the work of the division of scien- 

 tific inquiry during 1927 is the continuity of effort and aim applied 

 to the major investigations undertaken. These have been largely a 

 continuation of work begun in previous years along the main lines 

 laid down at the beginning of each investigation. Rather than indi- 

 cating a lack of initiative, however, this condition is most favorable, 

 for it indicates (1) the adoption of a carefully planned program of 

 research designed to solve the problems of the fisheries and (2) free- 

 dom from interference or pressure from outside special interests that 

 require continual shift of project and personnel, with consequent dis- 

 ruption of program and loss of efficiency, which so often characterizes 

 research in Government institutions. Fishery problems are so com- 

 plex and the investigations necessarily are so intricate that only 

 persistent and continued work by a competent staff of investigators 

 can hope to secure results of practical application, and the present 

 combination of circumstances — a well-organized staff of enthusiastic 

 and contented workers, supported by public appreciation of their 

 efforts and of the results obtained — is extremely favorable for con- 

 tinued productive work of great value. 



^ Appendix VI to the Report of the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries for 1928. 

 Doc. 1044. 



199 



B. F. 



