284 



XT. S. BUEEAIT OF FISHERIES 



constant use by the attendants. On long trips "where there are 

 several tanks to care for a hand-operated air pump, with rubber- 

 tube connections to each tank, is used. The free end of each tube 

 is plugged with linden wood, through which the air enters the 

 water as a fine mist instead of useless large bubbles. Filtros plugs, 

 which do not swell as wood does, are also used for this purpose. 

 In collecting marine fishes the same care in handling is required, 

 and the use of ice is not necessary. A well boat or small vessel 

 with a water compartment, to which sea water has access, is ideal 

 for the transportation of marine specimens. There are many such 

 vessels in use along the Atlantic coast wherever it is customary to 

 carry fishes and lobsters to market alive. Many of the local sea 

 fishes are procured from the large pound nets used for market fish- 

 ing along the coast of New Jersey and about Long Island. The 

 loaded tanks can be brought in on the decks of the returning market 

 boats or by motor trucks from points not too distant. The New 



York Aquarium has a 

 well boat for this work, 

 which permits great ex- 

 tension of the collect- 

 ing field and gives ex- 

 cellent results. 



The tropical fishes 

 in the aquarium are 

 brought from Bermuda 

 or Florida. Many of 

 them are captured in 

 the wicker or rattan fish 

 trap, a form of fishing 

 apparatus in common 

 use in Florida and 

 throughout the West 

 Indies. It is ideal for 

 the purposes of the 

 aquarium collector. 

 Many Florida fishermen now make this trap of wire. Those made 

 by the writer of i/>-inch-mesh wire on board the U. S. F. S. Albatross 

 gave good service during a voj^age in Polynesia. The fish trap may 

 be useful in fresh waters, but information is lacking. The larger 

 fishes are taken with hook and line. Such fishes are carried in well 

 boats from the fishing grounds to the collector's base, where they are 

 kept in floating crates and fed daily until 24 hours before the date of 

 shipment by steamer. 



The wooden tanks used in transporting fishes by steamer are of 

 greater capacity than the metal tanks used in shipping by wagon 

 or train. They are of substantial construction, measuring 4 by 2 

 feet, with a depth of 2^2 feet — all inside measurements. These tanks 

 are made of li/^-inch cypress and are bolted strongly. The tanks 

 are arranged in a row on shipboard, fitted with a pipe along the top, 

 and supplied with flowing sea water during most of the voyage 

 northward, being connected with one of the ship's pumps. There 

 are separate supplies to each tank from the top line, the outlets 

 draining overboard. 



ti^sm^ 



Fig. 22.- 



'i^'^f- 



-Wicker fish trap, used throughout the West 

 Indies 



