98 U.S. BUREAU OF FISHEEIES 



studies and identifications, a manuscript amply illustrated with draw- 

 ings, on the spawning habits, the embryology and larval development 

 of three species of blenny was completed and submitted for publication. 

 Another manuscript, with drawings, embodying the results of similar 

 studies pertaining to four species of goby also was completed and 

 submitted for publication. Although the blennies and gobies studied 

 are too small to be of direct economic value, they are numerous enough 

 in many localities to serve as a forage fish for larger commercial species. 



Comprehensive studies of the larval development, the distribution 

 of the young, and rate of growth of eight species of Sciaenoids, namely, 

 Menticirrhus americanus, M. saxatilis, Al. littoralis, Larimus fasciatus, 

 Stellifer lanceolatus, Cynoscion regalis, C. nebulosus, and C. nothus were 

 completed. A manuscript, well illustrated with drawings, embodying 

 the results of the studies of the 5 species named first was prepared, 

 and an account of the 3 species of Cynoscion was well under way at 

 the close of the year. 



The 3 species of Menticirrhus, or king whiting, as well as the 2 

 species of Cynoscion {regalis and nebulosus) or sea trout studied, are 

 all of much commercial importance. The extensive additions to our 

 knowledge of the life histories of these fishes will prove most valuable 

 when the time comes, as it no doubt will, that regulations for their 

 protection and conservation must be enacted. 



ICHTHYOLOGICAL STUDIES 



Ichthyological studies of the marine fishes on the coast of the 

 Southern States were continued. Particular attention was paid to 

 the summer flounder and allied species of the genus Paralichthys. 

 These species which are all food fishes of much importance in the 

 fisheries are very similar in appearance and difficult to distinguish. 

 This was an almost insurmountable stumbling block in the way of a 

 study of their rate of growth, habits, and life history. By an inten- 

 sive study, distinguishing characters have been recognized by which 

 the different species may be positively segregated without difficulty. 

 The geographical distribution of the various species has been worked 

 out, and also, their economic importance. 



On the coast of the Southern States there are present two common 

 and distinct species of flounders belonging to the genus Paralichthys. 

 The interesting fact was also discovered that one of these species is 

 naturally quite small, and not of much important commercial impor- 

 tance except for local consumption, but few reaching a sufficient size 

 to enter the channels of trade; while the other species is the com- 

 mon market fish. In other words, individuals of the smaller species 

 are not the young of the larger commercial species, as was generally be- 

 lieved. This fact, of course, has an important bearing on the problem 

 of conservation. 



Needed systematic studies of the common fishes of the Gulf coast 

 belonging to other groups as well were continued. 



SHRIMP INVESTIGATIONS 



The investigation of the shrimp, which ranks first on the list of the 

 important fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf area, has been con- 

 tinued during 1932, under the direction of Dr. F. W. Weymouth, 

 professor of physiology at Stanford University, California, and Mil- 



