PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES. 31 



absent on detail, could be returned to duty at the station. The di- 

 rector and three assistants, each of tlie hitter for sliort periods, have 

 devoted themselves to the prejiaration of a comprehensive report of 

 (he results of the experimental work on the propagation of the 

 diamond-back terrapin. Attention has been given also to a study of 

 a bacterial disease of the winter-fed yearlinfj terrapin of the experi- 

 mental broods. One temporary investigator has been engaged in the 

 study of the life histories of crabs of the Beaufort region. 



At the Fairport (Iowa) biological station (A. F. Shira, director) a 

 notable event of the year was the construction of the new laboratory 

 authorized by the Congress to replace the former building destroyed 

 by fire in December, 1917. The building which was nearly ready for 

 occupancy at the close of the fiscal year is virtually fireproof, credit- 

 able in appearance, and admirably adapted for the purposes to be 

 served. It contains laboratory space for all needs that are expected 

 to develop in the near future. In all, $95,000 has been a]ipropriated 

 for construction and equipment, and, as the building cost about 

 $83,000, there remained approximately $12,000 a^-ailable for furniture 

 and equipment, including the purchase of the necessarj^ scientific 

 apparatus and books. Before the close of the year sufficient equip- 

 ment had been ordered to make it possible to occupy and use the build- 

 ing as soon as it could be accepted from the contractors. 



The experimental work of the Fairport station in relation to 

 fish culture (p. 13) and mussels (p. 24), the service in promoting 

 the protection of mussels (p. 24), and the investigation of the utili- 

 zation of turtles (p. 29) have been referred to. Field investigations 

 were conducted in western Montana, Avhere scattering mussels were 

 found in the Musselshell River, though not in quantities permitting of 

 commercial exploitation. Experiments were made in transplanting 

 mussels to eastern waters. Progress was made in reporting upon the 

 biological survey of Andalusia Chute, and an examination of portions 

 of Lake Keolvuk was undertaken. Studies, which were conducted at 

 the station and not hitherto mentioned in this report, relate to the 

 food of mussels (bv H. W. Clark) and the acanthocephalid parasites 

 of fishes (by Dr. H. J. Van Cleave). 



At Key West, Fla. (S. F. Hildebrand, director), attention was 

 devoted to construction and equipment of the biological station pro- 

 vided for that place. Owing to the lack of funds and the high cost 

 and scarcity of material and labor only one permanent structure, a 

 concrete water tower containing three tanks, was built. A small 

 electric-light plant and two pumping units, one for salt and one for 

 fresh Avater, were installed. Nets, glassware, and microscopes were 

 added to the station's equipment for conducting investigations. The 

 grounds were graded in part and improved by planting, and a metal 

 flag staff was erected at a central and prominent point on the reser- 

 vation. 



The station was visited by a severe hurricane on September 9 and 

 10 which worked some damage to buildings and grounds and occa- 

 sioned some expense in repairs to buildings and in regrading of 

 grounds. It was not noticed that the storm had any effect upon the 

 local fisheries, except that so many of the boats in the vicinity were 

 wrecked that few fishermen were able to continue their occupation 

 for some time; those that were able to go out obtained the usual 

 catches. 



51700°— 21 8 



