LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Department op Commerce, 



Bureau of Fisheries, 

 Washington, June 15, 1920. 

 Hon. Hugh M. Smith, 



Commissioner oj Fisheries. 



Dear Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith "An Analytical Subject Bibli- 

 ography of the Publications of the Bureau of Fisheries, 1871-1920, " being an analysis 

 of the reports, appendixes, special papers, bulletins, economic circulars, occasional 

 papers, and of "The Fisheries and Fishery Industries." 



Covering the investigations of the Bureau since its incipiency, it shows, in a measure, 

 the work of a number of men of no mean fame in the field of biology. Much of it was 

 pioneer work, which modern investigators can not afford to ignore. 



The work here transmitted was started in 1912, as a catalogue of the publications 

 of the Bureau. Later it was decided to assemble these titles under subjects pertinent 

 to the work of the Bureau. 



In compiling this subject index it was found that references to many valuable 

 results would be lost unless a meticulous analysis of the publications be made. Each 

 paper was therefore examined searchingly, and when the discussion was found to be of 

 sufficient detail, a title for it was made, l^^or instance, of the 141 titles of Food oJ fishes, 

 87 were made from the subject contents. 



It had long been realized and often stated by those cognizant of the ideals of the 

 Bureau that there was a veritable fund of valuable information in the publications 

 of the Bureau, which was lost because the modern investigator knew not how to find it. 

 It is hoped that this work will prove a valuable key. 



The arrangement differs from that usually employed in bibliographies, the object 

 having been to arrange it from the viewpoint of the investigator. In a work of such 

 detail, the preparation of which has necessarily extended over several years, some 

 mistakes will doubtless appear. For these I am quite willing to assume responsibility, 

 knowing that a bibliography of such magnitude can not be perfect. 



In its entirety it stands as a slight tribute to the builders of the Bureau of Fisheries 

 and to all who have labored with them. It has been a pleasure and an inspiration 

 to do the work, and I hope it may prove of value. I have the honor to be. 

 Very respectfully. 



Rose M. E. MacDonald, Librarian. 



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