XIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FI^^HERIES. 



live-fish exhibit is intended to show the food-fishes propagated by the 

 Commission, as well as a large number of important economic fishes of 

 the Mississippi Eiver Valley, and the Southern States. 



In the section of scientific inquiry are exhibited models of the vessels 

 of the Commission, models and tyi^es of ap])aratus for collecting, assort- 

 ing, and preserving specimens, and samples of the various appliances 

 used in physical observations. The results of the scientific work are 

 shown by means of charts, specimens of corals, starfish, sea-urchins, and 

 various invertebrate animals, besides an extensive collection of oysters. 



Models of pound nets, seines, spears, hooks, trawls, etc., illustrate the 

 methods employed in the fisheries of the Southern States, and a series 

 of models of fishing vessels shows their development from the crude 

 craft first used in this country to the vessels now employed. 



In the fish-cultnral section hatching apjoaratus has been erected to 

 illustrate practical fish-culture, and during the summer eggs of various 

 species will be sent to the exposition and hatched. 



In the office of the architect and engineer various maps, charts, and 

 illustrations have been made, and jilausand specifications prepared for 

 the alterations and additions authorized, and repairs necessary at the 

 diiferent stations. Work at the new stations in Texas, Montana, and 

 Iowa, which was in progress at the beginning of the year, has been 

 completed. 



At San ]Marcos, Tex., contracts were given out during the summer 

 for the various constructions necessary to complete the station, and by 

 the middle of November the office and workshop were finished. During 

 the fail and early winter a concrete basin was built around the well, 

 4,000 feet of pathways were laid out, a roadway 3,000 feet long was 

 built, the grounds were graded and fenced, and a number of suitable 

 ornamental trees were set out. Ponds were excavated and the station 

 was in condition for fish-cultural work in December. 



At Bozeman, Mont., the work was completed with the funds made 

 available by the appropriation of June, 1896, and the station turned 

 over to the superintendent on the 1st of January, 1S97. The station 

 consists of a hatchery with a ca])acity of about 500,000 eggs, an eight- 

 room cottage for the superintendent, an ice-house, a barn, and other 

 outbuildings. Four stock ponds, eight rectangular j)onds for rearing 

 yearling fish, and twelve nursery ponds were at this time ready for use. 



Work on the Manchester Station was promptly begun after July 1, 

 and a hatchery, superintendent's dwelling, mess-house, barn, and other 

 necessary buildings were erected, and an old farm-house on the site 

 remodeled for foreman's quarters. Twelve small rearing-ponds were 

 completed and eight large ones excavated; a wagon bridge was built 

 across the Spring Branch, the hatchery connected with the water 

 supply by a 14-inch pipe, and, though the large ponds were not lined, 

 the station was in condition to begin active work in January. 



An act of Congress approved June 8, 1896, provided for improvements 

 at IS'orthville Station, Michigan, and in accordance therewith arrange- 



