64 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERir':S 



Avork of these investigators has been mentioned elsewhere in tliis 

 report. 



The activities at the Beaufort (N. C.) biological laboratory have 

 remained about the same. Arrangements have been made, however, 

 for the appointment of Samuel F. Hildebrand, ichthyologist, to the 

 position of director of this hiboratory, and it is expected that this 

 appointment will result in increased activity and accomi)lishment at 

 that phice. 



During the summer of 1924 investigations on the nature and ex- 

 tent of the fouling of ships' bottoms were continued at Beaufort by 

 Dr. J. P. Visscher. The Navy Department availed itself of the 

 facilities of the laboratory in its investigation of the prevention of 

 the fouling of ships and sent several of its investigators there for 

 that purpose. Several independent iuAestigators also were there 

 during the summer. Elmer Higgins, director of the Key West bio- 

 logical station, also was present at Beaufort conducting his investi- 

 gations on the life history of the mullet and other important food 

 fishes of the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 



The situation at the Key West biological station was imchanged. 

 Although a competent director has been found in Elmer Higgins, 

 the lack of adequate laboratory facilities has made it impossible to 

 center any extensive investigations at this point. The grounds and 

 buildings are being maintained in excellent condition and it is still 

 hoped that adequate laboratory facilities will be j^rovided ultimately. 



At the Fairport (Iowa) biological laboratory have been conductetl 

 investigations on fresh-water mussels and on the propagation of 

 some of the moi-e impojtant food fishes of the Mississippi region. 

 These have been mentioned above. Since the last re])ort was pub- 

 lished T. K. Chamberlain, then acting director, was appointed di- 

 rector. Several independent investigators were at the laboratory 

 during the sunnuer of 1924. Dr. ]M. M. Ellis, of the I'niversity of 

 Missouri, conducted a study of gland activit}^ in fishes, and through 

 this was led to a study of the glochidia of the fresh-water nmssels 

 during their parasitic stage. This study gives promise of most in- 

 teresting and valuable results which may be of great imi)ortance in 

 the development of methods for the artificial propagation of mus- 

 sels. The staff of the laboratory has also maintained close relations 

 Avith various State and private organizations concei-ned with the 

 conservation of the aquatic resources of the Mississipi)i Basin. 



