58 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIHS 
with the State Game and Fish Commission during July 1936, when 
various waters in the Delta section of the State were examined in 
regard to their natural characteristics, and were sampled for the fish 
population and fish foods present. Excessively hot weather and an 
extensive drought prior to the investigation had resulted in the death 
of many fishes in some of the very shallow overheated lakes. It is 
evident that many of the lakes in the Delta, which consist mostly of 
deep holes in the beds of rivers that have changed their courses, are 
gradually fillmg up as a result of erosion since the clearing of the 
land for agriculture. 
FISHES OF Mane CANAL ZONE AND PANAMA 
The study of specimens and data collected by Dr. Hildebrand in 
Panama and the Canal Zone in 1935 in cooperation with the Gorgas 
Memorial Laboratory, Panama City, was continued. A manuscript 
dealing with the use of the Gatun Locks as a habitat and passageway 
for fishes was completed. The study of the general collection made 
in various places in Panama has revealed several undescribed species, 
and the preparation of descriptions and illustrations has beeen under- 
taken. 
A general study of the American anchovies was undertaken with 
the view of pr oducing order out of the chaotic condition of the pres- 
ent. classification of this family of fishes. Studies of Atlantic coast 
specimens of both North and South America that were available in 
Washington, and of others borrowed for study from museums outside 
cf Washington, have been carried almost to completion. 
MARINE FISHES OF THE GULF COAST 
Systematic studies of the fishes of the Gulf coast were continued by 
Isaac Ginsburg. Special attention was given to the families Pleuro- 
nectidae, Cyprinodontidae, and Syngnathidae. 
INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES OF THE FISHERIES BIOLOGICAL 
LABORATORIES 
WOODS HOLE, MASS. 
Owing to lack of funds, the Woods Hole laboratory was not main- 
tained on an operating basis in 1936. Although facilities were utilized 
in connection with the oyster investigations reported upon elsewhere, 
no independent activities were possible. 
This condition not only retards progress in the Bureau’s fishery 
investigations, but also represents the loss to the Bureau of advan- 
tages formerly gained from results obtained by independent investi- 
gators through use of the laboratory’s facilities. 
BEAUFORT, N. C. 
Research.—The biological station at Beaufort, N. C., which was 
continued in operation during the entire year under the direction of 
Dri BS rytheren, provided facilities for the study of marine 
fishery problems of the South Atlantic region. The various investi- 
gations conducted here by the Bureau’s staff, as reported in detail 
