46 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
CENTRAL STATION, WASHINGTON, D. C. (J. E. BROWN IN CHARGE). 
Work at this station has been conducted on the same lines as here- 
tofore, it being used as a distributing depot for the fish reared at the 
fish ponds in Washington, and also for hatching the various species 
of Salmonide during the winter, for illustrating the fish-cultural work 
of the Commission. The following table shows the number of eggs 
received and the fish hatched and planted: 



Species. Received. | Hatched. 
Sladen.) i 3. See Se Re, Sh 5 a ee ae ae ne cee eeeeeraceaes 4,571, 000 3, 640, 000 
Pike perch oer ee aia 2 Serre Beara eas Sh eee os Se ov oc se eee neaeaweee 2,000, 000 1, 750, 000 
RAIN DO WatTOUtey se sss cee eae ee Se ee ee ee ee 9, 769 9,030 . 
Broo ket Olt cee oes ee hoe es ee ee oe ay ee ae es ea oe aE Seca ane 500 477 
Ta KGut row bes ae es pa os Mik ae Ee Een EE ee ae ee eee 14, 888 14, 319 
THOGHMUSVETYET OU bi aoe eae eee eee eee ce eee ee eens 9, 987 9, 684 
Atlantic salim ont Sess ees a sees ot eae ae Se ree eee eee eee ane eee ane 4, 993 4, 832 
landlocked (salmone ses see sone oe eee pecan eeise nee Pe See Sn Oe SEES Geer 4,990 4, 832 
Scotch sea trout ses oer ee ee ee ce re ae ae ee 1,971 1,544 
Wihitesfishts aes Sa ee eee ee ee seme eee See eee mes oot eo 317, 000 314, 000 
Mo tall. a2 as A ee ee a ee aE ae, Be a ae Se ES 6, 935, 098 5, 748, 718 

The superintendent is charged with receiving and shipping freights 
and express matter passing through the central office. During the 
past year this involved the handling of 783 shipments and 1,004 
receipts. The general distribution apparatus is also stored at this 
station under his direction. After the distribution season is ended the 
cars are laid up at Central Station for the winter, during which time 
their machinery is thoroughly overhauled by the station machinists, 
thereby saving the Commission thousands of dollars annually. 
CENTRAL STATION AQUARIUM (L. G. HARRON IN CHARGE). 
From July 1 to September 15 the grotto was closed, it being imprac- 
ticable, on account of the high temperature of the water, to maintain 
an exhibit of salt-water specimens. 
The salt-water circulating plant was improved by the introduction 
of a new heater and the installation of an engine for use in operating 
the salt-water pumps whenever the water pressure might be too low 
to run the motor. 
A supply of salt water was obtained from the Chesapeake Bay early 
in September, and arrangements were made for restocking the 
aquarium with marine fishes and other animals collected from points 
on the Chesapeake and Buzzards Bay. About 1,000 specimens, rep- 
resenting 54 species, were secured from these two sources, and these, 
with supplies of sea-anemone and star-fish from Gloucester, Mass., 
stocked the salt-water aquaria to their full capacity. This exhibit 
remained exceptionally good until about February, when a disease 
appeared and caused the loss of a great many of the specimens. It 
attacked their fins and gillrakers, and seemed to eat the flesh from 
the spines and rays, causing the fish to refuse all of the food. Various 
remedies, including strong salt baths, were tried, but without effect, 
