134 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
persons distinguished in the lines of fish-culture, the commercial fish- 
eries, or biological science. The United States Fish Commission was 
officially represented by Dr. H. M. Smith. Other members from the 
United States were Dr. T. H. Bean, director of forestry and fisheries 
on the staff of the United States Commission to the Paris Exposition, 
and Lieut. Commander A. C. Baker, U. 8. N. 
Papers and discussions covering a wide range of topics were pre- 
sented in the sections and the general séances. The subjects consid- 
ered came under the heads of scientific studies of the salt and fresh 
waters, the methods of the sea fisheries, marine fishing considered as 
sport, practical aquiculture and fishing in fresh waters, oyster-culture 
and mussel-culture, the utilization of fishery products, and the social 
and hygienic relations of the fishermen. Dr. Fabre-Domergue, the 
inspector-general of marine fisheries, gave an illustrated lecture on 
“The character and limitations of man’s influence on the productivity 
of the seas.” The proceedings of the congress included visits to the 
fishery palace of the exposition and to the museum of natural his- 
tory, and a number of social features, concluding with a banquet on 
September 19 at the Palais D’Orsay, given by the French minister of 
marine. 
Before adjourning the congress took action on a number of resolu- 
tions and propositions that had been brought up in the course of the 
meeting. Among the numerous formal views expressed, the follow- 
ing have special application or interest to the United States: 
(1) Investigations of lacustral biology are important for both their scientific 
interests and practical value, especially as they bear upon fish-culture, and should 
everywhere be encouraged as far as possible. 
(2) In small and unimportant streams line fishing only should be permitted, the 
use of nets or other apparatus being limited as much as possible. 
‘3) The introduction of exotic species of fishes into international streams and 
lakes, or the p'anting of the eel in waters still free from the species, should be 
undertaken only a/ter obtaining the sanction of all States interested. 
(4) The success attending shad-culture in the United States and the important 
economic results therefrom indicate that similar operations in this country 
(France) would be apt to prove of substantial benefit. 
(5) Each government should be urged to take the most effective measures for 
facilitating the free movements of migrating fishes (especially salmon) in ascending 
streams, to foster the study of improved systems for the passage of fish, and to 
provide for fishways in all industrial and agricultural dams having a greater 
height than 0.80 meter. Water-tight dams should not be built with a vertical 
face downstream, but with both surfaces sloping at an angle of about 30°. 
(6) The governments should promote the study of means of detecting poisoned 
fishes, just as in human criminology, and all poisoned animals should be seized 
and the holders thereof prosecuted so as to put an end to this nefarious practice. 
(7) As to the pollution of streams by various factories, it is declared to be the 
duty of the manufacturers to devise the means necessary to the purification of 
the waste products of their works, while the part of the government consists in 
seeing that the water be turned back to the rivers in a condition not injurious to 
use/ul plant and anima! life. 
(8) Where previous permission is necessary for the locating of industrial works 
upon streams, this permission should be granted only after the deposit by those 
