26 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Island Sound previously mentioned (p. 13). Charles J. Fish, at- 

 tached to the laboratory as temporary assistant, was engaged in 

 studies of the daily, seasonal, and annual variation of plankton 

 (the basis of fish-food supply) in the waters of the Woods Hole 

 region, his investigations being based upon his own observations 

 and upon the collections and extensive records left by the late Vinal 

 Edwards. Before the close of the fiscal year it had been arranged 

 for Dr. Hugh M. Smith to continue his jjreviously extensive studies 

 of fishes of the region with a view of bringing together all records 

 on the subject and of preparing an annotated list of the fishes. 

 Arrangements have also been made to extend the facilities of the 

 laboratory to a number of volunteer investigators. 



Tlie Beaufort (N. C.) biological station has continued during 

 the year to be without a scientific director, since the salary attached 

 to the position has not attracted the services of a person of proper 

 training. The buildings and grounds have been brought into a 

 condition of good repair and the buildings repainted with two coats. 

 At slight expense repairs have been made to the sea wall on the 

 northeast side of the island. The experiments in terrapin culture 

 are being continued under the management of Charles Hatsel, act- 

 ing superintendent. The facilities of the station have been utilized 

 (hiring a considerable part of the year by the Bureau of Construc- 

 tion and Repair of the Navy Department for investigations relat- 

 ing to the prevention of the fouling of the bottoms of vessels. On 

 certain occasions also the facilities of the station have been extended 

 to independent investigators. 



At this station it is verj?^ desirable that there should be constructed 

 a concrete Avail on the northwest corner of the island to insure the 

 retention of the level made-land on that part of the island; but the 

 principal need of the station is a staff of investigators to enable 

 the laboratory to fulfill the functions for which it was established 

 and for which, presumably, it is maintained. This can be done 

 only with the provision of appropriate salaries. The salary of the 

 director at present is substantially less than is offered in low grades 

 of assistantships in State universities. 



The Fairport (Iowa) biological station, under the direction of 

 R. L. Barney, has been in operation during the entire fiscal year 

 and its activities in several fields have been mentioned on previous 

 pages (Studies of Fishes, p. 2, Experimental Fish Culture, p. 8, 

 Diseases of Terrapin, p. 11, and Fresh-water Mussels, p. 18). The 

 most notable physical improvement during the year has been the 

 installation of an electric-light plant for the cottages on the hill- 

 side, a measure long needed for the removal of fire menace. The 

 laboratory and grounds are in good condition, but all frame build- 

 ings are in need of paint and minor repairs. 



During the first two months of the fiscal year Dr. H. S. Davis 

 served as director of the Key West (Fla.) biological station, giving 

 special attention to the parasites of fishes of the region. During 

 the remainder of the year the station has been without a technical 

 staff", since the salaries offered are inadequate to retain the services 

 of trained men. 



