PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1929 1083 



number has been present each year since the beginning of the experi- 

 ments with winter feeding. 



In the fall of 1929 the new brood, amounting to 7,770 individuals, 

 was placed in the nursery house to be fed during the winter. Several 

 different kinds and combinations of food are employed in the feeding 

 experiments. Last winter (1928-29) good results, from the stand- 

 point of growth, were obtained by feeding oysters and also with a 

 mixture of fresh fish and corn meal; shrimp bran alone was found 

 unsatisfactory, but in combination with fresh fish it seemed to hold 

 some promise. Most of the feeding experiments of last winter are 

 being continued and several others have been undertaken for this 

 winter (1929-30). 



Unfortunately, during a hurricane which visited Beaufort and 

 vicinity on October 2, 1929, the high water and strong wind com- 

 bined broke the walls of two of the pounds containing slightly in 

 excess of 1,700 adult breeding terrapins. The animals quickly made 

 their escape, but subsequently about 150 were recovered. 



A review of the experiments conducted since the beginning of the 

 work in 1909 at the fisheries station at Beaufort, N. C, with the arti- 

 ficial cultural of diamond-back terrapins was prepared by Dr. 

 Samuel F. Hildebrand, who is in charge of the terrapin cultural 

 work of the bureau, {Doc. No. 1060.) 



BAY SCALLOP 



Study of the bay scallop was continued at the request of the North 

 Carolina Department of Conservation and Development. In Janu- 

 ary J. S. Gutsell investigated a report of scallop mortality attributed 

 to microscopic worm parasites but apparently attributable to the 

 delayed lethal effect of water freshening. 



In November, Doctor Gutsell made an investigation of the produc- 

 tive condition of scalloping areas. In general, adult scallops proved 

 to be scarce. In western Bogue Sound they were more numerous 

 than elsewhere. 



ACTIVITIES OF THE FISHERIES BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, BEAUFORT, N. C. 



The work of the Beaufort (N. C.) station has been mentioned in 

 the section of this report dealing with the investigations on young 

 fishes, oysters, scallops, and diamond-back terrapins. Extensive 

 repairs to the main laboratory building, begun in 1928, were con- 

 tinued and completed, and a residence was built. New electric wir- 

 ing and fixtures were installed in all the buildings. Much of the 

 plumbing was renewed and the system was greatly extended, includ- 

 ing the installation of a pressure system and wash basins and water 

 pipes in all the dormitory rooms. A small power boat was added to 

 the floating equipment. These additions, improvements, and repairs 

 greatly increase the usefulness and convenience of the station. 



Elmer Higgins, chief of the division of inquiry, spent the summer 

 at the station continuing the study of the life history of the mullet, 

 begun several years ago but interrupted by other duties. Dr. Henry 

 Federighi spent the year prior to his resignation in September at 

 the station studying the life history of the oyster drill, and Dr. R. H. 

 Luce worked on oyster culture during June, July, and August. 

 20020—31 3 



