106 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



Several of the Division's publications were revised. They cover 

 such subjects as enforcement, books on angling, how, when, and where 

 to fish, list of State officials, and tourist's licenses. Requests for 

 information on these subjects reached the Division in ever-increas- 

 ing numbers. More persons are interested in angling than ever be- 

 fore; the last tabulation by the Bureau of the number of anglers 

 licenses issued by the States shoAved an increase of 265,375 over the 

 previous issue. 



Fishery Circular No. 20, containing the Federal black-bass law, 

 and a synopsis of the State laws, published the first part of the fiscal 

 year, was exhausted during the close of the year necessitating an 

 early publication of a new issue which will be revised to include the 

 latest changes. 



LIBRARY 



The library of the Bureau, although housed with the Department 

 of Commerce Library, is maintained as a separate unit by the Bu- 

 reau. It is one of the finest collections of scientific works concerning 

 the fisheries in the world. As such it attracts attention from students 

 and scientists all over the country, and many foreign scientists avail 

 themselves of its services. The Bureau's staff, of course, finds it 

 invaluable as it serves both the Washington office and the field force. 



The library at present consists of 43,036 volumes, 1,500 pamphlets, 

 and 199 monthly periodicals. 



AQUARIUM 



The past 12 months proved most conclusively the popularity of 

 the aquarium located under the main lobby of the Department of 

 Commerce Building. This consists of* 50 aquaria and 3 center pools. 

 The outstanding individual exhibit, maintained during the winter 

 until late spring, was a miniature hatchery demonstration. Eggs 

 of Lake Erie whitefish, Potomac River yellow perch and shad, brook 

 trout, rainbow trout, and silver salmon were hatched. Biology 

 classes visited the exhibit frequently to observe the progress of 

 development. 



Specimens and eggs were also supplied to other public aquaria as 

 a means of mutual cooperation. Experimental work on the efficacy 

 of permanganate of potash, in treatment of parasites and bacteria 

 in aquaria, is proving effective. 



The aquarium population varies in season, averaging about 55 

 species and 1,480 individuals during 1936. 



VESSELS 



Fifteen vessels of the Alaska service cruised about 120,000 nautical 

 miles in the fiscal year 1936, as compared with 118,000 miles by 13 

 vessels in the preceding year. The Penguin logged the greatest dis- 

 tance, with approximately 27,000 miles. The Brant covered about 

 14,500 miles, the Eider 11,000 miles, and the Crane, Teal, and Scoter 

 each about 10,000 miles. 



The Penguin made five round-trip voyages between Seattle and the 

 Pribilof Islands, transporting personnel and emergency supplies. 

 Inter-island service also was performed, and native workmen from 



