REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. IX 



ducted near Hampton, Va., by Dr. John P. Lotsy, of tlie Johns Hopkins 

 University. 



Toward tlie close of the last fiscal year arrangements were made 

 with Dr. Bashford Dean, of Columbia College, New York, to investigate 

 the systems of oyster-culture pursued in France and other European 

 countries. The reports on these inquiries have appeared in the bulletin 

 of the Commission under the titles "Eeport on the Present Methods 

 of Oyster-Culture in France," and '"Eeport on the European Methods 

 of Oyster- Culture." 



The more important investigations of the Commission at the Woods 

 Holl Marine Laboratory were in relation to — 



(1) The embryology of certain sponges indigenous to the Vineyard 

 Sound region, which are themselves of no economic importance, but 

 are related in their development and habits to the more important 

 forms of the Gulf coast— by Dr. H. V. Wilson. 



(2) The anatomy, embryology, and habits of certain important crus- 

 taceans and mollusks — by Profs. Patten, Herrick, Fernald, Kellogg, 

 and Conklin. 



(3) Continuous observations through the entire year by Mr. Vinal l!^. 

 Edwards in reference to the habits, abundance, and movements of the 

 important fishes of the New England coast, and the temperature 

 conditions existing and influencing their movements. The most inter- 

 esting result of his observations for the current year was that the 

 menhaden, in part at least, is an inshore spawner. The observations as 

 yet are too few in number and over too small an area to warrant any 

 general conclusions, but if more extended and continued observations 

 disclose that this habit is general for the species, the necessity of reg'- 

 ulation of the menhaden fishery by reasonable restraints will be as 

 evident and imperative as for the shad and other anadromous species. 



In connection with the general study of the interior waters, special 

 attention was given during the year to the Eocky Mountain region of 

 Montana and Wyoming, and of Texas, with the view of determining, in 

 accordance with the special directions of Congress, suitable sites for 

 the location of fish-hatcheries. Inquiries were also made concerning 

 some of the water-courses of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North 

 Carolina, New York, and Wisconsin. Incidentally, in the work of this 

 division, an investigation, in response to complaints, was made of the 

 pollution of the Susquehanna Eiver near Havre de Grace, Md,, pro- 

 duced by the overflow of the waste liquors from a large mill manufac- 

 turing paper from wood pulp. 



At the various rearing-stations of the Commission the amount of 

 their ijroduct has been from time to time greatly attested by the pres- 

 ence of disease caused both by peculiar conditions of surroundings and 

 by parasitic animals. Several special cases received the attention of 

 the division during the year, and investigations looking toward a com- 

 prehensive study of the subject, on Avhich successful fish-culture so 

 greatly depends, have been inaugurated. 



