REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CIII 



Fifteen reindeer introduced on the islands in 1881 have increased to 

 about 300, and the herd is still protected. The natives also have small 

 herds of Siberian cattle, which are hardy and find ample subsistence 

 the year round. Lieut. Commander Tanner suggests that the same 

 breed of cattle might advantageously be introduced on the inhabited 

 islands of the Aleutian chain, where the rapid extinction of the fur- 

 bearing animals will soon make it diflBcult for the natives to obtain 

 food. This important matter deserves prompt consideration. 



From Copper Island the Albatross returned to Port Town send by 

 way of TJnalaska, and on June 30 she left Departure Bay, British 

 Columbia, where slie had been coaling, on another cruise to Bering Sea. 



Between July 1, 1891, and the same date in 1892 the Albatross was 

 at sea 20G days, during which time she steamed 24,991 knots and made 

 601 soundings^ mostly in the deep sea, 39 dredgings, and 30 tow-net 

 stations, the intermediate tow net being employed at many of the latter 

 in considerable depths of water. 



ATLANTIC COAST. 

 OYSTER INVESTIGATIONS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY. 



Tangier and Focomoke sounds. — The survey of this important oyster 

 region begun on May 15, 1891, was continued until l!^ovember 28 fol- 

 lowing, when, owing to inclement weather and the presence of many 

 fishing boats upon the grounds, it was closed for the year, although 

 the dredging trials had not been entirely completed. It is proposed to 

 finish the latter during the summer of 1892. The scope of this inves- 

 tigation and the plans adopted for carrying on the work were described 

 in the last annual report. Similar inquiries had been conducted in the 

 same waters by Lieut. Francis Win slow in 1878 and 1879 and by Dr. 

 W. K. Brooks a few years later, and it was expected that by repeating 

 the examinations conclusions might be reached of more than local 

 significance. 



The work was carried on by means of the steamer Fish Haivic, Lieut. 

 Eobert Piatt, U. S. Navy, commanding, and the steam launch Fetrel, 

 the latter replacing the Fish HaivJc during its temporary absence in 

 connection with the experiments relative to the hatching of the Spanish 

 mackerel, and subsequently remaining on the grounds until the end of 

 the season, being required for the examination of the shallow-water 

 areas which could not be reached by the larger vessel. In many places, 

 moreover, it became necessary to resort to the use of small flat-bottomed 

 boats, esi^ecially near the shores and between the islands. Mr. John 

 T>. Battle acted as chief assistant in the hydrographic work and also 

 'had charge of the observations upon the material secured by dredg- 

 ing. He was aided by Mr. J. Percy Moore, of the University oi 

 Pennsylvania, until September 1; by Mr. B. L. Hardin and by Mr. W. 

 C. Kendall after the middle of July. In addition t"» his other duties 

 Mr. Moore spent considerable time in conducting special researches 



