REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, XXXIX 
ter made some experiments with a view to keeping lobsters alive with 
the use of a very small quantity of sea water. These experiments 
seemed to demonstrate the feasibility of transporting the species across 
the continent. On May 29, 5,000 lobsters, 2 or 3 weeks old, were sent 
to the Cold Spring Harbor Station. These were planted off Rocky 
Point, in Cold Spring Harbor, June 5. 
z, The Oyster (Ostrea virginica). 
At the Saint Jerome Station experiments were continued in the arti- 
ficial propagation of the oyster, according to the system devised by 
Prof. John A. Ryder, and by other methods. The work lasted from 
April to November 20, and was in charge of Mr. W. de C. Ravenel. On 
June 23 ripe oysters were found in sufficient numbers to begin spawn- 
ing regularly. Collectors were put out and afterwards placed in ponds. 
Spat first appeared July 29. Sand and slime were deposited so rapidly 
and extensively as to interfere with the success of the undertaking. 
6.—THE STATIONS OF THE FISH COMMISSION. 
A.—MARINE STATIONS. 
Gloucester, Mass.—This station was occupied mainly in the interests 
of the Gloucester fisheries and for the purpose of obtaining continuous 
and accurate veturns of their statistics. It was in charge of Mr. W. A. 
Wilcox, a special agent of the Commission, assisted by Capt. S. J. _ 
Martin. ~l 
Wood’s Holl, Mass.—Operations were carried on during the entire 
year at this important station, which is located on Vineyard Sound, at 
the southwestern extremity of Cape Cod and opposite the northern end 
of the Elizabeth Islands. It is now thoroughly equipped both for the 
propagation of marine fishes and for the purposes of scientific inquiry. 
The hatching of codfish, begun in November, 1885, was continued 
through the winter and into the spring of 1886, and was again taken 
up in November of tle same year. The propagation of lobsters was 
carried on from May until July, and experiments with reference to the 
planting and breeding of oysters were conducted .during the spring 
and summer. From early in July until the middle of October the sta- 
tion was occupied in the iuterest of the sea-coast investigations respect- 
— Mall 
ing food-fishes and the fishing grounds, under the immediate direction 
of the Commissioner, and during this period it was also the headquar- 
ters for the steamer Albatross. 
Capt. H. C. Chester, who had served as superintendent of the station 
since its foundation, was obliged to relinquish his position in June, on 
account of ill health, and was succeeded by Prof. John A. Ryder, as 
acting superintendent, until October 1, when the station was placed in 
charge of Mr. Charles G. Atkins. 
A frame store-house and a short section of wharf in front of the coal 
