REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 11 



Eeference was made in my previous report to the visit of Dr. Bash- 

 ford Dean to Europe for the purpose of studying- the methods tliere 

 followed in oyster-culture. The results of Dr. Deau's investigations 

 were issued in December/1892, and July, 1893, being published in the 

 Bulletins of the Commission for the years 1890 and 1891, and will 

 undoubtedly prove of great aid to those oystermen of this country who 

 are seeking to improve the industry. 



The subject of acclimatizing the eastern oyster on the Pacific coast 

 has received attention, and investigations of the physical conditions of 

 certain areas have been made. Favorable conditions appear to exist 

 in Willapa Bay, Washington, and it is proposed to make plantings 

 there from a number of localities on the Atlantic coast as soon as a 

 favorable opportunity may arise. 



Reference is made to the report of Mr. Rathbun for a resum^ by Pro- 

 fessor Libbey of the physical inquiries conducted by him during several 

 preceding- seasons off the southern New England and Middle States 

 coast. These inquiries were discontinued during the season of 1892, 

 and the schooner Grampus was used to make a search for the tilefish 

 in those localities where it had previously been found. A few speci- 

 mens only were received. The inquiry, however, establishes the fact 

 of the continuity of the belt of warm waters on the Gulf Stream slope, 

 so as to permit the northward summer migration of the species. We 

 have therefore reason to expect that the tilefish will reoccupy its old 

 grounds in undiminished numbers and that a valuable market fishery 

 will be established should the fish be found acceptable to consumers. 



At the laboratory of the Commission at Woods Hole studies of 

 marine life were prosecuted as in previous years. The si)awning and 

 early habits of the common scallop or pecten were investigated by Dr. 

 James L. Kellogg; Prof. Francis H. Herrick continued his observations 

 on the development and life- history of the lobster; Prof. H. V. Wilson 

 on the development of certain sponges; Dr. William Patten on the 

 sense-organs in the horseshoe crab. The other inquiries conducted 

 will be found noted in Mr. Rathbun's report. 



Extensive investigations were made of the shores and inlets of Buz- 

 zards Bay and Vineyard Sound for the purpose of studying the habits 

 and life-history, in the younger stages, of the common food-fishes of 

 the locality, and much important information concerning the breeding 

 and other habits of the menhaden was secured. 



The interior waters examined during the year embraced the Columbia 

 River and some of its tributaries, in Washington, Idaho, and Montana; 

 the rivers and lakes of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, 

 Nebraska, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and California. These 

 investigations were for the purpose of studying the physical character- 

 istics of these waters and also to ascertain the various forms of animal 

 and plant life inhabiting the same. Such inquiries are especially val- 

 uable as a guide in the work of the Commission of stocking our waters 

 with suitable food-fishes. 



