Inquiry Respecting Food Fishes and the Fishing Grounds. 
O this division of the service belong the investigations 
and researches addressed to the physical and chem- 
ical characters of the seas and fresh waters in their relation 
to aquatic life; the life histories, habits, food, abundance, 
distribution, enemies, and diseases of fishes and other eco- 
nomic animals, as well as the minor forms of life which, 
while not directly important, are indirectly valuable to man 
Puel 
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, BEAUFORT, N. C. 
because they furnish food for the higher animals. This 
branch also makes inquiries regarding the causes of the de- 
crease of food fishes, points out the remedies therefor, 
studies particular species and regions in the interest of fish 
culture, conducts the necessary biological investigations 
antecedent to the establishment of hatching stations, ex- 
plores the fishing grounds of the coasts and interior, and in 
numerous other ways promotes the commercial fisheries 
and artificial propagation. 
