4 INLAND FISHERIES. 



Ninth. Continued Avork on ofl'-sliore fisheries. 



Tenth. An investig-ation of the habits and growth of the scallop. 



Eleventh. Further observations on the red water plag-ue, with 

 notes on its occurrence elsewhere. 



Twelfth. Additions to the list of fishes known to inhabit the 

 Bay, with remarks on rare fishes recently caught. 



Thirteenth. Experiments in lobster ciilture. 



The scientific work which your commission was able to accom- 

 plish was made possible by the special appropriation of last year, 

 which provided for the construction of a new floating laboratory 

 and for the purchase of a small naphtha launch. 



The new floating laboratory was towed to Wickford on May 17, 

 and placed at the same moorings which held the old house-boat 

 of the previous year. It was built by the Providence Dry Dock 

 Co., and is a thoroughly staunch craft which should be service- 

 able for many years. A brief description is as follows : Two pon- 

 toons, 52 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, of three-inch hard 

 pine, completely decked with two-inch hard pine, each pontoon 

 with three bulk-heads and four water-tight com])artments accessi- 

 ble by hatches, painted all over, copper paint Ijelow. Pontoons 

 placed 8 feet apart and securely fastened by cross-beams and knees 

 at each end. A house 10x10 feet at each end of the boat, with 

 floors of two-inch hard pine, roof, sides, doors, shelves, and closets 

 of North Carolina pine, painted outside and natural wood inside. 

 Roof 7 feet from floor, covered with canvas, and painted. The 

 well between the pontoons is open from one house to the other 

 for a distance of 20 feet, and under the houses is accessible through 

 hatches in the floors. The laboratory equipment was transferred 

 from the old house-boat and additional apparatus added. In 

 December the craft was laid on shore and carefullj^ blocked up 

 beyond the reach of the tide. 



The experience of your commission in the past three years has 

 proved in the most convincing manner the value of a house-boat 

 as a laboratory for investigation of problems connected with ma- 



