6 INLAND FISHERIES. 



More interest lias been sliowu in the investig-atious on the clam 

 than in those already mentioned, from the fact that they have 

 served as a basis for enterprises in clam-cnlture. Several indi- 

 viduals and companies have beg-un rearing- clams on a larg-e scale 

 since the paper was published, and an active correspondence with 

 the parties has been carried on. These enterprises have been 

 started in other States — ^Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New 

 York, as well as in California. 



Inquiries into the natural history of the quahog and informa- 

 tion regarding the possibility of its artificial propagation, breed- 

 ing, etc., have been received, but cannot be answered at present. 



It is hoped on the part of yoiir commission that the results of 

 the past season's work on the clam, scallop, and lobster will be 

 received with the same interest and will encourage further efforts 

 toward a cultivation of these animals and toward increasing the 

 natural supply. 



At the request of the committee having in charge the Rhode 

 Island exhibit for the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, your 

 commission has loaned for exhibition in the Rhode Island depart- 

 ment a series of cases, illustrating the natural history of the clam, 

 scallop, lobster, and star-fish, tog-ether with a large relief map of 

 Narragansett Bay showing the contour of the bay and depth of 

 water at various places and the location of the fish-traps, oyster- 

 beds, and scallop-grounds. The committee in charge of the State 

 exhibit offered to l)ear the expense connected with the installation 

 of the cases, etc. 



The receipts and disbursements of the commission have been 

 as follows : 



State of Hhode Island in. Account tvitJi Commissioners of Inland Fisheries. 



1S09. Dr. 



Dec. lU. To balance due commissioners .'r;441 57 



1000. 

 Sept. IS. To paid for 40,000 yearling trout amldistributing same. 1,142 44 



