INLAXD FISHERIES. 19 



Aleivives. 



Mr. Geo. A. Griffin, of Wakelield, E. I., in response to the in- 

 quiries of the commission, says that 3,128 barrels were exported 

 and sold in the New York markets at the rate of $4.50 per barrel, 

 while about 35,000 fish were sold to the local trade for a net price 

 of $500. 



Flat-Fisli — Whiter Flounder. 



The past season Avas unusually productive of flat-fish. During- 

 the early part of April, Lewis Brothers, of Wickford, caught 1,200 

 in a trap which had been set only one day. It is an extremely in- 

 teresting- fact that the dark liellied variety, which gradually came 

 into notice several years ago, and attained the maximum of its 

 abundance about three years ag-o, is now on the decline. Last 

 season, according to a trustworthy estimate, only about 4 per cent, 

 were colored on the under surface, while three years ago at least 

 33 per cent, were so colored. 



Cod.. 



The cod-fishing in the h'A\ and adjacent waters has been almost 

 phenomenal. The fish were abundant on the mussel-lieds in the 

 West Passage when the traps were set in the spring, and in the 

 fall had returned in considerable numbers. The fish were in ex- 

 cellent condition. 



It is a question whether the increasing- abundance of cod in our 

 ■waters is an unmixed blessing, for it is certain that this fish is a 

 most destructive enemy to the lobster. The commission has many 

 specimens of lobsters taken from the stomach of the cod. One 

 specimen from a cod caught off Nantucket on November 1, 1900, 

 measured five inches in length. 



YI. Continued Ex.\minatiox of the Physical and Biologic.u:. 

 Conditions of the Water of the Bay, Begun in 1898. 



Notes on the occurrence of various species of animals found 



