25 



why not experiment with the object of largely increasing 

 the quantity ? 



With success the price of the pearl would fall, but the 

 quantity would bring much more important financial 

 results, and thus an export would be created, limited to 

 Bahamas waters, more beautiful than coral, requiring no 

 polishing, and in colour putting in the shade the most 

 expensive and valuable of the Oriental corals. 



I cannot forbear being of opinion that the fisheries ought 

 to undergo thorough scientific investigation, and that it 

 would be well to appoint a Commissioner of Fisheries of 

 approved scientific and practical knowledge of marine pro- 

 ducts, &c., and as to results, I can do no better than refer 

 again to Professor G. Browne Goode's excellent Paper, 

 page 45. He says : — 



" On the 9th of February, 187 1, Congress passed a joint reso- 

 lution which authorised the appointment of a Commissioner of 

 Fish and Fisheries. The duties of the Commissioner were thus 

 defined: 'To prosecute investigations on the subject (of the dimi- 

 nution of valuable fishes) with the view of ascertaining whether any 

 and what diminution in the number of the food-fishes of the coast 

 and the lakes of the United States has taken place ; and, if so, to 

 what causes the same is due ; and also whether any and what pro- 

 tection, prohibitory or precautionary measures should be adopted 

 in the premises, and report upon the same to Congress.' 



"The resolution establishing the office of Commissioner of 

 Fisheries required that the person to be appointed should be a 

 civil officer of the Government, of proved scientific and practical 

 acquaintance with the fishes of the coast, to serve without addi- 

 tional salary. The choice was thus practically limited to a single 

 man, for whom in fact the office had been created. Professor 

 Spencer F. Baird was appointed and entered at once upon his 

 duties. Being himself an eminent man of science, for forty years 

 in the front rank of biological investigation, the author of several 



