EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXIII 



C.— CO-OPFjRATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE 



CENSUS. 



10. — PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS. 



In July, 1879, an arrangement was made with General Francis A. 

 Walker, Superintendent of the Tenth Census, by which an investiga- 

 tion of the fisheries of the United States was undertaken as the joint 

 enterprise of the United States Fish Commission and of the Census 

 Bureau. It was decided that this investigation should be as exhaust- 

 ive as possible, and that both the United States Fish Commission and 

 the Census should participate in it. The preparation of a statistical and 

 historical report upon the fisheries, to form one of the series to be pre- 

 sented by the Superintendent of the Census as the result of his investi- 

 gations, in 1880, has been the main object of the work, but, in connec- 

 tion with this, extensive investigation into the methods of the fisheries, 

 into the distribution of the fishing grounds, and the natural history of 

 useful marine animals have been and are being carried on. 



The direction of this investigation was placed in the hands of Mr. G. 

 Brown Goode, who was appointed a special agent of the Census Office, 

 and who has been carrying on this work in addition to the performance of 

 his duties in connection with the National Museum aud the Fish Commis- 

 sion. The work was begun on July 1, 1879, has been vigorously pros- 

 ecuted since that time, and the final report will probably be presented 

 as early as July, 1881. 



11. — PLAN OF INVESTIGATION. 



The plan of the investigation was drawn up before the beginning of 

 the work, and has been published in an octavo pamphlet of fifty-four 

 pages, entitled " Plan of Inquiry into the History and Present Condi- 

 tion of the Fisheries of the United States." Washington : Government 

 Printing Office. 1879. 



The scheme of investigation divided the work into the following de- 

 partments : 



I. — Natural history of marine products. 



Under this head was to be carried on the study of the useful aquatic 

 animals and plants of the country, as well as of seals, whales, turtles, 

 fishes, lobsters, crabs, oysters, clams, &c, sponges and marine plants, 

 and inorganic products of the sea, with reference to (A) Geographical 

 distribution; (B)Size; (C) Abundance; (D) Migration and movements; 

 (E) Food and rate of growth; (F) Mode of reproduction, and (G) Eco- 

 nomic value and uses. 



II. — The fishing grounds. 



Under this head are studied the geographical distribution of all ani- 

 mals sought by fishermen and the location of the fishing-grounds, while 



