REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXVII 



from Key West to Galveston was made in a small sloop, chartered for 

 the purpose. 



The work of the other specialists, engaged in the census of the fisher- 

 ies, has uniformly been productive of results important to the work of 

 the Fish Commission. 



In addition to the explorations already referred to, three special expe- 

 ditions were organized for the purpose of studying the methods of the 

 vessel fishermen upon the fishing grounds. 



In the summer of 1879, Mr. Newton P. Scudder was sent to study the 

 American halibut fisheries in Davis' Straits. He went as a passenger 

 on the schooner Bunker Hill, of Gloucester, leaving that port on June 

 10, 1879, and returning on September 17 of the same year. His experi- 

 ences are detailed iu an important essay which will be printed in a sub- 

 sequent number of the Fish Commission reports. 



Mr. H. L. Osborn made a similar study of the Grand Bank codfishery. 

 He sailed from Gloucester on the schooner Victor, July 10, and returned 

 late in October, ne made extensive natural history collections and pre- 

 pared an important report which will also be printed. 



Mr. John P. Gordy spent three weeks upon a Gloucester mackerel 

 schooner for the special purpose of studying the mental and moral char- 

 acteristics of the fishermen and the methods of the fishery, upon which 

 he has submitted a report containing much interesting information. 



0.— THE PROPAGATION OF FOOD FISHES. 

 Work accomplished in 1879. 



The Quinnat or California Salmon (Salmo quinnaf). 



The McCloud River Station. — The experiences of previous seasons 

 had indicated to Mr. Livingston Stone, who continued in charge of the 

 McCloud River Station, the importance of detaining the salmon near 

 the station by means of an impassable barrier across the river. By the 

 construction of a rack across the river he prevented the further ascent 

 of the fish, holding them at the fishery, where they could be readily 

 captured by his seine when the spawning season commenced. The 

 yield of spawning fish, and consequently of eggs, was much increased. 



The obstruction on the river had also another good effect, for by the 

 rack, which prevented their ascent (their instincts preventing their 

 going down), they were kept in the pools and were not so emaciated by 

 the extended journey which causes them to reach the upper rivers in a 

 state of exhaustion. Although the salmon of the McCloud River, which 

 had hitherto been penned, suffered much from confinement, the fish 

 which were detained by means of the rack did not seem at all affected. 



As the custom prevails of turning the fish back into the river after 

 the eggs had been taken, this device of obstructing the river has no 

 doubt been beneficial in preserving many of the adult fish which would 



