REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 85 
obtainable through investigations conducted from shore or by the 
use of small boats. It was realized that the proper method of attack 
was through investigations extending over a large area of the ocean 
and conducted through the instrumentality of a seagoing vessel. 
This was fortunately made possible in February, 1916, when Congress 
through an urgent deficiency bill provided _an appropriation which 
enabled the Bureau to detail the steamer Albatross for special service 
in the tuna investigation. The first cruise was promptly begun, and 
on May 10 the vessel arrived at San Diego after spending three weeks 
in cruising along the coast of Lower California and several hundred 
miles farther south and west, as far as Los Coronados Islands. Other 
cruises followed this one, and the investigation was in progress as the 
fiscal year closed. From the middle of April to the middle of May 
there were no tuna along the Lower California peninsula from San 
Diego to Socorro Island and westward to Guadalupe Island. Two of 
the best practical tuna fishermen of San Diego accompanied the vessel 
on this cruise. In the latter part of May tuna were encountered off 
Lower California near San Geronimo Island, and near the San Benito 
Islands; none were found on a cruise extending west of San Diego 
150 miles. During the month of June tuna were present off San 
Diego and San Pedro, although they were not taken in commer- 
cial quantities, this being attributed to the coldness of the surface 
water. The investigation has been somewhat hampered by the con- 
tinued prevalence of rough weather, but will be continued and 
prosecuted as actively as possible during the next fiscal year. 
The importance of a knowledge of the larval development of fishes 
was cited in the last annual report. Such studies have been continued 
both at the Woods Hole laboratory and in connection with the investi- 
gations in Chesapeake Bay. At the Woods Hole laboratory sub- 
stantial information was gained regarding 12 species, 6 of which are 
of direct commercial importance, namely, the tautog, cunner, scup, 
sea robin, whiting, butterfish, anchovy, menhaden, glut herring, silver- 
side, three-spined stickleback, and four-spined stickleback. For 
ears the Bureau has endeavored to gain information regarding the 
icaadine habits of the menhaden. With the knowledge gathered 
during the pane fiscal year, the Bureau is now in better position to 
follow up the life history of the menhaden. 
Near the close of the fiscal year and in connection with the Chesa- 
peake Bay investigations, additional data were obtained regarding the 
eggs and larve of the anchovy, hog choker, goosefish, and gray trout 
(squeteague). Experiments with hatching of butterfish were attended 
with success. 
SHELLFISH INVESTIGATIONS. 
The oyster, as the most important food resource of our waters, has 
continued to command such attention as it was possible for the 
Bureau to bestow. Owing to the fact that oyster culture, where it 
is now practiced, has reached a relatively advanced stage of develop- 
ment and, where not practiced, is hindered by peculiar economic 
conditions, the problems of the industry are comparatively complex 
and difficult of solution. Until the close of the fiscal year 1916 the 
Bureau had not been in position to give the continued and effective 
attention to the oyster that it deserved. Recent action by Congress 
has to a large extent remedied this deficiency and more effective serv- 
