PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1921. 87 
INVESTIGATIONS IN THE KENTUCKY RIVER. 
Prior to 1919 the Kentucky River was an unworked and practically 
unknown mussel stream. In the summer and autumn of 1919 and the 
summer of 1920 the upper part of the river was investigated by 
Ernest Danglade, temporary assistant. Preliminary tests were made 
in the summer of 1919 which indicated that good marketable shells 
were to be found in the headwaters, and encouragement was offered 
to various people who had expressed a desire to engage in mussel 
fishing. As a result, by the middle of July, 1919, two mussel camps 
were established in the upper courses. 
The river was examined from near its source down to Beattyville, 
Ky., below which place the stream contains many locks and dams and 
is unsuitable for mussel fishing. In the upper parts of the stream, 
in the north and middle forks, numerous but small beds were en- 
countered. Fourteen were investigated and are described in some 
detail in a report on file with the Bureau. Forty species of mussels 
were obtained, of which 22 have commercial value, the mucket being 
the most important. Upper Twin Shoals is remarkable for the 
abundance of young muckets. 
THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES. 
The Woods Hole (Mass.) laboratory, Dr. P. H. Mitchell, director, 
was in operation with a limited staff during the summer of 1920. 
Previous mention has been made of the investigation relating to 
oysters and the preparation of commercial gelatins from seaweeds. 
Prof. Edwin Linton continued investigations of the food and para- 
sites of fishes, and Prof. William W. Browne was engaged in com- 
pleting his report upon the nature and causes of the reddening of 
salt fish. Because of the unavoidable limitation of the Bureau’s ac- 
tivities, it was found impracticable to open the laboratory for the 
summer of 1921. 
Beaufort (N. C.) laboratory has been virtually closed during nearly 
the entire fiscal year. Since the director, R. L. Barney, was neces- 
sarily transferred early in the year to another station, the laboratory 
has been without scientific direction. Mr. Barney has, however, com- 
pleted a general report on the natural history and culture of the dia- 
mond-back terrapin, embodying the information available from ob- 
servations and experiments as relating to growth and reproduction 
of wild and domestic stock, care of young and adults, feeding, hous- 
ing, and hybridization. Further attention has been given to the 
study of the bacterial disease which has been the only serious disease 
affecting winter-fed terrapin. Under the superintendence of Charles 
Hatsel, terrapin experiments have been continued, the grounds of the 
station have been kept in good condition, and the buildings in such 
repair as was possible with the available funds. 
At the Fairport (Iowa) biological station the new laboratory 
building was completed and occupied early in September, and shortly 
thereafter R. L. Barney was appointed director of the station. In 
response to an outside demand, the laboratory building was formally 
dedicated October 7. A large number of prominent persons, includ- 
ing scientists representing the leading universities of the country, 
