LIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Fish Commission iu 1878, when Mr. Fred. Mather was instructed to bring 

 over from Enghiud thirty specimens collected by Mr. C. L. Jackson, of 

 Bolton, England. During the voyage to Boston most of the fish per- 

 ished, as it was believed, iu consequence of the well-meant but inau- 

 spicious action of the boatswain of the Cunard steamer in introducing 

 very cold water, the shock destroying the fish. Only two turbot sur- 

 vived, which were deposited in Massachusetts Bay. 



The second experiment, also under Mr. Mather, was made in 1879. 

 This was entirely a failure; the fish all dying, having been injured, it 

 ■was thought, by the laud transportation from Southportto Southampton. 



Iu April, 1880, Captain Mortimer, of the ship Hamilton Fish, brought 

 five sole out of nine sent by Mr. Moore, of the Derby Museum; and 

 these were deposited by Mr. Blackford outside of Sandy Hook. 



On the present occasion the Commission again had the important aid 

 of Mr. C. L. Jackson, of Bolton, England, who undertook to collect a 

 number of turbot and sole, and acclimate them in the tanks of the 

 Southport Aquarium. A large number died, but those that survived 

 appeared to be in very good condition, and were shipped from Liverpool 

 on the Cunard steamer Parthia on October 15, in charge of Mr. Armi- 

 stead. The fish were carried in two oval wooden tanks 5 feet inches 

 long, 4 feet wide, and 2^ feet deep, each tank sub-divided into four 

 spaces, so as to prevent undue agitation during the passage. A cask 

 was set on the top of each, and filled every day with sea-water, and a 

 circulation of the water maintained thereby. 



The temperature of the water at Southport on starting was 53Jo. 

 During the voyage the range of temperature of the water in the tanks 

 was from 51° to 58°. 



Starting with seventy soles and thirty-five turbot, sixty-seven soles 

 and twenty-nine turbot died on the way; three of the former and six of 

 the latter alone surviving. 



In response to an application from the Commission, the Secretary of 

 the Treasury directed the collector of customs at New York to have the 

 revenue-steamer Grant in readiness for the immediate transfer. A 

 party of gentlemen interested in the experiment, consisting among 

 others of Mr. E. G. Blackford, Mr. Barnet Phillips, Mr. John Foord, and 

 others, were on board the Grant; and the nine fish were placed in cans 

 and transferred to the ocean iu Sheepshead Bay, just opi)osite the Ori- 

 ental Hotel, in water about 2 fathoms deep. 



It is, of course, impossible to tell what may be the fate of these fish, 

 but the chances are very few that they will ever be heard of again. 



After a careful consideration of the whole problem, it is believed that 

 the only chance of successful experiment is to place such fish on arrival 

 iu an inclosed basin of tidal water of suitable character, wliere they can 

 be fed, and guarded against any possible enemies; and where, when 

 rii)c, the eg^i^ can be taken and, after artificial impregnation, be hatched 

 out in accordance with the methods adopted for the floating eggs of the 

 sea fish. This is one of the several problems to be solved in connection 



