XLIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



and who lias since been carrying on this work in addition to the per- 

 formance of his duties in connection with the National Museum and the 

 Fish Commission. 



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

 the work, and was published in an octavo pamphlet of fifty-four pages, 

 entitled "Plan of Inquiry into the History and Present Condition of the 

 Fisheries of the United States." Washington : Government Printing 

 Office, 1879 ; also, as above stated, in Part VIII of this report. 



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, etc., sponges and marine plants 

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

 Distribution; (B) Size; (C) Abundance; (D) Migrations and Move- 

 ments; (E) Food and Rate of Growth; (F) Mode of Eeproduction ; (G) 

 Economic Value and Uses. 



II. — THE FISHING-GROUNDS. 



Under this head were studied the geographical distribution of all 

 animals sought by the fishermen, and the location of the fishing-grounds ; 

 while with reference to the latter are considered : (A) Location ; (B) 

 topography; (C) depth of water; (D) character of bottom; (E) tem- 

 perature of water; (F) currents ; (G) character of invertebrate life, etc. 



III. — THE FISHERMEN AND FISHING TOWNS. 



Here were to be considered the coast districts engaged in the fisheries, 

 with reference to their relation to the fisheries, historically and statisti- 

 cally, and the social, vital, and other statistics relating to the fishermen. 



IV. — APPARATUS AND METHODS OF CAPTURE. 



Here were to be considered all the forms of apparatus used by fisher- 

 men, boats, nets, traps, harpoons, etc., and the methods employed in 

 the various branches of the fishery. Here each special kind of fishery, 

 of which there are more than fifty in the United States, is considered 

 separately with regard to its methods, its history, and its statistics. 



V. — PRODUCTS OF FISHERIES. 



Under this head were t-o be studied the statistics of the yield of 

 American fisheries, past and present. 



VI. — PREPARATION, CARE OF, AND MANUFACTURE OF FISHERY PRODUCTS. 



Here were to be considered the methods and the various devices for 

 utilizing fish after they are caught, with statistics of capital and men 



