4 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2] 



On the morning of tbe 27th, there were but few cod eggs alive, and 

 they were in an abnormal condition, the germinal disk distorted, shrunk, 

 and shriveled. 



At 1.50 p. m. on the 27th, got under way, and examined the oyster 

 beds between Saint Jerome's Creek and Point No Point. Scattering 

 oysters were found in 3 fathoms and upwards, but none at a less depth, 

 large quantities of grass being brought up. At 3 p. m., started for 

 Barren Island, the cutter with nets having been sent on ahead. 

 Arriving off the latter place, the nets were sent in 20 fathoms, and we 

 came to anchor opposite Drum Point, Patuxeut River. 



At 9.10 p. m. no good cod eggs were to be found in the cones. 



On the morning of the 28th the nets were taken up, and twenty-two 

 young menhaden were found in them. These measured from 3 to 8 

 inches in length, and were all caught by the mouth, the fine twine en- 

 tering between the upper and lower jaw, after which the fish became 

 more thoroughly entangled in the meshes. 



At 10 a. m. got underway, and lowered the dredge in 6 fathoms of 

 water, Drum Point bearing NE., and one-half a mile distant, to try the 

 bottom. Six hauls of the dredge and trawl were made between this 

 position and 2 miles N. N.B. of Smith's Point, the depth varying from 

 2f to 25 fathoms. Brought up small numbers of crawfish, young her- 

 ring, menhaden, and shrimp. Anchored for the night in Cornfield 

 Harbor. 



On the 1st of March all the dead cod eggs were thrown overboard 

 and the tank, cones, &c., cleaned and properly cared for. 



On the 2d, we examined the oyster-bed between Smith's Creek and 

 Cornfield Point. We found the bivalves few in number and very small. 

 The average was about a bushel of marketable oysters at each haul. 



At 8.15 took up nets set off Point Lookout on the evening of the 

 28th. They were considerably fouled on account of the rough water, 

 but received no material damage. There were large numbers of 

 medusae in the nets, but no signs of fish. 



At 9.40 stopped off Smith's Point, and commenced taking up the 

 nets set on the 28th. Two nets were entirely destroyed, one slightly 

 damaged, and one uninjured. They broke adrift from the weather 

 anchor, and drifted afoul of the lee mooring, where they became twisted 

 and tangled by tide and sea. They were more or less injured also by 

 dragging over oyster shells on the bottom. There were no signs of 

 fish ; nothing, in fact, but a little coral and a few oysters. 



At 11.20 lowered the dredge to ascertain if there were any life in the 

 sand and mud of the bottom, Smith's Point bearing S. by W. ^ W., 1^ 

 miles distant, depth of water 11 fathoms. Four casts of the trawl and 

 dredge were taken between this position and 1 mile S. S.W. of the 

 southern point of Tangier Island, the depth varying between 9-^ and 20 

 fathoms, Oyster shells, small shrimp, a few worms, and worm tubes, 

 small shells, &c., were brought up. 



