REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 35 



111 February, 1894, during repairs to the aquaria, the fish were trans- 

 ferred to the outside supply reservoir aud air currents were introduced, 

 but all of them died during spring and summer. The superintendent 

 was detached for duty at Bryan Point until after the close of the fiscal 

 year. 



The water motor, introduced in May, 1893, to pump salt water into 

 the storage tank, works satisfactorily and at much less cost than the 

 gas engine previously used. A line of f-inch iron pipe was extended 

 from the air compressor to establish air circulation in the aquaria. 



Goldfish spawned in May and the eggs were hatched in tubs of 

 standing water; the fry were reared in small "balanced" aquaria. 

 Eggs of the paradise fish were hatched aud the fry reared in the same 

 way. Common darters ( Boleosoma olmstedi) spawned in May and the 

 eggs were eaten by the adult fish. Among the marine species some of 

 the mummichogs (Fundulus) spawned in June and a number of fry 

 were produced, but they were devoured by the adults. 



Adult grayling, brought from the World's Fair November 3, 1893, to 

 the number of 41, were kept with the loss of only 1 until February 17, 

 1891, when they were transferred to the Wytheville, Va., Station in 

 excellent condition. About 50 young brook trout, reared from fry 

 exhibited at the World's Fair, were transferred to the aquaria at Cen- 

 tral Station November 5, 1893, and held without loss until March 5, 

 1891, when they were from 5 to 6£ inches in length. They were planted 

 at Leesburg, Va. Some anemones from the Pacific Coast, exhibited four 

 months in the aquarium at Chicago, were transferred to Washington 

 November 5, 1893, and lived in salt water with air circulation until May, 

 1891, when they were killed by high temperature. 



The mortality among marine species is merely nominal, and fresh- 

 water fishes, with the exception of the Salmonidce, which can not endure 

 summer warmth, are successfully maintained. 



Fish Ponds, Washington, 1). C. (R. Hessel, Superintendent). 



The following yearling fish were taken from the ponds in November, 

 and distribution of them made through Central Station: Carp, 51,802; 

 tench, 10,022; golden tench, 431; goldfish, 8,427; golden ides, 1,947; 

 black bass, 12,330; shad, 1,000,000. 



On the night of October 12 a strong wind blew up, which developed 

 into a hurricane by morning, and forced the water from the bay into 

 the Potomac. Toward evening, at high tide, the water rushed over 

 the banks and flooded all the large ponds containing carp, black bass, 

 and tench, and for eight hours the water was on a level with the base 

 of the office building. The water thus became brackish, and about 

 1,000,000 yearling shad were swept into the Potomac somewhat earlier 

 than originally intended. 



Ides. — Early in March the old ides were transferred to the hatching 

 ponds, where they began to spawn on April 20. Subsequently the frost 

 killed over 20,000 eggs, and only about 40 young ides were saved. 



