44 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



various species of fish :iro hatched foi- tlie pur])ose of ilhistrating the 

 iiielliocls of fish-culturo. This ])raiicli of the woi'k has always foi-nied 

 an attractive^ and ver}' intei'cstint^ exhibit. 



Following' is a record of the lish and egg's received at the station 

 during the year, eggs hatched, and tish distributed: 



Central Station Aquarium (L. G. Harron, Superintondent). 



In addition to his regular duties in charge of the aquarium at 

 Central Station, the superintendent was detailed to the station at 

 Woods Hole, Mass., from July 8 to August 15, for the purpose of 

 superintending the arrangement and stocking of the aquarium there. 

 In February he was detailed to superintend the installation of a live-fish 

 exhi})it at the Sportsmen's Show in Boston, and from March 24 until 

 May 14 he was detailed in charge of the shad hatcher}' at Br3'an Point. 



During the summer the aquaria were kept well stocked with the 

 various species of fresh-water fishes found in the Potomac River and 

 five species of ornamental fishes, some of which have been kept in the 

 aquarium for years. In the fall, as soon as the water temperature 

 was sufficiently cool to luaintain them, various species of Salmonidae 

 were introduced into the aquarium and carried through the winter. 

 An assignment of trout, salmon, and grayling, representing nine 

 species, was received from the aquarium at Buft'alo, at the close of the 

 exposition, and held until December, when the stock was drawn upon 

 to stock the Fish Commission exhibit at the Charleston Exposition. 



A live-fish exhibit of marine species was maintained in the aquarium 

 from September until May 15, when the salt-water exhibit was given 

 up entirel}^, and the closed circulating system connected with this 

 exhibit was used for supplying the fresh-water aquaria, which were 

 cleaned out and completcl}^ stocked with fresh-water fishes. The 

 adoption of closed circulation for supplying fresh water is an experi- 

 ment to test the feasibility of using the system of closed circulation 

 for this purpose at the St. Louis Exposition in order to insure having 

 perfectly clear water in the aquaria at all times. At the close of the 

 year this system was in successful operation, and the exhibit showed 

 greut iniprov(unent over its appearance when the filthy water of the 

 Potomac was supplied to the acjuariuin From the city water main'^. 



