6* REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



William C. Wyckoff, the scientific editor of the New York Tribune, who, 

 as in previous years, gave through the columns of the Tribune an ex- 

 tended and popular account of what was being done. 



Wood's Roll Laboratory. — At the various summer stations of the Com- 

 mission, temporary and sometimes inconvenient quarters were alone 

 available for the reception and investigation of the collections. The 

 necessity for more permanent accommodation for 1875 was felt very 

 urgently, especially on account of the connection of the operations with 

 the Centennial exhibit. The Light-House Board has had for several 

 years a station at Wood's Holl for the storage of material and supplies 

 required for the light-houses and light- vessels of the Second Light house 

 District, and as a station for the buoy-tender. A large shed, not imme- 

 diately needed for the purposes of the light-house establishment, was, by 

 permission of the Board, altered so as to constitute a convenient lab- 

 oratory for the purposes just mentioned, an additional story having been 

 attached and an open portion of the first story being inclosed. This was 

 done at the expense of the appropriation of the Fish Commission, and was 

 found, when completed, to answer a most admirable purpose, being thus 

 provided with two floors or stories, each floor being sutticiently solid 

 and substantial for the prosecution of microscopical investigation. A 

 reservoir of 5,000 gallons capacity was erected, and filled by a wind- 

 nnll air-pump ; and from this, water was conducted through pipes into 

 both stories and distributed to the various tanks, aquaria, and other 

 working apparatus of the Commission. 



The establishment was suitably fitted up with tables, presses, jars, 

 and other necessary appliances; and, with the exception of the building 

 erected by Professor Agassiz at Penikese, is the first formal and per- 

 manent sea-coast laboratory constructed and put into operation, espe- 

 cially for the purpose, in the United States. 



The expense of fitting up the interior of the laboratory, plumber's 

 work, the aquaria, etc., was met from contributions kindly furnished by 

 Mr. and Mrs. John M. Forbes, of Naushon, and Mr. Eobert L. Stuart, 

 of New York, to whom a public acknowledgment is due for their lib- 

 erality. The Hartford Automatic Windmill Company is also to be 

 considered as a contributor, having deducted §100 from their bill for the 

 pumping apparatus. 



As the work of the Commission was continued through the season 

 with very great success, important facts in regard to the fishery inquiry 

 were obtained (which will form the subject of a special report), and veiy 

 large collections of marine animals for exhibition were secured. The 

 season closed with the departure of the Blue Light for her station at 

 New London on the 29th of September, and on the 30th the various 

 members of the party left for their respective home's. 



Statistics of the whale- fishery. — Among the objects to which the inquiry 

 of the Commission has been directed is that of the condition of the 

 American whale-fishery and the causes of its decline. Some time was 

 spent at Nantucket in the prosecution of inquiries on this subject, that 



