REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 123 
‘heat from stoves. In December the temperature was 43°, and in Janu- 
ary as low as 38° several days, in consequence of which the sheepshead, 
croakers, and spots were greatly affected, all of the first two kinds 
‘dying. Other species were unfavorably affected, but revived when the 
temperature rose to 50° and 60°. 
In August the aquaria were repaired and put in condition for restock- 
‘ing on the advent of fall. Collections were obtained from Woods Hole, 
Quincy, Wytheville, and the Washington Fish Ponds, the steamer 
| Fish Hawk contributing specimens of marine animals and plants and 
800 gallons of sea water from the Chesapeake Bay. Salt-water collec- 
tions were made at Fortress Monroe, Va.—water, animals, and plants. 
At that point an agent was employed periodically to make collections 
and hold in live-cars, when a messenger was sent to receive them. 
| From Morehead City, N. C., February 22 to 28, there were obtained 22 
spotted sea trout, 14 red drum, and a number of shellfish and plants, 
but the extremely cold winter had driven all other species beyond the 
reach of fishermen. The Potomac River, Accokeek Creek, Occoquan, 
and other local waters were drawn upon for fresh-water fishes. A trip to 
Fortress Monroe in July was unsuccessful owing to high temperature. 
A fair degree of success was this year attained in holding the filefish, 
-thorn-toads, and hermit-crabs, and by experiment it was found that sea- 
anemones could be successfully maintained in water oxygenized by the 
introduction of air jets. During the winter assistance was rendered 
the Commissioner in making his experimental tests of artificial and 
natural sea water in preparation for Chicago. 
INVESTIGATIONS. 
The appearance of a destructive parasite on young lake trout and 
landlocked salmon in June, 1893, is referred to under the Green Lake 
heading. 
An inquiry, somewhat disappointing, but based on interesting state- 
ments, was made into the striped-bass fishery in the upper end of Albe- 
marle Sound, with a view of ascertaining regular spawning-grounds. 
The New York fish commissioners have recently evinced a lively interest 
in the subject, the office being twice visited by Hon. L. D. Huntington, 
chairman, who expressed himself as anxious to take up the work, but 
scarcely able, on account of inadequate funds. In 1892 Mr. J. K. 
Rea, ot Edenton, N. C., a fisherman of repute, operating the Williams 
fishery, a mile above Mackey Creek, caught in sturgeon nets of 11-inch 
mesh large numbers of striped bass, and while on a visit to Washing- 
ton he informed a Fish Commission employee that over 100 of these 
fish were in spawning condition, the eggs freely running when the fish 
were taken into boats. The fish weighed from 50 to 75 pounds each, 
and being captured at a point favorable for railroad and other commu- 
nication, the matter was deemed worthy of an investigation. 
So far as known the only point where eggs can be obtained with any- 
thing like uniformity from season to season is on the upper waters of 
