REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 23 



of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, with a view to devising a method by 

 which terrapins may he hatched and reared for market. In August a 

 few of the impounded terrapin made nests and laid eggs, and the 

 young made their appearance ahout six weeks later. These furnished 

 material for determining the rate of growth, the effects of different 

 kinds of food, etc. By June, 1905, some of them had increased more 

 than LOO per cent in length and 400 per cent in weight, while others 

 had undergone but slight growth. The stock of adnlt terrapins was 

 carried through the winter with little loss and with general marked 

 improvement in condition. 



STUDIES OF PARTICULAR FISHES. 



Trout of the southern High Sierras in California. — Early in 1904 the 

 President called the attention of the Commissioner of Fisheries to the 

 golden trout of Volcano Creek and the imminent danger of its exter- 

 mination. Unusual interest attaches to this species, not only on 

 account of its great beauty, gameness, and delicious flavor, but also 

 because of its very restricted habitat and the scenic beaut}' of the 

 region in which it is found. Acting on the request of the President, 

 the Bureau made an investigation for the purpose of determining the 

 natural geographic distribution of the golden trout, its habits, food, 

 and spawning time; the streams into which it has been transplanted, 

 and with what results; the other streams into which it may be advan- 

 tageously introduced; whether its artificial propagation can be under- 

 taken by the Bureau, and what measures should be provided for its 

 protection. Many important facts concerning the golden trout and 

 other trout of the southern High Sierras were learned, all of which 

 will be set forth in a detailed report soon to be published. 



The investigations showed that the golden trout is native to but one 

 stream, Volcano Creek, and unless prompt action be taken to provide 

 adequate protection the fish is in serious danger of extermination. It 

 is recommended that the state of California transplant it to a number 

 of barren streams that can be easily reached, and that the general gov- 

 ernment undertake its artificial propagation. It is further recom- 

 mended that the limits of Mount Whitney Military Reservation be 

 extended to include Volcano Creek, and that all fishing in that creek 

 be prohibited for a term of three years; that thereafter restrictions be 

 placed on the size and number that may be caught, and that fishing 

 during the spawning season be prohibited. 



] > /ii/x/ol<)</i<-ul studies of the Pacific salmons. — As is well known, the 

 Pacific salmons die after once spawning, a phenomenon which, next to 

 reproduction itself, constitutes the most important fact in the life of 

 these fishes. The causes that lead to this departure from the ordinary 

 course of life of fishes are obscure, and the specific object of these 

 investigations is to determine the physiological changes attending the 



