REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 373) 
this year. Thus, a few fishes were infected with glochidia of a spe- 
cies of mucket from Lake Pepin, and placed temporarily in a floating 
basket in the river at Fairport. Over 200 young mussels developed 
in this basket, where they were retained during the entire fiscal 
year. Other mussels were reared in an open pond and some in small 
aquaria. In the two experiments in the river and in a pond a very 
rapid growth occurred, some individuals attaining a length of more 
than 1 inch in the course of about five and one-half months’ growth. 
The Bureau is utilizing the excellent facilities at the Fairport 
station in the prosecution of several problems that are of direct im- 
portance to the mussel industries. Experiments have been conducted 
to determine the effect upon the mussel beds of some of the common 
instruments of capture; the possibility of the utilization of mussel 
meats is under investigation; the study of the nature and cause of 
pearl formation has been continued; and especial attention is given 
to the important problem of the relation of the fresh-water mussels 
to the various species of fish that serve as hosts during the period 
of parasitism. 
An investigation of the mussel resources of the Ohio River was 
begun before the close of the preceding fiscal year, and continued until 
the fall of 1914. The results of the field observations are now being: 
compiled to be made public as soon as possible. A brief examina- 
tion of the mussel beds of the Tensas River, La., made in November, 
1914, revealed the presence of considerable quantities of mussels of 
medium quality, and a circular was promptly issued embodying a 
report of the observations. A similar examination was made of 
mussel beds in a portion of the Apalachicola River of Florida. The 
shells were of excellent appearance, but will require to be carefully 
tested for commercial qualities; the tests could not be executed before 
the end of the fiscal year. 
THE FISHERIES LABORATORIES. 
Fairport, Iowa.—The biological station at Fairport, Iowa, was 
complete in its essential features and the main laboratory building 
was opened for permanent occupancy in June, just preceding the 
beginning of this fiscal year. At all stages in the construction and 
organization of this station the Bureau has had reason to feel grati- 
fied at_the sympathetic public interest which has been manifested 
in its intended service. The establishment of the station was author- 
ized by Congress in 1908, and its construction was begun in the fol- 
lowing autumn. Within a few months a temporary equipment was 
ready, and the experiments in mussel propagation began in June, 
1910. The propagation of mussels on a practical scale was entered 
upon in 1912. During the following year the laboratory building 
was completed. At the time of the actual opening of the building 
in June, 1914, there were urgent local requests for a formal celebra- 
tion of the opening with exercises of dedication, and such an ocea- 
sion was authorized to be held on August 4,1914. The attendance of 
some 5,000 persons coming from various distances, the sympathetic 
addresses by men of prominence in public life and by scientific men 
of established repute, and the presentation of a memorial tablet. 
were regarded as exceptional manifestations of public interest, and 
