XIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



As stated in previous reports, the Fish Commission has been enabled 

 to do a great deal incidentally in the way of promotiug science and ed- 

 ucation ; especially by the discovery of many rare forms of life in the 

 waters, and by the accurate labeling and extensive distribution of du- 

 plicates of these objects to colleges and academies throughout the 

 country; the reserve specimens, of course, going, under the law, to the 

 National Museum. 



In addition to the usual routine operations of the Commission during 

 the year, in the way of general administration, of inquiry, and of prop- 

 agation, the following specially noteworthy points may be indicated as 

 having engaged its attention. These will be referred to more fully 

 hereafter : 



1. The vigorous prosecution of work on the Wood's Holl pier and 

 breakwater, the completion of the quarters and water-tower buildings, 

 and the commencement of the hatching house. 



2. The construction of oyster ponds at Wood's Holl and at Saint 

 Jerome station, and the investigation of the oyster-beds of Chesapeake 

 Bay. 



3. The trip of the Albatross to the Caribbean Sea for the purpose of 

 prosecuting hydrographic and fisheries work. 



4. The investigation of the Florida shad fisheries by the steamer 

 Fish Hawk. 



5. The examination of the oyster-beds of Long Island Sound by the. 

 steamer Lookout, under the direction of Mr. E. G. Blackford. 



6. The investigation of the fish epidemic in Lake Mendota and other 

 lakes of Wisconsin. 



7. The collection of specimens of Cetaceans, through the cooperation 

 of the Life-Saving Service. 



8. The construction of a third car for transporting and hatching fish 

 and eggs. 



9. The introduction of the cod gill-net upon the Pacific coast. 



10. The occupation of Fort Washington, on the Potomac Eiver, for 

 shad hatching, by permission of the Secretary of War. 



11. The occupation of a station at Weldon, N. C, for propagating 

 striped bass or rockfish. 



12. The efforts to hatch the codfish at the Wood's Holl station. 



13. The planting of lobsters in Chesapeake Bay. 



14. The importation of blue carp from Germany, and of the European 

 trout (Salmo fario) from Germany and England. 



15. The appointment by the Senate of a standing committee on fish 

 and fisheries, to consist of seven Senators. 



16. The appropriation by Congress of $75,000 for the purpose of mak- 

 ing exhibits at the New Orleans Exposition. 



17. The passage of bills in Congress, to prohibit the use of nets in 

 capturing fish in the District of Columbia, and to prevent the discharge 

 of refuse from the gas-works into the Potomac Kiver near Washington. 



