XXXVIII EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



tioii in the river and harbor bill, was prosecuted, and tbe larger part of 

 the stone work completed in the year. This, with the wooden wharves, 

 when finished, will furnish every possible convenience for the work of 

 the Commission, as well as answering the general needs of a harbor of 

 refuge. 



It is proposed to make Wood's Holl the general station for the ves- 

 sels of the Commission, not only during the summer, but at other times 

 when they are to be laid up ; and where the necessary repairs can be 

 made to the vessels by their own machinists, and thus a large amount 

 saved to the appropriation. 



The steam power required for the pumping of the water in the water- 

 tower has been arranged to work a number of machine tools kindly lent 

 by the Navy Department from the unused machinery of the Boston 

 navy-yard, including lathes, planers, &c., thus aiding grieatly in the fa- 

 cilities for repairs just mentioned. 



Two artificial ponds for the propagation of the oyster were built 

 under the direction of John A. Eyder on ground belonging to ]>r. J. 

 H. Kidder and Camillus Kidder kindly granted for the purpose. It is 

 thought that much important experience will here be gained for the use 

 of oyster culturists in general. 



The western portion of the eel pond, immediately adjacent to the 

 oyster pond in question, was granted by the selectmen of Falmouth to 

 Mr. Joseph S. Fay, with the understanding that it was to be used for 

 the experimental work of the Commission. 



As in previous years at the various summer stations of the Commis- 

 sion, in addition to the specialists officially connected with its service, 

 a number of naturalists visited the station for the purpose of utilizing 

 the opportunities of research. Such specialists are always cordially 

 welcomed, and every facility given them for the prosecution of their 

 labors. 



During the season, other visits were received from several eminent 

 English men of science; among them Sir Lyon Playfair; Prof. Adam 

 Sedgwick, of Cambridge; Prof. H. K. Moseley, of Oxford; Professor 

 Hedden, of Dubbn ; and Prof. J. Cossar Ewart, of Edinburgh. They 

 appeared to be much interested in the arrangements of the station, and 

 on their return home made very eulogistic mention of what they had 

 seen at Wood's Holl, and of the general plans and results of the work 

 of the Commission. 



As usual, the biological summer work, and especially that connected 

 with the marine invertebrates, was prosecuted under the direction of 

 Prof. A. E. Verrill, assisted by Prof. S. I. Smith. 



The exploration of the Gulf Stream region was continued this season, 

 under nearly the same conditions as in 1883, by the steamer Albatross, 

 Lieut. -Commander Z. L, Tanner commanding. During the four trips, 

 between July 20 and September 13, sixty-nine dredgings (at stations 



