XVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
7. The use of the Fish Hawk in exploring the Gulf Stream and its 
fauna, especially in connection with the distribution of the tile-fish. 
8. The extended exploration of the fisheries of the Atlantic coast of the 
United States, of the great lakes, of the Gulf of California, and of the 
entire coast of Western America, from San Diego to Point Barrow in 
the Arctic Ocean. 
9. The collecting of complete series of the fishes of the sea-coast and 
the lakes for the National Museum, including large numbers of dupli- 
cates, especially on the shores of the Pacific, for distribution to public 
museums and educational establishments in the United States and else- 
where. 
All of these subjects will be considered more at length hereafter 
under their proper headings. 
The death of Mr. James W. Milner, which occurred on January 6, 
1880, deprived the Commission of one of its most efficient assistants. 
Mr. Milner had been associated with the work of the Commission on 
the Great Lakes, on the Potomac river, and at Gloucester almost from 
its inception. After suffering from ill-health for several months, during 
which he sought for relief in various climates, he finally succumbed, 
and terminated his short but very useful career. 
2.—PRINCIPAL STATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
A brief statement of the principal localities at which the work of the 
United States Fish Commission was prosecuted during the year may 
serve as a suitable introduction to the more extended statement of the 
history of operations in general. 
The division of research and investigation is naturally conducted 
most extensively at the summer station which the Commission selects 
for its field work ; and Newport, as the point in question, constituted a 
center at which a large amount of labor was carried on. ‘ 
Reference has already been made-to the work done along the entire 
coast of the United States on both oceans, of the great lakes, and of the 
Gulf of Mexico, in connection withthe fishery census of 1880. On these 
lines, as well as at Newport, the investigation into the natural history 
and statistics of the fisheries, the methods of their prosecution, and the 
general natural history of such animals and plants as are related 
directly or indirectly to the wants or luxuries of man, were carried on 
to a greater or less degree. 
The stations connected with the propagation of the food-fishes were, 
as usual, quite numerous, and witnessed a great deal of labor on the 
part of the employés of the Commission. Of these the most important 
are aS follows: 
1. The hatchery on McCloud River, in California, of the California 
salmon. 
2. The ponds for breeding the California trout, situated about five 
miles above the McCloud River salmon station. 
