[3] FIRST DECADE OF UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 55 
feel willing to make expenditures for the benefit of the others. This 
work, which was not contemplated when the Commission was established 
was first undertaken at the instance of the American Fish-Cultural As- 
sociation, whose representatives induced Congress to make a special 
appropriation for the purpose. This appropriation has since been re- 
newed every year on a more bountiful scale, and the propagation of fish 
is at present by far the most extensive branch of the work of the Com- 
mission, both in respect to number of men employed and quantity of 
money expended. 
Although activity in this direction may be regarded in the light of 
applied rather than pure scientific work, it is particularly important to 
the biologist, since it affords opportunities for investigating many new 
problems in physiology and embryology. 
The origin of the Commission, its purposes, and methods of organiza- 
tion, having been described, it now remains to review the accomplished 
results of its work. In many departments, especially that of direct re- 
search, most efficient services have been rendered by volunteers; in 
fact, a large share of what has been accomplished in biological and phy- 
sical exploration is the result of unpaid labor on the part of some of the 
most skillful American specialists. Although it would be interesting to 
review the peculiar features of the work of each investigator, the limits 
of this paper will not allow me even to mention them all by name. 
Since the important fisheries center in New England, the coast of this 
district has been the seat of the most active operations in marine re- 
search. For ten years, the Commissioner, with a party of specialists, 
has devoted the summer season to work at the shore, at various stations 
along the coast, from Connecticut to Nova Scotia. 
A suitable place having been selected, a temporary laboratory is fitted 
up with the necessary appliances for collection and study. In this are 
placed from ten to twenty tables, each occupied by an investigator, either 
an officer of the Commission, or a volunteer. From 1878 to 1879, impor- 
tant aid was rendered by the Secretary of the Navy, who detailed for 
this service a steamer to be used in dredging and trawling, and this year 
the steamer built expressly for the Commission is employed in the same 
manner.* 
*The number of dredging and trawling stations on record is as follows: 
TERESI 02 62) ge a a ae A OO 345 
1872. Eastport, 200 by hand, 35 by steamer. .......- 222-22 e222. eee ee ene cone 235 
Peso EONEL ANC geilaee cee ecieins mises crete eee Ceicieceemnie oN ae inel sock cee mee mene 149 
SpA mNO AN Kee ce eran skelsamee siesta honee aki A coms wemiale cok ste miccbeiosoule te eks 223 
Svea OOC REEL OL nas sarter ee he iota sion Sane See aa eo tas ced ack le ehid es 169 
ISS2 Thy TRUDE BANS Aa ee Or CEE aca es ES Ie oS ee Be a ---++)} 
LEAVERS ae See SSS GSES Bae EE IG TAC Cee PS Taint em \ 278 
ikerks), (GHROINCERI 66 Gs09 oueer osc Aa OCe ae SDC HE irre Nr 8 Alaa en ee 
LSE LO VANCOLOW Mies ctte <= eee = See ae lse yee Feey ti oem occ ceecitee 2 eee J 
Motalin TOUNG NOMVCTS=.cciccss socc s eee - ease sc sass Nee Metre ele, «28.0 aie 1,500 
The number of seine hauls is about 600. 
