[9] FIRST DECADE OF UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 61 
ing to the work have been published elsewhere—particularly descrip- 
tions of new species and results of special faunal exploration. 
AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF THE COMMISSION. 
, 1871. 
The Commissioner, with a party of zodlogists, established the first 
summer station at Wood’s Holl, Mass., other assistants being engaged 
in a similar work at Cape Hatteras and the Great Lakes. He also per- 
sonally investigated the alleged decrease of the fisheries in southern 
New England, taking the testimony of numerous witnesses. 
‘ 1872. 
This year the summer station was at Eastport, Me., particular atten- 
tion being paid to the herring fisheries. The survey of the Great Lakes 
was continued. Dredging, under the direction of Professor Packard, 
was begun on the off-shore banks, At the instance of the American 
Fish-Cultural Association, Congress requested the Commissioner to take 
charge of the work of multiplying valuable food-fishes throughout the 
country. Work was begun on the shad, salmon, and whitefish, and the 
eggs of the European salmon were imported. 
1873. 
The summer headquarters were fixed at Portland, Me. The oppor- 
tunities for research were greatly increased by the aid of the Secretary 
. of the Navy, who granted the use of an eighty-ton steamer. 
Explorations insthe outer waters between Mount Desert and Cape Cod 
were carried on in the United States Coast Survey steamer Bache. Ope- 
rations in fish culture were carried on upon an extensive scale. 
“1874-1875, 
In 1874 the zodlogical work centered at Noank, Conn. The attempt 
was nade to introduce shad into Europe. In 1875 the station was for 
a second time at Wood’s Holl, where a permanent seaside laboratory, 
with aquaria, was now established. The number of investigations this 
year was about twenty. The increase in the propagation work was pro- 
portionately much larger. 
@ 1876. 
This year the Commissioner was unable to take the fishes and useful 
invertebrates in behalf of the Commission field for fishery investiga- 
tions, having been instructed to exhibit, in connection with the Phila- 
delphia International Exhibition, the methods of fish culture and the 
American fisheries. Much, however, was accomplished by single in- 
vestigators in various localities. The propagation work continued. 
This year the first carp were introduced from Germany. 
