1054 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES [6] 
be published. The commission, nevertheless, does not hesitate to make 
itself responsible (1) that the results of your investigations, if suitable, 
shall really be published, and (2) that whatever you furnish us shall 
be published under your name. 
In order to give you an idea of the extent of the investigations which 
the commission have in view, I give below an outline of our programme, 
and at the same time inform you for what portions of it we have already 
received offers. 
(L.) To prepare as complete a list as possible of all the works relating 
to the oyster, accompanied by short references, and to publish this list 
at an early date. The commission will take charge of this matter, and 
hopes to have the work ready in time so that it can be used during the 
coming summer. 
2.) To subject to an exhaustive investigation the anatomy of the 
oyster, and more especially that of its generative organs. Dr. Hoek and 
Dr. Vosmaer have this subject in charge. 
(3.) To examine the contents of the stomach of the oyster, with the 
view of attaining absolute certainty as to its food. 
 (4.) To trace the development of the oyster : 
(a.) The egg, from the time it has become impregnated till the 
young oyster leaves it. Dr. Horst and 
(b.) The young oyster at the surface of the water until it 
goes toward the bottom, Prof. Hoffmann and 
(c.) The young oyster after it has adhered to an object, Dr. 
Hubrecht and ——— 
(d.) To determine the limits of the migration of the young, 
oyster, Dr. Van Rees and 
(5.) ‘To find the physical and meteorological conditions under which 
the young oyster leaves the egg and adheres to various objects, and to 
trace the normal course of life of an oyster, Dr. Hubrecht and 
(6.) To study the life and habits of those animals which share the 
bank with the oysters, either as enemies, parasites, friends, or compan- 
ions. 
Protozoans tee ss tee ee meee Dr. Van Rees. 
Sponges, echinoderms, &e.......-- Dr. Vosmaer. 
VViOTRINS 8 eee eet ees ue kee Dr. Flrst. 
ATtiCulates’ = cee See sites eet oe Dr. Hoek. 
MOIMSKS). 3. SS Seno tne eeperee nena : 
ASV ga Pmt = 2 Rare See ON ee eR Dr. Hubrecht. 
(7.) To answer practical questions relative to the industry of oyster 
cultivation not given under any of the six preceding heads. 
The commission hopes that sooner or later at least two persons will 
be engaged in the investigation of each of the above subjects, and 
would state here that even as regards those subjects for which one or 
two persons have been mentioned, nothing definite has been settled, so 
