REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXXIX 



ter made some experiments with a view to keeping lobsters alive with 

 the use of a very small quantity of sea water. These experiments 

 seemed to demonstrate the feasibility of transporting the species across 

 the continent. On May 29, 5,000 lobsters, 2 or 3 weeks old, were seut 

 to the Cold Spring Harbor Station. These were planted off Rocky 

 Point, in Cold Spring Harbor, Jnne 5. 



z. The Oyster (Ostrea virginica). 



At the Saint Jerome Station experiments were continued in the arti- 

 ficial propagation of the oyster, according to the system devised by 

 Prof. John A. Ryder, and by other methods. The work lasted from 

 April to November 20, and was in charge of Mr. W. de C. Ravenel. On 

 June 23 ripe oysters were found in sufficient numbers to begin spawn- 

 ing regularly. Collectors were put out and afterwards placed in ponds. 

 Spat first appeared July 29. Sand and slime were deposited so rapidly 

 and extensively as to interfere with the success of the undertaking. 



G. — THE STATIONS OF THE FISH COMMISSION. 

 A. — Marine Stations. 



Gloucester, Mass. — This station was occupied mainly in the interests 

 of the Gloucester fisheries and for the purpose of obtaining continuous 

 and accurate v eturns of their statistics. It was in charge of Mr. W. A. 

 Wilcox, a special agent of the Commission, assisted by Capt. S. J. 

 Martin. 



WooiVs Holl, Mass. — Operations were carried on during the entire 

 year at this important station, which is located on Vineyard Sound, at 

 the southwestern extremity of Cape Cod and opposite the northern end 

 of the Elizabeth Islands. It is now thoroughly equipped both for the 

 propagation of marine fishes and for the purposes of scientific inquiry. 

 The hatching of codfish, begun in November, 1SS5, was continued 

 through the winter and into the spring of 1880, and was again taken 

 up in November of the same year. The propagation of lobsters was 

 carried on from May until July, and experiments with reference to the 

 planting and breeding of oysters were conducted during the spring 

 and summer. From early in July until the middle of October the sta- 

 tion was occupied in the interest of the sea-coast investigations respect- 

 ing food-fishes and the fishing grounds, under the immediate direction 

 of the Commissioner, and during this period it was also the headquar- 

 ters for the steamer Albatross. 



Capt. H. C. Chester, who had served as superintendent of the station 

 since its foundation, was obliged to relinquish his position in June, on 

 account of ill health, and was succeeded by Prof. John A. Ryder, as 

 acting superintendent, until October 1, when the station was placed in 

 charge of Mr. Charles G. Atkins. 



A frame store-house and a short section of wharf in front of the coal 



