American Fisheries Society 69 



named by scientists the 'choroid pigment,' but which will always be 

 dear to us as the 'eye-spot,' we can hardly believe that such a common- 

 place matter-of-fact affair could ever have stirred our feelings and our 

 imagination as it did once, when the sight and sensation were both new, 

 and the world of promise before us was untried and unknown." 



While there are many other interesting incidents that come to my 

 mind in connection with the early work, I feel that I must not further 

 encroach upon your valuable time. 



In closing permit me to extend my congratulations to the American 

 Fisheries Society upon attaining its fortieth anniversary. The great 

 good this Society has done in the past and is still doing, is incalculable, 

 and that it may continue to expand and increase in usefulness and 

 activity for many years to come, is the sincere wish of 



Very truly yours, 



Chester K. Green. 



LETTERS FROM ABSENT MEMBERS 



President: I think this is a very valuable contribution 

 from one of the old members. It is true that in America 

 the first fish were hatched by Dr. Garlick, of Cleveland, but 

 it was only in a very small and experimental way. The 

 fact is that Seth Green is the real pioneer of fish culture in 

 this country, so far as hatching fish in a practical way or as 

 a business enterprise is concerned. I think there is no ques- 

 tion about that. Here is an interesting letter from James 

 Annin which I will ask the Secretary to read. 



The Acting Secretary then read the following letter : 



Caledonia, N. Y,, Sept. 24, 1910. 

 Mr. President and Members of the American Fisheries Society, Greet- 

 ings: 



The President asked for a letter from members that had belonged 

 to the Society for twentj'-five years or more, and stated that with myself 

 there were but fifteen left. 



I am getting white and the hair is a little thin, but I do not feel a 

 day older than when I joined tlie American Fish Cultural Association 

 in 1877 or 1878. The only thing that convinces me of my age is the 

 way my wife looks after me on my return from a day spent on the 

 stream or in the brush. 



I joined the association during R. B. Roosevelt's administration. 

 Since then the name has been changed to the present one. I shall 

 always consider it a privilege to pay my yearly dues to this Society. 



For several years the annual meeting was held at New York in the 

 Fishmongers' Association assembly room over the market. Many inter- 



