REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXLIII 



development of the fishery resources of the region, it was decided that 

 the best place for the prosecution of marine fish-cultural operations 

 and the conjoint scientific investigations was Beaufort harbor. The 

 harbor and the adjacent waters teem with animals in great variety and 

 abundance. Many naturalists have from time to time resorted to the 

 region for the study of special problems, the advantages of the locality 

 having been especially demonstrated by Professor Brooks and other 

 members of Johns Hopkins University, who maintained a laboratory at 

 Beaufort during a period of ten years. 



The consensus of opinion was that the Beaufort region was not only 

 favorable for the study of the comparatively local problems of the 

 North Carolina waters, but also for the investigation of the fauna of 

 the southeastern coast in general, from the combined economic and 

 scientific standpoints. Accordingly, in May, 1899, the Commission 

 announced that it would maintain, during the succeeding summsr, at 

 Beaufort, N. C, a laboratory for the study of questions pertaining to 

 fish-culture, fisheries, and marine biology, and placed Prof. H. V. Wilson 

 in charge. Beaufort is situated on Beaufort Harbor, near one of the 

 great ocean inlets, and is reached by boat from Morehead City, the 

 nearest railroad terminus. The use of a commodious building on the 

 water front was acquired at a nominal rental; a suitable equipment 

 was provided; a small working library was installed; a steam launch 

 was assigned from another station, and on June 1 the laboratory was 

 opened to a limited number of investigators. By the close of the year 

 the following persons had taken tables in the laboratory, and a number 

 of others had applied for accommodations later in the season : Dr. D. S. 

 Johnson, Dr. Oilman A. Drew, Dr. Caswell Grave, and Mr. W. C. Coker, 

 all of Johns Hopkins University; Prof. J. I. Hamaker, of Trinity Col- 

 lege, N. C. ; Prof. T. G. Pearson, of Guilford College, N. C. ; Prof. E. W. 

 Berger, of Baldwin University, Ohio, and Prof. H. V. Wilson, of the 

 University of North Carolina. 



The special investigations carried on at the laboratory in June 

 included the following: Dr. Johnson and Mr. Coker studied from a 

 systematic and (Ecological standpoint the marine algfe of the harbor 

 and the flora of the banks. Dr. Drew considered the habits of the clam 

 {Solenomya velum), investigated the breeding condition of the round 

 clams ( Venus mercenaria and F. elevata) and other bivalve mollusks, and 

 reared the eggs of Venus elevata. Dr. Grave studied the embryology 

 of certain ophiurans, and made a number of valuable observations 

 on the breeding time and general life-history of other echinoderms. 

 Professor Wilson's work included observations on the breeding condi- 

 tion of the sponges and of certain edible fish. All the members of the 

 laboratory cooperated in the eftbrtto determine the animals and plants 

 in and near the harbor, their abundance, local distribution, breeding 

 times, habits, etc. The foundation of a museum collection illustrating 

 the fauna and the flora of the region was laid, and a record, book was 

 opened, in which full notes on each species observed were entered. 



