The Chesapeake 213 



in Baltimore, a naturalist of world-wide reputation, to 

 accept the position of chairman of a commission to ex- 

 amine and report on the condition of the natural beds in 

 the Chesapeake, and to suggest measures needed for their 

 protection or improvement. Professor Brooks had al- 

 ready, in 1878, completed an important biological study 

 of the American oyster. By a long-continued observa- 

 tion of the animal in its natural state, he had become 

 thoroughly acquainted with its needs and with the nature 

 of its surroundings. No other person was so well fitted 

 for the task, which he accepted, and for which the uni- 

 versity gave him leave of absence. 



In 1884 he published an exhaustive report, in which 

 he showed that, with the methods then employed in gath- 

 ering oysters, the Chesapeake industry must decline, and 

 eventually cease to exist. He used the historical and 

 biological arguments with such skill and force that it 

 seems impossible that an intelligent person could have 

 followed them without conviction. The report attracted 

 the most respectful attention of many citizens, but had 

 no effect on those directly engaged in the industry, and 

 they held the balance of political power in Maryland. 



In 1891 Professor Brooks published an interesting 

 and less technical account of the natural resources of 

 Chesapeake Bay in a book that deserved wide popular in- 

 terest. Even at that time nothing had been done in 

 Maryland to promote oyster culture, and the natural re- 

 sources were very rapidly declining. Fifteen years more 

 passed before the state saw that the vast wealth of its 

 waters had dwindled dangerously near to the vanishing- 

 point. Then, nearly a quarter of a century after this 

 condition had been shown to be inevitable, it was com- 

 pelled to listen to reason, and, in 1906, made an attempt 



