16 



salt-water fish. Not being able to obtain these facts, it then seemed 

 desirable to know what salt-water fish furnish the largest amount of 

 food to our people? What are their names, and in what months are 

 they most numerous? To ascertain these facts and make a record of 

 them, we obtained the valuable services of Mr. W. N. Lockington, 

 who for some years has been making a study of the fish of this coast, 

 and who has added to the science of ichthyology several new varie- 

 ties. Mr. Lockington has watched the market for a year, keeping a 

 record of all the varieties offish sold as food, their first appearance, 

 abundance, and disappearance. His report, which follows, will be 

 found of great value, as it is the first attempt to collate, classify, and 

 name the various fish which make their appearance in the San Fran- 

 cisco markets during a year. 



APPROPRIATION AND EXPENSES. 



A detailed statement of the appropriation received and expenses 

 incurred will be found at the close of this report. We are gratified 

 that the work of the Commissioners appears to be approved by the 

 public. We may be pardoned in the expression of the belief that 

 not many other of the State's appropriations produce more beneficial 

 and practical results. When fish valuable for human food are intro- 

 duced into barren waters, or when valuable fish are made to supplant 

 worthless kinds, the beneficial results are not confined to the present 

 time and to the present generation of men. With that better observ- 

 ance of wise laws for the preservation of fish that is sure to come 

 with increased intelligence these beneficial results will spread and 

 increase, and the produces from the fish now introduced and planted 

 will furnish food to those who come after us so long as our streams 

 continue to flow, and while our lakes and reservoirs continue to hold 

 water. 



