TWENTY-EIGHTH BIENNIiVL REPORT. 69 



catch. But the essential necessity on the part of the compiler for a 

 knowledge of the biology of the fish and for a knowledge of statistical 

 methods is obvious from a perusal of Dr. Skogsberg's report. For that 

 reason it is elsewhere urged tliat changes be made in our organization 

 which will allow of the development of such a system of reports. 



GRUNION INVESTIGATION. 



]\Iiss Frances N. Clark, wlio was with the laboratory during the first 

 year of the last biennial period, is now at the University of Michigan 

 seeking a liigher degree. She is, while there, undertaking an investiga- 

 tion of the gninion and of our common market smelts. The laboratory 

 has taken samples of these species at regular periods, and has forwarded 

 them to her for analysis. 



Her work has progressed through a study of the reproduction and 

 rate of growth of the grunion, and has now begun on a study of the 

 two smelts (Atherinops and Atherinopsis) from the same standpoints. 

 The results of his work are promising to be of considerable importance, 

 especially in the case of the grunion, which will sooner or later require 

 protection, as it has becme a very famous fish on our southern beaches, 

 and is sought by thousands of people during the periods of its runs. 



LOCAL RACES OF HERRING, SARDINE, AND ANCHOVY. 



Mr. Carl L. Hubbs, of the Museum of Zoology, University of IMichi- 

 gan, has prepared for publication as a Fish Bulletin of this labora- 

 tory, a report upon the local races of the three commercially impor- 

 tant clupeoid fishes found on our coasts, particularly as the definition 

 of these local races is atfected by seasonal variations. The importance 

 of such investigations is very great, since through them has been 

 expected some clue to the relative interdependence of fishes of different 

 regions. The persistence of a given peculiarity of structure in the fish 

 of a limited region argues that those fish do not migrate extensively 

 beyond the boundaries of the region, and that they do not receive 

 migrants. This would seem to be true regardless of the cause of 

 peculiarity, and regardless of whether the peculiarity is racial, the 

 result of environment, or transitory. The matter is, however, a com- 

 plex one, and must receive intensive analysis, toward which ^Mr. Hubbs 

 has made this contribution. 



THE LIBRARY. 



Since July, 1922, the library has received very few books. This is due 

 in part to the necessity for economy, and in part to the ])rolonged 

 absence of a librarian able to devote sufficient time to ordering and 

 caring for accessions. However, enough recent publications have been 

 secured, so that the laboratory investigators have had an opportunity 

 to keep fairly familiar with tlie progress of fishery science. 



The library as it now exists, although of moderate proportions, eon- 

 tains a good representation of tlie most important work in the subjects 

 of interest to the research men stationed here. It has of course been 

 the aim of those in charge of selecting ])ooks to eiiii)liasize sueli material 

 as has fundamental significance and definite relation to the [)rol)]enis 

 with which the Commission has to deal, keeping at a mininnun papers 

 of purely local, incidental or general biologic interest. 



