NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 335 



supplied, interruptions by stormy weather excepted. The supply seems to vary from 

 year to year, some seasons finding fish abundant on one ground, and others showing 

 the fish to have moved their feeding-grounds to other portions of the Gulf. 



Many matters relating to the red snapper, its life history, its feeding and breeding 

 grounds, how quickly it reaches maturity, and its duration of life, have never been 

 sufficiently studied, and we shall be indebted to the officials of the Fish Commission 

 when they have time and opportunity to prosecute to a conclusion researches which 

 will require years of intelligent labor. So far they have had no such opportunity; but 

 it is earnestly to be hoped that they may yet be able to take up the subject as 

 carefully and patiently as it deserves. 



It will be noted that statistics have borne no part in my remarks. Inquirers for 

 such information may obtain it in the reports of the Fish Commission. 



PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. 



