XXXVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



imitation shellwork, with a youthful Poseidon taming an aquatic mon- 

 ster, over the keystone. 



Surmounting the entablature of the wings are two allegorical figures 

 representing fisher-maids catching and planting fish in the waters of 

 the country. The exterior portions of the entrances are finished in 

 imitation ivory and gold. The interior of the grotto is treated in 

 imitation of a roughly blasted rock tunnel, and depending from its 

 roof are numerous stalactites of a pale-greenish hue. The aquaria, of 

 which there are 25, are each 7 feet long, 3 feet high, and 5 feet wide at 

 the top; they extend along the sides of the interior of the grotto, and 

 are decorated inside with rock and aquatic plants, and arranged so that 

 all light entering the grotto first passes through them. Eight of them 

 are used for showing such salt-water fishes as can be obtained off the 

 New England coast near Woods Hole, Mass., and the balance are filled 

 with species indigenous to the Mississippi Eiver and the various fishes 

 propagated by the Commission. In each of the rotundas are large, oval 

 pools so arranged as to be illuminated from below with electric lights. 



In the rectangular space formed by the two short arms of the grotto 

 are exhibits of the different phases of the work of the Commission. 

 The methods employed by the Commission in fish-cultural work are 

 practically demonstrated by hatching, in a regulation trough, rainbow 

 and black-spotted trout eggs, shipped by express from Colorado during 

 the month of June. As it is impracticable to secure semi-buoyant eggs, 

 such as shad, whitetish, and pike perch, and floating eggs like the cod, 

 pollock, and flatfish, the methods are illustrated with artificial eggs 

 made of rosin. In addition to practical illustrations, models of the 

 various forms of apparatus used are exhibited, including a model of the 

 trout station at Leadville, Colo. The process of egg-taking is shown 

 by a lay figure of a spawn-taker with a quinnat salmon in his hands in 

 the act of stripping the eggs. The work of distribution is illustrated 

 by photographs, drawings, and a working model of car No. 3, recently 

 reconstructed by Harlan & Hollings worth. The results of fish-culture 

 and the scope of the work accomplished by the Commission during the 

 fiscal year 1896-97 are shown by large charts and numbers of photo- 

 graphs and drawings. 



The scientific functions and work of the Commission are set forth by 

 models and photographs of the exploring vessels Albatross and Fish 

 Hawl; by an assortment of seines, dredges, nets, and by the deep- 

 sea sounding apparatus used in making collections in fresh and salt 

 water. In this section there is also a full collection of oyster shells, 

 illustrating their sizes at differeut ages, peculiarities common to vari- 

 ous regions, materials used for the attachment of spat, various objects 

 to which young oysters adhere, influence of the bottom on the oyster's 

 growth, and enemies and injuries caused by each. Among the objects 

 of the American fisheries exhibited are the following : Mounted groups 

 of northern fur-seals, Steller's sea lions, casts of cetaceans, 150 casts of 

 food-fishes colored from living or fresh specimens, and painted casts 

 of edible frogs. 



