1384 BUIvLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



sponges, and the diamond-back terrapin, in all of which cases the problem is to 

 find means to offset the results of long-continued overdraft upon the natural 

 supply. The Bureau has also the services of a fish pathologist — a position 

 specially created by Congress at the solicitation of the commissioner. This 

 assistant has devoted most of his time to the study of diseases among fishes at 

 the hatcheries of the Government and of various States, and has added greatly 

 to the existing knowledge of the causes and prevention of many of the affections 

 which often prove so serious in fishes under cultivation. His field includes also 

 the investigation of conditions due to pollution of waters. 



Two seaside laboratories are maintained by the Bureau for the prosecution 

 of investigations in pure and applied science. One of these is located at Woods 

 Hole, Mass., the scene of the first biological work undertaken after the estab- 

 lishment of the Bureau. It was built in 1883, and is in conjunction with a 

 marine fish hatchery. Here also are extensive wharves, at which the largest 

 vessels may lie, and protected harbors for small craft. A large residence build- 

 ing at this station was for a number of years occupied as the summer head- 

 quarters of the Bureau, the entire executive and office force being transferred 

 from Washington. The other laboratory is situated on a small island near Beau- 

 fort, N. C, and was constructed in 1901. The land for both of these stations 

 was donated by private individuals. In addition to their function in the 

 investigations of the Bureau itself, these laboratories are open to the public 

 for study and scientific research. Students and professors in colleges and any 

 other qualified investigators may have the facilities of the laboratories upon 

 request, and these opportunities are largely availed of each year. 



For the survey of offshore fishing grounds, the study of pelagic fishes, and 

 the general exploration of the seas, the Bureau has had, since 1882, the steamer 

 Albatross, which was specially designed and built for this work, and has con- 

 tributed more to the knowledge of the life and physics of the sea than any other 

 vessel. The Albatross is a twin-screw iron steamer, rigged as a brigantine, of 

 1,074 tons displacement and 384 net tonnage, and was built at a cost of $190,000, 

 including original equipment. The complement of officers and men, numbering 

 about 80, is furnished by the navy; there is in addition a small civilian staff, 

 including a resident naturalist and a fishery expert, to whom the practical work 

 of the ship is intrusted. After spending several years in the investigation of 

 the fishing grounds of the Atlantic coast of North America, the Albatross was 

 dispatched to the Pacific Ocean in 1888, and has since confined her operations 

 to those waters. The vessel has made three extended cruises to the southern 

 and eastern parts of the Pacific, several cruises to the Hawaiian Islands and 

 Japan, and many visits to Alaska, in addition to numerous surveys on the coast 

 of the Pacific States, all having for their object the investigation of the physics 

 and biology of the regions visited, the determination of their aquatic resources, 



