28 FISH CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
appliances for preventing its ravages, would certainly be within 
our province. Asthe boundaries of our field of observation 
and inquiry must rapidly enlarge, permit me to suggest that a 
change be made in the designation of the Association. Would 
not “The American Fishery Society’ be far more expressive 
and inclusive? This would correspond to the title of the great- 
est of the European associations, “The Deutscher Fisherei 
Verein” of Germany. 
I deem it of equal importance to instruct our fellow-citizens 
concerning the vast losses incurred by the unceasing ravages of 
the destructive denizens of fresh and salt water, as to enlighten 
them upon the subject of the best modes of propagating trout, 
bass, shad, and salmon, or restoring depleted public and private 
waters. We have all been deeply interested in the graphic re- 
marks of our friend, Mr. McGovern, concerning that terrible 
freebooter of the trout ponds, who lies in wait for the unsus- 
pecting salmon, pounces upon him with the speed of an arrow 
and with the cruelty of a shark, soon returning for other vic- 
tims. 
It is true the teredo does not attack our food fishes. It con- 
fines its assaults to the boats, vessels, and docks of the fisher- 
men, to the bridges, wharves, and piers of our harbors, and to 
the shipping that is engaged in domestic or foreign trade. Its 
habitat is from Newfoundland to the River Plata on the At- 
lantic, and from the Straits of Magellan to Alaska on the 
Pacific. It is also found in the salt waters of nearly every 
quarter of the globe. It is most destructive in warm climates. 
A low temperature of the water destroys them. In view of the 
five thousand miles of our eastern and western ocean front, our 
numerous harbors, the millions of dollars invested annually in 
the construction of docks and bridges, this question is one of 
vast importance to our country. 
The teredo is developed very rapidly from an egg. In four 
days the hard, shelly head is in condition to begin its action 
upon wood. Aided by the current it comes in contact either 
with the planking of a ship, the piling of a bridge or pier, and 
attaching itself by the use of its sucker-like tongue, it speedily 
makes a minute opening by the aid of its hard, shelly, combined 
