TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 75 
spheres for his practical knowledge, and he was elected to mem- 
bership in many learned societies. 
Resolutions of sympathy and regret at the death of M. Char- 
bonnier were passed. 
Mr. Benxarp: I would like to bring up the subject of the 
pollution of our waters, which brings many of our fishcultural 
efforts to nought. I would respectfully offer the following: 
Whereas: It is the sense of this Association that the continual 
and increasing pollution of the waters of New York bay from 
the refuse of certain factories, threatens eventually to kill or 
drive away all fish, shellfish and bivalves natural to said waters; 
Therefore, be it resolved that this Association beg to call the 
immediate attention of the Fish Commissions of the States of 
New York and New Jersey, also of the members of their legisla- 
tures, to this impending calamity. 
Mr. BLackForp seconded the resolution, and said that it was 
important that our labors should not be destroyed, as they would 
be if some way were not found to prevent this pollution. Com- 
plaints are made that the shad taken in the harbor taste of kero- 
sene and that the pollutions have driven out the shrimp. New 
York bay, adjoining Jersey City, formerly produced lobsters, 
there are none there now. Each year they deteriorated in 
quality, became watery, with bad flavor, and finally disappeared. 
But few are found at Hell Gate now, and even the clams are 
scarce, probably because of the refuse from the Standard Oil 
Works. Near Rockaway and Barren Island the oysters and 
clams are about exhausted and the fish driven away. The fish- 
ermen have called on the Fish Commissioners for action, but the 
latter have power only to cultivate, not to protect. The sub- 
stance called sludge acid pollutes the water about New York, in 
addition to the filth of the city. I hope the secretary will put 
himself in communication with the legislatures of New York and 
New Jersey. 
Cot. Bryson: The Supreme Court has decided that the State 
