6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
miles apart. At each of these stations, which numbered several hun- 
dred in the course of the two seasons, the temperature of the water 
was taken at regular intervals between the surface and bottom, or down 
to depths of 300 to 500 fathoms, where the depth of water exceeded 
that amount, and at the same time a full set of meteorological observa- 
tions was recorded. The result has been to furnish a large series of 
vertical temperature sections through the water which show very clearly | 
the relations of the Gulf Stream with the colder waters of the Arctic 
current, and the surface variations are accompanied by very complete 
meteorological data, with which, it is hoped, a correlation may ulti- 
mately be rendered possible. These observations will undoubtedly 
throw much light upon the habits of several species of pelagic fishes, 
of which the mackerel is most conspicuous, and even the movements of 
such bottom fishes as the tile-fish will probably find their explanation 
in a knowledge of these physical characteristics. 
Dr. H. V. Wilson, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, was ap- 
pointed resident naturalist at the Woods Holl Station in the spring of 
1889, and has served in that capacity during the past two years. The 
laboratory at this place has, therefore, been kept constantly open dur- 
ing this entire period, and in the summer months a large number of 
biologists have been present, as in former years. Dr. Wilson’s studies 
have been directed toward the practical needs of the fish-cultural oper- 
ations, and have related chiefly to the sea bass, the cod, and the Atlan- 
tic salmon. A comprehensive study of the life history of the lobster 
has also been taken up for the Fish Commission by Prof. F. H. Herrick. 
Important observations regarding the natural history of many fishes 
and experiments relating to the artificial propagation of several of 
these have been made by Mr. V. N. Edwards. His investigations, 
moreover, have furnished conclusive proof that the hatching work of 
the Fish Commission has been exceptionally successful in increasing 
the supply of cod on the southern New England coast, and show that 
the larger fish resulting from these plantings will to some extent enter 
more Shallow waters than are generally frequented by the cod, schools 
of this species now often making their appearance in places where they 
were never seen before. Ixperiments relative to the propagation of the 
Spanish mackerel and inquiries regarding its embryology were in 
progress in the lower Chesapeake Bay during the latter part of June, 
1891, being conducted by a party on board the steamer Fish Hark. 
The investigations respecting the interior waters of the country have 
been conducted upon a very extensive scale and with important prac- 
tical results, having reference mainly to the fish-cultural needs of the 
regions Which have been examined. They have covered, to a greater 
or less extent, twelve different States and Territories, as follows: The 
Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming; Colorado, Utah, Missouri, 
Arkansas, lowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, and 
