REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. S) 
practicability of extending the area of production by artificial plant- 
ings, as has been done in Long Island Sound. The survey was first 
taken up in Tangier Sound, where a similar inquiry had been conducted 
by the Coast Survey about twelve years before, in the expectation that 
the results obtained would afford the data for a very instructive com- 
parison. By July 1, 1891, the delineation of the beds had been about 
completed, and the dredging work was soon to be commenced. a 
During both summers the oyster beds of Long Island Sound have 
been subjected to extensive investigations, and much information has 
been secured regarding the natural features of the region, the habits 
of starfishes and of other enemies of the oyster, and the conditions of 
spatting during the two seasons. The summer of 1890 was chiefly 
spent in making a physical and chemical examination of the waters of 
the sound, the former inquiry being undertaken with the codperation 
of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. This had for its object to 
ascertain, by a series of careful current observations, the extent of the 
movement of water through the sound and the adequacy of the flow to 
prevent stagnation and consequent harm to the oyster beds. The 
chemical studies consisted in making tests of the waters in all parts of 
this area, both in inclosed and exposed positions, to determine its sani- 
tary condition. The result of these researches proves very conclusively 
that no damage need be apprehended from the present condition of the 
waters, and that a sufficient flow takes place to insure, under existing 
circumstances, the prompt removal of polluting matters; but itis not 
to be denied that the sewage and other sources of contamination might s 
e so increased as greatly to endanger the welfare of the oyster- 
grounds. 
Dr. Bashford Dean, of Columbia College, New York, an expert on 
the subject of oyster-grounds, who left this country near the close of 
the last fiscal year for an extended visit in Europe, has been commis- 
sioned to study the methods of oyster-culture now practiced in Kuro- 
pean countries, and to prepare an illustrated series of reports regarding 
those matters, which, it is expected, will be at least suggestive to 
American oyster-growers. 
The physical inquiries in the mackerel region off the southern New 
England coast under the direction of Prof. William Libbey, jr., referred 
to in the last annual report, were conducted during a part of July and 
August, 1889, and again during the summer of 1890. The former season 
the work was performed by means of the schooner Grampus alone, but 
during the latter the Coast Survey steamer Blake was detailed to act 
in codperation with the Grampus, and, through the courtesy of the 
Light-House Board, a party of observers was also stationed on the 
Nantucket New South Shoal light-ship. Parallel lines of observing 
stations were carried seaward from the coast for distances of 130 to 150 
niles, the lines being 10 minutes of longitude apart and the stations 10 
