REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 125 
advancement. It has, therefore, seemed advisable to undertake a care- 
ful study of the modern European methods for the information of the 
oystermen of this country, and to guide them in any efforts they may 
desire to make for the improvement of this fishery. In providing for 
this investigation it has been deemed important to secure the services 
of some one who is thoroughly conversant with the American oyster 
and oyster-grounds, in order that his observations shall be conducted 
with due regard to the requirements of our own coast. 
Dr. Bashford Dean, of Columbia College, New York, who was intend- 
ing to visit Europe for the purpose of scientific study, offered to codper- 
ate in this matter, and his services have been accepted. Dr. Dean was 
an assistant of Mr. E. G. Blackford in the oyster surveys of New York 
State during several years, and was also naturalist and physicist on the 
steamer Fish Hawk during the oyster investigations on the coast of 
South Carolina in 1890. He is, therefore, well qualified to undertake 
the proposed inquiry, and has been given explicit instructions regard- 
ing the matters deemed of most importance. Dr. Dean left New York 
in June, 1891, and will be absent over ayear. He will visit the oyster- 
fishery centers of France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Holland, 
and Great Britain. 
PHYSICAL INQUIRIES 
Off the Southern New England coast.—The physical investigation of 
the waters in the mackerel region off the southern coast of New Eng- 
land, the preparations for which were described in the last annual re- 
port, was taken up by the schooner Grampus in the latter part of July, 
1889, and was continued actively until early in September, when stormy 
weather put a stop to further operations for the season. Prof. William 
Libbey, jr., of Princeton College, was in charge of the inquiry, assisted 
by Prof. Wm. F. Magie and Prof. C.G. Rockwood, jr., of Princeton Col- 
lege, and Prof. M. MeNeill, of Lake Forest University. The Grampus, 
commanded by Capt. A. C. Adams, was furnished with a small boter, 
engine, and reeling apparatus for working the wire cable used in taking 
the serial water temperatures, and with a complete outfit of physical 
appliances suitable for the examinations which it was proposed to 
make. The principal instruments supplied for the water observations 
were a large series of Negretti and Zambra reversible thermometers for 
‘the intermediate and bottom temperatures, Wilder protected ther- 
mometers for the surface temperatures, Hilgard salinometers and water 
bottles for obtaining samples from any depth; and for the observations 
regarding the conditions of the atmosphere, standard air, dew point, 
minimum and maximum, and solar radiation thermometers, marine 
barometers, air meters, rain gauge and ozonometer. 
: The area selected i examination lay south of Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island, extending coastwise from the eastern end of Nantucket 
C gto Block Island, and seaward a distance of about 130 miles. Through 
