REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 119 
fleet has been augmented by the addition of a sharpie and two skiffs, 
and during the season of active operations consisted of the launch 
Petrel, the sharpie Cero, and 8 rowboats, all of which were in almost 
constant use. The Petre/ and the Cero were employed in carrying on 
a biological survey of the waters in the vicinity of Beaufort, and in 
collecting materials for the use of investigators in the laboratory. The 
Petrel was also used in experiments in oyster culture carried on jointly 
by this Bureau and the North Carolina Geological Survey. 
The oyster experiments and investigations in Pamlico Sound promise 
important economic results. Thirty plants have been made during 
the year, making a total of 35 plants in 13 localities now under the 
supervision of the laboratory. Progress has also been made in the 
collection of data relating to the status of private plants and in col- 
lating the experiences of those who have at various times attempted 
oyster culture in Pamlico Sound and vicinity, all of which have a 
bearing upon the feasibility of state encouragement of the industry. 
The biological survey contemplates the assembling of a museum, the 
collection of all possible information concerning the rich fauna in the 
vicinity of Beaufort, and the preparation of a catalogue and charts 
showing the local distribution of the various species, their time of 
occurrence, food, enemies, parasites, breeding habits, etc., as well as 
the economic status of those species which are utilized by man. Dur- 
ing the season considerable progress has been made in this undertaking, 
and besides the collection, preservation, and labeling of specimens, 
numerous notes have been made relating to the fishes of Beaufort and 
adjacent waters. In addition to many species which they do not recog-- 
nize, 50 species of fishes are known to the fishermen, and about 30 of 
these have or have had an economic value at Beaufort. Work of a 
similar character is being carried on with the invertebrates, and, as 
opportunity presents, the scope of the survey will be extended both 
geographically and with reference to species. It is believed that the 
catalogue, as it becomes more exhaustive, will furnish information of 
great economic and scientific value. 
During recent years there has been an increase in the importance 
and value of the clam as a fishery product in the vicinity of Beaufort, 
and in recognition of this steps have been taken toward an investiga- 
tion of the natural history of the species and of the economic signifi- 
cance of present methods of the fisheries. In May, 1903, arrangements 
were made to carry on experiments in clam culture jointly with cer- 
tain persons industrially engaged in the business. Suflicient time has 
not elapsed for the attainment of any results. 
The observations on the diamond-back terrapin begun in 1902 have 
not been actively prosecuted, as superior opportunities have been pre- 
sented elsewhere for the conduct of this work by the Bureau. 
- 
