LIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



fairly representing the second year of growth. The third year they 

 were taken of a still larger size, and farther north along the coast, the 

 fish of this school being nniversally known as "Fish Commission cod." 



The codfish is, of course, taken freely on the Massachusetts coast 

 during the summer season; but it is for the most part the rock or red- 

 dish cod, and not the gray or Banks cod, and is not of much commercial 

 importance. 



Subsequent to 1878 a careful search was prosecuted to find a loca- 

 tion for the construction of a permanent hatching establishment for the 

 marine fish; Noank, Stouington, Newport, Provincetown, and Wood's 

 Holl passing successively in review. The last-mentioned place, how- 

 ever, was the only one that combined the necessary requirements to 

 any reasonable degree. ' 



The facilities heretofore furnished the Commission by the Light-House 

 Board on its wharf (at Wood's Holl) were found entirely inadequate to 

 the occasion, especially as the water of the Little Harbor was not satis- 

 factory ; a location was, however, found on a rocky point on the Great 

 Harbor which it was believed would answer all the necessary purposes. 



The river and harbor bill of the spring of 1882 included an appropri- 

 ation for the construction of a harbor of refuge at Wood's Holl, and the 

 Chief Engineer of the Army sanctioned some special adaptations of the 

 plan of construction to meet the wants of the Fish Commission. 



The projecting point in question, which it was desired to utilize as a 

 station, formed part of a plot of ground belonging to Messrs. Isaiah 

 Spindel & Co., of Wood's Holl, who offered it at the sum of $7,250. 

 For various reasons it was thought best to raise this amount by private 

 subscription, the money to be paid and the land presented to the United 

 State-s in the event of the actual construction by the Government of the 

 pier and breakwater referred to. The money was accordingly furnished 

 by the following parties: 



Old Colony Railroad Company $2,500 



Jolrn M. Forbes 1,000 



\lexauder Agassis 500 



JoliDS Hopkins University 1, 000 



Princeton College 1,000 



Williams College 500 



Isaiali Spindel & Co 500 



Mrs. Robert L. Stuart 250 



The colleges in question and Mr. Agassiz made their contribution 

 with the understanding that, as far as possible, they were each to be 

 allowed to send one specialist to the station for the purpose of carrying 

 on scientific research. 



In addition to these contributions, Mr. Joseph S. Fay, of Wood's 

 Holl, presented to the United States a very valuable shore line, ex- 

 tending from the lot of Isaiah Spindel & Co., just referred to, to the 

 grounds of the Pacific Guano Company; thus assuring a long stretch of 

 shore where no buildings likely to be detrimental to the business of 

 the Commission could be erected. 



