XVIII Report of commissionek of fish and fisheries. 



it is quite likely that all the resources of the Commission for making 

 collections, great as they are, will be fully taxed. 



The calls for these specimens are usually made through the member 

 of Congress representing the district in which the institution is estab- 

 lished; or if made directly to the Commission, they are referred to the 

 member for his indorsement and recommendation. 



Some noteworthy features of the year 1883 were as follows : 



1. The completion of the Albatross and her arrival in Washington, 

 March 24, fully equipped for service. 



2. The use of the Albatross in studying the movements of schools of 

 menhaden, mackerel, and other ocean fishes. 



3. The use of the electric light by the Albatross in submarine ex- 

 plorations. 



4. A request from prominent men of Great Britain connected with the 

 International Fisheries Exhibition for an exhibit of the Albatross. 



5. The loan of the Albatross, in compliance with a request of the ISTavy 

 Department, for a cruise in the Caribbean Sea, the arrrangements for 

 which were completed during the year, although the cruise did not com- 

 mence until January 4, 1884. 



6. The employment of the Fish Hawk in hatching Spanish mackerel 

 in the Chesapeake Bay. 



7. The stranding of the Fish Hawk on Ocean Beach on the night of 

 July 13, and her recovery, without serious damage, on July 18. 



8. The transfer of land at Wood's HoU, on April 20, from trustees (repre- 

 senting the subscribers who furnished the purchase-money) to the United 

 States, and the beginnings of the erection of building thereon. 



9. The commencement and vigorous prosecution of work on the pier 

 and breakwater at Wood's Holl, for which money was appropriated by 

 Congress the preceding year. 



10. The opening of the Great International Exhibition at London, 

 May 1, and its closing on October 31, during w^hich time a large ex- 

 hibit was made by the U. S. Fish Commission, which attracted universal 

 attention. 



11. The continuance of the investigation of the ocean fisheries by a 

 special committee of the United States Senate (Hon. E. G. Lapham, 

 chairman), with the co-operation of the U. S. Commission, represented 

 by Mr. Marshall McDonald, and including the use of the Fish Commis- 

 sion steamer Lookout. 



12. The perfecting of an arrangement with the Life-Saving and Light- 

 House Services whereby the keepers for the entire coast make tele- 



' graphic reports to the Commission of the stranded whales, porpoises, 

 and other forms of marine life. 



13. The hearty co-operation of certain railroad corporations in the 

 work of distributing shad, carp, whitefish, &c., by transporting the Fish 

 Commission cars free of charge. Notably among these were the North- 

 ern Pacific, which moved a car loaded with carp from Saint Paul to 

 Portland, Oreg.; the Missouri Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka and 



