DEPARTMENT OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES. 179 



invertebrates and algaj, will be assigned by the Fish Commissioner to 

 several experts for examination and report. The miscellaneous collec- 

 tions, obtained incidentally daring the cruise, and containing many 

 specimens of birds, reptiles, insects, plants, ethnology, etc., have been 

 transferred directly to the National Museum. 



The Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk was at Wood's Holl during 

 a part of the summer, assisting in the scientific investigations being 

 carried on at that place, but her collections contained comparatively few 

 specimens which it was thought advisable to preserve for permanent 

 keeping in the National Museum. During the same season, the schooner 

 Grampus proceeded along the coast of the British Provinces as far as 

 Labrador, visiting both the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the outer coast of 

 Newfoundland, in quest of information respecting the movements and 

 abundance of the mackerel which were said to have reappeared on the 

 northeastern coast of the latter island. Mr. F. A. Lucas and Mr. 

 William Palmer, of the National Museum, accompanied the Grampus as 

 naturalists, making collections of marine and land animals whenever the 

 opportunity occurred. In the spring of 1888 the Grampus repeated its 

 cruise of the previous year on the early mackerel grounds, between Cape 

 Hatteras and Cape Cod, Dr. T. H. Bean acting as naturalist. The work 

 continued from about April 1 to near the end of the year. The mosr. 

 important zoological results were obtained by means of towing nets 

 which were kept constantly in use, skimming the surface of the ocean, and 

 securing large quantities of young fishes, fish eggs, and invertebrates, 

 the latter forming the principal food of the mackerel. This collection 

 has not yet been reported upon, and it is, therefore, impossible at present 

 to describe its contents or value. The floating fish eggs, which were 

 taken in immense numbers, were placed in the hatching apparatus on 

 board the schooner and some of the spawn was subsequently transferred 

 to the Wood's Holl laboratory. Many embryos wererearedto different 

 ages, and preserved for future examination and indentification. 



The Wood's Holl Station was occupied as usual during the summer 

 months, or from the 1st of July, until October, for the purposes of scien- 

 tific investigation. The composition of the party was nearly the same 

 as in 1886. Professor Baird was there in the beginning, but too ill to 

 give more than the most general directions. While he lived, Maj. T. B. 

 Ferguson, the Assistant Commissioner, assumed charge of operations, 

 and after his death, in August, the work was directed from Washington 

 by Professor G. Brown Goode. 



Prof. A. E. Verrill was in charge of the laboratory, assisted by Mr. 

 Richard Eathbun, who attended to the routine duties in connection 

 with the administration of the work. The scientific staff in the service 

 of the Commission consisted of Prof. S. I. Smith, of Yale College ; 

 Br. J. H. Kidder, of Washington ; Prof. Leslie A. Lee, of Bowdoin 

 College ; Prof. Edwin Linton, of Washington and Jefferson College ; 

 Mr. Sanderson Smith, of ISlew York , Mr. Thomas Lee, of the steamer 



