602 THE FOOD FISHES. 



function of reproduction), the interests of all parties would be subserved. It is agreed among 

 fishermen and those interested that a close time observed in the above manner, and adhered to 

 by all parties, would be a useful measure." In accordance with these findings, a bill was 

 formed by the commissioner, which he hoped would embody all the requirements, and which 

 would be acted upon by the several States interested. 



A plan is on foot to license the pounds, which is looked upon favorably. 



Professor Baird has given an exhaustive account of the history of the American fisheries, 

 and ([notes largely from the early writers of New England. The quaint language used is to 

 us now very curious. One says : " Among fishes First I will begin with the Codd, because it 

 is the most commodious of all fish. As may appeare, by the use which is made by them in 

 foraigne parts. The Coast aboundeth in with such multitudes of Codd, that the inhabitants 

 of New England doe dunge their grounds with ('odd ; and it a commodity better than the 

 golden mines of the Spanish Indies; for without dreid Codd, the Spanyard, Italian, and Por- 

 tugal would not be able to vittel of a Shipp for the sea." 



Connected with the investigations of the U. S. Fishery Commission, the commissioner had 

 the valuable assistance of Professor Verrill, of Yale College, and Mr. S. I. Smith By the use 

 of the extensive apparatus furnished by the commission for dredging, and other kindred 

 operations by steam, on board the steamers detailed fur the purpose, a most perfect series of 

 examinations of the sea-bottom was secured. 



The special objects desired and obtained by these means are the exploration of the shores 

 and shallow water, for the purpose of ninking collections of all the marine algse, and animals 

 living between tides and on every kind of shore, including the numerous burrowing worms 

 and crustacea, and to ascertain as much as possible concerning their habits, relative abun- 

 dance, station, etc. 



Secondly — The extension of similar observations, by means of the dredge, trawls, 

 tangles, and other instruments, into the depths, down to the deepest waters, which were 

 accessible to us, and to make a systematic survey, as complete as possible, of all the smaller 

 bays and harbors within our reach, both to obtain complete collections of the animals and 

 plants, and to ascertain the precise character of the bottom, special attention bein<;' paid to the 

 places known as feeding-grounds of valuable fishes, and to those animals upon which they are 

 known to feed. 



Third — The depth of the water and its temperature, both at surface and at the bottom, 

 was to be observed and recorded in as many localities as was possible, and especially where 

 dredging was to be done ; and lists of the animals and plants from special localities and depths 

 were to be prepared, so as to show the influence of temperature, and other physical features 

 in animal and vegetable life. 



The life of the surface waters was to be investigated by means of hand nets and towing 

 nets, at all possible occasions and all possible hours. All these, whether from the deep sea or 

 from the ocean surface, ate interesting, as relating to the food of fishes that feed in those 

 localities. 



Collections obtained are carefully inspected, their systematic names determined, the spec- 

 imens placed in appropriate jars, labels attached, uiviu.u' full data. Several sets of collections 

 thus made are reserved for the use of as many institutions having museums of natural history. 

 Thus, while valuable aid is being given to the economic functions of the States, science is 

 also benefited by the information derived from a study of the objects obtained. 



In all these investigations, the relations existing between the fishes and the lower animals 

 that serve as their food were to be constantly borne in mind, and all information bearing 

 directly upon it that could lie obtained was to be recorded. To this end, large numbers of 

 the contents of stomachs from fishes newly caught were examined, and lists of species found 

 in them were made. 



The operations of examining the bottom were carried on by use of dredges made for the 

 purpose. Rake dredges are the most useful, fitted with a ban 1 to hold the contents gathered, 

 and tangled and knotted ropes are attached, to gather whatever of the sea- jellies and smaller 

 crustaceans that are likelv to become attached. 



