CONTENTS 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 



Page. 



Preliminaries to the official inquiry on the part of the United 



States VII 



General considerations as to value of fisheries to a nation VII 



Alleged decrease of fisheries on the south side of New England VII 



Official inquiries into the subject — VII 



By Massachusetts VIII 



By Rhode Island VIII 



By Connecticut IX 



By the United States » XI 



Passage of the hill directing an inquiry .^ XI 



Selection of Wood's Hole, Massachusetts, as a base for the sea-coast 



operations XII 



Concurrent action on the lakes XII 



Aid rendered by the departments of the Government XII 



Character and progress of the investigation XIII 



Plan of research adopted XIII 



Systematic arrangement of subjects for investigation XIII 



In regard to the fishes themselves XIII 



In regard to their food XIII 



Physical condition of the waters XIII 



Locality selected as center of research XIV 



Associates in the inquiry .' XV 



Taking of testimony XIV 



Collection of specimens XV 



For the National Museum XV 



For distribution to other establishments, as colleges, academies, ' 



museums, &c XV 



Facilities given to officers of colleges and museums for making col- 

 lections 1 XV 



Photographic pictures of fishes, &c XV 



Scientific visitors to Wood's Hole during the season XV 



Objects secured of special interest XVI 



Conference with State commissioners in Boston XVI 



