REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
CXI 
were under the immediate charge of Mr. W. de C. Eavenel. Early in 
the year Mr. Smith was ordered to investigate the fisheries of Virginia, 
Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, assisted by Mr. 
M. M. Snell. The work was begun on July 12, 1888, and he returned 
to Washington October 6. During the remainder of the year Mr. Smith 
was chiefly engaged, together with Mr. Snell, in the compilation of the 
report on the fisheries of the Great Lakes, w hich was completed in the 
spring of 1889 and submitted for publication. He also had charge, 
under my direction, of the preparation of statistics and of the general 
work of the statistical office. 
Mr. W. de C. Ea venel was assigned by the Commissioner to duty in the 
division of fisheries immediately after the close of the season for hatch- 
ing shad at the so-called Battery Station, Maryland, of which Mr. Eav- 
enel was superintendent. During the absence of Mr. Smith in the field 
Mr. Eavenel had charge of the office work, as before stated, and ren- 
dered efficient service. In the early winter he was ordered to make an 
investigation of the fisheries of the South Atlantic coast from Florida 
to North Carolina. Entering upon the work on December 3, 1888, and 
beginning his investigation in southern Florida, he carried the inquiry 
as far north as the vicinity of Elizabeth City, N. C. On March 27, 1889, 
he was ordered to Washington and assigned to other duty in connection 
with the division of fish-culture; but as soon as the work at the Battery 
Station was completed, in the spring, he was again detailed to assist in 
the work of the division of fisheries. 
Mr. M. M. Snell was ordered to assist Mr. H. M. Smith in the inves- 
tigation of the fisheries of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, 
and New Jersey. He began work on July 12, 1888, and completed his 
investigation on December 31 of the same year. After his return he 
was engaged mainly in assisting in the compilation of the report upon 
the fisheries of the Great Lakes. 
Mr. W. A. Wilcox began a canvass of the fisheries of eastern Massa- 
chusetts, including Gloucester, on duly 2, 1888. The investigation was 
discontinued August 15, 1888. On November 15, 1888, he was detailed 
to make a canvass of the fisheries of the Pacific States, including the 
river basins, and at the close of the year was engaged in this work and 
had made good progress, being then in the Puget Sound region. 
Mr. Luther Maddocks was ordered to make an investigation of the 
fisheries of Maine on July 1, 1888, and began work in the vicinity of 
Boothbay. The investigation was suspended on August 15, 1888, and 
Mr. Maddocks was relieved from duty. 
On April 4, 1889, Mr. W. H. Abbott was ordered to Elizabeth City, 
N. C., to complete the investigation of that State which had been in- 
augurated by Mr. Eavenel. The work was finished and Mr. Abbott 
returned to Washington on June 13, 1889. 
On January 3, 1889, Capt. I). E. Collins was placed on the rolls of 
the division of fisheries qnd ordered to iqahe an investigation of the 
