880 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
a greater or less extent, subjects of inquiry by the Fish Commission. 
Explanatory labels were placed on all the tanks containing live fish. 
The live-fish exhibit attracted marked attention and may be called a 
decided success, notwithstanding adverse conditions. Should circum- 
stances permit a live-fish exhibit in the future, under more favorable 
auspices, I would feel it to be my duty to heartily recommend the under- 
taking. It is doubtful if in any other way knowledge of our economic 
fishes can be so readily conveyed to the people. The educational 
advantages offered by such an exhibit are beyond computation. But iu 
addition to the value of such a display to the public, in this particular 
instance much was learned by the experts of the Commission through 
the experimental work at Cincinnati that will probably prove advan- 
tageous in the future. Most worthy of note was the fact developed 
that brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) will live in water with a mod- 
erately high temperature if the water is clear and well aerated. Mr. 
Seal succeeded in keeping trout in good condition in water having a 
temperature of 70°. 
Deputy representative appointed , etc . — On August 2, Dr. T. H. Bean 
was placed in charge of the exhibit as deputy representative and acted 
in that capacity during my absence in the East on special duty until 
September 12. 
Decrease of force. — Early in September four of the assistants were 
withdrawn from the exhibit. This reduction of the force, which was 
small enough before, added materially to the labors of those who re- 
mained. This was perhaps most noticeable in connection with the cleri- 
cal duties incident to the accounts and correspondence, which devolved 
upon Mr. Bryan, who, in addition to his duty as stenographer, attended 
to all the accounts and gave much assistance elsewhere. It is scarcely 
necessary to add that, practically with no exception, his labors extended 
far into the night during the entire progress of the exposition, as well 
as for weeks after its close. 
Collecting indigenous fisli , etc., for aquaria. — In addition to the fish 
received from the U. S. Fish Commission stations and from Quincy, 111., 
indigenous fishes and other aquatic animals were collected from the 
waters near Cincinnati, thus saving expense in transportation and 
securing more frequent additions to our aquaria. Mr. Page visited the 
Ohio River, near Lawrenceburg, Ind., on August 21, and brought back 
on the evening of the same day quite a variety of living specimens, 
among which was a blue catfish ( Ictalurus ponderosus ) weighing about 
50 pounds. About once a week a party, usually in Charge of myself, 
went out for this purpose, though additional collections were obtained 
by Mr. Seal and others from time to time. A great many species were 
collected, and the fish that were injured so that they were unfit for our 
purposes were given to Dr. James A. Henshall, secretary of the Cin- 
cinnati Museum of statural History, or to Prof. Charles H. Gilbert, of 
the University of Cincinnati, both of whom accompanied us on some of 
