REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 51 



the results secured were poor. A number of methods were tried and 

 a few eggs hatched by each, and there seems to be no doubt that if 

 many eggs were collected, apparatus could be devised for hatching 

 them as successfully as the eggs of the shad. The eggs hatched in 

 forty-four hours, and it was noticed that immediately after hatching 

 the eye-spot could not be seen with the naked eye; but a small sac of 

 oil was noticed at the head of the fish. Under the microscope the 

 bubble of oil proved to be just under the head of the fish, apparently 

 at its mouth. With a strong quarter-inch lens the pupil of the eye 

 was discernible as a clear circle within another circle of greater den- 

 sity. The oil-sac gradually decreased in size, the eye becoming 

 plainer until the third day, when it disappeared entirely and the eyes 

 could be seen without the aid of the microscope. Attention is called 

 to this, as the eye-spots of other fishes usually become visible about 

 the middle of the period of incubation. It was proved that a large 

 number of striped-bass fry may be retained a considerable length of 

 time in a vessel of water without changing. This would indicate that 

 they can be transported with great ease. 



Bryan Point Station, Maryland (L. G. Harron, Superintendent). 



The station was opened on March 20 and a small force employed 

 to make the necessary repairs and improvements preparatory for the 

 coming season's work. The launch Blue Wing also arrived from 

 Gloucester on that day and was utilized in carrying supplies and 

 material from Washington and Alexandria to the station until the 

 spawning season commenced, after which she was engaged in col- 

 lecting eggs from the seines and gill nets. Spawning fish having 

 been observed on April 15, the regular force was taken on the next 

 day and active operations commenced. An additional steam launch 

 was chartered for a month to assist in attending the gillers between 

 Alexandria and Bryan Point and to carry supplies to the station. 



Commencing April 17, eggs were collected each day until May 15, 

 67,904,000 being secured, all of which were hatched at the station, 

 except 1,023,000 transferred to Central Station. Of the fry hatched 

 (55,702,000, or 83^ per cent of the eggs retained) 6,065,000 were deliv- 

 ered on board the Fish Comaiission cars at Alexandria for shipment 

 to streams in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and the balance 

 planted in the Potomac between Broad and Occoquan creeks. 



The outlook at the beginning of the season indicated a very large 

 collection, over 49,000,000 eggs being taken between April 16 and 30, 

 but in May the catch of fish declined so rapidly that all of the seine 

 fishermen suspended operations and the gillers became indifferent on 

 account of the small returns and would not fish regularly. Frequently 

 no fishermen were operating on many of the important fishing-grounds. 

 On May 19, all of the eggs being hatched and the fry planted, the Blue 

 Wing was transferred to Gloucester, Mass. , and on the 25th the station 

 was closed and left in charge of a watchman. 



