EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 21 



and shipped, chiefly to the markets of the larger eastern cities. From 

 Lake Erie and the Ohio River and certain of its tributaries the quan 

 tity of this species taken is nine times as great as it was six j^ears 

 ago. From the Illinois River more carp are taken than all other species 

 combined, the catch for 1899 amounting to 6,332,900 pounds, valued at 

 $189,900. It would appear that this fish will become more and more 

 an important factor in the food-fish supply of the country. 



As it was not practicable for an agent of the Commission to visit 

 Alaska during the summer of 1899, the customary records of the fur- 

 seal herds were made up from data furnished by the courtesy of the 

 resident Treasury agents. The American herd continues to decrease 

 in numbers through the continuance of pelagic sealing, and the recent 

 counts show that fewer jjups are born each year. 



STEAMER ALBATROSS. 



During the spring of 1899 it was determined to undertake an inves- 

 tigation among the islands of the southern Pacific Ocean, as it was 

 believed important additions to knowledge could be made in regions 

 where comparatively little work had been done. The scientific work 

 was placed in charge of Mr. Alexander Agassiz, who was accompanied 

 by a staff of assistants. 



At the beginning of the fiscal year the Albatross was prepared for 

 the expedition, and on August 23 she sailed from San Francisco 

 under the command of Commander Jefferson F. Moser, U. S. IST., 

 and until early in the spring, when she reached Yokohama, she was 

 engaged in the work of exploration and biological investigation. The 

 Marquesas, Paumotu, Society, Cook, Tonga, Fiji, Ellice, Gilbert, 

 Marshall, Caroline, and Ladrone archipelagoes were visited, and at 

 the various ports every facility and courtesy were extended by the 

 local authorities, and thanks are due to the governments of Great 

 Britain, France, and Germany, which at the request of the Depart- 

 ment of State had directed their representatives in their respective 

 possessions to afford any assistance in their power. 



These islands were studied in relation to their geological and 

 biological features, and collections were made in the fields of zoologj% 

 botany, ethnology, and geology. The director devoted his attention 

 to the study of coral formations and the biological and dynamic 

 factors which have resulted in the prod action of coral islands ; the 

 civilian staff were engaged in biological research, and the naval 

 officers, besides their duties in navigating the ship, in making surveys, 

 soundings, and observations of value to mariners. Collections of the 

 fauna of the deeper waters of the Pacific were made by means of the 

 beam trawl and dredge, and the pelagic life at the surface and inter- 

 mediate depths was studied. During the cruise about 250 soundings 

 were made, with numerous temperature and density observations. 

 The Albatross arrived at Yokohama March 4, and after she was 

 refitted, some collections were made on the coast of Japan, within the 



