122 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



WORK AT THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES. 

 WOODS HOLE, MASSACHUSETTS. 



From the report of Dr. H. C. Bumpus, the director of the biological 

 laboratory of the Commission at this place, the following* outline of 

 the work there carried on has been taken : 



The 3"ear has been characterized by general improvements in the 

 equipment of the laboratorj^, increased facilities for collecting materal, 

 enlarged library accommodations, and a gratifying increase in the 

 amount of scientific work accomplished. The Commissioner was at 

 the station during the greater portion of the summer, and through his 

 advice many needed changes were made in and about the laboratorj^ 



The steamer Fish Hawk was at the station at the beginning of the 

 fiscal year and remained until September 6. During the summer the 

 trawl was lowered 71 times, and Mr. J. D. Milligan kept a careful record 

 of all the animals taken. The efficiency of the Fish Haiuk as an instru- 

 ment of biological research was largely due to the skill, interest, and 

 experience of the commanding officer, James A. Smith, mate,U. S. Nav3^ 



The Grampus made three trips to the Gulf Stream, and Captain 

 Hahn secured valuable data respecting the distribution of the tile-fish. 

 The steam launches Blue Wing, Cygnet, and Merganser were in daily 

 use during July and August. 



At the close of the summer of 1899 Commissioner Bowers recom- 

 mended that a large room, heretofore used as a museum, be repaired 

 and made into a library. Nothing during the year has occasioned 

 more general approval from men of science than the furnishing of 

 this room for the growing library and as a resort for those who wish 

 to study. The card catalogue shows a gratifying increase in the num- 

 ber of contributions to the librarj^, and already the list of acquisitions 

 numbers over 3,000 volumes and pamphlets. The librarian of Brown 

 University has kindly loaned sets of the more important scientific 

 journals, and the authorities of the Marine Biological Laboratory have 

 extended the use of their library to those working at the Commission. 



The number of those who pursued investigations at the laboratory 

 is somewhat larger than in the previous year, and while it includes 

 many who worked on problems solely of economic importance, the 

 director did not hesitate to call upon any or all for advice or assistance 

 when the interests of the Commission could be thereby subserved. 

 Indeed, the following list represents a body of able and willing volun- 

 teers: Warren E. Babcock, M. D., Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; Barton A. 

 Bean, XJ. S. National Museum; James E. Benedict, Ph. D., U. S. 

 National Museum; R. P. Bigelow, Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of 

 Technology; Maurice A. Bigelow, M. S., Harvard University; R. E. 

 Blount, A. B,, Chicago, 111.; H. C. Bumpus, Ph. D., Brown Univer- 

 sity; R. S. Breed, M. S., Harvard University; T. J. Burrage, A. B., 

 Brown University; H. L. Clark, Ph, D,, Amherst College; H. A. 



