AMERICAN FISH COMMISSION 67 



practical kind ; besides general scientific investigation, 

 it collects fishery statistics and undertakes commercial 

 fishery inquiries, assists in finding markets, and 

 generally advises the trade and the Legislature when 

 diplomatic action is indicated ; finally, it is by far the 

 most energetic fish-breeding institution in the world. 

 Much of its work is concerned with the vast system of 

 inland waters — rivers and lakes — which traverse the 

 Continent. The work has been carried out on a scale 

 unknown elsewhere, and Congress has supported it 

 with ample funds. The appropriation in 1897-1898 

 exceeded £g'jfxyo, of which ^41,000 was spent on 

 salaries, £16,000 on scientific investigations and upkeep 

 of steamers, ;^37,ooo on fish - culture (mostly fresh- 

 water), and ;£'3,ooo on administration and statistics. 

 Besides this central body, many of the States possess 

 fish commissions of their own. The commissioners 

 control numerous laboratories and fish-hatcheries, two 

 sea-going vessels, and many railway-cars specially 

 designed for the transport of fish-fry. 



Space does not permit our dealing with the Scottish 

 and Irish Fishery Boards. The former has existed 

 for a century, and, being independent of departmental 

 control, while enjoying a moderate income and the 

 advice of such zoologists as Goodsir, AUman, Sir 

 John Murray, Cossar Ewart, W. C. Mcintosh — who 

 has done more than anyone in the Empire to elucidate 

 the life-histories of marine fishes — and D'Arcy Thomp- 

 son, together with an able staff, the Fishery Board for 

 Scotland has done much thorough and useful work. 

 The fisheries of Ireland suffered from the economic 

 disturbances which overtook Ireland during the nine- 

 teenth century, and reached, perhaps, their lowest ebb 

 in 1890. The industrial revival, with which the name 

 of Sir Horace Plunkett is so indissolubly connected, 

 has included in its scope the Irish fisheries. The 

 fishery branch of the Department of Agriculture and 



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