REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XVII 



Simultaneously with the inquiries prosecuted during the summer of 

 1871, by myself and companions, a careful study was made of the food- 

 fishes found off the coast of North Carolina, by Dr. H. C. Yarrow, acting- 

 assistant surgeon United States Army, stationed at Fort Macon. The 

 value of the services of this gentleman in the collection of facts and 

 statistics of the fisheries, and in adding to our knowledge of the natural 

 history of the species, as well as in making collections of specimens, can 

 scarcely be overestimated. The conclusions arrived at by this gentle- 

 man and his notes upon the specimens will be found embodied in the 

 report. 



During the summer and autumn of 1871, Mr. J. W. Milner, deputy 

 commissioner for the great lakes, made the complete circuit of Lake 

 Michigan, visiting every pound and gill-net station, and collecting a most 

 important body of information and material. This will be made the 

 subject of a special report, as soon as the data collected in 1872 can 

 be properly arranged. 



GENERAL RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. 



Having thus given an account of the circumstances which led to this 

 inquiry, of the method of research adopted, and of the steps taken to 

 carry out the programme, I now proceed to discuss, in a general way, 

 the results obtained by the investigation, premising, however, that this 

 is but the fruit of two seasons, and requires to be revised by a care- 

 ful comparison of results for several successive years. Enough, how- 

 ever, has been determined to furnish a general indication in regard to 

 habits of the fishes, and of the methods most likely to accomplish the 

 object of their restoration to their original condition. 



As already stated, the objects of the investigation, as authorized by 

 Congress, were, first, to determine the facts as to the alleged decrease 

 of the food-fishes ; secondly, if such a decrease be capable of substantia- 

 tion to ascertain the causes of the same; and, thirdly, to suggest 

 methods for the restoration of the supply. A fourth object incidental 

 to the rest was to work out the problems connected with the physical 

 character of the seas adjacent to the fishing localities, and the 

 natural history of the inhabitants of the water, whether vertebrate or 

 invertebrate, and the associated vegetable life ; as also to make copious 

 and exhaustive collections of specimens, for the purpose of enriching 

 the national museum at Washington, and of furnishiug duplicates for 

 distribution in series to such suitable collegiate and other cabinets as 

 might be recommended for the purpose. 



This research into the general natural history of the waters was con- 

 sidered legitimate, as, without a thorough knowledge of the subject, it 

 would be impossible to determine, with precision, the causes affecting 

 the abundance of animal life in the sea and the methods for regulating 

 it; and the record of these facts, accompanied by proper illustrative 

 figures, it was believed would be a very acceptable contribution to the 

 S. Mis. 61 ii 



