EDITORIAL. 
THE department of scientific investigation of the United States 
Fish Commission has awakened to new life under the able super- 
vision of Professor Bumpus, and it aims to aid science in every way 
not incompatible with the fisheries industry. The laboratory at 
Woods Holl is to be kept open throughout the year, and students 
are welcomed there at any time. The facilities of the various 
stations are placed at the command of those who wish embryological 
or other material. In the line of research we learn that the depart- 
ment has arrived at the conclusion that the late increase in the 
number of starfish in the oyster beds of southern New England, and 
especially in Narragansett Bay, is directly related to the seining of 
the menhaden and other fishes for the oil and fertilizer factories. 
These surface feeding fishes formerly destroyed large numbers of 
starfish eggs and larve, but since they have been fished so per- 
sistently, the starfish have got the upper hand. It is incumbent 
upon Rhode Island, if it wishes the best for its oyster industry, to 
place some restrictions upon the foreign corporation at Tiverton. 
