EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 119 



fleet has been augmented by the addition of a sharpie and two skiffs, 

 and during the season of active operations consisted of the launch 

 Petrel^ the sharpie Cero^ and 8 rowboats, all of which were in almost 

 constant use. The Petrel and the Cero were employed in carrying on 

 a biological survey of the waters in the vicinity of Beaufort, and in 

 collecting materials for the use of investigators in the laboratory. The 

 Petrely<f?k^ also used in experiments in oyster culture carried on jointlj^ 

 by this Bureau and the North Carolina Geological Survey. 



The oyster experiments and investigations in Pamlico Sound promise 

 important economic results. Thirt}^ plants have been made during 

 the year, making a total of 35 plants in 13 localities now under the 

 supervision of the laboratory. Progress has also been made in the 

 collection of data relating to the status of private plants and in col- 

 lating the experiences of those who have at various times attempted 

 oyster culture in Pamlico Sound and vicinity, all of which have a 

 bearing upon the feasibility of state encouragement of the industry. 

 The biological survey contemplates the assembling of a museum, the 

 collection of all possible information concerning the rich fauna in the 

 vicinity of Beaufort, and the preparation of a catalogue and charts 

 showing the local distribution of the various species, their time of 

 occurrence, food, enemies, parasites, breeding habits, etc., as well as 

 the economic status of those species which are utilized by man. Dur- 

 ing the season considerable progress has been made in this undertaking, 

 and besides the collection, preservation, and labeling of specimens, 

 numerous notes have been made relating to the fishes of Beaufort and 

 adjacent waters. In addition to many species which they do not recog- 

 nize, 50 species of fishes are known to the fishermen, and about 30 of 

 these have or have had an economic value at Beaufort. Work of a 

 similar character is being carried on with the invertebrates, and, as 

 opportunitj^ presents, the scope of the survey will be extended both 

 geographicall}^ and with reference to species. It is believed that the 

 catalogue, as it becomes more exhaustive, will furnish information of 

 great economic and scientific value. 



During recent years there has been an increase in the importance 

 and value of the clam as a fishery product in the vicinity of Beaufort, 

 and in recognition of this steps have been taken toward an investiga- 

 tion of the natural history of the species and of the economic signifi- 

 cance of present methods of the fisheries. In Ma}^, 1903, arrangements 

 were made to carry on experiments in clam culture jointly with cer- 

 tain persons industrially engaged in the business. Suflicient time has 

 not elapsed for the attainment of any results. 



The observations on the diamond-back terrapin begun in 1902 have 

 not been activel}" prosecuted, as superior opportunities have been pre- 

 sented elsewhere for the conduct of this work by the Bureau. 



