1893.] Zoology. 1017 
Fish Acclimatization on the Pacific Coast.—The atten- 
tion of fish culturists is called to the remarkable results of the experi- 
mental introduction of food fishes to the west coast of the United 
States. In 1871, the California Fish Commission deposited 12,000 
young shad in the Sacramento River, and after that the United States 
Fish Commission carried on the work until 1886, during which time 
609,000 young shad were placed in the Sacramento River, 600,000 in 
the Williamette, 300,000 in the Columbia, and 10,000 in the Snake 
River. Two or three years later a few mature examples were obtained 
in the Sacramento River, and, by degrees, marketable fish were 
obtained along the entire coast of the United States north of Monterey 
Bay. In 1887, they were abundant in some rivers, common in most of 
them, and occasional ones were found everywhere along this long coast 
line. In 1892, the catch was estimated at 660,000 pounds. A careful 
estimate places the total value of the shad catch on the Pacific coast 
to date at $145,000, representing over 3,000,000 pounds, while the 
aggregate outlay for all purposes connected with the introduction of 
the fry was less than $4,000. 
The history of the striped bass, Roceus lineatus, is similar to that of 
the shad. In 1879, about 150 fish a few inches long were deposited at 
the mouth of the Sacramento River by an agent of the U. S. Fish 
Commission coóperating with the California Commission. In 1882, 
another plant of 300 fish was made in the same region. Asa result 
of these two small plants, the species soon became distributed along the 
entire coast of California. The rapid growth of individuals, and the 
equally rapid distribution of the species indicate the special adaptabil- 
ity of the waters of the region to this fish. 
In commercial importance the striped bass ranks high. Large 
quantities are taken for market in San Francisco Bay with seines and 
gill nets. The average weight is eight to ten pounds, but fish weighing 
forty pounds are not scarce. The aggregate yield to date is nearly 
100,000 pounds with a value of $18,000. The cost of introduction 
was not more than a few hundred dollars. In both of these cases cited 
the investment of the people's money has proved most satisfactory. 
(Science, Aug., 1893). 
