10 



U. S. BUKEAU OF FISHERIES. 



the river and 2.85 at the spawning, showing a decrease with develop- 

 ment. The phospholipins are much lower than in the yolk of bird 

 eggs, the hen's egg averaging 11 per cent. The water-soluble organic 

 extractives and the ash are both remarkably uniform, the extractives 

 averaging 1.87 to 1.65, the ash 0.66 to 0.81 per cent. The organic 

 extractives and ash are both low in comparison with other salmon 

 tissues, but compare favorably with their percentages in the yolk 

 of other eggs. 



The salient points in this study are found in the showing of high 

 protein storage in the salmon-egg yolk, the relatively low percentage 

 of neutral fats and of phospholipins, and the decrease of neutral fats 

 and phospholipins during development. Since in other eggs these 

 fatty contituents are higher and tend to increase with development, 

 it is probable that in the salmon the decrease is due to the extreme 

 drain on the fatty deposits for the production of dynamic energy 

 during the migration. 



Determination of carbohydrate content of certain tissues of the king 

 salmon during the spawning migration was undertaken as an acces- 

 sory test. The gross samples were preserved in alcohol, and in the 

 final analysis all glycogen was converted to glucose and the deter- 

 mination made in that form. The results show a very low glucose 

 content of all organs and tissues. Glucose was present in all the 

 tissues of the feeding salmon, Monterey Bay and Bolinus Bay speci- 

 mens, but was absent or in reduced amount in the migrating and 

 spawning salmon, with the exception of one tissue, the ovaries. In 

 the ovaries, the percentage of glucose was practically constant 

 throughout the migration. 



LIFE HISTORIES OF MARINE FISHES. 



During July and August, 1920, studies of the life histories of 

 fishes of the middle Atlantic coast were carried on by W. W. Welsh, 

 scientific assistant, aided by C. M. Breder, at a temporary station on 

 Young's Pier, Atlantic City, N. J. Through the courtesy of Capt. 

 J. L. Young, owner of the pier, a serviceable two-room building, 

 formerly used as a wireless telegraph office, was adapted for use as 

 a laboratory. A small hatchery, equipped with tidal box and Chester 

 jars, was set up and supplied with filtered salt water from the pier 

 aquarium. A great variety of material was obtained from the two 

 pound nets operated under the pier. Eggs of several species, ob- 

 tained from fish taken in these nets, were hatched in Chester jars, and 

 the fry carried on as long as possible for study. Series of scale 

 samples for the determination of age and growth were also taken. 



Among the species studied were northern and southern king whit- 

 ing {Menticirrhm saxatilis and M. americanus) , squeteague (Oyno- 

 scion regalis)^ spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)^ croaker {Micropogon 

 undulatus)^ silver perch {Bairdiella chrysura)^ menhaden {Bre- 

 voortia tyrannus)^ and puifer {Spheroides maculatm) . 



Although the facilities generously furnished by Capt. Young could 

 hardly have been improved upon, the work was greatly handicapped 

 by the abnormally cold water which prevailed throughout the sum- 

 mer. Water temperatures ranged from 53 to 65° F. and averaged 

 about 57° F. This low temperature is believed to be the cause of the 



