PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1921. 



37 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE KENTUCKY RIVER. 



Prior to 1919 the Kentucky River was an unworked and practically 

 unknown mussel stream. In the summer and autumn of 1919 and the 

 summer of 1920 the upper part of the river was investigated by 

 Ernest Danglade, temporary assistant. Preliminary tests were made 

 in the summer of 1919 which indicated that good marketable shells 

 were to be found in the headwaters, and encouragement was offered 

 to various people who had expressed a desire to engage in mussel 

 fishing. As a result, by the middle of July, 1919, two mussel camps 

 were established in the upper courses. 



The river was examined from near its source down to Beattyville, 

 Ky., below which place the stream contains many locks and dams and 

 is unsuitable for mussel fishing. In the upper parts of the stream, 

 in the north and middle forks, numerous but small beds were en- 

 countered. Fourteen were investigated and are described in some 

 detail in a report on file with the Bureau. Forty species of mussels 

 were obtained, of which 22 have commercial value, the mucket being 

 the most important. Upper Twin Shoals is remarkable for the 

 abundance of young muckets. 



THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES. 



The Woods Hole (Mass.) laboratory. Dr. P. H. Mitchell, director, 

 was in operation with a limited staff during the summer of 1920. 

 Previous mention has been made of the investigation relating to 

 oysters and the preparation of commercial gelatins from seaweeds. 

 Prof. Edwin Linton continued investigations of the food and para- 

 sites of fishes, and Prof. William W. Browne was engaged in com- 

 pleting his report upon the nature and causes of the reddening of 

 salt fish. Because of the unavoidable limitation of the Bureau's ac- 

 tivities, it was found impracticable to open the laboratory for the 

 summer of 1921. 



Beaufort (N. C.) laboratory has been virtually closed during nearly 

 the entire fiscal year. Since the director, E. L. Barney, was neces- 

 sarily transferred early in the year to another station, the laboratory 

 has been without scientific direction. Mr. Barney has, however, com- 

 pleted a general report on the natural history and culture of the dia- 

 mond-back terrapin, embodying the information available from ob- 

 servations and experiments as relating to growth and reproduction 

 of wild and domestic stock, care of young and adults, feeding, hous- 

 ing, and hybridization. Further attention has been given to the 

 study of the bacterial disease which has been the only serious disease 

 affecting winter-fed terrapin. Under the superintendence of Charles 

 Hatsel, terrapin experiments have been continued, the grounds of the 

 station have been kept in good condition and the buildings in such 

 repair as was possible with the available funds. 



At the Fairport (Iowa) biological station the new laboratory 

 building was completed and occupied early in September, and shortly 

 thereafter R. L. Barney was appointed director of the station. In 

 response to an outside demand, the laboratory building was formally 

 dedicated October 7. A large number of prominent persons, includ- 

 ing scientists representing the leading universities of the country, 



