195 
on each section was about the 1st of September ; that the va- 
riations in Pocomoke Sound were much greater than in Tan- 
gier Sound, and that the maximum changes were at the head 
of each Sound, and the variations diminished towards the en- 
trances. 
The third series of curves shows the same when all the ob- 
servations in each Sound are assembled, but with this differ- 
ence, while the density in Tangier Sound was greater on Oc- 
tober 1st than at any other time, in Pocomoke Sound the 
influence of the river was still felt, and notwithstanding the 
diminished temperature the density on the 1st of October was 
less than on the 1st of August. 
The fourth series of curves shows the difference in density 
between the upper and lower sections in Tangier and Poco- 
moke Sounds in each month, and indicates that the density of 
the water is considerably greater over the lower beds than on 
the upper. 
The maximum density found during the summer was on 
section 3, in October, and was 1.0166. 
The minimum density was found in section 5, in Septem- 
ber, and was 1.0005. 
By referring to the curves showing monthly changes of 
mean densities, it will be seen that in only one case, that of 
Section 5, does the density become less than 1.0100, and that 
even on this section it is evident that this was not the normal 
condition of the water. 
There were heavy freshets in the Pocomoke Biver during 
the latter part of August and during September, which ac- 
counts for the slight density, as shown by the curves. 
Mr. Barroll was informed by the inhabitants of the vicinity 
of the mouth of Pocomoke Biver that these freshets had killed 
large numbers of oysters, both on the natural and planted 
beds. 
An inspection of the other curves shows that the variation 
of density on successive tides was not much greater on this 
section than on the others, and as the oysters elsewhere in the 
Sounds did not appear to suffer from the effects of these vari- 
ations, I am of the opinion that the fluctuation was not suffi- 
