NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 163 
opposition allayed by being shown that they would have more regular and remunerative 
employment on planted grounds than if they worked on the natural grounds. 
Mr. John Y. Detwiler, of New Smyrna, Fla., read a paper on “ Experimental 
oyster-culture.” 
A recess was then taken until 3 p. m. 
At the opening of the afternoon session a paper entitled “The Florida commercial 
sponges: their nature, protection, and cultivation,” was read by Dr. Hugh M. Smith . 
and discussed by Professor Smeltz and the author. 
The committee on resolutions reported the following, which were adopted by a 
rising vote : 
Resolved, That the National Fishery Congress acknowledges the call of his excellency W. D. 
Bloxham for the existence of this Congress, as well as the inception of the idea to Col. T. T. Wright, 
and hereby gives an expression of appreciation and grateful thanks to Mr. H. B. Plant, not only for 
his general interest in the purpose of this Congress, but for his liberal hospitality in furnishing the use 
of the hall for the Congress, the excursion by train and steamer; and in thus manifesting our 
appreciation we also gratefully acknowledge the courtesy of his honor M. E. Gillett, mayor of 
Tampa, as also of Mr. H. Cunningham, the efficient secretary of the Board of Trade of Tampa, fQi- 
their cordial greeting; be it further 
Resolved, That we extend our thanks to Lieut. Franklin Swift for the pleasant trip on the United 
States Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk ; be it still further 
Resolved, That the secretary of the Congress furnish a copy of these resolutions to those above 
mentioned. 
The question of publishing the proceedings of the Congress being under 
consideration, the following resolution was passed, and pursuant thereto Dr. H. M. 
Smith and Mr. W. E. Meehan were selected by the chair to constitute, with himself, 
the committee on publication: 
Resolved, That the president of this Congress appoint two persons, who, with himself, shall 
constitute a committee on publication, with powers to arrange for the editing, printing, and 
distribution of the papers here presented. 
Col. F. C. Zacharie, of New Orleans, presented his paper on “ The oyster industry 
of Louisiana,” which was discussed by Mr. Blackford and Colonel Zacharie. 
Dr. S. E. Meek, of Chicago, read a paper entitled “The utility of a biological 
station on the Florida coast in its relation to the commercial fisheries.” 
Dr. H. C. Bumpus brought up a topic which had been referred to iu the paper of 
Professor Smeltz read on January 21, namely, the alternating sexuality of the oyster. 
He asked the author to state the basis for his remark that the sex of the common 
Eastern oyster changes from season to season, aud requested an outline of the 
experiments on which the statement was founded. Professor Smeltz said he had had 
about 400 oysters under observation, and about 2 per cent of them apparently exhibited 
the condition stated. Dr. Bumpus, Dr. Moore, and Mr. Blackford referred to the 
great liability of error in the experiments and observations, and thought Professor 
Smeltz should not make a positive statement until crucial tests had been applied. 
Owing to the fixing of an earlier date for final adjournment than had been 
anticipated, a number of papers could not be read. These were read by title by the 
secretary, who outlined their scope. 
