NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 
335 
supplied, interruptions by stormy weather excepted. The supply seems to vary from 
year to year, some seasons finding fish abundant on one ground, and others showing 
the fish to have moved their feeding-grounds to other portions of the Gulf. 
Many matters relating to the red snapper, its life-history, its feeding and breeding 
grounds, how quickly it reaches maturity, and its duration of life, have never been 
sufficiently studied, and we shall be indebted to the officials of the Fish Commission 
when they have time and opportunity to prosecute to a conclusion researches which 
will require years of intelligent labor. So far they have had no such opportunity; but 
it is earnestly to be hoped that they may yet be able to take up the subject as 
carefully and patiently as it deserves. 
It will be noted that statistics have borne no part in my remarks. Inquirers for 
such information may obtain it in the reports of the Fish Commission. 
Pensacola, Florida. 
