62 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The determination of the abundance, condition, and definite range of each and every 
species of fish and the character and abundance of their food supply is a question not 
only of great scientific interest but one of the utmost economic importance in its bear- 
ing- upon the intelligent and successful propagation of useful food-fishes. The physi- 
cal, eliemic, and biotic forces which go together to constitute the fish environment of 
any given stream must be clearly understood before that stream can be intelligently 
stocked with any additional species. These forces may be so adjusted as to render 
the introduction of the proposed species fatal to one or more kinds of valued food-fishes 
already found in the stream; or, on the other hand, the great abundance of some in- 
digenous species of carnivorous fish might render it impossible for the species which 
it is proposed to introduce to ever become well established. 
In carrying out my instructions visits were made to Galveston and Corpus Christi, 
on the coast, and Houston, Palestine, San Antonio, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Austin, 
and Fort Worth, in the interior. It is believed that the investigations at Galveston 
and Corpus Christi are sufficient to determine whether the coast affords any suitable 
location or not, and so many excellent locations for a fresh water station were found 
in the interior as to render further explorations unnecessary. 
On the whole, it may be said that no point on the coast examined offers entirely 
satisfactory conditions for the establishment of a combined fresh and salt water 
station, but the Swan Lake site, near Galveston, might prove fairly suitable. 
It was intended to make a careful study of the Trinity River Basin, giving atten- 
tion to the various streams in this drainage area; the nature and volume of the water 
of each ; the general character of the vegetation, both in the streams and along the 
banks; the geologic features of the country; the character and abundance of the fish 
found in each stream, and the presence of crustacean and other life in the waters which 
may serve as food for fishes. While some work of this character was done on the Trinity 
River, inclement weather necessitated the deferment of its completion. 
Temperatures were taken with a Wilder’s standard thermometer and are given in 
Fahrenheit degrees. The seining was done with Baird collecting seines of small size, 
except at Galveston and Corpus Christi, where we availed ourselves of the services and 
larger nets of the local fishermen. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
I desire to make mention of the many courtesies shown us by the citizens of the 
various places visited by us. At Galveston we were assisted greatly in our work by 
the kind and thoughtful attention of many of the most prominent citizens of that place, 
among whom I should mention especially Mr. Fred. McC. Nichols, Mr. F. L. Dana, the 
secretary of the board of trade, and Mr. Julius Jtunge, president of the Galveston 
Packing Company. Through the kindness and hospitality of Mr. Nichols, we were 
enabled to visit several of the artesian wells on the mainland and to make a careful 
exploration of Dickinson Bayou. 
At Houston our party received many courtesies from Maj. M. Looscan, Maj. A. 
C. Herndon, and Mr. Geo. A. Bringhurst, all of the board of trade, and from Messrs. 
Robert E. C. and Harvey T. D. Wilson. Through the kindness of these gentlemen we 
were enabled to make very careful investigations in Harris County. 
At San Antonio we were assisted in visiting the springs by Mr. Joseph Hettler, 
