FISH-CULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS IN TEXAS. 
65 
At Judge Wheeler’s residence, near Hitchcock, a tish pond has been made which 
receives its water supply from the artesian well. Black bass and sunfisk have been 
placed in this pond, where they seem to thrive very well. The water of the Wheeler 
well does not seem to differ materially from that of the other wells of this vicinity, and 
it is probable that such species of fresh- water fishes as would be cultivated at the 
station contemplated would do fairly well in ponds supplied from any of these wells. 
I understand that water has been gotten in every place on the mainland where 
wells have been bored, so it is quite certain that water of this character could be 
obtained along the mainland in the vicinity of the bay. To obtain the requisite 
supply would probably require three or four wells sunk to a depth of over 700 feet, 
and each should have at least a 3-inch strainer. 
SALT WATER. 
Galveston Bay is shut off from the Gulf by Bolivar Peninsula and G alveston Island, 
between which is the Bolivar Channel. This channel is about 2 miles wide and is the 
entrance to the bay. The greatest length of the bay is from northeast to southwest, 
and is approximately 35 miles. The width between Bolivar Point and Swan Lake is 
about 7 miles. Above these points the bay widens out greatly, sending an arm known 
as East Bay to the eastward. Including East Bay, it is here not less than 27 miles 
wide. Above this it constricts again between Edwards and Smith Points, where 
it is less than 8 miles wide. Above Bedfisli Bar, lying between Edwards and Smith 
Points, is really the main part of the bay, the greatest width of which is about 14 
miles, on a line running northwest from Smith Point to Morgan Point at San Jacinto 
Bay. Extending westward from the east end of Galveston Island, and separating it 
from the mainland, is West Bay. At the northeast end of the bay is a small bay 
known as Turtle Bay, shut off from the main bay by the delta of the Trinity River. 
At the northwest corner, lying above Morgan Point, is San Jacinto Bay, into which 
the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou empty. About 10 miles down the west 
shore is the mouth of Clear Creek, the outlet of Clear Lake. Seven miles farther down 
is the mouth of Dickinson Bayou, just below which is Moses Lake; and 5 miles below 
this, or about 6 miles northwest from Galveston, is Swan Lake. Just north of Gal- 
veston, and between Swan Lake and Bolivar Point, are Pelican Spit and Pelican Island. 
Through the greater part of the bay the depth of water is given as from 1 foot to 
11 fathoms. According to the U. S. Coast Survey Chart (No. 204) of Galveston Bay — 
There is usually one high and one low water here in each lunar day. The highest tides occur 
when the moon’s declination is greatest, either north or south, and they are slightly increased when 
the greatest declination falls near the time of new or full moon. When the moon’s declination is near 
zero, small tides usually appear twice a day for two or three days. The following table is made from 
average values : 
Place. 
Rise and fall of tides. 
Mean . 
At moon’s 
greatest 
declination. 
At moon’s 
zero 
declination. 
Feet. 
1.1 
1.1 
0.5 
Feet. 
1.6 
Feet. 
0.8 
F. C. B. 1891—5 
