6 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The investigations extended over 45 days, but included only about 38 days of 
actual work. Though this period was brief, the results are very satisfactory, and 
the collections obtained show how rich the Porto Rican aquatic fauna is. Naturally, 
more attention was given to the fishes than to any other group; nevertheless, the 
collections along other lines, particularly with the mollusks and crustaceans, have 
proved exceedingly rich and valuable. At this writing the reports upon the col- 
lections in all the groups are not sufficiently advanced to enable a definite statement 
to be made as to the actual number of species obtained in each group, or the number of 
new genera and species in each, but it is known that the percentage of new forms in 
most of the groups is quite high. It must be remembered, however, that the brief 
time devoted to making the collections and the extent of territory covered precluded 
the possibility of their being exhaustive. 
Further investigations about Porto Rico will be sure to yield additional 
interesting results. The places which will furnish the largest number of new and 
interesting forms are the coral reefs about the island, particularly those at Maya- 
guez, Guanica, Ponce, Arroyo, and Culebra. Dredging will also prove very rich, 
although destructive to dredging apparatus. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
It is with pleasure that this opportunity is taken to acknowledge the many favors 
and courtesies shown us by the Government officials and citizens of Porto Rico during 
our stay on and about that island. Mention must first be made of Maj. Gen. Guy 
Y. Henry, commanding the Department of Porto Rico, and Brig. Gen. Fred. D. 
Grant, military governor of the district of San Juan, through whose thoughtful 
consideration we were brought in touch with other United States officials and with 
various prominent citizens of the island. Capt. James A. Buchanan, collector of 
customs, gave invaluable assistance to Mr. Wilcox in securing the statistics of the 
import trade in fishery products. Many kindnesses were received from postmasters 
at the various places visited, particularly from Mr. Walter Landis, of San Juan. 
The officers of the United States Army in Porto Rico extended to us every courtesy 
in their power, and we must make especial mention of Capts. S. Reynolds White 
and Charles G. Stevenson, of the Forty-seventh Regiment New York Volunteer 
Infantry, and Lieuts. Matthew G. Addison and Charles M. Leach, of the same 
regiment, who during our stay at Caguas kindly shared their quarters with us and 
did everything in their power to make our visit at that place pleasant and profitable. 
Similar courtesies were shown us by Capt. R. A. Marshall, of the same regiment, 
stationed at Carolina, where we were also under obligations for most hospitable 
entertainment at the home of Senor Jose V. Berrios. 
To Lieutenant Foster, of the Nineteenth Infantry, stationed at Ponce, we are 
under very great obligations for placing an ambulance at our disposal for a trip over 
the military road from Ponce to Cayey and Arroyo. A similar kindness was shown 
us by Lieutenant Wright, of the Nineteenth Infantry, stationed at Guanica, in fur- 
nishing us conveyance from that place to Yauco. 
To Capt. Arthur C. Hansard, of Hacienda La Perla; Senor Don Luis Gonzalez, 
of Luquillo; Senor Augustini, of Hacienda Catalina; Senor Don Antonio Bianchi, of 
Anasco; Senor Pablo McAllister, of Hacienda Romana, near Guaniquilla; Dr. A. Stahl, 
of Bayamon, and Senor Don Ignacio G. Vidal, of Puerto Real, we are indebted for 
