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77

which have been greatly perfected through the skill of its assistants.

Aside from the systematic explorations of the Commission, much has been accomplished under its direction in the way of obtaining marine invertebrates from regions not yet visited by its organized parties. In 1878, the Gloucester cod and halibut fishermen were induced to interest themselves in saving all the curiosities that were brought up on their works, and nearly a thousand donations from that source (continued through two or three years) have given us a better idea of the fauna of the great fishing banks, from George's Bank to the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, than could possibly have been obtained otherwise, without a large expenditure of money. Mr. R.E. Earll and Col. M. McDonald sent in large collections of marine invertebrates