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of the ocean, and securing large quantities of young fishes, fish eggs, and invertebrates, the latter forming the principle food of the mackerel. This collection has not yet been reported upon and it is, therefore, impossible at present to describe its contents or value. The floating fish eggs, which were taken in immense numbers, were placed in the hatching apparatus on board the schooner and some of the spawn was subsequently transferred to the Wood's Holl laboratory. May embryos were reared to different ages, and preserved for future examination and identification.

The Wood's Holl station was occupied as usual during the summer months, or from the first of July until October, for the purposes of scientific investigation. The composition of the party was nearly the same as in 1886. Prof. Baird was there in the beginning, but too ill to give more than the most general directions. While he lived, Major T.B. Ferguson, the Assistant Commissioner, assumed charge of operations, and after his death, in August, the work was directed from Washington, by Prof. Goode.