Evening star., 1899-03-16
Extensive Collection Made by a Sci
entifc Expedition.
PROF. EVERMAN'S INVESTIGATIONS
He Spent Two Months DeIving in
the Islands Waters.
REPORT TO BE ISSUED

the waters Oh Porto RICO, chiefly to de-
termine the character of the local fishes,
and ascertain whether any trade in fishery
products could be stimulated between the
United States and the island.
1t was known that Porto Rico imports
from Nova Scotia, and none whatever from
the United States. 1t is desirable, of
course, that Goldfish fishermen on the New
England coast should get this trade.
The fish commission steamer Fish Hawk
was assigned to this investigation, and
Prof B. w. Everman of the commission
was placed in charge with a staff of sixty
experienced persons and complete scientific
equipment. A. H. Baldwin, an artist ac-
compa1ied the expedition for the purpose of
painting the more important and brightly
colored species of Porto Rican fish.
The steamer left Norfolk some time in
the latter part of December last and after
pleasant trip of sixteen days duration
landing was made at San Juan. The
work of investigation was Systematically
begun in January, and was carried on
about two months. The vessel went entire
ly around the island stopping at all points
and important ports, where the desired in
formation was likely to be best obtained.
Extensive collections were made by the
commission of all the various species found
including line specimens of the crustaceans
mollusks ard radates. which We're pre-
served for future study and reference. In
thing that grows or lives in the water
Collections Brought Here.
Detailed and extensive Investigations were
made also about the two small islands Bic
ques and Culibra, which lie off the east end
been brought to Washington and are being
thoroughly studied by the various special
lists in this line of work.
1t is hoped that reports about the various
groups and classes inquired into will be
ready for publication within the year All
Will be combined and published in one vol
unle, which, it is believed, will serve as a
handbook to geologic fishermen who make
future trips to the island of Porto Rico
This general report promises to prove
very attractive volume. Ii will contain
also numerous illustrations. among them
many colOred plates of the more irnportant
hshes- II VIII be given free distribution, the
same as other department documents.
In addition to the work around the island
frequent trips were made to the interior of
the island for the purpose of studying the
life of the fTeSh-Water fish.
Porto Rico has about thousand rivers of
more or less size and length. which contain
several species of fish peculiar to the To-
caIitles and great many fresh-water-
Among the fishes collected are doubtless
a number of new ones that have heretofore
never been described and to which species
names Will have TO be given by the special
VIII not be on exhibition soon, perhaps
never will be.
1t was found that the food fishes of Porto
Rico are in the main the same as those
around Key West, although a great MANY
species that are found in one place are not
to be found in the other The snappers
groupers, pOrgies and mullets are among
the most important species of fish obtained
in the island The red snapper which is
such an important food fish, off the western
coast Of Florida: has equal uses and value
IN Porto Rico. The three species of tang,
or 'medico, in provincial vernacular al
though rare at Key West, are very album
dant at Porto Rico, and they are of con-
siderable commercial value.
Crude Fishing Methods
The methods employed by the Porto
Rican fishermen in catching fish are very
primitive. Most all of the fishes are caught
in rather crude traps, which are anchored
on the banks of the waters frequented by
the fish to be trapped. Ordinarily they are
not baited.
Some little line fishing is done. but it is
unimportant. Very few of the fish boats
nave live wells, and as a result of this lack
of modern fishing boat equipment the fishes
that are caught have to be marketed the
same day. and, as ice is a luxury there the
1Ish have to be eaten the same day
Very little. if anything is done in Porto
Rico in the way of curing fish, or preparing
the m to be saved for future sale or con-
sumption. A few fishermen come over from
the British islands OF Tortola and Cuibra
TO fish in Porto Rican waters, and thev
sometimes corn their catch in a very crude
way. and the fish which is thus temporarily
preserved is marketed at Santa Cruz
One peculiarity observed in Porto Rico is
the scarcity of the shoal-fish species Porto
Rico is entirely surrounded by very deep
water and the great depths are often quite
close to the shore. This absence of shoaI
water has its influence in determining the
character of fish fauna by making it impossi-
bic for many OF the ordinary lttoral species
to maintain themselves The same is true re-
gardng the crustaceans, the mollusks and
such species as are found about the island
The most abundant species are those made
for holding on as otherwise the heavy
surf which is constantly rolling would wash
them entirely away.
Porto Rican Turtles.
About the Culibra Island are found two
or three species of turtles much sought after
by the fishermen in the proper season. The
manatee is also present in Porto Rico but
apparently in small numbers.
1t is hoped that one of the chief results
of this expedition will be to stimulate and
increase the trade between the Goldfish fish,
ermen of the New England coast and those
engaged in the same work in Porto Rico.
The winter climate of Porto Rico said
Prof. Everman to a Star reporter, 'is de-
lightful in every way. Not single person
of the sixty souls who made up our party
was sick day during our two months stay
on the island on account of the climatic
care as to our general health; we ate with
no more care than we did while at home
and the result, that not one was sick or
missed a single meal during our stay, was
indeed gratifying.
The island itself is one of extreme beau
ty. 1t Is mountainous, and that, too in
the most beautiful way. The mountains are
steep. but are covered with verdure to their
very submits. Many of them are cultivat-
ed, growing tobacco, bananas and coffee
from base to summit.
Oranges are not cultivated in Porto Rico
but they are found in large quantities grow
ing wild, and they are of the most delicious
quality. extremely sweet and exceedingly
juicy The usual price of oranges at retail
is 10 to 35 cents per 100-in Porto Rican
money, which would be equivalent to about
Q to "a cents in American money"
Prof. Everman stated that the general
treatment which his party met with was
courteous and kind in the extreme The
natives he added, were always proud to be
known and called Americana Portoriouen-
ans" instead of simply "Portoricans," as
they were styled previously.
Local Enterprise.
w. b. Moses & Sons have reduced prices
on every line of furniture-the new spring
goods-nothing reserved. Your furniture
1