892 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



appears to bear it better than others, but in no instance 

 does it improve the quality or flavour. 



Fish, when in a perfectly sound condition, 

 placed in a temperature ranging between 32 and 35, will 

 remain sound for a long time ; but the range between 35 

 and 40 may perhaps be considered as debateable ground. 

 The highest degree of temperature, compatible with safety, 

 once determined, a constant temperature below this point 

 will be found to be an essential requisite. ... Piling 

 fish one upon another tends to shorten the period of pre- 

 servation, and frequent handling impairs the quality. 



Writing on the same subject in the "Lancet"(January, 

 1890), Mr. J. H. Hamilton (after arriving at similar con- 

 clusions with Mr. Kilbourn) points out that in the United 

 Kingdom fish is seldom caught on Saturday afternoons, 

 and the nets also remain idle all Sunday, so that Friday's 

 fish does not reach the Metropolis until Monday morning. 

 He says that much of the best prime trawl-caught fish sold 

 at Billingsgate is from three to ten days old. Everyone 

 knows that London fish is very different from fish freshly 

 caught, and, that what Mr. Hamilton (comments the 

 "Lancet") has stated may enable us to understand the 

 cause. Unfortunately it is difficult to suggest an efficient 

 remedy, (m) 



(m) In corroboration of the " Lancet's " lament I quote the following 

 from the "Morning Post," of no later date than October 22nd, 1890. 

 " London Fish Supply. At a meeting of the Commissioners of Sewers 

 yesterday, it was reported that during the four weeks ending September 

 27th there were 10,757 tons of fish delivered at Billingsgate Fish 

 Market, of which 5285 tons were sent by sea and 5472 tons by land. 

 During the same period there were 103 tons 4 cwt. delivered at the 

 London Central Fish Market. Of the total quantity delivered 150 tons 

 10 cwt. 3 qrs., or about 2|- per cent, of the total quantity, were seized 

 by the officers of the Fishmongers' Company." 



