^57 



46. Other investigations on hand are those connected with (a) the 

 surface drift of Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, {^) the migrations 

 of the sardine, {c) the causes of wide-spread local mortality among 

 fishes, (d) the food of marine fishes and prawns, (e) the parasites of 

 fishes, (/) the edible shellfish resources of the Presidency, (^) fishery 

 statistics of Tuticorin and some others of more abstruse nature. 



Regarding the causes of fish mortality I have already made 

 reference (paragraph 21), while a summary of the Tuticorin statistics 

 is now under preparation. Many valuable isolated faunistic observa- 

 tions which some day will become useful, have also been made and 

 duly recorded. 



47. BiiUelin No. 8. — During the year the following three papers, 

 forming the conclusion of this bulletin, have passed through the press, 

 viz. : — 



(<i) " Professor Huxley and the Ceylon Pearl Fishery, with a 

 note on the forced or cultural production of free spherical pearls." 

 i^b) " Report on the Pearl Fishery held at Tondi, 19 14." 

 {c) " I'he utilization of coral and shell for lime burning in the 

 Madras Presidency." 



The bulletin is now complete and on the point of issue from the 

 Government Press. 



The first paper of another bulletin has also been written and is 

 ready for the printer ; its subject is The Edible MoUusca of the Madras 

 Presidency. In it is brought together all the available information 

 upon the local shellfish which have present or potential economic 

 value. It is illustrated with original sketches of all the important 

 species and when printed might with advantage be widely distributed 



to schools situated on the sea coast in order to awaken interest in a 



subject of growing importance. 



48. Superior staff. — Difficulty continues to be felt in getting 

 satisfactory men to fill the posts of Sub-Assistants, as suit- 

 able graduates with the necessary Zoological training find the pay, 

 Rs. 50 — 4 — 90, too low. 



