BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 435 



were very numerous in the tubes, when subjected to pressure disap- 

 jjeared, others moved about as soon as taken from the apparatus. 



It appears, therefore, that under the conditions which I produced, 

 the effects of high pressure vary not only between the different species 

 but also between the individuals of the same species. It seems, more- 

 over, that it makes a great difference whether the pressure or stoppage 

 of p-essure is more or less rapid. It is therefore not impossible that 

 with a stronger pressure continued for a long time no surface organisms 

 would survive, but that they would all indiscriminately die. This should 

 be proved by experiments. 



I cannot pass in silence the effect of high pressure on the carbuncled, 

 charred "bacterid." With Dr. Eoux we subjected carbonaceous blood 

 to a pressure of COO atmospheres for a period of twenty-four hours. This 

 blood retained all its virulence, and exi^eriments made with it proved 

 entirely successful. 



It will be seen that in none of these experiments had I touched the 

 problem of fermentation or putrefoction. The experiments made by 

 Dr. Regnard with yeast seem to agree with what is already known re- 

 garding the sleep of the mycodermic cells which are found in sparkling 

 and sugared wines. At a certain given moment these cells no longer 

 decompose sugar, either because they have become subjected to the 

 paralyzing action of carbonic acid, or because their food gave out, or, 

 finally, because — as Dr. Eegnard's experience also seems to prove — the 

 pressure produced by the tension of gas hinders the fermentation. But 

 it may also be asked whether other ferments, especially those possess- 

 ing much body from great depths, do not obey other laws. This is the 

 l^roblem which at the present time engages my attention, and which I 

 am endeavoring to solve. 



311.— OIV THE i^CARCITV OF ^lACKEREIi IN THE OULiF OF SAINT 



LiAl^RFNC'E. 



By Capt. J. J¥. roi^LIMS. 



The results which have been obtained ^n the mackerel fishery of the 

 Gulf of Saint Lawrence by American vessels during the present season, 

 are clearly and forcibly set forth in the following notes and sworn state- 

 ments of captains, for which I am indebted to Capt. Fitz J. Babson, 

 collector of customs at Gloucester. These facts, which may well sup- 

 plement those already submitted concerning the same subject, dem- 

 onstrate in the strongest possible manner that so far from deriving 

 any benefit from a participation in the fisheries of the Gulf, the vessels 

 of New England have suffered a severe pecuniary loss by leaving our 

 own waters. It is worthy of notice that of the reports obtained from 

 ten vessels three came out of the Gulf ivithout a single barrel of inacl-erel, 

 and of the catch made by the other seven schooners, only 50 barrels 



