BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES PISH COMMISSION. 79' 



continually elevating one of its feelers, apparently twice the thickness 

 of a man's arm, to a height of from to 8 feet. It appeared to be 

 vomiting, and as the birds were evidently feeding that accounted 

 for their presence in such numbers. Its size was so great that, had it 

 grasped the vessel, it could easily have capsized it. The captain, there- 

 tore, got out of the way as quickly as possible, and without making- 

 definite measurements; but a large whale in the vicinity looked quite 

 diminutive. It is a pity that something more exact as to size is not 

 available, but the description is sufficient to convey an idea of the ua 

 ture of the monster. All along the northern and western coasts of the 

 continent vast shoals of pumice, in portions varying in size from ordi- 

 nary gravel to about a foot in diameter, and completely covered with 

 barnacles, were passed through." 



To prevent fish from reddening. — Writing from Gloucester 

 under date of September 30, 1884, Mr. A. Howard Clark states that the 

 boneless fish packers at Gloucester are using a preparation called pre- 

 servaline in order to prevent the fish from turning red. With an ordi- 

 nary dredging box the powder is sprinkled over the layers of boneless 

 salt cod as they are packed in the box, about one pound being used for 

 35 pounds of fish. Fish thus prepared are warranted not to turn red 

 even in the warmest weather. 



Two 5-pound boxes of bank cod were put up several weeks previously 

 and allowed to lie in a place favorable for reddening. The fish in the 

 box containing no preservaliue turned almost entirely red, while those 

 in the box sprinkled with preservaline were clear and sweet. This was 

 regarded as a pretty good test of the value of the powder. The sub- 

 stance, together with the labor of using it, costs from one-half to three- 

 fourths of a cent per pound, and this has thus far prevented its general 

 use on large lots of whole fish in the butts or on the flakes. It was in- 

 troduced about a year ago. Another preparation is somewhat in use, 

 which consists of a liquid, into which the fish are dipped. 



The so-called preservaline has been analyzed under the direction of 

 the United States Fish Commission and found to contain borax and 

 common salt. 



Fish for England.— Under date of September 20, 1884, Mr. W. 

 Oldham Chambers, secretary of the National Fish-Culture Association, 

 wrote from the exhibition grounds at South Kensington, London, and 

 stated: "It has been decided by the most honorable the Marquis of 

 Exeter, Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M. P., and the members of the council 

 of this association, to take measures to introduce for the purpose of 

 acclimatization special food-fishes from foreign countries. With this 

 object in view we have dispatched to the United States Mr. William T. 

 Silk, who has been commissioned to bring over to Great Britain in suita- 

 ble carriers, with which he is provided, specimens of fish indigenous to 

 your country, viz: Black bass, whitefish, catfish, sheepshead, gar-fish, 

 sun-fish, &c. Accordingly, on the 13th of October, 1884, there were de> 



