MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 



171 



Date Air Sea 



Sept. 6 63 59 



7 60 59 



8 56 58 



9 54 56 

 10 55 58 



These columns show how during the greater part of the 

 summer, before the maximum has been reached, the tem- 

 perature of the sea lags behind that of the air, while in 

 September the air approximates to, or begins to be colder 

 than, the sea. 



The shore pools exposed at low tide to the sun become, 

 of course, on some days very much warmer than any of 

 the above records for the open water of the bay. On July 

 13th it was found that some of the pools in front of the 

 laboratory varied during the day from 60° F. to 76° F., 

 and on July 22nd from 59° F. to 76° F. 



Fish Culture. 



These temperatures show that, in summer at least, there 

 is no reason why oyster culture should not be carried on 

 at the Isle of Man. At the various places on the west 

 coast of France, where successful oyster culture is now 

 carried on, I found this summer that the temperature of 

 the sea varied from 66° F. to 76° F. Lobster culture is 

 another industry which might with advantage be tried at 

 Port Erin, the narrow deep-water creeks near Bradda 

 Head could readily be converted into vivaria for this pur- 

 pose. The Lancashire Sea-Fisheries Committee have not 

 yet erected a hatchery alongside the biological station. 

 Unexpected difficulties have arisen, but with the growing 

 feeling in favour of such applications of scientific know- 

 ledge and methods to the fishing industries, which is 

 rapidly spreading amongst fishery experts, the general 

 public, and in Parliament, there can be little doubt that 



