174 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XI, 



Marine Biologist's branch {Mr. James Horuell, F.L.S.). — The 

 Tuticorin fish-farm, the edible oyster farm at Pulicat, the prepa- 

 ration of marine zoological specimens for educational work, beche- 

 de-mer preparation, scientific and practical investigations, and the 

 writing of bulletins. 



Pearl and chank branch {Mr. James Horncll, F.L. S.). — Pearl and 

 chank work over the whole coast from Madras to Cape Comorin, and 

 miscellaneous. 



Piscicultiirisfs branch {Messrs- V. Govindan, B.A., F.Z.S., and 

 B. Sundara Raj, M.A.). — The Sunkesula fish-farm, that at Ippur, 

 larvicidal work, the breeding of fish new to inland waters, such as 

 gourami, etroplus, tench, the stocking of tanks, the conservancy of 

 various waters, the beginnings of a very detailed and systematic 

 survey of the waters of the Presidency in view to systematic stock- 

 ing and culture, the preparation of several distinct schemes such 

 as the piscicultural utilization of the great new irrigation reservoir 

 at Mopad, the cultural and sanitary development of the Chingle- 

 put Fort moat, and a similar scheme at Vellore Fort, and the 

 beginnings of investigation into the better fishing of deep water 

 and quasi-permanent tanks in the Presidency. During the year 

 the soap works were separated from "Fisheries" and handed 

 over to "Industries," remaining however forthe present under the 

 general supervision of the Honorary Director in his individual 

 capacity and not as the Honorary Director of Fisheries. 



5. Director's branch. — Technical work at Tanur and the Cannery 

 proceeded on normal lines, and there is nothing to need special 

 mention; cannery operations were somewhat larger than in the 

 previous year but quite insufficient for the general demand, and 

 the net profit, as shown below, considerably greater. The motor 

 sea-going laanch " Leverett," built andengined by Messrs. Brunton 

 of Cochin and an excellent boat, was delivered towards the close 

 of the canning season and was then sent to Tuticorin, where she 

 was of great service and effected considerable economy in towing 

 chank canoes. The work of the fishing machwas (Ratnagiri 

 pattern boats) belonging to the department was very unsatisfac- 

 tory, and will have to be reorganized. 



A scheme for the refrigeration of cheap shoal fish (sardines, 

 mackerel, catfish, etc.), was elaborated and freezing tanks have 

 been built at Tanur ; the scheme, which is purely experimental, 

 will be put in operation at once. The idea is to see whether 



