IN THE BAYS ON THE SOUTH-EAST COAST OF DEVON. 459 



the subsequent signs of recovery of both species would receive no ex- 

 planation. 



The results of the Garland's experiments in the closed waters of the 

 Scottish bays and firths have given rise to the belief that the prohi- 

 bition of trawling in inshore waters may protect the dab more efficiently 

 than the plaice, and increase the proportion of the former to the latter. 

 It is therefore of interest to note that this idea receives no support 

 from a comparison of the two series of trawling experiments in Start 

 Bay. The chief feature of these experiments as regards the dab 

 appears to be the liability of this species to fluctuations in numbers, 

 which are more extensive even than in the case of the plaice. 



TORBAY. 



Dr. Kyle describes the characters of the trawling-grounds and 

 stations as follows : — 



" The physical conditions existing in Torbay are widely different from 

 those of Start Bay. The tidal movements of the water are weak at all 

 times, and so are the currents alongshore, except at the south-west 

 corner, where the strong eddy of the Great West Bay makes itself felt 

 as it passes round Berry Head. The direction of the currents is 

 greatly affected by the prevailing winds. 



" The comparative lack of tidal movements is reflected in the nature 

 and disposition of the bottom-soil. In the centre of the bay there is 

 nothing but mud, which is continuous from the long stretch of similar 

 soil extending some ten to twelve miles off Berry Head. The mud is 

 continued on the northern aspect right on to the beach at Torquay, 

 where it grades into fine sand. Under the present bed of Torbay lie the 

 remains of an ancient forest, and lumps of peat were occasionally 

 brought up in the trawl. At times, also, fossil bones are obtained on 

 the beach at Torquay, where, as at Brixham, there are famous caves 

 containing fossil remains. On the southern half of the bay, from 

 Paignton to Berry Head, the beach is quite free from mud, and various 

 grades of sand extend from the shore for some distance, varying from a 

 few yards off Fishcombe Rocks to a quarter of a mile off Goodrington 

 Sands and the back of the breakwater at Brixham. Off the angle of 

 the bay formed by Ellbury Cove lies a small patch of rocks, locally 

 known as the ' Rough,' and it is close to this that the finest and largest 

 fish are caught. There are several detached rocks on the Torquay side, 

 extending from Torquay out to the Orestone, and various ('innumer- 

 able,' according to the fishermen) anchors scattered about the bay. The 

 trawlable area is about seven square miles. 



"As may be gathered from the preceding account of the physical con- 

 ditions, Torbay is very liable to become ' foul,' especially during the 



