APPENDIX. 33 



Delaware northward to Massachusetts. This was in continuation of similar 

 inquiries made in previous years to determine so far as possible the tempera- 

 ture and other physical phenomena connected directly with the northerly 

 movement of the advance schools of mackerel along the coast. 



"The principal object of the cruise was to locate the early schools of 

 mackerel ; to follow their movements northward, or in whatever direction 

 they might take ; and to learn everything possible regarding- the conditions of 

 the air and water in connection with their habits. As it was somewhat late in 

 the season before the trip began, it was expected that the schools were already 

 upon the grounds, and that it would not be necessary to proceed very far south 

 before meeting them. Such was found to be the case; but the observations 

 were carried southward from Woods Hole until the fish were encountered, and 

 thence over a part of the area through which they had passed, in order 

 to obtain the necessary data for comparing the conditions in advance of 

 the first schools with those existing in their rear. Subsequently the Grampus 

 followed the schools as far as Marthas Vineyard, taking ripe males the last of 

 May and ripe females the first of June ia that vicinity. The physical 

 observations have not yet been reduced and compared." 



Gommissionei^s Rejport, 1892, p. 91. — "The physical inquiries respecting the 

 waters off the southern I^ew England coast, begun in 1889 by the schooner 

 Grampus, and conducted the next year by the same vessel in conjunction with 

 the Coast Survey steamer Blalie, were continued during the summer of 1891 

 by the Grampus alone. The work was carried on, as in previous years, under 

 the direction of Professor William Libbey, jun., of Princeton College." 



Commissioner's Report, 1893. — "The Act of Congress, passed in 1886, 

 which virtually prohibited the spring mackerel vessel fishery prior to June 1 of 

 each year, during a term of five years, ceased to be operative after 1892. In 

 order to determine, so far as possible, if any immediate benefits had resulted 

 from this series of close seasons, and also to obtain information for the use of 

 the Joint Fishery Commission between Great Britain and the United States, 

 the schooner Grampus, Captain A, C. Adams in command, was detailed to 

 follow the progress of that fishery throughout its entire course in the spring of 

 1893. Sailing from Woods Hole at an early date, Captain Adams was directed 

 to conduct a detailed series of physical observations on the way south until the 

 body of mackerel had been discovered, after which he was to keep track of the 

 movements, habits, and abundance of the latter, and to study the conditions of 

 their environment as far north as ISTova Scotia. The presence of a large fleet 

 of purse-seiners on the grounds afforded excellent opportunities for learning 

 of the distribution of the fish at all times, and through their means it was 

 expected that specimens for examination would be obtainable. The Grampus 

 also made use of the fishing apparatus she had on board, and an hourly record 

 of physical determinations was maintained day aud night, besides which the 

 surface tow-nets were frequently employed to discover the presence of mackerel 

 food. The natural history observations were conducted by Mr. W^. C. 

 Kendall. Mr. B. L. Hardin was stationed at Fulton Market, New York City, 



NEW SERIES. — VOL. V. NO. 1. C 



