NORTHUMBERLAND SEA FISIIEKIKS COMMITTEE. 75 



Turbots also varied from 12 to 20 ins., and were found to feed on small 

 whitings, the lesser weever, and the sandeel. Brill of 14^- and 20| ins. 

 were feeding on whitings. Flounders (12 to 18 ins.) had Donao: trnnculus, 

 sandeels, Mactra stultorum, Tellina tenuis, Porttcnus holsatus as the 

 forms found in the stomachs of a few examples. The common gurnard 

 of 11 to 16 ins. was feeding on sandeels, whitings, Portunus holsatus, 

 etc. Other forms were investigated, and full details of measurements 

 and contents of stomachs are given in last year's report. The more 

 important "other fish," etc., are also referred to. 



The surface nets gave us two kind of eggs — those of the Lesser 

 Weever (Trachinus vipera) and an unknown egg not differing from 

 Mcintosh and Prince's "F" form. 



Mr. Gregg Wilson, of Edinburgh University, while in the district, 

 made investigations into the condition of the crab, lobster, and mussel 

 fisheries. He found evidence which led him to suppose that crabs 

 spawn during November, December, and January ; that females were 

 not less than 6 in. when mature, that males were mature at 5 in. Along 

 with a close time, which is, however, commonly naturally given during 

 these months, he recommended the raising of the size-limit to 5 in. He 

 recommended also a close time for lobsters during June and July, 

 on the assumption that in these months most berried hens were found. 

 The sale of the berried hen, it is expected, will shortly, however, be 

 prohibited in the district. 



A member of the Committee, Mr. William King, who has had much 

 experience in mussel cultivation, contributed an interesting paper on 

 that subject. A list of the papers published for the information of the 

 Committee is appended. 



We have to remember also the rich inheritance of local zoological 

 work we have from such eminent naturalists as Dr. Johnston, Joshua 

 Alder, Albany Hancock, Dr. G. S. Brady, Dr. H. B. Brady, the llev. 

 Canon Norman, R Howse, and others. 



List of Papers Published by the Committee. 



William King — " Mussels and Mussel Culture." 



Gref,'g Wilson, M.A., 15.Sc. — "Report on the Oral), Lob.^ter, and Mussel 

 Fisheries ot Nortluuuberland.'' 



C. Williams — " Report of a Visit of the Northumberland Sea Fisheries 

 Committee to the Marine Ilatcliery at Dunbar." 



Gregg Wilson, B.Sc, Ph.D.—" Further Report cm the Crab Fishery." 



John Dent, J. P. — "Records of Scientific Trawling Operations conducted 



off the Northumberland Coast (1892-95). 

 Alexander Meek, R.Sc, F.Z.S. — "Report on the Scientifi(! Results of the 



Trawling Expeditions carried on by the Northumberland Sea Fisheries 



Committee during the Summer of 1896." 



