102 KEPOKT OF THE COUNCIL. 



During the summer and autumn of 1896 Mr. Cunningham con- 

 tinued his researches on the distribution of flat-fishes in the Nortli 

 Sea, paying particular attention to the relations which exist between 

 the physical and biological conditions in that area, and also to the 

 peculiarities of the fish which live upon the different fishing grounds. 

 The results of these observations are contained in two memoirs 

 published in the Journal of the Association. A memoir by Mr. 

 Cunningham dealing with the minute structure and the develop- 

 ment of the ovaries of fishes has appeared in the Quarterly Journal 

 of Microscopical Science. 



The trawling experiments in the bays on the south coast of Devon, 

 which were commenced last year, have been continued and extended by 

 the special request of the Devon Sea Fisheries Committee, who 

 have contributed towards the expenses of this undertaking. At the 

 same time a general study of the distribution of young fish in the 

 neighbourhood has been undertaken, and Mr. Holt has recently been 

 paying particular attention to this enquiry. 



Experiments with floating bottles, similar to those carried out by 

 Prof. Herdman in the Irish Sea and by the Scottish Fishery Board 

 in the North Sea, for the purpose of determining the general direction 

 of the surface drift of the water in the English Channel at different 

 times of the year, have been commenced. Bottles put into the sea 

 near the Eddy stone during January and February were carried for 

 the most part up Channel, some having passed through the Straits 

 of Dover and been found at Terschelling and Borkum, off the Dutch 

 and German coasts respectively. 



The detailed investigation of the grounds between the Eddystone 

 and Start Point, mentioned in last year's Ileport, was continued during 

 the summer of 1896, and the results are for the most part worked 

 out. It is intended, however, to go over the ground carefully again 

 this year before these results are published. 



In promising to place on the estimates for the year 1897-98 the 

 usual grant of £1000 to the Association, the Lords Commissioners 

 of H.M. Treasury have made it a condition that the Association 

 will give all the assistance in its power to the Inspectors of Irish 

 Fisheries in investigations which they desire to be made on the habits 

 and migrations of the mackerel visiting the Irish coast. In con- 

 nection with this subject a report has been prepared and transmitted 

 to the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries on the present state of knowledge 

 with regard to the natural history of the mackerel, and arrangements 

 are being made for samples of the mackerel taken on the west 

 coast of Ireland to be sent to the Plymouth Laboratory for exami- 

 nation. 



