ON THE ENGLISH SEA FISHERIES. 87 
gined it would when I began, but, as I have gone along, paragraph 
after paragraph has been struck out in order to lessen its inordi- 
nate length. A vast field of information remains unexplored, 
and I hope that one result of the discussion of this subject will 
be to draw forth very much valuable information, and to lead 
others to investigate closely this very intesting and important 
department of natural history, and, I may say, social economy; 
and I think there cannot now be the smallest doubt that the 
subject demands immediate investigation from the Government 
or the Legislature; and I do hope that the way will soon be found 
to be quite clear for the issue of a Royal Commission. The 
enquiries by a select committee of the House of Commons are 
very expensive, and, necessarily, very limited, and would in this 
case be peculiarly barren and unsatisfactory, owing to the 
character of the persons from whom information must be sought. 
English fishermen are a peculiar race, and very little inclined to 
be communicative save to those whom they know and who have 
their confidence. 
There is just one hint which I would throw out. Why 
should not the artificial breeding of sea fish be attempted?. 
The experiment would be far from a costly one, and the 
results might be most profitable. The recent experiments 
with regard to salmon are most encouraging, and that most 
interesting display, which has been seen in the Field news- 
paper window in London, is one which certainly tempts one to 
say ‘Go on; try sea fish as well.” It is known that cod and 
haddock will live and thrive in ponds. I commend this idea to 
the members of the Tyneside Naturalists’ Club. 
VII.— Miscellaneous Notices and Observations. 
Note on Stellaria Friesiana.—In the Herbarium of the late 
Mr. Borrer, now at Kew, is a very small fragment of a 
Stellaria labelled ‘“Stellaria Friesiana.” (Sandy shore of the 
Tyne, at Ridley Hall?) sent by Mr. R. B. Bowman to Mr. 
Babington, among Arenaria verna.’ This scrap may be S. 
Friesiana (=S. longifolia, Fries.) or perhaps starved S. graminea, 
