74 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



" The influence of thunder-storms was equally seen as in former years. 

 If there is a thunder-storm of some magnitude extending over a large 

 portion of Scotland, good takes may be made on that day; but on the 

 following day few, if any, fish are caught over that part of the coast 

 unless at the extreme verge of a deep inirt of the sea, as if the fish were re- 

 treating thither. 



" Owing to the shortness of tbe time over which the inquiry has ex- 

 tended, the committee wish these results to be considered only as provis- 

 ional. The results are, however, of the greatest value,!not merely as indi- 

 cating the lines of inquiry to be followed in further carrying on this large 

 investigation, but also as indicating, in some cases not obscurely, the 

 nature of the results which Avill ultimately be established — results which, 

 since they lead directly to a knowledge of the localization of the herring, 

 will serve as a guide to the fishermen where to set their nets with the 

 highest probability of success." 



The influence of the tides on the menhaden. 



98. There has been no decided relation observed between the move- 

 ments of the schools and of the tide. 



Following the coast in its northward trend they crowd into the bays 

 and sounds, and breaking up into smaller schools the detachments find 

 their way into the shallows. In outside waters they do not appear to 

 be affected by tides, and when they are migrating they seem independ- 

 ent of its influence. Mr. Dudley states that they often rise to the 

 surface when the tide changes near the middle of the day. This is 

 doubtless in waters near the shore, where the change of tide would be 

 accompanied by some slight change of temperature. Mr. Simpson feels 

 certain that more enter the inlets of North Carolina on the ebb than on 

 the flood. It seems to be true, however, that throughout their halt 

 during the summer, many schools drift lazily with the tide into the 

 bays and creeks, coming in with the flood-tide, going out with the ebb- 

 tide. In Southern waters they appear to hug the shore as closely as 

 they can, and at high water thus gain access to waters too shallow for 

 them at any other time. 



15.— Alleged changes in haunts and habits. 

 The alleged changes of habit caused hy the fisheries. 



99. Many of the remarks in the preceding chapter are applicable to 

 the menhaden only when they are left to enjoy their favorite haunts 

 undisturbed. On the coast of Maine their habits are said, temporarily 

 at least, to be greatly modified through the influence of man. They no 

 longer hug the shores, but are found many miles out at sea, where they 

 are followed by the fishing-vessels. The introduction of steamers into 

 the fisheries is an evidence of this change of habit, and indeed the 

 almost unanimous testimony of the Maine fishermen, from whom letters 



