HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 383 



Gallup and Mancliester, 25,000; Suffolk Oil Works, 48,000 ; Atlantic 

 Oil Works, 45,000. In 1872 the aggregate reached about 110,000 barrels. 

 In 1871, with six factories instead of five, were taken about 95,000 

 barrels. In 1870 less tban 75,000 barrels were taken, while in 1866, the. 

 first year of work here, not more than 35,000 barrels were taken. The 

 great difference in these results maybe ascribed to three causes: (1.) 

 The fishermen have acquired skill in the business. (2.) Much better 

 apparatus for the capture of these fish is now in use. (3.) The fish are 

 more abundant than formerly. 



5. Not perceptibly. 



6. First seen about May 20 in occasional schools. Main body arrives 

 about June 20, which, i^assing eastward, is followed by others contin- 

 ually for about thirty days longer. There is considerable difference in 

 the size of fish caught. At times, mixed sizes are taken at the same set; 

 usually, these arriving at different periods of time, differ in size. 

 Larger may come sooner or later. Nothing certain is known as regards 

 this. 



7. Probably near the surface. Their arrival is known only by their 

 " play," i. e., flipping, or striking the water with their tails. 



8. After rounding Cape Cod, some touch the coast in the vicinity of 

 Gloucester, jMass., but the larger portion, by far, it appears, keep off 

 shore, and near it anywhere from Cape Elizabeth to Monhegan. The main 

 body of these fish continue to pass toward the east till about the 20th of 

 July, when that impetus seems to be checked, and for thirty or forty 

 days their movements are seemingly local. Then they begin their return 

 to the west, and continue to repass, until in October the last bodies are 

 urgent in the westward course. 



9. Very regular. Never fail to come. 



10. Yes. They are farther off shore, but not, it is believed, from their 

 feeding-ground. 



11. No relation discoverable. 



12. In this vicinity, from five to thirty miles from land. 



13. Depth not material. 



14. No. Temperature of air does. They will not " show" or come to 

 the surface when cold north or east winds prevail. 



15. No. 



16. No. 



17. In September and October, as described in No. 8. 



18. By the same as that by which they arrive; described in No. 8. 



19. About the Bahama Banks and Florida Keys. 



20. Animalculse. 



21. Where they pass the winder (No. 19) in January and February. 



22. The writer has reason to believe them to be indiscriminately 

 mixed. 



23. Yes. 



24. Am unable to give the temperature of Bahama waters. 



