HISTOEY OF THE AMEEICAN MENHADEN. 427 



37. Statement of J. 8. Cronflall, Watch Eill, E. J., February 20, 1874, 



and January 1, 1875. 



1. Bony fish. 



2. More uumerous than any other kind. 



3. Diminished. 



Captain Wilcox works two fish gangs. He took in 1873 9,800,000 ; 

 in 1872, 9,450,000; in 1871, 4,500,000. Another factory has three fish 

 gangs and took in 1873 2,500,000 . 



5. It does. 



6. About the 15th of May, and seems to come on to all parts of the 

 coast about one time ; the first are the smallest and poorest. 



7. Swim high and are seen by color and ripple. 



8. They come on to our coast from the southward by the east end of 

 Long Island, and seem to work eastward and westward. 



9. There are some seasons not as numerous as others ; in '73 they 

 were plentiful ; in '74 not so plentiful ; in fact their catch was not more 

 than two-thirds as much as in '73. 



10. It does ; for last season, in the latter parts of the summer and fall, 

 fish were taken outside of Block Island. 



11. When the tide runs strong they usually go with the tide. 



12. All along the New England coast. 



13. No difference, as they are in all depths of water. 



14. It does, as they are not as spry in cold water as in warm. 



15. They do, but are all of one size. 



16. Are seen in great quantities in September, October, and Novem- 

 ber, from 2 to 6 inches long. 



17. November and December, gradually. 



18. They work westward when leaving the coast. 



20. They live on suction, and their food looks like very fine britt. 



21. They spawn in July and August. 



28. They are found in great quantities all along the New England 

 coast. 



29. They do. 



30. The parent fish do not feed on their young. 



31. Lampreys and worms are found, but are not very numerous. 



32. Man seems to be their worst enemy along our coast, but they have 

 others, as bluefish, sharks, codfish, bass, seal, porpoises, and other fish ; 

 but bluefish seem to kill them for sport, as they kill a great many more 

 than they can eat. 



33. Never knew of any. 



34. Purse-seines mostly. 



35. From one hundred to one hundred and fifty fathoms long and 

 eighty to ninety feet deep. 



30. Sloops and schooners mostly ; some steamers are from twenty to 

 fifty tons burden. 

 37. From eight to ten compose a gang. 



