HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 415 



above the average. I think the prevalence of strong southerly winds 

 favorable to their return. 



10. It does not. 



11. The tide has no apparent eftect upon them. 



12. Cannot name any definite locality. 



13. Have seen them in deep and in shoal water. They usually track 

 the shore. 



14. They appear to prefer warm weather. A cold turn will drive 

 them off. 



15. When taken in any quantity there appears to be a mixture of old 

 and young. 



16. We frequently see them in the fall of the year, from 3 to 4 inches 

 in length. 



17. They commence leaving the coast about the 1st of October, and 

 disappear altogether in November. 



18. They return by the same route that they came. 



19. I am not certain but think they go to the edge of the Gulf Stream. 

 21. Judging from the number of small fish seen I should say they 



spawned around our shores in June and July. 



26. I think they sink to the bottom and become attached to stones, 

 &c., like other spawn. 



29. Yes. 



31. Have sometimes seen lamprey eels attached to the outside. 



32. Sharks, sword-fish, porpoise, and bluefish are very destructive to 

 them. 



33. I know of none. 



34. Purse-nets, gill-nets, generally ; sometimes by sweep-nets and fish- 

 wears. 



35. Purse-nets are from two hundred to three hundred fathoms in 

 length and from fifteen to thirty fathoms in depth. Gill-nets are about 

 seventy-five fathoms in length and from two and a half to three fathoms 

 in depth. 



36. In this vicinity sail-boats of about 5 tons' burden are used for 

 setting the nets. 



37. For a purse-net about eight men are required ; for a gill-net one 

 man with a dory; for a fish- wear from seven to eight men. 



38. The gill-nets are set nights ; the others through the day. 



39. 1:^0 difference. 



40. I think not. 



42. About one-half are put on board our fishing- vessels to be used as 

 bait in the cod and mackerel fisheries. The balance are sent to the 

 factory at Woods Hoil, Mass. 



43. The nearest factory is at Woods Holl, Mass. The owners are un- 

 known to me. 



47. The price per barrel, for some years past, has been from fifty to 

 seventy-five cents, as taken from the nets. 



