As in previous years the plaice spawned in the tanks of the 

 laboratory, and this year an attempt was made, by isolating 

 examples and making notes of the general nature of the 

 spawning, to see whetlier the plaice exhibited the periodicity in 

 spawning observed last year in the case of the cod. This was 

 found actually to be the case, although the periodicity was not 

 quite so constant as in the cod. The observations rendered 

 possible a short account of the effect of temperature on the rate 

 of development. During the period of spawning demonstrations 

 on the development of the plaice were given to the public and to 

 fishermen by Mr. Storrow. 



The material gathered last year to illustrate the development 

 of the cod has been utilised to prepare a detailed statement 

 on the embryology of this form. This will be published 

 elsewhere. 



With the aid of the *'Evadne" material has been gathered 

 at various stations from Cullercoats to St. Andrews. The 

 general results are given under the title "Biological Investi- 

 gations." 



The "Evadne" was also used to obtain samples of the water 

 in the Tyne. The samples were chemically examined by 

 Professor Bedson, bacteriologically examined by Professor 

 Hutchens, and special samples were taken also to indicate the 

 general plankton under the conditions when the experiments 

 were made. It is an investigation which well deserves to be 

 repeated during the summer when the water is low. 



Herbert W. R. Haselhurst publishes in this report a paper 

 on the composition of our common seaweeds, and draws attention 

 particularly to the manurial value of what is at present allowed 

 to waste. The work was done at the Laboratory. 



In connexion with renewed complaints as to the destruction 

 of salmon and salmon nets by seals, an account is given of the 

 colony at the Fame Islands. It appears to be desirable to 

 obtain further proof of the destruction before considering 

 methods of reducing the numbers of the seals. 



Sandeels are liable to periodical destruction on an enormous 

 scale, and Mr. W. Mark Pybus records here the observations he 

 has made on this subject at Newbiggin and at Warkworth. 



Attention is drawn to the records which appear under 

 " Faunistic Notes." 



