252 THE SENSE-ORGANS AND PERCEPTION OF FISHES. 



to feed tliem was liidclen from tlieir siglit. The sound of the chopper 

 which is also there mentioned in this connexion may have been 

 communicated directly by the walls of the tank. There is no reason- 

 able doubt that in the operation of " hriming " for pilchards {v. p, 

 250), the sound made by the stamping of the foot is actually 

 heard. 



Though it may, therefore, be regarded as clear that fishes perceive 

 the sound of sudden shocks and concussions when they are severe, it 

 can scarcely be supposed that sounds of this nature play much part in 

 their ordinary life, even if they occur at all. On the other hand, they 

 do not seem to hear the sound of bodies moving in the water which 

 they do not see. It may be remarked that the sounds emitted by fishes 

 and Crustacea (dory, gurnard, crayfish, &c.) are of a stridulating or 

 grumbling nature. In addition to these Mr. Wells called my atten- 

 tion to a peculiar snapping sound (audible in the room) which is 

 made by large wrasses when feeding and biting with their strong 

 jaws. 



Remarks on thb SurriY op Bait. 



The observations recorded above were made as a first step 

 towards a practical solution of the difficulties which beset the bait 

 question. It was felt that any attempt to find a cheap bait must be 

 begun by getting a knowledge of the ways in which fishes find and 

 recognise their food ; and it was anticipated that when such know- 

 ledge should have been acquired, it would be possible to make use 

 of it in a practical manner. Though the practical side of the sub- 

 ject was beyond the scope of this part of the investigation, it may 

 be permissible to make a few remarks upon this aspect of the 

 matter, and to indicate the lines of practical experiment to which 

 these observations point. 



The fishes which are chiefly sought by long-line fishermen on the 

 south coast of England are conger, skates, and rays ; while elsewhere 

 the most important fishes which are taken with a hook are cod and 

 halibut {Hippoglossus vulgaris). The chief substances used as bait 

 are — for the east coast of England and North Atlantic, the herring ; 

 for the Scotch fisheries, the whelk {Buccinum undatum) and the 

 mussel (Mytilus edulis) ; on the south coast of England the squid 

 {Loligo vulgaris) and the pilchard are most in demand; while in the 

 Channel Islands Ehdone is used in great quantity. Everywhere the 

 supply of bait is costly, and at times it fails, owing to calms or bad 

 weather. It is therefore important that some substance should be 

 obtained or manufactured which is attractive to fishes, but cheaper 

 and more regularly accessible than the natural baits at present used. 



