RESIDENT SUPERINTENDENT. J 43 



fur owing to the immature conditiou of some fish I was 

 unable to satisfy myself of their sex. I also commenced 

 inquiries as to the movements, breeding grounds, and times of 

 breeding of this fish along the coast ; but upon the arrival of 

 Mr. Cunningham with instructions to work at these matters 

 I discontinued my observations. 



During the whole of the year, but chiefly since March, I 

 have been from time to time engaged in collecting specimens, 

 either along the shore or by trawling, dredging, or surface 

 netting; owing, however, to constant interruptions necessitated 

 by my various other duties, this work has not been regularly 

 followed. I have nevertheless made myself acquainted with 

 the characteristic features of the Fauna in various localities 

 within the Sound, and along the coast on the east side to 

 the river Yealm, and on the west side to the middle of Whit- 

 sand Bay, whde my journeys in trawling vessels have enabled 

 me to obtain a fair knowledge of the character of the fish- 

 ing grounds frequented by the Plymouth trawlers, and of 

 the work of these fishermen. The elaboration of a scheme 

 for the systematic recording of species collected has also had 

 my attention. {Vide Appendix.) 



The work of the Assistant Secretary has been carried 

 on by me during the year, and has almost daily occupied a 

 considerable portion of my time. The formation of a Libi-ary 

 has been a subject of consideration, and I have been success- 

 ful in obtaining from the Canadian, Danish, Dutch, French, 

 German, Japanese, Norwegian, and United States Governments 

 expression of their willingness to exchange their publications 

 upon fishei'ies, &c., for the publications of the Association, 

 and, indeed, with the exception of the Danish and Japanese, 

 all these Governments have forwarded a considerable number 

 of their Reports for past years. 



The Trustees of the Australian Museum, Sydney, have 

 forwarded a parcel of catalogues, and signified their wish to 

 exchange publications. The Trustees of the British Museum 

 have sent the Association a considerable number of their 

 catalogues on natural history subjects, and the Radcliffe 

 Library, catalogues of their natural science books from 

 1872 — 188G. The Board of Trade has sent a small selection 



