1898] NOTES AND COMMENTS 149 
Another question pressing for scientific solution is the condition 
of the fisheries relatively to former years. There are many factors 
which beset this question with difficulty, but there is no doubt that 
in certain districts, for one reason or another, there has been a 
diminution of the fish-supply. From Jersey, for example, comes 
a plain statement by Mr Hornell upon the decadence of the local 
fisheries (Nouvelle Chronique de Jersey, March 1898), This was 
further borne out by the statements of Mr Renouf at the meeting of 
the ‘ Etats’ and resulted in the appointment of a special committee 
to consider the whole subject. In this particular instance the de- 
cadence is, according to Mr Hornell, more due to local destruction 
of young fish than to the more customary British scapegoat, the 
trawler. 
The April number of Za Piscicultwre Pratique contains the 
presidential address of the ‘ Conseil supérieur de Pisciculture.” Mr 
Bellesme has to repeat the old tale of science versus politics. His 
indictment against those in political power is sweeping but perhaps 
not undeserved. “ All their actions are subordinated to the desire 
of remaining in power and of providing handsomely for their families 
and for those who keep them at the top of the tree.” This is with- 
out doubt, telling the truth “ franchement et sans circonlocution.” 
The June number contains a very interesting article in connection 
with the successful introduction of the Californian salmon. At 
Vicence, the young salmon of 1895 have been reared in a lake near 
the laboratory and artificial propagation from these is now about to 
be attempted. Mr Beilesme, in an able paper, points out the method 
of procedure which should be adopted im order to ensure success. 
The same writer contributes a general account of the rearing of 
larval fish. 
STEAM-TRAWLING OFF JAMAICA 
THE Carribean Sea Fisheries Development Syndicate, Limited, is an 
imposing title. The body bearing this name was subsidised by the 
Jamaica Legislative Council for 1896 to institute preliminary experi- 
ments with a steam trawler in Jamaican waters. Jamaica has to 
draw very largely upon Canada and the United States for its fish- 
supply, and it was thought that the adoption of the latest methods 
of steam trawling in the local waters might be attended with success 
in the way of profit to those pursuing the industry and of gain to 
the community of the island. To this end the steam trawler “ Capri- 
cornus,” from the Iceland Fisheries, equipped with well, otter-trawl, 
and a Grimsby crew was chartered and worked through the district 
for nearly three months. The record of the log demonstrates pretty 
clearly that the method of steam trawling is impracticable for this 
area. The customary ending to each haul appears to have been a 
torn net, and the actual number of fish caught seems to have been 
