196 LE NATURALISTE CANADIEN 



certain problems urgently need investigation. Problem and 

 man wrongly mated are barren of results. 



While it is ordinarily supposed that investigators are chosen 

 to fit the problems, it is more the truth that, investigators being 

 few and problems many, the problems are chosen to fit the in- 

 vestigators. 



While the détails of the investigations at the station at St. 

 Andrews, N. B., would be appreciated only by the specialists 

 who make use of them, it may be of interest to the fishing indus- 

 try to know something of the nature and bearing of the problems 

 investigated. This is not, however, the place, nor the occasion 

 to more than briefly outline some of the results obtained in 

 the work, much of which is still in progress and not at the stage 

 for definite pronouncements. Also lack of space prevents our 

 explaining except in the briefest manner, the application that 

 is likely to be made of such results as hâve been obtained. Each 

 of the various problems really calls for separate fuller treatment. 



Mackerel Investigations 



At the suggestion of the fishing interests of the Atlantic coast 

 of Nova Scotia, the expédition planned for the Biological Boat 

 " Prince " along that coast for the past summer was devoted 

 largely to an investigation of the mackerel. It was expected 

 that knowledge would be gained as to any spawning of the mack- 

 erel there and as to whether such spawning was or could be suc- 

 cessful. Also it was planned to collect information generally 

 on the life history, habits, and occurrence of the mackerel. 

 Margaret's bay and the coastal waters were covered repeatedly 

 from Cape Sable to Country Harbour. 



Dr. P. Cox, of Fredericton, undertook the gênerai study of 

 the occurrence of the mackerel and of its habits and conditions 

 locally near Hubbards. Mr. M. I. Sparks, of Toronto, examined 

 microscopically the material taken in fine nets in order to déter- 

 mine when and where mackerel eggs were spawned and whether 

 or not they succeeded in hatching out in those cold waters. 

 Comprehensive material for this and other problems was col- 



