2 
year, some more detailed contribution of permanent value 
to Fisheries Science. Thus, once we had the work on the 
Chemistry and Pathology of Oysters and other shell-fish, 
and their connection with disease in man; once we had 
the account of oyster culture on the West Coast of France ; 
Mr. Johnstone in one report dealt with the reproduction of 
the common mussel, and in another he gave us a very full 
account of the cockle ; and last year the report contained a 
detailed description of certain very important fish parasites. 
This year we have what I suppose is the most complete 
account of a single fish that has yet been produced. It is 
a memoir on the common Plaice (Plewronectes platessa), by 
Mr. F. J. Cole, of University College, and Mr. James John- 
stone. Mr. Cole and Mr. Johnstone have had this work in 
hand for the last two years, and the pages and plates that 
make up the greater part of this report represent an enor- 
mous amount of labour both in the laboratory and the study. 
The Plaice is one of our most important British fishes; it is | 
one of those local and sedentary forms in regard to which 
our apprehensions may well be excited in view of the 
marked increase of fishing power in recent years. It was 
one of the fish to which the attention of the Parliamen- 
tary Committees of 1893 and 1900 was. specially given, and 
in which all the Countries of Northern Europe are at 
present interested because of the scheme for an International 
Investigation of the North Sea. Under these circumstances 
any contribution to our knowledge of the Plaice must be 
especially welcome, and all knowledge it must be remem- 
bered is of value, and helps us to understand the nature 
and life of the fish in its manifold relations. For those 
readers, however, who do not feel interested in the details 
of structure, I may add that the Introduction, the discussion 
of the nature and origin of the asymmetry, and the two 
