EFFECTS OF THE MENHADEN AND MACKEREL FISHERIES. 283 
script notes furnished by Professor Baird, based upon opinions and information 
elicited by means of circulars from fishermen, manufacturers, customs officers, 
light keepers, etc., supplemented to some extent by observations by United 
States fisheries agents. Doctor Goode states that it was found necessary to 
make allowances for many inaccuracies of statement on the part of his corre- 
spondents, and that some of them, having been unable to obtain exact informa- 
tion, had ventured to guess at what they did not really know from experience. 
It might possibly have been added that some of that which they “really did 
know from experience’? may have been inaccurate from misinterpretation of 
phenomena or errors of observation. Doctor Goode admits also that there 
remains much to be learned, but presents his views regarding the most plausible 
theories, which must, until more thorough and systematic investigations are 
made, take the place of actual knowledge. These theories have taken the place 
of actual knowledge, so far as publication is concerned, to the present day, for 
since Goode’s History there is no adequate account of the menhaden accessible 
to the student or the public. 
During the early nineties the United States Bureau of Fisheries made the 
menhaden and mackerel subjects of special investigation, and a vast amount of 
data was accumulated, though never utilized, at least in publication. The present 
writer was engaged in both investigations during those years and has since 
from time to time had opportunities, of which he has availed himself, to observe 
both species under various conditions and in various places. It is upon the 
personal observations thus made, together with some of the unpublished notes 
in the files of the Bureau of Fisheries, that this essay is based. Owing to present 
limits of space, however, the writer is compelled to leave his statements mainly 
unsupported by any transcription of the copious notes mentioned, and also 
must assume that the audience is familiar with the published literature upon the 
species herein treated. 
HABITAT AND MOVEMENTS OF MENHADEN AND MACKEREL. 
That the habits of some fishes of different ages differ to some extent in regard 
to their food, and consequently their habitat, is well known. It is a matter of 
common observation to those who have given attention to the habits of the 
menhaden that the different sizes, as a rule, are found in different places and 
under different conditions. The smaller the fish, the shallower the water and 
the farther up creeks and streams it occurs, even in fresh water. This may be 
_ for either or both of two reasons: (1) Owing to different character of food of 
the different sizes, or (2) for protection against enemies. Perhaps the latter is 
the more probable. 
Young mackerel 4 to 5 inches long occur sometimes abundantly well up 
harbors, even about the docks, where larger mackerel never appear. They have 
been plentiful in Gloucester and Portland harbors, in the former place sometimes 
