X.-EXTRACTS FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 

 FISHERY BOARD OF SCOTLAND FOR THE YEAR ENDING DE- 

 CEMBER 31, 1882. 



A.— SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS PKOPOSED BY THE FISH- 

 EEY BOAED OF SCOTLAND, AS NECESSAEY FOE THE IM- 

 PEOVEMENT OF TEE FISHEEIES. 



Taking iuto consideration that the Board is not only required to make 

 suggestions for the improvement of the fisheries, but is empowered to 

 " take such measures for their improvement as the funds under their 

 administration, and not otherwise appropriated, may admit of," and 

 taking into consideration also the important practical results obtained 

 by the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, we decided, 

 as soon as provided with the necessary appliances, to institute inves- 

 tigations into the habits and life history of some of our more impor- 

 tant food -fishes, such as the herring, cod, ling, haddock, mackerel, sole, 

 plaice, and flounder. 



The following questions we consider as deserving of careful investi- 

 gations : 



1. The food, life history, distribution, and migration of useful fishes. 



2. The nature of the feeding and spawning grounds of food-fishes. 



3. The period of spawning, nature of the ova, and the time required 

 for and the conditions favorable to hatching. 



4. What means can be adopted for the protection of fish during their 

 early stages of growth, and what can be done to prevent the destruc- 

 tion of immature fish. 



5. What new useful fishes (such as the American shad and the land- 

 locked salmon) can be introduced, and how far the supply of our pres- 

 ent forms can be increased by artificial cultivation or protection during 

 the spawning period. 



6. The influence of atmospheric variations and of the changes of the 

 temperature of the water and of currents on the presence and migra- 

 tions of fish, and the nature and depth of the water where fish com- 

 monly abound. 



7. The special enemies of useful fishes, and the causes of the disap- 

 pearance of fish from certain districts. 



We further believe that it is desirable to make a collection of useful 

 fishes and their food. 

 Eecent investigations indicate that out of every million of ova of cod 



