416 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



52. They do. 



5C. Used for tanniug j)urposes. 



57. From forty to fifty cents per gallon. 



58. I cannot see that they diminish under any circumstances. 



29. Statement of C. B. Marchant, collector of customs, Edgartown, 21ass., 



January 13, 1875. 



1. This species is known in this locality by the name of menhaden. 



2. They are more abundant here than any other species of fish. 



3. Their numbers have not materially decreased or diminished during 

 the last tea years. 



4. There were about 5,000 barrels taken here in 1873 ; in 1872, 10,000 

 barrels. The following companies and persons are engaged in their 

 capture : Jason Luce & Co., Richard Flanders & Co., Prince Stewart 

 & Co., Edwin A. Luce, Thomas iTorton, Edmund Cottle, and John 

 Look. 



5. Their cai^ture does not affect their abundance. 



6. They come on the coast the 1st of May ; other schools at intervals 

 to the middle of June. The first caught are not the largest taken during 

 the season. 



7. They swim near the surface, ripple the water, and attract birds. 



8. They enter these waters from the southwest. 



9. They frequently fail for one or more seasons, but return again in 

 usual numbers. 



10. Pounds used for their capture appear to scare them. 



11. More fish are caught on the first of an ebb-tide than at other 

 times. 



12. Their favorite locality in this vicinity is the Vineyard Sound. 



13. They are found in greatest numbers in deep water near the shore, 

 and on the surface of the water. 



14. They seek water of the highest temperature. 



15. All fish seen are of full growth, or nearly so. 

 10. Young fish are not often seen on this coast. 



17. They leave this vicinity about the middle of July, and, return in 

 small numbers in November. 



18. They are moving to the eastward. 

 10. Unknown. 



20. Unknown. 



29. The spav/n is often found to escape when captured. 



30. The blaefish destroy the spawn ; the parent fish is not known to 

 devour them. 



31. Crabs, worms, &c., not observed attached to gills or mouths of 

 these fish. 



32. The enemies of these fish do not perceptibly diminish their num- 

 bers in this locality. 



