194 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 
days have not been taken on all sides of the vessel, but in one partic- 
ular spot, where the bottom is more attractive than elsewhere. This spot 
is covered by tunicata called ‘sea-lemons’ and ‘sea-pumpkins.’ The 
moment the trawls strike the bottom covered by the stems of hydrozoa, 
by the crew called ‘trees,’ the fish are no longer found in any quantity.”* 
It will readily be seen from the preceding remarks that a careful survey 
of the banks, with the view of dertermining their limits, character, and 
fauna, could not fail of being of great use to the fishing interest, to 
say nothing of its immense importance, from a natural history and geo- 
ligical point of view. 
4,—CLIMATE. 
The climate on the banks for July and August is, on the whole, very 
favorable for fishing. In the tables thaf follow I have omitted observa- 
tions made in the harbor, in order to avoid confusing the two climates 
together, for there is considerable difference. The climate on the banks 
is more constant in temperature and absence of rain, but more variable 
in respect to wind. 
The temperature is very constant. The lowest observed was 36° Fahr. 
and the highest 52° Fahr. The extremes of surface temperatures were 
383° and 434° Fahr. There were no sudden changes, as the tables will 
show. The temperature was thus very favorable for work, though per- 
haps a little chilly in foggy weather, but nevertheless much better than 
the sweltering heat of summer in our own latitude. Themen even found, 
on sunny days, a temperature of 48° Fahr. uncomfortably warm for 
work. ‘n chilly daysa fire was kept in the cabin, so that all could keep 
comfortable when not working. 
A reference to the tables of the condition of the sky will show that we 
had very little rain on the banks. Clouds were common and fogs not 
rare, but it only rained four or five times, and then mostly in the shape 
of fine, misty rain, lasting at the longest only four or five hours. 
The tables of the wind need explanation. The directions expressed are 
those of the compass, which here varies about 70°; for not knowing the 
exact variation, I thought this the best way of expressing them. The esti- 
mations of the velocity is much of it guess-work, founded on remembrance 
of former estimates and comparisons of the wind’s velocity made by my- 
self, and, on this account, not much reliance can be placed on them except 
for the relative velocities of the winds observed. The hardest blow was 
August 14, on which day I have put the velocity down as between forty- 
five and fifty-five miles, and am well satisfied it could not have been any 
ereater. Between this and a perfect calm I have used six numbers to 
designate as many different velocities: 2 for air just perceptible; 5 for 
a breeze of three to ten miles an hour; 13 for a breeze of ten to fifteen 
miles an hour; 20 for a breeze of fifteen to twenty-five miles an hour; 30 
*T regard the occurance of the tunicata and hydrozoa as not immediately, if at all, 
casual, but rather concomitant, for I tailed to find traces of either in the stomachs of 
the fish. 
