Prince. — Inimical AnimaU and Conditions 63 



IMMENSE ABUNDANCE OF JELLYFISH. 



A few weeks ago I passed in a small scientific launch 

 through countless masses of jellyfish (chiefly Aurelia) 

 in Passamaquoddy Bay. The numbers of various species 

 are often almost beyond belief, and in the State of Con- 

 necticut, some years ago it was stated that shad fishing 

 was stopped by the jellyfish whose hordes literally swept 

 away the nets and stakes like an onrushing army. 



Dr. Richard Rathbun in his report on Pacific Fishing 

 Banks (United States Fisheries Bureau Report, Part 

 XVII, 1893) says of Slime Bank in Bering Sea: "This 

 bank derives its name from the occurrence of immense 

 numbers of a large jellyfish, brownish or rusty in color, 

 and provided with long slender tentacles, having great 

 stinging powers. These jellyfishes, it is said, have never 

 been observed at the surface, but seem to occupy an in- 

 termediate zone toward the bottom, where they occasion 

 much annoyance to the fishermen by becoming entangled 

 about their fishing gear, and in this way are often 

 brought on board the vessels. It is also reported that 

 sometimes they even interfere with the hooks reaching 

 bottom, and, by covering the bait and lines with a prickly 

 slime, render the former unattractive to the fish and the 

 latter very uncomfortable to handle. In the early part 

 of the season not much trouble is experienced from this 

 cause, but by July 1, the jellyfishes become so thick that 

 it is almost useless to remain longer upon the bank, and 

 other localities farther north are then resorted to. Ex- 

 cept for this unusual phenomenon, however, the advan- 

 tages for fishing on Slime Bank are excellent. The larg- 

 est and most thrifty looking cod were taken by the 

 Albatross some 6 or 8 miles from shore, but fish of fair 

 size and good quality were plentiful over nearly the en- 

 tire bank. Small specimens of halibut were also secured 

 occasionally, and the beam trawl disclosed a rich bottom 

 fauna. Attempts have been made to use cod trawls upon 

 this bank, but without success, owing to the obstacles 

 which the jellyfishes interpose." 



