2848 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



to terras of Washington Treaty, it is understood that fish-oil includes 

 seal-oil. Explanation will oblige this government." And on the 3d 

 instant received the following reply, viz : " I am of opinion that fish-oil 

 does not include seal-oil. EARL KIMBERLY." 

 I have. &c., 



STEPHEN J. HILL. 



The Eight Honorable tbe EARL OF KIMBERLEY, 



Xow you were asked a question what you thought of the exclusion of 

 that oil. 



Mr. WHITEWAY. He didn't answer it. 



Mr. DANA. You withdrew it, didn't you? Perhaps this letter occurred 

 to your mind. 



The PRESIDENT. We suggested that the question had better be with- 

 drawn. 



By Sir Alexander Gait : 



Q. Before you leave, there are one or two questions I would like to 

 ask you. We have been told by a witness I think it was your pilot 

 that there was a difference in the appearance of the codfish that was 

 caught in certain waters. I would like to ask if you have noticed that 

 yourself. A. Yes, there are a great many varieties of cod. They are, 

 as far as I believe, one species, but they assume peculiar varieties, de- 

 pending upon the particular bottom they are found on and the food 

 they consume. Experts will tell you from what Banks particular fish 

 are taken. For instance, inshore cod are nearly all red, while outside 

 cod are gray. Some have larger heads, some smaller, some have stout 

 shoulders, and some are slender, but all these differences are local and 

 do not involve a distinction of species. 



Q. Would not that, in your opinion, confirm the theory that the cod 

 is not really a migratory fish ? A . It would. That is very good evi- 

 dence that there is no great migration. 



Q. There is another question I wished to ask you. You gave us 

 a very interesting account of a company that has been formed for the 

 purpose of catching these predaceous fish, and you seemed to think it 

 would have the effect of materially diminishing their numbers. Well, 

 if human means can reduce the predaceous fish, would you not think 

 that the appliances that are being used by fishermen must be diminish- 

 ing the edible fish ? A. I don't think that the amount captured by man 

 has any appreciable influence upon the supply of fish in the sea. 



Q. Well, that is what I understood you to say. A. That whatever 

 effect is produced by waste or extravagance in the capture of the fish is 

 itself so trifling, in proportion to the natural wear and tear of the fish, 

 that it may be thrown entirely out of account. The report of the Brit- 

 ish Fishery Commission is very satisfactory on that point. 



Q. The only reason why I asked the question was that you seemed 

 to think this company would succeed in reducing the number of preda- 

 ceous fish. A. Well, those are large and ta.ke a long time to get their 

 growth. You can imagine a limit to the abundance of certain fish like 

 the shark, though you cannot to the other fish, such as the cod and the 

 mackerel. 



Q. You are United States Commissioner. Are you clothed with 

 authority respecting the several States of the Union? A. fro. 



Q. Well, have you any authority ? rA. I have none, except that they 

 are all perfectly willing to have me spend all the money I will in their 





