mi 



seen on the coast, so far as Capt. Atwood knew, for fifty 

 years. In 1847 they returned to the North of Cape Cod 

 in great abundance, and have since been taken in large 

 quantities in weirs and nets, and by the hook, near the 

 shore. Now they avoid the shore, and, during the last 

 year or two have kept in the Bay, where it is difficult to 

 capture them, as they seldom take the hook, though, until 

 recently, they were most voracious and game fish. 



The Menhaden, which were formerly so great a pest to 

 the fisherman, and considered only fit for manure, appear 

 in vast numbers on the coast of Massachusetts during the 

 summer, a little later than the Mackerel, and remain until 

 late in the season. They are now a valuable source of 

 income, being caught for the oil, which is pressed from 

 them, and sold for $40 a barrel. The refuse, after the 

 oil is extracted, is used as a fertilizer arid commands a 

 high price. The sides of these fish are also salted, packed 

 in barrels, and sold at a good price for Mackerel bait. 

 The Menhaden does not spawn while on our coast, and it 

 is only in the few, which have been driven into the rivers 

 and which do not leave the coast until December or Jan- 

 uary, that spawn has been found. In the month of Au- 

 gust and September a few of the young Menhaden are 

 seen in our harbors ; but further south, along the coast of 

 Virginia, the young are seen in countless millions, and in 

 heavy storms are driven on shore and left to die. On the 

 coast of Virginia, small Menhaden appear after the large 

 ones have left for the North. From the fact that the 

 Menhaden which visit us during the summer, are either of 

 a large and uniform size, or quite young, this species is 

 supposed to attain its growth in a single year. 



On motion of Kev. Mr. Wildes, the thanks of the Insti- 

 tute were voted to Capt. Atwood, for his interesting re- 

 marks. 



Donations to the Library and Cabinets were announced. 



John Dixey, Joseph B. F. Osgood, and Edward H. 

 Knight, of Salem, were elected Resident Members. 



