MODERN INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SUBJECT I I 



little more is known about the spawning of round fish. The 

 spawn of the herring is certainly attached to small shells, sea- 

 weed, and other substances at the bottom of the sea. Professor 

 Sars has apparently proved that the spawn of the Gadidae 

 floats on the top of the water. The same thing has been 

 shown by the Hon. S. F. Baird, of the United States Fishery 

 Commission. . . . With these exceptions little is known of the 

 spawn of sea-fish." 



The Report goes on to state that more was known concern- 

 ing the habits of the fry ; that most young fish frequent the 

 shallow, sand}-, or muddy plains which are adjacent to the sea- 

 coast, or the mouths and estuaries of rivers. But a study of the 

 Appendices alread}' mentioned shows how meagre was the 

 supply of accurate information from which Buckland was able 

 to draw at that time. 



In iS8o was published The Natural Histojy of British Fishes, 

 by Frank Buckland. It consists of a popular account of each 

 fish in alphabetical order, and contains a considerable amount 

 of information, interspersed with anecdotes and personal ex- 

 periences in the author's well-known manner. But from a serious 

 point of view it is by no means so important as the official 

 Report of 1879, already mentioned. 



Dr. Francis Day's Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland was 

 issued in parts from 1880 to 1884. It is enriched with fine 

 lithographic plates from his own drawings of every British and 

 Irish species known to the author. It contains a vast amount 

 of information, and is one of the most valuable books of 

 reference accessible to the student of the fishes of the British 

 Islands. But with regard to the life histories of the fishes the 

 information given is far from satisfactor}', and by no means well 

 arranged. It deserves mention here that both Buckland and 

 Day were largely indebted to the personal observations of Mr. 

 Matthias Dunn, of Mevagissey, in Cornwall, who throughout a 

 long and busy life has perseveringly and very fruitfully applied 

 himself to the careful study of the habits and life histories of 

 the denizens of the waters near his home, and has made good 

 use of the exceptional opportunities for collecting which the 

 harbour of Mevagissey affords. 



The systematic investigation b}' modern methods of questions 

 relating to the fish-supply began in this countr}' with the estab- 



