On the HcdcMnf) of Herrinrj Ova in Dcc^j Water. 47 



their return journey in the spring, keep further out to sea 

 than do the adult females and younger animals. 



In conclusion, I may state that I have preserved the 

 greater part of the viscera of the Dunbar Hijioeroodon, and 

 my examination of these will give, I hope, material for a 

 second communication to the Society. 



II. On the Hatehing of Herring Ova in Deep Water. By 

 J. C. EwART, Esq., M.D., Professor of Natural History, 

 University of Edinburgh. 



(Read 16tb December 1885.) 



The importance of the Scottish Herring Fisheries is so 

 ereat, that it becomes us as a nation to do our utmost to 

 learn everything that is likely to throw light on the life- 

 history, migration, and other habits of the herring, and to 

 discover, by experiment and otherwise, the best methods of 

 distributing and preserving them when captured. 



Hitherto learned societies in this country have not con- 

 cerned themselves much with the practical application of 

 science, but it seems to me the time has come when science 

 might with great advantage begin to point the more ex- 

 cellent way to those engaged in the ordinary business of 

 every-day life. There is perhaps no industry in which there 

 is more room for improvement than the fishery industry; 

 there is certainly no industry in which Scotland has so much 

 interest as the fishing industry. Notwithstanding this, we 

 are still painfully ignorant of the habits, food, and migrations 

 of most of the food-fishes, and we know still less of the 

 nature of the spawn and of the time of spawning. Further, 

 we have almost everything to learn as to the distribution of 

 fresh fish, and as to the most economical means of preserving 

 those not required for immediate consumption. 



During comparatively recent years some striking changes 

 have been effected in the herring fishing. First of all, there 

 has been an immense increase in the " take." In 1810 only 

 90,000 barrels were cured; in 1820 there were nearly 450,000 



