b, Biological 
ADMINISTRATION-REPORT 1904—05 — XII — 
observations to be taken account of nor all the details to be given, especially 
_ as the observations extend over such a wide space of time. Correspondence 
has been carried on with the directors of the investigations in the various 
countries in order to improve upon the method of representation, and new 
proof-charts have been prepared and submitted to them. A definite and satis- 
factory arrangement of the matter has not yet been reached. 
An endeavour has also been made to determine how far the method of 
investigation hitherto followed is able to give an adequate picture of the prin- 
cipal hydrographic changes. This has led to the belief, that an extension of 
the method of investigation is very desirable, especially in the direction of 
observations between the seasonal cruises both on the surface and in deep 
water. Correspondence was also carried on with the experts regarding this 
matter and the question was prepared for treatment in the Hydrographical 
Section of the Council in July 1905. 
Some preliminary endeavours have been made towards an elaboration of 
the hydrographical material so far collected, the average values of the salinities 
from all stations at any given depth being calculated and set down on a proof- 
chart, which might serve as the model for a graphic representation of the 
average salinity. Proposals for a further elaboration and publication in this 
direction, both as regards the average salinity and the deviations therefrom, 
were drawn up and submitted to the Hydrographical Section at the meeting 
of the Council in July 1905. 
By means of correspondence with the director of the Irish investigations, 
Mr. E. W. L. Hot, the arrangement was arrived at, whereby the Irish hydro- 
sraphical investigations are to be carried out m the same manner and with — 
the same instruments as in the other participating countries, and the results of 
these investigations are now published in the Bulletin. 
b. The work of the Bureau in connection with the biology of marine 
forms of life and the fisheries has been almost exclusively of a statistical nature 
during the year 1904—05. 
1. In the Report of Administration for last year the information was given, 
that a review over the statistics of the North Sea fisheries was being pre- 
pared by the General Secretary and the Biological Assistant, Dr. H. M. Kyrr, 
from the statistical publications of the different countries. In the first portion 
of this work, the available statistical material was summarised for a period 
of ten years, each of the countries taking part in the North Sea fisheries 
being separately treated; the summaries for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, 
