202 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



We may here briefly refer to the last two classes of exhibits, 

 namely : — 



Class VI.— FISHING— FISHERY LAWS— FISH COMMERCE. 



1. Ancient Fishing Implements or their Reproductions — Models — Pictures 



— Books — Emblems — Charters and Seals of Ancient Fishermen 

 Guilds. 



2. Fishery Laws of different Countries. 



3. Copies of Treaties, Conventions, &c, dealing with International Fishery 



Relations. 



4. Reports, Statistics and Literature of Fish, Fishing, and Fisheries. 



5. Reports on Acclimatisation of Fish, and of Attempts in the Direction. 



As regards the exhibits in this class we have vet to learn 

 what facilities will be afforded for enabling visitors to derive 

 profit from them. It is clear that one cannot peruse a 

 charter, or code of fishery laws in the same space of time that 

 one would look at a trawl-net, or examine a model oyster- 

 bed, while the incessant interruption from passers-by would 

 render any attempt at study hopeless. Unless, therefore, some 

 provision be made in the shape of a quiet reading-room to 

 which, under proper restrictions, maps, charts, books, or reports 

 may be carried for reference, we do not see that the formation of 

 this class of exhibits will lead to any useful result. 



Class VII. is devoted to Loan Collections, some of which — 

 such as Lady Brassey's Collection of Corals — are said to be quite 

 unique of their kind. 



As our object, however, is not to write a detailed catalogue of 

 the contents of the Exhibition, but merely to direct attention to 

 such features as are most likely to interest the readers of ' The 

 Zoologist,' we must pass on to the Gardens, or rather to such 

 portions of them as remain uncovered by buildings, in order to 

 point out the animal-life which may be seen there. 



The notion of exhibiting living specimens of piscivorous 

 mammals and birds in connection with a Fisheries Exhibition 

 shows hew comprehensive has been the scheme of the Directors, 

 which enables the public to see not only the many and varied 

 contrivances which man has designed for fishing, but also to 

 study the appearance and actions of some of the natural enemies 

 of fish in the shape of Seals and Otters, Cormorants, and other 

 waterfowl. 



