TKANSICTIONS OF SECTION D. 685 



1 . Progamic paragamy : the fusing nuclei are tlie normal gameto- 



nuclei of the progamous cell (ovum whicli has formed one polar 

 body in Pterotrachcea, Astrojiecfen). 



2. Apocytial paragamy : the vegetative nuclei of an apocytium fuse to 



form a zygote nucleus ('oospores' of Saprole(jniece). 



4. On Becent Investigations of the Marine Biological Association (Fishery 

 and Physical). Bij W. L. Caldekwood, Director. 



1. Fishery Investigations. — In the absence of general returns as to the increase 

 or decrease of any particular fishery in a given locality, we at Plymouth are from 

 time to time discussing the local fisheries. Papers have now been published on 

 the mackerel, herring, long-line, i.e. cod, conger, skate, &c., pilchard, and lobster 

 fisheries, the object being to shovr, as time goes on, any changes that may take 

 place in the relative abundance of the various fishes. 



Three investigations, started within the present year, which it is hoped will 

 prove of great value to the fishing population of this country, are : — 



a. The attempt to produce an artificial bait for use in long-line fishing. This 

 investigation is being carried on by a chemist from Professor Meldola's laboratory. 

 Considerable advance has been already made towards a satisfactory solution of this 

 difficult problem. 



h. An inquiry into the occurrence of anchovies off the south-west coast of 

 England. At present no net small enough in the mesh to capture anchovies is 

 employed, but these fishes appear so often when the ordinary pilchard nets become 

 entangled, as to suggest that they must be present in considerable quantities. 

 Anchovy nets have therefore been constructed and will be used during the pilchard 

 season this autumn. 



c. An investigation into the condition of the North Sea Fisheries, at present 

 declared to be rapidly declining : — 



1. To draw up a history of the North Sea trawling grounds, comparing the 



present condition with the condition, say, twenty to thirty years ago, 

 when comparatively few boats were at work. 



2. To continue, verify, and extend observations as to the average sizes at 



which prime fish (soles, turbot, brill) become sexually mature. 



3. To collect statistics as to the sizes of all fish captured in the vicinity of 



the Dogger Banks and the region lying to the eastward, so that the 

 number of immature fish aunually captured may eventually be esti- 

 mated. 



4. To make experiments with beam-trawl nets of various meshes, with a 



view to determine the relation, if any, between size of mesh and size 

 of fish taken. 



2. Phjsical Investigations. — A regular survey of the English Channel has been 

 commenced not only in the deep water but in the various estuaries. 



A Meteorological Station of the second order has been recently established 

 where observations at 9 a.m. and p.m. will be taken daily with wet and dry bulb 

 thermometers, barometer, rain-gauge, anemometer, and sunshine recorder. 



5. On the Groivth of Food-fishes and their Distribution at differ&nt ages. 

 By J. T. Cunningham, M.A. 



As the result of observations extended over the past two years, I have reached 

 some conclusions as to the rate of growth of certain food-fishes, the age at which 

 they begin to breed, and their distribution at diflerent ages. 



(1) Ilate of growth and age of sexual maturitg. — Numerou.? specimens of the 

 Flounder {Pl.flesus), were reared from the larval state in the Aquarium of the 

 Plymouth Laboratory. Measured in April, when a year old, they varied from 4 

 to 19 cm. (.about 1 i to 7^ inches). Specimens obtained in the Cattewater, and 



