DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY. 179 



VI. — Economic Zoology. 



I. Mammalia. 



The question of the protection of Whale.s has received much 

 attention during the year. The rate at which these animals 

 are being destroyed in Subantarctic waters gives rise to serious 

 anxiety ; and the Department has taken various measures with 

 the view of calling attention to the subject and, it is hoped, of 

 assisting in the preservation of these animals. 



The Expedition undertaken by the late Major G. E. H. 

 Barrett-Hamilton to South Georgia was one of the results of 

 the action thus taken. It was sent out in the autumn of 1913 

 by the Colonial Office, with the view of obtaining accurate 

 information with regard to the species of whales and their 

 mode of life and migrations. Major Barrett-Hamilton, who 

 was accompanied by P. Stammwitz, Taxidermist to the Depart- 

 ment, most unfortunately died on January 17, 1914 ; and many 

 of the results which it was ho[)ed to obtain will thus not be 

 available. He had left a number of notes on his observations ; 

 and an attempt will be made to work these up as far as 

 possible. 



A Memorandum on the serious destruction of Whales in the 

 past, principally in Northern waters, was prepared by the 

 Keeper for the use of an Interdepartmental Committee which 

 is inquiring into this subject ; and the Keeper also gave 

 evidence before the Committee. 



II. AVES. 



The Department has assisted the Colonial Oflice by sup- 

 plying information with regard to the species of Birds 

 requiring protection in various British Colonies and Pro- 

 tectorates. 



III. Pisces. 



The greater part of the work done by the Assistant in 

 charge of the collection of Fishes had a direct or indirect 

 bearing on economic problems. 



As examples may be mentioned that inquiries have been 

 answered from, and specimens determined foi-, the Board of 

 Agriculture and Fisheries, the Fisheries Assistant of the 

 Marine Biological Laboratory, Plymouth, the Imperial Insti- 

 tute, &c. 



Two Companies engaged in the fishing industry were given 

 information as to the fishes of West Africa likely to prove 

 of economic value. 



The monograph of the Cyprinodont Fishes of the sub- 

 family Poeciliinse was undertaken largely because several of the 

 species are known to eat mosquito-larvse and thus help to 

 check malarial fever. 



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