X PREFACE. 



as the reverse, provided his facts warranted it. Misinterpreta- 

 tion or overstraining of the deductions in any case is equally 

 distasteful, and would be equally shortlived. 



It is interesting that similar conclusions to those formed by 

 the author were reached by Professor Huxley and others from 

 a totally different stand-point, a fact which does not detract 

 from the strength of the position. The opportunities for 

 practical inquiries into every branch of the subject have been — 

 during the fifteen years' inquiry — greater than at any former 

 period in this country. 



While pondering over all the facts, and fully conscious of 

 the responsibility entailed, one relief has ever been present, 

 and that is — perfect faith iu the marvellous ways of Nature in 

 the ocean, ways which enable her to cope, in regard to the 

 food-fishes, with all the wonderful advances in apparatus for 

 capture, and with the steady increase of population. 



It was intended to have printed every table prepared during 

 the ten years, but their number (108) was formidable, and 

 hence only such as were essential for the appreciation of the 

 facts have been given. In the preparation of these the author 

 has been aided by a series of valued young friends, amongst 

 whom the late Rev. R. Gillespie, M.A., the Rev. E. Teviotdale, 

 Mr W. E. Oollinge, Mr Alex Thorn, Mr Thomas Cargill, 

 Mr Frank M. Milne, and Mr A. F. Munro deserve special 

 mention. The genial companionship of these gentlemen and 

 their unwearied efforts were sources of sincere satisfaction. 

 The heaviest share of the work fell to Mr Frank M. Milne, M.A. 



The author has also to acknowledge the aid received in 

 regard to the woodcuts of fishes from Dr Murie, LL.D., and 

 Messrs Cassell, Fetter, Galpin and Co., and for photographs 

 from A. Wallace Brown, a name — for fully fifteen years — both 

 welcome and familiar to every worker at the Marine Laboratory. 

 To his valued colleague in the University, Dr Masterman, he is 

 indebted for the preparation of the Index. 



In recent times great advances, inaugurated by Prof Baird, 

 have been made in connection with the fisheries by the United 

 States Fish-Commission, and carried on by a distinguished 

 band of workers, amongst whom the names of Alex. Agassiz, 



