INVESTIGATIONS IN FORTH, 1886 AND 1887. 135 



The average number of saleable fishes per haul was 172, of 

 unsaleable 46, giving a total of 218, a number considerably 

 higher than that of St Andrews Bay, a fact which traverses 

 the suppositions so common about this period. 



The work of the '' Garland " in the Forth, therefore, showed 

 that food-fishes occurred in considerable numbers throughout 

 the area, especially when the inefficient means of capture is 

 borne in mind. A well-equipped trawler pursuing its work for 

 commercial purposes would have shown a different return, for 

 it would have been free to select its ground according to 

 weather, tide and season. 



The highest average (423 per haul) occurs on Station III. 

 from the centre of the Forth towards the southern shore and in 

 8 — 10 fathoms east of Inchkeith ; the next (308) is at Station II. 

 from Dysart to Leven in 9 to 12 fathoms; the third (211) on 

 Station I. in the centre of the estuary and in 10 to 18 fathoms ; 

 the fourth (204) on Station IV. off the southern shore between 

 Fisherow and Gullane Ness; the fifth comprises two stations, 

 VI. and VII., which have nearly the same average, viz. 1 97 and 

 196, yet they lie on opposite sides of the Forth, the former 

 being the short station (Fluke-hole, 13 to 14 fathoms) opposite 

 St Monance and Pittenween, and the latter along the south 

 shore westward of the Bass. The seventh place with an average 

 of 169 is held by Station V. running in the centre westwards 

 from the Isle of May and with a depth of 13 to 14 fathoms. 

 These were all within the enclosed area. The others, viz. VIII. 

 and IX. were outside the limit and with a depth of 18 to 20 

 fathoms, the former having an average of 114 per haul, and the 

 latter only 46. It may be doubted, however, whether the trawl 

 of the " Garland " was always effective in the deeper parts. 



In 1887 the work in the Forth was carried on in the 

 months of June, August, and September — all productive 

 months. It forms a useful comparison with that in St Andrews 

 Bay which was spread over four months, viz., May, June, 

 August and October, also all productive months {i.e. with a 

 high average). In neither area therefore did a winter month 

 reduce the average. Here as well as in St Andrews Bay the 

 increase in the fishes was noteworthy : the total was nearly 



