90 BRITISH FISHERIES 



possible to submit satisfactory reports to Parlia- 

 ment, either as to the improvement or as to 

 the regulation of the fisheries."^ A scientific 

 committee was therefore appointed, suggestions 

 for research work were drafted, and application 

 was made to the Treasury for funds to carry 

 on investigations. Meanwhile several expeditions 

 were made on the cruisers Vigilant and Jackal ; 

 various scientific men began research work ; 

 and with the funds at their disposal the 

 Board assisted in the equipment of a marine 

 laboratory at St Andrews, under the direction 

 of Professor W. C. M'Intosh — an institution in 

 which much research work of notable value was 

 afterwards effected. It was soon found, however, 

 that this organisation was quite inadequate, and 

 the Board came to feel keenly : " (i) That almost 

 everything has still to be learned regarding the 

 habits and life-history of our food-fishes ; (2) 

 that, if provided with even limited funds, the 

 Board, with the assistance of the officers already 

 in its service, will be able to remove not a little 

 of this ignorance ; (3) that the fishermen, fish- 

 curers, and the country generally are profoundly 

 interested in the scientific as well as the practical 

 side of the fishery industry, and are prepared to 

 do their utmost to secure for the Board whatever 

 may be necessary for its successful prosecution."^ 



1 Second Annual Report, Fishery Board for Scotland, 1883, p. xix. 



2 Ibid., p. xxii. 



