MOVEMENTS OF THE MACKEREL SCHOOLS. 285 



time in that paper, and also in the Eeport of the Fish Commissioii, part v. I feel the utmost 

 confidence in Dr. Gilpin's statements as to facts observed, though my interpretation might perhaps 

 be different : 



Halifax, June 19, 1878. 



Me. Editor : In some papers published some time since in the "Forest and Stream" upon 

 the habits of the Mackerel, it is asserted by Prof. Brown Goode that there is no reliable evidence 

 of Mackerel being seen upon the coast of Nova Scotia after the 25th of October, quoting me as his 

 authority. Had he quoted me as giving the 1st of November, 1868, when the iish market at 

 Halifax was full, I should have felt more complimented, as I should have known he had read my 

 paper with more attention. In summing up my remarks I stated that Mackerel remain usually all 

 November on the surface in Nova Scotia, and daring mild winters linger to December. This, 

 Professor Goode says, is not reliable as scientific evidence, because no specific dates are given. 

 To admit this would be to destroy almost the whole mass of inforjnation compiled in the report of 

 both the Royal and American Commissioners of English and American fisheries. But as I am 

 certain that Professor Goode's desire is to have the truth simply, will you allow me a place in your 

 columns to add to my previous assertions such specific dates as I may be able now to obtain, 

 though not admitting his principle "l 



On May 23, 1875, going into the Halifax fish market, I asked generally how long are Mackerel 

 in market. I was answered, generally all through November. On asking how long in December 

 they had known them in market, Mr. Greywire said: "I recollect them as late as the 10th of 

 December. We keep our nets out to the 30th of November. Men hire to that time. Mackerel 

 are seen after that date, but the seas are so boisterous that our nets are destroyed. Some few 

 parties will keep them out in December in spite of cold and storms." Mr. White corroborated this, 

 Mr. Thomas Braokett said he had taken them often in December, and often in weather so cold 

 that the fish were frozen in removing them from the meshes of the nets, but could remember no 

 dates. Mr. William Duffy stated he saw one once on the 24th of December. He recollected it 

 because it was Christmas eve, and on account of its rarity ; but he had frequently taken them 

 during December, though having no dates. The nets used are about two fathoms deep, set near 

 the shore in about five to ten fathoms of water. My own recollections, but without dates, are 

 seeing stops made in very cold weather and frozen ground, which must have been late in November. 

 I think I have now made good my assertion that they linger to December, and that in any future 

 history of their habits it must be assumed as truth that they remain in numbers during November, 

 but are found sparingly later on our coasts. ^ Where they are during those dates in any intermediate 

 point from Maine to Virginia, must be left to American observers. When these blanks are filled 

 and a generalization made their history will be more complete, a task we may well leave in the 

 hands of the American Commissioners of Fisheries. 



In my paper (1865) I speak of their asserted torpidity and the story of their blindness as 

 needing more proof before they are asserted as facts. I have had nothing to alter my opinion 

 since. In examining the eyes of many Mackerel on May 23 and 27 and October 27, in different 

 years, I have found that, as in most fish, the bony orbit is much larger than the base of the eye, 

 and that the space is filled by gelatinous substance, which may be called cellular membrane, and 

 adipose deposit to this transparent membrane arising from the outer angle of this orbit and spread- 

 ing half over the pupil of the eye. It may easily be raised and defined by passing a penknife 

 between it and the eye. At the inner angle there is also a similar, but much smaller, membrane, 

 not reaching to the eye. As the Mackerel appear on our coasts about the 15th of May, and these 



