144 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Trachurus japonicus — the Maaji — among the Horse-Mackerels 

 {Garangidce), is another food-fish, used either fresh or dried. It 

 would therefore appear to be superior to the Scad or Horse- 

 Mackerel of our shores, which is but rarely used as food, though 

 from the days of Pennant it has been " firm and well tasted," 

 especially when it reaches the shores and estuaries in spring. 



The Muroadsi {Decapterus muroadsi), a closely allied form, is 

 very common, frequenting the warm currents in shoals from May, 

 its spawning season till October, and near the shores. 



Paralichthys olivaceus — the Hurame — a flat-fish (Pluronectid) 

 of some size (83 cm.) ; indeed, it is exceeded only by the Ohio 

 [Hippoglossoides) . It is a valued food both in the fresh and dried 

 condition. Before spawning it comes into shallower water (five 

 fathoms), and is ripe in May and June, the female having about 

 two million pelagic eggs with an oil globule. It is stated to 

 become mature in about five years, and that the sexes can be 

 distinguished by the position of their genital openings, a feature 

 sometimes overlooked in the fishes of our own country. It 

 appears that the catch of this fish has been increasing since 

 1899, and the fishery is carried out on or near sand-banks, and 

 with trawl and gill-nets. Hooks are, however, used in water of 

 thirty fathoms, and the usual bait is "brined" sardines. 



This part contains, like the former, a series of illustrations of 

 the apparatus and methods of fishing of the Japanese — such as 

 sheet-nets for capturing fishes in shoals ; lines with attached 

 wire-cage near the sinker, as a lure, so that the fishes are attracted 

 first and then captured by the hooks ; besides figures of lines 

 and hooks, the methods of setting, and boats at work near the 

 coast. 



The excellent character of the work is maintained in this part 

 both as regards text and illustrations. 



