SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 95 



identified, with notes on the species, are given in the 

 Report in continuation of the similar tables published 

 in former years. 



Parasites and Diseases of Fishes. 



Dr. Johnstone continues his work on diseases of fishes. 

 He records the occurrence of, and describes several 

 interesting fish parasites. Various abnormal and patho- 

 logical conditions in edible fishes are described, including 

 reports on several specimens of fishes condemned by 

 Inspectors. This work is mainly of theoretical importance, 

 but has practical and administrative bearings. Market 

 Inspectors do not, as yet, know enough of the pathology 

 of fishes to help them in their work. Valuable fish have 

 sometimes been condemned, although the abnormal 

 appearances on which the condemnation was based did 

 not necessarily render the fish unsuitable for human food. 

 On the other hand, it might be dangerous to health to 

 allow obviously diseased fish to be sold as human food so 

 long as the precise nature of the disease is unknown. 

 From this point of view Dr. Johnstone's investigations of 

 these various diseased conditions is very valuable. 



Fishery Statistical Investigations. 



Dr. Johnstone continues his detailed work on 

 measurements of plaice: — (1) the measurements of the 

 lengths of the plaice captured on board the " James 

 Fletcher," and to a smaller extent on board some of the 

 Bailiffs' cutters; (2) the examination of the samples of 

 plaice sent to the Liverpool University Laboratory. 

 Neither series of records is as complete as H might be, but 

 still they are of value. Tables giving the results of all 

 1 hese measurements are published in this Report in the 



