SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 101 



of the Dovey and the Mawddach in relation to the flow 

 of sewage. He has observed the directions taken by 

 weighted floats, and has also made determinations of the 

 density of the water at different places in both estuaries. 

 He shows that surface currents from the vicinity of the 

 sewer outfalls flow mainly parallel to the shore, and in 

 some cases directly over the mussel beds. The problem 

 of any proper place for a cleansing pond thus becomes one 

 of great difficulty, and it is suggested that some method 

 of purification similar to that proposed for Conway might 

 be employed. The experiments at Conway thus become 

 of increased importance, as they may be applicable to 

 other localities. 



Nutrition of Marine Animals. 



In view of the remarkable statements published a few 

 years ago by Professor A. Putter, and accepted by some 

 biologists in this country, that marine animals, including 

 even fishes, could be nourished by the dissolved organic 

 carbon in sea-water, I invited Professor Benjamin Moore 

 to conduct a bio-chemical investigation of the matter at 

 the Port Erin Biological Station. I am glad to be able to 

 include in this volume two very important papers by 

 Professor Moore and others who worked with him, which 

 seem to prove conclusively that Putter was mistaken, that 

 there are no such quantities of dissolved carbon in sea- 

 water as he supposed, and that when a marine animal is kept 

 for long periods without solid food, although it may not 

 lose weight, it is undergoing profound changes in its con- 

 stitution, and is really subsisting on its own tissues. 



Amongst other minor pieces of work may be men- 

 tioned the statistical investigation bearing on the life- 



