184 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



sioners, and approved by the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries (see Chart, p. 180). 



Lines 1 and 2 are investigated monthly, and Lines 1, 

 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are investigated quarterly. Hydro- 

 graphic soundings are made on Line 2 only. At the other 

 Stations only surface samples are collected, and only 

 surface observations made. 



In addition to these periodic investigations, surface 

 sea-temperature observations are made from the 

 S.S. "James Fletcher" hourly when the vessel is at 

 sea. These observations are altogether very numerous, 

 but the area under investigation is large, so that at some 

 points the number of observations is not relatively great. 

 Further, the vessel, when not on a hydrographic cruise, 

 is necessarily obliged for the most part to cruise along 

 certain definite tracks, and sea-areas in which illegal 

 trawling may occur are more often visited than are other 

 areas. The result is that our detailed knowledge of the 

 temperature of the sea on some of the important fishing 

 grounds throughout the year is still far from complete. 



The water samples are examined chemically by 

 Prof. H. Bassett, and the salinities are determined 

 by him. These results for the past year, and a discussion 

 with reference to the water circulation in the Irish Sea, 

 and the weather conditions of 1912, are contained in 

 Dr. Bassett's report, which is printed below. 



The statistics of the winter plaice fishery off the 

 coasts of North Wales have been analysed by Mr. James 

 Johnstone, and an attempt has been made to deduce some 

 relationship between the variations in this fishery and 

 the deviations from normal conditions of the sea with 

 regard to temperature. So far, however, no clear 

 and certain relationship between these events can be 

 demonstrated. 



