MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 31 



degrees lower than the highest of last year (72° F., on 

 August 15th), but the latter is probably to be regarded as 

 an exceptional occurrence, in an exceptionally hot sum- 

 mer. It is interesting to notice that in a few of the 

 observations taken by Mr. Browne in April, the water 

 out in the Bay, at a depth of 3 fathoms, was about 5° F. 

 below the surface temperature at the same time (after- 

 noon) . 



Nothing has yet been done in the direction of fish 

 hatching and lobster culture, for both of which important 

 industries Port Erin is so eminently suitable. There 

 are unfortunate parliamentary restrictions which at pre- 

 sent prevent the Lancashire Sea -Fisheries Committee 

 from spending money in this direction, upon what, from 

 their point of view, is foreign soil. The Manks Legis- 

 lature is, however, now stirring in the matter of their 

 coast fisheries. A bill has been promoted, has passed 

 through the House of Keys, and was lately promul- 

 gated, conferring powers, to make fishery bye -laws and 

 other necessary regulations, upon a committee. It remains 

 to be seen whether this committee will content itself with 

 "restrictive" legislation, or will supplement that by the 

 at least equally important and necessary "productive" 

 work which leads to the encouragement and advance of 

 fish culture and the stocking of beds and banks. Such 

 direct action in aid of the fishing industries cannot be 

 much longer delayed, and I am now of opinion that our 

 Station at Port Erin should, during the coming season, 

 be utilised for experimental work on fish hatching. Even 

 if we cannot obtain any assistance from the Lancashire 

 Committee, and if the Insular Government find they are 

 unable to aid in fish production, still our L. M. B. 

 Committee might establish one or two hatching boxes in 

 spring, test the quality of the water by an actual experi- 



