SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 227 



Pressure of other work interfered at times with the 

 experiments of 1906. It was not always an easy matter 

 to obtain sufficient quantities of fish of suitable sizes. 

 Then during November and December very rough weather 

 was experienced, and some projected experiments had to 

 be abandoned. 



As in former years, I am greatly indebted for 

 assistance in these experiments. Both Dr. Jenkins and 

 Capt. Wignall have given every facility and displayed 

 great forbearance during the prosecution of experiments 

 which have, no doubt, tended to disturb the usual routine 

 of the patrol work of the " John Fell." As in former 

 years, the chief Fishery officers have given indispensable 

 assistance in receiving and forwarding marked fishes 

 handed them by fishermen. Several members of the 

 Sea Fisheries Committee (Messrs. Harley, Dean, 

 Houldsworth, Saycell and Garnett) have also given 

 invaluable assistance, and several gentlemen (Mr. Robert 

 Knox, Douglas; Mr. A. J. Rust, of the Milford Haven 

 Committee; Mr. F. B. Rees, Milford Haven; and the 

 Customs' officers of that port — Mr. T. Parker, Grlenluce; 

 Professor D'Arcy Thompson, Dundee; and Mr. E. W. L. 

 Holt, of the Irish Department of Agriculture and 

 Technical Instruction), quite unconnected with the 

 Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee, have 

 given every assistance. 



During 1906, 683 plaice and other fishes were marked 

 and liberated. Of this total number 88 were flounders, 

 38 were dabs and 13 were small brills. One large cod was 

 also marked and liberated, but was not heard of again. 

 No soles were dealt with, as our former experience (and 

 that of other investigators) of marking this fish has been 

 unfavourable. Flounders give very favourable results, 

 and so also do brill. Dabs, on the other hand, do not 



