MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN 



27 



remainder followed on the 22nd. During a final exami- 

 nation of the pond, at the beginning of the spawning 

 season, it was found that very few fish had died, and that 

 at least 105 healthy plaice remained, which produced 

 abundance of spawn. 



Fig. 7. The Fishpond. From a photo, by Mr. Edwin Thompson. 



Xo difficulty has been experienced in keeping the 

 pond in good condition. Fresh sea-water has been 

 pumped into it almost daily. Green Alga? have grown on 

 the sides, and Diatoms and microscopic animals are 

 present in abundance in the water. The hatching 

 apparatus was fitted-up during the last ten days of 

 January, and was subjected to prolonged soaking, with 

 daily circulation of water for five weeks before being 

 brought into use. Though susceptible of improvement in 

 certain points of detail, it has worked satisfactorily : the 

 balance apparatus, devised by Mr. Okell, being a distinct 

 improvement upon that at the Lancashire Hatchery at 

 Piel. 



