SEA-FISHEMES LABORATORY. 253 



soft and the label was too thin. None of these had 

 resisted corrosion in the sea for a longer time than 12 

 months, and even after six months the corrosion was, in 

 some cases, so great that it was difficult to read the 

 number. The later labels obtained were made of thicker 

 and harder brass, and have been quite satisfactory. 



The great majority of the fish marked have been 

 plaice. A dozen soles were marked and liberated, but I 

 did not regard the method as suitable for this fish and no 

 more were dealt with. None of these soles has been 

 returned. A few other fishes were also marked, and out 

 of four dabs so treated one has been returned. The only 

 flounder marked has also been re-caught. There is no 

 reason why these marking experiments should be 

 restricted to plaice and flounders, but it must be said that 

 the difficulties of marking other fishes are very much 

 greater, and suitable methods will take some time to 

 devise. 



It was hoped that 1,000 fish would be marked before 

 the end of 1905, but the stress of other work interfered, 

 and two or three trips were abandoned because of 

 unsuitable weather. 



I give below a summary of the experiments made up 

 to the end of 1905, and of the results obtained. 



It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the 

 assistance received from all who have been asked to 

 co-operate in these experiments. Both Dr. Jenkins and 

 Captain Wignall have given me every facility which was 

 possible, and have been most kind. We are greatly 

 indebted to those who have returned marked fishes. The 

 Officers of the Committee, Messrs. Wright, Gardner, 

 Eccles, Tones, Pritchard and Williams, have given all the 

 assistance possible. Several Members of the Committee, 

 Messrs. Dean, Garnett and Harley in particular, have 



