46 The American Naturalist. [January, 
concludes that the productiveness of the water about equals that of the 
land; but, at the same time, he points out that there is an element of 
error in these comparisons since they are made with an artificial 
productiveness in the land. 
The plankton does not occur in swarms; and that it gradually in- 
creases to a depth of 30 meters, below which it decreases. The varia- 
tions found in distribution through different strata of water are prob- 
ably due to vertical migration. 
The uniform distribution of the plankton indicates that the fish 
feeding upon it find a limited food supply everywhere. 
The bottom flora and fauna are not sufficient to maintain large 
numbers of bottom fish. The well known migrations of white fish 
along shore seem thus to be correlated with the non-localized food sup- — 
pl 
white fish except over catching. 
Finally he speaks strongly and with the very best of reason in 
favor of the fisherman and pisciculturist being given the same govern- — 
mental attention that is given the agriculturist. Piscatorial stations — 
where the best of investigatorial talent may be employed continually — 
would not only offer the best means for preventing the extinction of the — 
food fishes, but would enable the piscatorialist to maintain a good sup- — 
ply.—F. C. Kenyon. 
Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Sciences for 1895. 
—Several times we have had occasion to notice the volumes put out — 
by the Indiana Academy of Sciences, and always in a favorable man- — 
ner. The present volume, recently issued (although its title page bears 
date February 1896) proves no exception. These 300 pages contain 
papers on mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, physiology 
and hygiene, the total presented in full or in abstract numbering. 
these, but a few can be mentioned here. In his presidential address — 
Mr. A. W. Butler discusses the changes in the flora and fauna which — 
have occurred since the beginning of the century and these changes — 
have been numerous and important. Many are the animals, once 
abundant, which are now rare or exterminated. Read Audubon’s ac — 
count of a pigeon roost and now “a single pigeon in a year.” Mr. A- 
H. Purdue presents his studies of the earthquake of Oct. 31, 1895, the — 
greatest in the Mississippi Valley since 1811, and the interesting fact — 
was brought out that its epicentrum nearly coincided with that of 
y- 
There is a plentiful supply of white fish food on the old fishing 
grounds and no reason can be given for a diminution in the supply of 
ah 
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