SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. Ill 



one shewed a remarkable malformation, which was 

 evidently the result of an accident. The fourth haul was 

 about two miles long 1 ; the net was, however, torn, and 

 only 2 plaice (15 inches and 8 inches long) and 1 lemon 

 sole (8 inches long) were taken. 

 Physical observations. 



Wind, W. light breeze ; 

 Weather, fine; 

 Sea, smooth; 

 Barometer, 3085 ; 

 Air temperature, 10°'5 C. ; 

 Sea temperature at surface, 10 o- 85 C. ; 

 bottom, ll°-25 C. ; 

 Specific gravity at surface, 1'0258; 

 Transparency, 20 feet in hauls 1-3, and 12 feet in 

 haul 4. 



Y o tow-nettings were taken during these hauls, and, 

 in consequence of the catching and tearing of the net, 

 very few invertebrates were taken. A dog-fish purse, 

 with a well-advanced embryo, was picked up during the 

 last haul. 



The size of the plaice taken in these hauls is very 

 noticeable, when it is remembered that they were made 

 in territorial -waters and in comparatively shallow 

 water--the 23in. plaice was caught in T fathoms. It is 

 apparent that large plaice are relatively abundant at the 

 North end of the Isle of Man, and, as clean trawling 

 ground is to be found there, there should be no difficulty in 

 supplying the Port Erin Hatchery from its own area in 

 a very convenient manner. 



The malformed plaice (Plate I.) caught in the third 

 haul presents a very interesting peculiarity, in that a 

 notch of about 2 inches long has been taken out of the 



