34 HENRY DEANE. 



denied by others. Those of us who have read Mr. J. D. Ogilby's 

 " Notes on Australian Fishes" in that useful little Hand-book of 

 the Australasian Association will understand how important it is 

 from an economical and gastronomical point of view to solve the 

 question. To Mr. Farnell is due the credit of thus getting the 

 necessary investigation attempted. The success of the expedition 

 has been established, and we shall look forward to the final report 

 on the results obtained. 



Altogether during the different trips fifty-eight trials of the 

 bottom were made. As might be naturally expected, many of 

 them were failures, but more than half were successful, and of 

 them twelve produced fish of good quality and high market value 

 in large quantities. The localities tried were from the north end 

 of Manning Bight on the north to Jervis Bay on the south, all 

 within twelve hours steaming of Sydney. 



The Thetis is not a suitable steamer for the purpose, but under 

 the command of Captain Hildebrand most of the difficulties were 

 overcome. The expedition has been a success, for it has proved 

 (1) the existence of more grounds, and (2) the presence of more 

 varieties of edible fish than it was supposed by many would be 

 discovered, and (3) it has further proved that operations on level 

 bottom with the otter trawl, with, against or across the current, 

 can be smoothly carried on without risk. 



While this work was proceeding the opportunity was not lost to 

 extend observation into other departments of marine zoology, and 

 it will be interesting to members to hear the following note written 

 for me by Mr. Waite at Mr. Farnell's request. "At this early 

 stage it is not possible to say much about the extensive collections 

 made, but a few general remarks may be attempted. The fishes 

 total about a hundred species ; this comparatively small number 

 is accounted for mainly by the large mesh of the trawl. This per- 

 mitted to escape the smaller fry among which a zoologist would 

 expect to reap the richest harvest. In parts the mesh was two 

 inches, consequently whole basketsful of fish were lost ; indeed 

 the first indications of a successful haul were the numerous dead 



