of the Fishery/ Board for Scotland. 



265 



21. In 10 fathoms. Net had touched the bottom slightly, but no 

 deposited spawn or any animals from the bottom found ; net quite 

 clean. A few baskets of spawning herring and one ling captured. 



22. In 10J fathoms. Net had dragged the bottom a little. Two 

 small stones 2 and 2| inches obtained in net, and one Ophiothrix fragilis 

 and a few ripe herring ; otherwise the net was found quite clean. 



March 6th, at 5.30 p.m., the trawl boats commenced to shoot their 

 nets. 



23. In 9 J fathoms. Net dragged on bottom a little. One large 

 irregular rock fragment, 12x0x5 inches, and a smaller piece 5 X 3£ 

 inches, with various bottom-living animals, but no deposited spawn 

 either on these or the net. Eight cod and saithe were captured, but no 

 herring. 



24. In 9| fathoms. Net had touched the bottom and brought 

 up two fronds of Laminaria, with stones attached to roots, but no 

 deposited spawn was found. Only one cod was captured. 



25. In 9| fathoms. Net became fast on the bottom. One E. esculentus 

 and 1 A. rubens were found in net, but no deposited spawn. A few 

 herring only were captured. 



26. In lOf fathoms. Net became fast on the bottom for a time, and 

 was brought up split in several places, but found to be quite clean. 

 Three cod and 2 saithe were captured. 



27. In 9 fathoms. Net had touched the bottom ;|no deposited spawn 

 found. Ten baskets of herring captured. 



28. In 8 fathoms. Net became fast on bottom and was badly 

 damaged. Several small stones, 1 A. rubens, several 0. fragilis, 1 E. 

 esculentus, and several Laminaria fronds found, but no deposited spawn. 

 Net otherwise quite clean. No fish captured. 



29. In 8 fathoms. Net had touched the bottom. One A. rubens found, 

 but no deposited spa.wn. Fully 100 baskets of ripe herring captured. 



30. In 6 1 fathoms, near south edge of Bank. Net had touched the 

 bottom and was slightly damaged. No deposited spawn found, net 

 being quite clean. Fully 40 baskets of herring captured. 



31. In 10 fathoms. Net dragged a little on bottom. Two E '. esculentus, 

 2 fronds of Laminaria, with stones at roots, taken from net near sole- 

 rope, but no deposited spawn found. Three cod and 1 saithe were the 

 only fish captured. 



32. In 9| fathoms, near south edge of Bank. Net had touched the 

 bottom, but came up quite clean. Three saithe, 2 cod, and 1 haddock 

 were all the fish captured. 



33. In 7 fathoms, about 3 miles to the south of Ballantrae village. 

 Net had slightly dragged the bottom; no deposited spawn found. An 

 enormous catch of herring was obtained at first in this haul, so large 

 that the two boats could not manage it, and the assistance of two other 

 boats was obtained, when a great effort to secure the catch was made ; 

 but the body of fish was so great and heavy that before any could be 

 taken from the net they again sank to the bottom, and the net split 

 with the strain, all but some 10 to 15 baskets of herring being lost. It 

 appeared to me that most of these fish got clear living and in good con- 

 dition. 



34. In 8| fathoms. Net slightly dragged the bottom, but was brought 

 up quite clean ; no deposited spawn found on net or sole-rope. Thirty 

 to 40 baskets of herring captured. 



35. In 8| fathoms. Net dragged on bottom a little. Four stones, 

 largest 2| inches ; 1 Buccinum undatum, with Eupagurus bernhardus, a 

 few 0. fragilis, and 1 frond of Laminaria found in net near sole-rope. 

 No deposited spawn; otherwise net quite clean. 25 baskets of herring 

 and 1 saithe captured. 



