268 



Part III. — Evjliteenth Annual Report 



herring spawn, and traces of deposited spawn were observed on body of 

 net and sole- rope. A few baskets of herring, chiefly spent, were 

 captured. 



68. In 1\ fathoms, near the nortli edge of Bank. Net dragged slightly 

 on bottom. Two stones, 7| inches and 5| inches, brought up, also a 

 frond of Laminaria, which was heavily coated with deposited herring 

 spawn. A few spent herring were captured. 



69. In 8| fathoms. Net slightly dragged on the bottom, becoming fast 

 for a time. Four fronds of Laminaria, with stones at roots, very heavily 

 coated with deposited herring spawn ; the sole-rope and body of net 

 also showed traces of deposited spawn. A few herring, chiefly spent, 

 captured. 



70. In 8 fathoms, near No. 69. Net slightly dragged on the bottom. 

 One frond of Laminaria taken from near sole -rope and a fragment from 

 body of net were thickly coated with spawn. 20 baskets of herring 

 were captured. 



71. In 8 fathoms, about 2 \ miles S.W. of the village of Ballantrae, 

 near edge of Bank. Several fronds of Laminaria, with stones at roots, 

 thickly coated with deposited herring spawn, were taken from net near 

 the sole-rope ; a quantity of deposited spawn was also found on the sole- 

 rope and about the body of the net. About 15 baskets of herring were 

 captured, as well as 1 saithe of 31 inches and 1 cod of 6| inches, both 

 containing deposited herring spawn in their stomachs. 



72. In 8 \ fathoms, near N.E. edge of Bank. Net became fast on 

 the bottom for a time, and was somewhat damaged. Five fronds of 

 Laminaria, with stones at roots, heavily coated with deposited herring 

 spawn ; deposited spawn was also found on the sole-rope and the body 

 of the net. No herring were captured. 



73. In 9 1 fathoms. Net slightly dragged on the bottom. Two fronds 

 of Laminaria, with stones at roots, heavily coated with deposited 

 herring spawn; small quantities of deposited spawn also taken from, 

 sole-rope and about the body of the net. Three baskets of herring, 

 chiefly spent, were captured. 



74. 10.35 p.m. In 9| fathoms, as near as could be judged about the 

 centre of the Bank, to the south of Ballantrae, towards the entrance to 

 Loch Ryan. Net had dragged somewhat on bottom. 10 or 12 fronds 

 of Laminaria, with stones at roots, 7 stones and rock fragments, a few 

 0. fragilis, and 1 E. esculentus were taken from the net, but no deposited 

 spawn was found. 20 to 30 baskets of spent herring were captured. 



75. In 8| fathoms, not far from shot 74, but a little farther north. 

 Net had dragged on the bottom. Several fronds of Laminaria, with 

 stones at roots, but no deposited spawn on either, and nets and sole-rope 

 quite clean. No fish of any kind captured ; net badly damaged. 



76. In 8 fathoms. Net became fast on the bottom. Three fronds of 

 Laminaria, with stones at roots, and several bottom-living animals. 

 No deposited spawn found ; net and sole-rope quite clean. A few spent 

 herring captured. 



77. In 8 fathoms. Net dragged the bottom slightly, and was badly 

 damaged. No deposited spawn, net quite clean, and no fish captured. 



78. In 9J fathoms. Net became fast on bottom, and was brought up 

 damaged. Six stones and rock fragments, 2| to 9| inches, were taken 

 from the net. No deposited spawn found ; nets and sole-rope quite 

 clean. No fish captured. 



79. In 7 J- fathoms. Several stones, 1| to 6| inches, taken from the 

 net, but no deposited spawn found. A few spent herring were captured. 

 Net found to be perfectly clean. 



