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Part III. — Eighth Annual Report 
capable of purely scientific research, is adapted for investigations 
calculated to promote fishery industries, and under its wise and judicious 
management is accomplishing much and good work. In correspondence 
with what has been already accomplished in several fishery States, 
and with the general direction of effort in most, one of the main 
aims of the Marseilles establishment is to institute measures for the 
preservation and culture of sea fish, in order to replenish exhausted 
grounds. Hatcheries have now been in operation for several years in the 
United States and Norway ; one was erected last year in Newfoundland, 
and several are projected; another was begun in 1888, at Grimsby, and 
was recently completed ; and the authorities in Canada, and some other 
countries have been moving in the same direction. Professor Marion 
proposes that fishing should be entirely interdicted in certain defined 
areas for a few years, in order to allow of their becoming nurseries (can- 
tonnements de reserves). 
The researches carried on by Professor Marion are on the same general 
lines as those of the Scotch Board. 
The destruction of immature fish has engaged the attention of 
Professor Marion, as it has recently engaged the attention of almost all 
fishery authorities. Millions of young of various species, such as the 
sardine, anchovy, &c, are annually and wastefully captured. In 1889, 
investigations were specially made on the "sardine, the anchovy, and the 
mackerel, and on the food and reproduction of the edible fishes of the 
Gulf of Marseilles. Professor Marion's researches on the anchovy are 
referred to on p. 353. His researches on the sardine in the Mediter- 
ranean, do not in all respects agree with those of Professor Pouchet at 
Concarneau. Professor Marion discusses the migrations and habits of the 
sardine, and is of opinion that they spawn near the coast, especially in 
sheltered bays, and that the ova, like those of most food-fishes, are pelagic. 
The question of the pelagic or non-pelagic character of the ova is discussed 
at considerable length. The abundance at all times of Copepoda and 
the larvaB of various organisms, attracts and maintains the sardine in the 
Gulf of Marseilles. Among the forms found in their stomachs were 
Oalanus, Cyclops, Oithona, Dias, Thalestris, Temora, &c. A description 
is given of the degree of development of the reproductive organs in 
individuals of various sizes at different times of the year (the females 
seem greatly to preponderate ; in six hauls 122 were females, and only 12 
males) ; and the distribution and rate of growth of the young are 
described. The very various sizes of the young at any given period is 
explained by the long duration of the spawning period. In a paper on 
the mackerel of the Mediterranean coasts, Professor Marion describes 
various points connected with its movements, life-history, reproduction, 
and the distribution of the immature individuals. Researches upon the 
condition of the reproductive organs of the mackerel have been carried 
on at Marseilles for three years. In a report on the food of the edible 
fishes by M. Elie Arnoux, reference is made to the work of the Scotch 
Board in this department of fishery research, and an account is given of 
the food found in the stomachs of a large number of species. M. Arnoux 
also gives an account of his investigations into the development of the re- 
productive organs of a considerable number of species found in the Gulf. 
Soles (Solea vulgaris) spawn in the Gulf of Marseilles in March. 
The Report on the statistics of French and Algerian fisheries for 1887 
was published last year.* It appears that in 1887 the total value of the 
fisheries amounted to 90,731,449 francs ; there were 82,743 men engaged 
* Statistiqiie des piches maritimcs et de V ostreiculture vour Vannee 1887, Paris, 
1889. 
