332 
Part PIT. — Tenth Annual Report 
that their study is disheartening, since one seems now, in writing a report 
anew, to be only treading ground that has been traversed over and over 
again. The same may be said regarding the sea fisheries on the West 
Coast of Scotland : for centuries pamphlets and books have been issued as 
to the c mines of wealth' in the western seas ; but the proposals for work- 
ing these mines have almost invariably involved State aid — thus contrast- 
ing strongly with the conditions under which the East Coast fisheries 
were developed. It is pointed out that in recent times changes in the 
circumstances have occurred — the more important being the extension of 
railways, steam lines, and telegraphic communication. The survey of 
1891 was conducted on board the steamer 'Harlequin,' hired for the 
purpose, actual operations beginning on the 21st March and terminating 
on 4th June. During this period a great number of important fishing 
grounds, some of these little known, were examined, and the various 
appliances of fishing — beam-trawl nets, drift-nets, lines, dredges, tow- 
nets, &c, were employed, in the investigation. In his report Mr Green 
gives details of the various examinations and experiments made. On the 
south of Ireland, cod and ling appear to migrate from east to west '* in the 
Irish Sea, northwards, while off the West Coast, they seem to pass merely 
from deeper to shallower water, and vice versa, the fish being obtainable 
at all times off the same part of the coast. The best grounds for prime 
flat-fish, such as turbot and soles, are the bays, from March to September, 
and probably to November. In March they are found in about 30 or 40 
fathoms, and move inshore later. Plaice seem to move in shoals, the 
large fish keeping more or less together. When the large plaice quit a 
certain ground, a certain number of small and medium-sized fish are left, 
which appear to remain constantly on the ground. From the experiments 
made, Mr Green believes that haddock, ling, hake, and, perhaps, also cod, 
are to be found over the vast area between the coast and the 200 fathom 
line, which in one direction is 200 miles from shore ; and the abundance 
of fish food near the bottom was found to be very great. Chapters are 
devoted to bait and the development of the various kinds of fisheries. It 
is pointed out that gurnard and bream are the favourite food of the 
people, who rarely eat flat-fish, and never think of touching skate and 
ray, which are abundant, and would in other countries be looked upon as 
a valuable food supply. Lobster fishing is an important industry on the 
West Coast (as well as kelp-burning), the prices ranging from about 10s. 
a dozen at the beginning of the season, to 7s. or so, later, welled- smacks 
coming from Southampton for cargoes. The fishermen frequently carry 
their pots in their ' curraghs ' or 4 pookawns,' to fish on other parts of the 
coast. There are very interesting chapters on the fishing boats used on 
the West Coast, the harbours, and the people. 
The scientific results of the expedition are described by Mr Ernest W, 
L. Holt, the assistant naturalist to the survey, in a series of admirable 
reports,* which form an important addition to the literature concerning 
sea fisheries. Lists are given of all the species of fish obtained \ of the 
stations, with locality, date, soundings, &c. ; the nature of the fishing 
implements employed, with lists of the fishes and the invertebrates cap- 
tured, so far as the latter have been identified. The number of mature 
and immature fish in each haul is shown, tables being given as to the 
limits of size upon which the distinction is based. Schedules follow, 
showing the exact numbers, sizes, weight, condition of reproductive organ, 
and contents of stomach of all the more important kinds of fish. Tables 
are also given of the temperature and density observations taken. In 
addition, experiments to test the comparative efficiency of different baits 
* Op. ext., pp. 73-329. 
