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Part III.-^— Ninth Anmml Report 
manned by five men. The young sardines caught in the fixed Mugiliere 
nets, 2*5 to 3 centimetres long, wholly white and without visible scales, 
are called Foutino 7iudo {' petit poisson nu ') ; when 3-5 centimetres long 
and silvery it is called Poutino vestido ('petit poisson vetu'). As it 
increases in size it is called Palsilla and Sardinette. 
Professor Marion describes the movements of the sardines at different 
times of the year, and gives the results of his examination of the re- 
productive organs. In different shoals the sexes are often very unequal 
in numbers ; females were frequently in excess. Spawning occurs for 
probably six months, from the middle of December to the middle of May, 
but chiefly February and March. Professor Marion repeats his views that 
the ovum is pelagic. Eggs from a partly spent fish placed in sea water 
measure 1 '3 to 1 "4 mm. ; their capsule (a chorion, not a true vitelline 
membrane) is applied exactly to the vitellus. After some hours the 
absorption of sea water is evident, but to very different degrees ; the 
vitellus contracts and the chorionic capsule expands. After twelve hours 
of imbibition the ova were 1*7 to 1"8 mm. in diameter, a large 
perivitelline space having been produced ; but these ova were evidently 
dead. They contain an oil globule. Some appeared to be lighter than 
others, but none floated. Floating ova with a large perivitelline space, 
not otherwise identified, have been got in the townets in the areas where 
shoals of adults occur, chiefly in February; they measure 1*7 to 1*8 
mm. Several were hatched at the laboratory, the larvae being a little 
over 4 mm. when they escape ; they are very transparent and difficult 
to distinguish, usually immobile, but occasionally moving with sudden*^ 
eel-like flexures. Observations have been made recently by Professor 
Marion on the influence of great cold on fishes (Motella, Mugil^ Blennius^ 
Gohius, d-c.).'^ 
In a w^ork recently published, f M. Gobin has brought together a great 
deal of information as to the sea fisheries of France, the annual value of 
which now varies from £3,400,000 to £4,400,000. In 1810 their value 
was only about £440,000; in 1850, £920,000; in 1870, £2,760,000; 
in 1880, £3,560,000. The various kinds of food fishes caught are 
described, and usually figured, and the processes of oyster culture, &c. are 
detailed. M. Gobin expresses strong opinions as to the diminution of fish 
around the shores, brought about chiefly by the increase of population, the 
larger and better equipped boats, and the application of steam and trawls ; 
and he looks upon the artificial hatching of sea fish as the best remedy, 
combined with protection of areas as nursersics — the cantonnements de 
reserves of Marion. After pointing out that operations in the hatching of 
sea fish should be on a large scale, he says — ' But who is to do it 1 JNTot 
' the fishermen ; they have neither the time nor the inclination ; the State 
' alone can undertake the work.' He points to the eleven or twelve marine 
laboratories, wliich have been founded by the Minister of Public Instruc- 
tion for scientific research, while there is not yet any establishment in 
France devoted to the systematic hatching of sea fish. 
Under the auspices of the French Government, and at their request, 
Professor M. J. Thoulet, of ^^ancy, has in recent years undertaken various 
missions to foreign States to inquire into the progress of physical research 
respecting marine and inland waters, and has also made special investiga- 
tions on the subject. On board the frigate, 'la Clorinde,' physical 
observations were carried on at the great fishing banks of Newfoundland, 
and visits were made to Norway, Switzerland, and Scotland. J Professor 
* Coniptes rendus, torn, cxii., 1891. 
f La PisicuUure en eaux salees, Fa7'is, 1891. 
t Rapport, V Etude des lacs en Suisse. 
