2iu MU. T. SOUTUWKLL ON Tllli IIKIUUNG FLSIJERV, 
The beneticial results which might be expected to ensue, were Ave 
to learn something about the habits of these creatures, and to 
enlist the sympathj'^ of the fishermen by proving to them in what 
their own interest lay, and then supporting them in their action by 
mild legislative enactment, has been clearly indicated by the 
beneficial effects of the Crab and Lobster Act on the LTorfolk 
coast, benefits which the fishermen themselves are the firet to 
acknowledge, and to admit, that they could have been secured by 
no other means than by parliamentary enactment. 
There are two very interesting papers printed in the eighth 
volume of the ‘Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of 
Edinburgh,’ which show that our Scotch friends are not so 
indifferent to their own interest as Ave are ; and I should like to 
call attention to a few of the results of their investigations. In 
June, 1884, Mr. Prederick G. Pearcey of the “Challenger” 
expedition embarked on board the smack “ Energy ” at Leith, for 
a voyage to the Shetlands fishery, for the purpose of studying the 
“ movements and food of the Herring.” 
During the voyage of the “ Energy ” she passed through 
extensive tracts of dark brown-coloured water, the discolouration 
being caused by an enormous quantity of Algie, chiefly Rluznsolenia 
.ihrnhsolei, and these tracts Avere invariably found to be perfectly 
barren of fish life, and the presence of this diatoniaceous matter 
he suggests may be one cause of the hitherto mysterious desertions 
of favourite sjiaAvning grounds by the Herring. He is also of 
opinion that the presence of enormous numbers of Dog-fish may 
tend to the same effect ; in support of Avhich, he says, that in 
a once famous spaAvning ground of the Herring off the Avest 
coast of Shetland, they came iqion immense numbers of the Piked 
Dog-fish — “ the sea for a considerable distance round us seemed 
alive Avitli them.” On hauling their nets they Avere found to contain 
only three barrels of Herring, eighty per cent, of Avhich Avere 
so badly bitten as to bo of no use : the nets also Avere much 
injured. 
With, regard to the food of the Herring, Mr. Pearcey says, that 
of the vast number Avhich ho examined, the stomachs of “ fully 
ninety per cent. Avere devoid of food material,” and it Avas very 
rarely he found one containing Avhat might be called a full meal. 
"When that happened it consisted of young fish, such as Ammodi/tes 
