MK. T. SOUTHWELL ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
241 
(Sami Eol), Motdla (Rock Lings), Gadas pollachius (Pollack), 
“and in some cases these were mixed Avith a fcAV Copepods, the 
zoce stage of Brachyura, Evadne, lavvaj of Mollusca, liadiolaria, etc.” 
It should be mentioned that, although in no ca.se “absolutely full” 
Herring were caught, it is probable that this abstinence from food 
Avas due to the condition of the fish, Avhich Avere CA’idently 
not far from mature for spaAvning. The result of Mr. Pearcey’s 
observations are summed up as follows ; — Fooil — “After examining 
my notes on previous investigations upon the same subject I am 
convinced that the Herring feed upon most, if not all, of the 
minute animals Avhicli live in or near the surface Avaters of the sea ; 
and Avherever these are abundant, tliere the Herring Avill be found 
in the largest ([uantities. There can be no doubt that the Herring, 
like most other fish, is a voracious feeder, nothing in the AA’ay 
of food seeming to come amis.s. The abundance of food, as well 
as suitiiblo localities for depositing ova, arc in my opinion, 
the prineijial cause of their apparently haphaz.ard movements.” 
Ivjhience of 'Temperuture — “The temperature of the Avater does 
not seem to mo to have much, if any, effect on the moA'ements of 
the Herring ; but this may not hold good as far as the propagation 
of their young on the spaAvning ground is concerned. It is, 
hoAvever, impossible to draAv definite conclusions on such extremely 
short investigations. It Avill be for future invo.stigators to shoAv 
Avhether the variation of temperature has anything to do Avith their 
movements. "Where our greatest catch of Herring Avas taken, the 
surface temperature Avas 52.5^ Avhen the nets Avere laid out, 
and 51.9° Avhen hauled in.” 
Professor Cossar EAvart, of the Scottish Fishery Board, in the 
same volume of ‘ Proceedings,’ has some interesting speculations 
as to the possibility of artificially restocking deserted spaAvning 
grounds of the Herring, if it should be found upon investigation 
that Herring, like Salmon, and possibly many other fish, are in 
the habit of returning to their birthplace at the spaAvning period. 
Professor EAwart suggests the possibility of restocking the beds by 
sinking stones covered Avith fertilized Herring ova, and describes an 
apparatus Avhich he thinks Avould be serviceable for that purpose. 
The Herring are believed to reproduce in the second year, and the 
ova to hatch in from ten or tAvclve to forty days, according 
to the circumstances being favourable or otherwise. 
VOL. IV. 
R 
