BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 197 
portance. They have excellent shipping facilities, and ice is used lib- 
erally in preparing the standard (200-pound boxes) for market, in New 
York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. 
Mr. S. C. Baum, who is regarded as one of their best citizens and 
fishermen, informed me that he had many times weighed the fish pur- 
posely to ascertain the average weight, and that he bad found them to 
average, all through, 1 A pounds. While he was speaking of the great 
bulk taken below, I am satisfied, from my recollectiou, that with those 
taken in the few scattering pounds near Edenton, the size was not so 
great as a pound and a half, but nearer a pound each. I am very sorry 
that I could not reach Roanoke Island till the end of December, for the 
fishing was then over and I had not the advantage of personal exam- 
ination. Inquiry led to the belief that the catch about Roanoke Island 
is not affected with lice on the gills, as it is about Edenton, where all 
specimens seen by me were parasitic. In quality I was told that the 
rock were poor in September, improved in October, and fat in Novem- 
ber. I was surprised to learn from Mr. W. B. Alexander of the success 
of the gilling business in Alligator River. He informed me that Mr. 
J. H. Cooper had just taken $600 worth in that stream, the smaller 
specimens weighing 50 pounds each. The nets are 12-inch mesh and 
are made fast to stakes, and catch throughout the winter months in 
water 6 to 8 feet deep, 25 miles up the stream. This species of gilling 
had been in vogue for three years. 
The results of my photographing on Roanoke Island, as incidental to 
my trip, were very satisfactory, and comprised the u building of boats 
there v (very superior small craft), and also represented a very fine 
seine steam-flat, the property of Mrs. Brinkley. 
Washington, D. C., June 1888. 
4S.— INF ©ROTATION BEARING UI*©N THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGA- 
TION OF MULIiKT, 
.By W. de C. KAVENEL. 
The following is the result of a trip to investigate some of the mullet 
fisheries of North Carolina and Florida, made in accordance with direc- 
tions from the Commissioner. The instructions were to obtain all avail- 
able information concerning these fisheries, particularly such as would 
be of practical value in entering upon the artificial propagation of this 
species with the view to arresting the rapid decline in the value and 
production of the South coast fisheries. 
The inquiry was particularly addressed to determining the following 
points : 
(1) The localities where the fish are now found in greatest abundance. 
(2) The habits of the species as to seasons of migration from salt to 
brackish or fresh water and their return. 
