166 
Records 
It is easier to use data record sheets, such as the ones in Figures 49 and 
50, illustrated below, than to record data in a lined notebook. Using data 
sheets is quicker, and a standard set of essential data is then recorded for 
each collection. The data sheets are punched for inclusion in a ring binder, 
preferably one with a water-proof plastic cover. Abbreviations should be 
avoided — only you may be able to decode them. 
The following notes explain details to include under the headings on the 
data sheets. Not all categories apply to all collections; there are no tides 
in most lakes. Province or Country , County are self-explanatory. Coll. No. 
is an abbreviation for collection number. Drainage refers to the river system, 
e.g., Ottawa - St. Lawrence. Under Locality should be given the body of 
water (stream, bay, lake), its air distance from the centre of a nearby city or 
town, the highway it is on or near, the township, the regional name, and the 
exact latitude and longitude. Under Water may be described its clarity, 
hardness, pollution. The Salinity of seawater is noted in parts per thousand. 
Under Vegetation is noted the amount and kind of aquatic plant life. Under 
Waves may be noted the degree of exposure or wave height. The type of 
bottom, bedrock, boulders, sand, gravel, mud, silt, detritus, and so on, is 
stated under Bottom. Cover refers to places where fish may hide, such as 
rock crannies, overhanging banks, sunken logs, coral heads. Under Temp. 
is given the water temperature or the Air temperature or both. Under Shore 
is indicated the type of shore: such as shelving sand beach, cliff, tidal flats. 
Under Current is indicated the water velocity of streams or tidal currents, 
if possible in feet per second; if not, as rapid, medium, slow, still. Distance 
offshore and Stream width are self-evident categories. The Depth of water 
is the depth from the surface to the bottom, and the Depth of capture indicates 
where the collection was made, i.e., at the bottom, mid-depths, or surface. 
Under Collected by, the collector (s) are listed with the head of the party first; 
the organization or the name of the vessel from which the collection was 
made may also be included. Under Tide, the level of the tide at the time of 
collection should be stated and, if pertinent, the level of the tide pools above, 
indicated. The Date should be written in full, e.g., II September 1962, 
so that there will be no possibility of error. Method of capture indicates the 
collecting method. The size and mesh of net, the length and number of hauls, 
should be indicated so that an approximation of concentration of fishes may 
be made. Under Formalin may be written 10 per cent, or if other preservatives 
were used indicate under Orig. preserv. Under Time is indicated the hours 
spent in collecting for the purposes of determining daily habits of fishes and 
for estimating a catch per unit effort, e.g., 1400 to 1445 hours. In benthic 
trawling, one can state the time the trawl was on bottom. In regard to 
'catch per unit effort,’ the proportion of the catch retained may be stated 
on the first blank line. Under particular species, it might also be stated 
whether 'all kept’ or ‘half kept.’ 
The blank lines below allow for flexibility not permitted by the upper half 
of the sheet. If possible a list of the species with the number of specimens of 
each is made below. Under each species, note their particular habitat, 
behaviour, condition, maturity, colour, and so on. The back of the sheet 
may be used if necessary. If a collection is split and placed in two con- 
