The mackerel (Scomber scomber) is a pelagic and migratory fish, which during the warmer months of the year frequents the coastal waters in the northern temperate region of the Atlantic. The whole form of the fish is evidently well fitted for swift motion and the free-swimming mode of life. The spindle-shaped outline of the body, its perfect curves and rounded surfaces, the absence of all irregular projections which would tend to retard forward movement, the great muscular development of the tail, and the deep forking of the caudal fin, combine to produce an almost ideal adaptation for propulsion at high speed through the water.

During the present year tow-netting has been carried on with such continuity as the weather permitted, and the fish-ova and larvæ thereby obtained have been studied by Mr. S. D. Scott during the winter months, and by myself since the spring. While reserving a general account of the results until the close of the season, it seems advisable to deal now, in however preliminary a manner, with a few species, an addition to the existing knowledge of which may be found of immediate use by workers in the same field. I take this opportunity of expressing my indebtedness to Mr. Scott for observing certain eggs which I was obliged to leave at the Laboratory at a stage too little advanced for specific determination.

This species was originally found by Ehlers at Spiekeroog, an island off the coast of E. Friesland, in the North Sea. It has more recently been found by Joyeux-Laffuie at Luc-sur-Mer (Normandy), and by Prouho at Roscoff and at Banyuls. Its wide distribution, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, made it almost certain that it would be found in British waters when looked for in the right place. Ehlers discovered it in the substance of the tubes of Terebella (Lanice) conchilega, while Joyeux-Laffuie and Prouho found it in the tubes of Chætopterus.

During my visit to the Plymouth Laboratory in September, 1895, Mr. Roach brought in, on the 28th, some fine colonies of Tubularia which he had found attached to the stern of a large three-masted sailing ship, the Ballachulish, of Ardrossan. This ship had come direct from Iquique, Peru, and after staying a few days in the Sound left for London. The Tubularia was kindly given to me for identification by Mr. E. J. Allen. After making drawings and noting the variation of the different organs, I came finally to the conclusion that as it agreed so closely with Parypha crocea, Agassiz, from Boston Harbour, there was no need to add another species to the genus. I was fortunate to meet with colonies of both sexes, and to find the ova in various stages of development. I believe enough material has been preserved to trace the development of the ovum, which shows a remarkable similarity to the development of the ova from the medusa of Hybocodon prolifer.

Actinulæ were being liberated in large quantities when the colonies were taken from the ship, so it is possible that this hydroid may become an interesting addition to the fauna of Plymouth Sound.

To distinguish this species it is necessary to examine the female gonophores, and count the number of apical ridges. Agassiz states that the number varies between six and ten, but only eight were present in my specimens. The male gonophore is destitute of ridges, and usually terminates in a blunt apex.

Scandinavia has been for a number of years past the centre of interest in hydrographic inquiries. The waters of the Baltic, Skagerack, and Cattegat, have been thoroughly investigated by Swedish men of science; the complicated currents of those seas and their periodic alterations have been determined and explained; and a relation has been found to exist between the movements of herring and mackerel and the periodic changes in the character of the water which bathes the Swedish shores. The brilliant results attained by the Swedish hydrographers have been fully described by Prof. Otto Pettersson in the tenth volume of the Scottish Geographical Magazine (1894), and a critical summary of these results is included in Cunningham's paper on the “Physical and Biological Conditions of the North Sea,” published in this journal last year. (Vol. iv., 1896, p. 233.)

Just as a small marine laboratory is being fitted up at Cullercoats, it may be desirable to present to a wider audience a short account of the scientific work already done—work which has, in fact, given origin to the building now almost ready for occupation. As regards the laboratory, a word may be said. It is small, but it will be provided with a tank-room and the essential requirements for carrying on, at any rate, biological investigations. The tanks are made of wood, and will be supplied by gravitation in succession. At the same time a series of glass cylinders can be added in any number, and supplied with sea water in a similar manner. The workroom is very cheery, well lighted and well ventilated, and will accommodate six or even more workers. We are indebted for this most desirable adjunct to the biological department of the College to the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, who has already done so much for local fishery questions. The laboratory will, we hope, not only help in the development of our biological work, but form a centre for enquiry, and thus take a share in the general work of investigation now going on in this country.

In the summer months, for some years prior to 1887, very large quantities ofHake (Merluccius vulgaris) had been caught by trawlers beyond the entrance of the Bristol Channel, and landed at Plymouth. Knowing that such masses of hungry creatures would not be found continuously in any given locality without a heavy balance of smaller fish being in their neighbourhood as food for these hakes, I became anxious to know what these smaller fish were, and throughout the summer of 1888 I tried more than once to get at them through our fishermen, but failed.

In July, 1889, I desired my son Howard to visit the Plymouth Barbican, and notice the gutting of the hakes there and tell me the result. His report was that they had been feeding on small whiting (Gadus merlangus), and that single hakes had as many as ten whiting in their stomachs. I told him that I doubted if these small fish were whiting, and asked him to send the specimens at once, as I expected them to be the poutasson(Gadus poutassou) of Couch. I had recently had specimens of this fish brought me from thirty miles west of the Scilly Isles.

About a week afterwards my son sent me.seven of these little ones taken from the stomach of a pollack(Gadus pollachius) which had been caught in a trawl forty miles north-west of St. Ives. On giving them my attention, I was surprised to find they were not the poutassou nor any other Gadus I was acquainted with.

It may be predicted of a Report by Dr. Petersen that it is sure to contain matter of great interest, both to the ichthyologist and to the student of fishery questions; and the volume for 1895 is assuredly no exception to the rule.

Aphia pellucida. Nardo, This species has been hitherto known in the Plymouth district from a single example taken at the surface, south of the Mewstone (cf. Cunningham, vol. iii. p. 166). During the present year it has proved to be rather abundant in the estuarine waters, and has also been taken at sea. The following records may be cited:

As announced in the Report of the Council for 1896–97 (p. 100), important changes have taken place in the staff of naturalists working for the Association. Mr. Garstang, who now has charge of the fishery investigations, commenced his new duties in June; and Mr. E. W. L. Holt, who has placed his services, for the time being, at the disposal of the Association, has been occupied with researches on food fishes since March last. It is much to be desired that the staff should be maintained at at least its present strength, but unfortunately the conditions of Mr. Holt's appointment, which is purely honorary, preclude the possibility of our hoping that this may be the case, unless funds can be provided to give him a position of a more permanent character. It will be remembered that it was only through private generosity that the Association was able for a number of years to retain the services of two naturalists for fishery investigations, and although we have the good fortune for the present to maintain this condition of things, the possibility of the reduction of the number is a prospect which cannot but be regarded as most serious for the future welfare of the Association. It would be exceedingly unfortunate if from the want of funds to remunerate his services the really valuable work which Mr. Holt is now doing for the Association were to be stopped.

The Laboratory was visited and inspected on June 26th and 27th by a Committee appointed by the Council for that purpose, and the following report was submitted to the Council at the meeting held on June 29th:—

“The Committee, consisting of the President and Mr. Beddard, arrived in Plymouth on Saturday, June 26th. They visited the laboratories, engine-rooms, tank-room, library, and museum on both Saturday and Sunday. By the President's invitation, they were joined at Plymouth by Mr. John Enys, of Enys, near Falmouth, a member of the Association.

“The Committee report in the first place that the satisfactory standard of general efficiency noted last year has been fully maintained. The place is in excellent condition, clean and orderly, and the servants are well in hand.

“The large laboratory has been provided with a new flat tank, eight feet by five feet and eight inches deep, by aid of which Mr. Garstang has been carrying on some observations on the habits of Brachyurous Crustacea. The sea-water supplied to the laboratory is still kept distinct from the general circulation in the show tanks, and is never returned to the laboratory tanks after it has passed through them. We are of opinion that this is the only satisfactory system for maintaining marine organisms in a really healthy condition in confinement, the whole theory of ‘circulation’ being illusory and in practice disastrous.

“The lecture-room is in good order, and has proved to be very useful and well fitted for its purpose.

“The collection of local types in the museum has progressed.