[The following Tables record the measurement and enumeration of a number of characters in certain samples of Herrings taken in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. The work was carried out as part of a general scheme for studying the question of the existence of local races of herrings around the British Coasts, which was organised by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. In consequence of the war there is no immediate prospect of the figures being analysed and compared with similar figures relating to fish obtained in other localities. It has therefore been thought advisable to place them on record as they stand, so that they may be available for other workers at any time. The short explanatory statement of the methods employed was prepared by Dr. Orton, who had charge of most of the work, to accompany the figures when they were sent to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and was not written by him with a view to publication. The drawings have been made by Mrs. Sexton.—E. J. Allen.]

1. Phosphoric acid in sea-water may be determined with an accuracy of about 0-003 mg. per litre by concentration with iron and colorimetric examination.

2. If the sea-water be previously oxidised by potassium permanganate the amount found is considerably increased.

3. From September, 1915, to February, 1916, the average amount of phosphoric acid in water collected half a mile outside Plymouth Break-water was 0-044 ing. per litre ; this showed signs of an increase when the supply of land-water rose after rain. The figures are much lower than those found by Raben for the Baltic and North Sea.

4. The amounts found by another method during the previous spring and summer are higher, but the figures cannot be considered quite trustworthy.

The Department of Trade and Customs of the Commonwealth of Australia have issued a memorial number of their Report on Fisheries, giving particulars, as far as they are known, of the loss at sea of their investigation steamer Endeavour, with all on board, including the Commonwealth Director of Fisheries, Harald Christian Dannevig; the Biologist, Charles Turnbull Harrisson; the Captain, George William Charles Pim, and a crew of eighteen men. The ship left Macquarie Island on December 3rd, 1914, to return to Australia and was not heard of again. It is thought that she perished in a heavy gale which was experienced on the island two days after she had left.