It may be taken for granted that, apart from its purely scientific value, a knowledge of the physical conditions affecting the waters of the sea has been shown to throw considerable light on many important economical questions. In its bearing on fish and fisheries, the inquiry may be said to have reached a point where it is conclusively shown that there is a problem to solve.

In a report of the Herring Committee of the Scottish Meteoro logical Society we find the following stated as preliminary results:— “If, during the herring season, there be a district where, from any cause, the temperature of the sea is lower than in surrounding districts, the catch of herrings is heavier in that district; and conversely if there be a district where, from any cause, the temperature of the sea is higher than in surrounding districts, in that district the catch of herrings is less. Among the causes which bring about a local increase or decrease of sea temperature, the chief are clouded or clear skies in respective districts, according as these occur during the day or during the night.

“The above refers to local fluctuations of temperature during the fishing season, when the temperature of the sea is high. It appears from the observations of past years that the herring seasons have closed about the time when the temperature of the sea in its annual fall has fallen generally to 54.5° F. It is of importance to ascertain how far this relation exists from year to year and in different districts.