elsewhere. In the east of France, near Autun, not far from Dijon, there has long been a large manufacture of oils distilled from schists, quite independent of the coal. They have no resemblance whatever to coal, but one of them resembles the Scotch Boghead. Other cases exist in the west of France, where similar shales have been distilled. Good bituminous shales rarely soil the fingers; they are brown when scratched with a sharp point, and they break with an irregular fracture. They are usually tough, and sometimes fissile.

THIRTEENTH ORDINARY MEETING. Wednesday, March 1st, 1865; Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Belcher in the chair.

The following candidates were proposed for election as members of the SocietyDibley, George, 72, Malden-road, Haverstock-hill, N.W. Miles, Henry Thompson, 61, Strand, W.C. Redman, Capt. Gabriel J., 6, Belsize-park, Hampstead,

and this, it is said, ruined the company. Attempts were afterwards made to revive the undertaking, but they came to nothing, the death of the king intervening. Soon after the Revolution this business was again resumed, and efforts were made to interest the public at large in the scheme, which do not appear to have been successful, as we have no further accounts of the matter. Since that time other attempts have been made to encourage our sea fisheries, as in 1749, when an association (the "Society of the Free British Fishery") was formed, and bounties were granted to all vessels employed in the fisheries; but it was found in the end that the Dutch kept the market, although in 1757 the bounty was made up to 56s. per ton. However, little has ever been done in the right way, viz., organization and improvement of the art of fishing and of the methods and appliances used in the art, though it ought to be here recorded that the Society of Arts gave much attention to the subject of increasing the supply of fish, and that it was due to the exertions of the Society and the rewards it offered, that the fish-vans or fishmachines used (until the railway system became developed) for speedy transport of fish from the coast to London were adopted. Further endeavours were made by offers of prizes to stimulate the supply of large fish, such as turbot of a certain size.

Before leaving this part of the subject, it may not be amiss to briefly allude to the importance, in a national point of view, of maintaining and improving our fisheries, as to which it has been well observed, that since " Providence hath so eminently stored the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland with the most valuable fish, and since fisheries, if successful, become permanent nurseries for breeding expert seamen, it is not only due to the Supreme Being not to despise the wonderful plenty he hath afforded us by neglecting to extend this branch of commerce to the utmost, but it is a duty we owe to our country for its natural security, which depends upon the strength of our Royal Navy. No nation can have a navy where there is not a fund of business to breed and employ seamen without any expense to the public; and no trade is so well calculated for training up these useful members of society as fisheries." Since the repeal of the Navigation Laws this point has become of greater importance than ever.

The situation of the British coasts has been said to be one of the most advantageous in the world for catching fish; the Scottish islands, particularly those to the north and west, the most commodious for carrying on the fishing trade to perfection; for no countries in Europe can pretend to come up to Scotland and Ireland in the abundance of the finest fish with which their various creeks, bays, rivers, lakes, and coasts are replenished. Of these advantages the Scots seem indeed to have been most abundantly sensible, and their traffic in herrings is noticed in history as early as the ninth century.

The ordinary methods and appliances used for fishing purposes are, it seems, these:

Cod-fish, as a rule, are taken by means of hand-lines but at the approach of autumn and in winter, when the fish are at the lowest depths seeking "ground bait," long lines have to be resorted to, which are furnished at intervals with hooks, upon which wilks are fixed for bait, and these are sunk by being "shot," or paid out," and after lying nearly a day or a night are "payed in," and the fish, if any, are taken off and put into the well of the smack. In fine weather small cod-fish are sometimes swept into the trawl net, the trawl beam, to which the net is fastened, mostly dragging the bottom, which is very injurious, destroying young fish and ova; in fact, so great is the evil of this, that it is now under investigation by the Royal Commission appointed to inquire and report

as to British fisheries.

Mackerel are taken at one season with nets constructed on purpose, as, being then blind, any bait which may be lowered can be of little avail, as it cannot of course be seen by them; but after this blindness has left them hand lines are employed.

Whitings are taken by hand-lines baited with mackerel, from April till August. They are taken by trawlers in great numbers; but, when caught by trawling, their market value is much lessened, by reason of their scales being rubbed and the elegance of the fish destroyed; whereas, by the ordinary line-fishing they are not damaged, and they fetch a high price in consequence.

Haddocks are taken by lines with mussels for bait, and are also taken by trawling, but are then, as is the case with whitings, very much lessened in value.

Gurnets are generally taken by lines, and frequently while fishing for whitings.

Skate are very frequently taken by the hand-lines, the same bait being used as for cod. They are also at times swept into the trawler's nets; many are taken on the Doggerbank fishing grounds by the long lines.

Artificial baits are sometimes used, and are made of vulcanised india rubber-hollow-and in the form of a fish. They have been tried in several instances and found to be highly attractive. They are made by W. Warne and Co., of Tottenham, and are, for the following reasons, very economical: Being exceedingly tough, they are not destroyed by the teeth of the fish; entering crosswise, they are not swallowed, and are usable a second time; they are at all times ready for putting into the hooks, and can easily be taken off when out of use; wilks, being the chief bait for cod-fishing, cannot always be obtainedsmacks often lose days waiting the arrival of wilk-boats, and wilks once used are mostly destroyed; besides all which, many are found to be dead when wanted for use; and such is the extraordinary facility these fish (cod) have for scenting dead wilks, that they instantly reject a "dead 'un." Taking all things into view, the artificial baits are, perhaps, more economical and advantageou than any other kind of bait.

It is a well-known fact that fish are to be attracted by light-a fact which was not unknown to the ancients; and it has been the constant practice of the Chinese, handed down from remote ages, to use apparatus for catching fish, consisting, as I understand, of a board or frame, having candles or other means of lighting placing thereon, with a frame or net hinged thereto, which is floated on the surface of the water, and when the fish have been attracted by the light to the frame or net it is thrown up on the hinges, thus taking the fish. Surface lights have also been in use for catching salmon, pilchards, and other fish. An attempt to render a surface light commercially available was made by a public company about the year 1826. It was not, however, persevered in, and I am not aware that its operations were attended with any degree of success.

In the year 1862, Mr. Henry Richardson Fanshawe obtained a patent for "Improvements in the mode and means for fishing in seas, rivers, and other waters;" and in the specification of his patent he thus describes his invention:

"My improvements consist in the employment of a submerged or subaqueous light, for the purpose of alluring or decoying fish, thereby facilitating their capture, the light I employ being derived from electricity or from the ignition of oil or gas, or I may employ phosphorised oil or other luminous fluid or any means for producing or maintaining a light under or below the surface of the water; or I may obtain a sufficient volume of light for my purpose by reflecting light from above upon submerged reflectors.”

Mr. Fanshawe further states that he uses "arrangements of globe, lantern, or reflectors, the decoy light or reflector being placed or disposed in such a manner at the required depth that the fish are attracted thereto by the light. The illuminating apparatus may be lowered to the required depth by any mechanical arrangement which will answer the purpose desired, but he constructs or fits boats with a well or wells at or near their centres, for the purpose of more conveniently superintending the working or adjustment of the decoy arrangement, and of seeing

when a sufficient number of fish are collected, so that the boat may be removed for the purpose of closing the net or nets. When the electric light is employed, the lantern may be sunk before ignition, and the light extinguished before its withdrawal."

After describing in detail the invention, Mr. Fanshawe's specification states:

hereinafter mentioned, I regulate the angular position of the upper rays of light, whether of natural or of artificial light. It is found that in very clear water a lantern, similar to that termed a bull's-eye lantern, produces from the side of the boat or vessel a strong reflected ray of light upon the submerged reflector, but the plan of employing the reflectors answers well in very clear waters only. When the bull's-eye lantern is employed, the reflector therein should be placed higher, and at a more acute angle than is the case in the common bull's eye lamp, and the lens should be placed at the corresponding angle, so that there may be no necessity to interfere with the upright position of the wick or lamp. The reflecting submerged surface must be weighted, and have cords or chains as, hereinbefore-mentioned, leading up to a boat, and fastened to the gunwale, or to pegs or hooks."

"In working the boat with the lantern and its lowering apparatus, I place it in the position assigned by previous arrangement with the fishermen, and having unbolted the top of the lantern and ignited the lamp, re-bolted the top on, and connected the two lengths of flexible tubing required, one to the inlet and one to the outlet pipe, 1 lower the lantern, by means of a windlass and chain, to the desired depth; this, in many cases, will be found to be about half the depth from the surface to the bottom. It will be obvious that tubes must be of such a length Mr. Fanshawe made the first sea trial of his invention that, at all depths to which the lantern may be lowered, in May, 1864, in Rye-bay, on the fishing ground known their ends may be above the surface of the water, and I as the Falls, and was very successful in decoying whitings prefer to maintain them in a position about eight feet and mackerel to the bait. As in most first trials, some above the surface of the water, bending their upper ends difficulties presented themselves. From there being too downwards to prevent water and spray from entering, and little weight to sink the lantern and to keep it perpenthe wind from disturbing the current of air in the ap-dicular in the under-currents, and also in consequence of paratus, as it may otherwise cause too great pressure on the prevailing E. and N.E. winds, not so much success the ingress, and impede the escape of the bad air from attended these efforts as was expected. However, a trial the outlet pipe. In some cases the light may be required was made in August, off the coast of Scarborough, where, to be stationary, in others it may be found advantageous upon one occasion, several gentlemen of that town to move slowly in any one particular direction as may be accompanied the Hewitt smack to witness the effects of the previously agreed upon. In working or manoeuvring the Patent Subaqueous Light, and were, as they expressed, well boat and lantern, much must depend upon the nature equally surprised and delighted. A report was published of the bottom, the depth, and also the habits of the in one of the papers of that town. Many of these gentleparticular fish sought after, which will be best known men were provided with their own lines and hooks, and by experienced fishermen. When a sufficient time has took large quantities of whitings. elapsed for the fish to congregate in the locality of the light, the boat can (after drawing up the lantern and air tubes) be moved, in order to enable the fishermen to carry out their operations.

"In line fishing similar operations are carried out, always taking care that the baited hooks are placed in a horizontal, or nearly horizontal, line, and to employ the reflector lanterns, as hereinbefore mentioned, so as to throw the light in the direction of the line or lines.

In some cases, where it may be found desirable to employ more than one lantern, a buoy or buoys should be used to sustain the lanterns, and the tubes supported by a frame of wood or metal fixed upon the said buoy, the ends of the tubes being carried about eight feet above the buoy, and bent downwards, as in the case before mentioned. To assist in maintaining the steadiness of the light, which, when in use as a decoy, is important, I employ a strap or band of vulcanized india rubber between the end of the windlass and the ring on the handle of the lantern. This strap or band must be of sufficient strength and length to prevent, as far as possible, the communication of the undulating motion of the boat or buoy to the lantern by the extension (due to its elasticity) of the said strap or band. I protect the said strap or band by placing a chain or chains, of greater length than the said strap or band, in such manner that the chain or chains will hang loose, and upon any sudden snatch, or motion on the surface of the water, the chain or chains will limit the extension of the strap or band, and prevent its breakage. In moderately-smooth waters the use of this strap or band will not be necessitated.

"In all cases where india-rubber tube is mentioned in ! this specification, it should be understood that it must be vulcanized india rubber tube, and must be of the description known as suction tube; and in all cases where glass is i mentioned, the glass may be either plain or coloured, in any way that may be found to give the tone of light best uited for the purposes herein described, and for the particular kind of fish sought after.

In some cases I employ a mirror or polished surface to act as a reflector of the sun's rays, or at night to reflect those of the moon, or of lamps or lights placed superficially above the water; and by means of cords or chains

The appearance of the sea during this trial has been described as very splendid-the reflection from the sunken light throwing up the bluish green tinge of the water from the valley to the crest of each wave. Even the sails and cordage of the vessel were thus lighted up with the resemblance of a ship afloat on a sea of gold. silvery fish darting about, and ever and anon ascending nearly to the surface of the illuminated water, presented the appearance of dots of polished silver in a sea of gold and azure.

The

In the five voyages made by the above-named vessel, in which the light was placed, many whitings were taken to market. In fact, the experiment was deemed a most successful one.

In September, 1864, the smack Hewitt again left, but this time for the North Sea fishery, to take cod-fish by the aid of the subaqueous illuminator, and was very successful upon several occasions. She was accompanied by other vessels, which also were successful in taking cod-fish in the illuminated water, the largest quantities of fish being found at the verge of the light, or rather in the shadow, as many as thirteen score having been taken at one " take" by a smack so placed. As a rule the largest and finest fish are taken nearest to the light, the smaller and more timid fish being in the shade.

Oil lighting material has so far been employed, and there is no doubt that eight or ten fishing vessels could be worked round one light, especially if one of greater intensity-such as the electric light-were adopted.

Although Mr. Fanshawe's patents, both for Great Britain and for Fiance, for the application of light to fishing purposes, were secured prior to the patent of Iodocius, whose name has been before the public in connection with this subject, he has most successfully used the electric light on the French coast, and under, it is said, the especial sanction of the French Emperor, has captured large quantities of fish, showing at once the certainty of the principle adopted, namely, that fish are unmistakeably drawn from the ground, at sea or in rivers, by the decoying action of light. The great object gained by the subaqueous illuminator, is that we descend so near to the fish as to induce them to leave and to take the bait, which is visible, whereas surface lights, when employed,

are only useful as decoys in isolated cases, and then only to a very inconsiderable depth.

As an instance of the magical effects of light upon fish, it is stated upon reliable authority that in cases where the diving bell has been employed in vicinities where fish are to be found, the water immediately around has been seen teeming with them.

The subaqueous light was tried in fresh water in the River Lea, at Tottenham Mills, and was visited by very many persons. The attractive properties were at once manifest, greatly to the admiration of the many people present. These displays took place during a period of several months, and previously to the display of the principle in salt water.

Mr. Fanshawe proposes to employ the light in fresh water for salmon-taking.

Mr. Fanshawe's system is said to be very advantageous for the following reasons:

1. As economising labour on the fishing grounds. 2. Shortening the time now occupied in taking any given number of fish.

3. In the quantity of bait used, and in the necessary outlay for lines and gear-" long lines" being superseded -"hand lines" only being required in line fishing.

4. Increased safety for human life, the work being confined to the decks of the vessels.

5. In the conservation of the young fish, too small for market, and also of the ova; there being in ordinary trawling (numerically) more fish destroyed by the present trawler's "beam," and the necessarily great pressure of the "long lines," than are caught. By the patent decoy light this constant process of destruction of newly hatched and of unhatched fish is entirely obviated, as only fish worth taking rise from the bottom to the decoy light, and are there taken by the baited hooks; or, as in the case of trawling, within the range of the usual nets; trawling as usually practised being superseded.

taken out, and no doubt the length of time which had elapsed since the filing of the specification (1862) might, if unexplained, tend to throw some discredit upon the invention. The delay in the commencement of the operations was easily accounted for, In the first place, there were great difficulties attending the organisation of a system to carry this invention into practice, a great many experiments had to be tried, and various kinds of apparatus had to be constructed before that which would thoroughly answer the purpose was arrived at. Then again, Mr. Fanshawe himself was so much occupied with other business that he could not give his entire attention to this matter, and therefore it had been put off from time to time, and though experiments had been tried at intervals, they had not been carried on in such a manner as to attract public attention to the invention. From what he had seen of it himself, he fully believed it was calculated to confer great benefits on the community in the way of increasing the supply of fish to the markets, and cheapening that which might be made a staple article of food, so as to bring it within the means of the poorer classes. He believed that when a company had been formed to carry this invention into practical operation, the results would be of a highly satisfactory character; but, as far as the experiments had gone hitherto, they did not afford a fair criterion on which to form a judgment as to the real merits of the invention.

Dr. BACHHOFFNER (who had inquired the date of the specification) said he asked the question simply from curiosity, inasmuch as he had not heard of it before. There were many points in the system brought forward which struck him as ingenious, but they all knew that the plan of catching fish by alluring them with light was no novelty, though the light was most commonly employed above instead of below the surface of the water. At the same time he must be allowed, on the part of the finny tribes, to repudiate the idea of their being attracted 6. Increase of fish supply: Independently of the ad- by being enabled to see, through the means of this subvantages shown by the employment of this patent plan merged light, the particular nature of the bait which was as regards the extra quantity of fish caught through its offered to them. For his own part he did not believe aid, there are many localities inaccessible to the ordinary that fish were such epicures, although, like the moths, modes, and whence fish may be decoyed to more favour- they might be attracted by a light to their own destruction. able positions for capture; besides which, immense quan- He apprehended that the invention was also applicable to tities of non-edible fish are attracted, all of which are deep sea fishing; and if that were so, he imagined that valuable, either as manure, or as oil-producing material; some means would be required for forcing air down the and these fishes are voracious, and constantly feeding upon flexible tube in order to support combustion. The use the edible fish, so that two ends are gained by their removal. of submarine light for facilitating operations beneath the In concluding this, my imperfect essay to handle a surface of the sea was no novelty. At the time of the subject doubtless second to none in national and commer- operations for blowing up the wreck of the Royal George, cial importance, I may perhaps be allowed to state that 1 at Spithead, the late Sir Charles Pasley complained of the have abstained from treating of the taking of fish by difficulty of carrying on the works when the water was in angling, as that is a method resorted to more as a sport or a thick and muddy state, when he (Dr. Bachhoffner) pastime than as a matter of trade, this latter being as it suggested that if the divers were supplied with two appeared to me what needed consideration. Further, it pieces of artificial graphite in connection with the wires perhaps may be permitted to me to state that I have prac- used for firing the charges of gunpowder by electricity, tically no acquaintance with fishing operations, all the the means of obtaining a submarine light would be statements that I have made on that head being derived furnished. The suggestion was acted upon, and the from information obtained from Mr. Fanshawe and others; result was satisfactory, but he did not remember whether and in alluding to that gentleman, I hope I may be it was in that instance that the fish flocked round the allowed to trespass further on your time, by referring to divers in such extraordinary numbers. He had heard of an incidental topic-one as I conceive of the very greatest an invention for introducing the electric light below the importance-it is this:-that should Mr. Fanshawe's in-water in a vessel hermetically sealed, but he believed it vention be found to be an improvement of public and commercial importance-it is without question one by which he would have no chance of obtaining any pecuniary remuneration, unless it were by interesting capitalists in the formation of a company (which I understand is his intention), securing them in the possession of the exclusive rights granted by the patents, or by the means of royalty payments for licenses under the patents; in other words, without the patent laws, Mr. Fanshawe would have no

chance of reward.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. STOVIN remarked that during the reading of the paper the question had been asked when this patent was

was only intended for the purposes of submarine foundation works.

Mr. S. REDGRAVE confirmed the remarks made as to the antiquity of the practice of decoying fish by means of lights on the surface of the water. Mention was made in an old work of a lady at Twickenham, who was annoyed by the disturbances made at night by the salmon fishers in the Thames; and he had in his possession a drawing, eighty years old, representing salmon-fishing by torch-light in the river Tamar.

Mr. BISHOP mentioned that surface lights in fishing for salmon and other fish had been in use for many centuries on the coasts of Norway, more particularly on the Naze and at Christiansand.