ALBERT

Notes: For horizontal layering and plane horizontal impulsive wavefronts it is theoretically possible to get rid of multiple reflections by a feedback procedure which can easily be derived using raypath philosophy. To reduce the increase of noise inherent in the method the precise theoretical formulae are altered in such a manner that a practical application becomes possible. For this purpose the autocorrelation will be used.Application of the new process to a CRP section where the shot geophone distances in the field had not been long enough to attenuate multiple reflections effectively gave favourable results.

Notes: Two in situ measurements of stress wave velocity in a granodiorite massif were made. Firstly, the velocities close to the source were investigated (for elimination of the influence of cracks), and secondly, the velocities in different horizontal directions over a large area were studied from the viewpoint of their dependence on the crack system of the medium. A correlation between the mutual orientation of the cracks and the maximum or minimum values of the stress wave velocities was obtained.

Notes: The technique of linear digital filtering as developed for the direct interpretation of Schlumberger and Wenner soundings (Ghosh 1971) has been applied here for the derivation of the resistivity transform function from the field dipole measurements as the first step in directly interpreting dipole data. Filter coefficients for this transformation have been worked out for the radial-polar, perpendicular and parallel (30°) arrays of dipole sounding. The procedure combines speed with accuracy.

Notes: Dipole soundings are more sensitive to noise caused by lateral and superficial inhomogeneities than Schlumberger soundings. However, the former are preferable for deep explorations in view of the relatively short cables required. The simple solution of carrying out the field work by means of dipole spreads, and to transform the dipole resistivity diagrams into Schlumberger ones by means of proper formulae would be valid only for smooth and regular curves; but often, owing to the presence of lateral noises, the dipole data show a considerable scatter. For such cases a “continuous dipole sounding” method is proposed for which all successive dipoles are contiguous, so that all parts of the profiles are covered and interpolation is not necessary. Obviously the moving dipoles have lengths proportional to their distances, so that they appear equal in the usual bilogarithmic scale. It follows that only polar-dipole arrays may be used. The transition from a dipole to the corresponding Schlumberger apparent resistivity diagram requires an integration constant which is not unequivocally determined. Therefore, the solution is not unique, but all possible derived Schlumberger diagrams have a common part. Similarly, they have some common interpretative results, which may be referred to the original dipole diagram obtained in the field.A special measurement technique is required since the dipole-dipole voltages to be determined are noticeably smaller than the Schlumberger ones. This is true also because dipole soundings are used for great depths and for long distances between the two dipoles.

Notes: Basic requirements for a seismic reflection system using a moderate-power controlled source are discussed. General considerations and computer modelling show promise for geophysical prospecting, especially at low penetration and very high noise level. For many applications, ranging from mineral and water prospecting, to civil and military engineering, and even archeology, a relatively cheap, small and portable device of this kind might be more convenient than conventional explosive sources or sophisticated controlled sources of the vibroseis type. The use of a simple, low frequency periodic signal facilitates rapid data processing procedures and suggests that the mechanical generator will be very simple and cheap.

Notes: A method is described to transform a dipole sounding curve, obtained with any one of the common dipole arrays over a horizontally layered earth, to the form of a Schlumberger sounding curve. Starting from the general expression which relates the dipole apparent resistivity to the Schlumberger apparent resistivity and its derivative with respect to the spacing, it is possible with some approximations to derive an easy numerical computation procedure in order to perform the transformation. The applicability of the method is discussed briefly.

Notes: Approximate deconvolution by means of Wiener filters has become standard practice in seismic data-processing. It is well-known that addition of a certain percentage of noise energy to the autocorrelation of the signal wavelet leads to a filter that does not increase, or even reduces, the noise level on the seismogram. This noise addition will, in general, cause a minimum phase signal to become mixed phase. A technique is presented for the calculation of the optimum-lag shaping filter for a contaminated signal wavelet. The advantages of this method over the more conventional approach are that it needs less arithmetic operations and that it automatically gives the filter with the optimum combination of shaping performance and noise reduction.

Notes: A set of parabolae is defined to approximate the observed gravity profile for specifying the lateral density variation in a two dimensional causative body. This variation separates the “biased” as well as “unbiased” residual anomaly structure. The method may be directly incorporated into existing numerical and graphical techniques of interpretation for subsequent delineation of structural configuration. The simple relations derived by inspection of the observed gravity profile permit universal application of the technique and in particular for the determination of the size and shape of sub-shelf structures. The suitability of the method in various problems of two dimensional interpretation has been indicated through an illustration of the Godavari Basin (India).

Notes: Decomposition of IP discharge curve into a sum of exponentials yields more information than present practice does. Such a work was performed, as a beginning, by hand, plotting the ordinates on semi logarithimic paper. It gave, according to the cases, two or three exponentials, each with an amplitude Ai and the time constant τi.Three examples of ground prospection are given, the third of which shows an anomaly, unnoticed with present technique but obvious on a profile curve with A1/A2 in ordinates.A computer processing technique is described which yields directly the time constants τi by seeking a differential equation which the IP voltage satisfies; the order of the equation is set arbitrarily. On a practical prospection record with only two exponentials, the assumption that the differential equation does not depend on charge duration (everything else being equal) has been checked (the shape of the curves would depend on boundary conditions). The assumption roughly holds for charge durations from 5 seconds to 40 seconds. We hope that a larger number of exponentials will yield better results.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉SommaireLa décomposition de la courbe de décharge en une somme d'exponentielles permet d'en tirer plus d'information que la pratique actuelle. Un tel travail a été fait, pour commencer, à la main en portant les ordonnées sur papier logarithmique; il a fourni, suivant les cas, deux ou trois exponentielles avec, pour chacune d'elles, le coefficient Ai et la constante de temps τi.On donne trois exemples de prospection sur le terrain, dont le dernier comporte une anomalie, inaperçue avec la technique actuelle, mais bien mise en évidence en traçant la courbe de A1/A2 le long du profil.On donne ensuite une technique de calcul sur ordinateur des τi, en recherchant l'équation différentielle à laquelle obéit la tension ΔVPP enregistrée, l'ordre de cette équation étant fixé arbitrairement. On a cherchéà vérifier sur un enregistrement de terrain, avec. deux exponentielles seulement, l'hypothèse suivant laquelle l'équation différentielle ne dépend pas de la durée de charge (toutes choses égales d'ailleurs). L'hypothèse se trouve grossièrement vérifiée pour les durées de charge allant de 5 secondes à 40 secondes, et nous espérons qu'un plus grand nombre d'exponentielles donnera de meilleurs résultats.

Notes: The conventional seismic technique is subject to a recording time following each transmission of energy, in which it is forbidden to release any new pulse. The recording time depends on the deepest reflection of interest, and is often 10 seconds or more in actual practice. To each transmission corresponds one record, i.e. a fixed amount of data which cannot be increased in a given time.Pulse coding allows us to go beyond this limit, by transmitting several times during the normal recording time. The procedure gives as many records as there are pulses, but they overlap, each event being repeated every time there is a pulse. It is possible to process the composite record back to its usual appearance with all events in their proper place if the time breaks are accurately known and make up a code such that the unavoidable noise generated by the process be kept, on the final section, below the ambient noise. The processing is quite similar to that of records made from vibrating sources, though faster in practice.The additional information can be devoted to a saving of time and money as the same profile may be recorded in a shorter time; or to an improvement of quality of the section due to a higher order of coverage, a multiplication of the ray paths and a closer sampling of the reflectors. It is also possible to record information in several planes at the same time, and to work out a 3-dimensional restitution, without loss of production.The process applies to all kinds of sources provided they can be triggered according to the code with sufficient accuracy. Depending on the source and conditions of implementation, the method benefits from other advantages such as better resolution, increased flexibility, and better coupling.Two different names have been given to the process, Sosie and Seiscode, which apply to slightly different parameters for the sequence of pulses. Sosie is more useful at sea, while the normal scope for Seiscode is onshore. Both names are trademarks for SNPA.

Notes: Two-layer type curves of apparent frequency effect for the Wenner configuration are presented. The formulation is based on the normal definition of frequency effect in terms of resistivities measured at different frequencies plus the definition of apparent resistivity over two horizontal layers as a function of first and second layer resistivities. The use of these type curves in the interpretation of multilayer apparent frequency-effect curves is described and some field examples are given.

Notes: In this paper properties of the discrete zero-phase time function are derived and compared with related properties of the discrete minimum-phase time function.The two-sided minimum-length signal is introduced and it is derived that, for any given amplitude spectrum, the two-sided minimum-length signal and the signal with zero-phase spectrum are identical signals. A comparison is made between the one-sided minimum-length signal (minimum-phase signal) and the two-sided minimum-length signal (zero-phase signal).A computational scheme is discussed which determines the zero-phase correspondent of a given signal.A method is proposed to compute zero-phase least-square inverse filters. The efficiency of minimum-phase and zero-phase least-square inverse filters is shown on signals with different phase properties.A criterion is derived which determines whether a symmetric time function has the zero-phase property. The close relationship with the minimum-phase criterion is discussed.Finally the relationship between signal length and resolving power is illustrated on numerical examples.

Notes: Empirical equalities derived from time domain induced polarization scale modelling with the gradient array over simple geometries, and from the potential field functions for equivalent simple charge configurations are similar. The function for the dyke like body is analogous to the magnetic case allowing both total and vertical magnetic field interpretation techniques to be applied to gradient array chargeability anomalies.

Notes: A checking method of digital multiple elimination and of deconvolution processing using computers and based on optical autocorrelation is first presented. Comparison between autocorrelograms before and after a single or several processing steps allows to estimate, on one hand, the strength of the deconvolution obtained, known by the study of the central parts which is in fact the signal autocorrelation, on the other hand, the multiple elimination given by the study of side parts of the autocorrelogram.Further, an optical deconvolution procedure, is presented. For this, it is supposed that the signal is known and optically reproduced in the same way as the one of a trace. This is achieved by sphero-cylindrical optics allowing trace to trace processing. Deconvolution is carried out in the spectral domain by inserting a filter in the Fourier plane of the optical unit, the transmission law of which expresses the Fourier transform of the antisignal. This filter device introduces a holographic technique called Fourier holography, in such a way phases as well as amplitudes are preserved.Several results are presented from a synthetic section and also from field sections.

Notes: The separation of regional from local gravity anomalies by means of the application of two-dimensional linear filters is analyzed. It was found that optimization of the filter in the least squares sense leads to filters that produce strong localized concentrations of the error, which may erroneously be interpreted as anomalies. For this reason the maximum absolute value of the error is a more important criterion for the quality of the filter than the root mean square error. This maximum absolute error is minimized by the minimax filter. Intermediate filters are derived which give a transition zone which comes appreciably closer to that of the optimal filter at only a small price in terms of increase of the maximum absolute error.

Notes: Cable feathering is defined as the angle between a line connecting the cable end points and the line of the seismic profile. It is shown that an average reflection point map is more accurate than a shot point location map for geologic interpretation. Geologic resolution is degraded by feathering and this degradation is a function of the number of channels recorded. Feathering in areas of dipping reflectors produces non-standard normal move-out because the depth points are not common, and the perpendicular distances to the reflecting surfaces vary among traces in the c.d.p. gather. An example of a profile shot across a large river is discussed.

Notes: First, we review briefly the principle of the method, the computation of theoretical curves for a layered earth, and the recording technique in use in our surveys.The case history deals with an area covered with overthrust nappes (marls of Miocene age), which had slid on a Triassic sole, obscuring the geological picture.The magnetotelluric survey followed those of gravity and aeromagnetics and preceded the seismic one from North to South, it displayed a shallow and gently dipping basin, a major fault system, and a deep basin with a thick resistive layer, often underlying a conducting one.The seismics, and later the drilling of a well East of the profile, confirmed these features; in particular, the thick resistive layer was revealed to be Jurassic; only its thickness had been slightly overestimated. This fact lead the people in charge of the operations to ask for a reinterpretation synthesis of magnetotellurics, seismics and gravity, the results of which are also presented.

Notes: Qureshi and Mula have suggested a computer method for the calculation of the shape of a two dimensional body from the gravity anomaly profile associated with it. The application of the method, however, was restricted to those bodies which have their top or base horizontal and end sides vertical. In this paper study has been made to investigate the possibility of eliminating the above mentioned restrictions and has arrived at the affirmative conclusion.

Notes: Consideration is given to the form of apparent resistivity sections obtained by varying electrode array position and spacing over two dimensional features.Since basic solutions exist for horizontally layered media and for vertical or dipping single interfaces, simple rules are proposed whereby these solutions can be directly combined to give solutions for more complex sections. Substantial approximations may be involved as the rules do not fully allow for interactions between the constituents.The range of error incurred in application of the rules is explored, with particular reference to the square array system of resistivity measurement. The two extremes- of orientation of the square array with respect to the line of section are separately considered in this survey.Within appropriate limits, the rules appear extendable to a wide variety of simple structures for which rigorous solutions would be formidable. The rules are finally discussed in relation to practical applications.

Notes: In modern oil exploration layers of prospective interest with rather simple structural features are often overlain by very complicated bodies as e.g. saltdomes or other kinds of diapirs, olistostromes, or front zones of overthrusted blankets. In all these cases normal reflection seismic investigations, where downgoing and upgoing rays are rather close to each other, mostly fail, either because no reflections from underneath the complicated bodies are obtained, or because a reliable migrated depth presentation becomes practically impossible due to the inhomogeneity of the overlying bodies.The undershooting technique avoids these difficulties by using ray paths which do not traverse the complicated bodies e.g. by shooting on one side of a saltdome and recording on the other side. On account of the large shot-geophone distances in this method special considerations and computer processes were developed concerning moveout corrections for common depth point stacking and migrated depth presentation.In many cases the location of the disturbing complicated bodies is known in advance. The shooting and recording program can then be adjusted to this knowledge and thereby kept to a minimum. If the location of the complicated bodies is unknown a more extended seismic program has to be carried out encompassing a great variety of shot-geophone distances. But in this case the approximate location of the complicated bodies can be deduced from the survey too.Results are presented in order to give an idea of the efficiency of the new seismic tool.

Notes: This paper describes the procedure for interpreting the apparent resistivity data measured with the two-electrode array directly with the help of kernel function. The calculation of kernel function from the observed resistivity curve is done by the method of decomposition. In the method of decomposition the resistivity curve is approximated by a sum of certain functions, whose choice is only restricted by the requirement that the contribution to the kernel function corresponding to them should be easily computable. A few such functions are classified. These, and the standard curves for corresponding kernel functions obtained by utilising an integral expression for two-electrode array expressing the kernel explicitly in terms of the apparent resistivity functions, are plotted on log-log scale. The determination of layer parameters, that is, the layer resistivities and thicknesses from the kernel function can be carried out by a method proposed by Pekeris (1940).

Notes: A six-channel wide-band digital system for magnetotelluric measurements is described The system is designed to operate in the frequency band 10-.0001 Hz. The recording is made on a 7 track tape in an IBM compatible 12 bit format. The amplitude and phase responses of the system and sample records are presented.

Notes: Several types of multichannel filters have been introduced in the past with the purpose of rejecting, in a seismic section, coherent noise having a slope different from that of the signal.These filters, generally, tend to introduce a certain amount of mixing and therefore the output trace shows increased horizontal coherence. This is due to the model on which these filters are based, since the hypothesis is posed that the reflectors are continuous. This may be dangerous since it could lead to mistaken interpretations, for example when small faults or breaks are made to disappear in the output section.Other problems that could arise in the application of multichannel filters after-stack are space-aliasing and high-pass filtering. The former occurs when coherent noise is rejected with apparent Velocity V and frequency fa=V/X, where X is the distance between traces. In this case, the signal also is distorted since it is rejected in the same frequency range. The high pass filtering effect occurs when the multichannel filter is designed to remove low coherent noise with high apparent velocity.In the paper a family of multichannel filters is presented based on a model of the seismic section such that minimum mixing effects appear. The filters are designed to give good results even in the case of low frequency and high velocity coherent noise.Some practical examples are shown.

Notes: Sub-bottom profilers achieve high resolution but limited penetration beneath the seabed. Marine seismic surveys with long streamers and conventional sources suffer from an incomplete CDP stack and an unnecessarily low signal frequency in the early part of the section. Consequently there is a depth interval over which the optimum resolution of the seismic reflection method is not achieved. This paper describes the design, conduct, and results of an experimental survey made to obtain high resolution sections (predominant frequency about 200 Hz) with reflection times up to one second in the northern North Sea. The prime motivation for the experiment was to assess the possibility of mapping a shallow gas sand which had been encountered by the drillers.The design concept of the survey was to keep all the benefits of conventional marine seismic data gathering and processing, but to reduce their dimensions and time scales by a factor of five to ten. The survey in 1972 recorded a total of twenty-four lines using twenty-four fold cover with 5 m spacing between the reflector points, and a separation of 50 m between adjacent lines. Multi-electrode sparkers were used with a shallow purpose-built twenty-four channel 240 m hydrophone streamer. The recording sample interval was 1 ms. The final sections, obtained after conventional data processing, were of good quality. The results of velocity analysis helped to distinguish primary and multiple energy. Reflections with large negative reflection coefficients were seen in some parts of the survey area, and these are thought to indicate thin gas sands.

Notes: This paper deals with a case study on the application of auto-correlation and spectral analysis methods to mineral assay data taken along seven drives and two winzes concerning the McTaggart's (West) lode of Kolar gold fields. The general model conceived in this study is: measured (estimated) ore grade at jth location =true value + error at jth location. Employing an auto-correlation function of the form C e- a |k| for signals, the respective contributions of signals and noise to the total logarithmic variances for the data along drives and winzes are analysed. Smoothed spectral density estimates and their 90% confidence limits are computed for the series of data.

Notes: Methods and typical case histories of EM and IP surveys are compared in order to check their compatibility for the investigation of large areas for base metal sulphides. It is demonstrated that the fast, low cost EM may miss sulphide concentrations which cause no reduction of apparent resistivity, or which act like horizontal slabs, where EM anomalies occur marginally. In such cases only IP can recognize the whole extent of the mineralization. The misleading role of graphite exists for both methods.The conclusion is that EM remains the only economical method to survey whole ore districts, but that the shortcomings should always be taken into account in the interpretation. They can be overcome by employing geological, geochemical or other geophysical indicators in selecting promising targets for follow-up IP. Even if less than 20% of the area is covered by the expensive IP, there is a fair chance that all sulphide bearing rocks will be found. Therefore, the question is not whether to apply EM or IP methods, but how to combine them best.

Notes: The paper deals with the prerequisites of application, specific peculiarities and methods of electrometric and thermometric investigations aimed at the solution of certain engineering-geological problems in offshore areas. Practical examples are supplied.

Notes: The voltage induced in a horizontal loop on a layered ground has been calculated for the case where the loop is excited by a step current and measurements are made during the off-cycle.The expressions derived for a uniform ground show that for large time t the induced voltage E(t) is approximately given by E(t)≃— (Ibαμ/20t) (σμ2/t)3/2 where σ is the conductivity of the ground, μ the permeability, b the loop radius, and I the amplitude of the current step. For small times the corresponding result is E(t)≃—Ibμ/2t.When the ground is composed of a number of layers a numerical procedure for calculating the induced voltage is described.The calculated responses of various multilayered structures show that at short times the induced voltage is asymptotic to that produced in the case of a uniform ground of conductivity equal to the top layer.Interference effects in the top layer can lead to anomalous decay curves which may result in the underestimation of the conductivity of a buried layer.

Notes: Marine geophysical work requires accurate navigation on a continuous basis. A repeatability of 150 m CEP (circular error probable) with sequential positioning of 15 m CEP is usually acceptable. Quoted figures for many presently available navigation systems yield nearly the required accuracy. In actual operations, however, such accuracies may not be achieved, and usually the performance actually realized cannot be determined for want of independent measurements for comparison. If more redundancy in navigation measurements were available on an integrated basis, the limitations of individual systems would no longer be so critical and the accuracy of measurements could be assessed in real time. Failures in navigation continue to occur. Such failures usually result from ignorance of the capabilities of the navigation system and limitations and consequent choice of a system which is not appropriate to the demands of a particular survey. The points to be covered in work standards are listed.

Notes: The acceptance of articles in Geophysical Prospecting is strictly based on the originality and relevance of the contents. In order to be published a paper has to satisfy additional requirements on its external form and on its style and language: it should be written preferably in English though articles in French and German are permitted. A paper should consist of (i) a title page, (ii) an abstract, (iii) the text, (iv) list of references, (v) captions to illustrations, if any, (vi) tables, if any, and (vii) illustrations, if any. These seven parts should be mailed together but be physically separable and should be prepared according to rules which are either based on printing necessities or on the editorial style of the Journal.Failure to comply with these rules may result in delay in further processing of the article. Since Geophysical Prospecting is edited with a minimal budget correspondence with authors is kept to a minimum.

Notes: Depths of investigation for normal (bipolar) and focusing (unipolar) linear electrode arrays have been computed following the method given earlier (Roy and Apparao 1971) both in homogeneous and layered earth. The focusing arrangement is found to be superior to normal arrangement both in regard to depth of investigation and zone of uniform depth of investigation. This analysis holds good in layered media too. Further, the depth of investigation increases with the increase in the length (2M) of the electrode and reaches a limit, 0.29L for normal and 0.50L for focusing, when the electrode attains an optimum length to satisfy the infinite condition. This optimum length of the electrode is six times the distance L of the observation point from the electrode for normal and about ten times for focusing. A contour diagram for contributions of individual ground elements to the total signal measured at the centre of focused system is also discussed.

Notes: The authors generalize a method expounded in a previous paper (1971, Geoph. Prosp. 18, 786-799) to the case of a local conductivity σ(M) of the infinite medium satisfying the relation 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu1" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR246:GPR_246_mu1"/〉 where the Ri's are the distances from the point M to n fixed points Si (i= 1,. n), k is a positive real constant and Ci, Cii are constants ensuring the condition α 〉 O.The sub-surface conductivity distributions (half-spaces) complying with (1) provide a wide variety of conducting structures, which can fit quite successfully the rather complicated distributions of conductivity occurring in natural ore bodies.An exact algebraic calculation of the apparent resistivity for these grounds, valid for any dc electrical prospecting devices (Wenner, Schlumberger, dipole, etc.) leads to a set of simultaneous linear equations, with a matrix which is invariant with respect to the position of the quadrupole being used. This greatly simplifies the numerical computation.We also present some examples of cross sections for the real and apparent resistivity obtained by this method.

Notes: Section migration after stack has been widely accepted by the industry. From a theoretical point of view, section migration before stack should provide superior results, the improvement warranting the drastically increased cost is not realized in most cases.There are a number of reasons that explain the discrepancy between actual and theoretically expected quality: Long period statics, refraction of rays, two-dimensional treatment of an actually three-dimensional problem.The section migration package subject to this paper allows(i) to take refraction into account,(ii) to discriminate against noise with a variety of statistical and geometrical criteria,(iii) to adapt processing time to problem complexity by a special process called SEMI-STACK.A number of examples will demonstrate the effects of section migration.

Notes: A seismic trace after application of suitable amplitude recovery may be treated as a stationary time-series. Such a trace, or a portion of it, is modelled by the expression 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu1" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00168025:GPR627:GPR_627_mu1"/〉 where j represents trace number on the record, t is time, αj is a time delay, α (t) is the seismic wavelet, s(t) is the reflection impulse response of the ground and nj is uncorrelated noise. With the common assumption that s(t) is white, random, and stationary, estimates of the energy spectrum (or auto-correlation function) of the pulse α(t) are obtained by statistical analysis of the multitrace record. The time-domain pulse itself is then reconstituted under the assumption of minimum-phase. Three techniques for obtaining the phase spectrum have been evaluated: (A) use of the Hilbert transform, (B) Use of the z-transform, (C) a fast method based on inverting the least-squares inverse of the wavelets, i.e. inverting the normal time-domain deconvolution operator. Problems associated with these three methods are most acute when the z-transform of α(t) has zeroes on or near the unit circle. Such zeroes result from oversampling or from highly resonant wavelets. The behaviour of the three methods when the energy spectra are perturbed by measurement errors is studied. It is concluded that method (A) is the best of the three. Examples of reconstituted pulses are given which illustrate the variability from trace-to-trace, from shot-to-shot, and from one shot-point medium to another. There is reasonable agreement between the minimum-phase pulses obtained by this statistical analysis of operational records and those estimated from measurements close to the source. However, this comparison incorporates a “fudge-factor” since an allowance for absorption has to be made in order to attenuate the high frequencies present in the pulse measured close to the shot.

Notes: The implementation of a stacking filter involves the filtering of each trace with an individual filter and the subsequent summing of all outputs. The actual position of a trace in space as well as certain simultaneous shifts of traces and filter components in time do not influence the process. The resulting output is consequently invariant to various arbitrary coordinate transformations. For a certain useful class of ensembles of non-linear moveout arrival times for signals a particular transformation can be found which transforms a given ensemble into one consisting only of straight lines. It is thus possible to reduce, for instance, the analysis of a stacking filter designed for hyperbola-like moveout curves to the analysis of a velocity filter with linear moveout curves. As the (f—k) transform is a very useful concept to describe a velocity filter, it can consequently be applied to characterize a stacking filter in regard to its performance on input signals with non-linear moveout.

Notes: The technique of linear digital filtering developed for the computation of standard curves for conventional resistivity and electromagnetic depth soundings is applied to the determination of filter coefficients for the computation of dipole curves from the resistivity transform function by convolution. In designing the filter function from which the coefficients are derived, a sampling interval shorter than the one used in the earlier work on resistivity sounding is found to be necessary. The performance of the filter sets is tested and found to be highly accurate. The method is also simple and very fast in application.

Notes: A case history is presented for the exploration of barite with the electrical resistivity method. Altogether eight locations were recommended out of which six correspond to barite bodies. In the present case the gravity method, which is commonly used for the location of barite because of its high density contrast with the host rocks, has failed, perhaps due to small size of the ore bodies.

Notes: A correct derivation of rms, average and interval velocities from one another and from common depth point stacking velocities requires a clear understanding of the relationships between these velocities. We relate the average velocity to the rms velocity through a “heterogeneity factor” which is a quantity that gives a measure of the degree of velocity heterogeneity in the ground. The interval velocity is a quantity which varies according to the method of its derivation. The difference between rms and stacking velocities depends on the heterogeneity factor and on the length of the spread. Unless allowed for, this difference can reverse the advantages of long spreads and cause large errors in interval velocity determinations. It may be removed through a number of techniques. The accuracy of stacking velocities in the presence of random “noise” is independent of the heterogeneity factor. Relevant expressions can be broken down into simple formulae which give the accuracy quickly and with good precision.

Notes: Two antigenically distinct populations of b-negative light chains have been identified in the serum of two b locus homozygous rabbits undergoing total b locus suppression. Whilst one population of molecules is readily detected in all rabbit sera and represents the previously described lambda chain, a second and minor population of b-negative molecules is detected which is readily detected in normal rabbit serum only rarely. Thus, it appears that it is not specificities of the c7-, c-21 system that are being detected but rather a previously unrecognized allotypic system or the products of a different light chain locus.

Notes: Two genetically inbred strains of rats with new histocompatibility alleles—the KGH and WKA strains—were characterized. Neither the KGH nor WKA strain cells reacted with known Ag-B * specific antisera; specific antisera against these strains did not react with cells from any known Ag-B group; and there was no cross-reactivity between the histocompatibility antigens of the two strains. On the basis of these data, the KGH strain was assigned the Ag-B7 allele and the WKA strain, the Ag-B8 allele. Both strains were low responders to the test antigen poly(Glu52Lys33Tyr15). In various crosses, the antibody response segregated as expected, i.e. low response was associated with the Ag-B7 or Ag-B8 alleles in the F2 and backcross generations.

Notes: The relationship between the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) and the serologically defined antigens of the major histocompatibility complex was examined in twenty-three strains of genetically inbred rats. Interstrain cell combinations involving representative members of the different major Ag-B groups were associated with significant MLR responses. Strain combinations within a single Ag-B group were never associated with significant MLR responses, suggesting that non-Ag-B loci probably do not play an important role in MLR reactivity among inbred strains of rats. The WKA and KGH strains, representing newly defined histocompatibility groups, were also examined. The WKA strain (Ag-B8) showed positive MLR responses against representative members of all the different Ag-B groups, including the KGH strain. The KGH strain (Ag-B7) had positive MLR responses against all Ag-B groups except Ag-B1: no reactions occurred with three strains in this group, and inconsistent and weak reactivity was observed with a fourth strain (F344).

Notes: The amino acid sequence near the N-terminus of a human immunoglobulin (Ig) light (L) chain has been determined. This sequence is more homologous to avian Ig L chains than to human Ig L chains, and defines an additional variable (V-) region subgroup designated as VλVI. These data also suggest that all vertebrates share large numbers of Ig V-region genes and that 'species-specific’residues reflect the expression in different species of different sets of V-region genes. Control at a level equivalent to ‘regulatory genes’* determines which genes are expressed. Our findings raise a question concerning the possible role of redundant DNA, in that at least some of the ‘nonsense’ DNA in one species may actually be 'sense’DNA in another. We hypothesize that in evolution‘gene expansion’is a regular mechanism for the generation of new genes and that different members of a given group of repetitious genes are expressed in different species. Such a phenomenon is basically similar to the‘mechanism’controlling the differential expression of genes during embryonic differentiation. Our hypothesis differs from the previous version of the germ-line hypothesis proposed for genetic control of antibody variability which involves ‘sudden excessive gene expansion and contraction’. Evidence suggesting that the‘gene expansion’mechanism may also be applicable to a lesser degree to other gene systems is briefly reviewed and discussed.

Notes: Stepwise incubation with specific H-2 antibody and rabbit-anti-mouse Ig was used to modulate the expression of selected H-2 specificities on the surface of lymph node cells or EL 4 leukaemia cells. Modulation was reflected in a loss of sensitivity to complement-dependent lysis and a polar pattern of immunofluorescence (‘capping’). Specificity H-2.5 on H-2a cells was co-modulated with H-2.11 and so was H-2.11 with H-2.5 on H-2k cells. However, when H-2.11 on H-2k cells was modulated, the cells did not loose cytotoxic sensitivity for H-2.5. This asymmetry in co-modulation of H-2.5 and H-2.11 may be accommodated by the duplication model of the H-2 complex which postulates a double determination of H-2.5 in the H-2k (unlike H-2a) chromosome, with one determinant being in the K region (where also the H-2.11 determinant is located) and the other in H-2D. The modulation results with H-2.5 and H-2.11 are compatible with the view that various H-2K specificities may represent distinct antigenic sites on the same glycoprotein molecule whereas H-2D specificities are on separate molecule(s). The independent modulation of H-2D.4 and H-2K.11 specificities further indicates that molecules of the two classes are also secondarily not linked in the membrane structure. Modulation-induced cytotoxicity resistance was further shown to persist even when the specific H-2 antibody is newly added; this suggests that it is a change in the distribution of the H-2 antigen to be held responsible (rather than the loss of the sensitizing antibody).A modulated expression of a certain H-2 specificity might then be expected to affect its blocking relationship to another H-2 specificity; the blocking index expresses the degree of interference by antibody attached to one of them with the attachment of antibody to the other. The blocking relationship between H-2.4 and H-2.11 was shown to be completely abolished by the independent modulation of H-2.11. In contrast to this, the blocking index for H-2.5 and H-2.11 remained practically constant following the modulation of either specificity; this indicates that the intramolecular configuration of such two H-2 sites may not be altered by the gross redistribution of the whole molecule in the plane of the membrane. The rigidity of this configuration seems to be maintained by neuraminidase-sensitive groups as suggested by the reduced blocking index in neuraminidase pretreated cell.

Notes: The effects of varying degrees of multiparity on placental and foetal weights were examined in BALB/c female mice pregnant by either BALB/c or C3H males. Continual decreases in placental weights are observed through third pregnancies followed by progressive increases in both syngeneic and allogeneic placentas. In syngeneic pregnancies, foetal weights are generally proportional to placental weights, but those of allogeneic pregnancies tend to oppose placental weights. Evidence is presented that placental weights are also influenced by foetus-specific antigens and the genotype of previous litters. In this strain combination, placental weights reflect changes in maternal reactivity different from those previously reported with tumour allografts.

Notes: The Ag system, inherited antigenic determinants on serum low density lipoprotein and Australia antigen (Au), an antigen associated with an infectious agent which can cause hepatitis in man were discovered by reacting in immunodiffusion tests sera from multiply transfused patients and sera from geographically human populations. The approach has been pursued in the experiments described herein and has resulted in the identification of seventeen precipitating systems. They are different from the previously described anti-Au and anti-Ag precipitins. In some cases they may be confused with Australia antigen precipitins, and care should be taken in the evaluation of Au test systems where comparisons with antigen controls are not routinely performed.

Notes: Book Review in this Article. Einfiihrung in die Immungenetik, Grundlagen der Modernen Genetik 9, KLAUSDIETER BAUER

Notes: A new type of Gm genetic marker combination in an IgG1 immunoglobulin, Gm(z) together with a non-a marker, is here described. This indicates the presence of a new gene, Gmz,non-a, which most likely originated on the basis of an intragenic recombination at the IgG1 cistron. Immunochemical and immunogenetic studies showed that no other IgG1 Gm markers were expressed by the unusual gene, and there was no evidence for deletions or duplications at the IgG1 cistron.

Notes: The cell mediated lympholysis (CML) test is normally carried out in 2 steps–first, the lymphoid cells are allowed to interact in mixed allo-culture (MLC) and secondly, they are reacted against chromium labelled phytohaemagglutinin transformed lymphoblast cells, carrying the appropriate target allo-determinants. The genetic control of target structures has already been localized to the H-2D and H-2K regions of the H-2 gene complex, but the genetic basis of the generation of effector capacity is not understood and is the subject of this report; the suggestion that there is a separate genetic basis came from the observation that H-2D and/or H-2K region incompatibility alone was insufficient for CML to occur and that incompatibility at the Ir-Ss-Slp regions of the H-2 complex was also required. In the Ir region also reside the genetic control for the strong lymphocyte activating determinants (LAD) of the H-2 gene complex and it was thought possible that they might also be responsible for activating the effector cells for CML.The genetic experiments were done with congenic resistant and recombinant mouse strains, so it was possible to study in relative isolation, and in selected combinations which of the various defined regions of the H-2 gene complex control the initiation of effector capacity in CML.Five day,‘one-way’(parent-F1) mixed lymphocyte cultures–incompatible only for defined regions of the H-2 gene complex were reacted with 51Cr-labelled PHA blast cells and the specific chromium release was calculated.The results give evidence for a separate but closely linked genetic control for the effector cell stimulating (ECS) and LAD functions. The ECS genes map between the LAD and Ss-Slp genes of the H-2 complex.

Notes: Gonad development was studied in young carp of the European and Chinese (big-belly) races. The effects of age and body weight on gonad and egg size were partitioned and the following findings were made: (i) Gonad weight was correlated, in both males and females, with body weight, but proportional gonad weight, i.e. the ratio gonad weight divided by body weight, was independent of body weight, (ii) Proportional gonad weight had reached its maximum value in one year old males, but it more than doubled in two year old females, (iii) Egg size of two year old females was more than twice the size of eggs of one year old females, (iv) The European and Chinese races of carp differed in several aspects of gonad development. In particular, the Chinese matured earlier and their relative gonad sizes were considerably larger, (v) Genetic variation in gonad development was also found within the European race, where faster rate of development is dominant over slower rate. The evolutionary implications of the above differences were discussed.

Notes: Changes in haematocrit values under lowered oxygen tension and aerobically treated blood samples of rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri (Richardson), landlocked Baltic salmon S. salar (L.), brown trout S. trutta lacustris (L.) and lake trout Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum) have been studied in vitro. The mean haematocrit value increased during 2 h incubation under lowered oxygen tension by 32.7 ± 3.1% in rainbow trout, 28.2 ± 2.8% in landlocked Baltic salmon, 29.2 ± 5.6% in brown trout and 25.2 ± 2.8% in lake trout. During corresponding incubation with oxygen the mean haematocrit value decreased below the starting level by 18.1 ± 1.9% in rainbow trout, 18.3 ± 4.8% in landlocked Baltic salmon, 22.4 ± 0.7% in brown trout and 11.8 ± 1.7% in lake trout. Consequently, the changes in the haematocrit values were greater in the species belonging to the genus Salmo than in that of the genus Salvelinus. The increase in the haematocrit values seems to have resulted from swelling of the erythrocytes and their decrease is similarly attributable to shrinking of the cells. The reasons for this swelling, which may be complicated, and its apparent significance for haematocrit determinations are discussed.

Notes: Wild plaice and flounders with lymphocystis were sampled and their lesion distribution noted. Regression of the lymphocystis cells was seen by histology and a host response including macrophages and immune cells occurred. Antibodies were detectable by a double diffusion precipitin test. The epidemiology is discussed with reference to these findings and to the life histories of the two species.

Notes: The stomachs of 148 elasmobranch and teleost fishes representing 35 families and 62 species were examined by viscometry for cellulase activity. Sixteen species of Georgia estuarine fish and the freshwater fish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) showed some cellulase activity. Elasmobranchs and teleosts captured in Florida Bay, Florida, and over the continental shelf off Georgia lacked cellulase activity. Cellulase activity in fishes is probably produced by microflora of the alimentary tract.

Notes: Rates of acclimation and the response to fluctuating low temperatures of juvenile striped mullet Mugil cephalus (L.) have been described in terms of changes in heat resistance over a period of time. Fish changed from 25.5 to 27 or 29° C were acclimated within seven days. Acclimation to 23 or 15° C required a maximum of 11 days. Thermal responses to fluctuating low temperatures were lower than responses to constant temperature levels. Cyclic variations in heat resistance were present in all experimental and control tests.

Notes: Juvenile Rhabdosargus holubi (Steindachner), one of the commonest teleosts in south east African estuaries, are strong osmoregulators, showing little change in their internal osmotic concentration over an extremely wide salinity range. In 35‰ seawater the internal osmotic concentration is held at 370 mosmol/1. At a salinity of 1‰ the internal osmotic concentration falls to 216 mosmol/1 and at a salinity of 65‰ rises to 381 mosmol/1. When exposed to a new salinity the internal osmotic concentration does not change until after 10 h; this may be of considerable importance to fish living in areas subject to short term changes of salinity.

Notes: Sardinella gibbosa and Sardinella albella of Dar es Salaam coast were studied from January 1969 to March 1970. Measurements on the standard length, weight, body depth, length and width of the gonads were taken and qualitative assessments of fat coverage on the alimentary canal and maturation stages were made. New size-groups of both the species appeared in the lamp-fishery at c. 6 cm SL between October 1969 and February 1970 and the largest specimens caught were 14.1 and 12.9 cm SL for the first and second species respectively. Length-weight equations of the two species show higher values of the regression coefficients for the females compared to the males. Fat content of fishes 〉 10 cm SL was high during March to May and low during August to December 1969. First maturation and spawning are probably attained at c. 10.5 and 10 cm SL in the first and second species respectively. Mature S. gibbosa occurred between August and November 1969 and probably the species has a single, annual spawning season of 3.4 months duration. Mature S. albella, 10.1–12.5 cm SL occurred between August 1969 and February 1970; mature females, 12.6–12.9 cm SL were encountered throughout the sampling period.

Notes: In the horse mackerel the gametes develop asynchronously and are released in batches. The maturity cycle is characterized by a rapid post-spawning recovery period and a relatively long period of oocyte maturation. Mean gonad weight reached a peak in June and intraovarian hyaline oocytes occurred from May to August. Determination of fecundity was complicated by resorption of oocytes both before and after spawning, and by the fact that resting and developing oocytes were not clearly separated by size. An estimate of‘potential fecundity‘was obtained by a combination of histology and oocyte measurement. Plankton surveys showed that a major spawning area exists in the Southern Bight of the North Sea, with eggs occurring from May to late August. An estimate of annual egg production was combined with the fecundity data to give an estimate of stock size of about 500 000 tons.

Notes: The results of the application of Schnabel (Chapman modification), Schumacher & Eschmeyer, Fisher & Ford, and Jolly capture-recapture techniques on the Barbus barbus (L.) population in four areas of the middle Severn are compared. The survival of tagged fish varied in different areas and fish released in some time periods were less vulnerable to recapture than fish released from other samples. It is suggested that the shoaling behaviour of Barbus barbus resulted in non-random mixing of marked fish. The average population size of Barbus barbus greater than 18 cm in length in each of the four sections for the total period of investigation gave population densities ranging from 0.024/m2 to 0.202/m2.

Notes: Scales of 497 dace from the river Stour and 573 from the river Frome were used for age determinations. Annuli were laid down in late May to early June at the start of the growth period. Minimal growth occurred from November to April. Male dace grew minimally faster than females; Frome dace faster than those from the Stour. Growth rates in the two rivers were similar to those published for most other European waters. Variation in growth rates in different years was not great, but there were marked differences in recruitment success. Spawning occurred in the second half of March and elaboration of the gonads between September and March. Immature dace have an annual cycle in condition with a maximum in June and a minimum during the winter months. The condition of the mature females is affected by the gonad cycle. The fecundity of Stour dace is represented by the formula: 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu1" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00221112:JFB237:JFB_237_mu1"/〉 and for Frome dace by: 〈displayedItem type="mathematics" xml:id="mu2" numbered="no"〉〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00221112:JFB237:JFB_237_mu2"/〉 Most dace were mature by age IV, but there were more mature II and III group fish in the Frome population. Molluscs and Trichoptera larvae comprised the bulk of the winter diet of Stour dace, and Ephemeroptera nymphs, Simulium and chironomid larvae were the principal constituents during the summer.

Notes: Synthetic detergents are reported to be acutely toxic to fish in concentrations between 0.4 and 40 mg/1. Factors affecting toxicity include the molecular structure of the detergent, water hardness, temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration; the age and species of the test fish, and acclimation to low concentrations of detergent. Some of these factors appear to be of only limited importance. Gill damage is the most obvious acute toxic effect; the immediate cause of death may be asphyxiation, but detergents may also be toxic internally. Lethal effects not related to gill damage have not been investigated. Sublethal effects include retardation of growth, alteration of feeding behaviour and inhibition of chemoreceptor organs. Low levels of detergents may also increase the uptake of other pollutants. Invertebrates, especially in their juvenile stages, are extremely sensitive to detergents: concentrations below 0.1 mg/1 interfere with growth and development in some species. The interactions between detergents and proteins, and their influence on membrane permeability may be the basis of the biological action of detergents. Detergents in natural waters are usually partially degraded, and a maximum permissible concentration of 0.5 mg/1 would probably be harmless under most conditions.

Notes: Argentine pejerreys were collected in Lake Peñuelas during January 1973. Calculated growth rate was maximum during the 3rd year of life. The length–weight relationship was: log W=-5.69395+3.25248 log L where W=weight (g), and L=total length (mm). Agegroup I was sexually mature. The sex ratio was 85 males (54%) to 73 females (46%). Young-of-the-year pejerreys fed primarily on copepods, but cladocerans [Bosmina sp. (Baird), Diaphanosoma brachyurum (Liéven), Simocephalus serrulatus (Koch)], ostracods, and dipterans were also represented. Feeding occurred during daylight.

Notes: Scanning microscopic observations were made of the surface structures of isolated scales of Tilapia mossambica (Peters). The circuli were found to form numerous minute processes called scalar denticles, which may act to secure the position of the scale with reference to surrounding dermal tissues. The skin covering the lunula of the scale includes a number of pores which are thought to represent the terminal openings of dermal mucous cells. This part of the skin also shows peculiar epidermal surface patterns. These surface patterns may be indicative of areas subject to increased mechanical stress.

Notes: The electrophoretic patterns of the general proteins, esterases, creatine kinase and phosphoglucomutase of white muscle from Lough Neagh pollan, Lough Erne pollan, Lake Bala gwyniad, Loch Lomond powan, Haweswater schelly and Bassenthwaite vendace are consistently of three types. It is therefore suggested that the coregonids examined are three distinct species: the pollans; gwyniad, powan and schelly; vendace. Vendace is genetically closer to the gwyniad group than to the pollans.

Notes: Carp Cyprinus carpio L. populations of known composition as to size and descent were fished in drainable ponds in various ways to judge the validity of the mark-recapture method for estimation of population size. Six combinations of gear for capture and recapture were employed, including fyke-traps, seines and angling-rods. Satisfactory estimates could be obtained only when the selectivity of the gear for recapture differed from that used for marking. Some differences and changes in behaviour of the carp underlying observed biased estimates are examined.

Notes: A description is given of Pseudochromis porphyreus, a new species of serranoid reef fish from the Pacific which is overall bright magenta in coloration; it was recorded from the Ryukyu Is., Philippine Is., Palau Is., Gilbert Is., New Hebrides, Fiji and American Samoa.

Notes: Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) can be stimulated to spawn in aquaria by hormonal treatment and the breeding habits could be observed. After pre-spawning activities such as the raising of dorsal fins and chasing of the female, the male folds around the head of the female and small batches of eggs are laid, followed by some gas bubbles. Eggs are distributed by the female over a wide area. This behaviour agrees with field observations. The final stimulant to spawning under natural conditions is thought to be a substance called petrichor dissolved in flood waters that have run over dry ground.

Notes: The development of chromatophores and the formation of colour patterns in Tilapia mossambica are described. A number of colour patterns are associated with certain aspects of behaviour. Four different melanophore systems are involved in the colour pattern formation. There appear to be 14 patterns which, in various combinations, produce a series of colour patterns. Each of these may convey a different message to different species of Tilapia.

Notes: A new species of Dermocystidium is reported to be the causative agent of three outbreaks of gill disease in carp observed in recent years in Czechoslovakia. No other parasites or influences could be held responsible for the disease. It is suggested that at least some of gill disease of unknown aetiology in carp is due to dermocystidia, and the disease might be distributed in many regions of Europe. A description of a greater part of the developmental cycle of the species D. cyprini n.sp. Červinka et Lom, is presented, supplemented by a discussion of other species of the genus. A summary of known facts on the host-parasite relation in these parasites is also given.

Notes: The behaviour of the lesser sandeel, Ammodytes marinus (Raitt), has been investigated at 5, 10 and 15° C, using a photographic method of recording activity. The activity patterns at 10 and 15° C were very similar, there being a high level of swimming activity during the light period, which fell to a low level at 5° C. It was also lower at 10° C at the end of the experiment than at the beginning and it is suggested that this might have been due to an increase in the fat contents of the fish. The feeding rate of the fish was measured and showed a Q10 of 2.08 for the temperature range 5–15° C. The annual cycle of activity of A. marinus is discussed in relation to seasonal changes in food availability, light and temperature, and in the fat content of the fish. It is concluded that after spawning in the December–January period the fish remain buried in the sand until April, because of the limiting effect on swimming and feeding activity of the environmental factors in the intervening period. The proportion of fish available for capture at the start of the fishery in April is related mainly to temperature, but food (as measured by numbers of copepods) light intensity and photoperiod are by then increasing rapidly. After July the fishery ceases and it is thought that this is because the fish have entered an overwintering stage, during which they remain buried in the sand. This phase is also thought to be associated with the maturation of the gonads in readiness for the winter spawning. The factors causing the fish to enter this stage are as yet undetermined but may be related to the attainment of a certain level of fat content.

Notes: Food intake, growth and food conversion of young, O-group herring were studied at two temperatures and feeding regimes over a period of 19 weeks. The food intake of fish fed to satiation twice daily showed considerable variation. Food intake per fish at 14.5° C was about three times that at 6.5° C, and was generally much higher than in most other species of fish studied. The mean increase in wet weight over the 19-week period was 0.581 g/week at 14.5° C and 0.236 g/week at 6.5° C in fish fed to satiation and 0.094 g/week at 6.2° C and a ration of 1.3% of the body weight. Growth depensation was found to occur even in fish fed to satiation. The changes in specific growth rate, that is the percentage increase in weight/day, showed similar trends at different temperatures and food regimes. The mean conversion efficiency of fish on a ration of 1.3% at 6.2° C was higher than that of fish fed until satiation, at 14.5 and 6.5° C. The conversion efficiency of fish fed to satiation at 14.5° C showed a distinct decrease with increasing weight while at 6.5° C such a clear trend was not observed. In general, the conversion efficiency of young herring were found to be much lower than that of most other species studied. The weight exponent of the quantitative relationship between food intake and body weight at 14.5° C was 0.744. The total metabolic expenditure at 14.5° C, calculated using Winberg's (1956) ‘utilization coefficient, gave a weight exponent of 0.773.

Notes: Spawning Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar (L.), brown trout, Salmo trutta (L.) and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (Richardson) were held in tanks for four weeks and then injected with filtrates from lesions of salmon naturally infected with UDN. In some cases prednisolone acetate was included in the inoculum. Water temperatures were recorded daily and the time of appearance of the lesions was noted. Passage experiments using extracts of these lesions were carried out.

Notes: Observations on the natural spawning of Alectis indicus (Rüppell) and Caranx ignobilis (Forsk.) were conducted in their natural habitat. Spawning occurred in pairs at daytime between ebbing and flooding tides. The spawning area was a shoal of 35–45 m, located in a deeper channel between two islands. The transparent eggs of C. ignobilis are pelagic.

Notes: The diet of the siluriform fish Bagrus docmac (Forsk.) is described in relation to various localities in Lake Victoria, East Africa. Invertebrates which are the principal food of young fish, but generally of little significance in adults, are particularly poorly represented in fishes from Tanzanian waters and most important in those from the Kavirondo Gulf where the ontogenetic changes in diet differ from those found elsewhere in the Lake. B. docmac starts feeding piscivorously at about 10 cm standard length with the transition from a principally invertebrate to a primarily piscivorous diet occurring at 15 cm S.L. In adult B. docmac fish are found in over 95 % of individuals with food. Haplochromis is the all important food type, and Tilapia, the most valuable commercial fish in the lake, is not preyed upon at all. Bathymetric changes with respect to the invertebrate food are noted, and it is shown that piscivorous feeding occurs mainly by day and invertebrate feeding by night. Quantitative estimates of consumption of Haplochromis by B, docmac are computed from the results of a series of 24 h fishing surveys and found to exceed published data from elsewhere. The formula for the computation of a daily ration is given as Log R=2.973 Log L—3.36089 and it is calculated that the mean annual consumption of Haplochromis by B. docmac is approximately 75% of the mean standing stock of the prey fish, as compared with a commercial catch of about 5% of the mean standing stock.

Notes: The distribution, specificity and pathogenicity of the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller) were studied in the River Avon, Hampshire. The parasite occurred in every fish species, but three categories of hosts could be distinguished. Using growth and maturation as criteria of specificity, only chub Leuciscus cephalus (L.) and barbel Barbus barbus (L.) were recognized as its preferred hosts. Parasites occasionally matured in trout Salmo trutta (L.) and dace Leuciscus leuciscus (L.), but none grew or matured in other host species. Changes in the abundance of P. laevis along the river were related to changes in the abundance of both the intermediate host, Gammarus pulex, and the preferred hosts, and its occurrence in fish to the importance of G. pulex in their diet. In the upper reaches of the River Avon and in other localities populations could be maintained at a low level by parasites maturing in trout, and presence and abundance at any site depended upon the presence and abundance of both intermediate and definitive hosts especially and upon the dietary preferences of the latter. The absence of P. laevis from many parts of Britain is nevertheless still inexplicable. The parasite caused local damage to the intestinal wall of fish, the extent of which varied from species to species, but did not affect host growth rate or cause direct mortality and P. laevis cannot be regarded as an important pathogen in the River Avon or any other British River.

Notes: Ciliary aggregations have been found to occur on the olfactory epithelium of Gadus morhua (L.) and Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.). The fine structure of ciliary aggregations is constant, consisting of 9 +2 complexes enclosed by a single membrane, though the number of complexes may vary within any ciliary aggregation. It is suggested that ciliary aggregations are motile structures associated with the sensory epithelium and may assist in the circulation of fluid between lamellae.

Notes: Two-hundred and nine fish of 13 species from Laurel Creek, Ontario, were examined for parasites between May and October 1973. Eighty-four species of parasites (22 of Protozoa, 24 of Monogenea, 17 of Digenea, 11 of Cestoda, 4 of Nematoda, 1 of Hirudinea, 1 of glochidia, and 4 of Crustacea) were collected and are listed and discussed.

Notes: The scales of Tilapia mossambica Peters* from Lake Sibaya show clear rings formed by broken, widely-spaced circuli in the anterior field. In order to determine the rate and time of scale ring formation, the number of circuli in the marginal increment was determined. Five scales from the pectoral region of 2223 fishes caught at regular intervals over two years were examined. When plotted as histograms, the number of circuli in the marginal increment showed a sharp movement to the left in September–October and again in January, indicating that the rings were formed during these months in the majority of fish examined. Pre- and postbreeding feeding migrations, and increases in condition factor, were associated with scale ring formation. Otoliths and opercula were also examined for age determination. Annual length increments were calculated for 450 T. mossambica collected throughout the year, and growth curves plotted. T. mossambica from Sibaya reach maturity after one year at a standard length of about 8 cm in females, and after two years at 10 cm in males. The breeding population had a standard length mode of 11–12 cm in females and 17 cm in males. The maximum final size was about 24 cm.

Notes: Data on the migratory behaviour of salmonids were collected at a gauging weir by means of a restivity fish-counter which triggered a motor-driven 35 mm still camera to provide photographic records of passing fish. A clear bimodal seasonal pattern of movement was observed in three consecutive years with peaks during June–August and October–December. Daily variations in the rate of movement could not be correlated with changes in discharge or temperature. Salmonids tended to move at discharges lower than those generally available. This contrasts with other published work and was attributed to the more equitable flow-pattern of chalk rivers. There was no optimal temperature associated with movements. Some evidence suggested that the largest fish moved earlier in the year but this was not marked. In clear water most movement occurred during the hours of darkness but during floods, when the river was turbid, the diurnal pattern tended to be reversed with greatest movement during the hours of daylight. Most fish negotiated the weir close to the bottom, well below mean velocity, and took a central path through the flume. Although analysis of upstream migratory behaviour was hindered by the lack of data on the numbers of fish available below the counting point it was concluded that the basic pattern of migration is established by time (season). Changes in discharge, light intensity and other parameters may then play a secondary role in modifying the details of the pattern but attention is drawn to records of movements in regulated flows where a remarkably constant pattern is shown from year to year.

Notes: Encapsulated fish hooks were found free in the stomachs of Plectropomus maculatus (Bloch). The tissue surrounded only the ferrous part of the hooks which in each case was badly corroded, the brass swivel and plastic sleeve were undamaged. Histological examination showed that the hooks were first surrounded by dense collagen and then by vascularized smooth muscle.

Notes: (1) The Na, K, Ca, Mg concentration of blood serum have been studied in nearly 60 fish species from various waterbodies (the Neva, Lake Dal'nee, the Volga, Lake Baikal, the White Sea, the Black Sea, the Barents Sea etc.). In fishes (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Siluridae etc.) from fresh water (Lake Dal'nee, the Baikal, the Neva) with low 0.18–0.24 mEq/1 Na concentration Na content in blood serum was lower than in closely related species from fresh water (the Volga, Lyutoga River) with larger Na concentration–nearly 0.5–1 mEq 1. Blood serum of marine teleosts Na concentration (156–210 mEq/1) was higher than in migrating and freshwater species (90–174) mEq/1) and it did not depend on seawater salinity: Barents Sea–465, White Sea–255, Black Sea–227 mEq/1.(2) Rather a considerable specific variation of ion concentration was found in blood serum of fishes from different families living in the same water body (Lake Baikal: Cyprinidae 90–95 mEq/1, Percidae 114 mEq/1, Salmonidae 126–129 mEq/1 etc.; the Volga: Siluridae 139 mEq/1, Percidae 142–150 mEq/1, Clupeidae 174 mEq/1).(3) No relation has been detected between K, Ca and Mg concentrations in blood serum of fishes and the concentrations of these ions in the environment.(4) Na concentration in the blood serum of sockeye salmon juveniles (101 mEq/1) migrating seaward was less than in adult fishes (132 mEq/1) returning to the lake to spawn. Na concentration in the blood of non-migrating salmonids (Oncorhynchus nerka adult residual 104 mEq/1, Salvelinus alpinus juvenile 140 mEq/1, adult residual 141 mEq/1) changed insig- nificantly during life history. Notable hypopotassemia was observed in spawning time in Salmonidae.(5) The comparison of blood serum ion concentration in males and females of fishes from different taxonomic groups (Acipenseridae, Salmonidae, Cyprinidae) showed no significant variation.

Notes: This study was undertaken to discern the effects of cortisol and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) on ovulation in ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis (Temminck & Schlegel), with special reference to water and ion changes. Cortisol as well as HCG was very effective in inducing ovulation of ayu. The best response was obtained with 10 mg of cortisol. In combination of cortisol and HCG, the effective dosage of cortisol was less than when cortisol was used singly. In fish which received cortisol and/or HCG, both the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the percentage increase in body weight were significantly greater when compared to the control. The increase in body weight appeared to be due to an ingestion of water in fish treated with hormone, as described in our previous report. At ovulation there was a high sodium content in the ovary of fish treated with hormone, whereas a low sodium content was seen in the muscle. It appears that the fish imbibes some water resulting in hydration of the oocytes with concurrent ion movement during maturation and ovulation. These results suggest that gonadotrophin and cortisol may exert their initial effect on the oocytes in a direct or indirect manner, possibly acting to affect the sodium transport system or to alter passive permeability of the egg membrane.

Notes: The behaviour of the lesser sandeel, Ammodytes marinus (Raitt), has been investigated at light intensities of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 lux, using a photographic method of recording activity. The level of swimming activity was high at 1000 and 100 lux, declining to a very low level at 1 lux. It was concluded that this was due to the limiting effect of light on feeding. The threshold light intensity for swimming activity in the tank was estimated as being approximately 20 lux but it was considered that in the area of the sandeel fishing grounds the threshold might be higher than this, in the region of 100 lux. The number of hours light per day above 20 and 100 lux at a depth of 15 m in the area of the Outer Dowsing sandbank (53°30′N, 01°00′E) was estimated for the various months of the year. It was shown that during the winter the light intensity does not normally reach 100 lux and only exceeds 20 lux for a few hours each day. It is suggested that this could limit swimming activity and accessibility at this time of year. Measurements were made of the penetration of light into sand and it was concluded that fish which are buried might be able to detect light, possibly via the pineal gland.

Notes: The behaviour of the lesser sandeel, Ammodytes marinus (Raitt), has been investigated using a photographic method of recording activity. Three main states of activity were recognized: (1) swimming, (2) partially emerged from the sand, or (3) completely buried in the sand. When food was present there was a basic diurnal rhythm of activity; during the dark period most of the fish remained buried in the sand and in the light period they emerged to swim and feed. In the absence of food the level of swimming activity during the light period was extremely low, while the level of partial emergence activity increased. The fish appear to be visual feeders and those which were buried in the sand did not appear to be able to detect the presence of food in the water by means of olfaction. There was usually a low level of partial emergence activity during the dark period, which tended to increase in the few hours before the lights were switched on. The timing of this increase was thought to be related to an internal clock. The basic diurnal rhythm of activity shown in the laboratory experiments is discussed in relation to the marked diurnal variation in the catch of sandeels in the fishery. It is concluded that the failure to catch sandeels at night is due to their remaining buried in the sand.

Notes: One hundred and sixty eight species of parasite are listed from 36 species of freshwater fish from Britain and Ireland, and notes on their distribution are provided. A list of hosts together with the parasites recorded from them is also given. Although almost twice as many species are listed as in the most recent published reference list, the parasite fauna of Britain appears to be considerably poorer in number of species than that of mainland Europe, and that of Ireland poorer still. The distribution of most species, apart from two endemic species and a very few which have clearly been introduced into Britain in recent years from America or the mainland of Europe, appears to show no peculiarities and is probably contiguous with that of their hosts.

Notes: Mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) accumulated Cd 115m (NO3)2 from synthetic seawater solutions during a period of 25 days, but the rate of whole body accumulation decreased with increasing concentrations of stable Cd2+ in the medium. Viscera were the major repository of Cd 115m during uptake, especially gastrointestinal tract and to a lesser extent liver. Loss in whole body radioactivity over a post-treatment interval of 180 days in cadmium-free seawater was about 90%, with gallbladder and especially liver most influential in the excretion processes; this pattern was unchanged by the level of stable Cd2+ present in the medium during uptake. The significance of this and other observations in terms of field monitoring of cadmium utilizing teleosts as indicators is discussed.

Notes: Mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) infected with sublethal doses of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, were free of parasites 21 days after infection. Fish remained free of parasites for at least 8 months when maintained in an infective environment. Such fish were refractory to reinfection with numbers of parasites that killed all normal, previously unexposed fish. Serum from fish recovered from previous infections with sublethal doses of parasites, immobilized free-swimming stages of I. multifiliis to a dilution of up to 1: 1024. The rise in serum-immobilization titre occurred between the 10th and 22nd days of infection, the period during which parasites disappeared from the body surface of the fish. Infective stages of the parasite were unable to penetrate the mucus body covering of resistant fish.

Notes: A brood stock of Fundulus heteroclitus (Walbaum) minnows was established at theJohnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. By use of the aquarium maintenance systemdescribed in this report the fish were induced to produce fertile eggs throughout the year.Additional data is presented to confirm that F. heteroclitus found in the vicinity of Beaufort, North Carolina produce eggs which lack chorionic fibrils, making them especially suitablefor use in embryo development studies.