DO HERRINGS REASON?

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1933, Page 5

DO HERRINGS REASON?

SCIENTIST’S TESTS One of the least-known departments of Durham University, the Dove Marine Laboratory, at Cullercoats, Northumberland, is doing interestingwork in marine research. Periodically, the laboratory boat proceeds far'out into the North Sea, there to study on the spot the day and night habits of fish in their natural habitat, and returning with specimens of marine life. Some interesting experiments have been carried out on the live specimens in their tanks in the Dove, and Dr. Bull, one of the assistants, has some highly entertaining tricks to play on fish in the hope of establishing the existence of reason in their make-up. By synchronising feeding time with a rise in temperature, or the flashing of a coloured light, or a gentle electric shock, he has managed to induce his charges to leave their holes eventually without the accompanying food. The laboratory is in charge of Mr. B. Storrow, who has given the greater part of his twenty-two years there to research into the habits of the herring. He has a world-wide reputation for his knowledge of this fish and its ways, and is one of the few professed biologists who have broken through the well-known conservatism of the North Sea fishermen, who now willingly consult him and accept his position as an expert. _