TWENTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

FISHERY BOARD FOR SCOTLAND,

Being for the Year 1905.

IN THREE PARTS.

Part I,—GENERAL REPORT.
Part II.—REPORT ON SALMON FISHERIES.
Part III.—SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.

PART III.—SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.

Presented to both thouses of Parliament by Command of ‘his_MMajesty.

GLASGOW:
PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE
By JAMES HEDDERWICK & SONS LIMITED,
At “Tuer Crrizen” Press, St. VINCENT PLACE.

And to be purchased, either directly or through any bookseller, from
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32 ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, 8. W. ; or
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1906,
[Cd. 3199.] Price 4s. 74d.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
GENERAL STATEMENT, 3
Trawling Investigations, . : : 3 6
The Hatching and Rearing of Food Fishes, : ; 7
Scientific and Technical Instruction to Fisher men, é 8
Investigations on the Herring Fisheries of the Firth of ‘Clyde, : 10
The Chemical Composition of the Herring, : ‘ : 12
The Rate of Growth and the Age of Herrings, ; : : 12
The Rate of Growth and the Age of Food Fishes, : : 13
The Tay Sprat Fishery, 14
The Specific Characters of certain Species of the Codfish Genus, 14
The Otoliths or Earstones of Fishes, — . : : 15
The Spawning and Fecundity of the Plaice, : 15

The Spawning of the ies lacie and the Paternal Guardian-
ship of the Eggs, . 16

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS.
I. Trawling Investigations. By Dr. T. Wemyss Fulton, F.R.S.E.,

Superintendent of Scientific Investigations, : ai

II. Observations on the Otoliths of some Teleostean Fishes. By
Thomas Scott, LL.D., F.L.S. (Plates I.-V.), : , 48
Preliminary Remarks, . ; : 48
List of Fishes whose Otoliths are described, : F 52
Systematic Description of the Otoliths, F ; 53
Literature bearing on the Otoliths of Fishes, . , 80

III. The Food Value of the Herring. By T. H. Milroy, M.D.,

B.Sce., F.R.S.E., Professor of BE stleeye pau s College,
Belfast, ; 83
Previous Analyses of Hagen : : ; 83
Methods of Analysis, . ‘ ‘ ; 85
ae of May Lochfyne Herrings, ‘ : : 86
July Lochfyne Herrings, . ; : Nee
September Lochfyne Herrings, . : 89
October Lochfyne Herrings, ; : 89
November Lochfyne Herrings, . : 92
December Helmsdale Herrings, . 2 93
i Be Lochfyne Herrings, : : 94
9 5 Lochboisdale Herrings, . s 95
53 February Lochboisdale Hervings, : ; 96
Tables of Ratios, P : : 97
Summary of Results, . 101

Remarks on Nutritive Value of Spent Herrings, with
some additional Tables illustrating Differences in
Composition of these Fish, ; ; . 0s

Contents. 3

PAGI
IV. Report on the Operations at the Marine Fish Hatchery, Bay of
Nigg, Aberdeen. By T. Weinyss Fulton, M.D., F.R.S E.,

Scientific Superintendent. (Plates VI.-VIT.), : < 108
VY. On the Specitic Characters of Gadus luscus, Gadus minutus, and
Gadus esmarkii. By H. Chas. Williamson, M.A., D.Sc.

(Plates VIII.-X.), . c : : se) LG

Introduction, . ‘ . . 2 LG

List of Body, Dimensions, ‘ ; : a

List of Enumeration Characters, ; cee

Discussion of the Averages, —. ; ; 2, «iat

The Numbers of Fin-Rays, ; ; : »* 126

The Numbers of Vertebree, : J lize

The Reproduction of the Three Species, ss, 2La0

The Skulls of the Three Species, ie Loe

General Comparison between the Three Species, . dae

A Specific Description, . 135

VI. On the Tay Sprat Fishery, 1905-1906. By John Fletcher, . 159
VII. On the Spawning of the Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lwmpus) and
the Paternal Guardianship of the Eggs. By T. Wemyss

Fulton, M.D., F.R.S.E. (Plate XI.) . : ie RGD
VIII. On the Rate of Growth of Fishes. By T. Wemyss Fulton,

M.D., F.R.S.E. (Plates XIT., XITI. 1), } rea

Introduction, . : : ae hiS

Species dealt with, 3 : : tom S18

Methods, . : soo £80

Comparison between Different Species, : etic |.

Influence of External Conditions, *) ASt

A Law of Growth, . : ie orae i: ese

Plaice (Plewronectes platessa), . : 21t E84

Common Dab (P. limanda), . : : my sets

Flounder (P. flesus), —. ; ‘ cite ics!

Lemon Dab (P. microcephalus), sy. 6 192

Long Rough Dab (Drepanopsetta platessoides), . pees

Turbot (Rhombus (Bothus) maa ee) A ‘ ~~ 199

Brill (Rhombus levis), . ; . 205

Cod (Gadus callarias), . ; : ; . 209

Haddock (G. ceglefinus), ie) 226

eae (G. merlangus), : ; » 229

Grey Gurnard (Trigla gurnard: us), J ; sy oe

Tables of Measurements, I.-XXV.,_. : . 243
_x. Notes on New and Rare Copepoda from the Scottish Seas. i:

Thomas Scott, LL. D., CF. L, S. PSF ge ae ), ‘ 275
X. On the Spawning and Fecundity of the Plaice (Plewronectes
platessa). By T. Wemyss Fulton, M.D., F.R.S.E.,

Superintendent of Scientific Investigations, ; 281

XI. On Two Cases of Hermaphroditism in the Cod (Gadus callarias).
By H. Charles Williamson, M.A., D.Se., Marine Labor avery,
Aberdeen, (Plates XV., XVI ), ; 290

4

Contents.

XII. On the Growth and Age of the Herring (Clupea harengus). By
T. Wemyss Fulton, M.D., F.R.S.E. (Plates X VII.-XTX.),

ibs

SI oT Gots

feo}

Previous Opinions and Observations,
(a) English Authors,
(6) Scandinavian and Dutch,
(c) Meyer and Jenkins, :
(d) Masterman and Cunningham, .

. The Size of the Herring when it first attains Matunity,

The Maximum Size attained by the Herring,

The Spawning-Periods of the Herring, :

The Duration of Embryonic Development : : Rela-
tion to Temperatur e,

. A Criticism of Meyer’s Conclusions and Observ. ations,
. The Scottish Collections,

(a) Larval and Post- larval Stages,
(b) The Annual Gr oupe,

. Conclusions, .
. Literature,
. Description of Plates,

PAGE

293
293
294
295
298
299
301
302

303
304
307
308
323
334
338
338

TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
20 ON wad EIN CG Auk Rosy ML. Re

His Majesty's Secretary for Scotland.

Orrice oF THE FisHeRy Boarp
FOR SCOTLAND,
EpinsureHd, 30th August 1906.
Sir,
In continuation of our Twenty-fourth Annual Report,
we have the honour to submit—

~ PART III.—SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

This, the third part of the Twenty-fourth Annual Report, deals
with the scientific investigations conducted by the Board in 1905,
so far as they have been completed, by means of the Parliamentary
Vote granted for the purpose.

The scientific work has, as usual, been carried out under the
supervision of Dr. T. Wemyss Fulton, the Scientific Superintendent
under the Board, the researches having been for the most part
undertaken at the Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen, in the Moray
Firth, and the Firth of Clyde. The sea-fish hatchery, which is
also situated at Aberdeen, was reconstructed during the year in
connection with the formation of a new road at the Bay of Nigeg
by the Town Council of Aberdeen and at their expense, as described
below, where a statement of the hatching operations will also be
found.

In the Firth of Clyde, and more particularly in Lochfyne, an
investigation into the natural history and migrations of the herring
was continued, with the view of ascertaining if possible the cause
of the decline in the yield of the herring fishery there in recent
years, and whether any regulations affecting the time or methods
of fishing would be likely to be beneficial to the fishery as a whole.
As stated in the first part of this Report, the catch last year was

6 Part I1T—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

one of the poorest on record, the shortage on the previous year’s
catch, which was much below the average, amounting to 3160
crans in quantity and £6243 in value. The work has been done
as far as was possible by the use of fishing boats and the hire of a
small yacht for monthly observations within the loch itself, and
this had to be interrupted during the winter.

The investigations into the condition of the fishing-grounds in
the Moray Firth were made as far as possible by the use of
commercial trawlers, without expense, as referred to more fully
below, and the observations on the growth, reproduction, and distri-
bution of the edible fishes continued as in the last few years, as
well as those on the destruction and capture of immature and
undersized fishes. Owing to the unfortunate stranding of one of
these vessels in Aberdeen Bay last December, while engaged in
procuring plaice for the hatchery-ponds, and the loss of life
occasioned thereby, the Board have thought it right to refrain from
making use of such vessels for inshore work in future.

As mentioned later, the Board has been pleased with the favour-
able response of seaboard County Councils to their invitation
to send fishermen to the Marine Laboratory and Hatchery at
Aberdeen for a week’s instruction, each spring, in the life-history
of fishes, and they hope that the facilities offered may be still
further taken advantage of.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS.

During the last few years, since the Gurland was disposed of,
the fishing grounds in certain parts of the territorial waters,
especially in the Moray Firth and Aberdeen Bay, have been
examined from time to time by means of commercial steam-
trawlers, whose services were obtained without expense, partly
with the view of ascertaining their condition and partly for the
purpose of scientific research on the reproduction, growth, and
distribution of fishes, and the capture of immature or undersized
fish. A number of papers embodying the results of this work have
already been published in previous Annual Reports. In the present
Report there are two containing further observations by Dr.
Fulton, one on the growth of fishes, referred to later, and the
other furnishing an account of the trawling experiments last year,
with detailed tables of the fish captured and the proportions which
were unmarketable.

The more important areas in the Moray Firth were visited in
February, September, October, and November, and the grounds in
Aberdeen Bay were also examined in March. The aggregate
quantity of fish brought to the market in the various trips was
3883 ewts., and the total number of fishes caught in the recorded
hauls was 71,982, of which 41,444, or over 59 per cent., were
unmarketable.

On most of the occasions marketable fish were by no means
plentiful, and the voyages were not very profitable financially.
This was particularly noteworthy in the Moray Firth in the
autumn months, at which time the vessels working on the offshore
grounds in the North Sea were much more successful. Haddocks

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 7

of marketable size were exceedingly scarce, the total catch of these
being under twenty boxes for all the trips together, and more than
half of them were obtained in February; in September they
totalled five boxes, and in November a box and a half.

On the other hand, immense shoals of young haddocks, under
two years of age, were present in the bays in autumn, from which
they were absent in the spring, and by far the greater part of those
taken were thrown overboard as unmarketable.

Some of the hauls may be referred to as showing the enormous
destructive power possessed by the modern otter-trawl when
employed in shallow bays at certain seasons. In six hauls in the
Dornoch Firth at the end of September, the duration of the actual
fishing bemg 25? hours, 25,563 fishes were caught, and of these,
18,809, or 734 per cent., were thrown overboard as unmarketable.
The number of haddocks taken in these six hauls was large, viz.,
10,361, but only 594 of them were large enough to be marketable,
96 per cent. of the catch being returned to the sea. The prevalence
of the small haddocks on the ground in autumn, and their scarcity
in spring, may be shown in another way. While in February it
took ten hours’ trawling to catch one unmarketable haddock and
two marketable, the number of the former taken in the same time
in September was 4196 and of the latter 166. The capture of
small unmarketable plaice was also very considerable on this
ground in autumn, 54 per cent. of the 13,610 plaice caught in the
six hauls being rejected on account of their small size.

All the young haddocks and a large proportion of the young
plaice caught in this way perish, although under favourable
conditions many of the latter may be preserved.

It was shown formerly by similar investigations on board
commercial trawlers fishing on the deeper grounds in the North
Sea that the percentage of small fish taken there was less than in
the waters near shore. In the Moray Firth in February the
proportion of the unmarketable was 19 per cent., and in autumn it
was 67 per cent.

Observations were also made on the maturity and growth of the
fishes caught, and a number of experiments were carried on with
small-meshed nets.

THE HATCHING AND REARING OF PLAICE.

Owing to the formation of a new road at the Bay of Nigg last
year, the Town Council of Aberdeen, from whom the site of the
hatchery is leased, desired that that building and some others
might be transferred to an adjoining payt of the ground and
re-erected at their expense. To this proposal the Board agreed,
and the hatchery, the boiler and pump-house, and the storehouse
were accordingly taken down and rebuilt on the new site.

The change involved considerable re-arrangement of the pipes,
&c., and the opportunity was made use of to effect some improve-
ments which experience had shown to be desirable. The Town
Council gave all reasonable facilities for the alterations and
improvements being carried out, so that the hatchery is now better
adapted for the work than it was before. The building itself is

8 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

now somewhat enlarged; a concrete floor replaces the old wooden
one; a strong wall has been built along the seaward face of the
site, and granite retaining walls around the gravitation tank. In
the present Report a brief description is given of the hatchery as
rearranged, with illustrations showing the interior and exterior, the
pumping plant, and the large spawning-pond in which the breeding
fishes are kept and where the eggs are shed at the spawning
season.

During last year the eggs of the plaice were first discovered in
the pond on 20th January, about the usual date when they make
their appearance. Collections of eggs were thereafter obtained
almost daily. The numbers gradually increased until the middle
of March, after which they declined until 16th May, when the last
collection was made. The duration of the spawning in the pond
was thus about 117 days, which may be regarded as approximately
the period in the sea. The aggregate number of eggs collected in
the season was estimated at 40,110,000, of which 48 per cent. were
spawned in March, 23 per cent. in February, and the same pro-
portion in April.

The duration of the period of embryonic development, until the
eggs hatch, varies with the temperature of the water. The average
at the beginning of the season, when the temperature is low, is
about three weeks; towards the end of the season, with the
temperature some degrees higher, hatching takes place in about a
fortnight. The larval fishes, on issuing from the eggs, are retained
in the apparatus for several days until the yolk-sac is partly
absorbed, and it is calculated that the eggs and larve are protected
in this way for about half of the time from the spawning of the
eggs until the young plaice undergo their metamorphosis and
assume the form and habit of the adult.

The estimated number of fry which hatched out and were placed
in the sea was 24,500,000. Most of them were distributed off
Aberdeen, but one lot of about three and a half millions was taken to
St. Combs, further up the coast, at the request of the fishermen,
and there distributed.

Since the establishment of the hatchery the total number of the
fry of plaice which have been set free in the sea amounts to
387,750,000, the number of fry of other fishes, as turbot, lemon
dabs, and cod, being close upon 17,000,000.

Owing to the circumstance that the hatchery is worked in con-
junction with the Marine Laboratory, the expense of the hatching
operations is comparatively small, the annual expenditure being
estimated at rather under than over £100, which meets the cost of
extra coal and an additional assistant at the height of the season.

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION TO FISHERMEN.

For some years past, as mentioned in previous Reports, by an
arrangement with the Technical Education Committee of the
County Council of Aberdeenshire, representative fishermen from
various parts of the coast of that county have visited the laboratory
and hatchery in spring, to attend demonstrations on the life-

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 9

history and habits of fishes, such as might be of interest and use
to them, and to see the processes of fish-hatching.

The fishermen were so much interested in the instruction they
received that, in some instances, on returning home, they held
public meetings to discuss and communicate what they had
learned; and as it appeared to the Board desirable to encourage
this inclination among the fishing population for knowledge of the
kind, they invited other seaboard County Councils to send fishermen
to the demonstrations, if they felt so disposed, no expense being
incurred except for the travelling and maintenance of the men.
The response has been gratifying, fishermen from the counties of
Argyll, Bute, Caithness, and Elgin having attended the last course
of instruction.

The subjects taught include the life-history of such fishes as the
herring, cod, haddock, and plaice, as well as of the mussel and
edible crustacea, the instruction being given in as simple a manner
as possible. The food, reproduction, growth, &c., of fishes are
explained and illustrated by specimens and experiment, and the
men are shown the process of fertilisation and the development of
a fish within the egg. Demonstrations are also given on various
methods of “ barking” nets and lines, a subject which, touching as
it does on their daily occupation, is always interesting, and the
opportunity is taken to show them some of the fish-curing and ice-
making establishments in Aberdeen, as well as the fish-market.

With reference to the “ barking” of nets, it may be stated that
experiments are being tried as to the relative value of certain
methods for the preservation of herring-nets,and that the Congested
Districts Board have courteously agreed to defray the cost, and to
have the trial of the nets made on board the experimental motor-
fishing boat Pioneer.

It may be worth stating that on the whole question of the
technical education of fishermen and those engaged in the fishing
industry most other countries in Europe are in advance of our-
selves. In France and Germany there are a number of schools
devoted to this work, directly or indirectly under the patronage of
the State; there are several in Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium,
and Sweden. Most of them are concerned chiefly with that part
of a fisherman’s knowledge which relates to navigation, fishing-
grounds, and actual fishing, but many offer elaborate facilities for
instruction of a more purely scientific kind, and are provided with
laboratories, museums, libraries, and a teaching staff; some have
ships as floating schools for practical work. By far the most
important and the best-equipped institution of the kind is the
Imperial Fisheries Institute at Tokio, Japan, which was recently
rebuilt by the Japanese Government at a cost of £17,000. The
buildings and grounds occupy 84 acres, including a dock for the
experimental vessels; there are sixteen lecture rooms, as well as
laboratories, inuseum, and libraries ; the staff includes ten professors
and many assistants; and the course, which is divided into three
sections—fishing, fisheries technology, and pisciculture—extends
over three years. The aim is to educate the young Japanese
connected with the fishing industry in the most thorough and
scientific manner ; but much work is also done in training teachers

10 Part IIT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

for the local fisheries and technical schools, and men who wish to
devote themselves to such industries as canning and curing fish,
the manufacture of fish-oils, iodine, &e

In this country there is perhaps room for a more thorough
scientific and technical training in connection with the treatment
and curing of fish than now obtains.

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE HERRING FISHERIES IN THE FIRTH OF
CLYDE.

The investigations on the herring fisheries in the Clyde refer
chiefly to Ballantrae Bank and Lochfyne. With regard to the
former, where a Bye-law (No. 18) is in operation interdicting seine-
net fishing within a certain area, the fishery last season, as for
some years past, was a failure, the weather having been almost
continuously stormy up to the middle of March. The Fishery
Officer reports that, although the “appearances” of herrings on
the bank were as good as ever they were before—that is, the
presence of whales, solan geese, and the oily look of the surface, by
which fishermen judge of the location of herring-shoals—and
though it was conclusively proved that herrings visited the ground
to spawn by the fact that the gill-nets set for cod were coated with
herring-eges, the total quantity of herrings taken was 383 crans—
15 by drift-nets, 83 by seine-net, and 285 by “trammels” or set-
nets. No observations were thus possible as to the herring at
Ballantrae ; and, owing to the want of a steamer, equipped for such
work, dredging operations on the bank could not be undertaken.

The fact that shoals of herrings have continued to frequent these
grounds every spring in recent years, and have been scarcely at all
disturbed by the action of the nets of fishermen, while the Loch-
fyne fishing has been extremely unsuccessful, does not lend support
to the theory, strenuously held a few years ago, that the seime-
net fishing at Ballantrae was injurious to the fishing in the loch;
though sufficient time has not yet elapsed to make this certain.

The investigations in Lochfyne concern the decline in the yield
of the fishery in recent years, especially in 1904 and 1905, the
latter being amongst the worst years on record, and are designed to
throw light on the movements of the herring-shoals into and out
of the loch, the places where the herrings spawn and the periods,
the relation of the abundance of food-material in the loch to the
abundance of the herrings, the growth of the herring, and the great
fluctuations that occur. An investigation of this kind is difficult
under the most favourable circumstances and must necessarily
cover several successive seasons. As much as possible has been
done by the hire of boats; monthly observations on the tempera-
ture and food-material for the herring have been made for over a
year, but they had to be suspended during last winter, owing to
the lack of funds to meet the expenses.

In addition to the information afforded by the course of the
fishing and the places of capture of the fish, two methods have
been adopted with the object of tracing the migrations of the
herring. One consists in marking the herrings with a printed silk

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 11

tag, suitably treated, and then liberating them, and over 500
herrings have been thus dealt with. The tag contains directions
to the finder and enables the particular herring to be identified.
So far, five of the marked herrings have been caught again, but as
they were. caught within the loch, and not far from the place of
liberation, they do not afford evidence as to the route of the
herrings from the loch or their destination. The herring is much
more delicate than ordinary round fishes and flat fishes, as plaice
and cod, which are made the subject of similar experiments, and it
was found necessary to attach the tag to them while they were
still in the water within the bag of the seine-net. This method
will be persevered in, since the recovery of a single marked herring
at a distance from the place of liberation, particularly if it is
caught at a spawning-ground and about the spawning-time, affords
direct and conclusive evidence as to the migration of that particular
herring, and presumptive evidence as to the movement of the shoal
to which it belongs, since the individuals composing it are governed
by a common object, namely, reproduction.

The second method consists in the attempt to identify a particular
shoal by a study of the characters of the herrings belonging to it.
It was applied in particular to the large and fine fish which loiter
till near the end of the year in the deep water of the upper loch,
which they quit by easy stages, and are believed, and probably
rightly, to make their way down Kilbrennan Sound to spawn in
the early months of the year somewhere off the southern part of
Kintyre. Many hundreds of these herrings were examined at
different periods, weighed, various measurements tabulated, and
the condition and weight of the reproductive organs determined ;
the latter observations affording incidentally valuable information
as to the ripening process and its duration. These herrings were
traced down the loch at the end of the year, and they appear to
have gone down Kilbrennan Sound, but, owing to the absence of
the Fishery Officer at Campbeltown on other duties, sufficient
samples of the herrings being caught in the early part of the year
could not be procured. It is accepted as a working hypothesis
that these large herrings pass down Kilbrennan Sound, but there is
not conclusive evidence to show that they do so.

In the meantime, it may be pointed out that in the past the
fluctuations in the yield of herrings in Lochfyne in different years
have been noteworthy, as the following Table, which covers the
long period of half a century, ‘shows :—

| |
Average Average
j rerao’ i y -
Gun: Vere Period ee alae ae Lee) Minimum Catch Maximum Catch
of Boats.| Barrels | Barrels mm Decade: an Decade,
| Taken, |per Boat.
ianens Barrels. Barrels,
1827-36, 300 | 3,469 lie 1,458 (1830) 4,898 (1832)
1837-46, . 350 | 7,388 25°1 3,225 (1839) 9,400 (1846) |
|
1847-56, . 396 | 19,949 50-4 10,6380 (1852) 32,726 (1851) |
1857-66, . 558 | 33,096 59°3 | 16,151 (1864) 79,893 (1862)
1867-76, . 479 | 25,561 53°4 | 6,934 (1874) 34,471 (1876) |

12 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

THE Foop-VALUE OF THE HERRING.

As part of the series of researches now being carried out by the
scientific department of the Board on the herring and herring
fisheries, it was decided to obtain analyses of herrings in order to
determine their composition and food-value at different periods of
their development, especially when ripe or nearly mature and when
spent. This investigation was undertaken by Dr. T. H. Milroy,
Professor of Physiology, Queen’s College, Belfast, who furnishes an
important paper on the subject which is contained in the present
Report, the detailed analyses being set forth in numerous Tables.
Herrings have been analysed before, but the results have shown
much discrepancy from the fact that the season of the year or the
sexual development of the fish has been ignored. Professor
Milroy shows that great differences in the muscle of the herring
exist at different periods, even when the herrings are taken from
the same waters. The herrings used for the research were obtained
principally from Lochfyne, but also from Lochboisdale and Helms-
dale.

The composition of the herrings is stated in terms of water,
proteid, fat, and phosphoric acid, and as the muscle or flesh
constitutes the main source of the nutritive value of the herring, it
is important to recognise the variations in its composition. These
are most striking, especially as concerns the percentage of fat, and
as this food principle possesses such a high caloric value, any
marked decrease in its amount lowers the nutritive value of the
fish to a serious extent. The lowest fat-percentage was found in
the large spent herrings from Lochboisdale in February, and the
total amount of fat present in the collective muscles of the average
fish was exceedingly small. In these muscles the percentage of
water was higher than normal, but the proteid and phosphorus
percentages were but little affected. In Lochfyne, the fat-per-
centage of the flesh of the herring continues to rise during August,
September, and October. It begins to fall slowly in November,
markedly in December, most markedly during spawning, and
continues at a low level until the fish begin to feed again.

With regard to the nutritive value of spent herrings, Professor
Milroy says the statements often vaguely made as to their
unwholesome character usually rest upon the general appearance
of the flesh, which is undoubtedly poorer in fat. But the nutritive
value depends not only upon the fat, but upon the proteids, and
the analyses show that in this respect spent herrings compare by
no means unfavourably with the maturing or mature fish. Fully
mature fish, about to spawn, are in the same condition as freshly
spent fish.

A similar research on the composition of the herrings of the
east coast of Scotland is now in progress.

THE RATE OF GROWTH AND AGE OF THE HERRING.

To the present Report a paper is contributed by Dr. Wemyss
Fulton on the growth and age of the herring, based upon the
measurements and examination during the last six years of nearly

of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 15

20,000 specimens, whick were obtained mostly in small-meshed
nets around the cod-end of otter-trawls during the trawling inves-
tigations. It is shown that the opinions hitherto generally held as
to the growth of this fish, and which are for the most part based on
the investigations of a German naturalist, Dr. H. A. Meyer, which
were made at Kiel, on the Baltic, over twenty-five years ago, are
not well-founded, and that the herring grows more slowly than he
supposed.

Dr. Meyer’s observations and experiments are submitted to
critical examination, the results showing that he over-estimated
the growth of,the herring in winter, when the growth of all fishes
is retarded, and missed at least a year in the computation of its
age. The gradual growth of the young post-larval herring from
the spring and from the autumn spawning respectively is traced,
the latter towards the end of the year being between one and two
inches in length, while the growth of the spring herring under
more favourable temperature conditions is quicker.

The herring when one year of age measures barely two and a
quarter inches in length, and it does not reach maturity and spawn
until five years old and of an average length of about 94-94 inches.
The size of the herring at different ages is approximately as fol-
lows :—

Approximate Age. Length. fit aden ey

Mm. Inches. Mm. Inches,

ieYear ss): : : j : : 60°5 23 - -

2 Years, . c : : : 6 113 4 52 275

eee 159 64 47 1g

Aan 200 (k 4] 12

a) 238 93 38 14

Gal, 257 103 19 ?

Herrings over twelve inches long, like the large Lochfyne fish, may
be ten years old and more, and the very large herrings that are
occasionally caught, measuring 14-15 inches, are probably over 15
years of age, and may be 20. Compared with most fishes caught
by lines or trawls, the herring caught by drift-nets has a great
advantage, since no less than four generations of undersized or im-
mature herrings escape capture by passing through the meshes of
the net, and only fish which have reached adult size are taken.
The paper is illustrated with three plates of diagrams.

THE RATE OF GROWTH AND THE AGE OF THE Foop FISHEs.

Another paper dealing with the growth of numerous species is
contributed by Dr. Fulton, the results being founded upon the
measurements of nearly 209,000 fishes belonging to 21 species,
which was done almost entirely by means of the commercial

14 Part ITT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

trawlers employed in the trawling investigations, as previously
described, and is the same method as that which has since been
used so extensively in the course of the international investigations
in the North Sea. During the course of the investigation, which
has extended over six years, the numbers of the chief species dealt
with have been as follows :—

Plaice, . : a UAL) Whiting, ‘ ~ 583164!
Common Dab, a 262230 Gurnard, : 5,495
Long Rough Dab, . — 20,261 Norway Pout, : 7,192
Cod, i : ; 7,176 Herring, 5 . 19,806
Haddock, : . 28,760 Sprat, 6,473

From a study of the growth of the different fishes and the size
at which they attain maturity, a law of growth is stated, namely,
that fishes approximately double their size and increase their
weight about eight times after they have reached sexual maturity.

The species whose growth and age are specially dealt with in
the paper are the plaice, dab, flounder, lemon dab, long rough dab,
turbot, brill, cod, haddock, whiting, and grey gurnard. A general
conclusion is that fishes do not grow so quickly as is generally
supposed. Thus, while the plaice reaches a length of about three
inches in the first year of its life, the female is five years old and
the male four years when they attain maturity. It is estimated
that the turbot does not spawn until it is at least seven years old,
while the cod spawns at four or five years, the haddock at three,
and the whiting when two years of age. The paper is accompanied
by a number of tables of measurements and two plates.

In connection with the question of the growth of fishes, a research
on the rate of digestion by Dr. Noél Paton, whose investigations on
the salmon are so well known, is in progress. Two sets of observa-
tions have been made, but the final results are reserved for next
year’s Report.

Tue Tay SPRAT FISHERY.

Mr. John Fletcher contributes a paper on the sprat fishery in
the Tay, similar to the one published last year, but dealing with
the winter of 1905-1906. The fishery was again a comparative
failure, only 1371 crans of sprats, including young herrings, being
taken. The estimated number of young herrings caught in the
sprat fishing is stated to have been nearly 12,000,000, while the
sprats are estimated at a little over 16,000,000, the estimated
percentage of young herrings amounting to 42:4.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS OF THE GADIDZ.

Dr. Williamson contributes a paper, illustrated with three plates,
on the classification of certain members of the cod-family, viz., the
bib, or whiting-pout, the poor-cod, and the Norway pout, the paper
being a continuation of a previous one, in which the cod, the
saithe, and the lythe were dealt with. Two of the species, the
whiting-pout and the poor-cod, have often been confused, certain

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 16

authors at different times maintaining that they are specifically
the same, a circumstance attributed to only a few specimens having
been examined, and the specific characters as published ambiguous.
By a study of the distinguishing characters and numerous measure-
ments, Dr. Williamson shows that these two species are distinct,
and a key is given incorporating the results of the previous and
the present researches, by which the six species may be separated.
The same naturalist supplies a paper, with two plates of drawings,
on hermaphroditism in the cod, a condition which is normal in
certain fishes, as the Gilthead (Chrysophrys auratus), and occurs
occasionally in others.

THE OTOLITHS OR EARSTONES OF FISHES.

In this Report will be found a long and elaborate paper by Dr.
Thomas Scott on the otoliths or earstones of teleostean or bony
fishes, which is illustrated by five plates containing figures of the
otoliths described, belonging to about seventy species. The
otoliths of different fishes vary remarkably in shape and size,
and Dr. Scott shows how these differences may be used as a means
for the identification of the various species should other data not be
available. It is thus sometimes possible, as the author has shown
in previous papers, to tell upon what fishes a particular fish or ceta-
cean may have been feeding, by the presence of the earstones alone.
The otoliths consist almost entirely of calcareous matter, only a trace ~
of organic tissue being present. The structure shows that the limy
matter is deposited in concentric layers, the density of each layer
being slightly greater or less than the one immediately preceding
it. In flat fishes, the earstones form round or oval discs, so thin
that the alternating concentric layers are easily made out. The
number of such layers, or growth-lines, appears to correspond more
or less closely with the age of the fish, but Dr. Scott is of opinion
from his researches that it is doubtful if the evidence of age
obtained in this way can be safely relied on.

The same naturalist also contributes a brief paper on new and
rare copepoda from the Scottish seas, illustrated by a plate of
drawings. Most of the species were obtained in the Firth of Forth
and the Moray Firth.

THE SPAWNING AND FECUNDITY OF THE PLAICE.

An experiment was made on this subject by Dr. Fulton, by
keeping adult plaice about to spawn in tanks and collecting all the
eggs that appeared in the overflow daily, or twice daily. By this
means the number of eggs spawned by each of the two females
experimented with was determined, as well as the duration of the
spawning and the quantity of eggs that appeared from day to day.
One of the females spawned steadily, and almost daily for a period
of 36 days, the quantity shed at any time being small; the
spawning of the other extended over 41 days, but eggs were
spawned on only 16 days during the period, large quantities of
eggs being shed on each occasion, as many as 49,000. The first

16 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

female produced a total of about 163,500 eggs, and the second one
a total of 252,700. The eggs of one of the fishes were found to be
smaller than those of the other, and towards the end of the

spawning the size of the ego became reduced in each case.

THE SPAWNING OF THE LUMPSUCKER AND THE PATERNAL
GUARDIANSHIP OF THE EGGS.

A paper by Dr. Fulton describes the spawning of the Lumpsucker
and the remarkable assiduity with which the male guards the eggs
during the period of incubation, which lasts for about two months.

During all this time the male stands sentinel over the eggs,
repelling the attacks of intruders, pursuing other males that
approach them, constantly aérating them by a movement of his
fins, and by spouting currents of water on them from his mouth,
and refusing all food until almost the end of his long vigil.

We have the honour to be,

Your most obedient Servants,

ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Chairman.
D. CRAWFORD, Deputy-Chairman.
D’ARCY W. THOMPSON.

W..R. DUGUID.

L. MILLOY.

D. MEARNS.

H. WATSON.

WM. C. ROBERTSON, Secretary.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS.

I—TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS. By Dr. T. Wemyss Futon,
F.R.S.E., Superintendent of Scientific Investigations.

INTRODUCTORY.

Last year the investigations into the conditions of the fishing grounds
in the Moray Firth and Aberdeen Bay, by means of steam trawlers,
whose services were obtained for the purpose without expense, were
continued as in previous years as far as circumstances permitted, In the
Moray Firth the more important areas were visited in February,
September, October, and November, and the grounds in Aberdeen Bay
were also examined in March. The grounds at Burghead Bay and in
the neighbourhood on the south coast were most fully examined, but a
number of hauls were also taken in the Dornoch Firth, off the Suters of
Cromarty, and a few off the Caithness coast.

On most occasions fish were found to be scarce, and the results of the
voyages were not regarded as financially profitable by the owners,
especially in the Moray Firth in September, October, and November,
when the vessels working on the usual grounds in the North Sea were
much more successful. Haddocks, in particular, were unusually scarce,
only 19} cwts. being taken in the whole of the voyages together, and of
these 12} cwts. were got in the February trip. In September the total
quantity of haddocks amounted to only 5 cwts., and in November to 13
ewts., while none at all were caught in Aberdeen Bay in March. The
haddocks that were taken were mostly small, and in autumn large
numbers of these small unmarketable haddocks were brought up in the
trawl in the Moray Firth and thrown overboard. On one occasion close
upon 4000 were taken in a single haul. Particulars in regard to these
are given below, and in the Tables appended. The total quantity of fish
of all kinds brought to market in the course of the variovs trips
amounted to 3884 cwts., mostly consisting of plaice.

With regard to the number of fishes taken, the aggregate for the
completely recorded hauls was 71,982, of which 30,538 were marketable
and 41,444 unmarketable, either because of their small size, or because
they were not of edible kinds. The total number of plaice taken in these
hauls was 29,958; the number of haddocks was 26,348, the greater
proportion being too small to be marketable, and the number of cod was
302. As showing the quantity of unmarketable fish in autumn as com-
pared with spring (February) it may be said that while at the latter
period 12,882 marketable fish were taken as against 3088 unmarketable,
in autumn the number of unmarketable was 26,133, while the number of
marketable was almost the same as in spring, viz., 12,756.

One of the objects of these trawling investigations is to ascertain as
far as possible the changes which occur in the abundance of the food and
other fishes on the grounds in different seasons and years; but observa-

tions are also made on the reproduction of the fishes, their spawning,
B

18 Part IIT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

food, &c., while at the same time collections of floating organisms, or
plankton, are obtained. The employment of commercial trawlers for this
purpose is associated with certain disadvantages, particularly from the
point of view of comfort; but as the trawling work is carried on
precisely as it is when fishing for market purposes, opportunities are
afforded for various observations bearing on this method of fishing, as,
for example, the proportion of marketable and unmarketable fishes which
are taken, the influence of the size of the mesh on the size of the fish
caught, &e. The expense, moreover, is comparatively slight, as no charge
is made for the use of the vessels, which are also available for procuring
supplies of adult living plaice for the hatchery, without cost.

On some of the occasions the records of the catches on board the
trawlers were made by Dr. Williamson.

i,

The first of the trawlings was made in the Moray Firth and Aberdeen
Bay from the 6th to the 11th February, the steam-trawler ‘“ Loch
Lyddoch” being employed; rather heavy weather was encountered
during the latter part of the trip. The places visited in the Moray Firth
were Burghead Bay and the grounds off it, the grounds in deeper water
to the east of the Suters of Cromarty, and the Dornoch Firth. A gale
which sprang up, with a heavy sea, prevented the vessel from visiting
Smith Bank and the grounds off the Caithness coast, as was intended.

The first hauls were made in Burghead Bay in the afternoon of 6th
February, the wind when the work commenced being from the westwards
and light. A drag in from about 5 to 12 fathoms for four hours,
and therefore somewhat close in, yielded a total of 596 fish, of which 511
were marketable and 85 unmarketable. The greater part of the market-
able catch consisted of plaice, and witches were fairly numerous. The
plaice numbered 292, all of them marketable, and most of them medium
and small, ouly 1 large plaice being talken. There were 100 witches,
all marketable, and among the other flat-fishes, 3 turbot, 13 brill, 1
halibut, 26 common dabs, and 7 flounders. Round-fishes, especially
haddocks, were scarce ; they included 2 cod, 7 codlings, 39 haddocks, all
but 1 being small, 18 whitings, and 2 cat fish. The unmarketable fishes
consisted mostly of common dabs, whiting. and codling. The second
haul, in the same locality and about the same depths, was for four hours
and five minutes. The number of fishes secured was 792, of which
712 were marketable and 80 unmarketable. Plaice were better repre-
sented, the total being 492, all of them marketable, and consisting chiefly
of medium and small specimens. This catch also included a halibut, 3
turbot, and 14 brill, as well as 49 witches, all marketable, and 100
common dabs. There were also 7 cod and 11 codlings; haddocks were
equally scarce, only 26 being taken, A third haul in the same place
gave somewhat the same results. It was for four hours, and the aggre-
gate catch amounted to 863 fishes, 768 being marketable and 95
unmarketable. Plaice formed the bulk of the catch; they numbered
375, mostly small aud medium, and there were also 178 witches, all
marketable, as well as 37 brill, 79 common dabs, and 5 flounders. The
marketable round-fishes included 4 cod, 28 codling, and 43 haddocks, all
of the latter, except one, being small.

In the three hauls in this place within the range of depth mentioned,
occupying altogether twelve hours and five minutes, 2251 fishes were
caught, of which 1991 were marketable and 260 unmarketable. The

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 19

particulars are given in the following Table, the marketable fishes being
represented on the first line (I.) and the unmarketable on the second line
(TT),

Cod. Codling. | Haddock. | Whiting. | Cat-fish. | Halibut.
| |
—S- eS | = “| ed
| I. IS es 46 | 108 11 2 2
I. . 9 aha 8
‘Total 13 55 113 49 2 2
LEENA Ree te eth eee [eee ee ee Pe
L | Common |
Turbot. | Brill. | Plaice. © Witch. Dab. | Dab. | Flounder.
|
MMMAAbeS| lie Do lGiabe ele oe ona asi
ieiaiD 6 64 1,159 Somes GE thn FAQS! 12
IL, : 2B ob. 1a) Yi LAP ae Cag | :
PALER | nie! uu pants fae a
Total | Gee h Gdee be Dg 327 6 | 388 | 12>
|

In addition to those in the Table, there were 3 herrings, 34 anglers, and
18 thornbacks.

In the same locality, but in rather shallower water, another haul was
taken on the 8th, which may be here referred to. The depth was from
7 to 10 fathoms, but mostly 7, 8, and 9, and it lasted four hours and
twelve minutes. The catch was smaller than in the others, totalling 367
fishes, 334 being marketable and 33 unmarketable. Plaice were not so
numerous, consisting of 263 (3 baskets of mediums and 14 of small).
There were also 2 turbot and 21 brill. Haddocks were represented by
2 smali, unmarketable specimens, but, on the other hand, there were
17 cod.

After the three first hauls above referred to, the vessel shifted a little
further out into deeper water. The light on Burghead pier bore about
S.S.E., and the depths ranged to about 25 fathoms, the distance from the
light being about four miles. In the first haul, in from 17 to 20 fathoms,
which lasted for four hours and ten minutes, 1295 fishes were caught, of
which 1011 were marketable and 284 unmarketable. The bulk of the
catch was made up of plaice, haddocks, and witches. There were 273
plaice, mostly medium and small (see page 35), and all marketable, 371
witches, all marketable and all except four large, while the number of
haddocks was 277, of which 213 were marketable, though nearly all were
small. The catch included 12 cod, 22 codling, 2 coal-fish, 2 cat-fish, 3
turbot, and 4 brill.

The second haul, made in the same locality in from about 17 to 21
fathoms, and which lasted for four hours and five minutes, yielded 1460
fishes, of which 1081 were marketable and 379 unmarketable. Haddocks
were much scarcer than in the preceding drag, the bulk of the fishes
being plaice and witches. The number of plaice was 384, and they were
all marketable ; most of them were mediums and thirds. The witches
numbered 528, there being 466 large, marketable, and 62 unmarketable.
There were also 11 brill, 1 turbot, 6 lemon dabs, 10 cod, and 2 cat-fish.
The number of haddocks was 148, and 63 of them were too small to be
marketable. It is of interest to note that in this catch there were 9
berried edible crabs,

20 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The next haul in the same place, for four hours and fifteen minutes,
yielded 1013 fishes, 822 being marketable and 191 unmarketable. Plaice
were the most numerous in the catch, the total being 563, and all but 11
marketable. Witches were much less abundant, the total being 74, 4 of
them unmarketable. Among the other flat-fishes were 1 halibut, 4
turbot, and 18 brill, as well as a black or common sole—a fish which is
exceedingly scarce in the Moray Firth. Haddocks were scarce, only 64
being taken, nearly all small, and 18 unmarketable. The number of cod
was 5, and there were 2 cat-fish, 1 starry ray, and 4 cuckoo rays, In the
next haul, which lasted for four hours and fifteen minutes, the range of
depth was rather greater, from 12 to 25 fathoms. The aggregate number
of fishes was 707, of which 599 were marketable and 108 unmarketable.
Plaice formed the bulk of the catch, numbering 385, and all but 4 were
marketable. There were 60 witches, 3 of which were unmarketable, 3
turbot, 14 brill, and 1 megrim. Haddocks were poorly represented, the
number being 67, and 7 were unmarketable and nearly all the others
small, Three cod and 27 codling were taken, 7 of these being unmarket-
able, as well as 2 coal-fish and a cat-fish. A fifth haul, lasting for four
hours and ten minutes, in somewhat shallower water, from 13 to 17
fathoms, yielded a total of 816 fishes, 673 being marketable and 143
unmarketable. The result was much the same as in the previous four
drags, the bulk of the catch consisting of plaice, which numbered 456, all
but 6 being marketable. There were 65 witches, all marketable, 1
turbot, 14 brill, 5 cod, and a cat-fish.

Altogether, in the five hauls off Burghead, the aggregate time of actual
fishing being twenty hours and fifty-five minutes, the total number of
fishes taken was 5291, of which 4186 were marketable and 1105
unmarketable. The particulars for each kind of fish are given in the
following Table, the marketable being shown on the first line (I.) and the
unmarketable on the second line (II.).

|
Cod. |Codling.| Haddock. | Whiting. |Coal-fish. | Cat-fish.| Halibut. |} Turbot.

I 35 62 425 105 4 8 1 12
II - I'S 158 37 - - -
Total 35 67 583 142 4 8 1 12
a Se a
Brill. | Plaice. | Witeh, | ‘Memon | Common | yrogrim. | Flounder.
ie 61 2,040 1,029 15 258 1 10
II - 21 69 678 1
Total 61 2,061 1,098 15 936 1 iBT
Long | a . Z
fouge Sole. Herring. avons Sas as Angler,
I 1 14 77 1 1 36
II 72 - 14 - 3 a7

Total pa 1 14 91 1 4 73

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 21

The vessel then steamed in the direction of the Cromarty Firth and
made a number of hauls off the Suters of Cromarty. The distance from
the Suters was about five miles to the east, and the depth varied from
about 18 to 35 fathoms. The first drag, on the 9th February, lasted for
34 hours, the depths taken being 25, 18, and 35 fathoms. The number
of fishes caught was 1357, of which 1113 were marketable and 244
unmarketable. In this haul plaice were barely represented, the total
being 13, and it is noteworthy that 4 were small (thirds), 7 were
mediums, and 2 large ; there were none belonging to the fourth class.
The bulk of the catch consisted of witches, of which there were 9 basket-
fuls, the number being 850, and of these 792 were marketable and 58
too small to be taken to market. Among the other flat-fishes were 1
turbot, 4 lemon dabs, 224 common dabs, and 23 long rough dabs; but,
in contrast tv the hauls off Burghead, no brill were taken. Among the
round-fishes, haddocks were much better represented, and the medium-
sized fish, practically absent off Burghead Bay, were fairly represented.
The total number of haddocks was 132, all but 13 being market-
able; 8 were large, 58 medium, and 53 small (thirds), The number
of cod caught was 16, and there were 6 marketable codlings and 1
coal-fish.

The depths got in the next haul in the same locality, which lasted for
three hours and thirty-five minutes, were 23 and 29 fathoms. The
number of fishes taken was 1774, of which 1411 were marketable and
363 unmarketable. The catch differed from the previous one in that
plaice and haddocks were much more abundant and witches less abundant.
The number of plaice taken was 278, three of them being too small to be
marketable; of the marketable, 4 were large, 129 medium, 99 were
thirds, and 43 fourths. The witches numbered 493, of which 477 were
marketable, and the great majority were large. Among other flat-fishes
were 3 brill, 2 lemon dabs, 242 common dabs, and 119 long rough dabs
The number of haddocks taken was 536, of which 483 were of marketable
size, and 53 too small to be taken to market. The catch also included 27
cod, 11 codling, all but 1 marketable, as well as 26 whiting, 1 coal-fish,
1 pollack, and 2 hake. Two other hauls were taken on the 10th, the
depths ascertained in the first being 12, 25, and 28 fathoms ; this haul
lasted for three hours and fifteen minutes. The catch consisted of 1080
fishes, 963 being marketable and 117 unmarketable. Plaice and haddocks
were best represented. The former numbered 326, all marketable, there
being 4 large, 150 medium, 115 thirds, and 57 fourths. There were 438
haddocks, 419 of which were marketable, and they almost entirely
consisted of mediums. Witches numbered 197, all but 7 being market-
able ; and the catch included 5 cod, 1 hake, 2 brill, and 38 long rough
dabs. The fourth drag, also on the 10th, lasted for four hours and fifteen
minutes, the depths being 15, 18, and 25 fathoms. The catch amounted
to 947 fishes, 831 being marketable and 116 unmarketable. There were
461 witches, all marketable and mostly large ; 17 plaice, all marketable
and consisting of large and mediums; 1 megrim was also taken, as well
as a number of dabs. Among the round-fishes were 312 haddocks, of
which 281 were marketable, 279 of them being mediums, and 2 large.
There were 14 cod, 10 codlings, a hake, and a gurnard.

Altogether, in the four drags taken in the deepish water to the east of
the Suters of Cromarty, the actual duration of trawling being fourteen
hours and thirty-five minutes, the aggregate number of fishes caught was
5158, of which 4318 were marketable and 840 were unmarketable. The
particulars as to the different fishes are shown in the following Table,
the marketable being distinguished from the unmarketable.

22 Part LIL—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

| | | | |
‘ Cod- | Had- | Whit- | Coal- | Pol- | Gur- 7... Ee -
| Cod ine. | docks) wing.) | fish. 1Mlaek Eee: nard, Lurbet.| Brill. |Plaice.
| | |
| | | | i =a lear
| eH 162 Die VN GSKOP) Ne = Tatas | 1 OE ah 1 5 | 631
Ul A Sy) as 1] - . tg. o) - = hia)
| -| | ees eee
Motaled) $62 oil) (27 |/\ 15418), 66 fh p24H) wale | 6 1p) 5. jsee4
i |
“ Long | 1 1
Lemon} Com. }y7-, eM Floun-| Her- | .» | Lhorn- | Grey
Dab. | Dab: | Witeh- Neern eevee der. | ring tee back, | Skate.
| ile a bE a aie
PaRRT, 6 | 177 | 1,920 1 - 2 2 omy EID 76 80
eee pee! 81 : 197 | - ol alee} 1b |
| ct aoa ae eee
| Total 6 | 561 | 2,001 1 197 2 2 51 91 20
| | |

The vessel then proceeded to the Dornoch Firth, where some hauls
were taken, but the catches were not as a rule very large. ‘The first was
made on the 9th February, mostly in 10 and 12 fathoms, and it lasted
for four hours and a half. The number of fishes caught was 1195, of
which 942 were marketable and 253 unmarketable. Plaice were most
numerously represented, the number being 805, of which 740 were
marketable and 65 unmarketable ; the former consisted of 2 large, 106
mediums, 260 thirds, and 372 fourths. The other flat-fishes included 1
brill, 4 lemon dabs, 199 common dabs, and 166 flounders. Round-fishes
were practically absent, being represented only by 2 small haddocks.
The next haul was for an hour, with the small-meshed net around the
cod-end of the otter-trawl. In the latter the number of fishes amounted
to 277, of which 138 were marketable. The plaice numbered 240, of
which 115 were marketable and 125 too small to be marketable. There
were also 18 flounders and 9 small common dabs. Round-fishes again
were represented by only 2 small, unmarketable haddocks. The third
drag in the Dornoch Firth, in from about 43 to 12 fathoms, lasted for
four hours and ten minutes, and the number of fishes taken was 950, the
number marketable being 624 and the unmarketable 326. The catch
included 788 plaice, most of them being small; 312 were too small to be
marketable, and of the 476 marketable, 254 belonged to the fourth class,
143 to the third, and 79 to the second (mediums). Among the flat-fishes
were also no less than 140 flounders, while the common dabs numbered
8. Haddocks were represented by a single unmarketable specimen, and
there were no other round-fishes.

Omitting the haul with the small-meshed net around the cod-end of
the otter-trawl, the total number of fishes taken in the two ordinary
hauls, representing eight hours and forty minutes’ trawling, was 2145, of
which 1566 were marketable and 579 unmarketable. The particulars
in regard to the different species of fish, marketable and unmarketable,
are as follows :—

Haddock. | Brill, | Plaice. | emon Rone Flounder. | Angler. Thorn.
fist 2.) |) a) | raete ial ead ally ei apg a1 ih Sara ae
UI ea he 377 ss 190 tees) 8
Total 39/(fh Meta ieee Wie ik nee

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. - 23

The numbers of the different kinds taken in the small-meshed net may
be contrasted with the numbers taken in the trawl net.
In Small-meshed

In Otter- Net outside
trawl. Traw] Net.

Haddock, 2
Whiting, —
Codling, -
Gurnard, ; : ] —
Plaice, . ; q ; ¥ 240
Common Dab, : 9
Long Rough Dab, . _-
Small or Yellow Sole, . : :
18
3
5

oO
bo

Lo ES)
bo Ot
ADaorFruqanor

Herring,

Sprat, . :
Armed Bullhead,
Goby, sp.,
Sand-eel,
Pipe-fish,
Flounder,
Angler, .
Thornback,

—_—

lll awwea

277 1576

In the hour’s drag a total of at least 1853 fishes had entered the trawl,
of which it retained 277, while the remaining 1576 escaped through the
meshes of the trawl and were retained by the small-meshed net. The
result shows that haddocks, both big and little, were practically absent
from the grounds in the Dornoch Firth which were fished over at the
time ; that small whitings, too small to be taken in the otter-trawl, were
present in large numbers, while large whitings were absent, and that small
codling were there in inconsiderable numbers. No codling or whiting
were caught in any of the hauls with the ordinary net. The large
number of small plaice which escaped from the trawl net is also
noteworthy, and still more, tke common dabs. On the other hand, while
18 flounders were taken in the otter-trawl, none were got in the small-
meshed net, the smaller flounders not making their way into water of 64
fathoms depth, but remaining close in on the beach and the brackish
water. The abundance of large flounders in the deepish water at this
time of year is in agreement with what has been found on other
occasions,* and is referred to more fully below. The presence of young
gurnards may be noted.

After leaving the Dornoch Firth, the grounds east of the Suters of
Cromarty were again visited, as above stated, and an attempt was then
made to go to Smith Bank, but owing to the strong wind and high sea
the vessel was forced to turn, and it then proceeded to Aberdeen Bay.
Here a haul was made off the Quarries, on February 11th, in from eight to
twelve fathoms of water ; it lasted for an hour, the small-meshed net being
attached.as described above. There was a strong north-west breeze and
a rough sea, and the number of fishes taken in the otter-trawl was only
60, 47 being marketable and 13 unmarketable. The catch consisted of
7 cod, 20 codlings, all marketable, 14 marketable haddocks, and 3
whitings among the round-fishes, while the flat-fishes were represented by
only 7 common dabs, no plaice being taken, and there were also 9 starry
rays.

: * Twenty-first Annual Report, Part 111., p. 44.

24 Part [111 —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

A second haul, for three hours and forty minutes, in from 10 to 12
fathoms, was made in the same locality, the number of fishes secured
being 252, an extremely poor catch. The marketable numbered 162 and
the unmarketable 90. Round-fishes were again most numerous; there
were 5 cod, 35 codling, all but 3 marketable, 146 haddocks, of which 121
were marketable, 12 unmarketable whitings, and 6 gurnards. Flat-fishes
were scarce, and consisted of 3 medium-sized plaice, a single flounder, and
12 common dabs.

The fish contained in the small-meshed net numbered 490, and belonged
to eleven species. The particulars for each of the nets are as follows :—

Otter-trawl. Small-meshed Net. °

Cod, . : : , if —
Codling, . ; 20 16
Haddock, . : : 14 ot
Whiting, . : : : 3 150
Gurnard, : 2
Lesser Weaver, . : 1
Goby, sp., . — 4
Armed Bullhead. — y
Plaice, ; : : 2
Common Dab, 7 18
Herring, . : — 3
Sprat, 291
Pipe-fish, . — 1
Starry Ray, ; 9 =

60 490

The quantity of fish landed at the market by the vessel as a result of
this trip was as follows, the particulars having been supplied by the
Fishery Officer; the total weight being 151 ewts. :—

Cod. Codling. Coal-fish. Haddock. Whiting. Cat-fish. Angler. Hake. Turbot.
244 33 13 123 14 3 5 35 2

Halibut. Lemon Dab. Plaice. Brill. Common Dab. Witch. Flounder. Skate.
4 4 524 24} 34 28} 8

REMARKS ON THE MaTURITY OF THE FISHES.

During the investigations carried on in February a number of obser-
vations were made by Dr. Williamson, who had been requested to
determine in as many cases as possible the condition of sexual maturity
of the fishes, especially by using pressure in the ordinary way to see
whether ripe eggs or spermatic fluid could be squeezed out, or to note
whether the fish were spawning: In the hauls made at Burghead Bay
between the 7th and 9th February, 2 of the male cod taken were found
to be quite ripe, but none of the females appeared to be ripe ; the number
of cod caught was over 60. The ripe males were obtained about four
miles off, in from 18 to 30 fathoms of water. Of 4 coal-fishes captured
in these hauls, 3 were males and 1 was a female ; the 3 males were ripe
and ‘“‘running” and the female was ripe and had transparent eggs.

Some of the plaice which were taken were also found to be ripe, though
the great majority were immature. The number measured and examined
by Dr. Williamson at Burghead Bay was 1534, and of these, so far as
could be observed, 3 males and 5 females were ripe, 4 of the females being

or

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 2

in reality spent, but a few mature eggs could still be squeezed from them.
The sizes of. these were as follows :—Males, 392, 420, 440 mm. ; females,
520, 530, 595, 625, 685 mm. These fishes were got in from 12 to 25
fathoms. Besides these, 3 males and 43 females were nearly ripe, the
sizes of which were as follows, in millimetres :—

Males—395, 415, 436 mm.

Females—386, 388, 391, 392, 393, 400, 400, 403, 409, 412, 412, 415,
419, 420, 420, 420, 420, 420, 431, 435, 440, 443, 445, 456, 457, 460,
460, 461, 470, 476, 481, 488, 501, 505, 508, 510, 530, 550, 564, 595,
634, 655, 674.

The smallest of the females indicated as immature measured 21°8 cm.,
and the largest 46 cm. ; the smallest of the males was 20°5 cm., and the
largest 43 cm.

Four nearly ripe female plaice were also obtained in one of the hauls in
from 23 to 29 fathoms, five miles off the Suters of Cromarty. Their
sizes were as follows :—498, 511, 561, 704 mm.

In the previous year, at the very end of March (30th and 31st), a few
spawning and spent plaice were taken at the outer part of Dornoch Firth,
but they were not numerous.*

In a previous year at the latter part of January and in the middle of
February, spawning plaice were got in large numbers on Smith Bank and
a little to the south of it.

Only one ripe haddock was found; it was a male, one of 62 large
specimens caught in 23-29 fathoms, five miles east of the Suters of
Cromarty, on 7th February. Haddocks, however, and especially large
haddocks, were very scarce during the trip.

Flounders, which were taken in large numbers, were not asa rule quite
ripe. Ripe males were obtained a few miles off Burghead in from 17 to
25 fathoms, and ripe males and females were taken in the Dornoch Firth.
Most of the females were full and nearly ripe, but not spawning. As
previously stated, flounders migrate to the deeper waters offshore in spring,
for the purpose of spawning, and are then caught in the trawl in considerable
numbers, A large one was caught in from 23 to 29 fathoms, about 5
miles off the Suters of Cromarty. In the Dornoch Firth as many as
140 and 166 were taken in single hauls.

None of the turbot or brill taken were ripe. The number of these
fishes got at Burghead Bay was large, viz., in the nine hauls 146 brill
and 21 turbot. Five brill and a turbot were also secured in the deeper
water off the Suters of Cromarty. In one of the hauls off Burghead, 37
brill were captured, in another 21, and ina third 18. All the specimens
of both species were large enough to be marketable, which is the usual
experience; and their abundance was no doubt associated with the
presence of herrings on the ground,

EE.

At the end of March a series of trawlings was made in Aberdeen Bay
by the steam-trawler “ Fifeness,” from the morning of the 27th to the
morning of the 29th. Fish were remarkably scarce, with the exception
of cod and codling, of which a considerable number were taken.
Haddocks were practically absent from the grounds, only a few being got.
The wind during the continuance of the work was from the south-east at
first, and later from the south-west, and it was a moderate breeze. The
first ordinary haul was taken in from 6 to 10 fathoms, between Donmouth

* Twenty-third Annual Report, Part ITI., p. 21.
+ Seventh Annual Report, Part IIT,, p. 171.

26 Part IIT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

and ‘Black Dog,” and it lasted for three hours and five minutes. The
total number of fishes caught was 232, consisting of 208 marketable and
24 unmarketable. Among the former were 50 cod, of a rather small size,
known as “‘half-cod,” as well as 46 codling, 100 plaice, all but 2 market-
able and of medium size, 5 flounders, a common dab, and 30 starry rays.
The second haul, for four hours and ten minutes, off Newburgh, in 6 to
12 fathoms, yielded only 158 fishes, the marketable numbering 135.
They consisted of 29 cod, 38 codling, 23 plaice, and a few others,
including 62 starry rays. The third haul, a little further to the north, in
about the same depths, for three hours and fifty minutes, yielded 297
fishes, of which 292 were marketable. Cod were less numerous,
numbering 4; there were also 9 codling, a few dabs and starry rays, and
a lumpsucker, while on this occasion the catch of plaice was relatively
large, viz., 258, most of them being medium, and 9 large. The num-
bers in other hauls were even less.

Altogether, in six recorded hauls, representing twenty hours and thirty-
five minutes of actual trawling, the total number of fishes taken was
only 1018, consisting of 937 marketable and 81 unmarketable. The
particulars are as follows, the marketable being indicated on the first
line :—

Had- | Com, | Starry

| Cod. |Codling.| 4,.,. |Whiting.) Plaice. | Flounder. Dab. Ray.
| ih 90 | 119 Bee edo 567 9 55 84
| |
Il. : 1 a a 2 1 21 49
en: Carer z8 3 | ea
Total 90 120 SO NEAT 569 10 76 133

Two hauls were made with the small-meshed net around the cod-end,
the first in from 6 to 10 fathoms between Donmouth and “ Black Dog,”
and it lasted for one hour and five minutes. The number of fishes in
the otter trawl was only 30, consisting of 21 codling, 2 plaice, 2 whiting,
and 5 starry rays. In the small-meshed net outside the cod-end were
154 small dabs measuring from 29 mm. (1+ inches) to 177 mm.
(3 inches), as shown on page 252.

The second hau! was taken in deeper water, about 3 miles off Girdle-
ness, the depth being from 18 to 25 fathoms, and it lasted for seventy
minutes. In the otter trawl, which was torn, there were 76 fishes, and
in the small-meshed net 718, as follows :—

In Trawl. In Small-meshed Net.

Codling, . : ; 9

Ling, . : : ; : 3 —
Haddock, . ; : 19 314
Whiting, . d ‘ 3 364
Norway Pout, . : _ 9
Turbot, : ; f ‘ 1 -
Plaice, : : : : 14 _-
Lemon Dab, ‘ . : 6 —
Common Dab, . ‘ : 21 5
Long Rough Dab, ; d — 16
Herring, . : : - 4

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 27

The quantity of fish, as returned by the officer, which was landed at
the market, as the result of twelve hauls and forty-one hours and fifty-
five minutes actual trawling, was 47 ewts., as follows :—

Cod. Codling. Ling. Turbot. Halibut. Lemon Dab. Plaice. Dabs. Skate.
173 8 t 4 1 + 163 2 2

8

‘The next series of trawlings was made by the steam trawler “ Star of
the Ocean” in the Moray Firth at the end of September and the
beginning of October, and the trip was not a very productive one. Fairly
good catches of plaice were obtained in the Dornoch Firth and at
Burghead Bay, but they were mostly small, and marketable haddocks
were scarce. On the other hand, small haddocks, too small to be
marketable, were very abundant, and the same was the case with small
unmarketable plaice.

The first place visited was Burghead Bay, where a haul was taken on
28th September for two hours and five minutes, in from 5 to 12 fathoms
of water. The number of fishes caught was 2470, of which 803 were
marketable and 1667 unmarketable. Haddocks and plaice were most
abundant. The number of haddocks taken was 1423, but only 73,
which were of medium size, were marketable, the other 1350 being too
small for market. Of a total of 738 plaice, all but 16 were marketable,
but by far the greater proportion were small, viz., 711. Among the
other flat-fishes were 2 brill, a lemon dab, and 208 common dabs.

The vessel then steamed to the Dornoch Firth, where a number of
hauls were made off Dunrobin Castle. The first, in from 5 to 15 fathoms,
lasted for four hours and five minutes, the total number of fishes taken
being 2909. Most of them were unmarketable, viz., 1994, while the
other 915 were marketable. The catch consisted mostly of plaice and
small haddocks. The plaice numbered 2095, of which 828 were market-
able and 1267 unmarketable. The former consisted of 23 large, 30
medium, and 775 small. Among the flat-fishes were fourteen lemon dabs
and 1 witch. All the haddocks taken, 549 in number, were too small
to be marketable; all the 52 whitings caught were also unmarketable.
The catch included 19 cod, 57 codling, 11 of which were unmarketable,
51 gurnards, and a number of dabs. The next drag, which was for four
hours in much the same depth of water, yielded 814 marketable and 630
unmarketable fishes, a total of 1444. The haddocks numbered 424, all
but 24 being unmarketable. There were 967 plaice, of which 215 were
unmarketable, and 12 lemon dabs. Rather an unusual feature was the
presence of 19 mackerel among the other fishes. It is not very uncom-
mon for an odd mackerel to be taken in the course of these trawlings, but
rarely so many are captured. The next haul, in from about 63 to 15
fathoms, and which lasted two hours and fifty-five minutes, yielded the
large total of 4833 fishes, 1172 being marketable and 3661 unmarketable.
Haddocks were very numerous, the total being 2291, but only 36 of
these were marketable; all the rest were thrown overboard. The only
other round-fishes present were 3 codling, 1 whiting, and 63 gurnards.
Plaice were even more numerous than the haddocks, the total number
being 2465, and 1123 of them were marketable and 1342 unmarketable ;
of the former 7 were large, 86 medium, and 1030 small. A mackerel was
taken in this catch and also five lemon dabs.

In the next drag, in from 6 to 15 fathoms, which lasted four hours and
five minutes, the large total of 6447 fishes were caught, 1559 being
marketable and no less than 4888 unmarketable. Plaice were most

28 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

numerous, the total number being 3908, of which 1430 were marketable
and 2478 unmarketable ; the former included 2 large, 100 medium, and
1328 small. The number of haddocks taken was 1888, of which 122
were marketable and 1766 unmarketable, Five codling, 2 lemon dabs,
and a number of common dabs and gurnards were comprised in the catch.

The succeeding two drags were also exceedingly productive as far as
the number of fishes was concerned. In one, made in from 8 to 15
fathoms, and lasting for four hours and twenty-five minutes, the total
catch amounted to 5991, of which 916 were marketable and 5075
unmarketable. The latter filled nearly twenty baskets. The number of
plaice caught was 1623, 754 being marketable and 869 unmarketable—
the great proportion of the former being small, as in the previous drags.
Of 4091 haddocks, only 141 were of marketable size, 100 of them being
large and 41 medium. The other 3950 were thrown away. Eleven
codling were taken in this haul, as well as a turbot, 6 lemon dabs, and a
number of unmarketable common dabs. The next haul, in the same
locality for four hours and fifteen minutes, yielded 3939 fishes, of which
1378 were marketable and 2561 unmarketable. The plaice numbered
2552, the marketable aggregating 1273 and the unmarketable 1279. The
other flat-fishes were 11 lemon dabs and 67 common dabs. The haddocks
numbered 1118, of which 71 were marketable and 1047 unmarketable.
Three mackerel were taken in this drag.

Altogether, in the six recorded hauls in the Dornoch Firth, the duration
of actual trawling being 23 hours and 45 minutes, the aggregate number
of fishes taken was 25,563, of which 6754 were marketable and 18,809
unmarketable, the percentage of the former being 26°5 and of the latter
73°5. The proportion of the unmarketable fishes was thus very large
and far above what is usual. In the February hauls the proportion was
almost exactly reversed, there being then 73 per cent. of the total catch
marketable and 27 per cent. unmarketable. The particulars of the
marketable and unmarketable of each kind of fish are as follows :—

|
Cod. | Codling. Haas Whiting.| Gurnard. | Plaice. Turbot.
deat tnd. B 1 lil @ Fo bal ull ww 1
I: 19 77 394 1 - 6,160 1
Il, : 12, |, Bs867 fy a2 458 7,450
Total | 19 89 | 10,361 | 58 458 13,610 1
Common Lemon : | Long | | Thorn- ©
falas. aD Witch. | Rough Mackerel. ; Angler. batle
: Pad Dab. | :
OP ae bare | atte aiir | gee ips. Bahay
I. 7 50 1 - | 23 | - 21
I 828 esr e | 16 3
eee —|—--——|- | ae el ne aes | ene
Total 835 50 | ] 23 23 16 24

From this it will be seen that the total number of haddocks caught in
the six hauls was 10,361, and of these 9967, or 96 per cent., were
unmarketable, while the total number of plaice taken was 13,610, of
which 7450, or 54 per cent., were unmarketable. The difference between

of the Fishery Bourd for Scotland. 29

the February and September hauls in regard to the numbers of small
unmarketable fishes may be contrasted by comparing the numbers taken
per hour’s fishing, as follows :—

Marketable. Unmarketable. Total.
February 181 67 248
September 284-4 hols L076°3

The proportion of small plaice and especially small haddocks, differed
very much, as the following figures of the numbers taken on each occasion
per hour’s fishing show.

HADDOCK. | PLAICE,
Market- | Unmarket-| , Market- | Unmarket-
able. able. | HBS able. able. Tpfal:
February, -| 0:23 0-11 0°34 | 140-4 43°5 184
September, - 16°6 | 419°6 | 436-2 | 259:3 313°7 573

The circumstances show to what an extent the capture of immature
specimens of these fishes may take place at some seasons in bays by the
use of the trawl-net. All the young haddocks taken in this way
probably perish, and there is no doubt that the great majority of the
young plaice perish likewise, although, apart from previous experiments
recorded on the point, there are reasons for supposing that under
favourable conditions a considerable number may survive. Thus, in
February, Dr. Williamson observed that some of the small plaice which
had been lying all night in a basket along with a number of other small
fish taken in the small-mesHed uet were alive at 10.30 next morning.
When placed in a bucket of sea water they swam about freely.

After leaving the Dornoch Firth, a haul, which lasted two hours and
twenty minutes, was made outside the entrance to Cromarty Firth, the
depth being about twelve fathoms. The catch was a small one, consisting
of 479 fishes, of which 182 were marketable and 297 unmarketable.
Haddocks were present in greatest abundance, 395 being taken, of which
141 were marketable and 254 unmarketable. The other round-fishes
comprised 2 cod, 7 codling, 2 small whiting, and 4 gurnards. The number
of plaice was 61, of which 35 were marketable and 26 unmarketable ; the
only other flat-fish represented was the common dab, of which there
were 6,

Burghead Bay was then visited and a number of hauls taken in depths
rangiug from about 5 to 15 fathoms. In the first, in from 5 to 12
fathoms, which lasted for four hours and thirty-five minutes, 3901 fishes
were secured, 1479 being marketable and 2422 unmarketable. Plaice
and haddocks formed the bulk of the catch. Of the former the number
obtained was 1460, of which 1194 were marketable and 266 unmarketable
—a proportion contrasting with the condition in the Dornoch Firth.
Small haddocks were, however, very numerous, for of a total of 1334
haddocks caught only 29 were marketable, the remaining 1305 being too
small to be taken to market. The catch included among round-fishes 1

30 Part LI —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

cod, 7 codling, 13 whiting, and 159 gurnards, and the other flat-fishes
were 9 brill, 10 lemon dabs, 7 witches, and 866 common dabs. The next
haul, for four hours and five minutes, in from 8 to 12 fathoms, was less
productive, the total number of fishes taken being 791, of which 591
were marketable and 200 unmarketable. No marketable haddocks were
obtained, and only 56 unmarketable. There were 7 brill, 4 lemon dabs,
120 common dabs, and 559 plaice, of which 535 were marketable and 24
unmarketable.

Several other drags were made in the same locality, in some of which
the net was badly torn and the catches were small. The particulars in
regard to three of them, in which this did not occur, are as follows. In
the first, in from 8 to 14 fathoms, and which lasted for four hours and
twenty minutes, the number of fishes secured was 2218, those marketable
numbering 1162, and the unmarketable 1056. The most abundant of
the fishes was plaice, which totalled 1220, of which 1012 were marketable
and 208 unmarketable. Common dabs were also numerous, the total
being 622, but 492 of them were unmarketable. Other flat-fishes
included 1 turbot, 12 brill, and a lemon dab. The total of haddocks was
101, only 5 being marketable ; there were also 9 codling and 216 gurnards.
The next haul, which lasted for four hours and fifteen minutes, aud was
made in water of from 8 to 13 fathoms depth, yielded 1569 fishes, 854
being marketable and 715 unmarketable. Plaice, common dabs, and
haddocks formed the bulk of the catch. ‘The plaice numbered 792, of
which 690 were marketable and 102 unmarketable. Three brill and a
black or common sole were also taken, as well as 268 common dabs, 14
witches, and 5 lemon dabs. In the third of the hauls, lasting for four
hours and a half, and in the same depths, 1898 fishes were obtained, 931
being marketable and 967 unmarketable. The plaice numbered 919, of
which 826 were marketable and 93 unmarketable. There were 416 small
haddocks, all being unmarketable. Other round-fishes included 6 codling,
103 whiting. and 38 gurnard. There were also 398 common dabs and 3
lemon dabs.

In the five drags collectively, the time of trawling occupying 21 hours
and 45 minutes, the total number of fishes taken was 10,377, the
marketable numbering 5017, or rather over half the aggregate number.
The particulars of the marketable and unmarketable of the various kinds
are given in the following table :—

|
Cod. \Codling. Haddock. | Whiting. Gurnard.| Turbot. Brill. | Plaice.

I. ] 4 62 1B mes ie Fes 31 | 4,257
Ul. | 36 2,198 164 468 : : 693
| fase (edev cv feed. cer ov hws dll ia
Total 1 | 40 2,260 177 468 1 | 81 | 4:950
pn,
Lemon ; Common , Long Thorn
Dab. Witch. Dab Sole. Hovee Angler. ban
ab.
e 23 17 585 1 2 5 rh gee
Il 4 | 1,689 50 50 Sie y
|
Total 93 21 2274 | 1 50 Bb 25

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 31

The average numbers per hour’s trawling of the total fishes, the
marketable and unmarketable, and of the plaice and haddocks are as

follows :—
Marketable. Unmarketable. Total,

All kinds, . : 230°7 246°4 477-0
Plaice, . ; 5 195°7 31°8 227°6
Haddock, . ; 2°9 101°0 103°9

They furnish a strong contrast to the corresponding figures for the
Dornoch Firth,

The quantity of fishes, in ewts., landed at the market as the result of this
trip is given in the following Table, the total amounting to 1233 ewts :—
Cod. Codling. Haddock. Turbot. Halibut. Lemon Dab. Plaice.
3h 2 5 } 1 1 99

Brill. Common Dab. Witch. Skates.
14 54 + 6

Of the plaice, there were 5? cwts. of large, 253 cwts. of medium, and 68
ewts. of small.
uve

At the beginning of November another series of hauls was made in the
Moray Firth, mostly at Burghead Bay and in the Dornoch Firth, but
also on the Caithness coast. The weather was rather stormy, and the
vessel, the ** Cairntoul,” had to be run for shelter to the Cromarty Firth.
The fishing turned out to be poor from the market point of view, haddocks
especially, which usually form an important item in the catch, being
extremely scarce,

The first haul at Burghead Bay, in from 8 to 10 fathoms of water, was
for three hours and five minutes, and the total number of fishes taken
was large, viz., 4331. They consisted, however, mostly of unmarketable
fish, the marketable numbering 780 and the unmarketable 3551. Plaice
was by far the most important, the total being 1005, of which 679 were
marketable and 326 too small for market. One turbot and 7 brill were
among the flat-fishes, as well as a few common dabs. A feature of the
catch was the large numbers of small unmarketable haddocks that were
taken. They totalled 2852, whereas not a single haddock of marketable
size was taken. There were also 23 unmarketable codling, 90 whitings,
and 117 gurnards. In the next haul, in the same locality, the depth
being from 8 to 13 fathoms and the duration of the haul three hours and
fifteen minutes, 3859 fishes were secured, of which 324 were marketable
and 3535 unmarketable. The former were made up entirely of plaice,
with a few dabs and two thornbacks; the plaice numbered altogether
445, of which 301 were marketable. All the round-fishes were unmarket-
able, and they comprised 2748 haddocks, 198 whiting, 47 codling, and
204 gurnards.

The total number of fishes taken in the two drags, the time of actual
trawling being six hours and twenty minutes, was 8190, of which 1104 were
marketable and 7086 unmarketable. The particulars are as follows :—

)
Codling. Haddock. Whiting. Gurnard. Turbot.
I. 1
II 70 5,600 288 821
Total 70 5,600 288 321 1

[ Continued,

32 Part [1]. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

|
| Brill. Plaice. Common Dab. Long Rouge Thornback. |
Pet 19) ae pas see | EenEEee ee he
I 7 980 | 107 9
Tl. - 470 330 7
a | ae ae E : | 4 De
Total 7 1,450 437 7 | 9

The steamer then went to the Dornoch Firth, where some hauls were
taken on the usual ground. The catches here contrasted with those at
Burghead Bay in that round-fishes of marketable sizes were present,
though not in great numbers, but the small haddocks were still abundant.
The first drag, in 8 to 13 fathoms, which lasted for three hours and ten
minutes, yielded 2557 fishes, of which 188 were marketable and 2369
were unmarketable. There were 7 cod and 12 codling, all marketable,
and the haddocks numbered 2358, consisting of 88 which were market-
able and 2270 which were unmarketable. There were also 14 marketable
whiting, | coalfish, and 27 gurnards. The plaice numbered only 69, 51
of which were marketable, and the other flat-fishes comprised 14 lemon
dabs and 55 common dabs.

The next haul, in from 6 to 10 fathoms, which lasted for three hours
and twenty minutes, yielded 1013 fishes, consisting of 227 marketable
and 786 unmarketable. The catch included 2 cod, 29 codling, 11 of
them marketable, 118 whiting, mostly small, and 14 gurnards. The
haddocks numbered 641, of which 59 were marketable and 582 unmarket-
able. The plaice comprised 143 marketable specimens and 39 unmarket-
abide, and there were a few common dabs.

In the two drags made in the Dornoch Firth and completely recorded,
the actual time of trawling being six hours and a half, the aggregate catch
was 3570 fishes, of which 415 were marketable and 3155 unmarketable.
The particulars as to the marketable and unmarketable of the different
species are as follows :—

Cod. Codling: | Haddock. Whiting. |. Coal-fish.
Be al Pleo 23 | 147 26 1
Il. : 18 2,852 106
Total ja: alowed 2,999 132 Vea
\
Gurnard Plaice Lemon Common Angler
see ge a ey Dab. Dab. gt
i: al, aenge 6 9 :
Il. 41 57 8 72 1
Total 41 51 Tal od 3 81 1

On leaving the Dornoch Firth the vessel steamed up the coast and
took some hauls off Lybster and Noss Head; the weather was bad and
the catches poor, though a number of cod were obtained. In a haul for
three hours and twenty minutes off Lybster, in from about 18 to 30
fathoms, the total number of fishes caught was 356, of which 110
were marketable. There were 40 cod and 63 codling, all, except one, of
marketable size, but haddocks were scarce, only 28 being taken, and all of

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 33

them unmarketable ; there were also 13 unmarketable whitings, 10 plaice,
and 202 gurnards. The catch off Noss Head was not completely
recorded, but it included a number of cod and codling, and three baskets
of gurnards,

The weather at this time was very bad, a strong wind blowing from the
south-east, and the sea was high. ‘The vessel left the Caithness coast
and steamed to Burghead Bay, where some more hauls were taken.
Fairly good catches of plaice were got, but marketable round-fishes were
practically absent, while the small unmarketable haddocks were much
less abundant than on the previous visit a few days before. The first
drag, in from about 6 to 10 fathoms, lasted for four hours and five
minutes, the catch numbering 1026 fishes, of which 541 were marketable
and 485 unmarketable. The marketable fishes were confined to flat-fishes,
viz., 2 brill, 535 plaice, and 4 common dabs; there were also 21
unmarketable plaice and 71 unmarketable dabs. There were 332 small
haddocks, 22 small whitings, and 36 gurnards, all unmarketable.

The number of fishes taken in the second haul, in from about 5 to
9 fathoms, and which lasted for four hours and five minutes, was
1858, the marketable amounting to 1037 and the unmarketable to 821.
Among the round-fishes were 1 cod, 5 small codling, 606 haddocks, all
small and unmarketable, 52 unmarketable whiting, and 19 gurnards.
The flat fishes comprised 3 turbot, 2 brill, 1046 plaice, of which 1015
were marketable, 1 witch, and 116 common dabs. In the third haul, in
the same locality and depth, the number of fishes taken amounted to
1029, the haul lasting for four hours. The number marketable was 723,
and there were 306 unmarketable. With the exception of one codling,
all the marketable fishes consisted of flat-fishes. They comprise d4
turbot, 7 brill, 695 plaice, and 16 common dabs; there were also 38
unmarketable plaice and 115 unmarketable dabs. The round-fishes
included 9 codling, 57 unmarketable. haddocks, 15 whiting, and 71
gurnards.

Altogether in these three recorded hauls in Burghead Bay, the actual
duration of the trawling operations being 12 hours and 10 minutes, the
aggregate number of fishes captured was 3913, of which 2301 were
marketable and 1612 unmarketable. The particulars as to the market-

able and unmarketable of the various species are given in the following
Table :—

Cod. Ccdling. Haddock. Whiting. Gurnard. Turbot. Brill. Plaice.
iL - - 7

1 : 1] 2,245
: 13 995 89 126 : 90
1 14 995 89 126 7 11 2,385

ciate Dab. Witch. Loug Rough Dab, Angler. Thornback.
1 - - 3
290 - 5 4

392 1 5 4 3

As a result of the week’s working in the Moray Firth, during which
19 hauls were made, the total quantity of fish landed at the market by
the vessel was 663 cwts. As already stated, the weather was severe
during most of the time and the steamer had to run for shelter on two
occasions. The quantities of the different kinds of fish landed were as
follows :—

Cod. Codling. Saithe, Haddock. Catfish. Turbot. Lemon Dab,

10 3 to 14 + § 4
Plaice. Brill. Common Dab. Witch. Thornback,
444 1 1} 14 2

Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE i.

34
Temperature.
epth
Place Date. o g in
o
3 o |Fms
oleae
<|a|aA
1905,
1. Burgh- | Feb. 6. 5-12
head Bay.
2. ” ” ”
| 3. 5G Feb. 7. | 45°7 | 41°7 | 44°0 2

Time Trawl
Down.

is)
oO
haf

0
p-m.

11.40

5.0
a.m.

9.0
a.m.

Fish Caught.
No
No. 2,
Name taken to ixey n Total
Market. i Ps
board.
Cod, ite 2
Codling, 9 16
Haddock (1), 5 as
cE) 2 ? c =
» (3) . .
5 44
Whiting, .. 8 26
Cat-fish, : 2
Halibut, 4 1
Turbot, eye 3
Brill, ; ap 13
Plaice (1), BS “a
” ? ! ay
» (@), . ..
2 292
Witch (1), re 100
Lemon Dab, fs 1
Com. Dab,.. 48 74
Flounder, .. 30 ff
Herring, 3 3
Angler, 12 12
85 596
SSS SS aD ee Ea
Cod, ea 7
Codling, .. a 11
Haddock (1), Se .
” (2), . .
” (3), + +
ec 26
Whiting, .. ae 9
Halibut, oA 1
Turbot, * 8
Brill, & we 14
Plaice (1), .. ac Si
SCZ) teers es J
* era a AB
D ae 50 os
oe 492
Witch (1), .. o 49
Com. Dab, 60 160
Thornbacks, 12 12
Angler, 8 8
80 792
Cod, 4
Codling, .. 28
Haddock (1), 56
» (8); oo
43
Whiting, . 14
Brill, : 37
Plaice (1), ae
” ’ 1S
” ’ , GO
“a i Z fe
: 375
Lemon Dab, ‘ 5
Witch (1), .. # 178
Com. Dab,.. 75 154
Flounder. .. C 5
Thornback, 6 6
Angler, 14 14
95 863

Remarks.

Wind W.; light.

Wind W. by S.
fresh breeze.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Temperature. Te Fish Caught.
Depth
Place. Date. = d In a No.

8 s | Fms , 2 No. /|thrown| Total
st =] 3 ro) 3 Name. taken to| Over- No.
= A a a es Market.| board.

1905.
4. Off Feb. 7. | 45°0 | 42°5 | 43°0 |17-20] 1.50] 6.0 Cod, ZA Sa 12 ae 12
Burghead p.m. | p.m, | Codling, .. Ee 22 2 22
Bay. Haddock (1), St ako) re ne
» (2), » | 2
- F .. {201 “ oe
—213 64 277
Whiting (2), a 43 2 45
Coal-fish, .. <2 2 Sa 2
Cat-fish, .. = 2 2
Turbot, BA PF 3 3
Brill, : a 4 4
Plaice, x F 273 273
Lemon Dab Ce: 3 z} Se
» (2), ..} 1
— 3 3
Witch (1), .. .. [867
AC) eae ell
—371 ae 371
Com. Dab,.. mM 40 201 241
Flounder, .. a8 3 = 3
Herring, .. me 7 < 7
Thornback, a 13 Br 13
Angler, .. Br is 17 17
1,011 284 1,295
- a 17-21} 6.40 | 10.45 | Cod, 2. Fe 10 by 10
p.m. | p.m. | Codling, .. + oe 4 4
Haddock (1), ela an Ne
» (3), .. | 88 vs
— 85 63 148
Whiting, .. 39 17 56
Cat-fish, .. ba 2 es 2
Zurbot, a a ee 1
Brill, a a 11 a 11
Plaice (1), .. a 1 ae rie
rep Wea ee bn Lee
” (3), oe .. [166
by C4) aa | 40)
— 384 oF 384
Lemon Dab, Pb 6 és 6
Witch (1),.. ..| 466 62 528
Com. Dab,. ; 32 193 225
Long Rough Dab, ae 31 31
Thornback, ae 23 5 28
Angler, .. ae 22 4 26
1,081 379 1,460

Cod, mr = 5 on 5
6. Burgh- | Feb. 8 17-20} 4.30 |} 8,45] Codling, .. 33 5 4 9
Bay. a.m. | a.m. | Haddock (1), ma 1 Se
SOE Co a ee Ube Ts if

— 46 18 64

Whiting (2), - 5 7 12
Cat-fish, .. aS 2 e 2
Halibut, .. ae i a 1
Turbot, .. - 4 Se 4
Brill, Hi “e 18 2 18
Plaice, x Ee 652 ll 563
Lemon Dab, ws 4 = 4
Witch, Ae ae 70 4 74
Com, Dab,. : 73 131 204
Long Rough Dab, aa 11 ll
Flounder, ae ; 2 ae 2
Black Sole, oh 1 ee 1
Herring, .. ais 3 Be 3
Angler, .. Sc 10 %: 10
Thornback, AP 19 2 21
Starry Ray, ve 1 ae 1
Cuckoo Ray, os 1 3 4

822 191 | 1,013

Remarks.

Burghead bearing
8.S.E.

Nine berried edible
crabs were taken.

Of the plaice there
were 4 large and
4 baskets medium,
2 baskets thirds,
and } basket
fourths.

36 Part I1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report
TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.
Temperature. aime Day Fish Caught.
Depth
Place. Date. By S in No.
= o | Fms. A a No. | thrown
= = 3 ro) 3 Name. taken to| Over-
a = 3 3 = Market.| board.
1905.
7, Burg- | Feb. 8. | 42°0 | 41°7 | 42°5 | 12-25) 9.15 1.30 | Cod, 3
head Bay. a.m. | p.m, | Codling, .. 20 tk
Haddock (1), 5
” (4), 55 oe
— 60 7
Whiting, 9 6
Coal-fish, 2 as
Cat-fish, il Ss
Turbot, 3 oe
Brill, i 14 nA
Megrim ayy, i ae
Plaice, 381 4
Lemon Dab, 2 ia
H Witch, 57 3
| Com. Dab, . 40 60
Flounder, re 5 5 ib
| Long Rough Dab, : 18
| Anplery ae. ; ne 1
Thornback, u 1
599 108
8. 4 » 7-10 | 1.48 | 6.0 | Cod, 17 50
p.m. | p.m, | Codling, 3 3
Haddock, ae 2
Whiting, 1 1
Turbot, 2 5
Brill, 21
Plaiee, 263 5
Lemon Dab; 2 os
\ Com. Dab,. 16 20
Flounder, oe 5 7 ie
Long Rough Dab, sc 1
Angler, 40 : . 1
} Thornback, 2 :
334 33
Bh op ” 13-17] 6.30 | 10.40| Cod, 5 ae
ip.m. | p.m. | Codling, .. 5 36
Haddock (3), 21 6
Whiting, .. 9 5
Cat-fish, 1 ae
Turbot, 1 50
Brill, q 14 is
Plaice (2), .. 219 40
ai (GR oe 177 2.
» (); 54 .
—450 6
Witch, é 65 ae
Com. Dab, : 73 93
Long Rough Dab, ve 12
Herring, : 4 ae
Angler, A 4 15
Thornback, 21 6
673 143

—————_---—

Total

bo
bo e
NLOW an

iss)
NRE TISONe-

367

See

Remarks.

The plaice consist-
ed of 2 large, and
of 3 baskets of
medium, 2 of
thirds, and 4}
basket of fourths.

The plaice consist-
ed of 3 baskets of
mediums and 14
of thirds.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Place. Date.
1905.
10. Five | Feb. 9.
miles east
of Suters of
Cromarty.
il. ”

12. Dornoch
Firth.

”

Temperature.
wy
aes
r >] ~
a|/a|a
45°1 | 42°5 | 43-0

Hine Saws Fish Caught.
Depth
in 3 N tl ha
ns : 2 o. |throw
6 Name. taken to| Over- bs
a | Market.| board. ;
18 to| 6.30 | 10.0 | Cod, 16 P 16
35 | a.m.|a.m.]} Codling, .. 6 3 6
Haddock Q)» 8 - oe
” (2) ’ 58 ? 3%
nN) 3), 53 ee | ie
—119 13 132
: Whiting, .. 21 ns 21
Coal-fish, 1 ae 1
Lurbot, .: 1 ate 1
Plaice (1), . 2 Se as
ae (OV ak ( coe lingees
at ie a 13
Lemon Dab, 4 ue 4
Witch (1), .. 610 sy Be
MOVE 182 i fe
—-792 58 850
Com. Dab,. , 81 143 224
Long Rough Dab, Ae 23 23
Angler, : 7 7 14
Thornback, 33 ae 33
Gray Skate, 19 19
1113 244 1357
23to | 10.25) 2.0 | Cod, 27 oa 27
29 | a.m. | p.m.| Codling, .. 10 1 11
Haddock (1), 52 x oe
aren (Bis 431 ; 2
— 483 53 536
Whiting, .. 26 ‘ 26
Coalfish, 1 1
Pollack, 1 1
Hake, 2 2
Gurnard, es 3 3
Brill, a 3 3
Plaice (GO) toe 4 se
a 2), 129 R
- {3}; 99
ed, 43 ;
—275 3 278
Lemon Dab, 2 ts 2
Witch (1), .. 441 5e G0
5 (9); 36 ee x
—477 16 493
Com. Dab,. 78 164 242
Flounder, .. Z 1 Se 1
Long Rough Dab, i 119 119
Herring, C 2 ‘ic 2
Angler, 4 4 8
Thornback, 18 A 18
Grey Skate, 1 1
1411 363 1774
nae ee
10to} 4.50 | 9.20 | Haddock, (3) 2 ar | 2
12 | p.m. | p.m. | Brill, Ap al on i
Plaice (1), .. 2 ae He
ry Ca 106 Be ee
rahe) Me 260 =e ae
sy A) 372 me ica
—740 65 805
Lemon Dab, 4 Bs 4
Com. Dab,.. 14 185 199
Flounder, .. 166 - 166
Thornback, 15 3 18
942 | 253 | 1195

Remarks.

There were 9 bas-

kets of witches.

De ee

38 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Temperature. ene Dre Fish Caught.
Depth d
Place. Date. 3 j in c No. Remarks.
3 8 fms. z 3 No. | thrown) mpota]
x = z 6 5 Name. taken to} Over- | “Wo
a a [aa] = ize| Market.| board. ;
1905.
13. Dornoch} Feb. 9. | .. ae .. | 64 to] 10.15 | 11.15 | Haddock, .. fe ae 2 2 | Small-meshed shot.
Firth. | | | 12 | p.m.| p.m. | Plaice (2), .. .. | 46 se be
a i Bs ae oS -
cla cotecaiy liege | hh fae yep oe
Flounder, .. oe 18 ni 18
Com. Dab,.. Ae te 9 9
Angler g we ae 3 3
Thornback, as 5 sts 5
| { 188 | 180) eer
| | | | ——ooeee = ae ee
Wee rag Feb. 10.) .. th Bere ze 44 to} 5.0 | 9.10 | Haddock, .. ae ba 1 a
12°) \/acms, iva..." | Plaice!(2),; -- ase tke oe is
» (3), «. .. {143 or
| | Ean) ae eee aod a
| | —476 312 788
| Com. Dab,.. = 3 5 8
| Flounder, .. A 140 i: 140
Angler, .. A: ae 3 3
| | Thornback, Belo 5 10
| | SS ee ee
| 624 | 326 | 950
| eee cSneEES ee
15. Five 4s 42:8 | 42:0 | 42:7 | 12 to|11.45| 3.0 | Cod, of 5 KS 5
miles east 28 | a.m. | p.m. Haddock (1), xs 7
of the TS (Seated | 2 Be os
Suters of —419 19 438
Cromarty. Whiting, .. i 2 2 4
| Hake, ae din 1 S'0 1
Gurnard, .. a ae O) 2
Brill, GEA ak 2 ; 2
Plaice (1), .. ne 4
Sy B(2)h a2 {150 |
” @; . bee
| ay alts — 326 * 326
| | | Witch, (1) .. oe 190 7 197
| Com. Dab, . a 11 47 58
| Flounder, .. 1 an 1
| | | Long Rough Dab, ae 38 38
| | | Thornback, ; 6 2 8
963 117 1080
{ Sa Se eS Come
16 a Feb.11.| .. AG af 16 t | 12.30) 4.45 | Cod, ae at 14 aD 14
{ 25 | am.| a.m, | 'Codling, .. $t 6 4 10
Haddock (1), a Be a
” (2), <8 2 oe
—281 31 312
Whiting, 6 9 15
Hake. 56 1 aie 1
Com. Gurnard, nts Sc 1 1
Plaice (1), .. of 3 Fis ae
» (@),-: se |} He ig fe
= (
Witch (1), .. .. [486
i ee )siee .. | 25
| | : —461 G 461
| | Megrim, .. ae 1 ae 1
Com. Dab, : 7 30 37
) Long Rough Dab, ete 17 17
Angler, .. 18 11 29
Thornback, ary 19 13 32
831 116 947
CE Sees

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

39

{

Temperature. | ee Tien Fish Caught.
Depth : Ls
Date. g 3 8 J No. Itemarks.
Fms. : = No. | thrown
a | 3 3 : Name. taken to| Oves- Tos
< nN —Q 72) x Market.| board. 4
1905. Sie
17. ~+—‘Five |Feb. 11. 5.20 Cod 1 1 | Net badly split and
miles east a.m. Codline 3 1 4 catch small;
of the Haddock 1 4 5 Strong N.N.W.
Suters of Whiting, - ie 1 1 wind, increasing
Cromarty. Plaice (2), . 4 - if to a gale, with
(3), : 8 ry snow showers; sea
2 na PRG oy 12 very rough.
Witch (1), . 109 af a
” 2 yee 9 = ao
—118 ae 118
Com. Dab,.. a os 12 12
Long Rough Dab, att 8 8
Angler, .. Se 5 3 a
140 29 169
18. Aber- 8to | 6.40 | 7°40 7 Small-meshed,
deen Bay ‘i 12 | p.m. | p.m. Cuiise ef a 99 | Strong N.W. breeze;
off the Haddock (2), 14 14 sea rough.
Quarries. Whiting, 3 3
Com. Dab,.. | 3 4 7
Starry Ray, elise 9 9
47 13 60
” 10 to | 8.20 | 12.0 | Goa, 5 be 5
12 | p.m. | p-m. | Codling, .. 32 3 35
Haddock (2), 121 25 146
Whiting, .. a 12 12
Com. Gurnard, as 6 6
| Plaice(2), .. 3 = 3
Flounder, .. 1 L
| Com. Dab,.. S 12 12
Starry Ray, 5 32 32
162 90 252

4.0

Part I]I].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Place.

1. Aber-
deen Bay
between
Don-
mouth
and Black
Dog.

Hy (Ost
Newburgh.

4. Off
Newburgh
and Old
Castle.

5. Cruden
Bay.

Date.

1905.
Mar. 27.

Mar. 27
and 28.

Temperature. cube taw Fish Caught.
Depth 3
g a in = No.
a 6 |Fms 2 No. | thrown
s = = zs) 8 Name. taken to) Over- ie
< n fq zal ae Market.| board.. ;
58 6-10 | 6.20 | 7.25 | Codling, 21 21
a.m. | a.m. | Whiting, ae 2 2
Plaice (2), .. 2 2
Starry Ray, 5 5
28 2, 30
8.0 | 11.5 | Cod, 50 +3 50
a.m. | a.m.| Codling, . 46 fe 46
| Plaice (2), . 98 2 100
Flounder, .. 4 1 5
Com. Dab,.. ae 1 1
Starry Ray, 10 20 30
208 24 232
6-12 | 11.55| 4.5 | Cod, 29 : 29
a.m. | p.m. | Codling, 38 : 38
Whiting, 1 1 2
Plaice (2), .. 23 5: 23
Flounder, .. 3 $0 3
Com. Dab,.. iL a 1
Starry Ray, 40 22 62
135 23 158
53-11/ 4.30 | 8.20 | Cod, 4 oe 4
p.m. | p.m. | Codling, 9 1 10
Whiting, Be 3 3
Plaice (1), .. 9 a
eID) 5 2 249 : uy
—258 : 258
Com. Dab,.. 14 j 14
Starry Ray, 7 ae 7
Lumpsucker, oe 1 1
292 5 297
6-11 | 8.30 | 12.45 | Cod, 2 ; 2
p.m. | a.m. | Codling, 4 é 4
Whiting, .. 2 2 2
Plaice (1), 7 : 45
Fer ©) see 168 ; re
—1/0 3 170
Flounder, 2 > 2
Starry Ray, 18 5 23
198 5 208

Remarks.

Small-meshed ex-
periment.

Wind S.E.; light
breeze ; sea mode-
rate.

Temperature.
Date. 3 E
3 >| 3S
2/a|a
1905.
Mar. 28.

8. 34 miles.} Mar. 29.
off Girdle-
ness.

Time Trawl

Fish Caught.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland,

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS--TABLE I.

4]

Depth|__ DOW?
in oS No.

Fms.| |; — No. thrown] Total
° = Name. taken to} Over- | No.
os i Market.! board.

6t010) 5.2u | 9.30 | Cod, 5 , 5

a.m. | a.m. | Codling, 1 : 1
Haddock, 3 Ae 3
Whiting, if 1 8
Plaice (2), .. 16 ee 16
Com. Dab,.. 40 19 59
Starry Ray, 4 2 6
76 22 98
6to10) 7.40 | Mid- | Cod, 3
p-m. |night.) Codling, 13
Plaice, 5 bskts
Turbot, . il
Black Sole, 1
18to | 6.20) 7.30 | Codling, 9 ne 9
25 | am. | a.m. | Ling, th 3 Be 3
Haddock, .. Sy 19 19
Whiting, .. Ke 3 3
Turbot, ; il re 1
Plaice, (2) .. 14 ce 14
Lemon Dab, 6 Be 6
Com. Dab,.. 21 21
33 43 76

Remarks.

Nearly half a bas-
ket unmarketable
fish, mostly dabs.

WindS. W., moder-
ate breeze.
Trawl-net torn.

42 fart ITI.—Twenty-jourth Annual Report

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Temperature. pene drawl Fish Caught.
Depth ;
Place. Date a a in = No. Remarks
oO _
3 S |Fms.| |; 2 No. | thrown Total
x = = ° a Name. taken to} Over- No
z a Q = x Market.| board. :
1905. |
1. Burghead|Sept. 28.| .. = as 5 to} 6.15 | 8.20 | Codling, .. fe 1 4 5 | Wind N.E., mode-
Bay. 12 | am.|am.| Haddock (2), .. 73 | 1850 | 1423 | rate; sea choppy.
Whiting, .. es 4 43 47
Gurnard, .. ad ats 34 34
Brill, is ee 2 ee 2
Plaice (1),.. Fee leas: ie Eleven squids.
Ay) bse Bee {lant :
son! Bier san All 63 -
—722 16 738
Lemon Dab, oe 1 = i
Com. Dab, ae ee 208 208
Angler, .. is dic 12 12
803 1667 2470
2. Dornoch as oO 52°2 | 54°0 [5 to15|} 1.55 | 6.0 | Cod, es box 19 A 19 | Wind N.E.; mode-
Firth, off p.m. | p.m. | Codling, .. a 46 11 57 rate breeze; sea
Dunrobin Haddock, .. if A 549 549 choppy.
Castle. Whiting, .. — Aa 52 52
Gurnard, .. as ie 51 51
Plaice (1), .. Ag |e) Ao a
(2) Bee .. | 30 ae
gH (3) stacs ap ict me
—828 1267 2095
Lemon Dab, ... 14 ie 14 | Fourteen squids.
Witch, is 55 i ae 1
Com. Dab,.. PS oe 37 37
Long Rough Dab, fs 23 23
Thornback, ; 7 50 7
Angler, .. xe +. 4 4
915 | 1994 2909
BY 93 eat ae 53°0 | 54°0 | 6to | 4.30 | 8.30 | Haddock (2), a 24 400 424
15 | am./am | Grey Gurnard, .. ae 15 15
Plaice (1), .. ee LO 24 os
» (2),.. «| 15
- ree ey wis es
—-752 215 967
Lemon Dab, 4d 12 we 12
Mackerel, .. Sc 19 ne 19
Thornback, = 7 a v7
814 630 1444
—$——_—--_——
4, 50 on as fe .. |64to} 105 | 1.0 | Codling, .. sd 3 ae 3
15 | a.m. | p.m. | Haddock (1), Seale we .
A (2), Beet) bg sts se ;
Le¥S6 2255 2991 | Five small squids.
Whiting, .. a8 1 ee 1
Grey Gurnard, .. ok 63 63
Plaice (1), .. ae 7 ne Be
Pe en C7) Bek ee eee a
Hi Eee .. |1030 ae a
—-1123) 1342 2465
Lemon Dab, at 5 an 5
Mackerel, .. ot 1 ac 1
Angler, .. Er: a 1 1
Thornback, sf 3 as 3
1172 3661 4833

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE L

Firth.

8. Outside
Cromarty
Firth,

’

Place. Date.
| 1905.
6. Dornoch |Sept. 29.
Firth, off
Dunrobin
Castle.
6. Dornoch 3) 29

Temperature.
g | 4
2/a/2
52°0 | 54°0
52°0 | 53°0

8 to
15

8 to
15

12

Time Trawl

43

Fish Caught.

Down.
me No.

: 2 No. |thrown Total
) EA Name. taken to} Over- | “x6
a x Market. | board. :
1.10 | 5.15 | Codling, .. 5 5

p.m. | p.m. | Haddock (1), 59 33
% (2), 63 os fe
—122 1766 1888
Grey Gurnard, 7 82 82
Plaice (1), .. 2 At AS
Paap ey () Fae . | 100 2
GP ES 1328 is Ps
——1430| 2478 3908
Lemon Dab, 2 a 2
Com. Dab, 554 554
Angler, 5 5
Thornback, 3 3
1559 4888 6447
5.55 | 10.20 | Codling, .. 11 11
p.m. | p.m. | Haddock (1), 100 ee
is Oi 41 ae *
—1l141 3950 4091
Grey Gurnard, we 79 79
Turbot, .. 1 me 1
Plaice (1), .. 8 sf 8
ay C2) ek 38 Si ets
a PG) hres 708 ah =
—754 869 1623
Lemon Dab (2), .. 6 ies 6
Com. Dab,.. ae 177 177
Thornback, 3 sea 3
916 5075 5991
3.45 | 8.0 | Codling, .. 12 1 13
a.m | am | Haddock (1), 20 x x
+) (2), 51 os at:
— 71 1047 1118
Grey Gurnard, or 168 168
Plaice (1), .. 4 ‘is ae
ae aut (2) ike 74 ae Sc
» Kot 1195 a 40
——1273) 1279 2552
Lemon Dab, 11 Ae 11
Com. Dab,.. 7 60 67
Mackerel, .. 3 Be 3
Angler, aye. 6 6
Thornback, u = a
1378 2561 3939
12 | 2.20 | Cod, 2 a! 2
noon.| p.m. | Codling, .. 4 3 7
Haddock (1), 100 ae =e
” (2), 41 a she
—-141 254 395
Whiting, .. “6 2 2
Grey Gurnard, 54 4 4
Plaice (1), .. it z Se
2 (3); .. 34 at as
—- 35 26 61
Com. Dab, re 6 6
Grey Skate, 2 2
182 297 479

Remarks.

Four squids.

There were 19}
basketfuls of un-
marketable fish.

44 Part LI1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report
TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.
Temperature. a Fish Caught.
Depth :
Place. Date. 3 Fi in = No. Remarks.
S 6 |Fms.| ; Bd No. | thrown] ota
s & S i) 5 Name. taken to| Over- | “6
a B 3 = se Market.| board. :
1905.
5. Burghead] Oct. 2. 5 to | 2.45 | 7.20 | Cod, 1 ° 1
Bay. 12 | am.|am.| Codling, .. 3 4 7 | Five squids.
Haddock (2), 29 | 1805 | 1334
Whiting (2), 13 ne 13
Grey Gurnard, 36 159 159
Brill, : 9 as 9
Plaice (1), .. 5 nie Ba
Ra (2) at 167 ¥ ie
Be OK) ae 1022 ss in
—1194 266 1460
Lemon Dab (1), 10 hte 10
Witch (1), .. 7 ots 7
Com. Dab,.. 206 660 866
Angler, .. 50 28 28
Thornback, 7 : 7
1479 2422 3901
10. ,, ¥9 8 to}11.55] 4.0 | Codling, 9 9 | Wind N.W., mod-
12 | a.m.|} pm. | Haddock, .. 56 56 erate _ breeze ;
Whiting, .. 14 14 sea moderate.
Gurnard, .. 12 12
Brill, ae 7 ie vf
Plaice (1), .. 8 36 Ae
a aea (2) sree 149 a2 ad
Fe) EDA co 378 os ue
—535 24 559
Lemon Dab, 4 ae 4
Com. Dab,.. 39 81 120
Angler, .. oe 4 4
Thornback, 6 oe 6
591 200 791
ll. ,, Oct. 2, »» | 8.15 | 12.80] Cod, 3 Unmarketable
3. p.m.| a.m. |} Turbot, 2 fishes filled two
Brill, p 5 baskets.
Plaice (1), .. 4
oH Py) 273
» (8), .. 723
-—1000
Lemon Dab, 7
Witch (1), .. 3
Com. Dab, 29
Thornback, 10 a
1059 Be
125 Oct. 3. 10 to| 6.0 | 10.10] Codling, 1 5 6 | Net split badly.
15} | a.m. | a.m. | Haddock, .. <4 47 47
Whiting, .. He 10 10
Gurnard. .. ae 22 22
Plaice (1), .. 1 ee Ay
» (2), .. 7 : ae
ee (Gers 41 ; es
— 49 13 62
Com. Dab, oe 12 36 48
Long Rough Dab, ‘ if is
Angler, = 5 5
62 145 207

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 4d

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Temperature. Bae ew Fish Caught.
Depth ‘
Place. Date. 3 g ih Zz 2 as Remarks.
: 3 ° ms = 0. rown
L = 5 a) = Name. taken to Over- Ges
2 5 at 3 ss Market. board. oF
1905.
18. Burg- | Oct.3.} .. Bc .. | 8 to} 10.50} 3.380 | Codling, . a bis il 11 | Net split badly.
head Bay. | 153 | a.m./| am. | Haddock, .. ee sa 378 378
Whiting, .. ah ae 52 52 | Fifteen squids.
Gurnard, .. is x. al 28 28
Brill 0 we 2 AZ 2
Plaice (1), .. fe (key be A
om see way || 162 [he
a(S) eee LOT is =
—184 82 266
Com. Dab, = 24 107 131
Black Sole, a il 3p 1
Long Rough Dab, Bo 6 6
Angler, .. ve 5 2) ff
216 666 882
co) : Be bie =: 8 to| 4.25 | 8.45] Codling, .. D0 1 8 9 | Wind W., strong
14 | p.m.) p.m, | Haddock(1), : Sel OG 101 breeze.
Grey Gurnard, .. ae 216 216
* Turbot, ac 1 5C 1
Brill, ae ao 12 ss 12
Plaice (1), .. oe 8 Pe -
a (Oe ss .. {187 Be
A eG) ees .. |817 ae we
‘ —1012 208 1220
Lemon Dab, exe 1 AD 1
} Com. Dab, Ad 130 492 622
Long Rough Dab, aye 36 36
1162 1056 2218
|
As Oct.4.| .. .. | «- |8t013) 7.30 | 11.45} Codling, .. Ze ae 9 9
a.m. | a.m. | Haddock (1), e 2 3 a
a (2), Am eA) =e as
| — 28 325 353,
Whiting, .. st is 47 47
Grey Gurnard. .. Pt 43 43
| Brill, aes vs 3 Se 3
} Plaice (1), .. ae 2 Be Ee
HG Sac acy (iba a
pe) Ba Son AeA’ Sc
— 690 102 792
Lemon Dab, ste 5 S 5
Witch (1), .. es 10 4 14
Com. Dab,.. Pe 108 160 268
Long Rough Dab, 5c 14 14
| Black Sole, Ae 1 we 1
| Angler... #3 5 6 11
Thornback, a 4 5 9
854 715 1569

55 or fe .. |8to13) 5.30} 10.0 | Codling, .. st 23 6 6
p-m. | p.m. | Haddock, .. 5 Se 416 416
Whiting, .. Ar Ar 103 103
Grey Gurnard, .. a 38 38
Plaice (2), .. ~. (163 56 ss
45 BIS Be .. |673 ae S
— 826 93 919
Lemon Dab, AG 3 ac 3
Com. Dab, aa 102 296 398
Angler, .. “3 oe 12 12
Thornback, sa ae 3 3

931 967 1898

46

Place.

nN

3. Dornoch
Firth.

5. Off
Lybster.

Date.

Nov. 2.

Nov. 3.

Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Temperature.

| Air.

46°4

46'8

Surface.

48°9

48 4

49°1

Bottom.

49°0

49°0

48°5

8 to

8 to
13

8 to
13

6 to
10

18 to
30

Time Trawl

Fish Caught.

Down.
= No.
; 2 No. | thrown Total
6 5 Name. taken to} Over-| “xo
a fee Market.| board. %
5.15 | 8.20 | Codling, a 23 23
p.m. | p.m | Haddock, .. : 2852 2852
Whiting, .. ; 90 90
Gurnard, .. ate 117 117
Turbot, 1 os 1
Brill, Ss 7 5c 7
Plaice (2), .. 149 ms of
ST (8)i as 530 = ae
—679 326 1005
Com. Dab, ae 86 136 222
Long Rough Dab, ae i 7
Thornback, ae 7 50 7
780 3551 4331
5.0 | 8.15 | Codling, ne 47 47
a.m. | a.m. | Haddock, .. ae 2748 2748
Whiting, .. re 198 198
Gurnard, .. 30 204 204
Plaice (2), .. 59 5 Be
eB) sas 242 A 36
—-301 144 445
Com. Dab,.. 21 194 215
Thornback, 2 ste 2
324 3535 3859
10.20] 1.30 | Cod, 7 35 7
am,| p.m. | Codling, .. 12 ae 12
Haddock (2), 25 * Ae
(3)! 63 a ie
— 88 2270 2358
Whiting, 14 Ac 14
Coal-fish, .. il Ae 1
Gurnard, .. 3e 27 27
Plaice (2), .. 17 ae Ae
ye (Byes 34 53 oe
— 61 18 69
Lemon Dab, 6 8 14
Com, Dab,.. 9 46 55
188 2269 2567
2.40 | 6.0 | Cod, 2 a4 2
p.m. | p.m. | Codling, .. 11 18 29
Haddock (2), 39 BE ye
» (3), 20 2. nc
-— 59 582 641
Whiting, .. 12 106 118
Gurnard, .. oc 14 14
Plaice, 143 39 182
Com. Dab, a5 26 26
Angler, 1 1
227 786 1013
4.0 | 7.20 | Cod, 40 5p 40
a.m. | .m. | Codling, 62 il 63
Haddock, .. oe 28 28
Whiting, f 13 13
Gurnard, .. Ay 202 202
Plaice, 8 Y 10
110 246 356

Remarks.

Wind E., moderate;
sea moderate.

Wind N.E., strong ;
sea rough.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TRAWLING INVESTIGATIONS—TABLE I.

Fish Caught.

Time Trawl
Temperature. fiw.
Depth
2 Place. Date. 3 g in as}
3 o |Fms : a
; s 2 24 3
& a | 3 £ 3
4 D Q a q
? 1905,
6. Burg- | Nov. 4. 6 to 10) 10.55} 3.0
head Bay. a.m. | p.m,
ite » 5 5 to 9| 3.45 | 7.50
p.m, | p.m.
8. “ Nov. 6. 5 to 9} 6.0 | 10.0
a.m, | a.m.

No.
No. | thrown
Name taken to} Over- at
Market. | board. ’
Haddock, .. ake 332 332
Whiting, te 22 22
Gurnard, .. - 36 36
Brill, ; 2 a 2
Plaice, * 535 21 556
Com. Dab, af 4 71 75
Long Rough Dab, 3 3
541 485 1026
Cod, 1 a 1
Codling, .. 7% 5 5
Haddock, .. ae 606 606
Whiting, .. 5 52 52
Gurnard, .. 2 19 19
Turbot, 3 I 3
Brill, 2 2
Plaice, 1015 31 1046
Witch, : 1 se 1
Com. Dab. 12 104 116
Angler, aE 4 4
Thornback, 3 : 3
1037 821 1858
Codling, .. 1 8 9
Haddock, .. ce 57 57
Whiting, 55 15 15
Gurnard, .. ae 71 71
Turbot, 4 33 4
Brill, 7 £ 7
Plaice, Se 695 38 733
Com. Dab,.. xe 16 115 131
Long Rough Dab, 2 2
723 306 1029

Remarks,

Wind S.E., strong

breeze;
rough,

Wind E.N_E. ;
heavy sea.

sea

48 Part IIL.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

IIl.—OBSERVATIONS ON THE OTOLITHS OF SOME
TELEOSTEAN FISHES.

By Tuomas Scort, LL.D., F.L.S., Mem. Soc. Zool. de France.

(Puatzs I.-V.)

ConrTENTs.
PAGE.
(1) Preliminary Remarks, ; ‘ 3 48
(2) List of Fishes whose Otoliths are described, . 52
(3) Systematic description of the Otoliths, . 53
(4) Literature bearing on the Otoliths of Fishes, . 80

I.— PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

Rather more than twenty-five years ago a portion of my leisure was
devoted to a study of the post-tertiary and surface geology of the Clyde
Valley. Consequently, the rich fossiliferous beds that were exposed
about that time in connection with the excavations for the James Watt
Wet Dock at Greenock were of special interest to me as well as to all
engaged in this study. It was about that time and in connection with
these researches that my attention was first directed to those curious
bodies known as the otoliths, or earstones of fishes.

These studies had made me acquainted with the late Dr. David
Robertson, of Glasgow, and subsequently of Millport, whose name is so
intimately associated with the Marine Biological Station at the latter
place. This gentleman, who already possessed large collections of
natural history objects of various kinds, had among them an extensive
series of the otoliths of recent and known fishes, and these collections I
had the frequent privilege of inspecting.

If I remember rightly, one of the reasons which induced Dr. Robertson
to make this collection of otoliths was that such objects were expected to
occur, or had already been noticed, in the fossiliferous clays then under
examination, and that, therefore, a familiarity with the recent forms might
help in identifying the kinds of fishes such fossil otoliths might belong to.

With Dr. Robertson’s assistance, always freely given to those engaged
in natural history pursuits, I soon became interested in these things.
Later on, when carrying out the work assigned to me by the Fishery Board
for Scotland, the food of fishes engaged my attention from time to time,
and in order to obtain the information desired it was necessary to
examine the stomachs of many of the fishes captured. As this
examination proceeded it became manifest that small fishes were often
captured by the larger specimens for food, as their remains sometimes
formed a considerable proportion of the contents of the stomachs examined.
Frequently, however, the otoliths or earstones were the only parts that
remained, or that were least affected by the action of the digestive fluid;
it was therefore obvious that a familiarity with the earstones of fishes

—s

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 49

already known might be useful as a means whereby we could ascertain
what was the species of fish that those found in the stomachs belonged
to.

Of course, the usefulness of the earstones for this purpose depends on
whether the difference between those of one species of fish and those of
another is sufficiently distinct and constant, either in their size, form, or
sculpture. This information, however, could only be acquired by the
comparative examination of the earstones of many kinds of fishes and
also of large and small examples of the same kinds. Unfortunately, I
have not been able to give so much attention to this research as it
deserved, nevertheless a good deal of time has been devoted to it, and
though the results have been in some respects disappointing, several
interesting facts have emerged which will be referred to presently.

The earstones of about seventy species of fish are described in the
sequel and, with one or two exceptions, the descriptions are illustrated
by enlarged photographs. Before proceeding, however, to describe
the various forms, the following remarks may not be out of place, and
the first thing I wish to refer to is the position of the earstones.

The earstones or otoliths of teleostean fishes are contained within
special chambers—the ear-chambers—one on each side of the head and
situated between the eye and the base of the skull. There are usually
several stones in each chamber, one being comparatively large and the
others very small. The form of the large stone is generally well defined,
but the others are irrecular in shape, and therefore, in this paper, the
term earstone or otolith will refer only to the large stone. The otoliths
are not outgrowths from adjoining parts of the skull, but are free within
the ear cavity, and are covered by a thin membrane to which nerves are
attached,

I have endeavoured to ascertain whether the size of the earstones was
in any way correlated with the intensity of the sense of hearing, that is,
whether the possession of large or small eazstones was an indication of a
higher or lower development of the sense of hearing, but have been
unable to obtain any positive evidence bearing on this question. For
example, haddock, coal-fish (especially in the earlier stages), lythe, and
also cod have their sense of hearing tolerably acute. This was demon-
strated over and over again at the Rothesay Aquarium, and these fish
have large earstones. The conger, on the other hand, which has com-
paratively small earstones, appears to be a dull and listless fish, But it
has been noticed that lumpsuckers, and more especially the young of that
species, have a keenly intelligent look, yet their earstones are extremely
small compared with the size of the fish.

The position which the earstones in sitw occupy in relation to the head
of the fish has been observed in a number of cases, and is referred to in
the descriptive part of the paper. It may be stated here, however, that
in the majority of species where careful observation could be made, it
was observed that the two earstones were placed lengthways, or nearly so,
with the head. They were not, however, usually parallel to each other,
but diverged more or less posteriorly. In the case of many of the larger
fishes—except the Pleuronectide—the earstones are elongated, and have
one end truncated, often obliquely, and the other end angular or produced
to a more or less sharp point, as is well exemplified by those of the
whiting. The truncated end is usually directed towards the front of the
head, but there are a few fishes, such as the herring and some others,
where the anterior end is pointed. It may also be remarked that the
earstones in these larger fishes have frequently one side concave and the
other convex. The convex sides usually face each other, and are com-

D

50 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

paratively smooth, while any sculpture with which the earstone may be
ornamented is more frequently found on the outer or concave side. The
upper margin of the earstone is also the one which is likely to have the
edge notched or crenulated, whereas the lower margin is often tolerably
even and gently curved.

The earstones of the Pleuronectid@ are generally more or less circular
and sometimes nearly circular, in other cases they are broadly oval, and
they are nearly always flat and thin. Their true position in relation to
the head is, for this reason, and also because of the remarkable change
that takes place in order that both eyes may be accommodated on the
same side, not so obvious as in the case of those whose eyes retain their
normal position.

Secondly, a few general remarks about the size, structure, and form of
the earstones of different fishes and their value as a means for the
identification of species may be useful here. As already stated, it is
many years ago since the earstones of fishes were taken up as a systematic
study. This study was undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining if,
failing other evidence, the species of a fish could be determined by the
earstones alone. I soon became satisfied that, except in certain cases,
they could not be altogether relied upon for this purpose, especially when
dealing with young fishes whose otoliths have not yet attained the form
and structure peculiar to the adult. But though it may frequently be
difficult to distinguish the species of a fish where the otoliths are the only
parts left by which it may be identified, yet they may be fairly reliable
as a guide for ascertaining the family and also sometimes the genus to
which the fish belongs. It is not difficult, for example, to distinguish
the earstones of the more typical of the Gadoids, and especially of those of
most of the genus G'adus—they are usually so massive in structure as to
differ in this respect alone from those of almost all other groups of fishes
with which I am familiar. Yet there are one or two species belonging
to this family that possess earstones so different from those of the genus
Gadus, that if it were the case that no other parts of the fishes were
available for determining the family they belonged to, one would be
inclined to ascribe them to some other than that of the gadidz. I have
already referred to the family Pleuronectidee as possessing earstones more
or less rotundate, flat and thin, and thus presenting characters by which
they differ from most of the other teleostean fishes mentioned here. But
though the peculiarities in shape and structure that characterise the
earstones of fishes may not generally be reliable for the identification of
species when unsupported by other evidence, still there are several fishes
that possess otoliths so distinct, that by means of them alone the species
may be determined with almost absolute certainty. In support of this
statement I need only refer to the following species:—The earstones of
the black goby, Gobius niger, possess characters by which they may be
distinguished with tolerable certainty from those of other fishes. They
are nearly flat, and of a broadly rhomboid form, as may be seen on
pl. ii. B., figs. 19 and 20, and pl. v., fig. 6.

The earstones of the whiting have also a form unlike that of the
otoliths of any other fishes known to me; they are considerably elongated,
and aze obliquely truncate at one end, while the opposite end is drawn
out into a tapering extremity which ends in a sharp point (see figs. 30
and 31 on pl. ii. a.),

The hake has earstones so different in shape and so thin that when
placed beside the massive otoliths of the cod and coal-fish, belonging to
the same family, they suggest doubts as to whether these species are so
closely related to one another as their position indicates,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 51

The megrim or whiff is the only kind of fish I have met with that
exhibits a fairly constant difference in the shape of the right and lest
earstones. At first I imagined this difference to be merely accidental,
but the examination of several specimens, both large and small, revealed
similar differences in all of them.

The earstones of the argentine have also a peculiar shape, and are
unlike any of those that have been examined. They may be described as
scaphoid or bsat-shaped, except that the length and depth are nearly the
same Two pairs of these earstones are represented on pl. i. B., figs. 44
and 45, and photographs of them considerably enlarged will be found on
pl. iv., fig. 9.

The earstones of very young and immature fishes may, but frequently
do not, possess the characters peculiar to the species as seen in the adult
form, and it is this fact that makes the identification of fishes by the
earstones alone unsatisfactory, whereas if the fishes be of adult size, or
nearly so, the uncertainty of determination is greatly minimised. There
can, for example, be little or no difficulty in recognising the earstones of
adult whiting or codfish or of those of the hake.

Besides the difference in the shape of the earstones of fishes there is
also sometimes considerable differences observed in the proportional sizes
of those of different fishes—that is, it does not always follow that a large
fish belonging to one species will have earstones proportionally larger
than a smaller fish belonging to another species, for we sometimes find
that the difference is the other way. For example, the earstones of a
lumpsucker fifteen and a half inches long measured 1‘5mm. by 1'3mm.;
a lemon dab twelve inches long had earstones that measured 35mm, by
2mm., while those of a long rough dab ten inches long, or only two-thirds
the length of the lumpsucker, measured 6mm. by about 4°5mm—four
times the size of those of the lumpsucker. Then, again, a cattish, the
length of which was twenty-seven inches, possessed earstones 4mm. long
by 2°5mm. at the widest part, while a hake of about the same length as
the catfish was found to have earstones nearly 25mm. long by about Imm.
at the widest part. Jn further contrast with the earstones of the fishes
just mentioned, it may be stated that a codfish measuring fully three feet
in length had earstones of about the same width as those of the hake, but
they were nearly 7mm. shorter, their length reaching only to 18mm., but
the difference in length was fully made up by their more massive struc-
ture. The weicht of these two earstones was about 22 English grains, or,
more correctly, 1-485 grammes, while the weight of the two otoliths from
the hake was about 12 English grains, or °735 grammes. It may also be
mentioned that the two earstones of a codfish which measured forty inches
in length weighed nearly 30 English grains—and it should be noted that
this was the weight of them after they had been thoroughly dried.

Moreover, the earstones of teleostean fishes appear to consist almost
entirely of calcareous matter, for when those from a tolerably large codfish
were subjected to a red heat they remained practically unaltered in size or in
shape, but were so brittle that they were easily crushed between the finger
and thumb. On the other hand, when otoliths were placed in dilute
hydrochloric acid-they completely dissolved away with much effervescence,
leaving but the merest trace of organic matter.

This calcareous matter does not form a homogeneous mass, but is
deposited in layers, and the density of each alternate layer is usually less
or greater than the one immediately preceding. In some cases these
layers are arranged so regularly as to imply a more or less regular and
periodic activity or quiescence in the secreting tissues by which the ear-
stones are formed. The result of this alternating activity and quiescence

52 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

is well seen in the structure of the otoliths of several species of the
Pleuronectide, the shape, of which is more or less circular, and they are
so thin as to be almost transparent, especially when just removed from the
ear-chamber. It is evident that the calcareous matter that is added
to these earstones from time to time is deposited chiefly around the
circumference, and only to a small extent laterally. In several of the
Gadide, on the other hand, considerable additions are made to the thick-
ness as well as round the edges of the otoliths. In not a few other fishes
‘the form of the earstones is so irregular that the calcareous matter of
which they are composed cannot have been added symmetrically as in the
ease of the earstones of the Pleuronectide.

An attempt is being made to utilise these concentric growth-lines for
the purpose of ascertaining the age of the fish they belong to, somewhat
after the manner a botanist reckons the age of an exogenous tree by
counting the number of alternating light and dark rings exhibited in a
cross section of the wood; and it is probable that an estimate of the fish’s
age founded on these growth-lines may be approximately correct as regards
plaice or any other fish whose earstones have a regular form and are
sufficiently thin to show the concentric lines clearly. But it is doubtful
how far such a method can be relied upon if applied to such fish as the
bream, mullet, hake, herring, and others having earstones irregular in
shape. Moreover, it is probable that the abundance or scarcity of food
that the fish have to live upon, or variations in the kinds of the food, may
retard or quicken the deposition of calcareous matter, and may lead to the
formation of pseudo rings, whole or incomplete, that may tend to com-
plicate or in some measure to nullify the calculation.

The discussion of these questions is, however, outside the scope of the
present paper, which is merely intended to contain notes descriptive of
the sizes and forms of the earstones of a number of the fishes that have
come under my own observation.

The plates which illustrate this paper were prepared from photographs
wade by my son, Andrew Scott, A.L.S. The earstones represented by
the photographs were collected at various times and mounted on slides,
by myself, but only a limited number of them were selected for
mounting. Those represented on Plates I., II., and III. are nearly twice
the natural size, while Plates IV. and V. show them considerably
enlarged.

II.—LIST OF FISHES WHOSE EARSTONES ARE DESCRIBED IN THE
PRECEDING NOTES—ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.

PAGE
Agonus cataphractus (Linn.), Pogge, - = : : < at WBE
Ammodytes tobianws, Linn., Lesser sand-eel, - : 2 5 2 5269
Anarrhichas lupus, Linn., Catfish, - - : < : EG
Anguilla vulgaris, Leach, Fresh-water eel, — - - 2 = 79
Argentina sphyrena, Linn., Argentine, : - : : 7G
Atherina presbyter, Cuv., Sand smelt, - - - - - =". 460
Bothus maximus (Linn.), Turbot, - = = s . eee 7 (
Callionymus lyra, Linn., Dragonet, - = : = oy 358
maculatus, Bonepart, Spotted dragonet, - : Bill G33

Clupea harengus, Linn., Herring, = : z re
», pilchardus, Bloch., Pilchard, - . = : : eas

» sprattus, Linn., Sprat, - - = - = : 1 278
Conger niger (Risso), Conger-eel, - : - - = Fe)
Coregonus lavaretus, Penn., Powan, - - E - = is
Cottus scorpzus, Linn., Sea scorpion, - : : 2 = S55
Cyclopterus lumpus, Linn. ., Lumpsucker, = : - ea)
Drepanopsetia platessoides (Fabr.), Long rough dab; = S a ae (RE)
Enchelyopus viviparus (Linn.), Viviparous blenny; - : - (50)

Esox luctus, Linn., Fresh-water pike, - : < 77

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 53

PAGE.
Gadus cglefinus, Linn., Haddock, - - . - = re Gai
+ callarias, Linn., Codfish, - : s = nt GL
» Esmarkii, Nilsson, Norway pout, - - : - - 64
» luscus, Linn., Brassy, - - = 2 - : =e lO
» Ly walsh Linn., Whiting, - - - - - - 65
» minutus, Linn., Poor cod, - : : : . - 64
», pollachius, (Cuv.), Pollack, a : : " : GG
»» poutassou, Risso, Couch’s whiting, - . . . - 64
virens, Linn., Coalfish, - - - : - - - 6d
Gobius minutus, Smel., Speckled goby, - : - : - 58
> meger, Linn., Black goby, - - . : : - 58
Hippoglossus vulgari is, Flem., Halibut, - - : : - » 69
Labrus bergylta, ‘Ascan., Ballan wrasse, - : - - - 61
a3 mixtus, Linn. , Striped wrasse, e 2 2 - =) (a!
“f rupestris, Linn. , Jago’s goldsinny, - . - - - 61
Lepidorhombus whiff, (Walb.), pECEr is = 2 - - = eae
Leuciscus rutilus, Linn., Roach, - : = - 5 eh |
Lophius piscatorius, Linn., Angler fish; - : - . 5F
Lumpenus lampretiformis, (Walb. is Sharp- tailed lumpenus, - = =) 60
Merluccius merluccius, Linn., Hake, - - - : = 06
Molua molva (Linn.), Ling, : = = - Pel 6 fa
Mugil chelo, Cuv., Thick-lipped grey mullet, - - - - 60
Mullus bar batus, Linn. , Red mullet, - : : : - 54
Nerophis lumbr iciformis, \ Will, Worm pipefish, - - - =) 39
Onos cimbrius (Linn. ), Four-bear ded rockling, : : : =) (ay
», tricirratus (Briin.), Three-bearded rockling, - - : = (yz
Perca fluviatilis, Linn., Fresh-water perch, — - - - : 5 5
Pholis gunnellus, Linn., Butterfish, — - = : z : = 7!)
Phycis blennoides, Briin., Greater fork-beard, - - - - - 66
Platophrys laterna (Walb.), Scaldfish, - - - - - = 712
Pleuronectes cynoglossus, Linn., Witch sole, - - - - - F4—
33 jlesus, Linn., Flounder, - - - - - =o ode
BA limanda, Linn., Dab, - - : - - - 74
oe microcephalus, Don., Lemon vols) - - = ELS
93 platessa, (Linn.), Plaice, - - - Set ies
Raniceps raninus (Linn.), Lesser fork-beard, - - : - 68
Salmo (?) farto, Linn., Brown trout, - = = - = = he
;, salar, Linn., The salmon, = - - : - 2G
Scomber scombrus, Linn., Mackerel, — - = - - ey ee ay!
Scorpena dactylopter a, De la Roche, Blue mouth, = = - - 55
Sebastes norvegicus, (Ascan.), Norway haddcek. - - 2 = 294-5
Solea lutea, Risso, Solenette, - - : - - 15
' » £«xvariegata, Don., Variegated Bole, - - - . - 75
», vulgaris, Guensel., Black sole, - - - - - - 7d
Sparus centrodontus, De la Roche, Common sea bream, : : - 54
Trachinus draco, Linn., Greater weaver, - : - See y/
- vipera, Cuv., Lesser weaver, - . SP Ey
Trigla gurnardus, Linn., Grey gurnard, - - . =) oD
», lineata, Gmel., Streaked gurnard, : : = : - 96
‘i lucerna, Linn., Sapphirine gurnard, — - . - - 56
a pin; Bloch, Red gurnard, - . : : - | (D6
Zeugopterus punctatus, Bloch, Miiller’s top- knot, - - - =e al

IJ 1.—Systematic Description.

Nomenclature followed.—A History of Scandinavian Fishes, by B.
Fries, C. U. Ekstrém, and C. Sundevall, 2nd edit., revised by
Prof. F. A. Smitt (1893-95).

Arrangement followed.—Dr. Francis Day, The Fishes of Great Britain
and Ireland, 2 vols. (1880-84).

Fam. PErRcrDé.
Genus Perca.

Perca fluviatilis, Linn, Fresh-water Perch. PI. iii. B., figs. 54-57; pl.
v., fig. 13.

54. Part I1T.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Four specimens of the fresh-water perch were examined—one about
14 inches long, one 8 inches, one 7 inches, and one 63 inches. The
earstones of the largest specimen measured 105mm. in length and about
55mm at the widest part, while those of the other three specimens
measured respectively 7mm. by 35mm. and 6mm. by 3mm. The larger
earstones are thus proportionally the shorter ones, the first being equal to
about one thirty-fourth part of the entire length of the fish, the next
about the one-thirtieth, and the last rather longer, These earstones are
very irregular in outline, and the greatest width is towards the posterior
end. The lower margin is tolerably even and slightly arcuate, but the
upper is irregular, with a prominent notch near the proximal end ; this
end is narrow and bluntly rounded. Both the posterior end and the
upper margin are distinctly but irregularly crenulate; they are also
moderately compressed and thin. The earstones of the smaller fishes
have a general resemblance to those of the large one, but they are
distinctly less crenulated, and the surface is not sorugose. The specimens
seem t) vary to some extent in form and sculpture.

Fam. Munuip.
Genus Mullus.

Mullus barbatus, Linn. Surmullet or Red Mullet. Pl. iii. B., fig. 49;
PlV.p Hei.

The fish from which the earstones were taken measured scarcely 8? .
inches in length. The earstones are broadly ovate in outline, the posterior
extremity is truncated, while the proximal end is narrow and bluntly
rounded ; the lateral margins are obscurely crenulate, and the surface is
somewhat rugose. The earstones of the red mullet are apparently pro-
portionally smaller than those of the fresh-water perch. Those just
described measured only about 45mm. long by about 3mm. in greatest
width, and are thus about equal to little more than one-fiftieth part of the
length of the fish.

Fam. SPARIDA.

Genus Sparus.

Sparus (Pagellus) centrodontus, De la Roche. Sea Bream. PI. ii. B.,
figs. 6 and 7.

The earstones of two examples of this species are shown on Plate 11. B.
The larger of the two fishes measured 17 inches in lengti, and the
smaller 15 inches. The earstones of the first (fig. 6) measured 15°5 mm.
along their greatest length, and 8mm. in depth, and those of the smaller
one (fig. 7) 14mm. by 75mm. In their outline and markings these
earstones are somewhat similar to those of the large fresh-water perch,
but the lower margin is rather more arcuate, and they are more incurved
when seen from above. They are also considerably larger in proportion
to the length of the fish, being about one twenty-seventh or twenty-
eighth part of the extreme length.

Fam. ScoRPANIDA,
Genus Sebastes.
Sebastes norvegicus (Ascan.). Norway Haddock. PI. iii., B., figs. 50-52.

The earstones of three small examples of Sebastes are represented on
Plate iii. B. The fishes measured 5 inches, 54 inches, and 6 inches in

of the Fishery Board for Scotiand 55

length respectively. The earstones, which are tolerably flat, are broadly
oval in outline, those of the largest of the three fishes (fig. 50) measure
fully 7mm. in length and 4°5mm. in width, the greatest width being near
the middle. The lower margin is moderately convex and even, the
posterior end is broadly truncate, but the proximal end terminates in a
short narrow process ; the upper margin, from the posterior end forward
to about the middle of the otolith is slightly arcuate and even, but it then
slopes abruptly towards the narrow proximal extremity. The lateral
surfaces are moderately smooth. The earsitones of the smallest of the
three fishes (fig. 51) measure 6°4mm. by 4mm., and closely resemble the
others in form and sculpture. The earstones of these young Sebastes are
comparatively as large as those of the sea bream.

Genus Scorpena.
Scorpena dactyloptera, Dela Roche. The Blue-mouth. PI. ii. B., fig. 53.

The earstones of a Scorpena 14 inches long are represented by the
photograph (fig. 53). They are moderately large, measuring 14mm. in
length and about 6 7mm. in width, the greatest width being a little in
front of the middle. The lower margin is tolerably arcuate and obscurely
crenated ; the posterior extremity is truncated, and the margin slopes
obliquely forward. The proximal portion of the earstone is moderately
long and narrow ; the upper margin, which is obscurely crenate or Jobed,
extends from the posterior angle in a nearly straight line, slightly diverging
from the lower margin, to a little beyond the middle, where it terminates
in an abrupt break, and from this break to the anterior extremity the
earstone is comparatively narrow. Both the inner and outer sides of the
earstones are nearly smooth, These earstones were equal to about one-
twenty-fifth part of the entire length of the fish.

Fam. Corrip2.
Genus Cottus.
Cottus scorpius, Linn. Sea Scorpion. PI. iil. B., figs. 63-65.

The earstones represented by fig. 63 (PI. ili. B.), and which are about
6mm. in length by 3mm. in depth, were obtained from a large variety of
Cottus scorpius (var. grenlandicus), but the size of the fish was not
recorded. The middle portion of the lower margin is nearly straight,
then it turns slightly upwards at both ends; the upper margin is nearly
parallel with the middle portion of the lower, but this part of the upper
margin, beginning at the posterior end, extends only to a litile
beyond the middle of the otolith, where it terminates somewhat abruptly,
the remaining part of the otolith being narrow and ending in a moderately
sharp-pointed extremity. The posterior end is bluntly rounded. A
second and more typical specimen of C. scorpiws, which meesure<i
62 inches in length, had earstones only a little smaller than the other,
their form being also slightly different (fig. 65). Fig. 64 represents the
otoliths of a very small Cottus belonging to the same species.

Genus Trigla.

Trigla gurnardus, Linn. The Grey Gurnard. Pl, i. B., figs. 46-52 ;
pl. iv., figs. 12 and 13.

56 Part W1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The earstones of seven fishes of different sizes are represented on
Plate i. B. The largest fish was about 15 inches in length and the
smallest 7 inches, but though the earstones differ considerably in size
they retaiu to a large extent their characteristic form and sculpture.
Their general outline may be thus briefly described. The upper and
lower margins are arcuate, but the one rather more so than the other.
One end is obliquely truncated, while the other is bifid or forked, and a
distinct groove extends from the apex of the fork to almost the opposite
end of the earstone. The earstones from the largest fish (15 inches long)
measured 4°8mm. in length by about 4mm. in depth, and are thus com-
paratively small in proportion to the size of the fish, being only equal to
an eightieth part of its length. They are represented by fig. 46. The
other fishes in the series measure about 133 inches, 134 inches, 123
inches, 94 inches, 74 inches, and 7 inches in length, and the length of
their earstones stated in the same order is nearly 4°5mm., 4°0mm., 4°3mm.,
3°Omm., 2°7mm., and 2°5mm., their greatest width being about one-fifth
less than the length. They were all nearly flat or only slightly incurved.
Figs. 12 and 13, pl. iv., represent figs. 50 and 51, on pl. 1., B., considerably
enlarged.

Trigla pint, Bloch. The Red Gurnard. PI. 1. B., fig. 53; pl. iv., fig. 15.

The earstones represented by fig. 53 are from a red gurnard 345mm.
(nearly 132 inches) in length. They have a general resemblance to those
of the grey gurnard, except that the lower margin is produced posteriorly
into a sharp point. The extreme length of the earstones is about 5‘5mm.
by 3:5 in depth. Fig. 15, pl. iv., shows the earstones considerably
enlarged.

Trigla lineata, Gmel. The Streaked Gurnard. Pl. i. B., figs. 54 and 55;
pl. iv., fig. 20.

The two specimens of Zrigla lineata whose earstones are represented
here measured respectively 10; inches and 8 inches in length. The
otoliths, which do not differ much in size, being about 4mm. long by fully
25mm. in depth, are in their form and markings somewhat similar to
those of Zrigla gurnardus. Fig, 20, pl. iv., shows the earstones,
represented by fig. 54, greatly enlarged.

Trigla lucerna, \uinn. The Sapphirine Gurnard. PI. i. B., fig. 56; pl. iv.,

fig. 21.

The earstones of these species have also a general likeness to those of
Trigla gurnardus. The specimen from which those represented here was
obtained measured 103 inches long, and the earstones were about 3°8mm.
by 2°Omn.

Fam. CaTAPHRACTID2®.
Genus Agonus.

Agonus cataphractus, Linn, The Pogge. PI. ii. B., fig. 18; pl. ii. B.,
figs. 44-46; pl. v., fig. 27.

Four examples of Agonus ranging from about 6 inches to 44 inches in
length were examined for their earstones. These were found to have a
narrow oval form, rather obtuse at the one end and pointed at the other

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 57

Those of the largest fish measured 5'4mm. in length by about 2mm. in
depth (see fig. 45, pl. iii. B.), while those of the smallest (fig. 18, pl. ii. B.)
measure 5mm. by about 2mm. It will be noticed that the earstones of
the pogge are moderately large in proportion to the length of the fish.
Those cf the smallest specimen are about the one twenty-third part of its
entire length.

Fam. PEDIcULATID.
Genus Lophius.

~ Lophius piscatorius, Linn. The Angler-fish. PI. iii. B., figs. 61 aud 62 ;
pl. iv., fig. 31; pl. v., fig. 19.

The earstones from a fairly large angler, 36 inches long, are represented
by fig. 61 on pl. iii, B. They are comparatively broad, and their out-
line is somewhat irregular; the lower margin, which has a stout rib
extending nearly from erd to end, is obtusely geniculated, the angular
part being nearly intermediate between the two extremities. The upper
margin is arcuate and thin, and at the anterior end where it meets the
lower margin it forms a blunt-pointed angle, but the posterior end is
obliquely truncated. Numerous and somewhat obscure lines radiate from
the middle portion of the lower rib to the edge of the upper margin,
which may be crenulate or notched. These earstones are about 10°5mm.
in length by about 7mm. in depth. The earstones of the smaller angler,
the size of which has not been recorded, have the upper margin more
regularly arcuate, while the lower want the angular outline of the larger
otoliths. They measure about 5°5mm. by 35mm. The angler’s earstones
are small when compared with the length of the fish, those of the large
specimen mentioned being only a little over one-ninetieth part of the
entire length of the fish,

Fam, TRACHINID#.
Genus T'rachinus.
Trachinus vipera, Cuvier. The Lesser Weaver-fish. PI. ii, B., figs. 8 and 9.

The earstones of the lesser weaver-fish are narrow and somewhat ovate
in outline ; both ends are pointed. Those represented by the figures on
pl. ii. B. have thin surfaces slightly decorticated, so that the markings
are obscure. The larger of the two fishes represented (fig 8) measured
127mm. long (about 5 inches), and the earstones were fully 6mm. in
length by 25mm. in depth; the smaller fish measured 119 mm., and its
otoliths were slightly smaller than the others.

Trachinus draco, Linn, The Greater Weaver-fish. PI. ii. B., fig. 10.

The specimen of Trachinus draco, from which the earstones represented
by fig. 10 were obtained measured 11} inches in length. The earstones,
though somewhat similar in shape to those of the lesser weaver just
described, were considerably larger, being at least 10mm. long by fully
4-5mm. in depth.

Fam. ScoMBRID2.
Genus Scomber.

Scomber scombrus, Linn. The Mackerel. Pl. iii. B., fig. 36; pl. v.,
fig. 33.

58 Part ITT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The earstones of the mackerel are comparatively small. The one
represented by figure 36 is from a fish of average size and about 3‘Omm,
in length. It has a general resemblance to the earstones of the herring,
being narrow, with the sides parallel, the posterior end obtusely rounded
and unequally bifurcated in front, the lower branch being produced into
a narrow-pointed extremity.

Fam. Gospiup2.

Genus Gobius.

Gobius niger, Linn. The Black Goby. PI. ii. B., figs. 19 and 2); pl.
v., fig. 6.

In this species the earstones are large in proportion to the size of the
fish, and their broadly rhomboid form is so unlike that of the earstones
of any of the other kinds of fishes examined that they appear to be
characteristic of this particular species and to indicate that it might be
possible to identify the fish almost entirely by the earstones.

The two fishes from which the earstones shown on PI. ii. B. were
obtained measured 105mm. in length, and their earstones are about 4mm.
long by tully 3mm. in width. These earstones are thus about equal to
one twenty-fifth part of the length of the fish.

Gobius minutus, Gmel. The Speckled Goby. PI. ii. B., figs. 21-24,

The largest of the four fishes represented by the earstones shown on
pl. il. B., figs, 21 to 24, measured about 3 inches in length. The other
three were smaller, the largest being 54 and the smallest 43mm. The
earstones of the larger specimen were obscurely quagrangular in form and
measured about 2°2mm. across the longest side, the width being slightly
less. ‘Ihe earstones of the other specimens were very small, and
resembled minute circular discs, the largest being little more than 1mm.
in diameter.

Fam, CAaLLIONYMID2.
Genus Callionymus.

Callionymus lyra, Linn. The Dragonet. PI. iii. B., figs. 10-14; pl.
v., figs. 10 and 11.

The earstones of the dragonet are very small, and they are subovate in
outline; the lower margin is nearly straight, but the upper is boldly
arcuate. The posterior end is rather blunt, but the anterior extremity
ends in most of the specimens in a short point. In some of them it is
slightly bifid, and the upper margin is also obscurely crenulated.

The earstones of five fishes of different sizes are shown on plate ill. 3.
The fishes measure 10 inches, 8} inches, and 7? inches in length, while the
length of other two (figs. 13 and 14) is doubtful. The earstones of the
largest fish are about 3mm. long, which is equal to about one eighty-
fourth part of the entire length of the fish. The earstones of the others
are somewhat smaller and rather more pointed at the extremities.

Callionymus maculatus, Bonap, The Spotted Dragonet. PI. iii. B., figs.
1-9; plate v., figs. 18 and 24.

—

of.the Fishery Board for Scotland. a9

Nine examples of this Callionymus have their earstones represented on
pl. iii. B. The sizes of the fishes are, three at 150mm., one at 130mm.,
two at 112mm., one at 100mm., and two at 80mm. ‘Their earstones
closely resemble those of Callionymus lyra both in shape and size, except
that in one or two of them the anterior end is rather more distinctly
notched.

Fam. DIscoBo.t.
Genus Cyclopterus.

Cyclopterus lumpus, Linn. The Lumpsucker, PI. iii. B., fig. 58; pl. v.,
fig. 15.

The earstones of the lumpsucker are exceedingly small when compared
with the size of the fish. In an example 15} inches long the earstones
measure only 1‘4mm, in length by about 1mm. in depth, or about one
two-hundred-and-eightieth part of the léngth of the fish. They are
subrotund in form, but one side is straight or nearly so, while the other
is boldly arcuate or gibbous. Both ends are rounded, but one of them,
where it joins the nearly straight lateral margin, is moderately angular, as
shown by the enlarged photograph (fig. 15, pi. v.).

Fam. GOBIESOCID,
Genus Anurrhichas.

Anarrhichas lupus, Linn, The Cat or Wolf-fish. PI, iii. B., figs. 40-43 ;
pl. v., fig 21.

‘The earstones of the cat-fish are small in comparison with the size of the
fish, Those of a specimen 274 inches long measured about 4mm. in
length by about 2°2mm. in depth, so that these earstones are only about
the one hundred and seventy-fourth part of the length of the fish. They
have a somewhat rugged appearance, resembling a rudely formed arrow-
head, being broadest and thickest at the (?) posterior end, then tapering
toa sharp point at the opposite extremity. The earstones of a fish 12
inches long did not differ greatly in shape from those of the larger
example, but were considerably smaller, being only about 2°7mm. long
by about 16mm. in depth (see fig. 43). They were proportionally
rather larger than those of the larger fish, but small compared with those
of the Gadoids. The earstones of other two examples of Anarrhichas,
123 inches and 1343 inches in length, are represented by figures
42 and 41.

Fam. BLENNIIDA.
Genus Pholis.
Pholis gunnellus, Linn. The Butter-fish, Pl. ii. B., figs. 38 and 39.

The earstones of the butter-fish are also very small, They are of an
oval shape, but neither in form nor sculpture is there anything very
characteristic about them. Those obtained from a fish 44 inches long
measured about lmm, by ‘6mm.

60 Part IL].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Genus Enchelyopus.

Enchelyopus (Zoarces) viviparus, Linn, Viviparous Blenny. PI. iii. B.,
fig. 37; pl. v., fig. 31.

The viviparous blenny possesses earstones that somewhat resemble
those of the mackerel in size as well as in form, but they appear to be
rather larger in proportion to the size of the fish, aud their upper margin
is rather more boldly arcuate. A fish measuring 12 inches possessed ear-
stones 4mm. in length by 2mm. in depth. They were thus about equal
to one seventy-sixth part of the length of the fish.

Genus Lumpenus.

Lumpenus lampretiformis, Walb. Sharp-tailed Lumpenus. PI. i. B.,
figs. 51-63; pl. iv., figs. 22, 23, and 26, 27.

The earstones of this species are small and oblong in shape. The upper
margin is obscurely crenulated ; the anterior end is slightly notched, or
pointed, while the other is subtruncate or bluntly rounded. Those
represented by the figs. 57 and 58 are from two fishes 295mm. long, and
measure about 3mm. in extreme length by 2mm. in width. Another
fish 176mm. long had earstones measuring 2°5 by 13mm. (see fig. 63, pl.
i. B., and fig. 27, pl. iv.).

Fam. ATHERINID.
Genus Atherina.

Atherina presbyter, Cuvier. Sand Smelt. Pl. iii. B., figs. 34 and 35; pl.
v., figs. 22 and 26.

The sand smelt has tolerably large earstones compared with the size of
the fish. The larger of the two specimens examined, which measured
about 5 inches in length, had earstones 4mm. long by 2:2mm. in depth,
while those of the smaller fish, which was 34 inches in length, measured
2°3mm. by 15mm. The earstones of the larger fish were equal in length
to about the one thirty-second part of the entire length of the fish.
Both margins are even and arcuate, one end is bluntly rounded, but the
other, in the earstones of the larger fish, terminates in a sharp and slightly
hooked process, and in those of the smaller the same extremity is bluntly
pointed.

Fam. MuGILip&.
Genus Muyil.

Mugil chelo, Cuvier. The Thick-lipped Grey Mullet. Pl. il. B., fig. 48;
ple vz he 28

The earstones of the grey mullet are distinctly incurved and somewhat
twisted, but this is not very clearly shown in the photograph. The lower
margin is slightly thickened and nearly parallel with, but rather shorter
than, the upper. The posterior end is abruptly truncated, the edge being
crenulated, and in some examples deeply incised; the anterior extremity
is obliquely truncated, the edge being thin and slightly irregular, while
the angle is produced into a short tooth.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 61

The fish from which the otoliths were obtained measured 153 inches in
leugth, and its earstones are 9mm. by 4°5mm.—they are thus equal in
length to about the one forty-fourth part of the length of the fish.

Fam. LABRID®.
Genus Labrus.

Labrus bergylta, Ascan. The Ballan Wrasse. PI. ii. B, fig. 12-14;
pl. v., fig. 8.

Three specimens of this Labrus have their earstones represented on
pl. ii. B. ‘They measured about 387mm., 330mm., and 254mm. respec-
tively. The earstones are comparatively small—those of the larger fish
(fig. 12) are about 5°4mm. in length by about 3mm. indepth. ‘The length
of these earstones is thus equal to about the one-seventieth part of the
entire length of the fish, The specimen next in size had earstones
slightly smaller (fig. 14), while the earstones of the third specimen (fig.
13) are a little over 4mm. long. The lower margin of the larger ear-
stones is slightly arcuate and crenulated, especially the proximal half of it.
The upper margin slopes upward in a nearly straight line from each end,
so as to ferm an obtuse angle near the middle. The front end is deeply
bifureate, but the other terminates in a blunt point (see pl. v., fig. 8,
which shows the otoliths greatly enlarged). The other earstones do not
differ much from those described, except that the upper margin is not so
distinctly angular,

Labrus miatus, Linn. The Striped Wrasse. PI. ii. B., fig. 15.

The earstones of this Labrus have a close resemblance to those of the
ballan wrasse, and could scarcely be distinguished from them. ‘Those
represented by fig 15 were obtained from a fish 11} inches in-length, and
measure fully 5mm. each.

Labrus (Ctenolabrus) rupestris, Linn, Jago’s Goldsinny. PI. ii. B.,
fig. 16.

This is a smaller species of Zabrus than the others, and the earstones
are proportionally small. The fish which is here represented by its ear-
stones measured about 44 inches in length (108mm.), and the size of its
earstones is 3°2 by 1‘6mm. They resemble those of the other species in
their general character.

Fam. GADID#.
Genus Gadus.

Gadus callarias, Linn. (syn, Gadus morhua, Linn.). The Codfish. PI.
i, A., figs. 1-10.

The otoliths of nearly all the species of Gadus, especially in those of
adult size, are usually large, and massive in structure.. One side is
slightly concave and the other convex. The concave or exterior side is
usually ornamented with ridges and furrows which are more regular and
distinct in the otoliths of fishes that are young, or half-grown fishes.
Those otoliths from codfish, particularly from examples 20 inches

62 Part IIT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

long and upwards, differ in shape froim the earstones of other species of
Gadus in being distinctly wider at the anterior end, instead of having the
upper and lower margins parallel or nearly so. The lower edge, which is
longer than the upper, is only slightly convex, and in some cases nearly
straight. A thick rib extends along the lower aspect of the convex
or inner side, as indicated by the photographs (fig. 2), but the stones
become thinner towards the upper edge. The upper edge is slightly con-
vex and shorter than the lower. Anterior end obliquely truncated.
Posterior end narrow, bluntly rounded, and terminating in a shallow
depression. Upper and lower margins usually irregularly but distinctly
crenulated. The pair of earstones represented on the plate by fig. 1 were
removed from a codfish 402 inches long; they measure about 21mm. in
length by fully 10mm. in depth.* Figure 2 on the same plate represents the
earstones of another fish 362 inches long, which measure about 18mm. by
fully 9mm. Below I give in tabular form the sizes of the earstones of ©
other fishes represented on pl. i. A.

Earstones.
Figures on Plote | Tength of Fish.

Length. Depth. +
3 15 inches, About 13‘0mm. Nearly 6‘0mm.
4 2ie) AS; », 155mm. 7'5mm.
5 21 fe 4eomim: About 6'5mm.
6 10 ae 5 L0:5mm: Ae 40mm.
7 9 5 >, 9'5mm. i 3°7mm.
8 De ee ee Gramm: 3 25mm.
9 43, ny Tpanhany as 2-3mm.
10 ad 55 55). DG ieaT a. Fully 20mm.

Gadus eglefinus, Linn. The Haddock. PI. il. ., figs. 1-5 and 9-16 ;
pl. iv., figs. 1 and 2.

The earstones of tolerably large specimens of haddock have the upper
margin nearly straight, and parallel with the lower margin; the crenula-
tion of this margin is uot very strongly marked, but the lower margin,
which is slightly convex, is distinctly crenated. Among the haddocks
examined for the purposes of this paper, one was thin and emaciated, and
its earstones were not only comparatively narrow and elongated, but they
were also devoid to a considerable extent of the grooves and ridges so
characteristic of earstunes of the normal type; this pair of earstones is
represented by fig. 3., pl., il. a.

A fairly large number of haddocks have been examined, and I find that
most of those about 8 or 9 inches long have their earstones obliquely
truncated in front, and that posteriorly the upper and lower margins con-
verge, though somewhat unequally, to form a narrow, blunt pointed
extremity. They are also laterally incurved, so that the hollow surface is
toward the outside, the convex side being inside, as in those of the codfish.
The earstones of the smaller haddocks are not so distinctly truncated in
front, and the upper and lower margins are not parallel, but converge from
the widest part near the anterior end gradually to the posterior extremity.

* These earstones are thus equal to about the one forty-ninth part of the entire length

of the fish. In the other example specially referred to they are about the one fifty-first
part of its length. The earstones appear to be proportionally longer in the smaller fish.

OO —————————

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 63

The outer surface was more distinctly ornamented with small rounded
ridges and furrows extending to both margins, producing a creuulated
edge nearly all round. The largest fishes—4 in number—which are
represented here by photographs of their earstones, range from 17? inches
to 184 inches in length. The length of the earstones varied from a little
over 16mm, to 18mm., and the variation in depth is slightly over 1mm.
The annexed Table gives the sizes of the various fishes and of their ear-
stones :-—

: Karstones.
a vee Length of Fish.
Length. Depth.
Te (BSc As) ex 18 inches, ... | 17-Omm. ee || .6:2mm:
2 * ats 184, ... | 17'3mm. eee) a) | Oxo miis
3 fe ae Ley werk, & One 180mm. and About 5°6mm.

one 185mm.
(Fish very | emaciated. )

| One 162mm. and
4 35 a3 Lise he one about?| 63mm.
| 17mm. ma
5 Ee ae 148), “a 16‘0mm. ... |*5°Omm. to5‘5mm.,
9 Be it Poe. 35 ... | 14°7mm., .. | Fully 50mm.
10 - ack 12 = fr 13°3mm. weed 45mm.
11 s ae LOZ... ths 11°5mm. ae 4-3mm.,
12 an ‘ai OF a5. 115mm. Ra 43mm.
13 a5 <: Cee” Mig et 11‘2mm. ae 4-3mm. to4‘5mm.
14 4 ae
Ee as cat } 64-52 ,, 2 | 8-oomim: ... | About 3‘Omm.
16 Bs a3:

It will be observed that the length of the haddock’s earstones in
proportion to the length of the fish is greater than in the case of the
codfish. In the two largest haddocks referred to here the earstones are
nearly equal to the one twenty-seventh part of the length of the fish,
while in one example, 8? inches in length, they reach to about one-
twentieth part of the length of the fish.

Gadus luseus, Linn, The Brassie or Bib. PI. ii. a., figs. 17-24; pl. iv.,
fig. 3.

The larger examples of the brassie possess earstones even more massive
in structure than those of the haddock or codfish. The outer surface,
which is distinctly incurved, is also more coarsely rugose, being orna-
mented with somewhat irregular and comparatively large rounded bosses,
especially on the lower aspect of the exterior surface. These bosses, and
to some extent the whole outer surface as well, have a polished and glassy
appearance. The inner surface is convex and nearly smooth. The
anterior end is obliquely truncated, and the anterior portion of the upper
margin is nearly straight and parallel with the lower; then it gradually
converges towards the lower edge till both meet in the moderately sharp-
pointed posterior extremity. The massive structure of these otoliths is
observable even in the smaller specimens. A brassie about 14 inches

* Another haddock, 14 inches long, had massive earstones 16mm, in length by 6°5mm. in
width. These are shown on pl. iv., fig. 2.

t The pair of earstones represented by fig. 16, pl. ii. A., are shown greatly enlarged on pl. iy.,
fig. 1, and the ridges and furrows on the outer surface are more clearly indicated in the figure,

64 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

long had very massive otoliths; they measured about 135mm. in length
by 65mm. at the deepest part (these are represented by fig. 24). Those
of a somewhat smaller fish were equally massive but rather shorter,
measuring about 12°2mm. by 6mm, A number of other specimens of the
same species have been examined, and measurements of six of them with
the corresponding sizes of their earstones are given in the Table annexed.

Earstones.
Figure on ane Length of the Fish. ==
Length. Depth.

IPP (EAU sine NG) 89mm. About 5:‘Omm. 2-5mm.
18 pe 110mm. it 6:0mm. 3°0mm.
19 5 162mm. a 80mm. Fully 4:0mm.
20 af 210mm. 5 ye Osommr, 45mm.
2) a3 114 inches. say LL Omm: 5°3mm.
22, is LLY Gs 5, 1ll'4mm. 55mm,

In the larger examples of the brassies referred to here the proportion
that the length of the earstones bears to the length of the fish is about
the one twenty-sixth part, but it appears to become greater in the smaller
fishes as in the case of the haddocks.

Gadus minutus, Linn. The Poor Cod.

This species is nearly allied to the last, and appears to possess somewhat
similar earstones. No specimens are represented by the photographs.

Gadus esmarkit, Nilsson. The Norway Pout. Pl. ii. a., figs. 25 -28.

Four specimens of Gadus esmarkii are represented by their earstones
on pl. ii. a. They measured respectively 63 inches, 5? inches, 43 inches,
and 4 inches. Their earstones have a tolerably close resemblance to those
of small Gadus luscus, but they are scarcely so massively formed, and are
rather longer and narrower. Those removed from the largest specimen
of Gadus esmarkit measured about 7°5mm. in length by fully 3mm. in
depth, and those of the next three specimens measured about 6°5mm.,
5'2mm., and 5mm. in length, and their depths varied in a corresponding
degree. The earstones of the largest specimen were, as indicated by the
foregoing measurements, about the one tweuty-second part of the entire
length of the fish.

Gadus poutassou, Risso. Couch’s Whiting. Pl. il. a., fig. 29; pl. iv.,
fig. 5.

This species is represented by a single pair of otoliths; they are from a
fish 155mm. (fully 6 inches) in length, and measure 85mm. long by
nearly 3mm. in depth. In their shape and sculpture they have a general
resemblauce to those of Gadus esmarkii, but are rather more slender and
elongated. The anterior end is bluntly rounded, the upper and lower
margins taper in a nearly uniform manner to the sharp-pointed distal
extremity, and both margins are crenulated. The exterior side is only
slightly incurved and moderately rugose, and the inner surface is nearly
smooth,

ae

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 65
Gadus merlangus, Linn. The Whiting. Pl. ui. 4., figs, 6-8, 30 and 31.

The earstones of numerous whitings have been examined, and all,
except those of very small specimens, agree in the peculiar form by which
they may be distinguished from other species of Gadus. They are
elongated and narrow. The lower margin is tolerably even and slightly
convex. The anterior end is obliquely truncated, and with the edge
usually crenulate. The upper margin, for about two-thirds of its length,
from the anterior extremity, is nearly straight and parallel with the lower
edge, then it gradually converges towards the lower margin, so that the
posterior end is narrow and tapering and has a sharp-pointed termination.
The earstones are somewhat concave outwardly, and slightly convex and
nearly smooth on the inside. The lower edge is tolerably thick, while
the upper, especially where it begins to taper towards the posterior end,
is compressed and thin.

Photographs are given of the earstones of five whitings which measured
respectively 14 inches, 123 inches, 112 inches, 11? inches, and 9 inches in
extreme length, and the size of their earstones given in the same order is as
follows :—20mm. long by 5mm. in greatest width (fig. 30), 16mm. by
about 45mm. (fig. 8), 16°5mm. by nearly 5mm. (fig. 7), 15mm. by about
4-7mm. (fig. 6), and 125mm. by about 4mm, (fig. 31). The earstones of
two young whitings, about 68mm. (2? inches) in length, but which are
not represented among those photographed, measured 3°5mm. by about
1‘5mm., which is fully twice the length of those of a lumpsucker 154
inches long.

By comparing the length of the earstones of a number of whiting of
average size with the length of the fish they were taken from I found
that, though the proportion varied to some extent, the length of the
earstones approximated to about one-eighteenth part of the extreme
length of the fish.

The proportion between the length of the earstones and of the fish
they belong to varies considerably in the different kinds of fish. An
examination of numerous examples of fish belonging to various species
seems also to indicate that where the earstones are massive in structure,
as in some of the Gadoids, they are shorter in proportion to the length of
the fish than those that are thin and narrow. This may tend to explain
why the earstones of the whiting are generally proportionally more
elongated than those of the haddock or codfish.

Gadus virens, Linn. The Saithe or Coal-fish. Pl. i. a., figs, 14-16.

The earstones of large coal-fish are very massive in structure. Fig. 14
represents those of a fish of average size, but I am unable to state the
exact length of the fish, though it could not be much under 36 inches.
These earstones measure about 24mm. long by about 8mm. in greatest
width. The upper and lower margins are tolerably straight and nearly
parallel, and they are slightly ecrenulated along the edges. The front end
is somewhat obliquely truncated, but at the posterior end the upper and
lower margins converge so that they meet and terminate in a blunt point.
They are also slightly twisted, and have the outer side incurved and
slightly rugose, while the inner side is convex and nearly smooth.

Figs. 15 and 16 represent the earstones of two saithe about 15 inches
long; they are narrow and elongated, and small when compared with
those of the whiting. These earstones measure from 1lmm. to about
115mm. in length, which is equal to about the one thirty-third part of

E

66 Part IIT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

the length of the fish. This.shows a somewhat marked difference from
those of the whiting 14 inches long that measured 20mm. in length, or
about the one-eighteenth part of the length of the fish.

Gadus pollachius (Cuv.). The Pollack or Lythe. Pl. 1. 4., figs. 11-13.

The lythe has earstones closely resembling those of the saithe in shape,
in size, and sculpture. Fig. 11 represents the otoliths of a lythe 31 inches
long; they measure about 20mm. in length by about 8mm. in greatest
width. The length of these otoliths in proportion to the length of the
fish is scarcely equal to half the length of those of the whiting referred to
above, but what is wanting in length is made up by their more massive
structure. Figs. 12 and 13 represent the earstones of two smaller fishes,
but their lengths have not been recorded.

Genus Merlucius.

Merluctus merluccius (Linn.). The Hake. PI. ii. a., figs. 32-35.

The earstones of the hake differ remarkably from those of other
British Gadoids. They are thin and leaf-like, and are somewhat ovate in
outline; they are broadest near the anterior end, and thence taper
gradually backwards to the narrow distal extremity. The lower side has
an evenly, but not very boldly, rounded edge that extends unbroken from
the front to the posterior end. The upper edge is very thin and more
or less finely serrated, the divisions between the serrations being in
some parts very distinct; near the anterior end this margin rises into a
prominent angle and forms the widest (or deepest) part of the earstone.
Immediately posterior to this angle the margin is slightly concave, and
this imparts to the angular prominence a somewhat gibbous appearance,
as shown in the figure; from this point the margin slopes gradually to
the distal end. The earstones of comparatively small fishes show the
same gibbous appearance, The posterior end of the earstones is some-
what narrow and sharp-pointed. The fish from which the largest earstone,
shown on pl. iii. A. (fig. 33), was taken was a tolerably large one, but its
length was not recorded. This earstone measures about 27°5mm, long
by fuliy 9mm. in greatest width. The next largest of the otoliths
represented by the figures were from a rather smaller fish than the one
just referred to, but its length has also not been recorded. These otoliths
are about 25mm. in length, and their greatest width nearly 9mm. Two
otoliths from a hake 16 inches long (fig. 34) measure nearly 17mm. by
about 6mm., and another fish 14} inches long was furnished with ear-
stones 16mm. in length by about 5°5mm. in greatest depth. In these
last two examples the lenzth of the earstones is equal to one twenty-
fourth and one twenty-third part of the entire length of the fishes they
were taken from,

Genus Phycis.
Phycis blennoides (Briin.). The Greater Forkbeard. Pl. i. ., fig. 27.

The earstones from a moderately large specimen of the greater fork-
beard are represented by fig. 27 on pl. i. a. This fish, the size of which
was not recorded, possessed tolerably large earstones. ‘They measure
about 16°5mm., in length by 65m. in depth. The upper margin, which
is nearly straight, has the edge moderately sharp and irregularly serrate,
while the anterior extremity is obliquely truncated. The lower margin
is boldly arched and somewhat angular in the middle, and converges

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 67

posteriorly towards the upper margin more than it does forward, and the
posterior end is therefore moderately narrow and is also bluntly rounded,
as shown by the photograph. The earstones are slightly concave
outwardly and considerably thickened towards the anterior end, especially
on the lower aspect.

Genus Molua.
Molwa molva (Linn.). The Ling. Pl. i. A., figs. 19-26.

The earstones represented by fig. 19 were obtained from a medium-
sized ling, but the exact length of the fish was not stated. These
earstones have a general resemblance to those of the coal-fish and lythe.
The anterior end, however, is not angular but forms a bold curve, which
merges into the upper margin. ‘This margin is only slightly arched in
the middle part, then slopes posteriorly to the sub-central and narrow
rounded distal extremity ; lower margin nearly straight except near the
posterior end, where it converges to meet the upper margin. The otoliths
are about 20mm. in length by about 8mm, in their greatest width. The
earstones of young ling apparently differ to some extent from those of
larger fish in their form and structure. Fig. 22 represents the earstones
of a fish 224 inches long, and though the general contour is similar to the
larger otoliths, the upper margin is not regular. These earstones measure
only about 9mm. in length. Fig. 23 represents the earstones obtained
from a ling about 104 inches long, and which measure fully 55mm. Figs.
24 to 26 represent the earstones of smaller specimens of ling ranging from
8 inches to 7 inches in extreme length.

Genus Onos.

Onos tricirratus (Briin.). The Three-Bearded Rockling. Pl. i. B., figs.
9-12; pl. iv., fig. 18.

The three-bearded rocklings possess earstones that are narrow and
elongated ; the upper and lower margins are nearly parallel, and when
viewed from the side are seen to be slightly sigmoid in outline and some-
what twisted. Those represented by fig. 11 were obtained from a fish 15
, inches long, and measure nearly 8mm. in length—equal to about the one
twenty-sixth part of the entire length of the fish—and they are about 4
times longer than broad. These earstones appear, however, to vary a
good deal in length, for those taken from another fish only a little shorter
than the one just referred to measured about 6°2mm., but the width is
akLout the same as that of the other. It was also observed that the
otoliths of small fishes did not possess the sigmoid outline that char-
acterises the adult examples. Two specimens 112 inches and 8 inches
long respectively had earstones measuring 4°5mm. and 3‘5mm —the last
wanted the sigmoid appearance already referred to (see figs. 10 and 9).

Onos cimbrius (Linn.). The Four-Bearded Rockling. PI. i. B., figs. 13-17;
pl. iv., fig. 10-11. :

This species possesses earstones quite distinct from those of the three-
bearded rockling ; their outltne is obscurely triangular, two sides being
nearly equal and shorter than the third side, and this difference is notice-
able in the earstones of even small examples. Those represented by fig.
13 were removed from the ear-chambers of one of the largest of the fishes
examined. This fish measured 260mm. (fully 10 inches), while the
extreme length of the earstones was only 5‘Omm. and the greatest width
25mm. These earstones are thus only about the one-fiftieth part of the

68 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

entire length of the fish. The annexed table contains the measurements
of a few of the other fishes examined and of the sizes of their otoliths.

Earstones.
Figure on the E fp
plate. (i. 8.) Length of the fish.
Length. Depth.
14 | 220mm. 3°7mm. 2°Omm

| 15 185mm. 3:lmm. 1‘7mm
16 | 177mm. 3‘lmm. 1‘7mm
17 | 165mm. 3:‘lmm. 1-7mm

The earstones of the three smallest fishes are almost identical in size
and shape.
Genus Raniceps.

Raniceps raninus (Linn.). The Lesser Fork-beard. PI. i. B., figs. 1-8 ;
ploive fe: 16.

The earstones of the lesser fork-beard or tadpole fish are tolerably large;
their outline forms a nearly regular oval ; both the lower and upper mar-
gins are moderately thin and convex, and converge towards both ends
which are narrow and rounded, but the posterior extremity is more pointed
than the other. A thickened but obscurely defined rib extends along the
middle line from end to end, and gives a massive appearance to the
otolith. The largest fish represented here was 12 inches long, and its ear-
stones measured—one, fully 14mm., the other 15mm. in length and about
7mm. in greatest width, so that in this example the length of the
earstones is equal to about the one twenty-second part of the entire length
of the fish.

Fig. 5 represents the earstones of a fish about 8? inches long, and as
they measure about 11mm. in length they show almost the same propor-
tion to the length of the fish as the other—viz., about one-twentieth part.
Fig. 7 represents the earstones of another fish that measured about
180mm., and as the earstones are nearly 10mm. in length, it seems to bear
out what has been already stated, that in some species and within certain
limits the smaller fishes possess earstones relatively larger in proportion
to the length of the fish than the adult specimens. The annexed Table
gives the length of a number of the fishes examined, with the sizes of
their otoliths :—

Earstones.
Figure on the Length of the
Plate. (i, B.) Fish.
Length. Depth.
; 1 fully 14 and 1
1 12 inches, { ae ee \ 70mm.
Average of the
2 Ore “Es { faa Osean. \ 60mm.
3 ae ar 12°3mm. na 5‘d5mm.
4 94) \' 55 a 120mm. ne 53mm,
5 Sees we 11:2mm. me 45mm.
6 Te 39 ao 10°7mm. axe 4‘5mm.,
7 Ta) os ih 9‘Smm. Ri 4‘5mm.
8 + ae ae 2:4mm, ao 1‘Omm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 69

The last example had earstones so small as to be greatly out of propor-
tion to the length of the fish when compared with the others in the series.
I mention the fact in order that further attention may be drawn to it.

Fam. OpHIDIIDs.
Genus Ammodytes.

Ammodytes tobianus, Linn. The Lesser Sand-eel. Pl. i. B., figs. 64
and 65.

The earstones of the sand-eels are very small, and their genoral outline
is oval, but somewhat narrow and pointed at the posterior end. The
earstones represented by fig. 64 were obtained from a fish 7 inches long,
and they measured 35mm. by about 1‘6mm., while those represented by
fig. 65 are only about 2°5mm. by 1:0mm., and were obtained from a fish
125mm. (5 inches) in length.

Fam. PLEURONECTID.
Genus Hippoglossus.
Hippoglossus vulgaris, Flem. The Halibut. PI. ili. a., figs. 1-6 and 14.

The earstones represented by fig. 1 are those of a halibut that weighed
179 lbs. (or within 2 lbs. of 13 stone). The fish was captured in 1884,
when I obtained the head of it for examination ; the length of the fish
was not recorded. The otoliths measure from 17mm. to 18mm. in length by
about 11mm. in width, but the two differ slightly in size. Those repre-
sented by fig. 14 were removed froma small halibut about 183; inches
long, and these otoliths measure about 85mm. in length by about 5mm.
in depth. In this example the length of the earstones is only equal to
about one fifty-fourth part of the entire length of the fish. The earstones
represented by figs. 3 and 4 are from two fishes that are each about 11?
inches in length, and they measure 6mm. by about 3°5mm., while those
represented by figs. 4 and 5 are from fishes measuring respectively 260mm.
and 220mm. in length.

In this species, as in most of the Pleuronectide, the earstones are flat
and moderately thin. Those of the Jarge halibut mentioned above havea
somewhat irregular outline; on one side the margin is nearly straight,
while the margin opposite is somewhat convex, and exhibits in one of the
otoliths a distinctly crenulated edge. One end is obliquely truncate, but
in the case of one of the stones the other end has a wide shallow notch,
while the other otolith is furnished with a hook-like process. The ear-
stones of the smaller fishes are ovate, and have a rather more regular
outline ; the posterior end is somewhat truncated, but the anterior end is
narrow and rounded.

Genus Drepanopsetta.

Drepanopsetta platessoides (Fabr.). Long Rough Dab. Pi. ili. a.,
figs. 7-13.

In this species the earstones of the larger fishes are broadly ovate, the
length being only about one-third more than the greatest width. The
upper margin is distinctly arched, but the lower is only slightly and irre-

70 Part LIT. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

gularly convex. One end is subtruncate, but the other is broadly rounded.
The earstones of a considerable number of long rough dabs have been
examined, and it has been noticed that though the larger examples
retained their characteristic shape there was some variation in the propor-
tion of their sizes to the length of fishes they belonged to. The two
largest of the fishes among the number selected for this paper measured
respectively 370mm. and 317mm. in length, their earstones—represented
by figs. 7 and 8—are almost identical in size, and measured about 7°5mm.
and 5mm. in length aud width. It has been observed that the length
of the earstones of most of the Pleuronectids examined are shorter in pro-
portion to the length of the fish than those of the more typical Gadoids.
The earstones of the two fishes mentioned above averaged, roughly, about
the one forty-fifth or forty-sixth part of the average length of the fishes.
It has also been noticed that where there is an increase in the width of
the otoliths there is to some extent a corresponding decrease in the length.

In the annexed Table the length of other five examples of long rough
dabs are given, with the lengths of their earstones:—

|
| Earstones.
Figure on the Length of the
Plate. (iii. A.) Fish. |
Length. Depth.
: : One 4°5mm. and
9 10 inches. About 6‘5mm. one One
10 SAGs Ag eeiinuin, About 3°8mm.
11 aes. » 4'8mm. 5) | OL OMIM
12 om ye | Fully 30mm. 5 ua
13 Sass | About 25mm. so 20mm

The earstones of the smaller fishes become more and more rotundate as
the length of the fishes decrease.

Genus Bothus.
Bothus maximus (Linn.). The Turbot. Pl. i.3., fig. 33.

The earstones represented by fig, 33 were from a turbot of about the
average size (about 20 inches in length), One of them, which is barely
6mm. over all, in its general outline is very like one of those of the large
halibut already referred to (fig. 1, pl. iii. a.), but much smaller, and it is
fully 4mm. in width; the other earstone, which is nearly of the same
length as the first, but about 45mm. in depth (or width), has a somewhat
different form, and differs also in having the entire margin distinctly
crenulated. This difference between these two earstones may be only
accidental, but the otoliths of another fish to be presently described show
that such variation may be normal. Whether it beso in the present case,
however, can only be ascertained by the examination of several specimens
of different sizes, but not the very young, where variations of this kind
tend to disappear.

The earstones of the brill, Bothus rhombus, are not represented among
the specimens photographed, but they appear to resemble those of the
turbot.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. rp!
Genus Zeugopterus.

Zeuyopterus punctatus (Bloch). Miiller’s Topknot. Pl, i. B., figs. 42
and 43,

The earstones ‘represented by the figures 42 and 43 are from two
fishes, one of them being 84 inches and the other 54 inches in length.
These earstones are small and somewhat oval in shape, but deeply notched
and truncate in front. One side, the inner one, is slightly convex and
is longitudinally grooved, but the reverse side is smooth. Those of the
larger fish are nearly 4mm. long by 2°5mm. in greatest width; those of
the other fish are 3mm. in length, and rather wider than the larger one.

Genus Lepidorhombus.

Lepidorhombus Whiff (Walb.), Sail Fluke, Whiff, or Megrim. Pl. i. B.,
figs. 31 and 32; pl. 11. B., figs. 1-5; pl. v., figs. 1 and 2.

The earstones of a megrim about 17 inches long are represented by
fig. 1, pl. ii. B., and fig. 2, pl. v., and they measure about 7mm. in length
by nearly 5mm. in greatest width. The length of these earstones is thus
about the one-sixtieth part of the entire length of the fish.

In the megrim, as has been already stated, the earstone on the left side
differs somewhat in shape from the one on the right side, and this
difference is observable even in the earstones of the smaller fishes, but
perhaps not in very young specimens ; I find that in such specimens the
characteristics peculiar to the species or genus are usually obscure or
undeveloped. This will be more readily perceived by comparing the
photographs of the earstones of the larger megrim mentioned above with
those of the two smaller fishes represented by figs. 31 and 32, pl. i. B.,
and which measure respectively 168mm. and 87mm. in length. Compare
also with the earstones represented by fig. 5, pl. ii. B., which are those of
a fish 11 inches in length.

In the examination of large fishes or of those of moderate size the
difference in the shape of the earstones is readily noticed, one of them
being pear-shaped—that is, broadly truncated and somewhat emarginate
at the posterior end, with the lateral margins boldly rounded and
converging towards the narrow anterior extremity; the lower edge is
tolerably even, but the other is scarcely so regular. The curve of the two
sides is slightly different, and this makes the anterior extremity appear
as if it were turned somewhat upward. Each earstone is also slightly
incurved on the outer aspects, the inner being correspondingly convex.

The other earstone, like the last, is aiso widest posterioriy, but the
posterior end is obliquely truncated and deeply, and sometimes irregularly,
notched. The entire lower edge is boldly curved and tolerably even,
but the upper margin, though it has the posterior portion nearly straight
or slightly rounded, and more or less distinctly crenulated, is towards the
front end interrupted by a considerable break in its continuity ; this
break appears to be more distinct in the earstones of larger fishes, and
the presence of this break causes the anterior extremity to terminate in a
tolerably sharp point.

I have already given the size of the earstones of the largest fish
examined, and the sizes of a few of the others will be found in the
annexed Table.

72 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Earstones.
Figure on the Length of the
Plate. Fish. |
Length. Width.
Pd (1215 abig 15) 164 inches. About 6'5mm. | 4°5mm.
3 . 14 5 | » osmm. | 40mm.
4 5 113 ue » o0mm. | 3‘5mm.
5 11 Btn { One 3‘5mm., other
; 2? | <2 | B2 * ‘| _ rather less.
32) (Pl is) 165'Omm. 5 OOM 2°5mm.
33 5 87:‘0mm. | » 20mm. | 15mm.

It will be noticed that while in the case of the first four the earstones
are only about one-sixtieth or sixty-fourth part of the length of the fishes
they belonged to, the earstones of the smaller fishes are proportionally
larger, as in some other examples previously mentioned.

Genus Platophrys.
Platophrys laterna (Walb.). The Scald-fish. Pl. i. B., fig. 30.

The earstones of a single example of the scald-fish are represented here.
They are from a fish measuring 138mm. (about 54 inches) in length, and
are of an oblong form. The posterior end is truncated, and there is a
small notch at the anterior extremity. They measure about 3mm. long
by about 2mm. in width.

Genus Pleuronectes.
Pleuronectes platessa (Linn.). The Plaice. Pl. ui. a., figs. 15-21.

The earstones of seven examples of plaice, the length of which ranges
from 610mm. (about 24 inches) to 64mm., are shown on pl. iil. a. The
large pair have a tolerably massive structure, and are of an oval shape ;
the posterior end is moderately broad and somewhat obliquely truncated,
while the anterior end is tolerably narrow and rounded; the lower margin
is evenly, but not very boldly, rounded or much thickened. The upper
edge, which is thicker than the other, is moderately straight but of a
somewhat irregular outline, and exhibits a shallow notch near the middle.
They measure about 12mm. long by about 75mm. broad. They are thus
about one-fiftieth part of the entire length of the fish. The other ear-
stones represented by the photographs are from comparatively small
fishes, the lengths of which, and of their earstones, are given in the
annexed Table.

Earstones.
Figure on the Length of the
Plate. (iii. A.) Fish. |
Tee | Width.
eS PENSE OF 3 i) otk aes et Eee
16 287mm. About 65mm. | Nearly 4°5mm.
17 273mm. , 62mm. | About 4°5mm.
18 273mm. ny Ov Dyernan, = | 5, 40mm.
19 160mm. , 4:O0mm. Seavert
20 91mm. oe OUII. Se OID aa
21 64mm. », 2°Omm. pe. WeGSseohTa || |
{

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 73

The earstones of two other plaice, each about 456mm. long (not
represented among the photographs), measured fully 65mm. in length by
about 55mm. at their greatest width, and 9mm. by nearly 6mm., and
thus agreeing fairly well with the others in their proportion to the length
of the fishes they belonged to.

On comparing the earstones of the smaller halibut with those of the
larger specimens of long rough dabs and plaice, a certain similarity may
be traced both in the general form of the otoliths and of their markings
as well as in the proportion of the length to the depth (or width). It
will be seen that they are all broadly oval in outline, their lower edge is
evenly rounded, and the widest part of the otolith is apparently at the
posterior end. The earstones of Pleuronectes flesus and Plewronectes
limanda, and of one or two others, are also somewhat similar in form to
those referred to. There is, however, at least one notable exception in
the Genus Pleuronectes, P. cynoglossus, or the Witch Sole, to be referred
to presently, the earstones of which are nearly circular in outline instead
of being oval.

Pleuronectes microcephalus, Don. The Lemon Dab. PI. i. B., figs.
19-25.

The earstones of the lemon dab are comparatively small and are not
very distinctly characterised. Fig. 19 represents those of a fish 15 inches
long, and they only measure a little over 4mm. by about 2°5mm. To
show how small these earstones are it is only necessary to mention that
those of a long rough dab scarcely as large as this species had ear-
stones nearly double their length, while the earstones of a plaice that was
at least 4 inches shorter were one and a half times as long. In the
annexed Table the sizes of several other lemon dabs are given whose
earstones are represented by photographs on the accompanying plates.

| |
Earstones. |
Figure onthe | gq. = tx Miers 22. 1
Plate. (i. 2.) | Size of the Fish.
Length. Depth.
20 12 inches. 3°5mm. 2-Omm.
21 72 SOC, 3'Omm. 1°5mm.
22 62 ,, 2-8mm. 1-5mm.
23 OR 5 25mm. 1°3mm.
24 43, 2:Omm. 1‘Omm. fully.
25 3h as 1-7mm. 1‘Omm.

The earstones represented by fig. 20 have the upper and lower margins
nearly parallel, one end is obliquely truncated, but the other is pointed ;
in the smaller specimens both ends are rounded, and they are all pro-
portionally smaller than those of the plaice or the long rough dab.

Pleuronectes flesus, Linn. The Flounder or Fluke. PI. i. B., fig. 18.

The earstones represented by fig. 18 were obtained from a fish of
average size, but its exact length was not recorded, and they are the only
examples included among the photographs of the present series. They
have an outline somewhat resembling the earstones of the plaice, and
measure about 65mm. in length by fully 4*5mm. at the widest part.

TA Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

They are broadly ovate, and the margins are obscurely crenulated ; they
are also moderately thin, and at the time they were removed from the
fish the concentric growth-lines were very distinct.

Pleuronectes limanda, Linn. The Dab. PI. ii. B., figs. 28 and 29; pl.
lil. A., figs. 27-31,

The earstones represented by figs. 27 and 28, pl. i. a., are from dabs
of moderate size (8 to 9 inches long), but their exact length was not
recorded. They have a tolerable resemblance to the earstones of young
halibut, represented by figs. 2 to 5 on the same plate (pl. iii. a.). They
measure about 5mm. in length by about 3mm. in depth. Figs. 29 to 30
represent the earstones of fishes measuring 7? inches, 5? inches, and 43
inches long, while the earstones themselves measure about 4°5mm.,
3'5mm., and 3mm. respectively, their width being about two-thirds of
the length.

Pleuronectes cynoglossus, Linn. The Witch Sole. Pl. i. B, figs.
26-29; pl. iii. a., figs. 22-26; pl. iv., fig. 30.

The witch sole has earstones which differ very distinctly in shape from
all the other species of Pleuronectes referred to here. They are large in
proportion to the size of the fish, very flat, and nearly circular in outline,
and it is in this latter respect that they differ so distinctly from the
other species.

The largest of the witch soles mentioned here measured 16 inches in
length, and its earstones (pl. iil. a., fig. 22) were fully 8mm. across their
longest diameter by about 7°5mm. across the narrowest part. The lower
margin is nearly straight, but otherwise the outline is almost circular.
The longest diameter of these earstones is about one-fiftieth part of the
entire length of the fish. The other specimens whose earstones are
represented here were of various sizes, and all of them smaller than the
one referred to above. The length of the different specimens and the
size of their earstones are given in the annexed Table.

Karstones.

eee the Length of the Fish.

Length. Width.
26 (pl. i. B.) 170mm. 35mm. 3.5mm.
27 a 165mm. 3°5mm. 3°2mm.
28 . 160mm. 3°5mm. 3°3mm.
29 ie 153mm. 3:2mm. 3'0mm. fully.
23 (pl. ili. A. | 12 inches, 5‘5mm. 5'‘Omm.
24 1 One 5‘5mm. and One 5‘Omm. and
eZ » | ar one 5‘Omm. one 4°7mm.
25 % 104_—C,, 5'Omm. 4‘5mm.
26 ie | SPA Be 43mm. 4:2mm.

It will be observed that the earstones represented by fig. 26 (pl. iii. a.)
have about the same proportion to the length of the fish as that of the
larger examples specially referred to, while a slight variation is observ-
able in the length of the earstones of the smaller fishes.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 75
Genus Solea.

Solea vulgaris, Quensel. The Black Sole. Pl. i. B., fig. 34; pl. iv.,
fips VT.

A single pair of earstones are represented among the photographs
given here. They are from a fish of scarcely average size, its entire
length being only 124 inches, but they represent the characteristic form
and size of the earstones of Solea vulgaris. The earstones of this
specimen were 5mm. across the longer diameter, by fully 4mm. in width,
so that they are equal to about one sixty-third part of the entire length
of the fish. A smaller specimen, whose earstones are not represented on
the plate, measured about 240mm., and its otoliths about 35mm. by 3mm.
fully. The earstones of this specimen were therefore only about the one
sixty-ninth part of the length of the fish.

These earstones have an obscurely quadrilateral outline, a side and an
end being nearly at right angles with each other. The remaining side
and end are slightly arched, as shown in the figure. The earstones
of the smaller fish just mentioned have also an outline similar to
that described.

Solea variegata, Don. The variegated Sole or Thickback. PI.1.B., figs.
35 and 36; pl. iv., figs. 28 and 29.

The earstones of two specimens of this species of sole, nearly of the
same size, are shown on pl. i. B., and by figures considerably enlarged on
pl. iv. The specimens measured respectively 140mm. and 137mm. in
length. Their earstones are flat, almost circular, disks measuring about *
3mm. across the longer, by nearly 2°5mm. across the shorter diameter.
The size of these earstones in proportion to the length of the fish is there-
fore greater than that of the black soles mentioned above.

Solea lutea, Risso. The Solenette. Pl. i. B., fig. 37-41; pl. iv., figs. 24
and 25.

A number of solenettes have been examined for their earstones, and a
few of them are represented among the photographs. These earstones
are very small and have little to characterise them except that they are
flat, and nearly circular in outline. The size of the different fishes and of
their earstones are given in the annexed Table.

| Earstones.
| nae poe Length of the Fish.

Length. Width.
nia er } 117mm. 30mm. 2:2mm.
are Cte \ | 98mm 20mm. 1-5mm.
39 (pl. i. B.) 90mm. About 2‘0mm. 15mm.
40 > 76mm. 1-‘7mm. 1°5mm.
41 = 64mm. 15mm. 1-5mm.

76 Part I1].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Fam. SALMONIDA.
Genus Salmo.

Salmo salar, Linn. The Salmon. PI. ii. B,, fig. 31; pl. v., fig. 9.

The earstone represented by fig. 31., pl. ii. B., measures about 7mm. in
length and about 3°6mm. in depth. The length of the fish they were
obtained from has not been recorded; I may mention, however, that those
represented by fig. 9 on pl. v. are from a salmon weighing about 10 lbs.,
but, as in the previous example, the length of this fish was not stated.
The earstones are of an oval form, with both ends moderately narrow and
bluntly pointed, but one end is more drawn out than the other, as shown
in fig. 9.

Salmo (2) fario, Linn. The Brown Trout. PI. ii. B., fig. 30.

The earstones represented on pl. ii. B. are from a trout weighing three
quarters of a pound, which was caught in Loch Thom, near Greenock,
many years ago.

Genus Coregonus.

Coregonus lavaretus, Penn. The Powan (or Pollan). Pl. ii. B., figs.
20-27; pl. v., fig. 29.

The earstones represented on pl. ii. B. are from Loch Lomond powans
measuring 8 inches, 8 inches, and 74 inches in length. Those from the
first two fishes are nearly of the same size—viz., about 5-5mm. long by
3mm. in greatest width, one of the ends—(?) the anterior—is moderately
* broad and has a rounded margin, but the other end is pointed; the lower
margin is tolerably even, while the upper, which anteriorly is nearly
parallei with the lower, slopes from about the middle to the pointed
extremity at the posterior end. The earstones of the smaller fish measure
about 5mm. in length and 25mm. in depth, and these have the posterior
end rather more pointed than in the others.

Genus Argentina.

Argentina sphyrena, Linn. The Hebridean Smelt. Pl. i. B., figs. 44
and 45; pl. iv., fig. 9.

The Hebridean smelt is one of a small number of fishes that possess
earstones of a shape so unlike those of other fishes that there can be little
difficulty in determining the species the fish belongs to by the earstones
alone. The earstones of two specimens are represented by the photo-
graphs—figs. 44 and 45, pl.i.B. Fig. 9, pl. iv., gives a greatly enlarged
representation of those in fig. 44. The fishes from which these ear-
stones were obtained measured 83 inches and 8 inches respectively, while
the earstones themselves measured about 3°5mm. in extreme length and
depth—the length and depth being about equal. These earstones, which
differ in form from those of the other fishes mentioned in this paper, may
be described as broadly scaphoid or boat-shaped, the short lower margin
representing the keel, and the longer upper margin with its two small
prominences being the deck, while the obliquely truncated anterior end
represents the bow, and the other and nearly rectangular end the stern.
The extreme length of these earstones is rather more than the one-sixtieth
part of the length of the fish.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

~I

~J

Fam. Esocip®.
Genus soa.

Esox lucius, Linn. The Fresh-water Pike. Pl. iii. B., fig. 60; pl. v.,
fig. 20.

The fresh-water pike from which the earstones represented on pl. iii. B.
were obtained was of moderate size, but its length has not been recorded.
There were three otoliths of moderate size in each ear-chamber, and one
or two smaller ones. The largest stones measured about 9mm. in length
by-5mm. in greatest width. They are very irregular in outline, especially
along the upper margin and round the (1) anterior end. The lower
margin is tolerably even and slightly arcuate; the anterior end is broad
and deeply notched, and the anterior portion of the upper margin, which
is nearly straight, is separated from the posterior portion by an abrupt
break in its continuity—this latter portion being narrow, and tapering
gradually to the pointed distal extremity. One of the other two stones is
narrow and elongated, and fully 45mm. in length; the third stone is
small and subtriangular in outline, as shown in the photograph.

Fam. CyPRINID#.
Genus Leuciscus.

Leuciscus rutilus (Linn.). The Roach or Braise. PI. iii. B, fig. 59;
ple ws, ug-"6

The earstones represented by fig. 59, pl. ili. B., are from a roach about
54 to 6 inches in length. They are somewhat reniform in general outline,
and the surface is ornamented with radiating grooves which terminate in
the irregularly crenulated or jagged margins. They are about mm.
across the widest part by about 3mm. in depth. The peculiar form and
structure of these earstones are more obvious in the enlarged photographs
on pl. v., fig. 5. They do not resemble any of the others described in
this paper.

Fam. CLUPEID#.

Genus Clupea.

Clupea harengus, Linn, The Herring. PI. iii. B., figs. 15-24; pl. v.,
figs. 3 and 4.

The earstones of a series of ten herrings of different sizes are repre-
sented on pl. iii. B. The largest of the series (fig. 15) measured 123
inches (about 314mm.) in length, and the smallest (fig. 24) about 125mm.
In these earstones the lower margin, which is only slightly arcuate, is
obscurely crenulated along the edge, but is otherwise unbroken; the
upper margin is nearly straight and parallel with the lower, but its con-
tinuity is interrupted by a distinct break near the middle, and in conse-
quence of this break the anterior half of the earstone is very narrow, and
only about half the width of the posterior portion. The posterior end is

78 Part IIT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

broadly rounded, and the posterior portion of the upper margin is also
crenulated. The sizes of the various specimens referred to and of their
earstones are given in the annexed Table :—

Earstones,
Figure on the Length of the |
Plate. Fish. | r
Length, Depth.

|
15.(Pl i. B) | 314mm. Not quite 4:5mm.*| Fully 2:-O0mm.
16 uF | 292mm. |About 50mm. 3 2-Omm.
17 - | 279mm. ne 4‘5mm. ms 20mm.
18 . 266mm. | Nearly 5:°0mm. | About 2-0mm.,
19 93 235mm. | Fully 50mm. | Nearly 2°5mm.
20 ae 230mm. 5 50mm. 25mm.
21 = 215mm. | 3°5mm. Scarcely 20mm.
22 3 205mm. | About 3°5mm. Fully 15mm.
23 es 156mm. | 3 27mm. | About 1°5mm.
24 3 125mm. rr 20mm. Fully 1‘Omm.

The comparative sizes of the earstones of the herrings given here varied to
some extent, ranging from about the fiftieth to the sixtieth part of the
length of the fish they belonged to.

Clupea sprattus, Linn. The Sprat. Pl. iii. B., figs. 25-32; pl. v.,
figs. 15-17.

The earstones of the sprat are extremely small, and easily missed.
They resemble those of the herring to some extent, but are comparatively
shorter and broader, and even very small specimens exhibit this charac-
teristic difference. ‘Che earstones of the largest of the sprats examined
for this paper, and which measured about 3? inches in length, were only
about 1‘5mm. in extreme length by Imm. in depth. Other two sprats,
34 inches long, showed scarcely any difference in the size of their ear-
stones from that of the specimen just referred to (see figs. 27 and 28).
The position of these otoliths in the ear chamber is similar to that of the
herring—that is, the narrow part of the earstone is towards the front of
the head, and the upper margin is more irregular in outline than the
lower. The earstones represented by fig. 29 are from a fish 3;% inches
(84mm.) long, and are about Imm. in length by 0‘7mm. in depth. The
otoliths represented by figs. 30 to 32 are from sprats measuring 72mm.,
67mm., and 60mm. long.

Clupea pilchardus, Bloch. The Pilchard. Pl. iii. B., fig. 33; pl. v.,
fig. 32.

The earstones of the pilchard, as will be seen from the photograph,
are somewhat similar to those of the herring, both in form and size,
except that they are rather more pointed at the anterior end. The fish
from which these earstones was obtained was 6} inches (17l1mm.) in
length, and the earstoues themselves measured 3mm. by about 1-2mm,

*The earstones of this specimen were imperfect.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 79

Fam. Mura&nip@.
Genus Anguilla.
Anguilla vulgaris, Leach. The Eel. Pl. i. B., figs. 67-69; pl. v., fig. 25.

The largest specimen of the eels whose earstones are represented here
measured about 24 inches in length, and the other two 16 inches and 12}
inches respectively ; their earstones are very small, those from the
largest fish are only about 3°5mm. long by 2mm. in depth. Those
belonging to the fish next in size (16 inches) measured fully 25mm. by
1.7mm., while those of the smallest specimen (125 inches) measured 2mm.
by 1.5mm. The earstones of the largest of the three fishes are only
about one-seventieth part of the entire length of the fish; they are thus
smaller in proportion to the iength of the fish than most of the others
described here.

Genus Conger.

Conger niger, Risso. The Conger. Pl.i B., fig. 66; pl. iv., fig. 14; pl.
v. fig. 7.

Among the earstones represented here are those of two specimens of
conger —one 283 inches in length, the other 54 inches, The first are
represented by fig. 66, pl. i.B., an enlarged photograph of which is shown
by fig. 14, pl. iv.; while those of the larger fish are represented by fig. 7,
pl. v. The smaller earstones are nearly 9mm, long by about 3-5mm.
in depth, but the length of the larger specimens was 11‘dmm. ; they are
thus equal to about the one hundred and twenty-third part of the entire
length of the fish, The earstones of the smaller fish are moderately thin
and of a narrow oval outline, being widest near the middle and with one
end narrowly rounded and the other narrow and angular. Those of the
larger fish are tolerably massive, the sides are nearly parallel but some-
what sinuous in outline, and the ends, like those of the smaller fish, are
one of them bluntly rounded, while the other is angular. The surface of
the earstones does not appear to be ornamented with any regular
markings except one or two shallow longitudinal ridges.

Fam. SYNGNATHIDA.
Genus Nerophis.
Nerophis lumbriciformis, Will. The Worm Pipe-fish.

The earstones of a specimen of this pipe-fish have been in my collection
for many years (since March 19, 1885-—the date when the fish was cap-
tured at Lunderston Bay, Firth of Clyde). They are so exceedingly
small that they have not been photographed with the others represented
here. They are compressed, and resemble circular disks, except that one
end is slightly notched, the notch being a little on one side of the middle
line. They are somewhat like certain small Foraminifera, such, for
example, as Biloculina depressa, but more diminutive. Their true form
can only be made out satisfactorily under the microscope, with a l-inch
objective. They measure across their longest diameter about ‘26mm.
(about zy of an inch), while their shortest diameter is about "19mm. The
earstones of these fishes are so exceedingly small that they are easily
overlooked,

80 Part IIl-—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TV .—LITERATURE.

The following are some papers in which the otoliths of fishes are more
or less specially dealt with :—

Dr. RerpiscH.—‘‘ Ueber die EHizahl bei Pleuronectes platessa und die Alters-
bestimmung dieser Form aus den Otolithen.” Wissensch. Meeresuntersuch.,
1899. Neue Folge Bd. 4, Abthlg. Kiel, p. 231. (This work I have not
seen. )

Dr. C. Fryp.—‘‘ Die Otolithen der Fisch in Bezug auf ihre Bedeutung fiir
Systematic und Altersbestimmung.” Dissertat. Kiel, 1901. (I have not
seen this paper.)

Dr. J. T. Jengins.—‘‘ Altersbestimmung durch Otolithen bei den Clupeiden.”
Wissensch. Meeresuntersuch., 1902. Neue Folge Bd. 6, Abthlg. Kiel, p. 83.

J. T. Cunnineuam.—‘‘ Zones of Growth in the Skeletal Structures of the
Gadide and Pleuronectide.” Twenty-third Annual Report of the Fishery
Board for Scotland, Pt. III., p. 125, et sec., pls. vii.-ix., 1905.

Dr. W. Wau.ace.-—‘‘ Preliminary Investigations on the Age and Growth rate of
Plaice.” International Investigations, Marine Biol. Assoc. Report, pp.
199-225, pl. i., 1895.

Dr. Apo_F SEVERIN JENSEN.—‘‘On Fish Otoliths in Bottom Deposits of the
Sea.” Meddelelser fra Kommissionen for Havunderségelser. Ser. Fiskeri
Bd. 1, pp. 1-14, with figures in the text, 1905.

Some observations on Fish Otoliths by the writer will also be found in Part III.
of the Twentieth and Twenty-first Annual Reports of the Fishery Board for
Scotland, p. 486 and p, 218, 1902 and 1903.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

a=anterior end of otolith ; «=upper margin of otolith.

PLATE I. a.
Fig. 1-10. Earstones of Codfishes, various sizes. slightly enlarged.
Fig. 1i-13. ie Lythe, - : ; as
Fig. 14-16. ce Coal-fishes, ,, : : ue
Fig. 17-18. Ne (?) Ling, 56 : : 3
Fig. 19-26. + Ling, : ; a
Fig. 27. ee a Greater Forkbeard, : : Ae
PLATE I. Bs.
Fig. 1-8. Earstones of Lesser Forkbeard, various sizes . slightly enlarged.
Fig. 9-12. oA several 3-Bearded Rocklings, various sizes a
Fig. 13-17. x several 4-Bearded Hoes a .
Fig. 18. vr. one Flounder, ; ms
Fig. 19-25. ns several Lemon Dabs, various sizes ae
Fig. 26-29. four Witch Soles, a : a
Fig. 30. F one Scald-fish, i ; -
Fig. 31-32. OF two Megrims : . : 3
Fig. 33. 54 one Turbot ; - 5 3
Fig. 34. +5 one Black Sole : : 3
Fig. 35-36. es two Solea variegata S, : ‘i
Fig. 37-41. oe several Solenettes, various sizes . .
Fig. 42-43. ay two Miiller’s Topknots 4 As
Fig. 44-45. ne two Argentines. ZA
Pig. 46-52. a several Grey Gurnards, various sizes -
Fig. 53. a one Red Gurnard P 5 if
Fig. 54-55. Ni two Streaked Gurnards ; a
Fig. 56. A one Sapphirine Gurnard . ‘ r
Fig. 57-63. FF several Lumpenus, various sizes . As
Fig. 64-65. Ae two Sand-eels : . : ¥
Fig. 66. Fe one Conger ‘ 3 a

Fig. 67-69. °f three Fresh-water Eels; : ;

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

PLATE II. a.

Fig. 1-5 and 9-16, Harstones of Haddocks, various sizes
Fig. 6-8 and 30, 31. ee Whitings, =
Fig. 17-24. Earstones of Brassies, various sizes
Fig. 25-28. Ss Norway Pouts, various sizes
Fig. 29. ie one Couch’s Whiting
PLATE II. sz.
Fig. 1-5. Earstones of Megrims, various sizes
Fig. 6-7. 4 two Sea Breams
Fig. 8-9. rr two Lesser Weavers
Fig. 10. . one Greater Weaver
Fig. 11. ‘ one Bass
Fig. 12-14 es three Ballan Wrasses
Fig. 15. . one Striped Wrasse
Fig. 16. 6 one Jago’s Goldsinny
Fig. 17. » one Lesser Grey Mullet
Fig. 18. Ac one Pogge . :
Fig. 19-20. e two Black Gobies .
Fig. 21-24. A four Speckled Gobies
Fig. 25-27. os three Powans
Fig. 28-29. 5 two Dabs
Fig. 30. 4 one Trout .
Fig. 31. # one Salmon
Fig. 32. ae one Sand-eel
Fig. 33. 3 one Liparis
PLATE III. a.
Fig. 1-6 and 14. Earstones of Halibut, various sizes

7-13. Harstones of Long Rough Dabs,
. 15-21.
. 22-26.
. 27-31.
. 32-25.

"Soe oo bo

”)
”

Bl

Plaice,
Witch Soles
Dabs

+)
1D
i)

”

Fe Hake i
PLATE III. s.

Karstones of Spotted Dragonets, various sizes .

.. Dragonets, ap

os Herrings, Ps

” Sprats, ”

a one Pilchards

two Atherines

re one Mackerel ,

Rs two Viviparous Blennies .

- two Butterfishes

mR four Catfishes

of three Pogges

53 one Chimera

3 one Grey Mullet

a one Red Mullet

ae three Norway Haddocks

“e one Scorpena dactyloptera

- four fresh-water Perches .

a5 one Lumpsucker

es one Roach .

5 one fresh-water Pike

a two Lophius

re three Cottus

PLATE IV.

Earstones of a small Haddock

a a Haddock, 14 inches long

> a Gadus luscus

i a Gadus esmarkii . :

oP a Gadus poutassou .

8]

slightly enlarged.

”
29
”

”

slightly enlarged.

slightly enlarged.

be)
-
29
”

”

slightly enlarged.

>

9

”

AD |

considerably enlarged.

ig. 29. One Earstone of a Coregonus, 8 inches long
ig. 30. Earstones of a Cyclogaster liparis

ig. 32. . a Pilchard .
es BY

Part II].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

6 Karstones of a Lesser Forkbeard : considerably enlarged.
de “a a Lesser Forkbeard (very young) . +
8. A a small Ling 5 : ie
mas 3 an Argentine 3 ; s
Sl Ovandsl sy two 4-Bearded Rocklings : =
ig 2 and 3s" 45 two Grey Gurnards : Be
. 14. is a small Conger A
yallos nd a Red Gurnard a
6: ns a Turbot . x
ig. 17, AS a Black Sole 5 ip
ig. 18. P a 3-Bearded Rockling 53
tig. 19. . a Fresh-water Kel - ay
e 20. os a Streaked Gurnard is
igs 2. a Sapphirine Gurnard 4

g. &, 22, 23, 26 and 27, Earstones of four Lumpenus
| 24’and 25. Earstones of two Solenettes

ig. 28 and 29. 5 two Solea variegata

. 30. Earstones of a Witch Sole i

gool: a5 Lophius piscatorius 5
PLATE V.
ig. 1 and 2. Right and left earstones of two Megrims considerably enlarged.

g. 3and 4. Earstones of two Herrings

99

5. Farstones of a Roach . =

6. a Black Goby P Pe

The a Conger, 54 inches long a

8. 5A a Ballan Wrasse ihe

9. = a Salmon, weighing 10 lbs. : Pe,
selec. 2 two Common Dragonets, 112mm. long rr
l2: = a Lesser Grey Mullet : : “3
13. < a Fresh-water Perch a
solllsy, 5 a Lumpsucker, 154 inches long aS

. 16-17. 36 three Sprats
g. 18 and 24. ,, two Spotted Dragonets 5
Lg: i a Lophius, 36 inches long . oe
ig. 20. iss a Fresh-water Pike , si
ig. 21. nA a Catfish, 27 inches long x
Beco sn a00 OAT two Atherines, 34 and 5 inches long is
ga2a: - a Mullus bar batus ; 40
g..20,. 33 a Fresh-water Eel . 3
Bale 55 a Pogge, 5? inches long 5
ig. 28. a Lemon Dab, 15 inches long ‘

ig. 31. One Earstone of a Viviparous Blenny

a a Mackerel .

PLATE I.

F. B. REPORT, 1906.

to. glk ISB, at
igh gh ag ry ab ve % “

_\9- 20. a ak as. 24. as 3

PT EIVINTETELTE TY) €5 Gece

3G. 37. 38. 39. Ao. ai.

ee @@ @& 00 Ce ce v8

; 46. 4e. 49. 50. S59. 53
“s 464d Ub Ob 64 bees ae na Wet

56. 57 5% 59. 60 6: 62.63. 6& 65

VS OO GO HE OO de be od GOH

&
g
3
>
3
N
5
3s
=
S

Photo by A. Scorz.

PLATE II

TON v0 ”) wa

TIT nee

TE

28.

Te

Otoliths or Teleostean Fishes.

TRIP KIL.

18. 19. 27.

ie Ye TYYYY'

23. 29.
eee

1906.

Photo by A. Scorr.

F.B. REPORT,

PLATE III.

F. B. REPORT, 1905.

%

00000000 6

Si,

8. a9
Sw ee ce sd 00 66 Goce?

ean Fishes.

=
S
=
s
~

% — 5 ae ae Ferg te oe i Yan Va te ig tee a YO. AB

ag 7. 4 ye ae abes iue ha Dapagveae P id, dt

9. Qo. 2. 9h.
ys % 25. 24. 95. 96. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32, 52. 34, 35,
7 ae ’ , ra 06 98 oe ah Pe * oo fw es R) 4 &§9

36. 32 38. 39, 40. Al. ag 4o. 44.

es te #4 te db be “ gh

Photo by A. Scorn,

PLATE IV.

Photo by A, Scorr, Otoliths of Teleostean Fishes.

Ww

PLATE V

3
iS]
>
2
=
Ss

ad
*
v'd

Pa in ea psi SA a ET al Zac le at era Na poe lS ecm

PF. B. REPORT, 1906.

Photo by A, Scorn.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 83

-TUI.—THE FOOD VALUE OF THE HERRING,

By T. H. Mitroy, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.S.E., Professor of Physiology,
Queen’s College, Belfast.

CONTENTS.

Previous Analyses of Herrings, : é : : ‘ 83
Methods of Analysis,

Analyses of May Loch Fyne Herrings, . : : OA atest

a » July *. = ; ’ : meee 88

as ,, September ,, oy : : : ; 89

ie ., October “a ee ; 3 : ; 90

3 ,, November ,, oF : ; ; : 92

, December Helmsdale _,, : ; : : 93

* % Be Loch Fyne _,, ; ‘ : } 94.

H 5 Lochboisdale ,, : : : . 95

oe ,. February fs ae : ; , : 96

Tables of Ratios, ; 3 F F 3 3 ; 97

Summary of Results, . : : : : : ; 101]
Remarks on Nutritive Value of Spent Herrings, with some addi-
tional Tables illustrating differences in Composition of these

Fish, , : : : : ° ; ~ § 103

THE Nutritive VaLugk OF THE HERRING AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.

It is extremely important that we should possess definite information
with regard to the changes which the herring undergoes during its
development. This is especially true with regard to the chemical changes
in its composition, as, merely looked at from the economic standpoint, it
is advisable to determine the periods at which the fish is most valuable as
a food and those at which it is least valuable. As a problem in biological
chemistry, it is also extremely important to arrive ai accurate information
with regard to the metabolic changes which take place in the fish before,
during, and after, the spawning period.

On looking up the literature on the subject, I have been unable to find
any work dealing with the changes in composition of the edible parts of
the herring which must occur during the reproductive life of the fish.

There have, of course, been analyses published of the chemical com-
position of the herring in the fresh, salted, and pickled conditions, but no
reference is made to the condition of the herring at the time of the
analysis beyond certain vague statements such as “in fine condition,”
ete. Payen (“Subst. Alimentaires,” p. 488) gives analyses of salted herrings.
Konig, in his large work on “ Nahrungs-Mittel,” Bd. i., pp. 201-7, gives
some of his own analyses as well as those of others.

Almén gives a very detailed account of the analyses of the flesh of
various fish in a communication by him to the Royal Society at Upsala
(‘Analyse des Fleisches einiger Fische. Mitgeteilt der Kéniglichen
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Upsala, am 7ten April, 1877”— Upsala
1877.)

Among the fish examined by Almén was the little herring (Clupea
harengus v. membre). By far the most important contribution on the
subject of the food value of fishes is undoubtedly the report by Atwater

84 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

in the U. S. Commissioner’s Report on Fish and Fisheries. 1888, Part xvi.,

1892). This report deals with the chemical composition and nutritive

values of food fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Analyses were made of

the flesh of 123 specimens of American fishes belonging to 52 species, and

among these are given analyses of fresh, salted, and pickled herrings. He

also collects all the analytical literature and gives a table of the maximal,

minimal, and average amounts of the food principles present in the

herring as given by different authorities.

I give it here in order to show that there are marked variations in the
analytical results, especially as regards the fat. ;

| : Protein
Water. eee i.e. Fats. Ash.
: b u Ss ance. N x 6:25.
|
Maxima. 7611 | 30:97 19°12 11-01 1:9
|
Minima. 69°03 | 23°89 15°31 4°89 1:5
Average. | 7210 | 27-90 17-75 8-02 1-69
| | |

Atwater adopted all the precautions which he thought necessary to
render his analyses accurate, and devotes some part of his paper to a criti-
cism of the methods of analyses employed by his predecessors, explaining
in some cases the differences in the results by probable analytical errors. A
very important and most probable cause of divergence in the analytical
results was a difference in the condition of the herring at the time of the
analysis. As we shall see, there are great differences in composition of the
muscle of the herring at different periods, and these differences are to be
observed in herrings obtained from the same waters, when they are
examined at different months of the year.

For purposes of comparison it is extremely desirable that the herrings
should be obtained from the same district at regular intervals for at least
two years, and that analyses should be made of muscles and genitalia.

This would be a work of no great difficulty if three or four persons
were occupied with the investigation, but it could not be covered by a
single worker unless he devoted his whole time to the work. I have been
unable to devote more than a comparatively small portion of my time
during the last two years to the work, and it is ouly during the last year
that I obtained satisfactory material for the research.

The work, therefore, will deal with herrings mainly obtained from the
Loch Fyne district during 1905 and 1906.

Only these fish were employed for analysis which had arrived at the
laboratory in absolutely fresh condition. During the summer months
they were sent in a double walled japanned tin carrier, an ice-salt mixture
filling the space between the two walls. At other times they were sent
with salt sprinkled over them or without any preservative.

The fish were measured and weighed, and the ovaries or milt removed,
weighed, and examined microscopically, the ova being measured by means
of an ocular micrometer. The measurement for length was made from
end of snout to end of tail fin; for girth, in front of the dorsal fin around
the thickest part of the fish. The measurements are given in centimetres,

The weights of the fish and reproductive organs are given in grammes.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 85

MetHops or ANALYSIS.

It was impossible to adopt many precautions which might have been
desirable, owing to the necessity for carrying through the analysis as
quickly as possible.

Such estimations as these of the perceutage of water in the muscles and
reproductive organs cannot be carried out in such a way as to absolutely
prevent loss of weight from any other cause than the removal of water.

(1) Water percentages.—The skin was removed, then as much of the
the muscular tissue as could be conveniently obtained was minced up
extremely fine by being passed through a mincing machine.

Specimens were taken between watch glasses and dried in a warm oven
at a temperature between 60°-70°C., under conditions where oxidation
was prevented as far as possible, the final drying being carried out in
vacuo.

The same procedure was adopted in the case of the reproductive organs.

(2) Nitrogen and Phosphorus estimations.—It was of course necessary
to estimate the amount of nitrogenous material in the muscles and
genitalia, and it was also thought advisable to estimate the amount of
phosphorus.

The total nitrogen was estimated in a small portion of muscle and also
in a similar quantity of ovary or milt respectively, the method that was
adopted being that of Kjeldahl.

For purposes of convenience the numbers for the total nitrogen are not
given in the tables, but are converted into terms of protein by multiplying
the amount of the total nitrogen by the usual factor, 6°25, This is, of
course, simply a matter of convenience, some of the nitrogen being present
in other forms than protein. As, however, by far the most important
nitrogenous constituent in the muscles and genitalia is the protein,
probably not more than 2 per cent. of other nitrogenous constituents
being present, it is sufficient to state the amounts of total nitrogen in
terms of protein.

The phosphorus was estimated in a portion of the fluid obtained after
incineration by the Kjeldahl method. ,

The fluid was rendered ammoniacal, then acidified with nitric acid, and
the phosphate then precipitated by ammonium molybdate. The phospho-
molybdate precipitate was subsequently dissolved in ammonia, and the
phosphate precipitated by magnesia mixture. The triple phosphate was
then received on an ash-poor filter paper, washed, dried, and incinerated.
It was then weighed and the weight of the Mg, P.O, was then calculated
in terms of P,O,, and given as such in the tables.

(3) Fat. he finely powdered dried material (muscles or genitalia)
was placed in a Soxhlet filter paper tube and extracted with ether in the
usual way for about 36-48 hours. Only about 3-4 grammes of the
dried material were taken, so that the extraction ought to have been fairly
complete. The fat was freed from ether and weighed in the usual way.

In the tables the amounts of proteid, fat, and P, O; are given in two
forms, first, in grammes per 100 grammes fresh muscle and fresh ovaries
or milt ; secondly, in terms of grammes in total fresh muscle or genitalia
respectively, as calculated for the average fish of the batch under
examination.

It was thought advisable not only to give the percentage amounts of
proteid, fat, and P, O;, but also the absolute amounts in the muscles and
genitalia respectively of the same fish. The weight of the muscles of the
fish was obtained roughly by deducting } of the total weight, this
fraction being supposed to cover the weight of the head and bones.

86 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Tables are also given showing the ratios which exist between the
weight of the fish and that of the reproductive organs at different periods,
and also those existing between the more important constituents of
muscles and genitals.

Locnu Fyne Hrrrine, May 10, 1906.

(Otter.)

Length, Garth. Weight. | Condition
Cm. Cm. Gm. 7
745) | 112 113 | Very immature, probably
234 | 1] 101 previously spent her-
223 12 104 | ring from condition
234 Lh 102 of ovarian capsule.
23 103 93 | There were large num-
23 | 10 90 | bers of very small
23 103 88 ova present, varying
214 | 103 80 | in size from ‘07-
Ee ee 103 85 | ‘15mm.
22 | 10 80
212 | 10 74 |
22 10 75 |

22 9cm. 10-7cem. 90°4gm. | Average.

Weight of genitals (fresh) of 12 herrings, 2°5 grammes. The water
percentage of these genitals was 71°52.

Analyses of the muscles of these herring :—
Females—

(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

In grammes Water. Proteid. Fat. POF
per cent. 72°69 18°98 7°25 68
(b) Grammes in the total muscles of the average fish of this
series.
Proteid. Fat. FO;
In grammes, . : 11°38 4°35 “40

ARDRISHAIG, May 11, 1906.

These herring were very small, and, with one exception, contained very
immature ovaries. One herring (No. 11) contained ovaries which
weighed 14-75 grammes, and the ova which were present measured 1'2mm.
in diameter and were being discharged.

The immatnre ovaries, although they contained large numbers of very
small ova, were evidently comparatively recently spent (see following
pages for measurements and analyses).

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

Length. Girth, Weight.
; Cm. Cm. Gm.

Series a. 1 20 8°5 58

2 20°5 9 60

3 20°5 9°5 67

+ 20°5 9°5 67

D 20°5 9 64

6 21 9 72

7 21°5 10 75

8 22°5 2 75

9 21 9°5 70

10 25 11 116
Average, 21:3em. 94cm. 72-4om,

Al 23 10 91

The ova were |

Analyses of the muscles of these herring :—

Females—-

87

Condition.

very imma- |
ture. The
weight of |
the 10 pairs |
of genitals |
was 2‘4om. |
in the fresh
condition.

Ovaries |
weighed
14:‘75gm.,
and __ their
ova measur-
ed 1:-2mm.

Series A—( fish with immature ovaries previously spent).

(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

P

0
8

2

In grammes Water, Proteid. Fat.
per cent. 73°01 17°55 5°85
(>) Grammes in the total muscles of the average fish in the
series.
Proteid. Fat.
8°47 2°82

B—(herring with mature ovaries).

“39

(za) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. Fat.
72°9 20°58 3°52

(>) Grammes in total muscles of fish.

Proteid. Fat.
12°34 D2G|

88 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Repori

Jury 29, 1905.*

Length. | Girth. Weight. | von |
Cm. Cm. Gm. | Gm.
24 12 116 | 0°35

ST | 11°5 96 | 0:46 |

| 23° 12 99 0-20 |
| 23 13 120 | 0:67
23 11°5 91 0:20
22°5 12 105 0:74
23 12 107 | 0:33

24. 1255 124 | 1:18 |

| Zils 1} 82 | 0°49 |

| 22°5 12 105 0:43
DD ibis) 102 | 0°39

YP) 11 92 | 0:22 |

23 | i 97 | 0-15

24 13 127 0°50

22°5 | 12 100 | 0:44 |

25 13 | 137 | 0°53

24 ahs 119 0-81

22 ta 88 | 0°20

22. | 11 | 92 | 0:20 |
23 13 | 120 | 0:65
| Avg. 22°9 | 11:9 100°9 | 0:45

These herring were still in immature condition; the ova were only
slightly larger than in the herrings caught on May 10.

Analyses of the muscle (fresh) :—
(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. Fat. P,O;
71°60 18-18 7°32 “45
(b) Grammes in the total muscles of the average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P,O-
12°18 4:90 “30

Analyses of the genitals (fresh) :—
(a) Grammes in 100 grammes of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. -. Fat. P3205

72°5 13°52 8-92 EC
(b) Grammes in the amount of genitals present in the average

fish of series.
Proteid. Fat. P,0,;
05 ‘03 ‘003

* For analyses of the muscles of herrings caught in Loch Fyne during the latter
part of May and beginning of June 1906, see pp. 103-107.

CO
te)

oj the Fishery Board for Scotland.

ARDRISHAIG, SEPTEMBER 15, 1905.

These herring were very small, the average length of six females being
20cm., and the average weight 80 grammes. The weight of the ovaries
in these six herrings was 5-70 grammes weighed in the fresh condition—
that is to say, the average weight per fish was ‘95 grammes. The ova
were very immature, varying in size from ‘15mm,.-—45mm.

The male herrings had approximately the same measurements, the
average length of eleven being 20cm., and the average weight ‘75 grammes.
The testes from these eleven herrings weighed 10°65 grammes in the fresh
condition, 7.e., ‘97 grammes per fish.

Analyses :—
Females—
I.—Muscles.
(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.
Water. Proteid. Fat. P,0;
63°68 19:28 11°81 64
(b) Grammes in totel muscles of average fish,
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
10°41 6°37 34

T1.— Ovaries.

(a) Grammes in 100 grammes fresh ovaries.

Water. Proteid. Fat. PO,
66-02 18:91 7°34 1:23
(6) Grammes in ovaries of average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P,Q;
017 0-07 ‘O11
Males—

I.—Mauscles.
(a) In percentages of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. Fat. P.Os
61°68 18°65 14:25 "52
(b) Per average fish in total muscles.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
9°32 712 "25
II.—-Testes.
(a) In 100 grammes fresh material.
Water. Proteid. Fat. P30;
72:00 22°18 2°84 —
(6) In total testes of average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
0:21 0:27 —

Octosrr, 1905 (Loch Fyne).

Some of these herrings were in rather a more mature condition than
others, and so the females have been divided into two series for analysis ;
first, those with ovaries containing ova of about ‘28mm. in diameter, and,
secondly, those whose ova averaged ‘59mm.

90

Part ITI —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

SERIES A.

Length. Girth.
Cm. Om.
28 15
27 13°5
25 13
24°5 12°5
23-0 12
23°5 12°5
26 ile}
25cm. 13cm.
Length. Girth.
Cm, Cm,
29°5 16
28:5 15'5
lee 132
24°5 12°5
24 122
| 25 14:5
| 29-5 15:5
| 28 14
| 27cm. 14cm.
| Length Girth
| Cm. Cm.
28°5 16
30°5 ay.
27 14°4
27 132
27°5 145
25 1255
25°5 12°5
25:5 3
26 12
27 13
27 128
| 26°7cm. 13:6cem.

Weight.

Gm.
206
150
147
130
115
122
148

144-5em.

SERIES B.

Weight.

Gm.
257
220
167
| 129
| 119
220
229
197

192m.

Condition.

The ovaries from these
7 herrings weighed
collectively 17gm.,
and the average size
of ova was ‘28mm.

Average.

Condition.

The ovaries from these 8
herrings weighed col-
lectively 74gm., and
the average size of
the ova was ‘59mm.

Average.

Males.

Weight.

Condition.

The testes from 4 of
these herrings weighed
collectively 96gm.

of the Fishery Board jor Scotland.

Analyses of Females :—
Series A,
Muscles,

(a) In percentages.

Water. Proteid. Fat.
69°97 12°78 14°25
(>) In total muscles of average fish.

Proteid. Fat.
12°39 13°82
Ovavies.

(a) In percentages.

Water. Proteid. Fat.
78:21 17°26 2°53
(6) In ovaries of average fish,
Proteid. Fat.
“41 33
Series B.
Muscles.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
70°46 14°84 12:70
(>) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat.
14°80 12°51
Ovaries,
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
68:02 22°45 4°80
(6) Per average fish.
Proteid. ’ Fat.
2°08 “44
Males—
Muscle.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
68°91 16:18 12°63
(b) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat.
18°44 14:39
Testes.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
72°13 22°62 2°25
(b) Per average fish.
| Proteid. “Fat.

5°42 “D4

91

92 Part ITI—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

ARDRISHAIG, NovEMBER 6, 1905.

These herring were large and in good conditon, and the ova were
almost mature. They have been divided into two sets, females and
males, the measurements of which are as follows :—

I. Females.

: : Weight of
Length. Girth. Weight. OvEre.
Cm. Cm. Gm. Gm.
30 16°5 275 35°7
31 16 270 38:2
33 17°5 326 516
3] 16 255 31°8
30 16 261 25°6
31 16 260 18°9
32 16°5 297 31°6
32 17 290 35°2
32 16°5 275 31°4
30 16°5 276 28°8
32 16:5 304 32
29 15 210 20:1
30 | 15 204 15-4
29 | 14 192 15°8
Avg. 30°8cem. 16cm. 264gm. 29-5gm.,

The ova were from ‘8—Ilmm. in diameter.

Il. Males.

Length. Girth. Weight. Weight of Testes.
Cm Cm. Gm. Gm |
31 17 279 44°5
31 We 316 52
31 16 2h 40-6
29 14 215 31:4
30 16 257 40:9
33 16 296 oie
32 16 287 40-1
30 17 290 41°]
31 17 303 46:6
31 16 252 35°6
31 15°5 230 26°8
29 14:5 195 24-4
30 16 255 44°6

Avg. 30°7cm. 16cm. 265:'5gm. 38'9gm,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 93

Analyses :—
Females—
Muscle.
(a) In percentages,
Water. Proteid. Fat. P,O;
66°34 19°87 10°85 59
(>) In total muscles of average fish.
Proteid. Fat P.O;
52°45 28°64 1:55
Ovaries.
(a) In percentages of fresh material.
Water. Proteid. Fat, P,O;
68°04 25°04 2°85 91
(6) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P,O;.
7°38 "84 ‘26
Males—
Muscle.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid, Fat. P.O;
68°22 17°94 10°84 “46
(6) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P20;
31°77 19°18 ‘81

HELMSDALE HERRINGS, DrecEMBER 6, 1905.

Two herrings (females) were taken for analysis from a batch containing

fish of approximately the same size.

Their measurements were :—

Length. Girth
Cm. Cm.
29 14:5
29 14°5
Avg. 29cm. 14:5em.

Weight. Weight of Ovaries.
Gm. Gm
195 26
194 35
1$4°5gm. 30°5gm.

Size of ova, ‘8-1‘2mm. These herring had evidently commenced to

spawn.
Analyses :—
Muscle.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid.
70°50 23°01

(b) Per average fish (total in muscles).

Proteid.
28°76

Fat. P.O;
2°75 ‘17
Fat, P,0;
3°4 “96

94,

Ovaries.

(a) In percentages.

Waiter. Proteid.
65°73 27°76
(b) Per average fish.
Proteid.
9°82

Part ILI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

P,0;
119

P.O
34

Locn Gatr, DecEmBrrR 13, 1905.

These fish were very large, with ovaries of greater weight than in any

other herrings which were analysed.

to 1:2mm.

The following were the measurements :-—

The ova varied in size from ‘9mm.

Females.
; ; Weight of
Length. Girth Weight. Ovarien.
Cm Cm. Gm. Gm.
31 17°5 326 63
30°5 15 268 43
30°5 | 16°5 272 30
31 16:5 330 48
30°5 16 285 47
31 17°5 318 il
| Avg. 30-7cm., 16:5em | 299-8om. 47om.
Males.
: : Weicht of
Length. Girth Weight. fia
Cm. Cm. Gm. Gm.
31 ig 298 61
51 17 320 55
Avg. 31 17cm. 309gm. 58em.
Analyses :—
Females.
Muscle.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat. P,0,;
67:36 20°56 8:18 68
(b) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. PLOr
41:12 16°36 1:37

Je)
on

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

Ovaries.

(a) In percentages,

Water, Proteid. Fat. P.O;
— 67°33 25°72 2°89 1:03
(>) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
12°08 1°35 48
Males.
Muscle.
(a) In percentages.
Waiter. Proteid, Fat. P.O.
68°31 21°45 9°24 TS
(>) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
44°18 19-03 1-51
Testes.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat. EO.
72°10 22°05 3°73 2°10
(5) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
12-78 2°16 1:21

LocuporspALE Herrinc, DecemBer 28, 1905,

These fish were either spawning or spent. They have therefore been
divided into two classes for examination—one, Series A, spawning, the
ova varying in size from ‘9mm. to 1-4mm; the other, Series B, spent.

The males were not examined.

Serres A.
: Weight of
Length Girth. Weight Operas
Cm Cm. Gm. Gm
27°5 13°5 165 18
26°5 14 157 14:8
26 1355 141 25
26 12 127 11°5
26°5 13 168 20°3
26 14 160 18°3
26 13 150 19-4
25 12 115 10°5
26 13°5 150 18°8
Avg. 26cm 13cm. 148¢m 17'4g¢m

96 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Serizs B (spent).

Length. Girth. Weight.
Cm. Cm. Gin.
23 12 153
28 12 140
Avg. 25°5cem. 12cm. 146-5gm.

Series A (spawning).

Muscles.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat. P.O;
74:12 18-91 2°02 66
(6) Per average fish,
Proteid. Fat. PO;
18°15 1:93 61
Ovaries.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat. P.O;
70-00 24°75 3°72 93
(b) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. P.O;
4:23 ‘63 ‘16
Series B.
Muscles.
(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid. Fat. POs
75°30 19°69 1:55 77
(6) Per average fish.
Proteid. Fat. 1 Or
18-53 151 ‘75

Fresruary 8, 1906.

These herring were in the spent condition. Six females were taken
for examination. Their measurements were as follows :—

Length. Girth. Weight.
Cm. Cm. Gm.
26 iil 115
28 12 143
28 i2 155
29 13 156
29 | 12 150
28 | 12 136
Avg. 28cm. 12cm. 142-5gm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 97

“

73 pairs of spent ovaries were taken from herrings sent at this time,

aud were found to weigh 9°51 grammes.

I.—Muscles.

(a) In percentages.
Water. Proteid.
78:97 18:05

(b) Per average fish.

Proteid.
16-60

II. —Ovaries (spent).
(a) In percentages.

Water. Proteid.
82:07 3°78
(6) Per average fish.
Proteid.
“29

These were dried and analysed.

Fat. P.O,
0°68 a
Fat. P.O;
0°62 0°66
Fat. EO;
11°83 ‘91
Fat. P,O;
‘09 016

Before discussing these results it will prove of some advantage to com-
pare the ratios which exist between the weight of the fish and the weight
of the ovaries, as well as certain other ratios.

Ratio oF Wericat or FisH to WsIGHT OF OVARIES AT
DIFFERENT SEASONS :-—

Weight | Weight |
District and Period. of Condition.
Fish. | Ovaries. | |
Loch Fyne—May 10, _ . . | 484°6 1 Immature.
or May 11—Series A, . | 801°6 1 | Immature.
o May 11—Series B,_ . 67] 1 Mature.
x July 29, . : . | 224-2 1 | Immature.
53 Sept. 15, . : . | 84:2 1 | Immature (Ova ‘15-45mm.). |
5 Oct.—Series A, . | GOR? 1 | Immature (Ova ‘28mm.),.
i5 Oct.—Series B, . ah Abts: 1 | Immature (Ova *59mm.).
Nov. 6, 3 ; Sh SO 1 | Almost mature (Ova ‘8-1mm.). |
Helmsdale—Dec. 6, : | 6°3 1 Almost mature (Ova ‘8-1‘2mm.).
Loch Fyne—Dec. 13, . Sale Orc 1 Mature (Ova °9-1-2mm.).
Lochboisdale—Dec. 28— Series A, Nab 1 Spawning.
a Dec. 28— Series B, . | Spent. | Spent. | Spent. |
a Feb. 8, ; 5 3 Spent. |
|

Ratio oF PrRoTEip To Fat IN THE MUSCLES AND OVARIBS RESPECTIVELY :—

District and Period. Muscles.

Ovaries.

Condition.

Proteid : Fat.|Proteid : Fat,

Loch Fyne—May 10, 2°61 : 1
ae May 11—A, 3:00 : 1

55 May 11—B, 5°84 : 1

S July 29, . AS eri

AC Sept. 15, . Ie i 9B al

> Oct.—A, . 0°89 : 1
Oct.—B, . Ly at
INOV..65..7. 183: 1
Heedale— eo, 6, 8:36 : 1
Loch Fyne—Dec. 138, . oleae
Lochboisdale—Dec. 28—A,. S36r sod
= Dec. 28—B, 5 eae a

Ps Feb. 8, . . | 26°64: 1

eons

= | BO w~Imocnen! | |

ow 2 Co mworkoanr
tbo

— | Immature.

— | Immature.

Mature.

Immature.

Immature (Ova ‘15-"45mm.).

Immature (Ova ‘28mm. ).

Immature (Ova ‘59mm. ).

Almost mature (Ova ‘8-lmm.).

Almost mature (probably
about to spawn).

Mature (about to spawn).

Spawning.

Spent.

Spent.

fe |

G

98 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Rario oF TOTAL PROTEID OF MUSCLES TO TOTAL PROTEID

OF OVARIES.

District and Period. asl : oree Condition.
Loch Fyne—May 10, _ . - -

a May 11—A, - -

x May 11—B, - --

re July 29, 243°6 1 Immature,

3 Sept. 15, 61°2 1 Immature (Ova 15 --45mm.).

: Oct.—A, 30°2 1 Immature (Ova ‘28mm. ).

5 Oct.—B, dell 1 Immature (Ova ‘59mm.).

i Noy. 6, dak 1 Almost mature (Ova *8-lmm.).
Helmsdale—Dee. 6, 29 1 Almost mature (Ova ‘8-1‘2mm. ).
Loch Fyne—Dee. 13, 3°3 1 Mature (about to spawn).
Lochboisdale—Dee. 28—A, 4:2 1 Spawning.

a Dec. 28—B, = = Spent.
3 ~ Feb. 8, 57°2 1 Spent.

Ratio of roraL Far or Muscies to Tota Fat or OVARIES.
«4 »

Ol ess SSS

District and Period. sehie ah ; rele Condition.
Loch Fyne—July 29, . » | 1633 1 Immature.

Se Sept. 15, . ; 91 1 Iummature (Ova *15-*45mm.).

a Oct.—A, . j 41°8 1 Immature (Ova ‘28mm.),.

a Oct.—B, . ; 28°4 1 Immature (Ova ‘59mm.),

“ Nov. 6, : . 34 1 Almost mature.
Helmsdale—Dec. 6, ; o 3°43 1 Almost mature (about to spawn).
Loch Fyne—Dee. 13, _. : 12-1 1 Mature
Lochboisdale—Dec. 28—A, 3 il Spawning.

a Reb. Sse ¢ 6°8 1 Spent.

SS ———— ETc Le

| TABLE.

99

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

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of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 101

On looking over these tables, especially the one given on pp. 99,
one is struck by the very marked variations in the composition of the
muscle of the female at different periods during its reproductive life. In
all probability much the same changes occur in the case of the muscles
of the male herring during the growth of the testes, but the data which
are given are insufficient to warrant one in drawing definite conclusions
on this point. :

SuMMARY OF RESULTS.

(1) The tables on pp. 97, 98, show clearly the alteration in the ratio
between the weight of the fish and the weight of the ovaries before,
during, and after spawning, the variations being produced by the
proportionately much greater increase in the ovaries than in the rest of
the fish during the period of maturation.

(2) As the muscles constitute the main source of the nutritive value of
the herring, it is most important to recognise the variations in their
composition. These are most striking, especially as concerns the
percentage of fat, and as this food principle possesses such a high caloric
value, any marked decrease in its amount lowers the nutritive value of
the fish to a serious extent.

The lowest fat percentage which was obtained occurred in the large
spent herrings obtained from Lochboisdale in February last, and the
total amount of fat present in the collective muscles of the average fish
was exceedingly small. The percentage amount of water in these
muscles was higher than normal, but the proteid and P,O; percentages
were but little affected.

The herrings obtained from the same district at the close of December
of last year contained a slightly larger percentage of fat in their muscles,
and of the two series of fish examined those which were spent contained
rather less than those which were spawning.

In the herrings obtained from Helmsdale at the beginning of December,
the fat percentage was but little above that of the Lochboisdale spawning
fish. Some of these herring were evidently just about to spawn, the
ovaries being very large.

The herrings obtained from Loch Gair about the middle of December
show a moderately high percentage of fat, but still markedly lower than
in any Loch Fyne herrings caught during the months of September,
October, and November. The highest percentage of muscle fat was
found in October fish.

In the summer fish from Loch Fyne, where the ovaries were in an
immature condition the fat percentage was usually about that which is
often given as the average for the herring. The fat percentage of the
herring muscles, therefore, continues rising during the three months,
probably, of August, September, and October. It begins to fall slightly
in November, markedly in December, most markedly during spawning
and continues at a low level until the fish begin to feed again.

The variations in the total amount of fat present in the muscles of the
fish are practically the same as those observed in the percentages, except in
cases where the herrings being extremely large—as, for example, the Loch
Gair specimens—the absolute amount of fat present remains high a]lthough
the percentage has commenced to fall. For further details with regard
to the fat percentages the reader is referred to the tables.

The variations in the percentage amounts of proteid are less marked.
It is naturally lowest when the fat percentage is highest unless in cases
where the amount of water in the muscles is below the average when
both proteid and fat may show a fairly high percentage.

102 Part HL—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

(3) The fat percentage of the ovaries is highest, evidently, in the case
of Loch Fyne herrings between the months of July and September. It
is low at the time when the amount in the muscles is high. The absolute
amount of fat in the ovaries per average fish is, of course, highest in the
case of the large November and December fish. With the onset of
spawning the absolute amount of fat begins to fall.

The total amounts of P,O, in the muscles and ovaries are highest
during the months of November and December.

(4) The ratio of muscle proteid to ovarian proteid practically is the
same as that between total weight of fish and total weight of ovaries (see
tables, pp. 97, 98).

(5) The ratios between the muscle proteid and muscle fat, and ovarian
proteid and ovarian fat are shown clearly in the table on p. 97.
The most important ratios are those between the muscle proteid and
muscle fat. Owing to the rise in the fat percentage during September,
October, and November, it gradually approaches that of the proteid, and
in the case of the October A series actually rises above the latter.

(6) The ratio between the muscle fat and ovarian fat is given in the
table on p. 98.

(7) The composite table on p. 100, giving analyses of male muscle
and testes is not sufficiently complete to enable one to draw definite
conclusions from it, except in so far that the male muscle evidently under-
goes the same changes as the female.

In the light of the above facts, it is interesting to compare the principal
feeding times for these herring with the variations in their composition.
Brook and Calderwood (Report on the Food of the Herring, Fourth Annual
Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Edin., 1886, Appendix F. No.
VI., pp. 102-128) state that on the West Coast of Scotland the principal
spawning time is from February to April (e.g., on the Ballantrae coast),
while the principal feeding time is from April to September. The
principal food is copepods, which are taken practically exclusively from
April to June. Towards the end of the feeding time they are practically
replaced by schizopods.

The spawning takes place, just as in the case of the East Coast fish,
six to eight months after the richest feeding.

Heincke (‘‘ Naturgeschichte des Herrings,” p. 48) has shown that the
herring after spawning seeks a place where it can get ample food
to recuperate. For example, the herrings of Schley, after leaving the
spawning beds in June, take three or four months to feed up in Kiel
Bay. In September and October they are fattest, and then begins anew
the development of the reproductive organs, which up to this time was
checked. This takes up the whole autumn and winter, the fish still
taking food, but it is not used for the building up of fat, but for the
development of the genitalia. With the increase in the development of
the genitals, the desire for food diminishes until spawning time arrives,
when no food is taken at all. There are thus three periods in the yearly
life of the Schley herring :—

Ist. The restitution or the feeding period. This continues for 3-4
months after spawning and is the principal feeding time. The
spent thin fish during this period recovers and lays on a large
amount of fat.

2nd. The ripening period. This continues for 6-7 months. The
herring still continues to eat but gradually with less desire, while
the sexual organs increase at the expense of the fat.

3rd. The spawning period. This continues for 2 months, and
during this time feeding stops.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 103

It is possible that for a short time (a month perhaps) after spawning
the herring does not take food.

There are without doubt similar periods during the reproductive life
of herrings from all districts. Heincke’s statements with regard to the
storage and using up of the muscle fat were based on no analytical
evidence.

There are still many points in connection with variations in the
metabolism in herrings during spawning which require to be worked out,
especially the cycle of phosphorus between muscles and ovaries.

Before concluding, I should like to refer to a subject which is at
present attracting a good deal of attention, namely, the nutritive value
of spent herrings.

Statements are made vaguely as to the unwholesome character of the
spent fish. Now, upon what foundation does this rest? Usually upon no
further evidence than the general appearance of the flesh of the fish,
which is undoubtedly poorer in fat than in the maturing herring. But
the nutritive value of the fish does not depend solely upon the fat which
it contains; the percentage of proteid must also be considered, and if the
tables of analyses be consulted, it will be seen that in this respect the
spent fish compare by no means unfavourably with the maturing or
mature fish.

But there is one other point which one must bear in mind, namely,
that in many cases spent fish contain a large percentage of fat in their
muscles, and to illustrate this I include some tables of analyses of fish
caught in Loch Fyne in May and June of this year. In many cases
these were fish which were undoubtedly storing fat after the discharge of
ova had taken place. It is true that this storage of fat does not take
place to any marked extent until three or four months have elapsed since
the last spawning took place, but still the herrings present the appearance,
so far as the genitals are concerned, of spent fish.

Again, the poverty of fat in the muscles of freshly spent herring may
render them more digestible in the case of some individuals at least.

One must also remember that fully mature fish about to spawn are in
much the same condition as freshly spent fish (vide Helmsdale herrings,
December 6), and yet these fish would scarcely be termed unwholesome.

It would have been of extreme value to have had analyses made of
herrings which had left Loch Fyne in January and gone to Kilbrannan
Sound and Campbeltown district; but unfortunately I was unable to
obtain specimens.

I subjoin the analyses to which I have just referred.

Attention may be specially directed to the analyses of the flesh of the
large spent fish of June 2, as these show a comparatively high fat
percentage.

May 16, 1906.
The herrings sent on this date from Ardrishaig were young immature

fish. The genitals of 16 of these herrings weighed only 2:15 grammes,
and the ova were exceedingly small, ‘(05—-08mm.

| TABLE.

104. Part L11.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The following table gives the measurements and weights :—

Length. Girth. Weight.
. | Cm. Cm. | Gm. |
19 8°5 50 |
| 20 9 63
19 9 58
| 19 8:5 42
22 10°5 75
19 9 51 |
20 95 63 |
Lg 8 45 |
21 9:5 | 63
20 y | 57
19 85 | DT
| 20 9 | 55 |
| 20 8:5 | 46
19 8 | 45
19 8°5 50
18 8 38
| Avg. 19°5cm. 88cm. 53gm.

Analyses of the muscles of these herrings :—

(4) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. Fat.
68°14 24°66 3°37
(6) Grammes in the total muscles of the average fish of this series.
Proteid. Fat.
8-72 1-19

May 17, 1906 (Loch Fyne).

These herrings were much larger than those obtained on the previous
day. Female fish were selected, and all were found to be in the spent
condition, although large numbers of small ova (‘08-'3mm.) were present
in the collapsed ovaries. The weight of the ovaries from nine fish was
7°53 grammes.

Measurements, &c., were as follows :—

Length. | Girth. Weight.
Cm Cm. Gm
23 | 115 101
25 12 142
25 11°5 Ly.
: 25 | 11 116
25°5 12 | 127
| 23 | 11°5 97
24°5 12 117
| 25°5 115 133
24°5 | 10 103
Avg. 24:5cem. | 11‘4em. ~ 117gm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 105
Analyses of the muscles of these herring :—

(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.

Water. Proteid. Fat.
74:88 18°76 2°65
(6) Grammes in tots] muscles of the average fish of the series.
Proteid. Fat.
14°63 2°06

May 23, 1906 (Loch Fyne).

The herrings sent on this date varied in character. Some were
undoubtedly spent herring, although large numbers of young ova were to
be found in the ovaries; others were as certainly young immature
herring. Thus a subdivision has been made into two classes.

Series A.
Length. | Girth. Weight. Genitals.
Cm. Cm. Gm. Spent and re-maturing
28 12°5 159 ovaries (ova ‘08-
27 12°5 160 2mm.) ; weight of
26 | 12 125 ovaries from four fish,
25 | 12 122 4°15gm.
Avg. 26°5cm 12cm 141‘5em.
Serizs B
| |
Length. | Girth. Weight. | Genitals,
|
Le LS | ees a 2 Silas ieee
Cm. | Cm. Gin.
23°5 11:5 104 | Very small immature
, 23 | 10°5 89 ovaries (ova ‘06-
22 i 89 Imm.); weight of
23 11 97 | ovaries of eight fish,
225 11° 95 215em.
22 11:5 91 |
20 1] 94
21 10 94 |
Avg. 22cm llem 940m |

Analyses of the muscles of these herrings :—

In the case of these fish additional analyses were made in order to
determine the amount of coagulable proteid present. Throughout this

106 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

paper the numbers given for “ proteid” refer simply to the total nitrogen
calculated as proteid by multiplying the amount of the former by 6°25.

In the case of these herrings a weighed quantity of fresh muscle was
mixed up thoroughly with anhydrous sodium sulphate, the mixture boiled
with alcohol to coagulate the proteid, and then the powder extracted
frequently with boiling distilled water until all the sulphate was removed.
The remainder, consisting of coagulated proteid, was incinerated in the
usual way with sulphuric acid (Kjeldahl) and the nitrogen estimated.
On multiplying the latter by the usual factor the amount of coagulable
proteid was obtained.

(a) Amounts stated in percentages of fresh material.
Series A.—.

Coagulable
Water. Proteid. Proteid. Fat.
70°81 20°67 18-71 534
Series B.—
67°58 19-95 16°13 9°57
(5) Grammes in total muscles of fish.
Coagulable
Proteid. Proteid. Fat.
Series A. . LOA 17°58 5-01
Se ce a V12°56 10°16 6°02

JuNE 2, 1906 (Loch Fyne).

These herrings were large spent fish with young ova in the ovaries.
Females were selected for analysis.

Length. Girth. Weight. Genitals.
Cm. Cm. Gm.
29 14 211 Weight of ovaries
28 18 180 of these sixfish ,
27 13 170 10‘7gm.
26 13 165
26 13 150
26 12 138
Avg. 27cm. 13cm. 169m.
Analyses :—
(a) In percentages of fresh material.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
72°35 17°81 Sela
(+) Grammes in total muscles of fish.
Proteid. Fat.
30:09 15:39

Jung 2, 1906 (Loch Fyne).

Fourteen young immature herrings were obtained on the same day as
the spent fish of the preceding series.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 107

Length. Girth. Weight. Genitals,
Cm. Cm. | Gm.
24 12 109 Weight of geni-|
23 ll 96 tals of these
22 12 103 fish, 3°6gm.
21 11 83
22 11 91
22 10 (00) |
20 10 72 |
21 9 62
22 11 82
21 9 69
19 10 64
19 9 | 56
19 9 50
19 9 50 |
Avg. 2lem. Tem. 109] 76gm. |

Analyses of the muscles :—

(a) In percentages of fresh material.
Water. Proteid. Fat.
63°02 21-06 12°52

(6) Grammes in total muscles of fish.
Proteid. Fat.
10°74 6°38

108 Part II[.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

IV.—REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS AT THE MARINE FISH
HATCHERY, BAY OF NIGG, ABERDEEN, IN 1905. By
Dr. T. Wemyss Fuuron, F.R.S.E., Scientific Superintendent.

(Piates VI., VII.)

Last year, owing to the making of a new road at the Bay of Nigg, it
was desired by the Town Council of Aberdeen, from whom the site of the
hatchery is leased, that the hatchery and some of the buildings in connec-
tion with it should be transferred to an adjacent site and re-erected at their
expense. This was agreed to by the Board, and the hatchery, the boiler
and pump-house, and the store-house were accordingly taken down and
re-built on ground lying to the north of the old site, and contiguous to it.
This alteration involved a re-arrangement of the pipes to a considerable
extent, and the opportunity was taken to effect some improvements which
experience showed was desirable, both in connection with the pipes and
pumping plant, and in connection with the buildings. The Town Council
and the Burgh Surveyor, under whose charge the removal was made, gave
every reasonable facility for these alterations and improvements being
effected, and the hatchery is thus much better adapted for the work than
it was before.

A strong wall of boulders, about two feet in thickness, has been built
with concrete on the seaward face of the new site, so as to protect it from
the action of the sea in storms; and this has been made continuous with
the bulwark of boulders built up after the great storm in February 1900,
which happened in conjunction with spring tides, when the site of the large
spawning pond, then in course of construction, was flooded. Owing to
the somewhat higher level of the ground at part of the new site, that next
the road, it was necessary to excavate it to a small extent in order to keep
the levels the same as formerly. This is required, as the water supplied
to the hatching apparatus comes by gravitation from the storage or
reservoir tank (a, fig. 1, plate VI.), to which it is pumped from the sea.
Strong granite retaining walls have been built around the reservoir, and
between it and the new site.

The establishment consists, in addition to the laboratory (showy at a
in fig. 2, pl. VI.), of (1) a spawning pond, (2) a reservoir or storage tank,
(3) the hatching-house, (4) boiler and pump-house, (5) a tank-house,
(6) storehouse, and it may be desirable to give a brief description of the
arrangements as they now exist.

The spawning pond (fig. 2, pl. VI.), which was the most costly part of
the establishment, consists of a large concrete tank or pond sunk in the
ground in order that it may be filled and emptied, according to the state
of the tide, without pumping being required. The levels were arranged
so that at high water of ordinary neap tides an average depth of four feet
might be obtained in the pond. The tank is 90 feet in length by 35 feet
in width, and has an average depth of 73 feet, the bottom sloping to one
end, where the depth is 10 feet; it is capable of holding about 160,000
gallons of sea water. The water is admitted from the beach by an inflow
pipe 12 inches in diameter; the portion of this going through the
embankment separating the pond from the beach is of iron, the remainder,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 109

on the beach itself, being of fireclay pipes, which have answered very well,
and have only given rise to trouble on one occasion, in the course of last
spring, when a section had to be renewed. The end of the inflow consists
of a length of an iron pipe, terminated by an upturned part, raised about
two feet from the bottom, and covered with a large shield of wire-netting.
Tnis arrangement is to prevent the access of sand, debris, and weeds as far
as possible. The outflowing water escapes by a flap-valve at the end of
the pipe, beneath the up-turned portion, and on the same level as the rest
of the pipe.

The water on entering goes into a small compartment of the pond called
the filter chamber. Here it passes up through wire-netting, which may
be of any dimension of mesh, and, if necessary, through filtering material
There are two slide-valves, one controlling the connection of the filtering
chamber with the sea and the other the connection between the chamber
and the pond. The water may be admitted direct to the pond, or it may
be pumped from the filter chamber to the reservoir tank.

The latter (a, fig. 1, pl. VI.) is built of concrete on a natural mound
lying between the new site and the spawning pond. It is a strong tank,
29 feet long, 7 feet high, and 20 feet in breadth, and capable of holding
15,570 gallons of water, It is from it that the supply to the hatching
apparatus and to the tanks in connection with the laboratory is obtained
during the night. It can be filled by the pumps in about two hours and
a quarter. A pipe, carried through the concrete wall at the bottom,
leads the water to the hatchery; another carries a supply to the tank-house
for laboratory work, and another allows it to pass into the spawning pond.
The pipe going to the tank-house is shown in fig. 2, pl. VI., at e, and the
pipe entering the pond is on the left of the letter e, and close to it. The
water from the reservoir may be filtered or unfiltered; the iron pipe
which passes through the wall of the tank is connected with a flexible
hose, the end of which enters a floating box, so arranged that the supply
is drawn from the surface, where there is less matter in suspension, and
through flannel or other material.

The hatching-house, as now arranged, measures 493 feet in length by
24 feet in breadth, part of it being 28 feet wide. The height of the
building is 18 feet; it is lighted by 16 windows, and is painted inside in
light tints, the walls being pale green and"the ceiling white (fig. 1, pl. VII.).

Two material improvements were made in the re-erection of the build-
ing. A concrete floor, suitably sloped, replaces the previous wooden floor,
and is a great advantage, since the water which is spilled over the floor
when the work is going on now flows away into convenient gutters, which
are connected with the drain going to the beach. The hatchery is much
drier now, and the appearance improved. A large sink, supplied with
fresh or sea water, has been erected in the middle of the floor for washing
hatching boxes, &c. The other chief improvement consisted in taking in
the filtering apparatus, which were previously outside, and this was effected
by extending the walls and roof, the gable being put further out. For the
“tumbling-boxes,” which impart automatically a certain movement to the
hatching boxes, two brick chambers have been built below the concrete
floor, each 4 feet 4 inches by 4 feet 8 inches, and 34 feet in depth. One
is in connection with the waste water from each side of the hatchery, that
is, the water which leaves the hatching boxes and is carried to the pond.

The filters consist of one large box, 8 feet by 4 feet and by 2 feet deep,
and several smaller boxes, which receive the water from the larger one.
All these are fitted with filters of flannel or blanketing, on frames covered
with wire-netting and made tight by rubber bands; all the water which
comes from the reservoir must pass up through them by pressure, and it

110 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

then passes on to the hatching apparatus. These are 22 in numuer, and
are of the Dannevig pattern. They are shown in fig. 1, pl. VII., which isa
view of the inside of one end of the hatchery. The apparatus on each
side are supplied by separate pipes.

The pump-house is contiguous to the hatchery room, and opens into it,
It is provided with three Worthington direct-acting steam pumps, specially
made for use with sea water, and brass lined. They are shown in fig. 2,
pl. VII. They are so fitted up that any one of them, or all together, can
be used to pump water from the filter-chamber, either to the reservoir or
to the pond; there are two suction pipes, one for the large pump and one
for the two smaller pumps. Steam is supplied by an upright donkey
boiler, with two tubes, which is fitted with an injector and pump, but the
town water supply can be used direct, the working pressure being usually
40lbs. The pump-house measures 18 feet 10 inches by 15 feet; its
position is shown at 0 in fig. 1, pl. VI.

The tank-house, which is used in connection with the scientific
researches at the laboratory, is built partly over one end of the large
spawning pond (fig. 2 ¢, pl. WI.), and there is a platform along this side
over the pond. It is provided with six concrete tanks, four of which
have plate glass in front and back, and the other two plate-glass fronts
only. The latter are 6 feet 4 inches long, 4 feet 3 inches deep, and 34 feet
high ; the others are 54 feet in length, the other dimensions being the same
as in the larger tanks. These tanks may also be used for experiments with
fresh-water fishes if desired, fresh water pipes being fitted up to them. A
bench runs along one side and one end of the tank-house, provided with
a central leaden gutter, and suitably sloped, an< pipes are carried over it
to supply either sea water or fresh water to small tanks aad dishes.

The various operations in connection with the work at the hatchery
have been described in previous reports. Here it may be enough to say
that the adult living plaice, from which the spawn is procured, are kept
in the large spawning pond from year to year, their food consisting chiefly
of mussels. The plaice which die are removed from the pond as soon as
observed, and a fresh stock to replace those lost in this way is obtained
each autumn by sending the attendant out on trawlers working inshore,
who brings them in in tubs through which a current of water is
maintained.

When spawning begins, the eggs float in the water of the spawning
pond, from which they are removed by a large net of mosquito netting,
which is towed around the pond for an hour or so each day as a rule.

The eggs are then transferred to the hatching boxes, which receive a
supply, as copious as possible, of clean filtered sea water, until hatching
occurs ; and when the larve have nearly, but not quite, absorbed the
yolk they are transferred to the sea in suitable localities.

The cost of the hatching work is small. The scientific investigations
carried on at the laboratory require that water should be pumped regularly
to supply the tanks, dishes, and apparatus in the tank-house, and some-
times in the hatching room, and the only additional expense incurred in
connection with the hatching work is for extra coal while the work is
going on, for the assistance of a boy to help the attendant during the
busiest weeks, and for the hire of boats to put out the fry. The total
cost is estimated at under £100.

The hatchery has been of great advantage in connection with the
demonstrations to fishermen from the coast of Scotland, who come each
spring to the laboratory for this purpose, It forms a great attraction to
them, and enables them to form useful conceptions as to what goes on
naturally in the sea with respect to the reproduction of-fishes, as well as
furnishing them with specimens for the study of their development. As

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 111

mentioned below, four delegations of fishermen attended these demons-
trations in the course of last spring.

During the season last year the eggs of the plaice were first discovered
floating in the pond on 20th January, which is about the ordinary time
when they first occur. Examination of the water some days earlier failed
to reveal their presence, and only a few hundreds were obtained on the
20th. The number gradually increased up to about the middle of March,
and after that declined, the last collection, of a few hundreds of eggs, being
made on the 16th May.

The duration of the spawning in the pond was therefore about 117
days, which may be taken as approximately the period in the sea. The
total number of eggs obtained was estimated at 40,110,000. The greater
number were collected in March ; the collections in February and April
were nearly equal in quantity to one another; while in January and May
comparatively few were obtained. The figures showing the quantity for
each of the months, and the percentages in each month for the last three
years, are as follows :—

Number Percentages.
Collected.
1903 1904 1905 Mean.
January, - - | 1,080,000 0°3 16 2°6 1e
February, - - | 9,242,000 18:0 | 2671 23°0 22°3
March, - - | 19,475,000 56°2 55-7 48°5 53°5
April, - - - | 9,481,000 24:1 | 16°4 23°5 21°3
|
May, - - 882,000 1:3 | me 2°2 i2

In two Tables which are included in this paper, the particulars are
given from day to day of the number of eggs collected and the tempera-
ture and specific gravity of the water in the pond, in the hatchery, and
on the beach, and of the quantities of fry which were placed in the sea.

It will be seen that the temperature of the water in the pond when the
eggs were first obtained was about 3°5°C. (33°8°F.); that it remained low
to about the end of March, and that towards the end of the spawning it
had risen to 10°C. (50°F.) and over it, the highest reading being on 15th
and 19th May, when the temperature was 10°6°C. (51°1°F-.),

During the season trouble was occasionally caused by the filters, and
the death-rate was larger than usual. The number of dead eggs (including,
however, the shells of the eggs which had hatched), amounted to about
15,790,000, which gives a rate of 39 per cent. The estimated number of
fry put out into the sea, as given in Table II (p. 115) may be stated at
24,500,000, when allowance is made for the shells of the eggs and the
debris contained in the boxes.

Most of the fry were put out off Aberdeen in March, April, and May,
the first lot on the 8th of March, anid the last on the 23rd May. One
lot, by the request of the fishermen of the district, was taken to St,
Combs, further up the coast, on the 24th of April. The fry in this lot
were estimated to number about 3,517,000, which were dispatched by
rail under the charge of the attendant, the water in which they were
placed having been previously cooled to a temperature of 1°5°C. (34°7°F.)
to obviate risks in carriage. The number of adult plaice found in the
pond, when it was cleaned out after the hatching season was over, was 282,

and a fair number of dead fish and the remains of some others were
removed.

112 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Taste I.—Showing the Daily Progress at the Hatchery, and the
Temperature and Specific Gravity of the Water.

Eggs Regs In Pond. In Hatchery. On Beach.
Date. 1 ae Dinsd! j ic ee ) | | ne
Heiaiac Temp. | Sp. Gr. | Temp. | Sp. Gr. | Temp. | Sp. Gr.
at
January J 5:2 27°2 5:9 27°2

% 2 4-8 | 27-2 5:6 | 27-2
‘ 3 50 | 27-6 67 )| (EKO
‘ 4 52 | 27-5 67 | 27:4
* 5° 5:3 | 27:4 6:4 |. 27-6
" 6 53 | 27-4 6:3 | 27-5
i 7 oe 277 48 | 27-6
Ms 9 4:7 | | 27°6 | 60 | 27-6
55 10 AS | 27:9 i ds

rH 47 | 27-9 | 68 | 27:7
12 | 4:2 | 27-6
AB al 3:6 | 27:9
14 | 3:8 | 27:9

15 | =
16 z 2°38 | 28-0 52 | 27-2

17 ae 30 | 27:9 57 | 27-5
‘ 18 | i 33 | 27-6 7 ee
i 19 re es 34 | 27:7 51 | 277

; A few |) wa oy af
‘ 20 J Serarcalit Son inca eres 52 | 27-7
x Se ea 40 | 275 | 58 | 275
22 | 40,000 | ey Gall ae: se
i 23 | 40,000. 36°. 27°38 52 | 27-6
3 24 | 40,000 4-4 | 27-7 | Bl | 27-4
is 25 | 80,000 | 4:1 | 27°8 | 49 | 27°3
3 26 | 160,000 | 36 | 27:8 LB as
# 27 | 160,000]... BF | QT 4:2 | 927-4
; Dee MOOD eee |. AZ O77 | - ve
i. 30 | 320,000 49 | 27-9 | 58 | 26-9
- 31 | 160,060 4:2 | 27-7 Pe 27°5

February 1 | 200,000 | 3:9 | 27°7 4-4 | 27:8 40 | 276

33 2 | 120,000 33 | 27:8 3:7 | 27-6 39 | 27-8
* 3 | 320,000 30 | 27°9 OF 2) Be 4-4 | 27-7
is 4 | 180,000 32 oll 1978 4°77 | 27:6 56 | 27-8
a 5 =. Pew he bh es: a Ate 2 Ree
if 6 | 200,000 4:8 | 27-6 60 | 27:8 + es
se 7 | 820,000 42 | 276 4-8) | B77 50 | 27°5
4 8 | 160,000 40 | 27°6 4:4 | 27-7 4:2 | 27-5
in 9 | 200,000 49 | 27:5 54 | 27-6 52 | 27-4
s 10 | 280,000 4-4 | 27:5 50 | 27-6 52 | 275
_ 11 | 200,000 3:2 | 27-6 2:8 | 27°7 40 | 27°77
ss 13. | 200,000 < i & be: wk
i 14 | 580,000 3-4 | 27°8 BT | 7272 is
f 15 | 480,000 3:8 | 27:6 56 | 27:3 56 | 267
x 16 | 280,000]... 4-4 | 27-6 61 | 973 se es:
ia 17 | 580,000 |1,098,000 4:2 | 27:7 51 | 27:6 4:9 | 27°8
8 18 | 336,000]... 4:8 | 27-9 62 | 27-5 5:8 | 27°8
% 20 | 732,000 3:3 | 278 2:8 | 27:8
i 21 | 904,000 EN haliesB: BD alee icy 42 | 27-1
‘s 22. | 237,000 34 | 27-5 35 | 27:4 bes
as 23 | 237,000 35 | 27°6 3:4 | 27.7
ie 24 | 430,000 3°6 | 27-6 39 | 27°83

ooo]

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. ibe

TABLE I.—continued.

In Pond. In Hatchery. On Beach.

Eggs
| Date. Col- | H88s a
: lected. Temp. Sp. Gr.| Temp. | Sp. Gr. | Temp. | Sp. Gr. |
February 25 | 560,000 37 | 276 45 | 973
27 | 646,000 /1,163,000| 36 | 275 4:6 | 27°3
- 28 |860,000|° ... 36 | 27-7 4:8 | 97-4
March —-1-_—*(| 603,000... 41 | 27:3 50 | 27-0 52 | 243
- 2 | 495,000 41 | 27-2 4-8 | 26-8 51 | 7-1
x 3 | 474,000 3:8 | 272 3:8 | 27-2 4:6 | 27-5
- 4 | 689,000 43 | 270 47 | Q7- 50 | 277
|
+ 6 | 947,000 ty nee - y yi
3 7 1,034,000]... 43 | 27:3 46 | 27-4 51 | 27°6
% 8 | 560,000 |1,077,000, 4:2 97-4 4:8 | 27:3 52 | 27-6
4 9 | 560,000]... 33 | 97-3 4-4 | 97-4 4:8 | 27-2
a 10 | 517,000 38 | 27-5 42 | 27-4 piss ie ese
ul i a re rs |
es 12 = eee x ws
e 13 [1,679,000] |. 46 | 27-2 49 | 97-9
x 14 | 603,000]... 50 | 27-2 56 | 27-2
15 | 689,000]... Bl | 27-1 56 | 27-6
Es 16 | 711,000 {1,391,000 | is
i 17 |1,301,000| 56 7-2 5:8 | 27°6 56 7k
= 18 560,000 . ae < % . es
‘ 20 |1,077,000| |. 54 | oe | b7 | oa | be | 273
| .
a 21 | 646,000]... BG. Oe 7a | 92h? 56 | 27°6
22 | 648,000 /1,890,000, 60 | 273 62 | 27-4 5:8 | 27-6
% 93 |904,000| 62 | 27-4 62 | 27-4 59 | 27-4
‘ 24 |646,000| 59 | 273 5:8 | 27-5 59 | 26-5
d Dero wOd | RUC | ies | Aes Bi 0
26 se - are
PETG OUGie seed Oil |S: ik ¥ Lael
bs 28 | 517,000 1,785,000, .. - gh eis
a 29 | 474,000| _... i _ rs %
3 30 | 947,000] .. SEW is x
} 31 | 646,000 66 | 272 66 | 27-4
April 1 | 782,000 62 | 27-2 59 | 27-6 |
if 3 | 947,000 |2,088,000 65 | 272 67 | 276 | 67 | 27
is 4 | 689,000}... 71 | O75 74 | 97-4 g 27°3
‘ 5 | 517,000 68 | 27-3 6-4 | 27-4
apes 6 | 646,000 58 | 273 56 | 275 54 | 27 |
iz 7 |560,000| ... 52 | O74 54 | 87-4 4:6 | 26-7
8 | 474,000] ... i “i ony Ce : :
10 | 603,000 4:9 | 27°56 5:6 | 7-4 64 | 27-4
11 | 517,000 | 5°5 27:3 5-7 269 | 6-2 27°5
12 |301,000| ... 58 O74 64 | 269 | 64 | 973
hae 13 is a 60 | 271 6-4 | 265 |... uy
= 14 517,000 2,303,000, 63 | 27-1 65 | 26-9
: 16 “a see ave eee . eee |
_ 17 | 517,000 62 | 26-9 6-2 | 26-8 62 | 266
. 18 | 474,000 60 27-0 59 | 27-1 61 | 270
19 | 215,000 64 | 265 66 | 26-1 64 | 261
: 20 |258,000| ... | 65 266 67 | 261 68 | 26-4
|“. Ge 21 |215,000| ... | 62 | 967 | 5:8 | 265 62 | 26-4
: 22 | 215,000 | 65 | 26-4 | 61 | 26% 66 | 266

114. Part L1]—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TABLE I1.—continued.

| | In Pond. In Hatchery. On Beach.
| Eggs | foes
Date. Col- 8s -
lected Dead.
| a Temp. | Sp. Gr. | Temp. |Sp. Gr. | Temp. | Sp. Gr.
April 23 : vl Se oe ob oe
i 24 6-4 | 26:8 63 | 26°8 . me
: 25 65, | aay 68 | 266 65 | 27-4
. 26 | 67 26°6 66 | 26:9 8:9" “| ager
x 27 | 259,000 71 | 266 77 | 268 ; +
. DS = |.172;000 var det FB. | * 2658 76 | 26:9 72 | 2a7
;, 29 | 258,000]... 77 269 7‘4 26:7 69 | 265
= 30 |... [2,195,000 ne te ri
May 1 108,000 eo) ao 76 | 25:3 76. | 25°8
: Die bs. 80 | 26:3 74 | 26:8 74 | 265
As 3 | 258,000 82 | 26:3 Sy i Cars 8-2 | 263
o Ane Ae 8-4 | 26:5 82 | 26°8 70 | 26:9
i 5 | 260,000 84 | 26:7 9:2 | 26-9 8:0 || 272
3 6 | 85,000 88 | 26:8 9-4 | 27-0 84 | 27a
‘ 8 | 85,000 96 | 264 96 | 26:1 82° | - 2 7a8
é: 9 Ws 96 | 26:8 9703) tray he oi
#5 10 98 | 26:7 9:8 | 27:1 8-4 1 re
ie 11 | 86,000 |1.301,000] 10-4 | 266 10-2 | 268 9:0 | 27:3
22 12 <e ne 10:2 | 26:7 96 | 26-4 9:2 | #27a
53 14 A if
i 15 106 | 26-9 9:8 | 27-0 9:3 | 7 27a
~f{| A few |) ; are i : .
4 16 nnndeea tt 9°8 97-2 106 | 266 98 | 27-1
5 17 | 9:8 2729 10-08 aan 9:5 | O74
is 18 10-4 | 26:4 10:0 | 26°8 95 | 26°3
19 10°6 | 26°5 110 | 266 92 | 26:9
as 20 | 103 | 26°8 10:2 | 26-9 92 | 26:3
Totals, 40,110,000 15,791,000
{

During the spring just passed, delegations of fishermen from Elginshire,
Caithness, Argyle, and Bute and Arran attended the demonstrations at
the hatchery, and expressed themselves as pleased and instructed by what
they learnt. Iam indebted to Dr. Williamson for taking the photographs
which are reproduced in the accompanying plates.

[ TABLE.

F. B. REPORT, 1906,

PLATE

*

OMT

fk he

eae Nes Bit

—

Vi.

y 1) ya yoMtey , : ie i
ie ape i:
hake: ie : 7 i ;
J el
7 7 : Aa ee
>
Wee, |
‘ : DL) r a

PLATE VII:

F, B. REPORT, 1906,

Fig.

TABLE

Date.

8th Mar.
20ihes,,

29th’) ,,
5th April
24th ,,
4th May
10th ,,
23rd_,,

Hig. 1.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 115

I].—Showing Particulars in connection with the Distribution of the Fry.
Ps
B Surface Water. Estimated
a Ss number
Locality. a ra Weather. of fry
a 8 | Specific |T'emper- put out.
= 4Gravity.| ature.
F, Til a
About 4-mile off Bay
of Nigg, - -| 14 | 41:4] 26:2 40°6 a. 1,055,000
Two miles East of
mouth of Don -} 17 | 41°7 | 27-4 42°8 | Overcast, 2,930,000
Off Girdleness, - - Gh 42°4 | 27:6 45:1 Sunshine, | 3,518,000
Off Girdleness, - - 7% | 42°1 | 27-2 40°83 | N.-W.wind,} 2,931,000
snow,
Off St: Combs; - =) =. EA ee ae Pre 3,517,000
Off mouth of Don, -| 12 | 45°3 | 26:9 48°9 at 2,344,000
Off mouth of Don, -| 10 | 44:8 | 27-4 51°8 aad 4,689,000
Off Girdleness, - -| 13 | 47:1 | 27:0 50°9 Aa 3,516,000
24,500,000

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

PLATE VI.

View of the outside of the Hatchery from the landward side. (a) Storage
tank or reservoir ; (>) corner of pump-house; (c) store-house.

View of the large spawning pond and laboratory. (a) Laboratory ;
(b) valve ; (c) tank-house ; (d) marks the place where the inflow pipe
enters ; (e) pipe supplying the tank-house.

PLATE VII.

View of the inside of the hatching room, showing the hatching apparatus
on each side.
View of the sea-water pumps and their connections.

116 Part IIT.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

V.—ON THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS OF GADUS LUSCUS,
GADUS MINUTUS, and GADUS ESMARKII.

By H. Cuartes Wititamson, M.A., D. Sc., Marine Laboratory,
Aberdeen.

(Plates VIIT.-X.)

CONTENTS.

PAGE.
Introduction, - = : = d E 116
List of Body- amencione, - - - - - 5 119
List of Enumeration- Char acters, - : : < : 121
Discussion of the Averages, - - > = - 12]
The Numbers of Fin-rays, - - = - - = 124
The Numbers of Ver tebrae, - - - - - 129
The Reproduction of the Three Species, - - - - 130
The Skulls of the Three Species, - - 5 - - 131
A Discussion of the Species, - - - - : 133
A Specific Description, - - - - : - 135
The Diagnosis of a Species, - . - - - 136
General Appear ance of the ‘I'hree Species, - - - 136
Key, - ; - - - 138
Literature, - - - - - - - : 139
List of Tables, - - - - - 141
Tables, = . - - - - - 142 158

INTRODUCTION.

The present research is a continuation of the paper contributed to the
Twentieth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Part II1.,
entitled, ‘“ A comparison between the cod (Gadus callarias), the saithe
(Gadus virens), and the lythe (Gadus pollachius) in respect to certain
external and osteological characters.” In that paper a beginning was
made with the review of the species of the genus Gadus. In several
instances the accepted specific descriptions are unsatisfactory ; so much so
is this the case that difficulty is experienced in separating certain species.
A certain amount of confusion has existed in the diagnosis of G. luscus
and G. minutus ; and the third species, G. esmarkiz, which has, through
Dr. Fulton’s trawling experiments, been shown to be common in Scottish
waters, might in its smaller stages be mistaken for a young minutus. The
three species under review are the three smallest species of the genus;
in the former paper the three largest members were dealt with. A
systematic study of the three forms has become necessary in order to
definitely fix the specific characters, It is very seldom that a single
member of a species will exhibit all the distinguishing characters well.
it has thus been necessary to examine a considerable number of specimens
of each species. The main purpose is to arrive at an accurate and suitable
specific description, and with this end in view, both the characters in
which they agree, as well as those wherein they differ, must be studied.
A minute comparison is therefore instituted between the three forms, and
by the method which was adopted in the previous research, The method
has been to make a number of measurements on the body of the fish, in
order to determine the comparative magnitude of corresponding distances

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 117

on specimens of each species, and also to determine to what extent the
dimensions vary in the same species. The number of fin-rays in the
unpaired fins and the number of vertebrae formed the basis of comparison.
In the selection of the measurements a wide choice exists. It is
important to have measurements and characters in which the different
forms agree accurately defined. Such characters should not be included
in the ‘specific description ; they belong to the sub-genus. The intro-
duction into a specific description of the relation between the sizes of
two characters, both of which do not lend themselves to accurate defini-
tion, should be avoided.

There are certain characters selected, to which one is guided by the
general appearance of the fish. A glance at the forms when compared
side by side will often indicate possible specific differences. These points
of difference sometimes vanish when a number of fishes have been
examined ; they may be found to be peculiar, individual, and not specific.
Many and varied characters may be from time to time adopted, to be
dropped again on account of the difficulty of suitably measuring the
quantities.

Most of the measurements which were made will be discussed in
detail. The values of such characters for specific distinction is in that
way determined.

All the measurements have been expressed in terms of the length of
the fish.

Tue Fisues EXAMINED.

All the fishes which have been studied for the purpose of this
research were obtained in the North Sea, with the exception of 4 speci-
mens of Gadus minutus which were kindly sent from Plymouth* by Dr.
H. M. Kyle. The specimens of luscws and minutus were got chiefly in
the neighbourhood of Aberdeen. The G. esmarkit were obtained during
Dr, Fulton’s trawling investigations in the North Sea. Some were
obtained off Aberdeen and in the Moray Firth, others were captured in
the vicinity of the Shetland Islands. The esmarkii were got in the
small-meshed cod-end with which the ordinary trawl was covered. The
luscus and minutus were taken in the ordinary trawl.

Tuscus and nuinutus are often confused, and are known collectively
under the names “ Brassies,” “ Miller’s Thooms,” “ Skelchies,” “ Davies,”
etc. They were obtained on or near hard ground within a radius of 25
miles from Aberdeen. Luscus was obtained on one occasion in quantity
at a point 6 miles E.8.E. of Cruden Scaurs, Aberdeenshire. Out of 38
brassies, 36 were luscus and 2 minutus. Usually only an odd example
of Juscus was obtained among frequent little lots of minutus, Luscus and
minutus are frequently got on the haddock lines, but only in small
numbers. On 11th June, 1906, one luscus, and fow minutus were
caught on a haddock line near Aberdeen.

In the following Table are set out the various points at which Juscus
and minutus appeared among the fishes taken in the trawl of the s.s.
“ Fifeness,” Aberdeen, during the spring of 1905.

*'These were 4 females measuring 11, 11°3, 11°4 and 16’6em. respectively.

| TABLE.

118 Part II. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Locality. Date. | Luscus. | Minutus.

Vicinity of Aberdeen _... December 16, 1904, 1 2
14 Miles E. by N. of Aberdeen.. A Pale oe 1 4
14 Miles E, by 8. A 4, January 11, 1905, 3 4
16 Miles S8.E. ft he ae 5 ees ay 2
41 Miles 8.E. ee oe i ie 1 17
10 Miles off Aberdeen... pi ‘ 1 ae 2 1
43-10 Miles S.E. of Aberdeen ... se Pallinc ene 3 6
6 Miles K.8.E. of Cruden pees

Aberdeenshire $3 a BN Ee 36 2
20 Miles S.E. of Aberdeen ty. i Dien, 1 35
2t Miles K. by S. of Aberdeen... February 3, ,, 1} 14
6 Miles E. of Aberdeen ... Wee ap lel aaa 6 3
20-25 Miles 8.E. of Aberdeen ... 5 NOSE. a, 67
21 Miles E.S.E. of Aberdeen,

41-50 fms. 35% ae ae March Dinan 2 18
Vicinity of Aberdeen... ie us 4 ge ee Ma 27

ne a a Le oiler is ae 25

ee be oe: Me May leis Ss ae 29

5 eS 5 es i SaTPALS E> 1 2)

A proportion of the above specimens of /uscus and minutus species was
examined fresh ; the majority were, however, examined some time after
being preserved in formaline solution—a 24 per cent. solution of formaline
in fresh water.

All the specimens of esmarkii, with three exceptions, had been pre-
served from two to five years, in formaline solution mainly; some were
preserved in alcohol.

The following are localities whence came some of the specimens of
esmarkii which were examined :—

Number of
Locality. Date. Specimens
of Hsmarkii.

ai Firth—off Dunbeath oe October 10, 1900 9
», Deep Hole, off Kin-

“naird Head... ; July 4, 1901 10
Moray Firth . ty nie a February 7, 1905 1
Off Aberdeen, 65 fms. a ste June 28, 1901 a
21 Miles E.S. E. of Aberdeen “oe March 9, 1905 2
Between Orkney and Shetland Is. October, 1900 17

The sizes aud sex of all the fishes examined are shown in the following
Table :—

fee ABLE.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 119

| |
| G, Esmarkii. | G, Minutus. | G. Luscus. Total at Each Size.
I ato]! ay orn Paes hl ti
Cm. ‘ hee | | .
Sex. | | Sex. | Sex.
he

eee ar Pep eT EUR oP soe

Esmarkit
Minutus

| Luscus

bo or
=a

_
oo
RPP tOlie: :
a
wwad
On

a
ba |
—
—
oP Ie |
Fe at) MM i ge 0 Se nie
r=
to
cS

i So)
oOo
EWE OR OOOO aI COs CO ihtion ass ier tama: ey ae
aw
ow
bo
of latin Senate
r
“It:
os
H

TORR:
4
~

bo
“I
(J)
Coe NIOIbo1:
_
Ww
—

DWNwmwwONs

sc Oca
> SOD NNN OUP COCOA:

> ee bponp: :

Some ea OPI Seem A NPAT AI Ola me 7) 9 aay |ag8. *| 8

THE Bopy DIMENSIONS.

The comparison between the three species is instituted then by means
of the following body dimensions :—

Tue Grrr is measured by means of a thread passed round the fish at
three points :—(1) Pectoral Girth—in the axilla close to the base of the
pectoral fin. (2) Girth at anus—at the level of the anus. (3) Girth at
the root of the tail—at the thinnest part of the caudal peduncle, z.e., the
part of the tail extending between the end of the third dorsal fin and the
beginning of the caudal fin.

Dorso-VENTRAL HetcHt or Bopy.—This dimension was measured by
callipers. For the pectoral height the point of the callipers was put
between the bases of the ventral fins, while the other point was made to
touch a point in the dorsal line, immediately above. The callipers were
made to touch the parts lightly. The other two points were at the level
of the anus and on the root of the tail, at the narrowest part.

DIAMETER OF THE EyE.—The diameter of the eye was the horizontal
diameter of the orbit.

INTERORBITAL Space.—The interorbital space is the distance on the
dorsal surface of the head between the orbits.

GREATEST LENGTH OF THE VENTRAL, PectoraL, AND First Dorsai
Fins, —The fin was measured from the base of the first ray, 7.e., in the

120 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

case of the ventral and pectoral fins the most dorsal ray—ain the case of
the first dorsal fin, the most anterior ray—to the tip of the longest ray.

HeIcutT or THE LATERAL LINE ABOVE THE LaTERAL Axis.—The lateral
axis is here taken as coinciding with the straight posterior part of the
lateral line. This line was continued by a thread on the measuring board
along the fish, and the interval between it and the lateral line was
measured at two points—viz., at the level of the anus and at the level of
the base of the pectoral fin. In duscus, in place of the measurement at
the pectoral fin, which is very close to the anus, a new point at the
* middle of the first dorsal fin was chosen.

LenctH oF THE Rami or Tari-Fin.—That is, the distance from the
base of the first fin-rays of the caudal fin on the dorsal or ventral line of
the body to the tip of the ramus of the tail.

THE SPREAD OF THE Tatt.—The greatest breadth of the tail-fin. For
the purpose of this measurement it is not spread out to its fullest extent,
but is allowed to fall on the table.

LrenetH or THE CaupaL Prepuncie: dorsal.—The part of the dorsal
edge between the end of the third dorsal fin and the beginning of the
caudal fin.

GREATEST HeiGHT oF THE UNpaAIRED Fins.—The fin is stretched out,
and its greatest breadth is measured, 7.e., between the base and the highest
point vertically above the base. This is a character which it is often im-
possible to get, owing to the fact that in trawled fish the fins are usually
frayed or broken.

The above measurements of the eye, interorbital space, of the fins, and
of the height of the lateral line were made by means of dividers.

THE Distance oF DIFFERENT POINTS FROM THE ANTERIOR TIP OF THE
Fisu.—The anterior tip of the fish is in J/usews and minutus the tip of the
upper jaw, in esmarkii the tip of the lower jaw. The distance of each
point was measured as projected on the lateral axis. The lateral axis is
the line joining the anterior tip to the middle rays of the tail-fin.

These points are :—

Anterior edge of the orbit (for the length of the snout).

The base of the first fin-ray of the ventral fin.

The base of the first fin-ray of the pectoral fin.

The opercular cleft.

The hindmost part of the edge of the operculum.

The anus.

Beginning and end of each of the unpaired fins.

Beginning of the caudal fin, dorsal and ventral.

Tip of the ramus of tail, dorsal and ventral.

Point where the lateral line begins to rise up off the horizontal—the
anterior end of the straight part of the lateral line.

The beginnings of the fins were marked by means of pins inserted at
the base of the first ray. A pin inserted in the anus was taken as the
position of the anus. A pin lying in the opercular cleft indicated that
oint.

For the purpose of these measurements a measuring board, similar to
that which was used during the research on the ‘‘ Mackerel of the East
and West Coasts of Scotland” (Highteenth Annual Report of the
Fishery Board for Scotland, Part III, p. 295), was employed. The
measurements made on the soft body of the fish are not such as permit of
exact determination, and probably the errors due to the want of rigidity is
greater in small fish than in large specimens. There is, however,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 121

vreater accuracy to be obtained on the whole by making the measure-
ments on such a board as described in the 18th Report, than by merely
stepping off the distances on the fish with a pair of dividers. If the fish
are in good condition, in both methods greater accuracy will be obtain-
able than in specially soft specimens.

The measurements were made in centimetres.

The Measurements Represented as Percentages of one Common
Standard.—All the body dimensions were converted into percentages of
one standard, viz., the length of the fish.

THe LenerH or tHE Fis is the distance from the anterior tip
(premaxilla or mandible, as the case may be) to the end of the middle
rays of the tail fin.

The fishes of each species have been arranged in centimetre groups.
The average of the percentages of the length of the fish which each body
dimension was found to represent was calculated for the fishes of each
size. They have been arranged in Tables VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII.
Alongside each average is added in brackets the number of fishes on
which the average is based.

The average percentage for each character has then been calculated in
ali the fishes of each species in which the character was noted. The
number of characters examined in each specimen varied very much;
while in some all the characters were noted, in others one or two
characters were measured.

Enumeration- Characters.

THe Number or Rays iy THE Unpatrgp Frns.—The enumeration
of the fin-rays is rendered difficult from the fact that we are dealing with
small fishes. he last rays in the fins with the exception of the first
dorsal are minute. The first rays of the first anal fin are sometimes
liable to be missed on account of their very small size.

In a few cases the number of rays in the paired fins and the caudal fin
was counted.

Tue Number or VerTEBR#.—The number of vertebree was counted
after the fish had been boiled. The posterior vertebre are very small ;
the backbone tapers down to a fine extremity. The vertebre are not so
easily counted in preserved fishes as in fresh specimens, A fish that has
been preserved in formaline solution, when boiled, usually becomes
distorted. This is due to unequal shrinkage : the skin i is much affected
in this respect, becoming very tough. The vertebra bearing the ural
elements is counted as the last vertebra.

THE Number oF THE VERTEBRA BEARING THE First H#MAL
ArcH.—This character was noted in a number of instances.

DiscussioN OF THE Bopy DIMENSIONS.

The averages taken along with the range of variation of the character
gives a more or less partial view of the species, By a comparison
between the species we shall be able to see in how far any of these
dimensions is of specific value. If we find that the ranges of variation
in two species overlap for any one character, that character cannot be
regarded as of primary rank in a specific description. In a dimension of
which the ranges of variation do not overlap in two species we have a
character of primary rank. The characters as set out in Table XIII. will
now be examined in detail.

122 Part ITT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

In respect to the Girth, a character in which there is a wide difference
existing among the three species, so far as the eye can judge, we find a
distinct enough separation between certain of the species. At the
pectoral region Juscus has a girth equal on the average to 60 per cent. of
the length of the fish, thus exceeding by a considerable amount the
respective girth in minutus and esmarkii. And since the range of
variation in /wscus does not overlap that of esmarkiz the difference in the
girth is of some specific value. The ranges of variation in /useus and
minutus meet though they do not overlap, and between these two the
character is of more or less negative value. Minutus and esmarki
overlap in their ranges of variation and this character is not therefore of
value. At the anus, the girths in the three species increase a little. The
girth of minutus now overlaps that of duscws. In the girth at the root of
the tail, where a considerable difference exists between minutus and
luscus, judging by the eye, a small difference only is shown by the per-
centages, but a complete separation is seen between luscus and esmarkit
in respect to this character. ‘The dorso-ventral height of the body agrees
closely with the girth relations.

In all three species the horizontal diameter of the eye is on the
average as great or greater than the length of the snout, z.e., the distance
from the tip of the jaws to the anterior edge of the orbit. Luscus
has a distinctly smaller eye than minutus and esmarkii—which two
agree exactly—but complete separation in this character does not
hold between any two of the species. In the size of the interorbital
space the reverse relation is seen, Zwscws having a larger average than the
other two, in which there is equality. By their variation, however, they
merge into one another.

In the matter of the lengths of the ventral, pectoral, and first dorsal
fins, although very distinct agreements and differences are shown in the
averages, still the latter are so small that they are really of no specific
value. Thus in minutus and esmarkzi the average size of the ventral fin
is the same, while that of duscus is a little larger; whereas in the case of
the pectoral fin, /wscus and esmarkii agree closely and have a fin a little
longer than minutus. The first dorsal fin is on the average rather larger
in luscus than in minutus, but the two ranges of variation overlap.
This character was not noted in esmarkit.

In the following characters—height of the lateral line above the lateral
axis, the length of the rami of the tail, and the spread of the tail, the
greatest height of the unpaired fins—only a few observations were made.

Luscus shows a considerably higher bend in the lateral line than
esmarkit, and a little higher than minutus.

The lengths of the rami of the tail of the three forms agree closely, but
in the spread of the tail Jwscus and minutus exceed esmarkii, being on the
average half as broad again as the latter.

The length of the barbel was in esmarkit on the average 3 per cent. of
the length of the fish ; in one specimen of mdnutus the barbel was 5 per
cent. of the same quantity.

Distances from the Anterior Tip of the Body.—The average for the
length of the snout, 7.e., the distance of the anterior border of the orbit
from the tip of the jaws, is the same in luscus and minutus, and 1 per
cent. over that in esmarkiz; but in the latter the snout is measured from -
the tip of the mandible, which projects on the average 1 per cent. in front
of the premaxilla. When that amount is subtracted we get an equal
average measurement for the snout in all three.

The ventral fin is situated nearest the tip,of the jaws in /wscus, next in
minutus, aud farthest back in esmarki/. The ranges of variation of the

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 123

first and the last meet but do not overlap ; they each overlap the range of
variation of this character in minutus. In the distance of the opercular
cleft from the anterior end of the body we obtain the same average in
each species, and in respect to the hind edge of the operculum, while
the averages differ to the extent of 2 per cent. between minutus and
esmarkii, each of these differs from /wscws by | per cent. only.

The position of the pectoral fin is practically the same in all three
species in respect to the distance of the base of the first fin-ray trom the
anterior end of the fish. The distance of the anus from the snout is a
diagnostic difference between duscus and minutus. In the average, the
position is at 26 per cent. in the former and at 32 at the latter; the
ranges of variation do not overlap. In esmarki the anus is on the
the whole slightly farther back than in minutus, with, of course, a corres-
pondingly greater divergence from Juscus. Between esmarkit and
minutus the ranges of variation overlap.

In the position of the first dorsal fin, there is very close agreement, and
overlapping.

In the second dorsal fin all three overlap, both in respect to the point
at which the fin begins, and also in the position of the end of the fin,
Luscus and minutus have a longer fin-base than esmarkit.

In respect to the beginning of the third dorsal fin, they are all equal,
but as Juscus has a shorter fin-base than the two others—the fin ends in it
a little farther anteriorly than in the other two.

The first anal fin commences close behind the anus; it ends first in
esmarkii, and then a little distance farther posteriorly in minutus and
luscus.

In the matter of the second anal all three species agree, both in its
commencement and its end,

The caudal peduncle is on the average smaller in Juseus than in
esmarkit and minutus, but the ranges of variation overlap...

The bend in the lateral line rises farther back in dwscuws than in the
other two. It is usually just behind the middle of the length of the
body ; in no case in Juscws did it commence on the anterior half of the
body ; in minutus and esmarkii it did in some cases begin just on the
anterior side of the middle of the body. ‘The lateral line rises more
rapidly in duscus than in minutus and esmarkit,

The general relation between the three forms in respect to the different
characters selected has been briefly discussed, but these relationships
expressed in this form are of themselves of no value from the point of
view of specific description. These characters may and do indicate
where specific characters may be found, Fora specific description it is
necessary that the selected characters be tested on one fish. A specific
character which infers comparison with a fish of another species is of
only secondary value. ach character must be expressed in terms of the
individual fish. The size of the eye, for example, may be of specific
value when it is stated in terms of the length of the snout, or of any
other part of the fish, while it is of no value when compared to the size
of the eye in another species.

The position of the anus is a very good guide in diagnosing certain
species, and it is important in the present case. The form in which
it is represented in the Tables, as being situated at a certain per-
centage of the length of the fish from the tip of the jaws, is not a useful
one for a specific description. It should be expressed ina relationship
that is more readily measured, aud for this the relation between the posi-
tion of the anus and the situation of the first dorsal fin. Now, an
examination of the measurements of the distance of the two points shows

124. Part IIL—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

that among specimens of duscus the anus was situated exactly below the
beginning of the first dorsal in three cases; in two cases it was in front of
that point to the extent of 1 per cent. of the length of the fish, and in
seven cases it was behind the beginning of the first dorsal to the extent
of 2 per cent. of the fishes’ length.

In duscus, then, the anus is situated below the beginning of the first
dorsal fin.

In minutus the anus occupies a very different position in relation to the
first dorsal fin. Of 34 examples of minutus, in 31 the anus was below
the second half of the first dorsal, in one case it was below the middle
point of the fin, and in two cases it was just in front of the middle point
to the extent of 1 per cent. of the length of the fish. In mznutus, there-
fore, the anus is under the second half of the first dorsal fin, z.e., from
the middle of the fin to the hind limit of its base. The amount by
which the anus was in front of the middle point of the fin would not
be noticeable to the eye, and for all practical purposes it would be
regarded as coinciding with the middle point.

In esmarkii the anus is below the second half of the first dorsal fin ;
this was found to be the case in all the fishes in which these characters
had been recorded—viz., 56 in number. In one of these the anus was
exactly below the end point of the fin-base. In esmar/ti, then, the anus
is situated below the second half of the first dorsal fin.

The comparative depth of the members of the two species, Juscws and
minutus, has been insisted on in a specific description. It is not, however,
very easy to reduce this relation to a specific character. In some speci-
mens it is well marked; but while duscws is always a deep fish, minutus is
variable in this respect. Sometimes in a collection of mnutus it 1s
possible to divide them up into two lots differing markedly in the depth
of body, and in the deeper lot simulating in depth duscus, It is necessary
to know the range of variation in this character as determined by the
measurements of various examples. If, therefore, we examine the
average dorso-ventral height of each species, as set out in Table XIII, we
find the average height at the anus is, for dwscus, 26 per cent ; for minutus,
21 per cent.; and for esmarkiz, 18 per cent. of the length of the fish, In
luscus, however, the depth ranges from 28 per cent. to 22 per cent., while
in minutus the limits were 24 per cent. and 18 per cent. The relation
between the two species might be summarised thus :—Where the dorso-
ventral height reaches one-quarter or more of the length of the fish, we
have to deal with /Juwsews; where the same character is as small as
one-fifth or less of the length, the fish is probably minutus or esmarkit;
but where the relation lies between one-quarter and one-fifth, either of
the two first species may be represented. It is evident, then, that a
character such as this is only of small importance for specific diagnosis.

The Lengths of the Bases of the Unpaired Fine.

The inter-relations of the sizes of the different fin-bases may be here
considered. In the following Table the average size of the fin-base,
expressed as a percentage of the length of the fish, and its range of varia-
tion is given for each of the three species.

1D. 2 D. 3D.

| Species. =e = epee SL ee
| Max. | Ay. fee | Min. | Max.| Av. Le, Min. | Max.| av.| 47) yin
| Aa GR i a A aa
|G. luscus | 13 | ue] 10 | 10 | 27 | 25 | 10 | 24 | is | 127 | 20. | sty
|G. minutus} 13 | WN?) 34 10 26° | 243) 33 22 LT AS 2 84. 13
ie esmarkit| 15 12 56 | i) | 25 | 22 | 48 | 20 18 | 165 | 47 12

-

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 125

| 1A 2A.
| Species. z ‘ : =
| Vari-| y,: : Vari-| a>:
Max. | Av five Min. | Max. | Av. api Min. |
G. luscus ae He = ie 45 | 39°8| 40 37 17 | 15 45 12
G. minutus... or Bi a 35 | 3 42 28 18 | 155 | 34 13 |
G. esmarkii Pee pe), 1 31 | 27-7 | 71 | 25 | 19 | 167 | 47 | 14 |

The base of the first anal fin is measured from the hind edge of the
anus to the end of the base of the fin.

Various relationships between the lengths of the fin-bases may be made
out by inspection of the averages. ‘Take, for example, the ratio between
the lengths of the anal fins :—

In luscus the first anal bears to the second anal the ratio of 40: 15,
WOeG TOF

In minutus the corresponding ratio is 31 : 15°5, ve, 2: 1,

In esmarkii the corresponding ratio is 28 : 17, 7.¢., 5:3.

From these data, then, it might be expected that a specific character
could be obtained in the relation between the two anal fins. To test its
value from the point of view of specific description it is necessary to find
what ratios are found ina number of fish. These are set out below. The
various ratios found existing between the anal fins in respect to the length
of their bases is set out for each species, and the frequency with which
each occurred in the sample of fish is also added.

Ratios of the

Bitcknal to ereeney hae ened
Usaneee G. luscus. | G’. minutus.) G.esmarkii.
a3) aa! 1
ole k a
4 ah 1
ee 2
29) eat 2
DiGacod ef
vip Rotor | Fi |
2G sl 6 al |
Bedi L 12 1
righ aia 4 che
7 are el | ] iT
7] Wee | i 2 i
2 Sl 8 ]
EO RBe Cn] 3
i ete rea 7 9 |
a eae 3 | 7
Dies 13
AI ae n
iberone il is 9
_ pe ae as = at | we BUN) |
Total 44 33 47 |

126 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The extensive overlapping between luscus and minutus and between
minutus and esmarkii renders this character of value only as a distin-
guishing feature between luscus and esmarkit. In luscus the first anal is
always more than twice as long as the second anal; in esmarkii it is
usually less than twice the length of the second anal.

The above is the most promising relationship between the lengths of
the fin-bases in any of the species.

The three species agree fairly closely in the lengths of the dorsal fins,
but show wide diversity in the lengths of the anal fins. If we add the
bases of the fins of each species together, keeping the dorsal and anal
groups separate, the relations will be seen more easily.

Sum of Bases Sum of Bases
Species. of Dorsal Fins | of Anal Fins
(Average Sizes). | (Average Sizes).

Gusts. os 49°3 54:8
G. minutus, .. 50°7 46°5
G. esmarkit, beg 50°5 44:4

In each species a portion of the dorsal edge equal to half the length of
the fish bears fin-rays. On the anal edge the size of the fin-bearing part
varies with the species.

The Number of Rays in the Unpaired Fins.

In the accompanying Table are arranged the average, maximum and
minimum number of rays found for each fin. A detailed analysis of the
numbers of fin-rays in each fish is given in Tables I, IJ, III. The range
of variation in each species is shown in Table V.

1D: 2D. | 3 D. | 1A. 2A,
Species. | ie
Max.| Av. | Min. | Max.| Av. Min. Max. | Av. | Min. | Max.| Av. | Min. | Max. | Av. | Min.
hee sea —|-— =a as 7 = nooo. | ee ee
G. luseus 15 13'5| 12 26 23 21 22 20 18 36 bt 31 22 21 18
G. minutus. 15 | 13 11 26 2B || Ay | 23 2a 19 | 31 28 | 26 23 22 | 20

G. esmarkii. 18 15 14 29 25 21 29 26 23 | 32 29 24 30 27 24

In respect of the first dorsal, Juscus and minutus agree closely both
in average, 13, and in the range of variation, 15-11. Hsmarkii has a
larger number of rays, viz., 15 on the average, with a maximum and
minimum of 18 and 15 rays respectively.

In the second dorsal the two former species are again almost identical
with an average of 23, while esmarkzi has an average of 25.

The close agreement persists between /uscus and minutus in the
third dorsal also, esmarkiz having in this fin also a higher average.

The first anal, however, brings about a separation between duscus and
minutus ; this was, of course, apparent also when the length of the fin-
bases were discussed. Luscus has 34 fin-rays, and minutus 28 rays in
the fin, while esmarkit approaches the latter closely, having an average
of 29.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 127

In the second anal lusews and minutus are again in close agreement
with averages of 21 and 22 respectively, while esmariii shows an average
of 27 rays.

Esmarktvi has a much larger number of fin-rays than either /uscus
or minutus.

The average number of fin-rays in all three dorsals is, for /useus 56 ;
minutus, 57; and esmarkii, 66.

It was {noticed above that the extent of the dorsal edge which bore
fin-rays was the same in all three species. It therefore follows that in
esmarkit we have to deal with a rather lighter and less robust ray than in
the two others.

The anal rays (first and second) amount to 55 in the case of Juscus, 50
in minutus, and 56 in esmarkiit, Here luscus has a total of 55 rays
distributed on a portion of the ventral edge equal to 50 per cent. of the
length of the fish, while mnwtus has 50 rays on 46 per cent, of the
length, and esmarkii has 56 rays ona part equal to 45 per cent. of the
length of the fish, In the anal fin-bearing part we have in esmarkit a
greater number of rays to the unit of length than in duscus and minutus.

If, now, we divide the average length of the fin-base by the average
number of rays we shall get a relative index of the robustness of the fin-
rays in the different species, and in the different fins of the same species.

Average Index of Fin-rays for each Fin.

Species. hn sh ete 3D. ii Da.
G. luscus, A 8 EOF ‘65 ory fa
G. minutus, ved 84 1:04 Hl Pek |
G. esmarkia, a St =| 88 63 ‘96 63
|

The index of the fin-ray of esmarkii is smaller than those of luscus
and minutus, in all the fins except the first. There is also to be noticed
that in each species the indices of the third dorsal and second anal agree
closely, and together differ from the indices of the second dorsal and first
anal fins. In the two former fins the rays are set more closely together,
which probably means that they are less robust rays than those of the
other fins.

The three species agree fairly closely in their respective indices for the
first dorsal fin. In all three species the indices for this fin are less than
those of the second dorsal and first anal fins.

From the Tables given above it is seen that there is no typical generic
number of rays either for the dorsal or anal group, In the two closely
related forms, /uscus and minutus, there is an almost identical number of
fin-rays for each fin in the dorsal group, but they are both widely
separated from esmarkii in this comparison. In the matter of the anal
fin-rays, Juscus aud minutus were separated. Here the anal rays have a
specific value. The dorsal fins are together, on the other hand, a sub-
generic character. The extent of the dorsal edge of the body furnished
with fin-rays is the same in all three species; but the quality of the rays
is specific, and involves different numbers,

128 Part [I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The Number of Rays in the Paired Fins and Caudal Fin,

t

Length | |

| | if BS aoe
Species. of he Sex. | \ ent Pecto Caudal
| ase ral Fin.|ra] Fin.| Fin. |
Fish. | | | |
= earn | Be. eee ee io
Cm. | | |
| 24 oO UN Go 19. daeee
| | 26 3 Leh Ness
G. luscus. erat He eid 6 | 20 | 40
2 rl rahe Molar Nk rong eM
Average, | 6 (4) | 19 (4)/39 (2)
14 2 6 19
14 2 6 19
19 Ae Leak heme
yl 2 Ce WO
| . e272 2 6 | 18 39 |
| G. minutus. | 93 Q Go das 39.
| 24 Q 6 19 38
eer as $v 6 19

|
Average, | 6 (8) | 19 (8) |38-6(3)
|

15) | ge og Neon
Nee he 6 | 19
16 a 6 19
G. esmarkit. ieee Q 6 1.226 4.0

|
Average, «= 6 (5) |19°6(5),
| |

In all the specimens examined the same number of rays was obtained
in the ventral fin, viz.,6. In the case of the pectoral fin there is a
fairly similar amount of variation in each species; and the number of
caudal rays is apparently very similar in the three species. The absence
of variation in the ventral fin is to be expected, from the fact of there
being so few rays. That may be one of the factors, but it may also be
in part due to the fact that the ventral fin has a well fixed function in
the genus—that its function, whatever it may be, is exactly similar in
each of the species in which its rays remain the same.

The Lengths of the Ventral and Pectoral Fins.

The authors of “The Scandinavian Fishes” state in their description
of G. minutus that the tip of the ventral fin reaches past the anus. This
is not constant. The ventral fin has a long filamentous tip in the
three species,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 129

In duseus the ventral fin always extends past the anus, but in minutus
and esmarkii the tip of this fin often fails to reach the level of the anus.

Of 18 examples of minutus, in 6 the tip of the ventral fin did not
reach the anus ; in 3 cases it reached the anus exactly ; and in 9 cases it
passed the anus.

Fifty-two examples of esmarkii were examined for this character. In
20 the tip of the ventral fin did not reach the anus ; in 20 it reached the
anus ; and in 12 specimens it reached past the anus.

The tip of the pectoral fin extended past the anus in all the specimens
ofeach species in which the character was noted, viz., 9 examples
of duscus, 18 of minutus, and 43 of esmarkiz.

The Vertebree. -

The details regarding the variation in the number of vertebre in the
three species will be found in Tables I., IJ., III., IV. They are
summarised in Table VI.

The average number of vertebre was :—Luscus, 48°4 ; minutus, 49°4 ;
esmarkit, 53°4.

In the matter of the average number of vertebra, lwscus and minutus
come very near each other, the latter exceeding the former by one.
Esmarkit has the comparatively high average of 53:4. The higher
number of vertebra is accompanied in this species by a higher number
of rays in the unpaired fins,

The average number of the vertebra bearing the first hemal arch was
16 in Zusecws, and the same in minutus, while in esmarkia the average
was 186. ~

The Urinary Bladder and Ureter.

The urinary bladder in /wscws has no lobe; in minutus and esmarkit
it has usually two lobes. :

Luscus.—None of the specimens examined had a lobe to the urinary
bladder. The bladder in this form is coloured a silvery white.

Minutus.—In the great majority of cases where this character was
noted, two lobes were found attached to the urinary bladder, one on each
side. This was the condition in 12 males and 39 females. In 6 speci-
mens (3 males and 3 females) one lobe only was made out. In no case
were both lobes absent. They are diverticula of the bladder, and vary in
size. Sometimes both are long, narrow processes ; one may be a short
flap ; or both may be small.

In one female 23cm, in length the left lobe had a small secondary
lobe attached to it.

In a female 25cm. long, captured in March, both lobes were large ;
they were well supplied with blood-vessels, and their edges were frilled.
Two of the females got at the same time, measuring 23cm., had similar
lobes. In another March fish, a male 22cm. long, one lobe only was
found, and it was well supplied with blood-vessels. Another male,
22cm., captured in March, had two long lobes which were supplied with
blood-vessels, but were not frilled. A ripe female in June had large
frilled lobes.

Esmarkii.—tIn this form there are usually two lobes to the urinary
bladder. In four cases, however, no lobe was made out. These fish had
been for two or three years in the preservative. In 15 specimens one
lobe only was distinguished, but in the remaining 63 examples in which
the character was noted both lobes were found. The lobes may be both
long, or one may be short,

I

130 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The Ureter varies in position with respect to the swim-bladder. It
may come down from the kidney on either side of the swim-bladder
Its position has been noted in a number of specimens,

Luscus.—Out of 11 cases the ureter was on the left in 7, and on the
right in 4.

Minutus.—Out of 39 cases the ureter was on the left in 14, and on the
right in 25.

Esmarkit.—Out of 53 cases the ureter was on the left in 21, and on
the right of the swim-bladder in 32.

Reproduction.

G. luscus.—All the specimens of /wsews examined were mature. The
smallest male in the collection measured 16°8cm., and the next in size
was 2lem., while the smallest female was 25cm. long. Fifty-three
specimens were examined in all.

The reproductive organs ripen early in the spring.

In January, of the males (24 in number), 22 had large testes, and 2
had developing smaller testes ; of 18 females, 17 had large ovaries, and
one had a smaller developing ovary.

In February 1 male and 3 females were ripe, and 3 males had large
testes. In 1 female there was a developing ovary.

In March 1 female was ripe, and another had a developing ovary.

In May the one specimen examined was a spent female.

A female measuring 24cm. obtained in June had a small ovary.

The ovary is regarded as ripe when it contains transparent eggs.
These are to be seen through the skin of the ovary scattered over the
ovary, giving the condition known as the ‘‘ beaded roe.” The ovary may
thus be labelled ripe before it is actually running. The large ovaries are
white ‘hard roes.”

M‘Intosh and Masterman give the spawning time of this form as
January-—February. Fulton found a Juscus ripe in the Forth in March
and another in May. According to Heincke and Ehrenbaum Juscus
spawns at Heligoland from (March?) April to August.

G. minutus. All the fishes of this species of which the condition of
the reproductive organs has been recorded were mature. The smallest
male and female measured 15cm., and above that size mature males were
obtained at each centimetre up to the length of 22cm. No male larger
than that was found. Mature females were found at every centimetre of
length from 15cm. up to 29cm., with the exception of 28cm., at which
size no minutus was obtained. The evidence therefore points to the
conclusion that minutus becomes mature both in the male and female at
or before reaching a size of 15cm. in length.

The reproductive organs of minutus ripen about the same time of the
year, but a little later than in /uscus. Ripe females of minutus were not
met with till March.

In December 5 females had small developing ovaries.

In January 1 male was ripe, 10 males had large testes, while 1 male
had a small developing testis. Thirty females had large ovaries, and 22
had small developing ovaries.

In February 16 males had large testes, 73 females had large ovaries,
and 5 females had small developing ovaries.

In March 6 males had nearly ripe testes, 2 females were ripe, and 55
females had large ovaries. In this month nearly all the ovaries were
large, white ‘hard roes.”

In May 2 males had nearly ripe testes, and 48 females were ripe.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 131

In June 2 females were ripe and 2 males had fairly large testes. Two
males from the Firth of Forth were ripe.

The spawning time of this species is, according to M‘Intosh and
Masterman, March—June.

The ovary of Juscus and minutus is distinctly triangular. The base of
the triangle is parallel and close to the swim-bladder, the apex is the
attachment by the oviduct to the anal region. The ovary grows forwards
into the abdominal cavity and posteriorly into the post-abdominal cavity.

The Ripe Eggs of Luscus and Minutus.

G. luscus.—The ripe eggs of duscws were found in a female in February.
The transparent eggs measured 1:1 x 1:25 and 1:2 x 1:25mm. The
opaque eggs in the same ovary measured about ‘7mm. in diameter. The
fish had been in formaline solution.

In March the eggs, which were dead, were pressed out by the genital
aperture. They were ripe, and measured 1:07 x 1:25; they were in the
fresh condition.

Cunningham found the eggs of a ripe Juscus to measure from 1:05-
115mm. M‘Intosh and Masterman found that the ripe eggs of this
form after being preserved in spirit measured 1:14—1:16mm. in diameter.

G. minutus.—In January three-fourths of the eggs in the ovary were
yolked.

In February, in one fish the yolked eggs measured ‘55mm. in diameter.

On April 1 two of the minutus were in a spawning condition. The
eges flowed freely out at the genital pore. They were not fertilised: no
ripe male was available. After being in water overnight some of the eggs
remained transparent and floating. They were measured, and the sizes
of their diameters in millimeters were as follows:—1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, ‘97,
ieee OF. 97,98, 91s 9D Oyo 54.8 9,0°9) X)“BDs "875,875, 81,, 87.
87. Some of the eggs showed a striated zona.

According to M‘Intosh the ripe egg of minutus measures ‘906mm. in
diameter.

Maturity of G. esmarkit.

G. esmarkit.—The smallest mature specimens of this form, so far as the
development of the reproductive organs bore witness, were a male at
llem. and a female measuring 9cm. in total length. Both had developing
genital organs.

Holt found two ripe females, measuring 43in. (about 11cm.) in length,
in April. Fulton says that spawning probably takes place in February
and March.

The ovary of esmarkii is like that organ in Juscus and minutus——
triangular in shape. It has only a slight attachment to the roof of the
abdominal cavity, except for the ureter. It grows forward along the floor
of the abdominal cavity, and is in some specimens pushed to one side by
the great development of the liver.

The Swim- Bladder.
The swim-bladder in duscus and minutus is large. It is usually found
to be ruptured. In one case an uninjured swim-bladder was noticed.
The Skulls of Luscus, Minutus, and Esmarkit.

The skulls of Juscws and minutus resemble one another much, and both
differ distinctly from the skull of esmarkii. The main character of
difference is the slope of the ethmoid bone. When the three skulls are

132 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

examined in side view the ethmoid in esmarkii (Z., fig. 9, pl. xi.) is
seen to slope backwards quickly, whereas in minutus (fig. 6, ib.) and
luscus (fig. 3, 2b.) it is more nearly vertical.

There are few distinguishing features between the skulls of Juseus and
minutus, even when they are compared side by side. To convert these
differences into characters by which the skull might be recognised apart
from the other is well nigh impossible, so closely are they related.

A general contrast will, therefore, be made between the two.

In two fish of the same size the skull of ménutus was the larger—it
was slightly longer and higher.

Seen from above, when the skull is resting on the vomer and the par-
asphenoid, the calcified base of the ethmoid (E.) is partly hidden by the
crest of the bone in duscus (fig. 4); in ménutus the whole of the base is
visible (fig. 8).

The processes from the parietals (P. pr.) are large, winglike, in luscus ;
they are narrow in minutus. The squamosals (Sq.) project posteriorly
farther in Zuscws than in minutus. The notch between the frontal (F.)
and post-frontal (pt.-F.) which receives the mucous canal passing
round the eye, is much smaller in minutus than in luscus. The frontal
in /wscus contracts a little over the orbits and then expands again into a
broadened anterior extremity. In minutus it comes to its narrowest over
the orbits, and is continued forward with the same breadth.

The breadth of the anterior end of the skull, measured from the outer
angle of one pre-frontal (pr.-F.) to the outer angle of the other, is in luseus
greater than in minutus.

Side view.—The occipital spine (Oc. Sp.) of duscus (fig. 3) is much
higher than that of minutus (fig. 6). The part of the spine on the
frontal rises more rapidly in the former.

The hind edge of the occipital spine may be straight, or it may be
slightly incurved just before reaching the occipital foramen.

The front edge of the ethmoid has less backward slope in /uscus than
in minutus.

In minutus the pre-frontal rises up to meet the outer corner of the
frontal: it raises the latter a little. In duscws it does not rise so much.

Seen from below, the pre-frontal is roughly of a quadrant shape in
luscus (fig. 12), and of a sextant shape in minutus (fig. 11).

The parasphenoid (P.s) is more slender in minutus than in luscus.

The brain-case is more spherical in shape in minutus than in luscus.

Seen from behind, the squamosal (Sq.) bends outwards and upwards
in luscus (fig. 5). In minutus it projects more in a horizontal direction

fie at)
ithe opisthotic (op. O.) forms in minutus a projecting angle where the
post-temporal articulates with it; this angle was not noticed in luscus.

The par-occipital (par.-Oc.) of /wscus is continued backwards in a pro-
jecting angle (Ang.), and in consequence the edge of the ex-occipital
(e.-Oc., fig. 3) curves downward in a concave sense to the articulation
with the shorter arm of the post-temporal. It is thus contrasted strongly
with the blunt termination of the par-occipital in minutus (fig. 6).

The skull of esmarkit is long when compared with that of minutus.
An esmarkit measuring 15*dcm. in length had a skull equal in length to
that of a minutus 21cm. long.

The ethmoid slopes back very quickly in esmarkw (fig. 9). The
frontal is narrow over the eyes, and the pre-frontals stand out prominently
laterally, but the breadth across them is small (fig. 10).

The yomer projects further in front of the pre-frontals-in esmarki
fig. 13) than in minutus and Juscus.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 138

Otoliths. —Generally, the otolith of minutus was heavier, more massive
than that of duscws, in fish of the same length. The bossing or marking
on the concave surface of the earstone is more distinct in /uscus; it tends
to become smoothed down in minutus. Two minutus of one length
had very different otoliths; in one they were much more massive than
in the other fish.

The otolith of esmarkii shows a tendency to transverse ridging in place
of, or in addition to, bossing on the concave surface.

The clavicle, §c.—Slight differences are to be seen in the clavicle, post
clavicle, and premawxilla between minutus and luscus. Thus, in the
clavicle the ridge dividing the outer surface of the boue is broader and
more prominent in Jwscuws than in minutus. The post clavicle of minutus
has a curved expanded superior end; in duscus the head of the bone is
expanded and bent a little off the straight.

In the premaxilla the only noticeable difference was in the rather
longer and narrower shape of the plate expansion on the distal part of the
bone in minutus. ;

Teeth.

The teeth are small in Juscus and minutus and minute in esmarkit.

A Discussion of the Species.
Gadus luscus and G. minutus.

Only a very brief notice of the literature is necessary. Yarrell gives
characteristic figures of Juscws and minutus. The specific characters are
treated only briefly. He says with regard to Jwscus that it has the
power of inflating a membrane which covers its eyes, and for that reason
it is called Pout, Bib, Blens, Blinds. Tho anus is in a line under the
origin of the pectoral fin. The end of the rays of the tail are nearly
square. It has a dark spot at the origin of the pectoral fin. The Bib is
the deepest gadid. The fin-formula given by Yarrell is—1 D, 11; 2 D,
20,0), 16; 1 A, 33; 2 A19; PIS: V,6. Vertebra, 48.

G. minutus has, according to this author, the following fin-formula :—
ei Dy ioe 3 DP hts WA on 2 A 17s. B, 14; Vi. 6.

At different times the identity of the two species, G@. minutus and G.
luscus has beer. maintained. This is the view which Smitt maintains in
the last edition of the “Scandinavian Fishes,” although plates showing
perfectly characteristic Juscus and minutus are included in the work.
According to this author, Steindacher had asserted that the depth of the
fish is merely a character of age, and he referred to the same category the
character derived from the union of the anals in /wscus and their separa-
tion in minutus. The comparative depth of the two species is certainly
not a character that can berelied upon. But the deficiency in the second
character mentioned I have not been able to find in the adult. Schmidt
found this a very reliable character in the very young stages. Further,
Smitt remarks that ‘‘the size of the eyes has been long since ascertained
to undergo a relative diminution with increasing age.” The relative size
of the eyes in /uscus and minutus is not of much importance.

Smitt has compared 5 minutus and 3 luscus with respect to a large
number of characters. In a considerable proportion of these very close
agreement is found between the two species. That is to be expected,
since luscus and minutus resemble one another closely ; in fact they form
a small group of two fishes very distinct from the other Gadids. The
following are the characters which Smitt selected :—Length of the head ;
distance of the beginning of each of the three dorsal fins from the tip of

134 Part I11.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

the snout ; lengths of the ventral and pectoral fins ; length of the bases
of the third dorsal and first anal fins ; the horizontal diameter of the eye ;
breadth of the hind extremity of the maxilla; distance between the
ventral fin and beginning of the first anal fin. All these characters were
represented as percentages of the total length of the fish. In most of
these characters not only do Juscus and minutus come close together, but
they both closely resemble esmarkzi, as reference to Table XIII. will show.
In the characters the length of the bases of the third dorsal, minutus and
esmarkii, come close together, both being separated from minutus. In the
length of the base of the first anal considerable diversity exists between
the three forms. It is not necessary to follow Smitt into the other
characters, which are represented as percentages of various standards. It
is to be expected that the different species in a genus will show very
many points of close resemblance, and that the characters in which they
differ may be few. The specific tout ensemble may be very characteristic,
and still not be easily reduced to a specific description. The specific
descriptions of the two fishes in the “Scandinavian Fishes” recite in
detail many points in which the two species of luscus and minutus agree,
and do not emphasise the points of difference.

The fin-formule and vertebree given in the “Scandinavian Fishes ” are
as follows :—

Luscus—1 D, 12-14; 2 D, 20-26; 3D, 18-20; : A, 27-35; 2 A,
17-21; Pect., 19-20; Ventr., 6. Vertebre, 48.

Minutus—1 D, 12-15; 2 D, 19-25; 3 D, 17-24; 1 A, 25-31; 2, A,
17-23 ; Pect., 17-19; Ventr., 6. Vertebre, 50.

The variations in the number of fin-rays found during the present
research are arranged in Table V., p. 149, and the variations in the
number of vertebre appear in Table VI., p. 150.

Schmidt discusses Smitt’s evidence on the question of the identity of
the two species. He shows that in the.young stages /uscus and minutus
are quite characteristic, and are easily separated by the specific characters
that hold good in the adult. He emphasises the position of the anus
with reference to the first dorsal fin, and the union of the anal fins which
he finds constant in the young stages. He also lays stress on the differ-
ence in depth between the two species. He describes and figures a series
of both species up to 5cm. in length.

Parnell, in his account of the Brassy (Morrhua lusca), mentions that
the scales are very deciduous. It is characterised by a dusky spot at the
base of each pectoral, by the first anal fin commencing under the middle
of the first dorsal. He had examined Morrhua lusca up to a size of 17
inches (42cm.). Parnell says that this fish resembles Morrhua minuta,
but the latter has a shorter anal fin than Morrhua lusca. This author
does not record Morrhua minuta from the Firth of Forth. The fin-
formula of a Morrhua lusca, measuring 16 inches (40cm.) in length, he
gives as follows:—1 D, 13; 2 D, 24; 3D,17; 1 A, 31; 2 A, 18; P,
15; V, 6. In the case of the third dorsal he obtained a number (17)
which is less than the smallest number found in any of the specimens
examined in the present research, viz., 18 rays.

Gadus esmarkii.

This form, which was first recorded for Scottish waters by Giinther,
was obtained by Sir John Murray in the Clyde and certain lochs on the
West Coast of Scotland.

The distinctive characters selected by Giinther are the following :—

The lower jaw projects beyond the upper.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 135

The teeth of the outer series in the upper jaw are a little larger than
the inner ones.

The snout is almost equal to the length of the diameter of the eye.
[This character is preferably expressed as follows :—The diameter of the
eye is equal to or exceeds the length of the snout. |

The eye is very large, being a little less than one-third of the length of
the head.

The barbel is slender, being about half as long as the eye.

The fin-formulz were—1 D, 15-16; 2 D, 23-25; 3 D, 22-25; 1 A,
27-29; 2 A, 23-25.

In the “Scandinavian Fishes” the fin-formule are given as follows :—
1 D, 14-16; 2D, 22-26; 3D, 22-27; 1A, 26-30; 2A, 24-38.
Pect., 19. Ventr., 6. Vertebree, 52.

Attention is called in the latter work to the lateral line which is “ dark
(though not very distinct) and anteriorly slightiy curved.”

The numbers of fin-rays and vertebre found in the esmarkit examined
for the purpose of this research are set out in Table III., p, 145.

Giinther drew attention to the cysts that are found in the eye of
esmarkii. They are arranged in the iris, may be few in number, or they
may occupy almost the whole of the iris, in this way appearing as a ring
of white balls. These cysts occur in minutus also.

In 1893 Professor M‘Intosh described a ‘“‘peculiar Poor Cod” which
is, he informs me, a Gadus esmarkit. Professor M‘Intosh has kindly
permitted me to have a drawing made of this specimen, and it is
reproduced in pl. ix.

Since then Dr. Fulton has obtained it in large numbers, Schmidt has
described in detail the post-larval and young stages of G. esmarktt up to
a length of 5:4cm. He remarks that in an example of 19mm. the eyes
are but relatively small, their diameter being of the same size or but little
larger than the distance from their anterior margin to the end of the
snout.

A Specific Description.

For the purpose of determining the specific description a large number
of measurements was made on specimens of each species. These show
that external measurements made on a single fish may be of little value
from the point of view of specific diagnosis, since the variation of each
character is large, and, so far as is apparent, independent of, or at least
not necessarily correlated with, any other contiguous character. The
amount of variation which may occur in the characters, while the general
specific identity is retained, is large. Specific identity means identity of
function. The specific characters mean a difference in the life and habits
of the animal which we may not be able at present to estimate. The
correlation between the specific characters and the life of the fish is a
field hitherto practically unexplored. Thus there are perplexing simi-
larities and differences between fishes. The former mean that the fishes
perform similar functions, but at the same time in certain other functions
they occupy different spheres in the economy of the sea.

In working out the specific characters it is well to consider the points
in which the species agree, in order that these may form part of the
generic or sub-generic description. The object of the specific description
is to enable an observer to diagnose a single fish, and for that purpose a
chart is required.

The Genus may be divided into certain sub-genera. The species may
be arranged into two or more groups, each characterised by some common
character. The species in each sub-genus may then be distinguished

136 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

from one another. Each species might appear in several sub-genera.
For example, the members of the cod family discussed in the previous
paper and in this, include G. callarias, G. virens, G. pollachius,
G. luscus, G. minutus, and G. esmarkii. Now, these may be divided
into two groups, as follows:—(a) Group of large fish, callartas, virens,
and pollachius; (b) group of small fish. Thus, if the fish is over 17
inches in length it will probably belong to the first group, if less than
that it may belong to either group.

Nothing should appear in a specific description except what can be
readily gauged without the aid of any accurate measurements. A
measurement shown as a percentage of the length is a poor guide except
when its fullest range of variation is taken, for its value. The average is
of no value by itself, z.¢., as a specific character. It may be used to show
broad relationships.

Even in the case where two species are so distinct that a glance is
sufficient to separate them, still it is often very difficult to get readily
gauged characters sufficient to describe the species. The attempt is made

to describe a solid by means of a few characters, which are usually mere
distances.

The Diagnosis of a Species.

The simplest mode of diagnosing a species is by means of a key of the
genus. Accompanying the key there should be a particular description of
the general appearance of each species. The key should be full, so that
the species may be determined by different routes. There is hardly a
single character which can be absolutely depended on. The specimen
which it is desired to diagnose may be affected in such a way as to render
a character, even an important one, doubtful. For example, a G. esmarkit
may be found in which the mouth is fixed wide open, the hyoid and
branchivstegal apparatus having become rigid. In such a specimen it
could not be determined whether the lower jaw projected in front of the
upper or not, and in this way a very valuable character becomes unavail-
able. In another case a G. ménutus has been observed in which the
lower jaw projected out in line with the upper jaw, if it did not actually
pass it slightly. The sum or resultant of the characters has therefore to
be relied upon for the sure diagnosis.

General Appearance of the Three Species.
Luscus, fig. 2, pl. vili.; Minutus, fig. 1, 2b.; Hsmarki, pl. ix.

They are all three small fishes. The laigest size of Juscus and minutus
appears to be 17 inches (42cm.), and Fulton gives 10 inches as the length
of the largest esmarkit recorded so far.

Luscus and minutus are deep fishes. While dwscus is the deeper of the
two, still considerable variation exists in minutus in this character. In
one catch of minutus obtained in February it was possible to divide the
fishes into two groups, in one of which the members were distinctly
deeper than those in the other group. The deep group consisted of 15
females measuring from 21cm. to 24cm., while the narrower specimens
numbered 42. Of the latter, 7 were males measuring from 17‘5cm.
to 22cm., and the remainder, 35 females, measured from 20cm. to 25cm.
in length. All the fishes had well-developed reproductive organs, and the
only difference appeared to be that in the deeper fish the ovaries were
rather larger than in the other lot. Ina deep fish variations in depth are
readily noticed. Where the character is large the variations are compara-
tively large. Hsmarkit is a more slender fish than the preceding.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. ¥a7

Colours and Scales.—The three species have silvery snouts, cheeks, and
shoulders.

Minutus has large silvery scales that are very easily rubbed off. The
exposed part of the scale is covered with dark dots on a ground of silver.
The overlapped part of the scale is colourless. The scales of the dorsum
above the lateral line have a golden-yellow ground dotted with black.
The golden-yellow colour is also seen on the silvery scales on the side.

The scales of dwscus are smaller than those of minutus; they also are
very deciduous. On the scale from the side of Juscus there is a broad
edging of black dots. Beneath the scales the skin is thin and somewhat
iridescent. When wet the skin of duscws has a slight golden sheen, but
when dried the black-dotted scales give it a dirty black appearance. In
large specimens preserved in formaline the appearance is silvery, but
the skin has generally a blackish aspect.

When preserved, minutus remains of a brownish-yellow colour, that is
when the silvery scales are rubbed off, as usually happens. Where they
remain attached the skin becomes of a dark appearance. The skin is of a
rougher texture than that of duscuws. It is slightly pinkish on the dorsum.

In both species the belly is silvery. £smarkii also is silvery on the
sides.

The Axillary Mark.—In luscus the axillary mark is a large blue-black
patch covering the sides of the axilla, and extending out on the clavicle
and over the hase of the pectoral fin. In minutus it is a small dark area
on the axilla and the base of the first pectoral fin-ray. It does not
extend on to the clavicle much. In esmarkii there is a very similar
axillary mark to minutus: it isa collection of small black dots which
spread over the base of the pectoral fin.

The Peritoneum in esmarkii is black, and in preserved specimens the
black layer shines through the thin abdominal wall.

The Fins.—The anal fins of luscus are blue-black ; those of minutus
yellow and black spotted. The first anal of minutus is sometimes very
dark.

Most of the unpaired fins of esmarhkii have a black border. Thus the
anterior border of the first dorsal is black, while the superior and hind
borders of the second and third dorsal fins are likewise black. The black
parts of the second anal and caudal fins are the hind border and the hind
half of the fin respectively. There are black spots along the bases of the
fins, and also on the anterior border of the first anal. The anal fins of
preserved specimens are without pigment, except on the anterior part of
both fins, where a small area is covered with small dots. This character
is more prominent in the larger specimens. The caudal fin is more or
less all black. =

The second and third dorsals are separate in minutus and in esmarktz,
and are usually separate in /uscus. In one specimen of /uscus, however, a
male measuring 16°8cm. in length, the second and third dorsals were united.

The first and second anals are separate in minutus and esmarkiz, but
are united in /usews. There is a thick integument on the unpaired fins in
luscusand minutus. In the former the first anal is a thick flabby fin, the
integument being soft and loose. This fin is often inflated with a gas,
which can be pressed out at the edge.

There is a characteristic difference between /uscus and minutus in the
shape of the third dorsal and second anal fins, as will be seen by reference
to Plate VIII. The hind edges of these fins in Juscus are cut straight
across, at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the fish. In minutus
the hind edges slope away posteriorly. In esmarkzi the slope is more
pronounced and longer than in minutus (pl. ix.).

138 Part ITT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The Caudal Fin of luscus has its hind margin slightly concave, that
of minuzus is distinctly concave, aud in esmarkit the hind margin is
deeply cleft.

The ventral fin ends in a filamentous tip in all three species.

The Mandible projects a little in front of the upper jaw in esmarkit;
in minutus and luscus the upper jaw projects in front of the lower.

The side and tip of the lower jaw are dar« coloured in esmarkii. The
under-surface of the dentary part of the lower jaw is white in /uscus; pale,
colourless in minutus. In consequence, the sensory pits on the under-
surface of the dentary show up well in /uscws and are faint in minutus.

The Barbel is long and stout in luscus and minutus. In esmarkii it is
thin and short, not being longer than half the diameter of the eye. In
the last species the barbel often lies back along the under surface of the
lower jaw in the hollow between the two dentaries. The barbel is not
so short in esmarkit as it is in Gadus virens, in which species it is very
inconspicuous.

The Lateral Line is curved over the abdomen in all three species. In
luscus and esmarkii the line is dark and more prominent than in minutus.
The bend rises from the hind straight portion more abruptly in duscus; in
minutus and esmarkit the rise is more gradual.

The Anus is beneath the beginning of the first dorsal fin in Juscus, and
beneath the second half of the corresponding fin in minutus and esmarku.

The Eye in the three species here discussed is specially large. In
luscus it is slightly smaller than in minutus and esmarkii. The diameter
of the eye is equal to or greater than the length of the snout, 7.e., the
distance from the tip of the upper jaw to the anterior edge of the orbit.
They all exhibit at times the loose cornea which is sometimes inflated
with gas or fluid, giving the eye the well-known bulged appearance.
Sometimes cysts are found on the front of the eyeball in the region of
the iris.

Two of the larger esmarkti, measuring 18‘5cm. and 19cm. in length,
had eyes which appeared to be larger in proportion than the smaller fishes.
The eyes measured in horizontal diameter 7°3 and 7°8 per cent. of the
total length of the fish respectively. Four others measuring 19cm., and
one of 2lem., had eyes measuring 7 per cent. of the total length of
the fish. The small difference in diameter will, of course, entail a con-
siderable difference in the area of the eye, and it is by the area, not the
diameter, that the eye of the observer makes the comparison, Any
variation towards an increase in the size of an already specially large
character will of necessity attract attention.

The barbel in duscus is rather bigger and stouter than that of manutus.
In five specimens of the latter the barbel measured two-thirds or a little
more than the horizontal diameter of the orbit.

In the key are introduced the following Gadid species—G. callarias,
G. virens, G. pollachius, G. luscus, G. minutus, and G* esmarktt.

KEY,
1. Lowrr Jaw (Length of)—
a. projects in tront of Upper Jaw, . . virens ; pollachius ; esmarki.
b. of same length as af 7 . virens (young) ; minutus (sometimes).
c. shorter than ie Oe es : callarias; luscus ; minutus.
II. Anus (Position of) —
a. below the beginning of the First Dorsal Fin, . 5 . luscus.
Due geese ae hrab alien ens. ee f “3 . pollachius ; minutus.

Ca OG 2 Besgecond We Fai oy. CAE 3 5 minutus; virens; esmarkit.
ad, 5 frst half 9351; Second ae, 5 ‘ ; callarias.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 139

IIT. Latrersat LiInr—

a. curved, dark, : . pollachius ; minutus ; luscus ; esmarkit.

b. = posterior part white, . : : : callarias.

c. straight, white, . - : : ‘ ; . wrens.
IV. Tar Fry (Hind Edge)—

-a. straight or slightly convex, : é 3 callarias (large).

b. very slightly concave, . : : callarias (small) ; luscus.

c. slightly concave, . : : 5 . : . minutus.

d. distinctly forked, : : , . pollachius; esmarkit.

e. deeply cleft, : ; ; P : : . virens.
V. Snour ithe part from aD of uBne? alt to anterior edge of the orbit)—

a. sharp, : . virens ; pollachius ; esmarkit.

b. blunt, J : callarias ; luscus ; minutus.
V{. Eye (horizontal diameter of the or ea

a. as large as, or larger than, the snout, . luscus ; minutus ; esmarkii

b. not so large as the length of the snout, . callarias ; virens ; pollachius.
VII. BarseLt—

a. absent, : : é : ; ; : pollachius.

b. very minute, : . virens.

c. small, sae about half the diameter of the eye, - esmarkit.

d. big, stout, - ° : . callarias ; luscus ; minutus.
VIII. Anau Frxs—

a. united, A : ; : : : 2 . luscus.

b. separate, . . callarias ; virens ; pollachius ; minutus ; esmarkii.

IX. VENTRAL Fin* (length of)—
a. less than two-thirds of the length of the Pectoral Fin, virens; pollachius.
b. about five-sixths of the length of Pectoral, é callarias.
c. almost as long as the Pectoral, . .— luscus ; minutus ; ; esmarki,

X. SEconD AND THIRD DorsaL Fins—
a. united, : : : . ; . sometimes in luscus.
b. separate, . callarias; virens ; pollachius ; luscus ; minutus; esmarkii.

XI. Gietn at Pectoral Region—

a. greater than the girth at Anus, . : 2 : callarias.

b. less than the girth at the Anus, . virens ; pollachius ; luscus ; minutus ;
esmarkii.

XII. ScaLtes—very deciduous, : é : f luscus ; minutus.

XII. Lencta—
a. not exceeding 10 inches (25cm.),. callarias; virens ; pollachius ; luscus ;
minutus ; esmarkii.

b. not exceeding 17 inches (42 cm.),. . callarias ; virens ; pollachius ;

luscus ; minutus.

c. exceeding 17 inches (42 cm.), ‘ . callarias ; virens ; pollachius.
LITERATURE.

CunniIncHAM.—‘‘ Marketable Marine Fishes.” London, 1896. [Short descrip-
tions of G. duscus and G. minutus. ]

Day.—-‘‘ The Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland.” London, 1880-1884.

Fuiton.—‘‘ The Spawning and Spawning Places of Marine Food-Fishes.” LHighth
Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1889.
[Spawning of G. luscus.]

—— ‘‘On the Comparative Fecundity of Sea-Fishes.” Ninth Annual Report ay
the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1890, p. 243. [Eggs of G.
luscus. }

——— ‘‘Ichthyological Notes—Gadus esmarkii.” Nineteenth Annual Report of
the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1902, Pt. III., p. 282. [Distri-
bution of G. esmarkii. |

* The slender tip of the ventral fin may be broken sometimes.

°

a *&
“

140 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report *

Futon. —‘‘Ichthyological Notes—Gadus esmarkii.” Twentieth Annual Report
of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1901, Pt. IIL, p. 539.
‘The Rate of Growth of Fishes—Gadus esmarkii.” Twenty-second

Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1903, p. 195.
[Rate of Growth and Distribution. ]

GUNTHER. —‘‘ Catalogue of Fishes in the British Museum.”

‘* Report on the Fishes obtained by Mr. J. Murray in Deep Water on the
North-West Coast of Scotland, between April 1887 and March 1888.”
Proceedings Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, vol. xv., p. 205, 1889. [Specific
Description of Gadus esmarkii. ]

HeINCKE u. ExRENBAUM. —‘‘ Kier und Larven von Fischen der deutschen Bucht.”
II. ‘*Die Bestimmung der Schwimmenden Fischeier und die Methodik
der Eimessungen.” Wissen. Untersuch. von der Komm. wissen- Untersuch.
der deutschen Meere in Kiel wu. Biol. Anstalt auf Helgoland. N.F. 3er Bd.
Abtheil. Helgoland. Hft. 2. 1900. Pp. 131 et seg. [Eggs and Spawning
of G. luscus.] /

Horr.—Royal Dublin Society. Report of Council for 1891. [@adus esmarkii.]

M‘Intosu. —‘‘ Report of the St. Andrews Marine Laboratory, No. III.” Fourth
Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1885, p. 201.
[Gadus luscus and Gadus minutus. }

——— ‘Contributions to the Life-Histories and Development of the Food- and
other Fishes.” Hleventh Annual Revort of the Fishery Board for Scotland,
for the year 1892. Part III. [Eggs of Gadus minutus: On a peculiar
** Poor Cod” (G, esmarkii. ]

M‘Inrosu and Mastrerman.—‘‘ The Life-Histories of the British Marine Food-
Fishes.” London, 1897. [Eggs, larve, and post-larval stages of G. luscus
and G. minutus. |

Mosius u. Hercke.—‘‘ Die Fische der Ostsee.” Berlin, 1883. [Specific
Description of G. minutus. ]

PARNELL. —‘‘ Fishes of the Firth of Forth.” Edinburgh, 1838. [Description of
Morrhua lusca. |

‘SCANDINAVIAN Fisues.” (By Fries, Ekstrém, Sundevall, Wright, and Smitt.)
Stockholm, 1893.

Scumipt.—‘‘ The Pelagic Post-larval Stages of the Atlantic Species of Gadus.”
3 Plates and 16 Figuresin the Text. Pt. I. Meddelelser fra Kommissionen
Jor Havundersigelser. Serie, Fiskeri. Bind I. No. 4. Copenhagen, 1905.

- [Post-larval stages of G. luscus, G. minutus, and G. esmarkit, with figures. ]

WILLIAMson.—‘‘On the Pelagic Fish-Eggs and Larvee of Loch Fyne.” Seven-

teenth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1898.

Pt. III., p. 79. [Occurrence of the eggs of G. luscus and G. minutus. ]

** A Comparison between the Cod (Gadus callarias, Linn.), the Saithe
(Gadus virens, Linn.), ond the Lythe (Gadus pollachius, Linn.), in respect

to certain external and osteological characters.” Twentieth Annual Report

of the Fishery Board for Scotland, for the year 1901. Pt. III., p. 228.
YARRELL.—‘‘ A History of the British Fishes.” London, 1861. [Descriptions of
Gadus luscus and G. minutus. |

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.
PLATE VIII,

Fig. 1. Gadus minutus, 27 cm. long. 2, large ovary. Reduced.
Fig. 2. Gadus luscus, 28cm. Q, nearly ripe. Reduced.

PLATE IX.
Gadus esmarkii. Nat. size.

PLATE X.
Fig. 3. Skull of G. duscus, 2, 28:7 em., . x 2
Fig. 4. bP) 39 93 99 cS x 2 7
Fig. 5. % 9 ”» ” x 2
Fig. 6. <5 G. minutus, 25 em., x 2
Hoare 55 - 26 cm., oe 2
Fig. 8. 6 4 25 cm., x 2

=

*

F. B. REPORT, 1906.

oe
<
s
-

AVIAN

y

ii eons

HN it
(
Magra =
A. H. Waker, delt. : Fig. 1. Gadus minutus, Fig. 2. G. lusous.

--

F. B. REPORT, 1906.

A. H. WALKER.

Gadus esmarkii.

PLATE Ik:

‘*

_-
¥
*

ind e
F. B. REPORT, 1906. E PLATE X.

p. S. pr. F
. Pt. F. p. S. r pr. F. v. Pik

A. H. WaLkeEr. Fios. 8, 4, 5,12. Gadus luseus. Fias. 6, 7, 8, Ul. G. minutus. ~ Fics. 9, 10, 13, 14, G, esmarkii.

¢ 8:
7
| *
sai . i |
= | | | |
| 7 4
=, / |
. | | |
: ‘ ;

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 141

Fig. 9. Skull of G. esmarkiz, x 2,
Fig. 10. oF x 2
Fig. 11. coe Ge minutus, 26 cm., x 2
Big. 12. » ©6©G. luscus, 28 om., x 2
Fig. 13. ue G. esmarkit, x 2
Fig. 14. fs on 2
LETTERS USED.
Ang —Angle. P. pr.—Process of Parietal.
b. Oc.—Basi-occipital, par. Oc.—Par-occipital.
#.—Ethmoid. p. S.—Parasphenoid.
e. Oc.—-Ex-occipital. pr. F.- -Pre-frontal.
F.—Frontal. pt. F.—Post-frontal.
Oc. Sp.—-Occipital Spine. Sq.—Squamosal.
op. O.—Opisthotic. | V.—Vomer.
P.—Parietal.
LIST OF TABLES.
PAGE.
Localities near Aberdeen where the ape? of G. luscus and G. minutus
were captured, : : : Ls
Localities where some of the G. esmar his were vabbainea, ; : oe Lille?
Table showing the sex and sizes of the fishes examined, : : bls
Table showing the average lengths of the bases of the unpaired fins, 124-5
Table showing the ratio of the eee of the base of the first anal to that of
the second anal, _ . 125
Table giving the sum of the Tigi of he Wasen of ie dor el and dual fina, 126
Table showing the average number of rays in the unpaired fins, : 7 126
Table of the average index of the fin-rays for each fin, : : 27
Table of the number of rays in the paired fins and caudal fin, : . 128
Taste I.—Gadus luscus. Number of VERTEBR%, the Number of the
Vertebra bearing the First Haman ARCH, and the Number
of FIN-RAYS,~ - : : F : : . 142
55 Il.—Gadus minutus. Number of VERTEBRA, the Number of the
Vertebra bearing the First Hamat Arcu, and the Number
of FIN-RAYS, . : F : ; ; 143-4
» IIil.—G@adus esmarkii. Number of Vertesra and Fin-Rays, 145-7
., IV.—Gadus esmarkii. Number of Vertebra pee the First
Hamat ARCH, . : ; 148

is V.—Gadus luscus, G. minutus, G. esmarkii. The Range de VARIA-
TION in the Number of Frn-rAys in each Fin. FREQUENCY
of each Number, F : 3 ‘ : . 149

» Vi1.—Gadus luscus, G. minutus, G. esmarkii. The Range of VARIA-
TION in the Number of VERTEBRa. Frequency of each
Number, ; F ‘ : : : . 150

» VII. and VIII.—Gadus Juscus. The Bopy-DimENsIoNs represented
as Percentages of the Length of the Fish. AVERAGE at each
size (Centimetre groups), : : : 151-2

», IX. and X.—Gadus minutus. The Bopy-Drmenstons represented as
Percentages of the Length of the Fish, AVERAGE at each
size (Centimetre groups), . : : 153-4

», XI. and XII.—Gadus esmarkii. The Bopy-DimEnsions represented
as Percentages of the Length of the Fish. AVERAGE at each
size (Centimetre groups), : 155-6

», XIIL.—Gadus luscus, G. minutus, G. csmarki, The Range of VARIA-
TION of the Bopy- DIMENSIONS, . 157

142 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TasLe [.—-Gadus Luscus,

Number of Vertebre, Number of Vertebra bearing the First Hamal Arch,
and Number of Fin-rays.

| VERTEBRA. FIN-RAYS.
Length. | sex, (>
Cm. | ees | eae 1D; | 2D]. | 1a, aes
: Hemal Arch. |
16°8 3 Ag) tint 16 14 26 22 35 | 22
215 | o 28) inde 13 24 20 35 22
245 3 48 | 16 12 22 20 31 20
25 3 48 | 16 15 22 19 32 21
26-2 3 49 | 17 15 22 19 33 21
24 Ae) 1G 13 23 19 32 21
26:6 z ag, tO 14 24 20 36 22
27-4 é 48 16 14 24 19 34 22
27°8 * 49 16 13 2) 18 32 18
28°7 48 16 13 29 21 34 22
30°4 49 16 13 28 18 33 21
32:7 9 | 16 13 24 21 35 21
40 48 16 14 25 19 36 22
Average, - 48°4 16 13°5 23°3 19°6 33°7 21
Variants, - 18 | 13 13 13 13 13 18

* Sex not recorded.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 143

TasLe II.—Gadus Minutus.

Number of Vertebrax, Number of Vertebra bearing the First Hamal Arch
and Number of Fin-rays.

VERTEBR®. | FIN-RAYS.
Length. <— : re f ee ey Be ee

ee Ree Beatinn feet | 1D (OD | FD yd Ae Wy Bae

Heemal Arch.
11 2 49 13 24 20 27 20
11:3 2 50 13 23 21 28 23
11:4 io) 50 Heouas 24 23 28 23
14 . 49 | 13 23 29 21
Ce a 50 | 14 22 21 26 22
16°6 2 49 | 12 24 22 27 21
Vite Ne ee 49 16 ear 23 23 27 22
17°3 3 49 16 | 13 22 20 sf: 21
7 | 3 ee) ee 8 ae 26 21 30 23
18 g 50 17 |
18-2 3 48 16 |
18-2 3 50 16 |
18°6 2 49 17 | 14 24 23 29 22
19-4 3 50 16 | 13 23 21 29 23
19°6 - 49 16 | 12 24 20 28 22
19-7 12 92 21 28 22
20 fe} 48 16
20 ie) 13 23 21 28 21
20°5 2 48 16 13 20 22 29 22
21 of 51 16 12 24 21 28 21
21 d 50 17 14 21 28 23
21 ¢ 49 16
21-2 oe 49 16 12 22 21 28 22
21:3 2 49 16 12 22 21 29 22
21-4 3 51 16 14 21 22 22
21°5 3 49 15 13 23 19 28 21
21:6 Q 50 16
21:7 “J 50 16
B17 3 50 13 20 21 yy 23
2:3. -\. ¢ 49 16am {12 24 28 29 23 |
218 | 49 16 | 13 | 22 22 97 | 23 |

144 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TABLE II.—continued.

VERTEBR. FIN-RAYS.
Length. oe :
cm etal, bearing rt 1D) | 2D- |S Ds) ae
22 12 22
22 0 16 12 26 22 29 24
22 48 16
22 51 17
22 49 16 13 23 23 29 22
22°2 50 16 2] 21 27 22
22°2 50 16
22°4 50 17 12 25 21 28 22
22-4 0 16
22-5 49 15
22°6 49 16 12 24 23 24
23 48 15 12 22 22 27 23
23 49 16 14 21 22 23
23 50
23 50 16 12 21 21 29 22
23°3 50 16 15 23 21 29 23
23°3 49 15
24 49 16 13 23 22 29 21
24:2 49 16
24°4 49 16 13 21 23 27 22
24°8 50 18 13 24 20 28 21
25'3 50 13 24 22 31 24
25°4 49 16 12 26 20 29 23
26°4 49 17 13 24 21 30 293
| Rian cane 20 ee =
Average, - 49-4 16 12°7 22-9 | ena | 28-2 | 22-2
Variants, - 52 43 39 39 38 35 39

Length.

; Cm,

46 40 10 0 G& G +4 10 10

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

TaBie I1].—Gadus Esmarkii.

Number of Vertebre and Fin-rays.

VERTEBR2.

Total
Number,

FIN-RAYS.

3D.

145

146

Sex.

3

+0 +0 +0 10 0G G

io ooo) FON ton ton Gia ton TO tO" +Or 1OntOn On tO 9 Or tO 10) tO Os

VERTEBRA.

Total
Number.

53

TABLE II].—continued.

15

26

FIN-RAYS.

3D.

Part IIT ——Twenty-fourth Annual Report

AY

29

28

29
29
27

Sex.

TOM LOL OmstOnntOn LOs ect O tO mahOm to

2
_
2
g
e
2
2
=
2
2
3
=
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

of the Fishery Board Jor Scotland. 147

TABLE II1.—continued.

VRRTEBRA. FIN-RAYS,
Total

Number. 1D. 2 D. 3D. 1A. 2A.
27 30 28
26 30 27
27 29 27
28 28 27
23 27 26
26 29 27
30 26

25 29 25
26 28 25
26 28 27
26 bl 26
25 27 26
25 28 26
26 27 29
28 30 28
26 28 26
27 29 26
26 27 26
25 30 26
27 27 26
28 28 28
26 30 27
28 28 27
28 30

25 29 27
26 28 24
28 24 28
28 30 30
28 29 28
26 (28°9) 29 27-2

148 Part LII.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TasLe LV.—Gadus Hsmarkin.

Number of the Vertebre: bearing the first Hemal Arch.

Number of the
Shx Total Number | Vertebra bear-
Cm Hal of VERTEBR&#. ing the first
2 Heemal Arch.

Length.

14°7 2 53 18 |
14-7 be. 54 19 |
15-2 53 18
15°5 52 19

p<
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of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

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150 Part LII—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TaBLe VI.

Variations in the Number of Vertebree—Frequency of each Number.

Number of Vertebree. Number [Average
: Number
Species. Vv of t of Ver-
48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | Be |’ >>| tebres,
Gadus luscus, . 7 16 = on Fa 455 08 a 13 48°4
Gadus minutus, 5 24 20 3 se ste eis et 52 49:4
Gadus esmarkui, |... aoe bra ee 4 23 21 2 50 53°4

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a a a ee ee ee ner oe

(1) 19

Part I11—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

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[B17 U9 A -OSLO(T

“‘sngNUU SsNpVMH—' KX] ATAV

Part III—Twenty-fowrth Anuwual Report

D+

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‘ysug ayn fo yybueT ay, we sabpzuaoiag abnuwap sv poquasaudas suosusurq-Apog eyf ‘snynwyy snpyy— xX ATAVY,

155

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

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"2YyLOUSy SNpPVY—TX WAV,

Part LII—T'wenty-fourth Annual Report

15

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of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 159

VI—ON THE TAY SPRAT FISHERY,

1905-1906.

By Joun Fuercuer, University College, Dundee.

I regret to report that the Tay sprat fishing has again been a compara-
tive failure. Only 1371 crans of sprats, including young herrings, were
taken out of the river this season, as against 1348 crans during last
season 1904-1905, and 14,966 crans during the season of 1883-1884.

The 1371 crans consisted of somewhere about 28 million sprats and
young herrings, of which some 57 per cent., or 16 million, were sprats
measuring from about 4°5 centimetres to 14°5 centimetres in length, and
the other 11 million, or 42 per cent., were young herrings measuring from
4°3 centimetres to 17°5 centimetres.

The bulk of the fish were caught during the first half of November,
and at that time the sprats were of large size and of first-class quality,
and the prospects of a good fishing season, which were afterwards
completely disappointed, appeared to be excellent. The large size of
these sprats contrasted greatly with the much smaller and younger sprats
of last season, and caused a striking difference in the relative numbers
of fish per cran during the two seasons.

Last season the average number of fish per cran was 28,800, and this
season it was 19,200 during the first half of November, and 24,000
during the rest of the season.

Most of the fish were sent off fresh to the various English markets; a
fair proportion, however, were salted and shipped to Germany for sardine
purposes, while a small fraction were either sold for manure or thrown
into the river, mostly while the men were at the sparling fishing.

The 1371 crans of fresh and salted fish brought to the fishermen a sum
of somewhere about £350. ‘

During January and February, while the men were at the sparling
fishing, it was often difficult and sometimes impossible to obtain accurate
information regarding the quantities of young herrings and sprats captured
along with the sparlings. The difficulty was mainly due to the great
scarcity of fish, and to the fact that small quantities were being sent off
from Newburgh by the fishermen themselves, whilst other small quanti-
ties were taken to the Dundee Fish Dock, situated at the extreme east
end of the city.

I ascertained, however, that the number of sprat boats engaged at the
spatling fishing varied from 1 to 20 during the latter half of December
and the whole of January, and from 1 to 7 during February. Each boat
during December and January brought in along with the sparlings from
1 bucket to 2 crans of young herrings and sprats per day, while during
February the average quantity was only about 2 or 3 buckets per day.

Unlike last season, the Broughty-Ferry fishermen and the sprat fisher-
men paid no heed to the Board’s recommendation of January, 1904,
namely:—that both fishermen should observe a line of division drawn

160 Part IL1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

between Broughty-Ferry and Tayport. On several occasions the
Broughty-Ferry men drifted for winter herring as far up the estuary as
the Tay Bridge, while the sprat men were several times from 7 to 2 miles
below Tayport.

During the course of this season’s fishing 40 samples of mixed sprats,
young herrings, and other fishes were bought and examined. The samples
consisted of :—

Young Herrings, . 17,115, from 43cm. to 17:5cm.
Sprats, . 5 ; 2 SEDI wn. 4-5 to dG
Young Sparlings, GOD. cr 4:2 ,, to 150 ,,
> ) Whiting, SUB 50 G53 CO yg- GO, LORI ae
sr, OG a 215, Si 2 serbol GeO
Place: a el Be 4:3" = to 15:05
7 eoDalbs, 6 : : SOM) aes 38, to oO
., Flounders, . ; LORS F 530.0,, bo 1 O:0 oe
» waithe, . ; : Pian ee SOs = sto AGO
27,007
Agonus cataphractus, . ‘ : : 109
Ammodytes tobianus, . 5 (ite
Liparis montagut, : 70
Gobius minutus, . : : ; : 70

Syngnathus, sp., . : ; 9
Cottus scorpius, . : 7
Gasterosteus spinachia, 4
Centronotus gunnellus, : : 3
Gasterosteus aculeatus, 1
Petromyzon fluviatilis, 1

The numbers of young cod, whiting, plaice, dabs, flounders, and saithe
are somewhat larger than is shown in the above Table, owing to the fact
that the daily catches are to some extent picked before and sometimes
after being brought into the Dundee Tidal Harbour. Large quantities of
leaves, rushes, and weeds of all kinds also enter the nets, and even
branches of trees, which sometimes cause great damage to the nets, and
the picking and throwing overboard of this rubbish and of the young
fish entails a great amount of labour to the men.

During the first half of the month of November, while the fish were
abundant and the percentage of sprats remained over 70, the number of
other fishes caught along with the sprats was quite insignificant.

A typical unpicked sample of the fish consisting of :—

Sprats, : Sit OBIE
Young Herring, . ; ‘ 86
nh SANG Mesa ins L f ; : , 1
Agonus cataphractus, . ; : : ; 1
Shrimps, . ; ; , : . 1
1146

The above sample represents about one-seventeenth part of a cran.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 161

On the other hand, during December, January, and February, when
the fish were very scarce, and the percentage of young herrings very high,
a typical unpicked: sample of the fish consisted of :—

“ Halflin” Herrings, 16
Young Herrings, 2218
Sprats, : J ‘ 54
Young Cod, ; 38
» Whiting, 35
5 Sparlings, E 2 i ‘ 416
1, wmalbne: . : ; ; ; ; 5
. # EARBIeeg ht : ; ; ; ’ 12
Sand-eels, . i : 4 ‘ ; : 25
Gobius minutus, : d : : 21
Liparis montagut, . : ‘ ; 11
Agonus cataphractus, . : : : : ca
Shrimps ( Crangon vulgaris ), 600

There were also present in this sample about 200 larval fish, consisting
of over 90 per cent. young herring and about 10 per cent. of young sprats,
sand-eels, and sparlings.

The whole of the above sample represents about one-twelfth part of a
eran, The 40 samples of sprats and young herring examined during this
season represented about one-thousandth part of the entire season’s catch.

The catch was carefully examined on every day when the fish were
landed at the Dundee Tidal Harbour, but on some days no large samples
of sprats and herring were bought or examined, a rongh estimate only
being made of the proportion of sprats and herring which made up the
catch.

By these two methods the following Table has been drawn up, showing
the approximate composition of the catch throughout the season,

An asterisk denotes the days when the estimate was only a superficial
one :-—

|
| Estimated a Estimated
Date. No. of Crans, | No. of Young | es prrcvost s,| Total No. of
| Hewrinptsi|> <4 eels Fish.
=S—_ SSS Se ee eS ee ee as
1905.
October . : ash 14 25,200 10,800 36,000
2 ee ae eee aes eer 3 ee ee
November 1 . F 1 16,800 7,200 24,000
se Qe. ; 1} 15,000 5,000 30,000
Be 3 8} 61,200 142,800 204,000
os 6 186} 250,992 3,334,680 3,585,600
; (i 56 107,520 967,680 1,075,200
- 8 1054 243,072 1,782,528 2,025,600
Ar 9 168} 647,040 2,588,160 3,235, 200
- 10 403 186,624 590,976 777,600
_ Li D354 308,160 719,040 1,027,200
= 13 1264 1,360,128 1,068,672 2,428,800

162 Part II]— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Date.

November 14* .
5 15
$ GE.
e 17
ns Wc
os 20* .
4 21
iS 22
53 23
6 24
55 25
5 27
5 28* .
i 29
s 30

December 1*.

1906.
January 1-31 .

February 1-24.

Estimated

No. of Crans. | No. of Young
Herring.
274 264,000
121 998,976
57 492,480
20 192,000
193 331,800
10 192,000
14} 331,740
20 441,600
2 8,640
562 404,484
714 1,539,000
BB y 454,860
19} 277,200
16 268,800
17 367,200
1,2513 9,761,316
3 10,800
8 134,400
6 100,800
12 29, 400
t 8,400
12 130,200
4 8,400
104 188,800
19 364,800
4 85,400
4 10,800
- 900
24 460, 800
82 1,533,900
30 576,000
5 96,000

i

, Estimated
No. of Sprats, | Total.No. of
264,000 528,000
1,324,224 2,323,200
601,920 1,094,400
192,000 384,000
142,200 474,000
48,000 240,000
10,260 342,000
38,400 480,000
9,340 18.000
688,716 1,093,200
171,700 1,710,000
343,140 798,000
184,800 462,000
115,200 384,000
40,800 408,000
15,390,684 | 25,152,000
1,200 12,000
57,600 192,000
43,200 144,000
12,600 42,000
3,600 12,000
55,800 186,000
3,600 12,000
57,200 246,000
91,200 456,000
10,600 96,000
1,200 12,000
100 1,000
115,200 576,000
453,100 1,987,000
eel ee

144,000 | 720,000
24,000 | 129,000

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 163
1905-1906.
l

Estimated | Estimated | Estimated | Estimated aeanaee

Months, No. of |No.of Young} No. of Total No. of of Yo a2

Crans Herring. Sprats. Fish. H aes a
October, 14 25,200 10,800 36,000 70:0
November, . 1,2512 9,761,316 | 15,390,684 | 25,152,000 38°8
December, . 8248 1,538,900 453,100 1,987,000 77°6
January, 380 576,000 144,000 720,000 80:0
February, . 5 96,000 24,000 | 120,000 80:0
1,37104 11,992,416 | 16,022,584 | 28,015,000 42-4

With regard to the relative percentages of young herrings and sprats, I
would point out that there is every indication that when a larger body of
fish than usual enter the Tay estuary the percentage of sprats is usually
very high; this was certainly the case during the past season 1905-6,
but was not quite so noticeable during the previous season of 1904-5.
It is also, of course, of equal importance to note that when fish are com-
paratively scarce in the estuary it is due usually to the falling-off in the
numbers of sprats—in other words, whilst young herring are always
present in the Tay estuary the larger shoals of sprats are only occasionally
present.

The destruction of young herrings and other fishes is, therefore, not so
alarmingly great as one would imagine it to be on first looking at the
samples and the tables of percentages, and does not, in my opinion, argue
for any drastic changes in the mode of fishing.

The fishermen, however, should not persist in fishing when the per-
centage of sprats falls below 60, and when the fish are of small size and
not of much use for purposes of food.

The sale of fish for manure purposes should, I think, also be strictly
prohibited, even when the fish are unusually abundant and the percentage
of sprats very high.

During the course of the two past’ winters over 40,000 sprats and young
herrings have been carefully measured with the object of ascertaining the
probable age groups of both fish and the probable annual rate of growth.
These measurements will be dealt with on another occasion.

GENERAL Account OF THE SpraT Fisaine, 1905-1906.

This season’s sprat fishing was late in beginning, later even than last
season, and the lateness was again due to the great scarcity of fish. ‘The
regular sprat fishing of this season began on the 6th of November and
practically came to an end during the latter half of December; it was
taken part in by the same number of boats, and by practically the same
number of men as last year.

The two main features of this season’s fishing were (1) the excellent
quality of the sprats whilst they remained plentiful in the estuary, and
(2) the great scarcity of both sprats and young herring during the latter
half of December and the whole of January and February.

The quality of the sprats was the best seen in Dundee for some years,
the catches during the first week of the regular fishing consisting of over

164 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

70 per cent. of first-class sprats, the number of young food fishes other
than young herring forming only an insignificant fraction.

The sprats were mostly of large size, their average sizes varying from
98cm. to 12-5cm., and contrasted greatly with the much smaller and
younger sprats of last season.

Unlike last season, there was a keen demand for sprats throughout
almost the whole of this season, and the usually brisk competition amongst
the buyers kept the prices generally at a high standard.

In consequence of the good prices which the fishermen obtained for
their fish, there was less dissatisfaction amongst them than last year, but
there still remained great discontent amongst the buyers, owing to what
they consider the excessive railway rates charged for the carriage of the
fish to the various English markets.

The complaints of the fishermen gradually increased, however, as the
fish became scarcer, and much real distress prevailed again during January
and February.

With regard to the great scarcity of fish during December, January,
and February, some of the men thought it was because of the want of
south-easterly gales, and others because of the weak tides, heavy spates,
and frosty weather. I also interviewed a few old fishermen, some of
whom had been all their days taking part in the various fishings on the
River Tay, and one and all complained bitterly of the great scarcity of all
kinds of fish in the River Tay at the present day. They attribute this
great scarcity of fish to the general increase in the numbers of bleaching
works, dye works, ink factories, paper mills, and tanneries, and to the
gradually increased sewerage from Perth downwards. They declare that
20 and 25 years ago fish of many different kinds were very plentiful in
all parts of the river; salmon and trout were exceedingly plentiful, and
great numbers of large black flounders were got all the way from New-
burgh to Broughty-Ferry, and were particularly plentiful on the north side
of the Middle-Bank, where they are now scarce and of a much smaller
size. Large cod were also very plentiful in various parts of the estuary,
and were occasionally captured in considerable numbers as far up the
estuary as Invergowrie Bay. Plaice, dabs, brill, and other fishes were also
in much greater numbers than at the present day. During that time-——
20 and 25 years ago—the sprat boats only numbered some half-dozen, but
they quickly increased until they numbered somewhere about 30, and
have remained at about that number for many years.

Here I must mention, in connection with the general scarcity of fish in
the river, the bitter complaints of the sprat fishermen and the Broughty-
Ferry fishermen, who allege that the barge and dredger men in the
employment of the Dundee Harbour Trustees deposit large quantities of
mud and filth in the vicinity of Monifieth Bay, and have thus completely
destroyed excellent spawning grounds of the winter herring. The barges
containing mud dredged from the Dundee and Tayport harbours are
supposed to be towed out to the mouth of the river, but the fishermen
assert that on the approach of darkness, or if there be the least sign of a
storm outside, the mud is at once dumped down in the vicinity of
Monifieth Bay. I advised the fishermen to communicate with the Fishery
Board in connection with the matter, but found later that the Broughty-
Ferry Town Council had been in communication with the Dundee
Harbour Trustees, and that the latter had, in consequence, instructed their
employees to convey all mud to the mouth of the river.

During the course of this season’s fishing, I pointed out to several
fishermen and buyers that the Fishery Board regretted the destruction of
so many voung herring and sprats in the Tay estuary, and I suggested

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 165

the general use of the drift-net instead of the usual bag-net ; but both
fishermen and buyers were unanimously of opinion that drift-net fishing
for sprats in the Tay estuary was impracticable; the currents, they
maintained, were far too strong, and the drift net would not capture
nearly enough fish to enable both fishermen and buyers to earn a fair
living.

I further pointed out to the buyers the possibility of the drift-nets
capturing more sprats than young herring, because of the deeper, rounder,
and more serrated bodies of the sprats, but one of the buyers assured me
that he had seen, on several occasions, as many young herring as sprats
captured in the drift-nets at other sprat fishing stations, L also, in the
course of my visits to the harbour, pointed out to the buyers that the
barrels they were using in conveying the fish to the various English
markets were generally of too large a size, and that the fish before they
reached their destination must be in a very pulpy condition, and many
of them not of much use for cooking purposes.

I suggested as an alternative the general use of smaller flat boxes.
The buyers admitted the barrels were far too large, but argued that
smaller flat boxes would have to be made of much stronger wood, and
this would only add to the weight and subsequent cost of the carriage of
the fish.

1 discussed also the question of the preservation and tinning of the
sprats for sardine purposes, and one of the buyers—Mr. William Hopkins,
a noted Anstruther herring curer and exporter—-was of opinion that
the question was worthy of every consideration, but pointed out that a
business of this kind would require a large sum of money to set it agoing,
and it would not very likely pay for a year or two, because practically
the whole trade is at present in the hands of foreigners.

I learned also that some of the fishermen had bought preserving and
tinning apparatus several years ago, but they only met with fair success,
owing chiefly to the high prices of sprats during some seasons,
and their pocr quality and small size during other seasons. If
sprats are to be used for sardine purposes they must be bought at or
below 5s. or 6s. per cran, and they must be of a fair size and com-
paratively free from young herrings. Young herrings can, however, be
sardined like the sprats, but they require more labour and expense, and
are not nearly so palatable as the sprats themselves.

FurtHer Nores on THE Natura History OF THE SPRAT AND THE
YouNnG oF THE HERRING.

Fairly large numbers of young herrings and comparatively small
numbers of sprats appear to be present in the Tay estuary at all times of
the year, but the larger shoals of full-grown sprats only occasionally.

The Tay estuary would therefore appear to be more of a natural
nursery ground for young herrings than for sprats, but its usefulness as
such is very much diminished by the enormous amount of impurities
poured into the river.

Here, then, arise the two most interesting points in connection with
the natural history of both fish, namely :—‘‘ Why do they enter our
estuaries at all during the winter months, and what are the causes of the
constant fluctuations in their numbers.”

As I pointed out in last year’s report, the question of food tnay
safely be left out of account altogether, principally because of the
ill-success which attended the examination of the estuarine waters for
food material, and the almost complete absence of food material in the
stomachs of both the sprat and the young herring.

166 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Again, with regard to the tides, I am still of opinion that spring tides
have no more influence in bringing the fish into the estuary than neap
tides have. This opinion is against that of many of the fishermen, but I
found that in 1904-1905 as many large catches of fish were made during
neap tides as during spring tides, and that during the past winter,
1905-1906, the largest catches of the season were made during the lowest
phases of the neap tides. Here we must bear in mind, however, that
the greater strength of the spring tides undoubtedly adds to the capturing
power of the bag-net.

Slight variations in the temperature of the air, I also find, have no
marked influence on the movements of the fish, but prolonged frosts and
subsequent colder waters of spates may drive at least the younger forms
out into the sea again. Neither of these, however, account for the
principal fluctuations in the number of fish in our estuaries.

Spawning may, of course, be left out of account altogether, as the
sprats do not spawn in the estuary proper, and spawning does not take
place until the spring and early summer months.

Storms, and especially south-easterly gales, on the other hand, are
undoubtedly important factors to be taken into account; but that south-
easterly gales do not always drive the fish into the Tay estuary may be
easily seen by referring to the weather statistics of the two past sprat
fishing seasons. I may point out, however, that a series of westerly
gales sometimes drive many of the fish from the upper parts of the
estuary, and may give rise to large catches of young herring.

It was after a week of storms and south-easterly gales when the largest
shoal of sprats of the past season made its appearance in the Tay estuary;
but a greater storm of wind and rain a few days afterwards made little or
no difference in the numbers of fish in the estuary. The same remarks
hold good for the sprat-fishing season of J904—1905.

There only remains now the question of the constant persecution by
numerous and varied enemies and the consequent inherent restlessness
and timidity of both fish. As is well known, large shoals of cod, ling,
whiting, dogfishes, mackerel, and other fishes feed upon the sprat and
herring, and shoals of haddock devour the spawn of the herring in large
quantities. Seals, porpoises, and dolphins and many sea birds are also
well known to be formidable enemies; add to all these, then, the cannibal-
istic habits of the two fish themselves, and the great destruction made
upon them by the sprat fishermen, and one cannot wonder at the great
and constant fluctuations in the numbers of both fish in our estuaries.

A sudden shoal of cod, whiting, or dogfish, or an increase in the
numbers of seals and porpoises, or even the occasional presence of a whale
in the vincity, will doubtless drive large shoals of sprats into our estuaries.
Here I may mention that only a few years ago a large whale made its
appearance in the Tay estuary, and during the same time the water was
simply teeming with sprats, young herring, and young whiting. I may
also mention that both porpoises and dolphins are not uncommon just
outside the river, and seals are sometimes very plentiful even in the
estuary.

This incessant persecution, then, by numerous and varied enemies, may
well explain the presence of the sprat, at any rate in such large and
varying numbers, in our estuaries.

From the preceding remarks one could naturally conclude that a
diminution in the number of enemies would result in an increase in the
numbers of sprats and herring, and that both fish, especially the sprat,
would. in consequence remain further and longer away from our estuaries.

Again, during other seasons, when perhaps cod, whiting, dogfishes, and

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 167

so on, are very abundant, the numbers of sprats and young herring in our
estuaries would very likely be much greater, although the actual total
number of both fish in the sea would rapidly grow less. In this way,
then, we may find a possible explanation of the occurrence of fat and lean
fishing seasons in the various sprat fisheries round our coasts.

In connection with the above ideas I interviewed several fishermen and
buyers belonging to Dundee, Broughty-Ferry, and St. Andrews, and
obtained information from them which went to support my theories.

I found that very few sprats and young herring had been present
in St. Andrews Bay during the autumn wonths of 1905, and that little or
no cod were caught there during the same time. After, however, a week
of storms in the North Sea, a large shoal of sprats, unmixed with young
herring, made its appearance in St. Andrews Bay on the 2nd or 3rd of
November, 1905, and large numbers of cod and whiting were being caught
there at the same time.

All the cod, the fishermen informed me, were simply gorged with sprats,
and many of the cod were vomiting up the sprats whilst being hauled on
board.

This large shoal of sprats made its appearance in the Tay estuary about
the same time as it did in St. Andrews Bay, and on the 6th of November
the largest catch of the season—namely, 186? crans—was made by the
Tay sprat fishermen.

Another, if not greater, storm of easterly gales and rain took place on
the 13th November, 1905, and caused great loss and damage to fishing
apparatus in St. Andrews Bay. It also completely cleared out all the cod
and codling as well as the sprats in the bay, and since that date, and
until the close of the sprat fishing season towards the end of the following
February, the fishing in St. Andrews Bay was a complete failure.

This great storm caused little or no increase in the numbers of sprats in
the Tay estuary, so that the bulk of the St. Andrews Bay sprats must
have sought shelter elsewhere.

Following closely upon the disappearance of the cod and codling from
St. Andrews Bay, or in the course of the next two or three days after the
storm, the Tay sprat fishing almost suddenly fell away and became a
complete failure, and, further, it remained a failure along with the St.
Andrews Bay fishing until the close of the Tay sprat fishing season,

I aiso found, upon further inquiry, that the season of 1904-1905 was
a poor cod and codling fishing season in St. Andrews Bay, and this, of
course, entirely coincides with the poor and unproductive sprat fishing in
the Tay estuary at the same time.

With regard to the difference in the quality of the sprats during the
two past seasons, it may be that owing to the mildness and exceptional
dryness of the season 1904-1905 the younger forms of the sprat were
enabled to remain much longer and much more constantly in the Tay
estuary than usual, and that the cold and heavy spates of the past season
1905-1906 drove the younger and smaller forms of sprats out into the
sea. These and like questions, however, can only be answered by
observations and experiments extending over a period of several years, and
require very careful scientific study.

Note ON THE ExTERNAL DIFFRBRENCBS BETWEEN THE SPRAT
AND THE YOUNG OF THE HERRING.

There is generally not much difficulty in distinguishing a sprat from a
young herring, even when the external features are only taken into
account and the internal structure left entirely alone.

168 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The external differences, however, between the two fish appear so
slight to a beginner that it takes him some considerable time to separate
even small quantities of one from the other; and it is only after he has
handled several thousands of fish, or has otherwise had long experience
of them, that he is able to separate the one from the other with any
degree of comfort and rapidity.

The proper method is, therefore, to first of all accustom the eye to the
differences in the general shape and colour of the two fish; but to make
sure, the thumb or forefinger must be drawn along the throats of the
fish, when the sharp spines in the case of the sprat at once distinguish it
from the comparatively smooth-throated young herring.

If in doubt about the general shape, colour, and spines, the position of
the pelvic fins in relation to the first ray of the dorsal fin must be noted,
and if still in doubt the number of rays in the pelvic fins themselves
have to be counted.

In very small and semi-trausparent fish the number of vertebra have
to be counted.

The following Table shows the general external differences between the
two fish :—

Sprat. Young Herring.
General shape. . | Deeper and narrower in the | Relatively not so deep in the
body. Belly curved from body, and much less curved
head to tail. in the belly ; whole body
usually more tapering to-
wards tail.
Colour. . : . | Narrow strip of slaty blue col- | Broader strip of greenish blue
our on back, Sides of body colour on back.

relatively more silvery.

-____---:-- OO | Oo Oe Se — | eee

Head. . : . | Short from snout to occipital | Relatively longer.
region.

Spines. . . - | Well developed on throat and | Weak on throat and not so well
belly. developed on belly.

Eyes. . 5 - | Small. Relatively large.

el

Position of Pelvic | In nearly all fish above, but | In nearly all fish above, but

Fins, sometimes below, 5 cms. in sometimes below, 5 cms.
front of first dorsal fin ray. behind first dorsal fin ray.
Number of Rays in | 7, usually. 9, usually.

Pelvic Fins.

Dailsa xe . | Greyish in colour and usually | Darker fringe and more uni-
ragged. form in shape.

Vertebre, . : Not more than 48. Not less than 54,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 169

VIL—ON THE SPAWNING OF THE LUMPSUCKER (Cyclopterus
lumpus) AND THE PATERNAL GUARDIANSHIP OF THE
EGGS. By Dr, T. Wemyss Fuuron, F.R.S.E., Superintendent of
Scientific Investigations.

(PLATE XI.)

The lumpsucker is a common fish on our shores in spring, when it
comes close in among the rocks to deposit its spawn, the spawning-season
extending from February to nearly the end of May. Its food consists
of marine worms, ccelenterates, crustacea, and small fishes; Dr. Murie
has taken 100 whitebait (young herzings and sprats) from the stomach of
a specimen.* It is stated by several authors that the stomachs of females,
especially, often contains nothing save a quantity of fluid; this is no
doubt owing to their being mostly caught during the breeding season,
when food is usually not taken by fishes.

The males are much smaller than the females and somewhat more
numerous ; they are brightly-coloured red on the fins and lower surface
during the spawning time, while the females are dark leaden blue or
slatey-coloured. The mass of eggs produced by a female is large, and
may reach as much as 35 per cent. of the total weight; the average for
three specimens examined by me was 27 per cent. In a female, 143
inches in length and weighing 6 lbs. 12 ounces, caught on 16th May,
and included in the following table, the eggs weighed 2 lbs., while 150cc.
of ovarian fluid escaped from the ovaries.

The eggs measure about 2°2mm.—2°6mm., and have a volume of
4:18cc. ; I found them to number from 79,758 to 136,764 in females a
little over 18 inches long. The fecundity of the lumpsucker is therefore
high. When examined in the ripe female before extrusion they are
usually reddish or salmon-tinted, but may be lilac, pale violet, pale
brown, or pink. On extrusion they are pink, but this tint fades on
exposure to light, and gives way toa faint greenish or yellowish hue ; later
they become dark, owing to the development of pigment in the embryos.

The whole of the eggs are laid at-one time, or at all events this appears
to be the usual occurrence, but au examination of the ovaries of the
females included in the Table below tends to show that it does not
always happen, as several of them were found to be only partly spent.
One of the females referred to in this paper, moreover, deposited her eggs
in two lots after an interval of thirteen days. The eggs in the ovary,
just before extrusion, are bathed in a plentiful fluid, but they are not
adherent ; when the fingers are passed through the mass, the feeling
conveyed resembles that of contact with a mass of half-boiled sago.
Around the eggs the secretion is syrupy, and on separating them glutinous
threads pass between them. This substance hardens in sea water and
binds the eggs into a large compact spongy mass, leaving narrow channels
between by which water enters. It is doubtful, as we shall see, whether
this arrangement would not be fatal to many of the eggs were it not for the
constant attention of the male fish; and perhaps the same attention is given
by the parents of other shore forms whose eggs are laid in adherent masses.

*M‘Intosh mentions annelids (Nereis), Third Annual Report, p. 60; Parnell says it
feeds on worms and small fish, Fishes of the Firth of Forth, p. 382 ; Scott found ccelenter-
ates (Berde, Pleurobrachia) annelids, and crustacea, in their stomachs, 7'wentieth Annual

Report, p. 467 ; Murie’s observations are given in Report on the Sea Fisheries of the Thames
Estuary, Part I., p. 139.

170

Part ITI— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

‘These masses of eggs may be found attached to rocks, &c., about low
water mark.
In the following Table I give the measurements and other particulars
of 69 lumpsuckers taken from a salmon stake-net in the Bay of Nigg in
spring a few years ago, between 2nd May and 24th July.

Date.
May 2
” 3
ere
”
”
cy) a,
” =
” 8
it 10
9 =
50,22
oe
” 4
se LS
” =
nvm (3)
” PS
5s aT
” 77
mosap begl fo)
+3
3:9
bi)
aang
Pe 0
”°
0.42
” a
”? "S,
” ez
June 7
fy 1S
” 11
» 18
July 3
” 7,
>” a
fe aic kl
” "i
oe)
2) ee
soe

Average, —

| FEMALES. MALES.
i} ) | :
| Length. | Weight Reo Length. | Weight. Gees
|
Inches. | Lbs. oz. Inches, | Lbs. oz.
18 henet. Bo Ripe 10 [igh pg Ripe
ie eo 4d 6 al a a es is
18 | 8 14 |Nearly spent 144 | 3 63 as
144 5 6 Ripe 12 | 2 5 5
17¢ 7 9? |:Nearly spent 114 2 03 re
18t | 10 73 ~ 12 2 48 “
17 | 6 143 Spawning 113 Ppecoicel -
172 poem: Spent 9 sas ADE aE
16 od: Spawning ak “bbidan a
17 GG - 12 2 94 |Nearly spent
16 5 144 is bt gay Wig ite
15 6 152 Ripe lls Bi 8 Ripe
143 haps} Spent 10; | 1 7% | Nearly ripe
Ae oe Nir Pi 134 BOE Ripe
i ne LOGS Bay stg »
i So tote Spee: 7Z ... 113 | Nearly ripe
19 ye Spawning : ; Sb ae
142 BG .
18k - 988 “6
144 6 124 “s
154 5 103 Ripe
144 4 a Spent
14 3 124 |Nearly spent
17 Oy Ripe
154 aye Spent
ts ee y
144 5 13} Ripe ae
18 S 12 z set yg PoE
15 6 143 ey . tty Wank eck ty
15 67 *2 Spawning 114 2 34 Ripe
oe she aes as 12 | see 4 3
143 5 142 Ripe 13 | 2 133 |Nearly spent
164 6 44 Spent OF | a ele Ripe
174 10 12 Ripe Sas [ere Mier me
144) oi! 67. [04 ie Aare tite Para ri
164 Quy 2 gf 15 | eG Ripe
16 7 O% |Nearly spent 83 |... 10% | Nearly ripe
14 oar t< %4 a3 ae
14$ 4° 12 is be fies ate
16 BY oct Spent Le.
144 5 94 |Nearly spent ait tcl pegs at
eee ay | A LUZ 44 (gal lot Immature
ll | 2 223 |QuiteIm’ture Uh ee ere eal a9
cae pane sc “itt 104 1 To é¢
92 deel | ”
11 1 114 i
Ihe ss a ei :
11 1 13 A
10 tyes oz 5
10 | 1 2% f
10? 2 4 sa
15°8 6G iM 1 14

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 171

There were 39 females and 30 males. The females ranged in length
from 19 to 11 inches, but the latter specimen was immature, the smallest
female which was mature measuring 14 inches (35°5 em.) and the weight
of the mature females ranged from 10 lbs, 12 oz. (4871 grammes) to 3 lbs.
124 ounces (2113 grammes), but this specimen had got rid of most of its
egos. The average length of the 39 females was 15:8 inches (about
39cm.) and the average weight 6 lbs. 6 oz. (2889 grammes).

The length of the males varied from 15 inches to 74 inches, the
smallest ripe being 9 inches (23cm.); the weights ranged from 10j oz,
(290 grammes) to 4 lbs. 6 oz. (1982 grammes) ; the former was not quite
mature, the minimum weight of the males that were certainly spawning
being 15} oz. (432 grammes). The average length of the 30 males was 11
inches (28cm.) and the average weight 1 lb. 14 oz. (822 grammes.) The
difference in the size of the males and females is thus striking.

In June all the fish were spent or nearly so, and in July they were all
immature, No female was obtained after 13th June, no doubt because
they withdraw probably to deeper water, and the last male was got on
11th July, though the net was examined up to the middle of August.

One of the habits of the lumpsucker well known to fishermen is the
guardianship by the male of the mass of eggs after they are deposited.
The habit was long ago accurately described by Fabricius in his descrip-
tion of the fishes of Greenland, and it has been referred to since by most
writers, though often with scepticism. Couch, for example,* is of opinion
that the description of Lacépéde to this effect is exaggerated, and that the
presence of the male near the eggs is accidental. M‘Intosh has given a
graphic and pathetic picture of the male remaining on the beach guarding
the eggs in a mere runlet of water after the tide had withdrawn from
them.t

The authors of ‘Scandinavian Fishes,” ¢ quoting from Malm, state
that a fisherman of Bohusliin, named Johan Persson, had observed the
spawning of this fish for three years in succession in the same cleft of the
rocks at a depth of three or four fathoms ; that the male posted himself a
couple of feet away and “blew on the roe,” besides defending it from
enemies, defeating the attacks even of the crab. This habit of “ blow-
ing” upon the roe seems to have escaped the notice of naturalists; but
from what follows it will be seen that the observation of the Swedish
fisherman was quite accurate, and that an important part of the duty of
the male taking charge of the eggs is to spout currents of water from his
mouth on them,

I should think there are few better instances among fishes of parental
devotion to the progeny than what is shown by the male lumpsucker.
For weeks and months he devotes himself to the nursing of the eggs with
the most remarkable assiduity, refusing to be driven or seduced from his
post ; fasting and rejecting food until almost the end of his long and
trying vigil: “blowing” upon them and fanning them with his fins all
the time to keep them well aérated and clean; removing anything that
might injure them, and defending them with courage and even ferocity
from the attacks of foes great and small. When his task is ended and
the eggs are hatched it is not wonderful that he is worn-out, thin, and
exhausted with his zealous labours.

Last spring four living lumpsuckers were obtained from the local
salmon stake-nets and brought to the Laboratory, and as two were males

* “British Fishes,” IT., p, 187,

+Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., XVIII., 5th Series, p. 81; Ann. Rep. Fishery Board

for Scotland, Part III., p. 174; M‘Intosh and Masterman, “British Marine Food
Fishes,” 183.

+ Vol. I, p. 297.

172 Part II. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

and two were females, and the latter were evidently full of eggs, the
opportunity was taken to make some detailed observations as to the
spawning and the guardianship of the eggs by the male. The two females
were first procured, and a few days afterwards the two males, and they
were all put together in a tank, in which were also a number of small
flounders, a few small plaice, and a lobster which had been there for a
long time and dwelt by day in a hole under a stone at the back.

The concrete tank measures 54 feet long by 4 feet 4 inches wide, and
is 33 feet high; it is provided with plate glass in front and back, and
during the observations the height of water was maintained at 274 inches,
so that the quantity of water was about 336 gallons (1663 litres). The flow
amounted approximately to 80 gallons per hour. Since light is admitted
to the back of the tank by a window narrower than the tank, and partly
under the level of the ground, the back corners are not so well illuminated.
The outflow from the tank was so arranged at first that the water
had to pass first through a layer of sand around the lower end of a large
fireclay pipe standing erect on the bottom, and high enough to reach above
the surface, then up the inside of this pipe till it reached a lateral hole in
the iron outflow pipe, which passes through the concrete bottom of the
tank and is enclosed by the fireclay pipe.

On the morning of 24th March it was found that both the female
lumpsuckers had spawned. Two large masses of eggs had been deposited
during the night, in close contact with one another, in the left-hand
corner of the tank, in front, against the glass, and between the side of the
tank and a stone, on the top of which a large sea anemone was fixed (see
figure on plate XI.). [It was thus in a good position for observation. So
closely were these masses applied to one another that they appeared at
first to form a single mass, distinguishable only by a difference in tint.
Later, when the eggs were nearly ready to hatch, they were separated
throughout by an interval or gap of about half-an-inch, showing that the
masses had in reality not been adherent to one another. It may therefore
be surmised that though both females spawned during the night,
23rd—24th March, an interval of time elapsed between the layings; and,
further, that the adhesiveness of the eggs is soon lost in sea water.

Both clumps of eggs were pink at first, but one lot was much paler
than the other, and thereby readily distinguished.

After the females had shed their eggs they retired to the shadiest spots
at the back of the tank, and passed the time in clinging to or lying on
large stones which were there. They were sluggish and quiescent, scarcely
moving, and at this time they took no food. Their system was no doubt
much upset by the sudden ejection of so large a mass of eggs, which they
had carried for some months.

The two males, on the other hand, occupied very different positions,
both as regards their place in the tank and as regards their place in the ©
social or domestic polity of the lumpsuckers present. One of them lay
close to the masses of eggs; the other was as far from them and his fellow
male as he was able to get, clinging to the wall of the tank in quite the
Opposite corner, and near the surface of the water, from which he often
pushed his snout.

The former was guarding both masses of eggs. He was lying behind
them, with his snout against them, and obviously keenly attentive to his
surroundings as well as to the responsible duties of his office. The move-
ment of another fish in the water, or of a person standing in front of the
glass plate of the tank was sharply watched. If the hand or face or
a handkerchief was approached towards the glass, the little lumpsucker
came up over the eggs with eagerness and celerity, and remained there in

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 173

an attitude of watchfulness. If the hand was placed on the glass near the
eggs, he made a furious charge at it; with so much force, indeed, in the
early days of his long guard, that he obviously hurt his snout.

This was repeated again and again, and day after day. If anyone
entered the tank-house and came within five or six yards of the tank, he
was observed by the alert little sentinel, who rose up and watched him.
When the attendant bared his arm and plunged it into the water to place
a flat stone behind the eggs (so that the actions of the fish might be better
observed as he rested upon it at a higher level), his arm was charged with
such fury that it was forcibly driven against the front of the tank. The
guarding male showed the courage, ferocity, and tenacity of a bulldog,
which, indeed, he somewhat resembled, with his ugly visage, heavy jaws,
and restlessly moving eyes, the whites of which were often exposed and
conspicuous against the dark colour of his cheeks. His capacity as
a defender of the eggs lay more in his power of butting than of biting, for
which his mouth is not well adapted. All attempts to drive him off were
futile. When a stick was pushed down into the water towards him he
shoved it away with his snout, or charged at it.

During the two months that the eggs were under his care, the patient
and devoted parent never left them, except for a moment now and again
to pursue the other male. He could neither be driven away by menace
nor enticed away by guile. The most savoury mussels, which were
ereedily swallowed by the other lumpsuckers, did not tempt him. On the
contrary, if one were allowed to sink near him or the precious eggs, he took
it in his mouth, swam rapidly towards the middle of the tank, and
promptly ejected it there, returning immediately to his post. Until
almost the close of his vigil he ate nothing.

His conduct towards the other occupants of the tank was very interest-
ing. Occasionally a flounder would swim lazily and aimlessly round the
tank. The moment it approached the eggs, the lumpsucker turned
swiftly towards it, and, if necessary, headed it off. Now and then he
would make a sudden dash at the trespasser, who precipitately retreated.
The flounders soon came to understand the position, and avoided the
corner where the eggs were lying; they chose to occupy the other side of
the tank, preferring the company of the old lobster, though he was in the
habit of catching one of them by stealth occasionally and devouring it.
His quiet, sly, diplomatic ways, though really more dangerous, were less
alarming to them than the furious but harmless assaults of the lumpsucker.

Of special interest was the conduct of the two males towards one
another. By rights, it may be supposed, and under ordinary cirecum-
stances, each mass of eggs would have been guarded by a male fish, and
probably fertilised by him alone. But owing to the two females having
laid their eggs in the same corner—for whatever reason—a conjoined
guardianship was only possible if friendly feelings existed between the two
males. This was far from the case. The male which had obtained
possession of the eggs showed throughout the whole period the most
rancourous and persistent animosity to the unattached one. The latter,
on the other hand, displayed the greatest fear of his successsful rival.

It may be supposed that in the night when the females were spawning,
or about to spawn, the two males engaged in a combat or contest for the
privilege of fertilising the egos and guarding them. The one which was
worsted in the nuptial fight never regained courage to attempt further
contest for his rights, but displayed a most craven spirit from first to last,
lurking in the darkest part of the tank as far from his rival as he could get.

It was sometimes possible, but always difficult, to drive or push him in
the direction of the other male by means of a stick. He was more

174 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

readily enticed by holding mussels in front of him under the surface of
the water, when he would swim after them as they were slowly with-
drawn ; but, though very fond of mussels, his fear of the other male
usually subdued his appetite before he had gone very far, and he turned
back.

Whenever the guarding male saw his late opponent moving, even a
comparatively little way from his retreat, he rushed at him with the
utmost fury—I was not previously aware that so clumsy aud usually
sluggish a fish could swim so fast—and the other male made off with equal
speed, and often attempted to jump out of the water, or was partly
knocked out. On such occasions so much commotion was made that
waves were created in the tank and the other fishes were alarmed. These
were the only occasions that the guardian left the eggs for a few moments,
The animosity was kept up during the whole period of the experiment, a
fact which is of some interest.

The females took no part at all at any time in looking after the eggs,
as some authors have supposed them to do. They lay indolent and quiet
at the back of the tank for some days. On the 2nd April, one of them
began to swim about and come to the surface. She took not the least
notice of the eggs or of the males, nor the males of her. Even when she
came so close to the eggs as to brush them with her fins, the male merely
looked at her, or moved a little aside to let her pass.

On the 5th April, a second deposit of eggs, comparatively small in
quantity, was observed, laid over the top of one of the other clumps. It
had been deposited during the night by one of the females. Three of the
usual dimples or cup-like depressions were noticed on the surface of them,
caused no doubt by the fondling snout of the male.

On the 15th April, attempts were again made to induce the sentinel
male to eat mussels. He took no notice of those dropped at some dis-
tance; if they came near, or fell on the eggs, he seized them, swam a foot
or two away, and ejected them. Very different was one of ‘the females,
who devoured them in great numbers, as did also the other male, if within
what may be called his safety-zone, all his actions being dominated by
fear of the guarding male. The second female, perhaps the one which
had recently deposited the eggs referred to, still lay quiescent at the back
of the tank, and did not attempt to seize mussels, The active female
showed the greatest indifference to the lobster, and when by accident she
touched his open claws he merely withdrew a little further into his hole.

From the first, the guarding male was observed to fan gently the mass
of eges with his breast fins, clearly for the aération of the eggs, but for
some time the action was leisurely performed and was by no means so
striking as it became later. It is certain that the duties of the male is
not confined to guarding the spawn from foes, but that an important part
of them include the aération of the eggs by creating currents through the
mass, and the keeping of them clean. It is indeed a little surprising how
a sufticient supply of oxygenated water can reach the interior of the compact
mass by the narrow and tortuous channels which exist between the adhering
eggs. The mass may be six or seven or more inches in diameter. It is
probable that under natural circumstances the surging movement of the
tides is the most influential agent in effecting this. At all events, from
the early part of April onwards, the male lumpsucker kept fanning the
spawn with more zest than at first. And on the 10th April another
action was for the first time observed. Placing his mouth about an inch
or so from the spawn he spouted water out upon it, the action of the
gill-apparatus being thus reversed, as I have observed also in plaice with
their snout above the level of the water.*

* Twenty-second Annual Report, Part III, p. 287,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 175

This curious action was most purposive and effective. The current
created was so strong as to sway the algw growing on the side of the tank
in the neighbourhood as well as the tentacles of the anemone, and even
to cause the whole mass of eggs to rock visibly backwards and forwards.
This action was done at brief intervals and from this time onwards.
Later, when the eggs were hatching it was redoubled, and great activity
was shown with the fins. The movement thus created in the water very
probably helped the escape of the larval fishes from the eggs. At this
time the “ pumping” or “blowing” action was at the rate of fifteen or
sixteen in ten seconds, and in the pauses the fins were kept vigorously
at work.

On April 17th, I tried an experiment. I removed the devoted lump-
sucker in a dip-net and placed him in an adjoining tank of the same
dimensions, in which were a few dabs (which were greatly alarmed).
After turning round once or twice, as if to get his bearings, he swam
towards the corner where he expected the eggs to be and paused about a
foot away. He then swam up to a stone at the back of the tank and
paused again; he next moved restlessly all round the tank, and came
back once more to what appeared to be the familiar corner; then he
moved slowly towards the other corner and lay quietly on the bottom,
having apparently abandoned the quest.

Meantime, I endeavoured to get the cther male to undertake the
guardianship of the eggs. He was driven gradually to the corner where
they lay, and paused a moment, but rather, it may be conjectured, with
surprise at the absence of his foe than from any impulse to attend to
them. The experiment was repeated with a like result, no inclination
being shown by this male to assume the duty. Whether he would have
done so later may only be conjectured. Finally, I placed this male in
the other tank beside the proper guardian in order to see whether the
latter would attack him in the absence of the eggs. Hedid not. He
merely looked at him, without making any attempt to approach or
pursue him. On the other hand, the newcomer recognised his enemy,
and rushed off as before, but finding that he was not pursued, he soon
settled down and approached the other male, who took not the least
notice of his presence.

Both males were then put back into the tank containing the eggs. The
guardian at once sought for them and resumed his duty, and with it
also his animosity to the other male, and the old relationship was
re-established.

Towards the end of April the conditions were the same as before, the
sentinel lumpsucker “blowing” and fanning the eggs, refusing mussels,
removing them from near the eggs if dropped there, chasing away
wandering flat-fishes and relentlessly pursuing the other male, and coming
up angrily and aggressively when one approached the front of the tank.

By this time the egg masses had become very dark, owing to the
development of black pigment in the now well-advanced embryos. The
masses at first, as stated, were pink ; this tint faded and they appeared
pale green, whitish, then dirty amber-coloured, and then dark, for the
yeason mentioned.

The colours of the males were also different. The one that was
guarding the eggs, and had probably fertilised them, had lost his bright-
ness and was dingy, while the other,who most likely had not spawned,
possessed the red colour on his fins aud Jower part as vividly as at first.

More than a month had elapsed since the guarding male assumed duty,
and during that time he had eaten nothing. He was looking thin and
and was infested with ecto-parisites (Calig?), and appeared sometimes

176 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

exhausted by his onerous task and prolonged fast. That this was not
entirely due to these causes was shown when the supply of water to the
tank was increased, and when it was directed to his corner. After a
refreshment of this kind he moved round about with vigour, energetically
spouting water on the eggs and fanning them with his fins.

Towards the end of the month he took a mussel occasionally and
swallowed it. This was first noticed on the 26th, and on some days he
ate as many as five; any excess he carried off and ejected, as before; and
at the beginning of May he was as alert, active, and pugnacious as ever.

On one day at this time I dropped on the top of the egg-mass a little
commcn swimming-crab, about 1; inches in breadth, which, apprehend-
ing danger, clung tightly in one of the snout-depressions on the surface
of the eggs. It was amusing to watch the lumpsucker ineffectually trying
to rout him from the hollow in which he had taken refuge, the blunt
snout of the fish preventing a hold being got on the crab. He tried again
and again to dislodge or seize the crab. At last the crab turned partly
on its side, and extended its widely-opened. chele as if to defend itself,
which gave the fish its opportunity. It seized the crab in its mouth and
swam off with it to the furthest corner of the tank, where it dropped it.

Early in the experiment the outer fire-clay pipe was removed and an
apparatus fitted up to the overflow, so that all the water leaving the tank
passed through two boxes with fine silk-gauze bottoms. This was to
retain the larval lumpsuckers when they issued from the eggs. The
first of these was got on 5th May, 43 days after the eggs were deposited
and fertilized. The daily temperature of the water during this period
may be seen by reference to the tables on pages 113 and 284. When
the eggs were spawned it was 42°5°F; in April it varied from 41°5°
to 46° ; and at the end of the month was 43:7°F. and 45°F., rising to
44°6° and 47°F. in the first week of May.

For the first few days after the 5th, the tadpole-like larval lumpsuckers
were found in small numbers in the overflow-filter every morning, and
they slowly increased in numbers. They were very active, swimming
with great rapidity by a lashing movement of the tail, a large yolk
containing an oil globule at the right side being conspicuous.

At this time, as I have mentioned, the male parent was most assiduous
in his attention to the eg¢-masses, redoubling his activities both in fanning
and “blowing” upon the eggs. He ate mussels sparingly, sometimes
fasting for a few days, and carrying off and ejecting the proffered food.
He also continued to chase the other male and drive off intruders.

Up to the 22nd May, or almost exactly two months from the time the
eggs had been spawned, and seventeeen days after they had begun to
hatch, the conditions described continued. The young lumpsuckers were
appearing in greater numbers, but still not in such abundance as one
might have expected. The largest number was about two or three
hundred ina day. They were also to be seen adhering to the glass front
of the tank, and numbers were thus accounted for. None were observed
on the back of the male, a habit sometimes attributed to them.

It was now noticed, however, that many of the larval lumpsuckers were
dead and white, and these were also seen floating in the water. On
examination, it was found that the condition of the tank was unsatisfac-
tory; it was obviously rather dirty from an accumulation of weed and
refuse, and had probably too many occupants for the experiment, and
when the egg-masses were examined their lower parts were found to be
black and fetid, a circumstance that explained the presence of the dead
and whitened young lumpsuckers. Clearly the aération had not been
sufficient for the interior of the egg-masses, The supply of water to the

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 177

tank was increased, but it was judged that that would not suffice, and the
blackened parts of the spawn were torn off, the portions that seemed in
good condition being replaced in their old position. The spell, however,
was broken. The male did not resume his attention to the eggs, the mass
of which was indeed much broken up and diminished in size. He pushed
some of the pieces about the tank and withdrew. Both he and the eggs
were placed in another tank, without any better result. He pushed the
pieces about a little and left them. And when the other male was
introduced, he seemed oblivious to its presence ; his animosity, at first
associated no doubt with reproduction and fertilisation, and then with the
care of the eggs, had quite departed.

On examining the portions of the egg masses that remained, the surface
was found to be flocculent from the empty egg-shells from which the
young fishes had escaped, most of which were still attached to it. On
the other hand, the interior of the mass was solid, the eggs all containing
embryos, some of which had died, but many were subsequently hatched
out in jars. From an early pericd some of the eggs, but not many, next
the glass in front of the tank, were observed to be white and opaque
(dead), but they did not decay.

The difficulty of hatching the eggs of the lumpsucker was pointed out
previously by M‘Intosh, who stated that in tanks they speedily acquire a
fetid odour, that the death of a few causes putrefaction of the whole, and
that they had not yet been hatched out in tanks.* He does not give any
particulars as to the dimensions of the tanks or the flow of water, but
probably the chief difference between his experiments and that described
here was that the male in the latter case was constantly engaged in tending
the eggs, which shows how efficient that attention may be.

The hatching of the eggs, so far as it was accomplished in the tank
under the care of the male, extended from the 5th to the 22nd of May,
or seventeen days. The greater number were still unhatched on the
latter date. It seems a long period, considering that the eggs were
deposited, and no doubt fertilised, at practically the same time. Under
natural circumstances, it is probable that the time taken for the hatching
of all the eggs is prolonged, for it is difficult to understand how the larve
could make their way from the interior of the mass by the narrow channels
between the eggs if the eggs there were hatched as soon as those on the
exterior. The condition of the masses shows that this does not occur, and
that hatching proceeds from the outer surface inwards, a process which must
take a considerable time. It seems very likely that the development of the
eggs towards the centre of the mass is retarded, owing to defective or
inferior aération there, compared with the eggs on the surface and near it ;
and that this is related to the gradual disintegration of the outer surface
as the eggs hatch there, and a pathway of escape is opened to the larve.

One could not fail to be impressed with the advantage to the species
of this guardianship of the eggs by the male fish. Numerous foes must
be driven off and the eggs preserved, and I do not think the story of
Fabricius, that the lumpsucker under such circumstances will attack the
wolf-fish, need be doubted. The courage and pugnacity of this usually
docile and inoffensive fish seem boundless when it is protecting its eggs,
and in contests of this kind it not infrequently happens that courage and
determination count for as much as strength and the power of inflicting
real injury.

The conclusions from the experiment may be thus summarised :—

(1) The male alone defends the eggs, the female taking no part
whatever in protecting them,

*Annual Reports Vishery Board for Scotland, 3rd, p. 60; 14th, p. 272.
M

178

Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

(2) The guardianship is prolonged till the eggs hatch, probably till
all are hatched, a period exceeding two months in duration.

(3) The male not only protects the eggs from enemies, but is con-
stantly engaged in cleansing and aérating them, both by the
movement of his fins and by spouting currents of water upon
them from his mouth.

(4) He removes from them or their immediate neighbourhood foreign
bodies which might injure them, and carries them to a distance.

(5) The male fasts during at least the greater part of his long vigil,
but begins to feed towards its close.

(6) He drives away other males, and displays great animosity to
them throughout the whole period.

(7) This animosity is shown only when the eggs are present.

(8) The period of incubation may extend over 40 days.

(9) The hatching of the eggs is also prolonged and gradual, those at
the surface of the mass hatching first, and those at the centre
last ; aud this difference in the rate of development is probably
correlated with a difference in the degree of aération or oxy-
genation of the eggs, the better oxygenated hatching first.

F. B. REPORT, 1906. PLATE XI

The figure is a reproduction of a photograph taken by Dr. Williamson through
<= . 5 S . . bed
the glass front of the tank, and shows the eggs and male in situ. The male lump-
sucker (a) occupies a position which he often took up, adhering to the side of the
tank above the eggs. His outline is somewhat blurred, owing to movement while
fate) fo)

the photograph was being taken. Very often he sat on the stone bebind the eggs,
part of which is shown at b. The egg-masses which he is guarding and attending
to are shown at c, c. ‘The anemone, which was his constant companion, is repre-
sented at d.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 179

VIIL—ON THE RATE OF GROWTH OF FISHES. By T. W.
Wemyss Fuuron, M.D., F.R.S.E., Superintendent of Scientific
Investigations.

(Plates XII., XIII.)

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION. Page.
Species Dealt With, bt Bee Ps by ee Wed UO
Methods, =e as ee “te cise ak been USO
Comparison Between Different Species, ... % ay S80
Influence of External Conditions, * ane Eds Seuss oe
A Law of Growth, ase ae as af nee sen) aS”

Plaice (Plewronectes platessa), x Ade oe - od PRS

Common Dab (P. limanda), ... ie a ee late

Flounder (P. flesus) ... Beis ae ate Ly ee eee lOe

Lemon Dab (P. microcephalus), ae ae rae a los

Long Rough Dab (Drepanopsetta platessoides), ane “ee Se LOO:

Turbot (Rhombus (Bothus) maximus), Bic iff Aes x0 2-199

Brill (Rhombus levis), sae a es ae ae 6 208

Cod (Gadus callarias), ae ae ee a2 a Soa AY

Haddock (G. eglefinus) a a ee es Sinn ete

Whiting (G. merlangus), ... Be See wil ue Bae ed

Grey Gurnard (Tvrigla gurnardus), ... sine = ant Bree a4)

Tables of Measurements, I.-XXYV., ... F4 zits sh Alt!

INTRODUCTION.

For a considerable number of years special attention has been devoted
to the study of the growth of fishes by the scientific department of the
Board. In 1889, I began observations on this subject by {wo methods,
(1) by marking fishes (plaice, dabs, lemon dabs, brill, turbot, cod, &e.) by
attaching to them brass labels bearing a number, the method which is
now so largely used in connection with the international investigations,
and then returning them alive to the sea; in the case of the herring, by
removing a portion of the caudal fin; (2) by keeping the fishes in tanks,
and noting the changes that occurred from time to time in their length
and weight.*

Since then very many fishes have been dealt with by another method—
viz., by collating the measurements of large numbers of each species, by
which the earlier series or generations can be separated from one another
and the rate of growth ascertained, the measurements grouping themselves
into curves or waves. This method was used to a limited extent by
Miescher Ruesch in his classic studies on the salmon of the Rhine, and
by other observers, as Ljungman, in studying the growth of the herring.
These observers, however, did not classify the measurements in a scientific
manner, which was first done by Dr. C. G. J. Petersen, who thus placed
av important method at the service of investigators.

Species Deatt WITH.

In the course of my investigation on growth during recent years, a large
number of fishes have been dealt with—viz., nearly 209,000, belonging to
21 species. The results in regard to many of them have been given in a

* “An Experimental Investigation on the Migrations and Rate of Growth of the Food-
Fishes,” Eleventh Annual Report, Part III., p. 117.

180 Part II1I—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

series of papers in the Annual Reports of the Board.* The numbers of
the various species measured for this work, and already dealt with, are as
follows :—

Plaice, = = 17,950 | Gurnard, — -— 5,495
Common Dab, — 26,230 | Norway Pout, - 7,192
Flounder, — — 231 Hake, LS 571
Lemon Dab, —- 2,201 Herring, - -— 19,806
Witch, - — §,422 Sprat, —- -— 6,473
Long Rough Dab, 20,261 | Grey Skate, - 432
Turbot, =~.= 212 Angler, - = 722
Brill, - = 807 Armed Bullhead, 1,312
Cod, = =) ATO Lesser Weever, 417
Haddock, - - 28,760 Lumpenus = 738
Whiting, - -— 58,164 |

Numerous measurements of other forms, as halibut, megrim, ling, pollack,
coalfish, tusk, catfish, have also been made, and will be dealt with later.

Most of the fish were measured on board commercial steam-trawlers,
engaged either in trawling investigations in territorial waters or in
commercial fishing in the North Sea.

MetuHops.

In a previous papert I gave a full account, with illustrations, of the
method adopted in collecting and measuring the fishes. Besides this
method, there is no doubt that much may be learned by keeping
fishes in confinement, and measuring and weighing them from time
to time, for comparison with those obtained on the fishing grounds, and
this has been done. Another method, referred to above—viz., labelling
the fish—has also in certain cases given good results, most, perhaps, with
flat-fishes. Recently a fourth method has been employed, especially in
Germany, by the examination of the markings on the scales, otoliths or
ear-stones, and bones. It has also been used in the international investi-
gations in this country by Garstang and Wallace, with reference particularly
to the growth of the plaice, and the results agree with those obtained by
a study of the measurements.t

CoMPARISON BEerwEEN DIFFERENT SPECIES.

While one general result of the investigations on the rate of growth of
fishes has been to show that they do not grow so fast as was generally
believed, it has been made clear that different species may increase at
different rates, apart from differences in size. In fishes which undergo a
marked metamorphosis, growth is sometimes, and perhaps always, slow,
especially at early periods, It is thus with the plnice and other flat-fishes,
with the eels, and with the herring and sprat. Among round fishes, as
the cod, the haddock, and the whiting, on the contrary, growth is com-
paratively rapid. A young haddock grows many times faster than a
plaice.

With regard to the age at which fishes attain mature size and begin to
reproduce, similar differences exist. So far as the investigation has gone,

*19th, 20th, 2st, 22nd.
| Twentieth Annual Report, Part IlI., pp. 226-334,

+ North Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee. Report (No. 2, Southern Area) on
Fishery and Hudrographical Investigations in the North Sea and Adjacent Waters.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 181

‘no sea fish has been found to attain the mature condition in the first
year of its life, ov before the close of its second year. Some spawn for the
first time at the end of their second year, 7.e., when two complete years
of age. These, as a rule, are the smaller species, as the sprat, the armed
bullhead, the Norway pout, and the lesser weever ; but this class includes
also the whiting, which reaches maturity with comparative rapidity.

Among those which spawn for the first time at the end of their third year
must be included the haddock, though some of these may reach maturity
at the close of two years, the common dab and the long rough dab.
Amongst the latter two species, indeed, the male comes to maturity a year
earlier than the female, when two years of age, a phenomenon common to
most flat-fishes

Thus, with the witch, the male matures at three years and the female
at four years; among plaice the male matures at four years and the
female at five. Among round fishes, on the other hand, the two sexes
reach maturity at the same age.

The cod does not attain its mature condition before the completion of
its fourth year, while such large flat-fishes as the turbot, halibut, and brill
take a longer time—the turbot probably not before it is seven years old,
and the brill not before it is five or six. The approximate age at which
the angler first spawns is, as the minimum, four years for the male and five
years for the female.

How many years fish live after they reach sexual maturity it would be
difficult to decide ; but it is certain that in most cases the duration of
reproductive life greatly exceeds the immature period. The method of
determining the age by a study of the measurements is not well suited to
solve the question, owing to the fusion of the groups from the variations
in the rate of growth, and it is here that the method of estimating the
age by the markings or number of zones on the hard structures may be
of special advantage. Fishes of a size above the normal limit for the
species are very old. When dealing with the plaice in a previous report*
I remarked that the largest specimens I then described must be sixteen
years old, but Professor Heincke, from an examination of the bones of the
gill-cover, concludes that such individuals are twenty years old and more.

INFLUENCE OF ExTERNAL ConpDITIONS.

Among the conditions which influence growth the most important,
apart from quantity of food, appears to be temperature. Direct experi-
ments on this point, by keeping fishes in water of different temperature,
are described in the Zwenty-second Annual Report, where it is shown
that those in the water that was warmest grew much faster than those in
colder water. Previous experiments in tanks,t in which the fish were
retained over winter and supplied with water from the beach at the ordinary
temperatures, proved that the growth of plaice of 13 and 14 inches and
of dabs is almost or quite arrested in January and February. It has alsu
‘ been shown that the growth of small plaice and dabs on the beaches
ceases in winter, and that among such round fishes as the haddock and
whiting the retardation of growth is marked in the early months of the
year, when the temperature is low, the growth of these fishes taking place
mostly in a few months in summer.

With regard to the whiting, I have been struck with the attenuation
shown by many individuals examined in the early part of the year, and
I think it is not improbable that the storage of fat in the muscles and the
liver of fishes during summer and autumn is not merely for supplying

* Twentieth Annual Report, Part III., p 357.
+ Eleventh Annual Report, Part III., p. 193.

182 Part [I]. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

material for the growth of the reproductive organs, as is commonly
supposed, but is also connected with maintaining their nutrition over the
colder portion of the year. Fat is often got in immature fishes in
quantities, as in the herring and Norway pout, for example.*

There are reasons for the belieff that growth is modified with respect
to period and amount in the deeper waters of the northern part of the
North Sea, compared with the waters near the coast, but to what extent
the growth of fishes in the sea in deep and moderately deep water, as on
the fishing banks in the North Sea, is affected by the changes in the
temperature of the water is not yet clear, there being a want of sufficient
observations as to the changes in the temperature that actually occur
there.

It is clear that a knowkedge of the changes in temperature that take
place is necessary to understand not only the growth of fishes and its
variation, but their biology generally. All the other observations ought
to be correlated with the temperature changes, just as the biological
changes on land are, and what is wanted is a calendar of physical
conditions throughout, the year to which the biological observations may
be referred, whether they relate to plankton, food of fishes, spawning
periods, development, growth, or migrations.

The salinity of the water is another condition which probably modifies
growth to a considerable extent, and it is not unlikely that it is one of
the causes which produce a change in the range of size and the average
size in species in certain localities. Some fishes, as the plaice, the dab,
and the lesser weever, I have found to be of smaller dimensions, and of
slower growth, in the Solway Firth, where the salinity is reduced, than
on the East Coast, and the same cause probably acts on other forms.
The subject is one which has not yet been much investigated.

A Law or GrowrTH.

During the researches on the growth of fishes, it has become apparent
to me that there exists a relationship between the size at which sexual
maturity occurrs in the various species and the general maximum size
to which they attain. It may be expressed in one way by saying that
fishes approximately double their size and increase their weight about eight
times after they have reached sexual maturity ; or that fishes attain sexual
maturity when they reach about half their maximum length and about
one eight of their maximum weight.

It cannot be said at present that the law is more than approximately
correct, for our knowledge of the precise average size at which the males and
females of many fishes first spawn is as yet meagre —it is not well determined
even for the cod—and the same is true as to the general maximum size
to which many fishes attain ; a limit, moreover, which, in some instances
at least, may have been modified by the action of man. For example,
the maximum size of most fishes at Iceland is larger than in the North
Sea at present, though there is no reason to suppose that growth is
quicker there; and it is known that when the Dogger Bank was first
worked by trawlers the general maximum size for plaice was higher than
it is now.

* A research on this subject is at present being made for the Board by Dr. Noél Paton,
whose investigation of the changes in the salmon are well-known, as well as one on the
rate of digestion in fishes. + Twentieth Annual Report, Part IIT., p. 394.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 183

But the facts are sufficient to justify the statement in its broad sense,
and doubtless the extensive investigations now being carried on will ere
long show how far it may he incorrect. It is to be noted that it applies
to the fish in a region in which growth is naturally modified ; if plaice,
for example, reach maturity in one region at a size less than in another,
then the maximum size is also less. It is the same with the males and
females among flat-fishes ; the males, as a rule, attain the mature condition
at a less size than the females, and their maximum growth is corres-
pondingly curtailed. As the maximum size of a species of flat-fish is
approached, the proportion of males diminishes and the proportion of
females increases ; and all the very large individuals are females.

I give in the following Table the information such as it exists for a
number of species, the sizes being in inches :—

Approximate Size| Approximate Age| Approximate Exceptional
at Maturity. at Maturity. Maximum Size. | Records of Size.
Species,

Female.) Male |Female.| Male. | Fema Male. | Female.| Male.
Plaice, . =. | 16-17) 18-14 5 4 32 Lat 384
Com. Dab, . 74 6 | 3 2) 15 13 17
Mende, |. 8-9 | fal aa Boga Le bitty
Lemon Dab, . 10 8 4(2)| me | 20
Mit cca | Reto to tOer) 4 | 28 he 241
Halibut, 48 30 - P20, Bs
Megrim, é 12 94 ee | 24
fe Repeat, 6} -6k7 a 3 2 | 18-14 12 16}
ee ee) oe ee 4. | 32 .. | (70 tbs.)
2 15 a Sey ee
| Cod, . «| 26-27 se a Sage | 15-58 eat he 68
iefeddocks “t.\|- it u Be et malin: 98 . | 88
| Whiting, . | 8}-9 ore 18 |
| Norway Pout, | 44 2 | pete elie | Ne IK Ags |
| Gurnard, foe 29 Belge edness Sipe oa
“Angles : 30 27 a(t) 4) — “ |

The approximate maximum size is as far as possible derived either from
market measurements or from fish which have been measured on trawlers.

PLAICE (Pleuronectes platessa).

A considerable number of collections of plaice were measured, partly
from Aberdeen Bay and the Moray Firth, as well as from the Solway
Firth and Lochfyne ; special attention being given to the small forms.
The total number of plaice dealt with in this paper, whose measurements
are given in the Tables appended is 11,385, making with those described
in the previous paper an aggregate of 17,950.

184 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report
LocHFYNE.

The small plaice taken in Lochfyne were obtained by the push-net on
the beaches at low water, that is to say, in two or three feet of water at
that period of the tide. Those dealt with here were got in July and
August, 1901, and in June and July, 1903, the aggregate numbers being
4751 fish. They were taken at several different places in the loch, as
shown in Tables J.~III. (p. 243), most being got at Inveraray, Strachur,
Big Harbour, and Salen. They all belonged to the same series, the fry
of the year, and consideration of their measurements gives an indication
of the rate of growth at this stage in Lochfyne, Taking first of all the
catches in July and August, 1901, it will be seen from the Tables that
the push-nettings in July, which were made between the Ist and 6th of
the month, resulted in the capture of a total of 3529 small plaice. The
sizes ranged from 12mm. to 58mm.,a difference of 46mm. The maximum
numbers were ranged about 25cm. to.3cm., and the average length was
computed to be 303mm. (Plate XII).

The period in August when the collections were made was from the
28th to the 31st. The numbers were smaller, viz., 556 fish. They
ranged in size from 34mm. to 88mm., a difference of 54mm, The
greater numbers were ranged about 50mm., or more than 20mm. higher
than in July, and the average size was calculated to be 55:9mm., or an
increase of 25°6mm. (as near as possible, 1 inch) in the period, which
may be placed at 58 days from the middle of the one series of collections
to the middle of the other (Plate XI1I.).

It is noteworthy that in some of the collections, most noticeably in
July, the plaice of one locality were sensibly larger than those of others,
a fact that was pointed out at the time by Mr. Dannevig. Taking the
four chief places at which collections were made in that month, the range
and averages in millimetres are as follows :—

Number of

Wish. Smallest. Largest. Average.
Inveraray, : : : 1,163 19 58 35°9
Strachur, . : ; : 668° 16 51 28°9
Big Harbour, . : F 822 12 51 27:0
Silene les 806 Ve 51 26-1

| TABLE.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 185

The contrast between two of the places may be brought out in the
following manner by comparing the sizes at Inveraray and Strachur,
reduced to percentages, the number of fish being in the former case 1165
and in the latter 668, and both series collected on the same days (see
fig. 3, pl. xii.) :-—

Cm. | Strachur. | Inveraray. |
eee
1 | - =A |
a) | 0-15 - |
2 | 85 0:08
i) | 37°90 2:90
3 | 35°90 25°50
5 11°80 37°40
4 4:20 20°40
5) 1:00 8-80
5 0°40 3°60
2) = 1:10
6 ~ 0:08

It may be said that in August the average size and the minimum size
were also larger at Inveraray than at Strachur, the average at the former
place being 66°5mm. and at the latter 52-Omm., while the minimum sizes
were 48mm. and 34mm. In the collections in June and July, 1903, the
same feature is repeated, thus :—

| ; |
| Date. pum Smallest. Largest. Average.
| ish.
Inveraray, . . | June 22 86 17 | 47 20-7
Sirachur, 2° ©. | 4,'° 24 94 15 29 19-94
Inveraray, . . | July 10,11 105 17 50 30°4
Strachur, us 50 19 57 26°8

The explanation put forward by Mr. Dannevig to account for this
difference was the probability that the temperature at Inveraray is higher
than at Strachur, owing to the former locality being less affected by the
deep-water tidal currents, and he pointed out that the size of the small
plaice at the top or upper parts of the loch appears to be slightly greater
than at the lower parts near the mouth. So far as the somewhat limited
observations on the temperature are available they seem to show a rather
higher temperature at Inveraray, as a rule, but not always.

The other collections referred to in the Tables were made in June and
July, 1903. The period in June extended from the 22nd to the 26th,
and the small plaice caught numbered 218. They ranged in size from
15mm. to 47mm., a difference of 32mm., and the average length was
computed to be 23°9mm. The greater number ranged about 20mm., but
it would appear from the curve (fig. 2, plate XII.) that the smaller sizes
were not fully represented. ,

In July the collections were made from the 10th to the 13th. The
number of plaice taken was 448, ranging in size from 17mm. to 57mm.,
the average being 29°0mm., or only about 5mm. higher than in June.
The interval may be placed at about 18 days.

186 Past IIT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The measurements of the plaice in these four series of collections,
reduced to percentages, are as follows :—-

1903. 1901.
Cm. ees
June. July July. August.
1 - - ak -
3) 13:3 a) 1:3 ~
2 35°3 8-9 73 -
5 25°7 32°8 30°2 =
3 173 871 29°3 -
a) 4°6 145 17°4 1:8
4 1:8 3°3 87 9°0
45 14 1:8 36 12°6
5 - iat 17 2071
a) - fy “4 16°9
6 - - 03 13-1
5 - | - - 10:2
7 - - = 73
5 - - - 4:7
8 - - - 2:5
#3) - ~ - 1:4
4) - - - 18

The features are also shown in the curves. It is probable from an
examination of the individual collections that the larger forms are not
sufficiently represented. They no doubt move out into somewhat deeper
water even at this early stage, and in part get beyond the depth at
which a man wades in using the push-net at low tide.

ABERDEEN Bay.

A number of collections were made in Aberdeen Bay by means of a
small fine-meshed shrimp net, used from a yawl, in depths usually
ranging from 3 to 6 or 7 fathoms. The measurements of these
are grouped in ‘5 centimetres in Table IV., and it is apparent that,
though the numbers of fish are in no case large, three annual series or
generations are at least indicated. Thus, there is represented a series
ranging from 2cm. to 9cm. or 10cm. or a little more ; another from 15cm.
or 16cm. to 24cm. or 25cm., and a third from about 27cm, to 34cm.
These are best seen in the aggregates for March, April, and May, which,
with those for September and November, as grouped in centimetres
measure as follows :—

| TABLE,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 187

Cm. March. April. May. September. | November.

15

“IDO T | |
—_
et |

2

WOOD OUP CON
i i ean) Re

—— 1 mOOmOnwil ! | i
1 Sly cial er)

—"
ite} 4
Pc Lae fone 98 et i Va Wes a, met 1 Cad tad (cel Pet}
—
tbo ot ob me ee eee tN) OOoW

|

jah Me Ebates Eh eee tT cnt Lela Te

Hel eo ree ms a ee Re be ee te Pe

Je PeOrwndecw! | KP NNN!] Heer! |

|
|
35 |

It is clear that the small plaice ranging from about 4cm. to 9cm. in
spring belong to the previous year, and are one year old or a little more.
The plaice of the year appear on the sands in May in great swarms, On
12th May, 1904, a collection of 717, measuring from 12mm, to 18mm., was
taken on the sandy bottom in Aberdeen Bay in a fine-meshed net in hauls
made in from 4 to 7 fathoms. On 18th May a collection of 1320 was
taken in the same way in from 3 to 5 fathoms; they measured up to
19mm. and 20mm. In both cases several of the specimens were incom-
pletely metamorphosed. Some of those caught on 12th May were kept
alive in a tank, and on July 7—56 days afterwards—seven of them
measured 26mm., 24mm., 24ram., 23mm., 21mm., 19mm., and 17mm.

From these records it appears that the first group in spring, the sizes of
which range mostly about 5cem. to 7cm. or 8em., is about one year of age;
the second group, with a size mostly from 17cm. to possibly 22cm.,
represents two-year-olds; and the third group, ranging mostly about
29mm. to 32mm., is at least a year older. The numbers of fish are not
large in any of these collections, and the precise limit between one series
and another is uncertain. In a collection made on 9th May, 1902, in
Aberdeen Bay, in from 4 to 10 fathoms, there were 126 plaice, of which
the first series, over one year old, comprised 98 specimens, ranging in
size from 57mm. to 126mm., the arithmetical average being 92°2mm.,
and the maximum ordinate on the base-line in the curve 925mm. The
second series, which was imperfect, comprised 28 specimens from 140mm.
to 227mm., the average of this lot being 190°8mm., and the maximum
ordinate 185mm., or 7} inches.*

* Twentieth Annual Report, Part III., p. 353.

188 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

DornocH FIRTH.

In the Dornoch Firth some collections of small plaice were also
obtained, the particulars of the measurements being given in Tables
[V. and VI. On 7th December, 1904, a haul in from 4 to 9 fathoms
yielded 182 plaice. The smallest ranged from 59mm. to 98mm. ; there
were 19 between these sizes. There were also 13 measuring from
125mm. to 145mm. The remainder measured from 173mm. to 472mm.
The first group is evidently the fish of the year; the limits of the other
series are not certain, On 9th February, 1905, another haul with the
fine-meshed net, in from 54 to 10 fathoms, yielded 355 plaice, ranging in
length from 5cem, to 16cem., and distinguished into two well-marked
groups. The first included 283 specimens, measuring from 52mm. to
99mm. (2;',-32 inches), or it might possibly be 108mm. (42 inches), the
maximum number being around 7em. (see fig. 44, pl. XII.). The average
length was computed, on the former limit, at 74mm., or very nearly
3 inches. If at the larger limit, the average size would be 745mm.

Grouped in centimetres, the measurements are as follows :—

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
si 60) ily 7h 19 6 i 14 21 19 8 1

The smaller series are obviously fish of the previous spawning, and
about 10 or 11 months old.

In the second, older series, comprising 72 plaice nearing the end of
their second year, the greater number are grouped about 13cm. to
14cm. (51-52 inches), the mean size being about 13:3cm., or 5} inches,
and the apparent growth from the previous series amounts to about
6‘dem. (22 inches); but the representation of the larger fishes may not
be perfect.

In another haul on the 31st of March, or about 52 days later, but in a
different year, viz., 1904, the second series is represented by 29 specimens, —
ranging from 112mm. to 196mm. (43-7? inches), as follows, in centimetre
grouping, the mean size being about 14°5em. (52 inches) :—

9) G10 SH eO. G13 Aye be 6 lS AON
Lil all gre 728. UNBTA 8h well ce eee

These may be regarded as two years of age (fig. 4B, pi. XII.).

The same group is represented in other collections, as given in Table
VI, but only by a few fishes, viz., in October, November, and December.

In a haul taken on the 22nd October, 1903, in from 8 to 13 fathoms
of water, the 363 plaice which were caught were measured. Though the
small-meshed net was employed, the smallest plaice caught was 164mm.;
the great bulk of them formed a group between 20cm. and 29cm., with
the maximum from 23cm. to 26cm. These fish were approaching their
fourth year.

ANNAN.

A few collections of small plaice in April, 1904, were sent to me by
Mr. George Bryson, Annan, which had been taken by shrimp-net in the
Solway, on the ordinary shrimping grounds. It will be seen from Table
IV. that an early series of fish, about one year of age, is represented,
most distinctly in the collection on the 23rd of the month, and also a
second series, less distinctly marked off from the third, and again )est
shown in the collection on the 23rd. They indicate the same feature as
shown in the previous paper dealing with the growth of the plaice, that
the rate of increase in the Solway is slow.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 189

BuRGHEAD Bay.

The plaice taken in several of the hauls in this locality were measured,
and the measurements are given in Tables V., VI., at the end of this
paper. On 20th October, 1903, a collection of 233 was taken in from
8 to 12 fathoms, the small-meshed net being around the cod-end. The
smallest plaice caught was 175mm., and, with another specimen measuring
193mm., probably represented the second group. The next smallest was
216mm., and the bulk of the plaice came between this and 30cm.,
the majority measuring from 24cm. to 26cm., and representing the third
series. The haul in the Dornoch Firth two days later, in which 363
plaice were taken, corresponded pretty closely, as above indicated.

At the beginning of December (6th and 7th), 1904, a considerable
number of plaice taken in from 44 to 16 fathoms, in Burghead Bay, were
measured, the sexes being first determined and dealt with separately. The
number so treated in three hauls was 1737. These measurements are
given in the appended Table V. The separation of the groups is not
so well seen in these cases as one might expect. The great bulk of the
fish measured between 25cm. and 42cm., and in the case of the females it
was not difficult to see that they were separated into two groups, at 34cm.
to 35cm. ‘The curve formed by the measurements of the males is much
less regular.

The plaice in some other ordinary hauls, taken in from 5 to 21
fathoms on 7th February, 1905, were kindly measured for me by
Dr. Williamson, the sexes being distinguished, and also the condition of
the reproductive organs (Table VII.). The range in size was from
20-68cm., but the separation of the groups is not very clear ; females seem
to show maxima about 30-3lcem. and 34-35cm. ‘The size at maturity,
it will be observed, is about 41cm. fer males and 42—43cm. for females ;
but the number of mature or nearly mature plaice was very small.

COMMON DAB (Pleuronectes limanda ).

The number of common dabs whose measurements are dealt with here
is 8094, belonging to 28 collections from the Moray Firth and Aberdeen
Bay. With those included in the previous paper, the total number of
common dabs, mostly measured on board commercial trawlers, is 26,230.
In many of the recent collections the first, or youngest, series is specially
well represented, and the facts show that this fish grows slowly.

ABERDEEN Bay.

The collections of young dabs made here were taken in fine-meshed
nets, mostly from a fishing yawl, in comparatively shallow water, the
depths ranging as a rule from 3 to 6 or 7 fathoms. There are 11, viz., 1
in January, | in February, | in March, 3 in April, 2 in May, 1 in
September, and 2 in November. In Table VIIT. appended, the measure-
ments of the fish in each collection are given in ‘5 centimetre groups.
Few of them show well in any series but the first.

On the 3rd January, 1906, a collection of 323 was obtained in 8
fathoms of water. The smallest measured 27mm., or slightly over 1 inch,
aud the largest was 63mm., or 24 inches ; the majority ranged in size
from 35mm. to 41mm. (12-12 inches), and the average size computed is
39:2mm., or slightly over 1} inches.

The next collection, on 11th February, 1905, was taken in somewhat
deeper water, viz., 8-12 fathoms, and comprised only 16 small dabs. The
smallest measured 32mm., and the largest of the series 67mm., most
ranging from 3°5cm, to 4:5cm.

190 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The third collection, on 27th March, 1905, was in from 5 to 10 fathoms,
and the small dabs obtained numbered 154, measuring from 32mm. to
78mm. (14-3), inches), the majority ranging from 4'5em. to 6cm.

Three collections were obtained in April, 1904, in from 3 or 4 to 6
fathoms of water. In the first, on the 8th, 28% small dabs were secured,
the smallest measuring 23mm. and the largest 67mm. (42-23 inches),
while in this case the majority ranged from 38cm. to 4cm. in length. In
the second, on 16th, the small dabs numbered 308, ranging in size from
24mm. to 82mm. (13-34 inches), and the majority measured from 3°5cm.
to 5em., most being about 4cm. On the 26th the number secured was
178, measuring from 25mm. to 83mm., the majority being froin 35cm. to
45cm. The curve for the collection on the 16th is the most symmetrical.
These fish were very nearly, or quite, one year old.

Two collections were obtained in May, 1904. In the first, on the 4th,
in from 3 to 7 fathoms, 37 small dabs were taken; they measured from
30mm. to 51mm., the majority being from 3°5cm. to 4:5em. (1-3,-1?
inches). In the second, in the middle of the month, 70 were taken in the
same place and depth ; they measured from 31mm. to 58mm., the majority
ranging from 4cm. to dem. The fish in these collections may be con-
sidered to be about one year old.

In the next collection, on lst September, 1904, in from 4 to 9 fathoms,
the small dabs numbered 279, and they ranged in length from 20mm. to
59mm. (#-22 inches), most measuring 3:dem., and 4cem., or nearly as
much as in May. Two collections were obtained in November, 1903. In
one, on the 138th, in 6 to 9 fathoms, 114 small dabs, measuring from 20mm.
to 82mm. (} to 37 inches), were taken; the curve is not very regular,
but the largest numbers are grouped under 5cm. to 65cm. In the
second collection, got on the 19th, in from 2 to 10 fathoms, 108 small
dabs ranged from 33mm. to 72mm. (1,%,—24 inches), the greater number
measuring 45cm. to 55cm. The dabs of the year appear for the first
time in the September collection; but no collection was made between
May and that month.

The measurements of these dabs may be arranged in centimetre groups,
as follows, from January to November, according to the dates.

=

Se ee Nees ta] Sl cee Manca he 2 ey eres

et | ea] pe] ASG de ee eee eae io cae il Ge eal ies: an

oD rr N ao ret N = ic! rt ri re
l = ae = ss = = “= = = = =
2 7 a Sein tS 5 3 2 2G ERY 6 3
3 LA | 6) erga) Sze 67 GCSE ROM as 9 6
4 120;)) 29.635 sh) 88 | a4. bl" 9061 20-e) Aas 198 |) 88 Sieas
5 24 1) ROM 16 7k | 14 CV | gat | 48h aaa
6 1 ‘ie ie a ae = : 1 i “| 32" ea
7 2 7 r 2 3 ns i 7 1
8 2 2 z a 2 1 z as i 2 e
9 = = ce Z 3 ‘. >
10 is 1 2 z a z s Sete hy zs 1
11 a as x is 3 - 1) tg = is
12 2 x = z = tel (ale = Sogn = 1
13 =i Z z eal eG = 23 9 r 2
14 a ioe “ E Doig 4 : 7 = =
15 : a z = 1 5 ec S 5 2 es
16 z = = = 4 3 = 2 2 ms
17 = = zs Z 1 - s 2 is 4
18 i es “ 1 : = £ 2 5 os 2
19 : “ = 2 2 = = 2.) bao. a i
20 z s Z = = = $ x 1 =
21 : Z 2 L e = s - 1 ‘ a

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 191

In one or two of the coliections a second group is fairly well indicated.
Thus, in that of 26th April, we have a series extending from 112mm. to
164mm, (43-64 inches), most being aggregated at 12cm. to l4dem. This
group is apparently approaching two years of age. Then, in the collection
taken on Ist September, the second group begins at 89mm, and apparently
ends at 153mm., and it represents fish at nearly the end of their second
summer’s growth. A comparison of the Tables and dates will show that
the very small dabs grow slowly, and like the small plaice, grow very
little in winter.

Moray Fiera.

In some collections from the Moray Firth the small dabs are also well
shown (Tables [X—X.). On 9th February, of a collection got in the
Dornoch Firth, in from 64 to 10 fathoms of water, 377 ranged in size from
3lmm. to 78mm., the greater number being aggregated from 4cm. to dem.
These fish, of course, belonged to the spawning of the previous year, and
were about nine months oid. On the 7th December, in another collection
from the Dornoch Firth, in from 4 to 9 fathoms, 219 specimens measured
from 24mm. to 65mm. (the next largest being 92mm.) ; they were mostly
aggregated from 32mm. to 42mm., and chiefly at 36mm., or barely
14 inches, In a large collection made at Smith Bank on the 27th
December, 1903, 66 small dabs measured from 25mm. to 72mm. (the next
largest being 84mm.), and in this case the greater number were aggregated
between 25mm. and 35mm.

In the Tables the measurements of a large number of older dabs are
given, but the division between the annual series is not always very clear.
In the Dornoch Firth, in the hauls in December, a group with the
majority of the specimens aggregated between 10cm. and 12cm. (about
41 inches) may be noted; while in the collections from Smith Bank in the
same month the group has the aggregate between 10cm. and 14cm. In
the haul from the Witch ground at the end of January the aggregate is
at 14:5cm. to 15-5em. (52-62 inches), and these fish are approaching
their third year.

FLOUNDER (Pleuronectes jlesus ).

The information afforded by the collections as to the rate of growth of
the flounder is rather scanty, small specimens of this species coming only
rarely under observation in the course of the investigations. The young
flounders prefer the shallows, especially at the mouths of streams, and
where the water is brackish, and even the adult is uncommon in water of
moderate depth, except at certain times of the year. The number
measured was 231].

In the course of the push-nettings in Lochfyne specimens of flounders
were occasionally secured, though usually in very small numbers. <A
series obtained on 5th July, 31 in all, measured from 16mm. to 53mm.
(3-24 inches), the greater part being grouped at 3cm., or scarcely 1}
inches, the arithmetical average being 31‘9mm., or 1}? inches. This is
rather more than with the little plaice collected at the same time, in which
case the majority ranged from 24mm. to 32mm., and the computed
average size was 30'3mm. The spawning period of the flounder in Loch-
fyne, according to Williamson, is a little later than that of the plaice.*
It is not unlikely that at this period the habitat of the young flounder
leads to an exceptionally rapid growth, viz. in the very shallow and
mostly brackish waters, where the temperature in the summer months is
highest ; and probably also its growth in winter is arrested.

*Seventeenth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Part Il.

192 Part ITT. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Another collection, on 10th September, in Lochfyne, yielded 17 young
flounders, the smallest measuring 44mm. and the largest 78mm. (1-374
inches). It is not clear, however, that the last, and another at 77mm.,
belong to the same series, since none were taken between 61mm, and the
sizes stated. They were mostly aggregated about 5cm., or 2 inches.
The other collections of little flounders were small, and serve to in-
dicate only a few points. Thus, some taken in spring, and therefore not
belonging to the year’s spawning, were rather small in certain cases. On
27th March 2 were got in Lochfyne, measuring 63mm. and 99mm. On
25th May 2 were taken in the Dornoch Firth, one measuring 60mm. and
the other 70mm. At Annan, in April, two, measuring 82mm. and 90mm.
were taken. These represented fish of the preceding year, and there are
few of the second series in the collections; but it is probable that while
those mentioned, and a few others of the same kind in the Table, belong
to the second group, or those a little over one year old, those in the
Tables at 17cm. to 19°5cem. are at least a year older.

A large collection of flounders was obtained in the Dornoch Firth on
the 30th March, 1904, in from 5 to 16 fathoms, in the otter trawl, aud as
they were either actually spawning or nearly ripe, the sexes were
separated and measurements made. They numbered 158, namely, 136
males and 22 females, the males in this species preponderating in numbers
over the females. It is unfortunate that the small-meshed net was not
used on this occasion, but, at the same time, it is not probable that many
more small flounders would have been taken, as the smaller fish do not
migrate to the depths referred to. ‘The smallest male flounder in the
collection measured 2(¢2mm., or just 8 inches, and the smallest female was
252mm. ‘The measurements are not sufficient to enable the fish to be
separated into definite annual series with any certainty, but they in all
probability represent flounders of at least three years and over.

LEMON DAB (Pleuronectes microcephalus ).

The growth of the lemon dab has not been made out so well as that of
most of the flat-fishes. This is owing to several circumstances. The
spawning period is of exceptional length, extending from the middle of
April to well on in September and even into October. Of a number of
large lemon dabs examined at a fish-yard at Aberdeen on the 21st and 22nd
September, all the males—129 in number—yielded more or less spermatic
fluid on pressure, and of 168 females, 44, or 26 per cent., contained ripe
eggs, and were, in point of fact, spawning. On 10th November all were
found to be spent. Eggs of the lemon dab were also obtained in tow-
nets on 8th October. Owing to this circumstance of the extended
spawning period, the various annual groups soon coalesce to such.
an extent as regards length that it is difficult to separate them.
Another difficulty is the scarcity of small specimens. For a long time
lemon dabs under three or four inches were unknown, though now
specimens under that size have been recorded by Holt, Cunningham, and
myself. Still another reason is the fact that large individual collec-
tions of lemon dabs are not very often obtained by the trawl. They are
scattered, and it would appear that collections from different parts may
show a different rate of growth. The number dealt with in this paper is
2201.

I ascertained that in the Solway the boats that carry on prawn-fishing
by means of trawl nets often take considerable numbers of small lemon
dabs, and I arranged for collections to be made from the boats and the
fish forwarded to me. Such collections were obtained in April, May, and

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 193

September, and the measurements, in ‘Scm. groups, are given in Table
XII. (p. 256). The fish are caught on rough ground off the
Cumberland coast, in about 4 fathoms of water, and are rather localised
in their distribution.

In dealing with them the sexes were first carefully determined,
microscopical examination being resorted to when necessary ; the propor-
tions of the sexes in these collections were thus made precise and certain.
Most of the series were also weighed and the condition of the reproductive
organs made clear, and some remarks on this head may be of interest.
In the collection in September it is noted that the females had small
ovaries, weighing less than one gramme, and usually only a fifth or a
tenth of a gramme. The eggs were small and unyolked, the largest
measuring up to ‘106 and ‘134mm. In May the great majority had
also small unyolked eggs, but some of them had large eggs and
would have spawned in the ensuing summer, This was the case
with one measuring 201mm., in which the eggs measured *72mm., and
also in others from 164mm. to 188mm., where the eggs were of the same
size. In one of 188mm., weighing 75 grammes, the roe weighed 5°9
crammes and the eggs were ‘73mm. in diameter. Another of 182mm.
long weighed 66 grammes, the roe weighing 4:0 grammes, and the
egos were of the same diameter as those mentioned. I previously
recorded instances of still smaller lemon dabs being quite mature.*

These lemon dabs from the Solway Firth varied in length from 55cm.
to 20cm., the smallest obtained was 57mm. (27 inches) taken in April,
and the largest was 202mm. (8 inches). The smallest were got in April
(22nd), aud the Table shows that in ail probability a group terminates
about 10cm. No males were got between 98mm. and 114mm., and no
females between 89mm. and 111mm. Two females were taken at 57mm.
and 59mm., the next being 80mm.; while the smallest male was 71mm.
There is thus a suggestion that the two females represent the larger
specimens of a younger group.

In the May collections three groups appear to be represented, when
curves are drawn of the measurements; the first and third are only partly
present, the bulk of the collection consisting of fish from 10cm. to 16cm.
and aggregated around 13cm. and 14cm. (53 inches). The figures for

the totals for the 6th and 15th May, grouped into centimetres are as
follows :—

The measurements of the separate collections similarly arranged are :

Cron Ome oo Ol Lae 14a 1516) elie LS ro 20h 2
Apres) weeks vide: LIS oero Fo Sito. alte 2h) AOS
Na ygeeO eee el ot Vee Se LN Loy LO 2S NON We AE ad 12), =
PO eae a Oe lL Se AN OF Son suey) Di an ie

oy» WAR nih ico pee aii Ras AS ey 2 or! i i! Ke: le aa

Obviously none of the specimens belong to the year; the smallest must
be approaching one year of age, or are over it.

In the collections made in September the extreme range of the sizes is
very much the same, and the curve of the total shows that a division

* Twenty-first Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Part III.. p. 48.
N

194 Part I1f.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

between two groups is about 13cm. to 14cm., the fish being aggregated
at about 12cm. and 16cm. to 17cm. respectively. The figures of the total
measurements arranged in centimetres are as follows :—

tage 8) AO 0) LL A See I i) lO mei Spe ae Oe
Del Or pe22 ee Ai eO4* 0 pemoiee 6711625 G2 Beas 9 2 -

The corresponding figures for the individual collections are :—

CminG as ao VOhel0! M2 13 also 5 Ghee Seal See 20a
2

Sepik B Wee SS0ae ig homme os 2 3 Qt See
gee Oi ual WBS aA OT 89 19 44 ON 08 00+ akin ae
Vibe Lad sail ao oimey “gattagiiah? gi og Uy eee

er door Bb 2B. 1 Uae Age Oe alee cle hae a

Small lemon dabs, though not quite so small, were also obtained in
various hauls in the Firth of Forth and in the Clyde, the particulars of
the measurements of which, arranged in ‘5cm. groups, are given in
Tables XIV., XV. In May, in the Forth, a collection of 68 ranged in
length from 10cm. to 30cm., four groups being probably, but unequally,
represented. In the most outstanding the majority of the fishes are
grouped around 15cm. to 17cm., and they are thus a little larger than the
corresponding May collection from the Solway, where, as was previously
shown, plaice and dabs at all events grow more slowly than on the east
coast. It would appear that these fish are entering their third year,
the two-year-old fish being represented by the few of a smaller size.
There is a second aggregation of lemon dabs between 23cm. and 30cm.,
but they not improbably represent at least two series. The figures,
as arranged in centimetre groups, are these :—

LOWS WAS ab 1G 7s AS 5 9 20" 2M 22" 23 24 200 2Or 27 o one
Ge 8 Die Ts eh odd ea O's Ate AS pa oe nee

A small collection was also obtained in August, but the number was
scarcely sufficient to give a reliable clue to the growth. Arranged in
centimetres, the measurements are these :—

9.10 Ut 420482 14D 15 16s i 1819) 720 2225 23) 24 25 2 eee
VB a 2 a 2 PO tec GS 0 1D. o Be sO ae Te ees el

The collections in the Clyde (Table XV.) were obtained in somewhat
deep water in the neighbourhood of Ailsa Craig. In September, those
taken numbered 79, and a curve of the measurements shows them mainly
agcregated between 12cm. and 18cm., with a deeply-indented apex, the
maxima being at 13cm. and 16cm., thus corresponding fairly closely to the
collection from the Solway in the same month of the year. On the 5th
October a number measured from 8cm. to 25cm., the mass _ being
aggregated between 13cm. and 19cm., there also being an indentation in
the curve at 15cm. The figures grouped in centimetres are these :—

SOTO as 213 ielae 150 16h 7 Ie 920) 222 23 ee oD come
1 Walk evens Sma’ omni irs eet oahu Seagal Ce: Wi lao Rael > Teak a peer Ye ce

The collections from Aberdeen Bay were more numerous (Tables XIII,
XIV). The largest was obtained on 21st August at the “ Doghole,” a

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 195

few miles off, in 58 fathoms of water, the specimens numbering 118,
The measurements, arranged in centimetres, are as follows :—
10 11 12 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2% 25 26
Dera sMted ete ailet lan On ivin Oy lOMlse masIisih) bros. 6
27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
LIN ye Sef 82 geal pete el ayer ot Lea SR Tw eae eee Ue

The curve shows at least five groups, though the lines are not very
regular. The first comprises the fish up to about 15cm. The middle of
the base is about 12cm. or 12‘5em. The next extends from 16cm. to
to 22cm. or 23cm., the maximum number are at 2lcm., and the middle
of the base about 19cm. to 20cm. The third extends from 22cm. or
23cm. to 30cm., the greater numbers are at 27cm., and the middle of the
base is about 26cm. or 26°5cm.

In hauls in July, on the 3lst and 30th, that is about three weeks
earlier, the same order of grouping can be made out, the measurements
being as follows :—

LD deeb 1G. he 18 ASL 2022) | 22°88 24 25) 26. 274.28

Te 2) el pclitg un Ps tg Daa Aer A Sy ot ee Dp arctan t Oi =
29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 388 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
CRee ema OLS OM eo Se Oe ae ON fe Oe aa On cae ce. Ze ih

In collections made in October, the first and second of the above
indicated series are best shown. ‘The following are the figures of the
measurements, arranged in centimetres :-—

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 80 31
ity a ES eae ae ie eee ee er ee
irceeetel erste yt gla yey By geek, re VE EN Eg
Bi ean tos O) 1 Doe 8 olsen ees eG, 2) gfe SoGe eye g

There are also given in Table XIII. the measurements from a large num-
ber of hauls taken in the Moray Firth and Aberdeen Bay on two occasions,
the first from 8th to 13th October, 1900, and the second from 31st
October to 9th November in the same year. The curve formed by the
former series shows two great aggregations, the first exteuding from about
15cm. or 16cm, to 27cm. or 28cm., and the second from the latter point
to 4lem. In the former the maximum number are aggregated at 23cm.
(9 inches), and in the latter they are aggregated at 36cm. (143 inches), a
difference of 13cm., or a little over 5 inches. It seems tolerably certain,
however, that one or other of these, and probably both, aggregations com-
prise more than one annual series, though the very deep depression
between the two cones is marked, and very distinct. The measurements
at the beginning of November are less satisfactory, the curve formed being
irregular. The second aggregation is poorly represented, but the first is
well marked, but begins at 14cm., and the maximum number are at 18cem.;
there is a well-marked depression at 27cm., much as in the curve of the
measurements taken some weeks earlier. The figures arranged in centi-
metres for the two series of measurements are as follows :—

IANIS 14015-1617 18" 19. -20') 21 (22) 23°24 25) 26° 27 28° 29 30

(Gi) oe Ns So SE AA ES RSS ES eT fl 1 Ba UY alee Ua sal (ey a a: a «am ©)
(2) srt 5 Peas op ISG T 2 25nyl4e012) dds TS) LOO) SF AGRA eZ 110

31 32 33 34 85 386 37 388 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Cy Seu ebrar a, oo 9o 1b 4 1 hy =
Oye Cae eee eee eee ae a) LA's Pee pone th pots! u

196 Part LII—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Larval and post-larval lemon dabs have been obtained at periods
which correspond with the long spawning season. Thus, Cunningham
records specimens of 10mm. and over taken in April, and specimens of
this size are taken in May, while at the end of October they have been
secured in considerable numbers measuring from 8mm. to 18mm. It is
obvious that in the succeeding year, say in spring, the young lemon dabs
derived from these would vary much in size. The early ones would have
the full benefit of the favourable temperature throughout the whole year,
while those of October would meet with the colder water in winter and
have their growth retarded. Thus, a specimen caught by the “ Garland”
on 7th May, which measured 25mm., was no doubt derived from the pre-
ceding year, while specimens measuring 27mm. taken in August belonged
to the same year.

Young lemon dabs in some number were got by Holt at the Humber
in October and November, measuring from 2 to 34 inches, which might
possibly have been derived from the spawning of that year, but the larger,
at least, were more probably from that of the year before.

Cunningham, at the beginning of June, took small lemon dabs on the
Essex coast from 3 to 5 inches long, and these were clearly at least one
year old.

The evidence seems to me to justify the belief that the growth of the
lemon dab is slow, and probably does not much, if at all, exceed 5cm. to
6cem, (2 to 2} inches) in a year. It is probable that the female does not
spawn before the fourth year, though the prematurely mature specimens
oceasionally got* probably spawn at an earlier age, and may form a
distinct variety.

LONG ROUGH DAB (Drepanopsetta platessoides, Fabr.).

Various collections of long rough dabs were measured, the total num-
ber being 3529, part of them being from the Moray Firth and part from
Aberdeen Bay (Table X VI.). Including those dealt with in the previous
paper, the aggregate number measured amounts to 20,261.

Several of the collections contained the very small series which are
always in this species well separated from the older series, contrasting
with the case of the lemon dab. The spawning period of the long rough
dab extends from the end of January well into May, and is chiefly
marked at the end of March and the beginning of April. Each year’s
brood have therefore the summer following for growth, and not, as in the
lemon dab, part of them the summer and part of them the winter.

In three collections made in the Moray Firth the early group is well
shown. The first was taken on 28th December in 30 fathoms, on the so-
called witch ground off Burghead; the second on 23rd January, but.
somewhat further east off Kinnaird Head, in 50 fathoms; and the third
on Ist April, in the neighbourhood of the place where the first haul was
made, in from 30 to 32 fathoms.

In the December collection 73 fish belonged to this group; they ranged
in length from 46mm. to 65mm. (148-2,%, inches) (the next largest in the
collection being 85mm.), and the average length was 56°8mm., or 24
inches. In the January collection there were 57 specimens, ranging from
47mm. to 68mm. (14-214 inches) (the next largest being 86mm.), and
the average computed size was 57-4mm., or 21 inches. The third collec-
tion contained 84 specimens of the class, varying in length from 47mm.
to 70mm. (13-2 inches), and the average was 56°2mm., or almost 21
inches, the next largest in the collection being 89mm.

*See Twentu-first Annucl Report, Part II1., p. 48.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 197

Number of Range in | Average
Kish, Length. | Size.
ae ety oo SD is ES") ear we) ee
28th December 1903. 73 46-65mm. | 568mm.
23rd January 1904 . . 57 47-68mm. | 57°4mm.
Ist April1904. . . . 84 47-70mm. | 562mm.
|

As already stated, the locality of the collections in December and April
were the same, and the facts show how much retarded the growth of
this fish may be during winter.

In previous collections, described in my paper in the Twentieth Annual
Report, numbers of these small long rough dabs were secured, and the
average length in some cases may be referred to. The facts show that
the growth of this somewhat deep-water fish does not materially differ in
the north-eastern parts of the North Sea as compared with the Moray
Firth. In the deep water off the Shetlands, on 3lst August and 4th
September, the average size was 483mm. and 48-4mm. On 16th-19th
October it was 53-3mm.; on 11th December it was 54°4mm., and on 19th
May 68'4mm. Off Aberdeen Bay, on 21st August, 11 specimens had an
average length of 53mm.; on 16th December the average length of 116
specimens was 65°5\mm. On 4th July, in from 83-85 fathoms, off
Kinnaird Head, 146 had an average length of 98°3mm. (33 inches). It
is thus clear that the growth of this fish, as formerly remarked, is slow,
and that when one year old its average length does not greatly exceed two
inches.

In some of the collections the older groups are well indicated. In that
of 28th December, off Burghead, the sexes were not completely separated,
but in the lot of 23rd January they were. The females in the second
series in this collection range in length from 92mm. to about 129mm.
(33-551, inches), the average being about 112mm., or 1lcem. (4} inches).
The males vary in size from 89mm. to 118mm. or thereabout, and the
average size is a little over 10cm. (or 4 inches). The increase in length
from the previous annual series is thus about 5:5cm., or 2} inches; in
other words, the females at this stage grow about that more in the course
of a year. The difference in the case of the males is less, viz., from
57mm. to about 103mm., or 4:5cm., a little over 1? inches.

The curve in this case shows a somewhat more rapid growth of the
females than the males, the latter lagging behind, and the fact suggests
that the males are approaching reproductive activity. I have shown
before that males may be sexually mature when scarcely 5 inches
(127mm.) long, and may show testes half developed when only 34 inches
(89mm.) long. The date of this collection about coincides with the
beginning of the spawning season, and is more than three months distant
from its close, and thus probably some of the males would reach repro-
ductive length during the spawning season. It is much more likely that
the third series represented in the collection is the chief reproductive
series. In it the males extend in length from 11l*5em. (44 inches) to
16cm. or over (63 inches), the average size being about 13-5em. (5}
inches). This group is very nearly three years of age.

The females in the third series are widely separated from the second,
so that, in the curve, the curve of measurements of the males of the third
series is intercalcated in the gap between the curve for the second and
third series of females—a usual circumstance among flatfishes at the

198 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

period when maturity is reached. The third series of females, which

comprises the greater number of fishes, begins about 12°5cm. and appears

to extend to 20cm. ‘The cone in the curve is a wide one, and the apex,

or point where the fish are chiefly aggregated, is at 16°5cm. (64 inches).
The results may be stated in tabular form as follows :—

| R : A Apparent
Group. | Sex. Probable Age. pet gt we8e =| Growth in

Size. Size. Wout

| | ear.

eee ee Pee, See SE ee

TF — 10 months. 47-68mm. | 57‘4mm. 57mm.

i { 2 1 year and 10 months. 9-I3em. | Llem. 55cm.

3 on aA 9-12em. | 10cm. 45cm.

an { 2 2 years and 10 months. | 12°5-20cm. | 16*5cem. 5-5em.

3 55 LD 11‘5-l6em, | 13°5em, 3’dem,

In the collection obtained on 1st April the sexes were also separated
and measured in the older groups. In the second series, or those about
two years old, the females extended in length from 89mm. to 126mm.
(33-442 inches), the average being about 10°5cem., or 44 inches. This.
shows a rate of growth of about 5cm., (2 inches) from the previous year’s
fish. The males extended from about 9cm. to llem., (34-42 inches),
the average length being about 10cm., or a little less, indicating a growth
from the previous year’s series of about 4°5cm. (1? inches).

In the third group represented the females extend from 131mm. to
apparently 210mm. (53-83 inches), the fish being mostly aggregated
between 15cm. and 17em., the apex of the curve being at 17cm. If the
latter be taken as the mean size of the group, the growth from the
previous series would be on the average about 6‘5cm., or 24 inches, which
is too large for this series. The presence of a small cusp at 15cm. leads
oue to suspect that this group is made up of two series.

The males of the third series are not numerous, and their size extends
from about 11cm. to 15cm., the average length being approximately 13cm.,
or 5% inches; the amount of growth indicated in the year from the
previous series being 3cm., or barely an inch and a quarter. In tabular
form the particulars are these :—

| Apparent
Group. | Sex. Probable Age. | Range in Size.| Average Size. | Growth in
| Year.
wiPTTES eS Ae de Ss a a ee
Te | — 1 year. 47-70mm. 562mm. 5'5em.
2 years. 9-13em. 10°5cem. 50cm.
II ‘ ¢ 4
3 N 9-1lem. 10cm. 4:5em,
fe) 3 years. (13-21cm. ) (17) (6‘5cm.)
10D
! 3 me 11-l5em. 13 3em.
|

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 199

Of the other collections whose measurements are given in the Tables,
it may be said that in that taken on 13th May at the “ Doghole,” off
Aberdeen, in 55 fathoms, in which case the sexes were separately dealt
with, the younger series is imperfectly represented. A group beginning
as to the females about 12cm. or 13cm. shows an aggregation at |14cm.
and 14:5em., the apex in the curve of the measurements being at 14°5cm.,
after which there is a drop to 15°5cm. and a subsequent rise, indicating
that the third series in the collection of 1st April contains two series.
This is rather confirmed by the position of the aggregation of the males,
the apex of the curve being in the gap between, viz. at 15-bcm. The
numbers, however, are not very large.

TURBOT (Rhombus (Bothus) maximus).

Observations as to the rate of growth of this important flat-fish leave
much to be desired. The number measured by me, the measurements of
which are given in Table XVII., was 212, but comparatively few of these
refer to young fishes.

The spawning period is in summer, from about the middle of April to
the early part of August, and is at its height in June. The larval turbot
measures 2°2mm. to 2°8mm.; after the absorption of the yolk, in about a
week, it measures 3°2mm. to 4°8mm., and metamorphosis is usually com-
pleted at about 27mm.*

The pelagic metamorphosing forms are got in August and September,
and partly in July, and the young forms on the sands in September and
later. Thus Cunningham notes the pelagic forms from early in August
till 8th September, measuring from 15mm, to 37mm., and which he
thought were about one month old, but are probably older.

M‘Intosh refers to specimens of 21mm. to 28mm. in July and August,
and of 41mm. to 62mm. on 7th September; on 18th September, three,
respectively, 44mm., 48mm., and 55mm., were got by me at the mouth of
the Don. M‘Intosh records them 3 inches long (about 7*5cm.) in the
middle of December, and this is the largest for the year of which I have
noted a definite record.

From this time on to about the end of March it is almost certain the
turbot grows little or not at all, as with other small flat-fishes in the
same habitat.

In the spring of the next year the recorded sizes are as follows :—23rd
May, 23 inches (60mm.), by M‘Intosh; April 25th, 79mm.; May 16th,
three at 68mm., 73mm., and 8hmm., by Cunningham, who also says that
from April to June, at Cleethorpes, they measure from 75mm. to 105mm,
(3-42 inches). I received one from the Solway Firth, taken on 23rd
April, which measured 95mm., while another from the same locality,
caught on 27th November, was 119mm. (4? inches), and had no devbt
passed through the second summer of its life.

The young turbot at or approaching one year of age is thus a very little
fish, and probably ranges in size from about 70mm. (27 inches) or less to
about 105mm. (4% inches).

A tank experiment of Cunningham’s may be mentioned. In June he
put into a tank a number of young turbot in the pelagic transforming
stage; on the 19th October three, whose measurements are given, were
65mm., 95mm., and 99mm. respectively; on 4th April, in the next year,
the one which survived was 108mm.

* Ehrenbaum, Nordisches Plankton, Vierte Lieferung, I. Eier und Larven von Fischen.
Theil J., p. 199, Kiel und Leipzig, 1905.

200 Part ITI—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

I append a Table showing the occurrence of the small turbots in the
various months of the year. The bracket shows the spawning period.

Cm. | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April.| May. | June. | July.| Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

S——-_ |_—___ | | a

i a & zs u z pa e v = ty bi ie
5 rial cee eet Set PA eel tle SC | sore: ok eli a i

2 a Z is z =: a Ne Soe lone a = s
5 zs Cah aes z z ai S| SX eee [ee =

3 SMG E Sit Sih alae DS niga Od 26) etic) Bsc tells SARE teat Se a
5 & = ac # -s , = wy ite a os

4 E zt e z 3 = t =) ax So | ae
‘5 A rate hae fle eee es |G oi 22) xe 2

5 SGC. | ee ee ee Cec eee rales. ||
5 a Seale : EAS \ aol each AO Dx. Se |e eaa

6 - Eee ee oe hex = 2) 2 a |
#5) - = = a a = = as a 2 =

7 a a = A a 2 ae 2 2 a » &
‘5 St et Bl et capes go ale ogals a]04 ae a

8 PAAR IGH MET sl AGEN Meg Feldlagst yaaa oo
5 Sweetie GER TBST Bal ERY AC alice Ai) (eee

9 Ree alter 221) iB al Misra was Alp als ~ | ea Site <euhene anes
5 Sel 2 le ecR. eep a a 2. | 2
10 - - - IB excxex: B = = = = z 7
5 2 = 1G (Boal duBaelt 3B a = he E zi "
iit = = = = = = = e ss a 2
5 = - = SMX of PX - ~ ~ ~ - =
12 = = = = xX x = = = = x -
5 - B B Ba ieexcx: x = = = = = =
13 - B B Br paxx x = = = = = a
5 Ph Mg 2 Al eB Ss x x i : 3 3 =
14 = B B 28} || 00-6) || 5:0 = = = =! = =
D Sei 8 B B XX - - = = = = =
15 - B B B | xxxx| = x - = = = =
5 ~ = - =e fa. @: 6.0 le ~ - - - = =
16 - - - - x Xx - - - - = =
5 ~ - - ~ xx ~ - - - = =
17 = = = = x x ef = Ls y s Ps
5 = eg ef. te et x 4 2 g 7 es Xx
18 BU ley Bole cra bes flys | marty taro |-gueaetl As eles eed | a
5 & ay - fe a me x : i =; e oe
19 - - - Sa xx AB | oes = - - - =
5 £ eS re ie ii x ‘a Fi a as a wi
20 - - - =f axe x x = = - - =
5 My 35 = x ae x i ia ra is en =

In the salmon stake-nets at Montrose 52 young turbots were taken in
May, June, and July, the measurements of which are given in inches in
the Table subjoined (2), and as near as possible in centimetres in Table
XVII.

The greater number were obtained in May, viz., 30, while 17 were got
in June and 5 in July; perhaps an indication that the young turbot move
further out with the rise in temperature.

From what has been stated above, it is probable that the smallest at 4
inches (101mm.) are turbot of the preceding year and are approaching
their first year of age. Whether those at 43 to 43 inches (115mm. to
120mm.) in May are also fish of the preceding year, under one year of age,
is not so clear. The curve formed by the May measurements appears to
show the presence of four groups, and the first is separated from the
second by a deep division at 13cm (53 inches), and the second from the
third at 17cm. to 18cm. (7 inchas) The figures, in centimetres, are as
follows :—

LO 2s 4 Sle 17 19 20 21 22 28 24 25 26 27 28
8° S 6 a5) 7 1S 2 8. ee) Salo) be

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 201

It does not appear to me altogether probable, judging from the facts
given above, and those that follow from the older groups, that all the
turbot up to 13cm. (53 inches) are under one year of age. It will be
observed that the young turbot are rather smaller than the young brill,
and it must be borne in mind that the addition of a unit of length toa
turbot means a much greater increase in growth than to any other
fiat fish, owing to its breadth and thickness and its consequent greater
proportional weight.*

If regarded provisionally as approaching their second year, then the
next group, from 13cm. to 17em. or 18cm. (5% to 7 inches), must be looked
upon as nearing their third year; the fourth group, from 17cm. or 18cm.
to 22cm. (7 to 8? inches), as nearing their fourth year; and those from
22cm. to 26cm. (8? to 107 inches) as approaching their fifth year.

TABLE 2,

Inches. May. | June. | July.

4 3 a :
4 = = a
i 3 1 2
3 1 1 =
yal a Oa 2 =
: Cand a z a
i wie 2 -
: Deh keene
6 7 z 1
Fi 1 1 a
i 2 4 £
8 - 3 a

a
7 i 3 a,
4 - - 1
: 2 z 2
§ n il is
8 2 2 1
a E 5 4

+
9 1 a ca
! hae 2
4 = = =
“pl Oe - -
10 1 Z a
t = = =
4 = = =
# = ~ =
a 1 a e
t = = ~~

The possibility of each of these groups being a year younger must not
be lost sight of ; in any event, those of the latter size can scarcely be less
than four years of age or near it.

Turning now to the collections which contain the larger fishes, we have
some in October, November, December, and February, which are of
interest. The measurements are given in Table XVII.

Although the numbers are not large in any instance, the arrangement
and order of the figures are such as te lead to the supposition that the
groups are of small dimensions.

The group above referred to, from the stake-nets, as extending from
about 22cm. to 26cm., is represented by only a single specimen, at 23cm.,
taken in December at Burghead Bay. It is at the end of either its fourth
or fifth summer.

*See Twenty-second Annual Report, Part 1I1,, pp. 144, 216.

202 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The next series is represented in a collection from Aberdeen Bay in
October, and in it there are ten turbot from 27'5cem. to 30cm. (102-11?
inches), which are a year older.

The other series are shown in the Moray Firth collections in November,
December, and F ebruary, the sizes ranging from 33cm. to 80em. From
Table XVII. it will be seen that a division appears to exist at 34—35cm.,
and it is probable that this group extends back at least to 30:5em., as
indicated in the October series.

The arrangement of the measurements in one-centimetre groups may
be shown in the subjoined Table, in which column 4 summarises the
figures for the three months, October, November, and December, and
column 6 summarises them all :—

1 2 3 4 5 6

Cm. : pare See

Oct. Nov. Dec. ae a Feb. ger ies
23 - = 1 1 = 1
24 = ms a = a =
25 - = = = - -
26 2 = = e s
27 2 = - 2 = 2
28 2 x = 2 3 2
29 4 = 4 = /
30 2 = = 2 e- 2
3 it = = i - 1
82 = z ¥. ~ = ie
33 - 2 2 4 - 4
34 - 2 1 3 - 3
BD - 1 - i 1
36 - 5 5 10 = IO
37 - 5 2 7 2 9
38 - 5 3 & 1 9
39 : 4 = 5 2 6
40 - 2 - 2 2 4
41 - 1 il 2 2 4
42 = = = = v 2
43 2 . 2 2
44 ~ 4 2 6 - 6
45 - 4 3 7 4 Il
46 _ = = 2 2
47 ~ 1 _ I 1 g
48 - 1 - 1 - i
49 - 2 = 2 - 2
50 - 1 - 1 2 By
51 2 = = = = a af
52 - - 1 if - 1

There appears to be evidence in this Table of the existence of at least
five groups, and possibly six, if those turbot under 34cm. in November
and December are regarded as separate from the October group. The
points of probable separation of the groups, as shown in the ‘dem.
grouping, are 34-35:5cem., 46cm., and 50cm., or 52cm.

The age of these turbot is considerable in any way the figures may be
regarded. It is possible that they represent fish of 43, 53, 64, 71, 84,
and 93 years of age; but they may be a year less, and, if the October
group is looked upon as terminating at about 34cm. in November and
December, the fishes above that size may be a year less still.

It, however, seems certain that turbot ranging from 35cm. to 4lem.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 203

(133-162 inches) are not under 54 years old, and that those about 50cm.
(20 inches) are not under 74 years of age, while those between 40cm. and
46cm, (16-18 inches), when reproduction is supposed to commence, are at
least 64 years old at the season of the year referred to, and may be a
year, or possibly two years, older still.

It seems to me probable that the turbot does not spawn until it is
at least seven years of age.

With reference to the slow rate of increase in length of the turbot, as
thus indicated, the relatively great increment in weight must not be lost
sight of. Thus a turbot of 44cm. (17; inches) weighs about 1830
grammes, and one of 50cm. (19? inches) weighs about 2700 grammes,
while plaice of the same lengths weigh just about half—viz., about 950
and 1430 grammes respectively—and a female plaice of 44cm, is at least
five years of age, and may be six. On the other hand, one would expect
that the rate of increase of weight in the turbot would be greater than in
the plaice, owing to its piscivorous habit and feeding.

BRILL (Rhombus levis).

As with the turbot, so with this fish, the observations in respect to the
rate of growth are not as complete as they might be. A considerable
number of specimens were, however, measured, viz., 1182, and they appear
to be satisfactory as regards certain groups (Table XVIII).

The spawning period of the brill is about a month or so earlier than
that of the turbot, extending from the end of March into July, the chief
spawning taking place in May. The egg is larger than that of the
turbot, varying according to Heincke and Ehrenbaum, from 1:24mm. to
1:46mm., and hatching occurs in twelve or thirteen days.

The smallest specimens in my collections were procured from Aberdeen
Bay on 18th September, being taken on the beach at low tide by means
of a push-net; they numbered six, and measured as follows:—38mm.,
40mm., 47mm., 49mm., 51mm., and 54mm., cr 13 to 23 inches, At the
mouth of the Forth, on the 17th September, four specimens measuring
41mm., 54mm., 57mm., and 58mm., and another of 78mm., or a trifle
over three inches, were obtained in another year. Other small specimens
taken were as follows:—One at 41mm. (12 inches), by the push-net in
Lochfyne on 27th July ; one measuring 51mm., on 27th July, by shrimp-
net at Annan, and another in the same locality on 30th April which
measured 80mm. (33 inches). M‘Intosh mentions specimens measuring
from 22mm, to 29mm. in August, one of 24mm. on 25th July, and
others from 50mm.-6]1mm. in September. Cunningham records 34
apes measuring from 22mm. to 25mm., between 21st May and 11th

une.

All the above, with the exception of the specimen taken in the Solway,
measuring 82mm. (3} inches), on 30th April, were no doubt derived fiom
the spawning in the same year.

Other specimens which have been described, and which apparently
belong to the spawning of the previous year, are as follows:—That
referred to above, which was 82mm. long, on 30th April; one of 74mm.
(212 inches) taken on 4th May; one of 91mm. and another of 96mm.
(3# inches) taken on 25th April; one of 104mm. taken on 28th April ;
two on 15th June, measuring 89mm. and 104mm. ; and two on 14th
May, measuring 98mm. and 108mm. (43 inches)—all of which are
referred to by Cunningham. These specimens, together with some of the
smaller individuals got in salmon stake-nets and referred to below, may be
included in the following Table ; the latter are represented by a small (x),
the former by a large (X) :—

Cm. Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | April.| May. leer July. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.
ONE MD Alas sy

1 = Aube edt Ueseel Ae ae | 30) poekele, eth tall d ge ee
“5 Py = a " Es er a x a 2 re Es
2 - ~ - XXXXXKX - | XX - - - -
5 - - - XXXXKX x - - - - -
3 - - - - ~ x - x - - - -
"5H - — = = = = = = = = _ -
4 - - - - - - x - |KXX| - ~ -
9) ~ - - - - - - -~ x - - -
5 - - - - - - D4 - | XXX - - -
3) ~ - - - - - - — | XXX - - -
6 - - ~ - - - - - | XX ~ = -
5 i z al uf pi ~ 3 = a a wt zt
7 = = eS u ey 2 a ob = s ! =
5 - - - - x - - - - - = =
8 - - - x - - - - ».¢ - - -
“5 ue = £ 3: bs Z = ¥ ies 2 s "
9 - - - xX - x = - - - = =
3) - - - xX x - - - - - ~ -
10 - - - = =| eXOER = = = = = =
5 - - - x - x - - - - - ~
11 - ~ - =~ ||| xox - - - - - - =
5) - - - - 256 XX - - - - - -
12 - - - - - - - - ~ - - =
3) - - - = 1))|2-©:0-0:¢| Ptp-< xX - - - - -
13 - - - - - - - - - - - -
5 a £ 5 £ a 2 sf = a = a
14 - - - - xe x x - - ~ - -
15) - - - - - xe - - - - - -
15 ; - - - = dl | SXENEXCKG || RONSROXG | NEX: - - - - -
16 - - - ~ x x - = = = = =
: ~ - - - x x = = - = = =
17 - - - - - - = = - = =
5 2 x es i eS = o. Ee i = =
18 - - = - x x - - - = - =
5 - - - - - - ~ ~ x - -

The outstanding feature of the above Table is that a line drawn
diagonally from the top left-hand corner (at January) to the bottom right-
hand corner divides the small brill into two groups, an upper and a lower;
and the inference is that those below the line in April, May, and June
are 2 full year or more in age.

Before considering this Table further, reference may be made to some
experiments by Cunningham in rearing young brill in tanks. He placed
the 34 specimens, measuring from 22mm. to 25mm., taken between 21st
May and llth June, and above mentioned, in an aquarium. He
computed their age to be about three weeks or a month. On 18th
October following four of them were measured, and their length was found
to be from 70mm. to 98mm. (2#-37 inches), the growth of these four, in
the 140 days or so that elapsed, amounting to about 60mm.—or, to give
the extremes, to from 45mm. to 76mm. The author does not state
anything as to the sizes of the others, except that on 4th October one
measured 85mm. ; nor is the temperature given, but it is obvious that
the period comprised the chief season of growth. Other two of these
brill were measured on 3rd April in the following year, and their lengths
were respectively 84mm. and 88mm. (34-34 inches), giving an approxi-
mate increase from the beginning of June in the previous year, or in about
307 days, of only 6cm., or 23 inches. These fish were nearly one year old.

Cunningham suggests as a reason for the slow growth, which he thinks
had been abnormally checked, that they were fed on marine worms and
not on living fish ; but it is much more likely that it was chiefly owing
to the lowered temperature of the water in winter. I have already shown
that small plaice at the same stage, which frequent the same habitat on

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 205

the beach, do not grow between October and April,* and that this is true
also of larger plaice kept in tanks and supplied with water from the beach.

It is probable that the young brill, living on the margin of the sea, does
not increase in length from November till the latter part of March.

In a subsequent year Cunningham records having placed some young
brill in the pelagic transformation stage in tanks in June, On 19th
October following three measured 80mm., 85mm., and 104mm., and on
4th April in the next year one was 113mm.T

Looking to the Table above given, it will be seen that under natural
conditions the young brill in September may reach a length of 6cm.
and even 8cem., while those taken in April of the following year may
measure from 80mm. to 105mm.; in May they may be as small as
74mm., 96mm., and 98mm., and in June as small as 89mm., that is,
when fully one year old.

Some years ago a record was kept at Montrose of small brill and turbot
taken in May, June, and July in stake-nets, as previously mentioned.
They were measured to fractions of an inch. ‘The total number of brill
was 53, and 30 of them were taken in May, 16 in June, and 7 in July.
The particulars are set forth in the appended Table.

Inches. May. | June. | July.

(Jy) iw) |
Heat

i

o
HERO HA ARERR HA RKC IRR icon)

for)

or) “I
BRO ARCA RGR

S ©
Oe alae

Lee ee a ee COL DT I ES str ae eel STR TS) a Lea Seat ALi ete IE st StS]

_
_

RAE BROOD
PRG toe Tee RO Te SSeS sr Oh eT pe Tet een

=e PNET ee Be hd Non Nee Diba wd se rea oy te hs

* Twentieth Annual Report, Part III., p. 342.
t Jour. M.B.A., II., p. 106; III, p. 272.

206 Part II1—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The smallest one was got on 19th June in St. Cyrus Bay ; it measured
1; inches, or about 3cm., and belonged no doubt to the brood of the year.
The next smallest were 4 inches, or about 10cm., and brill of this size
were procured on 8th and 12th May, and doubtless represent the fish of
the previous year, and would therefore be about one year old. At 43
inches (114mm.) four were taken, two on 4th and 5th May, and two on
5th aud 6th June. The next size was five inches (127mm.), of which six
were taken—four in May, one in June, and one in July (8th). At 6
inches (152mm.) there were eleven, six of which were obtained in May,
four in June, and one in July. The largest brill secured was 114 inches,
in May.

Looking down the column for May, the place where the first striking
interval occurs is between 8 inches and 8? inches, or about 20cm. to
22cm. ; but it is pretty certain that fish of this length, or even of 7?
inches (19°5cm.) do not belong to the same series, which, as we saw, has
individuals measuring as low as 74mm. in May.

The nature of the net by which the brill were taken must be borne in
mind, practically all the very small fish and many of those of the sizes
included in the Table no doubt escaping. It seems to me, considering the
Table, the rate of growth of other flat-fishes, the much greater increase in
weight or volume in the case of the brill than with the plaice, dab, &c.,
that the one-year-old group is represented in May by those at 4 inches
(10:2cm.) and probably at 43 inches (11‘5cm.); that those from 5 to 7
inches (12°7em. to 17‘8cm.), or perhaps to 73 inches (19'0cm.) are two
years of age ; those from 8 to 94 inches (20cm. to 24cm.)—and the group
is obviously only partially present—are three years of age; while the
brill at 117 inches (28°5cm.) is probably four years old.

It seems to me likely that the range of size of the one-year-old brill is
from about 70mm. to about 115mm. (2? to 43 inches), or perhaps a little
less, with an average size of about 90mm. to 95mm. (34 to 32 inches).

Attention may now be given to the catches made on board trawlers in
the Moray Firth, the particulars in regard to which are given in Table
XVIII. These hauls were limited to November, December, and February,
and the collection in the latter month was a small one. In none of the
cases were the sexes separated, the fish being too valuable to be opened
for the purpose, and the collections under the various dates represent a
series of hauls, all the brill taken having been measured. Some groups
come out with distinctness, and the measurements may be grouped here
in centimetres.

|TABLE.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 207

aa

NOVEMBER. DECEMBER. Seals t=
A by 7) ay

ae i[oa| 3s |osl| od | ¢ 154) 84) 8 | Pe

Se US sel JP all ar et ae pad le ad a 2B = ey

EL | Pol) ae | aa | sa] # as |

os | 25 oS rae ees 5 = — ° 3

Aa&1a2/]0 |maR8|AR|] oso ie a 3 |\4
21 - - - - - - 1 2, 3 =
22 ~ - - - - ~ 1 2 3 1
23 2 ~ 2 - - ~ 4 4 8 1
24 -: ~ - - ~ 1 = i! =
25 1 - - - - - 2 - 2 1
26 1 1 2 1 - 1 3 2 5 =
27 2 2 4 - 2 2 5 3 8 -
28 - 6 6 1 3 4 8 6 14 1
29 - I 7 1 2 3 8 5 13 1
30 2 6 8 2 4 6 9 9 18 1
dl 2 11 13 1 7 8 16 9 75) 3
32 2 10 12 1 8 9 16 12 28 5
33 3 4 7 3 4 7 7 8 15 1
34 2 1 3 R 2 3 5 6 aft =
35 1 1 2 1 1 ‘2 7 6 13 2
36 4 7 if - 2 2 23 8 31 2
37 4 4 8 ~ i 1 37 16 03 10
38 3 4 7 - 1 1 39 18 57 25
39 2 6 8 - 1 1 3D 5 60 22
40 3 4 7 1 - 1 36 23 59 24
41 - 3 3 1 1 2 25 16 41 27

42 - 4 4 2 1 3 Tal 11 22 i
43 3 3 6 il 1 2 12 8 20 13
44 0 ips z = l 1 4 (be eae 6
45 1 : 1 3 3 6 4
46 2 = 2 2 5 4 Oye hie
47 2 1 1 us 2 t: 2 3 5 2
48 Es é = = 1 1 1 2 3 1
49 1 * 1 2 1 1 5 1 6 2
50 2 = = 2 a 2 1 2 3 2
51 = te - v = S = 1 1 4
52 = 2 = z 1 1 2 E = =
53 a s = s = = 1 = 1 1
54 = = = = : Ss : 2 : :
55 i = z 4 e : is = = =
56 - - ~ - - - - - - 1
ay = - - - - - - - - -
58 ~ - - - - - - - - -
59 z B = g w = = fs é: a
60 = E = Z £ 2 1 — 1 =
61 = 2 = = = 3 é a =
62 = = Z E = 1 ~ 1 .

The curves formed by these figures combined indicate a great group,
which includes the greater proportion of the brill between about 34cm.
(133 inches), where a division between groups is most distinct, and 42cm.
or 43cm. (17 inches). Taking the larger combined series first, for all hauls
in November and December, the group extends from 34cm. to 45cm.,
but the lower part of the descending line of the curve and its form
indicate the probability that two groups are combined, the probable
division being at 41cm, to 42cm. ‘The great majority of the fishes are
aggregated at 37cm. to 40cm., the largest number being at 39cm. and
the next at 40cm, (153-15? inches).

In the November series the curve and its limits are much the same, the
group beginning at 34cm., and it appears to terminate at 44cm. or 45cm.,

208 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

but more probably at 42cm. The fish are aggregated between the same
limits, 37em.—40cm., but the greatest number is at 38cm. (15 inches).

In the December series the lower limit is at 345cem.; the greater
number of the fishes are at 39cm. and 40cm., most being at 39cm.; but
the end of the group is not clear, the line falling gradually from 42cm. to
49cm.

The curve for the measurements of brill taken on 9th-11th Novem-
ber shows plainly a group beginning about 35cm., but the greater numbers
of fish are at 36cm., after which the line of the curve falls more or less
regularly to 41cm., then rising to 43cm., and falling thereafter; there are
none between 43cm. and 47cem., but the numbers are not large.

The fish taken in the Dornoch on 9th—-11th November show a group
beginning about 35cm., and there is a similar fall at 41cm. to 42cm., and
a rise to 43cm. In the hauls on 25th and 26th December this fall at
41cm. is also present. The curve of the measurements of the brill taken
at Burghead on 21st-27th November show the group beginning at 33°5cm.
or 34cm. and ending at 42cm., but there is a depression at 39*dcm. to
40cm.; most of the fish are aggregated between 37°5cm. and 40‘5cm. In
the brill taken in the early part of February the limits of the great mass
are from about 34cm. or 35cm. to 44cm. or 45cm., but there are depres-
sions at 39°5cm. and 42cm.; the greater number of the fishes are
aggregated between 38cm. and 41cm., mostly at the latter (16 inches),

Comparison of the upper part of the cone of the curves, that is to say,
the “modal” sizes, or the sizes at which the brill are most numerous, in
the different periods, is indicated in the following Table :—

ipso: Number Maximum. Mean.
etween. :
Burghead, November 9, 10. 36-39 36 37°5
ms 21-27 . 37-41 38 39
a December 6-12. 37-41 39 38°5
February 6-7 . 38-41 41 39°5
AllNovember . ..._‘| 37-40 38 38:5
All December : : 3 37-41 39 39°5

The next smallest series of brill shown in these collections ends where
the last one begins, about 34cm. to 35cm. Inall cases the measurements
and curves indicate that the smaller fishes in the group are not fully
represented. The fish are aggregated in greatest numbers at 31cm, to
32cm., which is larger than it ought to be by the limits of the group.
The distances from the actual apex in the curves of the two groups, or the
sizes of greatest frequency, are as follows, in centimetres :—

Smaller Larger Apparent Annual

Group. Group. Growth
November . : : : 31°5 38 6°5 (28 in.)
December . : , : 32 39 7 = (2} in.)
Together é : : ‘ 32 39 7 (2% in.)
Burghead, Noyember 9, 10,. |° 31 36 5 (2 in.)

The smaller group is well represented in the collection of 21st—-27th
November, but it is pooriy shown in most of the others. It is obvious
that the amount of growth in a year, as indicated in this comparison, is
small,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 209

The third or smallest group represented has its upper limit, as stated,
about 24cm. (94 inches), but the lower limit cannot be determined from
these collections, the smallest specimens measuring only 21cm. (216mm.),
or 84 inches, but it may be inferred from the consideration of the brill in
the other collections.

The principal reason of the unequal representation of the three groups
above referred to in the collections from the Moray Firth is no doubt the
depth of water in which the trawling was carried on, 43 or 5 to 13 and
more fathoms. The smaller brill frequent the shallower water, and thus
the proportion taken of the larger members of the second series is greater
than the proportion of the smaller members, while comparatively few of
the third or smallest series were caught, aud they were only the larger
fishes of that series.

It appears to me that the size—or age-groups—of the brill in these
collections may be represented as follows with approximate accuracy :—

{ | |

Inches. | Centimetres, |

1 year old, A 2p-44 7-0-11°5

7 5-74 12-17°5, 18

3 3--10 19, 20-24

4 10-12 25-30

0 12-14 30-35

6 ) 14-16 35-40

7 16-174 40-44

At the same time, it must be recollected that the sexes were not distin-
guished and separately measured, and, judging from the case in other
flat-fishes, the growth of the males will be slower than that of the females
after the size of maturity is reached, and it is thus possible that what
appears to be an age-group after that size may only be a sex-group. But,
from the remarkable agreement in the various collections, as shown by the
aggregate or combined curves, and by the separate curves, as to the
existence of a division between groups at 34cm. to 35cm., it is clear to me
that this confusion does not exist below that point, but that the sexes so
far grow equally; and, therefore, that sexual maturity is not reached
either by males or females till a size above 34cm. to 35cm. (134 to 133
inches), and that the great spawning group lies, in winter, between 35cm.
and 41cm. or 42cm. (14 to 16, 17 inches), when they appear to be about
six years old.

It may be added that the weight of a brill at a given length is much
greater than with other flat-fishes, except the turbot.* The weight ofa
plaice about 39cm. is approximately 650 grammes; that of a brill about
the same size is approximately 950 grammes. Thus the amount of growth
of the brill by the increase of, say, lcm. in its length is much more than
in the plaice with a similar increase.

COD (Gadus callarias).

The number of cod measured and dealt with in the present paper,
and belonging to 50 separate collections, is 3813, which, with those
treated of in the paper published previously, makes a total of this species
of 7176, most of which belong to the two or three first generations.

The main points brought out in the paper referred to were that the
young cod of the year were on an average in October, when about six or

* See Tables in Twenty-second Annual Report, op. 144, 219,
Oo

210 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

seven months of age, approximately 4? inches in length, the size varying
from about 3 inches to about 74 inches, and in December they were of
much the same size. It was estimated that the growth during the second
year amounted to about 16°7cm., or a little over 64 inches; that the
average size of a cod when about two years of age was approximately a
little over 13 inches; when about three years old about 20 inches; and
when four years old about 27 or 28 inches ; and that though some might
reach a size equal to that of sexually mature males when three years of
age, the great majority, and perhaps all, would not spawn till they were
about four years old.

Since the publication of my paper on the growth of the cod, in the
Annual Report for 1900, a number of investigations have been made on
the same subject, which may be briefly referred to.

Dr. Petersen gave an estimate of the growth, in Danish waters, as
follows :—In its first year it is between 1 and 8 inches long; in its
second between 10 and 18; in its third between 20 and 30; and in its
fourth year 30 inches and ionger; and he states that this rate of growth
is somewhat similar to what is given by me in the above paper. Measure-
ments are not given by Dr. Petersen, except in certain cases, viz., of fish
taken at the end of March by line, and two groups are shown—first, one
in which the first year has been completed, and which measure from
about 9cm. to about 22cm. (34-92 inches); and second, a group which
have completed two years, and measure approximately from 27cm.
to 52cm. or 53cm. (103-202 inches), the maximum number in each
group being massed about 15cm. or 16cm. (6-63 inches) and 36cm. to
39cm. (143-153 inches) ; while cod above 52cm. or 53cm. (204 inches)
are described as of greater age.*

In several of his papers dealing with the Norwegian fishery investiga-
tions, Hjort has given an account of the rate of growth of the cod. A
length of between 8cm. and 16cm. (34-52 inches) is assigned to it in its
first year, and between 18cm. and 24cm. (74-94 inches) in the second
summer of its life, when it is about 14 years old, which agrees with my
results, In a table of measurements of cod taken on the south-west
coast of Norway in August, the following sizes are shown :—(1) a group,
about six months old, from 4 cm. to 13cm. (13-53 inches), most
measuring 6em, (2) A group, about 14 years old, from 16cm. to 30cm.
(6;-112 inches), and most about 25cm. (9% inches). (3) A group,
about 23 years of age, from 32cm. to 42em. (123-164 inches). All
these groups agree with my own determinations.

In another work on Norwegian fisheries, Hjort, referring to the cod on
the coast of Finmarken, distinguishes four age-groups :—(1) One year old,
about 20cm. long (73 inches). (2) When two years old, and known as
* Finmarken cod” or “ Lodde cod,” and forming an important fishery on
the Finmark coast, to which a length of 50cm., or 193? inches, is assigned. -
(3) A group, at least three years of age, comprising the largest cod, and
forming the basis of the ‘“Skrei” fishery, and measuring about 70cm. in
length (273 inches) { It seems to me that the two last groups are probably
too large ; they do not, at least, agree with the rate of growth in the North
Sea. No details of the measurements are furnished, except ina diagram,
which shows the measurements of the Finmarken cod in April, and of
the larger cod on the Malangsgrunden. A growth of 30cm. (11? inches)
in a year from the first to the second group seems excessive.

In another paper, Hjort refers to the Danish investigations on the
“Thor,” referred to below, and mentious that with the cod taken by the

* Report of the Danish Biological Station, LX., pp. 4, 30.
+ Hjort and Dahl, Fiskeforség i Norske Fjorde, pp. 75, 77.
} Fiskeri og Hvalfangst i det Nordlige Norge, pp. 50-53,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 211

“Michael Sars” between Finmarken and Bear Island, the following
groups appeared to exist, though he states that the material at disposal
was not abundant or sufficient to make the distinction between the groups
very clear:—(l) One year old, 10cm. to 30cm. (4-11? inches); (2)
30cm. to 60cm. (112-234 inches); (3) 60cm. to 90cm. (234-353
inches), Detailed measurements are not given.*

In connection with the Danish investigations at Iceland, Schmidt, in an
important paper,t deals with the rate of growth of the cod, of which very
large numbers were measured. His results at Iceland differ from those
of other workers in other regions in certain respects. With the exception
of the youngest group, the cod were taken on the east coast of the island,
between Seydisfjord and Heradsfloi, with eel-seines, English trawls, and
long-lines, in depths from 0-350 fathoms. The period was between 19th
and 29th July, 1904. The youngest group, from 3cm. to 7em., are not
found in July on the east coast, and those of this series included in his
tables and calculations as to age, were taken on 23rd August at Reyk-
iarfjord, on the north coast, with an eel-seine in a few fathoms. These
groups are as follows :—

Group. Probable Range of Sizes. Approximate | Approximate
Age. | Average Size. | Annual Growth.
beeen at, Pte: Inches. | Cm, rend PS cua.) || Thettes
| 1 | 4 year, 3-8 1}-32 5 | 2

2 L4 years, 9-17 34-62 ~ llorl2 | ade the = 65 23%

3 ee 18-30 7a-lig| 22 | 8% | 10-0 315

4 Buy «} 30-45 | 119-172 |38or34) 133 | 11°5 44

5 ane 45-81 head. pt Gi | a4 27°5 | 103
het fois, 81-105 | 32-414 88 | 342 | 27:0 | 108

It will thus be seen that the growth of the cod at Iceland, according to
these results, is abnormally slow in the early stages. That a small cod
should grow-only 24 inches in a year, and reach an average length of
only 43 inches in the middle of its second summer, is remarkable, while
the increase to the third summer is only 44 inches. These Iceland cod,
when approximately 34 years of age, correspond to the cod in Scotland
which are scarcely more than two years old. In the next year, to the
middle of the fourth summer, the increase is very much greater—viz.,
about 10? inches; and the increase to the following summer, when they
are supposed to be about 54 years old, is also over 10 inches. The
difference between these groups is brought out more strongly when the
mean weight is considered, as well as the length of the fish. These are
as follows, according to the Tabies I published in the Report for 19034 :—

* Bericht itiber die Thitigkeit der Kommission A. August, 1902—Februar, 1904 ;
p. 51

+ Fiskeriunderségelser ved Island og Fzeréerne i Sommeren, 1903, pp. 62 et seq.

tTwenty-second Annual Report, Part II. ‘The Relation of Length to Weight,”
pp. 142, 229. I may take this opportunity of pointing out that Dr. Kyle, in his excellent
paper on small plaice, ‘‘ First Report on the Statistical Material received by the Bureau
regarding the Quantities of Small Plaice landed in the Various Countries” (Conseil
Permanent International pour L’Exploration de la Mer, Rapports et Procés-Verlauz, etc.,
Vol. IV. ; Juillet 1904-Juillet 1905 (1905, p. 50), has, by an oversight, referred to my
determinations as showing the fish at every 5 centimetres of longth, instead of every 0°5
centimetre,

212 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

3 Year, - et: grammes, or 27 OZ.
a ’ 3 : 0 ’ 293
23 : - 97-4 ” ‘ 33 ”
32) 5 = 4 atslOP7/ - 7 134 ,,
45 4 ay CAA) es » 4 lbs. 11 3
bse - 7000 ‘i 5, Lo-lbs....102.;;

The spawning period at Iceland is much the same as in the North Sea,
and Dr. Schmidt found that the cod of the last group, with an average
size of 88cm., and ranging from “a little under 70cm. and upwards,” in
July, had spawned in the spring, while those of the group, with an
average of about 60cm. (24 inches), would spawn for the first time in the
following year.

It may seem to one possible that the second group of small cod, with
an average size of 44 inches, might have been spawned in the spring of
the year, and that the smaller fish, taken on the north coast, have a
different rate of growth there. It must be remembered, however, as
Dr. Schmidt has so well shown, that the physical conditions, as tempera-
ture, vary very much at different parts of the coast of Iceland, and that
the life and wanderings of the cod are influenced thereby. He, moreover,
gives a table showing the growth of young cod at one place (Seydisfjord),
and all taken in this case with one apparatus, the eel-seine, between 23rd
May and 17th—23rd September, 1903. On 23rd May 180 measured
from 7cm. to llem., with au average of about 9cm. (34 inches) ; on 23rd
July 3300 measured from 10cm. to 17cm. (4-62 inches), the average size
being placed by him at 12cm. (43 inches), though it might perhaps be better
at 13cm.; on 17th—23rd September 1350 measured from 13cm. to 20cm.
(51-7% inches), the average being at 16cm. (6} inches). The first group
thus grew about 3cm. (17 inches) in the two months May-July ; in the
two months from July to September the growth amounted to 4em
(14 inches), and in the whole period of four months it amounted to 7cm.,
or 22? inches. In the September collection, moreover, 30 much smaller
cod were obtained, measuring +cm. and 5cm. (14-2 inches), and relating
these to the older group, and taking their average size at 4cm., the
growth over the winter would amount to only 5cm., or 2 inches, and from
September to September it amounted to about 12cm., or 4? inches. These
fish were caught between the shore and 5 fathoms depth.

A collectiou made with the eel-seine, from the shore to 64 fathoms, on
9th September, 1903, at Vaagfjord, Suder, in the Feroes, showed three
groups :—(1) The young of the same year, 277 in number, measuring
from 4cm. to 12cm. (17-4 inches), with an average size of about 7cm.
(2 inches) ; (2) a group of 87, measuring from 17cm. to 3lem. (63-127
inches), about 14 years old, or more, and with an average size of about
25cm. (9? inches) ; (3) a group of 5 cod, from 37cm. to 4lem. (144-163
inches). These results agree well with my own, and show an increase in
the year of about 18cm. (74 inches),

Recently a good deal of attention has been given, especially by German
investigators, to the growth of fishes as indicated by the markings on the
bones, otoliths, and scales. Mr. Stuart Thomson investigated the age of
cod by means of the markings on the scales. The specimens were taken on
26th August, and measured 20°9cm. (8} inches) and 25:lem. (9°9 inches),
and the age determined in each case was about one year and 4—5 months ;
the fish were thus well on in their second summer's growth. The result
agrees with those obtained by me, as Mr. Thomson points out ; they tally
almost exactly with the collection on 22nd August, referred to in the
Table below,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 213

Most work of this kind, by making use of the hard structures of fish
as a guide to their probable age, has been done by Professor Heincke and
his coadjutors at the Biological Institute of Heligoland. The results are
not yet fully pnblished, but Professor Heincke has given some of his
conclusions in two recent publications.* The investigation was made on
the cod on the German coast and at Heligoland, a fact to be kept in
mind, as it is possible that on the shallow coast on the other side of the
North Sea, where the saltness of the water is less than on this side, the
cod grow less quickly than they do on the western side, as appears to be
the case in the Baltic. Heincke estimates the size of the cod in the
southern part of the North Sea as follows :—

Year. Range of Sizes. Average Size. Increase,
Cm. | Inches. Cm. Inches. Cm.
In first year, - -| 8-18 34-74 14 5}
In second year” - _ — about 27 102 13
In third year, - - -- -- », 930-40 138-153 10
In fourth year, - -- -- » 45-50 172-192 10

He says they have learned from a study of the bones that a cod of 50cm.
(192 inches) ‘“‘has lived at most four complete years, and we believe—
provisionally—that the cod does not spawn for the first time until it has
lived four complete years, probably at the end of its fifth, at latest the
sixth year.” And, again, in the later paper, that it does not become
sexually ripe until the completion of the fourth year, and perhaps only
after the completion of the fifth year, when the average size is between
55cm. and 60cm. (213-234 inches).

After spawning, the rapidity of growth diminishes, as in other fishes,
so that a cod of 75cm. (294 inches) is at least 7 years, and probably 8-9
years old; one of 85cm. (333 inches) at least 8, and probably 9 or 10
years old, and one of 100cm. at least 10, and probably 12 or more years
of age. Young cod, under one year of age, were found to grow in the
aquarium at Heligoland, when well fed, not less than 1mm. daily (or at
a rate of about 14 inches a month) from the beginning of August to the
middle of September, and from the middle of September to the end of
October 4 to 3 of a millimetre daily; and it is stated that growth in the
open sea would certainly be greater. As stated in my previous paper, a
cod of 11? inches in the tank at the Laboratory at Aberdeen grew to
122 inches between 28th August and 26th September, or at the rate of a
millimetre per day.

Mr J. T. Cunningham has also studied the rate of growth or age of cod
by the markings on the hard structures, but his conclusions do not quite
agree with those of Professor Heincke, and he differs also as to the
structures best fitted to show the growth.f Professor Heincke found the
otoliths and scales much less satisfactory than the bones, and particularly
the coracoid and scapula, especially in the cod, “which, for the rest,” he
says, “is one of the most difficult species on which to determine the age.”
On the other hand, Cunningham found these bones and others of the cod
unsuitable for the determination of the age, it being impossible, he says, to
distinguish with certainty the annual rings or zones. Speaking of the

*« The Occurrence and Distribution of the Eggs, Larve, and Various Age-Groups
of the Food-Fishes in the North Sea.” Conseil Perm. Intern. pour L’Explor. de la Mer,
General Report on the Work of the Period, July, 1902-July, 1904, p. 29, 30; Die
ie) ela: Deutschlands an der Internationalen Meeresforschung, III. Jahresbericht,

p. 75.
+ Twenty-third Annual Report Fishery Board for Scot., Part III., p. 181 et seq.

214 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

zones of the vertebra, he says “‘one may count three at one time, and at
the next attempt there seem to be four or five, and the total number
always remains doubtful and uncertain.” He found that tranverse slices
of the otoliths showed the markings much better, and he chiefly used
them in determining the age of the specimens of cod he studied. Here
are some of the results, though doubt is expressed as to the certainty of
the determination in some cases :—

Caught 9th November. i Caught 9th March.
| Length. Probable Age. || Length. Probable Age.
Cm. |Inches || Cm. | Inches.
47 184 about 24 years || 24:3 | 10 2 years
54 212 | Shs | 80°5 122 Di ss
64 252 Sh-5, pail owe — 12 2 sae,
possibly 28 ,, || 835 | 132 Dine aes
73 291 BE | 44:3 | 173 Beh
| | 45°6 | 184 Seis
| 67:5 | 27 AS a

According to these later results, Mr. Cunningham says, the cod at two
years of age is 10 to 13 or 14 inches in length, at three years 17 to 19
inches, at four years 27 inches; but, he adds, it would require the
examination of a large number of specimens to ascertain the average and
range of sizes at these ages. So far as these results go, they are in
agreement with my own derived from the method of measuring the fishes.

Lately Dr. S, Strodtmann published a paper on the spawning and migra-
tions of fish in the Baltic, which contains some observations on the growth
of young cod, taken in Travemiinder Bucht.*

A series numbering 555, taken on 15th October, 1904, measured from
Sem. to 16cm. (2-63 inches), the average being 10-0cm., or barely 4
inches. A month later, November 14th, 743 ranged from 5cm. to 15cm.,
the average being 10‘5em. On December 12th, 333 measured from 7em.
to 19cm (22-73 inches), the average being 13:5, or 58 inches. At the
beginning of March in the following year they ranged from 9cm. to
17cm., and numbered 75, the average size being 12°8cm., and at the
beginning of April 123 ranged from 9cm. to 17cm., the average being
13cm., or 53 inches. These results agree closely with my own. On
September 9th, 84 measured between 16cm. and 30cm. (63-11? inches),
the average being 21-5cm. (84 inches), which is also near what will be
found in the Tables appended.

It will be noticed that the young cod in December are rather larger
than in either March or April, while from November to December they
appear to have grown 3cm., which Dr. Strodtmann considers to be
improbable at that season. In the course of the summer they increased
by 8:5cm., or 33 inches. He compares the growth at the place indicated
with the growth of young cod at Biisum, on the North Sea, and shows
that the latter at the beginning of October had a greater range of size and
a larger average size than in the Baltic at the middle of the month. The
Baltic fish ranged from 5em. to 15cm., according to the diagram, the
average being 10cm., while the North Sea cod ranged from 5em. to 16cm.
or 17cm., and the average was 12cm. or 13cm. (43-53 inches. At
Aberdeen in the same month the average was 12cm. also.

In the Tables appended to this paper will be found the measurements
of the cod I have dealt with, grouped into centimetres, and the following

*Laichen und Wandern der Ostseefische, p. 209.

Or

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 21

Tables show details of these and the arrangement into the various series
or generations. In some cases, where the number of cod in the collections
was fairly large, the distinction of one group from another was tolerably
easy, especially when the millimetre measurements and tables were con-
sulted as well as the diagrams or curves. All the measurements were
made to millimetres, and curves were constructed of each collection. In
other cases, the division of one series from another is only approximate,
and one or two or several fish may belong to one or the other. For
example, in the collections from Aberdeen Bay, the chief group in July
might terminate at 32cm. or 34cm. instead of at 28cm., so far as these
measurements by themselves indicate ; but this interpretation would be
opposed to the limits of the group later in the year, It will be often
found, as in the July collections, that a few fish at the end of what may
appear to be a compact series are considerably larger than the others and
separated from them by a good interval; and it is difficult to decide
whether they should be looked upon as stragglers from that series—fish
which have grown much quicker than their fellows—or stragglers from
the next larger series, which may not be well represented.

COD.

Approximate] Approximate

Mean Length} Age. ap perat

Range of Size.

x Modal Growth from
Date. Group| No. aes Preceding
Series.
Cm. | Inches. Cm. | Inch.!Years./M’ths. one
Cm. | Inch.
I.—ABERDEEN Bay—
January 15, 1902 - if 7 | 9-7-16-2) 342-6% | 9-11 12:5 5 = 94
Il. 15 26-40 | 104-15} 30 31-32 |12-123) 1 94 19 74
DL 3 48-59 | 19-23 ee * iva 2 94
February 11,1905, - i 16 8-17 34-63 | 9-10 12-5 5 ae, 104

March 29,1905 - -| I Gai) BHI) | SEE he: 13-5 | 53 1
May 13,1902, - ~-| IL. 5 | 14-20-7] 54-8} oe ,: a i | tg
Tir. | 5 | 27-34 |10§-133] .. 7) eb 2 | 1
June 13,1901, - -| M. | 31 | 143-23] 58-904] 18 | 186! 7} 1 | 24
June 28,1901, - -| IL. | 19 | 19-26 | 74-103] 21 22 | 88 aN:
2 | 29-36 ¥ bs i. . a Be

6 54-60 | 214-23}

July 30, 1901, - I. Bi 6-5 2% 52 a oe ie 4
Il. 43 | 16-7-28) 6§-11 23 23 9y'5 1 4

III. | 26 | 29-3-46/11,4-183] .. + » 2 | 4
1 | 498
July 31,1901, - -| I. | 32 [16-7-27-9) 6g-11 | 19-23 | 225] 8; Te, |:4

16

COD.—continued.

Range of Size.
Date. Group| No Modal
Cm. gence
Saas ies s Peewee eS
1.—Aberdeen Bay—
continued,
August 21, 1901 - I. 18 | 6-5-8:8 | 2,%-34 8
106 85 |18-7-32-3) 73-123 22
Ill. | 12 |36-4-48-7| 144-193
6 | 51°3,58
58-5
60°8 61,63
September 3, 1901, TT 93 | 18-4-32] 74-128 25
III. 8 | 89-4-45) 157173
IV. 6 50-61 | 193-24
September 4, 1901, 1 14 | 223-32] 83-199 | 25
Thane aes |
September 4. 1901, -| II. 24 |20-7-29-9) 81-11} 25
September 4, 1901, Ms 1 8-3 34
Il. 29 |19-4-29-8) 78-11} | 25, 27
awe |
September 4, 1901, - tf 1 8:3 3}
(Three haulscombined.) | II. 67 | 19-4-32) 72-128 25
September 10, 1901, I. | 4 |6.0-15-3| 23-6 9
Il. 7 |18-1-29-3) 74-11,
September 3-10, 1901,- | I. | 42 |60-15-3| 23-6 9
(Combined.) Il. | 167 | 181-32) 7-128 25
III. 8 | 39-4-45 | 153-173
NY 6 50-61 | 193-24
October 18, 1901 - - I. 75 | 7-8-19-9| 34-74 12
Il. 37 |22-2-35-8) 83-144 26
2 |51-8-56-0
October 31, 1903, - i 21 |4-8-15-7| 12-638 | 9& 11
II. | 13 |22-7-36-0/8}$-14,%| 25-27
III. 5 |39-5-53-3) 154-21}
1 55-7
5 |69-6-77-8| 273-303

Appusinatemcnmeeimee:

Part II11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Mean Length
Cm. | Inch.
77 3
23:5 | 94
25 9
25 9
9-5 33
9-5 3}
25 9F
12 4¢
(28-5 | 11}
12 4}
29 | 117;

Apparent

Age. —_|growth from

Preceding

Years|M’ths.| Sere®-

Cm. |Inch.
43

1 4} 15-8 | 6}
2 42
3 42
aL: 5
2 5
3 5
1 5
1 5
5
1 5
5
1 5
54
1 5}
5-54

il 155 | 6h

2
3 oD

63

it 64 16-5 6}
a

1 7 17 6}
2 7

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 217

COD—continued.

3 Approximate|Approximate
Range of Size. rx Apparent
Date letornttiee t Modal |Mean Length Age, Growth from
ee P Sizen | Preceding:
Series.
Om. | Inches. Cm. | Inch. | Years M’ths. oe
Om. | Inch.
I.—Aberdeen Bay—
continued-
November 5, 1901, - | II. 20 |26-7-35-9| 10}-14} 30 80-5 | 12 ul 7
oun 5 | 46-4-52 | 184-20} a5 At: Xe 2 7
2 |56-8-57-4
November 6, 1901, - I. | 301 | 86-19-0} 3%-74 11 12 4} Ae 7
November 5and6, -| I. | 301 |86-19-0| 38-74 11 12 | 43 oe 7
(Combined. ) Il. 20 = |26-7-35-9| 103-144 30 30:5 | 12 a | 18-5 | 74
November 28, 1901 - FE 1 18-7 Bs 0 ae es ae 8
1s 43 |23-8-38-1| 98-15 31 32 128 1 8
III. | 12 |39-7-53-8)15§-213| .. fay | gay) 2s) ee oe
¢ E 2 = P 10 314
November 29, 1901 Ie 37 | 7-8-20-7 | 3y,-8;%, | 10 13 | 54) Bc 8
II. | 185 |21-8-38-3] 8§-152,| 31 31 | 12} 1 es AS eeve
Ill. 21 |39-2-57-3/12yy-224 an (47 | 184) 2 8 16 6}
November 28 and 29, - I. 88 | 7-8-20-7 | 3y,-8y"5 10 {13 54] ofa 8
(Combined.) Il. | 178 |21-8-38-3) 8§-15p,| 31 31 | 12} 1 8 18 7
Ill. | 33 |89-2-57-3/15,%,-222| (47 | 184) | 2 | 8 16 | 6}
December 16, 1901 - I. 18 | 8-3-20-8| 3}-8,%, 10 13 54 ara 8}
II. | 70 | 23-41-8| 9-168 32 32 | 128 1 Sh 18) leva
1 51
December 12,1904 -| JI. 16 |31-9-42-2) 124-168 at ae Gs 1 8h
Ill. 35 /43-7-61-6) 174-24} LE [49-5 | 194) 2 8}
Vs 33 66-3 | 26-26} oe 5c He 3 8}
66-9-67-1
II.—Moray Firtu.
Dornoch Firth—
February 9, 1905, sl 0s 7 |85-16-2| 3§-6§ oe ac 36 ne 10
June 9, 1903, - ai oe 25 | 3.3-4-8 | 1-1¢ 3-5 ALD Ve ates te 24
October, 22, 1903, -| I. 3 | 66-983 | 28-37 rd x He A 7

Il. 2 |21-9-31 | s§-12,%,| .. aS ilies 1

7
III. 3 |42-3-47-4| 16§-18§| .. me es HF sea es

218 Part I1].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Date.

| JI.—Moray Firth—cont.

November 9-10, 1901, - |

| December 7, 1904, |

December 19,1901, —-

Smith's Bank, -
April 1, 1904, - -

|20-'7-36-7|

12-5-20-5

|25-7-34-3

97, 105, 106

25°6-27°7

October 23, 1903, - -

November 8, 1901, -

December 27, 1903,

Burghead Bay—
September 7, 1901 -

October 20, 1903

December 6, 1904, -

20-7-32-3

21-4-33-2

COD—continued.

Range of Size.

Cm. | Inches.

| 9-7-19.1| 348-73

43-3-52-8) 17-208

7-7-11-9| 3-43

25-416 | 92-16%
46-0-60-0) 18-283

12-8-20-3| 5-8
23-1-38-8]} 91-152
46-59 |173-231

7-2-12-6| 22-5
23-2-39-6] 9-15}

9-8-13-9| 33-5}
25-9-40-1

25-0-37-5| 92-143
45-6-50-2

10-6

10-0-15-4| 4-6,),
20-9-29-4

84-147,

4H -S2h,
102-134
44-8-61-0| 178-24
66-4-76 | 254-30
79-89 | 31-35

10,%,-153

83-1244

aah

te Appareut

M’ths.

bo

Approximate
Mean Length
Cm. | Inch.
12-5 | 418
27-5 | 10};
|
31 12}
31-5 123
30 11}
26 10}

he

Growth from
Preceding
Series

Cm. | Inch.

Date.

II —Moray Firth—cont.

December 20-25, 1901,

December 29, 1903,

Cromarty Firth,
January 7, 1901,

Of Lubster, Caithness.
October 23, 1903.
November 8, 1901,

Off Dunbeath, Caithness
January 17-18, 1902

Stnelair Bay—

June 4, 1901,

IIJ.—Firtn or Fortin.

| May 13-16, 1901, -

July 28, 1901

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 219
COD—continued.
meee. Se : | z Res
45 Approximate Approximate
Range of Size. Modal ean Length: Age Wa seal
Group) No. Size 31r0 t
——} Size. |_—_——_—_—_ —| Preceding
Cm. | Inches. | Cm. | Inch. Years/M’tha, Series.
rat jee | Cm. | Inch. |
I. | 91 |10-5-21-9| 43-743 | 15 15 | 5g | 9 |
} |
II. | 179 |22-9-39-8) 9-15§ 26 30-5 | 12 Eg) 15-5. | 6k
III. | 40 /40-3-59-8) 152-238 | 8 | 1e3| 2 | 9 | 175 | 6
|
Iv. | 67 |61-2-72-4| 24-284 3 | 9
6 |76-6-84-5 30-33} | | |
| | | |
10 | 91-100 36-394 | | |
| | }
3 {101,102,103 393-402
He) S130 43} |
Il. | 8 | 26-398 pee.
III. 3 |43-2-45-4) 17-172 |
|
173, 90, 98
100, 101, |
pees ee InpR 04 |
I. | 16 |87-222| 3}-83 | 93
Il. 22 |25-8-39-3)10,3,-153 1 93
| i MR | I I ole A
| }
I. 6 | 58-142) 2)-58 6-7
I. 3 |24-8-32-4 1
Il. | 114 |26-8-37-8|10}-142| 32 S221 IE lel gee
LSS LE S| Fea aaa] eg al (A et Pn |e Ed a eel ee
|
I. | 17 |13-8-22-3) 54-83 oF
Il. | 280 |231-40-7| 93-16 | 31 | 315] 128] 1 | 9%
IIL| -41 |41-9-62-5| 164-248 (50 | 193)| 2 | oF
III. | 20 |26-6-36-3| 104-148 2 2
IV. | 13 |40-5-56-5| 16-22} 3 2
2 |65-3-68-7
Il. | 145 |9-6-23-0! 39-92 13 15 | 5g te Vy Ty
ll. 3 | 25-27
: 6 28
I. | 29 | 46-84 | 148-35 5 6) | @) 4
ll. | 77 |15-2-80| 6-113 | 20 | 99 | 88 vial Rt 17 | 63
Ul. [ae pee-sas | | : | | . |

20 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

COD—continued.

Range of Size. |

Approximate|Approximate
| Mega eneen PN AGeM Apparent
Date. IGroup| No. | ee z . Growth froxn
| | Size. |—_—__—_—__|_—__—____| Preceding
Cm. | Inches. Cm. | Inch. | Years M’ths. Serles.
III.—Firth of Forth— |
continued. |
August 19, 1901, Seeley (eveabeatoe es fF ayes, |" 33 .. | 43-5
II. | 93 |14-8-31-61543-127,| 21 | 22-5 | 8% 1 | 43-5] 15 | 53%
ee en ee LeBel 2a pei ee eee S|
August 22, 1901,- -| I. | 46 |5-8-13-2] 23-5,9, 7 8 3, ayes
II. 47 |16-8-29-7| 68-114 22 22.5 83 1 43-5 | 14-5 5}
|
August 21,1901,- -| I. | 10 | 64-7-9| 22-83 7 7 23 | .. | 4-5

Il. 19 |18-8-29-2) 78-114 22 23-5 9} 1 | 44-5 | 165] 64

|
August 19-22, - -| I. | 146 |5-4-13-2| 23-55, 7 7:5 NLS > tke
(Combined.) II. | 159 |14-8-31-65}2-127,, 21 | 22-5 | 8% 1 | 42-5} 15 | 5t§

IV.—OUFF SHETLAND |
ISLES

May 19-22, 1901, -| I. | 8 |18-1-23-7) 74-98 a sf a eles
III. | 268 |25-2-41-2/ 915-161] 32 32-5 | 123

tr
_
ne

| IV. | 141 |41-8-61-6] 16-243 | 50 OV 1981) eS beds re eee

The first series, that is, cod in their first year, comprises over 900
specimens, and they are present in greater or less numbers in thirty-four
of the collections.

They first appeared in a collection made in the Dornoch Firth on 9th
June 1903, the haul being made with the small-meshed net around the
cod-end of the otter trawl, in from 8 to 11 fathoms. ‘Twenty-five were
taken measuring from 33mm. to 48mm. (1,°,-13 inches), the average size
being 38°8 mm., ora trifle over 14 inches. These young cod were approxi-
mately 24 months old. It is of interest to note that on 30th March in
the following year (1904), a shoal of spawning cod of large size were
discovered on the same ground, a little further off, in from 13 to 15 or 16
fathoms.*

They next appear in the collections of 30th July, in Aberdeen Bay,
and of 23rd July in the Firth of Forth. In the latter case 29 were
obtained, measuring from 4:6cm. to 8:4cm. (143-3;% inches), and with
an average size of about 6cm., or 23 inches. The arithmetical average
was 61‘3mm. An examination of the curve shows that the smaller cod
are not duly represented, the rise from 4cm, to 5cm. being very abrupt ;
more probably 2‘5cm. or 3cm. would indicate the lower limit of the
group, and 5cm., or 2 inches, the average size. In the collections made
in the Firth of Forth from 19th to 22nd August, or nearly a month later
than the above, the range in size of 146 specimens was from 5:4cm. to
13-2cm. (23-5,3, inches), and the average size wasiabout 7cm., or 2?
inches, an increase of about 2cm., or ? of an inch (fig. 5, pl. XII.).

* Wide Twenty-third Annual Report. Part III, p. 21.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 221

In Aberdeen Bay, 18, obtained on 21st August, measured from 6:5cm.
to 88cm. (2;°,-33 inches), the average size being 7‘7em., or 3 inches.
In collections trom the 3rd to the 10th September, the range of the 42
specimens was from 6em, to 15:3cm. (23-6 inches), the average size being
9-5cem., or 3? inches (fig. 6, pl. XII.). On 18th October 75 measured from
78cm. to 19°9cm. (3;;-73 inches), the average size being 12cm., or 4?
inches. On the 3lst of the same month, but in a different year, 21
ranged from 4°8cem. to 15°7cem. (14-6,%, inches), the average size being
12cm., or 4? inches. A week later, on the 6th November, a large
collection of 301 had a range from 8°6cm. to 19cm. (33-74 inches), the
average being 12cm., or 4? inches, the same as on 18th October. At
the end of the month, on the 28th and 29th, 38 measured from 7:8cm.
to 20°'7cm. (3,1,-8;% inches), the average being approximately 13cm., or
53 inches; and on 16th December in the same year, 18 ranged from
8-3em. to 20°8cm. (34-8,°; inches), also with an approximate average of
13cm.

At the middle of January, 7 ranged from 9-7em. to 16:2cm, (443-63
inches), the average size being about 12°5cm., or 5 inches. Then on 11th
February in another year, 16 were from 8cm. to 17cm. (33-62 inches),
the average being the same, and on 29th March, the last collection from
Aberdeen Bay containing fish under one year of age, 6 ranged from 9cm. to
19cm. (34-74 inches), the average size being about 13°5cm., or 52 inches,

It will thus be seen that the young cod increase in size rapidly in the
summer and up to October, and that after that to March the increase
appears to be but slight. ‘The numbers obtained in the winter and early
spring were, however, small. The increase from August to the end of
the year was about 2 inches or a little more.

The collections of cod under one year of age from other parts of the east
coast are, as a rule, small, but one or two are fairly large. In the Dornoch
Firth, on 9th and 10th November, 78 measured from 9:7cm. to 19:lem.
(313-73 inches), and the average size was about 12'5cm., or 414 inches
(fig. 6, pl. XII.). In Burghead Bay, also in the Moray Firth, on 20th and
25th December, in another year, 91 ranged in length from 10:5cm. to
21-9cm. (43-7,°, inches), the average size being about 15cm., or 54 inches.
In the Cromarty Firth, on 7th January, 16 measured from 8°7cm. to 22°2em.,
(34-82 inches), and on 17th January, in another part of the Moray Firth,
17 ranged in length from 13-8cm. to 22-3cm. (54-82 inches), but these
fish were taken in the ordinary trawl-net, and the smaller specimens are
not duly represented.

The collections when the cod is one year of age, in April or the end of
March, are not sufficient to show with precision its size at that period,
but, from what has been said and from what follows as to the size a
little later, it may be placed at about 54 or 54 inches (13cm. or 14cm.),
with a range from 3 to 8 inches or a little more (7'5cm. to 20cm.). ‘The
growth of the cod in its second year appears to be somewhat more rapid,
probably owing to its becoming more and more piscivorous in its
feeding.

The second series, comprising cod in their second year, is well repre-
sented by over 2000 fish in 48 of the collections. The growth in summer
is rapid. In Aberdeen Bay, 5 taken on 13th May ranged from 14cm.
to 20-7cm. (53-83 inches). In the Firth of Forth, 145, caught between
13th and 16th May, measured from 96cm. to to 23cm. (33-92 inches),
with an average length of l5cem., or 52 inches. On Ist April, 4 caught
at Smith Bank, in the Moray Firth, were from 12-8em. to 20°3em. (5;4,-
8 inches), and 3 taken in deep water off the Shetlands on 19th and 22nd
May were from 18-lem. to 23°7cm., or between 72 and 93 inches.

222 Part [11-—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

On 13th June, in Aberdeen Bay, 31 specimens, computed to be about
1 year and 23 months old, measured from 14:3cem. to 23cm, (53-9,),
inches), the mean size being 18°5cm., or 7} inches. On the 28th, 19
caught in the ‘“ Doghole,” in 65 fathoms, ranged from 19cm, to 26cm.
(74-10} inches), the mean being 22cm., or 83 inches ; the arithmetically
computed average was 21:9cm.

In July two collections were made in Aberdeen Bay and one in the
Firth of Forth. In the former, on the 30th, 43 measured from 16°7em.
to 28cm. (63-11 inches), the average being 23cm., or 951, inches ; these
were taken at the “ Doghole,” in “62 fathoms. On the next day, 32,
caught in 11-13 fathoms, ranged from 16‘7em. to 27'9cm., or the same,
the average length being a little less, viz., about 22°5cm., or 8% inches.

On the 23rd the collection in the Firth of Forth comprised 77 speci-
mens, about | year and 4 months old; they ranged from 15:2cm. to
30 cm. (6-11? inches), the average being 22cm., or 83 inches.

On 21st August, 85, from the “ Doghole,” in 58 fathoms, were from
18-7cm. to 32°3cm. (73-1232 inches), the average being about 23°5cm., or
94 inches. Their age was about | year and 4 or 5 months, In the Firth
of Forth they were represented in three collections in August, as
follows :—On the 19th, 93 varied from 14°8cm. to 31l-6em. (513-1254
inches), the average being 22°5cm., or 83 inches; on the 21st, 19 ranged
from 18°8 to 29:2cm. (73-114 inches), the average being 23°5cm., or 94
inches; on the 22nd, 47 measured from 16:8cm. to 29°7em. (63-117
inches), the average being 22-5cm., or 83 inches (fig. 5, pl. XIT.).

In September, in Aberdeen Bay, 167 were caught between the 3rd and
19th ; they ranged in length from 18‘lem. to 32cm, (73-123 inches), the
average being about 25cm., or 9% inches. At Burghead Bay, on 7th
September, 34 ranged from 20'7em. to 32:3cm. (84-1911 inches), the
mean size being about 26cm., or 104 caelee (fig. 6, pl. XII.). These
fish were one year and five or six months old.

Several collections were got in October. In Aberdeen Bay, on the
18th, 37 measured from 22'2cm. to 35°8cm. (87-14% inches), the mean
being 28°5cm., or 11} inches, On the 31st, 13 ranged from 22-7cm. to
36cm. (813- 14 #; inches), the mean being about 29cm., or 115% inches.
The numbers of this series in the October collections from the 1 Moray
Firth are small. In the Dornoch Firth, on the 22nd, two measured
21:9cm. and 3lem.; at Smith Bank, on the 23rd, six ranged from
23°2cem. to 39'6cm. (92 -154 inches; in Burghead Bay, on the 20th, 15
measured from 20° 9cm. to 29'4cem. (84-114 inches) ; and on the 23rd,
off Lybster, on the coast of Caithness, three were from 24'8cm. to
32°4cm.

On 5th November, at the “ Doghole,” in 70 fathoms, 20 of this series
were obtained ; they ranged from 26°7cm. to 35°9cm. 104-143 inches),
the mean being about 30° 5em., or 12 inches. On the 28th, 43, taken ~
with the ordinary trawl-net in Aberdeen Bay, measured from 23° Sem. to
38-lcem, (93-15 inches), the mean being about 32cm., or 123 inches. On
the following day a collection of 135 belonging to this series asthe | from
21-8em. to 38 3em. (83-154, inches), the mean being 3lem., or 124
inches. These were about 1 year and 8 months old.

In the Dornoch Firth, on the 9th and 10th, 113 measured from 20°7em.
to a 7om. (83-1455 inches), the average length being about 27:‘5em., or
1143 inches (ie. a pl. XII). At Smith Bank, on the 8th, 42 ranged
from 25-9em. to 40-lem, (10,152? inches), the mean being 31-5em., or
122 inches. Off Lybster, on the 8th, 114 measured suai! 26°8cm. to
37 Sdn » (103 -143 inches), the average ‘being 32cm., or 123 inches.

In December, in Aberdeen Bay, 70 measured from 23cm, to 41: 8cm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 223

(9-162 inches), the average being 32cm., or 123 inches. The largest
member of the group in this case might be one at 38°6cm. (15 inches),
as in the November collections, but in that of 12th December the division
is not so placed. In the latter, 16 measured from 31:9cm. to 42:2cm.
(124-163 inches).

In the Dornoch Firth, on 19th December, 41 measured from 25cm. to
41-6cm. (93-16% inches), the mean being about 3lem., or 127 inches.
At Smith Bank, on the 27th December, 33 ranged from 25cm. to 37°5cm.
(93-142 inches), the next fish measuring 45 6cm.; the average size was
about 30cm., or 11? inches. On 6th December, at Burghead Bay, 32
measured from 214cem. to 33°2cm. (8;/;-13;4 inches), the mean being
about 27cm., or 102 inches. In this collection, as the other tables of
measurements show, the larger fishes of the series were not present in due
numbers, aud the two smaller fishes, 21*4cm. and 21*8cm., may belong to
the younger series, which is not otherwise represented.

A large collection of this series was obtained in Burghead Bay between
the 20th and 25th December. They numbered 179, ranging from
22°9cm. to 39°8cm. (9-153 inches), the average size being about 30°5cm.,
or 12 inches. A small collection on the 29th of the same month in
another year, comprised 8 specimens of this series, their sizes ranging
from 26cm. to 39°8em. (103-153 inches) (fig. 5, pl. XII.).

In January, in Aberdeen Bay, 15 of this series measured from 26cm.
to 40cm. (104-152 inches), the mean being 3lem. to 32cm., or 123
inches. In the Cromarty Firth, on the 7th, 22 were from 25:8cm. to
39°3cm. (1033,-152 inches), the mean being about 32cm., or 123 inches.
A large collection was obtained off Dunbeath, on the Caithness coast, on
17th January, and the 280 cod comprised in the series measured from
23-1em. to 40°7cm. (93-16 inches), the average being about 31:5cm., or
123 inches. These fish were obtained in the ordinary trawl-net, but at
this size the fact will not affect the average to any material extent.

No cod of this series were in the collections in February and
March. On Ist April, 22, caught at Smith Bank, in the Moray Firth,
ranged in length from 23-lem. to 38-8cm. (93-154 inches), Lut the higher
limit of the series is less than it ought to be from the absence of the
larger fishes ; the next longest to the one at 38cm. was one about 46cm.
In May (when they were over two years old) five taken in Aberdeen Bay
measured from 27cm. to 34cm. (103-133 inches), and three in the Firth of
Forth were from 25cm. to 27cm. (93-102 inches). The numbers are
too small, of course, on which to base a conclusion. In a large collection
made up of the cod taken in several hauls of the ordinary trawl-net in
deep water off the Shetlands (65 fathoms) between 19th and 22nd May,
- 268 belonged to this group, and ranged in size from 25:2cm. to 41:2cm.
(918-163 inches), by far the greater proportion measuring 3lcm. to
34cm. (123-132 inches), and the mean being approximately 32°5cm., or
12? inches, the arithmetic average being a little higher, viz., 32°7cm.
(fig. 5, pl. XIT.).

Looking to these averages and the averages in January and December,
it appears that the cod on the east coast of Scotland when two years;of
age measures, on the average, a little over 12 inches in length, probably
123-124 (3lcem. to 32cm.); the range of sizes may be placed at from
about 9 to over 16 inches.

In the third year of life, after it has attained the size mentioned,
growth is again rapid in the summer. I have referred to the size in May,
when the fish are about thirteen months old.

At Sinclair Bay, on the coast of Caithness, on 4th June, 20 specimens
measured from 26-6cem. to 36-3cm. (16-223 inches) when they were about
2 years and 2 months old,

224 Part Il] —-Twenty-fourth Annual Report

At the ‘ Doghole,” off Aberdeen, on 30th July, 26 measured from
29-3cem. to 46cm. (114-183 inches) ; on 21st August, 12 ranged from
36°4cm. to 48°7em. (144-193 inches) ; on 3rd September, 8 taken at the
“ Doghole” were from 39°4cm. to 45cm. (154-17? inches) ; 5 on 31st
October measured from 39°5cem. to 53°5em. (153-21; inches) ; 5 on 5th
November were from 46°4cm. to 52cm. (183-204 inches) ; and on 28th
and 29th November, 33 measured from 39'2cm. to 57-3cm. (15,4-223
inches). On 12th December, 35 measured from 43°7em. to 61°6cem.
(174-244 inches), the mean size being calculated at 49:°5cm., or 194
inches, and the age at 32 or 33 months.

Comparatively few were taken in the Moray Firth. On 12th November
16 ranged from 44°8cm. to 6lem. (173-24 inches) ; on 19th December,
15 were from 46cm. to 60cm. (18-233 inches); on 20th to 25th
December, 40 measured from 40°3 to 59°8cm. (153-233 inches) ; on 17th
January, off Dunbeath, 41 measured from 41‘9cm, to 62°5em. (164-243
inches).

In May, off the Shetlands, when they had begun their fourth year, 141
measured from 41°8cm. to 61:6cm. (16-247 inches). The mean in this
ease is about 50cm., and the arithmetical average 50°'9cm., or exactly 20
inches.

The average size of the cod on the east coast of Scotland when three
years old may be placed at from between 19 and 20 inches, and the
probable range of sizes from about 16 to about 24 inches.

' The number of cod older than this in the collections was very small,
and their distinction into groups problematical. In the haul on 12th
November, in the Dornoch Firth, I have placed ten, measuring from
66'4cm. to 76cm. (254-30 inches), as approaching their fourth year.
And on 20-25th December, in Burghead Bay, six measured from 61:2cm.
to 73:4cm. (24-28 inches), which are assumed to be about the same age.

It is now desirable to compare the differences in the average length of
the different groups, which represents the extent of the growth in a year
from one annual series to the next. Considering first the means of the
first and second series, as given in the Table, there are twelve cases in
which this comparison can be made. The difference between the means
varies in different collections from 14'5cm. to 19cm., and the average
amounts to 16°57cm., or 64 inches. Some are better than others, and if
we select the nine cases in which the number of fishes in either of the
series does not fall below 20, we find that the variation is from 14°5cm.
to 18:5cm., and the average of the lot is 16°2cm., or 62 inches. If the
comparison is limited to the cases in which more than 70 fishes are
represented in each series, and the numbers are fairly equal—and these
cases are three in number—the differences are respectively 15cm., 15:5cm.,
and l5cm., the average being 15°2em., or almost exactly 6 inches.

There is another method by which comparison of the differences between
the groups can be made, viz., by comparing the differeuce between the sizes
at which the maximum numbers of fishes occur—between the maximum
ordinates, ‘‘modes,” or apex, of each curve. As might be expected from
these collections, which contain only moderate numbers of fishes, the
members of any given group are not duly represented throughout; in some
instances the larger fishes predominate in numbers, in others the smaller,
and soon; and thus in asingle collection of this kind comparison of the modes
or maximum ordinates of two groups may be far from showing the true
differences between these groups. Thus, in the fourteen cases in which
such comparison can be made between the cod in their first year and those
in their second year, the distance between the maximum ordinates varies
from llem. to 22cm, or exactly double. The mean of these numbers,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 225

however, is 16°5cm., or very nearly the figure derived from the comparison
of the mean sizes; and if the average be made of all the instances, the
figure is 16*lem., or 63 inches. If the collections are selected according
to the numbers of fishes they contain, as above described in dealing with
the approximate means, we get in the nine cases an average of 15°33cm.,
or a trifle over 6 inches. It seems very probable, then, that the cod on
the east coast of Scotland increases in length at this early period of its life
by from 6 to 64 inches in the course of a year, and it is likely to be nearer
the former figure than the latter. The particulars of the computation in
the nine cases referred to are given in the accompanying Table :—

Number of Fish. Difference Dimenenge
between the etween the
Month. Se prec Modes or
foe Maximum
Ist Series. |2nd Series. Means. Ordinates.
Cm. Cm.
September, ; ; 42 167 15°5 16
October, . : ‘ 75 37 16°5 14
November, j A 301 20 18°5 19
3 : a 38 178 18 21
a : OF 78 113 15 13
December, , ; 91 179 ENS, 11
July, ; : A 29 77 Wy 15
August, . ; : 90 93 15 14
rs : ; : 46 47 14°5 15
16:2 15°33

In my previous paper, in which I dealt with the growth of the cod, the
number of collections as well as the number of fishes was much less; but
in the ten cases where comparison was possible the mean difference between
the arithmetic averages of the two series (the method then made use of)
was 16°7 cm., and in the five instances with the greatest numbers of fish
it was 16-Ocm., or 63 inches,

With regard to the difference between the second and third groups, the
collections in which this can be determined are much less numerous. The
five cases are as follows:—

Number of Fish. Difference Pan
between the 5
Month. ee 5 Modes or
Approximate Maximum
1st Series. |2nd Series, Means, Ordinates.
Cm. Cm
November, ; ‘ 178 33 16 =
December, : : 41 15 15 16
“e : F 179 40 17-5 =
January, 280 41 18°5 -
May, 268 141 18 17°5
17 16°7
|

The last collection (May) represents fish a little over two and three
years of age. In my last paper there was only one instance in which
comparison between these groups could be made, and the difference
(arithmetical averages) was 18°2cm.; when incorporated with the others
given above the average remains 17cm., or 6}} inches.

It is very desirable that complete observations should be made with
exactitude as to the average size, and the limits of size, at which the cod
becomes mature for the first time. Until this be done it is not possible
to be quite certain as to the age at which reproduction begins. It is
certainly not before four years, and it may be five years, of age.

P

226 Part I11.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report
HADDOCK (Gadus ceglefinus ).

The number of haddocks measured was 6682, making, with those whose
measurements are dealt with in the two previous papers referred to, a
total of 28,760 specimens of this species. The collections were partly
from Aberdeen Bay and neighbourhood and partly from the Moray Firth ;
the measurements in one-centimetre grouping are given in the appended
Table XXII.

A collection made on 15th January 1902 at the “Doghole,” off
Aberdeen, in 57 fathoms, 802 haddocks, most of them belonging to the
first group, or fish of the previous spawning. These numbered 775,
measuring from 150mm. to 210mm. (53-87 inches) ; most were aggregated
between 16cm. and 19cm., the apex of the curve formed by the measure-
ments being at 17°5, which was also the mean, while the arithmetic
average was 180°5. The second group was represented by only a few
fish, from 240mm. to 324mm., or near it, and the computed average size
was 286'8mm., or about 11,5 inches, the annual increment being thus
about 4,%, inches.

On 13th May, in the same year, another lot of 596 haddocks was taken
on the same ground, in 52 fathoms, most of them belonging to the first
group, now over one year of age. They measured from 145mm. to
239mm. (52-92 inches) ; most were between 17cm. and 22cm., the apex
of the curve was at 19°5cm., and the mean was the same (nearly 7?
inches). The growth in the interval of about 118 days was thus approxi-
mately 2cm., or ? of an inch. The second group was represented by only
a few fishes, from about 25cm. to 32cm., or more.

On 31st October 1903 a iarge collection of 1249 haddocks was obtained
in Aberdeen Bay, in 8-12 fathoms, and the measurements are of some
interest, as three gronps at least are well represented, and a considerable
number of them —all those above 27cm., and many below that size—were
differentiated according to sex (fig. 7a, pl. XII.). It may be said at once
that, contrary to the rule among flatfishes, the males and females are of
approximately the same size, and thus grow at the same rate, though the
females are in excess as to numbers. The first group, that is to say,
haddocks approximately seven months old, ranged in length from 136mm.
to 207mm. (53-83 inches), mest being between 14cm. and 19cm.; the
mode was at 16cm., and the mean at 16°5cm., or 63 inches.

The second group extended from 217mm. to 310mm. (84-123 inches) ;
most measured from 25cm. to 30cm,, the apex of the curve was at 27cm.,
and the mean was 27:5cm., or a little above 10? inches. ‘The division
between this group and the third group is very distinct in curves made
on ‘dcm. grouping, at 3lcem., and it is the same for the males as for the
females. These fish were about one year and seven months old.

The third group extended from 31cm. to about 38cm., the bulk of the
haddocks were between 32cm. and 35cm., the mode is at 33cm., and the
mean is 33'5cm., or 133 inches. This group is partly fused with the last,
and it is to be noticed that in the ‘5cm. curves there is a slight depression
at 34cm., both with regard to the males and the females, suggestive of
two groups.

The means of the three groups, taking the last provisionally as one, are
thus as follows :— .

[ TABLE.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 227

Moan Size, | Agproniatg Annual
Age pete eS 4
Cm. Inches. Cm. Inches.
1st 7 months. 16°5 64 - -
2nd 1 year and 7 months. 27°5 10? 11 44
ord 2 years and 7 months. 33°5 13} 6 28

The third group will constitute the great spawning shoal in the
following spring.

On 29th December in the same year, 162 haddocks, taken in Aberdeen
Bay, showed the presence of three groups. The first extended from
146mm. to 215mm., or near it (57-84 inches); most were between
15cm. and a little over 19cm., the apex of the curve was at 17-5cm., and
the mean was about 17:2cm., or 6? inches. The number is not large,
but the measurements show an increase in length of about lem. from 31st
October. The other groups are but slightly represented ; one appeared
to extend from 23cm. to 30cm., and the other from the latter to 36cm. ;
there were also 7 haddocks from 40cm. to 43cm, (153-17 inches), pro-
bably approaching their fourth year.

A collection made with the small-meshed net on 29th March, 1905,
numbered 314, and belonged to the first group. It extended from
133mm. to 204mm. (53-8 inches); most were between 15cm. and
18-5cm., the apex of the curve was at 17cm. and the mean about 16°5cme
or 64 inches. A few small haddocks belonging to this haul wer.,
omitted to be measured.

Four collections of haddocks from Smith Bank, in the Moray Firth,
were measured, the depth in which they were taken being usually 22 or
23 fathoms.

On Ist April, 1904, they numbered 885, and three groups were repre-
sented, the first only by a few fish from 15-8cm. to 20cm. or 21cm. The
second series was well shown; it extended from 20cm. or 21cm. to 29cm.
(8-114 inches); most measured between 23cm. and 27:5cm., the apex of
the curve constructed on the measurements was at 25cm., and the mean
was 25:2cm. or 25:3cm, (10 inches). These haddocks were about two
years of age.

The next group extended from 29cm. to about 37cm. (113-143 inches),
most of them were between 30cm. and 34cm. (113-133 inches), the apex
of the curve was at 3lcm., and the mean was about 32cm., or 124 inches.

These fish were about three years of age.

|

The particulars are these :—

Average Size. | a ap eae
Age. wit’
Cin. Inches. Cm. Inches.
SE Oe Ei aes ee ee oe allie weet
Ist 1 year old. - - ~ -
2nd 2 years old. 25°2 10 = =
3rd 3 years old. By 124 6:5 24

228 Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

On 23rd October, 1903, 306 haddocks were obtained on Smith Bank,
representing three groups, but only the second was at all well indicated.
The first group consisted of 8 haddocks from 115mm. to 204mm. The
second group extended from 21cm. to 28cm. or 29cm.; most of them
were between 22-5cm. and 26cm. (8£-10} inches), the apex of the curve
was at 25cm., and the mean was about 24-3cm., or 94 inches, The rest
of the haddocks were insufficient to indicate the limits or average size of the
next group. One haddock measured 49cm. (197 inches) (fig. 7B, pl. XIL.).

Another collection of 62 haddocks, on 14th November, 1903, also
contained members of three groups, but only the second was of value as
regards the rate of growth. It extended from 24:7cm. to 33cm. or 34cm.
(93-13 inches) ; most were aggregated between 29cm. and 32cm., the
apex of the curve was at 30cm., and the mean was about 28-5cm., or 11
inches. There was one haddock at 52cm. (204 inches).

A collection of 756 haddocks on 12th December, 1904, belonged to
the first group, all but one. It extended from 137mm. to 208mm. (53—
8 inches) ; most measured between 15cm. and 18:5cm. (53-77 inches) ;
the apex of the curve was at 16:5cm., and the mean was 16-7cm, or 63
inches.

Other collections of haddocks obtained in the Moray Firth, off Burg-
head, Kinnaird Head, Lybster, and the Dornoch Firth were measured.

Those obtained in the Dornoch Firth are small in number, haddock:
usually not being caught there in any quantity.

On 22nd October, 1903, 95 haddocks belonging to three or four annual
series were measured, but none of the groups are well indicated. The
first contained 7 haddocks, from 109mm. to 153mm. The second con-
tained most of the fish, but its limits are not very clear. The smallest
was 24-2cm.; most were between 26cm. and 28cm. (103-103 inches) ;
the apex of the curve was at 27cm., and the group apparently terminated
about 3lem. or 32cm. (fig. 7B, pl. XII).

In a haul on 13th November, the first and second series were repre-
sented by 22 haddocks, and in another, on the 27th December, 42
haddocks were taken, mostly belonging to the third series.

At Burghead Bay, on 20th October, 1903, 248 haddocks mostly belonged
to the second series. The first group was represented by 30 haddocks,
measuring from 105mm. to 165mm. (43-64 inches); the apex of the
curve was at 12cm., and the mean about 12-5cm., or 43 inches. The
second series extended from 23:lem. to about 30cm.; most measured
between 25cm. and 27cm. (93-103 inches) ; the apex was at 26cm., and
the mean about 25°5cm., or 10 inches (fig. 7B, pl. XII.).

In a collection made on 29th December, 1903, 138 haddocks were
obtained belonging to several groups. The first included 9 haddocks,
from 150mm. to 206mm. The second group extended from 23:2em. to
about 30cm. (93-11? inches), most ranging between 24cm. and 28cm. ;
the apex of the curve was at 27cm., and the mean was about 26cm., or
10} inches. The rest of the haddocks were few in number. There were
three very large ones, measuring respectively 60cm. (232 inches), 73°6cm.
(29 inches), and 74cm. (293 inches),

A haul on the witch ground off Kinnaird Head, in from 40 to 50
fathoms, on 23rd January, 1904, yielded 199 haddocks belonging to
several series. The first ranged from 14:3cm. to 18-8cem. (53-72 inches),
most being between 14'5cm. and 17cm. ; the apex of the curve, or the
greatest number in the series, was at 16cm., and the mean was about
15-8cm., or 64 inches.

The second group extended from 21:2cm, to a point not easy to deter-
inine ; most of the haddocks measured from 22cm, to 27cm., the apex of

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 229

the curve was at 25cm. The third group consisted of a few specimens,
mostly between 32cm. and 35cm. (122-132 inches), and apparently
extending to about 40cm., and no doubt represented the spawning shoal.

A collection off Lybster, on the coast of Caithness, on 22nd October,
1903, yielded a number of various groups. The small-meshed net around
the cod-end was ruptured, and only contained 4 haddocks. The first
Series was represented by 4 fishes, 12cm. and 13cm. The second group
extended from 21'4cm to 29cm. (84-113 inches); most were between
25cm. and 27cm., the apex of the curve was at 26cm., and the mean was
about 26°5cm., or 104 inches. The smaller members of the group were
not present in normal numbers.

The next group extended from about 29cm., apparently, to 36cm.
(114-142 inches); most were aggregated between 3lcm. and 34cm., the
apex of the curve was at 32cm., and the mean was about 32'5cm., or 12?
inches.

It may be noted that in the curve of this group, as in the curves for the
collection from Aberdeen Bay on 3lst October, and for the collection
from Smith Bank on Ist April, the descending slope is interrupted,
suggestive of a division. It is better shown in ‘5cm., as below:—

Cm. 32 32:5 33 33°5 34 34:5 35.355 36 36°5

Q 22 2 27 29 20 27 31 16 18 9

31st October)
i 7 AG AGT TG) aI MY 6. 44 8
5 Gn 204 Wii S714, 45 S00 549 |. S80 28,99. 17

Ist April . 5 BR Bebe Bah © Ap) MO PORE A Sh nd 5
22nd October . 34 D2 too S44 of 5 40820) 2d 7

At this size (reproductive) growth is slower and the fusion of the groups
greater, and it is quite likely that the division indicated is a real one.

WHITING (Gadus merlangus).

Twenty-one collections of whitings were measured, most of them taken
in the Moray Firth, the number being 8346, which, with those contained
in my previous papers, makes about 58,000 of this species measured.
The results as regards growth are confirmatory of the conclusions pre-
viously reached, and the collections may be briefly referred to.

Six collections were obtained from the Dornoch Firth, as shown in Table
XXIII. The first was on 22nd October, 1903, and it comprised 233
whitings, taken in from 6 or 7 to 13 fathoms. The smallest was 51mm.
(2 inches), and the largest of the first series, to which almost all the
specimens belonged, was apparently 176mm. (72 inches). The great
majority of the fishes were aggregated between 9cm. and 13cm., the apex
of the curve, or point of greatest aggregation, being llem., which was
also the mean between the limits named; the arithmetical average was
about 105‘6mm. The average size of these whitings was thus about 4}
inches. ‘I'wo specimens of 21cm. and 22cm. probably represent a second
series, and there is a third at 36cm.

The next collection, on 11th November, comprised 421 whitings, all
but one (at 27cm.) apparently belonging to the same series. The smallest
measured 58mm. (24 inches) and the largest 194mm. (73 inches); most
were aggregated between 10cm. and 14cm., the apex of the curve being
at 12cm., which was also the mean, while the computed average was
approximately 120°5cm. (4? inches).

230 Part I1I—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

On 27th December, 1903, a collection of 494 whitings belonged almost
entirely to the first series. Most were aggregated between llcm. and
16cm.; the apex of the curve was 13cm., and the mean about 13°5cm., or
about 53 inches. The smallest of the group measured 85mm. (332 inches)
and the largest probably 211mm., but it may have been less.

The next collection was on the 28th December. It comprised 1209
whitings from the small-meshed net only, the whitings obtained in the
trawl net having been omitted from measurement. The smallest was
76mm. (3 inches) and the largest 177mm.; most were aggregated between
10cm. and 13cm., the apex being at 12cm. and the mean at 11:5cm., or
about 43 inches. The low average is due to the omission referred to.

Another collection, on 7th December, 1904, included 496 whitings, the
smallest being 79mm. (33 inches) and the largest 183mm. (77 inches).
Most were aggregated between 12cm. and 15cm., the mean being 13-5cem.,
or 5,°; inches.

The sixth collection from the Dornoch Firth was on 9th February,
1905, and contained 628 whitings. Nearly all belonged to the first
group, now approaching one year of age, and the bulk of the specimens
were aggregated between llem. and 15:dcm., the average being 13:2cm.,
or 53 inches.

On the south coast of the Moray Firth, at Burghead Bay and in that
neighbourhood, another series of collections of whitings was made, and in
most of these cases two groups were represented. The first was on 20th
October, 1903; it comprised only 94 whitings, 47 belonging to each
series, and the numbers are thus small. In the first group the smallest
whiting was 75mm. (almost 3 inches), the largest being 146mm., and the
mean about 10:5em. (44 inches). In the second group the smallest was
182mm. (7 ;°; inches), and the largest apparently 299mm., or 11? inches;
the mean size was about 23°5cm., or 94 inches. The curves for the
measurements are a little irregular, but, so far as they go, they show a
difference between the two groups, both between the actual apices of the
curves (or modes) and the means, of about 13cm., or 53 inches.

The second collection, on 14th November, 1903, comprised 355
whitings, mostly of the two first groups referred to. The younger group
contained 193 whitings measuring from 61mm. to 174mm. (37-63 inches) ;
most were aggregated between 10cm. and 14cm., the apex being at 13cm.;
the mean about 12cm. (4? inches), and the arithmetic average 121-8cm.
The curve of the second group is less regular, the apex is at 28cm., and
the mean about 27°5cm. (10? inches). The difference is 15cm. and
15‘5em., or 52 inches. These whitings were taken further off the shore,
in water of 30 fathoms depth.

In a collection made on 28th December, 1903, in the same locality, in
water of 30 fathoms, comprising 386 whitings, the first group, which
included most of them, ranged from 75mm. to 185mm. (3-77 inches).
The great majority were aggregated between 1lem. and 15cm., the apex
of the curve was at 13cm., or 53 inches, and this was also the mean, while
the arithmetic average was 129mm.; the second group were represented
by only a few, insufficient to show the limits or average size.

Another small collection of 29 whitings was obtained on 29th Decem-
ber, the first group ranging from 110cm. to 184cm.

A collection on 23rd January, 1904, in 50 fathoms, off Kinnaird Head,
numbered 131, and chiefly belonged to the first group. This group
ranged in size from 76mm. to 165mm. Most were aggregated between
10cm. and 13:5cem., the apex of the curve being at 12cm., and the mean
a little less; the arithmetic average was 120‘7mm. ‘The second group
included few fishes, most being at 24cm, to 37cm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 231

At Findhorn, in the same neighbourhood, a collection of 293 was
taken on Ist April, 1904, in 30 to 32 fathoms. They belonged for the
most part to the second group, the sizes extending from 177mm. (7
inches) to about 30cm. or 3lem.; most were between 22cm. and 28cm.,
the mean and average being at 25cm. (93% inches). They represent
whitings at nearly two years of age.

Other collections were made on Smith Bank, in the Moray Firth,
usually in 22 or 23 fathoms of water. The first of these was on 23rd
October, 1903, when 420 whitiugs were taken, two groups being repre-
sented, ‘The smaller, or fish spawned in the same year, ranged from
87mm, to 160mm. (34—62 inches) ; most measured between 1lem. and
13cm. ; the mean was 12cm., and the arithmetic average 128mm., or a
trifle over 5 inches. The second series, which included 221 fishes,
ranging from 200mm. to 292mm., were mostly between 20cm. and 24-5cem. ;
the apex of the curve was at 22cm., and the arithmetic average was
233mm., or a trifle over 94 inches. From apex to apex of the two
groups, the distance is 10cm., or 4 inches; the difference between the
arithmetic averages is 10-5cem., or 45 inches.

On 27th December, 1903, 147 whitings taken in the same locality
were measured, two groups being represented. The first extended from
113mm. to 18lmm., most being aggregated under 13cm. The second
group extended from 207mm. to, apparently, 305mm., most being aggre-
gated between 23cm. and 25cm. The numbers are too few, and the
curves formed on the measurements too irregular, to enable any satisfac-
tory comparison to be made between the two groups in this case.

Another collection of 955 whitings at Smith Bank, on Ist April, 1904,
was represented almost entirely by one group, the second. It extended
from 19cm. or 20cm. to 30cm. or 3lcem. or 32cm.; most were aggregated
between 22cm. and 26cm., the greatest number being under 23cm., and
the mean size was about 24:5cm., or 93 inches. These fish were nearing
their second year of age.

A small collection of 124 whitings taken in the same locality on 12th
December, 1904, was limited almost entirely to the first group. It con-
tained one whiting of 75mm. (3 inches), the next measuring 110mm.,
and the small fish were thus imperfectly represented. Most were aggre-
gated between 13cm. and 16cm.

A few collections of whitings taken in Aberdeen Bay and neighbour-
hood were also measured. In one, on 13th May, at the “ Doghole,” or
deep depression lying a few miles off the coast, in 55 fathoms, the 275
fish belonged mostly to the second group, the first being imperfectly
indicated. The smallest whiting taken measured 115mm., or 43 inches.
The majority were between 19cm. and 26cm., most being at 22cm., and
the mean size was 22°5cm. or 83 inches.

In a collection of 148, on 11th February, 1905, in Aberdeen Bay, the
smallest measured 76mm. The greatest number were between 11cm. and
14cm., most being at 13cm. (52 inches), and the mean was a trifle higher.

On 29th March following 362 whitings were measured which belonged
to the first group. ‘The smallest measured 110cm. The greater number
measured between 13cm. and 15cm. The apex of the curve of measure-
ments was at 14cm. (54 inches), and the mean was a trifle above this.
These were approaching one year of age.

In a haul on 3lst October, 1908, 701 whitings were obtained. In
the first group the smallest whiting was 56mm. (2} inches), and the
largest 18lmm., or thereabout. As in some other cases in autumn, the
smaller fish formed a little semi-isolated group, suggesting a series of
younger fishes, the ‘Sem. grouping being as follows :—-

DoD OM Ome ee Oso os roe 10) 10%) 1h Sb
5 4 5 4 5 irae 1 ee: 2 14 2l 29 &c.

232 Part IIT—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

As I pointed out in my previous papers, these very young whitings
have been leading a pelagic life, and now descend to the bottom when the
seasonal change of temperature makes the water there warmer than the
surface layers.

Most of the fishes in this series were aggregated between 10cm. and
l6cm., the apex being at 13cm., as well as the mean, and the arithmetic
average was 132mm., or nearly 5} inches. The grouping of the larger
whitings is not very clear, but most of them measured from 21cm. to
30cm., the mean being about 25:5cm., or 10 inches, a difference of about
12-5cem., or about 43 inches from the average of the younger group.

In a collection made on 29th December, 1903, 498 whitings were
obtained, nearly all belonging to the first group. ‘Their sizes ranged from
115mm. to 180mm.; most were between 12cm. and l6cm., the greater
number, or the apex of the curve, being 14cm. (53 inches), which was also
the mean.

The principal results in regard to the growth of the first group may be
tabulated as follows :—

Date. Average Size. | Smallest Size. | Largest Size.
€m. |Inches} Cm. jInches|) Cm. _ |Inches

Dornoch Firth, | 22nd October, . 11 43 5] 2 176 73

Do., . . . | 11th November, 12 43 58 24 | 19-4 78

Dor see Ae 2atheDecember: 13 5t 8°5 38 | 211 34
Do, . . . | 7th December, 3°5 5355 |

Burghead, . | 20th October, . 10°5 4t 75 3 Bie Me esc 53

Do., . . . | 14th November 12 4: 81 dt | 17°4 6%

Do... . . | 28th December, 3 54 ( 3 18°5 7k

Off Kinnaird, . | 23rd January, . 12 43 7'6 3 16°5 64

Smith Bank, . | 23rd October, . 12:3 43 8°7 34 16:0 62
Aberdeen Bay, | 11th February,| 13 5h 761 Ines? 23]
Do., =... 229th) March; | ©. 14 53 100.) 43-4)

Do., | 3lst October, . 13 54 56 | 24 18-1 it

Do., . . | 29th December, 14 54 115 | «43 18:0 7k

‘The mean sizes of the second group of whitings varied as follows :—
Burghead—20th October, 23°5cm., or 97 inches; 14th November, 27:5cm.,
or 103 inches. Smith Bank—Ist April, 24'5cm., or 93 inches, Aber-
deen Bay—13th May, 22°5cm., or 8% inches ; 31st October, 22:5em., or
10 inches.

GREY OR COMMON GURNARD (Trigla gurnardus).

The number of specimens of the grey gurnard measured in connection
with the observations in this paper was 5495, belonging to about 50
collections.

Another paper in which the growth of this fish is dealt with was
published in the Seventeenth Annual Report.*

The spawning period of the gurnard is prolonged, extending from April
to the latter part of August, and into September, or, according to Heincke
and Ehrenbaum, to October; spawning is at its height in the early part
of June. In May the duration of ‘‘incubation” is eight or ten days, but in

*«On the Migratory Movements and Rate of Growth of the Grey or Common
Gurnard,” Part III., p. 210.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 233

June and July it is shorter, so that one may look to the period when the
swarms of young gurnards appear as about the middle of June or a little
later.

The gurnard reaches maturity at a minimum length of about 8 to 83
inches, say, 20cm. to 22cm. ‘Thus, in 201 which were fully mature, the
smallest of the 17 males which were ripe measured 1] inches, and the
smallest of the 184 females was 84 inches. Of 49 males which were
nearly mature the smallest was 9 inches, and of 273 females of the same
class the smallest was 83 inches.

Among 601 gurnards which were about half to three-parts mature, the
smallest of the 172 males was 73 inches, and the smallest of the 429
females was 8 inches.

While gurnards may be mature at the sizes stated, it must be remem-
bered that they are the minimum sizes, and represent only the smallest
fishes of the group which first reaches maturity. They may spawn in
their third year, as I stated in my former paper as the probable age of
first-maturity, but it is possible that they may not spawn till a year later,
at least the female fishes, when the average size is somewhat larger.

Owing to the unusually prolonged spawning season, and the fact that
it begins at a time when the temperature of the water has commenced to
rise and ends when the temperature has fallen, one might expect that
the young gurnards from the same spawning will show much difference
in size.

Those which have been hatched at the commencement of the season,
say in April or early in May, meet with a rising temperature and have the
whole of the summer, the period most favourable for growth ; while those
hatched in September or October meet with a rapidly falling temperature
and the winter period, which is as a rule unfavourable to growth.

Thus we find in September, in the tow-nets, gurnards as small as 5mm.
to 6mm., that is to say, not very long hatched, and in October they may
be 12mm. and 20mm.

I have made a Table of the post-larval and young gurnards obtained
over a series of years, both in tow-nets and small-meshed trawl nets,
which is appended. Almost all below about 30mm. were got by tow-
nets, and most of those larger by the trawls. The places from which the
collections came were Aberdeen Bay (A.), the Moray Firth (M.F.), Firth
of Forth (F.), the Clyde (C.).

TABLE.

234

Mm.

9-10
11-12
13-14
15-16
17-18
19-20
21-22

Part I1L.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

GURNARD.

October. November.

I, | WL) Tv.) 1. | 1] 10.
©. |MF.| F. IMF.) ©. | A.

10 | 29 | 299 | = | 26 |}

wo on

per | September.

ae eas: 3
: See Ee Ee Oke eae ae ees ee

to

wo

Summary.

| October.

to

| November.

CO) VOT a se at Coe 09) 48:

7

=
on

| December.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 239

In this Table it will be noticed, especially in the columns in which the
various collections in each month are summed up, that these small
gurnards were got only in certain months, viz., August, September,
October, November, December, February, and May. None under 5em.
were got in November, and none under 45cm. in December,
while in February the smallest was 6‘7em., and in May 7-9cm. They do
not appear in the collections before August, and the Table shows that
their growth at this stage is fairly rapid.

In my former paper I gave a Table of all the small gurnards under 3
inches which were obtained by the fine-meshed trawl-nets of the ‘“ Gar-
land,” arranged according to mouths, and it may be summarised here.
None under 3 inches (7'6cm) were caught between May and September—
a fact also borne out by the above Table—and the greater number were
obtained in October and September. ‘The absence of the small gurnards
was not due to hauls of the net not having been made in the intervening
months, since 27 were made in June, July, and August. The number
caught in each month in which hauls with the fine net were made, and
the average number of gurnards under 3 inches taken per haul are given
in the following Table :—

Jan. | Apr. | May. June.| July.) Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. |

Number of Hauls, . | 12 | 41 34 | 10 6 Th. P2895 13 |
Number of Gurnards | | | |
under3in.(7‘6em.), | 1 | 3 8 | - =. 2 30 24 |

| | |

Average per Haul, . 0:08 | 0:07 | 0°23} 00) 00 | 0:0) | RO:09R i l2e ica

The conclusion drawn from the facts was that those taken in January,
April, and May belonged to the previous year, and that the absence of
gurnards under 3 inches in June, July, and August was due to the
growth in summer taking them above that size.

It was also concluded that the gurnards ranging about 6 inches (15cm.)
in length in the spring were from 18 months to 2 years old; that the
gurnard did not reach maturity until the third year; and that there
appeared to be annual groups differing in length by about two inches from
each other—the measurements having been in inches and fractions of an
inch.

In the coilections referred to in the present paper, the early groups are
sometimes distinctly marked off from one another, and little difficulty has
been experienced in determining the rate of growth of this fish.

It may be mentioned that the difficulty in regard to the prolonged
spawning period, aud the summer or winter season for the early and late
larvee to which reference has been made, is counteracted by a rather slow
rate of growth on the part of this fish, and possibly by the growth
in the winter not being retarded to the extent that is usual
amongst other young fishes. In this respect the young gurnard
offers a striking contrast to the young plaice or dab, which may be even
shorter in early spring after passing through the cold winter months than
they were at the ouset of winter. In the latter case the habitat is in the
shallow water, exposed to the changes in the air temperature and varying
with it, whereas the gurnard is pre-eminently a migratory fish at all

stages, and leaves the inshore waters for deeper water, where the tempera-
ture is higher, in autumn,

236 Part I11—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

In my previous paper I showed that an extremely close relation
existed between the changes of the temperature of the water and the
abundance and migration of the gurnard, none of them entering the Firth
of Forth until the temperature reached about 40°5° F. The average
number of gurnards taken in that Firth per haul of the net in the various
months of the year, and the mean bottom temperature, are as follows :—

| Jan. | Feb. | Mar.| Apr. | May.|June.|July.| Aug.|Sept.| Oct. | Nov.} Dee.

Gurnards, . 02} «04; +29) 11-1 | 44°2 | 30:2 | 24:0 | 21°6 | 18°9| 8-4) 11 2
Temperature, | 42:2 | 40°6 | 40:0 | 42-2 | 45°6 | 47-6 | 50°8 | 53°5 | 53-3 | 51-4 | 48-1 | 44°8

On the other hand, in the Moray Firth and the Firth of Clyde, where
there is deep water, the gurnards moved out into the deeper water. Here
are the similar details for the deep-water stations in the Moray Firth
and for the Clyde :—

Jan. | Feb. | Mar.| Apr. |May.|June.|July.| Aug.|Sept.| Oct. | Nov.| Dec.
Moray Firth—
Gurnards, . - - - — | 21:0} 19°2'| 23:1 | 37:3) = | 39:4) 296) —
Temperature, | — - — | 45:5) 47:7 | 502) 52:1) - | 526/494) —-
Clyde—
Gurnards, . | 13:6} 0:0 | 26°5 | 22:2/186| - | 10°6 | 63:6) 11°8| 27 Re 31:1

There are not complete observations in regard to the Clyde to enable
the mean temperature to be given, but they show that in January at the
deeper stations, where the gurnards were chiefly caught, the temperature
is from 47-48 F., and in December it is about 6 F. higher than in the
Firth of Forth at the same period.

It is thus to be inferred, from what is known in regard to the relation
between the temperature of the water and the growth of fishes, that the
young gurnards do not cease growing in winter, but that, migrating to
regions where the winter temperature is high, they continue to grow and
are found to be larger in spring. The explanation is necessary to account
for the different groups in the collections.

In a number of Tables appended to this paper the collections of gur-
nards have been tabulated in one-centimetre groups, but in many cases the
limits of the groups are much better brought out by a ‘5cm. arrangement
of the measurements, and some of these will now be given.

I have arranged in the following Table the measurements of certain
collections from Aberdeen Bay, the Firth of Forth, and the Dornoch Firth,
in ‘dem, up to 34cm. The columns refer to the collections, as follows:—

Col. I. Aberdeen Bay, Summary of July collections.

as ie 5 Sy a September collections.
eee WB é. a a October collections.

55 IV. Dornoch Firth, Summary of November collections.
- V. Burghead Bay, 4 September collections.
» VI. Firth of Forth, i May collections.

spe Velie Sy 53 July collections.

bo
SN)
~I

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

Col VIII. Firth of Forth, Summary of August collections.
IX. Summary of all July collections.
- X. - os October collections.

Siae.+e ,, x November collections.

Cm I Il STIG |e Ng Vv VI. VLE, aes XS xX. XI.
2 a = = = = = ie cS = = =
3 ft 1 1 2 2 = e ¥ be s 2

3 Lie a 7 eae = a 2 f a 4 :
5 aeallerciaiaire ss 1s |p : E 4 e £ 1 =

4 a = = a = = = . = =
5 a 1 e ms 2 2 a = = 2 =

5 - 6 1 - - - ~ ~ - 1 2
3) - 4 2 1 - - - - - 2 1

6 -- 3 3 2 ~ ~ - - = 3 y)
> - 1 3 3 - - - - 3 5

7 ~ 1 i 3 - - - - _ 2 3
D - - 3 10 - 2 - - - 3 14

8 - - 2 14 - 2 - - = 1 20
Hi) - - 1 13 ~ 1 - ~ = 2 1s

9 - 2 if 12 - 4 - - = 1 15
4) 1! 1 1 7 - 4 - - 1 1 8
10 1 - - ii = - a - it - 10
5 11 ~ 2 4 - 2 - 1 11 2 5
11 24 - ] 4 - - i 2 25 1 5
4) 26 1 1 - ~ 2 6 3 32 1 Ll
12 28 1 3 1 - - 6 ) 34 4 1
sy 14 i 3 3 - 3 10 14 24 3 4
13 a 6 4 1 - 1 5 14 12 12 5
5} 3 5 6 ~ - - 4 14 7 15 2
14 4 i 5 - 1 1 1 9 5, 7 6
2) 5 10 6 ~ - 4 4 8 9 14 13
15 1 11 7 - - 2 5 2 9 18 20
a 7 6 8 2, 4 2 7 1 14 12 34
16 8 3 5 - 2 4 8 2 16 12 37
=F 9 1 4 1 1 5) 26 2 36 14 36
17 19 2 2 1 3 1 9 3 28 10 19
a3) 11 2 1 1 4 i 18 3 32 9 14
18 9 3 - - 6 2 9 2 19 4 18
35, 10 ~ 1 1 21 1 11 3 24 6 21
19 4 4 1 1 21 1 5 2 10 9 24
“5 4 5 - 1 32 3 2 3 i 4 22
20 3 4 ~ il 21 2 2 4 5 8 27
5 4 8 1 2, 27 1 - 3 4 4 37
21 4 3 2 4 20 4 1 2 5 4 36
a - 4 4 1 10 4 1 1 3 7 29
22 2 i 1 - 16 1 2 2 4 8 28
“5 - 4 2 - 8 3 2 1 3 6 22
23 1 3 - 7 6 - 2 1 4 3 19
3) 3 — 1 - 16 i - 3 6 3 23
24 2 - = - 9 1 1 - 5 1 18
D 1 2 1 - 28 ~ 1 5 2 5 19
25 1 1 1 - 18 1 - 1 2 1 17
*b ~ - Hi - 21 3 1 3 2 3 18
26 - 1 = - 12 i - - 1 1 21
di 1 - - - 21 1 1 - 2 ~ 14
27 1 1 - i 15 4 - : 3 2 22
*b - i 1 - 19 1 - 2 1 3 12
28 ~ 2 1 if 13 il - 1 1 2 11
"5 1 ~ - - 9 2 - 1 1 2 17
29 - 1 = 1 5 - - ~ 2 2 17
5 - - - - 14 1 ~ 1 - 5 10
30 1 - - . 10 3 - - 1 2 13
D ~ - - - 13 3 - - - 4 9
31 - - - ~ 11 2 1 1 1 4 12
“5 - - - - 8 1 2 ~ 2 8 10
32 - - = ~ 6 2 - 3 - 9 4
“by - ~ - 2 3 1 - Z = ti ll
33 - - - - 6 - - - - 8 -
li} - - - - 10 - - - - 8 -
34 ~ - - - 3 1 - 1 = 3 -

238 Part IIl-—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

In many of these cases the division into groups is obvious. A few of
them may be considered in detail, in order to make clear the rate of
growth.

In the Firth of Forth, in May, from 9th to 13th, a number of gurnards
were taken, belonging to at least five annual series (pl. XIJI.). The
smallest, representing the fishes from the previous year’s spawning, and
being therefore from seven months to fully a year old, and principally
about eleven months, numbered 21, They varied in size from 7-9cem. to
13-lem. (33-54 inches), a range or difference of 5:2cm.; the maximum
number measured about 9cm. (the apex, mode or maximum ordinate, of
the curve), the mean was about 10°5cem., and the arithmetical average
O-lem., or 4 inches,

The next group numbered 32, varying in size from 14cm. to 19°lem.
(53-74 inches), and were a year older, on an average about | year and 11
months. The maximum number were at 16‘5cm., the mean was 16cm.,
and the arithmetical average 16°2lcem., or 62 inches. The growth from
the previous series was thus about 6:lem., or 23 inches, which represents
the increment in a year.

The third series numbered 20, the range was from 19°6cm. to 24:1cem.,
(73-91 inches), the maximum number were at 2lcem., the mean was
21:3cm., and the arithmetical average was 21°54cem., or 84 inches. These
fishes were very nearly three years old, and the growth indicated in a year
from the preceding group was 5°3cm., or 2,1, inches.

The fourth series numbered 14, varying in length from 25:2cm. to
28°9em. (915-118 inches); the maximum number were at 27cm., the
mean was 26°5cem., and the average 27cm., or 103 inches. The indicated
erowth in a year amounted to 5°46cm., or 24 inches. These gurnards
were approximately four years old.

A fifth series consisted of 13 fish, varying from 29°7em. to 32‘5cm.
(112-13? inches); the maximum number were at 30cm., the mean was
3lem., and the calculated arithmetical average was 30°97cm., or 123
inches. ‘The growth from the previous series was about 14 inches, and
the age of the series nearly five years.

Towards the end of July another collection from the Firth of Forth was
examined (pl. XIII.). The first series of 32 varied from 1lem. to 13:7em.
(43-53 inches), and was obviously incomplete by the absence of many of
the smaller gurnards, the range of sizes amounting to only 2-7cm. The
maximum number were at 12-5cm., the mean was the same, and the
average 12°4cm., or 415 inches. These fish were probably rather over one
year of age.

The second group was represented by 107 gurnards, ranging in length
from 14*3cm. to 20:2em. (53-742 inches) ; the maximum number were at
16‘5cem., the mean was 17cm., and the average was 17-lem., or 6? inches.
The indicated growth from the previous generation was 4°7cm., which is
too small, owing to the reason stated—the absence of the smaller fishes.

The next group numbered 12, varying from 2lem. to 26°5cm.; the
maximum number were at 22'5cm., the mean was 23°5cm., and the
calculated average 23:3cm., or 953, inches. These fish were about three
years of age, and the growth indicated from the previous series was 6°2em.,
or 2,'. inches, which is too great.

In the August collection (pl. XIII.), the first series included 78 gurnards
from 10°8em. to 15‘6cm. (44-52 inches); the maximum number or mode
was ahout 13cm., which was also the mean, while the computed average
was 13:14cm., or 53 inches. These fish were about 13 or 14 months old.

The second series numbered 33 fishes, the sizes ranging from 16-4cem.
to 22:6em. (64-83 inches); the maximum numbers were at 20cm., the

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 239

mean was 19cm., and the average 19°26cm., or 7% inches. The growth
indicated in a year, from the former series, was 6:12cm., or 274, inches.
These fishes were over two years of age.

In this collection there were also a few of larger size, but their number
is not sufficient to indicate grouping.

From Aberdeen Bay a number of collections were also obtained, some
of which may be referred to (pl. XIII.).

On the 5th July, the first series was represented by 109 gurnards,
measuring from 9°7em. to 13°8cm. (33-54 inches); the greater number
measured about 11*5em. to 12cm., the mean was 12cm., and the computed
average 11:56cm., or 4,°, inches. These fish were about a year old.

The next series included 61 gurnards from 14*2cm. to 19-9cm. (58-73
inches), The maximum number were at 17cm., the mean size was also
17em., and the computed average 16°90cm., or 68 inches. The amount
of growth indicated in a year from the preceding series was thus about
5°34em., or 23 inches.

On the 30th and 31st July, the first series comprised 12 gurnards from
11-2em. to 15-1em, (48-6 inches). The maximum number were at l4cm.,
the mean was 13cm., and the average 13°49cm., or 5,5; inches, which is
about lcm, greater than it ought to be, owing to the absence of small
fishes.

The next series consisted of 33 gurnards, measuring from 16‘7cm. to
21:4em. (6;°,-8,% inches). The maximum number were at 18°5cm., the
mean was the same, and the average was 18°73cm., or 73 inches. These
tish were over two years old, and the amount of growth indicated in a
year from the preceding series was 5:24cm., or 2 inches, which is rather
under the normal, owing to the absence of small fishes in the preceding
series,

On 1st September the young gurnards are represented in the collection.
On that day 17 were taken, measuring from 32mm. to 71mm. (1}-27
inches) ; the maximum number were at 5cm., which was also the mean,
and the computed average was 54‘lcem., or 23 inches. The age of these
fishes was probably 3 or 4 months.

On the 20th September five of this series were got, measuring from
5-3cm. to 9°7cem., but the October collection shows that the smaller fishes
were not present.

The second group numbered 52, varying in length from 11‘6cm. to
16‘7cem. (4,°,-6,%, inches); the maximum was l5cm., the mean 14cm.,
and the average 14:57cm., or 53 inches, the probable age being about
16 months,

In the third series there were 37 gurnards, ranging from 17‘2cm. to
22cm. (63-8? inches) ; the maximum number were at 20-5cm., the mean
was 19-5cm., and the average 20°02cm., or 73 inches. The growth of
this series, about 2 years and 4 months of age, was apparently 5°45cm.,
or 24 inches in the year.

A collection on the 13th October contained 24 gurnards of the first
series. They varied in length from 2*lem. to 8cm. (3-33 inches) ; the
maximum number were at 6cm., and the mean was 6cm., the computed
average being 4°65cm., or 142 inches, which is too small, owing to the
smaller fishes being over-represented.

The next series included 18 gurnards, from 12cm. to 16°8cm. (47-62
inches) ; the maximum number were at 14°5cm., the mean was the same,
and the average 14°63cm., or 53 inches. These fish were about 1 year
and 4 months old.

a third series comprised only two fishes, 19°3cm, and 22°8cm. in
ength.

240 Part IL1—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

On 8th October another collection contained four of the first group.
They varied from 5:7cm. to 85cm. The second group consisted of 15
fishes, from 10°9cm. to 17°4em. (4,°,—-63 inches); the mean was 14-5cm.,
and the average 14°49cm., or 5? inches.

A third series was represented by five fishes, from 21:3cm. to 22°7cem.,
the average being 21°72cm., or 8,% inches. The smaller fishes of the
series were not present.

Another collection, from the Dornoch Firth on 5th and 11th November,
may be referred to. The first group contained 82 gurnards, from 5:9cm.
to 11*3em. (2,9;-4,7, inches) ; the maximum number were at 8cm., the
mean was about 8-3cm., and the average 8-44cm., or 3,% inches.

There were eleven gurnards in the next group, the sizes ranging from
12‘lem. to 18-5cem., (43-7,°; inches); the mean was 15cm., and the
average 14°98cm., or 512 inches. The apparent growth in the year from
the preceding generation was thus 6:54cm., or 2, inches.

The third series contained ten fishes, from 19°2cm. to 21-5cm. (749,837
inches). The maxinmium number were at 2lcm., and the average was
at 20°62cm., or 83 inches. These fishes were in the middle of their third
year; the apparent growth from the previous series was 5°64cem., or 2,3,
inches.

The other groups were represented by a few fishes. An examination
of the figures in the Tables appended will show that the growth in the
Firth of Forth in 100 days, from the early part of May to the middle of
August, amounted for the first group, that is, fish about a year or more of
age, to 3cm., or 1,3, inches. Precisely the same amount is indicated for
the growth of the corresponding series in 100 days, from the beginning of
July to the middle of October, in Aberdeen Bay. The older group, fish
about two years or over, increased also by 3cm., in the 100 days in the
Forth, and by 1:83cm. in 25 days and 1:29cm. in 76 days in Aberdeen
Bay.

SERIES I. SERIBs II.
Number
Date and Place. a
ran sere | Increase. Tee Increase.
Cm. Om. Cm, Gat
ABERDEEN Bay.
Summer.
Sth July, — : i ; 3 - 11°56 - 16°90 =
30th-3lst July, .- ‘ c 25 (13°49) 1:93 18°73 1°83
20th September, . : - 76 14°57 3°01 20°02 1:29
13th October, . , : 100 14°63 3°07 - -
Winter.
5th July, . - ; ; 265 16:90 2:27 - -
FIRTH OF FORTH.
Summer.
9th-13th May, . ; ; - 101 - 16-2 =
28rd July, . : c 5 73 12:40 2:29 fal 0:9
16th-21st August, ; re 100 13:14 3°03 19°26 3°06

Winter.
9th-13th May, . ; ; 265 16°21 3:07 21°54 2°28

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 241

About half the growth thus takes place during the few months in
summer, the growth in the 100 days being almost exactly the same as in
the remaining 265 days, which include the winter months.

If the differences between the averages of the successive series are
considered, as in the following Table, it will be found that between the
first and second groups the differenves vary from 5:24cem. to 9°98cm., and
the mean of this is 6-40cm., or 23 inches. It appears, however, to be a

trifle too high. The best collections, in which the series are most equally
represented at the different sizes, indicate a very slightly smaller rate of
growth. It may be said that the gurnard in the early generations grows
about 6:Ocm., or 23-24 inches, in a year.

In the later generations growth is slower. In some of the collections

_ five or six series belonging to different years can be made out.

In some large collections made during the spawning period, in Sinclair
Bay, Moray Firth, the sexes were determined and separately measured,
but the tables of measurements and the curves constructed on them did
not show the grouping very clearly. The clue furnished by the study of
the smaller collections above described enables the divisions between the
earlier seri2s to be indicated, and it will be seen they agree with the
statements made as to the grouping and the rate of growth. These
collections from the northern part of the Moray Firth show that at least

eight or nine generations are present.

GURNARD.
g A ate Approximate ie Spperene
Date and Place. Group} No. ares 7 € Moda ee be dhs ee Preceding
Cm Cm. Cm. | Inch. |/Years | M’ths
Cm. | Inch.
Firt# OF Fortu—
May 9-13, 1901, - - I 21 7°9-13°1 52 9 10°5 | 10°11) 4 11
Il. | 82 | 140-191] 571] 16:5 | 16 | 1621} 63 |) Se Lat, |) eee
III. | 20 | 19°6 241) 4:5 21 21°3 | 21°54] Sh 2 1 | 6:3 27,
EV 14 | 25:2.28°9| 3:7 Pei 26°5 | 27°0 | 108 3 11 5°46 | 2h
Vi 13 | 29°7-32°5| 2°8 30 31 30°97 | 124 4 11 3°97
3 | 343
July 23,1901, - -| -I. | 82 | 11:013:7| 2°7 125 | 12°5 | [124 | 448) 1 1
II, | 107 | 14°3 20°2} 5:9 16:5 |) V7 171 64 2 nat a Shy 13)
Ill. 12 | 21°0-26°5| 6°5 22°5 | 23°65 | 23°3 9% 3 1 6°2 ye
August 16-21,1901,_ - I. 78 | 10°8-15°6| 4:8 13 13 13°14] 5} 1 1-2
Il. 33 | 16°4-22°6| 6:2 20 19 19°26] 78 2 1-2 | 612 | 2y%
ABERDEEN Bay—
July 5, 1901, - - I. | 109 9°7-13°8} 4°1 | 11°5-12} 12 11°56) 4,3 1
II. | 61 | 14:2-19°9| 65°7 17 17 | 16°90} 68 2 ae 5°34 | 2}

242 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

GURNARD—continued.

o
s Arithmetic Approximate Apparent
Range of| & verage. ge. Growth from
Date and Place Group| No. Size. & ene rons myer
= L "
Cm. Om Cm. | Inch.|Years |M’ths.
7m. Cm. | Inch.
Aberdeen Bay—contd.
July 30-31, - - - I. 12 11°2-15°1 39 14 13 = |(13'49] 5,5) 1 1
L

II. | 33 | 16°7-21°4| 4:7 18°5 | 18°5 | 18°73] 73 2 1 5°24

September 1, - - Ie 17 By fia) 5 5 54°1 2} Be 3-4

September 20, - : 6 5 5'3- 9°7| 4:4 BS & ap a we 4
ine 52 11°6-16°7 5'1 15 14 14°57 | 5% 1 4
III. 37 17°2-22°0 4°8 20°5 | 19°5 | 20°02} 7% 2 4 5°45 2}

October 13, - - - 9/4 724 21-80) 59 6 6 | 4°65 ws be 4
IL. 18 | 12°0-16°8| 4°8 145 | 14°5 | 14°63] 5% il 4 -
Ill. 2 | 19°3-22°'8
October 8, - : : ip 4 57- 85] 2°8 Se at <¢ 4c 40 4
Il. | 15 | 109-174] 6° AC 14°%5 | 14°49] 53 1 4
IIT. 5 | 21°3-22°7 14 ig a. | 21°72) 8% 2 4
Dornoow Firta—
November 5-11, 1901, - 1p 82 5°9-11°3 | 5°4 8 83 | 8-44) 3,5 Es 5 z
Il. 11 12°1-18'5| 6°4 oe 15 14°98] 52% 1 5 6°54 2.55
Ill. 10 | 19°2-21'5} 2°3 21 -. | 20°62| 8} 2 5 5°64] 233,

IV. 3 |27°0,28°0,29°4

PUSH-NET.
(1) Juzy. (2) AuGusT.
. Big Harbour, Ist and 8rd | Col. I. Big Harbour,
. Salen, : 2nd 5, 11. Salen, -
. Strachur, 4th and 5th | _ ,, III. Strachur,
. Inveraray, - 4th and 5th | ,, IV. Inveraray, -
. Lochgilphead, 2nd
. Cairndow, - 6th
JULY. AUGUST.
T, LETTS ED ea io Vi VI. |Total.|| I ie | Til.
5 - - - - - 5 ~ ~
5 - - - - ~ 5 - ~ -
6 i ~ - - = 7 = = =
9 - - - - - 9 - - -
8 1 1 - - - 10 - - -
3 3 - - - - 6 - - -
ll 3 4 - - - 18 - - -
11 8 8 1 - - 28 - - -
16 22 10 - - - 48 - - -
23 25 10 - - - 58 - - -
31 51 25 - - — | 107 - - =
39 70 36 5 - - | 150 - ~ -
54 80 54 4 1 - | 198 - -
76 | 114 52 8 1 -— | 251 - - -
75 97 42 3 1 - | 218 = -
86 89 69 14 - — | 258 - - -
67 70 64 18 2 1 | 222 - - -
67 62 59 42 3 1 | 234 - - -
56 44 46 68 if 2 | 217 - - -
49 18 44 78 - - | 189 - ~ -
39 10 27 91 5 1 | 1738 ~ - -
15 8 25 82 5 - | 135 ~ - ~
16 5 14 92 2 - | 129 1 - 2
10 - 11 94 2 - | 121 - 2
7 6 17 86 2 2 | 120 - - 1
8 5 12 81 2 2 +| 110 1 — 3
7 1 10 71 3 - 92 - - 3
6 1 7 55 1 - 70 72 - 7
4 2 6 49 5 - 66 3 - 4
2 2 2 31 2 1 40 a 1 5
1 - 3 31 3 - 38 10 3 5
2 1 1 26 2 - 82 4 ~ 5
Ul - 2 22 - - 25 10 1 4
I - 1 22 4 1 29 10 2 1
- - 1 18 5 - 24 6 3 2
2 ~ 2 15 - - 19 17 3 2
1 - 1 9 2 - 13 15 3 2
1 2 ~ 8 - 1 12 16 8 1
1 - 1 10 1 - 13 15 4 2
1 1 1 8 1 - 12 14 7 il
= = = 7 1 1 9 21 1 -
- - - 3 ~ - 3 13 3 1
- - - 2 - - 2 16 3 -
- - - 3 = ~ 3 17 2 1
= = = 2 - - 2 14 3 ~
- - - 3 - - 3 12 2 ~
- - ~ 1 - ~ 1 9 ~ -
= = = = - ~ - 8 1 2
= = = - ~ - - 10 1 1
= ~ = = - - - 8 - 1
— — = = - < J 3 a2 =
= = = = = - ~ 3 - 1
— = = = = = =< 5 = =
= a = = na ~— = 92 = sh
= = = = = = a 2 = =}
= - - = - - - 1 - u
= - = = = - - - - 2
= = - = - - - 4 - 1
= — = — — = = a = =
= = — a 3 = = 2 = Se
= = = = - ~ - 2 1 -
= - = = - - - - - 2
- - - - ~ - -- 1 - 1

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

T.—PLAICE, LOCHFYNE, 1901.

28th, 29th
29th
30th

30th, 31st

LV. |Lotal:

PT COCO a be OOS Te oe ale let) Re ert ih Pee

13

al

pS eo Us ile oan ia todo fie Wa i ull SoM Co Yt St iy Ja J (al Ui Sl Ua Vat Sl (eet Ua J i Umut Ya J Cl i Vi Ul Ca (et Ve lV Vai Vs is Vt Vleet Comet Ghar Vive im Viet Veet (at Vn Hb VOT (oer Ym nme ea
_
a

244 Part I1L.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report
I.—PLAICE, LOCHFYNE, 1901—continued.
JULY. AUGUST.
| MM.| I Je | MEE NY V. VI. |\Lotal.|| T. Ti III. | IV. | Total.
75 = - = = = = 2 = 3 5 10
76 x = e = [os = a = 1 1 2
I er - = - = - - ~ 1 - 1 3 5
ieee = = = = = - - iL - - 1 2
79 - ~ - - - - - 1 - 1 4 6
80 - ~ = = - - = i) = - - 2 2
81 - - = = = = = |i = = 1 - 1
82 - - - - = - = - - 1 2 3
83 - - - - - - ~ 1 - 1 = 2
84 - - ~ - ~ - - - - 1 - 1
85 - = - - = - = = - - 1 1
86 - - ~ - - - 1 - 1 - 2
87 = = = = = = = = - 1 1 2
88 - - - - - = = 1 - 1
822 | 806 | 668 |1163 57 13 (8529 292 52 79 | 183 ) 556
IIl.— PLAICE, LOCHFYNE, 1908.
PUSH-NET.
LOcH-
INVERARAY. STRACHUR. Bic HARBOUR, | GILP- ’
HEAD. | Total, | Total,
MM. Ta June | July
June 22 10-41 June 24 | July 13 | June 25} July 13 | June 26
14 - - - = - - - = ~
15 - = 5 - = = - 5 -
16 - = 9 - - - - $) -
yy 1 1 12 - 1 = il 15 i
18 1 2 1H) ~ 1 = ~ 13 2
19 1 2 12 1 3 3 UL 17 6
20 4 2 Tal 4 2 4 1 18 10
21 5 - 6 3 2 5 2 15 8
22 5 3 6 5 3 6 - 14 14
23 8 4 5 6 4 6 - 17 16
24 5 8 6 d 6 12 - 17 24
25 5 if 3 4 1 19 ~ 9 30
26 2 8 4 3 1 27 = 7 38
27 3 7 3 5 - 27 - 6 39
28 8 4 - 5 1 30 1 10 39
29 6 5 1 2 - 26 1 8 33
30 8 6 - 1 - 29 - 8 36
31 4 9 - - - 24 1 5 33
32 7 8 - - - 17 - 7 25
33 3 8 - 1 - 17 - 3 26
34 2 6 - - = 7 1 3 13
35 2 3 - - - 7 - 2 10
36 1 3 - 1 - 6 i 2 10
37 = 1 = 1 - 4 - - 6
38 - 1 - - - 5 - - 6
39 1 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 4
40 = 2 - “= = - = one 2
41 = = - - - 2 - - 2
42 1 - - - - 1 1 2 i
43 = - = - - 1 1 1 1
44 2 1 - - - 2 - 2 3
45 = - = - = = - = -
46 = = = 1 = 1 1 1 2
47 i 1 - 1 - = - 1 2
48 = 1 ~ - - 2 = - 3
49 - - - - - - - - -
50 - 1 ~ - - ~ - - ]
51 = - - = - 1 - - 1
52 = ~ = = ao as - - =
53 = ~ - = - - - - ~
54 = = = - = = : - =
55 ~ ~ = - = - = - =
56 - - - - - - - - -
57 = = z 1 a = 4 = 1
86 105 94 50 25 293 13 218 448

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 245
IIL.—PLAICE, LOCHFYNE, 1901.
PUSH-NET.
(Preceding Table arranged in 5 Centimetres.)
(1) JULY. (2) AuGusT.
Col. I. Big Harbour, Col. I. Big Harbour.
jalan: » LI. Salen.
», III. Strachur. » ILI. Strachur.
», LV. Inveraray. », LV. Inveraray.
», Y. Lochgilphead.
», VI. Cairndow.
JuLy 1-6. Avaust 28-31.
CM, if. Tilt TUOKS 3) Ue Vv. VI. | Total.|| I. IL. (II. | LV. | Total.
1 5 - - - - - 5 - ~ - = =
a3) 31 5 i - - - 37 = = = = =
2 92 | 109 57 1 - - 259 - - - ~ -
5 | 880 | 450 | 253 34 3 — | 1070 - - - = =
3 278 | 204 | 240 | 297 11 5 | 1085 - ~ ~ = =
3) 56 28 79 =| 435 13 4 615 2 - 8 - 10
4 20 6 28 | 237 14 1 306 22 4 24 - 50
by 6 1 7 | 103 11 1 129 || 47 9 14 - 70
5 4 3 3 42 5 2 59 81 23 6 Py |) ale
5 - - - 13 - - 13 || 72 13 2 7 94
6 - = = 1 = = 1]} 38 2) 4 29 73
appear x a i3 3 e =i 13 ai 2 | 42 | 57
7 = = = = = = leg 1 3 | 28 | 41
sili) ce. a a # e = all y 74 - 8 ia | 996
8 x z u iy a £ Sallie 22 2 3 9 | 14
co - = = = = = = 2 - 4 2 8
9 = = = = = = = = : 1 - 1
822 | 806 | 668 {1163 57 13 |3529 || 292 52 79 | 1383 | 556
|
1903.
JUNE 22-26, JuLy 10-13.
CM, I: Il, Ill. They |) Lotal: A 10 Ill. Total.
1 a 5 = = 23 Fa 2 fa =
*5 a 26 1 1! 29 1 ~ ~ 1
2 16 46 11 4 77 9 13 18 40
D 23 21 12 ~ 56 34 22 91 147
3 33 1 1 3 38 32 8 126 166
3) 8 - - 2 10 21 3 41 65
4 2 - - 1 3 4 1 10 15
5 3 - - 2 5 2 2 4 8
5 = = Ss = = 2 = 3 5
5 2 = 2 a 2 = 1 = 1
86 94 25 13 218 || 105 50 293 448
|

Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

246

ee ei (rece res rare ace faa ast Br Ue a ce ae Mee pen (A eet wii) = wy eet eu en Ee esc led ra
Tp) ee gen en i RR eee Bae ee see ieee alate pf end dm | CN fee Fla RR yd
Loa Macey ol eee ele ler Way le say eral ee ce tal afte lem: tiboa ai eae eam ie Neen erat [cee eg |e ele
BS af mee Spee Seer a PME rca aa ate eWS [Re Ball estos ee ot elle ee eed eee rele all seal er yl Sale alihe
NS Wea Pe (fac fe gem a a | a He (el a lie lat ice al SACS a ea eo
DU Mer ee toe eet =a | eee Fl ee slselerd aor alee a] <o, alese bere ak 9 |e Loa eete al eal eels le = al Or
VA | ic sce nme ec ce acd a ec RA 3 nL a af fe a le Ne mm Fan arms deren 4) |)
LT v = v § = G I OL 6 i 4 § & a = = Tae a lee = = = > F cL
SF | lel: Steel cases ec faite it aca tC le 8 rg ace bak fa faecal lise ened ee Re aS I Ih a Ne
Boao ae Deval GMOs als). .tceled. tl oz kage mie as wie . ioe blot Se gl ee Wr he al ce eee ee
Pomel ele ein| se tees | |g | gest eee ers or ite lee | eet a lek I Vee eal ee emer ee
re | CGN Cay Ja Toto) ee) meh le ote Une ye feel hies| baeeay etal =o Piet 4 [gue at Bee roe ete er
Ooetmecmieel an solace. (Son le bear lsnomalcag ile alo, lee ele Sa ae (ect (Pe ers ee | Be
69 C& 1G IL G = G & GL g L 9 T oo T = j = a 3 = T = 7 éL
¢9 tS 0G lal IL = 9 g 0G 6 Gee lve) 7% = = T r = = = le = ee Ge ¢.
OL OF &%@ LT ae = 6 & SI 8 Or ll i I e sE ie = a IE Ss = = ¥ II
9L bY &@G 1G FL > L L SI OL 8 § =m = re * = i = = = = * = c.
T6 Lv && PL 83 = cL &1 61 IL 8 g oa = = = = ei = = = = = OL
€L LE &@ vas 0G = ai 8 9T g IL P 7 os re i = is = = zi z T a G.
LP GG §T 6 Zit ie 9 GE 8 I L GT I I = & = 7 T T G if = I 6
9§ LT FL § PL os 8 9 g G & || 92 = a = G a a eT 5 x = = = G.
C&S OT g G 61 = 8 Us € G I GG = = 2 4 I G = = s & oe =~ 8
cE IL 6 G 02 = 8 ai P T § 8g os > 7 v = as > im G g > G c.
c% Il 6 G €L = 8 G I t z Lg is cS 3 P IT = = = E T - = Ut
9 G y T 8 6 g & g G I 66 = = eS 8 i r 5 a = v iL G Gq.
tL § tg iz IL ie & qT = =F = 0G = = = v = = § I a I ms a 9
bP G G = 1k VE G I g G & l = = = Or = ie it =i ce I 7 v ¢.
06 G G = GL §L a3 G &1 L 9 il = = = 17 = = 55 = = I = & g
6G I I = cP cy 7 5 ft G g a = 5 = I I I e = = = Fe G G.
v = i = & § = = I = I = = F = = aa = = = eS = = a7
TMIOL | rN | weg fe} s | ae | ‘wog f-yeyoy,| ‘arey | wog © Freqoy, | ore | ‘uray 2 © ee & iS & ES w =
‘wady —|| oF mF | oF | os SF) SB | S5| S>| se | S34
Teor, |. Stel : Pe ie : ; a ia F Se) 82/57 | S| FS] >| Rb] Rb | eS
FOBT ‘dy uIgz FOB ‘tlMdy pag POST TROY WacT | ee] rOer Were iste |e Sie ee eu eae le ee en
"NVNNV Ps “HLTH HOONYOR (NOLLVLG DNIHLVG OL HLAOWNOd) AVE INICICKORCICES Avg

Bes) i | |
a a a ee cred aE oe A oe 2 Ee ie ORE OEE VERE are EEN ele RN ea

GO Wi a cise Nl

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 247

wo
Ver)
re

164

St lRANN 1 PRR IANO Re I E

248 Part 111.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

V.—PLAICE.

BURGHEAD BAY, 6th December 1904.

Cm. Haul 1. Haul 5. Haul 6. Hauls 1, 5, 6.

Fem. | Male. | Total.! Fem. | Male. | lotal.j Fem. | Male. | Total.

Tl, epee! 1 tl
Pwr! 1 1 il

bo

oo
OP cwrbh! | ee
OPM ORE! |
Orem! | |! i i

27 14 19 33 16 24 40

qeporeet i | tot to
(5) Teor >) a al in ee |

13

Pot ob ot ab] COR WOONOIM ODN

1 Ib eth oe ale (a

Or
es
ma fe i) i) St Wo A eS LW SS CORT IS LA Sh Sein SIS)aile.2)

ete Th oe fa aS SE SSS a Te

ite lsat = (PRL ait etl Re Ne ilo

Ht et
ett ae Te ae ee ale tet Sh ah Ge hay Te Set) teal)

| ey erect i ee ee Conon ES ROTH RRS OUD)
pot pe pt
| ho oe We eS SS eit St aN SSA HIS OA SKC 2

=o
Jor re array a nmcrmenon Santi

ine)
bo
a
oO
~I
=i] Gap ic) ee Wee ead OR Sa a cages ein |

iv)
SS
oO

375 | 745 | 360 | 447 | 816

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 249

VI.—PLAICE.
BurG-
HEAD DORNOCH FIRTH.
Bay.
‘ - : Peed ° » °
Cm, = 3)! Ske. 4) tae >. 7th December 1904.
Os | Os | 48 |Fid| 3a | ag
Ad a ae | ao a ae z :
ae an = a" me <7 Fem. | Male. ? Total.
5 = s a = 2 = ts = eS S
6 = = = = = - - 1 1
7 - - - ~ - - - - 5 5
8 - = = = = = - 1 7 8
9 - = = = = ~ - 5 5
10 - = = = = = - - = =
11 - = = = - - - - - -
12 = = = = = = - - 3 3
13 = = = = = = - - 6 6
4 S zm 1 1 2 1 z 1 3 4
15 - 5 - 1 1 3) - = _ =
16 - 2 = 1 1 1 - - = =
iy 1 6 = = = 1 1 ~ - 1!
18 - 5 = = = = = 1 = 1
19 1 2 = = = - 1 - - 1
20 - 3 = 1 1 = 2 - = 2
21 3 15 1 4 5 = 1 1 - 2
22 5 28 3 4 7 3 2 ll = 13
23 14 34 3 8 lil = 2 4 = 6
24 22 31 2 8 10 2 4 6 = 10
25 25 38 6 12 18 1 3 5 = 8
26 35 85 2 10 12 1 5 if = 12
27 19 28 15 20 35 1 6 - — 6
28 15 18 10 22 32 4 2 5 - i
29 10 25 10 20 30 8 4 3 - 7
30 9 8 13 23 36 8 6 10 = 16
31 16 10 8 22 30 1l 6 10 = 16
32 12 15 5 19 24 11 5 5 - 10
33 7 14 1 7 8 9 1 6 - i
34 7 6 fe ele DAL 9 5 4 - 9
35 8 8 2 6 8 8 3 3 — 6
36 6 6 2 8 10 10 ii - - 1
37 4 6 2 8 10 8 - 5 = 5
38 33 2 3 3 6 9 - - - -
39 3 1 = = = 2 - 1 - 1
40 2 6 1 2, 3 2 1 — - 1
4] = 2 2 _ 2 1 if = — 1
42 il 1 = - - 1 - - - =
43 1 = = 1 1 ey ~ - -
44 - 1 ~ = = - - - ~ -
45 - = - - = 1 - - - =
46 = = a! 1 1 - ~ = - -
47 - - - - - - 1 - = 1
48 = - ~ - - ~ - - ~ -
49 = = = 1 1 1! ~ - - -
50 - - - - - - - - - -
51 1 1 - - - - - - - -
52 = = = = = _ - - - -
53 1 al - _ - - - - ~ -
54 il = = = = - - - - ~
55 ~ - = - - - - - - -
56 1 = = _ - - - ~ - -

Part III.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

250

“TL |W | cl

oanyeutay

- =- =. - -

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all hana (ae OSE OTe Fly sla ee A OG eOGN EG ome ees er ames eee A Gel Oven (eo)
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ee] Vac OM AR SP SSS OA OG Pe SP Se) ies ca baton
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Et 0} | rae | em | Be | Ker Teeth (LS eal hes) GFN pal Ae [Me 8 P SS SE
ce ata era | SACO Do eae at a [ee tachi Wea (8) ADR et 9) tbe Fa cma Nicaea | ciel | orm hd | Bis
a eco Ut & I 6 ci cae earl Lat 4 é G Pel Kees | Boe ae | la = Ge |e I
E> it Fe aga (cs (ea gm (it Et Ea) Un ae | a = Va eae Pa ho ha) Sc nt
aie | ee meron tench ata toe mE Ge IG [saina [incon ipsa | Pam Cae st bn loa | at I=
= a fe Sel a hel SS al 1 Adi il a | S03 steels ee a=
Si (eed Ae || ee |e eee | me een ame ap lle, ae San rene enc Ieenlicnae | |=
ee eet SS Be ai | ees —|—|— ||} —
TL |W | A PD] WK | Ct | I | | “A | IL |W | IL) ‘HK | J] TW) Wy) a
adnny ‘ammyeuuuy jody Aptvan | cammgeuuy |odiyy AptvaNy adry oanqeuury = |adiyy Ajreon | “oangeuuly
‘a ze) ‘a

W

"GO6T ‘L AUVOUESY ‘AVA GCVAHOUNI—AOIVId— TIA

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

OSFT

rey ord

TOs} 629

oT

rc

29

252 Part 111—Twenty-fourth Annual Report
VITI.—COMMON DAB, ABERDEEN BAY.
Col I. Off Ythan, 13th Nov. 1900. Shrimp net, 6-9 fathoms.
- Il. Off Ythan, 19th Nov. 1900. Shrimp net, 2-10 fathoms.
», III. Donmouth to Bathing Station, 8th April 1904. Shrimp net, 4-6 fathoms.
5, IV. Donmouth to Bathing Station, 16th April 1904. Shrimp net, 4-6 fathoms.
35 V. Donmouth to Bathing Station, 26th April 1904. Shrimp net, 4-6 fathoms.
VI. Totals of JII.-V.
», WII. Donmouth to Bathing Station, 4th May 1904. Shrimp net, 3-7 fathoms.
5, VIII. Donmouth to Bathing Station, 12th, 18th May 1904. Shrimp net, 3-7 fathoms.
os IX. Donmouth to Bathing Station, Ist Sept. 1904. Shrimp net, 4-9 fathoms.
3 X. Off Quarries, 11th Feb. 1905. Smell-meshed net, 8-12 fathoms.
» XI. Donmouth to Black Dog, 27th March 1905. Small-meshed net, 5-10 fathoms.
», XII. Donmouth to Black Dog, 30th Jan. 1906. Small-meshed trawl, 8 fathoms.
f
Cm Us Ls |e MLElle, olf LIN Me thinly) WADE | ALU Ee IDG Xe 5 |) Xa eels
2 3 - - - - - - - 1 - - =
5 3 - 18 5 3 26 - 10 - - 1
3 4 ~ 60 17 13 90 3 2 43 1 4 3l
35) 5 6 | 104 55 54 | 213 10 8 75 1 7 99
4 14 13 61 76 54 | 191 iil 16 77 5 11 |} 105
95) 9 22 22 66 36 | 124 9) 25 51 4 24 46
5 16 26 12 54 13 79 i 14 15 1 28 31
5 19 23 4 We ip al 22 - 4 6 ~ 28 8
6 13 il - 10 - 10 - 1 1 - 26
15 19 6 il 1 - 5 ~ - - il 19 1
7 3 il - 1 i 2 - ~ - 5 -
5) 4 - - 1 2 3 - - - 2 -
8 2 - - 2 - 2 - - ~ - = =
2) - - - - 1 1 - - - - = =
9 - - - - - - ~ - 1 - - -
5 - - - - - - ~ - 2 - - -
10 - 1 - ~ = - = - 2 - - -
*5 - - - - - - - - 8 il - -
ll - - - - 1 i - - 9 - - -
D - - - ~ 2 2 - - 7 - = =
12 - - - - 3 3 - - 7 - = =
55 - 1 - 8 8 - - 3 ~ - -
13 - - 1 - 10 1 - - 5 - - -
3) - - - - 6 6 - - 4 - - -
14 - - - - 5 5 - 5 - - -
°b - - - - 6 6 - - 2 - - -
15 - - - 1 3 4 ~ - 4 - ~ ~
i) - - - ~ 2 2 - - 1 - - -
16 - 1 - - 3 3 - - - - - -
5 - - - - il 1 - - 2 1 - -
17 - - - - - - - - i - - -
3) - = - - - - - - 1 - ~ -
18 - — - 1 1 ~ - 3 - - -
5) = =, — t, -_ as a = sh = a
114 | 111 | 283 | 309 | 229 | 821 37 70 =| 366 18 | 154 | 328

SOA GOES) Fae OU ETE OOo SNS
oO

nn a ee |
~_O8, 2B NA aA fF WO NO SB So, . 4
CO ere ears PO Ce Oe Tt ne en we Os ROTC Cormeen) (OT Coy

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

IX.—COMMON DABS.
DORNOCH FIRTH—MORAY FIRTH.

I, 9th February 1905—64-10 fathoms. Col. V. 7th December 1904.

II, 31st March 1904. », WI. 27th December 1903,
ILI. 8th June 1903—10-11 fathoms, », WII. 28th December 1903,
IV. 22nd October 1903—8-13 fathoms.

VI. VIL.

I II PT |) “RV; Vv

Female.| Male. | Total. | Female.| Male.

- = = 2 4 ES a = - =
14 - - . 30 - - . - -
34 - - ~ 86 - - - - =
66 = - - 60 - - ~ - -
83 - - - 19 - - - - -
72 1 - - 8 - - - - -
48 1 - - 7 = - - - ~
33 il - - 3 - - - 1 1
uri - - - 2 - - - 2 3
8 - 1 1 - - - - 3 2
2 = i! - - - - - 2 -
2 - 2 - - = - = 1 1
2 1 - 3 - ~ ~ ~ 3 1
4 - - 6 1 - il 1 4 7
6 - 2 75 - 7 3 10 15 39
17 - ~ 98 2 9 9 18 43 59
23 2 es es 6 17 11 28 71 50
22 2 i 85 9 12 14 26 49 38
15 2 - 69 6 16 6 22 31 25
4 1 - 41 3 7 3 10 17 16
3 - - 24 2 6 4 10 11 9
8 2 1 8 2 5 3 8 6 9
10 1 2 14 1 3 5 8 6 9
5 3 - 9 3 3 5 8 Fy 11
5 5 1 14 2 7 6 13 7 8
a - 1 if 1 1 4 5 3 5
7 3 1 14 1 5 3 8 10 9
4 3 1 3 - 5 if 6 5 3
1 3 ~ 9 - 4 - 4 2 2
1 3 - 6 - 3 - 3 6 4
1 5 1 5 - il - 1 2 1
- 3 - 3 - il - i 1 1
- 4 - 12 - 1 - 1 1 1
- 2 ~ 3 - - - - 2 ~
- 1 - 3 - - = - 1 -
- 3 - 5 - 1 - 1 - 1
= is = 4 E ae 3 E: il Bi
a = 3 = od =. = = =

~ 1 ~ 1 - ~ - - 1 =
= - = 3 = = = = = =
£ = = 4 2 2 - 2 3 z
i. 2 = 2 s a. a 1 3 =
S eS = 1 = a = 1 = 2
= = = 1 = x = 3 = !
es = = 1 = 2 = 1 = =:
a = a 1 ~ me = 1 = Y=
524 53 16 | 724 | 258 114 78 201 312 315

Total.

_

Ptoteted tt t — 1 ae ppwworo

634

254 Part 111.--Twenty-fourth Annual Report
X.—COMMON DAB.

WitcH GrounD, Moray Fiera. BURGHEAD Bay.

*Col. I. 14th November 1908. Col. I. 20th October 1903.
55 Il. 28th December 1903. », Il. 6th December 1904.

» Ill. 28rd January 1904.

SMITH BANK.

Col. I. 1st April 1904. Orr FINDHORN.
» Ll. 23rd October 1903. Col. I. Ist April 1904.
», Il. 12th December 1904.
», LV. 27th December 1903.

OFF
Wi1TcH GROUND (off Cromarty). SMITH BANK. e yea FINnn-
: HORN
Cm. 1k IV.
I TI If. II Il I II its
Fem. | Male. | Total. Fem. | Male. | Total.
D) a J a = = i ie . s 2 a = & ge
15) - - = - - = il - ~ ~ 10 - - -
3 - = - - - = - - - - 27 - ~ = oF
o - - — - - = = — - - 8 - - -
4 - = = - = = = - - - 5 - - _
85 - - = = - = = = - - 3 - - =
5 - = - - = = - - - - im - - -
°5 - - - - = - - - - - 5 - - -
6 - = = - = = = ~ - - 3 - - -
"5 Pe =s ms ee = 3 =e = = Pa Rous = ah cs
7 - - - - - = = - - - 3 - - -
“5 = z & > x aj es § = ak x = =
8 Es a a a ie Be as a ns ie ea 3 a fe
D - = = - = - 1 2 1 - 1 - - ~
9 = 1 - - = = 2 2 3 2 5 1 ~ -
25 1 9 = - - 13 8 13 10 23 4 - =
10 1 8 - 1 1 2 25 28 ae 19 4] 12 - =
aby 4 18 3 2 5 1 47 85 31 42 73 11 - =
ial 5 4 3 8 11 5 66 | 111 48 55 | 108 - =
D i 7 4 7 ial 10 82 | 124 75 44 | 119 14 - i
12 12 1 5 12 17 8 54 99 59 37 96 10 - 2
aDestail 2 9 10 19 29 il 81 91 56 36 92 26 - -
13 7 3 11 34 45 3 68 87 35 34 69 16 - -
ay |p lis} 1 21 90 | 111 5 hh a 2s 41 26 67 24 - 2
14 6 1 23 | 116 | 139 7 (hy Al) 36 20 56 20 - 1
49) 9 6 41 184 | 175 8 89 | 118 42 22 64 18 6 5
15 5 2 44 | 115 | 159 10 63 ; 114 34 14 48 15 4 2
oh) 8 6 43 | 115 | 158 9 66 92 32 9 41 27 - 2
16 7 5 24 85 | 109 4 30 83 26 § 34 16 1 2
D 4 6 37 7 115 4 36 56 25 4 29 21 3 1
17 5 5 24 62 86 2 29 34 18 2 20 14 6 4
2) 5 7 23 61 84 3 22 45 14 - 14 16 8 7
18 1 5 19 33 52 = 16 25 7 - 7 0 4 1
5 2 8 24 18 42 3 9 22 6 1 a 16 6 6
19 5 2 20 21 4] 1 5 14 8 ~ 8 4 6 4
5 2 5 8 14 22 1 6 14 5 1 6 4 7 4
20 4 5 20 11 31 - - 13 3 2 5 16 14 6
21 2 6 11 7 18 1 - 15 2 1 3 15 14 2
22 1 5 11 2 13 i = 7 2 ] 3 2 10° 4
23 - 3 4 1 5 = = 2 2 - 2 1 9 -
24 - 3 U 2 9 - - 3 1 - 1 ~ 6 -
25 - 2 1 - 1 — - 1 1 - 1 i 14 -
26 - 2 3 - 3 = - 1 - 1 1 - 7 -
27 - 2 1 1 2 = = 1 - = = - 9 -
28 - = = = = = = 1 - - = - g -
29 - 1 1 - 1 = = 2 - = = - 14 -
30 - = = = = a = = = = = = 13 -
31 - - 1 - 1 = = = - - = - 8 -
32 - - 1 = il = = = = - = - 15 -
33 - = = = oa = = = = = - 5 -
34 - = = = = =! = = = = = = 3 -
35 - = = = = = = = = = = - 2, -
36 - = = = = 2 = = = = = = it _
37 _ - = = = = = = = = = = iL -
38 - = = = = = = = = = = = 1 =
39 - = = = = = = = = = = = 1 -
40 - = = = = = = = = = = = 1 -
45 - = = = = = = = = = = = 1 -

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 255

XI.— FLOUNDER.

Col. I, Lochfyne, 5th July 1901. Push-net.
Il. 10th Sept. 1900. 33

e Ill. 3 27th March 1901. a

ay Ve PF 16th April 1901. Rs

os V. a 23rd June 1903. e

a VI. A 13th July 1903. $3

Fe ANG 31st Aug. 1901. a

eae AVAL, Dornoch Firth, 25th ie 1901.

1 IX. Annan, 23rd Apuil 1900. Shrimp- -net.
X. r 24th May 1900.

.s XI, Dornoch Firth, 30th Maieh 1904. Otter-trawl.

XL.

Fem. | Male. | Total.

-
o

e
a OSs) Ti (a eae

or ow or on Ox

W.-H...” 60.
SSS Cero Green Oo Cy eon oF
PAS PRET A TS eee ee ae

=
- me.
Oo OK

15
16

on

Vigil Weal Wet Vad Wee} nc CPt AS aT (eee Ciel Le Foc te bese UL Wal Fred Goth (Se (Tie [Viet — ST Laat TIG BST Cast Cis Tet =] ie ITT Cs al Vi ss Le (a
Fleet ts Pest VSR ol Cte Pel eel PT ahd RH AC) Te RT Ves Vast Vaal Yi met Coes et (aed Pe ul Foe Fao

_
Cosson ee sirentenenr al TT Uh Aree ST Te aT se TT Te a at ST TE eT TE TS Sa Tr ih Te al

—!

_
_

a
LT el cet GO el cell ell ee ell ll 0 eS ll cee SS GG GD

Pee web tM abe a cb
Pi STs hy Ng AUST MRS CY He ae FA VASAT ATS el Uc Gee fe VA TA Ta Fa] (ag Ul Fa

ee ee
MPR Dr! PNWOAAanDh

—_—_—_—_— | ——_s | | | | | | | | | |

Part II. — Twenty-fourth Annual Report

256

TF rr

Of 1 GE] SEN ZSL IPPSr Senet Ir Wee" oe er eee") 60T | SF |"@9 Scr | O13] 8hZ] €9% | FIL] 6FT] sZT | G8 | £8 | e IL | a
- =- |= f- 27 Wem alters 2 ileseiee ie lac team (i =a |e ite ara lie = = [eesrale = |= i= STL See eR
= Set ie Seton A rete Slee PC eal Msn a EG Se - |- ]- - |- 0Z
= ale | We i oes She ah ec ell ese eG aes fy let lai ee Wet ae ji ese Pe eM
= Se hed lite Teta see (aml (a Shean Peer || Scalia = it he - |- |- - [- 61
S Sale sy ES Lae a= ie | cca | al = | Seung Were fee MES TeyleGoalllar i a eins lee
= = Nai Galler Sl) =a wl hal ol ok z |9 OL | ZI | 61 8 | ile Sei = Se Wee SI
= =O Gi ce Ghalicl Sa Pale [Gs ja ti 8) ee a) FL | ST | SI 6 |9 | et ie aio seg fi Gaal eer
- Se =e Qi Co ebbelee Te lees ie =/\'e lee ee We 1 ie =| el | 02 | 9T BS. | On PW See Ca sje
= =H ll ae CaaleceaeD > Fie life La tee ee ers lad IL | 61 | 61 De Nee 2 "ees ee aes
I = (Mien 1h ie = illest [hacen ? Tem eT Se SSS SOT Meal eves lap SeskOuelat ieee 9L
= aol |i) he DRM LE eal Teele Tea istonee Tu leceslee alive HONORA Ae MISE IG sie re) AW OVE Wye ASG teh
I Deleon Ce ae = tlpasweltel! = |1.16 eG NAT ie lS OT) FL te ier arg Te Wiha ait =F aT cI
I Lo = bern le Pe ei Ta eel ae We Were Soy MPP | at i S Ge amy ie GP res ie We alae Se Ta
- 3G Mall cep pater ie =e eb, Tease teal: Pe |G NG Sete OIG keen (eOua| "Oyen Goa ae ea aven FL
I Seley NEL T Gicrl Oi ak = Ju ale, Tealecoalae peer an Ee rz ACN WR AR? Pelee = =) ile aluge
I CW a cee Reveal 0 ls [Ge ig 3 (eI bia Dele er| 2 |9 Ce Cale leea aQua plc Gia lie el
g @ Alesse ie | leiiedhecs Seat ne nae feel j Borel igi ent jtecm|le fu Bl eek nar Or Os lace cle LINO eG 1 See ame
G Gr |e RS Ge ahh Sei qesalet (ieee pats Don Gane = ic Se ulicle ae He eG eal eae ein lala ele ZL
j ll oS Soalecen le le aleteelita Lee tenes ie Pia ee je Al ED stale ee Gi (eGlalte tees). ein | = iaeel
‘6 ean lay Golkee alee ae. (Sas bop Sop sg (Ce el fa =i led SP PemainG I 1+ 16 Oe ine rib II
ib ee WG =. 15 P= ct ales aia = free See Se ee Oe pe 1b If eae ic Tone ceealiaes
- = |= p+ - }|- |- - |= |- ial Se GS TIPS eles ll ve Cote lng z\|- OL
I a ee Ceara lee [vee Temes as TeailbGenlae joel bie Geulee Pale lis gels p | Same (emp Wl “| lesen et
6 | Oral eae) jel 3 Ne pe Seal ite em Tee ip we | [Ge St all bee |= | = ate =e Sp 6
P ee ee) he ral Desk = gic Ale bil joe Se |) Guire oa Tee ooh pt as aie = een
ie - |t f- - |- |- - |- |- =| = || - ae een htc et ae ie Saree hye | = |= 8
ra Lot ie = |= |= =a Soria Se it Le ie Wise Sp iliee Te= = ales = |" aces
I Tt she =) ae alt= - |- |- - |- |- alee [a i |S = tli = }= = - |- |- - |- ii
I =o le = Sere seid | eae |= =a walliee a || Selle sabe lire Ni = eels Sa = Se elees
- - |- |- - |- |- - |- |- - |- [- - |- {TI = a0 =—"|= |= - |= |= - |- |- - |- 9
- - |- [- - |- |- - |- ]- - |- |- =i IT, = aly = |-, |- - |- |- - |- |- = Jeoheq
— — — — I _ — — — _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ —_ — _ — — -_ ¢
THIOL, | CW] A Peo | IN | A [TRIO | CW | a TRIO A | THIOL IN | a TRIO | CW | A TRIO WW | cr 1eOL | I | at ero | we | Sat [TeOL | IW |
“9
‘C06 “C06 “C06 “CO6L "CO6T "CO6L ‘PO6L “340g WOT! “FOBT “3deg "FO6L “FO6L
‘ydog 44Gz AVIN—[®401, Av U4F% Av UIST Avy 439 [udy puzz |} puz—syeqoy, | YIOT pue WICT “ydog 436 ‘ydog puz
‘NVNNV
‘SdVd NOWAI—M IX

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

XIII.--LEMON DAB.

257

Col, I. Moray Firth and Aberdeen Bay, 8th-13th October 1900.
- Il. 5% 31st October-9th November 1900.
s, III. Totals of I. and IT,
;, IV. Near Fair Isle, October 1990.
tp V. Aberdeen Bay, 8th October 1900,
VI. i 3lst October and lst November 1900,
ae WY Pe 23rd October 1900.
VITl. November 1900.
V. VI. VII. VIII.
Cm. IE 1G Hy 089 Ne
Ble |p ler tilts. |) Be, eee | DS, ic | Me US i eee Ws CB
|
9 - - - = Fe ea = -{| -| -] -
“5 = a = ee Seal Sey DT ES i (| ee mea ee Mee |
11 - - - Se hes al pe Aig eee ead petal etd ices Fi Vo Ua YAN
5155 ~ a - By a ee na Le Ae eas = a ee
12 - | 1 1 aoe cos ao le we Dk | Qe -| -
a - | - - Sola pes alta UN ieee li Kat ea Rs ba a le |P
13 - | 3 3 a eal et irate) malo [ys ee bee
5 - 1 1 | Beer geile alg eer Bh >| Qh < 7" Tae
14 19 | 2 3 =| fiee Tell REAM 2-08 |e a8 eS Ua cma par RU i |
oi 1 | 1 2 =p eee eee a | Sete = eae
15 ay 3 4 ie sat He east Ae ical ( Cea ie =
5 — 8 8 CS Pee ret re eed) pe een es De a a ee wee
16 =| 9 9 Cee le a sl a ee
a ie 7 8 -| - = ee Deleon iy sores Te ie gh STi Fl
17 1 | 9 10 2| —|.= CN Ne fae 04 Ha I Wl |S (ie =
o Piha gl 14 SN ar eee feel Lt | be eee Fa Ue a ae eal |e eet |
18 5 13 18 Beha 4 leat ai lta Ma Hea lp wells [ie ft amelie HR || ele
34) 12 12 24 Si Soe ae ee ee Ren ea ear es a
19 9 11 20 Sie} = =|. =e Bile laely Sil tLee
3) 3 3 6 ee (0 US ed a ee eee ea ee
20 9 6 15 eee eee ee ee eee EI cate, (|p ee
*5 8 6 14 0 Vi ee fa (cel Veal (eg mn Rf | a a
21 16 7 23 Ae) A, SL = eee Sa a= -| -
7) 9 7 16 SJ ie a ete— f decal hr ea iene 4 I a | |
22 10 9 19 a oie a ee WS Bee 2 = a =
“ty 5 4 9 ~| -/| -} -]j] -] pe de He all Cth = fe Ses
23 13 GH 19 | edi eS Sete eh) ee Ay Soh eth eel be teh eae | ee =
ay 5 peak!) > tases | er | mas teen mre | Oat | ree ees ee Yt Ee
24 4 ii 11 - ye eee | eee ee Le YT Ne al | na
*5 8 3 11 a ice | Al Pere at ES eo (ase et ey a
25 2 4 6 DN | eel Eh oe eal Srl eed) eed) RE
5 5 6 ll Sl pod Sa) we heel Fell Bee fetiegerh eS] Sa) Fe le
26 6 3 9 SPS eS ete AS a a em a il ea holt pS
o4) il 5 6 Oa | See pm ig ee am je (aig a eal lb
27 4 1 5 ii dpe So CEU eS ea eS igeel ea ee ah =
a, 2 1 5 Sf yf ee, | eS Sa Gees ea Det
28 3 2 5 1 Glee Spe gl] Maa eee) FST tn a Get (ey
“al 1 5 6 =i =e ee ee ee
29 2 4 6 2) asf SAW Dl ol Seg ee Sal al a eee)
5 4 3 7 Rat ers es eee ees tae tee ean
30 I i 12 tL YRS jaa) ee Wp ree Rar | ee Ee Ct Ea ee]
"6 4 3 7 Z| =a OT eat ae ee Fay ee
31 A 1 7 Srl aires. eed le SAS) Pall Sareea Wh a) P| =
15) i) 1 6 =e a—a|) colle tee — Ns ae Ze =
32 4 3 7 Py i=) =| =|) = = ee ee fe ad eo
fi 5 ~ 5 4 Vio mt eS | aR he Fy ae a a a ee |e
33 11 — 11 (iM yf Sa apes dl | ec gl Sa i ane be Ue ea
“5 9 2, ll Fat A eR fies ta) | = Ed fi he a ie
34 17 Zs 19 Tl) yee tl Sa S| Fede Sy) a ea, Sal | bd)
5 14 - 14 Py SB Gee ee Ni ea) aT RE | fe eS | |) ea joe
35 14 2 16 7 Sei sot cee} | els be Sen ee Ag ce jo MES! I el [iw
“Hy iy - aly, Ge eae et a ee Pe he eh
36 24 2 26 OF Pah <7) ees) Be ee a ee | ee =
a, 23 5 28 Sh te a Pah = a i a econ b: Ree
37 12 2\- 14 28 ETI, RPE Seth eA RR 9 By fa) Rey ame ey TD
5 15 2 17 We \ ete lh eee etal ge ald So fms (eS gee tech eel 22
38 il - 11 Pech oS = = = = = = = =
5 9 1 10 11.1 SS oh ie emcee | Bes | Rea Ge 4 = pire

258 Part I1].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XITI.—LEMON DAB—continued.

Vv. AVAL VII. VIII.

Cm. Mf Ji TWH qh JOY
LO PAGS Mies toe IO ENB iis || 1a |] Well.
39 15 - 15 9} -}| =| -]| - -| -] - - -
5; 7 1 8 AN =o) = aah oe] ah = dle =
40 10 1 lead 4 = a Ml Reena rea eels
D 5 1 6 5a =| = -}| =] = -| -| -]|] =
4] 1 x 1 yl CEN fat Pe la FA a =} i)
io 3 - 3 4} -| = -} -}|.-] -] - = |=
42 6 - 6 4) =) —-} -}/ =] -] =] =] =1 =
3) 5 1 6 7m leek tlh kl Ven vem eae fees Sal | |
43 1 1 2 38) -| —|-|- -p -}-=-—] =] =] =] =] =
‘5 2 : Zt Ti ee es a ee ee me
44 x au Ne eS et a) a al ay ee
5 1 = 1 te Lb ea ea) ap Su eect (a= 20) ae
45 - = = eS Sh eel au] a ei) =] =
5 eS 4 S Bia be dd Bes] Bee Zea S08 Sa
46 : = 5 ee Peer ees ee ee ee ee ee
5 4 i eas ee ee eee
Az Se eg i elf Ste ee _ |
5 z ES E Pa ea ee 2a) A eee | ae
4125) 227 | 689} 182) 9) 34) 12+) 14) 63) 20') 18 | £22) 305) = 2) eee

i]
XIV.—LEMON DAB.

Col IX. Aberdeen Bay, 6th June 190). i Col. ee Firth of Forth, ae 23rd July 1901.
ra X. Re 30th July 1901. K JIU. :, , 24th July 1901.
Sipe 31st July 1901. hb ee Axx ae ’ August 1901.

5 Sb 5 21st August 1901. res XX. Smith Bank, Moray Firth, 23rd Oct. 1901.
elite a 10th September 1901. es D.O.0 +s hs 8th Nov. 1901.
5 IV 3 28th November 1901. cal SNORT: ae 27th Dec. 1901.
ee 17th Deeember 1901. ih Sy O-C 00K Dornoch Hinths ess 22nd Oct. 1903.
esos Histh of Forth, I1I., May 1901. |
| XVI =
| . a — _ . - —
Chige Aleehae || oo eS FeinaiF tthe < oS etss|
Norssia = es. a | ia) = ; aie lel al KIT KI es
|S je |e |e PR | eR] 2ile|S]x |e) ew] HR | Re
| | = & |
|
9 a et al Reel ee Gime ml te igh Ms ae a in het) Cae Se es |e} 2
D = - =e = 2 = 2 = = Sia = = ~
10) i eae fee = HD 5 aetna = 1 25) 9 a
“Me aes Ng ea Be a hase ee ee hc 2 PE SS anh =, Nine

Ailey ee, <he De oh ae th z ah 1 el oe Siew) =) 0 er

ead ake ed ee ee ee ee ye aes Su =

12 ep ee aie eae fe |e adalah] Gl Mo=) = ge a

3) ie 1 TH ie = = = = = = = |) 2 = = =

13 pe Rea ee i ae | ie = 1 pelo) aa Dey 20d ot

1a Gane cm SO Wa aa Oe ees eg | ela Yi Sy el Fah Bh) =. || 3 ieee

14 =] = 1 it = + = 2 = = 2 1 ead x 1 =

5) - | - - ea - - il 3 - 4 3 - } 1 2 1 -
15 ae PS eS a at ls 6c say ol aye ci
5 i, 4 oe ae eee, ye Nl i ae MR a eS sh)
16 Se ee eam ce an ee (es a aS IR Mie 2S | k=
5 Bee Nab Ea) eee pee ee es tg See

17 Sai bs eee so) Soa) Pee ee a 9) el 2 ale ae en

gi | regen Me Saat Beas Sects Hw ls ara, tacoma Sy cia ade ob STs ree

18 Ex ie 6 | ee ee i a ee eres Pin ps

eb.) 2b le oh oe dee TP) ah fy 2 ileset

19 - 2 ~ 1 1 — ~ - - - - 1 =e Pane - 2 -

5) ~ ~ 4 - - - - - 1 1 2 ~ | 3 - 3 -

XIII.

x

WP UP Tet] TIE A CP

259

DEES tee ae Se eC leet estiouioetis Ta hatte Weutheity Miele Meme steclien lutein malleul lec teartecaT eat cite tial) ety aa iiel

“TIXX

Te est eT eat eNOS ah SS ete oh a es et i ee a ees

LDS Ca RT Mo St -—- Leal RS iC Dine Wet HR] Fi] ic Jud Mt ne Uw Tt Lest mies! Hime) Loomer Ueki aed Pa oe fad a Use Eien Vet ied Pele Uf tbe mL ie Le!

SOUS Or cb MU ied tie hs UU Tce th AL ete ab SIRS SUS ST Ue UU LI Tee the Ute tee The Me Ve 1) Te she Oh ae Le a ee De]

| |
i
XX | hoy 15 Cu [eb Mags ial Pia aad me i (| (a amt i! RN) At (EL Ye foi il at Ph Lal Aas ce Catt et Jam mt Ct ie Cm) [am Ae is cd lV oat fm] Yt ml Fel fo Call Noe ttl Ye ead Seas me al ie
U
| !
| |
| |
fmt SCUpees Mess TM (Set STF Tat Ta HL ne at eS CN fake IAAT TADS ESS SL eet edd we Le TGS TE SST ha TM LL sat hen es Rem ES TE tM alt 1 Moet EL fof ell Lt |

LH Sm A Sa Wek i Wet Er Nes WL mas UO] cat TY UP Vat DSTI i cai et “oad saat TR Tt LG Wess Pe Pi Pet SAYT ST at aS nef Ss Lee FUSS poet ee) (Set HOT PST beet Ee Lie |

XVI.

LeU WS Ut AY liaise) Nite tlh Ais FTC Nite th US oO HW I Th (Ta A a a) Sa) este Teeth gh Th teen

Vitae We ot NEA ail uiless oss Put faa ios teal fetes Oa tS IP EUSP eh the tect Ty Sur eu Satan MONT DW Ge Tey Pee ee Te te Th Te Td)

|
mal Vie GUT Val leat fCos Waris bards lise de Nor ocuen Mos costiel Co Lbwel el Ledbeottiel lool [Je Uhewlleothenthomie alle slbeett ol A oll af olicel) stile Lhe ws adhe Le Tie dial
i]
1
|
'

i}
1
Lit ole tl rh lye OS Aegeter Eat Lela ML a LOD aL ty eta es
!
1

io TLR OP it UL WALT — ah Dt RT PE a UP! GR PN Tas PO ek UM FO JO LTS ce CP LP wo CM CMa SSG Fe FT (SIME HL t 9) RL SMTA Pate a LN pet]

| ie ie) ML ar OL Ue SAS DS Ho GO tt Ue Fest il OS UME YC ca = PR MI Heth | BOT Ute Fea Gh eaten ee IPN ede te teed tant” UM Pam) \ Vie an a Wee St Pe erie eS

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.
XIV.—LEMON DAB—continued

1
aonb ap Lj dl SR Ene = Mo oe oman el ie eo eat ne Lan cei me nia,
1

U) COSE CC fs A LE US Ue aL SVS aS SPSS CTS ate Tei UT (Oe TR ee WD AL ie aD eS NP Wee te Ee oa in

i
U

x | srt PINT LIN TIM IA LMOMNNTMOHN | ANHHNANTHHRONAMMHAMCOH AIA! | Ie i
'

|
I
| co
~MOIMNMAN MH MIGHOONIINT HH | MHA HR 1TH N 1 Per | tet tl bk tl la a he
!
|
ge eae lari Se ke mee A SLES a aE er ee Peta ee eee i ae We eT

Cm
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46

260 Part LI1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XV.—LEMON DAB.

Col. XXIV. Dornoch Firth, Moray Firth, 11th November 1901.
oe XXV. Off Lybster, 22nd ne 19038
i XXVI. Firth of Clyde, 5th September 1899,
eh EPCXOVIT, ar 4th October 1899.

3) OAL s Sthi 45; a

| ; XXXVI. XXVIII.

Fem. |Male. 2 i'Totalt

Fem. |Male.| ? | Total.

i

Tit anes Ce aE PTY ct eS fd
4

trop d t tb bb bob bot mb bb bt met ete me ae Pw wt I RIN NNN OR CIO RRP ON bee | I tll

Hed <0 Nat Vet enti CA test ett Cue Ge eu Se! ft Un

PEP TESA Ufa ay pref TESTE eT ae Pe] ct be tp ete al
DATO ONWOMN ADM! ' tt tf to tll
Ten DO FO SD OG |

—_
fo)
Le Gd CO el |

ES
Wal ete ele tate
LS bead (oe

i “te WH ee

[Ed fore l fm eT fae

on

on
|
|

to
oO
|
I

Gerth, le We Tere Vi tte 2 Ay Te a TIS ARS SM GU TOMI AP SOT Sis] Sey Conte il les sal Saye ats

elie lel

Sl nea Jose eres et recat ered Vere Ce co Ves Ge at foe nll Ys i Vat Feet LT ot MTS a

on
(fae (tert 9) Sa (an Se Pe (fea P|

et ae Th fh We WT AT ST SET St St ps A a SP Sie TPT SUP ae al) ST IES OTS TST SST SS TST UL SL

Lf Let CANE SEM ies re TTY TES fi Spice ets Ch Sa Uy PB oN SL ett UT on EU) ST Set RHR a ie a ae Ls AUT cet” RF Vg Lema (ah CT ET LA TP Tach St — S| Sh | ny Cr be

[yl keel seat he Air dF Neate i me a) kal SEY "ih [ral Leis ini ft DA = taro fe) st hal et i () | [i 1d Mit Ut Fe Ud

TlemeLT UIT Ne tN a] Vie set WR SST [Pd be He (| dH
Uh ee eit eee SS Nene Lee Vg fires Leal Seah sd ed Ace Lact (st Sere J

A ALE ATS ELT STEEN Peal lie 8) oe TPs
i

me |
ee USWA WUE le aise [ei elle SURAT TE Yeo SVP S1Ve STs ie sti Paris [ts ffm sy vat Ti i Ley fiat tat Pi I Pasty a wy OTC Gen oh ube ry) ate el ial (aed ie eet a (oie

|
|
|

bo 5
St Serrerniererrmen Cerwin «ii ame neice taEeW rer rir

eee ee te ee ce RT eT CA lil 8 ee SAS

~y
On
On
oO
to
ro)
i
i
co

lrnre

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

“TRIO0,

| aurysany ao ‘axnoup outa

Gls 8éL PLT 901 8F 8¢
I a I = : x
G a G = a 5
- - I - I
\t a I = Es

j a z Say we

P * eer I T’ L
I = i z 3 G
él Tt Il 9 9
Ol T 6 P i €
IL I Ol ¥ I &
OL Z 8 i Et ie
VAL 6 g G I {| a
06 OL OL & I 1 iG
92 CT Il ¢ & | 6
GG FL 8 8 G 3
0€ GG Q ¢ g ‘
8% cI él IL IL 5
&& OL & ¢ P I
&@ 9 LT A S G
96 OL a i I I
val OL Pp 8 id P
L ¥ & Ti p L
IL = I 6 § 9
G S G ¢ I ig
G = G if I €
I = I P i €
G I I = i a
& G I = 5 3
& I G = = 7
I i = a a a

‘eqoy, | ‘ore |opemay | ‘yeyoy, | “oye | oemog

‘OBL AVN UIST ‘ZO6L Arenuve yyCT

‘NaGaUAdy 140 “AIOR= DOG

ike gIg | 69 [1g ) #8 ect | ¥2o | 969 ) Oe | 80 | ZOT col
2 a - - - a - I I ~ - :
Zp f ‘ i - - : I T : - -
: - I : : - : ; - I
2 "i Z I - I ~ - = : - -
e S - - ; > I I = -
- - I I = I : I I - - 7
- = I I = i = I I = = I
Fe I ~ = = G G = =
: a : z - - z z z : : I
a > ; z : - Z rd z - - I
2 Z ~ z - L I F P = : Zi
= = p z sas z G 6 6 7 = F
= i. 1 ¢ - - ¢ ¢ G = . ¢
2 IL i = b q G - - ¢
. - 1 6 = 6 9 9 = = q
- I IZ ZI : I IL l L - - at
= l Ig GG = Or 9T 91 = = 6
- Z IF | - al 8 8 ~ IL
~ 6g qi = I al 8 8 = - 1%
- z OF wz | z 0z ! ! - - ZI
- F 6F jo ee - at gL 91 - - 91
: Zl Ww SI i I Gl 8 8 = = igs
- Zo 88 oh ale g uL rL al - - 02
- OF 78 61 - 9 gL 8 8 - . it
= cP 1G FL = § IL gl LT I 0€
- ee &% LT = y Ol I ! g NG
- 99 GT a - D 9 8 ¢ g 61
- be Or 8 = L 1 oL ¢ OL
- CF 8 ral - 9 9 61 ¢ g 8
- 8% 9L AT = L OL eg I 6
- at o% 81 = l I U Ul cL 9%
~ 2% &P Ze ~ z 0z Z6 al 1g 9g
~ cs OP && = Il 6G GOL €I G9 PIL
~ oF 91 OF - 66 1 GL 9 8¢ 601
2 91 PL 8h - og €L IF ; ge 68
= 8 & §L = GL I ot = OL CE
5 = I - - ~ - ¢ = L l
- - g € - 3 = = =
€ - - L L ~ : ! L - -
91 = = 0€ 0€ ce 7 Ge cG = i
&% = = Lg LE = = 1G 1% za 9
8 : - 9 9 = = ra ra - T
¢ - - I I : - Z z - i
is ‘OV, | ayemag | ‘1201, & ‘OTP | oyeMeg F °[8zO], é ‘OVI | oTVUME “6061
am] “AON Url
‘stay OF
FOGL A9qQuIOAON psgz rane ern
‘smOYyeA OG FO6L tdy 481 se S ceitabieaG hepa i
avaH NHOHANIY 4x0 “6 ‘avaHDung 440 ‘aNQo0uy HOLM | ‘aNa0Uy |
PPL: isa ho 3 5 . Pine! , ' HOLIAA Ft

*ertwsry

TTYTrr m raTF Cok N ATS wT." F A XD

“a

262 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XVII.—TURBOT.

Col. I, Aberdeen Bay, 18th September 1901. Push-net on beach.
50 Il. Annan, 27th November 1900. Shrimp-net.
; ITI. .. 23rd April 1904. Shrimp-net.
», lV. Montrose, May 1891. Stake-net.
” Vv. ” June ,, ”
” iv ” July ” 99 trie
, WII. Aberdeen Bay, October 1901. Small-meshed net.
», WIII. Burghead Bay, Moray Firth, 9th, 10th November 1903.
Ae LX 53 - 26th December 1903.
4p X. ‘3 50 oP 21st, 29th November 1904.
By pA 5 35 3 6th, 12th December 1904,
»» II, Totals of X. and XI.
5, XIII. Burghead Bay, Moray Firth, 6th, 7th February 1905,

Cm. Is 1, | We | vee Vi. RVD] 9 VALI] AVALOS TERE | SEX 0.6 Ryo.d0G | O.g0l

nN
of et
hoa tet tab i 1g

00) eS OO

te
No - ©

i
wo . . . . .
oO oOo or on Or or oO OO oO

SU SL sere eS CoS ESSE eCard P= set]

es
oe

Hei et) ltd RS PSS SUES eer Tesi i TRS i eet TPC ett |

PT AY ete em ies ST ae hose (Te aE? Ths AP CTT TTP SOUT Vries Tan Pst wa Kea Tig) hea Ferrante Te ea TS Pl fess eT ate of

i eS one Dene ART Te ah Uh We Th Oe th i ST USS IDO) TPS tC ESTP ste st fi oC Fis ati a Gs — 3

(Vath bebe TTR teh lei ih TW td TP SCE hte PP ES Ch PT SC CSL SU tle Teme et Viet) PRON eset Poe MPR ect oa Fad] eC Hie eth aad of) el

3 & a 2 = i - -

3 J - - - - - -

1 i - ~ - - - -

5 il - - - - - -

a 1 = ES = = = =

il = = a RF an Le =

3 2 - = = ~ = -

2 2 5 = i = S -

7 - i = = - - - -

5 & x = pe 2. = 2 ey ae
16 1 2 - - = -- - - -
45) - 3 - = - - ~ - 7
ify - - = = = = — = =
5 us -£ a. =) > zy hy <= a
18 = 3 = = = - = = =
5 - - 1 = = - - - -
19 2 = 2 = = - a a =
43) - 1 - = = - - - -
20 2 2 1 - = - - - -
5 = = = < = _ = ee =
2 2 = = a = = es = ae s
5 - = nk: Gel = ae > ys ies ‘de
22 » = = = = e ‘a fe = &
5 Re » = = as ES cs * a zs
23 i - ~ - = - - = - -
155 1 ~ - - = - - 1 it -
24 = = = = 2 = = = = =
5 ¥ = ay es = uf = = ihe =
25 = = = = = = = x = a
“5 1 - - - - - - - - -
26 = = = = = = = = = =
5 eS 2 a, = af) ts a. a = = at
2/ - 1 - - ~ - - - - - -
9) - = - = 2 - - - - - -
28 - iI - - ] - - - ~ - -
5 eS az: £ =< 1 fe ss = a = =
29 ~ - - - 2 - - - - - -
5 - ~ - - 2 = - - - ~ -
30 - - - - - 2 - - - - - ~
Aids £ = = = 3 + = 2 - Ps ie es
31 - ~ - - _ 1 - - ~ - - ~
“5 =: 2 a = = a 7 ae a oY a - By

of the Fishery Bourd for Scotland. 263

XVII.—TURBOT—continued.

| Cm. Le pi Ee | Ps ef BAe Hrs WO¥ Doo hi V ELH] WELK. ees eee, PC OE

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

‘
|
{

Deel ad set

Joey feet = OE gt
Tet Ves Fala
Pea it

| a fe

1ototot ot met tot

1 Tel 8 esd

Weed (eel fim eat VT bea

Nee | Kop dwre| | ee

LF WS

PoC Lumet Maar P(e Waa | Fat ee te fet 18 2 TPL Fe | DN eT YT Natal te! Lae)
HER fea | Poo) Fe tT (Sat) (yf Tes Pa] FO (Ef Vi Red UY (il Pt prs cat tome d et Ua OU Ln 8d Ta TV

fied Fe (mend Viet Ti Fa Si CST PN ST =] i) GD fr) et) Rt LT Pd 2 VL SS hy 2 a de

sa ad Vie Ue et Pred ne TY STIS TVR st Batis (i ao A Taek Pst He STP (aed Mt SET A 8)

{Tome Emer ex sy em er Via Nat We sy Cea Prat Ue) Ram Tg We Te

ed Bat it et Ge eA a

Tne i} Peet Teseet TSF SH Ta SS Pe SCV et S08 (Pad SY YT a PT SPT A271 |

Pte Tae are tT eT ie Thee es pets

TPR iim Tle TY SATE TU Sie et Let TT Lhe WaT tat om tT ee UemtTate VRESTT OEUt aMCT igh Ul ( 1 ah Uae et Se et

Pr Ptbb tb tbe bb bb ba bb bb tt bh tte eee NWR Pt PENNE oOwoR) | eee

oO
posh
(ei leatfee omy oot een eat tecertes fem {leh (eet eo( esa) ey Ped ume fae (eee taka eset Casal Vogl Fouts Sheds) (ut hue! neal amt Chat (sa ee es a) ied Ce iat Gs Km ns Tr Cwm Isat owed LN at a etd | Ot Lis Nama ME YORE) UE 19} a)

Ae FV thowlle {Viele AV of ttle Siete th th tl of) aT) SITET eT Mare Tt HOTTA ST) TEC MITE TRCN IT: Tbr Steet C Sate TTT i CTS TS yr)
(tien Pere OMtERa IIe NieLMMl) -sttoettaney 0 memes! eal pea aim Leelee tlogte etme WP aU ath RU aC aah aS AA 0S, DIS IE CLA LTR A Dame Seal

{GS Ges Dea Fi Ss Oa yet i UL) em Ea ci ca

[ered cnttear ieee tlc hema tke ee leet ed lm iomrlenlt siLiestie Mot UPd centt nl

feos tee 5 of fis fam Viki Niet Tame eat) d Hee Pac ile Tat Yac i! Gas Te ed (a

fe ec CT bo We esa met det deme DQ ahd Se RS Wi F(R A Ta |

Tithe Fl Ty STP TT eet TT Se Ts at oe UD TSS TT So Ta PRS dT ia Fe = Ti

A ere Teh Te ee Teh Te RST a a aie SS Si eT Neon TP Re Ya SPS Tet a

UTP wipe TT Ve Te Tye SE TT 11 Sart Thiet ater aT Re eT Us Steet iL tLe tS Sat etl lr ss Vs

w
—
jk
wo
i=)
—
“I
nak G
_
me
Oo
uo
co

Ww

Je)

or

to
to
to

64

. Totals of VIIL. and IX.
‘I. Burghead Bay, Moray Firth, 6th and 7th February 1905.
. Dornoch Firth,

. Aberdeen Bay, 6th, 7th June 1901,

Part [11,—-Twenty-fourth Ammual Report

XVIII -—BRILL.

. Aberdeen Bay, 18th September 1901. Push-net on beach.
. Annan, 30th April 1900. Shrimp-net.
. Montrose, May. Stake-nets.

5 June. a
Jul

. Jy:
. Bur zhead Bay, Moray Firth, 9th, 10th November 1903.

” ” > 25th, 26th December ,,
oC 3 x. 21st- ‘O7th November 1904,
6th-12th December 1904.

45 9th November 1901.
5 me 10th, 11th November 1903.
25th, 26th December

+9

—

Ae WT iTS Bt Sad]

I

[TPs Vitd eet Peas ial eA tread st food lectern Lt Ceeest est Vcd Fosmd eat ete Ged Meco teres col peal foe

[= et Pe eis)

Pa ee tee ie ee ee eee HP Te Reta eh

TNR = Con ST et ee at
1 Om 1 DOL eee | PROOF} ) bt} tl ct cd ld

Tee So DO ee |

PVE TL SE SUL ert bea) LULU EDS ee) aE AT Ue ct heat Cent Bie

th tt sib ate TE ea ib Se dt
Leah Ped SLT Sak ml ail Nee tT Oe al lt se Ti ieee =e Nal

mcm ete] 1 | | i lt tf i
Lem mA Cee TS Li Lh I Tey fies sT taf [imme tars fame! Hil His) eat Kram Vt Hit =a Vad

Teak eset cat Fe Fl Yeon

(fh oe SSS AES Te) et TET SS TMS TE A SH N= th Ui) Sel eee tel

ee he

ot eae Pal

110) SV. | Ve VE VER IVIL 1X. |X. | Ree
= 1 ma = = = = =
Vite Cae es aes aE | re
Base ace | tes a A Dep | he
= = 2 Bre ba es 2 a s =
Zz 1 2 = = -| - a z =
St ACL halen bal ee ile =
— — = = = — — | — =
= Dy) 1 £ = =
= z 1 = s 23 = =
AES OA Bilal’ etn ee: é
Be eke ame en pe mae a Ke
a 9 1 e = 2 a
SUNS jet ol Seale pee] eae:

4 =

bie RS mae FE 1) Lett Fd He > a Jp ant Wt Fst tt) me Ute TPS a sah Led WP

XLV 5 Nove

eT etfs a) ot fomal tonal |

mel et es Comet) Gee (Fekete Fes

Pr Hh ehh 5s) HL YT | Ot a a Ft a et Fas JH UI inet Pa) Piet Jaa mer (my fore Ramis AS Fy f=

Die earl es eee eet De Ty bem oe

Hlicrte atic dlicsalicnsticeal

{fhe YP WY Wie Pat FSS TSSat Yas RSL i == Pe Vert Spe ime ¢ tore re Pe |e, | Femme seg fret UD ATs fmt = =i]

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

XVIII.—BRILL—continued.

i
7
1
1
|

36

oo
oe |

eS & —- —& FS OCF w~
. CS . w . to . Li . S . © - ao . .
Or On On or oo on o On ov ON

oO

bad Pee ca eight tae a Sle) Via Vaal Vict a Ui Ls G8) WS Pe Ya es UY Pad eR ol fe VE Mt] ae tae

| ed esta Ka A Chat Ua IE Th 2 i ast Ai

|
Se ll lll

for)

Il.

ee ee ee ee eee Te ee ec ee eee ee nee Te eee eee ee ie ee Coast Memedl est (rat Gero] Uae) Kae (al (a fem at | Let) St Jo JT (ae

G52 ft ge Ue a Nol Ag pa

{Peete ee Te i a) ea Pete YT yf oe

Le PAS ao etn Ss RRS Ee eevee aT Sem hean ey Mitts emt aaep

Nesey Vat Pea lS feet

IPP Gee TE Seth. a ies Vi SS Foe

PL TT TTT Ts amet Sat ree bons) Fe [To ef

feel (ia amet Wa | Fee Fee] Kathy Te84 F |

I= foot eget hor Lal fom fmm

od

if

s

aon

uo

Prt tired tt bt t tT be) ot oP op) eS NEN wD DCR onNe | 1 Se ooo

WE.

ee

At met Vy HP Pe Tey Fine) ea Sm Fie WR) XS Jal] ir bY Ty Pe) ed ed Jad ee Tat NM Cet Peal dea tall |! aed Ct fu fal Ce |

VIII.

Dwi wil ee

aw nwrer | |

2

et Tl alia) el et Fer COO INDICN' C9101

212

Xe ie

TAawwnmre | WK! £Nwh

HH

bob} Pb bod tol lt WWW PMT HH WONMOWWORDWO DOP NWHNHH I! BEN! HP be
bo
co

Le I el ON GO (GO PO PO le STS hd Od a dd |

156 | 368

xr. | xi. xrr|xrv.| xv.

DOs Se] ott ee 1 OO |

5

1
Per td tt eb tet te) eb PP eR

171

NED PH oe ) |e) eee

LST ee SS |

Ries tia et Ep lite hm Apert tc ice Bama flew fia to ieee ntti

30

Leet seo Hue (I a Ua atl oa)

LO edt edit od Vea! Cet fe |

NaS! iat Vasil ia Vcd a Yael (ce id Camel Pot (eal fed a |

Vignal Ue! Ko st Va tr MR i i) (a Ye

Ww) VNNAOwWFwr

1b oboe bob @ bed med be tO rs ee eo wNlrei

PP Te Py PC ed Ti VS TT Fp Wa FR a1 a) SS YE] aT TO A eT TS TS Yo TS) Ue Ya |

ST Fem Te) Pg Cd

(Tod [ee |e) me i) fe

266 Part IIl.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report
XIX.—COD—ABERDEEN BAY.
Col. I. 15th January 1902. Col. XV. XII.-XIV. combined.
» Il. 11th February 1905. XVI. 10th September 1901.
», III. 29th March 1905. ;, XVII. 18th October 1901.
» IV. 18th May 1902. , XVIII. 31st October 1903.
» v. ‘18th June 1901, = XIX. 5th November 1901.
» WI. 28th June 1901. - XX. 6th November 1901.
» VII. 30th July 1901. < XXI. XIX. and XX. combined.
», VIII. 31st July 1901. ,», XXII, 28th November 1901.
»» IX. VII. and VIII. combined. », XXIII. 29th November 1901.
5 X. 21st August 1901. > XXIV. XXII. and XXIII. combined.
» XI. 8rd September 1901. s X%XV. 12th December 1904.
», XII. 4th September 1901. » XXXVI. 16th December 1901.
», XIII. 4th September 1901. » XXVIII. 29th December 1903.
», XIV. 4th September 1901.
Cm. | = | ; | foal | so , = =
wiles Soe Sry eh Sh ine ae] Spel tee | iss rl id |
Boel Pea Ea ES I eam eae ie Sieh beet = ale
Gl) Sl" Sel] ep Sy sl ot AOU ene Shue eat =|
Hale Peale a be hh oe Ry ea ee | Me he Ue le he a =) lear
SU Se Si colt eau eae fear CS era esl bi fe fot St Ah |
U2 AOR Mean eae we Ned eae) pede Woe) oie eh oie (hi
TSR PSNI Ss tates Mesias Ea Ve) peat hat P| Rea: Seat 2) ae = | 10°) 1
ON ae Pale ba eae fA | J IR | 2) Slee
Fi eS FR are ded ame | HAS a | Hee | es |e Diao ire ie < 1
FED Peel CSN Pe IR Mena ey Cap! i |e | Pee hag 24 eee
1 PRS PS CoRI RSS Mah igloo =" See
SE ee eae NN ae fee ee tee S| RE | ace) fb RT S Ota
16 1 - 2 it 2 - 1 1 2 - - ale - ~ = = =
ily - 1 - - 5 - iy - 1 - - - - - - - 1 if
18 = - - - 8 - - 1 1 2 il - - - = 1 2 3
19} - = 2 1 6 3 1 7 8 3 1 - - 1 1 - 1 1
20 -| - - 1 3 3 5 1 6 2 1 = 1 l 2 - i 1
21 - - - - 2 6 3 4 thy (le 7 - 3 4 7 - 2 2
22 - - - - 2 2 @ 1 8] 19 6 if 1 - 2 - 2 2
23) - = - - 1 2 if 6 | 18 9 15 9 1 2 8 6 1 1 2
24 = = - -| - 2 H 2 9 8} 11 2 2 3 7 il 1 2
25 = - - - - - 4 4 8712 | 20 4 6 bye | a9 if 1 2
26 1 - - -| - 1 4 3 7 3} 12 1 3 2 6 - 4 4
27 1 = - 1 - - 2 2 4 2) 10 1 2 5 8 i 9 | 10
28 1 - - = - - 1 - 1 1 9 1 3 4 8 4 6 | 10
29 2 - - - - 1 1 - i 2 4 1 1 1 3 3 | 14 | 17
30 3 - - 1 -| - 3] - 3 - - - - = = Usa |) G3
31 S| - 2 - - 3 - 3 - l 1 - - 1 6 | 20 | 26
32 1 -| - - - - - il 1 il 1 1 -{| - 1 6 M6ne22
33 2 SoS Sp oS = =i}-= = = = er = yak ay | Ore
34 1 -| - 1 -{| - 1 - 1 -| -[|— - - -| - 3 9} 12
35 = = = = = = = = = = = = = re = 5 7 | 12

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 267

XIX.—COD—ABERDEEN BAY—continued.

328

ie IR

Part I1].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

DoRNOCH FIRTH.

SMITH BANK.

I. 1st April 1904.
IL.

9th February 1905.
22nd October 1903.

9th, 10th November 1901.
12th November 1903.

7th December 1904.
19th December 1901.

23rd October 1903.

XX.—COD.

Col.

29

SmitH BANK—continued.

8th November 1901.
27th December 1903.

BURGHEAD Bay.

7th September 1901.
20th October 1903.

6th December 1904.
20-25th December 1901.
29th December 1903.

Col. III.

ave

fe
ne
Ill
IV.
Ve

|

Tiptree om Lia Meee Ur esa ees toe iL

DorRNOCH FIRTH.

Aes] eB EL

SMITH BANK.

HEF I) ate

{
_
bo eo O GOK

!
— os

ON - Tb S

Le wmownbd !

of — | me dot

i

t
NM PNWEPEODOOOCONOFNMHHH

Ls ee |

|

Dole) eel Soe |) Nb !

1eNPOROONNHrrF !

Viens) feemea Par [uli (Ym) heat!
{ |
| !

{ | =] eI

dh te TU ALE St ste

ecdd AGE I d Sol opUa lelans 2

oo
i
Ne)
wo
x0 |
ml
a
yf

| eet bo |

ee te ed |

yi

to) ot —etrs tl

i

1otob eet dt

ath be
l

|
ie Delbert heals deeline (hott i

—
i=)
~

if
rbot ) ft —— ) ae ee ooo wT we | |

Pt) eR) PF RwwrwowPwwhb )

1 +e] J

(fete OP eae Ue Le

|
ne

| See Sseoeewocostorus | 1 tt bod ob ot ot ot ee)

for il Dead We A) aT ent ee S15) DTN STIS SSS eS Teena a

BURGHEAD Bay.

ee
=
I
—
_—
Loom
x

|
|
|
|
|
|

[ea ess] eer en Ta Thee

J

ell el eel

|

Poa

Dw! wrw!l |

|

| ero) Pwr e Poew! bw!

I
!
rs

|
Bl Bee |] WCNN HWW WNWWNKNHN FE RSTONM

!
i

Loree fae
i ! i

Vic fame oT TRL Se Lr oD fT lh Let US|

|
<o |
| Taliont
oo
ar
e

foo ou y)f— ST Rie a hl

|
|

We

Heady aatbe oj

Cd Wed JA SSS) Yate el te

PW SS SH

1) AAT TNE ST SVs tet SPSS ME Aesth Ite

Col.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

Srvciarr Bay.
4th June 1901

Orr LYBSTER.

CROMARTY FIRTH.
7th January 1901.

22nd October 1903.

8th November 1901.

XXI.—COD.

|
| Col. J.— Station ITI.
ye el

Orr DUNBEATH,
Col. I. 17th January 1902.
5, IL. & ILI. 18th January 1902.
,, LV. I,-I1I. combined.

FORTH.

13-16th May 1901.
: a 23rd July 1901.

IT. - 22nd August 1901.
TV.—Station V. 16th August 1901.

OFF SHETLAND.
19-22nd May 1901.

FIRTH OF

© — ni 7" 2 |
are 5 Stele Orr DUNBEATH. Be ee or ee A |
| = ci pane: : Stations IT]. | V ale
ge 1 a= II 7 j eke te:
= PR i : iI. Tey |) MUR hy BW , Ir ur-| Iv. |
be ge || Se 8) a ee ee (ee :
=. = a = 5 & = = 1 bi = = |
= = 1 - - - ~ - = 14 1 | -
= 5 1 = = - - - - a TOM ao =
- - - - = = - = 5 14 5 =
1 - - - - - - - 2 8 = ~
1 = 2 = = = 2 2 = 7 - =
+ a | - - = = 6 oe = os
2 = Se ~ © = 2 13 = oe
= - | = = = 21 = Le ee -
= = _ = = 1 24 = Pid a 7
= = 1 s = = a 3 ne ne 2 -
1 = = = ~ - | 18 2 Le nr -
~ - = - 1 1 9 1 14 1 a= =
1 = = - - = = = 5 6 ie 4 - |
1 - - ~ 1 1 - 2 8 6 ft 89 1
3 HO SA dice cle 2 2 6 | 10 ipl Gea) lee
2 = = = 2 1 Es 3 4 nT ae | 1
5 = = 2 1 a 3 4 3 9 1G ty gee -
1 = - - - 3 1 4 3 7 ae lg &
- - = e 1 2 1 4 1 6 3 3 1
= = if - 2 3 5 10 2 4 5 ] =
1 - ~ - a 2 6 15 1 3 4 ) 2
= 1 = 1 12 2 10 24 1 2 g 3 1
1 - = 8 2 11 21 ] 3 4 e 5
2 4 = 2 6 8 18 32 2 4 ] 1 19
3 3 = 6 4 4 13 21 le +9 iH 1 23
- 2 - | 13 5 Hi (220) 28 Oe ken é = | 25
2 1 1 20 6 2 26 34 z ‘. 3 E 33
3 1 | 26 5 5 10 | 20 = 1 ” eg ee
1 3 =; 23 3 = ll 14 z T E fi 33
1 3 =] 9 9 - 7 16 = E é Bi 33
3 1 - 8 4 1 3 8 3 4 # 3 19
1 I - 5 1 = 7 8 = = & # 14
1 - - 1 3 = 4 7 = iz, = E. 5
2 = = = 1 = : 4 = & u 3 6
i! = - = 3 - 5 8 = é e 7 8
- 1 - 3 3 - 3 6 . ¥ 2: 4 2
~ = - 3 1 = i 1 = & : i 4
- 1 = = 2 = if 3 = as = = 6
se 1 - 2 2 - 3 2 = e i if 6
= = = = 1 = 1 2 x 2 < 10
= 2 = = 1 = il 2 = 2 e 5 4
= if - = =. = - = ss & a = 8
- - = - 2 - . 2 = s = =. 7
= ~ = = = = 1 1 = £ » se 10
2 E = iY E x : = ss ¥ 2 5 -
- 1 ss - ¢ = s 3 - £ = J 10
- 2 = = 1 = = 1 = £ = = 9
= 1 = - 1 - a: i = = = be 8
= 1 3 - 7 - T - - - = i,
- - e - 3 - f 3 - £ = = 7
ae 1 wz x ss s Le nt és a A 9
= 1 - = 1 = = 1 - - - ~ 6
- - - = il = = 1 = = = = 6
~ - ~ - 3 = il 4 - ~ - - 6
- - - - 3 = = 3 2 = = = 2
2 os = = = ES 1 i! “= - ~ - 6
- - - ~ = = 1 1 = = = = 4
= = = 2 ~ = 2 = = = = 1
38 33 9 |114 | 121 37 | 180 147 | 108 | 93 112

270

. 15th January 1902.
. 29th March 1905.
. 13th May 1902.
. 29th December 1903.
. dlst October 1903.

Part I1].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XXIJT.—HADDOCK.

ABERDEEN Bay.
(Doghole) 57 fms

(Doghole) 55 fms.

SMITH BANK.
lst April 1904. (22 fathoms. )

. 22nd October 1903.

», LIL. 14th November 1903.

», IV. 12th December 1904. (19-22 fathoms.) OFF LyBsTER.—22nd October 1903.
Bure-

ABERDEEN Bay. Smita Bank. DOoRNOCH -| HEAD

FIRTH. mA
oa Bay.
Cm. s & = ——a
Wee = oa
De) | LETS eV DESO US TOE Os) fel UC aU Mt) feat, |) TEL.
Ej M. || 2. |Total

10 - Sees!) Mee ee Oe el feel iia 1 - -}| 3] -
Se 8) eal le eal eae, AES al a oem =| Ae
12 -| -| - = es | iy) WSN a here iee) |e -}10)| -
13 = 1 = bo alee 4) 2 poe! eal mate (ty alle gn boule
14 - 4 iL 4 - —|14 14 - 3 il 6 2) = - 5 -
1155 26 | 43 1 | 10 - - | 67 67 1 1 =| 83 1 1 2 4 3
16 IE SPA lee || art 1122 | 122 | 3 =| 256] -| 3 20} 2 2
Vf |241 104 131 \)}24i' = ~| 94) 94 5 262] - = 87} -| 1
TSS 248 906 la 2955 Osha | 41 4] 8 —-| —/|128]° - if 2) -| 1
19 /|189 | 15 |163 | 14 - - | 15 15 2 ~ —|14 - ~ -f - 1
20 | 24) 4 |147 2 esl eg a) 1 1 ~ 4 - - -| - 1
21 Sa a esl e eee) PO RNeG al ce al nal oan eae) 2) oo ees
22 = = 20 2eh = |) — 8 8 | 20 | 17 - =i) = ~ 5h = =
23 - hh sal eels 147 40/49) —- =f{-=) =| =f 2 teas
24 1 — it ale 9 3 | 30] 42 #125 | 58 1 - 1 - ~ 28 | 26 | 13
25 - ee ely 9 | 29) 551126) 59) 47) =1-7 - 1 31 7 41 | 20
26 4} - LO ol 7a 7a Sou LOSs Sas 4 19) (EI 3} 1 12 | 43 | 27
27 2 = Bh Bi || Ga ee a Cee amb WO) Gy es) eal 6 38 5 | 40 | 32
28 Ses) ad) Sai6D) | 26 -| 91] 33 9 ye (ek ~ 5 | 13 | 10
29 4; -| 3) 5) 48 | 17 = 60730 |)10)| 7 =a] |) it 1 SH al 6
30 2 PAN ANP) oleh | Bal: 55 | 46) J1 9) =)e4) 1 6 2) 6 |038
31 2 - 2 2 28 | 12 - 40 | 66 8 7 = 3 1 | 10 u 5 Z
32 1 1! 4146|)14] -: 60] 57 TENG (hi) 3) ho Pa ees 5], 11] 4
33 i 2 io e50 e205 ie = 82 | 44 6 om ea al 6.) bP 2
34 - 1 3 4 47 | 26 = 73 | 48 4 2 - 3 1 2 5 2 2
35 il 2 eA CLS | ae mOOnE eT 1 1 -| 4 1 1 on) =a
36 | - 2) — por; 32 =| 29412) 1) =3| fei) 7)03 1 see
37 1 a) a ee a eG Sill Bl yee aes -| 1 37 1] -
38 -| -|] 1 -| 2) 2] = 4.0 10) =|) =f) == |) =") wl 38] -| -
39 —-}| -| -| -f 1 -| = 1 Gay) 2 pal -j -| -| - 38y 1] -
40 -| - il 1 3}; -| - 3] 4 1 -| -}| il -| - -j| -| -
an fe oes ar ee ee eee) ree eee pee SOR oe i. |
42 -| - -| 2] 1 iL - 2 -| - iL -}] -| -| 1 1 -| -
43 -| - -! 1 -| -| = ==, = lho -f -| -|}] - -j| -| -
44 = = anit = = = ~ — = = = = = = — = —
45 sy igen 3 fee tI et eI ORR es ae eA metal fe 24) BSA ed | RE er A ~S\
46 — -} -| -f -] -]J -] - -/| -}| -| -J -]|] -] - -f =| Ss
a7 Vdd ih od AW oe el eh tl ee eS re
aS | a a) ee Si ean ee Sa a 2S i
49e") ta) See ea) 2 ep ah Bee es Soe
Oye) (| atl Sait St ee Se a ee ea Pe)
leat eet cea ee dh oan te eke Tt aed be) 2i4- 4 | See
p20) | i) | el a ee rs) Sty ta ee
53 -| -| -] -| - Eq Sheet. 24-4 | 24 eee ee
802 |314 pee tee 563 |221 |465 {1249 #885 |306 | 62 |756 | 95 | 21 | 42 199 ps 138

.

DoRNOCH FIRTH,

I, 22nd October 1903.
II. 18th November 1903.
III. 27th December 1903.

Col.
99
9

WITCH GROUND, OFE KINNAIRD HEAD.

23rd January 1904. (40-50 fathoms.)

BURGHEAD Bay,

I. 20th October 1903.
» IL. 29th December 1903.

Col.

Orr LYBSTER.

Sobel ae Robe

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 271

XXIII.— WHITING.

ABERDEEN Bay, Smith BANK.
Col. I, 81st October 1903. Col. eae
; ‘ . IIL. 28rd October 1903.
, IL, 29th December 1903.
D ;, III. 12th December 1904.
», ILI. 11th February 1905. IV. 27th D ber 1903
., LV. 29th March 1905. ” i Ptrlch ert, ;
;; V. 13th May 1902 (Doghole). Wanwoced eric
Col. I. 22nd October 1903.
BURGHEAD Bay. », Il. 11th November 1903.
,, III. 7th December 1904.
Col. I. 20th October 1903. , IV. 27th December 1903.
, LI. 14th November 1903, | » V. 28th December 1903.
», III. 28th December 1903. | », WI. 9th February 1905.
, UV. 23rd January
;, VW. 29th December 1903. | OFF FINDHORN.—Ist April 1904.
| ABERDEEN Bay. | -BURGHEAD Bay. SmitH BANK. DorRNOCH FIRTH. z 4
Cm. fe E
| a
eR un. Vi, TR) ERT Ve have te oe | UTE VE Tee ET ARTS VE View| Vale S
}
i eee — FO he eK By PP p=} at =] Sf =
Bs) Sf =i =| -F -=|--) =F =] -9 =} -]-=) -— 5] -| -] -[ 1] -1 ]
iG 9 - sia= - 2 - 5 1 - - —-| 1 - 7 3 a =| Rt -
eee ee ee eben 4a = 2a = 1k Gr) 2 | | ole |= =
Pee on 1) the | Ss Pi | 2) =| = 2 24 | 25 16 |) 1 06 | a =
HOMME — Fol) =) —Fib) 18) 21) 1) =f =) 7) =| =] 46) 39) 15 | 17 |179 | 25) —
11) 60} 5/15|) 2) -] 10) 32) 50}12;) 3] 1) 41 | 1) 3] 52 | 82] 31 | 48 [254 ) 49] -
Hea Gn oees | is | 1 3} 43) 67 18 | 4) 21 71) 8 | 12) 47 | 95} 69 | 90 |s10) 119) —
13 |106 |138 | 39 | 96 | 10} 4] 49 | 82);15 |) 6] 2/ 47 | 20 | 27 |-19 | 52 |133 |107 /177 /192 | -
14 | 88 |168 | 28 144); 7 | 2) 20; 56/16!) 7 - | 20} 27| 3] 5 | 85 |124 | 81 | 64 /1389) -
15) 40) 1069) 19°) 88 | 112 f — | 12') 31 | 3) By 2) 8) 29/13) 3] 382°) 70) 62 | 30) 70) —
Home sue on! 16.) OR =) 40) “6o) 2.) of Si) LiPly | 2h dT | 18) 25 1.36 | 12 }.19 |. =
oe i epee S| 8 Ff —-| -—| 8] — Peele te Sale —aelOn 2 toate TO: Gclet9) Sal Gh el
Poe i= | Ohi Pb te So) KE Pre} Le =p 5b) PPB) se yr—yp 1
HOmoeie— |) et t= | ON 2) - SB peal ie ete (PRR | We a | mY bea Oo | pa
20} 9 Pea CON Stinah team) Bip Oia eile em ea |G) ei) ele tS
PiecenieaeeOul iteoorn of 2h Deh =o P25 46} eo Te Sel del 1d ee | aI
Peon ee ee ral Oe) De. ht ea a MOS: 525) =) 10 2] =|) =| 6} =) =] 21
Seto ae | St oo Gino - b.| ——L50 | 8b) Lib =p =| =) =) | = )37
PaaS) — i — | 268 4) 12) 3) 7) — 145 )26) 1) 15 —| —| -| 2la-] =| 40
Peta | | — Vi eee | 4 ie BS) 129 PIB La = | =| a1) 2! SB) t=] 46
Pomme — ON 45) OR he Se = MOS 10 | =a) Sok = | = |= 1 = =) a 8k
Paneeee|) =} — | |) Oe 2a =f a Bea 7 | a RH |) oS} =f SS = 26
Dames) sop ef | 29). =) 4 S49 i 4 ee Ot Sa ll = = | = 22
Camelsaiee lee a | ea 2a) 245 | 8) 29 e 2 IR a et = Set
Boon =} =| =| 4) ~) 14 s-—t 14 =]=f1b) =] '-)]-2h =) =| S];-] 14
31} 8 -~| -| 2] -|13J-=+ 38) -J12) -} -}| -] -}| -]| -]}| -| -| -| 7
mele et Lele a hey ap 2 = | = ||" = milly Pee dh Re |e = [ferent aman al
Peer — ee | a a — | OK P| Ht ep ay =) = 8 =) =F =] =) =| = 8
Paes eee on Sek} pe ar = ep a eC ae
Se — how f= | Jie Sie a et kL} af =]. Lf) =) =] = -| -| 2
Selo foto pe bp =| Ly) pet ef) =] =f Ly) =} =),=P —4 =f Ss
By} -|*-/| -71 =| -9P -7} -| -| -? -— 27 -|] -] -> -]}] -}] -7}--| - <7 |e
88} -| 1 Sata Pe a dN ae) es | eS ee cet ie ii |)
Boe | —| —| —| —f —} —-} =| =|] =} -| -| =) =F =f =} =] -!1 -] -/ 2
eee ern ee eee eS ee a od Pha te I | ale S
ae) ieee | at ey S| = aS) a S| Sa a] =) ) = =
ape | Li =) =| =f =] = a BP SI eh ce) Saye]! Sad eli di ital i 2a) ree |
aS) -} 1} -}] -| -§ -] -| -| -|] -P -}] -| -| -—P-] -}] -| -| -} -| -
44); -} -| -| -| -7— -| —~| -| -]} -} -] -/| -]| -y>P -7? -| -}] -/| -|] -]} -!]
45| -|'-| -| -| -] -! -| -| -| -1 -| -| -| -[-| - -| =| -|.-|
46 : = = = = = ee ~— = = a a = = =. = = 2 = =
0 AR ee A te he le Ut ede
701 498 | 148! 364 | 2751 94 1355'386!131! 29 955! 420 ' 124 | 1471233 | 421 | 496 | 494 '1209] 628 |293

Part IT1.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XXIV.—GURNARD.

ABERDEEN BAY. DORNOCH FIRTH.

tral
=i on:
= 2
=|--2
=| 2
ie.
=a
- 2
=| 2
- if

Col. L. 11th February 1905. Col. J. 9th February 1905. it
, Il. 30th May 1901. . Il. 38rd June 1901.
, Ill. 13th June 1901. » III. 8th June 1903. Z
, IV. Sth July 1901. , IV. 38rd July 1901. "
, Vv. 30tn July 1901. » Vv. 5th August 1901. Ir
» WI. 38st July 1901. », WI. 22nd October 1903. tl.
, VII. Ist September 1904. ., VIL. 5th November 1900. if
VIII. 4th September 1901. », VIII. 11th November 1901. {
,, LX. 20th September 1900. » IX. VIL and VIII. combined.
X. 13th October 1900. » XX. 7th December 1904.
XJ. 8th October 1901. », AI, 27th December 1903.
, AIL. 31st October 1904. | =
, XIII. 5th November 1901. SMITH BANK.
, XIV. 17th December 1900. Col. I. 5th June 1901.
» Il. 8th November 1901.
:, IIL. 12th December 1904.

: ele | : Be RAR |=" [| ;
al Bele ea Rae b lae SLE le | E)S)E |B pe le fa
og SN lik Se BO Se ool ~-| -| -| -]| -} -) -] -

See = a ea Sst =H =| ke Wecae | l
Sea) Sioa Ele a |e ==.) Ses |S a) Se aes
St eel ol Ie Sere eres 3} =|.2) 2 |
Slt sai eal akin © liecaleun -/ =| =| =], 5) sissies
aN esl al Lal aloe = dp mila aL -| -] -] =] 9] 18) 27) =
BA aN AG) ele & Hie Vly elee ie. | «| 22) eaesaie
Top oe Sal ee eae eee 2} -|2| -| 2| a|10[-—-
gE eaoy col ht) Fe Sl uel ea -| -| 1] -| -| 5} 5] -| 2]-)aame
a |e Nod b eel $341 Ae es eee beet haa) | tale | 4)
= Silt Poel, Eat ata ats 6] -} -[uf a} -) af =| -]-) 7a
a Sh) VS ae ala eb CA all ai) "| 2) 1s a
A WLOH PLE ea 7p lard 4} -|]°-| 8] -|] 2] 2) -) =) 2) oie
(4) Kh Sy Sl Zt i a ja] a] ofa) -) 1] -/ 2]sheldl
Ye el Sirah ain 8{ 3} -| 4] 1] 1) 2] -| -]4]8 |e
Bi Silas ded eal gels sal: = a) el -| ala) 2) 2S
CONTE) Sele Gif Stl le en o|a| =| 2! 2| -) eee
By Neal SEZ ea ei [Pe ifeial—| al 2)
Pay resi) SRN TLE eal sat 1G). 2} 2}-|-/ 9) x) 4) -) -[a/s/
a Sh Sa Dale Help aij [Pest 1G fea Ge Pal be a4 ate [a =o Pe
Te) elt ae RP a, Sat ie = La =) "| eal” a a oe
S| aU) Spree eh iP aie -~| 2} -| -| -| =| -| -]| -|o)| 4)aae
=| lh rel teal alk = leat ee =|) 9} 1) e=) =] 2) pea
=| Siem ee ail Pe -{ 1} -| 1] -| -| -] -] -ft2) 2) Se
oe cee) ciel fae ae fists ieee | ene -| 8) 2) .]) 24 =) aie Salone
Saal neal eo alee -| 1] -}| -] ds} -] 1] -| -9 7] 2)]-
Say Sale eal ee ail gale a =| 2) 2) =) 242 SS eee ee
eee fe i S| es = co ane a aes eet eM te) 3f {f= |

ABERDEEN Bay.

Dornocn Firtu.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 273

XXIV.—GURNARD—continued.

Situ

ABERDBEN Bay. DornocH FIRTH. BANK.

I
Il.
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emt fe) =1 =| - | -|-=| =| =| -| -| =P -] =] -1 =] -[--| -] -] -}-
48 SN ala rt af i Fae
Rete ele] -| -| -| =| -} -| =] -} -| =] -| -| -| -| 2] -1) -|--} -1} -
2|24| 40 \173] 8| 60/17] 6 \115 | 32 | 26| 30] 85113] 7 |190| 50| 33 | 24/35 | 44] 68 [2 | 4 100|21

bo
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ce

Part I1—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XXV.—GURNARD.

BURGHEAD Bay.

Col. I. Ist June 1901.

I]. 6th, 7th September 1901.
Ill. 20th October 1903.

IV. 14th November 1903.

VY. 25th December 1901,

Moray Firru,

Several Hauls, October 1900,
Several Hauls, November 1900,
Off Lossiemouth, 3rd November 1901.
Station VII., 12th June 1900.
Witch Ground, off Burghead,
14th November 1903.

SINCLAIR Bay.
3rd and 4th June 1901.

FIRTH OF FORTH.

Col. I, 9th, 13th May 1901, Station IIT.
» Il. 23rd July 1901, do.
», II, 19th August 1901, do,

5, IV. 10th May 190), Station V.
V. 16th, 2lst August 1901, do.

CLYDE.
Off Ailsa Craig, 4th October 1901.

OFF SHETLAND.—October 1900.

Cm.

Cee Doe

—
“TW HD Ononww (or Korie G3! Oo Oe Or

Lee

a
Aanwmowod

Le OrsT O16 ST

a
Moray Firti. SINCLAIR Bay. Firtu oF Forru, 4
ih ak) bees en es Sie a 2ee Pucks: Ble
Station II Stn. V5 | 2
Sie I 3rd June | 3rd June 4th June Total : E —— Ong
SISIF IRIS ISIE lS 1901. 1901, 1901. (3 Hauls). , edfinte =
Tl. | | = SIE E|Pa e
| F.|M. 11.) F.)M/t./F./ac)o.) F(a] 7. pr. |ae) 2 fof
=| =| = Se] ee et | ee me et ae | Gees peal | (peal =} Sp Se a |
=| Sh a} 8) =] oy fey ey ae a ay ay 2/9 ae io ill =
=e = = eS iee l= at el ele = ee eer a ol) 5, Lie
-| -| - =P ile Sai real ies elt Set celts Bh ee ay a = 8 ee 4 -| -
at Sls zee Meese oe steep tele ee tee ere 4 = =). 1) Se -| =
| heat
Site Sle =| =) = = = eS =} of Sfp Ht =p Sf Sp eae mie
-| -| - ool Oe (ly (ef QU |e es Vn ee SSA sir] all | il) =
il) Sy al A 2 Sh By St] Slt ales ese Sh SSS all a ell fa) = 3} -
ill}, all! = fy U5) SU) a) = ip tal) = -| = -| df -| 1} 1 2) 5) a3) 8 6} -
Al al = 11) 49} 2] 5] - |} -} -} -) -| - =| =| =| = =) a) 1) 9) a3) sole 12) =
3} 3) 2} Jae} o4) 2} | | | | | 4} |) 4) | Pt gl gl olga ee
feed = CAN PRR AS renee ee Sl Ie et ale =| =| =| =f. 2) 6) =! F227 olen 7) =
il 2216 Ty 29) 9) = =) =P Sh a Sh a | all 2) Shoat) Ss iooi ial eel aaa ee
54| 2) 9 (ee al i SS Seay ay ae a | 2) aes) 5) 5 4, 2) 1p 45) -
48} 1} 4 TKO UNS PA ah al PA a eae a au a Sal Al yl od 3) -| -| 3] 2) 3) -| > 49 33) =
30] 4) 5 4) 45] 44 2j 2) =| $2|| 2] =| 2) 1) 3) 4! Bil 8 5) Tl) e162 Bienes 25
24) 1] 8 8} 36] 37| -| 2112) 2/14) 7 21 9] 4} 2! 6] 23! 6] oof 1) 9) =| 3) all 2) gi 12
22| 1) 6 4} 31) 21 3) 25) 1) 26) 6) 2) 8) 15; 3) 18) 46 6] 52f 1) -| -| 4} 2} a} - 13
37] 3] 4 1} 28) 44) -| 1§ 27} 9} 36] 10) 2] 12] 16) 5] 21) 53] 16 il) = TW eh lp oS 13
39} 1] 1 1) 27) 47) -| 2% 45) 18] 58) 11) 4] 15] 27] 10] 37} 83] 27| 1108 3i — 3] 1) of I 8
33] 1) 5 =| 23} 36] -| 2% 63] 10) 73} 8! 1) 9) 27] 5] 32] 9s] 16] 114f 1) =| -| 2) 4] | a 11
34] 2) 2 1) 27) 41) -) 24 66! 10} 76] 10} 1] 11] 30] 9] 39/106] 20] 126) 2) 2] -| 4} -| _| 7 5} 1
Pe | 3) 19) 25) -| 5} 73) 14/ 87) 8} 3) 11) 42) 5] 47/193] 29) 1458 2) 1) -| 3] 1 a] = 4
iG} Qe 4) 20; 4) -| 1f 63) 8] 71) 12) -| 12] 32) 2I 34/107] 10] 1178 9] — 2) -| Wy - 1
23] 3] 1 3} 11) 8} -| 7) 64) 4) 58} 6] 1] 7 25] 1] 26] 85] 6| om 3] 2] -| 5] | 4 sare
19) 3) 4 8} 14) 3] -| 2% 38] 6] 44] 9) 2! 11] 35] 2! 37] 82] 10] oof 3) — 3] 3} =| - 3
9} 2) 4 10} 7 3) -| 2931) 5] 36] 7 -| 7] 19] -| 19] 57] 5! ef 3 -| 3) -| 2} - 3
Ml! =2| 42 15] 20}, <3) =| 54/29) 2) 31] 2) 2) 4) 20) Bi gal cal) il teal) a) i 2) a ee 3
A) si] = 9} 9) 4] -| 6} 29} 2! 31! 9) -| 9] 22) -| 99] 6o| 2] Gol i] -| -| 1 1] - 1
Gj} 24) = HE) rsp a | Tai Se Udrih is) Til eA | Gye St Sl & -| - 1
8| 4 67) 8) = =a Sal eleat sola 13] 32] - -| -}| -| - -| + - 1.2
eal a 2) 11) 1) -| -§ 15) -| 15] 1) 1) 2] 10) -| 10] 96] 1 -| = =| = =) 2) = Sl 2
Ble ala -| 18} 1) -) -§11} -| 11) 3] -| 93] 10) -| 10] 24) — -| -| -| -} + + - = a!
“Ah sp al = 99) 3 = mG) — |G ||) ere See -| -| -| -+ -+} +} - =
Gi os =e A S| rl SSI ee | eae | ares leet rs ee - -| + -| -+ -|-- =) =
A =| eal) a ah 7 a) Sl Sy Steal il Sy = = -| -| -| - =| =
il) = = Sika) Sb 3 Slat ee Wp Sse sh ale - + - - 4 - =| =
=| =| Uh yh Sh ta DS =| | ee! BS -| -| -| -| - =| i
=| | es 2) =| =| =H 3) =) 3) =) =] eS —| 3) = -| -| -| -| + = a=,
=| a} Se Slee oh Shah Th a Se ale -| -| - a) 5
i, js == Bf | = ah te = =| el = SF spel S| -| -
aie || a2 i i ie See Fee a | zl ail elie 2 =
{
Seales ha) ol al Uy Sa eR oh cal gaa Mima ia eg
515) 51} 67/ 1#149/671)415| 18) 491655] 89/744/121| 21/142/381| 51/439/1157/161 22) 19] 78/154) 76} 22)1341302) 69

OED NTR RRR OR AIO!

»

10

Fig. 4
r ——al 40
Plaice, Plaice.
420 Dornoch, Dornoch.
A. 9th February 1905) B, 31st March 1905
(355 fish). (30 fish).
110
100
0
Fig. 2.
i= 80
Plaloe,
ees | Lochfyne, 1903. ™
A. June,

0 IL

—= 50 +

L 40
20
20

10

1 2 a ‘ 5 6 3 7 1 13
Fig. 1. Fig. 7.

PLATE XII.

Cod.
Firth of Forth, August.

A
B. Burghead Bay, 6th-29th December.
C. Off Shetlands, 19th-22nd May.

Plaice.
Lochfyne, 1901
A. July (3529 fish).
B. August (556 fish).

no

Haddock.
A. (Red) Aberdeen Bay, 31st October 1903.
B. (Black) Moray Firth (Smith Bank, Dor-
noch, Burghead), 20th-22nd October
1903.

100

“o

cy

20

Cod.
A. Aberdeen Bay, 21st August-10th September.
B, Dornoch Firth, 9th, 10th November.

a

noes

is |

Sat

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ripest peptone (ike Pa us Ao neaT
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of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 2

IX.—NOYTES ON NEW AND RARE COPEPODA FROM THE
SCOTTISH SEAS.

By Tuomas Scort, LL.D., F.L.S., Mem. Soc. Zool. de France.

(Plate XIV.)

PRELIMINARY Note.

The following are a few notes and drawings of rare Entomostraca that
have been held over from previous papers on Scottish Crustacea, published
from time to time in the Reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

I am indebted to my son, Mr. Andrew Scott, A.L.S., for the drawings
with which these notes are illustrated.

Genus Amphiascus, G. O. Sars (1895).
Amphiascus Catharine, T. Scott, sp. n, Pl. xiv., figs. 1-9.

Description of the female:—Body robust, somewhat similar
to Amphiascus minutus (Claus); Rostrum moderately elongated
(fig. 1); length, ‘74mm. (./; of an inch).

Anterior antenne slender, reaching to about the end of the cephalo-
thoracic segment, and composed of eight joints; the first, fourth, and last
joints of moderate length, the others small, as shown by the formula (see
also fig. 2).

Proportional length of the joints, UGsorlpoMor oe bor/ OOea!
Numbers of the joints, - - pee ae Re

Posterior antenne stout, two-jointed, and furnished with a moderately
elongated and three-jointed outer ramus (fig. 3).

Mandibles tolerably stout, apex truncated and armed with several teeth
of unequal length ; palp well developed, basal part moderately stout and
setiferous, and provided with two small branches, as shown in the
drawing (fig. 4).

Second maxillipeds small, second joint moderately narrow and fringed
with minute sete; the end joint very small but armed with a tolerably
large terminal claw (fig. 5).

First pair of thoracic legs slender, both branches triarticulate, inner
branch with first joint narrow, considerably elongated, and apparently
with only a few minute sete near the proximal end of the inner margin
and a small hair near its distal extremity ; the two end joints very short
and armed with a stout terminal claw and a tolerably large seta; there are
also a few smaller sete, as shown in the drawing. Outer branch about
two-thirds the length of the first joint of the inner, the middle joint is
rather longer than the first and fully twice as long as the third ; these
joints have the outer margin setiferous and are also furnished with lcng
spines on the outer distal angles (fig. 6).

276 Part 111 —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Both branches of the other three pairs are also three-jointed, elongated
and slender, the inner branches being rather shorter than the outer, as
shown in the drawing which represents the fourth pair (fig. 7).

Fifth pair tolerably large and foliaceous; basal joint somewhat
triangular in outline, the distal half of the inner margin which slopes
towards the apex is provided with three stout sete, the inner margin is
nearly straight and terminates in an angle, and immediately posterior to
this angular tooth are two apical sete, which are separated from the
lowermost of the three on the inner margin by a distinct hiatus, as in the
drawing. Secondary joint subquadrangular, its width being equal to
nearly two-thirds of the length, the outer and inner margins are nearly
parallel at the proximal end, but they taper from about the middle of the
joint towards the apex and there are three setz on the outer margin, one
on the lower inner margin and two on the apex, as shown in the drawing
(fig. 8).

hee joints very short (fig. 9). Principal tail sete slender. Two
ovisacs. Male unknown.

Habitat.—Granton, Firth of Forth ; dredged in an old quarry to which
the tide has access. Apparently rare.

Remarks.—In some respects Amphtascus Catherine comes very near
Amphiascus (Dactylopus) minutus, Claus., as described and figured by G,.
O. Sars,* but the form and armature of the fifth pair of thoracic feet are
totally different. Other but less obvious differences are also noticeable,
as, for example, in the form and armature of the mandible-palp, the
armature of the outer and inner branches of the fourth pair of thoracic
legs and in the hirsute character of the first two abdominal segments.
Unfortunately I have been unable to obtain the male of this form, but
owing to the differences mentioned I prefer meantime to regard this as a
distinct form from A. minutus.

Genus Dactylopusia, A. M. Norman (1903).
Dactylopusia brevicornis (Claus). Pl. xiv., figs. 10-18.

1866. Dactylopus brevicornis, Claus., Die Copepoden-fauna von
Nizza, p. 29, Taf. iii., figs. 20-25.

1905. Dactylopusia brevicornis, G. O. Sars, Crust. of Norway,
vol. v., p. 130, pl. lxxx.

The female of this species, like that of some others of the same group,
has the cephalothorax depressed and broadly ovate, but the abdomen is
comparatively narrow (fig. 10). Rostrum short, with a broadly rounded
apex. Length ‘77mm. (,), of an inch).

Anterior antennze composed of five joints, very short and stout; the
first three are more robust than the remaining two joints, the end joint is
fully twice as long as the penultimate one (fig. 11). The formula shows
the proportional lengths of the various joints as follows :—

Proportional lengths of the joints, - 18°12°16°6:17
Numbers of the joints, = - - See poo vA Earby

Posterior antenne stout, two-jointed, with a short three-jointed outer
ramus (fig. 12).

Mandibles stout, with an obliquely truncate apex, which is armed
with a few large and several small teeth. Mandible palp with a dilated
basal part bearing two very short uniarticulate branches (fig. 13).

* Crustacea of Norway, vol. v., p. 154, pl. xevi, (March 1906).

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 277

Second maxillipeds short, stout, with a strong terminal claw (fig. 14).

The first pair of thoracic legs stout, both branches three-jointed ; the
first joint of the inner branch is as long as the entire outer branch, while
the second and third joints are very short; a long plumose seta springs
from near the middle of the inner margin of the first joint, but the outer
margin is fringed with small spines, the inner branch bears two strong,
but unequal, terminal claws; the first and second joints of the outer
branch are subequal, and are each furnished with a stout elongated spine
near the outer distal angle, the second joint being also provided with a
long plumose seta on the inner margin, the end joint is tolerably short
and is armed as shown in the drawing ; a stout spine also springs from
both the outer and inner angles of the second basal joint (fig. 15).

The next three pairs of thoracic legs have also both branches three-
jointed, the inner being the shorter one; both branches have their outer
margins fringed with spines. In the fourth pair (fig 16.) the inner
margin of the first joint of the inner branch caaries one seta. The second
two set, and the end joint four sete. A short spine also springs from
the outer distal angle of the third joint.

The fifth pair foliaceous, basal joint broadly triangular, with a
truncated and broadly but irregularly rounded apex which bears five stout
setee of various lengths. Secondary joint broadly subquadrangular, proximal
half of the outer margin nearly parallel with the inner, but the distal
half tapers towards the apex ani carries three sete, other three sete
spring from the apex and lower part of the inner margin (fig. 17).

Furcal joints very short; the inner of the two principal tail sete with
the base slightly dilated (fig. 18).

Habitat.—Collected in an old quarry, open to the sea, at Granton,
Firth of Forth.

Remarks.—The form described here under the name of Dactylopusia
brevicornis, Claus, undoubtedly belongs to that species. The drawings,
though only now published, were prepared a number of years ago from
specimens collected in an old quarry at Granton, Firth of Forth, to which
the tide has access.

The abbreviated length and massive structure of the antennules ; the
structure of the mandibles, the stout first pair of thoracic feet, and the
form of the fifth pair are sufficiently characteristic of this particular species.

The following list of some of the rare and interesting species that have
been obtained in the old quarry at Granton just referred to may be of
interest, as indicating the remarkable variety of organisms present in this
small body of water. The species are arranged alphabetically :—

Acartia bifilosa, Giesb.
Ameira longicaudata, T. Scott.
Beatricella mimica, T. Scott.
Canthocamptus parvus, T. Scott.
Canuella perplexa, T. and A. Scott.
Cletodes similis, T. Scott.
Dactylopusia brevicornis, (Claus).
% Jinmarchicus, (T. Scott).
‘ vulgaris, G. O. Sars.
Kctinosoma curticorne, Boeck.
Enhydrosoma incurvatum (B. & R.).
Euryte longicauda, Philippi.
Halicyclops cequoreus (Fischer).
Harpacticus obscurus, T. Scott.
Idya furcata, Baird.
» gracilis, T. Scott.

278: Part III —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Idya minor, T. Scott.

Laophonte curticauda, Boeck.

gracilis, T. Scott.

hispida, B. & R.

inopinata, T. Scott.

intermedia, T. Scott.

littorale, T. and A. Scott.
longiremis, T. Scott.

w thoractcu, Boeck.
Longipedia Scotti, G. O. Sars.
Nannopus palustris, G. S. Brady.
Parathalestris hibernica (Brady & Robertson)
Platychelipus littoralis, G. S. Brady.
Pontopolites typicus, T. Scott.

* Pseudothalestris major, T, and A. Scott.
Stephos Scotti. G. O. Sars.

Tachidius dicipes, Giesb.
mi littoralis, Poppe.
Zaus spinatus, Goodsir.

Genus Pseudodiosaccus, T. Scott (1906).
Pseudodiosaccus propinquus (T. and A. Scott). Pl. xiv., figs. 19-29.

1893. Diosaccus propinguus, T. and A. Scott. Ann. and Mag,
Nat. Hist., sev. 6, vol. xii. (Oct., 1893), p. 237, pl. x1,
figs. 1-6.

1906. Psewdodiosaccus propinquus, T. Scott. Ann. and Mag.,
May, 1906, p. 465.

This species was obtained in the Moray Firth, a few miles to the
northward of Kinnaird Head, where the water is very deep; the parti-
cular part where this species was obtained gave a sounding of 130
fathoms (240 metres), the dredge line hanging free, and straight up and
down. As the species appears to be rare, and as the number of drawings
used to illustrate the description were only sufficient for its identification,
I propose to supplement the original description with some additional
remarks and drawings, especially as it has been considered necessary to
remove the species from the genus to which it was first ascribed.

* Professor G. O. Sars. in Vol. V. of his great work on the Crustacea of Norway, at
present in course of publication, deals with what is probably the most difficult as well as
the most interesting group of the Copepoda, viz.:—the Harpacticoida, In this volume,
at p. 142, the learned author is inclined to regard Pseudothalestris major, T. and A. Scott,
as identical with Westwoodia minuta, Claus. ‘The description and figures of this form
given by Dr. Claus are meagre—they are not only limited and indefinite, but it is only
the male that he describes. On the other hand, Professor Sars’ description and figures
of what he believes to be the female of Claus’ species are full and clear, like all that
author’s work, and they no doubt show a certain close resemblance to the female of
Pseudothalestris major. But there is at least one point where an important difference
occurs. The author describes the antennules of the female as composed of six joints,
whereas those of the female of Pseudothalestris major are eight-jointed, the first four
being moderately elongated and the other four shorter. There appears also to be some
difference in the structure of the posterior antenne.

It may also be noted that the same author makes Pseudothulestris Brady, a synonym
of Westwoodia, Baird, but as the small group of species that have been arranged under
the genus name Pseudothalestris are clearly distinguishable from Westwoodia by the
difference in the structure of the first pair of thoracic feet, I prefer to keep them separate
under the genus instituted by Dr. Brady. The fact that ad/ the species belonging to the
group hitherto arranged together under Psewdothalestris are similarly characterised by
the peculiarity in the structure of the first pair of feet that distinguishes them from the
typical Westwoodia is, I think, a valid reason for keeping them separate from that genus,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. ota

The female of this species, as already described, resembles to some
extent that of Diosaccus tenuicornis, Claus, in its general appearance, but
is probably somewhat larger. It measures about 1mm. (or 5 of an
inch) in length, exclusive of the tail setee (fig. 19).

The antennules (anterior antennz) are moderately elongated, and com-
posed of eight joints; the first four joints are moderately large, and are
together considerably longer than the entire length of the last four. ‘The
fifth joint is little more than half the length of the preceding one and
about two-thirds of the length of the sixth joint. The end joint is about
equal in length to the fifth, but the penultimate one is considerably
shorter, as shown in the drawing (fig. 20).

The outer and inner rami of the posterior antenne are both of them
biarticulate. The outer ramus, which has the joints subequal, is short,
and furnished with about three short sete. The inner ramus is moder-
ately stout (fig. 21).

The mandibles are stout, and possess a broad and somewhat obliquely
truncated biting edge, which is irregularly but distinctly dentated.
Mandible palp of moderate size, and provided with a single terminal uni-
articulate branch (fig. 22).

The maxillee are moderately stout and compact, and the masticatory
lobe, which is short, and obliquely truncated, is armed with a number of
tolerably strong spines of varying lengths; the palp is fairly well
developed (fig. 23), and consists of several lobe-like processes as shown.

Second maxillipeds robust, and armed with a stout elongated terminal
claw (fig. 24).

The first pair of thoracic legs have both branches three-jointed; the
first joint of the inner branch is considerably elongated, but the second
and third are very short and subequal, and the end one is armed with
two terminal claw-like spines, one being moderately long and one short;
a small seta also springs from near the distal end of the inner margin of
the first joint. The outer branch is little more than half the length of
the inner one; the first two joints are subequal, but the third is short, and
furnished with several spiniform sete, as shown in the drawing (fig. 25).

The second and third pairs, which have also both branches three-
joiuted, are moderately stout, and the outer and inner branches are of
nearly equal length. In the second pair the first joint of the inner branch
is rather shorter than the second, and it carries a single seta on the inner
margin; the second joint carries three sete, and the end joint one seta, on
the inner margin ; the end joint is also provided with three terminal setz,
but the outer one is short. The outer branch has the end joint rather
longer than the preceding one, and furnished with two elongated sete on
the inner margin, two moderately long spines on the outer margin, and
three apical setz of different lengths; the first and second joints are each
furnished with a moderately long spine on the outer distal angle, and an
elongated seta on the inner margin (fig. 26).

In the fourth pair the outer branch resembles that of the second pair
in stoutness and armature, but the inner branch is slender and short, and
composed of only two joints; the first joint, which is narrow and shorter
than the second, bears a seta on the inner margin; the second joint
scarcely reaches beyond the end of the middle joint of the outer branch,
and carries five sete round its distal extremity (fig. 27).

In the fifth pair the outer and inner margins of the basal joint are
nearly parallel; the distal end is obliquely truncated and slightly convex,
and bears four moderately long marginal sete, so arranged as to be nearly
equidistant from each other. The secondary joint is broadly oval in out-
line, and extends considerably beyond the end of the basal joint; it

280 Part III—Twenty-fourth Annual Report 2

<4
is provided with six setee, which are arranged as follows:—One small seta
on the upper half and another on the lower half of the outer margin and
situated considerably apart, and four sete round the distal extremity; the
outermost and innermost seta is moderately large and plumose, but the
two intermediate ones are small and close together (fig. 28)

Furcal joints as long as the last abdominal segment (fig. 29). Ovisacs
two. Only three specimens—all females—were obtained.

Remarks.—This species, as already stated, has some resemblance to
Diosaccus tenuicornis, Claus, but the structure and armature of the
mandibles, maxillz, and fourth pair of thoracic legs are so distinctly
different that though the species was at first ascribed to that genus it
cannot be retained there, and a new genus, Pseudodiosaccus, has therefore
been instituted for its reception, as indicated above. This genus appears
to partake of the characters of both Diosaccus and Amphiascus, but in the
structure of the fourth pair of thoracic legs it agrees with neither of these
two genera.

It resembles Diosaccus in the structure of the posterior antenne, of the
mandible palp, and to some extent in the structure of the first and fifth
pairs of thoracic legs; while in the maxille, second maxillipeds, and the
second and third pairs of legs it resembles Amphiascus.

PLATE XIV.

Amphiascus Catharine, T. Scott.

Fig. 1. Female, side view.
Fig. 2. Antennule.
Fig. 3. Antenna.
Fig. 4. Mandible.
Fig. 5. Posterior foot jaw.
Fig. 6. Foot of first pair.
Fig. 7. Foot of fourth pair.
Fig. 8. Foot of fifth pair.

9

. Abdomen and furcal joints.

Dactylopusia brevicornis, Claus. .
Fig. 10. Female, dorsal view.
Fig. 11. Antennule,
Fig. 12. Antenna,
Fig. 13. Mandible.
Fig. 14. Posterior foot-jaw.
Fig. 15. Foot of first pair,
Fig. 16. Foot of fourth pair.
Fig. 17. Foot of fifth pair.
Fig. 18. Abdomen and furcal joints.

Pseudodiosaccus propinquus, T. Scott.
Fig. 19. Female, side view.
Fig. 20. Antennule.
Fig. 21. Antenna.
Vig. 22. Mandible.
Fig. 23. Maxilla.
Fig. 24. Posterior foot-jaw.
Fig. 25. Foot of first pair.
Fig. 26. Foot of second pair.
Fig. 27. Foot of fourth pair.
Fig. 28. Foot of fifth pair.
Fig. 29. Abdomen and caudal furca.

|. REPORT, 1906.

B

6

Tu

Fias. 19-29.. Pseudodiossacus propinguus.

Fies. 10-18, Dactylopusia brevicornis.

Fras, 1-9. Amphiascus Catharine.

A. Scorr. dei ad nat.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 281

X.--ON THE SPAWNING AND FECUNDITY OF THE PLAICE
(PLEURONECTES PLATESSA). By T. Wemyss Futrton,
M.D., F.R.S.E., Superintendent of Scientific Investigations.

The spawning period of the plaice has been very well determined for
various parts of the North Sea. On the east coast of Scotland it extends
from the end of December in some years, but more usually from the early
part or middle of January, to the early part or middle of May, the chief
spawning taking place in March.

The records of the Marine Hatchery at Aberdeen furnish some details
of interest as to the length of the spawning season and the intensity of
spawning in the various months, Thus last year eggs were obtained from
the spawning pond for 117 days, from 20th January till 16th May. The
number of eggs obtained in the various months during the last three
years, and the percentages of the total, are as follows :—

60! /\
Number of See ett f
Eggs. | ead / \
epee) oF Bes | i / \
January, . | 1,980,000 | 15 4() i \
| / \
February, . | 31,402,000 | 22°3 / \
/ \
March, . .| 78,595,000 | 53:5 ms / \
April, . . | 31,911,000 21°3 / \
May. . ..| 1,762,000 | 1-2 / ideas aie
Tinihianyt Bebe ars) Apr. May iz

Fig. 1.

The curve (Fig. 1) formed by these figures is very regular, and, as will
be seen, the spawning is at its height about the middle of March.

It has not yet been shown, however, over what part of the period a single
female continues to discharge her eggs. It is well known that most or all
fishes producing isolated pelagic eggs do not get rid of them at once.
They are spawned in relatively small quantities at a time and over a
longer or shorter period. As I have elsewhere shown,* this is a physical
necessity, since a female cannot hold all the eggs at the size they possess
when mature, and they must ripen gradually and in succession.

It was in order to determine the duration of the spawning in a single
female, and some other points in connection with spawning, that the
following experiments were chiefly made. But another object I had in
view was to ascertain the number of eggs actually shed into the water,

- 1¢., the real fecundity. This has been approximately determined for the
* «The Comparative Fecundity of Sea Fishes,” Ninth Annual Report, Part III.,

p. 242; ‘‘On the Growth and Maturation of the Ovarian Eggs of Teleostean Fishes,”’
Siateenth, Ibid., p. 88.

Y82 Part LIT. — Twenty-fourth Annual Report

plaice already in one of the papers above alluded to, but by a different
method, viz., by counting the eggs in a given portion of the ovary after
the death of the fish, and then computing the total numbers.

The experiment consisted in keeping two female plaice, which were
nearly ready to spawn, in separate tanks, with one or more mature males
with each of them, until spawning was quite concluded ; to collect all the
eggs daily and ascertain their numbers.

The tanks in which the experiments were made are similar in all
respects. Hach is 6 feet 4 inches in length, 4 feet 3 inches in breadth,
and 3 feet 6 inches high, and the water was kept at a level of 28 inches
throughout the period. The quantity of water was thus about 62 cubic
feet, or 385 gallons (1749 litres). The fiow through it amounted to about
80 gallons per hour. The glass front of the tank was covered over with
an old sail, and light was admitted from the top, but it was not very
strong. The water entering the tanks was filtered through close and
thick flannel to obviate the chance of eggs getting into them in that way ;
and no other fish or organisms were in the tanks—nothing but the plaice.

The overflow from each tank was carried into two boxes, each about a
foot square, the bottoms of which were covered with fine silk-netting, so
that all eggs might be retained ; these were partly immersed in order to
keep the eggs living, and the water passed from one of the boxes into the
other, being thus twice filtered, an arrangement adopted lest the fine
apertures in the silk gauze in the first box should get clogged up during
the night.

The method of dealing with the eggs was as follows :—Each collection,
daily, or, usually, twice a day, was preserved in sea-water with a little
formaline. The eggs were then strained off and spread on blotting paper,
and as much of the water and moisture as possible removed. They were
then added to a long burette, graduated to tenths of a cubic centimetre,
in which a certain measured quantity of water had been placed. The
difference between the readings before and after the eggs were introduced
gave the volume of the eggs in cubic centimetres. Some were also
weighed on a Sartorius balance. A portion of the eggs in each collection
were treated in a similar way and, after the volume had been determined,
were counted. The number of eggs per cubic centimetre, and the
total quantity of eggs in the collection, were thus estimated.

Two suitable female plaice were selected from those in the spawning
pond (used in connection with the hatchery), ¢.e., which had swollen
ovaries and obviously would soon spawn, but which contained no ripe eggs.
This was ascertained by pressure in the ordinary way. On the other
hand, males were taken from which spermatic fluid was already oozing, in
order to provide that the eggs should be fertilised, and to furnish such
psychological stimulus to the female as might be necessary and natural.

On the 19th February the following plaice were put into the tanks :—
In No. 5 a female measuring 47cm. (183 inches) and weighing 1324
grammes (2 lbs. 14? ounces), and a male of 43cm. (17 inches) and weigh-
ing 842 grammes (1 1b. 132 ounces). In tank No, 2 the female measured
46°5cm. (187 inches) and weighed 1536 grammes (3 lbs. 6; ounces), and
was thus heavier than the other. Two males were put in with her,
measuring respectively 38-6cm. and 40cm.

In the course of the experiment, when a pause occurred in spawning,
the males were sometimes replaced by fresh ones taken from the pond, as
mentioned later.

No eggs were obtained from either tank until 19th March. During the
interval the males and females lay auiet in a corner of the tank. In No,
5, for example, the female lay with her snout as far as possible into the

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 283

corner, the male snuggling up close beside her, between her and the wall.
They were never observed swimming about, and only rarely shifted their
position. They did not take any food; the mussels thrown in one day
were removed on the following day. The male in No. 2 was ouriously
coloured. Along the sides, near the base of the fins, there were six equi-
distant and subequal spots of chalky white, from 4—? inch in diameter ;
there was a similar spot at the root of the tail and another near the base
of the pectoral fin. Between these were single dullish-red spots, by no
means conspicuous; white rings were not observed around them. Similar
red spots were scattered over the surface. The female was dull-coloured
and her spotting not very noticeable.

The particulars as to the spawning of each female from day to day are
given in the following Table, and also in the diagram on the opposite
page, the numbers in the first column representing 1000's of eggs.

[ TABLE,

284. Part WT.—-Twenty-fourth Annual Report.

Eggs Quantity taken for
Collected. Computation.
Time of Number per Estimated Temperature
Collection. E | C.C. Total Number. | of Water.
C.C. C.C, Number.
Day. |Hour.| 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5 2 5
Mar. * net 18 es. wien OO0Ss eeean aeLGGsOil tise 3,003
i zill oe ae ae xf ef pe
ai oe hr 28 of a at
5, 24 ¥. x a % a oe ae
| Wee R26 ... | 28°98) 62:8} 1:08) 4:3 237 | 1085 | 219°4 | 252:3| 6,359 | 15,846
» On 7.10a} 85 | 22:5) 85 | 22-5 | 1796 | 5542 | 211:3 | 2436 | 1,796 5,542
53 2.20) 7-1 | 158:7| 7:1 | 88 | 13816 | 2155 |185°35| 244-8 | 1,316 | 38,863
», 29 | 2.30p}11:09} 70 2°38) 10 542 | 2608 | 227-7 | 260°8 | 2,525 2,608
, 380 | 3.380p} 1615) 9:2 | 1:45] 2-2 324 | 611 | 228°4 | 277-7 | 3,609 2,555
eS re | 1.15p) 15.58 12 & 214 155 | 228:3)|" 3,557 155
Apri ec x if eh x ; on na
ES Ne) 0) DA 490 8& | 227°9 11,167 &8
» 9& | 2380p} 28-9 16 385 240°6 6,954 e
eS Soh Tie siashy ik 422 238°4 6,883
ED Spa |Z4s8 1:2 285 237°5 5,890
ye Ps 38°45 1°65 SE ace |e) ee 8,878 a
» ¢ | 9.80a) 30°45) 45°65) 1:45] 2-4 335 | 626 | 2381°8 | 260°8| 7,085 | 11,868
» 8 | 10a | 10°86) 39:4) 0°66) 7:5 185 | 458 | 280°3 | 305:3| 3,044 | 12,030
9 f 7.30a| 50°35 | 92:15} 3:15} 3:1 808 | Su4Z | 256°5 | 259-4) 12,915 | 23,899
ieee 4:50p| 3:8 | 0:99 ZOO ae al 200s eee 906 oe
10 ¢| 7-10al 24-89 1-69 497 252°7 6,288 :
u 7} 4.45p) 3° 3°5 702 200°6 702 ar
shh 7.15a| 22:9 1:0 255 255 5,840 45-4 | 44°8
? y| 4-45p) 6°95 0°75 199 265°3 1,844 a
7*15a} 21°56 1:21 316 261:1 5,629 45:4 | 451
, 122, 1a fe ae re Fe Ae
| 4,45p|_... s aap es ae
13f| 7-10a} 22°85 4°75 1231 259-2 5,922 46°8 | 46°4
2p 4.45p| 3°91 1:21 280 231°4 905
14 {| 7.10a/ 15:98) ... 1°63 432 265°0 4,235 tb: 46:2 | 45°7
2 U| 3.20p) 2-77)... 2°77 US| cos WV APAGHSY|| ae 766 or ee an
» 1d | 2p | 24:3 |134°75 1:7 | 3:25!) 489 | 1786 | 287°6 | 364:9| 6,989 | 49,170) 47-1 | 46:2
165 | foe 38'1 ake 2:0 BO fal ieee || 2D 5-08 bares 9,658 an 48 46°2
17 i 7.10a) 53°35]... 21 586 279 14,887 x,
(| 4.45p) 90) .. “90 308 342 308 44:2 | 44:2
18 f oe 15:35) | ee nlis}5) BOB | so PBPED || oc 4,981 ae 45°3 | 45:0
194 eis 9°7 |104°35| ‘75 | 6°85) 159 | 2155 |212 | 814-6) 2,056 | 32,828) 40°8 | 41:2
20 \ i300 f fs 42°3 | 42-1
PAN || 7fed KOEN see es 85 ee eo ee ay ne ie 45-7 | 45°3
22) | 915a)} 23°6 |) 794521920) 198-7 462 | 947 | 231 | $485 | 5,452 | 18,888} 45:0 | 45°0
23 {| fe ORs See)" allt yey 434 | 660 | 394:5 | 314°3| 4,261 11,943 | 42°8 | 42:8
24 : | 7.15a 40°6 we
x §|\ 7.10a ze te: Ws au 40°6 :
zi CeO, eae |e ass a0 ae ee bose a = = Be: a7. Be
og§\ 7-l5a) ... | 50-94)... 3.34| ... | 1022) ... | 306 5 16,587 | 42°3 | 42-4
27 1 i Apa 43°9 | 43-6
2 | 4.45p i fea
» 20 | 7.308 44:2 | 43°9
|. See OO a Gare 44°6 | 44:2
30 j t res 45:5 | 45°0
.45p ai
May 1 | fa 44:6 | 446
7.15a 44:4 | 44:8
3 | 7.15a Ree ee 46°8 | 46:0
WN fell) aah Bae ee br aan ae Et ie Ei 47°8 | 471
ee iba be Shaler Ae ce 4.0 Sete AERA Nene | pest hos ee. 10,907 | 46:9 | 46°8

i
| | |
| | ——|— f= = ee SS ee eel ag
eae aol te | — ecm rec emt aot pmsl me al ea a (ue = cl oc es Ge ee eile] | poe Ne
| "¢ | ‘on ond
1
= Se = es ee | rae eg ee rea gm Cael DS ey ae a ome ae Bese eet eee ete
| | | |
| Sal ¢ = |
i | |
| | | | |
| / US | Pe |
ee eee | ae eee Se aa eau hc ed aN osepr irae aad asl mee a goes p
| | |
le ees a eee
| | = g
ie | no | | | |
|= 5 sb Se fp wes ec ame apap lm pe a= ef aoa ras al gape IP | ae ae ee pee
| | | | | % | on! ootela
RE ES a ae eae
} ' H
| ee ae |
i a Pa eh ra ea a a a ef a ee ee
q/(e}z2ia ee Le | 98 | 9% | $B | 8% | @ | 12] 0 | or | et { Zt | ot] st | wf} et{ et} mjor|6|s| 2] 9

| 9 | >| | 2% | T | te | 08 | 62 | 8 | 22 | 92
[ENes a0," )) ce arn
“SPY | ‘tudy "oa

286 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The quantity of eggs obtained from No. 2 on 19th March was small,
and there was a pause until the 26th, when the spawning began in reality.
In the case of this fish the emission of eggs went on very steadily until the
19th April, eggs being got daily. From 19th to 22nd April spawning was
interrupted, and the last eggs were obtained on 23rd April. The spawn-
ing of this female thus extended over a period of 36 days from first to
last, but was chiefly limited to the interval from 26th March to 23rd April,
or 28 days; only on three days in that time were no eggs found to have
been spawned.

The characters of the spawning of this fish were a regular, small or
moderate, quantity of eggs on each day. The average number emitted per
day for the 25 days that they were emitted was 6542; the largest on any
one day was 15,195 on 17th April, the next largest being 13,832 on 17th
April; the smallest was 2056 on 19th April, and 2525 on 29th March.

The other female, in tank 5, offered a striking contrast to the above.
Its spawning extended over a period of 41 days, viz., from 26th March to
5th May; but eggs were spawned on only 16 days during that time.
There were thus long intervals without any eggs being obtained ; as much
as nine days. As the Table shows, it spawned most regularly at first,
each day from 26th March to 2nd April (no collection was taken on the
28th or Ist). It will be noticed that the quantity of spawn emitted on
the second day was very large, and it then diminished, only 155 eg ggs being
found on the 31st March, and only 88 on 2nd April. The ovaries were
greatly distended when spawning began, and the figures show that the
fully mature eggs which had collected were got rid of in about five days,
after which a rest for some days occurred,

This female spawned again on the 7th April, and for the next two days ;
then not again until the 15th; then on the 19th, 22nd, and 23rd; then
on the 26th, and finally on 5th May. The seven “bursts” of spawning
were as follows :—

Number of Ratio per

SEES. Rggs Spawned. WCAC,
1 | 26th March—2nd ca : 65,657 255°64
2 | 7th-9th April, . : 47,797 272°%
3 | 15th April, : : 5 49,170 3649 5
4 | 19th April, : : ; 32,828 314°6
5 | 22nd, 28d April, ; , 30,831 3314
6 | 26th April, 5 : : 15,587 306‘0
7 | 5th May, . : 3 10,907 3180

'The largest numbers on any one day was 49,170 on 15th April, and
44,405 on 27th March; the smallest daily amount was 88 and 155, which
might almost be considered accidental, the next being 2555. The average
per day for the 15 days on which spawning occurred was 16,852 eggs.

The aggregate quantily of spawn from No, 2 over the whole period was
654:29 cubic centimetres, and the estimated number of eggs was 163,557.

The aggregate from No. 5 was 856°79 cubic centimetres, and the
estimated number of eggs was 252,777.

| ‘TABLE.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 287

The quantity and numbers for each month were :—

No. 2. No. 5.
C.C. No. CE No.
March, . 71°82 | 15,605 | 263°2 65,414
April, . 582°47 | 147,952} 559°29 | 176,456
May, . - - 34°30 | 10,907

The quantities taken for enumeration were 84°94 cubic centimetres for
No. 2 and 77:04 for No. 5, or about 13 and 9 per cent. of the totals ; and
the numbers of eggs counted were 19,075 of No. 2 and 21,400 of No. 5,
the total being 161-98 cubic centimetres, and 40,475 eggs.

With regard to the fecundity of the fishes, these results agree very well
with those deduced previously from weighing part of the ovary and
enumerating the eggs. Thus, in the paper referred to in the Vinth Annual ”
Report, I describe a female of 174 inches, and weighing 2 lbs. 10 ounces,
with an estimated number of 148,470 eggs, and another of the same size
and weighing 3 lbs. 02 ounces, with 223,497; the average for the five
plaice there dealt with being 19-9 inches in length, 3 lbs. 10} ounces
(1664 grammes) in weight, and 301,394 eggs.

Before referring further to the facts brought out in the Table, I may
describe some of the occurrences in regard to the fishes and their
treatment.

On 31st March a fresh male, quite ripe was put into tank No. 5, The
female was observed to be lying apart from the males, all of which had
conspicuous red spots, but not nearly so bright as one often sees on
plaice brought to deck at the fishing grounds at other times of the year.
The ovaries were sometimes enormously swollen, so much so that I was
afraid that the “ege-bound” condition was about to supervene. It
appears, however, to be natural, and a certain distension occurred before
the eggs were allowed to run from the oviduct. After a “burst” of
spawning they were notably reduced in size.

On the 6th Aptil,a fresh ripe male was put with No. 5, and the
spawning, which had been interrupted, began on the same night. On
the occasions when No, 5 stopped spawning, she was usually observed to
be lying away from the males. The latter, it may be remarked, appeared
to have no contests for the privilege of fertilising the eggs, as with the
lumpsuckers in an adjoining tank. They were always lying quietly, and
often, or even usually, together.

The ovaries of No. 2 were, as a rule, more swollen than those of the
other female.

On 13th April two ripe males were put into No. 5, and she spawned
again on the 15th.

With regard to food, mussels were only occasionally eaten, probably
by the males; only on one occasion was any slimy matter which might
have come from the intestines observed in the overflow, and in pressing
the plaice taken from the tank to select those for the experiment, no
excrements were pressed out.

After No. 5 stopped spawning on the 26th, she was observed to be
adhering to the vertical side of the tank, a position she occupied for a
day or two, as if desiring to be freed from the attention of the males.

Spawning was never actually observed, but the Table shows that it
takes place usually at night, though it does not always do so (see 27th

288 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

March), Asa rule, however, very much less spawn was collected in the
afternoon than in the morning, and part may have been derived from the
spawning during the night.

The difference between the two females was not confined to the
spawning. There was a noteworthy difference in the eggs, not merely as
to quantity but as to size. After some experience in the enumeration, it
was possible to tell whether a collection was from No. 2 or No, 5, owing
to this difference. Those from No. 5 were smaller.

Thus the mean number per cubic centimetre of the eggs from No. 2
was 250 (249°98), while the mean number from No. 5 was 245 per
cubic centimetre, a difference of 45 per cubic centimetre. In other
words, the eggs of one plaice were about 18 per cent. smaller than those
of the other. With one exception (23rd April) the number per cubic
centimetre was always greater in the second plaice, No. 5, that is to say,
its eggs were smaller.

The ratio of number of eggs to 1 cubic centimetre in No, 2 was 185°35
at the beginning of spawning, and 394°5 at the close; in No. 5 it was
243-6 at the beginning, and over 300 later, the highest being 364°9 on
15th April.

This difference was partly due to the fact that in No. 2 there was in
almost every collection a proportion of the eggs much larger than others ; in
some of the collections this was very noticeable. They graduated from
very large ones, swollen, and, it might be said, hydropic, to small ones ;
the range of size being considerable from the smallest to the largest.

The eggs spawned by the other female (No. &) were much more uniform
in size. Whether differences of this kind occur under natural conditions
I do not know, but such large hydropic eggs of the plaice are sometimes
taken from the spawning pond, and on one or two occasions led to the
suspicion that they might belong to some other species. They appear to
be produced by an excessive imbibition of the watery saline solution that
enters the egg at the last stage of maturation.* Whether they are
fertilised and behave like the normal egg was not determined. Now and
again a single egg was got stained bright yellow, no doubt from the bile ;
and several were blue, for what reason I did not discover.

It may be seen from the Table, moreover, that as spawning proceeded
the size of the eggs tended to become smaller.

The fact may be seen from the averages for No. 5 given in the Table
printed above; and, taking the mean of the first five averages (number
per cubic centimetres) and the mean of the last five averages, we have
the following :—

No. 2. No. 5.
26th-30th March, 213-43 26th-30th March, 255°84
17th—23rd April, 297°17 19th April-5th May, 320°28

The increase in the number with the first female was thus 83:74 per
cubic centimetre, and in the second, 65°04 per cubic centimetre, the
reduction in size amounting to 39:2 and 25°4 per cent. respectively.

The fact is of some interest, and is in all probability due to the com-
parative exhaustion of the water-secreting function of the ovary, water
being, so far as volume is concerned, the chief product of that organ. It
might, however, be owing to the eggs spawned later containing less
yolk; a less probable explanation, for several reasons.

I may add that the mean of a number of fertilised plaice eggs taken
from the large spawning pond at the same time was 307 per cubic
centimetre, two samples varying from 312'27 to 301-63.

* Vide Sixteenth Annual Report, Part III1., p. 89.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 289

I have elsewhere shown* that at the last stayes of the maturation of
plaice eggs in the ovary the absorption of water by the eggs is enormous,
amounting to at least two-thirds of the volume of the contents. Thus, in
the 654 cubic centimetres of eggs produced by the female, No, 2, at least
536 cubie centimetres is represented by water absorbed not long before
the eggs are extruded, and which is secreted by the fish. So in the other
case ; about 572 cubic centimetres of the 857 cubic centimetres of eggs
represents water absorbed.

Both the plaice were kept in the tanks after the conclusion of spawning.
On 9th May, no further eggs having come from the plaice in No. 2 since
the 23rd of April, and spawning being clearly over, she was killed and
examined. The length was the same, 46°5cm., and the weight was 2lbs.
8ioz. (1139-8 grammes), showing a loss of 140z., or 396 grammes.

At the same time, the other plaice (No. 5) was also weighed. It was
2lbs. 640z. (1083 grammes), showing a loss of 8 j0z., or 234 grammes.
The measurement was a little less, viz., 46°7cm.

This fish was put back with the males into the tank, but no further
spawning occurred. On 13th May she weighed 1119 grammes, and was
still 46-7em.; on 21st May the weight and length were the same, so that
recovery was slow.

The loss in weight above referred to does not represent anything like
the weight of the eggs spawned. Among those of No. 2 it was found
that 56 cubic centimetres weighed 53 grammes, so that the total weight
of the 654 cubic centimetres spawned would be about 619 grammes, cr
223 grammes more than the loss of weight of the fish.

In the other plaice (No. 5) 6:7 cubic centimetres of eggs weighed 6°65
grammes, and the total weight of the whole quantity of 857 cubic centi-
metres would be about 850 grammes, or 616 grammes in excess of the
loss of weight of the fish.

The difference is accounted for by the water secreted and absorbed
as the eggs mature ; also, no doubt, by the absorption of water by the
muscles and tissues of the fish after spawning, the increase of weight in
No. 5 after the 9th May being probably due to this, since no food was
eaten.

When the first plaice (No. 2) was killed, on 9th May, the ovaries were
found to contain a large quantity of spawn. When put into sea-water
all went to the bottom within a few minutes, and the disc was chalky
white, and in many cases wrinkled and irreguiar. They represent the
eggs which the fish is unable to get rid of at the end of spawning, and
which disintegrate and are absorbed. The quantity amounted to 43°95
cubic centimetres, of which 3°75 cubic centimetres contained 1482 eggs,
or 395:2 per cubic centimetre. The estimated number of eggs thus
retained in the ovaries and destroyed was 17,369, or over 10 per cent. of
the number spawned, which indicates a very considerable loss.

The ovaries of the other plaice were in the same condition, slightly
swollen, tumid, and soft.

* [hid., p. 14. See also p. 145.

290 Part IIT.—-Twenty-fourth Annual Report

XL—ON TWO CASES OF HERMAPHRODITISM IN THE COD
(GADUS CALLARIAS).

By H. Cuartes Wiriramson, M.A., D.Sc., Marine Laboratory,
Aberdeen. |

(Plates XV., XVL)

Several cases of Hermaphroditism were noticed among the cod landed
in Aberdeen during March, 1906. Two of these were secured from local
fish-curing yards for the Marine laboratory. A third was reported to the
Fishery Board from Whitehills; and a fourth is known to have been
observed in Aberdeen.

The specimens here described were examined after having been two
months in formaline solution ; they exhibit two different arrangements
of the ovaries and testes. In one case, fig. 1, pl. xv. and xvi. a fully
developed female reproductive organ bears at the anterior extremity of
each ovary a small testis, forming a symmetrical hermaphrodite organ.
The other example (fig. 2, pl. xv. and fig. 4, pl. xvi.) shows a single roe
of large size united to a full-sized testis. The organ on the right side is
female, that on the left is male.

The symmetrical roe weighed about 53 lb. It contained transparent
eggs, showing that the roe was nearly ripe. The testis contained some
ripe sperms, but there were none in the vas deferens. The testis, though
well developed, was considerably short of being ripe. The main blood-
vessel, J.v., of the ovary reaches that organ at its anterior extremity. It
is continued over the dorsum of the ovary along the base of the mesentery
(after giving off a large branch to pass down on the inner surface of the
ovary) to unite at the junction of the two ovaries with the corresponding
vessel of the opposite organ. Before it reaches the ovary this large
vessel gives off two branches b!.y!. and 6?.v?., one to each end of the
loop-formed testis (fig. 2, pl. xvi.). Between the branch blood-vessels and
the frill of the testis lies the vas deferens. This duct is closed at one
end of the testis loop, viz., at VD, and it opens by its other extremity,
V'D*, into the ovary, by three small openings. These openings were not
so guarded as to prevent the eggs from getting out into the vas deferens,
but the eggs found there were small yoked eggs, and they may have been
forced out by the handling to which the roe was subjected. A fully ripe
egg would probably not pass through the apertures. The general form
of the testis is that of a loop; it is shown diagrammatically in fig. 3.
The great development of the testis-frill on so short an extent of vas
deferens has formed it into a compact mass, wherein the vas deferens is
not to be seen until the folds are forced apart. The large blood-vessel of
the ovary is accompanied by a thick walled vessel (v.) having a very
small lumen.

The asymmetrical organ weighed 3? lb. The ovary contained trans-
parent eggs. Some ripe sperms were present in the testis; but there
were none in the was deferens. In this case a normal ovary is accom-
panied by a normal testis (fig. 4). The two unite in the anal region
just as two ovarics or two testes do, and their ripe products escape by the

of the Fishery Bowrd for Scotland. 291

—

one genital aperture (.-ap.). In the cod each ovary or testis is supported
to the roof of the abdominal cavity by a mesentery, which is attached
longitudinally to the swim-bladder. The stomach and gut are similarly
supported by a mesentery that hangs between the genital mesenteries.
All three mesenteries are together connected to the union of the two
ovaries (or testes). The rectum is supported by mesentry to the inferior
part of the united ovaries. The two ovarian mesenteries are continued
posteriorly as a single mesentery joined superiorly to the roof of the
abdominal cavity, and extending to the hind extremity of the post-
abdomen, where it unites with the peritoneum. The hind lobes of the
ovary are attached, one on each side, to the mesentery. ‘This mesentery
also includes the ureter and urinary bladder, and binds them to the floor
of the post-abdomen. The post-abdomen is thus divided longitudinally
into two quite separate compartments.

This arrangement was found to hold exactly in the case of the second
hermaphrodite specimen. The mesenteries were arranged quite normally.
Since they are similarly arranged in both sexes, the substitution of one
half of the ovary by a testis did not involve any obnormal arrangement
of the mesenteries,

When the wall of the ovary near the genital aperture was dissected off
it was seen (fig. 5) that the vas deferens from the hind part of the testis,
viz., V!.D!., and that from the main testis, V.D., opened into a common
chamber, marked sm. in the drawing. The wall of this chamber is
smooth ; it is open below to the eggs in the ovary. Alongside the base
of the ventrally descending portion of the testis the tissue is deeply
honeycombed, and divided up with a network of stout fibres (h.-c.).
The passage of the sperms to the exterior appears to be as follows :—They
pass from the upper smooth part to the honeycombed region, which pro-
bably acts as a sort of seminal receptacle, and from thence pass out along
the smooth lower wall to the genital opening (g.ap.). The wall of the
ovary near the genital aperture is smooth on the inside, whereas all the
remaining wall bears the ovarian folds. The smooth part forms a gather-
ing place for the ripe eggs, where they may collect away from the develop-
ing eggs, and when they may lie ready to be expelled. The smooth part
of the skin of the ovary is shown in fig. 1, sm. In fig. 5, which shows
the dissection of the hermaphrodite roe, the deflected sides are shown to
be on one side partly smooth and in part covered with ovarian folds (0v,/.),
and on the anterior side smooth (sm.). The smooth parts are the
oviducal part.

It is clear that in the asymmetrical hermaphrodite both male and
female organs will be functional, but it is also evident that they will not
be simultaneously ripe. In this case the testis is much further from
ripeness than is the ovary. Even although they should be ripe simul-
taneously, it is possible that the elements might not mix much, because
there is room for the ripe eggs to collect on the opposite side of the ovary
to that on which the testis is.

In the first case, where the testis is attached to the anterior end of the
ovary, the former was farther from being ripe than was the ovary. It is
not likely that the sperms would be able to penetrate the ovary so long
as the ovary is large and distended. And as the facts indicate that the
ovary will be ripe first, it is conceivable to regard the uvary as function-
ing later in the spent condition as a vas deferens.

Masterman* described two cases of hermaphroditism in the cod in the
Thirteenth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Pt. II11.,
p- 297. He also cites a number of other cases. In none of these wasa
condition found similar to either of the specimens described above, In

292 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

only one case was the hermaphrodite organ symmetrical—that was a case
described by Weber, in which a testis was attached to the posterior end
of each ovary. In no case was the united organ composed equally of one
testis and one ovary. The connection of the vas deferens with the ovary
was similar in Howe’s, Masterman’s, and the present instance, except
that in Howe’s a well-marked valve structure prevented the back passage
of ova into the vas deferens. A somewhat similar arrangement appeared
in Masterman’s specimen.

Kylet describes a case of hermaphroditism in the ling (Molva vulgaris).
The testis was in four parts ; a very large part much larger than the ovary
was attached to the anterior end of each ovary, and a smaller part was
connected with the hind end of each ovary, that connected to the right
ovary being very small. A small portion of the left ovary was separated
from the ovary posteriorly. Anteriorly each testis opened into the ovary
by a small aperture guarded against the issue of the eggs by a valve-like
fold of fibrous tissue. Posteriorly the left testis opened by its vas deferens
into the oviduct. In this specimen, then, we have a combination of the
two conditions described above— viz., (1) the ovary functioning as a vas
deferens, and (2) the common use of the oviduct for the issue of both
eggs and sperms. The eggs were nearly ripe, and the testis was well
developed. The specimen was secured in May.

Plate XV.

Fig. 1.—Symmetrical hermaphrodite reproductive organs of Gadus
callartas.

Fig. 2.—Asymmetrical hermaphrodite reproductive organs of Gadus
eallarias.

Plate XVI.
The Figures are not drawn to Scale.

Fig. 1.-—Symmetrical hermaphrodite reproductive organs of Gadus

callarias.
Fig, 2.— Dissection of connection between the testis and the anterior

end of the ovary in the symmetrical organ.

Fig. 3.—Diagrammatic sketch of structure of testis of preceding.

Fig. 4.—Asymmetrical hermaphrodite reproductive organs of Gadus
callarias.

Fig. 5.—Dissection showing connection between vas deferens and the
oviduct in the asymmetrical organ.

Lerrers UseED.

a. —anus. | ov.f.—ovarian folds.
b.v.-—blood vessel. | ov.int. —interior of ovary.
gn.wp.—genital aperture. sm.—smooth area.

|
yn.me.—genital mesentery. | T.— testis.
gt.me.—gut mesentery. | ur.—ureter.
h.c.—honeycombed region | ur.bl.—urinary bladder.
me.—mesentery. | v.—vessel.
ov.— ovary. |

*Masterman: ‘“‘On Hermaphroditism in the Cod.” Thirteenth Annual Report of the

Fishery Board for Scotland, Part III., for the year 1894, p. 297. : ;
t Kyle: “‘ Note on the Reproductive Organs of an Hermaphrodite Ling.” Fifteenth

Atsmual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Part III., for the year 1896, p. 396.

F. B.. REPORT, 1906. PLATE XV

Fic. 2.

Hermaphrodite reproductive organs of Gadus callarias. Fic. 1.—Symmetrical
Condition. Fre. 2.—Asymmetrical Condition.

PLATE XVi

F. B. REPORT, 1906.

A
yee

gf

H.C. W. HERMAPHRODITE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF Gadus callarias.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 293

XII.—ON THE GROWTH AND AGE OF THE HERRING
(CLUPEA HARENGUS). By Dr. T. Wemyss Futon, F.R.S.E.,
Superintendent of Scientific Investigations.

(Plates XVII-XIX.)

CONTENTS.

PAGE,

1. Previous Opinions and ee am aa Pe 293
(a) English Authors, Ee Bc oat 293

(b) Scandinavian and Dutch, mee 3 294

(c) Meyer and Jenkins, a ant eh. Sea 295

(d) Masterman and Cunningham, a me 298

2. The Size of the Herring when it first attains Matur AG s8 we 299
3. The Maximum Size attained by the Herring, ... aS 301
4. The Spawning-Periods of the Herring, 302

5. The Duration of see sa Development : Relation to

Temperature, 303

6. A Criticism of } Meyer’ s Conclusions and ‘Observations, it 304
7. The Scottish Collections, be aoe oe Eas 307
(a) Larval and Post-larval Stages, i. hes ay. 308

(b) The Annual Scour sae ae a 323

8, Conclusions, xr ae “a aoe 334
9. Literature, ... “td oe bic Ere 338
10. Description of Plates, Bs se 3h oe 338

1.-—PRrevious OPINIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

The investigation of the rate at which the herring grows is more
difficult than similar investigations with other fishes. The fact that
herrings spawn twice in the year, and that spawning may take place,
more or less, over many or most of the months of the twelve, offers one
difficulty, and a great one, since the post-larval and young stages derived
from one spawning cannot readily be distinguished from those derived
from the other, though metamorphosis may occur at a different length.
The conditions are complicated by the circumstance that the early stages
of the sprat, which spawns in early summer, can hardly be separated with
any certainty from the corresponding stages of the herring.

Many writers have expressed their opinion as to the rate of growth of
this fish and the size and age it attains when it first becomes mature and
reproduces ; and authors are by no means in agreement on these points.
It is probable that the divergence of view is in part explained by the
herrings of widely-separated localities growing at a different rate, and
coming to maturity at a different size; partly from the very smallest and
exceptionally mature individuals having been fixed upon; many of the
opinions, moreover, are based upon general considerations rather than
on definite evidence.

(a) English Authors.

Huxley, in the report of a Commission on the Scottish herring fishery
(I. p. 27) stated that it was difficult to obtain satisfactory evidence on
the point, some fishermen believing that the herring took three years
and others that it took seven years to reach maturity. His own view was

294 Part IIL. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

that there was no good evidence against the supposition that it reaches
the spawning condition in one year, a view which was also held by the
old Dutch naturalist Leuwenhoek. But it might be well, he said, to leave
the question whether the herring attains its maturity at 12, 15, or 18
months open, in the tolerably firm assurance that the period last named
is the maximum. Later, he modified his opinion, agreeing rather with
Mitchell (2, p. 30) and Yarrell (3, ii., p. 190), that it attained maturity
when about one year and a half old—a somewhat odd conclusion, since it
implies that the summer-spawners of one year give rise to the winter- or
spring-spawners of the next year but one, and vice versa.

De Caux, who wrote a book on the herring and its fishery, stated his
belief that herrings arrived at maturity well within twelve months (4,
p. 50).

Mr. George Sim did not agree with the supposition that the herring
grew so fast. From the examination of large numbers of herrings, he
thought that it grew in its first year six or seven inches, and that it did
not spawn until the end of its second year (5, p. 46).

(6) Scandinavian and Dutch.

On the Continent, and especially in Sweden and Norway, much atten-
tion has been given to the question.

Ljungmann (6, 6a), as the result of the measurement of a large number
of herrings in May from the west coast of Sweden, came to the conclusion
that the herring grew much more slowly than the above statements would
indicate.

On the coast of Bohusliin, where the small herrings come in May, they
grow rapidly with the high temperature, and measure 80mm. to 100mm.
He measured a great many herrings in the latter part of November on
the northern part of the Swedish coast, and found that the length of
these one-year-old fish varied from 78mm. to 109°Smm. In the latter
part of spring he also measured many herrings on the Bohuslan coast,
and came to the conclusion that the majority could be divided into three
groups, (1) about 120mm. (4? inches), or one year old; (2) 170mm, to
175mm. (63-62 inches), or two years old; (3) 200mm. to 210mm, (73-
8+ inches), or, presumably, three years old, and with fully-developed
reproductive organs.

Ljungmann occasionally found herrings as small as 18-5em. (74 inches)
with fully ripe eggs; on the other hand, many herrings from this size up
to 20cm. (74 inches) could not possibly spawn the same season. While
he thinks the herring spawns first at three years of age, he says some may
not do so until four years old. Fish of about 23°5cm. (94 inches) he
regards as four years old.

Widegren (7), who assigned a length of 75mm. (3 inches) to a one-
year-old herring, and a length of 150mm. (6 inches) to one two years of
age, stated that herrings two months old had a length of 25mm. (1
inch) and at three months a length of 37mm. (1,/, inches). The size
at maturity he placed at 20cm. (8 inches) and the age at three years.

Axel Boeck (8), with special reference to the Norwegian spring herring,
puts the average length when maturity is reached at 25cm. (9£ inches),
and the average age at three to four years; while Sundevall (9), dealing
with the stroémling of the eastern coast of Sweden, supposed them to
attain maturity when three or four years old, and about 20cm. (8 inches)
in length. He states that the young herring reach a length of 25mm.
in about two months; 36mm. in three months; 50mm. in four months;
75mm. (3 inches) when one year of age, and from 125mm. to 150mm.
(5-6 inches) when two years old.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 295

The opinion of Ekstrém (10, 10) was that herrings 10-12 inches in length
were about 4-5 years of age. He found young herrings on the coast at
Mérké to reach a length of 25mm. in one month, 50mm. in three months,
75mm. to 100mm. in December, when they were nearly one year old, and
about 100mm. (4 inches) when one year of age. He believes that
maturity is reached at a length of 7 to 8 inches.

Nilsson (11) states that the young of the autumn-spawning herring
measure about 75mm. (3 inches) in the following May ; and, according to
the views of the fishermen on the Bobusliin coast, the young of the
spring herring reach a length of 25mm. in May, 50mm. about the middle
of August, and in the autumn of the following year, when they are about
one year and a half old, they are from 75mm. to 100mm. (3-4 inches).
It was held, moreover, that the herring did not spawn until it was five or
six years of age.

G. 0. Sars (12) followed Nilsson in believing that the herring reaches a
considerable age before it reproduces, fixing it first at 4 to 5 years, and
later at 5 to 6 years.

Another author specially qualified to speak of the herrings of the
Bohuslin coast assigus to them a very slow growth. A.W. Malm (13) states
that those of 85mm. to 95mm. (33-32 inches) are almost two years old,
and he thinks that herrings from 19cm. to 22cm. (74-8? inches) are in
their fourth year, and those of 30cm. (11? inches) upwards of six years
of age.

Hoek (14), who carried on a series of careful observations on the
herrings of the Zuiderzee, which spawn in April and May, states that the
ripe herrings measure between 24mm. and 27cm. (94-102 inches) their
weight being from 110 grammes to 143 grammes, and the weight of the
reproductive organs from 23 grammes to 27 grammes.

He gives a number of measurements of the post-larval and young
herrings taken at various periods throughout the year. In July the
smallest ones were 37mm. to 42mm. (about 13 inches), and there were others
between 57mm. and 80mm. or even above 90mm. _ In the following
February most measured between 88mm. and 95mm. (374-3# inches), in
March between 85mm. and 95mm., while others were 49mm. to 75mm.
(1}2-3 inches), others 70mm. to 78mm., and some 83mm. to 114mm. In
April a few specimens were taken which measured about 90mm. (33 inches).
He thinks that when one year old they are about 115mm. (4% inches) ;
but his Tables allow a smaller size to be inferred, especially as young
herrings are known to enter the Zuiderzee from the North Sea.

In another work (14a, p. 298) Hoek describes the characters of young
herrings of the Hollandsch Diep and Haringvliet. Large numbers were
found in the Hollandsch Diep at the end of March, measuring 45mm. to
48mm. (13-14 inches), which he assigns to the North Sea so-called winter
herring, which spawns from the beginning of August on; others from
21mm. to 28mm. (12-83 inches), found in the latter part of June, he
attributes to the coast herrings which spawn in spring.

(c) Meyer and Jenkins.

A series of observations on the growth of the herring of Kiel
Bay was carried on by Dr. H. A. Meyer (15, 15a), whose results are
well-known and have to a very large extent guided opinion subsequently
as to the rate at which the herring grows. In 1874 he found numerous
larval herrings at the mouth of the Schlei, where spawning takes place
in March, and especially in April and May, measuring 25mm. to 29mm.
On 10th June they measured up to 33mm.; on 23rd June up to 43mm.,

296 Part II].—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

but the great bulk of them had at this time a length of 25mm. to
28mm. (1-13 inches) ; they could not be older than three months, showing
a rate of growth of at least 13mm. a month, while the majority could
scarcely be older than six weeks. By the end of July they were trans-
formed, and then measured 45mm. to 55mm. (12-2 ,°, inches).

It is important in considering these results to note the temperature
prevailing in the locality, and I append here a table compiled from those
in Meyer’s paper, for the ten months given ; up to and including July
they refer to Schliewasser, and are the mean of three years, 1875-77 ;
for the rest they refer to Kiel Bay and are the mean of two years,
1875-76. They are all surface temperatures, and are tn F.

Mean. Maximum. | Minimum.
March, .. a; 35°6 41:9 32:0
April, .. we, 44:2 50:0 39:2
Maye «4. 2 | 51:2 57:2 42°8
June.) .v. uit 62-2 109 51-8:
Jaly, of css tas 66:2 (2:3 57-2
August, ra 67°1 (ei 58°1
September, .. | 61:5 66°9 52°D
October, fs 54:5 59°7 44-2
November, .. | 43°3 50:7 34:9
December, aera| 36:9 44-2 32:9

On 11th June, 1874, Meyer put into a floating box at Kiel a number
(not stated) of transparent post-larval herrings, measuring 25mm, to
28mm., the growth of which is shown as follows :—

Date. No. of Days. | Length. Increase. Gadi ee bean
Mm. Mm. Mm.
June 24, 13 31-83 4-7 “42
July 6, 25 (12) 37-38 5-6 46
an alle 40 (15) 41-43 4-8 “30
August 1, 50 (10) 45-46 3-4 "BD

The transformation of these spring herrings was completed when they
were 41mm. long; and the total growth in the 50 days was about
15mm. to 17mm. (3-14 of an inch), or about 10mm. a month.

This experiment was a good one, and it would have been improved if
the numbers at the different sizes had been noted. It will be seen that
growth became somewhat slower towards the end of the experiment. A
growth of about 10mm (2 of an inch) per month at this period, and with
high temperatures prevailing, is not perhaps excessive.

At the end of August and beginning of September, Meyer also
measured the young herrings in the neighbouring bays, after they had
left the mouth of the Schlei and were mixed with other and larger

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 297

herrings. To obviate as far as possible the risk of confusion, he measured
only the smaller herrings at the various periods (the numbers are not
stated) with the following results .—

Mu. Inches. Increase, |
Mm.
14th November 1876, ... al 84 Soe

End of November 1876, ... = 90 33°, 6
:; December 1876, ... | 100 318 10

» January 1877, ... = 110 4,5, 10
February ,, i: aE 114 43 4
March ei ae oe 135 6,5, 21

yy eteyel Mg) At at sa 138 5 ie 3

54

Thus, the total growth in about 167 days, over the winter, according
to these observations, was approximately 54mm. (21 inches), or at the
rate of °32mm_ per day, or about 9:6mm. per month; that is to say, at
about the same rate as the average growth of the smaller forms in the
height of summer.

This does not agree with my experience as to the growth of other
fishes, in which growth is much retarded or completely arrested, it
may be, in winter, and which grow fastest in the younger stages.

Some experiments were made by keeping herrings in confinement.
Two, taken on 12th August among a lot which measured from 50mm.
to 55mm., were respectively 106mm. and 96mm, 44 months later. The
growth thus amounted to about 48mm., or about 10°7mm. per month.

Three of a medium size of 75mm. on the 24th October, kept in an
aquarium, measured 100mm. on 28th December, 65 days later, or an
increment of nearly -4mm per day ; at the end of January they measured
110 mm. (an increase at the rate of almost ‘3mm. daily), the total
increase in a little over three months being 35mm., or approximately
llmm. per month.

Meyer concluded that the spring herring of tne western part of the
Baltic reach a length of from 130mm. to 140mm. (53-53 inches) at the end
of their first year; that a month after the fertilisation of the eggs the
mass of larve, in water over 12°C. (53°6°F.), measure from 17mm. to
18mm. ; in two months, from 34mm. to 36mm., and in three months from
45mm. to 50mm., growth thereafter for the remaiming months of the
twelve being approximately at a similar rate of 10mm. or 11mm. per
month.

Ripe herrings, both spring and autumn, were found at 20cm. (73
inches); these were the smallest, more commonly the size at first-
maturity was 210mm. to 220mm. (87 to 83 inches), and he states that they
are got in the Baltic from 160mm. to 200mm. His conclusion is that the
herring does not reach sexual maturity before the end of the second year,
but this conclusion is pieced together from various considerations that
appeared to him probable, and was not attained by direct evidence.

A few years later, Meyer made a number of observations on the
growth of young herrings from artificially fertilised eggs (15a). The
eggs were fertilised on 26th April, and before hatching they were placed
in a wooden vat supplied with fresh supplies of water daily. Hatching
occurred in from 14 to 15 days, the temperature being 51°8° to 53°6°F.;
later in the summer the temperature of the water was about 68°F,
After a few days some showed a considerable increase in size, measuring

298 Part IT1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

9:2mm. and 93mm. Counting from the fertilisation of the egg, the sizes
at different ages were as follows :—

| Mm. Increase. ee

| Mm. Mm.
One Month, Al 10-11 = 1718
Two Months, ata 17-19 7-8 34-36
Three ,, | 30-35 13-16 45-50
Four ,, Seal 48-54 18-19 55-61
Bive 2h, a 65-70 17-16 65-72

The small growth in the early stages was ascribed to deficient food,
and when the arrangements were modified growth was quicker; and at
the end of the five months those artificially reared were of the same size
as those under natural conditions.

Another work dealing with the growth of the herring, especially of the
Baltic, is by Travis Jenkins, (16), and his conclusions were founded on
the examination of the otoliths of over 300 herrings, almost all from
Kiel Bay, like those of Meyer. These conclusions are as follows :—

= ve Growth in Each
Age. Total Length. Weight. Wana

Mm. | Grammes. Mm. Gm.

One Year, ... 113-121 8 117

Two Years, ... 156-164 3 43 22

Mhreew se 190-198 50 34 20

ours * Me i 217-225 70 27 20

Rive, hats 4 237-245 90 20 20

With regard to the age at which the herring attains maturity, Jenkins
places it at three years, when it has a length of 190mm. to 198mm. (74 to
77% inches). Jenkins found that in the Windebyer Noor, a small piece
of water at Eckernférde, which has scarcely any communication with
the sea, and is very brackish, the mature herrings were remarkably small,
though three years of age, according to the otoliths. They measured
from 127mm, to 150mm. (5-6 inches), and furnish good examples of the
probable effect of diminished salinity on growth, although there are
other conditions in this case which may have an important influence.

(d) Masterman and Cunningham.

Another paper on the growth of the herring must be referred to, viz.,-
by Masterman (17), who assigns a very moderate rate of growth to the
early stages, but comes nearer the truth than some of the others whose
conclusions have been quoted.

His investigation was made on a very large collection of young herrings
from newly-hatched lJarve and upwards, accumulated by Professor
M‘Intosh at St. Andrews. They comprised both spring and autumn
spawners, Enormous numbers of young herrings, just emerged from the
egg, occur in St, Andrew’s Bay at the beginning of March, sometimes a
little earlier and sometimes a little later, and last in great abundance
through April and May. Their average length is about 7mm. ; when
about 10mm. long they leave the bottom for mid-water, and when some
20mm. to 25mm. in length reach the surface or near it, and then migrate
shorewards, frequenting the mouths of rivers. They can be traced in
the same localities till mid-winter, when they have a length of some

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 299

50mm. They are not found in the spring or summer, but recur in the
autumn, with a length of about 80mm., which is increased to 100mm.
by the end of the year. Nout one year old Masterman thinks they are
probably about 60mm. (23 inches) long,

In the case of the autumn herrings, the occurrence of newly-hatched
larvee extends over August and Se ptember, the spawning period being
thus of shorter duration. ‘The larve are somewhat shorter than the
spring ones, averaging between 5mm. and 6mm.

The following Table gives Masterman’s estimate of the growth from
month to month of the spring and autumn herrings, after hatching :—

Month. | Spring. | Autumn.| Month. | Spring. | Autumn.
Mm. Mm Mm Mim
1 15 14 8 47 43
2 20 19 9 50 |) 475
3 27 23 10 54 52
4 30 27 11 58 57
5 35 30 12 62 61
6 40 34 18 87 88
7 44 38 20 98
24 113

Thus, according to Masterman, the autumn herring at two years of
age is rather smaller than the one-year old spring herring of the Baltic, as
Meyer has determined it. The rate of growth of the spring series is
about 4mm. to 5mm. per month, while in the winter months the growth
of the autumn herring in the early stages is retarded (3mm. to 4mm. per
mouth). The largest specimen in the collection measured 134mm. (53
inches), which would be about 273 months old and belong to the autumn
brood. In his later work in conjunction with M‘Intosh (17a, p. 422)
rather a different opinion is expressed. It is there supposed that the
herring attains sexual maturity at a length of 8-9 inches and probably
during the third year; and it is stated that 3 inches and 5 inches may
be taken to represent a rough average of the size of a herring when one
year and two years of age respectively.

The growth of the herring on the Scottish coast has also been considered
by Cunnitigham (18, p.162). ” He is of opinion that the herrings 33-5; inches
long (82mm.to 133mm.) taken in considerable numbers in December, i in the
sprat fishery in the Firth of Forth, are derived from the spring herrings
that spawn at the Isle of May, which would give them an age of about
nine months.

At Plymouth, a large number of small herrings from 4°3 to 5°5 inches
long, taken in May, are supposed by Cunningham to be year-old fish,
derived from the spawning in February and March in the previous year.

From the above review, it is apparent that very different opinions
are held as to.the rate of growth of the herring and the size and age
when it reaches the mature condition.

2.—Tue Size oF THE HERRING WHEN IT FIRST ATTAINS MatuRITyY.

The observations made by myself as to the size when maturity is
attained lead to the conclusion that the herring on the coast of Scotland
does not spawn until it has reached a larger average size than most of
those given above.

300 Part ITL.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Mature herrings, both male and female, are indeed occasionally taken
which have a length of about 8 inches (20cm.), or even slightly under
that size. I have found a few of this size at Ballantrae Bank in March
with fully developed reproductive organs, but they were exceedingly
exceptional. They were not quite so rare between 8 and 9 inches (20°3cm
to 22°8cm.),but the great majority of these small herrings were immature.

Matthews (19, p. 96) records ripe herring from Lochfyne in February,
between 19cm, and 20cm. (74 to 8 inches), and he mentions one that he
examined (place and date not stated), which measured only 7} inches
(18:4cm.) ; it was the smallest among about 3000 young herrings he
examined over a period of two years.

Among several thousands examined by myself, the smallest fully
ripe herring measured 21:lem. (83 inches). There were two of this size
among 2178 landed in February and March, 1904, at Anstruther, in
the Firth of Forth. They were thus spring herrings, and formed part of
the spawning shoals which habitually visit the mouth of the Firth in
spring to spawn. They were all mature fish, the spawn and milt flowing
from them in February (16th), when none among the 1023 measured
were spent; but on this occasion the smallest were :—Males, one at
21'8cm., three at 22°3cm., two at 25cm., two at 26cm., and altogether
from 22°5em. to 22°9em.—21 males; females, one at 22:5cm., one at
22-6cm., three at 22°7cm., and altogether between 22°5cm. and 22-9cm.
(8% to 9 inches)-——-there were 15 females.

In March, when 1155 were measured, 40 of the females and 43 of the
males were spent ; the smallest of these was a female measuring 21.5cem.
(83 inches), the next spent female being 22°8cm.; the smallest male was
23cm. Among the fish still spawning, the number of each sex at the
smallest measurements were these :—

211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224

Mia eae t oven ‘eel = ] 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 8 10 9 il
Female Ave i = = = 1 ») 1 = D 5 5 i 8 7

Moreover, among many hundreds ef. autumn spawners from various
parts of the east coast, examined in July and August, the smallest ripe
female in the latter month was 9 inches, or 23cm., the weight of the fish
being 92°3 grammes, and the ovaries 13:1 grammes. It was quite an
exception. The smallest male that was mature measured also 9 inches,
the testes weighixrg 12°5 grammes.

Other particulars regarding these small herrings may be summarised.
A male at 9 inches (23cm.), and weighing 110°3 grammes, was approaching
ripeness, the testes weighing 9°2 grammes. One at 9,5, inches (23 6cm.)
was fully mature, as were other two at 23-5cm. and 23°8cm. One male
at 83 inches (21-5cm.), weighing 90 grammes, had testes which weighed
9°5 grammes, and was judged to be about half ripe.

Among small female herrings, some measuring 23-9cem. (102 grammes),
25cm. (106 grammes), 24:1lem. (128-4 grammes), 24cm. (105 grammes),
and with roes weighing from 16 to 22°6 and 25 grammes, were
judged to be approaching maturity. On the other hand, some females
from 8; to 10 inches (21cm. to 25°5cm.) were immature, their weights
ranging from 93 to 133:7 grammes, and the weight of the ovaries from
2°3 grammes (in the one at 10 inches) to 1-6 and 6:4 grammes.

Besides these, there were many whose sex could not be distinguished
by the naked eye. They ranged from 7? to 103 inches (19:5cem. to 26cm.)
and from 55:5 grammes upwards, with reproductive organs from under
1 gramme in weight to 2°7 grammes.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 301

Almost all the autumn herrings which were above 10 inches in length
were ripe or approaching maturity ; and it must be remembered that this
was the chief spawning time.

Some particulars of other cases may be given. In the collection from
the Dornoch Firth on 12th November, 1903, thirteen were examined.
They ranged from 176mm, to 197mm. (7-7? inches), and their weight
from 37.5 to 57 grammes. In all cases the reproductive organ was
extremely minute and immature, the heaviest (from a male) weighing
0-03 grammes. These herrings were extremely fat, and there was a large
quantity of fat in the abdominal cavity. This fat, as I have elsewhere
suggested, is probably used up, not only in connection with the develop-
ment of the reproductive organs, but also for the production of energy,
in tiding over the winter, when growth, and even the power of digestion,
is to a large extent in abeyance.

Other herrings, taken in Aberdeen Bay on 29th December, measuring
148 and 153mm. (6 inches) were quite immature and were also full
of fat.

In the spring herring from the Forth, as will be seen later, two series
are represented, tho average size of the smaller, but fully mature, fish
being about 93 inches, and the range from 84 to about 10 inches.

I think there is little doubt that these herrings represent shoals spawning
for the first time, and that the average size of the winter or spring
spawner on this part of the coast, when maturity is first reached, is about
23-5em. (9; inches), while some may spawn when about 2lem. to 22cm.
(8 to 8? inches), and others probably not till they are 26-5em. or 28cm.
(10 inches), agreeing in respect of variation in size with what obtains in
the first mature group among other fishes. In all cases the fish in a
group of the same year exhibit considerable variations in length, and it
is the average rather than the extremes that have to be considered.

The mean size I have assigned to the spring herrings when they first
spawn is nearly the same as has been given by Hoek for the herrings
of the Zuider-zee (supra), viz, 24em. to 27em., and by Boeck for the
Norwegian herring, viz., 25cm.

It is of some importance to establish the size at first maturity in
connection with the consideration of the growth of the fish and the
number of annual series which precede the reproductive one.

3.—MAXIMUM SIZE ATTAINED BY THE HERRING.

It is also desirable to say something as to the size to which herrings
grow. In our waters few are caught over 12 inches (30°5cm.) in length.
In those examined at Anstruther, above referred to, two were 12?
inches (324mm. and 325mm.), and only 33 were above 11 inches.
The largest herring that came under the observation of Huxley during the
enquiry in Scotland measured 12,6, inches (32cm.), and the smallest full,
it may be said, was 102 inches (26-5cm.); but he mentions that the
Fishery Officer stated that it was not uncommon to get Orkney herrings
that measured 14 or 15 inches long, and he had got one of 17 inches
(43°2cm.), a size mentioned by Buckland as the largest for a herring on
record.

At Aberdeen the longest observed by Sim was 12+ inches (31:2cm.), its
weight being 9? 0z.; Matthews (19) got one 33-5cm. long, and another,
33°3em.; while Brook (20) states that in Lochfyne he has seen herrings
in August “ quite 15 inches long,” or 37cm, ‘~

De Caux (4) records one of 153 inches (39:4cem,), and Murie (21)
another of 144 inches (36:lcm,) The largest obtained by Ljungmann (6)

302 Part I1I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

measured 37°5cm., the largest mentioned by Collett was 36-4cm., and a
herring measuring 34°4cm, was the largest found by Lundberg (22) in
the Royal Museum.

Specimens of a very large size were obtained by Trybom in the course
of investigations on the west coast of Sweden, and he gives very full and
detailed measurements of them (23, 23a). Samples were selected from
the catches of various kinds of net, and from his Tables the following are
extracted. In the catches of set-nets (sdttgarnsfangst) the largest
measured 38:5, 37°0, 35:2, 34:8cm., 7.e., up to 15} inches. Here are the
sizes of ten herrings from such a catch obtained at a place near
Marstrand on 11th November, the meshes of the net being 35mm. (13
inches) from knot to knot :—38°5, 35°2, 33°4, 33°4, 32°8, 32°7, 32°6, 32°5
32:2, 32:0cm., none being under 123 inches. With mackerel nets the
sizes of the larger herrings were 36, 35°8, 35°3, and 35:2cm.; with
seines (vadfangst) the larger measured 37°2, 35.8, 33°8cm ; with purse-
seines (sndrpvadsfangst) the largest were 34°4, 34, and 33°8cem; with
drift nets, (drifgarnsfangst) the meshes going up to 33mm. (1 ,°; inches),
herrings of the following dimensions were caught :—35°8, 35°5, 35:1, 35,
34°8cm., &c.

The largest herring of which I have found a record (24) is one which
was said to have been taken by a Dutch herring boat (De Dankbaarheid)
in the North Sea, about 57°23’ N. Lat., on 23rd October 1863. This
giant measured 48°5em. (a trifle over 19 inches); but it was probably a
shad, specimens of which are not uncommonly recorded by the unin-
structed as extraordinarily large herrings.*

The largest obtained by me in Lochfyne measured 134 inches
(33°4em.), but many were 133 inches. I have also received a herring
from the Firth of Forth of this size.

From general considerations I think it very probable that herrings of
14 and 15 inches represent the usual maximum size attained, and it
muct be borne in mind that on our east coast the herrings are all taken
by drift-nets, which is selective. and that the size of mesh is small
compared with those used by Trybom. In Lochfyne and the Clyde they
are taken mostly by seine-nets.

4.—THE SPAWNING PERIODS.

There are two well-marked periods of spawning on the coast of
Scotland, one inspring and one in autumn, The former is chiefly in
March and February, as at Ballantrae Bank in the Clyde, and at the
mouth of the Firth of Forth ; the latter is chiefly in August and September.

Mr. Jeffrey, the Fishery Officer at Peterhead, who has had great
experience, tells me that on this part of the east coast (Aberdeenshire)
the autumn and summer spawning season varies very little, and that the
principal time may be safely set down as extending from the middle of
August to the end of the first week in September, though small shoals
may spawn a little before and a little after the period stated. With
regard to the winter or spring fishing, very little is done on the Aber-
deenshire coast, but the fishermen agree that the herrings taken in January
and February are well developed, and that they spawn in March.

This is also the experience at Ballantrae and the Firth of Forth, and
I think March may be set down as the chief spring month for spawning,
though it extends from the latter part of January into April. It is
probable that the height of the spring spawning is separated from the
height of the autumn spawning by something less than six months,

* Dr. Redeke, Scientific Adviser on Fisheries to the Dutch Government, kindly informs

me there is no evidence that the fish was examined by a competent person, and he does
not attach any value to the record,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 303
and the latter from the spring spawning in the following year by
rather more than six months.

Too much stress perhaps is laid on the fact that spawning herrings
may be obtained in most months of the year. There is evidence to show
that among several other fishes individuals may be found fully mature
at times more or less remote from the spawning period. On gome parts
of the coast, moreover, the limits of the normal spawning period of the
herring may be earlier or later than what I Lave stated. But that the
spawning season is a brief one, both in spring and autumn, is shown by
the separation of the age-groups, contrasting in this respect with mos$
other species.

5,—Tue Duration or Empryonic DEVELOPMENT: RELATION TO
TEMPERATURE.

The period of ‘‘incubation,” from the deposition and fertilisation of
the eggs until the young herrings hatch out, varies according to the
temperature of the water, which appears to be by far the most mportant
factor. It is desirable to consider the point, because it furnishes a clue
to the period when the mass of the larve escape into the water and begin
independent life and growth.

Many observations have been made as to the hatching of the eggs of
the herring at different temperatures, and I append a Table in which I
have set down a number of them.

r avaknwa tt Number of
Place. Season. eet Days to Authority.
5 Hatch.
|

Firth of Forth, February, March, . (40-41) 25-30 Allman.
Clyde, . March, . . 41-44 18-22 Ewart.

“Pee March-April, (40 -45-5) 26 Dannevig.
Plymouth, January, 48 12-14 Cunningham.
Zuiderzee, April, 48°9 12 Hoffmann,
Bohusliin, | Spring, — 24 Malm.
Norway, : Spring, . - 24 Boeck.
Stockholmliin, —- . a 14 Sundevall,
Morko, . : ; = 14 Ekstrém.
Northumberland, . | August, 52-58 8 9 Cunningham.
Denmark, “tel oh oe — 8-10 Kroyer.
Clyde, | September, . 54 8-10, 18 Ewart.
Stockholmlin, | August, 57-59 6-8 Sundevall.
Kiel, Autumn, 50-51 11 Meyer.

; | Spring April, 644-68 8-10 aA

*. <5 ‘ 51°8-53 6 11 “i

iy | . 35°6 28-34

39 (Pas 32 47 33

The last entries refer to experiments by Meyer.

It is obvious from the Table that the period of ‘‘incubation” varies
greatly, and that in the case of spring or winter spawners the duration is
much longer than with the autumn-spawning fish.

At the spawning-grounds near the mouth of the Firth of Forth the
temperature of the bottom water in the various months is as follows :—

Jan. Feb. Mar. April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Surface, 416 40°9 40°1 43°12 46°38 51:2 54:1 551 54h 5S 47°8 44-4
Bottom, . 42°38 41°0 39°9 41°9 44:8 46°6 50°0 52°9 53m 51-4 48°6 45.2

It has been mentioned by Huxley (1) as a point of interest that he
met with no case of full or spawning herrings during the solstitial months,
viz., June and December ; but it is perhaps of more interest to note that

304 Part ITI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

the spring herrings spawn when the bottom water is the coldest of the
year and the autumn spawners when it is the warmest of the year.

The effect of the difference on the rate of development in the eggs must
be considerable. From the Table given above it may be inferred that the
eggs of the spring fish take from about 25 to 30 days to hatch in
February aud March, while the eggs of the autumn spawners hatch in 9
or 10 days, or approximately in a third of the time. One must therefore
add these numbers to the date fixed for the maximum spawning in order
to determine the period when most of the larval herrings appear in the
water. In the case of the spring fish the period is about the middle of
April, and in the case of the autumn fish it is about the second week of
September,

The advantage to the autumn herring in respect of the quicker develop-
ment in the egg is, however, compensated by the difference in the tem-
perature to which the young growing herrings are soon exposed. With the
spring fish the temperature is a rising one, favourable to growth, for many
subsequent months, while with those hatched in autumn, the temperature
is a falling one, especially at the surface, and thus less favourable to
growth

How long it may take in some instances for the young of the spring
herring to reach even a small size is shown by an experiment of Mr.
Harald Dannevig. On 13th—14th March he fertilised some herring eggs
and brought them to the Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen, where they
hatched on 9th April, after an “incubation” period of 26 or 27 days.
The larve then measured 8mm. in length. The yolk was not absorbed
until 9 days later, and 23 days after hatching the post-larve measured
only 10mm. In this case 49 or 50 days elapsed (viz., 13th-14th March—
2nd May) before the young herring measured 2-ths of an inch, thus
offering a great contrast to the results of Meyer, but in the latter case the
temperature during the experiment was not the same as at Aberdeen.
Much stress cannot be put upon the experiment, but Mr. Dannevig
is skilful in rearing post-larval fishes, as his success with the plaice
shows.

The difference in temperature between the bottom and surface water,
above shown, no doubt explains the fact that the larve in spring soon
seek the upper layers, while in autumn they do this to a very small
extent, the later larvee, as Masterman says, appearing never to leave the
bottom, but to migrate shorewards at once, without an intermediate
journey through the mid-water and surface layers.

The young herring when it is hatched is of a length ranging from
52mm. to 8°8mm. (4-2 inch), and the yolk disappears in from three or
four days to a week ; traces may be found in larve measuring over 9mm.

It may be mentioned that the larva of the sprat is 3-3°7mm. when
hatched, and, according to Ehrenbaum, the length when the yolk is
absorbed (in about a week) is 477mm, They may thus be easily
separated in some collections.

6.— A Criticism or Mryer’s CoNCcLUSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS.

Before dealing with the collections of herrings given in the Tables
appended to this report, it may be well to consider some general results
as to the growth of fishes deduced from my researches with a number of
other species, and how they bear upon the statements concerning the
growth of the herring above quoted, and more especially those of Meyer
and Jenkins.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 305

Meyer, as we have seen, came to the conclusion that the herring at the
end of about six months reached a length of approximately 70mm.to80mm.;
at the end of the first complete year a length of 130mm. to 140mm., and at
the end of the second complete year, when he supposed is to attain to
maturity, a length of 160mm. to 170mm.

The amount of growth in length in the first year was thus 130mm. to
140mm. (54-54 inches), while in the second, and, be it noted, before sexual
maturity, it was only 30mm. (1,3, inches). In other words, about 82
per cent. of the growth in the period anterior to sexual maturity is
represented as occuring in the first half of the period and only 18 per
cent. in the second half, a result totally opposed to what happens with
other fishes.

Jenkins, as we have seen, also working on the herrings of Kiel Bay,
by studying their otoliths, reduces somewhat the rapidity of growth
as brought out by Meyer. He makes the sizes of the annual
groups somewhat less than Meyer, and puts the period of maturity at the
third year instead of the second, increasing the size at first maturity by
some 3°0cm. He also gives the annual sizes up to the fifth year, when
the herrings are between 9 and 10 inches in length. Thus, taking the
average sizes as given by Jenkins, we have the following increments per
annum before maturity.

Year. Mean Size. Increment. aa: a Wateneien |
a VTE ime A eee) fs yee
1 117 117 60°3
a 160 43 22-2
3, | 194 34 175

Again, if we consider the growth each year as related to the total
growth in the five years as given by Jenkins, we have the following :—

|
i

| ,. | Percentage Increase on |
Year, Mean Length. | sppual inere Total Length at 5
| : Years of Age.
| Mm. Mm. |

il ; : : 117 117 | 48°5
Tet ye : 160 43 | 17'8
3 194 34 14:1
4, 221 27 11:2
5 241 20 | 8°3

Thus, according to these results, the herring grows in its first year
(though not sexually mature till its third year) almost half of the total
length it attains at the end of its fifth year.

The conclusion, I think, is obvious, that both Meyer and Jenkins have
jumped at least a year, and that the herring at 135mm. or 117mm. is
much more than one year old.

We are now tolerably well acquainted with the growth of several
species of fish, and in all of them the growth in each year anterior to the
occurrence of sexual maturity is fairly comparable in extent ; very often
theamount of growth in the first year is somewhat greater than in the
others, and it diminishes slightly with each successive year; though

observers do not always agree about this,
V

306 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The difference referred to may be brought out by the following
diagram, showing in proper relation the annual growth of the long rough
dab and whiting up to sexual maturity, and of the herring according to
Meyer and Jenkins up to the same period.

1 2
I | I Herring (Meyer)
1 2 3
Il | | | Herring (Jenkins).
1 2
I J Whiting.
1 2 3
l I I I Long Rough Dab.

Meyer’s methods of determining the size of the herrings living
naturally in the sea were unsatisfactory, and were unlikely to furnish a
just estimate of the average size or of the true rate of growth, and his
experiments are subject to important reservations, since only selected
results are given, and not full details or numbers; and, moreover, too
much stress was laid on the amount of growth in the summer months as
a factor in computing the amount of growth for the whole year.

Thus, the growth of the herrings in the Schlei, as determined by him
for comparison with his later rearing experiments, amounted to only
48-54mm. (14-24 inches) over the five summer months, or an average of
just 10mm. per month, and the herrings which he reared grew to a
similar extent over the period. But the temperature in these months is
the highest in the year, the means ranging from 51:2 F. for May to 67:2
F. for August, and in no other month, except May, was it under 61°5 F.
Then, again, in the best of his experiments, in which the young herrings
were kept in a floating box for 50 days, the growth was at the mean rate
of 96mm. (2 of an inch) per month, but the months were at the end of
June and July, the mean temperature in the latter month being 66°2 F.

Compare these reasonable results with his results in winter, derived
from the comparison of herrings from the sea, as shown in another Table.
We find that from the end of November to the end of March (when with
many fishes growth is quite arrested and always very slow) the indicated
growth in the four months, December to March, amounted to 48mm., or
12mm. a month, which is higher than in summer, a result that is
obviously fallacious. And yet the average size when a year old is placed
at 135mm., a size which appears to have been inferred from five months’
growth at 10mm. per month and seven months’ growth at 12mm. per
month. ;

In point of fact, as shown in my various papers on the rate of growth
of fishes, as in the one in the present report, growth in summer greatly
exceeds the growth during the rest of the year, while it is extremely
small in the period from October-November to February—March.*

* Here are afew examples. The growth of young haddocks from 31st July to 10th
September (41 days) amounted to 38°6mm., or ata rate of ‘94mm. per day, or 29mm.
per month; from 31st July to the 18th October (79 days) they increased by 61:1mm., or
at a rate of ‘77mm. per day, or about 24mm. per month ; over part of winter, from 28th
November to 15th January (48 days) the increase was 3°7mm., or at a rate of ‘(O8mm. per
day, or 24 per month. Another series increased by 286mm. in the 41 days from 24th
July to 8rd September, the rate being ‘7mm. per day, or 21mm. per month. Over winter
and spring another series increased in 164 days, from 18th December to 30th May, by
33:9mm., or at a rate of 2mm. per day, or 6°4mm. per month, and the period included
April and May, which is one of the most favourable months.

With the’young whiting, whose habitat more nearly resembles that of the young herring,

the retardation in winter and the rapid growth in summer are marked. From June to the
middle of September one set of observations shows a growth of ‘hmm. per day, or 15‘8mm.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 507

In the shallow waters on the beach, it may be entirely arrested, as with
small flat-fishes, while the growth of young whiting is very greatly
diminished—it grows at least fifteen times faster in the summer months.
Young herring inhabit the same coastal waters, and must be affected in
a similar way ; and an estimate of the average size of the one-year old
herring from Meyer’s own observations above referred to, qualified by
these facts, would reduce the size very materially.

I think there is little doubt, at all events, that Meyer’s conclusions as
to the rate of growth of the herring, which have so long held the field,
are fallacious.

Jenkin’s results are based on a study of the otoliths, which, as he says,
cannot tell the precise age of a fish, but only within certain limits. So
far as my somewhat limited experience goes as to the utility of the
markings on the otoliths of the herring as a clue to the age of the fish, it
has led me to the belief that there is considerable scope for erroneous
conclusions, especially with the younger forms. It appears to me
probable, on the above grounds alone, that Jenkins has not succeeded in
separating the first year’s fish from the second year’s, and that the size
he gives as approximately that of a one-year-old (117mm.) is nearer the
size of a two-year-old herring.

His observations on the older herrings are valuable, and it is of interest
to note that he makes a herring of 21-7em. to 22°5cm. (84 to 83 inches)
approximately four years old, and one of 23°7cm to 24:5cm (93 to 92
inches) approximately five years old

He gives an interesting diagram (16, p. 95) of the curves based on the
determinations of different observers. ‘The point alluded to, the exaggera-
tion of the first year’s growth, is well indicated, and the curve exhibiting
Meyer’s results shows a deflection at the end of the first year which
would not apply to any other fish.

The curves of Ljungmann (who calculated the year-old herring to be
from 65cm. to 90cm in length) are devoid of this, except between the
second and third year,f and it is noteworthy that the prolongation of the
curve of Ljungmann and of the curve showing Masterman’s conclusions
meet Jenkin’s curve in the fourth year.

7.—Tue ScorrisH CoLuEcTIons.

The collections have been made during the last five or more years at
various seasons, and mostly in Aberdeen Bay, the Moray Firth, and the
Firth of Forth.

The measurements arranged in *5 centimetre groups are given in Tables
I.-III., appended to this paper.

per month ; another from 30th May to the early part of October show increments of
*Dmm. per day, or 15°8 per month; another in July and August show increments of ‘9mm.
per day, or 28°5 per month ; a fourth set show increments in June and July of ‘66mm.
per day, or 20°5 per month. On the other hand, in the winter and spring, we have the
following :—From 21st December to end of May an increase of 17‘lmm., or at a rate of
‘107mm. per day, or 3'4mm. per month—most of this, no doubt, in May ; 18th October
to 15th January, ‘045mm, per day, or 14mm. per month; Gth November to 17th
December, 1:5mm., or ‘037 per day, and 1‘lmm. per month; 29th November to 15th
January, 2°3mm., or ‘048mm. per day, or 1:4 per month. These observations are based
on the measurements of many thousands of fish.

In the deeper water it may be shown that the growth in the early months is less
retarded, as with haddock, whiting, and witches, and no doubt also with mackerel and
other fishes, which withdraw to the deeper and warmer layers in winter, but, as elsewhere
remarked, there are not yet sufficient temperature observations with which to correlate
the observations on growth, those taken on the Quarterly Cruises in the International
Investigations being useless for fishery investigations such as these.

+ Due to misapprehension of his measurements, a mistake also made by Meyer, whe

took Ljungmann’s measurements as measurements of the total length, whereas they
excluded the caudal fin,

308 Part [IT.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

(a) Larval and Post-Larval Stages.

Considerable collections of larval and small post-larval clupeoids and
herrings were obtained by the ‘‘Garland” during the years she was
engaged in the Forth and adjoining waters, which have been tabulated in
the Board’s Reports* by various workers. In Professor M‘Intosh’s
tablesf referring to the pelagic fauna of St. Andrews Bay, various young
clupeoids are tabulated, and a large number also in the paper by Master-
man previously mentioned.

It is important to determine the rate of growth of the herring in the early
stages, first of all, and I have therefore brought together in the table
subjoined most of the measurements contained in the lists referred to,
those given by Masterman in his paper and by M‘Intosh in his tables,
as well as those in the later collections of the Fishery Board. M‘Intush
states that towards the end of March myriads of young clupeoids,
apparently herrings, throng the lower part of the water in St. Andrews
Bay. They had probably only escaped from the eggs, though the
absence of the yolk-sac in many, and the presence of well-marked
embryonic fin-rays, showed that they were some days old. He also
states that in this month numerous young sprats, from 13 to 1? inches
(34mm. to 45mm.), were captured in the mid-water net.

A précis of the collections examined by Masterman shows the
following :—

In January (19th, 20th) eleven herrings measured from 42mm. to
56mm., the average size being 48mm. to 49mm. (148 inches). According
to Masterman’s tables showing the increments of growth per month, these
are much too large to be the autumn herrings of the year before, which at
the period would measure, on his scale, only about 30mm., or less; and
they correspond rather to the spring herrings of the previous year, which
at nine months would be about 50mm., and this would take them back to
May ; if referred to April, they ought to be about 54mm. They cannot
be sprats, for, apart from diagnosis at that stage, the sprats in March, as
stated above, measure only 34mm. to 45mm. The evidence obtained
by myself supports the view that they are the herrings of the previous
spring.

Tr eerie (19th) nine herrings from 35mm. to 41mm. (18 to 13
inches), and with a mean size of 37-3mm. (14 inches), were caught.

On lst March eleven, from 33mm. to 39mm.; on 7th—21st, ten, from
26mm. to 44mm.; and on 3list, one of 40mm., were taken, making
altogether for the month, 22, from 26mm. to 44mm., with a mean of
about 35mm. (13 inches).

In April (2nd—18th) twelve measured from 32mm. to 49mm. (all but
the two smallest on 18th), the average being 42°3mm. (1+} inches).

All these were quite distinct from the young herrings that appear
about this time, to be referred to below, and with these we have the
following larger forms, viz.—(1) 14th to 3lst March, seven herrings,
from 79mm. to 103mm., with an average length of 95°6mm. (32 inches),
and on 29th April one at 110mm. (4% inches).

In January-March we have thus three groups of these older clupeoids
—(1) Those in January, with an average of 48mm. to 49mm., belonging
to the previous spring; (2) in February, March, and April, a group

* 8th, p. 270; 9th, p. 334; 10th, p. 300, by Professor M‘Intosh ; and the others in
the llth, p. 250; 12th, pp. 298, 300; 18th, p. 258; 14th, p. 223; 15th, p. 246, by
Masterman, Tosh, Williamson, Wallace, and Kyle,

+Jbid., 7th, p, 267 ; 11th, p, 284,

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 309

from 26mm. to 49mm., derived from the previous autumn; and (3) in
March a group from 79mm. to 103mm.

According to the rate of growth deduced by Masterman, the larger
herrings, measuring about 96mm., would be approximately 19 to 20
months old, which would refer them back to the autumn fish, two years
before.

In March, as mentioned above, the larval herrings begin to appear.
The earliest in the tables is 3rd March. From 3rd to 7th, five measured
5mm. to 8mm.; on 14th, 135 measured from 6mm. to 9mm.; from
26th to 31st, 5804 measured from 6mm. to 1l1mm., the range during the
month being from 5mm. to llmm. Great hauls were taken on 30th
March 1889, so much so that the bottom-net had to be disused. In April,
from 2nd to 11th, 716 measured from 6mm. to 11mm. ; from 11th to 21st,
108 were from 7mm. to 14mm. ; from 21st to 28th, 39 were from 5mm.
to 16mm., the progress in growth being shown by the larger sizes, the
maximum for the month being 16mm. (2 inch), and the range from 5mm.
to 16mm. In this month, however, a complication is introduced by the
appearance of larval sprats.

Up to April, and well into that month, there seems to be little or no
difficulty, owing to the limit of the spawning period of the sprat.
Masterman, in describing the pelagic eggs collected by the “Garland”
over a series of years,* states that the extreme limits of the spawning
period of this fish, as inferred from the eggs obtained, were from 23rd
March to 19th August, both in the same year (1891). The earliest dates
in other years were 6th, 14th, 17th, 24th April, and at first very few
were got. The chief spawning time is from the middle of May on
towards the end of June.

It would be remarkable if all the early post-larval sprats were
separated from the early post-larval herrings, and from the latter part of
April the possibility of this disturbing factor has to be considered. From
the Table given below, however, it appears that this disturbance cannot
be serious, for in the months when sprats ought to be appearing in
greater numbers (June-July) clupeoids are remarkably scarce.

On May 2nd five clupeoids measured from 10mm. to 17mm. (2 to
i# inches), and are clearly herrings; in the period 14th to 31st, 28
measured from 5mm. to 25mm., but there appear to be again two groups,
viz.—13 from 5mm. to 8mm., and 15 from 13mm. to 25mm., which
show the continued growth of the young herring; at the end of May
the herrings are 17mm. to 22mm. (up to 3 inch), and as the one at
25mm. was taken on 16th, it is probable the limit is greater and slightly
exceeds one inch.

The herring at this period and size may be approaching three months
of age. Ata nearly corresponding stage, Meyer’s Baltic herrings (but at
the end of July, with higher temperatures) were 30mm. to 35mm. (1,°, to
12 inches) ; those in the sea, as he inferred, being 45mm. to 50mm.

In June (9th, 10th) only three were got; one at 13mm., the other
two measured 20mm.

In July (9th) two alone of the smaller were caught, measuring 16mm.
There are, however, a series of 25, extending from 28mm. to 37mm., the
average size being 321mm (1j inches). These can only be regarded as
the spring herrings, now over three months, and it may be four months
old—months, too, very favourable for growth.

There are four other herrings which were taken on the same date, viz.,
one 57mm., two 59mm., and one 75mm., the mean being 62°5mm. (24
inches). They probably do not belong to the same group, and it is

* Fifteenth Annual Report, Part IIL., p. 233.

310 Part I1I.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

worth considering their origin. They could scarcely belong to the spring
fish of the year, whose growth, as we have seen, is much slower; the two
smaller might be referred to the previons autumn, and would thus be
approximately ten months old; the one at 75mm. (almost 3 inches) is to
be referred to the spring of the preceding year. According to the rate of
growth given by Masterman, herrings “of that average size, if spring
herrings, would be almost exactly twelve months old, and if autumn
herrings, all but twelve months old (61mm.),

It is, however, to be remarked that herrings of this size and larger
are likely to escape from tow-nets, especially when used in daylight, and
even from the slowly-towed and larger midwater net; and thus the
average size of the herrings, except the smaller ones in collections
obtained in this way, may be expected to be somewhat under rather than
to exceed the true natural size for the group.

If the two smaller belong to the same group as those which had an
average length of 42°3mm, on 18th April, the increment in the 82
summer days would amount to 15'‘7mm., or a mean of ‘19mm. per day, or
5°9min. (4 inch) per month.

In August we come again on the larval clupeoids. M‘Intosh mentions
them under date 2nd, from 5mm. to 8mm. In Masterman’s tables,
seven from 5mm. to llmm. are entered between 3rd and 9th ; also two
at 15mm. and oneat 20mm. From the 22nd to the 30th, 71 measured
from 4mm. to 12mm., and one was 19mm., possibly to be referred to the
spring series. Omitting the larger, the average for the 71 at the end of
August was 67mm. This may be taken as the size at which the
autumn herring starts the beginning of September.

In September M‘Intosh notes the appearance of clupeoids from 7mm.
to 13‘5mm., the latter size only after the middle of the month. In the
table of Masterman, 184 are entered between the 4th and 7th, of which
181 measure from 4mm. to 9mm., and are mostly 6mm. ; one is 13mm.,
and two are 44mm. (12 inches), and no doubt represent the herrings
hatched in March or April.

From 13th to 30th there are 70 in two series, (1) 64 from 5mm. to
18mm. and mostly about 11mm., (2) 6 on 17th from 36mm. to 40mm.,
the average being 39°0mm.; if these are combined with the two taken
earlier, the range is from 36mm. to 44mm., and the average size 40°2mm.
(12 inches).

These are no doubt the spring herrings, which show an increment of
8:lmm. (under 3 inches) in the 68 days (approximately) from the series
of 9th July, or only ‘12mm. per day.

On the 7th September two other larger herrings were taken, measuring
75mm. and 80mm. (3, 3} inches), which no doubt represent the older
series taken in July.

In October, from the Ist to 9th, 34 measuring 7mm. to 19mm., and
mostly about 13mm. to 14mm, are entered; from 11th to 19th, there
are 82, in three groupings, (1) 4 at 6mm.—indicating a late spawning—
(2) 66 from 12mm. to 20mm., most about 17mm. (14 inches) repre-
senting the average size at this period, and (3) 12 from 32mm. to 41mm.,
taken on the 16th and 18th, the average length being 33°2mm.
(1,3, inches), or less than those taken a month earlier, These probably
represent the spring herrings.

In November, the number is greatly diminished. From the Ist to the
8th, 14, from 14mm. to 24mm., and averaging 17-3mm. were taken ;
and from the 16th to the 24th, other four, from 19mm. to 26mm., the
average length for the 18 specimens being 183mm. (barely } inches),
which approximately represents the size of the autumn herring in
November, some specimens, however, attaining a little over 1 inch.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 311

In December, only four of this series were taken, viz., on the 3rd, and
they measured 15mm, and 17mm. There were also four at 37mm., or
almost an inch and a half, probably spring fish, as well as one at
100mm., and another at 134mm.

It seems probable, therefore, from these observations that towards the
end of the year the average size of the young autumn herring, when three
to four months old, is under 20mm. (# of an inch), and probably not much
over 3 of an inch ; some measure 26mm., or slightly over one inch.

The spring herring, which is, however, 1mm. to 2mm. longer when it
issues from the egg, grows quicker, and may even reach, as we saw, a length
of an inch at the ed of May, when they are relatively younger. This is
associated with a favourable and rising temperature, and probably better
food supplies, since M‘Intosh found traces of diatoms in them in March
(25 g, 267), and also Dr. George Murray (26), who found Coscinodiscus
abundant in small post-larval clupeoids.

From these tables of Masterman it would appear that the growth of
the herring in its post-larval stages is much slower on the east coast of
Scotland than Meyer found it to be at Kiel.

“GARLAND’S” COLLECTIONS OF CLUPEOIDS.

Mm. | ¢/<] § | April. | May. | June. | July. | August,| Sept. | October.| 3 | $
= | & a Z =)
her |
Ds
4-5 x or | x x x 5c xX |X XX x
x x Be
Ee : non ee ae .
6-7 x Stn sed XX e xX|xX X X|K XX
A XXXX ice = Cc XX x X |XX XXX |X XX x
3-9 SR ee ae XXX Xx [SK EX [ke x
6.0. e | PE eee XXXX Xe Se a |
10-11 XXX Sas XXXX | | XXXX|X XXX
XXX ee XXXXX x XX |X KKK HX x
oe ig ORK x Sea <i (ip e.0.0.0.<
12-13 SECN} x Secratatay| b:< x
xxix * XX x KK |
AA). ~ — OX i =
Ms ets Ee prea ily
= xx|* = ae x pom ap.< —— XXX XXX =
16-17 BS Es 3 a ess xxx PXXEXXXX | 5
E x sy x x ee XXXXXXXX =
18-19 Spe so x teal jb.9.0.0.0.9.0.0 | Tee
ne 30.8 ; x ae =| XG
moc x XXXXXXXX| \\
20 21 2S 225) ok SoG oe ee
x x = >, 0.4
ee x XK | x
22-23 2a OS eon obo d | Saeed eee
| XXX . KCK
ie x SSS) 34) TS Se
24-95 B x x x i
x = 3 at ey pax
= x | * XxX =
26-27 | x x X. | =
x
- | -
28-29 > cl | Reet x x i
mixx =
x | } x | x
30-31 x : eke x
= Pes x |
> ; | = x
32-33 x = igs
x = = x
34-35 x e ies
x x | xX x
36-37 x x 2 ; x
x x x x x
. r | -
38-39 x es | = x :
x x | = x ‘
40-41 D, 2s x $
ve x :
42-43 | x = -
= x
44-45 | x a x
x Be
x |
48-49 | x xe
x
50-51 | x
x
52-63 | x
x
54-55 | x
x |
a hae fe
58-59 | x | %

312 Part I11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

The Table embodying the references to the collections of the Garland
and the above measurements shows generally the same features.

One sees the various groups, the spring series and the autumn series,
as well as the older ones(B). At A, there is no doubt about the clupeoids
representing the herring, but later, as at C, the sprat is doubtless present,
and the smaller fishes represented in July may also be sprats.

In the Tables and curves appended to this paper (Tables I.-III., Plates
XVII.—XTX.) it will be seen that the groups of herrings are well
separated from one another, comparatively little admixture of the spring
and autumn herrings taking place—though it does occur—and the eluci-
dation of the rate of erowth of the herring would be an extremely simple
matter if it were not for the existence of these two series, one derived
from spring and the other from autumn.

In dealing with the post-larval herrings, I have had the advantage of Dr.
Williamson’s experience in their diagnosis, and I have to thank him for his
assistance in this respect and for measuring a number of these collections.

ie es g Average Size. a
Plac d D a a s is Ss = = = 3
ace an ate. S g = EAS 2 Arith "S 22
2 5 = R SS ae =
3 2 ie é 5 Modal. | Mean. maeties Inches. S a
| Ems. Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm. | Mths.
Aberdeen Bay. |
llth Feb. 1905 . | 8-12} IIL. 3 | 100-115
29th March 1905. | 18-25) V. 1 125
3 | 165-195
|
24th April 1906 4-6 | IL. 157 | 41-46 5 | 43°5 43°5 43°5 13 A 8
——| ha Daw NA || arya eee ad Mi J a ae
30th May 1901 | 12-16] IV. 598 | 142-186 44 | 159 164 162 63 Ss 38h
|
| 3 | 196-228 Ss 504
Junei904 . | U. 24 | 50-60 10 55 55 558 | ys
19th June 1900 . | 1 iM. 15 | 55-65 10 60 60 25
13th June 1903 10 | IV. 523 | 118-163 45 | 138 |140°5 | 141°8 58 A 38
Vv. 30 | 164-182 8
4 | 208-234
| ey eee es Pr Cee ate eee SL
28th June 1901 | 123 | IV. 650 | 148-192 44 | 167 170 ~—'|:168°9 614 Sh sooe
5th July 1901 10 | IV. 8 | 140-164 24 | 140 150 | 149-2 5k
Pee ee Ie | ec | Lu, | ee ere
18th, 20th Sept. 00} 2-3 | I. 194 | 21-44 23 33 32°5 | 34:3 1} Ss 6
2nd October 1901 10 16 297 9-20 1 15 3 A “14
3rd October 1901 1. 334 8-27 19 17 175 | 16% a Waal a ose Tk ak
18th October 1901 | 7-10] Il. de“) 95;
III. 429 | 96-141 45 | 115 115 | «117°5 4} A 25
IV. 14 | 143-187 44

S=Spring.

A=Autumn.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

ut &
. o
Place and Date. 3 g < SS
a a S ae
a 7) Z i=}
Fms. Mm.
Aberdeen Bay—con.
31st October 1900 8-10 | II. 650 §2-95
III. 179 96-143
1 157
6th November 1903 |5}-12| I. | 181 } 12-25
a 6 | 132-143
2 185-188
See | ———
6th November 1901 | 6-15 |. II. 3 86-95
Ill. 24 102-132
9th November 1900} 9 Il. 4 75-100
Ill. 18 116-143
23rd Dec. 1903 i 6 23-36
12th Dec. 1903 9-10 Ls 15 42-50
6 97-124
17th Dec. 1901 94-15! III. 47 103-147
3 146-157
18th Dec. 1900 8 4 | 109-112
II. | 405 | 114-161
1 | 165
19th Dec. 1900 6-3) |) 1. | 6 | 78-95
5 110-131
29th Dec. 1903 5-12 | 16 | 108-154
|
Dornoch Firth.
9th Feb. 1905 64-12 | III. 8 104-122
3lst March 1904 . 5-10 | TIT. 16 106-136
13th Nov. 1903 1B 156 13-26
21st Oct. 1903 8-12 ik 28 14-20
5th Nov. 1900 7-10 | Il. | 48 73-97
mW. | 544 | 98-141
9 144-162
|_—_—__—_—_—_—______ J A ee ee
| 11th Nov. 1903 6-12} I. 48 | 18-25
i. 99 79-109
11 112-124

S=Spring.

Difference.

Mm.

43

Average Size.

313

2
a Bil Wi eiph a cesias
Pra be m2 wo
Modal. | Mean. a Inches. a ac
he Mona: | Renee | ems Mths
30 73 778 31s A 14
100 f
18 17°5 | 18:2 1} A 2
1837°5 y
90°3 J
110 110 | 1162 4,°5 ee
85°7 38
132°6 523
29°5 5 1 eA 3h
FL eee letra ee) | ea ES
45 46 465 | 143 Ss 9
110 | 1093 | 48
122 125 122°1 4hi A 27
|
141 137°5 | 135°9 5g 8 33
90°5 3Ps
120 43 as
124 131 128°8 By;

12
30

113 113 112°4

112 121 117°6
20 19°4 19°5
17 17 16°8
93 85 90

115 119° 1144
19 19 18°6
95 94 94°3

A=Autumn.

24
8 24
A |
A 2
7 ee
A | 2h]

314 Part IlI.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

“ 4 g Average Size. e
Place and Date. S a = 28 z £ ‘3 2
S 5 5 an = Modal. | Mean. | Atith- |inches | = | £<
A a Zi fa A i ; * | metic. Sool amr a
Fms. Mm. Min. Mm. Mm. Min. Mths.
Dornoch Firth—con.
12th Nov. 1903 . 6-10 as 6 79-83
IIT. 1228 84-133 49 105 108°5 105°4 41 A 26
Daas eer | oie Ps4st5e
87 162-198 36 175 180 1791 7
26th Dec. 1903. as 18 51 14-34 20 19 24 22°3 i A 3h
25th Dee. 1900. 12 II. 1769 98-144 46 119 121 122°4 43 A ie
IV. 172 145-178 33 161°5 A 39
41 182-217 35 196 190°8 7k
Burghead Bay.
29th Dee. 1903. 5-12 I. 56 15-33 18 20 24 23'S $3
III. 3 | 180-140 bg
25th Dec. 1901 . 73-18] IV. 19 139-183 44 161 162°4 63 A 39
68 | 186-223 37 | 198 204°5 | 201 TAs INS he il
28th Dee. 1903. 5-13 | II. 2 81-88
12 97-127 112 113° 4}
EE SS eS SS | eS | SS
Findhorn.
IV. |, 11 | 123-169 46 143 150°8 | 5}8
Ist April 1904 . | 30-32] V. 478 177-228 Bye 200 202°5 203 °2 8 Ss 48}
8 230-245
Cromarty Firth.
10th Jan. 1901 . ae Ill. 30 | g9-132 43 120 110°5 1021 4
3 140-149
1st June 1901 7 8 Ill. 1 104
Ve 66 | 111-155 44 135 133 129°7 51 A 33
3 | 163, 174,
197
= GE) Sr ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee eee OT
Firth of Forth.
9th May 1901 . | 7-11] IL. Theil Fal
Til. 154 94-139 45 112 116°5 114 4} s 26
6 142-149, §
187
10th May 1901 . 22 nn 9 117-135 Ss
13th May 1901 _ . 7 IIL. 114 97-133 36 114 115 112°3 4ys 8 26
Combined . A Il. 1 71 Si
III. 277 94-139 45 113 116°5 113°7 Ak S 26
- ie 6 | 142-149, Ss
} 187

S=Spring.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 315

7 sy | g Average Size. °
7) zn Es} --- — a 2.
Place and Date. S g = oS i Tk “S FS &
g 3 a 3 Modal. | Mean. | ji etic, | Inches. Et
| Fms. | Mm. | Mm. Mm. Min. Mm. Mths.
Firth of Forth—con.
28th May 1901 . 7h 26 31 17-24 | i 20 20°5 20°4 3 Ss 24
23rd July, 1901 . os oe 8 109-137 | 28 at 123 125°4 418
4th Sept.1901 . ue oe 48 6-13 7 10 9 97 3 A
(Isle of May.) Years
|
16th Feb. 1904, fe} |. VI 215 225-250 25 244 237°5 239°9 93 5 5
| (26°5) (40) (245)
Sie. | Vi. 256 | 218-250 | 382 | 237 234 236°7 97, | S 5
VI. 471 | 218-250 | 32 238 Zoi 237°7 98 Ss 5
fe) a) VII. 248 251-281 30 257 266 262°1 10,°5 Ss 6
(240) (42) (261)
3d aa Vit. 282 251-281 30 257 266°0 261°0 1073 5 6
VII. 530 | 251-282 SU 25, 266 261°5 10,55 6
a
2 me as 10 283-305 | 22
Fc| pet oe |e 12 | 283-304 | 21
22 | 283-305 92
ith May... Py ieval 256 | 211-244 33. | 235 227°5 | 232°8 93, | S 5
(254) | (48) (232°5)
Vile 319 211-244 be, 235 227°5 232°2 9y°5 S 5
VI. 575 | 211-244 33 | 235 2975 | 2325 | 9% | S 5
2 Ac VIL. 252 | 245-277 32 250 261 254°1 10 S 6
(235) (42) (256)
) aoe VL. 317 | 245-277 32 250 261 252°7 10 s 6
569 | 245-277 32 250 261 253°5 10 Ss 6
f°) : VIll. 4 | 281-288 a x ¥3 “5 s
Silnes 5 | 278-304 Be oe = sf PF Ss
* 2 | 324, 325 “5 p- Bs 4c 35 s
S=Spring. A=Autumn.

The smaller groups in the collection are as follows, those from Aberdeen
Bay being first considered :—

On 21st and 22nd August, 10 miles off Aberdeen, at the ‘“ Doghole,”
22 small clupeoids were obtained in the tow-net, which may be referred
to the autumn spawning. They measured from 8mm. to 1lmm., the
average being about ;%, of an inch.

About a month later, on 18th and 20th September, 194 were taken in
shallow water (up to 3 fathoms) in Aberdeen Bay. They measured from
21mm. to 44mm. ({-1? inches), the size of greatest frequency (modal
size) being 33mm., or 1,°; of an inch, and the arithmetic average

316 Part III.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

34°3mm. They were thus about 24-25mm., or 1 inch, longer than the
group in August, and clearly belonged to another and earlier spawning,
that is, to the spring series.

Two of them, however, which measured 21mm., might possibly belong
to the autumn herrings. The numbers in 2-millimetre grouping are
these :—

20-1 22-8 24-5 26-7 28-9 30-1 32-3 34-5 36-7 38-9 40-1 42-3 44-5
2 ] 8 6 15 19 30 33 25 24 20 10 1

These young herrings would thus be about 5-6 months old.

The autumn herrings are well represented in some collections procured
later in the year. Thus, on 2nd October, 297 measured from 9mm. to
20mm., the average size being about 15mm. On 3rd October, 334, also
taken in Aberdeen Bay, measured from 8mm. to 27mm. (;°;-1/, inches),
the size of greatest frequency being 17mm., the average 16°2mm., and
the mean size 17‘5mm. (44 of an inch). Two of these herrings, again,
probably belong to the spring series, measuring respectively 26mm. and
27mm. The sizes, arranged in 2-millimetre groups, are these :—

11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20 21-22 28-24 25-26 27-28
28 54 85 107 47 10 - 1 1

The age of these may be estimated at from one to two months,

The same group is again well represented about a month later, when
181 were taken on 6th November, but in a different year. They
measured from 12mm. to 25mm. (4-1 inch)—the maximum size father
supporting the suggestion made above, that the two at 26mm. and 27mm.
in the October collection belonged to the spring group—and the modal
size or mean was about 18mm., the average size being 18°3mm. (? inch).
The arrangement, in 2-millimetre grouping, is as follows :—

12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25
6 Wy 42 57 40 15 4

On the 23rd December six herrings were taken, whose measurements
were as follows :—23mm., 24mm., 25mm., and 32mm., 33mm., 36mm.
(from +3~-1,’; inches), and they possibly belonged to two series.

On the 12th of the same month, and in the same year, another collec-
tion in Aberdeen Bay numbered 15, their sizes ranging from 42mm. to
50mm. (1}4~-2 inches), the size of greatest frequency being 45mm.,
while the mean was 46mm., and the average 46°5mm., or nearly 17 inches.

These probably represent the spring herrings, whose average size in the
September collection was 33mm., the growth over the twelve weeks
amounting to about 14-15mm. (3 inch).

The sizes and increments of these post-larval autumn herrings may be
thus summed up :—

| Size. |
Date. Increase| Days.
| Range Average.
Mim, Mm. Mm.
| 21st, 22nd August, 8-11 9:0 - -
2nd October, - - 9-20 15:0 6 42
3rd October, — -—- 8-22 17 8 43
| 6th November, -| 12-25 18 9 77

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 317

The next collection of small herrings from Aberdeen Bay was on 24th
April, in another year. They numbered 157, and ranged in size from
41-46mm. (13-142 inches)—the modal size, the mean size (calculated on
the base-line of the curve) and the arithmetical average, all agreeing at
43‘5mm., or 1? inches.

These herrings are clearly not those from the previous spring series,
but from the preceding autumn, and they are approximately seven or
eight months old.

Small herrings were also obtained in June in Aberdeen Bay in two
separate years. In 1900 a shoal appeared in the Bay of Nigg, apparently
driven in by coal-fish (of which a large number were got in the salmon
stake-nets) ; fifteen of these, taken on the 19th, were measured by Dr.
Scott, who determined the contents of the stomach.* They ranged
between 5:5cm. and 6:5cm. (23-2,% inches), the mean length being about
60mm., or 23 inches; but it is, of course, quite uncertain if they were
representative of the shoal.

Two of the herrings belonging to the shoal were placed by me ina
large glass carboy, containing about 18 gallons of water, and a circulation
maintained. These herrings were not attempted to be measured until
15th August, when one was found to be approximately 73mm. (2%
inches) and the other 83mm. (33 inches) ; they were placed in a narrow
tube full of sea-water while being measured. On the 28th September
another attempt was made to measure them, and one was found to be
83mm. (3 inches) ; but it showed such signs of collapse that I refrained
from measuring the other herring, and both of them were lost some time
afterwards.

If their size was about 60mm. on the 19th June, the indicated growth
in the two months would be approximately 13-23mm, (4-14 inch), and
the growth of one of them, assuming it to be the smaller measured in
August, from the latter period to 28th September would amount to
10mm. for the 44 days. These data are obviously slender and uncertain.
At all events, the remark was a common one at the time, that the herrings
were growing very slowly.T

In June of another year a series was represented by 24 specimens,
measuring from 50mm. to 60mm. (2-23 inches), the modal size being
55mm., and the arithmetic average 55°8mm. (2,3, inches),

On 18th October, in a large collection, there was one measuring 85mm.
(3g inches), the next, part of a large group, measuring 96mm. The
former was certainly in its second year.

Turning now to the collections of small herrings from other parts of
the coast, we find corresponding series.

In the Dornoch Firth, on 21st October, 28 post-larval herrings were
taken in a tow-net. They measured from 14mm. to 20mm., the modal
size and the mean being 17mm., and the arithmetical average 16-°8mm.
te inch). These were from the autumn spawning.

On 11th November, 48 were caught in a tow-net, which ranged in size
from 13mm. to 25mm., the mode and the mean being 19mm., and the
arithmetic average 18°6mm. (? inch). On 13th November, in the same
year, 156 were caught in tow-nets, measuring from 13mm. to 26mm.
(4 to slightly over 1 inch); the modal size was 20mm., the mean
194mm., and the average 195mm. (? inch). On 26th December, in the
same year, the series is, perhaps, represented by 51 specimens, measuring

* See Twentieth Annual Report, Part III., p. 530.

+A small rockling kept in the same vessel, lurking among stones and weed at the
bottom, offered a striking contrast to the herrings. On 15th August it measured 57mm.,
on 28th September 89mm., and on 14th November 97mm, It was fed with mussels. On
the other hand, the growth of the common pipe-fish (Syngnathus acus) was very slow.

318 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

from 14mm. to 34mm. (,°;-1% inches), the modal size, or size of greatest
frequency, being 19mm., the mean 24mm., and the average 23°3mm., or
T of an inch.

The collection seems to include more than members of one series,
however, the numbers under each millimetre being as follows :—

14.515 16-17 18 19).:20".21 =22)) 2324) 25) (26, 27) 28-2930 Si) 32 ean 84
Lo 22) 85 FSS PSBICSL P28" Seo rae eS DROS ae ee

The growth is thus very slow, the increments being as follow :—

| Size.
Date. Increase. Days.
Range. | Average.
fee briny Mm. Mm.
21st October, ... Lf AS 1)° 714-20 17
lith Novembery © 20!) feerg ee) IS On ees 2 21
|
15th November, ie oe te, [2 LB=26 19°5 20 25
26th December, an abe .. | 14-84? 22°32 5:3 2 66
| [14-26 ? 20 o0he 66]
|

The sizes, it will be seen, agree very well with the post-larval herrings
from Aberdeen Bay at corresponding periods.

For the reason stated, it is probable that the average, and therefore
the amount of growth in the December series, is too large.

Near Burghead Bay, on 29th December, 1903, 56 post-larval clupeoids,
measuring from 15mm. to 33mm., were taken, the modal size being
20mm., the mean 24mm., and the arithmetical average 23-3mm (4?
inch). The arrangement of the measurements under the various milli-

metres is as follows :—

To AG Ay 18) 19) 20) 20 22) 23 24 25) 26) 270 2829) 0 olan
12 2 RO 5 SIS 62 y Sieea oS Se an Op von ee

There are some reasons to suspect that these clupeoids may be sprats ; the
diagnosis is therefore uncertain.

On May 28, a compact series, numbering 31 specimens, and
measuring from 17mm. to 24mm. were taken in the Firth of Forth.
The modal size was 20mm., the mean was 20°'5mm., and the average
20'4mm., or +2 of an inch. These represent the spring herrings,
approximately two months old.

The autumn herrings are represented by a collection taken at the
mouth of the Forth on 4th September, in the same year. There were
48, measuring from 6mm. to 13mm., the modal size being 10mm., the
mean 9mm., and the average 9°7mm., or 3 of aninch. ‘The arrange-
ment of the measurements of these two collections in millimetres is as
follows :—

= eS See aS ee oe tye ee SLO yy home ee

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
6.17 cere. atl Cyr ae te et SL igs

In the Forth collections, the next older series is represented by one
herring, 71mm, (2+3 inches) long, taken on 9th May, and by one of
85mm., caught on 19th June.

In some collections from the Firth of Clyde, the series is well

indicated. Thus, on 17th October, the shrimp-trawl, working in from

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 319

37 to 53 fathoms, took 91, measuring from 2} to 3} inches (57mm. to
82mm.), most measuring from 2; to 2? inches (63mm. to 70mm). The
measurements were carefully made to fractions of an inch, as follows:—

2} oh 23 3 3} 3h
6 35 ap 3 z

One at 2 inches (70mm.) was caught in the same neighbourhood on
the same day, and another of 70mm. at the mouth of the Clyde on 23rd
November, while in December, on the 17th and 18th, 20 were taken in
Lochfyne, measuring from 55cm. to 9em., as follows :—

55 6 65 7 75 8 8:5 9
2 4 4 5 3 1 - 1

Some of the herrings taken in the Firth of Forth in previous years
by the Garland, which are included in the Table at the end of the paper
(III.), and shown on Plate XIX. by dotted lines, belong to the same
series. They were measured by Dr. T. Scott in fractions of an inch,
and grouped together, and thus in some cases it is not easy to separate
them into groups. In some instances, however, the distinction is easy.
They were all taken in a fine-meshed shrimp trawl net.

The number of hauls made was 135, apportioned to the various
months as follows—the depths are in fathoms :—

1889. 1890. 1891. 1892,

No. | Depths.| No. |Depths.| No. |Depths.| No.

iw)
ic
or

woltitd | eI o

|

PM te ESL (ISS He SS)

February,
March,
April, -
May, -
June, -
August,
September, 33
October, - nat
December, -

_
Oo
Oe wn
1
=

= CON
|

LNeewel|W wl > Pal final Po 9ff
to

for)

(SS)

|
mw | i
We Pah te TI

for)

|

ei |
aS
ye i faecal
i)

Sai lal
ies)
|
“I

The particulars in regard to the herrings taken are given in the
following Table, the ordinary figures referring to the length in inches,
and those in brackets to the corresponding length in millimetres :—

|TABLE.

320 Part IIL. _—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Date. | Depth. Herrings.
| Ems.

| 21st February 1890 . | 24-27 1 at 4 (100).
17th a Aeon ee ne 12, 34-5 (90-127).

| 20th yn 5 : 1]—14 os 4h-5 (115-127) 5 2; 3 (76

| 6th . 1892 . 5 240, 13-34 (45-69).
19th March 1890 : 20-27 21, 4-54 (102-140).
19bhnes eae: . | 18428 | 2, (44-54- (115-140)

| 2ist Ye ae ‘ 94-14 29, 4-5 (102-127); 2, 34 (89).

ine eek AR ee 4 l02).

22 rides fe : 5-6 5, 44-55 (115-140); 158, 24-34 (63-89).
22nd ees es : 4-6 11, 44-54 (115-133)' 169, 24-34 (63-89). |
2nd ,, 3-4 16, 4-44 (102-115); 14, 3-34 (76-89).
20th April 1892. : 7-8 316, 13-34 (45-82).
26th wi 31890... re 4 767, 2-34 (50-90); 1, 54 (140)

28 thie. ane : 18-20 6, 4-5 (102-127).
718 nena ak as aoe 17 1, 54 (140); 8, 5 (127); 15, 23-4
(70-102).

|P20thie;, fie : 6-15 37, 6 (150); 219, 34-4 (90-102); 786,

| 13-3 (45-76).

29 thie ee Nes F 8-10 6, 3-34 (76-89)

| 9th May 1889 . : 4 Vy 7 (E77) 3 1245 4259 (102-127) eee

(76); 24, 24 (63); 30, 2 (50).
TOES ee: een Giolla AS 76):
De oy oe ee er ; 11-12 l,. 7 (liz); 1, (64 (165); 935) 4 ess
Htthioycet thas 15 1, 44 (115).
15th. saan aieetle 5 3, 2k (63). |
ohne <, L890 +. 9 6, 4% (115)
Sthteceates 5-9 De 4s (102):
9th ie 20 1 5} (O27
5th August. 1891 sail 6 3, 32 (95). |
3rd September 1859. | 5 118, 24-34 (63-89) |
| 4th e Se okehea| 15 Le (2G):

| 4th 5 Ae 29 By 3h (Was

| 36h ¢ oe 5 14, 2-21 (50-63).

| Sth pe i 6 2294, 23-34 (63-89)
12th - i 26 Li; 3) i(76):
13th i 92 Le 3 G6)=> 21 250).
5th October 1889 5 85 jo C16);

Long ‘G5 her ee 5 2, 44 (115); 4, 34 (89); 9, 3 (76). |
10th +, ce bvi 12 | 22, 4-44 (102-115). |
16th : 12 | 2, 34 (89). |
9th December 1892 .| 13-15 | 6, 34-4 (89-102). |
10th a highs 11-14 | 3, 44-5 (115-127)

At least three annual series of herrings are represented in these Forth
collections. From what has been said above as to the slow growth of
the post-larval herring, it is clear that none of them belong to the year
in which they were caught, but that the smallest of them are in their
second year.

The measurements in fractions of an inch, and the slumping of lots
together, are less accurate than the separate measurements in milli-
metres, and two separate series may be mixed up together, but it
appears, on the whole, probable that the smaller herrings in spring
represent the spring herrings and not the autumn fish. In February,
March, and April their sizes range from about 45mm. to about 89mm.
or 90mm.; the smaller sizes would suit well enough the supposition
that they were autumn herrings, but the larger are much too large for
that class at that time of year, and if they are all regarded as belonging
to one group, the group must be looked upon as spring fish nearing one
year of age, though the larger sizes are too large for this interpretation.
This must be said, on the balance of evidence, even regarding the large

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 321

collection on 29th April and the collection on 9th May, measuring in
the former from 45mm. to 76mm. approximately, and in the latter from
50mm. to 76mm.; but what has been said as to the method of measure-
ment and recording must be borne in mind.

On the other hand, it appears probable that the bulk of those obtained
in September, measuring from 50mm. and 63mm., are autumn herrings
of the year before, and thus about one year of age. The important
point established, however, is that all these small herrings are in their
second year and are not derived from the spawning of the same year.

The next group, extending from about 90mm. to 127mm. or 130mm.,
are one year older, that is to say, they are in their third year. It is
possible that in spring they may go as high as 140mm. (54 inches), a
limit included in the above Table, but it is not probable, judging from
the other collections, although in autumn the size would be in accord-
ance with the collections referred to.

It will be noticed that none of these small herrings were taken in the
shrimp-trawl in the latter part of May, or in June. It is not unlikely
that they leave the bottom for the most part in the early part of May.
I may add that no herrings were obtained in fifteen hauls of the same
net in the Moray Firth in June and July.

A few small herrings were also obtained from the shrimp-nets used
in the Solway Firth. On 30th July, nine were got, seven measuring
from 60mm. to 75mm., one 83mm., and one 90mm. ‘The average for
the nine fish, if taken together, is 72°9mm., or 23 inches. On 28th
September three were taken, which measured 60mm., 72mm., and
78mm., the average being 70mm. (2? inches); on 31st October, three
taken measured 50mm., 64mm., and 8lmm., the average being 65mm.,
or a little over 23 inches.

A summary of the range of sizes of the herrings, both of the spring
and of the autumn series, is given in the following Table, arranged
according to the data furnished by Masterman (M.) and also by the
collections of the Fishery Board (F. B.).

| TABLE.

322 Part ITT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

‘Spring. Autumn.
M. ied 8 M. | Dal ex

Mm. Mm. Mm. Mm.
February, : ot aioe rs se!
March, : : 5-11] 7-11
April, . : 5 5-16 6-17
May, . : : 5-25 7°5-24
June, . : 13-20 15-26
July, . ; Bridal Come 16. a St
August, } : [11-20] ue 5-12 6-14
September, . : 36-44 21-44 4-18 6-18
October, . 32-41 32 6-23 8-25
November, . : a “A 14-26 12-29
December, . aes [37] 39-50 15-[37] | 14-34, 36
January, . . | 42-56 Le At 27
February, . 4] 45-69 35-37 31, 32
March, | 44 (63)-(89) 26-40 a
April, . siguit et (45)-(82) 32-49 41-46
May, ~a | (fi 50-63

In the Fourth Annual Report of the Wishery Board for Scotleond Mr. Duncan
Matthews described the young herrings found in various samples of whitebait from the
Thames. His results may he thus summarised, the words in brackets indicating my
interpretation of the derivation of the herrings, which thus differs from that of Cunning-
ham, who dealt with the same observations of Matthews (18, p. 162).

Number
Month. Herrirgs Remarks.
Examined.
—— | |i — - —— — = =
February, : 98 Some under 2 inches (50mm.) and only partially scaled
(probably spring-herrings of previous year).
Marcha amen 60 Some reached nearly 4 inches (102mm.) (autumn
herrings in third year).
April, . : 112 14 under 1% inches (38mm.) (autumn herrings of
previous year).
May, : ; 180 72 were 2 inches (50mm.) fully scaled (autumn

herring) and 108 from 14-13 inches (88mm,-44mm. )
and only partly scaled (autumn herrings). :
June, ; Z 696 417 fully sealed, 2-24 inches (50mm.-57mm.) (autumn),
279, from 1 to 14 inches (25mm.-38mm.) partially
sealed, or entirely scaleless (spring herrings of year,
but possibly two series).

July, : : 450 14-25 inches (88mm.-63mm.), of these, 360 under 2
inches (50mm.) (probably two series—spring and
autumn).

August, . : 260 2-3 inches (50mm.—76mm.) (autumn).

The usual difficulties involved in measurements in fractions of an inch, and slumping,
is encountered here, though in most cases the derivation of the series seems clear. To
suppose that herrings of 63 or 55mm. in July, were derived from the spawning in the
previous spring would be contrary to the facts referring to the Scottish collections. The
spawning-seasons may differ to some extent off the mouth of the Thames.

The observations of Hoek on the small herring in the Zuiderzee (14), previously
referred to, would be valuable for comparison, but it is clear that different series have
been included together in some of the groups. A summary of his measurements, in
millimetres, is as follows:—February, 73-100, most between 88 and 95: March, 49-75,
70-78, 83-114, 77-100, most between 85-95, 67-106: April, 67-102, ‘‘most part about
80”; afew days later, ‘‘most of them 75,” a few about 90: May, many about 90, four
55: June (29th). a few 37: July, 37-42, 57-60, 75, 80, 98: August, 56-81, 60-68, and on
31st, 40-50, 60-70: September, 58-75, 76-83, 65-95 : October, 81-90, 65-80: November,
one 75, many 85-90, 100-112'5 : Decernber, many 80-100.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 323

(b) The Annual Groups.

In dealing with the numerous collections of larger herrings, it will
not be necessary to refer to them all in detail. The method T adopted
in elucidating the rate of growth and the age of the herrings in the
various collections was as follows. After determining the rate of growth
and the sizes for the first and second year, I set down on a very large
and long sheet, divided into centimetre and millimetre squares, all the
other collections, showing the range of sizes and the average or modal
size, that is, the size at and around which the great bulk of the herrings
in a collection were aggregated. Very little consideration was required
to allot almost all the collections in a particular month to the proper
year, and in the accompanying Table I have represented the modal sizes
of the collections in this manner, and also in some cases (by a cross) the
sizes of individual herrings or small collections.

There are a few general considerations that may be referred to. The
collections were in nearly every case made by means of a small-meshed
net fixed outside the cod-end of an ordinary large otter-traw], which was
dragged along the bottom for an hour and more. Several miles of
bottom were thus trawled over, and this is probably the explanation that
a mixture of herrings of different series occurs in a few of the collections.
In most instances this has not happened, the groups being very distinct;
but in some there are a few, or many, herrings either larger or smaller
than the limits of the series, and in one or two collections the spring and
autumn series seem to be more or less blended. They are referred
to below.

The larger fully adult herrings are not well represented in the collec-
tions, probably from their more pelagic habitat. The small herrings in
their second year are also not very fully represented until the winter,
doubtless due to the fact that they were able to escape through the
meshes of the net. They are well shown, however, in the collections
made in the Firth of Forth by the Garland, with a fine-meshed shrimp-
trawl, and also in Lochfyne, as above described.

In May certain collections of small herrings were obtained in the
Firth of Forth with the small-meshed net around the otter-trawl. On
the 9th, in from 7 to 11] fathoms, 16] were taken. The smallest was a
single herring measuring 71mm. (2}3 inches), representing the herrings
in their second summer, and about one year old, more or less. The next
measured 94mm. (3+ inches, and was the smallest of a group of 154
herrings, apparently the largest of which measured 139mm. (54 inches).
The modal size was 112mm. (4,', inches), the mean 116°5mm., and the
arithmetic average 114mm. (43 inches). There were other four herrings,
from 142mm. to 149mm.,and a single one at 187mm. The four referred
to might belong to the group; but the indications of other series are
against this view; the series might, on the other hand, so far as the
millimetre table indicates, have stopped at 130mm. or 133mm. In
either case, the modal size is unaffected, and the average but slightly.

On the 10th May, twelve herrings were taken, nine of which were
from. 117mm. to 135mm. in length, and three from 140mm. to 153mm,

On the 13th, the collection contained 114 herrings, forming a compact
series from 97mm. to 126mm., there being another at 133mm., which is
taken as the end of the group. The modal size was 114mm, (44 inches)
the mean 115mm., and the arithmetic average 112°3mm.

If the herrings in this group in the three collections are combined,
the number is 277, the apparent range of sizes from 94mm. to 139mm.
(33% to 5,°; inches), the modal size 118mm., the mean 116-5mm., and
the average 113°7mm. (4% inches).

,

January, .
February,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
August,
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,
April,
May,

June,
July,
August,
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,

April,

May,

June,

July,
August,
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,
April,
May,

June,
July,
August,
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
August, .
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
August, .
September,
October, .
November,
December,

January, .
February,
March,

1 ede yet = 5
ah t 6 iigiee |alassne' bree
inl? s- ii eat
fees a ie.
1 ult gr NE
1/111 ie
111 i
sig | ba
cle Pas
a hast

Cm

10

10

11 12

bs

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 325

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Cm.

January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
Ba as o “6 a October.

a 58 CPE Mae Be aE te a November.
| ake ee ¥ SF a ae ate December.

January.
February.
March.
April.

May,

June.

July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.

January.
February.
March.
April.

May.

June.

July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.

January.
February.
March.
April.
May.

June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.

January.
February.
March,
April.

a ae Be ae is Se fa 2% wa es S May.

x XS eee 2¢ “4 fe A ite & #: Be June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November,
December.

February.
March.
April.
May.
June.

J uly.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.

ae at Ps Pe te January.

J +. oe ve nf me me ne Br ae January.
ae as s 1 sf oe st he ue February,
| =e Se ie a Se Ae So a Pe March.

326 Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

These herrings, as the other collections and measurements show, are
in their third summer, and are spring herrings a little over two years
of age.

To this series also belong nine herrings taken by the Garland on 16th
May, measuring from about 9cm. to 12cm.

In July in the same year a small collection of herrings was secured.
There were only eight of them, ranging in size from 109mm. to 137mm.,
the mean being 123mm. and the average 125'4mm. (415 inches).

In Aberdeen Bay some large collections of herrings at a corresponding
stage were obtained. On Octobér 18th they numbered 444. There was
one at 85mm. (33 inches), the next being 96mm., and the group to
which the latter belonged extended to about 141mm. It contained 429
herrings, the modal size of which was 115mm., the mean was also
115mm. (43 inches), and the average was 117:5mm., or 43 inches. These
herrings were thus of almost the exact size of the group caught in the
Forth in May, and may be referred to the autumn series, somewhat over
two years old. The group might terminate ata slightly smaller size
than that indicated, e.g.,137mm.; on the other hand, there were five
herrings measuring 143mm. to 145mm., three from 151mm. to 154mm.,
and one at 164mm. It is possible that the first five belong to the
group, but the balance of evidence is against the supposition ; in any
case, the mode and average would not be appreciably affected. All the
herrings referred to probably belong to a group, extending in this case
from 143mm. to 187mm.

Another large collection obtained on 31st October, but in the previous
year, was made up of younger herrings. Thecurve of tne measurements
(see Plate XVIT.) is slightly irregular, there being a small depression at
about 7-5cem., and two slight cusps at 7em. and 8em. Consideration of
other cases shows that the group extends to about 9°5cem., and is really
one. The 650 herrings contained in it extend from 52mm. to about
95mm. (2,'; to 32 inches); the chief mode is at 8cm. (32 inches), the
mean at 73mm, (23 inches), and the average at 77:‘8mm., or 3,); inches.
These herrings are obviously those of the year before, and autumn
herrings, so that they would be about 13 to 15 months did. The
difference between this group and the group of the 18th (in the following
year), both of which are supposed to be autumn herrings, is, on the
modes 35mm., on the means 42mm., and on the averages as computed
39'7mm., the mean of the three being 38°9mm. (1,°, inches). The mode,
as we have seen, is not regular in the collection of 31st, and is better at
7‘dem., which would make the difference 409mm. and the mean of the
three comparisons 40°6mm., or 13 inches, representing a year’s growth.

The next group consisted of 179 herrings from about 96mm. to
143mm., but the larger individuals are not well represented. They
appear to belong to the corresponding group so well shown in the
collection of 18th October. There was a single herring at 157mm.

On November 6th and 9th, in three different years (1900, 1901, 1993)
small collections were obtained, which may be combined and sum-
marised. Seven measured from 75mm. to 100mm., the computed
average being 87'7mm. (3,% inches); 48 ranged from 102mm. to 143mm.
(4 to 53 inches), the computed average being 125mm. (41% inches).
There were also two herrings 185mm. and 188mm.

On 12th December, six herrings measured from 97mm. to 124mm. (342
to 43 inches), the mean size being 110°5mm. and the average 109'3mm.

On 19th December, six, measuring from 78mm. to 95mm. were
caught, the average size being 90'5mm., or 3,%, inches; there were also
five ranging from 110mm. to 13lmm., the average being 120mm., or
4? inches.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 327

On the 18th December, a collection of 410 herrings varied in size
from 110mm. to 165mm. (4} to 64 inches), the range being thus 56mm.
The mean was 137mm., the average 137°Dmm., and the mode 141mm.
(a little over 54 inches). An examination of the millimetre table, or of
the curve (Pl. X VII.) shows that there is in this case a slight fusion of
two groups, and that the beginning of the large group is probably about
ll‘5em. The 2-millimetre arrangement of the measurements is as
follows—

WOOO 2 1il-2 1184, 115-6 117-8 _-119-90 191-2 128-4
1 3 1 3 5 8 9 17
At the end of the series the 2-millimetre arrangement is this :—

150-1 152-38 154-5 156-7 158-9 160 1 162-3 164-5
11 12 3 4 3 4 ~ 1

the mode being 141mm., the mean 137-5mm., and the computed average
135°9mm. ‘The mode (5°; inches) probably best represents the group.

hese herrings are spring herrings about 2 years and 8 or 9 months
old ; those taken on the 17th appear to be the autumn series, about 2
years and 3 or 4 months old, On the 29th December, 16 herrings were
taken, from 108mm. to 154mm.

A series of older herrings than these were caught in Aberdeen Bay in
May and June, 1901 and 1903.

On the 30th May, 1901, the collection numbered 601, ranging from
142mm. to 228mm., and forming two series at least. ‘The first contained
598 herrings, from 142mm. to 186mm. (53 to 72 inches), or it might be
182mm. The modal size was 159mm. or 160mm., the mean 164mm.,
and the computed average 162mm., or 63 inches. These herrings are
in their fourth year, and, judging from their position in relation to
other series on the synthetic table, they are spring herrings, and thus a
little over three years old.

There were other three herrings, measuring respectively 196mm.,
207mm., and 228mm. (9 inches).

Two collections were obtained in June. The first, on the 15th (1903),
contained 557 herrings, and three series were present. The curve
(Pl. XVII.) and the millimetre table show that the first great group is
not pure, but is slightly mixed with the next group of larger herrings,
represented on 30th May and on 28th June, and the measurements ex-
tend from 118mm. to 182mm.,a range of 64mm., which is too large.
The first series begins at 118mm., and apparently extends to 163mm.
(46 to 6 inches), but it might go to 167mm. The 2mm. arrangement of
the measurements at this part is as follows :—

156-7 158-9 160-1 162-3 164-5 166-7 168-9 170-1
19 V7 13 6 9 4 6 5

The modal size of the group is 138mm. or 139mm. (54 inches), the mean
is 140°5mm., and the computed average 141-8mm., or 52 inches. This
group is thus about 2cm. (# inch) less than the group on 30th May, and
I take it to represent autumn herrings in the fourth year, that is, which
want about three months of being three years old. The group of 405
spring herrings, taken in Aberdeen Bay on 18th December, above
referred to, were of about the same age (2 years and 9 months) and of
the same size as these.

The spring herrings mixed with them number about 30, and range
from about 164mm. to 182mm. There were also four herrings measur-
ing 208mm., 223mm., 225mm., 234mm.

On the 28th June, fifteen days later, but in 1901, 650 herrings were
taken at Lunan Bay, a little further down the coast, in 123 fathoms,

328 Part I[I.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

They formed a compact group (Pl. XVII.) ranging fram 148mm. to
192mm. 5132 to 7,°, inches), the modal size was 167mm. (6,°, inches), the
mean was 170mm., and the computed average 168-8mm., or 61% inches.
These herrings were obviously the same series as those taken on 30th
May, that is, herrings in the fourth year, and thus, in all probability,
spring herrings somewhat over three years of age.

The increment of length in the 29 days is, on comparison of the
modes, 7mm. to 8mm., on the means 6mm., and on the averages 6°9mm.,
ov a little over inch. The rate per day, taking the increase at 7mm.,
was 0:24]1mm., and per month about 7-5mm., and this in the best period
for growth. If asimilar rate is assumed for July and August, the
increase in the three best months of the year would amount to a little
over 22mm. (7 inch), which contrasts with the growth of the whiting, as
indicated on a former page.

If the group taken on 13th June is contrasted with the small herrings
got in the Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen, on the 19th June, referred to
previously, whose average was about 60mm., and which were also judged
to be autumn herrings, the growth in the two years is seen to amount
to about 80mm. (3,3, inches). If, moreover, the herrings taken in
Aberdeen Bay on 30th May are contrasted with those taken at the
beginning of the same month (and year) in the Firth of Forth (both
being judged to be spring herrings, and the latter about thirteen months
younger), the differences are as follows:—On the modes 46mm., on the
means 47°5mm., and on the computed averages 48:°5mm., showing a
mean difference of about 47mm. (17 inches), or at the rate for the whole
period of 385 days of about °122mm. per day, or 3°7mm. per month. On
5th July, 1901, eight herrings were taken in Aberdeen Bay, measuring
from 140mm. to 164mm. The modal size was 140mm., the mean
150mm., and the computed average was 149-2mm., or 52 inches. They
belonged, no doubt, to the same series as that of 13th June.

Some good collections of herrings were obtained in the Dornoch Firth.
On 9th February 8 ranged from 104mm. to 122mm., the mode and the
mean were 113mm., and the average was 112°'4mm., or 43 inches. The
position of these is in February of the third year, i.e., nearly two years
old, if spring herrings, as they probably are.

Sixteen obtamed on 31st March ranged from 106mm. to 136mm.
(4,3; to 53 inches), the mode being 112mm., the mean 121mm., and the
computed average 117-6mm., or 42 inches. No doubt they represent
the same series as in February, and are about two years of age.

Several collections were obtained in November. On 5th November,
1900, in from 7 to 10 fathoms, 4784 herrings were taken in a haul of
14 hours’ duration, of which 601 were measured. The smallest noted
was 73mm., and the largest 206mm., and the great maiority ranged
about llem. to 1ll'5em. The first series is not fully represented,
probably because of the escape from the net of the smaller fishes. It
extended from 73mm. to about 97mm.; it might be 99mm.; the mean
was 85mm., and the computed average 90mm., but the herrings repre-
sent only part of a series (in their second year). The 2mm. arrangement
of the measurements at this place is as follows :—

86-7 88-9 90-1 92-3 94-5 96-7 98-9 100-1 102-3 104-5 106-7 108-9
5 7 7 9 8 3 5 7 6 7 19 36

The next series is taken as extending from 98mm. to 141mm.
(832 to 5,% inches), but it may end about 13cm. or 13‘5cm. The
arrangement of the 2mm. measurements is as follows:—

124-5 126-7 128-9 130-1 1382-3 134-5 136-7 138-9 140-1 142-3 144-5

21 16 8 2 4 3 1 2 1 - 2

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 329

This series comprised 544 herrings, the mode was 115mm., the mean
119°5mm., and the computed or arithmetical average 114°4mm.
(43 inches). These were probably autumn harrings over two years of
age. There were also 9 herrings from 144mm. to 162mm.

On the 11th November, 1905, in from 6 to 12 fathoms, 110 herrings
were caught. Of these 99 ranged from 79mm. to 109mm., the mode
was 95mm., the mean 94mm., and the average 94°3mm., or 32 inches.

On the following day (12th) 1336 herrings were taken in from 6 to
10 fathoms, and all measured. The first series, comprising 1234 herrings,
apparently ranged in length from 79mm. to 133mm. (3% to 53 inches) ;
the series might, however, terminate about 133mm. or 136mm. or
138mm. The above range (54mm.) is greater than usual. On the
other hand, the series might not begin till about 83mm. or 85mm.
There is not uncommonly a difficulty in assigning the position of the
odd fish at the beginning or end of a series, which may belong to
different groups, but the influence on the average size is quite unappre-
ciable, while the mode is unaffected. The 2mm. arrangement at the
beginning of the series on 11th and 12th November is as follows :—

79-80 81-2 83-4 85-6 87-8 89-90

11th. : 1 = D 9 9
12th . : 2 2 3 9 15 2:

bo 6

The most appropriate interpretation is that the series begins at 84mm.
and extends to 133mm. (33 to 54 inches). The modal size is 105mm,,
the mean 108°5mm., and the average 105-4mm., or 44+ inches. These
herrings are doubtless autumn herrings, two years and a few months old.

Most of the remaining herrings in the collection, viz., 87., measured
from 161mm. to 198mm. (62 to 742 inches), the mode being 175mm.,
the mean 180mm., and the computed average 179'1mm., or a trifle over
7 inches. The group is only partially represented, but as the difference
from the other and younger group amounts to over 70mm., it is evident
that they do not represent that series when one year older. They are
apparently spring herrings, about three years and seven months old,
members of the group present in the collection from the Dornoch Firth
on 15th December, and in that taken at Burghead Bay in December,
referred to below.

The herrings between 133mm. and 162mm. numbered 15, from
134mm. to 152mm., and they belong to another group, viz., that shown
in the December collection from Aberdeen Bay.

A large number of herrings were taken on 25th December in the
Dornoch Firth in another year. The youngest series comprised 1769
fishes, measuring from 98mm. to about 144mm. (32 to 544% inches) ; the
modal size was 119mm. (44% inches), the mean was 121mm., and the
computed average 122°4mm. (4132 inches).

These are autumn herrings, two years and some months old. The
size of the corresponding group taken on 12th November, and described
above, was 105mm., while here, 43 days later, it is above 14mm. higher.
The amount is too much to be accounted for by increment of growth
in the interval ; and the explanation is probably to be found in the fact
that the collections belong to different years (1900 and 1903) there
being, doubtless, as with other fishes, a variation in the growth in
different years.

Only a few belong to the second series (represented in Aberdeen Bay
in the same month), viz., 172, ranging from 145mm. to 178mm.

A third group is better indicated by 41 herrings from 182mm. to
217mm., the modal size being about 196mm., and the average 190°8mm.,
or a little over 7 inches.

330 Part LIl—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

On 25th December, 1901, a collection of 87 herrings was obtained at
Burghead Bay, in fr om 1s to 18 fathoms. ‘Two series were present, the
ae consisting of 19 fish, ranging from 139mm. to 183mm. (54 to 135
inches) the mean being Velo. and the average 162°4mm., or 68
inches. These are apparently autumn herrings over three years of age.

The second series consisted of 68 fish, ranging from 186mm. to
223mm. (73%, to 82 inches); the modal size was about 198mm., the

4
mean 2()4: ifine: and the average 201mm., or 742 inches. These also
were autumn herrings over four years of age. :

The numbers are not large, but comparison of the sizes of the two
groups shows an increment in the year of 59°6mm., or a little over 1}
inches.

On Ist April, 1904, off Findhorn, in the same neighbourhood, 497
herrings were obtained, the depth of the water in this case being from
30 to 32 fathoms. They were the largest herrings got in any of the
collections by means of the otter-trawl. (Plate X VIII.)

Eleven of them belonged to one series, and ranged from 123mm, to
169mm., the mean size being 143mm., and the average computed
150°8mm., or about 512 inches.

IT6
The ae group Coneieeed of 478 herrings, ranging from 177mm. to

228mm. (7 to 9 inches), but the series might stop about 223mm. The
maédall size was about 200mm., the mean was 202‘5mm , and the com-
puted average was 203-2mm, ‘These herringe were therefore about
8 inches long, and they were spring herrings, as their position in the
synthetic table shows, a little over four years of age.

Another collection from the Moray Firth was obtained in the
Cromarty Firth on lst June 1901, and of the 70 taken, 66 measured
from 111mm. to 155mm. (43 to 63 inches); the mode was 135mm. (5;°5
inches), the mean was 133mm, and the computed average 129°7mm., or
5% inches.

These were autumn herrings approaching their third year of age.

The next largest herrings measured by me consisted of a “ cran” of
spring herrings, caught by drift-net, in the ordinary way, on 16th
February 1904, in the neighbourhood of the Isle of May, at the mouth
of the Firth of Forth, and landed at Anstruther. They were actually
spawning, and it was thus a simple matter to separate the sexes and
measure them apart, a task in which Mr. William Keir, the Fishery
Officer of the district, was good enough to assist me. The measurements
will be found in Table IIT., and the curves on Plate XIX.

A glance at the peculiar curve is enough to show that the herrings
(lo not form a homogeneous group. The range is too great for one
series, viz.,over 70mm. (2? inches); the oblique line on the synthetic chart
connecting the extreme limits of the spring herrings of various ages,
when prolonged, goes through the middle of the collective measure-
ments; and consideration of the millimetre table and the curves shows
that two groups are present. The males and females were measured
separately in two lots each, or four in all, and when curves are made
of these separate measurements, they all agree in having two cusps, or
modes, with a depression at about 25cm. The following Table shows
the grouping in each of the four measurements, in ‘5em., and also the
arrangement of the 2mm. grouping at the critical place:—

(TABLE.

of the Vishery Board for Scotland. 351

CENTIMETRES.

21-5} 22 | 22-5) 23 | 23-5) 24 | 24-5) 25 | 25-5) 26 | 26-5) 27 | 27-5) 28 | 28-5) 29 | 29-5) 30 | 20-5

Males, I.| 1| 2| 9| 25 | 35 | 24 | 23 | 32 | 35
» I} =| 1/12] 20] 35] 98 | 32] 23] 36/27} 19]} 14! 7] 1] 1

Total, —| 1} 8| 21 | 45 | 70| 52 | 55 | 55 | 71 | 67 | 54/28/14] 6] 6] 1] -| 1] -

pe ian [este Bee | TIN et fa fe |e ee a ae tee eos A ea
| | | |

Females,I.| -| - | 11 | 19 | 27 | 32| 34 | 99 | 42| 34] 31/15; 9] 2] 2] 3] -| 1] -
| | } |

» Wm -| -| 4] 12| 25] 93] 21/19] 23| 21/14] 8| 7| 2] 2] a] = lok
peeeoe D4 | } [ha se |
| | }

Total, -| -| -| 15 | 31| 52 | 55/55] 48|65|55|45|23/16| 4| 4| 3] - 1| 1

| lope
235-6 | 237-8 |239-40) 241-2 | 243-4 | 245-6 | 247-8 |249-50) 251-2 | 253-4 | 255-6 257-8 |

Males, I.| 14 16 | 10 11 8 ll 9 8 9 18 | 13 16
ee eae! 15 13 12 9 15 14 a 8 ili Bay jeg kt 16

28 31 23 23 Li 26 23 15 17 29 2

|
18 24 20 20 | 25 26 23 13? >| 6 25 26 29

55 43 43

The younger herrings show the following: - The females, 215 in
number, extend from 225mm. to 250mm. (81 to 9% inches), viz., to the
point where fusion takes place with the older group; but if the curve
is continued into the second group, as it ought to be to give the true
limit, then herrings of this series will extend to about 26-5em., or 103
inches—perhaps more. The modal size is 24:25cm., according to the
‘Dem. arrangement of the measurements; according to the millimetre
table it is at 244mm. (98 inches); the mean size is 237-5mm., or on
the extension of the series to 26°5cm., it is 245mm., and the computed
average is 239°9mm., or nearly 9} inches.

The males number 256, ranging from 218mm. to 250mm (83 to 94
inches, or further, as described for the females); the mode is 23-5cm.,
according to the ‘Sem. arrangement, and according to the millimetre
table 237mm. (93 inches); the mean is 234mm., or, if the group is
extended, 241-5mm. (94 inches), and the computed average is 236'7mm.,
or 9,°; inches.

The figures for the two sexes grouped together are 471 herrings,
ranging from 218mm. to probably 26:5cm. (82 to 103 inches), a range
of 47mm. The modal size is 238mm. (9% inches), and the average
237'7mm., or the same.

332 Part I1I.— Twenty-fourth Annual Report

These spring herrings are five years of age, and they appear to be the
first annual series which attains maturity.

The second group of herrings comprised 248 females and 282 males.
The beginning of the series is where the fusion with the younger series
occurs, at 25l1mm., but it probably extends back to about 23°5cm.
(9; inches), judging from the form of the curve. The place where it

ends is not so immediately clear. The following shows the arrangement
in 2mm. groups :—

270 272 274 276 278 280 282 284 286 288 290 292 294 296 298 300 302 304 306 308
Hern] ese Lil 7 LL eae cate ek LD een em) eee ent ee | ea
Male, j= (14'S Fite e8: 922) NO) Bae aS =e += Ne

20). [SALShISh eS 4s) OO neo ee ) -—

And the measurements under the millimetres are these :—

276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291
Female, “30 12d) ale oe aL) ee POLS a ool P= 7 2
Male;..- 980.46. 0 G20 Dame a y= oe oe BO Oy Ie he

Oye al Gp SheeS MOT =) OMe O men (Tao ae Ot maaes Be

It appears from this that the group terminates at 281mm. (11,5
inches), the rest of the herrings belonging to, at least, one older group.
The modal size is 257mm. (103 inches), the mean is 266mm. (or 261mm.
on the extension of the group back to 240mm.), and the average as com-
puted is 262:1mm. (10,°, inches).

The males begin and end like the females, have exactly the same
modal size, while the computed size is 261mm.

The group comprising both sexes contains 530 herrings, with the
same range, modes, and means, the computed average size being 261‘5mm.
These herrings are six years of age.

The rest of the herrings numbered 10 females and 12 males; the
former ranged in size from 283mm. to 305mm. (112 to 12 inches), and
the latter practically the same, 283mm. to 304mm. These herrings are
seven years old, and although the range of size shown is only 22mm.

(=)
and 2lram., it is probable, judging from the 2mm. table given above, that

the three herrings at about Paelve inches (300mm., 304mm., 305mm.)
are at least a year older still. Growth in length, as is well known, is
much retarded when the fish attain to maturity and afterwards, as is
shown, indeed, by comparing the modal sizes of the two series under
discussion, the growth indicated in a year being only about 19mm.
(? inch). ;

Tt will be noticed that in both series the males are more numerous
than the females, and that, while in the second or older series the size
of the males and females is the same, the males in the first group are
appreciably smaller than the females. In both lots of males of this
series measured, the mode in the ‘Sem. curves is at 23°5em.; in the
older group one of the modes is at 25°5cm.; and the other at 26cm.
When all the males are considered together, the mode in the ‘bem. curve
is at 23°5cm. in the younger group and at 25:5em. in the older group.
In the two lots of females, the cusp in one case in the younger group
was at 23-5em., and in the other at 24:‘5cm.; in the older group both
the cusps or modes were at 25°5cm.

There was thus a greater number of small males than of small females
in the younger series, but this does not necessarily denote that the
male reaches maturity at a smaller size than the female.

In March, another lot of these spring herrings from the Forth were
measured. They were forwarded to the laboratory, and placed in weak
formaline solution for a time; they were measured by the laboratory
attendant, who also determined the sexes in most of them by opening
the fish ; doubtful cases were determined by myself.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 333

The herrings numbered 1155, of which 514 were females and 641
were males. Most of them were spawning, but 40 females and 43
males were spent. ‘The herrings as a whole were smaller than those got
in February. Whether this was due to any extent to their having been
soaking in weak formaline solution is doubtful; my experience with
other fishes is that they do not appreciably diminish in length under
such circumstances. The fact that they were measured by another
person has to be kept in view, but, making all due allowances, I think
it may be assumed that these herrings were on the whole smaller than
those in the previous month.

The table of measurements and the curve (Plate XIX.) show that the
bulk of the herrings was composed of two annual series, but it is not
very clear where the division occurs in this case. Theoretically, it
should be about 24°5cm., and a consideration of. the curves and tables
suggests that it should be placed at 244mm. ; but the division is some-
what arbitrary. The separate curves for the sexes does not help much,
except in the case of the males, where there are cusps or modes at
23cm. and 25em., the depression being at 24cm.

To this series belong 256 females and 319 males. Both have a similar
range, from 211mm. to 244mm. (but the latter is no doubt greater, and
possibly goes to over 25cm.); the modal size for each may be put at
23-5cem. (9 inches); the means are 227-5mm. (or, if the series is
extended to 254mm.—a centimetre more—it is 232°5mm.); the computed
average sizes are, for females 252°8mm., and for the males 232:2mm.

Combining both sexes, the group of 575 herrings have the same range
as above, the same modes and means, and the avarage size is 232°5mm.,
or 9,5, inches.

The second series of herrings begins about 245mm., or, if extended
for lem. backwards, at 235mm. (97 inches). Where it ends is not so
clear. The 2mm. grouping is as follows :—

267 269 271 273 275 277 279 281 283 285 287 2899 991
Gene leet 13), 12 5 4 5 g
and the millimetre measurements are :—

201 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285
8 8 4 2 3 2 2 L 1 1 1 - 1 - =

It might end at 281mm., or 274mm., or at 277mm., and I take the latter
(1032 inches).

To this group belong 252 females and 317 males. Both have the
same range, 245mm. (or 235mm.) to 277mm.; the modal size is about
25em. (9{ inches) ; the means are 261mm. (or 256mm.); and the com-
puted averages are, for the males 252°7mm. (almost 10 inches), and for
the females 254:1mm. (10 inches). The group of 569 herrings has
the same range, mode, and mean as described, and the computed average
is 253'5mm.

The difference between the first and the second series in the March
herrings (on the averages) is, for females 21°3mm., for males 19-9mm.,
and for the series combined 21-Omm.

There were other eleven herrings of larger size in the collection, viz.,
six females, measuring 28lmm., 283mm., 287mm., 288mm., 324mm.,
and 325mm.; and five males, measuring 278mm., 279mm., 280mm.,
287mm., and 304mm.

These obviously belong to different annual series. It is very probable
that the herring at 304mm. represents an older group than those smaller,
while the two large females (12? inches) must be some years older,

534 Part IIT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

With regard to the spent herrings, it may be noted that 13 females
and 8 males belonged to the first series, and 24 females and 35 males to
the second series. The two large females were spent and another at
288mm. The grouping of the spent fish in ‘5em. is as follows :—

OTs Dosh OS) hid ® "hob eb 96. sb, Oi a5) 28) Toe 20) 5) a0) snotao | meeneeee meen

Males, 1 Pit) PRET SOR OR a eed Ve Si PVs" S52. FS Saar
Females, - = Pah Dus Din dike, ai oe -peeelS) Or epee. Ob af P= = a eo ee ee
1 ae anil ay Re ee ey fee ee Se ee heme SS

8. CoNCLUSIONS.

It is evident from the above account that the herring grows slowly,
and that those authors who supposed that it might reach the mature
condition in a year or eighteen months were very wide of the mark.

At the end of the year in which it was born, that is to say, in
December, the spring herring rarely exceeds 50mm. (2 inches), and the
great majority are much smaller; at the same period, the autumn
herring may be as small as 14mm. (a little over 3 an inch), and is rarely
over 12 inches, or 35mm. This difference between the spring and
autumn herring, it may be said, persists throughout. There is nothing
to indicate that the rate of growth is greater in one than in the other,
an interval of about 1:5em.-2em., or a little more, separating the mean
sizes of the two classes at the same date. This is what might be
expected, since an interval of five or six months intervenes between the
spawning periods, and the difference in size between the spring and
autumn herrings thus represents about half the amount of the growth
in a year.

While both autumn and spring herrings are included in the collec-
tions with which T have dealt in this paper, those of the latter are the
most complete; and I have set forth on the accompanying table the
particulars regarding a number of the collections in order to show, in
collective fashion, the rate of growth and the age at different sizes.
Though these collections belong to different years and to various
localities (but all on the east coast of Scotland), it will be seen that
there is a very considerable uniformity of results.

The monthly rate and the annual rate of growth, it may be said, are
calculated from a larger number of decimals than the rate per day, and
the age is computed from the middle of March. It will be observed
that the erowth in the summer months is much more rapid than in the
colder part of the year; and the mean annual rate of growth in the
four best cases, where the period is long and the numbers of herrings
considerable, is 45°-4mm., or about 1? inches. If the rate between
January and May is included (49°6) the mean rate is 44°6mm.

| TABLE.

12 *Caunuvp WOIY ST UOTPUMO]VO OUT, 4. *SOIPIUIULT |W OF} SOYOUL WOT} POALOJSUVI SUOTZIO][OD S,PUD)ADY)
(ae) f
| (9) (OF3) :
0-61 8¢-1 Zc0- cog 61 Il 6 iOl L&% eae ose | * OO) UQtog jour | * “PO6T Azenaqog YI9T
g : c9z |
G-&F 09-8 SIt- a3 8g ie) ce 86 88% | 0GG-8Iz 1942 " + ‘yaog jou | * + FOBT Aavnaqog UI9T
3 (ujarq Avaoyqy)
9.8F $9-§ OZI- | ols gS fOr oF i) 00% SZe-LL1 SlF = (* mueqpurt BO.) °. a"2 “S ~ = poet mey-saT
= | 9-001 83-8 91: 6G 8 Keb 7g 89 191 Z6I-SFL ogg Sas gp Kog usuny |)" HORT OURS
| =
= | 0-07 $8.8 60: FOL SI iGe wee $9 6eL 981 GPL 869 +5 ‘hugqueopacqy:| > .° =. % ‘Kosy Seneaags
S |
DB 8-9F 06-8 SZl- S1z 8% OF scout eee iba IQI-FIL COP - + ‘keg usepreqy | °° * “Q06T tequieneq UBT
& 9.6F PL-F 9gI- LLP CoE thet atp SIL 6SI-F6 LIZ "+ yyaog jouyag | °° * STO6T AV 4981-496
z - (6a 1 (¢0-) ras (c.g) = a 82 | (¢.09) | (92)-¢F 932 - + oq jou} °° + (06ST Td 496Z
z= |
eS | ( 0-9) (00¢-) 81 (0-6) | for - £6 (Ze) | (69)-¢ or |° ° ‘UMogjounT | * °° ‘Z6RT Atenaqed 499%
a OF-G 610: 8g 0-8 Oia, = Mt SF 9¢-ZF Il : ‘Keg smorpuy yg | °° + SAavnuey 430% “496T
go |
"3 | = 88-F 6¢1- cg G.8T Che Bee a1 GF ocizr) | st |° ° ‘Avg ueepreqy | > ‘E061 L9Quiedeq] YIZL
- = 6&-F FPL- (06) SI oa FL G-68 PP-1G 6I - + ‘Avg usaproqy | * OOGT oqtuazdog 410% ‘UIST
s r . . be ° . . a '€
qe ~ - ~ = = (ch ie & (¢.61) 92-S1 = ; SUOMIB A, : > aun’
i: ‘ :
= * * wi = I = =; s 11-9 fal . : : ‘snomva | * . : : : . pady
mig ig “UAL “WY “wy «|SOJT “SAA] ‘soyouy) my | “WIL
‘ . “k a ky ; 5 :
Iva Jog |"yyUop sag) *Avq 104 Eigse ‘|waloyUy abe eernen ong au 3 et
< eT raat Aides Beenie iehod Sheed jo 2% id He
‘asvelouy jo avy JO ON ;

eg a a a ee eee Se

336 Part TI1.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Growth in length, however, as with most fishes, is somewhat more
rapid in the early stages, and diminishes with age, at first very slowly,
and then on the occurrence of sexual maturity with great and marked
rapidity.

The following gives the main features of the growth of the herring,
according to this investigation :—

Approximate Age. Length. Preset ars

Mm. Inches. Mm. Inches.
Year, es : : : : ; 60°5 23 - -
Ay NOCHE : . ¢ : é 113 45 52 245
5 Sea eae tn ee OW Oe ane 61 AT 1g
4 | 200 i 41 18
5 238 93 38 1k
6 | Bay 103 19 3

The herring, both male and female, appears to attain the mature
condition, and to reproduce for the first time, when it is five years of
age.

“Tf the same rate of growth as is indicated above between the fifth and
sixth years be assumed to continue during the next few years, the
approximate average sizes of older herrings would be as follows:—7
years, 276mm. (101 inches); 8 years, 295mm. (113 inches); 9 years,
314mm. (122 inches); 10 years, 333mm. (131 inches). It is certain,
however, that the growth in the later series of larger herrings is not
nearly so rapid as this, and herrings over 12 inches are probably more
than ten years old. The larger herrings of 13 to 15 inches, such as are
referred to on a former page, must be very old; the latter probably
from fifteen to twenty years.

It may be of interest now to compare briefly the results as stated
above and those obtained by Jenkins and Masterman. The research of
the former, as previously mentioned, was made on the otoliths of spring
herrings of the Baltic, and the precise age could not, therefore, be deter-
mined with certainty, not within several months. The research of
Masterman was on both spring and autumn herrings at St. Andrews,
but was confined to specimens taken in tow-nets—to larval and _post-
larval forms, and to small numbers of young herrings obtained in the
same way—and so far as his research was carried it agrees well with
my own. He did not attempt to deal with the growth of the older
series of herrings, except in a few cases, but made certain calculations
as to the rate of growth per month. In the following Table I give a
summary of the results of Jenkins (as amended by the intercalation of
a year, so as to make his annual series a year older than he represents
them), and also of the results of Masterman on the spring herring, as
far as they go, and the approximate sizes of the older series as calculated
on the basis he gives, viz., a growth of from 4mm. to 5mm. per month.
The latter is quite accurate for the early stages, but it is rather wide of
the mark for the older herrings, owing to the diminution of the rate of
growth with age that actually takes place.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 337

1 1 III.
pes 5 Computed.
Age. Year.| Range. | Mean. Range. {Observed
Min. Max. | Mean.

1 45-76 62
2 (1) | 118-121 117 94-139 112 110 122 116
3 (2) | 156-164 160 142-186 as 158 170 164
4 (3) | 190-198 194 177-228 se 206 218 212
5 (4) | 217-225 229 218-265 cs 254 266 260
6 (5) | 237-245 241 240-257 = 302 314 308

Column I, shows Jenkins’ results, Column IT. shows my own results,
and Column IIT. shows the results obtained by Masterman, and the
size at the later stages, computed at the mean rate of increase of 4mm.
to 5mm. It will be observed that my results and those of Jenkins
agree remarkably well, when a year is added to the age he assigns to
his various series.

In the later work of Masterman and M‘Intosh (17a) it is suggested
that 3 inches (76mm.) and 5 inches (127mm.) represent a rough
average of the size of the herring when one year and two years of age
respectively ; and that sexual maturity is attained when it is between
8 and 9 inches (203—228mm.) in length and probably three years of age.
This, however, involves a more rapid growth than the facts warrant, and
is not consistent with the results of Masterman’s own earlier paper.

The earlier authors referred to at the beginning of this paper asa
rule under-estimated the rate of growth of the herring. The most
correct are those of Malm, Sars and Nilsson. It is interesting to
observe that the estimate of the fishermen of Bohuslin, Sweden, as
given by Nilsson, is accurate; and that the estimates of the Scottish
fishermen (three or seven years) was much nearer the truth than those
of the naturalists.

The elucidation of this question of the growth of the herring has an
important bearing on several fishery problems. Compared with most
fishes caught by lines or trawls, it is clear that the herring, caught by
drift-nets, has a great advantage, inasmuch as no immature herrings
ave caught in this way, no less than four generations of undersized or
immature herrings escaping through the meshes.

It may also help to explain such problems as the presence every
summer for a period of years of large herrings in the deep water of
Upper Lochfyne, and their absence for a period of years. It is quite
possible that these herrings belong to one and the same shoal, which has
accustomed itself to the route of migration and the locality, and which
is ultimately fished out or destroyed. It may also serve to explain the
presence in the loch of small herrings in autumn and winter without
supposing that they were spawned there. Such little herrings are one
year old and more, and could therefore easily make their way into the
loch from the spawning grounds in the outer part of the Clyde.

338 Part L11.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

LITERATURE.

1. Huxtey, T. H.—‘‘ Report of the Royal Commission on the Operation of
the Acts relating to Trawling for Herring on the Coasts of Scotland.”
1863, p. 27.

1A. .—‘‘* Nature.” XXXI. 1881, p. 607.

2. Mircuetn, J. M. ‘The Herring: Its Natural History and National
Importance.” 1864.

3. YARRELL, W.—‘‘ A History of British Fishes.” 1859.

4, De Caux.—‘ The Herring and the Herring Fishery.” 1881, p. 50.

5. Sim, G.—‘‘ The Natural History of the Herring.” 1883, p. 46.

6. Launamann, A. V.—‘‘Om_ sillens och skarpsillens fortplantning och
tillvixt.” 1879. Nordisk Tidsskrift for Fiskeri. V. 193.

6a, ——. —‘‘ Bidrag till kiinnedomen om sillens lefnadsférhallanden.” — 1880.

7. WiprcRrenN, H.—‘‘ Nagra ord om sillfiske samt om sillens eller Strémmingens
ratta beredning till handelsvara.” Tidsskrift for Fiskeri, 6 Aarg., X., 1871.

8. Borcx, A.—‘‘ Om Silden og Sildefiskerierne,” p. 13.

9. SUNDEVALL, C. J,—‘‘ Stockholms liins K. Hush. Siillsk. Handl.” VI., p. 105.

10, Exstrom, C. U.—‘“‘ Praktisk Afhandling,” p. 10.

10a. .—‘* Danmarks Fiske,” ITI., pp, 170, 171.

11. Niisson, §8.—‘‘ Handlingar roérande Sillfisket,” p. 45.

12, Sars, G. O.—‘‘Indberetning til Departementet for det Indre,” 1870-73,
pp. 38, 39.

15. Mato, A. W.—‘‘ Giteborgs och Bohusliins Fauna.” 1877, p. 581.

14. Hork, P. P. C.—‘* The Fishes of the Zuiderzee” (Tijdschrift der Neder-
landsche Dierkundige Vereeniging (2), III. Afi. I. 1890).

.—‘* Bericht iiber die Fischerei mit Steerthamen.” (Zbid. Suppl. Deel
IT. 1888).

15. Mryrer, H. A.—‘‘ Biologische Beobachtungen bei kiinstlicher Aufzucht des
Herings der westlichen Ostsee.” 1878.

.—‘* Beobachtungen uber das Wachstum des Herings im westlichen
Teile der Ostsee” (Jahresbericht der Komm. z. wiss. Untersuch. der
deutschen Meere in Kiel, 1878, 227).

16. Jenkins, J. T.—‘‘ Altersbestimmung durch Otolithen bei den Clupeiden.”
(Ibid. Neue Folge, 6th Bd. Abtheil., Kiel., p. 83). 19€2.

17. Masterman, A. T.—Yourteenth Annual Report, Fishery Board for Scotland,
Part IIL, p. 294. 1896.

174. M‘IntosH and MasrermMan.—‘‘ British Marine Food Fishes,” pp. 420, 422
(1897).

18. aay Sarat J. T.—‘‘ Marketable Marine Fishes of the British Islands,”
p. 162.

19. Marruews, J. D.—Fourth Annual Report, Fishery Board for Scotland, 1886.

194. ——.—Vifth, ibid., 1887.

20. Brook, G.— Fourth, ibid., p. 48.

21. Murin, J.—‘‘ Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee—Report on the Sea
Fisheries, &c., of the Thames Estuary.” 1903.

22. LunpBEeRG, R.—‘‘ Bidrag till kinnedomen om Strémmingen i Stockholm-
skirgard.” 1875.

23. Trypom, —.—‘‘ Iakttagelser vid Sillfisket i Bohuslin.” 1883.

23a. ——.—‘‘ Sillundersékningar vid Sveriges Vestkust.” 1889.

24, ‘* Verslag van den Staat der Nederlandsche Zeevisscherijen over 1863,” p. 15.

25. M‘Inrosu, W. C.—‘‘ Seventh-Twelfth Reports of the Fishery Board for Scot-
land, Part III.

26. Py ae oe ce Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland,

art :

14.

15A.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES XVII.-XIX.

The diagrams shown on the plates represent the measurements of the
various collections of herrings dealt with, the measurements being
shown in ‘Sem. groups.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 339
TABLE I.—ABERDEEN BAY.

June. November. December.

11, | 29, | 24, | 30,19,; - ) 13, 0, 18, |31,] 6, | 6, | 9, | 23,| - | 12,} 18, |17, | 19, | 29,
1905/1905/1906|1901]1902'1904 1903 1901/190041901'1901'1900}1963 1901190041903 1900|1903) 1900 1901|1900| 1903
a a a Meaic: Ss ir se es ee ee Ie le
PH cs) & _ | : - toile Ate SIS tele he fee
SEP} se ee 6 = 12 | - apeesrel ool s
a ee ie A= |e. 26 2 58 | - BS hes eat ate
ra eon em aps} = 66 x Wises rey es em eg | ken ie
- - = =- = - 6. = = Ss, = = — — = =

=| ~ [180 af)" =

= = = Ss 5 = = = = - = = = = =
= = = x - - = = = = = = = = =

1
1
~I
bo
1
i
ee - bo _ Lael ow ies)

7 el ee =P Sabb = 1 = fh se. =|) a (Ges|| 2B), =
=|) =| te = (| 4. = 2 =|, = TM est sh) ||
=i} sad) |) Sag = 1 = [a =f ape ak | el =
=| ei)-2 = |= | 25 = 1 = tI ees ae) sod] eal
erie |, — = |= 13 = = =| =H Peal oe Ah eal ne |) Oe
St en ee 2s 2 |) = eit SNe Si Sh Sh
= ee ee Sy — 2 | es 2 She Sc eis
—Ijoe,|| ae lh XS 1 = 1 eo ee (0c bay a a eee
=>, tle | ae lee eS 2 Pal aes Zl ech ea yes eae ee
Sree = 2) ey eee a a he Ee = Sao Sa oe ae
Fes =D eae fae | = = a oes a) ee ioe (Va 8
= [=f = Fo) ches be | = & ae et ee |e en ree
- - = = = if = 6a = = = = = = = oa =

3‘ 4 |157 |601 J — | 24 1557 22 194 334 ‘444 [830

*10 miles off.

nso |}98} 921 6! 5! 21 \410 | 47 ‘10! 16

340 Part LIL—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TABLE II.—MORAY FIRTH.

h CROMARTY

DornNocH FIRTH. FIRTH

ro leet las November. December. il.f Jan. | June.
Sah eS)
Omi ||. A eee aes
|
9, | 81,\ 21,1 = 11-5, 26; aa, hag, | a pe ee, tos 1
? ’ ) ’ ’ ’ bot } PA 2 J ’ \ ?
1905}1904| 1903)1903/1900)1900/1903/1903!emb|1903 1904/1900 19038 1904 § 1901 | 1901
1 - - 2 3 - = 4 1 = 2
B= e/a) STA eal is Bias -
2 iW eye - -|18 — | 17 - =
Ay rl ves || el 1 She =
3 - -| - = =i Galego = -
5 = = = = & 2s i = 2
4 = oss its = = =
5 — = a oa = =
5 Eee |e = = =
>) —~ = = a = = 1 = J
6 = ake t] et eat | fee “J
5 = <2 = <, = a i) a
7 = x Se fee eat eke ie | ae =
5 xe AS AG Oi) See = -
8 = = 6 2 6 ty AS - = -
5 = — ||P a ls9 pA 7 a ea} - - - 1 -
9 = = = 19 4 | 22 | 98 |120 - = 4 -
5 = = = | 35} 1 | 23 |216 |239 - - 3 5 -
| "
10 = -— | 20 - | 12 |267 |269 - - 9 2, 1
a) 3 2 - | 66 13 |244 1257 3 | 91 y? -
11 = 5 - 179 = 3 {158 {161 = 4 |296 4 2
5 3 3 = 157 1 6 |116 |122 1 /411 if 6
12 2 2 - — | 70 - 2] 63 | 65 - 343 6 8
“5 2 - = |hatt = eS byalh a - 257 4 10
13 1 SHS wale sa tlet)|¢12) | ah SO =e el 1 8
63) = 1 - - 4 = - 6 6 112 1 i 1 - - 12
14 i ea fy 2 ie WP: Ue ee | 97 =| heme be ah, ln Re le 2 Yo
5 ~ | Pa Wt fe ewes ara a | 84 =| 95 |. = a
15 Sa Ne laced ne | oe | ona ts le eat tea =i} 2] = = 3
Fi lhe |e See el ele eel oo Site] ts Hl «=. on
16 = 2 o4ee | 9 a ee "oa
5| -| - - 10/10) -| -| 2 3) 23) - -
17 Srl ese | esta eee eae -|38|is| -| -| 1 OA) AN ech ee = 1
5 | - -| - -| -|16|16) -| -| 3 3 - - -
18 - S| eel elf = 6 S| 9) ss =
5 ala = 15 | 15 7 re baie a Dap es
19 =| = = re lbete |p |) =| ERG = =
“5 x = * = 4 4 - 9 = 1
20 | Mae) fete cal Pi ie Ni rial | 5 = =
5 | - aaa 1 Sys a2 Sif =
21 - - x 1 - 3 = x
6 | -| -| -| -| -| -| - - ye) Sse
22 =|) = yy eet vena esl a Zen (CS e ee ee I
By = | ee ee ell ee = z
23 - =| = = = = - -
‘5 = = = A. = 3 a a — = =
24 Sioa of eee =) =) =f) =|) =] = = =
Babee a ee ee Sa up el) melee ate ee a =
8 | 16 | 28 {156 |601 } 15 |158 gis oa 51 | 10 |1982) 4] 10] 87} 59 |14 497 83 70

* 30 Fathoms. + 30-32 Fathoms.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 341

TABLE III.—FIRTH OF FORTH.

February} Mar.| April. May. > = May. = e February. March.
I na Bln

16, 1904. 15, 1904.

Cm. | 17- 10- | 9-

17- | 26- 6 92
21, 6, 22, | 29, 20, | 9-15,) 7-9,| 5, | 3-5, 19, | 10, 9, | 10. | 13, | 10, } 28, | 23, | 4,

: 1 ‘ Spawning
13, Spawning. | and Spent.
1890} 1892 | 1890 | 1890 | 1892 | 1889 1890/1891) 1889 |1889]/189291901)1901/1903 |com1901)1901|1901

res | | tee heh op | - tol | hae ee ee

1 == |p| =} =| =) Sis |) el (aN cae Real ea tee ace E ee beri tae
5 | - - = - - -| -| - | et), = | Ree | ea ieee ay (a ey Vo Wo wc ceo be real |
2 - - - - ~ -{ -; - || a] | a ess ae cen Ail ea ea aca ical =F |i I
Poy fer 2 2 s x eB Reef Sa Peet ees eh ef) eh =) Pe Se Se nae ee
3 a a = a 22 Lh SN ie Sd A Ua |S (eg es lee ag mel oe | LP a || oe
EB ht = = x x a By SPR eS S| Sk] Set | el ES ee An heme eo eee Ye mcd) i || Re
4 - - a ) -| -| - mare eed ements) om) md cto
SU RR Ma a's ie a ee
eee |) | er eer rae i ol) oe ae
Bo =| -240; = ea | | -| - || beac | Fen] | eae |p oat ata peat en at Mea VO Uomo Dec ec) | ce
6 - - | 312! | ed ee So} AS.) | CaBa Saeed 1 Weta ff a ea wa am ee re ee

+64
| - oat aaa BS SN lhe yp te Pe ile eee Pc) |
Bye) iY PBs) nels ieee |
ip sz = ac. iN | ) -| - ae 17|.-]— -]|] -| -]| - a i ec els
8 = aed | ) a4, 4h =i eel | Be (Ea eee feats (eee (eo ec le Wee ld | |e
|

5 | 2 -|) 7238] - -| -| - CoN eam) Vise | et atl fee | RE ct F ba |) |
9 = - = | - -~- =| 3]7 ese) jal Le ace La Me Ube a Un Pe eal Hy Fl Se
ree ae, = |) SE eee = oes paps eee) OTe Te (al alk oir = mae
10 eas oe = |) aa") a7] = = PGi SAeOe > es nee Bide Se a a) Se cere
Peele |) aie = | 8th ah Be eta) POPay | eas rasa basso |e [ec ie | Rea Faas bagel fall ee

Seiten aS te) | ee Pte) as || 32") |) = Se a S| eS

I
w
|
1
bo
!
|
!

1
|
I!

i
i
xa
bo
ran
oOo
i
bo
|
I
1
|
|
|
I

5 - - = = “= = eM [a = = = é = = = = af = = = = 2, = =
16 - - = = 2 Ta) = FD Fie (eee | | | eee Pe mee hm (eect |G fee jo A.
5 - - = = = = = fe = = = = = = = = = = = = a ee = =
17 - - - = = a ee er eae ot Pe eee eel Were eee (ae Nee ee eet yh
5] - - = = = i BN ees) | (seed ce tena | Corea mea Ieee ea bern era oe |)
18 - - = = = rest ea [te Speed ie P| [oped laden) (se hil ea fl eetaan Ioan HR bl Cara Verma ee) |
5] - - - - = = Se eel (A |e bee [eats ka Pr Pema (Ame re Wt (Ge jo |
19 - - = = = ou a ae a 2 | a Oa |e A ed grea [=e (ed MM ye get ee
5 - - = = = He ea (eae SM eee gh SO) (eet | UR a 19 aT ee Mei | Oe end Oe PS
20 - - = = = oy Poe pee SY SSE | Sey ST S| el are Veen (meen) Teme ree Cea eee Oye || a oe

342

Part III.—Twenty-fourth Annual Report

TABLE III.—FIRTH OF FORTH—continued.

Cm.

ot

February| Mar.| April. May. 2 A 3
a1, | © | am | a9, | 20 |905,| 7-015, | 8-5, |30,
1890} 1892 | 1890 | 1890 | 1892 | 1889 |1890|1891} 1889 |18389)1
19 | 240 | 449 |1075 | 312 | 194 | 13 | 3 | 2428 | 47

28, | 23,

1901)1901)com)1901/1901/1904

12 |114 |287

February, March,
16, 1904. 15, 1904.
Spawning. | ot Spent.

F

70 {122 | 57 | 67 |124
52 |107 | 62 | 66 |128

550 |1023)514 |641 |1155

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343

INDEX.

ABERDEEN Bay: Trawling investigations |

in, 25.

Acartia bifilosa, 277.

Age of Herring, 293.

— Brill at maturity, 209.

—— Herring at maturity, 332, 336.

—— Lemon Dab at maturity, 196.

Turbot at maturity, 203.

Ameira longicaudata, 277.

Amphiascus Cutherine, 275.

—— minutus, 275.

Angler (Lophius piscatorius): Otoliths
of, 57.

Argentine (Argentina sphyraena): Oto-
liths of, 76.

Batian Wrasse (Labrus berygylta): Oto-
liths of, 61.

Beatricella mumica, 277.

Bib: see Brassy.

Black Sole (Solea vulgaris) : Otoliths of,
75.

Blue-mouth (Scorpena
Otoliths of, 55.

Brassy (Gadus luscus) : Otoliths of, 63.

Reproduction of, 130.

—— Ripe eggs of, 131.

Specific characters of, 116, 133.

Brill (Rhombus levis): Age of, at ma-
turity, 209.

Growth of, 203.

eee (Pholis gunnellus) : Otoliths
of, 59.

dactyloptera) :

Canthocamptus parvus, 277.
Canuella perplexa, 277.
Cat-fish (Anarrhichas lupus) : Otoliths of,
59.
Cletodes stinilis, 277.
Coal-fish (Gadus virens) : Otoliths of, 65.
Cod (Gadus callarias) : Otoliths of, 61.
— Growth of, 209.
— Growth of, at Iceland, 211.
Hermaphroditism in, 290.
Commercial trawlers; Employment of,
17.
Composition of Herring, 83.
of muscles and ovaries in Herrings,
99

—— of muscles and testes in Herring,
100.

Conger (Conger niger) : Otoliths of, 79.

Copepoda: Rare, from Scottish seas, 275.

Couch’s Whiting (@adus poutassou) : Oto-
liths of, 64.

Cunningham, Mr. J. T., on growth of
Herring, 298,

Das, Common (Plewronectes limanda) :
Otoliths of, 74.

Growth of, 189.

Dactylopusia brevicornis, 276, 277.

Jinmarchicus, 277.

vulgaris, 277.

Description of new fish-hatchery, 108.

Differences between male and female
Lumpsuckers, 170.

Diosaccus propinquus, 278.

tenwicornis, 279.

Dragonet (Callionymus lyra); Otoliths
of, 58.

—— Spotted (Callionymus maculatus) :
Otoliths of, 58.

Duration of embryonic development in
the Herring, 303.

EARSTONES : see Otoliths.

Ectinosoma curticorne, 277.

Eel, Common (Anguilla vulgaris) : Oto-
liths of, 79.

Eggs of Lumpsucker : Paternal guardian-
ship of, 169.

Enhydrosoma incurvatum, 277.

Huryte longicauda, 277.

Fat: Utility of storage of, in fishes, 181.

Fish-hatchery : Description of, 108.

Fishes: Rate of growth of, 179.

Utility of storage of fat in, 181.

Fecundity of Plaice, 281.

Flounder (Pleuronectes jflesus): Otoliths
of, 73.

Growth of, 191,

Food value of Herring, 83.

Four-bearded Rockling (Onos cimbrius) :
Otoliths of, 67.

GADID species: Key to diagnosis of, 138.

Gadus esmarkii : see Norway Pout.

—— luscus: see Brassy.

minutus : see Poor-cod.

Goby, Black (Gobius niger) : Otoliths of,
58

a Speckled (Gobius minutus) : Otoliths

of, 58.

Greater Fork-beard (Phycis blennotdes) :
Otoliths of, 66.

—— Weaver (7’rachinus draco) : Otoliths
of, 57.

Grey Gurnard (Vrigla gurnardus) : Oto-
liths of, 55.

—— Growth of, 232.

Relation of temperature to migra-
tions of, 236.

Growth of fishes, 179.

344 Part III. —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Growth of fishes: A law of growth in
relation to maturity, 182.

Influence of external conditions on,
181.

— Influence of temperature upon, 182.

—— Modification of, in deeper parts of
North Sea, 182.

of Brill, 203.

of Cod, 209.

—— of Cod at Iceland, 211.

— of Common Dab, 189.

— of Flounder, 191.

— of Grey Gurnard, 232.

of Haddock, 226.

of Herring, 293.

of Herring: Various opinions on,
293, 294, 295.

of Herring, male and female, 332.
of Herring in larval and post-larval
stages, 308.

of Herring : Conclusions as to, 334.
—— of Herring, spring and autumn, 334.
of Lemon Dab, 192.

of Long Rough Dab, 196.

of Plaice, 184.

of Turbot, 199.

of Whiting, 229.

Happock (Gadus cglefinus): Otoliths
of, 62.

Great catches of small, 29, 31.

Growth of, 226.

Hake (Merlucius vulgaris) ; Otoliths of,
66.

Halibut (Hippoglossus vulgaris): Otoliths
of, 69.

Halicyclops equoreus : 277.

Harpacticus obscurus : 277.

Hatchery, Bay of Nigg, Aberdeen:
Report on operations at, 108.

Hatching of Plaice, 110.

of eggs of Lumpsucker, 177.

Helmsdale Herring: Chemical composi-
tion of, 93.

Hermaphroditism in Cod, 290.

Herring (Clupea harengus): Age of, at
maturity, 332, 336.

A criticism of Dr. Meyer’s obser-
vations on growth of, 303.

--—- Chemical analyses of, 83.

—— Chemical composition of Helmsdale,
93.

Chemical composition of Lochbois-

dale, 95.

Chemical composition of Lochfyne,

86, 104.

Composition of muscles and ovaries

in, 99.

Composition of muscles and testes,

100.

Conclusions as to growth of, 334.

Duration of embryonic development

in, 303.

External differences from Sprat,
167.

— Food value of, 83.

—— Growth and age of, 298.

Growth ot, in larval and post-larval
stages, 308.

—— Growth and age of, 293.

Herring, Growth of males and females,
332.

Growth of spring and autumn fish,

334.

Maximum size attained by, 301.

—— Notes on natural history of, 165.

—— Numbers taken in Sprat fishery,
161.

— Nutritive value of, at different
periods, 83.

-— Nutritive value of spent, 103.

—— Otoliths of, 77.

—— Proportions of sexes of, 332.

Relation of temperature to growth

of, 306.

Relation of temperature to spawn-

ing periods of, 303.

Size of, at maturity, 299, 232.

—— Spawning periods of, 302.

— Variation of fat in, 101.

— Variation of fat in ovaries of, 102.

—— Variation of proteids in, 101,

Idya furcata, 277.

—— gracilis, 277.

minor, 278.

Immature fish caught by trawl, 29, 31.

Influence of external conditions on
growth of fishes, 181.

Jaco’s Goldsinny (Labrus rupestris) :
Otoliths of, 61.

Jenkins, Dr. Travis, on growth of Her-
ring, 298, 307. :

Laophonte curticauda, 278.

—— yracilis, 278.

hispida, 278.

tnopinata, 278.

intermedia, 278.

—— littorale, 278.

—— longiremis, 278.

thoracica, 278.

Lemon Dab (Plewronectes microcephalus) :
Age at maturity, 196.

— Growth of, 192.

Otoliths of, 73.

Lesser Fork-beard (Raniceps raninus):
Otoliths of, 68.

-— Sand-eel (Ammodytes tobianus) :
Otoliths of, 69.

Weaver (Trachinus vipera): Oto-
liths of, 57.

Ling (Molua molva): Otoliths of, 67.

Lochboisdale Herring: Chemical com-
position of, 95.

Lochfyne Herring : Chemical composition
of, 86, 104.

Longipedia scoiti, 278.

Long Rough Dab (Drepanopsetta plat-
essoides): Otoliths of, 69.

Growth of, 196.

Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus/umpus) : Hatch-
ing of eggs of, 177

—— Habits of, 171.

Differences between males and

females, 170.

Otoliths of, 59.

of the Fishery Board for Scotland.

Lumpsucker, Paternal guardianship of
the eggs of, 169.

—— Rivalry of males, 172.

—— Spawning of, 169.

MAcKEREL (Scomber scombrus) : Otoliths
of, 57.

Marine fish-hatching : Report on, 108.

Masterman, Dr. A. T., on growth of
Herring, 298, 308.

Maturity of fishes: Remarks on, 24.

Maturity: Size of Herring at, 299.

Maximum size attained by Herring, 301.

Megrim (Lepidorhombus whiff) : Otoliths

of, 71.

Meyer, Dr. H. A., on growth of Herring,
295.

Migrations of Grey Gurnard: Relation
of, to temperature, 236.

Milroy, Professor T. H., on the food
value of the Herring, 83.

Moray Firth: Trawling investigations
in, 18, 27, 31, 34.

Muller’s Top-knot (Zeugopterus puncia-
tus): Otoliths of, 71.

Nannopus palustris, 278.

Norway Haddock (Sebastes norvegicus) :
Otoliths of, 54.

Norway Pout (Gadus esmarkiz) ; Otoliths
of, 64.

—— Maturity of, 131.

Specific characters of, 116, 134.

Notes on natural history of Herring, 165.

Notes on natural history of Sprat, 165.

Notes on new and rare copepoda, 275.

Nutritive value of spent Herring, 103.

Orotitus of Angler, 77.

—— of Argentine, 76.

—- of Ballan Wrasse, 61.

~ —— of Black Goby, 58.

—— of Black Sole, 75.

of Blue-mouth, 55,

of Brassy, 63.

—— of Brown Trout, 76.
—— of Cat-fish, 59.

= of ©od, GL:

— of Coal-fish, 65.

— of Common Dab, 74.
— of Common Sea-bream, 54.
—— of Conger, 79.

— of Couch’s Whiting, 64.
—— of Dragonet, 58.

of fishes: Observations on, 48.
—— of Flounder, 73.

of Greater Fork-beard, 66.
—— of Greater Weaver, 57.
— of Grey Gurnard, 55.
—— of Halibut, 69.

-—— of Haddock, 62.

—— of Herring, 77.

—— of Jago’s Goldsinny, 61.
—— of Lemon Dab, 73.

— of Lesser Fork-beard, 68.
— of Lesser Weaver, 57.
—— of Ling, 67.

—— of Lumpsucker, 59.

—— of Mackerel, 57.

~ — of Megrim, 71.

HELE

345

Otoliths of Muller’s Top-knot, 71.
of Norway Haddock, 54,

of Pike, 77.

of Pilchard, 78.

of Plaice, 72,

of Pollack, 66.

ot Poor-cod, 64.

of Red Gurnard, 56.

of Red Mullet, 54.

of Roach, 77.

of Salmon, 76.

of Sand Smelt, 60.

of Sapphirine Gurnard, 56.

of Scald-fish, 72.

of Sharp-tailed Lumpenus, 60.
of Solenette, 75.

of Speckled Goby, 58.

of Spotted Dragonet, 58.

of Sprat, 78.

of Streaked Gurnard, 56.

of Striped Wrasse, 61.

of Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, 60,
of Three-bearded Rockling, 67.
of Turbot, 70.

of Variegated Sole, 75.

of Viviparous Blenny, 60.

of Whiting, 65.

of Witch, 74.

of Worm Pipe-fish, 79.

Parathelestris hibernica, 278.

Paternal guardianship of the eggs of the
Lumpsucker, 169.

Perch (Perca fluviatilis) : Otoliths of, 53.

Pike (Hsoa luctus): Otoliths of, 77.

Pilchard (Clupea pilchardus): Otoliths
of, 78.

Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa): Artificial
propagation of, 110.

Duration of spawning of female, 281.

—— Eggs of, 288.

—— Fecundity of, 281.

— Growth of, 184,

— Otoliths of, 72.

—— Spawning of, 281.

—— Spawning period of, 111, 281.

—— Variation of growth with locality,
184.

Platychelipus littoralis, 278.

Pogge (Agonus cataphractus) ; Otoliths of,
56

Pollack (Gadus pollachius) : Otoliths 1,
66.

Pontopolites typicus, 278

Poor-cod (Gadus minutus): Otoliths of,
64.

— Reproduction of, 130.

—— Ripe eggs of, 131.

Specific characters of, 116, 133.

Powan (Coregonus /avaretus): Otoliths of,

Proportion of marketable and unmarket-
able fishes, 17.

Proportion of sexes in Herring, 332.

Pseudodiosaccus propinquus, 278.

Pseudothalestris major, 278.

Rate of growth of fishes, 179.
Red Gurnard (7vrigla pint): Otoliths of,
56.

346

Red Mullet (Mudllus barbatus) ; Otoliths
of, 54.

Reproduction of Brassy, 130.

Reproduction of Poor-cod, 130.

Rivalry of male Lumpsuckers, 172.

Roach (Leuciscus rutilus) : Otoliths of, 77.

Saumon (Salmo salar): Otoliths of, 76.

Sand Smelt (Atherina presbyter): Otoliths
of 602s

Sapphirine Gurnard (Tvrigla lucerna) :
Otoliths of, 56.

Scald-fish (Platophrys laterna) : Otoliths
of, 72:

Sea-bream, Common (Sparus
dontus) : Otoliths of, 54.

Sea Scorpion (Cottus scorpius): Otoliths
of, 55.

Sharp: tailed Lumpenus (Lumpenus lam-
pretiformis): Otoliths of, 60.

Size of Herring at maturity, 299, 332,
336.

Solenette (Solea /utea): Otoliths of, 75.

Spawning of Plaice, 281.

of Plaice: Duration of, in females,

281.

of Lumpsucker, 169, 176.

— Period of Plaice, 111, 281.

Periods of Herring, 302.

Specific characters of Brassy, 116.

characters of Poor-cod, 116.

characters of Norway Pout, 116.

Spent Herring: Nutritive value of, 103.

Sprat (Clupea sprattus) : External differ-
ences from Herring, 167.

Notes on natural history of, 165.

— Otoliths of, 78.

Fishery in Tay, 1905-6, 159.

Fishery in Tay: Fish caught in,
160.

Stephos scotti, 278.

Streaked Gurnard (Trigla lineata): Oto-
liths of, 56.

Striped Wrasse (Labrus miatus): Oto-
liths ot, 61.

centro-

Part IIT —Twenty-fourth Annual Report

Tachidius dicipes, 278.

littoralis, 278.

Tay: Sprat fishery of, 159,

Teleostean fishes: Otoliths of, 48.

Temperature: Influence of, on growth of
fishes, : 182.

Relation of, to embryonic develop-
ment of Herring, 303.

at sae of, to growth of Haddock,

ime ics of, to growth of Whiting,

—— Relation of, to migration of Grey
Gurnard, 236.

—— Relation of, to spawning periods of
Herring, 303.

Thick-lipped Grey Mullet (Mugil chelo) :
Otoliths of, 60.

Three-bearded Rockling (Onos tricir-
ratus): Otoliths of, 67.

Trawling investigations, 17.

investigations in Aberdeen Bay, 25.

—— investigations in Moray Firth, 18,
27, 31, 34.

Trout, Brown (Salmo fario): Otoliths of,
76.

Turbot (Bothus maximus): Age at ma-
turity, 203.

Growth of, 199.

— Otoliths of, 70.

VARIEGATED Sole (Solea variegata) : Oto-
liths of, 75.

Viviparous Blenny (Hnchelyopus vivt-
parus): Otoliths of, 60.

Westwoodia minuta, 278.
Whiting (Gadus merlangus) : Otoliths of,
65

Growth of, 229.

Witch (Plewronectes cynoglossus) : Oto-
liths of, 74.

Worm Pipe-fish (Nerophis
formis): Otoliths of, 79.

lumbrici-

Zaus spinatus, 278.

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