264 THE COD FAMILY. 



or | inch to 2f inches, all of which seem to belong to the 

 season's brood, the largest of which under these circumstances 

 are not more than 5 months old. This points to a very 

 rapid rate of growth. 



This variability in size is as characteristic of August, for in 

 deep water, S. E. of the Isle of May, some small specimens only 

 12 mm. in length were obtained so late as the 31st; while 

 on the 9th multitudes of whiting from 22 to 68 mm. occurred. 

 Others, caught in fewer numbers, for so active a fish readily 

 avoids the conspicuous mid-water net, range from 87 to 

 112 mm. or about 3|- to 4^ inches. 



In September multitudes of whiting from 65 to 97 mm. or 

 about 2| to 3f inches appear in the inshore waters, the larger 

 and in some cases older examples pushing ahead of their 

 neighbours into the estuaries of rivers as, e.g., the Eden and the 

 Forth, where they are occasionally captured by various nets 

 in enormous numbers. Thus in the case related by Dr Fulton 1 

 more than 3000 were taken in the Forth in one haul of a small 

 trawl (18 feet). In the Eden such forms range from 125 to 

 135 mm. or about 5 to 5J inches. The growth of these fishes 

 seems to be remarkably rapid during the latter part of July, in 

 August and the following month or two. Smaller specimens, 

 however, are occasionally caught in the tow-nets, especially 

 offshore, as usual with most fishes. Thus whiting of an inch 

 to 27 mm. in length occur so late as the 22nd of September. 

 In October, again, one of only 45 mm. was obtained inshore 

 (St Andrews Bay). The authors of the Scandinavian Fishes 

 state that they make their way to the inshore water only in 

 October, and when 10 and 12 cm. long (4 inches). They keep 

 such haunts, indeed, till spring, when they return to deep 

 water. 



In November the smaller specimens are from 3^ to 5f 

 inches, some exceeding the latter ; while in December they are 

 from 5 to 6 inches; such forms in both months being sometimes 

 procured by the liners. 



Mr Cunningham 2 , reporting on Mr Holt's specimens of 



1 8th S. F. B. Kept. p. 17/>. 



2 J. M. B. Assoc. 1891-92. p. 358. 



