COD, POLL O CK, HADD O CK AND HAKE. 3 45 



ovaries did not indicate that the eggs were gradually maturing, and would 

 be deposited before the close of the season. 



" The schools of Cod move about but little during the spawning season, 

 except when driven away by enemies or by violent storms. After they 

 reach the waters of Cape Ann, fishing continues best in the same localities, 

 and even upon the same spots, until they leave. The individuals, too, 

 seem to move about but little among themselves. When the female 

 becomes ripe she remains quietly near the bottom, while the male, a little 

 more active, often swims high up. This is indicated by the fact that 

 greater numbers of spawning females are taken with the trawl, which lies 

 directly on the bottom, than with the hand-line a little way above it, 

 Avhile the males are taken on one as readily as on the other. 



" It may not be impossible that the eggs are fertilized while floating about 

 in the water some minutes after exclusion, and that the strong tides usually 

 found on the spawning grounds play an important part in distributing the 

 germs, thus making the chances of impregnation more favorable. Indeed 

 it may be possible, and, if the spawning goes on gradually for several 

 months, seems not improbable, that the immediate presence of the oppo- 

 site sexes during the act of spawning is not necessary, but rather that the 

 eggs are fertilized mainly by accidental contact. Observations would 

 seem to strengthen the probabilities of this theory ; for, if the fish went 

 in pairs, they would often be taken on adjoining hooks of the trawl, or 

 one on either hook of the hand-line. Such is not usually the case, how- 

 ever ; but, on the contrary, several of the same sex are more frequently 

 taken together. 



" The eggs have a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025, as indicated by the 

 fact that they float in salt water and sink rapidly in fresh. They may be 

 found at the surface in common with eggs of the Pollock, Haddock, and 

 probably other species of the cod family, when the sea is smooth ; but 

 when the water becomes rough they are carried to a depth of several 

 fathoms by the current, though the tendency is to remain near the surface. 



' ' There are many ways in which the eggs may be destroyed. The princi- 

 pal loss is probably the result of non-impregnation, for unless they come 

 in contact with the milt of the male very soon after being thrown from 

 the parent, they lose their vitality. Again, being drifted about by the 

 winds and tides, they are often carried long distances from the spawning 

 grounds into the little bays and coves, and are driven in immense num- 



