INTRODUCTION 



231 



The species of fish were counted, and the important ones measured and sexed, and data on the 

 stages of maturity at different lengths collected. Occasionally observations on scales, gonads, and 

 pathological growths, and sexing of the less important species were possible. Provisional identifi- 

 cations proved adequate for the subsequent accurate determination of almost all the specimens taken, 

 in spite of the facts that it was only possible to preserve a small proportion of the catch, and that some 



Fig. ic. Third trawling survey; station positions October to April 193 1-2. 



Nototheniidae and Rajidae presented special difficulties which were only cleared up in the course of 

 the preparation of Norman's report years afterwards. 



The invertebrates were more difficult owing to the great bulk of many of the catches. Quantities 

 of previously preserved species were estimated and noted when possible, and all or a noted pro- 

 portion of the others preserved; but the bulk of the catch and masses of broken sponges, coralline 

 polyzoa, large Scyphomedusae, etc., frequently made it impossible to sort the catch adequately m the 

 limited time available. 



