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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL SERVICE 



It will be seen from the table that a considerable number of specimens belonged 

 to the 1911 and 1910 year-classes, and many fish occured with eight rings on the scales, 

 with finally a more indistinct accumulation of individuals in groups 12 and 13. 



If we now turn to the two samples from May;, 1914 and 1915, we find, as shown 

 in fig. 31 that one from 1914 contained many 11-year-old fish, while in 1915 there were 

 many of 12-years-old. The 1903 year-class that is to say is relatively numerous in 

 both samples. In the 1915 sample, moreover, there were many specimens of the 1911 

 and 1910 year-classes, a feature common to this sample and that from station 42,, and 

 as regards the 1911 year-class, also to the several of the samples from the waters 

 between cape Gaspe and Prince Edward Island. On the other hand, in these two 



Age classes 



5 ^ b 6 7 



9 10 11 12 15 1i^ 15 16 17 



samples from the Magdalen islands, we do not find that quantity of fish belonging to 

 the 1907 year-group which was so characteristic of the samples from Northumberland 

 strait. What signifiance should be attached to this point of difference it is impossible 

 to say until further material is available; one thing, however, is certain; the samples 

 from the Magdalen islands exhibit no small likeness to those from Northumberland 

 strait and from off the Gaspe coast. 



It is therefore open to doubt whether the division here made is in accordance 

 with the actual conditions, which question will be discussed when the growth investi- 

 gations have been dealt with, and in connection with the treatment of racial characters 

 (number of vertebrae, etc.) 



c. The Ne%vfoundland waters. 



The material from these waters comprises five samples from the spring of 1914, 

 four from the autumn of the same year, and three from the spring of 1915, making 



