44 NOllTU SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 



The soles in this and other hauls were ripe and spawning. As usual, 

 a lot of small plaice, gurnard, and dabs were thrown overboard. The 

 soles were more plentiful than was usual for a day haul. 



Fifteenth haul, 12.30 p.m., June 9th. Just before this haul we 

 sounded 10|l fathoms. The fish kept were : — 



2 baskets of small plaice. 



li „ medium plaice. 



li „ haddock. 



^ basket of dabs. 



I „ whiting. 



20 pair of soles. 



34 turbot and brill, many under 12 in. 



About 12 latchets. 



The smallest brill was 9^ in. long. The smallest dab saved was 9} in. 

 long. I was told that the last time the vessel sold her fish the dabs 

 fetched 10s. a box, which is more than the usual price of small plaice. 

 Whiting were saved for the first time this haul, as they do not keep 

 well for many days in the fish-hold. 



I examined half a basketful of the stuff thrown overboard. It 



101 male plaice, smallest Q} in., largest 10;^ in. 



46 female plaice, smallest G^ in., largest 9| in. 



18 male dabs, Qh in. to 9h in. 



17 female dabs, 5f in. to 9 in. 



7 Tri(jla (jurnardus. 



Trigla cuculus. 



1 Baia clavaia, 11 1 in. across the pectorals. 



Sixteenth haul, 8.30 p.m., June 9th. On this occasion I timed the 

 various stages in the operation of hauling one trawl and shooting 

 the other. The after stopper, which fastens the wire trawl-rope to the 

 quarter of the vessel, to keep it clear of the propeller, was let go at 

 8.30 p.m. The steam winch was then set in motion and the beam 

 of the trawl was on the rail at 8.40. By 9 o'clock the cod end was 

 hoisted up, the fish emptied out of it and the other trawl shot. 



This haul we steered somewhat to the westward, to get away from 

 the small plaice ; but the captain said he was afraid we should get away 

 from the soles, too. The catch was not a large one : — 



1\ baskets medium plaice. 

 1 basket small plaice. 



1 „ gibbed haddock. 



2 baskets kit haddock. 

 35 turbot and brill. 

 25 pair of soles. 



