NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 



105 



that, in the one sample, there were more males and fewer immature 

 females than in the other. The general difference in size in the two 

 samples is sufficiently obvious from the fact that one box contained 176 

 fish, the other only 115, the box in both cases being of the same size. 

 If we compare the limiting sizes of the mature and immature, they are 

 9 in. and 14 in. in the case of the smaller, 12 in. and 17 in. in that of the 

 larger, a difference of 3 in. By limiting sizes, I mean the smallest mature 

 and largest immature. Thus the relation of size to maturity in the 

 Leman Shoal plaice agrees closely with that observed by Mr. Holt at 

 Grimsby. 



I have endeavoured to obtain samples of plaice from the English side, 

 further south than the Leman Shoal. Opposite the coasts of Norfolk 

 and Suffolk there is a depression of the sea-bottom, ranging from 20 to 

 27 fathoms in depth, its eastern boundary being about midway between 

 the English and Dutch coasts. I tried to obtain a sample taken in this 

 deep water. The box that was sent to me from Lowestoft, in response 

 to a request to this effect, was stated to have been taken 40 to 45 miles 

 E.S.E. of Lowestoft, a position which would be near the eastern limit 

 of the deep water. 



The fish proved, on examination, to be much more immature than the 

 samples from more eastern grounds already described, although, if the 

 place of capture is correctly reported, it is only about 20 miles further 

 from the Dutch coast than the Brown Eidges, where the smaller fish 

 were taken. The sizes and condition were as here shown. 



Plaice caught 40 to 45 miles E.S.E. of Lowestoft, Deo. 23rd, 1895. 



Total number, 132. 



30 29 10 63 



(227 per cent.) (22 percent.) (75 per cent.) (478 per cent.) 



132 



This sample is intermediate in its limiting sizes between the Dutch 

 plaice and the more northern plaice, the limits being 12 in. and 16 in. 

 for females. 



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