are also taken at the beginning of July. 



Figure 6. Ovary of Murmansk herring July 22, 1947, west coast of Spitsbergen . Length 

 of fish 325 mm., weight 330 gm., age 11+, stage III, weight of roe 7.5 gm., 

 index of maturity 2.25%. In the centre, an empty follicle; along the edges, 

 ovocytes at the beginning of yolk formation, and follicle tissue in one layer. 

 X 147. 



Stage V (Figure 9, a). The ovaries occupy the whole body cavity. The digestive organs 

 and other organs are vigorously compressed by the roe. At this time of the year the herring near- 

 ly do not feed at all, probably because it is impossible to digest the food. The membrane of the 

 ovary is transparent, and large, light eggs are easily seen through it. Ripe ovocytes fill the ovi- 

 duct, which is sharply separated from the lower part of the ovary. The wei^t of the roe varies 

 from 9 to 21%, averagely 13.9% of the body weight. By squeezing the abdomen the roe will run. 



The transition from stage IV to stage V occurs very quickly to judge from analyses of roe 

 from herring on their way to the spawning places, and away from them, after spawning. The roe 

 remains a very short time, not more than a few days, in stage V. Herring in stage V are found 

 from the end of March to the beginning of May, with a maximum in April. Single individuals are 

 still found in June . 



Stage VI (Figure 9, b). The roe has shrunk considerably, is withered (flaccid), of a purple- 

 brownish color, containing much blood. Degenerating eggs, which have not been spawned, are often 

 found. The roe has shrunk, constituting 0.5-2%, on an average 1% of the body weight. 



In histological respect, the roe is characterized by empty follicles and a complex of young 

 ovocytes related to stage II . 



218 



