54 



while retaining their relative proportions do not leave the region 

 so completely. There are more dabs, and especially more plaice, 

 which winter at 20 fathoms than at 3 fathoms. The mean size 

 at tho greater depth is larger than at the less depth, and as we have 

 found in Northumberland the younger and smaller plaice predom- 

 inate in the north of the region. 



FIRTH OF FORTH SCHOOL. 



Tho stations are arranged according to position ; the average 

 depth is about 10 fathoms ; stations VI. and II. are situated on 

 the northern side, and IV. and VII. on the southern side of the 

 Firth of Forth. In the Forth school of plaice the largest numbers 

 appear in the north of the region, and the small plaice are found 

 for the most part likewise in the northern part of the region. This 

 is as we have observed exactly what occurs in Northumberland. 



In addition to the stations mentioned trawling took place 

 at other stations in the deeper water of the middle of the Forth. 

 Stations I. and III. lie close together between stations II. and IV. 

 up the Firth, station V. between stations VI and VII. at the mouth 

 of the Firth, and VIII. and IN. still further out. The results for 

 these stations were as follows ; — 



It is evident therefore that fewer and somewhat larger plaice 

 are captured in the deeper water of the estuary. 



But it is the seasonal variation in numbers which brought 

 into comparison with that of the Northumberland school is of 

 importance. For the Firth of Forth stations the results are 

 arranged as follows : — 



