89 



The growth and age composition of the three samples, together 

 with similar data * from the shoals of the north of Scotland and 

 west of the Shetlands, point to oceanic shoals of herrings extending 

 from the Atlantic coast of Ireland north to the Shetlands, and 

 living under almost similar conditions. The southern limit of 

 these herrings would be of interest, and it is possible the shoals 

 to the west of the Hebrides, those observed about the Flannan 

 Islands, and the summer shoals to the west of the Shetlands are 

 of a similar nature. Statistics are not available to allow of a 

 comparison being made with regard to the fluctuations in the 

 catches from these shoals. 



" Spawny Haddocks." — Haddocks gorged with herring 

 spawn were landed by North Shields trawlers as follows : — 



The last locality given above is rather unusual, as generally 

 " spawny haddocks " are most frequent in the vicinity of the 

 Longstonc and Berwick Bank. 



Herring eggs obtained from haddocks landed on 11th September 

 contained well advanced embryos ; the eyes showed boldly, and 

 the body encircled the yolk. 



Some were brought to the Laboratory with the object of 

 hatching them out. But no movement was noticeable inside the 

 eggs, and evidently the eggs were dead when the haddocks were 

 landed. 



* Report, New Series, IX., Table III. 



