103 



that the winter herrings from the west side of the Shetlanda are 

 larger than those from the grounds to the east of the Shetlands. 



Centimetres. 



The Yarmouth samples were taken during November of 1920 

 and March of this year, the latter being a sample of spring herrings. 

 As the data given in the Report last year referred to November 

 samples only, the two samples are given in Table II. in detail 

 for purposes of comparison. There was no difference in size, 

 as in each sample the greater numbers are under 26 to 28 cm. 

 While there is an apparent difference in age this is due to the fact 

 that in the November sample the last winter ring counted was 

 inside the edge of the scale, and in the March sample the last winter 

 ring and the edge of the scale were taken as coinciding. This 

 must be taken into consideration when examining the data given 

 in Table II. 



The three samples from Ireland have been analysed also, 

 as this is the first year we have examined herrings from Irish 

 waters. All these samples were composed of large fish, but the 

 second sample differs from the first and third sample. 



This sample, taken 17th February, 1921, 10 miles off the 

 mouth of Lough Swilly, and from practically the same fishing 

 ground as sample 1 but further out, was larger than the other 

 samples. 



In order to make the difference clear, the data have been 

 arranged as below : — 



