13 



We have no distinct record of the spawning of the herring 

 last season, but notes were made as to the condition of the gonads 

 of the samples, together with general notes as to the herrings 

 landed at North Shields and Berwick. From these it is clear 

 that during the early part of the season in July and the early part 

 of August the herring were immature. In July the gonads were 

 in the state of 1-2 and 2-3 towards the end of the month, and in 

 August the Berwick samples indicated the presence also of herrings 

 with gonads of 3-4. Towards the end of August and the beginning 

 of September it was found that while the Shields samples remained 

 immature full herring were being landed at Berwick and Sea- 

 houses. These were succeeded by spent herring, which penetrated 

 throughout the whole district, being found not only in the northern 

 part of the district but amongst the herrings landed at Shields as 

 well. It is worth noting here also that on July 20th, when the 

 sample of that date was examined at North Shields, thcee boats 

 landed young herring measuring 16-19 cms., and it was stated 

 that they were obtained further north than the position recorded 

 for the sample. 



The investigations of the Northumberland samples, which 

 have now been made without interruption for a good many years, 

 indicate that the herrings which annually visit the coast belong 

 to one school, which for some reason or other during the last 

 two years has advanced in age composition by one year. It is 

 evident, however, that we cannot arrive at a full comprehension 

 of the migrations of this interesting and important species until 

 measures are taken to insure a full and comprehensive investi- 

 gation on similar lines over a much wider area. 



The facts given in Table II. are summarised in Tables HI. 

 and IV. 



