440 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [14] 



sandy parts of the coast I, as have others before me, fouod such a large 

 quantity of small animals within a narrow space as to make it a matter 

 of surprise that there are any eggs at all on the bottom of the sea. 



Inorganic components of the sea-water. 

 fPer 100 parts salt] 



It is, at any rate, the normal condition of the eggs of these fish to float 

 near the surface. I have, therefore, been led to suppose that in those 

 years and those locations where the eggs remain floating, a quantitative 

 calculation of their average would at least furnish an approximately 

 correct estimate of the number of fish which had spawned at such times 

 and in such locations.* In following up this idea we find that a vast 

 and seemingly fertile field opens out for investigation, which, though 

 barely entered, could not be passed in silence, all the more, because a 

 knowledge of the facts given below would, a short time ago, have been 

 of great value to me. 



Counting the eggs of plaice not fully matured has given the follow- 

 ing results : 



Plaice 48 centimeters long, weight, 1,050 grams: ovary, 6C grams; 

 number of eggs, 300,000. 



* In order to prevent any erroneona ideas, I will define my idea of an "approxi- 

 mately correct estimate." At present I wonld not venture to decide, whether in the 

 set near Eckernforde, taken as an example, there are annually canght 5 to 75 per cent, 

 of all the grown fish, i. e., whether four-fifths of the fish caught, or twenty times their 

 number, live in that area; or to express it still differently, whether, scattered over the 

 area, there would be 30 or 472 eggs to the square meter. The possibility of approach- 

 ing a solution of this question by direct experiments is what I understand by an " ap- 

 proximately correct estimate." 



