54 



Althougli the number examined is few yet it is evident that 

 the length of the scale-covered portion is greater and that of the 

 head smaller in proportion in the larger than in the smaller 

 herrings. It is perhaps worth noting how small the difference 

 is between the length of the scale-covered portion and the 

 distance from the snout to the anal fin. In Table I will be found 

 several cases in which these measurements are the same. 



A great deal of variation is found between the size and the 

 number of winter rings, which according to Dahl"'-' indicate the 

 age of the herring. For example, in the samples examined it was 

 foimd that the herrings from 27 to 28 cm. long might show on 

 the scales from 4 to 11 winter rings. Yet from these observations 

 the herring becomes mature after the formation of the third 

 winter ring, but may do so before its formation. Figures 1 and 

 2 show typical scales of 5 and 8 winter rings from these herrings. 

 Growth would seem to be rapid up to the formation of the third 

 winter ring, less rapid between the third and the fourth, with a 

 slowing down afterwards. 



The contents of the stomachs of several of the herrings 

 landed on the 26th of October were examined, but owing to the 

 time taken in reaching North Shields after leaving the fishing 

 ground, these were as a rule too much decomposed to allow of 

 satisfactory investigation. What material was obtained consisted 

 chiefly of fragments of crustaceans with very few whole animals. 



The following have been identified from whole specimens. 



Larval Decapods : 



Megalopa (fragments). 

 Metazoea {Paguvus hernhardus ?) 

 Copepods : Calanus helgolandicus. 

 Pseudocalaniis elongatus. 

 Temoia longieornis. 

 Centropages ty pious. 

 Harpacticus chelifer. 

 Eiithemisto compressa (small variety). 

 Ceratium tripos. 

 Copepods were found in large quantities, the two chief being 

 Calanus helgolandicus and Temora longieornis. Ceratium tripoa 

 was present in fair numbers. The other fish caught by the trawl 

 when fishing for herring were chiefly haddocks and whiting 

 with a small number of gurnards and skate. 



•The Scales of tlie Herring. Rep. Nonv. Fish. Vol. 2, No. 6. 



