BAREKTS SEA IN AUGUST, 1907. 95 



Long Rough Dab (Rippoc/lossoides platessoides). 



This fish occurred in small numbers every haul. It appears to 

 attain a much larger size here than in the North Sea, where the 

 majority recorded by Fulton* are below 15 cm., and only an occasional 

 specimen over 25 cm. A sample of 42 measured from one haul on the 

 Roman ranged from 19-39 cm., the majority being between 25 and 

 29 cm. Slightly larger and smaller fish probably occurred, but 

 no very small specimens were observed. The species is not brought 

 to market at present. 



Halibut {Rippoglossus vulgaris). 



Four only were caught. " Two measured 66 and 78 cm., the other 

 two being a little larger and a little smaller than the lengths recorded. 

 Examination of the otoliths of the fish 78 cm., a male, shows it to be 

 apparently either seven or eight years old. 



The species has but rarely been met with in the region, though from 

 the Eussian records it would appear to be more abundant further west. 

 The specimens found on this occasion were probably all immature. 



Cod (Gadus morrhua). 



Small individuals occurred in practically every haul, and on one or 

 two occasions in abundance. 



A sample basket (52 fish) out of about three was measured from 

 a haul on the second day, and the whole catch (51 fish) eight days 

 later. The features presented by the tabulation of these measure- 

 ments, if not accidental, are interesting. 



In the first sample the sizes range 30-49 cm., with an exceptional 

 fish 58 cm., the maximum number of measurements grouping about 

 40-42 cm. 



The fish in the second lot had a range of size, 27-52 cm., with a very 

 exceptional specimen 82 cm. The maximum of length frequencies 

 occurs some 8 cm. lower, 32-34 cm., with a smaller maximum at 

 42 cm. 



The possibility presents itself that two year groups are chiefly 

 represented, the younger sparsely at the former station, and pre- 

 dominating at the latter, which would be further east than the early 

 haul. 



The above-mentioned specimen (82 cm.) was much the largest noted, 

 other exceptionally large fish measuring 60, 69, 70, 77 cm., but never 



* " Rate of Growth of Sua Fishes." Twentieth Annual Rejiort, S. F. B. 



