NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 95 
the season, but, at the time we visited it, yielded very few prawns. 
Only three hauls were made there. 
With the exception of lemon soles, which were not represented, the 
supply of flat-fish was much the same as on the last ground. Soles 
were only taken in one haul, viz. three from 23 to 6§ inches. Plaice 
occurred also in only one haul, viz. four at from 24 to 4% inches, 
Common dabs were absent from one haul; in another twenty-seven 
were taken, the sizes ranging from 1} to 84 inches, but all but four 
were less than 7 inches. ‘The number taken in the remaining haul is 
not recorded ; it was not considerable. 
Small cod and whiting were about as numerous as on the last 
ground, Of unmarketable fish, Liparis were less numerous, as might 
be expected from the comparative scarcity of their prey, the prawns. 
Other conditions were much the same as on the Trinity ground. 
“ Ness Channel” ground.—This ground seems to rank next to the 
two foregoing in importance, but yielded only very moderate catches 
of prawns when worked by the “ Vallota.” Five hauls were made, 
but of these one resulted in a foul net, and in two others we came 
fast. The ground is very intricate, and can only be worked in 
security in clear weather, as the marks are not easily seen if it is at all 
hazy. 
Flat-fish were poorly represented. No very small soles were taken, 
the only two captured measuring 94 and 10 inches respectively. 
Plaice were not more numerous than on the Trinity ground, and 
ranged in size from 5 to 94 inches. Dabs were scarcer than on any 
other ground, only five from 2 to 74 inches being taken. Lemon soles 
occurred in three hauls, five being the largest number taken, the sizes 
ranging from 23 to 7? inches. 
Round-fish, viz. young cod and whiting, were numerous in two 
hauls, but very scarce on the occasions when the net came fast. 
Probably some escaped, though little else seemed to have been lost. 
Of unmarketable fish Cottus, Agonus, and Liparis were the most 
abundant. A few edible crabs and a good many shrimps were taken. 
“ Back of the Ness” ground.—This is worked by professional 
trawlers either in one haulor two. We tried it in both ways, making 
in all six hauls with the professional gear. A moderate catch of 
prawns was always obtained, and shrimps were more plentiful than 
on the grounds that have already been discussed. It appeared that 
most prawns were yielded by the upper half, the converse holding 
good with regard to shrimps. 
There were very few soles on any part of the ground, four being 
the largest number taken in any haul. The sizes were from 22 to 
83 inches. Lemon soles were present in only three hauls, one of 
which, however, yielded 12 fish, of the usual size. I could not 
