100 



RATE OF GROWTH OF SOME SEA FISH^IS 



28 inches^ but I tliink 20 inclies is about the maximum at Plymouth, 

 and the usual size is 15 to 18 inches. I do not think, therefore, 

 that this species could reach 12 inches in less than two years. My 

 observations fully agree with those of Dr. Fulton in regard to the 

 distribution of young plaice, all those I have obtained under 9 inches 

 having come from Whitsand Bay, 3 to 7 fathoms, or from the estu- 

 aries opening into Plymouth Sound. The smallest ripe plaice I have 

 seen was 25 cm. or 9*8 inches long, and this was a male, while Dr. 

 Fulton finds the lowest limit in size of mature individuals to be 12 

 inches. This again illustrates the difference with respect to this 

 species between the south coast and the east coast. 



From my results and Dr. Fulton^s together I think there is very 

 strong evidence that the plaice does not begin to breed till it is two 

 years old (and over 8 inches long on the south coast), that for the 

 first eighteen months of its life it resides in estuaries and inlets 

 under 10 fathoms in depth, and that it only migrates to deeper 

 water when it is nearly two years old, shortly before it begins to 

 breed for the first time. 



Pleuronectes limanda, the Dab. 



