REPORT ON THE PROBABLE AGES OF YOUNG FISH. 



359 



Gadus seglefinus, the Haddock. 



The haddock spawns in February, March, and April, especially in 

 March. Young specimens derived from the year's spawning were 

 taken on three occasions, once in July, twice in August. The 

 number taken was not very great, and all were taken in the open 

 sea, on the trawling grounds far from shore ; none were taken in 

 the shrimp-net or shrimp-trawls in the Humber. 



These results agree with those of Dr. Fulton, published in the 

 eighth Annual Report of the Scottish Fishery Board. I have for 

 convenience fixed the limit between specimens one year old and two 

 years old at 10 inches. It is evident from the entry for May 20th 

 that a large number of year-old immature haddocks are brought to 

 market by the trawlers. 



Of Gadus luscus, the pout, only one specimen was obtained ; it was 

 3f inches, 9*2 cm. long, and was taken in the sprat stake-net at 

 Humberstone on January 29th. This specimen was probably hatched 

 in the previous May or June, and was, therefore, about seven 

 months old. 



A number of young Motella, apparently M. tricirrata, were taken 



