REPORT ON THE PROBABLE AGES OF YOUNG FISH. 3G1 



at Cleethorpes were doubtless a year old, the specimen 6f inches 

 long two years. The three taken in July were about fifteen 

 months old. 



Angnilla vulgaris (Eel). — A number of young eels, about 2^ to 2f 

 inches long (6'3 to 7*0 cm.), were taken on March 30tli in the Humber, 

 North Channel, at a depth of one to two fathoms by the shrimp 

 trawl. Such young eels, very transparent at this size, are found 

 everywhere in spring, and seem to be derived from spawn shed the 

 previous autumn, so that they are three or four months old. 



Scomber scomber [the Mackerel). — A few specimens were obtained 

 by Mr. Holt in the tow-net. 



July 9th. — Twenty-two miles N.N.E. of Horn Reef Light-vessel. 

 Twelve specimens from 6*0 to 9"0 mm. (about \ of an inch). 



27th and 28th.— One hundred and fifty miles E. by N. of Spurn 

 Light-vessel. Three from 13"5 to 19*25 mm. (2 to f of an inch). 



These are the first young mackerel of the year's brood that have 

 yet been obtained and recognised. The largest specimens already 

 showed the specific characters, the smaller were larval. They will be 

 described by Mr. Holt. The mackerel spawns in June and July, and 

 the largest of these specimens were probably one to two months 

 old. 



Agonus cataphractus. 



April 25th. — One 2^ inches (5*4 cm.), Cleethorpes, shove-net. 



28th.— Three 2^ to 2| inches (5-4 to 6-6 cm.), Cleethorpes, 

 shove-net. 



May 10th.— Twenty 2^ to 3 inches (5-7 to 7-6 cm.), two 5 to 

 5^ inches (12'7 to 14 cm.), Cleethorpes, shove-net. 



This species has adhesive ova, which at Plymouth are deposited 

 in February and March, at Grimsby probably a little later. The 

 specimens up to 3 inches I consider to be just over a year old, 

 at 5 inches they may be two or three years, as the maximum length 

 is only 6^ inches. 



Coitus bubalis. 



May 10th. — Seven 2^ to 2| inches (6*3 to 7*0 cm.), two 3 inches 

 (7*6 cm.), one 4| inches (12"1 cm.), Cleethorpes, shove-net. 



This species spawns early in the year, from January to March 

 or April. The specimens up to 3 inches were probably in their 

 second year, the last specimen, 4f inches, two years old at least. 



Callionymus lyra {the Dragonet). — Twenty-nine specimens of this 

 species, ranging from If to 2f inches in length, were taken in the 

 shove-nets on April 25th and 28th. The adults spawn between 

 February and May, and these small specimens were doubtless just 

 a year old. 



Gobius m,inutus. — This species lives on sandy shores, and is 



