LIFE HISTORY OF THE HAKE 



89 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 



probably the case. In the tabulated data the number of these lines of growth has 

 been recorded under the heading " Age." In three cases "(inter)" has been inserted 

 after the number to indicate that one ring has been " interpolated," it being con- 

 sidered that the first ring appearing probably represents the second recurring period 

 in the age of the fish. 



35 



40 

 I', 



i^-Z. 



so 



Fig. 2.— Length-frequency curves for specimens of hake 

 Nos. 353-780. The clear line represents all the females, 

 the interrupted line all the males. Dotted vertica 

 lines represent means. 



Almost all the fish examined appeared to be 3 years old (if it be assumed that 

 the lines of growth are annual), one of the lines appearing in almost every case very 

 near to the edge of the scale. An attempt was made to draw length-frequency curves 

 for the two sexes at different ages, but there were not enough either two-year-old or 

 four-year-old individuals to form curves at all. This is greatly to be regretted, as it 



