of the Fisheri/ Board for Scotland. 377 



rough dabs being taken, and they gavetlie best results. The first series 

 of this haul has been described. The females of the next series, 389 in 

 number, were well defined, extending from about 106 to about 157 mm., 

 and having an average size of 1306 mm., or 5j- inches. The limits of 

 the males wei-e also defined, but they were confiuent to a remarkable 

 degree with those of the next older series (PI. XVII). They numbered 

 448, ranged from 100 to about 142 mm. in length, and had an avei-age 

 size of 128-7 mm., or 5j,^ inches. The indicated growth from the 

 corresponding series at the end of June amounted to 33" 1 mm. for the 

 females and 25-3 mm. for the males, and the annual increment of 

 growth deduced from the average of the previous generation was (for 

 males and females combined) 64 mm., or 2| inches. 



The smallest females of the third series were 158 mm. long, but, as 

 usual, the limit between this series and the next older was diflicult to 

 define. I have placed it at 198 mm., and the average size of 219 

 fishes included in it is 178"5 mm., or 7 inches. The limit of the males 

 is also diflicult to decide, but they appear to extend from 143 mm. to 

 180, comprising 578 fishes with an average size of 157'1 mm., or 6^ 

 inches. These averages indicate an annual increment of growth from 

 the preceding generation of 47*9 mm. (1^ inches) for the females, and 

 28"4 mm., o)' li inches, for the males. 



The largest females present appear to form two succeeding seines, one 

 ranging from 200 to 227 mm., comprising 51 individuals, and having an 

 average size of 21 0"5 mm., or 8| inches, and the other represented by 

 five specimens from 245 to 265 mm., with an average size of 259 mm., or 

 10;j inches. The annual increment indicated by the former average is 

 32 mm., and by the latter 38'5 mm., which is probably inaccurate. 

 There were also seventeen larger males, of which sixteen, from 181 to 

 201 mm., are classed together, having an average size of 187'1 mm., or 

 7j] inches ; the other at 214 mm, probably represents another series. 



A haul on 15th January 1902 yielded 77 long rough dabs, of whicli 

 46 belonged to one series — viz., 31 females varying from 106 to 145 mm. 

 in length, with an average size of 123-9 mm., or 4^ inches, and fifteen 

 males from 109 to 137 mm., and averaging 125*1 mm. These sizes are 

 smaller than in the corresponding series in the December haul, but in 

 this particular case a net with a somewhat smaller mesh than usual was 

 employed. The second series present was composed of 31 fishes, twenty- 

 six females, from 160 to 208 mm., and averaging 184-9 mm., or 7^^ 

 inches, and five males, ranging from 147 to 180 mm., with an 

 average size of 157-4 mm., or 6^^ inches. The averages in this case are 

 slightly above those of December. The apparent annual increment 

 of growth from one series to the other is 61-0 mm., or 2| inches for the 

 females, 32-3 for the males, and 45-9 mm. for the sexes combined. 



III. The Firth of Forth. 



Certain hauls were made in the Firth of Forth in May, June, July, 

 and August, the same small-meshed net being employed ; one series were 

 made at .Station III., in from eight to ten fathoms, and another series 

 at Station V., near the mouth of the Firth, in from 20 to 30 fathoms 

 (PI. XVI 11.) The number of large fishes taken was relatively small, but 

 the younger series were well represented. The brood of the year were 

 found in small numbers in May at both stations ; at Station III. there 

 were three, 32, 42, and 52 mm., but it is possible the latter belonged to 

 the next series, tlie smallest member of which as defined was 57 mm. 

 The average for the three was 42 mm., or 1| inches, or if the one at 52 

 mm. be excluded, 37 mm. At Station V. two were caught, 32 and 49 mm ., 



