nf thr Fishei'n Board for t'icotbivil. 397 



represented in some of the liauls. At Station III., on 9th-13t h May 

 740 ranged from 71 to 171 mm. (2]| inches to 6f inches), the average 

 size being 124-9 mm., or 4|4 inches. At Station V., in deeper water, on 

 10th ^Nla}', 1148 ranged from 77 to 173 mm., the mean being 130 mm., 

 or 5^ inches. The two combined, numbering 1888 tislies, had an average 

 size of 128-0 mm., or 5y\- inches, and this may be taken as the average 

 length of the whiting in that locality when about one year oltl. 



At Station III., on 23rd July, 569 had a range from 116 to 248 mm. 

 and an average size of 174-9 mm. At the outer station on the following 

 day 340 ranged from 133 to 243 mm., the mean being 168-8 mm. The 

 average size for the combined measurements of the 909 whitings is 

 172*5 ram. or 6^-1 inches, the increment of growth indicated in the 83 or 

 84 days from the ]\Iay hauls thus being 44-.5 mm,, or If inches. The 

 largest had increased by 75 mm., or 2]-f inches, and the smallest by 

 45 mm. 



On 19th and 22nd August, at Station III., 461 ranged from 153 to 

 279 mm., and had a mean size of 200-6 mm. At Station V., on 16th 

 August, 153 ranged from 149 to 265 mm., the mean being 186-5 mm. 

 The mean for the series combined is 200*6 mm., showing an apparent 

 growtii from the July hanls of 25-7 mm., and from the May hauls of 

 75-7 mm., or 3 inches. 



The larger whitings collected from the deep water off the Shetlands 

 have been found difficult to group satisfactorily. In the hauls in 

 August and September none were procured between 118 mm. and about 

 290 mm. (114 inches). In October the interval was from 139 to 

 222 mm., and only one was got at this size, the next being 257 mm. In 

 December the interval was from 164 to 236 mm., and the next largest 

 was 257 mm., then 262, 266 ram., after which they were numerous. In 

 May the interval was much less, but very few wei'e taken 

 between 22 and 25 cm. The curve of the great bulk of the whitings 

 measured forms a high column with a base extending from about 29 

 to 41 cm. in September, 25 to 39 or 40 cm. in October, 25 to 38 cm. 

 in December, and 24 or 25 to 36 or 37 cm. in May. Obviously these 

 do not represent a natural series, and when the measurements are plotted 

 out in -5 cm. groups little further light is given. The condition contrasts 

 with that shown by the haddocks, and it appears that most of 

 the whitings of the second series are not as a rule present on the bottom, 

 and are therefore not caught, or only occasionally an odd specimen. The 

 question of the growth of the older series of whitings in the deep water 

 must be left for further investigation. 



The third year's fish were not caught in such numbers as the second 

 series, and their rate of growth is less rapid. In the following Table 

 I give the particulars of those taken in Aberdeen Bay and off Aberdeen 

 at the various dates mentioned : — 



I Table. 



