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Part III. — Twentieth Annual Report 



sixty-five were taken, the smallest measuring 96 mm. and the largest 

 131 mm., or b\ inches, the average being very nearly what it was in 

 Aberdeen Bay, viz. 109'5 mm. Haddocks somewhat smaller were 

 obtained a few days earlier at the mouth of the Firth of Forth 

 (Station V.), but none were found at this time at the inner station in 

 shallower water (III.), the condition in regard to the whiting at these two 

 stations being thus reversed {see p. 391). These young haddocks ranged 

 from 72 mm. (2g inches) to 107 mm., and had an average size of 91 '3 mm. 

 In Aberdeen Bay 103 were taken on the 10th September with the 

 small-meshed net, the smallest measuring 109 mm. and the largest 

 185 mm., the average size being 147"3 mm., or 5||- inches. Further col- 

 lections were obtained in October, November, and December, and the 

 particulars in regard to these hauls are given in the following Table : — 



* Only 18 in small-meshed net. 



In most of these hauls the series is well represented, as shown by the 

 curves and the ranges, except in the case of the July collection, in which 

 obviously only the larger fishes of the series were taken. A more 

 accurate range would probably be from 45 or 50 mm. to 130, giving a 

 mean size of about 80 or 90 mm. (3| inches) for the end of July ; and 

 from 85 or 90 mm. to 195 mm., with an average of about 140 mm., or 

 5 1 inches, towards the middle of September. 



It will be observed that the number of these small haddocks taken in 

 November and December 1901 in Aberdeen Bay was very small, 

 although the averages agree very well with those in the corresponding 

 months of the previous year, when larger numbers were caught. 



The measurements attest the rapid growth of the haddock in its first 

 year. Even taking the mean size in July as it stands, there is shown an 

 increase to December of aboiit 72 mm., or 2| inches; while if the 



