406 Part III. — Twentieih, Aomual Report 



ing average was 328-7 mm., on 31st July 246-6 mm., and on 10th 

 September 367*6 mm., showing an apparent increment in the 103 days of 

 51*9 mm. None of this series were got in the later hauls. 



In the deep water off Aberdeen 179 taken on 2Sth June had an 

 average size of 317-4 mm., but the range (280-388) and the curve shows 

 the true mean should be considerably higher. On 30th July 81 had a 

 range from 296 to 396 and an average of 334-7 mm. ; on 21st August the 

 mean size of 59 was 348-7 mm. ; on 5th November the mean of 22 was 

 346-2 mm., but as amended it should be about 366 mm. ; on 16th 

 December fifteen had a mean size of 379-] mm, ; and on 15th January 

 three averaged 353 mm. The apparent increment in the 172 days, from 

 28th June to 16th December, amounted to 61-7 mm. 



The haddocks older than three years were not procured in great 

 numbers, but they were fairly well represented in some hauls. On 6th 

 June, in Aberdeen Bay, sixty-six, ranging from 373 to 465 mm., had an 

 average size of 403-8 mm., or 15f inches. Thei'e were other two at 502 

 and 503 mm. which may be regarded as representing another series ; one 

 at 582 and one at 648 probably representing fish over four, five, and six 

 years of age, possibly more. On 13th June forty-five, measuring from 

 387 to 463 mm., had an average size of 408 mm. There were two at 505 

 and 506 mm., two at 552 and 578 mm., and three from 615 to 619 mm., 

 with an average of 617-3 mm. (24,| inches). On 31st July eight ranged 

 from 393 to 468 mm., the average being 416-2 mm.; on 4th September 

 six, ranging from 420 to 436 mm., had a mean size of 426'8 mm. ; on 

 10th September the mean size of six, measuring from 421 to 445 mm., 

 was 431-1 mm., and there were other three 574, 582, and 658 mm. 

 (25i inches). In October, November, December, and January none of 

 these large haddocks were caught in Aberdeen Bay, nor, with the 

 exception of three in November (with an average of 406-7 mm.), in the 

 deep water off Aberdeen. On 28th June, at the latter place, twelve, 

 ranging from 392 to 427 mm., had an average size of 405-2 mm. ; on 30th 

 July ten, measuring from 412 to 452 mm., had an average size of 428-6 

 mm. (16|- inches), and the average of three, ranging from 502 to 528 mm., 

 was 517 mm. (20|- inches). On 21st August two measured 450 and 462 

 mm., the average being 456 mm. (17|- inches). 



Large haddocks were also procured in some hauls in the Moray Firth. 

 On 1st June, off Lossiemouth, forty, just over three years old, ranged 

 from 281 to 363 mm., the average being 324-4 mm., or 12| inches, and 

 forty-three varied from 371 to 457 mm., the average being 407-3 mm., or 

 about 16 inches. In this haul there were a considerable number of larger 

 haddocks, ranging from 469 mm. (18| inches) to 835 mm. (32i inches), 

 but they cannot at present be satisfactorily grouped into series. The 

 deepest sulci in the curves are at 51, 57-5, 64, 67, and 74 cm.* While 

 it is difficult to define the series to which these large haddocks 

 belong, it is evident that the larger ones must be of considerable age. 

 Since a haddock when three years old measures about 14| or 15 inches 

 in length, and growth is slower after maturity is reached, it is probable 

 the largest haddocks in this haul were at least about nine years old. 



Hauls were also made at Smith Bank in the Moray Firth in June and 

 November, and in Sinclair Bay on the coast of Caithness at the beginning 

 of June, but the curves of the measurements are not satisfactory. 



At Sinclair Bay on 4th June the haddocks of the preceding year were 



The centimetre grouping is as follows : — 



