408 



PaiH III. — Twentieth Annual Report 



In October, when all the haddocks were measured on the millimetre 

 scale, two distinct groups were present — those of the year and the series of 

 the year before. The older fishes formed a group ranging from about 

 30 cm. to 44 or 48 cm., the downward slope of the curve being prolonged 

 and broken, but clear indication of a division between series existing, 

 usually high up on the curve, about 36 cm., and which when prolonged to 

 the base line reached to about 39 cm. 



In the May hauls the first series was imperfectly represented, but a clear 

 division existed between 24 and 25 cm., while the fish above the latter 

 size formed a more or less slumped group, the tall peaked column formed 

 by the curve resting on a base extending from 25 cm, to 47 or 48 cm. The 

 curves of individual hauls, however, indicated a division about 34 or 

 35 cm. and another about 43 cm. 



On 11th December a haul was taken by Captain Caie, of the " Star of 

 Peace," and all the fish caught were brought to the Marine Laboratory, 

 those from the otter trawl in ice, and those from the small-meshed net in 

 one per cent, formaline solution. The curves of the measurements in this 

 case were very satisfactory up to about 42 cm., a first, second, and third 

 series being well defined. 



The haul on 10th March was obtained in the same way, but about 100 

 miles further in a north-easterly direction. The two first series were well 

 defined, but the separation between the second and the third was not so 

 distinct, and the curve of the measurements of the haddocks still larger 

 was irregular. 



In the following Table I have given the particulars referring to these 

 various hauls, as well as they can be made out, and have placed in brackets 

 the amended ranges and averages in cases w4iere part of the series was 

 absent : — 



The growth of the first series, very distinctly represented in the curves, 

 has been already referred to. ISTeglecting the possible variation due to 

 different years and difference of places, the growth indicated from the 

 beginning of September until 11th December, an interval of about one 

 hundred days, amounted to about 47 mm., or Ig inches; while the 

 apparent growth from 11th December to 10th March, an interval of about 

 90 days, amounted to 37-6 mm., or \h inches. With the amended 

 averasre for March the increment amounted to 29-6 ram. From 11th 



