85 



Firtli of Forth, 4 of tliem off the English coast, as far south as off Spurn Point and 

 Grimsby. 



Distances f ravelled — 10 miles and under. — Ton of the marked plaice, or 20 per 

 cent., were recaptured at distances of from 6 to 10 miles, 6 males (27-3 per cent.), 

 with an average of 9 miles, and 4 females (14-8 per cent.), with an average of 8J 

 miles. Five of the males, and all the females, were taken in the Firth of Forth, 

 and 1 male 10 miles to the eastward. 



10 to 20 miles. — Eight fish, or 16 per cent., were found at distances of from 11 to 

 18 miles, 4 males (18"2 per cent.), with an average of 15 miles, and 4 females (14*8 

 per cent.), with an average of 14|- miles. Three of the males and 3 of the females 

 were taken to the north and east, 1 of the males to the south and east, and 1 of the 

 females to the westward, within the Firth of Forth, near Dysart, at a distance of 

 11 miles. 



Thus, 18 fish, or 36 per cent., were recaptured at distances under 20 miles, 10 

 males (45-4 per cent.), with an average of 11-3 miles, 8 females (29-6 per cent.), with 

 a mean of 11-25 miles. Ten of these were taken within the Firth of Forth. 



20 to 50 mi/es.— Eleven, or 22 per cent., were recaptured at distances of from 

 20 to 35 miles, 4 males (18'2 per cent.), with an average of 26-5 miles, and 7 females 

 (25-9 per cent.), with an average of 25-7 miles. All the males and 5 of the females 

 were found to the north and east, the 2 remaining females being recaptured to the 

 south and east. 



50 to 100 miles. — Eleven fish, or 22 per cent., were found at distances of from 

 60 to 88 miles, 4 males (18'2 per cent.), ^vith an average of 70"5 miles, and 7 females 

 (25"9 per cent.), with antivorage of 74*6 miles. Three of the males and all the females 

 had migrated to the north and east ; the remaining male was found to the south 

 and east, off North Shields. 



Over 100 miles. — Ten fish, or 20 per cent., were got at distances of from 104 to 

 204 miles, 4 males (18"2 per cent.), with an average of 171*7 miles, 5 females (18"5 

 per cent.), with a mean of 116 miles, and 1 of unknown sex, which went 167 miles 

 to the south and east. Of the males, 2, and of the females, 4, were taken to the 

 north and east, the 2 males and 1 of the females in the Moray Firth, the remaining 

 2 males and 1 of the females to the south and east, off the English coast. 



Maturity. 



Males. — The condition of the testes of 16 of the 23 recaptured was asertained. 



One, taken in March 1914, 18 miles to the north and east, was described as 

 " ripe." Two were " nearly ripe," both found to the north and east, one at a 

 distance of 22 miles, the other off Whitehills, Banff, at a distance of 145 miles. 



Among those of adult size on recapture, whose reproductive organs were " im- 

 mature," were the following taken within the limits of the spawning season : — 

 Three, in February 1914, 2 measuring 31" 5-36- 3 cm. and 32-5-38 cm., at 67 and 

 70 miles respectively to the north and east ; the third measured 31-34*1 cm., and 

 was taken near Grosford, in the Firth of Forth, at a distance of 10 miles ; 1, 

 measuring 33-37-3 cm., was recaptured in March 1914, near Buchanness, 85 miles 

 to the north and east. 



Females. — The condition of the ovaries was ascertained in 26 of the 28 females 

 recaptured. One, caught in March 1914, 26 miles to the south and east, off St. 

 Abb's Head, was described as " ripe." 



Two were said to be " spent," 1 taken in April 1914, 35 miles to the north 

 and east, the other in April 1915, 13 miles in the same direction. 



Two were " three-quarters ripe," one caught in February 1914, off Banff, in 

 the Moray Firth, at a distance of 145 miles, the other taken in October 1914, 18 miles 

 to the north and east. 



Among the females of adult size whose ovaries were " immature," the following 

 were taken within the spawning season : — In January 1914, 1, of 34*5-39*7 cm., 

 caught 73 miles to the north and east ; 1, of 36-40*5 cm., taken in February 1914, 

 20 miles to the north and east ; 4 recaptured in March 1914, 3 to the north and 

 east, at 6, 15 and 76 miles respectively, and measuring 32-5-38-5 cm., 34-41*1 

 cm., and 35-38-4 cm. ; the remaining female measured 48-5-50*3 cm., and was 

 caught 105 miles to the south and east. 



