108 



7 to 211 days, the average being 91 days ; the distances migrated varied from 5 

 to 107 miles, tlie mean being 27-4 miles, and the average rate 2-9 miles. In the 

 case of 3 of the males, particulars of the date and position of capture were not 

 ascertained. 



The Extent and Direction of Migration. 



First Quarter. — In the remainder of September, 5 fishes, 3 males- and 2 females, 

 were captured, and particulars were obtained in regard to all but 1 female. All 

 the fishes had moved, as usual, immediately after the liberation, to the south and 

 west, for distances of from 5 to 13| miles, at rates varying from 9 to 5-9 miles per 

 10 davs. In October, 11 were recaptured, 4 males and 7 females, and particulars 

 were obtained in regard to all but 2 females. Four of the females and 1 of the males 

 were found to the south and west, for distances of from 5 to 8 miles. One male 

 was found to the south-east, at a distance of 8 miles ; another male had gone 

 directly north for 2 miles, and another to the north and west for 6 miles. The 

 average distance was 6-2 miles, and the mean period of Uberty 27 days. In November, 

 the number taken was 4, all females, 3 of them south and west, 2 at distances of 

 4 and 5 miles respectively, while the third had moved into the Firth of Forth, 

 and was caught on the south shore, in Gosford Bay, 26 miles distant, after 60 days ; 

 the fourth went 11 miles to the north-west in 60 days. 



Tims in September, October, and November, 20 fishes, or 31-2 per cent, of the 

 total recaptured, were taken, particulars being obtained for 17, of which 12, or 

 75 per cent., had moved south and west for an average distance of 9 miles, at a 

 mean rate of 4 miles per 10 days. Two, or 12-5 per cent., had moved north and 

 west for an average distance of 8 miles, and 1 south and east for a distance of 8 

 miles ; only 1, a female, was found to the north and east, 10 miles distant, and 

 a male had gone due north. The chart of the results for this quarter shows all 

 the fishes, except 3, going west and south of the station. 



Second Quarter. — In December, January, and February, quite a different condi- 

 tion is revealed, and this also of a kind we have seen before. The number re- 

 captured was 20, or 31-2 per cent., 7 males and 13 females, and particulars 

 were obtained for all but 1 of these. Ten, or 52-6 per cent., had migrated to 

 the northwards for distances of from 13 to 188 miles, the average being 88 miles, 

 and the average rate 5-8 miles. Four, or 21 per cent., went to the south-v,'est, for 

 distances of from 5 to 8 miles, the mean being 6 miles and the rate of travel -6 mile. 

 Five, or 26-3 per cent., went north and west for distances of from 12 to 26 miles, 

 the average being 21 miles, and the mean rate 1'8 miles ; none was found to the 

 south and east. The number taken in December was 8, 3 males and 5 females. 

 Only 1 was found to the north-east, at a distance of 13 miles ; 4 were got to the 

 south and west, 3 at distances of 5 miles, and 1 at 8 miles ; 3 were found to the 

 north and west, 1 at a distance of 12 miles, 1 to the northwards of the Bell Eock, 

 at 20 miles, and the third in St. Andrews Bay; 26-5 miles distant ; the latter, a 

 female, measiired 34-5 to 33-9 cm., and the ovaries were " very immature." 



In January, 2, both females, were caught ; the position of capture of 1 was 

 not ascertained, but the other was taken 49 miles to the north and east, off Aber- 

 deen. This was the first fish caught far to the north, but in February there were 

 several. In that month, 10 fishes were recaptured, 4 males and 6 females. Fjight 

 of them, including all the males, were taken to the north, at distances of from 

 53 to 188 miles, the mean being no less than 103 miles, while the periods of hberty 

 ranged from 145 days to 169 days, and averaged 156 days. Two of the males 

 were recaptured in the Moray Firth, and another {" nearly ripe " and measuring 

 36 to 36-5 cm.) had passed westwards through the Pentland Firth, and was taken 

 off Sandside Bay, on the north coast of Caithness, after 155 days, the mean rate 

 of travel in this case being 12-1 miles per 10 days. A female was recaptured nearly 

 east of Kinnaird Head, 107 miles distant, and the other north -going fish were 

 recovered on the north part of the coast of Aberdeen. The rate of movement per 

 10 days of the north-going fish was from 3-5 to 12-1 miles, and averaged 6-6 miles. 



The condition of the reproductive organs was ascertained in 6 of these fish ; 

 1 male was " ripe " ; another " nearly ripe " ; and the third " three-quarters 

 ripe"; while a female was "fully half -ripe " ; and another "half -ripe." Only 

 1 of these females was described as " immature," and it was only 28 cm. in 



