depth of 43 fathoms. It was intended to Mberate these fish at Aberdeen Bank, 

 but, owing to a strong south-easterly gale, they had to be set free at this position, 

 wihch lies 14 miles N. 24" W. of the station on Aberdeen Bank. 



The number liberated was 100, consisting of 20 males and 80 females. The males 

 ranged in size from 33 to 36-5 cm., and all were of adult size when liberated. The 

 females ranged from 32 to 47 cm., and 60 were under the adult size M^hen liberated. 



The nunibers liberated and recaptured, arranged in 5-cm. groups, are as 

 follows : — 



The fish were trawled by the " Goldseeker " in Aberdeen Bay on the 8th March 

 1912, and marked between 1.30 and 3.25 p.m. They were liberated later on the 

 same day. 



Sixty -six, or 66 per cent., were recaptured, namely, 15 males (75 per cent.) and 

 51 females (63-7 per cent.). All the males were of adult size on recapture, averaging 

 39-1 cni., and ranging from 34*8 to 49 cm., as compared with an average of 34-1 cm., 

 and a range of from 33" 5 to 35 cm. on Uberation ; their periods of freedom varied 

 from 2 to 849 days, the mean beiiig 331 days ; they migrated distances of from 

 12 to 201 miles, the mean being 90 miles and the mean rate of movejnent 2-7 miles. 

 Thirty-nine of the females were of adult size when recaptured, ranging from 

 38-1 to 52"8 cm., and averaging 43* 1 cm., as compared with a range of from 32 to 

 46-5 cm., and an average of 37 cm. on liberation ; they were at Uberty for from 6 to 

 1001 days, the mean being 395 days ; they moved distances of from 7 to 176 miles, 

 the average being 51*4 miles, at a mean rate of 1-3 miles. Twelve were under adult 

 size, averaging 35'4 cm., and ranging from 33"4 to 37*6 cm., as compared with a 

 range of from 32-5 to 35 cm., and a mean of 33*6 cm. on liberation ; they were free 

 for from 21 to 336 days, the average being 126 days, and they travelled distances of 

 from 5 to 87 miles, the mean being 28"25 miles, and the average rate, per 10 days, 

 2*2 miles. 



The Extent and Direction of Migration. 



First Quarter. — In March, 1 male and 4 females were taken, the male at a 

 distance of 12 miles to the south and west, and 1 of the females 11 miles in the 

 same direction ; 2 of the females were got to the north and west, at Cruden Bay, 

 distances of 19 and 22 miles respectively ; the third female was recaptured off 

 Buchanness, at a distance of 22 miles. 



In April, 1 male and 6 females were taken, all but 1 of the females at Cruden 

 Bay, where they were originally taken by the " Goldseeker," at distances of 22 

 and 23 miles to the north and west ; the exceptional female was taken farther 

 south, at a distance of 12 miles to the north and west. 



In May, a female was caught 56 miles to the south and west, about 16 miles 

 east of the Isle of May. 



Thus, in the first quaiter, 13 of the marked plaice, or 19"7 per cent., weie 

 recaptured, 9 (69'2 per cent.) at an average distance of 21 miles in the mean direction 

 N. 23° W., 3 (23-1 per cent.) at an average distance of 26 miles in the mean direc- 

 tion S. 38° W., and 1 to the north and east. 



.V.5.— See Chart. 



Second Quarter. — In June, 3 females were taken, one 5 miles to the south and 

 east, and the other 2 off Buchanness, at distances of 19 and 23 miles to the north 

 and east. 



In Julv, 2 females were caught, one 34 miles to the south and west, east of the 

 Bell Rock^and one 50 miles N. i W. from Hoy Head (Lat.59° 46' N.; Long. 3° 40' W.), 

 at a distance of 176 miles to the north and west. 



None was got in August, so that, in this quarter, 5 fish, or 7 '6 per cent., were 



