91 



The numbers of mature female plaice caught per hour's 

 trawling* were as follows :— 



On the " Shoals " : in February, 8-5 ; March, 5-2 ; April, 7-9. 



On the " Slaughter " : in February, 8-9 ; March, 9-4. 



On the southern part of the " Slaughter " : in February, 4-8 ; March, 

 30 ; April, 6-3. 



South from the " Slaughter " : in February, 5-9 ; April, 2-2. 



The proportions of the female fish taken in the mature 

 condition on the various grounds were as follows : — 



(1) On the " Shoals " : February, 16 % ; March, 31 % ; April, 64 %. 



(2) On the " Slaughter " : February, 86 % ; March, 81 % ; April, 37 %. 



The sizes and ages of the fish dissected on board the 

 vessel are given in the three following tables — which are of 

 much interest : — 



Sizes and Ages of the Female Plaice Examined. 



* By an otter trawl-net of about 40 feet in spread. 



