84 Sprats Ripening Roe : Spawning Season. 



January were in a very similar state to the preceding. It 

 was clearly evident though, that all those sprats of 4 inches 

 and under were in a backward phase, or late spawners, 

 as compared with the 4J to 5 inch ones. On llth Feb- 

 ruary in a total of 100 specimens half of these were 

 examined to ascertain their sexual condition and food. 

 Their sizes were from 3J to 5J inches, whereof 31 were females 

 and 19 males. In the former sex the ovaries were either 

 moderately or fairly well developed, some among the bigger 

 fish exhibiting well formed eggs. Among the males the milt 

 corresponded in stages of ripeness. None were absolutely in 

 fit spawning condition, though some very close to it. The other 

 50, of from 2| to 3| inches length, were all individually 

 measured, but not critically examined as to their sexual phase. 



In company with the above were a. lot of younger sprats of 

 2 inches, or what may be deemed the whitebait stage. The 

 whole boat load was taken by a spratter, but what between the 

 rather numerous sprinkling of under-sized fish, the day of 

 catch at week's end, and adverse weather, the London market 

 was not attempted, so the Salvation farm had them (7 to 9 tons) 

 for manure. On loth February two males and a female (= 4} 

 to 5|- inches) showed ample milt and roe in an advanced stage, 

 still not thoroughly ripe. On 27th February a catch, 3| to 5| 

 inches long, exhibited similar condition, the smallest least 

 developed. On 5th March among 13 males and 11 females (=3 

 to 5 inches) most of the large fish were almost ripe, the smaller 

 ones, however, less advanced. Our memoranda, on 6th March, 

 record ripe and a solitary supposititious spent sprat ? 



Meanwhile spratting had practically ceased, but occasionally 

 the whitebaiters would get a few in their stow-net along with 

 herrings and "yawlings." Instance two females on 20th March, 

 one 4| inches, the eggs within a trice of ripeness, the other 

 4 inches, ova fairly advanced ; others along with them were 

 under a couple of inches in size, or whitebait proper. 



From all these data we infer : (a) That the sprats prin- 

 cipal spawning season is the spring months ; (6) that the older 



