76 MAKKKTAKLK BRITISH MAKINK FISHES 



mode of fishing might capture fish only above or below a certain 

 si/.c ; in the case of the conger if hooks of large size were used only 

 females would be taken by hook and line. But as the Board's 

 steamer Garland fished with a small-meshed beam tawl, and on 

 various grounds, and as large numbers of fish of all sizes were 

 examined, we may justly consider Dr. Fulton's conclusions 

 to be sound. The proportions are expressed by giving the 

 number of females to every 100 males, and the average length 

 of the females compared with the average length of males taken 

 as 100. 



Number of females Ratio of length of females 



to 100 males. to males at 100. 



. Cod 133 95 



Hacldock 188 98 



Whiting 211 104 



Bib 204 99 



Plaice ... 142 114 



Dab 295 103 



Flounder ... ... ... ... 62 ... ... .. 126 



Lemon Sole 308 105 



Witch 260 114 



Brill 144 .. 123 



Turbot 198 118 



Halibut ... ... ... ... 150 



Long Rough Dab 511 130 



Grey Gurnard ... ... ... 409 ... ... ... 108 



Angler ... ... ... ... 26 ... ... ... 87 



Lump-sucker ... ... ... 25 ... ... ... 166 



Cat-fish 79 87 



Herring ... ... ... ... 99 ... ... ... ? 



It is interesting to consider what is the meaning of this 

 inferiority, in number and size, of the males in the majority of 

 cases and of the difference between different species in these 

 respects. The number of males is the same as the number of 

 pairs of milts, but the size of the males is not necessarily in pro- 

 portion to the size of the milts. It will simplify matters therefore 

 to put aside for a time the question of the size of the male fish, 

 and consider only the proportion of milts to roes in number and 

 size. We have no reason to suppose that the provision made 

 for the proper fertilisation of the eggs is insufficient, we may 

 take it for granted therefore that in all cases the quantity of 

 milt produced is enough to fertilise all the eggs. Mention has 

 already been made of the great differences which exist in the 

 si/.c of the milts in proportion to the size of the male fish, and in 

 proportion to the size of the roes in the female. An exact inves- 

 tigation of these differences has not yet been completely carried 





