— 152 — 
to belong to these, the great majority of five year old fish being over 50cm. All the 
age classes exhibit great variation in point of size, as will be seen from Fig. 85, where 
the limits of variation and averages for the year classes are stated for the line-caught 
fish, according to the investigations made. A comparison of this figure with the table 
above will serve to further show the composition in point of age of the different size groups. 
First of.all, it will be seen that no single size group entirely or even closely coincides 
with any single age class, there being as a rule at least two of the latter which include 
a great part of the individuals in a size group. Thus most of the fish of 
40—44 cm. long are 3 and 4 years old 
45—49 » » 4» 6 » 
50—54 » » 5 » 6 »- 
55—59 » » 6 » 7 » 
60—64 » » GG » 7 » 
The loddefisk, or cod under 65 cm. in length, thus include the ages from 3—7 years, 
the skrei, those of more than 65 cm., being over 7 years old. The former class includes, 
however, some specimens of 8 and 9 years, the latter some few of 5 and 6 years old. The 
boundary line between the two will best be seen by examination of the composition 
of the skrei in point of age. 
In the samples upon which this table is based, a characteristic feature in regard 
to age was the fact that many of the year classes were very evenly represented. 
Age 4% 5% 6% 74 8% years 
No, a9) ai Zils) MON QG 7 
In regard to size, the individuals were evenly distributed among many groups, and 
in like manner, as regards age, belonged to many different year classes. We have al- 
ready seen, in considering the size of the Finmark fish, that these do not by any means 
always embrace so many different sizes in more or less even proportion. At certain 
times, and in certain years, a single size may be far more numerously represented than 
the others. The material at my disposal as regards determinations of age is unfortu- 
nately not so extensive as that for measurements of length. Determinations of age 
are available only for the years 1907, 1909 and 1913. It is however, of particular interest 
to compare these three years, each of them representing a different characteristic situa- 
tion. I have therefore, in Figs. 86 and 87, compared the age and size of the Finmark 
fish for these three years, for 1907 according to Damas’, for 1909 and 1913 according 
to my own analyses. 
We have already referred to the size and age composition in 1907, and pointed out 
the characteristic feature, that many size and age groups were here more or less evenly 
represented. 
It is otherwise in 1909 and 1913. Both these years exhibit a concentration of sizes 
and ages about some few groups, these differing however, very greatly for the two years, 
as will be seen from the following. 
Principal size groups Principal age classes 
WOOD) oe 50—64 cm. 5 and 6 years 
IOUS) 06e 65—79 » 9» BY » 
