- 38 — 



apparent when we compare the numbers of the earliest bottom stages of the coalfish and 

 cod respectively (see List p. 23 and Chart fig. 2, below). Whereas on the south coast the 

 coalfish dominates over the cod\ the percentage of the latter gradually increases as we 

 go northwards along the west coast, until the numbers of the two species become almost 

 equal at Cape North (north-western promontory of Iceland). Further east on the north 

 coast the coalfish became fewer in numbers than the cod and on the east coast the latter 

 was quite in the majority. 



As mentioned, this distribution of the earliest bottom stages of the coalfish agrees 

 extremely well with the distribution of the pelagic fry, and gives us another example of 



Fig. 2. To show the relative niimbers of the earliest bottom stages of the coalfish (G.virens) 

 and cod (Gf. callarias) at the different parts of Iceland in the summer of 1904, on the basis of the 

 investigations made by the "Thor" in shore hauls with the eel hand-seine from ca. 10—20 meters depth 

 to land. The size of the dotted area within the squares indicates the quantities of coalfish fi-y 

 in proportion to those of the cod fry (black). The date is noted at each station and a fraction 

 shows the number of coalfish (above) and cod (below). All the data apply to 1904 (year's group), 

 with exception of the specimens from the east coast to which the fry of 1904 had not reached when 

 the investigations were made and the data refer to the fry of 1903. 



how the distribution of the early stages of a fish is dependent on the movements of the 

 water during the different seasons. How many of the pelagic fry of the coalfish will be 

 carried to the north coast will obviously be determined by the earlier or later appearance 

 of the warmer and salter Atlantic water (Irminger Current), which carries the pelagic fry 



Chart IX on the 3rd voyage round, from which it appears that we had no stations off these parts). 

 On the other hand, it should be mentioned that in 1903 we had stations there in the beginning of July, 

 but did not get any pelagic young of the coalfish. 



1 That far more young bottom stages of the coalfish than of the cod are to be found on the S. W. 

 coast has already been pointed out by R. H0rring (Fiskeriberetning for Finansaaret, 1900—1901, p. 193, 

 by C. F. Dreghsel, Kbhvu., 1902). 



