— 72 - 



Channel and 59 and 83, 1906, S. W. of Ireland), that but few or none are found close 

 under the surface, but that the numbers increase with the depth, so that for example in 

 hauls with 65 meters wire out (corresponding to a depth of ca. 30 meters) most specimens 

 are taken, perhaps the largest numbers are only reached even somewhat deeper, e.g. at 

 St. 59, 1906. 



The usual rule applies also to Gadus minutus that the older pelagic stages occur rela- 

 tively deeper down in the water than the younger. 



The size at which the fry of Gadus minutus give up their pelagic mode of life seems 

 to vary somewhat, as is also the case with most other species. From the Channel I have 

 seen bottom stages which were scarcely 2'/2 cm. long, a few were even scarcely 2 cm. long. 



§ 3. The geographical distribution 



1. Iceland 

 There is not much to say regarding Iceland, as we have found there neither the 

 pelagic fry nor the older stages of this species, in spite of our numerous fishing experi- 

 ments with all sorts of apparatus. Nor has this species been taken there hitherto by 

 others, though its near ally G. Esmarki has been found in enormous quantities. 



2. The Fasroes 



As at Iceland we have here not found the pelagic young of Gadus minutus, so that 

 there can be no doubt that this species does not reproduce here on any large scale, espec- 

 ially as our investigations with various apparatus have not been able to discover the older 

 individuals. The only notice of its occurrence at the Faeroes is a remark by LütkenS but 

 this proves nothing except that some older specimens may occur there. There seems to be 

 no doubt that at the Faeroes we are at the northern limits in the Atlantic for this species. 

 Whether it spawns there must for the present remain uncertain , but to judge from our 

 investigations the spawning cannot be in any case on a large scale. As we have seen, 

 this is the case with its near ally Gadus Esmarki, and in this connection I may remark 

 on the peculiar parallel between the occurrence of these two nearly related species and tha;t 

 of the likewise nearly related Gadus virens and pollachius. Of these both Gadus minutus 

 and pollachius are more southerly species which at the Faeroes are at their northern limit 

 in the Atlantic, whilst at Iceland they are replaced respectively by Gadus Esmarki and 

 virens, both of which also spawn in great quantities at the Faeroes. 



3. British Isles 



Concerning the spawning time on the east coast of Scotland, McIntosh and Masterman 

 state (1. c. p. 254) that it "is late and may extend to June", and as can be seen from my 

 monograph on the gadoids. Part I, p. 49, McIntosh has investigated the developmental 

 history on eggs which were not taken until in June. Williamson (1. c, p. 130 — 131) has 

 examined the maturity in a large number of specimens from the east coast of Scotland in 

 the period from December to June, and after his investigations the spawning time seems 

 to extend from March to June, with a distinct maximum in May. Our observations off 

 the Moray Firth agree well with a relatively late spawning time. Thus, whilst we found 



1 Videnskabeligo Meddelelser fra den naturhistoriske Poreuing i Kjebenhavn, 1881, p. 253. 



