19 — 



KNUT DAHL 



between the diirerenl stalioiis and clepllis, thi' numbers of eggs obtained will clearly 

 show, that considerable quantities of cod eggs occur in these small Ijords. 3700 eggs 

 collected in 5 min. with a horizontal net of 1 metre diameter shows this quite plainly. 



'l'he occurrence of cod eggs and larvae has not been examined by me further off 

 the coast than 2 miles (SI. Skagerrack, see chart), but as Dr. Damas shows in his treatise 

 in this report, cod eggs and larvae are distributed over the whole of the Skagerrack 

 in varying numbers. 



In the early part of the spawning season no investigations have been made as to 

 the occurrence of cod eggs in the fjords of the Skagerrack. 



The spawning was far advanced, when my investigations commenced in 1904 

 and in 1905. 



The gradual decline in the number of cod eggs occurring in spring is illustrated 

 by the following account of the number of cod eggs obtained pr. haul of 5 min. during 



spring 1905. 



End of March 127 eggs 



Middle of April .... 102 — 



Begin, of May 84 — 



Middle of May 32 — 



The occurrence of cod eggs in summer has not been extensively investigated in 

 summer, systematic tow-nettings for eggs being then omitted. 



On one occasion however cod eggs in the last stage of development and also 

 recently hatched cod larvae have been found by me as late as the 5th of July 1904 

 on st. Ill in the Sondeled-Fjord (at a depth of 5 m.). 



Spawning cod have not been observed by me so late in the year, although I have 

 spent much time in fishing for them in various depths. The 12th of May is the latest 

 date on which I observed cod with ripe, still unshed roe. 



The vertical distribution of cod eggs and larvae is illustrated by the following 

 table, which represents the number of cod eggs and larvae obtained by uniform hauls 

 of 5 min. at the four stations in the S0ndeled-Fjord last ilays of March 1905. (Each 

 depth 4 hauls). 



The absolute specific gravity ' of the water at st. Ill (the western and central 

 station of the fjord) is recorded for each depth. 



We observe that as we descend , the eggs and larvae increase in number parallel 

 to the increase in the specific gravity of the water. 



' The weight of the water in grammes pr cm.^ at = 5*04 = absolute sp.gr. r00504'. 



3* 



