INVESTIGATIONS IN FORTH, 1893. 157 



per haul were saleable and 2,183 or 22 per haul unsaleable. 

 Plaice follow with a total of 3,362 or 35 per haul, all being 

 saleable except 46. Comparatively few (44) large plaice (over 

 19 inches) were, as usual, obtained, though the proportion is 

 larger than in St Andrews Bay. Long-rough dabs had a 

 total of 2,105 or 21 per haul, of which 935 or 9 per haul 

 were saleable and 1,170 or 12 per haul were unsaleable. 

 This fish seems to present in these tables a more equable 

 average than most forms throughout the period of eight 

 years; moreover, its monthly averages do not as a rule show 

 the accentuation of the warmer months so prominently as 

 some species. 



The total number of gurnards was 1,497 or 15 per haul, 

 of which 1,093 or 11 per haul were saleable and 404 or 4 per 

 haul unsaleable. Thrice during the period the average had 

 been the same. The maximum was in May, and the warmer 

 months had higher numbers. The total of the lemon-dab 

 was 1,255 or 13 per haul, of which 1,119 or 12 per haul were 

 saleable and 136 or 1 per haul unsaleable. Their numbers 

 were highest in the warmer months, though they occurred in 

 considerable numbers every month. Of cod there were 1,113 

 or 11 per haul — all saleable. Whitings followed with 1,030 or 

 10 per haul, a comparatively small number, though one more 

 than in 1886. 



Without exception every station showed a decided increase 

 of the average on the previous year, the greatest being at 

 Station VII. west of the. Bass, where it was no less than 

 528 (saleable and unsaleable) per haul, a total of 314 over 

 that of the previous year, an increment which, in itself, ex- 

 ceeds all the previous hauls on the station except in 1887, 

 when it was only 44 higher (358). Station V. had an increase 

 in the average per haul of 186 over 1892, and exceeded that 

 of 1887 by 10. Station VIII. had 142 over the previous year, 

 and exceeded the average of 1887 by 24. In the others the 

 increase was decided, though smaller. 



The year, therefore, may be regarded as a very successful 

 one, and, though it may not lend much support to the idea 

 of accumulation, it does not countenance the notion of gradual 



