314 



THE SAND-EEL FAMILY. 



30 mm., and extends from the third week in May till about the 

 second week in June or thereabout, when the habitat of the 

 adult is adopted. Here, again, in about three weeks, the young 

 sand-eel grows from 17 — 18 mm. to about 30 mm. Sand-eels 

 of larger sizes are caught at the surface almost everywhere, the 

 universal distribution of this species being well known. 



As regards the rate of growth of the lesser sand-eel, the 

 double spawning-period makes it extremely difficult to gauge 

 the age of each individual occurring throughout the year. 



In June, specimens varying from 1 to 2^ inches in length 

 are fouud, and in Jul}' these appear to have reached IJ to 

 3^ inches, whilst the smallest of these have increased to 1^ in 

 August. 



Sand-eel at home. 



