SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 169 



provide data for an adequate study of the distribution 

 and life-history of the plaice in the waters of the eastern 

 side of the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel, and not 

 merely for that of the distribution of the fish in 

 Liverpool Bay. Unfortunately, the larger object is, so 

 far, unattainable, and the measurements collected suffice 

 only for the study of the plaice on the inshore fishing 

 grounds between Blackpool and Hed Wharf Bay. So 

 far, the important fishing ground to the north-east of the 

 Isle of Man, as well as those in Carnarvon and Cardigan 

 Bays, are practically unstudied; while much-needed data 

 in connection with the early life-history of the plaice is 

 unavailable for lack of extensive plankton material. The 

 exact range of the spawning period, and the positions of 

 the areas frequented by spawning plaice in the Irish Sea, 

 are still unknown, while our knowledge of the history of 

 the pelagic and first demersal stages of the young fish 

 is almost entirely a blank. We cannot, therefore, attempt 

 a sketch of the life-history of the plaice in general, but it 

 seems useful, nevertheless, that the somewhat meagre 

 results of the investigations of the last five years should 

 be summarised and discussed critically, in order that 

 whatever work may be projected in the immediate future 

 may be directed to the greatest advantage. 



The results of the measurements of plaice made at 

 sea and on board the police cutters, and those of the 

 examination of plaice samples received at the Liverpool 

 laboratory, are given in the series of Tables I to XV. The 

 arrangement of these is that of former reports, so thai it 

 needs no further allusion. These results are, on the whole, 

 less complete and satisfactory than those of 1912. They 

 are not discussed here since those that are useful have 

 been incorporated into the general summary of Hie five 

 years' investigation. Tables XVI to XXV, which follow 



