of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 195 



few miles off, in 58 fathoms of water, the specimens numbering 118. 

 The measurements, arranged in centimetres, are as follows : — 



10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

 2 3~2 2 2 1 1 6 7 5 10 13 3 3 5 4 6 



27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 



11 7 3 1 4 5 1 4 3 - 2 - 1 - - 1 - 



The curve shows at least five groups, though the lines are not very 

 regular. The first comprises the fish up to about 15cm. The middle of 

 the base is about 12cm. or 12'5cm. The next extends from 16cm. to 

 to 22cm. or 23cm., the maximum number are at 21cm., and the middle 

 of the base about 19cm. to 20cm. The third extends from 22cm. or 

 23cm. to 30cm., the greater numbers are at 27cm., and the middle of the 

 base is about 26cm. or 26'5cm. 



In hauls in July, on the 31st and 30th, that is about three weeks 

 earlier, the same order of grouping can be made out, the measurements 

 being as follows : — 



11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

 11211-11 2 4- 3- 2- 32- 



29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 

 6476354357546412-1 



In collections made in October, the first and second of the above 

 indicated series are best shown. The following are the figures of the 

 measurements, arranged in centimetres: — 



9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 



8th .---3-3--111-1----1---1- 



23rd . - - - 4 2 1 3 3 1 - 5 1 2 3 - 3 ------ 2 



31st .1-22213241-----------12 



There are also given in Table XIII. the measurements from a large num- 

 ber of hauls taken in the Moray Firth and Aberdeen Bay on two occasions, 

 the first from 8th to 13th October, 1900, and the second from 31st 

 October to 9th November in the same year. The curve formed by the 

 former series shows two great aggregations, the first exteuding from about 

 15cm. or 16cm. to 27cm. or 28cm., and the second from the latter point 

 to 41cm. In the former the maximum number are aggregated at 23cm. 

 (9 inches), and in the latter they are aggregated at 36cm. (14| inches), a 

 difference of 13cm., or a little over 5 inches. It seems tolerably certain, 

 however, that one or other of these, and probably both, aggregations com- 

 prise more than one annual series, though the very deep depression 

 between the two cones is marked, and very distinct. The measurements 

 at the beginning of November are less satisfactory, the curve formed being 

 irregular. The second aggregation is poorly represented, but the first is 

 well marked, but begins at 14cm., and the maximum number are at 18cm.; 

 there is a well-marked depression at 27cm., much as in the curve of the 

 measurements taken some weeks earlier. The figures arranged in centi- 

 metres for the two series of measurements are as follows : — 



12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 



(1) . - - 2 1 1 3 17 12 17 25 15 18 12 7 7 6 4 6 9 



(2) . 1 4 3 11 16 21 25 14 12 14 13 11 10 10 8 2 7 7 10 



3 1 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 



(1) .11 9 20 31 31 47 27 20 22 15 4 11 1 1 - - 



(2) . 2 3 2 2 2 7 4 11 2,- 1 1 1 -- 



