of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



239 



mean was 19cm., and the average 19*26cm., or 7f inches. The growth 

 indicated in a year, from the former series, was 6* 12cm., or 2^ inches. 

 These fishes were over two years of age. 



In this collection there were also a few of larger size, but their number 

 is not sufficient to indicate grouping. 



From Aberdeen Bay a number of collections were also obtained, some 

 of which may be referred to (pi. XIII.). 



On the 5th July, the first series was represented by 109 gurnards, 

 measuring from 9 '7cm. to 13*8cm. (3Jf-5| inches); the greater number 

 measured about 11 *5cm. to 12cm., the mean was 12cm., and the computed 

 average 1 r56cm., or 4 T 9 g inches. These fish were about a year old. 



The next series included 6.1 gurnards from 14*2cm. to 19*9cm. (5§-7§ 

 inches). The maximum number were at 17cm., the mean size was also 

 17cm., and the computed average 16'90cm., or 6| inches. The amount 

 of growth indicated in a year from the preceding series was thus about 

 5\34cm., or inches. 



On the 30th and 31st July, the first series comprised 12 gurnards from 

 ll*2cm. to 15-lcm. (4§-6 inches). The maximum number were at 14cm., 

 the mean was 13cm., and the average 13 - 49cm., or 5 T 5 ^ inches, which is 

 about 1cm. greater than it ought to be, owing to the absence of small 

 fishes. 



The next series consisted of 33 gurnards, measuring from 16 '7cm. to 

 21 -4cm. ( 6^—8 inches). The maximum number were at 18* 5cm., the 

 mean was the same, and the average was 18*73cm., or 7§ inches. These 

 fish were over two years old, and the amount of growth indicated in a 

 year from the preceding series was 5 24cm., or 2 inches, which is rather 

 under the normal, owing to the absence of small fishes in the preceding 

 series. 



On 1st September the young gurnards are represented in the collection. 

 On that day 17 were taken, measuring from 32mm. to 71mm. (1J-2| 

 inches); the maximum number were at 5cm., which was also the mean, 

 and the computed average was 54*lcm., or 2 j inches. The age of these 

 fishes was probably 3 or 4 months. 



On the 20th September five of this series were got, measuring from 

 5 - 3cm. to 9 , 7cm., but the October collection shows that the smaller fishes 

 were not present. 



The second group numbered 52, varying in length from ll'6cm. to 

 16*7cm. (4 T 9 ^-6 T 9 ^ inches); the maximum was 15cm., the mean 14cm., 

 and the average I4'57cm., or 5| inches, the probable age being about 

 16 months. 



In the third series there were 37 gurnards, ranging from 17*2cm. to 

 22cm. (6|-8| inches) ; the maximum number were at 20-5cm., the mean 

 was 19*5cm., and the average 20 , 02cm., or 7g inches. The growth of 

 this series, about 2 years and 4 months of age, was apparently 5 -45cm., 

 or 2| inches in the year. 



A collection on the 13th October contained 24 gurnards of the first 

 series. They varied in length from 2* lcm. to 8cm. (g-3g inches) ; the 

 maximum number were at 6cm., and the mean was 6cm., the computed 

 average being 4'65cm., or l^f inches, which is too small, owing to the 

 smaller fishes being over-represented. 



The next series iucluded 18 gurnards, from 12cm. to 16-8cm. (4j-6§ 

 inches) ; the maximum number were at 14*5cm., the mean was the same, 

 and the average 14- 6 3cm., or 5| inches. These fish were about 1 year 

 and 4 months old. 



The third series comprised only two fishes, 19 '3cm. and 22*8cm. in 

 length. 



