of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



153 



comparison, and they show, moreover, the very small proportion of this 

 fish which is brought to market in the immature condition. 



Females. 



Males. 



Cm. 



Ripe. 



Spent. 



Immature. 



Ripe. 



Spent. 



Immature. 



23 















24 



i 





i 



i 







25 



i 





i 



6 







26 



3 





i 



3 







27 



28 







14 







28 



45 







16 







29 



43 







19 







30 



50 







16 







31 



29 







16 



i 





32 



23 







18 







33 



29 







9 



i 





34 



33 







20 







35 



38 







11 







36 



24 







7 







37 



22 







7 







38 



29 







1 







39 



16 







1 







40 



14 













41 



12 













42 



3 













43 



8 













44 



4 













45 



1 













46 



2 













From these observations it appears that the female whiting may attain 

 maturity when it is 20cm., or about 8 inches, in length, but that the 

 average size when reproduction first begins is approximately 25cm., or 

 about 10 inches. 



This conclusion agrees with the previous observations made by me on 

 the rate of growth of the whiting and the size and age at which maturity 

 is reached. I stated in the Twentieth Annual Report* that the whiting 

 when two years old had an average size of about 9-J inches, the range 

 being from about 7| inches to 12 inches, and that this was the generation 

 which commenced to spawn. The tables given above show that some of 

 the males may begin to spawn at a size less than that at which the 

 females spawn, but the difference is not very great, and I am disposed to 

 consider that the males also do not attain maturity till they are two 

 years of age. 



A series of corresponding observations were made in regard to the 

 haddock, which serve to throw light on the size and age when maturity 

 is first reached. On the 31st October a number were taken in Aberdeen 

 Bay, the sexes determined, and the condition of the reproductive organs 

 ascertained. The following shows the main features among the females — 



* Part III., page 400. 



