of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



155 



Among those taken on 23rd January in the Moray Firth several at 

 from 146 to 170mm. which were examined had the ovaries quite small 

 and immature ; some of those of 257mm. and thereabout had only clear 

 unyolked eggs measuring up to '1mm., while others of the same size, or 

 even smaller, had eggs considerably larger, yolked, and would, no doubt, 

 spawn before the close of the spawning season. This difference is, 1 

 think, to be explained by difference in age, the less matured individuals, 

 although larger, being younger and belonging to a later generation. 



On the 1st April, among a number taken in the Moray Firth, quite 

 ripe females were got measuring 254mm. (10 inches) and 258mm. and 

 weighing 134 and 141 grammes, or about 4J ounces; others almost mature 

 measured 256 and 258mm., while some quite immature were found 

 measuring 283mm., or more than 11 inches. On the 23rd April a few 

 females of 263mm. were ripe, and males of 255mm. and upwards and 

 females of 258, 273, 296mm. and upwards were spent. 



In the collection procured on 1st April a number of the ovaries were 

 examined, with the following results : — 



Cm. 



opawning or 

 nearly Ripe. 



Spent. 



Immature. 



16 







1 



17 







4 



18 









19 







1 



20 







3 



21 







10 



22 







24 



23 







30 



24 



8 





27 



25 



15 





14 



26 



11 





4 



27 



5 





2 



28 



5 



1 



1 



29 



2 





3 



30 



6 



2 





31 



4 







32 



8 



1 





33 



7 



1 





34 



12 







35 



6 







36 



3 







37 



1 







38 



5 







39 



2 







40 



1 







41 









The collection was a small one, and the larger fishes were for the most 

 part absent. It shows, however, that females as small as 24cm. may be 

 ripe and some as large as 29cm. immature, the average size at first 

 maturity in this case being approximately 30cm., or about 12 inches, 

 which is rather under the size brought out by some other observations. 

 Out of a large number examined on a former occasion the smallest of the 



