of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



23 



with 1888, and an increase in the other years. The averages for flat- 

 fishes and round-fishes respectively in the various years are as follows : — 



1888. 1890. 1895. 1896. 



Flat-Fishes . . 61-2 6M 64"7 75-5 

 Round-Fishes . . 44'7 35-1 43'6 35*1 



These figures indicate a gradual increase in flat-fishes and a fluctuation 

 in the abundance of round-fishes. An examination of the statistics 

 relating to the different kinds of fish captured, shows that the increase 

 atnonp; flat-fishes was confined almost entirely to dabs and witch 

 flounders, plaice having diminished in numbers. It would be of little 

 value with the rather scanty returns at present available to institute a 

 comparison between the quantities caught at the different stations in the 

 various years, especially as the months do not correspond. 



T. WEMYSS FULTON, 



Scientific Superintendent. 



