196 



Purt lit. — Eleventh Annual Report 



been only 27 days free. Another, 40 days free, had added nearly \ 

 inch to its length in that time ; the third, caught after a period of 200 

 days' freedom, had increased in length from 15 J to 18 inches; the 

 fourth, 92 days after liberation, had increased by 1 inch, from 25 to 

 26 j the fifth increased by J inch in 69 days ; and the last by J inch in 

 98 days. In all the specimens the abrasion was considerable. 



From this circumstance, the vigorous appearance of the fish, and the 

 above measurements, I should conclude that the rate of growth of the cod 

 is exceptionally rapid, and that a medium-sized codling may well add 6 or 

 7 inches to its length in the course of a year. Cunningham, in discussing 

 Dannevig's results — which, however, referred to a smaller race than the 

 North Sea cod — also expresses the opinion that the growth of the cod is 

 rapid.* I believe it reaches sexual maturity in the third year of its life. 



6. Whiting. 



Owing to the liability of the whiting to injury in the trawl, compara- 

 tively few were in a condition to be marked and returned to the sea. 

 Only sixteen were experimented with, and none of them were recovered. 

 Two whitings were kept in a tank from 8th December 1891 u n til May 

 and June 1892; they were of the following lengths and weigh ts at the 

 dates mentioned : — The first specimen on 14th January was 8 0 inches 

 and 2J oz. 60 grains ; on 28th January the same length, and 2| oz. ; on 

 11th February the same length, and 2 J oz. 70 grains; on 25th February 

 the same length, and 3 oz. 30 grains ; on 10th March the same length, 

 and 3 oz. 60 grains ; on 5th May 9 inches and 3 \ oz. It died at the 

 beginning of June. The second specimen was 10-| inches and 6 oz. 30 

 grains on 14th January; 10^ inches and 5J oz. 40 grains on 28th 

 January and 11th February; the same length, and 5 J oz. 20 grains on 

 25th February; the same length, and b\ oz 40 grains on 10th March. 

 It died shortly after this. 



* Vide this Naturalist's papers in the Journal of the Marine Biological Assoc. , 

 vol. ii., No. 3, p. 224. 



