350 
Pari TIT. — Eighth Anmtal Report 
2 Round-fish, fyc. 
The number examined was 5457, of which 1783 were males, and 3674 
females; a ratio of 206 females to 100 males. Among the more common 
of the fish generally classed as round-fish, the females are in excess, but 
in very varying degrees. Among cod the ratio is 133 females to 100 
males; among haddocks 188 females to 100 males; among whitings 211 
females to 100 males; and among gurnards (Trigla gurnardas) 409 
females to each 100 males. The number of ling and lythe (Gad us 
])oUackius) examined was insufficient for accurate results, but they 
also show preponderance of females. The figures for the dragonet 
(Callionymus lyra) show that the females preponderate, although from 
the small number examined the ratio is probably too great. In the cat- 
fish or wolf-fish (Anarrhichas lupus), and especially in the angler (Lophius 
pUcatorius) the males preponderate. The ratio for the cat-fish is 79 
females to 100 males, and for the angler only 26 females to 100 males. 
These fish are especially predaceous, as is also the cod, which has the 
next lowest ratio of females. 
Among skates and rays females are in excess ; the ratio being 175 
females to 100 males. The observations were mainly made on the thorn- 
back ray (Raia clavata), but also on the starry ray (Raia radiata) and 
grey skate (Raia hatis). The females specially preponderate in the latter 
species. Of four pogge (Agonus cataphradus) three were females, of six 
father-lashers (Cottus scorpius) all were females, of three lump-suckers 
(Gyclopterus lumpus) two were males, of twelve hag-fish (Myxine glutinosa) 
eleven were females. 
The numbers of the sexes in the herring are remarkably equal. Of 
3457 examined by Fishery Officers at various places round the coast, the 
males numbered 1724 and the females 1733. 
II. Proportional Size. 
1. Flat-fish. 
Among all the flat-fishes without exception the female is longer than 
the male. The ratio varies in the different species. In the long rough 
dab and sail-fluke (Arnoglossus megastoma) the female is about a third 
longer than the male. In the flounder, turbot, brill and little sole (Solea 
minuta) the female also markedly exceeds the male. The female is 
relatively not so long in the witch sole (Pleuronectes cynoglossus), and 
plaice, and especially in the common dab and lemon sole. 
2. Round-fishy $c. 
In the cod, haddock, cat-fish and angler, and probably also in the ling, 
dragonet and lythe, the male slightly exceeds the female in length. Like 
the greater ratio of males to females, it is most marked in the specially 
predaceous fish, the angler, cat-fish and cod. The males of the angler and 
cat-fish are more numerous and somewhat larger than the females. The 
male hag-fish obtained was also larger than the females. The males 
and females of skates and rays are pretty nearly equal in size. In 
the whiting, gurnard, and brassie the females are rather longer than the 
males. 
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