18 
except the last, on which occasion there was evidence of a grouping 
about 7 and more distinctly about 10 in. Alnmouth Bay gave 
evidence of stages of 6 in. and of 9 to 10 in. on August 14, but on 
July 24 too few were caught to indicate anything. Cambois 
indicated G to 7 in., both on July 3 and August 28, but was un- 
productive on September 4. 
1902. The results may be briefly stated as follows : — In June 1 
Skate Bonds gave a stage of 6 in., and on July 30 one of 7*25 in. ; | 
in September these had considerably diminished. Cambois offered I 
at the end of June and in July a stage of 7'5 in. The maxima as 
shown at Alnmouth were on July 9, 8 in. ; July 30, G and 8 in. ; j 
and on August 27th 9 m. Druridge just indicated on July 16th | 
9 and 12 in., and on August 20fch 9J and 12 in. Blyth gave ^ 
maxima at 6 and 9|- in. on September 1 1 . 
1903. This was a poor season on the whole as regards the 
smaller plaice. Skate Koads on June 25 and 26 pointed to stages 
of about 7 and 11 in. Goswick this year was very disappointing, j 
in striking contrast to 1900, when it was last visited. Skate Boads | 
on August 4 was more richly supplied with a group centering in ; 
7 in. The other stations ^vere poorly represented, the maxima 
indicated were 6 to 7 in. at Druridge in July, and 12 in. at Blyth 
on September 2. 
The foregoing statements show at all events that the seasons are i 
very different as regards the supplies of the smaller sizes of plaice, j 
It is clear, moreover, that the stations do not at the same time I 
present the same stages of growth. It is not likely that the results 
are altogether due to the well-known variation in the rate of 
growth, but that there is a migration in a more or less constant I 
direction, subject however to seasonal variation, and on this it is to i 
be hoped the experiment we have entered upon in the marking of i 
this form may shed some light. 
THE FOOD, SEX, AND DEGBEE OF MATUBITY 
IN THE FISHES. 
The following tables give the results of the examinations of 
selected examples of the fishes caught at the trawling excursions. 
It presents, as last year, the weight in the majority of cases in 
relation to size. It will be seen that, as has usually been the case, 
Mollusca formed the chief item in the list of food of the plaice, and 
that in the form of the Bazor Shellfish it also contributed to the 
