15 
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST HAUL. 
The figures we have published under this head every year since 
1899, and to which we now add the subjoined tables from this year's 
work, serve to show that the inshore waters are subject to a good 
deal of variation in the distribution of the smaller forms. On 
certain days quite a large number may be caught, and then are 
seen to run into natural assemblages pointing to stages in growth, 
and on other days very few indeed are obtained. An analysis of the 
figures from year to year does not yet suggest the influences which 
bring about the variation. That tide has something, and perhaps a 
great deal to do with it, is more than probable, and it would doubt- 
less prove of interest to consider the results from that point of view. 
In the meantime, however, we desire merely to draw attention to 
the fact, and to state in a few words the nature of the variations 
we have up to the present time observed, confining our attention at 
present to plaice. 
1899. Up to August the small sizes were very few in number, 
but during August and September they became more plentiful, 
giving a maximum around 7-5 in. at Skate Roads at the begin- 
ning of the month, and later of 7 in. at Druridge, and of 6 in. 
at Cambois and at Alnmouth. 
1900. Slightly larger numbers were got at the early part of 
the season, indicating stages at Druridge of 7 in. and also of 12 
and 15 in., of 7 to 6 in. at Alnmouth and Blyth. On 25th July, at 
Alnmouth, there was a small peak at 9 in., and Skate Roads 
furnished, on August Gth, a large assemblage varying between 4 and 
10 in., pointing most distinctly to a stage averaging 7 in. On 
September 17th the same bay with less fish gave maxima at 6 and 
8 in. Between these dates Alnmouth and Blyth agree in suggesting 
stages of 6 and 9 in. 
1901. In striking contrast to the two previous years, it was at 
die beginning of the season that the small examples were present 
in the largest numbers, but only in so far as the northern bays were 
concerned. On June 10 and June 26 and 28 Skate Roads presented 
a large number of plaice of and about 6 in., and it is worthy of note 
t lat at Goswick on the latter date the small plaice were nearer 5 in. 
in size for the most part. Skate Roads was visited again on August 
t , and plainly the plaice were then less numerous at the stages we 
are considering, and the sizes appeared to be grouped at and about 
® an 12 in. Druridge Bay was visited four times during the 
season, but the returns were of the paltriest kind at all the times 
