59 
jpearetl in the preceding reports in the tables giving the measure- 
cuts of thfs first haul, and the results of the migration experiment 
ive the additional information necessary for making an attempt to 
ute the rate of growth of this species. It has not been possible to 
.ake an anatomical investigation of the material for that purpose. 
The method I have employed is based upon the results of the 
ipers I have published on the growth of mammals, on material 
>r stating the growth in other groups not yet published, and those 
dating to the crab (Reports tor 1902 and 1904). 
Since II is first stated the fact in relation to the chick in 1808, 
(Searches on the growth of organisms, of organs and tissues have 
(monstrated the universality of the law that the rate of growl h 
radually declines from the beginning, and also that the curve of 
rowth in all cases is a similar one, viz., at first gradually rising 
torn the horizontal, then more rapidly with increase of bulk, bend- 
pg again gradually to the horizontal with the approach of the period 
I attainment of the maximum size. It is, in fact, such a curve as 
lat given for the plaice and for the shore and the edible crabs in 
revious reports. It is not meant that every animal reaches its 
tfcreine size by a gradual expansion along such a curve as I 
ave described. The individual curves are liable to considerable 
actuations above and below, and periods of stasis or even of retreat 
lay intervene, though the latter is exceptional. But what I do 
lean is, that, if a sufficient number of examples be taken, the 
forage or normal result will be a curve of that shape. 
To turn now to the material from which, bearing these facts in 
tind, the rate of growth has been determined. The analysis of the 
-rst haul shows that in the early part of the summer, there arc 
laice on the Northumberland coast from 4 to S in. in length in 
u-ge numbers, pointing distinctly to a stage with an average size of 
in., as the accompanying tables illustrative of the large series 
have constructed indicate. Later in the summer the inshore 
ngration of slightly larger plaice tends to mask this group. In 
onie cases it stands out prominently, however, at about 7 in. 
5 to 9 in.) Towards the end of the season, moreover, these 
emigrants from the slightly deeper waters outside our trawling 
tatious, group themselves about 9 to 10 in., and about 12 to 13 in. 
these I took to be successive years of growth. The young shore 
tages, li to U in. of June and July are already known. The points 
hus obtained were plotted out and connected by a curve of the shape 
