24 
with a magnifying lens. The size of the ovary is greatly increased 
at maturity. The measurements are given in extreme length. The 
testis was measured likewise along the greatest length. It is much 
smaller naturally than the ovary, but as is well known to those who 
have seen a basket of plaice during the spawning season, or who 
have had artificially to fertilize the ova of this species, a male plaice 
gives a good supply of milt. 
Dab. — Dabs used to feed to a large extent on rortunus holsatus, 
along with a varied molluscan diet. Their diet is still much the 
same, hut the mollusca only include Solen siliqua and the forms 
mentioned as forming the food of the plaice. 
As was mentioned in the last section, the female dab does not 
exhibit maturing ova in many of the examples we have examined 
at sizes which ought to present this condition. This was the case, 
for instance, at 10 and even at 12 inches. But Holt, who made 
a careful analysis of this and other species at Grimsby, concluded 
that the dab matured at about 7 inches. The specimens we examined 
seemed for the most part to have recently spawned, and thus the 
ovary would appear smaller, and would contain ova in a quite im- 
mature condition. The ripe testis seems to be relatively large in 
the dabs. 
Turbot. — The turbot still feeds in these bays, as far as our 
observations show, entirely on the smaller fish as sand-eels, whitings, 
weevers. In regard to the measurements of the generative organs, 
these were made from the opening to the dorsal projection, and a 
horizontal measurement along the horizontal lobe was also made. 
These usually proved to be approximately equal, and when not 
equal, the average measurement is given. 
Brill. — The brill is similar to the turbot in its choice of food. 
Sole — As usual this year very little food was seen in the 
stomachs of the soles. As regards the size of the generative organs, 
the marked contrast in size between the testis and ovary is very 
striking. The ripe ovary measured some 0 — 8 inches while the 
testis was onlyj — ^ inch in length. The small size of the testis 
from a technical point of view, practically bars the way to 
successfully artificially fertilizing the ova of soles. Were it possible 
to deal with the sole as with the plaice and the round fishes, most 
people would agree that a hatchery would he of great benefit. 
