23 
Last year 10 hauls and this year 12 hauls were recorded, and 
the above numbers give the total results for plaice and dabs. 
In 1809, there were say 1 — 2 mature plaice, and over 500 im- 
mature caught at the first haul. This year there were 2 — 1 mature 
and over 800 immature. 
As regards the dab, drawing the line at 7 inches — the size Ilolt 
gives, for I find it difficult to indicate the ripeness of this form with 
the specimens we obtain (see table III., page 28) — we find 20(5 im- 
mature and 278 mature for the year 1899, and 238 immature and 
232 mature for 1900. 
Tlie plaice then is not so very much more numerous than the 
dab in these bays. It is clearly dominant above 10 inches, hut 
from 7 — 9 inches there appear to be more dabs, and again from 
5 — (5 inches more plaice. 
The fact' that measurements are recorded in every inch shows 
the variation in size met with in these fishes, and that it is 
impossible to give an absolute size for the yearly stages in growth. 
This is due, of course, not alone to individual variation and other 
factors influencing the rate of growth, but to the extended period of 
spawning. The larger numbers, however, indicate the average 
measurements at these stages. 
THE SIZE, FOOD, SEX, AND DEGREE OF MATURITY. 
The results of the measurements and observations made as to 
the food, &c., of certain of the fishes captured are presented in 
tabular form. 
Plaice. — The plaice had almost exclusively a molluscan diet 
when I began to make the observations. The common form fed upon 
was Dona.r trunculus, and Tel I in a tenuis was often procured likewise. 
During the last year or two the former species has evidently not 
been so common, and annelids have been used instead, or in pre- 
ference, and occasionally small amphipods. 
It will be seen that the only distinctly mature plaice obtained 
were 20 inches in length. Even at 16 and 17 inches, the ovaries 
presented no opaque ova such as could be observed by the eye or 
