FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
281 
Welsh and Breder (1923, p. 174) contribute the following relative to the rate of growth: 
By the first winter a length of from 6 to 14 centimeters (2}4 to 5J-2 inches) is attained, depending on the time of hatching, the 
average length for May-hatched fish being about 12 centimeters (4% inches) and for June-hatched fish about 10 centimeters (4 
inches). During the winter months growth practically stops. The average increment of growth the second season is about 6 centi- 
meters ( 2 % inches), with a length for the second winter of from 12 to 20 centimeters (i'j4 to 8 inches). The first spawning occurs in 
the third season, when the fish are 2 years old and between 15 and 21 centimeters in length (6 to 8)4 inches) . After the first spawning 
the growth is slow, the largest fish of which scales were examined having reached a length of 23 centimeters (9 inches) at the age of 
6 years. 
The foregoing data by Welsh and Breder were derived from the measurement of specimens 
taken at Beaufort, N. C., and in Chesapeake Bay, supplemented by the study of scales. 
Data relative to the rate of growth derived from a large series of measurements made of young 
fish caught in Chesapeake Bay during 1921 and 1922 do not differ notably from those given by 
Welsh and Breder. The following variations (that is, extremes in length) were secured from 
certain collections apparently consisting of individuals in their first summer: July 8 to 12, 23 to 58 
millimeters to 2)^ inches), about 500 fish; July 23 to 31, 20 to 85 millimeters to 3M inches), 
about 1,000 fish; August 4 to 8, 25 to 90 millimeters (1 to inches), about 400 fish; September 
14 to 16, 40 to 109 millimeters (1 % to 4J^ inches), 40 fish; October 5 to 19, 55 to 98 millimeters 
(2Y& to 3% inches), 70 fish; November 22 and 23, 76 to 117 millimeters (3 to 4J^ inches), 40 fish. 
It was found from measurements of larger fish (that is, fish ranging from about 4J^ to 9 inches), 
taken during September and October, that these fell into two groups, a decided break occurring 
in a frequency curve between the two. The predominating sizes of the individuals composing the 
group of smaller fishes ranged from 130 to 145 millimeters (5}4 to 5% inches). These fish were 
believed to be in their second summer. The predominating sizes of the next group ranged from 
165 to 195 millimeters (6Y to 7% inches), and these probably were in their third summer. 
