age at maturity of the pacific coast SALMON 
19 
Ages and Lengths of a Number of Dog Saumon, Taken at Random Without Selection. 
Years. 
Length in inches. 
6 
21 
23^ 
235^ 
23K 
24 
25 
25 
25 
2SK 
2SK 
25 ?^ 
Years. 
Length in inches. 
First 
Third 
26 
26 
26 
26 
26X 
26X 
26K 
26^ 
26^4 
27K 
27X 
27K 
27^ 
27/4 
2 754 
2 754 
Fifth 
Years. 
Length in inches. 
First 
Second 
Third 
.00 00 1 
■ 
285^ 
28H 
29 
29/4 
29/4 
29/4 
29/4 
2954 
28 
28 
28 
28K 
28K 
2954 
Fifth 
Years. 
Length in inches. 
First 
Second v 
Third 
29K 
2954 
30 
30H 
30M 
Fourth 
3054 
3154 
31/4 
3154 
3154 
3254 
33 
3354 
3334 
Fifth 
3554 
In the above table fractions of inches are included with the whole numbers. While 
the number of individuals under consideration is too limited for safe generalization, it 
may yet be noted that both third and fourth year females average distinctly smaller 
than the males of their own age. 
In plate xiv, figure 26, and plate xv and xvi, figures 27 and 28, are presented 
scales respectively of 3, 4, and 5 year fish. The scales of the dog salmon are broader 
than in any other species, the rings being approximately circular, or even broader than 
long. The nuclear area is always large, as in the sea type generally, comprising roughly 
half the diameter of the scale in 2-year-olds. The central portion of the nuclear area is 
usually of the open wide-ringed type, the outer portion dense (especially so laterally) 
and ending in a perfectly defined margin, with abrupt transition to the summer growth 
whieh follows. Considerable variation is found in the outer half of the nuclear area, but 
seldom any which could cause confusion. The size of the area is little variable. Only in 
cases where it presents a double outer band can any question arise. A slight narrowing 
of rings in the middle of the nuclear area is not infrequently present. Occasionally this 
is emphasized until the median and the marginal nuclear bands are about equal in 
development. In such cases irregularities and fusions can usually be found, and the 
size of the total nuclear area and the subsequent growths can be relied on to determine. 
