\begin{table}%t1
%%\centering
\par
  \caption{Description of the 8 VVDS samples defined in the redshift
    range $z=[0.5$--1.2]
  } 
  \label{tab:prop}
\small
   \begin{tabular}{c c c c c}
    \hline\hline
Sample &\multicolumn{2}{c}{Stellar mass  ($\log~(M/M_\odot)$)} & Mean     & Number of  \\
       &            range       &          median           & redshift  & galaxies   \\
    \hline
D1     &     9.0--9.5  &        9.25           &  0.83     &    1221	 \\
D2     &     9.5--10.0     &        9.71           &  0.83     &  957	 \\
D3     &    10.0--10.5     &	10.22           &  0.84     &   670	 \\
D4     &       10.5--11.0     &           10.70           &  0.87     & \ \ 329    \\
    \hline
I1     &    $\ge$9.0      &        \ \ 9.68           &  0.84     &    3218    \\
I2     &    $\ge$9.5      &           10.03           &  0.84     &    1997    \\
I3     &    $\ge$0.0          &           10.38           &  0.85     &    1040    \\
I4     &    $\ge$10.5          &           10.72           &  0.87     & \ \ 370    \\
    \hline
  \end{tabular}
\end{table}