344 R. S. CLAKK. 



GADID^. 



Molva molva L. 



Twenty post-larvae of the common ling were taken in May and June. 

 These ranged from 5 mm. to 13 09 mm. With the exception of five 

 specimens taken in Cawsand Bay, all occurred beyond the twenty- 

 fathom contour line, and the majority of these between twenty and 

 thirty fathoms, at no great distance from the shore, and of! the entrance 

 to the Sound. All the stages are similar to those described and figured 

 by Schmidt in " Medd. fra Komm. for Havund. Serie Fiskeri," 

 Bind II, 1906. 



These records suggest a similar, though perhaps less extended, spawn- 

 ing period to that for the North Sea, which Ehrenbaum gives as March 

 to May, with a maximum in April. 



GADID^. 

 Raniceps raninus L. 



The records of the lesser forkbeard are confined to 8 specimens ob- 

 tained from 13th August to 8th September, 1913. A spawning period 

 from July to August is thus indicated. For the North Sea, Ehrenbaum* 

 has given from middle of June to middle of August. 



All were taken between the twenty and forty fathom contour lines. 

 The occurrence of these early stages is interesting, when it is considered 

 that the adult forkbeard is distinctly rare in the neighbourhood. Two 



* Nordisches Plankton. Vol. II. Eier und Larven von Fischen. 1905. 



