12 



A number of the inedible fishes (fishes of no marketable 

 value) such as the " Soleuette " {Solea liitea), "Megrim" 

 {Arnoglossus laterna), " Pogge " {Agonus cataphractus) 

 etc., have been examined with the view of obtaining fresh 

 information regarding their habits and food, so that we 

 may have some idea as to what extent they compete with 

 the more valuable food fishes of this district. 



In the stomach of one of the Solenettes a young Sole, 

 measuring f of an inch, was found, which is the first 

 direct evidence we have from this district of Solenettes 

 feeding upon young Soles. Whether or not this happens 

 to any great extent it is difficult to say. 



Conclusion. 



If we take into consideration the results of the four 

 years work of examining stomachs and compare one year 

 with another we find, as a rule, that each particular 

 species of fish is fairly consistent in preferring one kind of 

 animal as food. 



There are times, however, when unusual animals may 

 form a large proportion of the food, and this may well be 

 due to a temporary scarcity of the usual foods or a 

 temporary abundance of the forms substituted. Such 

 variations in food matters may have considerable influence 

 upon the movements of fishes within our district. 



SECTION II. 



The Deift Bottles and Surface Currents. 



(By Professor Hekdman.) 



In last year's report the scheme for the distribution of 

 drift bottles over the Irish Sea, for the purpose of helping 

 to determine the set of the chief currents, tidal or other- 



