of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 33 



length, and another between 9 and 10 inches ; the latter had a small flat-fish 

 of doubtful species in its stomach. Haddocks were observed in seven or 

 eight halibut stomachs, and whitings in about the same number. A Gadus (?) 

 luscus about 9 inches long occurred in one stomach, and Gachos esmarJcii in 

 several. A few both of the haddocks and whitings were apparently tolerably 

 large. The remains of fairly large herrings Avere also observed in three 

 stomachs^ and a small flat-fish — species doubtful — in one. 



Crustacea, 



In ten of the stomachs examined in June, the food consisted entirely of 

 Crustacea. Hyas coarctatus, the most common species, occurred in seven of 

 them. The hermit crabs {Eupagurus hertihanlus and Eu. prideaux) were 

 only observed on one or two occasions, while Norway lobsters (Nejyhrops), 

 so frequent during some of the previous months, were apparently entirely 

 absent ; so also were several of the other species met with during the winter. 



Cuttlefishes. 



Cuttlefishes were rarely met with in the halibut stomachs examined in 

 June, and those observed were the remains of either small Eledone or 

 Octopus. 



ECHINODBRMS. 



A specimen of Cidarus papillata — a partly crushed test without spines — ■ 

 was obtained in one of the halibut stomachs examined in June. 



Having in the preceding notes given a short descriptive account of the 

 food-contents of the halibut stomachs examined from month to month from 

 September 1909 to June 1910 inclusive, it may be useful if the various 

 organisms referred to are brought together in the form of a more or less 

 systematic list, as follows : — 



A Systematic List of the Fishes, Crustacea, and other Things Men- 

 tioned IN THE Preceding Notes as Constituting the Food op 

 the Halibut. 



Food of the Halibut. 



Classified List of Organisms mentioned in the preceding Notes. 



Fishes. 



Agonus cataphractus, Linne. The pogge. 



A nearly perfect specimen, about i | inches long, obtained in 

 January. 

 Gadus callarius, Linne. Codfish. 



Remains of a moderately large codling observed in stomach of 

 large halibut in November. 

 Gadus ceglefinus, Linne. Haddock. 



Of frequent occurrence ; some of the specimens tolerably large. 

 Gadus merlangus, Linne, Whiting. 



Of frequent occurrence ; some of the specimens tolerably large. 

 Gadus pollaehius, Linne. Pollack or lythe. 

 Gadus virens, Linne. Coal-fish or saith. 



Specimens that belonged to one or other of these two species 

 have been occasionally observed, too imperfect to be 

 satisfactorily identified. 



