428 Survey of Fishing- Grounds, West Coast of Ireland, 1890-1891. 



markings, a condition not observable at any stage of either sex of the larger 

 species. The body markings of adult males fade rapidly in alcohol, but those of 

 the fins remain recognisable for a considerable time. 



The sexual differences of proportion tend to disappear as the size diminishes, but 

 the specific characters of the eye and snout are available for diagnosis from a very 

 early age, the snout being longer than the eye in specimens of 0. lijra, not more 

 than an inch long. In colour, young examples usually resemble the adult female ; 

 but we have seen specimens of C. lyra, from 3 to 4 inches long, which were bril- 

 liantly marked with green purple and crimson. These were taken from a ground in 

 the Humber estuary ; and, from the colouration of flat fish on the same ground, we 

 conclude that the markings were explicable by the nature of the bottom : in any 

 case they were in no way sexual. 



The fin-ray formula is of no assistance in distinguishing the two species, as may 

 be seen from the subjoined enumeration. 



C. maculatus. 

 Di. 4. Dii. 9-10. A. 8-9. Pelv. h 



C. lyra. 

 Di. 4. Dii. 9. A. 9. Pelv. \. 



In speaking above of " mature " and " immature " examples we have used the 

 terms only in reference to the external characters. We are unable to say, from 

 our own knowledge, that these features of sexual dimorphism are, or are not, 

 habitually assumed, ^^a?7'j(?a5sz<, with sexual maturity; but it apjjears from an obser- 

 vation of Dr. Gr. Johnston,* that the male may be sexually mature before the fin 

 becomes elongated. It is noteworthy that in Arnoglossus laterna, a species in which 

 (if we are right in supjjorting Cunningham's contention of the identity of A. laterna 

 and A. lopJwtes) the dimorphism affects the same structures as in Callionymus, 

 sexual maturity is attained (commonly, if not universally) long before the dimor- 

 phism is apparent. 



Locality and Distribution. — Previous to the Survey, C. maculatus had not been 

 recorded from Irish waters. It was first established as British by Dr. Giinther,"!" 

 three specimens having been obtained in the Hebrides from depths of 80—90 

 fathoms. Since then several have been taken by Dr. John Mm-ray in 26 fathoms 

 in the Clyde Estuary, J the largest measuring four and a-half inches. Of our own 



* Zool. Journal, iii., p. 366. The observations refer to C. hjra. 

 t Griintlier, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1867, xx., p. 290. 

 I" Giintlier, Troc. Hoy. Soc. Edin., 1888, xv., p. 211. 



