50 Prof. M'lntosh's Notes from the, 



The size, however, was variable, for others taken on the 15th 

 reach only 1| inch. Increasing in size, they were found 

 3 inches long close inshore on sandy ground by the same net 

 worked from the land by aid of a boat in the middle of 

 December. In February some were 6 inches, but others in 

 April were only 5^, while one on the 23rd May only reached 

 2| inches. The last would seem to have been an example 

 from an eg^ spawned very late or to have been arrested in 

 growtli. As a rule they reach 6 or 8 inches in June, while 

 in September many are captured in 3-5 fathoms from 9|- to 

 9-^ inches, the latter apparently representing the growth from 

 the previous spawning-season, or a period of about fifteen 

 months. 



Thereafter the turbot seeks the offshore waters, the deeper 

 parts of which form its home and its breeding-grounds. 



This large and active fish presents certain difficulties in 

 regard to voluntary spawning in confined areas — as, for in- 

 stance, in the ponds at Dunbar. Though apparently at home 

 in the pure sea-water, through which they skim with much 

 dexterity and ease, and readily feeding on herrings and sand- 

 eels, they have hitherto refused either to shed milt or ova 

 without artificial aid ; so that the experiment is much less 

 successful than with the plaice, which spawns so freely. 

 Moreover, in confinement the turbot is liable to ulceration of 

 the surface on the opercular region of the right side and on 

 each margin of the same surface at the tail. Such injuries 

 are probably due to friction against the bottom or sides of 

 the pond, and even though the bottom is covered with sand 

 the ulcers have a tendency to form. 



When, however, the eggs were obtained and duly fertilized 

 no difficulty was found in hatching them, for the Dannevig 

 apparatus at Dunbar causes a constant and equable move- 

 ment. Thus the tendency to sink, observed by Mr. Holt and 

 others, is counteracted. 



The turbot, like other flat fishes in confinement, are prone 

 to a disease which, in common language, may be called 

 " egg-bound," — that is to say, though tliey have pure sea-water, 

 a certain space, the presence of males, and abundant food, 

 yet they refuse to shed their ova. This condition, indeed, was 

 specially referred to in the case of the flounder some years 

 ago *^. Though the ovaries are largely distended with ripe 

 ova or ova that have been ripe, occlusion of the ducts by 

 spasm or otherwise prevents their issue, and in some instances 

 causes the death of the fish. In the ovaries of the female 



* Third Ann. Report Scot. Fish. Board, 1885, p. 62. 



