THE Cir.ETOGNATHA. 



61 



The observations are by no mean.s so numerous as one could wish, Init on a 

 comparison witli the average catch per haul ah'eady given, it will l)e admitted tliat this 

 table appears to bring out clearly two points : — -Firstly, that the species seeks the 

 surface in daylight hours and shuns it at night ; secondly, that during or after rain it 

 idescends, being caught in tlu? largest nnmbers between 50 and 100 fathoms. Tiie two 

 rain-hauls at tlie surface were in the bright hours of daylight, when the average catch is 

 22'1 specimens. 



The average daylight catches at all depths except the surface are very close to the 

 averages taken over all hauls, whereas the average night catches are well lieloAV those 

 general averages. I cannot account for this, exce])t on the assumption that the species 

 shoals at the surface ;by day and scatters below by night. Althougli I never worked 

 below 100 fathoms at night, I do not believe that tiiis species sinks iielow tliat horizon 

 under any conditions of life, otherwise I should almost certainly liave taken, at any rate, 

 occasional specimens in the daylight of early mornit g or late evening in the closing-net. 



* Averaged over all liauls, whetlier the species was captured or not. 



