Brill, Scaldfish and Topknot. 61 



the channel-way between Leigh middle and River middle buoys 

 16th April, 1898. Thereafter, on 20th April, 2nd, 7th and 20th 

 May, several specimens were obtained ; one between the Spile 

 and the East Cant buoy, four near the Blyth, and two in the 

 Leigh Ray so they come well up to the brackish water. The 

 shortest of these was 3 and the longest 53 inches, or an average 

 of 4| inches. These observations in the light of Cunningham, 

 Mclntosh and others' researches, would seem to imply that the 

 younger fish were from 10 to 12 months old, whilst the single 

 older example (15th April) would be two years or over. 



An examination of the above more juvenile examples 

 shewed they fed on shrimps, brown and pink ; and in 

 one remnants of a small fish was found (Goby ?). In the older 

 ones fish predominated. The diet of the fully mature brill is 

 said to be 98 per cent, fish, chiefly sand-eels and sprats, while 

 shrimps and occasionally squids make the remainder (Holt). 



In the female specimens which we have inspected in November, 

 the roe has either only been moderately developed or in a fairly 

 advanced condition. Judging in one case, from the latter's 

 appearance, it wo aid be ripe in January or early February. 

 The spawning season of the North Sea forms has been stated 

 as from March to June. Our own only test example (16th 

 April) unfortunately had been eviscerated ere reaching us. 



(13.) The SCALDFISH or Scaldback (Arnoglossus laterna) 

 has not hitherto been recorded from the Kent and Essex 

 waters. A single example, however, came to our notice last 

 spring. This was caught in the trawl by Geo. Gilson, in mid- 

 channel (4 to 5 fathoms) between the Leigh river middle and 

 the Chapman, 21st April, 1900. It completely answered 

 descriptions and figures of this fish, even to its loss of scales. 

 Extreme length, 5 inches, which is an average size of adults, 

 the very largest not exceeding 7 to 8 inches. Its chief habitat 

 is the S.W. of England, Plymouth to Cornwall. 



(14 and 15.) The TOPKNOTS (Zeugopterns) are flat-fish of no 

 commercial value, though of interest to the naturalist. Both 



