v GROWTH, MIGRATIONS, FOOD AND HABITS 115 



all one-year-old fish between these sizes, but one-year-old and two- 

 year-old mixed. A considerable number of mature soles were 

 taken, but none under nine inches in length. The one-year-old 

 soles doubtless escape through the meshes of the large trawl. The 

 smallest brill taken was 8 inches long, the smallest turbot 8 

 inches, but there were a considerable number of large mature fish 

 of these two kinds, as well as many immature. It would appear 

 that the yearling turbot and brill are for the most part nearer 

 shore than the grounds here in question. Haddocks were scarce 

 on these grounds, dabs of all sizes were abundant. An im- 

 portant fact is that considerable numbers of large mature 

 specimens of the latchet or tub (Trigla hirnndo), a species of 

 gurnard chiefly found in southern waters, and common in the 

 English Channel, were taken. This was in June. There were 

 also a few grey gurnard and red gurnard, and numerous 

 whiting. 



The flat-fishes whose young are found in deeper water are 

 the lemon dab (" lemon sole "), witch, megrim, long rough dab, 

 and thickback. The newly transformed lemon dabs seem to 

 seek water rather deeper than that inhabited by their parents. In 

 the Irish Survey only two less than 2 inches long were obtained, 

 and they were taken at 60 and 80 fathoms. The yearling lemon 

 dabs have however been found in shallow water, in the Wallet, as 

 already mentioned, and in the estuary of the Humber. Specimens 

 of the witch under 2 inches long were taken on the west coast of 

 Ireland at from 70 to 80 fathoms, and of the megrim at the 

 same depth. The long rough dab also at less than 2 inches was 

 taken at 50 to 80 fathoms. 



Among round fishes haddock for the first year of their life 

 are not found in shallow water or very near shore. In July and 

 August Mr. Holt obtained a considerable number from 3 to 5 

 inches long on the Great Fisher Bank and in more southern 

 parts of the North Sea at depths of 16 to 30 fathoms. Three 

 inches appears to be the size at which the haddock begins to 

 feed on or near the bottom. Off the east coast of Scotland 

 Dr. Fulton found young haddock most abundant at 25 to 30 

 fathoms. 



A more precise and comprehensive method of investigating the 

 history of fishes in their natural condition has recently been 

 suggested and applied by Dr. Petersen in Denmark. This 



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