248 



MARKETABLE BRITISH MARINE FISHES 



but the left eye still projects somewhat beyond the edge of the 

 head. The three bands across the tail in the larva are still in- 

 dicated by black patches opposite to each other near the margins of 

 the upper or right side. The large size of the eyes, larger in pro- 

 portion to the head than in the adult fish, is a characteristic feature. 

 The number of fin-rays agrees with that of the full-grown fish. 

 The large size of the mouth is another important point in the 

 recognition of these small specimens. There can be no doubt, 

 I think, that these fish were derived from the spawning 

 of the preceding spring, and were therefore from three to five 

 months old. I is evident, therefore, that the young of the long 



FIG. 113. Young Long Rough Dab, i3 inches long ; after Holt. 



rough dab in their first year do not seek the shore and the shal- 

 lows like the plaice and sole, but are found in deeper water like 

 the lemon dab and witch. A few specimens taken with those 

 just considered were about 3-i inches long, and were doubtless in 

 their second year. One specimen taken off the Aran Islands at 

 30 fathoms, in April, 1891, was 3!- inches long, and must be con- 

 sidered to have been one year old. 



During the Irish Survey larger specimens, 6 inches and up- 

 wards in length, were taken chiefly between 20 and 40 fathoms, 

 so that it appears that the younger stages of life are passed 

 by the long rough dab in deeper water than the older, the fish 

 approaching nearer to the coast as it grows larger. 



