THE JOHN DORY FAMILY 323 



In the Irish Survey the smallest ripe male was 11 inches 

 long, the smallest ripe female 15 inches ; but only a small number 

 were obtained. 



Migrations. — On the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, the 

 movements of these fish do not appear to take the form of 

 regular migrations. They seem to leave the bays and shallow 

 waters in winter, but at that season are taken by the trawlers at 

 depths of 30 to 40 fathoms. Considering the inactive mode of 

 life of the fish, it is not surprising that it should be taken in 

 the trawl, when swimming near the bottom, but the character of 

 its food shows that it is not specially addicted to the neighbour- 

 hood of the bottom, but able to rise to any level : and the fact 

 that it possesses an air-bladder also shows that it can swim in 

 mid-water. 



Y 2 



