ON THE 'MANDEE' GEAVELS OF WEXFORD. 141 



rrom the results obtained and described in the foregoing notes it 

 would appear that — 



1st. The "Wexford gravel series proper are the sole remains of a series 

 of sands and gi-avel deposited in an arm of the sea. occupying a channel 

 opened out from a southern direction prior to the existence in this neigh, 

 bourhood of the Slaney and Ovoca rivers, their fauna indicating their a^e 

 to be immediately pre-Glacial. 



2nd. That the gravel beds in Killiney Bay ai"e of newer age,' and 

 the contents do not bear out the suggestion that has been made as to their 

 being coequal in time. 



3rd, That the series of marls, clays, and brick earths of the coast had 

 their origin and were formed subsequently under submersion, and are the 

 newest deposits of all. 



In a final report I propose to give a resume of the Irish fossiliferoua 

 drifts in general, with a view to their bearings upon the distribution of 

 the moUusca in other parts of Britain. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Professors McIntosh 

 (Secretary), Allman, Lankester, Bdrdon S.vnderson, Cleland, 

 EwART, (Stirling, and McKendrick, Dr. Cleghorn, and Dr. 

 Traquair, for continuing the Researches on Food-Fishes at the 

 St. Andrews Marine Laboratory. 



Since September 1887, the period included under the present grant, 

 considerable additions have been made to the researches on the 

 development and life-histories of the food-fishes. Thus the larval 

 stages of the gadoids have been followed to the early post-larval 

 stages, so that a fairly complete history, in several instances, can now 

 be produced. Nevertheless it is true that in the earlier post-larval 

 stages of the round fishes, it is diflBcult, e.g., to distinguish between the 

 cod, haddock, and whiting ; at least this may be predicated of all the 

 post-larval forms hitherto procured in May, the period when they first 

 become conspicuous in the large mid-water net. It is only when the 

 pigment assumes its definite character, for instance, the tessellated 

 condition in the young cod, or when the barbel appears, and the fins 

 become clearly outlined, that certainty is reached. In the case of the 

 young cod, recognition is readily made on June 1, though the pigment 

 has not yet assumed the distinctive tessellated condition ; and the 

 differences between this species and the young green cod at an early post- 

 larval stage were also minutely examined this season. 



Though it cannot yet be proved that a general migration of theyouno- 

 round fishes, e.g., cod, haddock, and whiting, takes place from deep to 

 shallow water, there are certain facts which bear upon such a habit. 

 Thus, the post-larval cod are rarely met with on the grounds frequented 

 by the adults, but appear in considerable numbers at a somewhat later 

 stage in St. Andrews Bay, and in June at the margin of the tidal rocks 

 at low water. As formerly mentioned, they increase in size as the season 

 advances. Some remain for a year off the rocky coasts, and are cauo^ht 



• Whether these Killiney gravels correspond to the Middle drift of the English 

 and North Wales districts is not clear. I hope to trace the connection, if any, in 

 the final report. At present the evidence is rather against than for such being 

 the case. — A. B. 



