520 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



Gadits morrhua. — Both the cod and the ling, Molva vulgaris, 

 are greatly subject to blindness, the eyes of those thus affected 

 being entirely covered with a thick bluish skin ; this, however, 

 does not in the least affect their condition. On the north coast 

 the fishery is carried on from October to March inclusive, but usu- 

 ally all have spawned by the end of February. So sensitive are 

 they to the approach of bad weather, that they leave the banks and 

 retire to the deeper water outside, about three days previous to 

 the commencement of a gale. The young, about an inch long, 

 are common during June and July under Medusae floating sea- 

 weed, &c. Those of medium size, from 3 lbs. to 8 lbs. in weight are 

 called " half-guages" at Portrush, and " buddaghs " at Portaferry. 

 During the winter of 1877-78 I caught a cod which had no trace 

 of a pectoral fin on one side externally, but internally there was 

 a hard lump. Cod taken on rocky or mixed ground are superior 

 to those from sandy or muddy ground : probably owing to the 

 more abundant supply of crustaceous food. 



Oad'us ceglefinus. — Prior to 1865, haddocks were very numerous 

 at Portrush, where the lines set for them were baited with various 

 Helices. About that year they deserted this part of the coast, and 

 did not appear again in any quantity till 1877, when shoals of 

 small fish arrived during the summer, in company with whiting. 

 The same desertion and return has been noticed in Dublin Bay. 

 Larne Lough mostly supplies the Belfast market. 



Gadus luscus. — Common at Portrush, frequenting rocky and 

 weedy ground, and called "maggelagy." Two, which I captured, 

 measured — (1) Oct. 17, 1877 : length 18J inches ; weight 4 lbs. ; 

 prime. (2) July 20, 1878 : length 18f inches ; weight 3| lbs. ; 

 out of condition. Large examples, when prime, are quite equal to 

 haddock and whiting for the table. 



Gadus minufus. — Yery common at Portrush, where it is con- 

 founded with the young of G. luscus, frequenting sandy spots near 

 rocks and weeds. They are found in Kingstown harbour, east 

 coast. — (A. Gr. More). I have seen no example exceeding six 

 inches in length. 



Gadus merlangus. — On the north coast the lines are always set, 

 if possible, along the edge of the coarse ground, the best baits 

 being pieces of garfish or launce, in lack of which whelks or hermit- 

 crabs are used. Since Thompson's time we have, I presume, had 



