390 Scientific Proceedings^ Royal Dublin Society. 



SAPPHIEINE GURNARD— Tri^^a Mrundo. 



Total number caught, 12. 



Number examined, 11 — Males, 5. Females, 6. 



In March none were examined. In April 1 male and 1 female were approaching 

 ripeness. In May 1 male was ripe and one half ripe ; 2 females were approaching 

 ripeness (1 nearly ripe) and 1 was immature. In June 2 males were ripe, and 1 female 

 was spent, and in August 1 female was spent. In July I saw a nearly ripe female in 

 a Dublin fishmonger's shop, and was told of the occurrence of another with spawn 

 running a few days previously. It would appear that spawning takes place in the 

 summer both on the east and west coasts, but our evidence is not sufficient for any 

 exact definition of the period. Professor M'Intosh has recorded nearly ripe females in 

 June on the east coast of Scotland. According to Couch, the spawning period is from 

 January to June. 



RED GrTJRNARD — Trigla cuculus. 



Total number caught, 12. 



Number examined, 8 — Males, 3. Females, 5. 



In April 1 male was half ripe. In May 1 male was ripe, 2 females ripe, and 1 female 

 spent. In July I male was nearly ripe, and 2 females ripe. The pelagic eggs were 

 taken in the first and third weeks in April. It appears, therefore, that spawning 

 takes place from April to July, but we have no evidence before or after that period- 

 Cunningham found this species spawning in April and May in the neighbourhood of 

 Plymouth. Couch found well- developed ova as early as January. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 



The ripe females were caught between 13 and 35 fathoms. A male was ripe in 10 

 to 13 fathoms, and another nearly ripe at 35 fathoms. The eggs were taken outside 

 the Aran Islands and in Clew Bay. 



G-REY GURNARD — Trigla gurnardus. 



Total number caught, 812. 



Number examined, 227 — Males, 66. Females, 155. Sex uncertain, 5. 



Number approaching Eipeness, 48 (1 doubtful) — Males, 15 (1 doubtful). Females, 34. 



Number Eipe, 75— Males, 16. Females, 59. 



Number Spent, 80 (or 81 ?)— Males, 22 (or 23 ?). Females, 58. 



The remainder of those examined were Immature. 



