396 



Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



COD — Gndiis morrhua. 



Total number caugM, 163. 



Number Examined, 62— Males, 29. Females, 33. 

 Number approacbing Ripeness, 1 — Males, 0. Females, 1. 

 Number Eipe, 13 — Males, 9. Females, 4. 

 Number Spent, 37— Males, 12. Females, 25. 



Tbe remainder of tbose examined were immature. 

 Table showing the Disteibution in Months. 



From this table it appears tbat spawning takes place in April, and earlier ; wbilst 

 tbe occurrence of a half -ripe female in tbe early part of May sbows tbat some fisb 

 must spawn as late as tbe end of tbat montb, or in June, altbougb from tbe prepon- 

 derance of spent fisb in May and afterwards, we gatber tbat spawning is mostly over. 

 Tbe pelagic eggs were plentiful in tbe tow-nets in tbe later part of Marcb and in April. 

 Tbe spawning period probably commences in February, tbougb of tbis we bave no 

 evidence (except from post-larval stages in tbe tow-nets in Marcb), and is continued to 

 some extent until June, but is cbiefly in Marcb and April. 



On tbe coast of Scotland, according to Fulton,^ " tbe cod begins to spawn at tbe 

 beginning of February, but tbe great period is Marcb ; large numbers spawn in April " ; 

 and ripe males and females bave been caugbt as late as 9th May, but nearly aU are 

 spent in tbat month. 



DlSTBIBUTION OF SPAWNING FiSH. 



Of tbe ripe males 1 occurred at 9 to 5| fathoms in Blacksod Bay, and tbe remainder 

 between 23 and 70 fathoms. One ripe female was in 14 fathoms off BaUynakill, 1 in 

 38 fathoms, and 2 in 70 fathoms. I do not think tbe presence of a ripe male in Black- 

 sod Bay is any indication tbat spawning takes place there ; it seems more probable that 

 the spawn is shed in comparatively open waters, for tbe most part at considerable 

 depths. Fulton remarks tbat " cod appears sometimes to spawn on tbe West coast (of 

 Scotland) much nearer shore than on the East coast." I think this may probably be 

 explained by the deep water being closer in shore on tbe West coast. 



1 8tb Ann. Eep. S. F. B., 1890. 



