402 



Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



Table showing Percentage to Number of Same Sex Examined in Month. 



It appears that spawning takes place in April and May, and as late, in some in- 

 stances, as July, as a female was only half ripe about the middle of June. From the 

 considerable percentage of spent females in April, spawning must take place to some 

 extent in March. The percentage of ripe males diminishes gradually from April to 

 June (in May a small percentage of immature has to be considered), and falls more 

 rapidly in July. Considering the evidence of both sexes, we may suppose that the 

 period is March to July, chiefly in April and May, but further evidence in the earlier 

 months is needful. The pelagic eggs were not obtained in the tow-nets. From 

 Fulton's observations in Scotch waters it appears that the Ling begins to spawn there 

 in February, but spawns chiefly in April and May. 



Ewart and Fulton (7th Ann. Rep. S. F. B.) record ripe examples, on the authority 

 of Fishery Officers, in June. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 

 One male was ripe in 12 to 14 fathoms in Downies Bay, Sheephaven. Ripe males 

 were found in the open waters at all depths : between 21 and 38 fathoms, between 45 

 and 60 fathoms, at 74 to 80 fathoms, and at 154 fathoms. One female had ripe, but 

 diseased, ovaries in 21 to 29 fathoms. Other 3 females were ripe at 28 to 35 fathoms, 

 and 1 at 70 fathoms, and nearly ripe females occurred at 31 to 34, 70 to 80, and 

 154 fathoms. All the above females were in open waters ; and it seems probable that 

 spawning does not take place at all in the shallow in-shore waters. In the diseased 

 female many of the ripe eggs seemed to be undergoing decomposition, and would 

 probably not be shed, and thus we have no record of a spawning female in less than 31 

 fathoms, whilst it is probable that some spawn at over 100 fathoms. On the East coast 

 of Scotland Fulton found that spawning takes place from 10 to 170 miles from shore 

 (presumably in fairly deep water). 



TOE.sk — Brosmius hrosme. 



A male and a female were spent on the 16th July. 



On the East coast of Scotland Fishery Officers report ripe examples in April and 

 May (most in May. — 7th Ann. Rep. S. F. B., 1889). i The Torsk is rather rare on the 

 West coast of Ireland, and seems there confined to rather deep water, where it 

 presumably spawns. Day says that the Torsk has been observed to breed in northern 

 seas in April to May amongst the Fuci. The statement stands in need of confirmation. 



Macrurus cequalis. 

 A female was spent on the 10th July, 1890, at 500 fathoms, 54 miles off Achill 



Head. 



Macrurus riipestris. 

 Two males were ripe, and 1 female approaching ripeness on the same occasion. 



1 Fulton records a partly spent female in April, and gives 1"4 to 1-32 mm. as the 

 diameter of ripe or nearly ripe eggs (9th Ann. Rep. S.F.B., 1891). 



