Holt — Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 403 



HALIBUT — Sippoglossus vulgaris. 



Three female Halibut were captured. One was half ripe in the middle of April, 

 another was not quite three parts ripe at the end of May, and the other was spent in 

 the middle of July. Eipe examples (sex not mentioned) are recorded in the seventh 

 and eighth Eeports of the Scotch Fishery Board, in March, May and June, on the 

 authority of Fishery Officers. Spawning probably takes place in fairly deep water (at 

 great distance from land on the Scotch coast). The eggs are not known. ^ Spawning 

 is said to take place in April off the coast of Cornwall. 



liONGr ROUG-H DAB—mppoglossoides 



Total number caught, 53. 



Number Examined, 12— Males 3. Females 9. 

 Number Ripe, 7 — Males 2. Females, 5. 

 Number Spent 4 — Males 0. Females 4. 



The remaining fish is recorded as immature. 



Table Showing the Distribution in Months. 



The small number examined, and the fact that none were examined from June to 

 August, prevents the Table from being much good as a guide to the spawning season. 



The Pelagic eggs were taken at the surface in April off Inishmore. They are 

 characterized by a very large perivitelKne space, and though hitherto not identified 

 with this species, have been described by Mr. J. T. Cunningham and by Professor 

 M'Intosh. {Vide M'Intosh, 9th Ann. Eep. S. P. B., 1891, p. 319). 



The fish seems to be rather rare on the western Irish coast. In Scotch waters, 

 according to Fulton, the spawning period appears to be rather extended, ripe fish 

 occurring from Febriiary to May, and in August and November, chiefly in March. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 



All the ripe females were taken at some distance outside the Aran Islands, in from 

 36 to 38 fathoms. The ripe males were in 32 and 38 fathoms. According to Fulton, 

 the species spawns both in territorial waters, and far from shore, in fact wherever it 

 happens to be. 



^ They appear to be large. ( Vide Fulton, loc. cit.) 



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