404 



Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



TTJEBOT — Rhomhus maximus. 

 Total number caught, 59. 



Number Examined, 55 — Males, 27. Females, 28. 

 Number approacbing Ripeness, 12 — Males, 6. Females, 6. 

 Number Eipe, 1 1 — Males, 1 1 . Females, 0. 

 Number Spent, 13 — Males, 5. Females, 8. 



The question of spent fisb is, as in some other instances, complicated by the 

 possibility of error between spent and immature. Two females of 17J inches are 

 entered as spent, probably with reason. The remaining females so entered are all 18 

 inches or more (one 18 inches, the rest 19^ to 25| inches), and therefore possibly 

 mature. All the males so entered are within the limits of possible maturity (vide 

 remarks on definition of Immature Turbot) . 



The remainder of those examined were immature. 

 Table Showing the Distribution in Months. 



The evidence is lamentably meagre ; but it appears that spawning takes place 

 during the months of April, May, and June, and perhaps both earlier and later. The 

 small pelagic eggs were obtained in the tow -nets only in March, if at all. Ripe females 

 have been obtained off the east coast of Scotland in May and July, but nothing definite 

 is known about the spawning period there. 



Distribution of Spawning Fishes. 



On this subject our evidence is negative, as no ripe females were obtained. AH 

 the nearly ripe females were between 8 and 13 fathoms. Fulton concludes that Turbot 

 spawn in his district at great distance from the shore. "We obtained all our ripe males 

 between 16 and 38 fathoms (the greatest depth at which any Turbot were obtained), 

 which is to some extent confirmatory of Fulton's opinion, as, owing to the rapid 

 declivity of the bottom on the west coast of Ireland, the distance from shore is not 

 comparable to that on the east coast of Scotland. 



