406 



Scientific Proceedings^ Royal Dublin Society. 



fathoms, and 1 in Donegal Bay in about 30 fathoms. It appears, therefore, that this 

 fish spawns both in shallow and comparatively deep water, and perhaps most frequently 

 in the former. On the east coast of Scotland Fulton, remarks that "there is little 

 doubt . . . that Brill spawn chiefly at a considerable distance from shore." Upon 

 what grounds he arrives at this conclusion I have no means of judging, as it appears 

 that the only ripe example which came under his notice was taken within two miles of 

 land. I think it is probable, in Irish waters at least, that no migration takes place in 

 connection with spawning. 



WITCH (Sail Pluke) — Arnoglossus megastoma. 

 Total number caught, 287. 



Number Examined, 204 — Males, 43. Females, 160. 



(In one the sex could not be determined.) 

 Number approaching Eipeness, 5 — Males, 1 . Females, 4. 

 Number Ripe, about 27^ — Males, 19. Females, 8. 

 Number Spent, about 171i— Males, 23. Females, 148. 

 (Six males, of 8| inches, recorded as spent in July, may have been immature.) 



Table Showing the Distribution in Months. 



The numbers are not sufficient for a fair conclusion, but it appears that the "Witch 

 spawns in March, April, and May, and probably to some extent in June.^ The pelagic 

 eggs^were not recognised in the tow-nets. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 

 Eipe females were taken at 53, 154, and 200 fathoms. Some were nearly ripe at 

 22 fathoms. A male was nearly ripe at 13 to 20 fathoms ; one was ripe at 38 fathoms, 

 and the rest at the same depths as the females. Spawning thus appears to take place 

 only in moderately or very deep water, and therefore necessarily at some distance from 

 the shore : probably always at great distances on coasts where the declivity is very 

 gradual. 



SCAIiD FISH — Arnoglossus laterna. 



A male 5 inches long was ripe on the 8th April at 38 fathoms ofi' Gregory Sound. 

 Another, 4 inches long, was half ripe on 15th April. 



1 The exact numbers are imcertain, owing to a want of detail in the entries under 

 station 12. 



- Thompson has recorded a recently spent female at Belfast in October. 



^ They are very translucent, and, like those of the Brill, have a single oil globule. 

 Diameter 1"08 to 1*13 mm. Oil globule, diameter, '30 mm. 



