'H.oiLT— Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 411 



diminishing with each month, whilst that of the spent fish increased. Probably very 

 little spawning takes place later than May, but the period probably commences as 

 early as the end of February. Numbers of eggs were taken in the tow-net at the 

 commencement of fishing operations. The occurrence of so large a number of ripe 

 males throughout the cruise is puzzling. During the later months I think it is 

 extremely improbable that the milt is ever utilized in fertiKzation, except in isolated 

 instances, where the spawning of a female is retarded, as happens occasionally in most 

 species. In all Pleuronectidse, as I remarked when dealing with the Plaice, ripe males 

 are found to a greater or less extent at times when there appears to be no use for them, 

 and on this account I do not think it advisable to depend much upon the evidence of 

 the male when considering the spawning period. 



On the East coast of Scotland Fulton considers that the spawning period is from 

 March to June or July, probably chiefly in May. He found ripe individuals of both 

 sexes in August ; only one female, I think. I should say that, on the whole, the 

 spawning period is rather earlier on the West coast of Ireland, and takes place princi- 

 pally in March and April. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 



Females were found ripe at from 4 to 32 fathoms, and showed no marked predilec- 

 tion for any particular depth, but were perhaps more frequent in shoaler waters. As 

 Fulton remarks, this species "seems to spawn almost anywhere." 



'FJuO'Ulii'D'E.'R—Pleuronectesflesus. 

 Number caught, 27— Number examined, 16. 



All the above were mature, the sizes from 9 to 15 inches. Only 1 male and 1 female 

 were ripe, both in March. In the same month 1 male was approaching ripeness. The 

 rest were spent, viz. 8 males and 4 females in May, and 1 female in June. 



Thus it would appear that this fish, which jnust be regarded as rather rare on the 

 West coast, spawns there during the early part of the year. Fulton remarks that it 

 spawns in Scotch waters from February to the beginning of June. From my own 

 ■experience I should say March and April were the principal months. 



Distribution of Spawning Fish. 



The ripe female was taken in the Kenmare Eiver in 10 fathoms. I have taken ripe 

 males in the inner harbour at St. Andrew's, where the water is at low tide almost 

 fresh, so that the presence of ripe examples of this sex cannot probably be taken as a 

 guide to the spawning place. I think that there is no doubt that a migration seawards 

 takes place at the approach of the spawning season, as a large number of flounders 

 habitually live in brackish or even perfectly fresh waters, where it is perhaps reason- 

 able to suppose that they do not spawn. Flounders are comparatively common as high 

 up the Thames as Richmond-bridge. It is well known that they have frequently been 

 placed and have lived for many years in land-locked waters, but I am not aware of 

 any evidence as to their reproduction under such conditions. 



