414 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



CONG-EK — Conger vulgaris. 

 Conger were examined in each month. All were females. The reproductive 

 organs were in different stages of development, but none could be described as ripe. 

 The stages fall roughly under three headings : — 



a. Ovaries rather small, ova not distinguishable to the naked eye. 



b. Ovaries still rather small, but ova visible as minute specks. 



c. Ovaries moderately large, but not crowding the abdominal cavity ; ova still 



very small. ^ 



In addition to these stages, 9 are described as immature. The length of these was 

 from 36 to 48 inches. 



No small examples were examined, which accounts for the absence of males. 



In March, I female at stage a. In April, 7 at stage a. In May, 9 at stage a, and 

 4 at stage c. In June, 4 at stage a, and 4 at stage b. In July, 2 at stage b, 1 at stage c, 

 and 9 immature (as above). In August, 2 at stage a, and 1 at stage c. 



Cunningham, to whose researches (Journ. M. B. A., vol. ii., N. S., No. 1, March, 

 1891) 1 would refer readers for the most recent information on this subject, is of 

 opinion that the Conger spawns in summer and autumn from about April to October, 

 and always dies after spawning. The ripe eggs of the Conger are not yet identified 

 with absolute certainty, but Cunningham believes that certain eggs, having a very 

 large perivitelline space, and no oil globule belong to this fish. Such eggs have 

 hitherto only been obtained in the Mediterranean. 



BROAD-NOSED 'PIP'E-'FIS'H.—Siphonostoma typhle. 



GREAT PIPE-FISH — Syngnathus aciis. 



SNAKE PIPE-FISH— iVero^Ais (squoreiis. 



WORM PIPE-FISH— iVero^Ais lumbriciformis. 



In April females of the above several species were ripe. In May and June all 



males observed were carrying either eggs or young. The eggs, therefore, seem to be 



transferred to the care of the male in April. All were found in shallow water, amongst 



weeds, or under stones ("Worm Pipe-fish). 



SHORT SUN-FISia—Orthagoriscus mola. 

 A female, about 6 J feet in length, appeared to be recently spent on 13th June, near 

 AchiU Island. The eggs are not known, nor is there any definite information as to the 

 spawning of this fish. 



SHAEKS AND DOG-FISH. 



TOPE — Galeus vulgaris. 

 In April, 3 males were approaching ripeness, and 1 female appeared to be spent. 

 In May, 3 males were about half ripe, 2 were nearly, and 2 quite ripe, and 1 was spent. 

 A male was immature. In June, 6 males and 1 female appeared to be spent. In 

 July, 4 males were approaching ripeness, and 1 appeared spent. The young are pro- 

 duced alive, in the summer months, according to Couch. 



SMOOTH :ELO'UTiiJi—Mustelus 

 In April a male was immature. In June a male was ripe. In July, 1 male was 

 ripe, and another three parts ripe. The yovmg are brought forth alive. Couch records 

 some nearly ready for extrusion in November. 



^ The largest eggs of which I have a record measured "54 mm. in diameter. 



