. Holt — Survey of Fkhing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 429 



exception of such deep-sea forms as reside at all stages of their existence at great 

 depths, the occurrence of immature fish outside the territorial limits is rare. 



They comprise only the following : — Grey Gurnard, very few ; Piper, one ; John 

 Dory, a few ; Dragonet, several ; Gobies, of an undetermined species, many ; Lesser 

 Three-hearded Eockling ; Long Eough Dab, many ; Witch, many ; Scaldfish, 

 several ; Plaice, very few, none small ; Lemon Dab, some very small specimens ; 

 Pole Dab, many ; Common Dab, a few ; Grey Skate, Thornback, Spotted Ray (one ?) ; 

 Sandy Ray, one. 



I have, theiefore, thought it unnecessary to refer to the distribution of each species 

 inside and outside the territorial limits, and have treated only of the vertical distri- 

 bution. 



Pomatomus telescopium. 



Two immature males, 6|: to 8 inches in length, were trawled at 144 fathoms 

 30 miles off Achill Head. This fish grows to a length of about 2 feet, and is confined 

 to deep water (144 to 250 fathoms seems to be the recorded range). It occurs in the 

 Mediterranean, and oiF the Madeira and Canary Islands, and St. Helena. 



Scorpcena dactyloptera. 



This species was confounded, in this country, with the Norway haddock, and so 

 labelled in the National collection, until Dr. Scharff pointed out the error last year. 

 The two forms are much alike. 



Numerous examples from \\ to 2 inches were obtained at 80 fathoms off the 

 Skelligs ; 3 specimens, from 5 to 8 inches, were at 220 fathoms, 50 miles off Bolus 

 Head. A specimen of 11 inches occurred at 500 fathoms, and one of 12 inches at 154 

 fathoms, 54 and 28 miles off Achill. 



Specimens have been obtained on various occasions off the S. "W. coast at depths of 

 75, 200, 217, and 250 fathoms. 



According to Giinther the species is common in the Mediterranean and at Madeira 

 (250 to 400 fathoms), and not rare on the coast of Norway (100 to 300 fathoms). It 

 is also plentiful at the Canary Islands (200 fathoms). 



Vaillant, on the "Talisman," obtained specimens at 54 to 527 fathoms, which 

 represent the limits of the recorded vertical range. 



This fish appears to reach a length of over two feet, and I think all our specimens 

 were immature. Our information is not yet sufficient to show any marked difference 

 in the habitats of the old and young forms. 



RED GURNARD — Trigla cuculus. 

 Twelve mature examples were taken at intervals along the whole coast, at depths 

 of 13 to 55 fathoms. They do not appear to enter shallow bays, as Blacksod and 

 Lough Swilly, and are, perhaps, rather addicted to rocky ground. Like the Piper, they 

 extend into considerable depths, a specimen having been taken by Vaillant in the Bay 

 of Biscay at over 165 fathoms. 



SAPPHIRINE GrIJ'Bi'NKKD— Trigla hirundo. 

 Twelve were taken, of which one, a specimen 12 inches in length, was immature. 

 No very small specimens were taken. All occurred at from 5 to 38 fathoms, the 

 immature example at 10 to 13 fathoms in company with older ones. They appear to 

 be distributed all along the West coast, but not very plentifully anywhere — unless by 

 frequenting rocky ground they avoid capture in the trawl. 



