440 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



HAKE — Merluecius vulgaris. 

 Of 31 Hake caught 7 were immature, -viz. 3 at l\ to If inches in 80 fathoms, 1 at 

 6 inches in 115 fathoms, 1 at 7f inches in 40 fathcmis, and 2 at 8 inches in 53 

 fathoms. Of 24 mature examples, 11 occurred at 25 to 27 fathoms, 4 at 38 fathoms, 

 1 at 62 fathoms, 4 at 70 to 80 fathoms, 2 at 115 fathoms, 1 at 154 fathoms, and 1 at 

 220 fathoms. It appears, therefore, that Hake, both mature and immature, avoid 

 ■waters of less than 25 fathoms, whilst on the other hand they extend into great depths, 

 having been taken on the other side of the Atlantic in over 400 fathoms. Professor 

 M'Intosh records several Hake about 14 inches long, from 34 fathoms in Aber- 

 deen Bay. Fulton records an example 4 inches long from 14 fathoms in the 

 Forth, so that there appears to be variations in the immature habitat in British waters ; 

 but tbe evidence on this subject is very scanty. Mature and fairly large Hake are 

 known to make periodical incursions towards the shore, and into comparatively shallow 

 water at particular seasons of the year, when it is reasonable to suppose that they are 

 following shoals of smaller fish. Pi,ather small Hake are taken in considerable 

 numbers in the mackerel nets, so that they are evidently nocturnally pelagic in their 

 habits, though to some extent also bottom feeders. 



FORKBEARD — Fhycis Uennioides. 



A specimen of about 3 inches was taken from the stomach of a "Witch from 

 154 fathoms, 28 miles off Achill Head in April. One of 3| inches was trawled at 

 26 fathoms in the Kenmare Eiver in August. Five specimens, 9 to 12| inches, were 

 at 220 fathoms, 40 miles off Achill Head in July, and one of 18| inches was trawled 

 at 375 to 500 fathoms, 45 miles off Black Eock in May. 



The Forkbeard is known as an occasional visitor to British shores, chiefly in the 

 winter months. It is not uncommon in littoral waters throughout Europe, and is 

 abundant in the Mediterranean (Day). On the Norway coast it is known to occur 

 between 70 and 200 fathoms. Examples were obtained in deep water on the S.-W. 

 coast of Ireland by the "Lord Bandon," and "Flying Fox." About 6 examples 

 have been previously recorded from this country, but it is probably fairly plentiful in 

 deep water. It appears, on our ground, to be a form which normally inhabits deep 

 water, but occasionally ventures into comparatively shallow areas. It is said to reach 

 a length of about two feet. 



'Haloporphyrus eques. 



5 specimens, from 4f to 13 inches, were trawled at St., 500 fathoms, 54 miles off 

 Achill Head. 



This is an exclusively deep-sea fish, first obtained by the " Knight Errant," at 530 

 fathoms, in the Faroe Channel, and subsequently by the "Flying Falcon," in 750 

 fathoms, and the " Eesearch," at 400 fathoms, off the South-west coast of Ireland. 



FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLING- — Motella mustela. 



A few adults were found in the rock-pools in Killeany Bay, Aran, in June, and, in 

 the "Mackerel Midge" condition, this species was exceedingly common at the 

 surface during June, and the beginning of July. It was noticed that three young 

 Eockling were most frequently taken amongst floating weed, beneath which they 

 appeared to take shelter, as has been observed by others. 



This species appears to be very common on all the coasts of this country. It resides 

 usually, after the pelagic stage of its condition is passed, amongst the rocks near the 

 margin. 



