448 



Scientific Proceedings^ Royal Dublin Society. 



It appears that mature Sole are to be foiind at all depths between 4 and about 60 

 fathoms, whilst the possibly immature fish do not seem to extend below the 30 fathom 

 line. As a matter of fact almost all the fish of 10 and 1 1 inches taken were males, and 

 therefore possibly mature. Speaking generally, I think the normal habitat of the 

 larger soles on this coast is in rather shallow water, and not far from the shore, whilst 

 there is some reason to suppose that this is one of the species in which a partial migra- 

 tion into rather deeper water takes place in the spawning season. Of the very young 

 stages we collected no evidence, except a few pelagic larval forms. Cunningham has 

 recorded a specimen, less than an inch in length, from the tidal pools of Mevagissey 

 Harbour, and Fulton obtained examples, from less than 2 to 8 inches, in 1 to 2 

 fathoms. Our smallest specimens, 6 and 6 inches, occurred at less than 6 fathoms, so 

 that there seems reason to believe that the very young (asymmetrical) stages are passed 

 in very shallow water near the margin. ^ 



THICKBACK — Solea variegata. 



The only example,- 4 inches in length, was taken at 40 fathoms in Dingle Bay in 

 March. It appears to be rather rare on this coast, and is known to descend to con- 

 siderable depths, a specimen having been trawled by Mr. Green at 160 fathoms. 

 Immature specimens have been taken on the west coast of Scotland at 65 fathoms 

 (Giinther), and at over 100 fathoms by VaiUant off the north-west coast of Africa. Itis 

 very plentiful off Plymouth in deep water (Cunningham). 



Argentina sphyroena. 



Numerous examples, about IJ inch in length, were taken in the trawl at 62-52, 

 and 80 fathoms. The remains of rather larger specimens were in the stomach of a 

 Sharp-nosed Skate at 375 to 500 fathoms. Three examples of 3J inches were trawled 

 at 40 fathoms in Dingle Bay, and one of d\ inches occurred at the same locality at 



1 Cunningham, however, believes that the first year of life is not passed in water of 

 less than 10 fathoms. {Vide "Nature," Sept. 17, 1891, p. 482). 



- I have since found a specimen, about 1 inch in length, which was taken from the 

 stomach of a Piper, trawled at 62 to 52 fathoms ia August. 



