462 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



POLLACK — Gadus poUacMus. 



During the Survey, 37 stomachs were examined. 5 were empty. Of the remain- 

 ino- 32 Annelids occurred in 1; Crustaceans in 13; Gammarids in 6; Zoem and 

 Mysis each in 5 ; Prawns, Talesman and Fcmdalus, each in 1 ; unidentified Crusta- 

 ceans in 3 ; Cephalopods, Squid {Sepiola) in 1 ; Fish in 20 : Sand-eels in 4 ; (great 

 Sandeel, A. lanceolatus in. 1) ; Sprats in 2; Grystallogobius in 2; Norway Pout, Scald-fish, 

 Gurnard, and "White Bait (very young Herrings or Sprats), each in 1 ; unidentified 

 fish in 10. 



The Crustaceans, Annelids, and MoUuscs were only found in the stomachs of 

 certain individuals, 14 in number and mostly immature, which were caught in the 

 Mackerel nets at night at the mouth of KDleany Harbour. The other Pollack ex- 



ined were all large specimens trawled in the day-time, and in deeper water mostly. 



It appears, therefore, that the PoUack, in its adult condition, feeds mainly upon 



; our observations do not show that there is a marked prefere&ce for any particular 

 kind. Crustaceans especially, if not exclusively, those of the more active kind, such 

 as Prawns and Shrimps and the Pelagic Schizopods, are also preyed upon to a large 

 ■extent, in all probability chiefly at night, when these forms appear to be most active. 



HAKE — Merluceius vulgaris, 



During the Survey, 18 stomachs were examined. 10 were empty. Echinoderms, 

 Brittle Stars {0. albida) occurred in 1 ; Fish in 6 ; Herring in 3 ; Sprats and Whiting 

 each in 1 ; unidentified fish in 1 . 



As far as they go our observations show that the Hake feeds mainly on fish. 



LING — Molva vulgaris. 



During the whole Survey 143 stomachs were examined. 101 were empty. In 1 

 the nature of the food was not recognized. Crustaceans, Norway Lobster occurred in 1 ; 

 Cephalopods in 8 ; Eledone cirrhosa in 7 ; Common Squid [Loligo forbesii) in 1 ; Fish 

 in 33 ; Mackerel in 6 ; Flat fish, Witch, and Dab in 3 ; Gurnard and Haddock, each 

 in 2 ; Scad and Norway Pout, each in 1 ; unidentified fish in 19. 



Thus the food of the Ling appears to consist almost entirely of fish. Cephalopods 

 especially Eledone, appears to be appreciated, and probably Crustaceans (and other 

 forms) are preyed on to a larger extent than is shown by the Eecords, since the Ling, 

 when hooked in even very moderate depths, usually arrives at the surface with its 

 stomach everted, so that the records of its food are necessarily imperfect. 



LONG ROUGH DAB — Sippoglossoides limandoides. 



Only 3 stomachs were examined. Echinoderms, Brittle Stars {Ampkmra) occurred 

 in all ; Annelids in 1 . 



Smith notices that " in the Firth of Forth no other fish, with perhaps the solitary 

 exception of the Haddock, feeds so largely on Echinoderms." Crustaceans "(especially 

 Crangon and hermits) form a rather larger proportion of their food ; while annelids, 

 molluscs, and fish form a very small part indeed. In St. Andrew's Bay these fish 



