Holt — Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 465 



which appeared to belong to a Gaper occurred also. Polyzoans. Membranipora. 

 Gastropods (1) Troclms. (2) Philine aperta. Ascidians. Molgula. Fish. Sandeels. 



During the rest of the Survey, 285 were examined. 26 were empty, and in 4 the 

 nature of the food was not recognised. Of the remaining 255, Actinians, Cerianthus 

 occurred in 1 ; Echinoderms in 61, 23 per cent. ; Am-phiura in 38 ; OpUoglypha in 

 8 ; {0. lacertosa in 3 and albida in 4) ; Aniphidotus in 8 ; unidentified Echinoderms 

 in 7 ; Annelids in 70, 27 per cent. ; Lagis in 2, and Nephthys, Nereis, Terehella, 

 Serpula, Sea Mouse each in 1, and unidentified Annelids in 65; Crustaceans in 21, 

 80 per cent. ; Swimming Crabs in 5 ; Gammarids in 4 ; Shrimps, Hermits, Mask 

 Crabs, Ebalia, Mtinida and Idotea each in 1 ; unidentified Crustaceans in 6 ; Lamel- 

 libranchs in 136, 53 per cent. ; Eazor Shells (mostly S. ensis) in 23 ; Kactra in very 

 many ; Vemis gallina in 5 ; Nucitla in 7 ; Tellina in 5 ; Bonax in 3 ; Scallops and 

 Corbula, each in 1 ; unidentified Lamellibranchs in 81 ; ^ Gastropods in 3 ; Natica 

 in 2, and a shell, probably the "House" of a Hermit in 1. Ascidians; Molgula in 

 3 ; Fish, Sand-eels in 1 ; a piece of Sea-grass {Zostera) in 1. 



It appears, therefore, that the Plaice feeds most largely on Lamellibranchs, especially 

 Eazor Shells {Solen ensis) and Mactra. Annelids and Echiaoderms contribute each 

 about half as much ; of the latter, Amphmra appears to be most appreciated. 



Crustaceans are a subsidiary article of diet, but many forms are considered palatable. 

 Gastropods and Ascidians {3Iolgula) are occasionally eaten. Fish (Sandeels) and 

 Actinians are rarely eaten, and Cephalopods apparantly not at all. 



Smith's observations on the East Coast of Scotland have led him to a markedly 

 difi'erent conclusion. He finds that Annelids are there the chief food ; Molluscs con- 

 tribute a little, and Crustaceans much less, whilst Echinoderms are of little importance. 



Thus the food on the two coasts, except in the matter of Crustaceans and fish, 

 seems to be quite different in its proportions. I suppose that the explanation may lie 

 in the difi'erent conditions of competition. 



COMMON DAB — Fleuronectes Umanda. 



In 1890, the stomachs and intestines of 217 Common Dabs were examined. 

 11 were empty, and in 1 the contents were indistinguishable. The Records do not 

 show the exact numbers in which the different kinds of food occurred ; but it appears 

 that Echinoderms, Annelids, Crustaceans and Lamellibranchs furnished the bulk. 

 Crustaceans appear to have been most abundant ; Echinoderms hardly less so ; 

 Annelids and Lamellibranchs were about equally abundant, but considerably less than 

 Echinoderms. Gastropods furnished a small contribution. Fish occurred in several 

 stomachs, and Sertularians in several. One contained a fragment of Sloke Weed ( Ulva) , 

 and one was full of soft grey mud. 



Of Crustaceans, Hermits occurred most often. Small Crabs, including Swimming 

 Crabs, were frequent. Spider Crabs {Stenorhynches) are recorded several times ; Prawns 

 (Falcemoii) once. 



Echinoderms consisted of Brittle Stars, Ophioglypha and Amphiura. The former 

 (chiefly 0. albida) were rather more frequent than the latter. Annelids consisted of 

 Sea-mice {Aphrodite), Nereis, Eunice, and a number of unidentified forms. Lamelli- 

 branchs included several unidentified forms, and Eazor Shells (S. ensis), Thracia, Venus, 

 Nucula, and Tellina. Gastropods consisted of Fhiline aperta and Bulla hydatis ; a 

 specimen trawled in Killybegs Harbour contained a great number of the latter. 



1 In some cases, perhaps, parts of tubes of Lanice conchilegia. 



SCIEN. PE.0C. K.D.S., VOL. VII., PART IV 2 



