466 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



Tleiirotoma, Natica alderi, and Turritella terebra, occurred also, probably in connexion 

 with Hermits. Cephalopods, Squid (Z. media) occurred in 1 stomacb. 



Fish, in about 3 or 4 stomachs, consisted of Sand-eels (in 2) and unidentified sorts. 



In 1891, 117 stomachs were examined. 6 were empty. In 10 the nature of the 

 food was indistinguishable. Of the remaining 101, EcMnoderms occurred in 54, 

 53 per cent. ; Brittle Stars, Amphiicra in 39 ; Ophiogly2:)ha albida in 6 ; Ophiothrix 

 in 1 ; Urchins {Amphidotiis) in 2 ; unidentified Echinoderms in 6 ; Annelids in 14, 

 13 per cent. ; Nephthys and Sahella, each in 1 ; unidentified Annelids in 12 ; 

 Crustaceans in 27, 26 per cent. ; Hermits in 17 ; Isopods {Idotea) in 4 ; Gammarids 

 in 2 ; Swimming Crabs and Porcellana longicornis, each in 1 ; unidentified Crusta- 

 ceans in 2; Polyzoans, Alcyonidimn in 1; Lamellibranclis in 11, 10 per cent.; 

 Eazor Shells [8. ensis) in 4 ; Tellina in 1 ; unidentified Lamellibranchs in 6 ; Gastropods 

 in 7, 6 per cent. ; Fhiline in 5 ; Common "Whelks and Nadibranchs {Tritonia) ? each 

 in 1 ; Cephalopods, Sqiaids {Z. media) in 1 ; Ascidians, Molgula in 4 ; Fish in 2 ; 

 Crystallogohius in 1 ; unidentified fish in 1 ; Sloke "Weed ( Viva) in 1. 



The Eesults of the two years' observations difi'er somewhat. This would not be 

 surprising, in yiew of previous experience, were the exact numbers given in each year. 

 In the absence of such information in 1890, I am inclined to give more weight to the 

 observations of 1891. I conclude that the Common Dab is a most promiscuous feeder. 

 On this coast, Echinoderms (especially Amphiura and other Brittle Stars) are the most 

 important food. Crustaceans (chiefly Hermits, but including many other forms) are of 

 the next importance. Annelids and Lamellibranchs are much less eaten. Gastropods 

 (chiefly Fhiline) and Ascidians (Molgtila) are occasional articles of diet. Fish and 

 Squids are rarely eaten. 



Zoophytes and seaweed are occasionally found in the stomachs of these fish, as also 

 on the East coast of Scotland ; but whether they are to be regarded as food or as having 

 been gulped down for the sake of organisms adhering to them is not certain, nor does 

 the examination of the associated stomach -contents help us. 



In the Firth of Forth and St. Andrew's Bay, Smith found that Crustaceans (chiefly 

 Hermits) and Annelids were respectively the chief items of food, whilst in both cases 

 Echinoderms occupied a subordinate position. This presents rather a contrast to our 

 observations on the "West Coast of Ireland. Can it be looked upon as in some sense a 

 result of the almost entire absence, on the Scotch Coast of the Common Sole, a great 

 competitor in the matter of Annelids ; and on the Irish Coast, of the Long Eough 

 Dab, a notable devourer of Echinoderms ? The adaptability of the Common Dab to 

 almost any sort of diet may account for the survival and abundance of such a defence- 

 less and extensively persecuted fish, whilst it is also doubtless attributable to the 

 competition of stronger forms. 



COMMON SOL'S— Solea vulgaris. 



In 1890 the stomachs and intestines of 148 Common Sole were examined. 

 24 were empty. In 16 the nature of the food was indistinguishable. The exact 

 distribution of the food in the remaining 108 cannot be gathered from the Records. 

 It appears, however, that Echinoderms occurred in about 25, 23 per cent. ; Brittle 

 Stars {Amphiura) in 15 ; Ophioglypha in 2 ; unidentified Brittle Stars in 7 ; Urchins 

 {Echinus) in several, and unidentified Echinoderms in 1 ; Annelids in about 55, 50 per 

 cent., including Lugworms ; Sea Mice {Aphrodite), Nereis, and many unidentified 

 forma ; Gephyreans {Sipunculus) in a few ; Crustaceans, including Gammarids, 

 Common Shrimps, Norway Lobsters {Nephrops), and unidentified Crabs, were less fre- 

 quent than Echinoderms. Lamellibranchs occurred in about 19, 17 per cent. ; Eazor 



