'H.0LT—8t(rvep of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 467 



shells [Solen] in 11 ; Cockles and Nuciila, eacli in 1 ; Gastropods {Philine), in about 

 10, 9 per cent. ; Fish in about 19, 17 per cent. ; Crystallogobms in 6 ; Sand-eels in the 

 rest (about 13). 



In 1891 the stomachs and intestines of 270 were examined. 82 were empty. In 

 25 the food was indistinguishable. Of the remaining 163 Echinoderms occurred in 38, 

 23 per cent. ; Brittle Stars, Amphiura, in 27 ; Ophioglypha albida in 4 ; unidentified 

 Echinoderms in 7 ; Annelids in 82, 49 per cent. ; Nephthys and Lmice, each in 2. 

 Aphrodite and Lagis, each in 1 ; unidentified Annelids in 77 ; Crustaceans in 19, 

 11 per cent.; Gammarids in 7; Common Shrimps in 4; Swimming Crabs and 

 unidentified Crabs, each in 1 ; unidentified Crustaceans in 6 ; Lamellibranchs 

 in 4 ; Tellina in 1 ; unidentified Lamellibranchs in 3 ; Gastropods in 8 ; Philine 

 in 6 ; unidentified Gastropods in 2 ; Fish in 10, 6 per cent. ; Sand-eels in 9 ; 

 Unidentified Fish in 1. 3 contained nothing but mud, perhaps the remains of Sahella 

 tubes, or gulped down with Annelids. In one was a fragment of KuUipore. 



It appears, therefore, that Annelids form by far the most important item of the 

 food, probably almost every polychoete is acceptable. Echinoderms (especially 

 Amphiura) form an important item, but far smaller than the last. Crustaceans 

 (chiefly Gammarids and Common Shrimps) and Fish (almost exclusively Sand-eels, 

 with a few Crystallogohuis) are of less importance than Echinoderms. Lamellibranchs 

 (chiefly small Salens) and Gastropods (chiefly Philine) contribute each a yet smaller 

 share. Gephyreans [Sipnncuhis) are occasionally eaten. 



Cunningham, in his monograph on this fish, records the food found in the stomachs 

 and intestines of 36 Soles, examined by him at Plymouth. Annelids were present in 

 50 per cent., or (counting those that contained fragments of shells probably belonging 

 to Annelid tubes) 77 per cent. ; Ophiurids in 19 per cent. ; Crustaceans in 11 per cent. 

 Molluscs in 8 per cent. 



Mr. Green tells me that in Toughal Bay and the neighbourhood, Soles feed very 

 largely upon Mactra sUiUorum. 



CONGER — Conger vulgaris. 



Most of the stomachs examined were empty. About 20 or 26 contained food. Of 

 these, Crustaceans occurred in 10 or 15 ; Norway Lobsters (Nephrops) in 3 ; unidenti- 

 fied Crabs in the rest. Fish occurred in 11 ; Sand-eels and Dragonet in 3 ; Common 

 Dabs in 2 ; Gurnard in 1 ; Ling, already hooked, in 1 ; unidentified fish in 5. 



From Day's observation it appears that the Conger will eat almost any sort of fish, 

 and feeds also upon Crustaceans and Molluscs. 



TOPE — Galeus vulgaris. 



During the Survey the stomachs of 16 Tope were found to contain food. Crusta- 

 ceans occurred in several ; Shore Crab in 1 ; Fish in nearly all ; Picked Dog, Sandeels, 

 and Norway Pout each in 1 ; unidentified fish in about 9. 



SMOOTH 'E.OT^'SIi—Mustelus vulgaris. 



The stomachs of 3 contained food which could be identified. It consisted solely 

 of Crustaceans, Swimming Crabs, Portunus arcuafus, P. corrugatus and P. sp. in one ; 

 Mask Crabs [Corystes) in 2 ; Hermits {P. hernhardiis) in 1. 



Day remarks that this Dogfish feeds on Molluscs and Crustaceans, 



20 2 



