468 Scientifie Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



SMALL-SPOTTED BOG— Soyllium canicula. 



During the Survey, the stomachs of 70 were examined. Actiniana (Peaehia) 

 occurred in 1 ; Echinoderms in 2, viz., Fsolus and Cucumaria, each in 1 ; Annelids 

 in 25, 35 per cent. Lugworm [Arenicola and Nephtliys), each in 3 ; Sea Mouse 

 {Aphrodite), Nereis and Chostopferus, each in 2 ; unidentified Annelids in 2 Cms- 

 taceans in 49, 70 per cent. ; Hermits in 15 ; Prawns (Palcemon) in 7 ; Norway 

 Lobsters (Nephrops) in 5; Shrimps {Crangon), Munida and Mtjsis, each in 4; Gam- 

 marids, Spider Crabs [Stenorhynchus) , and unidentified Crabs, each in 2 ; Galathcea, 

 Swimming Crabs {Portunus), Angular Crabs {Gonoplax), and Mask Crabs {Corystes) 

 each in 1 ; unidentified Crustaceans in 10 ; Lamellibranchs in 7, 10 per cent. ; Scallops 

 (P. opercular is) in 3 ; Siphons of Gapers [My a) in 2 ; unidentified Siphons in 2 ; 

 Gastropods in 11 ; Whelks {Buccinum) in 8, and Fusiis in 1 ; unidentified Gastropods 

 in 2; most of the above were probably the "Houses" of Hermits; Cephalopods in 

 6, 7 per cent. ; Squids [Sepiola) in 3 ; Eledone in 1 ; unidentified Cephalopods in 1 ; 

 Fish in 24, 34 percent. ; Sand-eels in 7 ; Herring and "Whiting, each in 1 ; unidentified 

 fish in 15 ; Polyzoans, Flustra in 1. 



It appears, therefore, that this Dogfish lives upon a varied diet, to which Crustaceans 

 (especially Hermits, though the list is a long one) contribute the largest share. Anne- 

 lids and fish contribute equal shares, each about half that of Crustaceans. Lamelli- 

 branchs and Cephalopods are of less importance. Echinoderms and probably Gastropods 

 are only occasionally eaten. 



Thus the Small-spotted Dog is infinitely less destructive to fish than the Picked 

 Dog, and is chiefly harmful in consuming a large amount of valuable food, especially 

 Crustaceans and Annelids. 



PICKED DOG — Acanthias vulgaris. 



During the Survey, 61 stomachs were examined. 13 were empty. 2 contained 

 matter that could not be identified. Of the remaining 46, Crustaceans, Common 

 Shrimps, occurred in 1, 2 per cent. ; Cephalopods in 3, 6 per cent., viz. ; Eledone in 2 ; 

 Squids (Lolxgo) in 1 ; Fish in 44, 95 per cent. ; Sprats in 13 ; Sand-eels, "Whiting, 

 and Remora, each in 1 ; unidentified fish in 35. 



The food, therefore, appears to consist almost entirely of fish. On one occasion in 

 Clew Bay, in the beginning of July, 1890, a number of Picked Dogs were so distended 

 with young Sprats, that the latter streamed out of their mouths when thrown on the 

 deck. It was a common experience when hauling the long lines to find ling and other 

 valuable fish almost entirely destroyed, apparently by these fish, which frequently 

 followed the baits up to the surface. 



ANGEL EAY — Ehina sqiiatina. 



During the Survey, 3 stomachs were examined. Cephalopods, the pen of a Squid 

 (Zoligo) occurred in 1. Fish, only a number of crystalHne lenses, in 1 ; Sea Grass 

 (Zostera), in all 3. 



The occurrence of Zostera, in company with the eyes and other remains of fish in 

 the stomach of an Angel, has been recorded by Thompson. Fish seems to be the prin- 

 cipal food, and, according to Day, especially Flat-fishes. 



