Holt — Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 471 



Gephyreans. Occasionally eaten by the Plaice and Common Sole. 



Nemerteans. Earely eaten by the Cod. 



Crustaceans. The chief food of the Cod, Long Eough Dab, Smooth Hound, 

 Small-spotted Dog and Thornback. Largely eaten by the Eed Gurnard, Sapphirine 

 Gurnard, Grey Gurnard, Piper, Haddock, Witch, Common Dab, Conger, Grey Skate 

 and Spotted Eay. Moderately by the Cod, Pollack, Plaice, Common Sole and Tope. 

 Earely by the Whiting, Ling, Brill, Lemon Dab and Picked Dog. 



Lamellibranchs. The chief food of the Plaice. Largely eaten by the Spotted 

 Eay. Moderately by the Sapphirine Gurnard, Cod, Haddock, Common Dab. Occa- 

 sionally by the Turbot, Lemon Dab, Pole Dab, Small-spotted Dog. Earely by the 

 Spotted Eay. 



Gastropods. Occasionally eaten by the Cod, Haddock, Plaice, Common Dab, 

 Common Sole, Small-spotted Dog and Grey Skate. 



Cephalopods. Moderately eaten by the Ling. Occasionally by the Grey Gurnard, 

 Cod, Brill, Turbot, Witch, Small-spotted Dog and Picked Dog. Earely by the 

 Common Dab and Thornback. 



Ascidians. Molgula. Occasionally eaten by the Plaice and Common Dab. On the 

 East of Scotland, Pelonaia is eaten by the latter ; it does not seem to occur on the 

 West Coast of Ireland. 



Fish. The chief food of the Eed Gurnard ? Sapphirine Gurnard, Grey Gurnard, 

 Angler (almost the whole food), Dory (only food ?) Whiting, Coalfish, Pollack, Hake, 

 Ling, Turbot, Brill, Witch, Conger, Tope, Picked Dog, Angel Eay, Grey Skate, 

 Spotted Eay, and probably also the Sharp-nosed Skate, Shagreen Eay and Sandy 

 Eay. Largely eaten by the Cod, Small-spotted Dog and Thornback. Occasionally 

 by the Piper, Haddock, Long Eough Dab, Lemon Dab and Common Sole. Earely by 

 the Plaice and Common Dab. 



Sand-eels appear to be the fish most universally persecuted. Sprats and young 

 Herrings are also frequently eaten, and it is noticeable that the Dragonet and Weever 

 are not infrequent victims in spite of their formidable armature. 



(t.)— SUGGESTIONS AS TO UNSALEABLE FISHES. 



As I have remarked elsewhere. Anglers {Zophius piscatorius) are by no means so 

 common on this coast as Professor M'Intosh has shown them to be on the trawling 

 grounds on the East Coast of Scotland {vide Eeport of Trawling Commission). 

 Professor M'Intosh mentions that the tail parts of Anglers were formally exported 

 from Scotland to England for food ; but though eaten within comparatively recent 

 years in the south-west of England, they appear to be no longer "appreciated. ^ I have 

 been assured by those who made the experiment that they are extremely good, but 

 have never tried them myself. 



Another fish which was formerly esteemed is the Lumpsucker {Cijclopterus 

 himpus). From Buckland's experience it appears to be rather a rich food, which 

 should only be indidged in in moderation. Professor M'Intosh has suggested that 

 its thick gelatinous skin might be turned to some valuable use. On some parts of the 

 West Coast this fish appears to be employed as bait for crab or lobster pots. 



Hardly any use is made of the Skates and Eays which are so abundant on the West 

 Coast. In most parts a strong prejudice appears to exist against eating them. The 

 lobster fishermen of Aranmore, Donegal, were glad to take all we could give them as 



1 Note added in the Press. — I find that they are regularly brought ashore to the 

 Grimsby market, for sale to the fried fish shops. 



