108 



Proceedings ofJhe Royal Irish Academy. 



of Gibraltar, occurring along the edge of the continental shelf aiid descending 

 for a sliort distance down its upper slopes. It is also found at the Azores 

 and Cape Verde Islands. 



The Norwegian record of a young specimen from the stomach of a cod-fish 

 (Collett, 18*79) seems to be outside the area of normal distribution, tlie 

 northern limits of which may, with our present knowledge, be placed on the 

 west coast of Ireland iu about 54° N. 



Iruh Distribution . C. coclorhyndius was first taken off' the coast of Ireland 

 by the Rev. W. S. G-reen during the cruise of the Fli/ing Falcon in 1888 

 (Seharff, 1890), and subsequently by the Flying Fox, Eesearcli, and Finijcd 

 expeditions. 



It was trawled by tho Helya in 31 hauls off the W. and S.-W. coasts 

 of Ireland, its certain range being 214 to 627 fathoms, and its probable range 

 160 to 627 fathoms. 



The average number of specimens per haul, estimated in the manner 

 described above in the case of M. rupcstris, is as follows : — 



Depth. 

 100-200 fms. 

 200-300 „ 

 300-400 „ 

 400-500 „ 

 500-600 „ 

 GOO-700 „ 



Specimens per haul. Number of hauls. 



0-77 17 



15-7 10 



90 15 



0-40 11 



033 21 



02 14 



These figures show that its normal habitat is between 200 and 400 

 fatlioms. The average bottom temperatures corresponding to depths of 200 

 and 400 fathoms on the S.-W. coast of Ireland are I0-2''C. and 95^. 

 respectiyely. 



