of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



239 



Caithness coast, Noss Head, 11 to 12 miles N., 1G were examined, 9 of 

 which were empty ; the rest contained only a little mucus. From 

 January 22nd to 24th, in the vicinity of Smith Bank, 84 were examined, 

 all of which were empty or contained only a little mucus. From February 

 19th to 27th, in the same locality, 27 were examined, and all were empty 

 or contained a very little mucus. On February 26th, off Lossiemouth, 

 5 were examined, all of which were empty. The chief point of interest 

 in connection with these plaice is the relation of their empty condition 

 to the ripeness of their reproductive organs (see p. 188). 



Lemon Soles (Pleuronectes microcephalus). — In January, 2 were examined, 

 one was empty, and one contained spider-crabs. In February, 1 was 

 examined : it was empty. 



Long Rough Dabs (Hippoglossoides limandoides). — In January, of 8G 

 stomachs examined, 75 were empty. Annelids were found in one, 

 Arthropods, consisting of Crangon, in four, goby in one, and unidentified 

 fish in four. One contained ova. In February, of 46 examined, 45 

 were empty. The remaining one contained Fish (goby). 



Witch Soles (Pleuronectes cynoglossus). — In January, 6 were examined, 

 2 were empty, the contents of 1 were indistinguishable, one contained 

 Annelid*, and two contained Arthropods {Crangon). 



Common Dabs (Pleuronectes limanda). — In January, of 59 stomachs 

 examined, 42 were empty. Echinoderms, consisting of sand-stars, were 

 found in seven stomachs. Annelids, unidentified, were found in five. 

 Arthropods consisted of Eupagurus (sp. bemhardus) in one, Portunus 

 in one, Galathea in one, Crangon in one, and Hijas in one. Fish (sand- 

 eels) were found in two. In February, of 49 stomachs examined, 25 

 were empty, and the contents were indistinguishable. Echinoderms, 

 consisting of sand-stars, were found in three stomachs. Annelids, 

 unidentified, were found in two. Arthropods (Eiqmgurus bernlianlns) 

 were found in two. Molluscs consisted of Pecten in one, Buccinum in 

 one, and unidentified molluscs in one. Ascidians were found in one. 

 Fish were found in eleven. 



Skate, — Baia batis. 3 were examined, they all contained Fish un- 

 identified, and two of them contained Crangon. 



SI Late. — Raia clavata. — 1 was examined, it contained Portunus and 

 hermit-crabs. 



Cod (Gadus morrhua). — In January, of 24 examined, 13 were empty. 

 Arthropods (hermit-crabs) were found in three, Molluscs (Buccinum) in 

 one, haddocks in three, and unidentified fish remains in five. In February, 

 of 47 examined, 33 were empty. Arthropods (Crangon) were found in 

 one, whiting in one, haddocks in one, and unidentified fish remains in 

 twelve. 



Haddocks (Gadus ceglefinus). — In January, of 74 stomachs examined, 

 27 were empty, and the contents of 9 were indistinguishable. Echino- 

 derms (sand-stars) were found in four, and Amphidotus in one, Annelids 

 were found in ten. Arthropods consisted of Crangon in thirteen, 

 Portunus in five, unidentified crabs in five. Ampelisca in one, Galathea 

 in two, Hyas in one, Anonyx in one, and unidentified schizopods in one. 

 Molluscs consisted of Chiton in one, Buccinum in one, Scrobicularia in 

 one, and unidentified bivalves in two. Fish consisted of goby in one, 

 and unidentified fish in two. An Ascidian was found in one, and an 

 anemone iu one. In February, of 35 stomachs examined, 14 were 

 empty, and the contents of 2 were indistinguishable. Echinoderms 

 (sand-stars) were found in two, unidentified Annelids in five. Arthropods 

 consisted of Crangon in eight, crab in one, Galathea in one, Anonyx in 



