264 
Part III. — Eighth Annual Report 
to two ripe females ; the females were 10 J and 14 inches long. In May- 
there were nineteen ripe males and ten ripe females. The males ranged 
from 7 to 10 inches, and the females from 8 J to 16 inches. As is usual, 
a number of individuals of much larger size than the smaller ripe specimens 
were quite immature, e.g., males 8J, 9 and 12 inches. Four females, from 
9 to 14 inches, were spent. The 1 Garland's ' tow-nets obtained ova which 
Professor M'Intosh thinks belong to the flounder, on 21st March, east of 
Inchkeith ; and larval or post-larval flounders were obtained in St Andrews 
Bay on 1st and 2nd May at all the stations. 
It appears, therefore, that the flounder spawns to a considerable extent, 
like the dabs, in territorial waters, from February to the beginning of 
June. 
Long Rough Dabs (Hippoglossoides limandoides). — The number 
examined was 774, the majority of which were from the Firth of Forth. 
Territorial Waters. — Of 144 examined in the Forth in May, June and 
July, 1889, none were ripe or nearly ripe. Of 50 examined in August, a 
female was nearly ripe and one was spent. In October 42 were examined, 
and all were immature. In November, of 43, none were ripe, but, 20 
females and 6 males were nearly ripe, both at the inner and outer stations. 
In February 1890, of 26 specimens, one male (6 \ inches) was ripe and 
one male and sixteen females nearly mature. In March, of 41 specimens, 
six females were mature, and fourteen females and one male nearly mature. 
In April, out of 40 specimens, only one female was mature. In May 42 
specimens were examined. None were ripe, but twelve females (8 to 14 
inches) were spent. This species is rare in St Andrews Bay. Of 30 
specimens examined, none were ripe. Two females were spent on May 
1st at Station V., and two were nearly ripe. This flat-fish does not appear 
to spawn in the Bay. 
Offshore Grounds. — The long rough dabs is very abundant offshore. 
In the Firth of Forth area no ripe or nearly ripe specimens were got at 
Stations VIII., IX., in 1889, from May till August, inclusive (72 specimens 
examined). In October, of ten specimens, four females were nearly 
mature. In November, of 21 specimens, one male was ripe, and eleven 
females and one male nearly. In February 1890, of 13 specimens, ten 
females and one male were mature. In March ten specimens were 
examined, four females were mature, and two nearly mature, at Station 
IX., and two nearly mature at Station VIII. In April, of 21 specimens, 
all were immature ; as were also twelve in May. Twenty-one were 
examined at Liston Bank in October ; two females were nearly mature — 
none were ripe. In May 20 were examined ; all were unripe. 
At Smith Bank, on February 5th, four were examined ; they were females 
and were almost mature (8 to 9 inches). Two females obtained, 22- 
25 miles south east of Montrose, on February 7th, were almost mature; 
ripe specimens were therefore obtained in territorial waters in February, 
March, April, May, and August ; but ripe individuals of both sexes only 
in March. At offshore grounds mature specimens were caught in 
November and March ; in the latter month alone were both sexes obtained. 
The process of spawning in the long rough dab is probably accomplished 
very rapidly. It spawns both in territorial waters and far from shore, 
apparently chiefly in March. 
Turbot (Rhombus maximus). — Nothing very definite is known as to 
the spawning places of the turbot. The number of specimens examined 
by Mr Scott was 42 ; fishery officers examined 225. Of nine obtained in 
the Firth of Forth (almost all at the outer stations) none were ripe 
or nearly ripe. Four were spent; two, 23 and 28 inches, in 
