OCR Text |
Show 754 MR. F. DAY ON THE FISHES [Dec. 2, G A D U S POLLACHIUS, Linn., the Pollack, and MERLUCCIUS VULGARIS, or the Hake, are also occasionally taken in the Trammel during the winter months. PHYCIS BLENNOIDES, Briinn., or the Forked Hake ; MOLVA VULGARIS, Flem., or the Ling; M O T E L L A MUSTELA, Linn., Five-bearded Rockling ; M. TRICIRRATA, BL, Three-bearded Rockling ; RANICEPS TRIFURCATUS, Flem., Trifurcated Hake. Have all been captured in Somersetshire. RHOMBUS MAXIMUS, Linn. The Turbot. A few are captured off Weston ; one weighed 16 lb. The following memoranda from Lord Ducie's observations on this fish, as taken in Ballinskellig Bay, are very suggestive as to the growth of the Turbot :- In the year 1877 the average weight (excluding the three largest fish, as was done also in 1878 and 1879) was 2 lb., a few were an ounce or two above or below that weight. In the two succeeding years, captured at the same place and time, they were as follows :- No. of fish. • • • 4 *•• • > • 2 2 • • • 1 1 18 2 9 « • * i I I • * • ... • •• ... ... • • • ., i 1878. Weight. lb. • • • 1 • • • • • • 1 2 • •• *2 2 3 3 3 »•• 3 4 4 • • « • • • • • • • • • • •• • •• • • • • • • • • • 7 oz. ... 8 • •• • . . 12 • * • • • • 10 12 • • • 4 8 • • • 14 • • * 4 • • • • •• • •• • •• • • • • • • ... * « . • . * ... No. offish. 1 . • > 3 2 1 7 1 • •• « •• 9 2 1 3 • •• 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 2 2 1 1 2 1879. Weight. lb. 1 • • • 1 1 1 2 2 ... • • . 3 3 3 3 • • • 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 oz. • • • ... 4 8 12 ... 8 ... • • • ... 4 8 12 • •• • *. 4 8 12 • •• 4 8 12 • •• 4 12 ••• If we analyze the foregoing figures we find the captures in the three years as follows :- Weight:- 1877 .. 1878 .. 1879 .. 1-2 lb. Ill 8 6 2-3 lb. 4 20 8 3-4 lb. B . 12 18 4-5" , . 2 9 5-6 lb. 6-7 lb. i 8 4 or 115 fish. or 43 „ or 53 ,, |