Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/113

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
Fishes.
85

The appearance of the tuft of vegetable filaments is drawn with critical correctness. I examined these filaments repeatedly in the microscope, but could make nothing more of them than that they were simple delicate threads, unarticulated and unbranched.—Jas. L. Drummond, M.D., Professor of Anatomy; Royal Belfast Institution, January 17, 1843.

Note on the recent occurrence of new or rare Fishes in England. 1. The Maigre, (Sciæna aquila, Cuvier). A fine large specimen of this fish was taken off Margate early in October, and being sent to London, was for some days exposed to view at the shop of Mr. J.S. Sweeting, fishmonger, at the west end of Cheapside.2. The common Bogue, (Sparus boops, Linn.)[1] A single example of this species about twelve inches long, and new to the British catalogue, was taken in a ground seine at St. Mawes early in October last. The circumstance was communicated to me by Mr. Alfred Fox of Falmouth, who very kindly sent me a coloured drawing of the fish. This species is well known in the Mediterranean, but, out of it, has only been taken at Madeira, at Teneriffe, and once on the coast of Spain.3. The Sword-fish, (Xiphias gladius, Linn.) A specimen ten feet long was taken on the 20th of October, by the crew of a six-oared galley belonging to Mr. Henry North of the Fountain Inn, Deal, who was himself steering at the time, on his way from Ramsgate to Deal. "A little way to the south of the outer beacon leading to Sandwich Haven, saw the fish in about four feet water; rowed towards it, and observed that it appeared far exhausted in strength, ventured to put a small rope with a running noose over its tail, and after playing with it some time, succeeded in putting other ropes round the fish and got it on board. Steered for Deal, well pleased with our prize." From the point of the upper jaw to the anterior margin of the eye was one third of the whole length of the fish. This specimen was purchased by Mr. Sweeting of Cheapside, who, after exhibiting it for a few days, presented it to the Zoological Society.4. The short Sun-fish, (Orthagoriscus mola, Schneider). A young specimen, only eighteen inches long and thirteen inches deep, was caught off Great Yarmouth in the first week of October, and was for some days exposed to view at the shop of Mr. Groves, the fishmonger of Bond St., London. 5. The oblong Sun-fish, (Orthagoriscus oblongus, Schneid). Mr. L.L.

  1. Box vel Boops, Bellonius de Aquat. 230. De Boope, Rondeletius, Latin edition, 136. De la Bogue, Rond. French edit. 123. Boops Rondeletii primus, Will. Hist. Pise. 317, tab. U, 8. f. 1. Bogue, Duhamel, part ii. sect. 4, pi. 6, f. 4. Box vulgaris, Le Bogue commun, Cuvier et Valenciennes, Hist, des Poiss. vi. 348, pi. 161.