tame, never attempting to bite; and, as far as my own experience goes, this species seems to be a very suitable inmate of a vivarium.—B.J. Horton (Sparkbrook, Birmingham).
PISCES.
Notes from Great Yarmouth.—Since the practical failure of the local trawling industry our fish-wharf has offered few attractions for the ichthyologist. Very few smacks now land fish here—indeed much of the fish on sale in the local shops is brought to Yarmouth viâ Lowestoft, some of our fishmongers finding it answers their purpose better to proceed thither. On May 5th, 1900, I caught on Breydon a "double" Flounder (Pleuronectes flesus), corresponding exactly with the figure given by Couch (vol. iii. p. 197). The fins, curiously enough, were spotted with red, after the fashion of a Plaice. Both sides were dark brown in colour. A beautiful green variety of the Ballan Wrasse (Labrus maculatus) was landed on the fish-wharf, June 11th, 1900. During the Herring fishery but few strangers were observed, two Porbeagles (Lamna cornubica), of moderate size, being the most conspicuous. A 22-lb. Salmon, out of season, but in fine condition, rolled itself up in the Herring-nets, and was brought to port on Oct. 13th. A Lump Sucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) was taken on a hook—an unusual circumstance—in the harbour on Oct. 14th. Some of the Herrings imported from Norway run very large, but are unpleasantly bony and indifferent eating. I saw one on Dec. 5th measuring 15½ in.; three others of similar length on Dec. 11th. One, 15 in. long, was 7½ in. in girth, and weighed 14½ oz. A 16-in. "double" Brill (Rhombus lævis) was brought in early in January, 1901, the eye-notch being well formed; and a normally shapen but double-coloured Smeared Dab (Pleuronectes microcephalus). A 12-in. example of the Streaked Gurnard (Trigla lineata) was procured on Feb. 18th. It is astonishing how large a prey the Whiting dares attempt to commandeer. Noticing the tail of a Whiting protruding from the mouth of another, I pulled the victim out, and laid them side by side, measuring them individually at 9½ in. and 7¾ in. This was on March 5th. On March 21st I was asked to settle a dispute relative to the identity of a "sea-monster" brought in by a fishing-smack. It was the ugliest example of a Conger-Eel (Conger vulgaris) I ever saw; its "dead-green" eyes contrasting against its dark-skinned carcase gave it a most repulsive appearance. I found it to measure about 7 ft. 6 in., with a weight of 92 lb. The thickest part of the body was as big round as an ordinary bucket. This is the largest example brought into Yarmouth of which I have any record. Some 9-in. "spring" Herrings brought in about the middle of March contained well-developed roes.—A. Patterson (Ibis House, Great Yarmouth).
