166 SALMONID.E. 



the sub-orbital bone occupies nearly the anterior inferior half 

 of the orbit, and is of a beautiful argenteous lustre, like the 

 operculum. There are five oval spots, forming a fan-shaped 

 figure, occupying the space between the anterior edge of the 

 superior maxillary bone, and the anterior inferior angle of the 

 pre-operculum, beneath the sub-orbital bone, and distinctly 

 seen through the transparent intermaxillary bone, which is 

 very large. There is one gutta upon the pre-operculum, at 

 its anterior inferior angle, and the appearance of another at 

 the anterior inferior angle of the sub-operculum : there is no 

 appearance of branchiostegous rays whilst the opercula are 

 closed. 



" The sides of this elegant little fish are of the most re- 

 splendent argenteous lustre ; the guttse are of a dense opaque 

 white, and round their margin, especially along the sub- 

 caudal series, there is a steel-blue tinge, giving that part of 

 the body a very beautiful appearance. The upper abdominal 

 series have an arched appearance, from this tinge not being 

 continued round the inferior margin of the guttcG. The back 

 of the specimen under description, which has been in spirits 

 ever since its capture, is of a dense blue black, presenting, in 

 certain lights, a brownish tinge. 



" From specimens of this fish having been found in the 

 above localities, viz. in the sea near Flintshire, on the shore 

 in Orkney, in Devonshire, and, lastly, in Edinburghshire, we 

 may infer that it is generally, although sparingly, diffused 

 through the British seas. Probably, ere long, we may hear 

 of other examples of its occurrence upon our shores, or in 



our seas." 



So recently as March last, 1841, and while the preceding 

 part of the present volume was going through the press, I 

 received a letter from the Rev. J. Newsam, of Redcar, on 

 the Yorkshire coast, informing me that a specimen of the 

 Argentine had been found by one of his children amongst 



