^14 Idetitity of the Deal Fish of Orkney 



34 



well as on former occasions; and that he has seen some 

 of double the size of the one sent me. On the whole, how- 

 ever, they are of rare occurrence. There appears to me to 

 be some singularity also in the structure of the head ; but, as 

 that part was a good deal decayed, I cannot epeak with much 

 certainty. There is a process connected with the upper jaw, 

 about 2J in. long, which appears to lie in the groove in the 

 top of the head, before mentioned ; but when the mouth is 

 shut it is elevated at an angle represented in the pencil 

 sketch. The skeleton is cartilaginous." 



In reply to this communication, I stated it as my opinion 

 that the fish referred to was the Vaagmaer, or Gymnogaster 

 arcticus of Brunich and the Regne Animal of Cuvier, 1st edit, 

 ii. 246. ; and requested, at the same time, additional illustra- 

 tions of several of the particulars mentioned in the preceding 

 description. I was favoured with another letter, dated Octo- 

 ber 19. 1829, containing the following particulars: — 



"Since receiving your obliging letter of the 8th of May, 

 my exertions have been used to procure a specimen of the 

 fish which was the subject of my last communication ; and, 

 through the kindness of Mr. Strang of Sanday, I have at length 

 succeeded in getting a dried one ; which, though somewhat 

 imperfect, may be of use to you in clearing up any doubt 

 which you may have as to its nature. I have no doubt that 

 the dorsal fin had originally been continuous from head to 

 tail, though it was broken into fragments when I saw it; but 

 I thought it unsafe to deviate from its then existing state. 

 The bony process, however, attached to the snout, had 

 assuredly no connection with the dorsal fin ; but the head 

 being in a mutilated state, my account of this rested in some 

 measure on the authority of Mr. Strang, who had seen the 

 animal alive. I am afraid the present specimen will not 

 contribute much to the elucidation of this point. The 

 triangular cavity or furrow, however, on the top of the head 

 may still be seen. I have no doubt my statement was errone-!- 

 ous as to the bones being cartilaginous, having used the term 

 in reference merely to their appearance, and to the fact of 

 their being easily cut with the knife. I may mention, also, 



