FISHES OBSERVED IN PUBBECK. 47 



List of Fishes hitherto observed in the Isle ofPurhech 



It must not be thought that this list is intended to be a perfect 

 list of the Fishes of the Island. My observations have extended 

 over too short a space of time to enable me to produce such a list, 

 and that time has been marked by an unusual scarcity of several 

 sorts of fish. It will be seen that several genera are not so fairly 

 represented as we might expect on comparing this list with that 

 of the fish taken on the somewhat similar coast of Cornwall. For 

 instance, we ought to have more Gurnards, Blennies, Bream, 

 another Grey Mullet, another Goby, more "Wrasse, Rays, and 

 Hounds. I hope, however, during the present year, if the season 

 be favourable, to be enabled to reduce greatly this list of ab- 

 sentees. To assist me in this, may I request the Members of the 

 Society, or any who take an interest in the Natural History of 

 our Island, and who live on our sea coast, to send me notices of 

 any fish that may be taken, which is not perfectly well known 

 to the fishermen, or not included in this present list. 



I have admitted none, but those the occurrence of which is 

 well authenticated. Most of the Salt-water Species I have either 

 taken or seen myself; and for the notices of the Fresh-water, 

 and the rest of the Salt-water kinds, I am indebted to the Rev. 

 J. M. Colson, who during his residence at Swanage, has been 

 fortunate in seeing several rare visitors: he has also kindly 

 looked over this list, and compared it with his own experiences 

 as a fisherman. 



I have adopted the names and classification used by Mr. 

 Yarrell, and the figures refer to the 2nd edition (1841) of his 

 "British Fishes." 



