118 STTBLm NATURAL HISTOBY SOCIETY. 



species of an adult Hemiramphus had been recorded as found in the Euro- 

 pean seas. In the absence, therefore, of more confirmed information, he pro- 

 posed the species to be distinguished as the "Hemiramphus Europaus." The 

 genus Hemiramphus, of which there are several species, is only known in the 

 seas of hot climates, where it is met in both hemispheres. It is characterized by 

 the peculiarity of having the upper jaw extremely short; this, as well as the 

 lower jaw, is furnished with minute teeth, but the symphysis of the lower jaw is 

 extended into a long point, or half-beak, destitute of teeth — the scales are large 

 and round; in other respects it resembles, in the formation, viscera, position of 

 the fins, the common gar-fish of our coasts (Esox belone), of which family of the 

 *' Esocidae," the Hemiramphus forms a sub-genus. The Hemiramphus Brasili- 

 ensis, to which the Cornish specimens were supposed to be allied, is a native of 

 the American seas ; Mr. Swainson, who had the opportunity of examination in 

 the recent state, observes that on both sides of the lower jaw is a thin membra- 

 naceous fringe or skin, very delicate, and which is half the breadth of the jaw 

 itself; its uses, or the mode of the fish securing its food, with a mouth of a 

 structure so different from all other fishes, remain unknown. When in Dingle, 

 in the month of October, 1849, a seine had been used for the taking of sand- 

 smelts, anil I recollected to have noticed, brought in by the net, what I then 

 supposed to be the young of the gar-fish, with the upper jaw but partially deve- 

 loped. Since then, on reference to several writers on Ichthyology, I was led to 

 notice the importance placed by them on the abrupt termination of the upper 

 jaw, when compared with the extended and lengthened point which formed the 

 lower. Again visiting Dingle in the month of June, 1850, I at that season ob- 

 served immense numbers of the gar-fish (Esox belone), in the harbour ; and of 

 a fine or calm day they might be noticed in shoals, pursuing, at the surface of 

 the water, the fry of the sprat (Clupea sprattus), that were then in myriads in 

 the harbour. Large quantities of the gar-fish were at that time taken by our 

 Dingle men in the seine, and they were eagerly bought by the fishermen for 

 bait, their firmness and brilliancy of colour being exceedingly choice for bait. 

 Multitudes, however, escaped by throwing themselves over the head or back 

 rope of the net, or by forcing through the meshes. The gar-fish were of large 

 size, and evidently at that season came into the harbour for the purpose of 

 spawning, and also feeding on the fry of other fish. Numbers that were taken 

 had the ova fully developed ; others had apparently spawned ; but I could not 

 at that time obtain any of the young. In October last specimens of the young 

 of the gar-fish were sent to me from Dingle, taken in the seine, and from the 

 characteristics these presented, with the young state of those that I had before 

 noticed, satisfied me that the Hemiramphus of the Cornish and Suffolk coasts 

 were no other than the young of the common gar-fish. In the very young state 

 of the Esox belone, the upper jaw is scarcely developed, while the lower jaw is 

 much prolonged, the symphysis extending to a considerable length, but without 

 teeth. As it attains size and age, the intermaxillaries of the upper jaw become 

 more elongated, furnished with minute teeth, and, when closed, the upper lies in 

 a groove in the lower jaw, which, to the same extent as the upper, is also fur- 

 nished with minute teeth. The growth of the upper jaw increases until in the 

 adult fish it nearly equals in length that of the lower jaw. What is the cause 

 that in the young state renders necessary the gradual development of the 

 upper jaw, is a mystery. The young fry may certainly be seen rippling the 

 smooth water in pursuit of food, and, as it were, skimming the animalculae that 

 float there. Mr. Andrews exhibited the young of the gar-fish, showing the 



f>artial development of the upper jaw, while the lower jaw was considerably 

 engthened. The lower jaw was only furnished with teeth to the extent of the' 

 length of the upper jaw. 



Mr. Andrews also exhibited and made remarks on a fish of very rare occur- 

 rence, the lesser forked-beard (Raniceps trifurcatus) which, as far as he was 

 aware, was the first record of its having been taken on the Irish coast. It was 

 taken in deep water, in Dingle Bay, on a long line set for cod-fish. Much con- 



