230 ICHTHYOLOGY OP BANFFSHIRE. 



and abundantly than in localities where there is no limestone. I have found 

 it in Dent Dale, not, however, confined to trees, but under the moss with 

 which the walls are covered. 



Pupa umhilicata^ Virtigo edentuJa, and Vilrina pellucida, are found nearer 

 the ground under the moss which climbs up the stems of the trees. 



Flounders Institute^ Ackworth^ near Pontefract, June 21s^., 1854. 



CONTKIBUTIOiS^S TO THE ICHTHYOLOGY 

 OF BANFFSHIRE. 



BY W. 



"Banffshire, a maritime county in the north-cast of Scotland, lying 

 between Lat. 57° 6', and 57° 42' north; and Long. 2° 15', and 3° 40' 

 west; and bounded on the north by the Moray Frith; east and south by 

 Aberdeenshire; and west by Morayshire, and part of Invernessshire. It has 

 an extent of six hundred and eighty-six square miles, or four hundred and 

 thirty-nine thousand two hundred and nineteen statute acres; its extent from 

 north to south being fifty miles, and from east to west thirty-two miles; its 

 average breadth not exceeding twelve miles." It is divided into two parts, 

 the upper and lower, separated by a range of hills. The upper part is very 

 hilly, rising to its greatest height in Cairngoram, four thousand and ninety- 

 five feet. 



When viewed from any of the hills in the lower district, it appears one 

 mass of heath-covered hills rising behind each other in endless succession, and 

 seeming to bid defiance to cultivation: but the scene changes on a nearer 

 approach. Between the hills lie fertile and highly-cultivated fields, with their 

 sides covered with trees in full luxuriance of growth; while others present a 

 beautiful intermixture of rocks and copse. The lower district is a fine open 

 country, of a rich, varied, deep, and well-cultivated soil, rising in some parts 

 into considerable hills, and finely diversified with plantations. It contains 

 many gentlemen's mansions besides Duff House, Cullen House, and the 

 princely Gordon Castle, all surrounded by extensive and beautifully laid-out 

 pleasure-grounds, affording a wide field for the student of Natural History. 



It has about thirty miles of sea-coast, low and sandy, towards the west, 

 at tke mouth of the Spey; but becoming high and rocky towards the east, 

 and terminating in the beetling cliffs of Gararie. 



Such an extent of hill and moor, of bog and field, of wood and water, 

 must offer a wide field of research; but, notwithstanding the great facilities 

 the county affords, it has never yet had the gift of one that has tried to 

 do justice to its 'Flora and Fauna.' To supply in some measure the deficiency, 

 I have had the boldness to begin with its Fishes, hoping that others may 

 supply what I have omitted. 



Lesser Weever, (Tracbinus vipera.) — Not abundant: one was procured a 



