60 THE FISHES OF BANFFSHIHE. 



The Small-mouthed Wrasse. {Acantholahrtts exoletus.) Like the last, only 

 one specimen of this fish has, as yet, come under my notice, and that one 

 was cai^tured off Troup-Head. 



The Gold and Silver Carps, {Cyprinus auratus,) as they are termed, have 

 been introduced, and have thriven pretty well, as at Macduff, where they 

 have propagated to an amazing degree. 



The Minnow. (Leuciscus 2}hoxi7ius.) This pretty active little fish is to be 

 found in most of our streams. It is curious to see it stated in works on 

 Ichthyology', that this species is not to be met with north of the Dee, 

 Aberdeenshire. 



The Gar-fish, {Belone vulgaris,) or, as it is called here, ' The Greenbane,' 

 is by no means scarce, at certain seasons. 



The Saury Pike. (Scomberesox saurus.) Not so often met with as the last. 

 In fact, it must be termed rare. 



The Salmon. {Salmo salar.) This valuable and highly-prized fish is found 

 both along our coast and in our fresh waters. At one time, they were very 

 numerous in the Doveran. From a pot or liole which once existed a little 

 below the bridge which spans the river, at a little distance from the sea, and 

 not far from the town, as many as one hundred, and sometimes more, have 

 been taken at one haul. This was before stake and bag nets were so thickly 

 planted along our sea shore as they now are. 



The Bull, or Gray Trout [S. eriox.) Some large individuals of this species 

 are taken. 



The Salmon Trout. (S. trutta.) So diverse, as every Naturalist knows, 

 are the opinions entertained concerning this species, and so much has been 

 said on the subject, pro and con, that one is a good deal puzzled what to 

 believe. Each writer on the subject seems to be fully satisfied that he has 

 perfectly cleared up the points in dispute. But as these writers do not 

 all agree, there is still a mj'stery hanging over the matter. Here, at one 

 time, they were believed to be the young of the Salmon ; and the tacksman 

 gave orders that they should not be taken. Previously, they had been fished 

 for with small meshed nets, and sold as Trout, under the name of ' Phinock." 

 Time passed on, and the water beheld another tacksman, who differing from 

 his predecessor, gave orders that they should be again taken. Accordingly, 

 they are now annually fished for, and are once more sold as ' Sea Trout,' 

 ' White Trout,' and ' Phinock ;' the larger at threepence, and the smaller at 

 twopence per pound ; and always meet a very ready sale. 



The Common Trout. {S. fario.) In all our streams. These, also, are 

 taken, and sold with the last-mentioned. 



The Smelt, (Osmerus eperlanus.) Rare with us. 



The Herring. {Culpea harengus.) This species abounds along this coast, 

 toAvards the middle of summer, and the beginning of autumn. The fry of 

 this fish is met with nearly all the year round. 



