i;iO THE FISHES OF BANFFSHIRE. 



The Greenland Shark. {Scymnus borealis.) In May 1849, a large 

 specimen of the above Shark was captured by some fishermen belonging 

 to Pennan, off Troup-head. When brought on shore, it measured thir- 

 teen feet nine inches in length, and eleven feet in circumference where 

 thickest. 



The Spinous Shark. (Echinorhinus spinosus) Being down towards Gamrie- 

 head, on the first of January 1851, my attention was arrested by the scream- 

 ing of a number of sea gulls beneath me ; and on looking over to the foot of 

 the cliff's, I saw them quarrelling and fighting over a large object floating in 

 the water, close to the rocks. I stood a few moments, contemplating the 

 scene. But having been of a curious turn all my life, I could not bear the 

 suspense long, and accordingly descended to see what they were battling so 

 fiercely about, hoping also to come in for a share, if it were any thing very 

 fine. After a rough and rugged descent, which occupied the greater part of 

 the day, and in accomplishing which I was teriibly cut up, I found the 

 object of their solicitude and my curiosity to be the remains of a large 

 Shai'k of the above species. On mentioning the circumstance to a friend, a 

 few days afterwards, he expressed his belief that it was the first instance of 

 the animal's appearance in the Scottish seas. Be this as it may, it is the 

 only instance with which I have met, and our fishermen do not know it by 

 the description I have given them. 



The Angel-fish, (Squatina vulfjaris,) or as it is here called, (like the 

 Angler,) the Sea-devil, is sometimes procured. A large specimen was cast 

 into our harbour, during the winter of 1851. 



The Cramp-fish, or Electric Ray. {Torpedo vulgaris ) A specimen of this 

 fish is said to have been taken about six miles off Loggie-head, near CuUen, 

 in 1817. Others, also, are hinted at, as having been caught. 



The Sharp-nosed Skate. {Raia oxyrJiynohus) Large individuals of this 

 species are sometimes taken, with the more frequent of our Rays. One 

 measuring upwards of seven feet in length, and over five in breadth, was 

 captured by our fishermen about twenty years ago. 



The Flapper Skate. {R. intermedia.) I have some doubts as to this Ray 

 having oefturred here. I may state, however, that a small Skate, agreeing in 

 many essential points with the flapper, was taken, in a bag net set for 

 salmon, about nineteen years ago, and said to be a young one of the above 

 species, and as such I have included it here. 



The Blue or Gray Skate, {R. batis,) and the Thoi-nback. [R. clavata.) 

 Taken, occasionally, in great numbers ; the former being the most numerous 

 and the most prized. 



The Starry Ray. {R. radiata) This small species is picked up now and 

 then. 



The Lamprey, or as it is called here, the Lamper Eel, {Petromyzon mari- 

 nus,) is often met ^vith. 



