PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 29 



estuaries. The several 6pecies of Motella, the three, four, and five-bearded rocklings, 

 are frequent in Dingle and Ventry harbours, and I have taken in a boat trawl in 

 Ventry, the mackerel midge, the beautiful little Motella glauca. Of the Pleuro- 

 nectidae, many in the young state are to be met with in the harbours. In the summer 

 months, the French or lemon sole (Soleapogusa), and the variegated sole (Monochirus 

 variegatus), are not uncommon in Ventry harbour. The Cyclopteridae, or suckers, 

 are many of them frequent ; the Cyclopterius lumpus has been taken of large size 

 in Castlemaine harbour, sometimes frequenting the salmon weirs. In some speci- 

 mens the belly is of a rich azure. The Cornish sucker (Lepidogalter cornubiensis), has 

 been taken at low water, attached to the stones in Smerwick harbour, its light tinge 

 of carmine hue attracting attention. All the known British species of the pipe 

 fishes (Sygnathidse) I have obtained on the south west coast ; some are beautifully 

 and vividly marked in the living state, and their singular marsupial habits would 

 render observance of their movements and peculiarities interesting. The deep- 

 nosed pipe fish (Sygnathus typhle) I met rather abundantly in the spring months in 

 Dingle harbour, and the Oquoreal pipe fish (Acestra oquorea) more frequent during 

 summer. The Hippocampus brevirostris, short-nosed sea-horse, has been taken at 

 low water in Smerwick, adhering in its peculiar manner to the rigid stems of cisto- 

 seira. Fish, like the gay plumage of our birds, assume their gaudiest tints in the 

 bridal season, and this is remarkably seen in the Sygnathidae, in the Cottidas, and 

 in the Gobies. Skates and rays, and the singular homey pouches containing the 

 young, are met in all the harbours ; but sufficient has been said of the interest that 

 exists to the naturalist, and which a dredge and a small boat-sean can always com- 

 mand the capture of. To follow out more closely such investigations, how interest- 

 ing would be the experiments resulting from daily examination of the habits of 

 these different fish placed in those large tanks, with shingly and sandy beds, rock, 

 and with sea plants and confervas, to please their habits and tastes. Thus, beautiful 

 fields of interest are laid open to the astonishment of the admirers of nature's works, 

 and the hidden mysteries of the tenants of the deep, unveiled and unravelled to 

 physiological science. In the large cisterns of the vivaria at the Zoological Gar- 

 dens, I have watched with interest the perfect lifelessness of the pike and the perch 

 — they appeared like beautifully varnished specimens suspended in the fluid — mo- 

 tionless and inanimate, and no perceptible pulsation of the operculi or gill covers. 

 Living in an element heavier than air, and suspended in a liquid of nearly the same 

 specific gravity as their own bodies, their forms are beautifully proportioned to offer 

 the least resistible force to progression, while the muscular powers of the tail in 

 some and of the pectoral fins in others are admirably adapted to rapid movements 

 of progression and of elevation. Fishes, of all vertebrated animals, are said to be 

 the least sensitive of emotions of pain or pleasure ; their organs or sensation 

 awaken no impressions ; rigid in countenance, and eyes almost immoveable, and 

 which no tears dim, nor eyelids protect, they seem, with all their beauty of form 

 and brilliancy of colour, mere automatons in sensibility, and mute as the silent 

 depths they inhabit. This in the fullest extent is not strictly accurate, for they 

 recognise the hand that feeds them, and follow apparently with joy and sportive 

 liveliness the movements of those that protect them. Mr. Andrews then alluded 

 to the great interest of the vivarium which some years had been formed and kept 

 up by Mr. Bland, of Derriquin Castle, Kenmare Bay. In an inlet, guarded by 

 reefs of rocks in Sneem harbour, a strong barrier of stones had been closely formed 

 across the entrance, out through which every tide flowed and ebbed, leaving a suffi- 

 ciency of water within. In this, mullet, whiting, bream, soles, and plaice suc- 

 ceeded best — haddock did also well, but gurnards became paler in colour. Whiting 

 became so tame as to feed out of the hand, and all assembled at the feeding time 

 at the appearance of the tray ; all seemed fond of potatoes. This singular charac- 

 ter is strikingly shown in the natatores, particularly in the mergansers and sheldrakes, 

 birds whose formation of bill appear only adapted to feed on the shellfish and soft mol- 

 lusca, their habitual diet. When tamed or domesticated they greedily eat potatoes, 

 altogether rejecting the food of their wild habits. Many admirable positions existed 

 on the west coast for the formation of extensive marine store ponds, and where turbot, 

 soles, haddock, cod, and lobsters could be securely stored, and made available in times 

 ■of scarcity and boisterous weather. Under such circumstances, the artificial 



