20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Politically the faunal area described includes the entire 

 county of Dumfries, and the two counties of Kirkcudbright 

 and Wigton — the two last named together forming the 

 modern Province of Galloway. With the exception of the 

 Esk and Nith, the river systems are connected with 

 numerous lochs, some of them of considerable size. There 

 are comparatively few places of high angling repute, but 

 many a capital spot is known only to a favoured few, while 

 others again are strictly preserved for private use. 



As stated at the outset, the following Catalogue is 

 intended as a mere outline of the subject, and is only a 

 condensed compilation of what I have gleaned casually in 

 matters which hitherto I have not made a special study. But 

 enough is given to show that as compared with other Scottish 

 districts, " Solway " is peculiarly rich in species, and there 

 is little doubt there are one or two additional species to be 

 found yet. 



Perea fluviatilis, Linn. — The Perch. — Abundant throughout the 

 entire area in almost every loch and in all the rivers. Copland 

 of Collieston is said to have introduced Perch into Loch Ken 

 and adjacent waters in 1750 ("Statistical Ace." p. 193, 1845). 



[Cottus gobio, L. — The Miller's Thumb. — Ought to occur, 

 and doubtless does so, but I have never seen it, nor do I 

 know of any reference to its occurrence here.] 



Gobius minutus, Gm. — Little Goby. — I have found this species 

 in merse pools of clear fresh water, both on the coast and up 

 the river banks, but it probably requires to be reached by the 

 tide occasionally. 



Mugil septentrionalis, Giinth. — Northern Grey Mullet. — A 

 good many Grey Mullets are annually caught at the mouth of 

 the Dee. The species is also caught inside the entrance to 

 most of the other rivers. Those I have examined have all 

 belonged to this species, but Mr. J. J. Armistead, the well- 

 known pisciculturist, informs me he has seen specimens he 

 considers to be Mugil capita (Cuv.) 



Gastrosteus aeuleatus, Linn. — Stickleback. — Everywhere com- 

 mon in suitable localities. In June 1888 I found specimens 

 of this fish spawning amongst seaweeds in a rock pool off the 

 Castle Point at the mouth of the Urr. The pool was only a 

 short distance above low- water mark, and no fresh water 

 except rain could ever enter it. I have not gone into the 



