Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland. 353 



of them were alive when I saw them, though none had been 

 less than three hours out of the water ; they were from 1 6 to 

 20 inches in length. On the 27th and 2Sth larger fish were 

 captured; several of equal length — 2 feet — that I had weighed, 

 were 5\, 6, 6J, 7 and 8 lbs., thus showing that the weight is 

 rather a consequence of depth than length : all were equally 

 firm and solid. About the 1st of May this year the greatest 

 number occurred ; in one net 7 cwt. were procured at a single 

 draught, and on the same night about 9 cwt. by another boat. 

 They were sold at 4d. per pound to the fish-vendors in the 

 market, and retailed at 6d. ; at these rates they have been 

 throughout the season. The best fish brought in by the one 

 boat weighed 7 lbs., by the other 11 lbs. 12 oz., being the 

 largest example obtained this year. 



In 1S36 the first mullet were taken on the 18th of March. 

 The greatest quantity obtained any night during this year 

 was on the 11th of April, when 2 cwt. was procured by one 

 boat, and at the same time upwards of 2~ cwt. by another. 

 On the 13th of May many fine fish were taken ; one which I 

 weighed was 8^ lbs., and several more, judging from appear- 

 ance, were not less ; these were about 2 feet long, and some 

 individuals, apparently not heavier, were somewhat above this 

 length. On the 12th of August a quantity was taken. On 

 September the 13th I saw a few specimens about 9 inches long, 

 on the 16th many of ordinary size, and on the 22nd several 

 about a foot in length. With reference to the small fish, it 

 must be remarked, that individuals of herring- size form part 

 of the shoals in spring, but in the set-nets used at that period 

 none under 2 lbs. are " meshed." The smaller ones are all 

 taken in draught nets, employed at a latev period of the year. 

 The largest fish obtained this season weighed 1 2\ lbs. They 

 were sold regularly at the same prices, wholesale and retail, as 

 in 1835. 



Towards the end of July, 1837, 1 on different occasions saw 

 specimens about a foot in length, which were taken in the river 

 Lagan, and with them, young herrings (C Harengas), from 

 4 to 5 inches long, were captured. The greatest quantity of 

 mullet secured this year at one draught was ninety-two fish, 

 weighing 3 cwt. : they were obtained on the 10th of August. 



Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. No. 5. July 1838. 2 a 



