22 



THE BERGYLT. 



Acanthopteri. Sclerogenidce. 



The Bergylt (Sehastes Xorwegicus, Perca marina, La- 

 cepede), or Norway Haddock. This fish is much hke a 

 large perch, of a blood-red colour. They are believed to 

 live together iii considerable numbers on stony ground at 

 the enormous depth of from one lmndi*ed to one hundi-ed 

 and fifty fathoms. Mr. Couch states : '' The young are 

 produced in June, and it is supposed fi'om good evidence 

 that they proceed fL'om the mother alive, and it is con- 

 fidently believed by the fishermen that they continue to 

 accompany the mother for some considerable time." 



In May, 18G7, Mr. Grove, of Charing Cross, kindly 

 forwarded me some specimens of the bergylt. A box of 

 these fish had been offered for sale in Billingsgate 

 market, but no one knew anytiiing about them, or fi-om 

 wiience they were brought. 



i;lack fish. 



The Black Fish (CoitrolopJuis jjompilus), an inhabitant 

 of the Mediterranean, has been only four or fi^ve times 

 seen on our coast. The colour is wholly black — the 

 fins intensely so, the abdomen being somewhat lighter, 



Mr. Matthias Dunn, of Mevagissey, Cornwall, thus 

 writes in Land and Water, June 29, 1S72, respecting 

 this fish : " A black fish was landed here this morning ; 



