USE OF TKUMPET OF TKUMPET FISH. 



209 



lands, where it forms a consiclci-ablc article in the fish- 

 ing-trade. When on the Herring Inquiry, 1878, at 

 Lerwick, I obtained much valuahle information about 

 this fish. From Lerwick I have received a specimen, 

 a cast of which is now in my museum : it weighed 

 27lbs. Li external form it somewhat resembles the 

 burbolt of the Trent. 



THE TRUMPET FISH, OR SEA SNIPE 



Belongs to the pipe-mouthed family, Avhich is charac- 

 terised by a long tube, formed by the elongation of the 

 jaw-bones, at the extremity of which is placed the 

 mouth, which is small and without teeth. Its ordinary 

 size is from four to five inches in length. A few 

 specimens only of this singular-looking fish have been 

 taken in our seas. I have never seen a fresh specimen. 



TRUMPET OR SNIPE FISH {Ccntrlsciis scolojjhax) . 



It is common in the Mediterranean. The beak-like 

 mouth is admirably adapted for detaching minute 

 animals from the various sorts of sea-w^eeds, and the 

 form of the apparatus renders it probable that, by 

 dilating the throat, it can suck up food, as water is 

 drawn up through a syringe. This fish has a formidable 



