4 BERGYLT. 



and Dr. George Johnston observed it in the neighbourhood 

 of Berwick. Mr. Gregor informs me of an example of one 

 caught near Macduff, and another on the Morayshire coast. 



In the north of Ireland it appears to be of even more 

 frequent occurrence than in Scotland or England; or at least 

 it has been more frequently observed there by naturalists; and 

 the following account, which we extract from the Proceedings 

 of the Natural History Society of Dublin for the Session 

 1856-7, will add several particulars to what was before known 

 of its history: — "The first record of this addition to the 

 ichthyology of Ireland was made by Mr. Andrews, Honorary 

 Secretary, at a meeting of the Society held on the 4th. of May, 

 1849. Two fine specimens of the fish were taken in the month 

 of March last, on the long lines set for Ling, in deep water 

 off the Wild Bank, Dingle Bay, and brought in by canoe men 

 in the employment of the Royal Irish Fisheries Company. 

 Several specimens have since been taken in the same bay, and 

 in the summer of 1850 two were taken, in eighty-one fathoms, 

 off the Blasket Islands, coast of Kerry, on long lines set for 

 Cod; one of which Mr. Andrews had for some hours alive in 

 a tub of sea- water. 



The Sebastcs is an exceedingly active fish, voracious, and 

 apparently of pugnacious habits. In the recent state its colour 

 is very vivid, of a beautiful vermilion, the shades dark on 

 the back, assuming a lighter tinge on the sides, and passing 

 into a silvery white on the belly. The pectoral fins are large, 

 of a bright red colour, as is also the caudal fin, the fins 

 terminating in filaments. Mr. Gregor's specimen was yellow. 

 The eyes were very brilliant, particularly large, and prominent. 

 It is nearly connected with the Serrani in the ovate body, 

 obtuse head, large eyes, and formation of the jaw; the jaws, 

 head, and body being covered with rough scales. In the 

 Faroe Islands it is very frequently taken in deep water when 

 fishing for Cod; where it is termed Kongafisshur and the lied 

 Perch." 



In addition to the particulars given above from Irish authority, 

 it is with pleasure I am able to add others of interest, which 

 have been communicated to me by the kindness of W. 

 Wheelwright, Esq., on Swedish authority; with the observation 

 however, that the fish referred to as a variety, (and which 



