GEN. AMMODYTES. SAND-LAUNCE. 271 



proper distinctions have been pointed out by natu- 

 ralists. The first is 



(Sp. 201.) A. ToUanus. The Sand-eel, Homer, or 

 Homels. This is much the larger of the two, usually 

 measuring from ten to fifteen inches. It is, how- 

 ever, comparatively rare, as scores of the Common 

 Lannce, or smaller Sand-eel, may readily be procured 

 for every individual of this species. They are occa- 

 sionally observed swimming about near the shore, 

 and have been caught with a bait. But they usually 

 bury themselves in the moist sand after the retiring 

 of the tide, to a depth of from four to six inches. 

 They have been found on most of our shores whero 

 the beach is composed of fine sand, and in the Firth 

 of Forth are not unfrequent. We have never seen 

 the Common Launce dug for to any extent near 

 Portobello or on the northern shores of the Forth, 

 without a good many Homers (as they are here in- 

 variably called) being at the same time procured. 

 They are brought to the Edinburgh market and 

 sold by the dozen, their flesh being esteemed verj 

 palatable. Dr. Parnell says they shed their spawn 

 in September. 



(Sp. 202.) A. lancea. Sand-launce, or Common 

 Sand-eel. This well known fish is much smaller 

 than the preceding, scarcely ever exceeding seven or 

 eight inches, and being more frequently under six ; 

 but a more satisfactory means of discrimination will 

 be found in the dorsal fin commencing in a line over 

 the middle of the pectorals, whereas in A . Tohianus 

 the dorsal commences on a line with the hinder ex- 



