■82 NEW ESSEX MARINE FISHES. 



Molva vulgaris, Flem. Ling. — Mr. Fitch writes that his 

 informant, G. Gibson, has seen several Thames examples 9 to 

 12 inches long, during the winter and spring months, and one 

 was obtained in the trawl below Southend Pier on April ist, 

 1897. It measured one foot in length, and contained in its 

 stomach a rockling half as big as itself. 



Hippoglossus vulgaris, Flem. Holibut. — This was 

 recorded from Fowlness by Mr. H. L. INIatthams in Essex 

 Nat, X., 292. Dr. Laver adds that another about five feet long 

 was reported to have been captured about 30 years ago. 



Family PLEURONECTID^. 



Hippoglossus limandoides, Bloch. Long Rough Dab. — 

 Mr. Fitch says that specimens of this fish have been taken in 

 the Blackwater in the spring. 



Zeugopterus unimaculatus, Risso. Eckstrcim's Topknot. 

 — Occasionally taken, but very rare. 



Z. punctatus, Bloch. Miiller's or Common Topknot. — As an 

 Essex fish, is very rare. Mr. Fitch says that one was caught in 

 the Blackwater, September 6th, 1900. Another in the Crouch, 

 November 6th, 1900. And as both these were considered by the 

 fishermen to be young brill, it is probable that the species may 

 be not uncommon, although seldom recognised. 



Arnoglossus laterna, Walb. Scaldfish or Megrim. — Dr. 

 Laver was informed by ]\Ir. Fitch that one of these fish was 

 caught in a trawl, near the Chapman Light, on April 21st, 1900. 

 It measured five inches long. 



Pleuronectes cynoglossus, Linn. Pole, Craig Fluke, or 

 Long Flounder. — Very rare. Mr. Fitch writes that he has a 

 specimen from the Blackwater. 



The List of Essex Fishes will now stand as follows : — 



Records in Dr. Laver's book ^Marine Fishes 85, less the large-headed 



cod, a variety of the common cod . . . . . . 84 



Add the species recorded above . . . . . . . . 10 



Fresh-water fishes, 28, less the sheat-fish and gold-fish, both 



introductions, and the azurine, a variety of the rudd . . 25 



119 



But as the Lampreys, three in number in Essex, are now 

 generally removed from the Pisces to form the Class 



