110 



FAUNISTIO NOTES. 



Phocaena communis (F. Cnv.) — The porpoise has been common 

 off the mouth of the Tyne during the present salmon season (1921). 

 The fishermen complain strongly of their numbers and their effects 

 on fishing operations, and urge that steps should be taken to 

 destroy them. On June 10th a female, 5 feet 8 inches in length, 

 was caught in the salmon nets of a Cullercoats boat. When it 

 was hauled into the coble it was observed that a young one 

 was in the vicinity, and persisted in accompanjdng the boat. 

 It was captured and was found to be a male measuring 2 feet 

 9 inches in length and weighing 25 lbs 4 ozs., and from the 

 distinct scar of the umbilical cord it was evidently born this season. 

 The mother was larger than the females examined in 1917 (Jour, 

 of Anat., v. 52, p. 187), and the generative organs bear evidence 

 of the recent birth. It was observed that when landed from the 

 coble, milk spurted from the mother's teats to a distance of about 

 a yard and a half. The stomach was empty. 



A.M. 



Acipenser sturio, Linn. — A sturgeon was caught off the coast 

 on February 2nd, 1921. It was a female weighing 240 lbs., and 

 the eggs were nearly mature, measuring on the average 1-9 mm. 

 Others were reported, but were not seen by us. 



A.M. 



Rliina squatina, (Linn.) — A male, 130 cm. in length, was 

 landed 26th April of this year by the trawler " St. LaAvrence," 

 which had been fishing for six days in local waters, from the mouth 

 of the Tyne to 60 miles E.N.E. 



B. S. 



Pelromyzon marinus, Linn. — A large lamprey, 31 inches long, 

 attached itself to a coble fishing off Tynemouth pier, 29th February, 



