66 J. D. Marsuauu on the Statistics and 
bers, during the summer months; it is said to be very mischievous, and not unfre- 
quently to endanger boats. 
Froc-risH, ANGLER OR SEA-DEVIL. (Lophius piscatorius.) ‘This fish has been taken 
on the coast of Raghery. 
Skate. (Raia batis.) The skate is taken in deep water, in considerable numbers 
round the shores; and were it not for the prejudice entertained towards it by the 
islanders, might afford them, as in Scotland, Shetland, and other places, a nutritive 
article of food; but here they will eat the skate, only when nothing better can be had. 
When salted and well dried, it will keep for upwards of a twelvemonth. 
Lesser Doc-Fisu (Squalus catulus) is often caught on the long line, during sum- 
mer, and when captured, is valued by the natives for the oil which it affords. 
Concer-Eet. (Murena conger.) Conger eels are very abundant round all the 
coasts, and often take the bait on the long line. They furnish a small quantity of oil, 
but are never used as food in Raghery. 
Launce. (Ammodytes tobianus.) This little fish, commonly known by the name 
of sand-eel, is yery abundant round the island, and furnishes a favourite food to the 
different sea-fowl frequenting Raghery. Almost every sea-fowl I had an opportunity 
of examining, had the mouth and stomach filled with the fry of this fish ; and from 
the innumerable flocks of birds which reside here during summer, the quantity of fry 
devoured at this period must be quite incalculable. 
Cop-Fisu. (Gadus morhua.) This valuable fish was formerly very abundant 
round the shores of Rathlin, but of late years it has been but occasionally caught. 
The only cod bank near the island is called Skirnaw, and lies between Rathlin and 
Isla. The red cod-fish is much esteemed. : 
Coat-Fisu. (Gadus carbonarius.) This fish, known through all its stages, by the 
names of pickoc, blockan, glashan, and grey lord, was in former times a most abun- 
dant species in Rathlin, and furnished a cheap, wholesome, and nutritious food. In 
latter years, however, they have become scarce; and on an average, one fish may now 
be caught, where at least twenty were captured before. So numerous were they for- 
merly, that they could be taken by a common boat hook, or a pole armed with iron ; 
and in Church bay, they not unfrequently loaded a boat in this manner, and in a very 
short space of time. In Orkney, they were equally abundant, as Mr. Barry mentions 
that they were caught in myriads, and valued not only as articles of food, but for the 
quantity of oil furnished by the livers. 
Round the coast of the county of Antrim, they were taken in the following manner. 
At the ebb and flow of tide, two men rowed against the current, so that the boat con- 
tinued nearly stationary, the impulse of the oars counteracting the force of the stream. 
The hook was coarsely dressed with a goose feather thrown on the water, and greedily 
caught by the fishes, which were often so plentiful as literally to cover the surface of 
the water. 
