230 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



some seasons numbers are taken off Dunbar, and sent to 

 the different markets for sale. 



Scarcely a summer passes but that a few are found at 

 the different fishing stations in the Firth of Forth, and oc- 

 casionally of large size. A specimen was taken in the Hope- 

 toun salmon nets, in June 1835, which measured twenty- 

 three inches in length, although the common size is about 

 a foot. 



Mugil chelo is distinguished from M. capita, in the oper- 

 culum being smaller ; the upper lip thicker ; the suborbi- 

 tal larger, and nearly even at its inferior margin ; which in 

 M. capita is small and rounded at the end. 



If we refer to Mr Yarrell's figure of M. capita, we shall find 

 M. chela to differ in other respects. The base of the fourth ray 

 of the first dorsal fin in M. chela is placed exactly half-way be- 

 tween the point of the lip and the base of the middle caudal 

 ray ; whereas the base of the same ray in M. capita, is placed 

 exactly mid-way between the point of the lip, and the end 

 of the middle caudal ray. 



The fish from which the above description is taken, agrees 

 in every respect with the figure Mr Yarrell has given of 

 Mugil chela. 



Genus AT H ERIN A. — Body with a broad silvery band 

 along each side ; first dorsal fin with four rays. 



Athekika presbyter.* — The Sand-Smelt. 



Description. — From a specimen five inches in length. Body ra- 

 ther elongated ; sides slightly compressed ; head, from the point of 

 the upper jaw to the posterior border of the operculum, one-fifth of 

 the whole length, caudal fin not included. Colour of the back and 

 sides pellucid greyish-white ; belly yellowish-white ; sides marked 



" Atherina presbyter, Cuv., Yar., Jen. Atherina hepsetus. Pen., Flem., 

 Don. Sand-smelt, Atherine. 



