THE FISHES OF THE FRITH OF FORTH. j^q 



by Dr Neill, in the first volume of the Wemerian Memoirs in 1805. In that 

 catalogue seventy-six species are enumerated. In the list now presented to the 

 Society, one hundred and twenty-tliree species are mentioned, about forty of which 

 have been added by myself from personal observation : three of these have not 

 been described before as fishes of Scotland, and two are new to the British 

 Fauna. Three species are noticed by Dr Neill as being found in the Frith of 

 Forth, viz. Miigil cephalus* Squalus maximus, and Raia oxyrhynchus, which I have 

 not yet met with ; besides one noticed by Mi- Charles Stewart, the Scomber 

 Pelamys, and one, the Syngnathus cequm'eus, mentioned by Sir Robert Sibbald ; 

 and I have no doubt but that other species would be found, were attention di- 

 rected to this pursuit in the proper seasons at the different fishing-stations of the 

 Frith. 



The following list therefore is not given as complete ; yet it may serve to 

 aid future inquirers as supplying a record of the observed species up to the pre- 

 sent period. 



The observations I intend to offer on the great family of the Salmonid*, a 

 tribe of fishes important in so many respects, I postpone for the present, till fur- 

 ther investigation enable me to give more definite inforaiation in regard to the 

 species and then- habits. 



A List of the Fishes found in the Frith of Forth and its Tributary Streams, with 



Observations. 



Perca fluviatilis, Yarrell, vol. i. — Perch. Frequent in lochs in the neigh- 

 l)oiu-hood of Edinburgh ; occasionally found in the Forth above AUoa. 



Labrax lupus, Yai'r. vol. i. — Basse or Sea Perch. Occasionally taken in the 

 salmon-nets along with the thick-lipped grey muUet. Not common. 



Trachinus vipera, Yarr. — Sting-fish or Adder-pike. Taken on Musselbm'gh 

 Sands. Rare. Found by Mr Stark at Portobello in 1831. Some authors state 

 that " they grow to the length of a foot." The oldest fisherman in the Solway 

 Frith (where these fish are in great abundance) never saw or heard of one more 

 than six inches long. 



Trigla cuculus, Yarr. — Red Gurnard or Crooner. Rai'e. 



Trigla hinindo, Yarr. — Tub Gurnard. Rare. 



Trigla gurnardus, Yarr. Grey Gmiiard or Crooner. Common ; taken prin- 

 cipally with the hook. 



Trigla Blochii, Yarr. — Bloch's Gm-nard. Common in the month of August. 

 May not this species prove to be the young of the Grey Gurnard ?) 



Cottus scorpius, Yarr. — Shoi't-spined Bull-head. Common in pools left by 

 the receding of the tide. 



* I am informed by Dr Neill that it is the Mugil cepkalis of Donovan, now supposed to be the 

 Mugil capita of Cuvier. 



