of the FisJury Board for Scotland. 539 



X.— ICHTHYOLOG IC A L NOTES. 

 By Dr. T. Wemyss Fulton, Scientific Superintendent. 

 The Anchovy {Engraulis encrasicholus, L.). 



On 18th October two anchovies were taken in the small-meshed net 

 around the otter- trawl in Aberdeen Bay in 16 fathoms; they measured 

 130 and 144 mm. On the 28th November other three were taken in 

 the small-meshed net in 68 fathoms, nine miles south-east by ea&t of 

 Aberdeen; their length was 122, 127, and 130 mm. No specimens 

 were procured in any of the other hauls during the year, or in the 

 previous year. On 28th January 1902 a specimen was caught in a 

 herring-net, in fouiteen fathoms of water, oft' Buckhaven in the Firth 

 of Forth, and forwarded to me by Mr. James Robertson, fisherman, 

 who recognised it from the sketch of the outline of an anchovy which 

 accompanied a circular sent to the Fishery Officers around the coast 

 after the specimens at Aberdeen wei'e taken. It was the only speci- 

 men received. 



The anchovy appears to be a rare visitor to Scottish waters. In the 

 winter of 1889-90, however, a number of specimens were captured at 

 various parts of the coast, both the East Coast and the West Coast ; the 

 largest sent to me at that time measvu'ed 5| inches (140 mm.).* 



It is of interest to note in this connection that the anchovy fishing 

 on the Dutch coast (Zuiderzee) in 1889 was one of the smallest on 

 record (1600 ankers), while in 1890 it was the largest recorded (190,000 

 ankers), t Last year, I believe, the fishery was also exceptionally pro- 

 ductive. It is carried on in the spiing. 



Couch's Whiting (Gadus jwutassoic, Risso), 



In last year's Report I recorded specimens of this species from the 

 deep water ofi'the Shetlands. In January 1902, I received a specimen 

 from Mr. C. L. Barrett, which was caught in a net in the Fiith of 

 Forth, ofT Kincardine, on the 8th of that month. It was 214 mm. 

 (8^ inches) in length. It does not appear to have been previously 

 recorded from the Forth. X 



The Norway Pout (Gadus esmarkii, Nilsson). 



Numerous specimens of this species were lecorded in last year's 

 Report from the deep water oft' the Shetlands, oft' Aberdeen Bay, the 

 Moray Firth, and the Firth of Forth. Additional localities are the 

 deep water (85 fathoms) oflf Kinnaird Head where a number of speci- 

 mens were taken on 4th July, and Lunan Bay, near Montrose, where 

 three specimens, 143, 144, and 148 mm., Avere taken in 12| fathoms on 

 28th June. 



The Silvery Pout {Gadus (Gadicidus) argenteus (Guich.) ). 



Specimens of this species were i-ecorded in last year's Report from the 

 deep water oft' the Shetlands. On 21st August a .single specimen was 

 taken in the small-meshed net in 58 fathoms, about ten miles oft* Aber- 



* Eighth Animal Report, Part Hi., p. 361. 



t Vnslwj ran dm Staat dir X>derl. Zt'crtsfrheriieii, oni- 1900, p. 192. 

 :;: Cf. ParncU, Fishes of the Firth of Forth; W. Eagle Clarke, .4 »«. Scot. A'at. Hid, 

 January, October, 1900. 



