SOMERSETSHIRE FAUNA. 103 
Rep BanDrisH is rare ; a few have been taken in the 
estuary of the Parret. I once met with two specimens 
on the first of February, one sixteen inches long, with 
ripe roe, the other eight inches long, a male, with full 
milt. A few days later another female was brought to 
me, the ovarıum of which was empty. The season of 
spawning is marked by this circumstance, and is probably 
the cause of their visiting our coast. 
GREY MULLET is plentiful on the Somersetshire coast 
in summer. Many ascend the Parret beyond the reach of 
tide water, probably to spawn, as the fry of this species 
are found in the tributaries of the river in autumn. 
GATTORUGINOUS BLENNY is often taken in the estuary 
ofthe Parret, in February and March. It probably comes 
to spawn, as the roe is then ripe. It is beautifully 
coloured and an interesting fish. 
SPOoTTED GoBY is sometimes plentiful in the clay pits 
about Bridgwater, Tide water occasionally enters these 
pits. 
GEMMEOUS DRrAGoNET. Not uncommon. The bril- 
liant colours which so curiously adorn these fish, I have 
found transferred to damp eloths in which I have wrapt 
them for a few hours, until Icould deliberately examine 
them. 
The ANnGLER is not uncommon in Bridgwater Bay. 
Specimens of small size are often brought to market with 
other fish, but unintentionally, for at any age they are 
anything but tempting subjects for the fish-stall. "The re- 
pulsive form of the Angler is expressed by some of its local 
names. I have had it brought from the estuary of the 
Parret weighing eighty pounds, with the ovarium empty. 
The eurious apparatus on the head, which gives it its 
most amiable name, is described in Yarrell’s “ History of 
