AND THE FISH THEREOF. 29 



Other forms frequent the sand-banks and zostera fields, such as Smarts 

 vulgaris, Sm. gracilis, Mcena vulgaris, Trachinus draco (the Great Weever) 

 and Belone acus (the Gar-Pike), more rarely the Spet {Sphyrcena vulgaris), the. 

 Scald-fish (Arnoglossus laterna), and several species of the Pipe, or Needle- 

 fishes {Syngnathus). 



Some migratory forms, especially the Clupeidce, represented chiefly by the 

 Anchovy and Pilchard (the Sardine of commerce), and a species peculiar 

 to the Mediterranean fauna, CI. papal iua, periodically appear on these 

 grounds. 



(b.) Squatters. — The Conger-eel {Conger vulgaris) lurks in holes and 

 crevices of the lower declivity. Where the declivity changes at no great 

 depth into flat loam-beds, or narrow channels, is the dwelling-place of the 

 flat-fish tribe, such as the Turbot {Rhombus maximus), the Italian Flounder 

 [Pleuronectes italic/ts), the Common Sole (Solca vulgaris), S. mouochir, 

 S. lascaris, S. lutea, and the British species, Bloch's Topknot (Phrynorhombus 

 unimaculatus). 



3. Forms of the deep-bed. — These are all squatters; the principal group 

 amongst which is that of the Gadidcz, or Cod tribe, a specifically northern 

 family, only few of the less valuable species of which appear in these waters, 

 such as the Poor, or Capelan (G. miuutus), the Whiting (G. merlaugus), the 

 Bib, or Whiting Pout (G. luscus), the Hake {Merlucius vulgaris), the three- 

 bearded Rockling (Motella vulgaris), all British species, which, with the 

 exception of the last-named rare species, form the chief produce of the 

 ground fisheries. 



Amongst these live shoals of the red Band-fish (Ccpola rubeseens), Star- 

 gazers (Uranoscopus scaber), and Serrauus hepatus, mostly imbedded in the 

 mud. whereas the Gadidce hover one or two feet above the bed. 



The Rays come next in order of importance. These are the Thornback 

 (Raja clavata), R. punctata, the Burton Skate (R. oxyrhyuchus), R. miraletus, 

 the Bordered Ray (A', marginata), the Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila 1 ), the 

 Sting Ray (Trygon pastinacd), Tr. brucco ; the Electric Ray (Torpedo 



1 This is rather one of the pelagic forms. 



