70 The Ling and KocJchngs. 



however as an occasional visitor in the Sussex waters (Merrifield). 

 Gr. Grilson has seen several Thames examples, 9 to 12 inches, 

 during winter and spring. One was obtained in the trawl below 

 the Southend pier on 1st April, 1897. It measured a foot long, 

 and contained in its stomach a rockling half as big as itself 

 (i,e , 6 inches). Besides being a scarce fish in our area, this 

 ling was interesting in its exhibiting a stage of development, 

 just prior to its assuming the more sombre fully adult dress. 

 But we must refer to Professor Mclntosh's descriptions of the 

 remarkable changes which this fish undergoes from its post- 

 larval condition onwards ; FIG. 10 being from his volume, by 

 favour. 



FIG. 10. 



Young Ling when it has assumed the barred stage ; about 6 inches 

 long. (After Mclntosh.) 



(14-15) The ROCKLINGS (genus Motdla) serve a useful 

 purpose as food for other more valuable fish. In a very young 

 stage they are known as the mackerel-midges by our Channel 

 fishermen. At times they shoal in myriads at the surface of the 

 sea. pursued unrelentlessly by the mackerel, &c.* As they grow 

 older they assume the appearance of the Blenny tribe, scatter, 

 and take shorewards thereafter, oftimes leading a more 

 solitary life, and then go by the name of Rocklings. Mr. 

 Fitch remarks (Essex Nat. II.) "These dull orange fishes are 

 locally known as ' Newcome ' or ' Lucome ' in the Blackwater." 

 (14) The THREE-BEARDED RUCKLING or WHISTLE-FISH (M. 

 tricirrata) and (15) the FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLING (M. mustela) 

 are tolerably, though irregularly, distributed in the Thames, 

 Blackwater and Colne estuaries ; whilst the former has 

 been taken in 30 fathoms off Folkestone, and there named 



* Off Dover a shoal pursued by mackerel had dogfishes hanging on latters' skirts, 

 and porpoises in turn hunting them (Webb) . 



