CHAP. xvi. MR. COUCH OF POLPERRO. 333 



ardent, and devoted workers," said Edward, " that are 

 wanted to bring such things to light." 



We next proceed to mention Edward's researches 

 as to new fishes. Having discovered a specimen of 

 Drummond's Echiodon the first that had ever been 

 found in the Firth, Edward published an account of 

 it in the Zoologist for April 1863, and offered to afford 

 Naturalists the opportunity of examining it. The 

 article came under the notice of Mr. Jonathan Couch, 

 of Polperro, in Cornwall, who was then engaged in 

 writing his celebrated work on British Fishes ; and 

 he entered into a correspondence with Edward on the 

 subject. The first letter that Mr. Couch wrote to 

 Edward did not reach him. It was returned to Pol- 

 perro. Banff seems not to have been known at the 

 General Post Office. Another letter, with "N. B." 

 added, reached its address. Mr. Couch requested 

 an inspection of the curious fish, together with an 

 account of its exact colour when fresh from the sea, 

 and also the particular circumstances, of weather 

 or otherwise, under which so large a number of 

 the fishes had been taken. The information asked 

 for, was at once furnished by Edward. Dr. Gray 

 also requested a specimen for the British Museum, 

 which was forwarded to London. 



Now that Edward had found another opening for 

 his discoveries, he proceeded to send numerous new 

 specimens of fish for Mr. Couch's identification. Mr. 

 Couch having informed him that he was then em- 



