336 A NEW MIDGE. CHAP. xvi. 



Edward no sooner found an opening for further work 

 on the sea-shore, than he went into it with enthusiasm. 

 As Mr. Couch was approaching the conclusion of 

 his work, Edward seemed to become more energetic 

 than before. Thus Mr. Couch had written out 

 and sent off his history and description of the 

 Echiodon to be printed, before he knew of Edward's 

 discovery. And now there arrived from Banff 

 another batch of specimens, containing a little fish, 

 which Mr. Couch declared to be a new species, 

 and even a new genus. At first he supposed it 

 to be the Mackerel Midge, but after a careful 

 examination, he declared it to be entirely new. Mr. 

 Couch concluded his letter, containing his views as 

 to the new fish, with these words : " You will per- 

 ceive that I set a great value on your communica- 

 tions, and I shall take care to acknowledge them when 

 I speak of these different species." 



Edward, in his reply to Couch, observed : " I was 

 aware that the new fish was not the Mackerel Midge, 

 for I have examined it. But this is a far more splen- 

 did species ; in fact, its colours and resplendence equal, 

 if they do not excel, those of the pretty Argentine. 

 The one I sent you first, I kept alive for two days. 

 It was one of the most restless and watchful fishes I 

 had ever seen. I took it with a small hand-net, 

 which I use for taking the smaller crustaceans. I 

 only took one at first ; but a few days after, I took 

 several together. I also found some cast ashore on 



