THE FISH OF DORSET. 35 



water. Not uncommon in Purbeck (Rev. Lester Lester). Couch 

 III, p. 108, PI. CL., fig. 1. Day I., p. 314, PI. LXXXVIIL, fig. 2. 

 (Mackerel Midge (young of above). Couch III., p. 113, PI. CLL, 

 fig. 1 and 2. 



RANICEPS RANINUS. 

 LESSER FORKBEARD. 



Uncommon. W. Thompson notes two taken at Wey mouth. 

 One 9|in. long on 8th October, 1853, and another llth September, 

 1878, 12 Jin. long. Couch III., p. 122, PI. CLII. Day I., p. 320, 

 PI. XC., fig. 1. 



AMMODYTES TOBIANUS. 

 LESSER LAUNCE. 



This is the common sand eel which is found sometimes in great 

 quantities in our harbours and along our coasts. It forms the 

 principal food of many fish, and is by far the best bait for bass and 

 pollack. It buries itself in the sand, and may be dug out with a 

 fork at low water. W. Thompson mentions one 14 Jin. long, 

 having been taken on the Chesil Beach, 28th May, 1873, but I 

 think this must have been Ammodytes lanceolatus, as a tobianus 

 seldom exceeds 7in. Couch III., p. 137, PI. CLVIL, fig. 1. 

 Day I., p. 331, PI. XCLL, fig. 2. 



AMMODYTES LANCEOLATUS. 



GREATER LAUNCE. 



Yarrell mentions the Dorset coast as the habitat of this 

 fish. Couch III., p. 140, PI. CLVIL, fig. 2. Day L, p. 329, 

 PI. XCIL, fig. 1. 



CLUPEA HARENGUS. 



HERRING. 



Herrings are often caught in great quantities in seines off the 

 Chesil Beach. They are also taken in drift nets at the back of the 

 Hook Sand near Poole harbour in the winter, but have not been 

 very plentiful of late years. The young form the greater part of 

 what is called whitebait. Couch IV., p. 95, PI. CCII. Day II, 

 p. 208, PI. CXXXVIIL, fig. 2. 



