44 FISHES AND FISHERIES OF THE IRISH SEA. 



It is also sometimes caught in our shrimp nets. We have it commonly at Port Erin 

 and elsewhere in Isle of Man, Menai Straits, north coast of Anglesey, North Wales, and 

 Piel in the Barrow Channel. 



EXCHELYOPUS VIVIPARUS (Linn.) Viviparous Blenny. 



(See Zoarces viviparns, Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 211, PI. LXI., Fig. 2.) 

 This fish ranges from Scandinavia to the south of Europe. It seems commoner 

 on the Scottish coast than here, but has been recorded from Co. Down, on the Irish 

 side of our district. We have not yet found it in Lancashire, but it occurs on the 

 Welsh coast " Holyhead and Barmouth common" (Eyton) ; and Professor White tells 

 us that he has seen "one or two specimens" at the Menai Straits. 



Family ATHERINID/E. 



ATHERIXA PKKSBYTER, Cm. AthePine. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. I.,, p. 225, PI. LXV., Fig. i.) 



This is a southern form ranging to the Mediterranean, but probably not further 

 north than Scotland. It is found in Co. Down and other localities on the western 

 side of our district and, Professor White tells us, he has had it from the Menai Straits. 



Family MUGILID.E. 

 MUGIL CHELO, Cuv. Lesser Grey Mullet. 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 232, PL LXVII.) 

 (Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) Local Name, "Mullet." 



This fish has a wide range, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and Madeira. 

 It is gregarious, and is especially abundant in estuaries. It is found and fished for 

 throughout our district. It is caught in stake and seine nets at Southport, and at 

 Piel in the Barrow Channel. There is also a fair fishery for it in North Wales, where 

 it is taken in draft nets, and sometimes in the estuary of the river Dovey. It is also 

 taken in autumn, in Port Erin Bay, commonly in October. Between June and September 

 large numbers come into the sea-lake at Cemlyn, on the north of Anglesey. 



Family GASTEROSTEID/E. 

 GASTEROSTEUS ACULEATUS, Linn. Three-spined Stickleback, 



(Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 238, PI. LXVIII.) 

 (Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) Local name, "Jack Sharp." 



This semi-marine species has been recorded from Belfast Lough and other spots on the 

 Irish side of our area, and also occurs at Piel, in the Barrow Channel, in the Menai Straits, 

 and at various other points on our coast, as well as up the streams. 



GASTEROSTEUS PUNGITIUS, Linn. Ten-spined Stickleback. 

 (Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 244, PI. LXVIII, Fig. 4.) 



This species occurs along with the last on both shores of the Irish Sea. .It has been 

 recorded from various places in Co, Down and also in Lancashire. 



