THE FISHES OF THE IRISH SEA. 



49 



Knovvl Buoy, from Menai Straits and Colwyn Bay, from Port Erin, in the Isle of Man, and 

 from Piel, in the Barrow Channel. We find it under stones at low tides at Spaldrick, Port Erin. 



ONUS CIMBRIUS (Linn.) Four-bearded Rockling-. 



(See Motella cimbria, Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 316, PI. LXXXIX., Fig-, i.) 

 This species is a northern form, rare in the British Islands. Mr. E. W. L. Holt 

 has recorded it from the Bristol Channel. It probably extends up the Irish Sea. 



ONUS TRICIRRATUS (Bl.) Three-bearded Rockling 1 . 



(See Motella tricirrata, Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 317, PI. LXXXVIII., Fig-, i.) 



(Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) 



This Rockling ranges from Norway to the Mediterranean. It has been recorded from 

 North Wales, from the estuary of the Dee, and from various localities on the east coast of 

 Ireland. We have had specimens from Hoylake and Hilbre Island, and from Piel, in the 

 Barrow Channel. Is is not uncommon in Port Erin Bay. 



RANICEPS RANINUS (Linn.) Tommy Noddy. 

 (Day's British Fishes, vol. I., p. 320, PI. XC.) 



This is a northern form, rarely extending- south of the British Isles. " It was first 

 described from an example taken at Beaumaris, in Wales, by Mr. Davies," and Professor 

 White tells us that he has a specimen caught on a line in the Menai Straits. 



Family 



AMMODVTES LANCEOLATUS, Lesauv. Greater Sand-eel. 

 (Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 329, PI. XCII., Fig. i.) 

 (Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool.) 



This form extends from northern Europe to the Mediterranean. It is not so common 

 in our seas as the smaller sand-eel, but has been recorded from localities on the east coast of 

 Ireland, and in the estuary of the Dee, and Menai Straits ; and we have seen a specimen 

 obtained in Morecambe Bay, and one from the sand close to the Biological Station at Port Erin. 



AMMODYTES TOBIANUS, Linn. Lesser Sand-eel. 

 (Day's British Fishes, vol. L, p. 331, PI. CXII , Fig. 2.) 

 (Fish. Mus., Zool. Dep., Univ. Coll., Liverpool. Local name, "Sand-eel" 

 The range is practically the same as the last species, but this smaller form, or sand- 

 launce, is much commoner in our seas. At Fleetwood, and other places on the Lancashire 

 coast, there is a fishery for it in summer. It is dug out of the sand with spades, old sickles, and 

 other implements, and is also caught in the shrimp trawl. Taken in Barrow Channel, in 

 Menai Straits, and very abundant at Port Erin in autumn. It is frequently taken in our 

 Lancashire estuaries with shrimp nets. 



Family PLEURONECTID/E. 



The flat-fish family, which includes the Turbot, the Plaice, and the Sole, is not only 

 one of the most important families from the economic point of view, but is also one of 



