VERTEBRATES: FISHES. 577 



The Rays or Skates are allied to the Sharks and Dog- 

 fishes, but form a distinct species. They do not descend 

 to the same depths as the sharks and are for the greater 

 part coast fishes. Those found in the Outer Hebrides are 

 the Thornback (Raja clavatd] and the Shagreen Ray (Raja 

 fullonica). 



The Sturgeon, a sub-order under the oldest geological 

 fishes, is not found in such early rocks as the Sharks are. 

 The Common Sturgeon (Acipenser sturid) the living repre- 

 sentative of these early fishes is found in rivers where it 

 passes part of the year for the purpose of spawning. 



The great sub-class of Fishes, the Teleostei, which form 

 the greatest number of living fishes, have numerous repre- 

 sentatives in Hebridean waters. We can but name these 

 following the order of Giinther. The Perches (Percida) 

 both the fresh water perch (Pcrca fluviatilis] and the Bass 

 (Labrax lupus\ Gaelic Creagag. 



The Mullets (Midlus barbatus). 



The family of Breams (Sparidce), the Sea- Bream, Gaelic 

 An Carbhanach. 



The Horse- Mackerel (Caranx trac/iurus^and the Mackerel 

 proper (Scomber Scomber), Gaelic Rionnach. 



Lophias (L. piscatorius) known by its English names, 

 the Fishing-Frog or the Angler, and the Gaelic Cat 

 Mara. 



The Gurnards (Coitus Trigla\ Gaelic Crodan. Several 

 species of the Gurnard are found and are all good for 

 food. 



The Lump-Sucker (Cyclopterus lumpus), Gaelic Muc- 

 chraige. 



The Stickle-back (Easlrosteus}. 



Labrus Maculatus or " Ballan Wrasse," also known in 

 some districts by the Gaelic name, Muc-chraige, from its 

 thick lips. This is a Mediterranean fish, and is noted for 

 its beautiful colours. It gradually becomes scarcer the 

 farther north we go. 



The most important fishes of all are those of the Cod 

 family (Gadida). 



