Irish Vertebrate Animals. 411 



Lough Esk, in the county Monaghan, I have known them caught 



agreeing exactly in their colour with those of Lough Neagh. 



O'smerus (Artcd.) Eperlanus Flem., the smelt, is sometimes taken on our 



coasts in considerahle abundance; but, often, several years intervene 



during which they are rarely to be met with. 



Corregonus (Cuv.) Pollan * Thomps, Sub nomine " Lavaretus" in Temp. 



MSS. 

 Clupea Linn., Cuv. 



Harengus Linn. Native. 



Sprattus Bl. They appear, during the autumnal months, in the bays, 

 and as far up the rivers as the tide flows, in considerable quantities. 

 Pilchardus Bl. Seems very local, being nearly confined to the south 

 coast, especially about Cork, where the principal fishery is. 

 Gadus Linn. 



Moorhua Linn. Plentiful. 

 CEglef inus Linn. Common. 



luscus Linn. The first specimen of this fish was found in Belfast 

 market, by Dr. M'Gee, Marcli 20. 1812. A great number were 

 taken by the Carrickfergus fishermen in the autumn of 1822. 

 Merlangus Cuv. 



vulgaris Flem. Common. 

 Pollachius Linn. Not uncommon. 



carbonarius Linn. In every bay along the northern coast the young 

 of this species are caught during the summer months. The mature, 

 in the market, usually above 2 ft. long, are only bought by the poor. 

 Merluccius (Cuv.) vulgaris Flem. Not uncommon. 

 Lota (Cuv.) Molva Linn. Very common. 

 Motella Cuv. 



Mustela Linn. The first specimen I met with was shown to me by 

 Mr. M'Skimmin of Carrickfergus. Several have been met with 

 since, 

 tricirrhatus Don. The largest specimen I have seen was in Belfast 

 market, November, 1801, about 18 in. long : it is very rare. 

 Phycis (Artedi) furcatus Flem. On the 24th of January, 1812, I found 

 a specimen of this rare fish among haddock : it was one of the largest 

 size, being about 20 in. long. 

 Platessa Cuv. 



vulgaris Flem. Extremely common, 

 flesus Flem. Common. 

 Limanda Flem. A rare fish in Ireland. 



microcephala Flem. The specimens which have been seen by me 

 agree exactly with the figure and description of Pennant, but in no 

 respect with that given by Donovan. It is rare on the coast. 

 Hippoglossus (Cuv.) vulgaris Flem. This is generally taken on our coast 

 on the hooks which are set for cod-fish, baited with the animal of Buc- 

 cinum undatum ; but they never appeared to be caught on the coast of 

 Ireland in such abundance as to induce the establishment of a regular 

 fishery. 

 Pleuronectes Flem. 



maximus Linn. Plentifully along the northern coast. 



Rhombus Linn. More common than the preceding; on the sandy 



banks all round the coast, 

 megastoma Don. Although not common, several specimens have 

 been met with. 



* See Mr. Thompson in Proceedings of Zoological Society of London for 

 1835, p. 77. 



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