1879.] OF WESTON-SUPER-MARE. 747 



Pagrus vulgaris, Cuv. & Val. 

 Somersetshire {Baker). 



Pagellus centrodontus, De La Roche. Sea-Bream. 

 Somersetshire {Baker). 



Cottus scorpius, Bloch. Sting-fish or Sea-Scorpion. 



This fish is taken at Weston during the winter. I have received 

 several examples, captured at Southend, at the mouth of the Thames, 

 from Mr. Carriugton, naturalist to the Royal Westminster Aquarium. 

 The spines at the preopercular angle are occasionally reduced from 

 three to two, while the usual number of the dorsal spines is 10, and 

 of the anal rays 10 instead of 11 or 12. 



Cottus bubalis, Euphr. Father Lasher or Long-spined Sea- 

 Scorpion. 



C*. grcenlandicus, Cuv. & Val. ; O. labradoricus, Girard ; C. ocel- 

 latus, Storer. 



The American form or variety is said to have " the ridges of the 

 bones of the head tubercular, not covered with skin" (Giinther, 

 Catal. ii. p. 165). I find the same appearances in some examples 

 received from Southend. The variety of Cottus scorpius mentioned 

 by Couch as having a " row of tendrils hanging from the skin above 

 the eyes " was probably an example of this species, which usually 

 has a few short tentacles about the head and above the eyes, while 

 there is frequently rather a large one at the outer end of the maxilla. 



Trigla cuculus, Linn. Elleck or Red Gurnard. 



T. pini, Bloch. 



Occasionally taken at Weston. 



Trigla lineata, Gmel. ; Linn. Streaked Gurnard. 



This, as well as the next two, are occasionally captured. This fish 

 is said to be very seldom taken by a bait. Mr. Cornish ('Zoologist,' 

 1878, p. 423) observes that it is never taken on a hook. At the 

 Westminster Aquarium I observe that these fishes become quite as 

 tame as the other forms, taking pieces of mussel or shrimps as well 

 as any other fish, and apparently with as little fear. 



Trigla hirundo, Bloch. Sapphirine Gurnard. 

 T. pceciloptera, Cuv. & Val. 



Trigla gurnardus, Linn. Grey Gurnard. 



T. cuculus, Bloch ; T. blochii, Yarrell. 



I received one example from Mr. Carrington, captured at South- 

 end, in which the white spots have run into narrow and sinuous 

 lines, while a black blotch, surrounded by a light ring, exists on the 

 first dorsal fin. The colours in this species vary exceedingly : in 

 some there are no white spots, the upper half of the body being of 

 a slate-grey, conjoined with which a black blotch usually exists on 



