512 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



whilst whiflSng for mackerel, but generally when putting the boat 

 about, and in water not exceeding five fathoms ; when thus hooked 

 they play fiercely. I have, however, observed individuals not un- 

 frequently on the surface above a considerable depth, and once 

 unsuccessfully pursued an example, which had captured a fluke 

 too large to be swallowed with ease. The largest example which 

 I have ever taken measured exactly two feet, and weighed 

 54^ lbs. ; this was in July, and the fish in perfect condition. I 

 cannot imagine one of 14 lbs. ; surely there is some mistake or 

 slip of the pen ? 



'Agonus cataphractus. — I have never known of a specimen being 

 caught by trawlers or shrimpers on the Derry coast. My only 

 example was taken from the stomach of a cod, caught about six 

 miles from land, in twenty-five fathoms. 



Lophius piscatorius. — Locally called " Brahwin," and not un- 

 common. The largest example which I obtained measured 5 feet 

 7 inches, and contained a ling of 8 lbs. weight, in so fresh a 

 condition that it passed muster when thrown out on the quay 

 without exciting suspicion in the mind of the purchaser. The 

 colours of this fish — the only individual I have ever seen caught 

 on a hook — when first taken out of the water were most beautiful, 

 the upper parts being of a deep-rich purple, shading on the sides 

 through mauve into the white of the belly ; within haK an hour, 

 however, these tints faded away, leaving behind only the ordinary 

 dirty brown and white livery in which they generally come under 

 the observation of naturalists. There was no sign of breeding in 

 this specimen, which was caught during the month of January, 

 1877, in thirty fathoms, mixed bottom. They are generally 

 washed ashore in a dead or dying condition, and are not used as 

 food on the north coast, being looked upon with great disgust by 

 the fishermen, who invariably kill them and throw them over- 

 board. 



[Trachinus draco. — In Miss Ousack's History of Kerry, p. 443, 

 Dingle Bay is given as a habitat of this fish. This is no doubt a 

 repetition of Andrews' record in Dublin Nat. Hist. Proc, vol. i. 

 p. 122 ; Paper read 1854. The list of Kerry fishes was contributed 

 by him, but no specimens were ever sent to Dublin,] 



Trachinus mpera.— In the Zoologist for Jan., 1876, I mentioned 

 the fact that this species will rise to a small white fly, from per- 



