430 A COENISH FAUNA. 



Tbeen taken at Looe," but he does not record it in his 

 ''British Fishes," nor does Yarrell mention it. It is prob- 

 able therefore that Mr. Couch concluded his record of it was 

 doubtful. 



Dentex. [JDentex vulgaris). Four-toothed sparus. Has been 

 observed twice off Falmouth. 



Mendole. {Sparus mcena). The Cackarel. A Mediterranean 

 fish recorded as having once occurred at Falmouth. 



The Eed Mullet. {MuUus Surmuletus). The striped red mullet, 

 ''The woodcock of the sea." Very common. Has been 

 taken in Mount's Bay of the weight of 39^ oz. 



Plain Eed Mullet. {Mullus Barhatus). Mr. Couch mentions this 

 fish as Cornish, but I believe when he wrote there was a 

 confusion between plain red mullet and one of the gurnards 

 {Midlus Imherlis). I do not think that the occurrence of 

 Mullus Barbatus in Cornwall is anywhere recorded. 



The Weever. {TracMnus Draco). The Sting Bull. The Poison 

 fish. The Canker. Very good eating, but its first dorsal 

 contains a poison bag at the base of the rays, which had 

 better be cut out before the fish is cooked. The fish is able 

 by means of these dorsal rays to infiict a poisoned wound, 

 which causes swelling and much pain as far as the elbow 

 joint. It is common in some sands, but is never found in 

 rocky grounds. 



Lesser Weever. f TracMnus ViperaJ. Shorter and deeper than 

 the last-named, much more rare. Found occasionally at 

 Hayle and at Pra Sands in Breage. 



772/6^Z/Z)^.— (Gttrnaeds). 



EUeck. fTrigla CuculusJ. Eed Gurnard. Eed fish. Soldier. 



Halleck. Common off every coast. 

 Tub. (T. HirimdoJ. Sapphirine Gurnard. Common. 

 Piper. fT. Lyra). Stated by Mr. Couch in the Fauna to be 



common, but it certainly is not so in West Cornwall. 

 Streaked Gurnard. (Mullus imberlis). The Eock Gurnard. 



The French Gurnard. The Parson. Formerly confoimded 



with plain red mullet (which see). Not uncommon on shoal 



rocky ground. 

 Grey Gurnard. (T. GurnardusJ.-^ The Gurnard. "Very common. 



