PISCES. 449 



The Sandy Eay {Uaia cireularis). I record this Ray in deference 

 to the authority of Mr. Couch, but I much doubt whether it 

 is not an accidental variety of the Homelyn. 



The Torpedo {Raia torpedo). The Cramp Eay. The Electric 

 Eay. Is not uncommon, and yet is rarely observed, because 

 most fishermen cut it away as soon as they see it. 



The Sting Ray {Irygon pastinaca). The Fire-flaire. Is of rare 

 occurrence. 



The Eagle Eay {Mijliohatis aquila) is recorded as having occurred 

 once off the coasts of Cornwall. 



PETROMYZIB^.—{t:^^ Lampbeys.) 



The Sea Lamprey {Petrom%i%on marinus.) Common. 

 The Lampern {P.fluviatilis). A river fish. Is said by Mr. Couch 

 to be " Common," and no doubt it is so in the eastern part 

 of the county. With it, should, apparently, go the Silver 

 Lamprey and Planer's Lamprey ; but I am now making my 

 conclusions from written descriptions and not from observa- 

 tion, and cannot therefore speak with confidence. 

 The Mud Lamprey .{Ammocoetes hranohialis). The Pride. Blind 



Lamprey. Common. 

 The Mixine {Gastrohranchus cceous). The Borer. The Hag Fish. 



Eare. 

 Lancelot {Amphioxus lanceolatus). A tiny fish, and very rare. 

 All small fish of the deep sea are rare. They escape 

 observation. 

 I have now closed my list, having followed, as I have before 

 said I should, as closely as possible the classification adopted by 

 Mr. Couch. The advantages to be gained by my doing this 

 seemed to me to outweigh the advantages of a more modern 

 method. I have cited, wherever I could, the scientific names 

 given by Yarrell as rendered by Couch. Where this has been 

 impossible, I have added the name of the naturalist whose nomen- 

 clature I have adopted. A Kst of this sort can never be perfect, 

 and if I have fairly followed in the footsteps of my predecessor 

 (who did the work; I have but revised it) I shall be quite 

 content. 



It seems to me that a practical value of local icthyology lies 

 in its teaching us of our supply of fish as an article of food, and 

 I can say with confidence that very few people, indeed, know the 



