THE BLACK SEA-BREAM. 91 



It is, I presume, this species which is alluded to by Templeton, under 

 the name of Spams auratus, Linn. 



Although procured in abundance, with other fish, on the North-East 

 coast, the sea-bream is considered scarcely worth bringing to Belfast 

 market, where more than a very few are seldom seen together ; but, in 

 every month in the year I have observed full-grown specimens here ; 

 they are, however, chiefly taken in Autumn. They attain from 3 to 5 or 

 6 lbs. weight. 



The stomach of a specimen which I examined on 12th August, 1836, 

 contains an ascidia-Uke animal, and fragments of mature specimens of the 

 Opliiiira rosula. 



This fish is frequently captured with haddock, the baits generally used 

 being the lug-worm, shell-fish (mussels, &c.), and herring fry. 



Maxwell gives the following note in his Wild Sports of the West : — * 



" The Gunner is the common name given to the sea-bream by the fishermen 

 on the western coast. They are found near the shore, in from 5 to 1 5 fathom 

 water, where the bottom is foul and rocky. The gunners are pretty but in- 

 sipid fish, and, in variety of colour, differ from each other more than any species 

 of the finny tribe I have met with. In size they seldom exceed 3 or -4 pounds ; 

 but, from the avidity with which they bite, they afford excellent amusement 

 when the breeze is not sufficiently stift' to allow a take of mackerel and coal-fish. 

 The bait generally used for gunners is a small crab, broken and bound about 

 the hook with a thread ; and 2 hooks affixed to a trap-stick, with a light leaden 

 plummet, comprise the simple apparatus requisite for this kind of sea-fishing." 



Au(i. loth, 1851. I saw two fine fish of this species at the Rev. G. M. 

 Black's, at Annalong (Co. Down), on which coast this fish is highly 

 prized for food. The species is common here ; 64 were lately taken in the 

 course of a night's fishing in a small boat. 



AiKj. 2'ird. During last night's fishing of a small boat, I learn from 

 Mr. Black that 120 were taken. A slice of mackerel is the chief bait now 

 used for them. 



Sept. 2oth. We had one of these fish for dinner, and thought it very 

 good. It was baked with stuffing like that used for a turkey. 



A specimen of this fish, in the Belfast Museum, is 18 inches in length, 

 D. 12 12; P. 16; V. 1|5; A. 3 soft rays imperfect; C. 17, reckoning two 

 longest and those intermediate. Another specimen, in the same collec- 

 tion, is as follows : — Length, 19 inches, D. 12-f 12; P. 17 ; V. 1+5; A. 

 3+12; C. 17(1 alaCuv.). 



The Black Sea-Bream, Cantharus lineatus, Mont, (sp.), 

 Cantharns griseus, Cuv. and Val. 



To Dr. J. L. Drummond we are indebted for the addition of this spe- 

 cies to our fauna. On the 18th of May, 1846, he obtained a fine speci- 

 men, which was taken on a hand-line with lug-worm [AvenicoJa pisca- 

 torum, Lam.) as bait, on "foul ground" at Cultra Point, Belfast Bay. 

 My friend drew up an ample description (zoological and anatomical) of 

 the specimen, which he carefully preserved and kindly sent to me. I 

 make the following selection from his notes : — 



"Length from snout to middle of caudal fin 16 inches; breadth at 

 shoulder 6.i inches ; Aveight 3 lbs. 



"D. 10+11 ; P. 10 (the fifth longest); V. 1+5; A. 1 + 11 ; C. 17. 

 Branch. 5. 



* Dr. Ball thinks it applies f" the Wnisse rallier than to tliis species. 



