THE SWORD-FISH. 95 



shades of gi'een, gold, and crimson on the lower parts of the sides and belly ; 

 four longitudinal stripes extend alonn; each side to the tail, which is crescent- 

 shaped, and 8 inches in diameter. The beauty of the colours, when fresh from 

 the water, it is impossible to describe. This is supposed to be the first speci- 

 men of the Bonito ever taken in our harbour." 



I am indebted to Dr. Scouler for the following note : — 

 "The fish concerning which you inquire Avas the lliynnns Pelamys. It 

 was taken somewhere near the estuary of the Clyde, and Avas brought to 

 the Glasgow market, Avhere it was supposed to be an enormous mackerel. 

 I purchased the specimen for the Museum of the Andersonian Institution 

 of Glasgow, Avhere it still is, I have no doubt. The fish could not be 

 mistaken for the Pelamys sarda ; even colouring is sufficient to distin- 

 guish the species. In addition to the specimen here alluded to, I may 

 inform you that there is one in the Museum of the Koyal Dublin Society, 

 which, I have every reason to believe, was taken oft' the coast of Ireland ; 

 hoAvever, be that as it may, there can be no doubt Avhatever as to the 

 authenticity of the GlasgOAV specimen, Avhich is clearly the Sco7nber or 

 Thynnus Pelamys.^' 



I subsequently learned from Dr. Ball that the specimen in the Dublin 

 Society collection Avas obtained in a fresh state, and jjreserved by Mr. 

 Wall, a taxidermist formerly resident in Dublin. 



The Sword-Fish, Xipliias yhdhts, Linn. ? 



Dr, Ball has supplied me with an extract from a book in Avhich dona- 

 tions to the Dublin University Museum Avere entered. It announces 

 the receipt of the " SAVord-bone of the Monoceros or SAVord-fish, together 

 AA'ith the socket of the eye and remains of an animal taken out of its 

 maAv. This fish Avas taken in a net on the coast of Wexford, but is very 

 seldom knoAvn to visit that coast. 



" Presented by Mr. Carey (Carew ?), 1786 ? " 



Dr. Ball is of opinion that this note applies to the Aveapons, &c., of a 

 Xiphids in the Museum, and not to the Sea Unicorn, 3Ionodon monoceros, 

 Linn., Avhich might also possibly occur on the Irish coast. I have been 

 told, but not Avith sufficient certainty to announce it, of the occurrence of 

 the Xiphias upon another occasion on the southern coast. 



Several individuals have been taken on the coasts of Scotland and 

 England. 



The Pilot-Fish, Naucrates Ductor, Cuv. and Val. 



Dr. Harvey thus notices the pilot-fish, in his Cork Fauna, (1843): — 



" An example of this species (noAv first introduced into the catalogue of Irish 

 fishes) Avas captured about tAvo years since at Crookhaven, in the West of this 

 County, and sent by Mr. Notter to Mr. W. T. Jones of this city. It is pre- 

 served, and in Mr. Jones's possession." 



This is the only record known to me of the occiuTcnce of the pilot-fish 

 on the Irish coast. 



The Scad, or Horse-Mackerel, Caranx Trachums, Lacc])cdc, 



Is taken around the coast, but in much greater quantity on the south- 

 ern and Avestern coasts, than on the northern and north-eastern. It is 

 in little estimation for the table, and is consequently sold at a very low 

 price. 



