THE FISHING FROG. 119 



ample that either of us had seen. It was taken in a sprat-net, and was 

 endeavouring to bury itself in the sand when Dr. Ball observed it. 



This specimen is 5 inches in length ; D. 4 — 10; P. 20 or 21 ; V. 5 ; 

 A. 10 ; C. 10. 



The two posterior rays of the anal and second dorsal fins which I have 

 enumerated differ from the other rays in those fins, in having a common 

 base, and consequently might by some authors be reckoned but as 

 one ray. 



The first dorsal fin is so pale in colour as to be transparent as far as 

 the second ray, thence to the extremity black. 



Side line as described by Lacep. 



The largest specimen of which I have a memorandum was taken at 

 Holy wood, in Ajjril, 1844 ; it measured 8^ inches. 



Mr. Hyndman captured one in a trawl-net at the depth of 27 fathoms 

 off the mid- entrance to Belfast Bay, in August, 1850 ; and I have notes 

 of others being caught on long lines baited with lug-worms, in the same 

 bay, both in the summer and winter seasons. 



A NeAvcastle fisherman informed me in Oct., 1851, tliat he occasionally 

 takes this species, as well as that last treated of, on his long lines when set 

 upon muddy ground, but never on sandy bottom. 



Family Lophiid^e. 



The Fishing Frog, Angler or Sea-Devil,* Lojjhius jnscatorhis, Linn,, 



Is common around the coast. 



Fishes of this species are generally cut into on the N. E. coast, that the 

 contents of their stomachs may be observed, after which they are thrown 

 overboard, and are Avashed ashore. This accounts for their being so often 

 .seen lying dead on the beach. They are not eaten in the North. 



Dublin, 1839. — Professor Allman states that the L. piscatorius is com- 

 mon on the S.W. coast of Cork, and is held in great detestation : when 

 captured, the fishermen strike their heel into the posterior part of the 

 skull, and then throw the Lophius overboard. They never cut into their 

 stomachs as on the West coast to get the fish from them. 



Nov. 13, 1841. — Dr. McDonnell sent me three fresh examples of this 

 species which were taken at Carrickfcrgus. In the pouches of all three were 

 specimens of Chondracanthiis Lophii ; the stomachs of tAvo contained the 

 remains of small Gadidcp, which had been about 6 inches in length ; that 

 of the third contained the remains of a small sole or smooth dab, a whelk 

 {Turbo littoreus), and a Par/urus Jieriihanlus of moderate size. Dr. 

 M'Donnell was told by the person who sent him these fishes that he had 

 lately taken five good-sized plaice alive from the stomach of a Lophius. 



Colour of the three examples, " dirty " or dull brown above — of a different 

 shade in each fish, the middle-sized one was, besides, marked over with small 

 spots of a blackish colour : they were Avhitish beneath, but dusky towards 

 tip of tail ; lower ])ortion of ventrals and pectorals the whitest i)ortion of 

 the fish, but both V. and P. black on the under side for about the last 

 third ; the little ])oints of the extreme margin white. 



December 7, 1841. — -A fine specimen taken in Jk-lfast Bay was brought 

 to Dr. M'Donnell; its pouches were filled with Chomlracaiifhi. Its total 

 length was 4^ feet ; unfortunately, parts were removed before I saw it, so 



* This fish has various local names — Frog-fish, Frinr, Molly Goxcaii, Briar- 

 hot, &c. [At Straiigford Lough it is called " Kilmaddy." — Vai.'] 



