122 ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



perhaps five hundred, and no other fish, were thrown up dead on the 

 shore near Holywood. 



Mr. M'Calla supplied me with the following note in reference to the 

 Lahrus maculatus, on Galway coast : — 



" In carefully reading the description of this species in Yarrell's British 

 Fishes, I perceive a few particulars at variance with its habits here, with 

 regard to the large and small individuals not being found together. I 

 have taken s])ecimens of the Lahrus Tinea and L. mnculatus about 4 

 inches, while men in the same boat were taking some weighing upwards 

 of 4 lbs. In England, it seems, the fish is not relished ; here it is the 

 most favourite fish, the entire of the boats being engaged fishing for them. 

 With us they do not spawn until June. Looking over some thousands 

 in a day, I have observed invariably that the larger the specimen the 

 more beautiful the colours. This species is subject to great variation in 

 its colouring, but a person situated as I am here can perceive a general 

 similarity in the markings of the diff"erent sizes, as you have noted in 

 your paper on the Crenilahrl that the C. Corniih. was less brilliant in 

 colour than the C. Tinea. Are these the young, those the adult ? I re- 

 main positive of the L. maenhttus being more brilliant in the mature 

 than in the young state. I have never seen so splendid a fish as this, 

 when caught about 4 lbs. weight. I have observed that the colours of 

 the species of this genus do not disappear after death, as is the case with 

 many other fish, as I have seen them retain them well for a number of 

 days, in some cases when the fish was even putrid. The middle size of 

 this species is generally of a reddish coloiu", but without the beautiful 

 spots of the largest size. Notwithstanding the habits of this fish, it is 

 found covered with Lernea ; one brought in to me this day alive in a pot 

 had some hundreds on it ; they were the most active species I have ever 

 met with, running over the fish with astonishing rapidity. I have never 

 found any attached to the gills. I cannot omit mentioning about the 

 mode of fishing for this species ; the boats choose a sunken rock often 

 with 30 fathom Avater; and, as it is what they term /b»/ ground, they use 

 a stone for an anchor, so that if it fastens they will suffer no loss. In 

 like manner for their lines, instead of lead they use a small round stone, 

 tied weakly to a line, so that when it fastens it will break off" and not en- 

 danger the line ; they bring a great number of stones to sea with them 

 for this purpose. In fine weather they often go 12 miles to sea fishing for 

 this species, which is a favourite fish. It is caught by day." 



[The following descriptive notes Avere made by Mr. Thompson some 

 years ago, but there is no date on the MS. — Ed.] 



K. Green Wrasse, Lahrus macidatns, Bl. The following notice is of five 

 specimens of a species of Labrus, the general colour of which (body and 

 fins) is rich green in all, though they have been stuffed for a few years. 

 Thev were all taken in Larne Lough, and j^'esented to Belfast Museum 

 by Mr. Wm. Marshall. 



1st, length 19 inches. 



B. 5? D. 20;i2 (two last touch at base); P. 15; V. \\o ; A. 3:9; 

 C. 17 ? 



_ This seems to be the L. linearis of Donovan ; it is (body and fins) of a 

 rich green colour, which becomes paler in the under parts. This colour 

 has been described to have been admirably Avell retained in the present 

 specimen. As in Donovan's dried one, it also possesses the longitudinal 

 lines represented in the figure of that author. 



2nd, length 11 inches. • 



