184 MALACOPTERYGII. 



is perhaps correct, as of general application ; but I have remarked numer- 

 ous individuals from 1 to 2 feet in length, taken in company, to be all of 

 the same dark greenish-black hue. 



Dr. Drummond describes as a beautiful sight a play of these fish, as 

 once witnessed by him near Larne. The whole sea about the boat was 

 alive with them playing about in all attitudes, with a rich evening's sun 

 illuminating their sides. They never minded the boat going among them, 

 being intent only on their gambols, and were di'awn into it in numbers 

 with an instrument like a boat-hook. 



3Ierlan()us from Ballywalter, May, 1836. 



A specimen, about 7 inches in length, seems intermediate between 

 M. Pullachius and 31. Carbonarius, both of which I obtained at same time 

 and place, and of similar size to this. 



In the form of the lateral line it is intermediate, taking the form of the 

 7). profile, instead of the curve of 31. Pollachins, and the straight line of 

 M. Carbonarius. 



Jaws equal, but snout projecting a very little beyond lower jaw. 



Tail more forked than in 31. Pullachius. 



D. 1.5, 20, 21 ; A. 25, 20 ; P. 20 ; V. 6 ; C. 36, and many short ; B. 8. 



Colour much the same as in 31. Carbonarius : lateral line whitish. 



The Green Cod, 3Ierlanc/us virens, Cuv. 



I have often looked for this fish, and have obtained examples agreeing 

 with the brief descriptions of British authors, but they were nothing more 

 than 31. Carbonarius. 



It seems to me that positive characters are wanting by which to dis- 

 tinguish the 31. virens of British Authors from M. Carbonarius. I speak 

 from an examination of numerous examples of fishes in a recent state, 

 some of which agreed as well with 31. virens (as described) as with 

 31. Carbonarius. 



In the Annals Nat. Hist. vol. vi. p. 404, Mr. M'Coy, in reference to this 

 fish, says : — 



" Merlangus virens. — Rare in Dublin Bay." 



The Hake, 3Ierlucius vulgaris, Cuv., 

 Prevails around the island, but is most common on the southern coast. 

 Mr. Yai-rell says the hake 



"is so abundant in the Bay of Galway, that, according to a recent writer, this 

 Bay is named in some ancient maps, the Bay of Hakes. On that part of the 

 Nymph Bank, off the coast of Waterford, this fish is also so plentiful, that 1000 

 have been taken by six men with lines in one night." * 



The late Mr. Nimmo (Roundstone) informed me that this fish is caught 

 upon the Galway coast. Commonly in November four or five men in one 

 boat will take, with hand-lines, from 600 to 700. Sometimes, but very 

 rarely, 1000 are captured, but only when herrings are in the Bay : it feeds 

 on them. 



Professor Allman states that hake is chiefly caught on the S.,W. coast 

 of Cork with a slice cut out of one of its own species. 



It is so little esteemed in Belfast market that it is not often exposed 

 here for sale ; but I have seen examples occasionally in winter, measuring 

 about 3 feet 9 inches in length. I have also observed adult fish taken on 



* Br. Fishes, vol. ii. p. 259. The information contained in this extract seems 

 to have been obtained from Griffith's edition of Cuvier and from Pennant. 



