188 MALACOPTERYGII. 



Subsequently to the publication of the foregoing particulars, I saw two 

 examples of this fish from the same locality (Carrickfergus). One of 

 these, about 15 inches in length, was taken in March, 1839, when swim- 

 ming on the surface of the watex'. The other was procured in Dec, 1840, 

 and was 26 inches in length. 



On 28th Jan., 1849, a male, 22 inches long, taken at Portaferry (County 

 Down), was presented in a recent state to the Belfast Museum by George 

 Johnston, Esq. — This fish had " the first dorsal fin triangular, much 

 higher than the second ; the anterior rays produced." — The ventral rays 

 7 inches long ; head, 4| inches long. 



The Lesser Forked Beard, or Tadpole-fish, Raniceps trifurcatus, 



Flem., 



Has been taken on one occasion, as noticed by me in the Ann. Nat. Hist. 

 vol. ii., from Avhich I extract the following : — 



" Raniceps trifurcatus, Flem., Tadpole-fish. — To Capt. Fayrer, R. N., I am 

 indebted for a specimen of this fish, picked up on the 21st September, 1837, as 

 it lay floatiiifi; upon the sea off Donaghadee harbour — it was received in a recent 

 state. Its agreement with Dr. Johnston's description (Yarrell's Brit. Fish., vol. 

 ii. p. 206) * is so complete, that any except the few following notes on the in- 

 dividual seem to be unnecessary. 



" Its length is 1U| inches ; in number the fin-rays are, 



"D. 3— G3; A. (somewhat injured) 57 ? P. 23 ; V. 6 ; C. 36. 



" Second ray of the first dorsal fin thrice the length of the other rays ; second 

 ray of the ventral tins considerably the longest ; no tubercles on sides sensible 

 either to sight or touch ; no lateral line apparent ; body all over ' smooth and 

 even ; ' cirrus 4^ lines long. 



" In colour it is entirely of a lilac brown except the belly, which is dirty white 

 very faintly tinged with lilac; folding of the lips china-white; fins all of an 

 uniform lilac black, except the ventrals, of which a portion is paler than the 

 rest ; inside of mouth pure white ; irides of a yellowish-brown colour." 



At a meeting of the Dublin Nat. History Society in Jan., 1852, W. 

 Andrews, Esq. noted its occurrence in Dingle Bay (County Kerry), hav- 

 ing been caught on a long line set for cod-fish. 



I have been favoured by the late H. D. S. Goodsir, Esq., with speci- 

 mens (of which he at different times obtained several) which were taken 

 in crab pots at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. 



The Mackerel-midge, 3Iotella glauca, Jenyns. 



" Motella glauca, Jenyns, Mackerel-midge. — Two minute specimens — the 

 larger 1'^ inch long — of Motella that 1 have closely examined, and which were 

 obtained at the South islands of Arran (off County Clare), by R. Ball, Esq., in 

 June, 1835, agree in every respect with the Ciliata glauca of Couch, described 

 in the Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 16; at the same time I cannot 

 perceive any specific difference between them and M. Musfela." — Ann. Xaf. 

 Hist. vol. ii. 



" Mackerel Mulqe is bv no means rare at Kilmore (Countv Wexford)." 



Major Walker, Feb. 2()th, 1847. 

 Motella glauca, Sept. \(Sth, 1848. One was dredged in winter from 4 — 

 (i fathoms in Belfast Bay. 



" A specimen of this minute fish was on the 22nd Jiuie, 1844, taken in com- 

 * First edition. 



