442 . THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The largest single Codfish taken in the autumn by an 

 amateur was captured by Mr. Pownell, who was fishing from a 

 boat in the roadstead on October 21st ; weight, 20 lb. 15 oz. 



During January a number of beachmen laid long lines in 

 the roadstead, baiting with Mussels, and had very fair catches ; 

 they brought their fish to the Marine Parade, displaying them 

 on net-barrows, and selling them to passers-by. On the 11th, 

 five hundred Cods of goodly size were landed. 



I made arrangements with a fish-hawker to send me the 

 stomachs of freshly caught Cods. On the 10th several were 

 brought ; I found the contents included Cancer pagurus, Hyas 

 coarctatus, Pagurus bernhardus, Xantho rivulosa, " brown " and 

 "pink" Shrimps, and Sea-Mice. On the 16th six stomachs 

 came in. I found one fish had packed away no fewer than 

 thirty lugworms in various stages of dissolution, but all of them 

 distinguishable, some being only recently swallowed. Several 

 Hermit Crabs, without whelk-shells, were found in others, with 

 Whelks, also shell-less. One Cancer pagurus was 2^ in. across 

 the carapace. What fishes I discovered were in such condition 

 that identification was impossible. 



January 17th my fish-hawker friend, Jerrard, brought me no 

 fewer than fifty-seven bellies — stomachs, with all the other organs 

 attached ! It was a very cold occupation turning out and sorting 

 the contents. The mixed "bag" my confederate described as 

 having been taken from fish purchased on the fish-wharf — a mixed 

 lot from Corton, Winterton, and off the town. The various Cods 

 were easily detected by their food, which was characteristic of 

 the localities mentioned : from Winterton there came lugworm- 

 eaters ; from Corton the food was Sprats ; and from the Yarmouth 

 ground pagurus. I made Jerrard remain while I dissected the 

 stomachs, and returning the whole to his bucket, suggested he 

 should drop the lot in the river on his way home, which he did. 



Among the more unusual captures made by sea-anglers from 

 the piers were a Skulpin {Callionymus lijra) ; a Salmon-Trout ; 

 a double Flounder; and, I believe, as many as four Scads in 

 one day. These latter were taken quite close to the piles 

 whereon are many Sea-Anemones and other marine creatures, 

 by which these fishes were probably attracted. A rare catch in 

 the shape of an 81 lb. Conger was made from Britannia Pier 



