Fishes. 6993 



and fourth acute, and the seven following ones clavate. In Regalecus 

 Jonesii there is a series of dorsal fins all along the back, the rays in 

 each fin being connected by membrane, but the fins not being con- 

 nected with each other. In Regalecus Banksii there is but one fin, 

 and that is continuous from head to tail^ In Regalecus Jonesii the 

 venirals have two consistent bony rays ; in Regalecus Banksii they 

 have but one. These differences, combined with the difference of 

 habitat, Regalecus Jonesii in the North Atlantic Ocean and Regalecus 

 Banksii in the German Ocean seem to render it apparent that the two 

 species are perfectly and permanently distinct. 



In reference to the last question mooted by Mr. Jones, the 

 similarity of Regalecus Jonesii to Captain M'Quhae's sea serpent, I do 

 not consider myself competent to express an opinion. I am quite 

 willing for the present to allow every sea serpent to hold on its own 

 course ; hereafter a better opportunity may be afforded on comparing 

 and arranging the conflicting evidence already published in the 

 ' Zoologist.' 



Edward Newman. 



Occurrence of the Sea Bullhead at Montrose. — In the third edition of ' Yarrell's 

 British Fishes,' recently published, mention is made of the discovery in Dingle Har- 

 bour of an example of Fabricius' sea bullhead {Acantho coitus grcenlandicus), and 

 a figure and description of the species are given. A characteristic specimen of the 

 same fish was taken two years ago in the basin of the South Esk, at Montrose, from 

 a salmon-net, by William Beattie, Esq., Secretary to the Montrose Natural History 

 and Antiquarian Society. The fish may therefore be considered as more than 

 an accidental visitor of the British seas, and other examples will doubtless soon be 

 found by the active and intelligent promoters of Natural-History museums in our 

 sea-ports. — John Richardson. 



Singular Account of the Sail Fluke (Zeugopterus velivolans). — Dr. Baikie, writing 

 from the banks of the Niger, referred to by Dr. Alexander Duguid, of Kirkwall, for 

 information respecting the very curious habits of this fish, and that gentleman, on being 

 applied to, most kindly sent a sketch made by a friend of his, said to be very correct. 

 He also furnished the following particulars of the history of the fish. This fluke, he 

 says, is highly prized as an article of food, its flesh being firm and white. It does not 

 take a bait, and he only once saw it caught in a net, but it comes ashore spontaneously, 

 with its tail erected above the water, like a boat under sail, whence its name. This it 

 does generally in calm weather, and ou sandy shores, and the country people residing 

 near such places train their dogs to catch it. The following letter was written by Mr. 

 Robert Scarth, of North Ronaldshay, the northernmost island of the Orkney group, 

 where the sail fluke is very common. " It is never caught by hook or by net, and I 

 have in vain set ground lines for it in the South Bay, baited with lug- worms, limpets 

 XVIII. 2 D 



