ZOOLOGY. 99 



PISCES. 



The Bermudian waters teem with fish, and many West 

 Indian species are to be found among them. Their pre- 

 sence here, some six or eight hundred miles from their 

 native depths, may be owing to the influence of the 

 Gulf Stream, which has been the means of introducing 

 many tropical forms to the shores of these Islands. 



It is much to be lamented that naturalists have hitherto 

 left this interesting group of Islands unvisited, for most 

 assuredly their marine zoology is well worth studying; 

 situate as they are, at such a distance from any other land, 

 in the midst of the ocean, the field they present to the 

 ichthyologist is wide indeed, and well worthy of his iaves- 

 tigation. 



The different species of fish are known to the inhabitants 

 merely by their local names, and a list we have by us, 

 numbering 157 species, would edify our readers but little if 

 we were to insert it. Such terms as " gogler," " cluck," 

 " scuttle," '' sailor's choice," and " slippery Dick," may be 

 sufficient for the native fishermen, but we are afraid would 

 not convey to others any clue as to their identity. Mr. 

 Hurdis, with his usual kindness, has furnished us with the 

 following notes upon a few species : — 



Common Shaek (Garcharias vulgaris). The young of 

 this shark are taken in abundance, and sold as food. 



Mackeeel Poebbaglb (Lamna pwnctatd). This, the 

 mackerel porbeagle of America, is commonly known by 

 the popular name of the mackerel shark. One specimen, 

 measuring 7w feet in length, was taken with hook and line 



