Fishes. 3461 



The Fishing Frog, Lophius piscatorlus. "Kethie, Sea Devil." Not 

 uncommon in the Moray Firth, Mr. Martin. Burghead, 1826. 



The Ballan Wrasse, Labrus Bergylta. "Sea Swine." "This beau- 

 tiful fish has been met with in several places along the coast, and gets 

 the name of sea swine from the circumstance of its making a squeak- 

 ing noise, like a pig," Mr. Martin. The Lossiemouth fishermen 

 find it most frequently in the summer months, and in a piece of water 

 between that port and the mouth of the Spey, associated with " Saithes" 

 (Merlangus carbonarius). 



The Gilt-head, Crenilabrus Melops. " Sea Partridge." Stotfield, 

 1838. " Often met with in the Firth," Mr. Martin. 



Gold Carp, Cyprinus auralus. Gold and Silver Fish. Frequently 

 kept in glass globes in houses ; and has of late years been reared in 

 great numbers in a tank at the Elgin foundry. 



Minnow, Leuciscus Phoxinus. Abundant in the Isla, near Keith, 

 and in some other tributaries of the Deveron; yet this little fish is not 

 known to have been detected in any other locality in the district 

 comprehended in this list. 



The Pike, Esox Lucius. "The Gedd." (Geddais). Not unfre- 

 quent in lochs throughout the Province of Moray, and in many of the 

 deep dead pools of the Lossie, Spey, &c. 



Gar Fish, Belone vulgaris. " Sword-fish, Green-bone." Not rare. 

 Two specimens from Stotfield in 1840, measured 2 J and 2 J feet. 



The Salmon, Salmo Salar. (Bradan,-Prattan). All the larger 

 streams that fall into either side of the Moray Firth, have long been 

 celebrated as favourite haunts of the salmon. The annual rent of the 

 Spey some years ago was £8,000. But here, as in other parts of Bri- 

 tain, the numbers of this much prized fish have of late greatly dimi- 

 nished, chiefly, as many suppose, by the deadly stake and bag nets 

 with which this coast is fringed. Still, this district keeps its high 

 relative position with those who for profit or for pleasure give their 

 attention to the exciting operations of salmon-fishing. Naturalists 

 and lovers of the gentle art are with confidence referred to the works 

 of Mr. St. John, Mr. Stoddart, and of Messrs. Anderson of Inverness 

 (' Guide to the Highlands'), where they will find much information re- 

 garding the localities, habits, &c, of this and of the other species of 

 the Salmonidae, as observed in the northern counties of Scotland. 



The Gray Trout, Salmo Eriox. " Bull Trout." Often taken in the 

 Lossie, Mr. Martin. One of 4 lbs. 10 oz. is said to have been killed 

 there in September, 1849, Elgin Courant. 



The Salmon Trout or Sea Trout, Salmo Trutta. Abundant in most 



