

Fishes. 3485 



supposes they attain at the respective ages of one, two, and three 

 years ; and that after they reach the last size, they either stop in their 

 growth, or move farther from the shore, into deeper and more distant 

 localities than those to which he can push his tiny bark. 



The Pollack, Merlartgus Pollachius. "Lythe." The Lossiemouth 

 fishermen get them often in the summer and autumn months, and fre- 

 quently among Saithes (coal-fish) and on rocky ground. How comes 

 it that the English name of this fish so much resembles the Celtic 

 name of the cod ? 



The Hake, Merlucius vulgaris. " Herring Hake." Found fre- 

 quently, according to the Lossiemouth fishermen, following the her- 

 ring in the months of July and August ; and sometimes caught on the 

 haddock-lines by swallowing a fish already hooked. " Often caught 

 in the salmon-net at Lossiemouth," Mr. Martin. 



The Ling, Lota Molva. (Lahan). Common in the Moray Firth. 



The Three-bearded Rockling, Motella vulgaris. At Gamrie, (Zool. 

 2997). 



The Five-bearded Rockling, Motella quinquecirrata. Found 

 among the rocks at Stotfield. " Common," Mr. Martin. 



The Tusk, Brosmus vulgaris. Rarely met with in the Moray Firth 

 by the Elginshire fishermen, and then almost always in November. 

 Some of the oldest fishermen have caught it only about half a dozen 

 times. It is remarkable that the Tusk should be so very rare in the 

 Moray Firth, seeing that it is so frequently found in the Shetland seas, 

 where it is highly and justly esteemed. 



The Plaice, Platessa vulgaris. " The Plash Fleuk." (Leobag,- 

 Leopag, a generic name in Gaelic apparently standing for the Eng- 

 lish word, Flounder). Abundant on the coast. To be obtained at all 

 seasons ; but in best condition for the table in April, — at least so say 

 the fishermen. 



The Flounder, Platessa Flesus. " The Fresh-water Fleuk." Most 

 abundant. Comes up the Lossie as far as Newmill, near Elgin. 



Common Dab, Platessa Limanda. "The Gray Fleuk." Abundant 

 and in season at the same time as the plaice. This is the species 

 most frequently found in the Elgin market. 



Lemon Dab, Platessa microcephala. " The Sole Fleuk." It is 

 somewhat singular to find the fishermen of Moray, like those of De- 

 vonshire, applying the name " Sole " to this species. To the real but 

 more common sole, the former in this district invariably give the name 

 of "Tongue-fish." 



The Holibut, Hippoglossus vulgaris. " Turbot." (Bradan leathan, 



