4368 Fishes, 



A List of Marine Animals obtained at Wet/mouth. 

 By P. H. Gosse, Esq. 



As a large number of marine animals passed through my hands in 

 the course of the summer of 1853, I have thought that an enumera- 

 tion of such as are not common to almost every locality might be 

 interesting to naturalists. Local Faunas are not without value, espe- 

 cially to a right understanding of the geographical distribution of 

 animals, and the external conditions which regulate their presence or 

 absence. But besides this, the following list will present some exam- 

 ples of animals of rarity, the record of whose capture is always valua- 

 ble ; and may afford hints to collectors where to find some species, 

 which, though considered scarce, are rather local. I shall not deem 

 it necessary to mention such animals as the cod and the mackerel, the 

 crab and the lobster, which are taken in abundance for the market ; 

 nor shall I put down any species, though I may know of its occur- 

 rence in the locality, which has not come into my own possession. 



Weymouth, and its immediate neighbourhood, was the scene of my 

 researches. A few species from deep water were procured by the 

 Weymouth trawlers, who extend their search into West Bay ; hence 

 I cannot be quite sure whether such specimens were obtained on the 

 east or the west side of Portland. The overwhelming majority, how- 

 ever, were taken within a line extending from Lul worth to Portland 

 Breakwater. 



Fishes. 



Trachinus vipera. Commonly hauled in seines, on sandy beaches. 



Aspidophorus cataphractus. Not rare, around the quays. 



Labrax lupus. Common in the harbour. 



Cottus bubalis. Abundant. 



Gasterosteus spinachia. Abundant around the quays. 



„ semi-armatus, G. trachurus, and G. leiurus. Common 



in the backwater. 



Atherina presbyter. Common in the harbour. 



Mugil capito. Common in the harbour. 



Blennius pholis. Abundant in tide-pools, on ledges. 



„ ocellaris. Frequent off Preston, in autumn. 



„ gattorugine. Common. 



„ Yarrellii. One specimen in July. 



„ Montagui. One specimen in July ; dredged. 

 Murcenoides guttata. Common around the quays. 



