40 



SKIPPER. Scomberesox Saurus. Jenyns, p. 419. Yarrell's 

 Br. F., vol. 1, p. 394. Skopster, Haliou. Abundant in 

 Summer, but rarely appearing before June. 



FLYING FISH. A few instances are on record, of a fish 

 of this Genus, Exocoetus, having been seen or taken in Corn- 

 wall ; and Mr. Yarrell, following Pennant, has referred 

 them to the Linnean Species, E. Volitans, though with an 

 expression of doubt. In one instance, however, I have 

 ascertained from inspection that the Specimen, which threw 

 itself on the Quay at Plymouth, was the Greater Flying-fish 

 E. Exiliens, or Le Muge Volant of Bloch, the common 

 Species of the Mediterranean ; and I have reason to believe 

 from its dimensions as given to me by its possessor, that 

 the individual which was found at Helford, where it was 

 discovered on the sand, having just then expired, was of 

 the same Species. 



THE SALMON KIND. 



SALMON. S. Salar. Jenyns, p. 421. Yarrell's Br. F., 



vol. 2, p. 1. Common, but far less abundant than formerly, 

 perhaps in consequence of the extension of Mining; for it 

 is found to diminish in, or even to forsake, Rivers, into 

 which water pumped from Copper Mines, is discharged. 

 Running through an hilly Country, in a course of no great 

 length, the Rivers of Cornwall are generally too shallow in 

 Summer, and too liable to fluctuation at all Seasons, to 

 admit of the regular ascent of Salmon at the time when they 

 are esteemed best in Season in other parts of the Island ; 

 they are therefore chiefly taken in Autumn and the begin- 

 ning of Winter. A smaller run of good fish takes place 

 also in February and March, consisting of such as have not 

 heen disposed for spawning at the ordinary Season ; which 

 is in December and January. These latter fish can have 

 no intention to spawn at this time, for their roe shews little 

 marks of developement ; and it is equally clear that they do 

 not remain until the next Season, as many Naturalists have 

 asserted ; for in that case they could not have escaped 

 detection. In some Cornish Rivers it is unlawful to catch 

 these Fish, from an apprehension that under the pretence 

 of doing so, such as are heavy with spawn may be des- 

 troyed, to the great injury of the Fishery ; but to render 

 this reason effectual, it should be applied more extensively 

 than it is at present ; for there are, I believe, no more than 

 three Rivers which have definite times of Fishing appoint- 

 ed by Law. 



