FISH-NOTES FROM GREAT YARMOUTH. 29 



Herrings. Among the few Herrings recently [December] landed 

 large numbers of Pilchards — quite a third of the quantity, in 

 fact — have been taken, which is quite an unusual occurrence." 



The sport of Sea Angling has become exceedingly popular in 

 the neighbourhood of late years, anglers of both sexes becoming 

 more numerous every year. Whitings come into the shallow 

 waters in considerable numbers in October and November, whilst 

 devotees of the rod, including even boys of tender years, that 

 thronged the old jetty at Yarmouth, fished over each other's 

 shoulders literally two and three deep at times. Mr. Harry 

 Tunbridge, manager of the Britannia Pier, sends me the follow- 

 ing statistics : — " The total number of Whiting taken from this 

 pier in October was 23,206 ; in November, 8030. Total, 31,236." 

 Mr. F. T. Fenton, manager of the Claremont Pier, Lowestoft, 

 under date of Dec. 14th, writes: — "No record is kept of the 

 numbers of fish landed, but this season has been the best for 

 Whiting for many years past. I have known 130 to be caught 

 in seven hours by one rod. In one week no fewer than 6000 

 were brought to basket. Codling up to 19|- lb. have been taken 

 this year. Major Seymour made an interesting capture of a 

 2^ lb. Turbot at four o'clock one afternoon, and on the next day, 

 at exactly the same time, he landed another of 2f lb. weight." 



The season for Codlings commenced in December, but so far 

 poor catches have been made, a 21 lb. being the largest landed. 



Amongst the few crustaceans which came to hand that 

 attracted more than ordinary attention may be mentioned an 

 aged Lobster (Homarus vulgaris), whose shell was covered with 

 Barnacles, Sabellce, and zoophytes. The edges of the outer 

 covering, and more especially the claw-ends, were badly worn, 

 like an old Gnu's horns in the " Zoo," it being evident that 

 exuviation had for some time past been a lost art. 



Among the malformed pincer-claws of the Edible Crab, a 

 speciality that has interested me for many years, may be men- 

 tioned : — 



a. — A three-pointed pincer-claw that had a curious resem- 

 blance to a pickle-fork, or the fore-foot of a mole. May 6th. 

 b.— Small example with one chela curved outwardly. 

 c. — Movable chelae with excrescence-like knob, suggesting 

 the head of a guinea-fowl. March 23rd, 



