482 VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND 



VIVIPAROUS BLENNY. 



Zoarces vlviparus, L. 



This species was first recorded from the English Solway in 

 the year 1837. Writing to Yarrell on the 29th of March 1839, 

 T. C. Heysham remarked : ' On Saturday last I also met with 

 three specimens of the Viviparous Blenny, a fish I have never 

 seen in our market before. I have them preserved in spirits, 

 but I fear this species is much too common to be of any service 

 to you.' Dr. I' Anson has obtained this fish near Whitehaven. 



Order AGANTHOPTERYGII. Fam. MUGILIDM. 



LESSER GREY MULLET. 



Mugil septentrionalis, Giinth. 



Whether more than one species of Grey Mullet visits the 

 coast of Lakeland remains to be determined. The specimens 

 which have been taken in the waters of the English Solway 

 belong to this form. Dr. Heysham wrote in 1796: 'The mullet 

 is a very good fish, but is not frequently met with upon our coasts. 

 There was one in the market in the beginning of June which 

 weighed two pounds.' Farren tells me that the Grey Mullet 

 which he nets on the Ravenglass estuary run up to three and 

 four pounds. He considers that the local supply of Grey Mullet 

 has decreased of late years. All the Morecambe Bay fishermen 

 with whom I have discussed the habits of this fish dwelt upon 

 the adroit efforts made by shoals of Mullet to leap over the edge 

 of their encircling nets. Mullet are often taken in the sound 

 between Barrow and Walney. 



Order AC ANT HOPTERYGII. Fam. GASTROSTEIDjE. 



THREE-SPINED STICKLEBACK. 



Gastrosteus aculeatus, L. 



The typical form of this Stickleback is common in our brooks 

 and ditches. The marine form, G. trachurus, the Rough- tailed 

 Stickleback, is often taken in the shrimp-nets in the waters of 





