On Argentine and Anchovy on the Coast of Caithness. 257 



nets during the herring fishing season. I have seen two 

 very fine specimens. This is considered a dangerous fish, 

 and fishermen stung by it have been lamed for life. In 

 some countries there is a law compelling the fishermen to 

 cut off the dorsal fin before bringing them ashore, under 

 pain of a penalty if they neglect doing so. 



3. Trachinus Vipera. (Cuvier et Valenciennes.) Lesser Weever. 



Common in the sand at times at the back of the pier here, 

 and as well in other localities. In Cornwall this is called 

 " a bishop." As people are often stung by these fishes, I 

 hope it will not be considered trifling if I mention an ex- 

 cellent and almost instantaneous remedy for these wounds. 

 Many boys were cured by me in Cornwall when they had 

 caught these Tartars, by applying sweet oil with some laud- 

 anum mixed with it. I never knew it to fail. The belief 

 there is, that any one thus wounded will get no relief from 

 the pain and swelling until after the going down of the sun : 

 this remedy has shaken the superstition. I have met with 

 a similar belief in many other places, not only as regards 

 the sting of the weever, but of the bite of snakes*. 



4. Engraulis Encrasicolus. (Fleming.) The Anchovy. 



A fine specimen of this great delicacy was taken off here 

 in a drift-net amongst herrings in August 1860. I am in- 

 debted to Mr David Gunn of this place for it. It is common 

 in the Mediterranean, occurs occasionally on the coast of 

 Norway, and in the Baltic, " but is not mentioned by Dr 

 Johnston as having been taken on the coast of Berwickshire, 

 nor does Dr Parnell include it in his fishes of the Forth." 

 This capture adds another locality. 



5. Monochirus Linguatulus.* (Cuvier.) The Solenette. 



I have taken this pretty little sole out of the stomachs of 

 fishes, both here and at Peterhead. Having often got it 

 from trawl-boats in Cornwall and Suffolk, I am well ac- 

 quainted with it. To be certain about those got in Scotland, 

 I tested the scales under the microscope before admitting 

 them to my list. 



* This fish was added to the list of fishes taken in the Firth of Forth, in 

 the last Report of the Committee on Marine Zoology of the Society. 



