54 



A CORNISH FATTNA. 



The Sandy Ray (Rata circular is). I record this Ray in deference 

 to the authority of Mr. Couch, but I much doubt whether it 

 is not an accidental variety of the Homelyn. 



The Torpedo (Raia torpedo), The Cramp Ray. The Electric 

 Ray. Is not uncommon, and yet is rarely observed, because 

 most fishermen cut it away as soon as they see it. 



The Sting Ray ( Irygon pdstinaca) . The Eire-flaire. Is of rare 

 occurrence. 



The Eagle Ray (Myliobatis aquila) is recorded as having occurred 

 once off the coasts of Cornwall. 



PETR0MYZIDJ8.—{Tjm Lampreys.) 



The Sea Lamprey (Petromt/zon marinus.) Common. 



The Lampern {R. fluviatilis). A river fish. Is said by Mr. Couch 

 to be " Common," and no doubt it is so in the eastern part 

 of the county. With it, should, apparently, go the Silver 

 Lamprey and Planer's Lamprey ; but I am now making my 

 conclusions from written descriptions and not from observa- 

 tion, and cannot therefore speak with confidence. 



The Mud Lamprey (Ammocostes branchialis). The Pride. Blind 

 Lamprey. Common. 



The Mixine (Gastrobranchus ccscus). The Borer. The Hag Eish. 

 Rare. 



Lancelet (Amphioccus lanceolatus). A tiny fish, and very rare. 

 All small fish of the deep sea are rare. They escape 

 observation. 



I have now closed my list, having followed, as I have before 

 said I should, as closely as possible the classification adopted by 

 Mr. Couch. The advantages to be gained by my doing this 

 seemed to me to outweigh the advantages of a more modern 

 method. I have cited, wherever I could, the scientific names 

 given by Yarrell as rendered by Couch. Where this has been 

 impossible, I have added the name of the naturalist whose nomen- 

 clature I have adopted. A list of this sort can never be perfect, 

 and if I have fairly followed in the footsteps of my predecessor 

 (who did the work; I have but revised it) I shall be quite 

 content. 



It seems to me that a practical value of local icthyology lies 

 in its teaching us of our supply of fish as an article of food, and 

 I can say with confidence that very few people, indeed, know the 



