PISCES. 



39 



TJENLMDM.— (Scabbard Fishes). 



The Scabbard fish. [Lepidopus Argyreus). Rare. 



Silvery Hairtail. (Trichiurus Upturns). jNTot uncommon of late 

 years. Remarkable for its barbed teeth and enormous gape. 

 Couch (see British Fishes, vol. II, p. 63) was apparently 

 misled as to this latter fact by having seen only specimens 

 which had been dead for some time, and which were conse- 

 quently stiff. 



Banks Oarfish. (Regalecus Banlcsii). Hawkins' Gynmetrus. 

 Occurred at Newlyn in Mount's Bay once, at some date 

 between 23 February, 1788 and 1796. The confusion has 

 arisen from the existence of several copies of a sketch of it, 

 bearing different dates, but which are evidently copies of 

 one original. There is a trace, but not a record, of its 

 occurrence once subsequently at Marazion. This is the 

 " Ceil Conin," and the " King of the Herrings." 



Red Bandfish. ( Cepola ruhescens). Red Snakefish. Couch 

 (Fauna) speaks of it as " not uncommon." I have heard of 

 its capture, on competent authority, off the coast of Corn- 

 wall, but I have never seen a specimen, and curiously enough 

 Couch, though (British Fishes) he speaks of it as common 

 in the south and west of England, does not record a capture 

 of it in Cornish waters. 



MUGILW^.—(Tnn Millets). 



Grey Mullet. {Mugil capito). Common. The object of large 



fisheries in many parts of Cornwall. 

 Lesser Grey Mullet. {Mugil chelo). Thicklipped grey mullet. 



Rare. 



Atherine. (Atherina presbyter). Sand Smelt. A frequent visitor 

 in autumn in large shoals. It takes a bait readily and is 

 excellent eating. It is said never to frequent waters in 

 which the smelt ( Osmerus eperlanus) is to be found. 



Boiers' Atherine. {Atherina Boieri). Large shoals of this rare 

 fish occurred at Polperro in 1846. 



Loi gfimied grey mullet. {Mugil Auratus). Golden mullet. A 

 specimen was captured in Mount's Bay about 1865. 



Trumpet fish. (Centriscus scolopax). Bellows fish. Has been 

 recorded as having occurred three times in Cornwall. 



