PISCES. 



35 



been taken at Looe," but lie does not record it in bis 

 " Britisb Fishes," nor does Yarrell mention it. It is prob- 

 able therefore that Mr. Couch concluded his record of it was 

 doubtful. 



Dentex. {Bentex vulgaris). Four- toothed sparus. Has been 

 observed twice off Falmouth. 



Mendole. {Sparus mmna). The Cackarel. A Mediterranean 

 fish recorded as having once occurred at Falmouth. 



The Red Mullet. {Mullus Surmuletus). The striped red mullet, 

 "The woodcock of the sea." Yery common. Has been 

 taken in Mount's Bay of the weight of 39£ oz. 



Plain Red Mullet. (Mullus Barbatus). Mr. Couch mentions this 

 fish as Cornish, but I believe when he wrote there was a 

 confusion between plain red mullet and one of the gurnards 

 (Mullus Imberbis). I do not think that the occurrence of 

 Mullus Barbatus in Cornwall is anywhere recorded. 



The Weever. (Trachinus Draco). The Sting Bull. The Poison 

 fish. The Canker. Yery good eating, but its first dorsal 

 contains a poison bag at the base of the rays, which had 

 better be cut out before the fish is cooked. The fish is able 

 by means of these dorsal rays to inflict a poisoned wound, 

 which causes swelling and much pain as far as the elbow 

 joint. It is common in some sands, but is never found in 

 rocky grounds. 



Lesser "Weever. ( Trachinus Viper a). Shorter and deeper than 

 the last-named, much more rare. Found occasionally at 

 Hayle and at Pra Sands in Breage. 



TRIGLIDjE.— (Guenards). 



Elleck. (Trigla Cuculus). Red Gurnard. Eed fish. Soldier 



Halleck. Common off every coast. 

 Tub. (T. Hirundo). Sapphirine Gurnard. Common. 

 Piper. (T. Lyra). Stated by Mr. Couch in the Fauna to be 



common, but it certainly is not so in West Cornwall. 

 Streaked Gurnard. (Mullus imberbis). The Pock Gurnard. 



The French Gurnard. The Parson. Formerly confounded 



with plain red mullet (which see). Not uncommon on shoal 



rocky ground. 



Grey Gurnard. ( T. Gurnardm) . The Gurnard. Yery cuiiiuioii. 



