Stephenson : Natural History Notes from Whitby. 



monster struggled to break away, lashing about and snap- 

 ping its jaws in its frantic efforts to escape. The net, 

 however, though badly torn, served its purpose well and 

 withstood the terrible strain until the Shark, all its energies 

 spent, was overcome. With the aid of rigged-up tackle 

 the fish was carefully taken into the boat, and proved to be 

 a valuable specimen, being in splendid condition, measuring 

 6 feet 9 inches, and weighing over 15 stones. Later in the 

 day it was brought to Whitby and exhibited. — Whitby 

 Gazette, 23rd September 1898. 



1898 Sept. 28. — Galeus canis. Common Tope. Two specimens 

 were caught off Whitby, on lines baited with herring, and 

 brought into the harbour. 



Sept. 28. — Acanthias vulgaris. Picked Dogfish. This was 

 also caught on the lines and brought into Whitby. 



Oct. 11. — Lamna cornubica. Porbeagle or Beaumaris 

 Shark. A large one was captured by Thos. Langlands in 

 the herring nets off Huntcliff and brought into Whitby 

 Harbour. It measured between 7 feet and 8 feet in length. 



Nov. 9. — Pleuronectes limanda. Dab. A fine specimen was 

 caught from the West Pier end by a young man named 

 Wale. It weighed 2^ lbs., and measured from the nose to 

 the outer edge of caudal fin 17 inches, and across the body 

 (one side) 6^2 inches exclusive of fin on either side. 



1899 Jan. 14. — Lab rax lupus. Basse. One was caught on 

 a trout line by some lads ; it measured in length 11 inches. 



Jan. 26. — Labrus maculatus. Ballan Wrasse. One was 

 caught off and brought into Whitby ; it measured in length 

 16 inches. 



July. — Alopecias vulpes. During the last few days an excep- 

 tionally large number of Porpoises (Phoccena phoccena) and 

 Thrashers or Fox-Sharks {Alopecias vulpes) have been soon 

 chasing the Salmon (Sa/mo salar, etc.) inside the Rock 

 Buoy and Sandsend Bay.— Whitby Gazette, 21st July [899. 



July 24. — Lophius piscatorius. Angler-fish. A large specimen 

 was caught off Whitby and brought into the harbour. 



July 25. — Lamna cornubica. Porbeagle or Beaumaris 

 Shark. A small one was caught in the herring-nets b} 

 — Cole, of Staithes. 



Aug. Mullus barbatus. Red Mullet. One was caught by 

 Isaac Unthank, about four miles from land, and landed .11 

 Whitby; it weighed about 2^ lbs. 



1901 January 2. 



