80 



Appendices to Second Annual Report 



If the figure given is compared with the one in Day's British Fishes, 

 taken from a specimen 10 inches long obtained at Mevagissey, it will 

 be observed that it diners in several points. The Shetland specimen has 

 the back more arched, the eye relatively larger, three spines instead of 

 one on the operculum, and five large spines instead of numerous small ones 

 on the preoperculum. Further, it has four spines above the eye and a 

 small spine above the nasal chamber, and the scales on the operculum are 

 relatively smaller than in Day's figure. 



3. Rhombus maximus, Plate XIII. 



This specimen, which was forwarded from Anstruther in May, differs 

 considerably from the normal Turbot. By a reference to the PJate, it will 

 be observed (1) that instead of having both eyes on one side, the right 

 eye is situated on the right side near the top of the head, while the left 

 eye (indicated by dotted lines) occupies the usual position on the left side 

 of the head ; (2) that there is a rounded frontal process projecting for- 

 wards in the middle line above the head ; and (3) that the anterior portion 

 of the lateral line forms three irregular curves instead of one single curve. 

 The specimen further differs from an ordinary turbot in having both sides 

 of a uniform dark colour, and in having spines scattered irregularly over 

 the right as well as the left side. It measures 22 inches in length, and 18 

 inches from the margin of the dorsal to the margin of the ventral fin. A 

 turbot with an eye on each side of the head is referred to by Professor 

 M'Intosh in his account of the fishes of North Uist. A further account 

 of this specimen will be given by Dr Traquair, F.R.S., in the next Report. 



4. Lampris luna. 



A fine specimen of Lampris luna (opah), measuring 4 feet in length, was 

 taken in 75 fathoms water 25 miles N.W. of Fluga Lighthouse 

 (Shetland), in May, and forwarded from Lerwick by Mr Millikin. It is 

 expected that Professor Turner, F.E.S., will give an account of some 

 points in the anatomy of this fish in the next Annual Report. 



Other objects of interest received by the Board are — (1) specimens of the 

 acorn shell (Coronula) taken from the " Tay whale" (Megaptera longi- 

 mana) by Mr Murray, fishery officer at Stonehaven ; (2) a specimen of the 

 lesser forkbeard (Raniceps trifurcus) taken in the Firth of Forth ; (3) a 

 specimen of the Greenland shark (Laemargus borealis), forwarded by Mr 

 Doull from Eyemouth ; and (4) a fine specimen of the Sapphirine Gurnard 

 (Trigla hirundo), sent from Macduff. Raniceps, Trigla, and several other 

 fish, have been presented to the Science and Art Museum. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 

 Plate XI. 



Sketch of Torpedo nobiliana taken off Lybster, in January 1884, show- 

 ing the electrical organs, sensory canals, and spiracles. 



Plate XII. 



Sketch of Serranns cabrilla (nat. size), taken off Shetland in 80 fathoms 

 water. 



Plate XIII. 



Sketch of a Turbot sent from Anstruther, May 1884, showing — (1) that 

 the right eye is placed on the right side, while the left one, 

 as the dotted lines indicate, occupies the usual position on 

 the left side ; (2) a process projecting forwards above the 

 head ; and (3) the irregularly curved lateral line. 



