95 
X. 
ON THE OCCURKENCE OF THE DEAL-FISH ON 
'J'HE NOKFOLK COAST. 
Ly Tiioma.s Southwkll, F.Z.S., rreaklaif. 
Read 2 ^th February, 1880. 
On tlio 8tli October, 1879, a Doal-iish, cr Vaagiuaor (Trarhi/pferug 
arctinisf), was taken by some fishcniien in a draught-net in 
Ilolkliam liay. After being sliown in tlie neiglibourliood for two 
days it was piircliased by i\Ir. A, J. Napier, of IJolkhani, and sent 
to Mr. Cole, of Norwich, to be preserved, to wlioin 1 am indebted 
for the opportunity of examining it. "When received by Ur. Cole 
it was in a very dilapidated condition, and having been so long 
out of the water recpiiied immediate attention. Consequently 
I did not see the lish in the flesh j I thei'cfore quote from a * 
description of it kindly given me by :Mr. Hugh llobert Rump, of 
A\ ells, by A\hom it was seen very shortly after its cajiture. 
IMr. Rump says, in answer to my inquiries The fisli in 
question was brought for my inspection and identification by the 
captors about two hours after it was landed. It was perfectly 
uninjured, and presented a singularly brilliant and silvery appear- 
ance, its skin nearly resembling silver-foil; it lived about ten 
minutes after its capture. It measured fifty-three inches in length, 
and ten inches in depth at the Avidest part, and Avas perfectly 
flattened; one inch in thickness. Ihe silA'cry sheen of the skin 
disappeared more or less towards the dorsal fin, and a bluish- 
black shading took its place ; but I am qqite certain there were 
not any black spots or markings on the body of the fish — at least, 
on the side (the right) Avhich I liad the opjiortunity of observing. 
'I he dorsal fin ‘ rose gently ’ from the back and extended nearly 
to the tail ; it Avas one continuous ajipendage, and not broken up 
