61 
FAUNISTIC NOTES. 
By A. MEEK. 
Two interesting fishes were sent from North Shields in August 
this year by Mr. It. Stevenson, viz., Spinax niger, the black dog fish, 
and Chinurra monstrosa, the “ king of the herrings.” Both were 
captured in the Pcntland Firth. I have to thank Dr. Ridewood, 
of the British Museum, for identifying the first mentioned speci- 
men. Both were females. 
Mr. Douglas sent a specimen of Soomberesox muni*, the Saury 
or Skipper, from Beadnell in November. 
A specimen of Tryqnn jmstinaea, the Sting Ray, was handed in 
at the Laboratory, but we have not been able to discover how it 
was procured. Very likely it was picked up on the shore after the 
storm at the end of the year. We have another specimen which 
was trawled six miles off Creswell in December, 1H97. 
I have to thank Mr. Douglas for sending from Beadnell a 
splendid male example of the Velvet Swimming Crab, Portunux 
puber, L. It was recorded by Embleton for this district, hut the 
record has been subject to doubt. This, happily, is set aside by 
the specimen now in our possession. Mr. Douglas says it is not 
uncommon near the Longstone. 
