80 
ACANTHOPTERYGII. 
The River Bull-head, or Miller’s Thumb, Cottus Oobio, Linn., 
Is not, so far as I am aware, found in Ireland. 
The species has, however, been recorded here, as appears by the follow- 
ing extracts : — 
“ Gobius Scorpius, Father-lasher, not common.” 
“ Gobius Gobio , Miller’s Thumb, rather more abundant.” — Sampson's Derry, 
p. 337. 
“ Cottus Gobio, Miller’s Thumb, Bull-head, caught on the shore about the rocks 
at low water ; it frequents the mouths of fresh waters, and varies in length from 
4 to 10 inches — not eaten.” 
“ Cottus Scorpius, Father-lasher. — This fish resembles the last and is often con- 
founded with it : both are said to be poisonous. Their disagreeable figures per- 
haps gave rise to the report of their bad qualities.” — M‘Skimmin’s Carrickferqus , 
p. 359 (3rd Ed.). 
There is nothing poisonous in these fishes, as there really is in the 
Weever ; but they are both willing and able to wound with their spines. 
“ Cottus Gobio, Bull-head,” is included in Dr. P. Browne’s list. 
Yarrell, perhaps from the information supplied to him from these works, 
sets down the River Bull-head, Cottus Gobio , as found at Belfast and Lon- 
donderry (Brit. Fishes, p. 71). 
The Sea Scorpion,* Cottus Scorpius, Bloch, 
Is found from North to South, and apparently around the coast, during 
the year. 
Contents of stomachs examined : — Several Crustacea ( Gammaridce ) ; a 
full-grown shrimp, and other Crustacea ; Crustacea, among which were a 
shrimp and many Idotea ; the remains of a small flat-fish — a sole, appar- 
ently — and a crab so large that it must have filled a fish’s gape ; the 
remains of fish. 
Specimens which I have seen (dredged from deep and pure sea-water, in 
Strangford Lough, and on Antrim coasts) were much larger than Yarrell 
mentions in reference to the British Islands. He speaks of them “ from 
4 or 5 to 8 inches.” On referring to notes made on a few specimens taken 
in Belfast Bay, far up the estuary, three of them were from 10 to 11 inches 
in length : two of these are preserved in the Belfast Museum. 
Dr. J. L. Drummond called my attention to the liver of this species be- 
ing bright orange, and stated that that of the C. Bubalis is of the same 
bright colour. 
On 29th March, 1838, I received a female C. Scorp)ius (taken in Bel- 
fast Bay) which had four spines on one pre-opercle ; on the other it had 
three, the usual number. An extremely beautiful specimen, 4% inches 
long, taken in the same locality, was brought to me on 20th February, 
1845 ; for one-half of its length, anteriorly, the under parts were of a rich 
rosy red colour, with numerous snowy white spots, all perfectly circular. 
I sent it to the Belfast Museum, to be preserved in spirits. 
Cottus Scorpius received and examined, December, 1835, had the fin-rays 
as follow : — D. 11 — 15 ; P. 15 on one side, 16 on other — both perfect; V. 
1 I 3 ; A. 12 ; C. 11 ; with more short ones than C. Bubcilis examined same 
day pre-opercle ; 3 spines. 
Templeton remarks : — “ They are very wary, permitting the hand to ap- 
* This species, as well as the next, is called “ Miller’s Thumb ” in the North of 
Ireland. 
