122 
ACANTH0PTERYG1I. 
perhaps five hundred, and no other fish, were thrown up dead on the 
shore near Holywood. 
Mr. M‘Calla supplied me with the following note in reference to the 
Labrus maculatus , on Galway coast : — 
“ In carefully reading the description of this species in Yarrell’s British 
Fishes, I perceive a few particulars at variance with its habits here, with 
regard to the large and small individuals not being found together. I 
have taken specimens of the Labrus Tinea and L. maculatus about 4 
inches, while men in the same boat were taking some weighing upwards 
of 4 lbs. In England, it seems, the fish is not relished ; here it is the 
most favourite fish, the entire of the boats being engaged fishing for them. 
With us they do not spawn until June. Looking over some thousands 
in a day, I have observed invariably that the larger the specimen the 
more beautiful the colours. This species is subject to great variation in 
its colouring, but a person situated as I am here can perceive a general 
similarity in the markings of the different sizes, as you have noted in 
your paper on the Crenilabri that the C. Cornub. was less brilliant in 
colour than the C. Tinea. Are these the young, those the adult ? I re- 
main positive of the L. maculatus being more brilliant in the mature 
than in the young state. I have never seen so splendid a fish as this, 
when caught about 4 lbs. weight. I have observed that the colours of 
the species of this genus do not disappear after death, as is the case with 
many other fish, as I have seen them retain them well for a number of 
days, in some cases when the fish was even putrid. The middle size of 
this species is generally of a reddish colour, but without the beautiful 
spots of the largest size. Notwithstanding the habits of this fish, it is 
found covered with Lernea ; one brought in to me this day alive in a pot 
had some hundreds on it ; they were the most active species I have ever 
met with, running over the fish with astonishing rapidity. I have never 
found any attached to the gills. I cannot omit mentioning about the 
mode of fishing for this species ; the boats choose a sunken rock often 
with 30 fathom water; and, as it is what they term foul ground, they use 
a stone for an anchor, so that if it fastens they will suffer no loss. In 
like manner for their lines, instead of lead they use a small round stone, 
tied weakly to a line, so that when it fastens it will break off and not en- 
danger the line ; they bring a great number of stones to sea with them 
for this purpose. In fine weather they often go 12 miles to sea fishing for 
this species, which is a favourite fish. It is caught by day.” 
[The following descriptive notes were made by Mr. Thompson some 
years ago, but there is no date on the MS. — Ed.] 
K. Green Wrasse, Labrus maculatus , Bl. The following notice is of five 
specimens of a species of Labrus, the general colour of which (body and 
fins) is rich green in all, though they have been stuffed for a few years. 
They were all taken in Larne Lough, and presented to Belfast Museum 
by Mr. Wm. Marshall. 
1st, length 19 inches. 
B. 5? D. 20jl2 (two last touch at base); P. 15; Y. ljo; A. 3|9; 
C. 17? 
This seems to be the L. lineatus of Donovan ; it is (body and fins) of a 
rich green colour, which becomes paler in the under parts. This colour 
has been described to have been admirably well retained in the present 
specimen. As in Donovan’s dried one, it also possesses the longitudinal 
lines represented in the figure of that author. 
2nd, length 11 inches. 
