THE GAR-PIKE. 
141 
The Garfish, Gar-Pike, or Mackerel Guide,* Belone vulgaris, Cuv., 
Is taken around the coast. 
The seasons in which this species is generally taken are the latter part 
of summer, and autumn ; but I have seen a few specimens which were 
procured early in the year. On 23rd April, 1845, one of these fishes 
caught near the quays of Belfast was brought to me, and I had it pre- 
served for the Belfast Museum. It approached some labourers who were 
working at a new dock, and was killed by a blow from a spade or some 
such implement. No other fishes were observed with it. This specimen 
was remarkably fat : 29£ inches long ; weight, 1 lb. 10 oz. ; depth, 
inches ; girth in the middle, 6f inches. 
Mr. James Marshall informs me that these fishes are all taken singly in 
Belfast Bay, and generally not more than one during several hours 
mackerel fishing ; but each boat about the Greypoint generally brings 
home one of them. The bone in vertebral column of this species is green 
before as well as after being boiled. I found a fifteen-spined stickleback 
in the stomach of one taken in the Bay last-named, on 10th Aug., 1850, 
by a friend who was streaming for mackerel, and the bait used was a 
spotted gunnel. 
The following is an extract from Dr. Ball’s lecture : 
“ The Belone vulgaris has a strange habit of jumping over floating 
substances ; of this, advantage is taken on the coast of Donegal, where 
numbers of this fish are caught in nets strained on frames of wood, and 
suffered to float on the surface of the water, when the fish jumping over 
the sides are captured.” 
Dr. Ball has also favoured me with the following note on the same 
subject : — 
“ Belone vulgaris , common at Youghal. Its mode of jumping from the 
water is peculiar and phantom-like ; it shoots bolt upright and falls back 
again tail foremost ; when hooked, it makes more efforts to escape than any 
other fish I know. I have seen it, after breaking loose, perform most 
curious tumblings on the surface for some minutes.” 
In Sept., 1848, Mr. Samuel Lyle sent a large specimen to the Belfast 
Museum, and informed me that he has often seen these fishes about Port- 
rush, where they are called Shearling, and are especially sought for with 
nets of a particular kind — that they may be had for bait, for which pur- 
pose they are excellent. He once caught one there with a piece of the 
grey gurnard as bait. 
Mr. Bernard Meenan f says that, in Strangford Lough, this species is 
* Called “ Horn-eel ” in Belfast Bay, and “ Mackerel-scout 55 in Strangford 
Lough, “ Spearling ” at Portrush, “ Spanish Mackerel ” at Roundstone (Mr. 
Nimmo). 
f Mr. Bernard Meenan, whose name is of frequent occurrence in the follow- 
ing pages, as affording information to Mr. Thompson relative to the different 
kinds of fish brought to the Belfast market, was a well-known fishmonger of 
much practical experience. He died in January, 1854, and consequently in less 
than two years after the decease of Mr. Thompson. The death of Mr. Garrett 
took place in April, 1855. 
If a lesson were needed on the uncertainty of human life, or on the import- 
ance of placing on record the facts observed or communicated in any depart- 
ment of Natural History, it might be based on the brief obituary now given. In 
