THE FLYING-FISH. 
143 
The Flying-Fish, Exoccetus (?), 
Is said to have been seen off the Southern coast. 
In the second vol. of the Annals Nat. Hist. I published the following 
note : — 
“ Exoccetus (?), Flying-fish. — I am informed by Dr. Ball, that, accord- 
ing to the testimony of several intelligent fishermen at Youghal, flying-fishes 
have in different years been seen by them in summer, near the southern coast 
of Ireland — [off the coasts of Waterford and Cork] — the accurate manner in 
which they describe the 4 flight,’ &c., leaves no doubt on my mind that the fishes 
alluded to must have been some species of Exoccetus” 
Specimens have not been obtained to enable the sp. to be determined. 
The Sly Silubus, Silurus Glams, Linn. (?) 
The following notice of a fish resembling this species contains all the 
information which I have been able to procure on the subject. — It was 
contributed by me to the Annals Nat. Hist. vol. vii. 
44 Silurus Glanis, Linn. (?), Sly Silurus. That this species has in a single in- 
stance been taken in Ireland I am disposed to believe, on the following testi- 
mony :• — On inquiry (October, 1840) of William Blair, who has for many years 
been fisherman, &c., at Florence Court, whether he had ever met with any rare 
fish, he described an extraordinary one, of which he could never learn the 
name, that he took twelve or thirteen years ago in a tributary of the Shannon, 
near its source, and about three miles above Lough Allen. His description was 
so graphic and particular, that Lord Enniskillen, on hearing it, immediately 
suggested its applicability to the Sihirus ; and, on Yarrell’s figure being shown to 
the intelligent captor of the specimen, he at once identified it as in all respects 
representing his fish, except in the head and mouth not being large enough. 
Professor Agassiz, who was present, on being appealed to, stated that these 
parts were certainly not represented of sufficient size in the figure. The fish 
was seen struggling in a pool in the river after a flood, and 44 with the long worm- 
like feelers from its mouth and its general appearance was looked upon as so 
hideous that the persons who first saw it were afraid to touch it. The specimen 
was at least 2f feet in length, and 8 or 9 lbs. in weight. Although unfortunately 
4 lost to science,’ it, for two or three years, or until the skeleton fell to pieces, 
adorned a bush near the scene of its death. The species was not known as an 
inhabitant of any of the neighbouring waters by the persons of the district. 
44 The distribution of the Silurus Glanis on the continent of Europe is somewhat 
anomalous, as I learn from M. Agassiz.* In Central Europe it is found in the 
lakes of Neuchatel, Bienne, and Morat only : — in no other lakes or rivers con- 
nected with the Rhine does it occur. It inhabits the rivers flowing into the Bal- 
tic and Black Sea.” 
Family Salmonida:. 
The Salmon, (called Parr or Graveling when young,) Salmo Salar, 
Linn., Salmo salmulus, Turt. (Young Salmon), 
Is common : it is unnecessary to specify localities, as the chief Irish fish- 
eries are well known. 
John Sinclaire, Esq., who has had much experience in salmon-fishing, 
holds the opinion that salmon are in season all the year, and spawn during 
every month. When the rivers are too low for them to ascend, he con- 
siders that they spawn about their mouths in the sea. To illustrate his 
veiws Mr. Sinclaire took me to Belfast market on 3rd April, 1840, where 
* See also Cuv. and Yah, vol. xiv. p. 337, on this subject. 
