188 
MALACOPTERYGII. 
Subsequently to the publication of the foregoing particulars, I saw two 
examples of this fish from the same locality (Carrickfergus). One of 
these, about 15 inches in length, was taken in March, 1839, when swim- 
ming on the surface of the water. The other was procured in Dec., 1840, 
and was 26 inches in length. 
On 28th Jan., 1849, a male, 22 inches long, taken at Portaferry (County 
Down), was presented in a recent state to the Belfast Museum by George 
Johnston, Esq. — This fish had “the first dorsal fin triangular, much 
higher than the second ; the anterior rays produced.” — The ventral rays 
7 inches long ; head, 4f inches long. 
The Lesser Forked Beard, or Tadpole-fish, Raniceps trifur catus, 
Flem., 
Has been taken on one occasion, as noticed by me in the Ann. Nat. Hist, 
vol. ii., from which I extract the following : — 
“ Raniceps trifurcatus, Flem., Tadpole-fish. — To Capt. Fayrer, R. N., I am 
indebted for a specimen of this fish, picked up on the 21st September, 1837, as 
it lay floating upon the sea off Donaghadee harbour — it was received in a recent 
state. Its agreement with Dr. Johnston’s description (Yarrell’s Brit. Fish., vol. 
ii. p. 206) * is so complete, that any except the few following notes on the in- 
dividual seem to be unnecessary. 
“ Its length is lOf inches ; in number the fin-rays are, 
“D. 3 — 63; A. (somewhat injured) 57 ? P. 23 ; V. 6 ; C. 36. 
“ Second ray of the first dorsal fin thrice the length of the other rays ; second 
ray of the ventral fins considerably the longest ; no tubercles on sides sensible 
either to sight or touch ; no lateral line apparent ; body all over ‘ smooth and 
even ; ’ cirrus 4§ lines long. 
“ In colour it is entirely of a lilac brown except the belly, -which is dirty white 
very faintly tinged with lilac ; folding of the lips china-white ; fins all of an 
uniform lilac black, except the ventrals, of which a portion is paler than the 
rest ; inside of mouth pure white ; irides of a yellowish-brown colour.” 
At a meeting of the Dublin Nat. History Society in Jan., 1852, W. 
Andrews, Esq. noted its occurrence in Dingle Bay (County Kerry), hav- 
ing been caught on a long line set for cod-fish. 
I have been favoured by the late H. D. S. Goodsir, Esq., with speci- 
mens (of which he at different times obtained several) which were taken 
in crab pots at the mouth of the Firth of Forth. 
The Mackerel-midge, Motella glauca , Jenyns. 
“ Motella glauca , Jenyns, Mackerel-midge. — Two minute specimens — the 
larger If inch long — of Motella that 1 have closely examined, and which were 
obtained at the South islands of Arran (off County Clare), by R. Ball, Esq., in 
June, 1835, agree in every respect with the Ciliata glauca of Couch, described 
in the Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 16 ; at the same time I cannot 
perceive any specific difference between them and M. Mustela.” — Ann. Nat. 
Hist. vol. ii. 
“ Mackerel Midge is by no means rare atKilmore (County Wexford).” 
Major Walker, Feb. 26th, 1847. 
Motella glauca , Sept. 16 th, 1848. One was dredged in winter from 4 — 
6 fathoms in Belfast Bay. 
“ A specimen of this minute fish Avas on the 22nd June, 1844, taken in com- 
* First edition. 
