1G3 
SAIT. FLUKE. 
Zeugnpterus veKvolans, JIiciiardson ; 2nd. Supplomont to 
Yarrell’s British Fishes. 
The history of this fish, as it is given to us from the Islands 
of Orkney, is so extraordinary that doubt might be raised of 
its truth, if it were not supported by the evidence of scientific 
observers, who have used their endeavours to place the par- 
ticulars beyond reasonable question. The earliest account appears 
to have been furnished by Dr. Duguid, of Kirkwall, but it is 
since confirmed by information received from Mr. Charles 
Thomson^ of North Ronaldshay, who adds that this fish is 
scarcely rare in that distant 'island ; and in others of that group 
it may be scarce only from its peculiar habits, for it has not 
been known to take a bait, and it is only in a single instance 
that it is said to have been caught in a net. The chance 
therefore of its falling into human hands was not to be calculated 
on, and still less so, as we shall see, in an uninutilated con- 
dition. But its characteristic habit is described as, that in the 
winter, when the weather happens to be calm, it rises to the 
surface of the sea, and with its tail lifted as a sail it makes 
towards the land, on the sandy shore of which it drives itself, 
and where it does not fail to be descried by some one of the 
larger prowling gulls; which, always on the look out, pounces 
on it for the purpose of tearing open its bowels in search of 
the liver; and when it has whetted its appetite with this delicacy 
it bears off the body of the luckless fish to some safe place 
where it may be devoured at leisure. As the eyes of these 
birds are sharp to discover this coveted prey, it is not often 
that the fish, which is said to be delicious when quite fresh 
from the sea, can be procured for the table; but to obtain it 
at the favourable moment of time boys are set on the watch. 
