NATURAL HISTORY. 
almost to bleeding, and with bellies and sides nearly denuded of scales by the violent rubbing they 
had undergone, while the females bore no mark of injury. The sharpened form of the snout in 
the male salmon, as well as in the male of the sea trout, is consistent with this theory; and the 
peculiar condition of the female, laden with spawn, affords a satisfactory reason why such should 
be the law of nature. It excuses, likewise, the apparent apathy, with which in some sheltered 
pool she awaits the return of the male, whom she then accompanies to the prepared furrow, that 
they may together deposit their milt and roe. The great disproportion in number between the 
males and females, taken in the nets, has also been noticed by Mr. Daniells _the males perhaps 
not exceeding in number jrd of the females—but it is probable that this arises from a partial 
separation of the sexes in the ascent of the river, the males keeping the central, and more rapid 
part of the stream. 
5. Salmo Trutta; Sea Trout. These accompany the salmon in considerable numbers, and 
are probably very conformable to them in habits. 
6. Salmo Fario ; Common, or River, Trout. Two specimens were taken on the ‘2nd of 
July last (1835), in the first nets below Derry : it is therefore an example of a fresh-water fish, 
existing by choice in salt water. 
7. Clupea Alosa; Shad. By no means uncommon. It attains a considerable size,—the 
extreme length of the specimen examined being 2 f. 2i. 
8. Esox Lucius ; Common Pike. Taken between Derry and Culmore. Another interest¬ 
ing example of a fish, whose usual habits are fluviatile and lacustrine, found in salt water : length 
2f. IOi. 
9. Belone vulgaris; Common Gar. Numerous after the middle of June. 
10. Molva vulgaris; Common Ling. A specimen, 4 feet long, was taken in July (?) 183,5. 
Dark oblique streaks along the dorsal fin. 
11. Merlangus vulgaris ; Whiting. A specimen was taken on the 9th of July (?) 1835. 
The first dorsal fin has only 13 rays. 
12. Pleuronectes Rhombus ; Brill. 
13. Pleuronectes, species nearly allied to Megastoma, but without tubercles on the lateral 
line. The retral portion of the dorsal fin is widest. Body translucent. 
14. Platessa vulgaris; Plaice. Very common. 
15. Platessa Flesus ; Flounder. The sinistral variety very frequently met with. 
16. Anguilla vulgaris; Common Eel. Caught with hook and line at the quays of Derry, 
as early as the 9th of June last (1835). 
Acanthopterygious. 
17. Gunnellus vulgaris (Muraenoides guttata — Lacepede and Yarrell) ; Spotted 
Gunnel, or Butter Fish. Well described by Yarrell in the 5th part of his British Fishes, 
though the spots should be on the back rather than on the dorsal fin. 
18. Lophius Piscatorius; Angler, or Frog-fish. Many of this species are met with in 
Lough Foyle, and are called Herring Hogs. A specimen of this unsightly fish was stranded 
near Derry, having been previously wounded: it was still alive. The extreme length of the spe¬ 
cimen examined was 3r. 9i., and the expanded jaws measured 12i. by 10. 
19. Trigla Gurnardus; Grey Gurnard. Taken on the 15th of July last (1835). 
20. Catapliractus Schoneveldii ; Common Pogge. Several specimens obtained—the largest 
6 inches long. The angular form is preserved in the upper surface of the tail, though it is rounded 
below. The number of rays in the pectoral fins is 16— Fleming says 18. 
21. Mugil Capito — Cuvier and Yarrell; M. Cephalus— Fleming ; Common Mullet. 
It is frequently of considerable size : one taken on the 30th of June last (1835) measured 2f. Ii. 
22. Zeus Faber; Doree. This was taken on the 9th of July last. In the 1st dorsal fin 
were 9 rays,—in the pectoral 13—both numbers agreeing with those of Yarrell. 
Mollusca. 
Cephalopoda. 
Loligo vulgaris; Calamary: the Great Cuttle of Pennant. Taken in the Culmore net. 
The fins were in this specimen narrower than is usual, and much thickened at the edges. The 
spots were principally on the right half of the animal—an arrangement traceable even on the arms 
and feet. 
