PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
29 
estuaries. The several species of Motella, the three, four, and five-bearded rocklings, 
are frequent in Dingle and Yentry harbours, and I have taken in a boat trawl in 
Yentry, the mackerel midge, the beautiful little Motella glauca. Of the Pleuro- 
nectidse, many in the young state are to be met with in the harbours. In the summer 
months, the French or lemon sole (Solea pogusa), and the variegated sole (Monochirus 
variegatus), are not uncommon in Ventry harbour. The Cyclopteridse, or suckers, 
are many of them frequent; the Cyclopterius lumpus has been taken of large size 
in Castlemaine harbour, sometimes frequenting the salmon weirs. In some speci¬ 
mens the belly is of a rich azure. The Cornish sucker (Lepidogalter cornubiensis), has 
been taken at low water, attached to the stones in Smerwick harbour, its light tinge 
of carmine hue attracting attention. All the known British species of the pipe 
fishes (Sygnathidse) I have obtained on the south west coast; some are beautifully 
and vividly marked in the living state, and their singular marsupial habits would 
render observance of their movements and peculiarities interesting. The deep¬ 
nosed pipe fish (Sygnathus typhle) I met rather abundantly in the spring months in 
Dingle harbour, and the Oquoreal pipe fish (Acestra oquorea) more frequent during 
summer. The Hippocampus brevirostris, short-nosed sea-horse, has been taken at 
low water in Smerwick, adhering in its peculiar manner to the rigid stems of cisto- 
seira. Fish, like the gay plumage of our birds, assume their gaudiest tints in the 
bridal season, and this is remarkably seen in the Sygnathidse, in the Cottidse, and 
in the Gobies. Skates and rays, and the singular liorney pouches containing the 
young, are met in all the harbours ; but sufficient has been said of the interest that 
exists to the naturalist, and which a dredge and a small boat-sean can always com¬ 
mand the capture of. To follow out more closely such investigations, how interest¬ 
ing would be the experiments resulting from daily examination of the habits of 
these different fish placed in those large tanks, with shingly and sandy beds, rock, 
and with sea plants and confervas, to please their habits and tastes. Thus, beautiful 
fields of interest are laid open to the astonishment of the admirers of nature’s w r orks, 
and the hidden mysteries of the tenants of the deep, unveiled and unravelled to 
physiological science. In the large cisterns of the vivaria at the Zoological Gar¬ 
dens, I have watched with interest the perfect lifelessness of the pike and the perch 
—they appeared like beautifully varnished specimens suspended in the fluid—mo¬ 
tionless and inanimate, and no perceptible pulsation of the operculi or gill covers. 
Living in an element heavier than air, and suspended in a liquid of nearly the same 
specific gravity as their own bodies, their forms are beautifully proportioned to offer 
the least resistible force to progression, while the muscular powers of the tail in 
some and of the pectoral fins in others are admirably adapted to rapid movements 
of progression and of elevation. Fishes, of all vertebrated animals, are said to be 
the least sensitive of emotions of pain or pleasure; their organs or sensation 
awaken no impressions; rigid in countenance, and eyes almost immoveable, and 
which no tears dim, nor eyelids protect, they seem, with all their beauty of form 
and brilliancy of colour, mere automatons in sensibility, and mute as the silent 
depths they inhabit. This in the fullest extent is not strictly accurate, for they 
recognise the hand that feeds them, and follow apparently with joy and sportive 
liveliness the movements of those that protect them. Mr. Andrews then alluded 
to the great interest of the vivarium which some years had been formed and kept 
up by Mr. Bland, of Derriquin Castle, Kenmare Bay. In an inlet, guarded by 
reefs of rocks in Sneem harbour, a strong barrier of stones had been closely formed 
across the entrance, out through which every tide flowed and ebbed, leaving a suffi¬ 
ciency of water within. In this, mullet, whiting, bream, soles, and plaice suc¬ 
ceeded best—haddock did also well, but gurnards became paler in colour. Whiting 
became so tame as to feed out of the hand, and all assembled at the feeding time 
at the appearance of the tray; all seemed fond of potatoes. This singular charac¬ 
ter is strikingly shown in the natatores, particularly in the mergansers and sheldrakes, 
birds whose formation of bill appear only adapted to feed on the shellfish and soft mol- 
lusca, their habitual diet. When tamed or domesticated they greedily eat potatoes, 
altogether rejecting the food of their wild habits. Many admirable positions existed 
on the west coast for the formation of extensive marine store ponds, and where turbot, 
soles, haddock, cod, and lobsters could be securely stored, and made available in times 
of scarcity and boisterous weather. Under such circumstances, the artificial 
