FISHES had not the least doubt of its being this species. This is the first instance of its occurrence on the Norfolk coast. Mr. A. Patterson mentions the capture of three specimens, at Yarmouth, in shrimp nets (Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc, vol. v. p. 228). 25. Transparent Goby. Aphia pellucida, Nardo. On June 9th, 1890, a specimen of this fish, which is new to Norfolk, was brought to Mr. A. Patterson. Several others were afterwards found. The species was deter- mined by Dr. Gunther [Trans. Norf, and Nor. Nat. Soc, vol. V. p. 228). 26. John Dory. Zeus faber^ Linn. ' Hitherto considered rare, but this summer (1834) several have been caught on the Knowl by the turbot-fishers.' — Paget. ' Occasionally, but not frequently, sent from Yarmouth to the Norwich market.' — J. H. G. ' One, 2 feet long, 8| lb., taken amongst herrings at Yarmouth, contained seven her- rings.' — A. P. {Trans. Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc, vol. vi. p. 3).
- One taken in a lobster-pot oflF Sherring-
ham, October ist, 1881.' — T. S. 27. Boar-fish. Capros aper, Linn. Has not been previously recorded as occur- ring in Norfolk. Mr. A. Patterson of Yar- mouth (July 9th, 1 881) found a specimen on a shrimper's board. It had been caught the same morning ; it measured 5 inches in length, and was of a lovely carmine colour. Mr. Southwell informs me that a second specimen was found dead on Yarmouth beach. May I St, 1882. The boar-fish was first re- corded as having been taken off the British coast in 1825. It was regarded as so great a rarity that one found on the beach at Brighton in 1842 was considered worthy of presenta- tion to Her Majesty the Queen. H.R.H. the Prince Consort was the first who correctly identified the fish as Capros aper. Since that time it has occurred, in some numbers, on the south coast, scarcely a year passing without its being met with. In 1877 it was taken in great numbers on the south coast, and one was found as far north as Grimsby. In 1879 it was again numerous on the south and east coasts, where it is met with every year, occasionally in large quantities. 28. Scad, Horse-mackerel. Caranx trachurus, Linn. One which I saw taken in the Norfolk Estuary weighed 2 lb. Paget says that at Yarmouth ' it is rarely caught, and those that are taken are generally small.* ' Fifteen inches long ; very common.' — A. Patterson. ' Before the herrings,' says Sir T. Browne, ' there commonly cometh a fish about a foot long, by fishermen called a horse, resembling in all points the Trachurus of Rondeletius.' Mr. H. M. Upcher tells me he has seen large numbers of the scad in chase of small fry along the coast at Sherringham, and so intent in the pursuit as to be easily taken with a landing-net. The beach was quite covered with small fish which were stranded on the shingle after leaping from the water to escape their pursuers. 29. Mackerel. Scomber scombrus, Linn. Yarmouth : ' Abundant.' — P. ' Sometimes they are of a very large size ; and one taken this year (1668), which was by measure an ell long, and of the length of a good salmon, at Lowestoft.' — Sir Thomas Browne. Mr. Couch says the largest he ever saw measured half an inch over 2 feet. Mr. R. D. Massingham, harbour-master of Lowestoft, in a letter to Mr. Southwell, No- vember 9th, 1875, comments on the unusual fact of a large number of mackerel having been taken at that late season of the year. He says : * The large quantity of mackerel landed at our market this autumn is a very unusual thing, as they are only, as a rule, caught on this coast in May and June.' ' No less than 3 lasts were brought in by one fishing-boat, October 20th, 1898.' — T. S. Mr. A. Patterson has recorded the follow- ing varieties of this species : var. punctatus, scriptus, concolor. 30. Plain Bonito. Auxis rochet, Risso. 'Two which were taken in June, 1839, off Yarmouth, and came into Mr. Yarrell's possession ' [British Fishes, vol. i. p. 1 60). ' A third, also taken off Yarmouth, July, 1847, is now in the museum of the Cam- bridge Philosophical Society.' — T. E. Gunn. 31. Tunny. Orcynus thynnus, Linn. Mr. Gurney writes : ' An immature speci- men taken off the Suffolk coast, near South- wold, I believe, is preserved in the Norwich Museum.' 'Small specimens not unfrequently taken during the mackerel fishery.' — Paget. T. E. Gunn mentions one taken at Yar- mouth, October 6th, 1870, 6 feet 9 inches in length, 4 feet 4 inches in girth, weight 224 lb. 203
