Both are to be met with as visitors, the latter the
rarer of the two.
PROCELLARIA GLACIALIS [_Fulmar Petrel_].
An occasional winter visitor. I had a specimen sent me
from Gamrie, which approached a boat so closely that
one of the fishermen knocked it down with an oar; this
was several miles out at sea.
PUFFINUS MAJOR [_Great Shearwater_], and
PUFFINUS OBSCURUS [_Dusky Shearwater_]. Only winter visitors.
THALASSIDROMA PELAGICA [_Stormy Petrel_].
A visitor, like the rest of its kindred, but more
frequent, and may be met with at intervals all the year
round. The superstitious dread of this little bird by
sailors and fishermen is well known.
* * * * *
With the stormy petrel ends my List of the Birds of Banffshire. Many
species given as “rare” may turn out to be of frequent occurrence, and
many given as “occasional visitors” may prove to be natives. Species,
too, not mentioned in this List may have to be included in the birds of
the county; and no one will be more pleased to hear of such additions
than myself.
FISHES.
LABRAX LUPUS [_The Basse or Sea Perch_].
This is a rare species with us, only three having come
under my notice. One of these, a beautiful specimen,
was found dead in our river, the Deveron, not far from
its mouth, in 1839.
ACERINA VULGARIS [_The Ruffe or Pope_].
One is said to have been obtained off Troup Head about
forty-two years ago.
TRACHINUS DRACO [_The Great Weever_].
Occasionally found. The fish is said to be possessed
of very poisonous qualities, insomuch that a prick or
even a mere scratch from either of the rays (which are
hard and spinous) of the first dorsal or back fin,
causes the severest pain imaginable. On the continent,
where they are more numerous than they are here, and
where they are used as an article of food, there is a
very stringent law which forbids them being brought to
market, or even exposed for sale in any shape whatever,
unless these spines are all cut off; and in order to
enforce obedience, parties found transgressing the law
are severely punished.
TRACHINUS VIPERA [_The Little Weever_].
Specimens of the little weever are not unfrequently met
with; which would seem to indicate that they are more
numerous in the Firth than the preceding.
MULLUS BARBATUS [_The Bed Surmullet_].
This and the striped red mullet (M. SURMULETUS) have
both been obtained, the latter being the most frequent.
TRIGLA CUCULUS [_The Red Gurnard_] is pretty frequent; as is also
TRIGLA HIRUNDO [_The Sapphirine Gurnard_].
Some splendid specimens of this latter fish are
annually brought on shore by our fishermen towards the
end of autumn.
TRIGLA GURNARDUS [_The Gray Gurnard_].
This is our commonest gurnard; and, judging from
the numbers taken, must be very numerous. They are
known here by the term of ‘Crunack.’ They are not
much esteemed as an article of food, even among the
peasants; and they are, in consequence, seldom brought
to market.
TRIGLA PŒCILOPTERA [_The Little Gurnard_].
Somewhat rare. I remember once taking one from the
stomach of a great northern diver, which was shot
between Findochtie and Speymouth, in the spring of
1840, and which was sent me for the purpose of being
preserved.
COTTUS SCORPIUS [_The Short-spined Cottus_].
Pretty frequent.
COTTUS BUBALIS [_The Long-spined Cottus_].
Rather plentiful. I find them in abundance, in pools
left by the tide, or beneath stones at low water. Many
of them exhibit some most beautiful markings.
COTTUS QUADRICORNIS [_The Four-horned Cottus_].
I have never found this species but in the stomachs
of other fish; which leads me to conclude that they
generally inhabit deep water; or, at least, that they
do not come so near the shore as the preceding species.
ASPIDOPHORUS EUROPÆUS [_The Armed Bullhead_].
This is another stomach species. But I have found
these, also, though very sparingly, amongst the rocks
at low tide.
GASTEROSTEUS TRACHURUS [_The Rough-tailed, Three-spined
Stickleback_] and
GASTEROSTEUS LEIURUS [_The Smooth-tailed Stickleback_]
are both plentiful. The former along the coast, and the
latter in our streams and rivulets.
SPINACHIA VULGARIS [_The Fifteen-spined Stickleback_].
Common amongst the pools along the shore. I have seen
this species with sixteen and seventeen spines. They
are known amongst our fishermen by the very peculiar
denomination of “Willie-wan-beard.”
CHRYSOPHRYS AURATA [_The Gilt-head_].
I have only seen two specimens of this fish which have
been procured with us. The one was taken off Buckie in
1841; and the other was brought on shore at Portsoy, in
1839. They appear to be scarce, from the fact that the
fishermen do not know them.
PAGELLUS CENTRODONTUS [_The Sea Bream_].
This is a more common species,—numbers appearing
annually. In some seasons they appear in greater
abundance than in others. They are sold here under the
name of “Perch.”
BRAMA RAII [_Ray’s Bream_]. Rare.
CANTHARUS GRISEUS [_The Black Bream_].
A few of these are generally procured every autumn, or
about the beginning of winter. They are known and sold
here under the term of “Old Wife.”
DENTEX VULGARIS [_The Four-toothed Sparus_].
Although this species, like many more, bears the name
“_vulgaris_,” or _common_, it is not so with us. I am
only aware of one specimen, which was taken off Troup
Head.
SCOMBER SCOMBER [_The Mackerel_].
This beautiful and highly prized fish generally appears
on our part of the coast about autumn,—in some seasons,
in great plenty,—in others, not so numerous.
SCOMBER COLIAS? (_The Spanish Mackerel?_)
As will be seen, I have placed this species here
as doubtful. A mackerel differing in many respects
from the one noted above, and which agrees very well
with _Scomber colias_, was taken off Portknockie,
but by the time I had the pleasure of seeing it, it
was a good deal disfigured. Still, as I have already
said, it exhibited many of the markings and other
characteristics of the Spanish Mackerel.
THYNNUS VULGARIS (_The Tunny_).
Several specimens of this fish have, from time to time,
been taken with us. A very large one was captured in a
salmon-net at Portsoy. It measured over nine feet in
length, and six feet in girth.
XIPHIAS GLADIUS [_The Sword Fish_].
A small specimen of this fish—rare on this part of the
coast—was caught in our harbour by a shrimper.
NAUCRATES DUCTOR [_The Pilot Fish_].
A very fine specimen of this rare and rather peculiar
fish was taken in our bay some years ago, and was
exhibited as a curiosity. It was unknown in the place,
and also to the person who took it; but an old tar
chancing to see it, who had seen some service abroad,
having hitched up his trousers, and rid his mouth of a
yard or two of tobacco juice, exclaimed, with something
of a knowing air—“Well, I’ll be blowed if that aint a
Pilot; and a pretty one it is, too. We used to see them
often, when sailing in the Mediterranean.”
CARANX TRACHURUS [_The Scad or Horse Mackerel_], or,
as it is termed here, the “Buck Mackerel,” is not very
numerous, and is very seldom used as an article of
food. Its appearance here, is usually about the time
of herring-fishing. I once found a rather strange
variety of this species. It was about the usual size;
but it was all over of a most beautiful golden yellow,
finely striped and variegated with numerous lines of
the brightest blue, except the fins, which were of the
finest carmine.
LAMPRIS GUTTATUS [_The Opah or King Fish_] has occurred
on several occasions; as off Troup Head, at Black Pots,
on the shore near Portsoy, and at Buckie.
MUGIL CAPITO [_The Gray Mullet_].
I am only aware of two specimens of this Mullet which
have been procured within our limits; the one at
Gardenstown, the other at Cullen.
BLENNIUS MONTAGUI [_Montagu’s Blenny_].
One specimen taken from the stomach of a haddock.
BLENNIUS GATTORUGINE [_The Gattoruginous Blenny_].
I have met with this species only on two occasions.
BLENNIUS YARRELLII [_Yarrell’s Blenny_].
Rarely met with. I have a splendid specimen in my
collection, which was found cast on shore between
Gardenstown and Crovie.
BLENNIUS PHOLIS [_The Shanny or Smooth Blenny_],
GUNNELLUS VULGARIS [_The Spotted Gunnel_], and
ZOARCES VIVIPARUS [_The Viviparous or Green Blenny_].
Are all to be met with amongst the low-lying rocks
along our line of shore.
ANARRICHAS LUPUS [_The Wolf Fish_].
Frequent, but seldom used as food. I find them pretty
often cast on shore dead, after a storm; which would
seem to indicate that their habitat is not always in
deep water.
GOBIUS NIGER [_The Black Goby_].
These inhabiting the rocky parts of the coast, become,
at times, the prey of the haddock, etc. Though they do
not seem to be numerous in this arm of the sea, I meet
with them occasionally in the stomachs of fishes.
GOBIUS MINUTUS [_The Freckled or Spotted Goby_].
This is another stomach species; as also the
GOBIUS RUTHENSHARRI [_The Double Spotted Goby_], which
appears to be the rarest of the three.
CALLIONYMUS LYRA [_The Gemmeous Dragonet_].
This splendidly coloured fish is frequently met with;
and the so-called
CALLIONYMUS DRACUNCULUS [_Sordid Dragonet_] is found
in about equal number; for it is a general maxim, that
where the husband is, there also should the wife be.
Ichthyologists cling to the idea that these fish are
distinct species. Out of about one hundred specimens
which I have dissected, I have never yet found anything
like _roe_ or _ova_ in those having the long rays on
the first dorsal, and which are known as the Gemmeous;
and in like manner I have never yet met with anything
at all pertaining to a _milt_ in those having the short
rays, and which are known as the Sordid Dragonet. My
conclusion is that they are only male and female of the
same species.
LOPHIUS PISCATORIUS [_The Angler or Fishing Frog_, or,
as it is called here, the _Sea Devil_] is frequently
met with, but is not used as an article of food.
LABRUS BERGYLTA [_The Ballan Wrasse_].
Pretty frequent during summer.
LABRUS MIXTUS [_The Blue Striped Wrasse_].
Rare. A very pretty specimen was taken off Macduff.
CRENILABRUS MELOPS [_The Gilthead_]. Rare.
CRENILABRUS RUPESTRIS [_Jago’s Goldsinny_].
I have only seen one of this species in the
neighbourhood. A beautiful specimen which I found one
winter’s day, was cast on shore at the links.
ACANTHOLABRUS EXOLETUS [_The Small-mouthed Wrasse_].
Like the last, only one specimen of this fish has, as
yet, come under my notice, and that one was captured
off Troup Head.
CYPRINUS AURATUS [_The Gold and Silver Carps_, as they
are termed], have been introduced, and have thriven
pretty well, as at Macduff, where they have propagated
to an amazing degree.
LEUCISCUS PHOXINUS [_The Minnow_].
This pretty active little fish is to be found in most
of our streams. It is curious to see it stated in works
on Ichthyology that this species is not to be met with
north of the Dee, Aberdeenshire.
BELONE VULGARIS [_The Gar Fish_, or, as it is called here, “The
Greenbeen,”] is by no means scarce, at certain seasons.
SCOMBERESOX SAURUS [_The Saury Pike_].
Not so often met with as the last. In fact, it must be
termed rare.
SALMO SALAR [_The Salmon_].
This valuable and highly-prized fish is found both
along our coast and in our fresh waters. At one time,
they were very numerous in the Deveron. From a _pot_
or _hole_ which once existed a little below the bridge
which spans the river, at a little distance from the
sea, and not far from the town, as many as one hundred,
and sometimes more, have been taken at a haul. This was
before stake and bag nets were so thickly planted along
our sea-shore as they are now.
SALMO ERIOX [_The Bull or Gray Trout_].
Some large individuals of this species are often taken.
SALMO TRUTTA [_The Salmon Trout_].
These were at one time believed to be the young of the
Salmon; and the tacksman gave orders that they should
not be taken. Previously, they had been fished for with
small-meshed nets, and sold as Trout, under the name
of “Finnock.” Time passed and the river beheld another
tacksman, who, differing from his predecessor, gave
orders that they should be again taken. Accordingly,
they are now annually fished for, and are once more
sold as “Sea Trout,” “White Trout,” and “Finnock.”
SALMO FARIO [_The Common Trout_].
In all our streams. These also are taken, and sold with
the last mentioned.
OSMERUS EPERLANUS [_The Smelt_]. Rare with us.
CLUPEA HARENGUS [_The Herring_].
This species abounds along this coast, towards the
middle of summer, and the beginning of autumn. The fry
of this fish is met with nearly all the year round.
CLUPEA LEACHII [_Leach’s Herring_].
A rather smaller-sized herring than the common species.
It is generally met with in small shoals in May and
June.
CLUPEA SPRATTUS [_The Sprat or Garnet Herring_].
This is also met with about the same time, but in
smaller numbers.
ALOSA FINTA [_The Twaite Shad_].
Rare. A very fine specimen was taken in our river last
summer, about a mile from the sea.
ALOSA COMMUNIS [_The Alice Shad_].
The same may be said of this species,—it is rare. They
are termed, “rock herring.”
MORRHUA VULGARIS [_The Cod_].
It is to the stomach of this species that I am most
indebted for many of the rarer of the testaceous and
crustaceous specimens which I possess. (For the cod’s
bill of fare see p. 284.) The cod is extensively fished
for along this part of the coast, and may be termed
_the poor man’s salmon_. Great numbers are salted and
dried, and in that state sent to the southern markets.
I have occasionally met with a cod of a red colour, in
all save the fins, which are generally of a yellowish
tinge, and never larger than a common sized haddock.
They are known here by the name of “rock codlings.”
MORRHUA ŒGLEFINUS [_The Haddock_].
Like the cod, it is extensively taken, and largely
cured and forwarded south. Our Buckie haddocks are well
known for their excellence, and are far famed for their
superior qualities. Like the cod, the stomach of this
species is also a rich mine for the Naturalist.
MORRHUA LUSCA [_The Bib or Whiting Pout_].
Frequent; but not often brought to market, although
they are most excellent eating. The fishermen generally
cut them up and use them as bait.
MORRHUA MINUTA [_The Power Cod_].
Not known as an inhabitant of the Firth until recently.
They are excellent eating. It is a great pity that they
are so small and scarce.
MERLANGUS VULGARIS [_The Whiting_].
Often taken, but not so much admired as the Haddock.
MERLANGUS POLLACHIUS [_The Pollack or Lythe_]. Frequent.
MERLANGUS CARBONARIUS [_The Coal-fish_].
Like the last; when young, great numbers of them are
occasionally taken in our harbours, in small-meshed
nets. They are termed “Gerrocks.”
MERLUCIUS VULGARIS [_The Hake_]. Found occasionally.
LOTA MOLVA [_The Ling_].
Fished for with the cod, and cured in the same manner.
When salted and dried they are called “Kealing.”
MOTELLA QUINQUECIRRATA [_The Five-bearded Rockling_].
Frequent among the pools left among the rocks by the
tide.
MOTELLA CIMBRIA [_The Four-bearded Rockling_].
Rare. I have not met with it often.
BROSMIUS VULGARIS [_The Torsk or Tusk_].
Taken with the cod and ling, and cured in the same
fashion.
PHYCIS FURCATUS [_The Great Forked Beard_].
This fish is of rare occurrence with us, and that only
at long intervals.
PLATESSA VULGARIS [_The Plaice_].
Plentiful, and highly prized by many for its very
delicate flesh and agreeable flavour.
PLATESSA FLESUS [_The Flounder_], or as it is called
here, the Common Fluke, and the
PLATESSA LIMANDA [_The Saltwater Fluke_] are also
pretty frequent. In the stomachs of these fish I
occasionally find, among other matters, _Tellina
fabula_, _T. tenuis_, _T. punicea_ (a most beautiful
little shell), _Natica Montagui_, _N. Alderi_, _Philine
scabra_, _Cylichna truncata_, _C. cylindracea_, etc.
PLATESSA MICROCEPHALA [_The Smooth Dab_] and
PLATESSA POLA [_The Pole Dab_] are not so often met with.
PLATESSA LIMANDOIDES [_The Yellow or Rough Dab_], and the
PLATESSA ELONGATA [_Long Flounder_] are of rare occurrence.
HIPPOGLOSSUS VULGARIS [_The Halibut_] and
RHOMBUS MAXIMUS [_The Turbot_] are both met with,
inhabiting deep water. They are seldom taken near the
shore. The former is the more plentiful. The latter is
known here as the Roan Fluke, and always commands a
ready sale and a high price. The other is called the
Turbot; and though it sells well, it is not so valuable
as the true turbot, nor yet so eagerly sought after by
the higher classes.
RHOMBUS VULGARIS [_The Brill or Pearl Turbot_].
This species is occasionally taken along with the two
preceding, but must rank as rare with us.
RHOMBUS HIRTUS [_Muller’s Topknot_] occurs at intervals
along our whole line of coast.
SOLEA VULGARIS [_The Sole_] is not so common with us as
its name would seem to indicate.
SOLEA PEGUSA [_The Lemon Sole_]. Rare.
MONOCHIRUS LINGUATULUS [_The Solenette_] is of more
frequent occurrence. I have found it in the stomach of
the cod and haddock.
LEPIDOGASTER CORNUBIENSIS [_The Cornish Sucker_].
I remember finding a small fish, on one occasion, where
our fishermen clean their lines, and which resembled
the above in almost every particular. It is the only
specimen that has come under my notice.
LEPIDOGASTER BIMACULATUS [_The Two-spotted Sucker_].
Brought on shore, now and then, amongst the refuse
entangled in the fishermen’s lines, and occasionally
in old shells, such as _Fusis antiquus_, _Buccinum
undatum_, and _Cyprina Islandica_, etc.
CYCLOPTERUS LUMPUS [_The Lump Sucker_].
Frequent. Known here by the name of “Paddle Cock.” Not
used as an article of food.
LIPARIS VULGARIS [_The Unctuous Sucker_]. Of partial occurrence.
LIPARIS MONTAGUI [_Montagu’s Sucker_].
I have only once met with this beautiful little fish
here, and that but lately. It was brought on shore in
an old shell. I should think it rare in the Firth.
ANGUILLA ACUTIROSTRIS [_The Sharp-nosed Eel_] and
ANGUILLA LATIROSTRIS [_The Broad-nosed Eel_] are both
found. The former is the most numerous, and brings the
highest price.
CONGER VULGARIS [_The Conger or Great Eel_].
This large species is often met with, but is not used
as food.
AMMODYTES TOBIANUS [_The Sand Eel_], and
AMMODYTES LANCEA [_The Sand Lance_].
The latter the most numerous. Both these are used by
our fishermen for bait.
SYNGNATHUS ACUS [_The Great Pipe Fish_] and
SYNGNATHUS TYPHLE [_The Lesser Pipe-fish_] are both met
with, and are accounted by the fishermen to be superior
to any other bait.
SYNGNATHUS LUMBRICIFORMIS [_The Worm Pipe-fish_] is met
with; and is not so rare as one might expect.
HIPPOCAMPUS BREVIROSTRIS.
This rare and peculiar horse-headed looking creature
has been met with here. Two were found cast on shore at
the sands of Boyndie, near Banff, after a severe sea
storm.
ORTHAGORISCUS MOLA [_The Short Sun-fish_] and
ORTHAGORISCUS OBLONGUS [_The Oblong Sun-fish_] have
been occasionally met with. Several have been brought
on shore by the fishermen of Gardenstown, Crovie, and
other places.
ACIPENSER STURIO [_The Sturgeon_].
Rare. One has been taken in a salmon net.
SCYLLIUM CANICULA [_The Small Spotted Dog-fish_].
Found occasionally.
GALEUS VULGARIS [_The Tope_].
I am only aware of two instances in which this fish has
been found within our limits: the one near Buckie, the
other in the bay of Banff.
ACANTHIAS VULGARIS [_The Picked Dog-fish_].
Plentiful; often too much so.
SCYMNUS BOREALIS [_The Greenland Shark_].
In May 1849 a large specimen of the above shark was
captured by some fishermen belonging to Pennan,
off Troup Head. When brought on shore, it measured
thirteen feet nine inches in length, and eleven feet in
circumference where thickest.
ECHINORHINUS SPINOSUS [_The Spinous Shark_]. (See pp. 228, 231.)
SQUATINA VULGARIS [_The Angel Fish_], or as it is here
called (like the Angler), “the Sea-devil,” is sometimes
procured. A large specimen was cast into our harbour
during the winter of 1851.
TORPEDO VULGARIS [_The Cramp-fish or Electric Ray_].
A specimen of this fish is said to have been taken
about six miles off Loggie Head, near Cullen, in 1817.
Others are stated as having been caught.
RAIA OXYRHYNCHUS [_The Sharp-nosed Skate_].
Large individuals of this species are sometimes taken,
with the more frequent of our Rays. One measuring
upwards of seven feet in length, and over five in
breadth, was captured by our fishermen some years ago.
RAIA INTERMEDIA [_The Flapper Skate_].
A small skate, agreeing in many essential points with
the flapper, was taken, in a bag-net set for salmon,
some years ago, said to be a young one of the above
species, and as such I include it here.
RAIA BATIS [_The Blue or Gray Skate_] and
RAIA CLAVATA [_The Thornback_].
Taken, occasionally, In great numbers; the former being
the most numerous and the most prized.
RAIA RADIATA [_The Starry Ray_].
This small species is picked up now and then.
PETROMYZON MARINUS [_The Lamprey_], or, as it is called
here, the Lamper Eel, is often met with.
PETROMYZON FLUVIATILIS [_The River Lamprey_].
Considered rare. A very fine specimen was taken in the
Deveron, some years since.
PETROMYZON PLANERI [_Planer’s Lamprey or Lampern_]
has also occurred. These fish are generally termed
“Nine-ee’d Eels,” and are by no means held in high
estimation.
GASTROBRANCHUS CÆCUS [_The Myxine or Glutinous Hag_].
This very curious and singular animal, whether you call
it a fish or a worm, is of frequent occurrence.
ADDITIONS.
PERCA FLUVIATILIS [_Perch_].
Several of these fishes have been taken in the Deveron.
TRIGLA BLOCHII [_Bloch’s Gurnard_] _in the Moray Firth,
at Banff_. An example of this gurnard (or, as we call
them, “crunacks”) was captured here in a rock-pool.
(See p. 281.) I am not aware of the species ever having
been detected on this part of the coast before.
SEBASTES NORVEGICUS [_Norway Haddock_].
One taken off Buckie in 1859 is the only instance of
this fish having been taken on our coasts.
THYNNUS PELAMYS [_Stripped Tunny_].
A fine specimen of this tunny is in our Museum, taken
off Whitehills in 1867.
AUXIS VULGARIS [_The Plain Bonito_].
Several of these have now come under my notice. One
taken in a herring-net off Cullen measured over 20
inches in length and 12 in circumference behind the
first dorsal. One very peculiar feature connected with
it was, that if stroked down when wet it gave the
hand all the appearance of having come across a piece
of metal newly black-leaded. I am not aware of this
peculiarity being mentioned in Yarrell or elsewhere.
ZEUS FABER [_The Dory_].
I have now ascertained that many of these fish have
been taken here, chiefly in salmon-nets. It would seem
that the dory is by no means an uncommon summer visitor
on this part of the coast.
CAPROS APER [_Boar-fish_].
At least one example of this curious-looking fish is
now known to have found its way to our shores. It was
taken in a bag-net near Crovie in August 1862, and was
sent here to be stuffed and named.
TRICHIURUS LEPTURUS [_Silvery Hair-tail or Bald Fish_].
A very fine specimen of this fish, which is rare in
the British seas, and especially on the east coast of
Scotland, was found in the Firth here in April 1876.
Although the head and tail were a good deal injured, it
measured over 12 feet in length.
GOBIUS GRACILIS [_Slender Goby_]. Frequent.
GOBIUS ALBUS [_White Goby_].
Frequent also. Numbers of these little fish are to be
met with in our rock and sandy pools, whilst others are
only to be found at extreme low water.
GOBIUS NILSSONII [_Nilsson’s Goby_]. (See pp. 375-6.)
LABRUS DONOVANI [_Donovan’s Wrasse_].
A specimen of this wrasse was captured in the bay of
Boyndie in August 1863. The fishermen said that there
were more, but they only managed to hook the one, and
looked upon it as a curious species of mackerel. It was
mostly of a beautiful pea-green colour, but striped
with numerous yellowish lines.
LABRUS MICROSCOPICUS [_Microscopical Wrasse_].
It was during the summer of 1861 that I first observed
this minute species. It was not, however, until 1864
that I had an opportunity of submitting a specimen for
examination to some of our best ichthyologists, amongst
whom was Mr. Couch. (See p. 334.)
TINCA VULGARIS [_Common Tench_].
One specimen taken in our bay in 1864 is the only
example I have seen. It is now in our Museum.
SCOPELUS HUMBOLDTII [_Argentine_].
This beautiful little creature would seem to be a
regular winter visitor with us. I took it first in
January 1863; and, since then, I have never missed it
during that month. It is of various sizes. I have taken
Argentines from under one inch to about three inches in
length. I have never seen them in summer.
COUCHIA GLAUCA [_The Mackerel Midge_].
Of all the little fish that I have yet found, this one
resembles the Five-bearded Rockling, more than any of
the Midges do the other Rocklings.
COUCHIA THOMSONI [_Thomson’s Midge_].
I first took a few of this species in May 1863. They
were new to me, and as I could not find them in
Yarrell, nor in other works of the same kind which I
had an opportunity of consulting, I thought they might
prove an undescribed form. Since that time, however,
I have seen Mr. Thomson’s work, and have now no doubt
but that my fish are identical with those taken by that
gentleman in Strangford Lough, County Down, in July
1838, and named as above. (See p. 337.)
COUCHIA MONTAGUI [_Montagu’s Midge_].
I first obtained this species in October 1864. (See p.
341.)
COUCHIA EDWARDII [_Edward’s Midge_].
First taken at Banff, November 1865. (See p. 344.)
RANICEPS TRIFURCATUS [_Tadpole-fish_].
Several of these are now known to have been found in
this part of the Firth.
RHOMBUS MEGASTOMA [_The Whiff_].
This species seems to be rather rare with us. I have a
very fine specimen which I found at the place where our
fishermen clean their lines.
RHOMBUS ARNOGLOSSUS [_The Scaldfish or Smooth Sole_].
This would appear to be another very scarce species
with us. I have never met with it but in fish stomachs,
and very seldom there. It is about the smallest of
British flat-fish.
MONOCHIRUS VARIEGATUS [_Variegated Sole_].
This species would appear to be met with occasionally.
Two pretty large ones were exposed for sale in our
market in September 1860.
ECHIODON DRUMMONDII [_Drummond’s Echiodon_].
In March 1863 I took the first specimen of this
strange-looking fish that I had ever seen. Since then,
however, I have met with it several times, and always
in winter,—save once, when I obtained it in summer.
They were unknown in the Firth before. Specimens from
here are now in the British Museum, London.
ACESTRA ÆQUOREA [_Equorial Pipe-fish_]. This species and the
ACESTRA ANGUINEA [_Snake Pipe-fish_] are both
occasionally found. The latter, however, are seemingly
the most frequent.
CHIMÆRA MONSTROSA [_Northern Chimæra_].
A specimen of this deep-sea and rather rare species
was brought into our harbour in 1859 on board a
herring-boat. It was found floating, and quite dead.
The first dorsal was somewhat injured, and the
cord-like portion of the tail was wanting. It was
unknown to the fishermen who found it, and who, for
want of a better name, called it the “_devil_.”
SCYLLIUM MELANOSTOMUM [_Black-mouthed Dog-fish_].
I am led to believe that this species does occasionally
occur with us. It is generally mixed up with the
commoner sorts.
ZYGÆNA MALLEUS [_Hammer-headed Shark_].
A specimen of this strange-looking animal was found
dead on the shore about two miles beyond Whitehills in
1861. It was a middling-sized specimen, measuring about
five feet in length and about eighteen inches across
the head. It had lain some time, for the skin was
blackish, and had the appearance of charred or burnt
leather.
LAMNA CORNUBICA [_Porbeagle_].
It is now well known that the Porbeagle finds his
way here occasionally, and usually about the herring
season. There is a very fine specimen in our Museum.
ALOPIAS VULPES [_The Fox Shark_].
So far as I have been able to learn, this shark appears
to be very rarely met with here. It has, however, been
found.
NOTIDANUS GRISEUS [_Brown or Mediterranean Shark_].
A large specimen of this shark was taken in the Firth
here, and brought on shore at Whitehills in December
1857. After being exhibited in Banff by the fishermen,
its captors, as an unknown monster, it was bought for
the Banff Museum, where it now is. This shark is the
first known to have been found in the British seas.
RAIA MIRALETUS [_Homelyan Ray_]. Occasionally met with.
RAIA SPINOSA [_Sandy Ray_].
This species is well enough known to the fishermen, but
they do not often take it.
RAIA CHAGRINEA [_Shagreen Ray_]. This is also occasionally taken.
AMMOCÆTES BRANCHIALIS [_Pride or Mud Lamprey_].
We have, at least, one species of this peculiar genus
as an inhabitant of the Deveron.
CRUSTACEA.
STENORHYNCHUS ROSTRATUS.
STENORHYNCHUS TENUIROSTRIS.
INACHUS DORSETENSIS.
INACHUS LEPTOCHIRUS.
HYAS ARANEUS.
HYAS COARCTATUS.
EURYNOME ASPERA. From deep water.
CANCER PAGURUS [_Parten_].
PIRIMELA DENTICULATA. In rock pools, and from deep
water.
CARCINUS MŒNAS. See p. 271.
PORTUMNUS LATIPES. Amongst sand at low tide.
POLYBIUS HENSLOWI.
PORTUNUS PUBER.
PORTUNUS HOLSATUS.
PORTUNUS CORRUGATUS.
PORTUNUS DEPURATOR.
PORTUNUS MARMOREUS.
PORTUNUS LONGIPES.
PORTUNUS PUSILLUS. From stomachs of fish.
PINNOTHERES PISUM. Inside of Mediola mediolus.
PINNOTHERES VETERUM. Once from Gamrie; inside of Pinna
pectinata.
EBALIA TUBEROSA.
EBALIA CRANCHII.
EBALIA TUMEFACTA, or BRYERII.
ATELECYCLUS HETERODON.
DROMIA VULGARIS.
LITHODES MAIA.
PAGURUS BERNHARDUS. Common in rock pools when young.
PAGURUS PRIDEAUXII.
PAGURUS CUANENSIS. Both these are brought in from deep
water.
PAGURUS LÆVIS. Frequent in the stomachs of flukes.
PAGURUS FERRUGINEUS. This little fellow was only added
to the list in 1866.
PORCELLANA LONGICORNIS. In rock pools.
GALATHEA SQUAMIFERA.
GALATHEA STRIGOSA.
GALATHEA DISPERSA.
GALATHEA NEXA.
GALATHEA ANDREWSII.
MUNIDA BAMFFICA. From deep water.
CALLIANASSA SUBTERRANEA.
GEBIA STELLATA.
GEBIA DELTURA.
CALOCARIS MACANDREI.
HOMARUS VULGARIS.
NEPHROPS NORVEGICUS.
CRANGON VULGARIS.
CRANGON SPINOSUS.
CRANGON SCULPTUS.
CRANGON TRISPINOSUS.
CRANGON ALLMANNI.
NIKA EDULIS.
ATHANAS NITESCENS.
HIPPOLYTE SPINUS.
HIPPOLYTE or DORYPHORUS GORDONI.
HIPPOLYTE VARIANS.
HIPPOLYTE CRANCHII.
HIPPOLYTE THOMPSONI.
HIPPOLYTE PANDALIFORMIS.
PANDALUS ANNULICORNIS.
MYSIS FLEXUOSA.
MYSIS LAMORNÆ.
MYSIS VULGARIS.
MYSIS SPIRITUS.
MYSIS MIXTA. First taken as British at Banff, in 1863,
by T. E.
MYSIS SPINIFERA. Burrows in sand. First taken at Banff
by T. E. in 1862, and some years afterwards in
Sweden, by M. Goes.
MYSIS ACULATA.
MYSIS HISPIDA. N.S. Taken at Banff by T. E. in December
1863.
CYNTHILIA FLEMINGII.
THYSANOPODA COUCHII.
THYSANOPODA LONGIPES.
THYSANOPODA NORVEGICUS.
THYSANOPODA ALATA.
THYSANOPODA ENSIFERA. N.S. Taken at Banff by T. E. in
1863.
THYSANOPODA BATEI. N.S. Taken at Banff by T. E. in 1862.
DIASTYLIS RATHKII.
DIASTYLIS ECHINATA.
CUMA SCORPIOIDES.
CUMA COSTATA. Burrows in sand.
CUMA LUCIFERA. New to Britain. Found at Banff by T. E.
in July 1865.
HALIA TRISPINOSA.
VENILIA GRACILIS.
TALITRUS LOCUSTA.
ORCHESTIA LITTOREA.
ORCHESTIA MEDITERRANEA.
ORCHESTIA DESHAYESII.
ORCHESTIA BREVIDIGITATA. N.S. First taken at Banff by
T. E.
ALLORCHESTES NILSSONII.
ALLORCHESTES IMBRICATUS.
NICEA LUBBOCKIANA.
OPIS QUADRIMANA. N.S. First taken at Banff by T. E.
MONTAGUA MONOCULOIDES.
MONTAGUA MARINA. With eggs in December.
MONTAGUA ALDERI.
MONTAGUA POLLEXIANA. Eyes red. With eggs, in November
and December, of a greenish colour. A most beautiful
variegated species.
MONTAGUA NORVEGICA. First taken at Banff as British by
T. E.
LYSIANASSA COSTÆ.
LYSIANASSA AUDOUINIANA.
LYSIANASSA ATLANTICA.
LYSIANASSA LONGICORNIS. With young in December.
ANONYX LONGICORNIS. Of a straw colour, spotted with
red. Eyes large, oblong; white with red markings.
ANONYX EDWARDSII. Eyes red, with black spots. With eggs
in December.
ANONYX OBESUS. N.S. Eyes red, round, and small. First
taken at Banff by T. E.
ANONYX DENTICULATUS.
ANONYX HOLBOLLI.
ANONYX MINUTUS.
ANONYX PLAUTUS. N.S. First taken at Banff as British by
T. E.
ANONYX LONGIPES.
ANONYX AMPULLA. Eyes red.
CALLISOMA CRENATA. With eggs in November.
LEPIDEPECREUM CARINATUM. N.S. First taken at Banff by
T. E.
AMPELISCA GAIMARDII. With eggs in December of a green
colour.
AMPELISCA BELLIANA.
PHOCUS SIMPLEX.
PHOCUS HOLBOLLI. With eggs in December and March.
PHOCUS PLUMOSUS. Two other new species of this genus
have been taken at Banff by T. E., but are not yet
named.
WESTWOODILIA CÆCULA.
WESTWOODILIA HYALINA.
ŒDICEROS PARVIMANUS. With eggs, which are of a bright
orange colour, in September, October, and November. A
sand-burrower.
ŒDICEROS SAGINATUS. With eggs, which are reddish, in
January. First taken at Banff as British by T. E.
MONOCULODES LONGIMANUS. N.S. First taken at Banff by T.
E.
MONOCULODES CARINATUS. N.S. First taken at Banff by T.
E.
MONOCULODES STIMPSONI.
KROYERA ARENARIA. With eggs in August and September.
KROYERA ALTAMARINA.
AMPHILOCHUS MANUDENS.
DARWINIA COMPRESSA. N.S. First taken at Banff by T. E.
SULCATOR ARENARIUS.
UROTHOE BAIRDII. Eyes black; with eggs in December.
UROTHOE MARINA. With eggs in December.
UROTHOE ELEGANS. Burrows in sand.
LILJEBORGIA ZETLANDICA.
PHÆDRA ANTIQUA.
ISÆA MONTAGUI.
IPHIMEDIA OBESA.
IPHIMEDIA EBLANÆ.
OTUS CARINATUS.
PEREIONOTUS TESTUDO.
ACANTHONOTUS OWENII.
DEXAMINE SPINOSA. With eggs, which are of a greenish
colour, in April.
DEXAMINE BEDLOMENSIS. Colour a deep and brilliant
orange, occasionally mixed with red and brown. The
eyes, which are slightly raised, are round and of a
bright crimson. The female, which is similar to the
male, has eggs, which are of a pea green, in April
and May, and again in October.
ATYLUS SWAMMERDAMII. With eggs, which are of a brownish
colour, in September.
ATYLUS GIBBOSUS.
ATYLUS BISPINOSUS.
PHERSUA BICUSPIS.
PHERSUA FUCICOLA.
CALLIOPE LÆVIUSCULA.
CALLIOPE OSSIANI. N.S. First taken at Banff by T. E.
CALLIOPE GRANDACULIS.
EUSIRUS HELVETIÆ. N.S. Taken at Banff by T. E., the
first of the genus taken in Britain. A burrower, and
very sluggish in its habits.
LEUCOTHOE ARTICULOSA.
LEUCOTHOE FURINA. First taken as British at Banff by T.
E.
HORA GRACILIS.
STIMPSONIA CHELIFERA.
MICRODEUTOPUS GRYLLOTALPA.
MICRODEUTOPUS WEBSTERII.
MICRODEUTOPUS ANOMALUS.
MICRODEUTOPUS VERSICULATUS.
PROTOMEDEIA HIRSUTIMANA. N.S. First taken at Banff by
T. E.
PROTOMEDEIA WHITEI. N.S. First taken at Banff by T.
E. With eggs, which are of a very dull green, in
November.
BATHYPOREIA PILOSA. Eyes red.
BATHYPOREIA ROBERTSONI.
BATHYPOREIA PELAGICA. Eyes red.
MELITA PALMATA.
MELITA OBTUSATA.
MELITA PROXIMA. With eggs, which are of a purplish
colour, in December. Eyes brownish.
MELITA GLADIOSA.
EURYSTHEUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS
EURYSTHEUS BISPINIMANUS. N.S. First taken at Banff by
T. E.
AMATHILLA SABINI.
GAMMARUS MARINUS.
GAMMARUS CAMPTOLOPS.
GAMMARUS LOCUSTA.
GAMMARUS TENUIMANUS.
GAMMARUS EDWARDSII.
GAMMARUS PULEX.
MEGAMDERA SEMISERRATA.
MEGAMDERA LONGIMANA.
MEGAMDERA OTHONIS.
MEGAMDERA ALDERI.
MEGAMDERA BREVICAUDATA.
EISCLADUS LONGICAUDATUS.
AMPHITHOE RUBRICATA.
AMPHITHOE LITTORINA.
SUNAMPHITHOE HAMULUS.
PODOCERUS PULCHELLUS.
PODOCERUS VARIEGATUS.
PODOCERUS CAPILLATUS.
PODOCERUS PELAGICUS. Eyes black.
PODOCERUS OCIUS.
PODOCERUS FALCATUS.
CERAPUS ABDITUS.
CERAPUS DIFFORMIS.
DERCOTHOE (CERAPUS) PUNCTATUS. With eggs in June.
SIPHONDECETES TYPICUS.
SIPHONDECETES CRASSICORNIS.
NÆNIA TUBERCULOSA. With eggs in December. The female
has the palms of the two first pairs much narrower
than the male.
NÆNIA RIMAPALMATA.
CRATIPPUS TENUIPES. N.S. First taken at Banff by T. E.
COROPHIUM LONGICORNE.
COROPHIUM BONELLII.
VIBILIA BOREALIS. N.S. First taken at Banff by T. E.
THEMISTO CRASSICORNIS. First taken as British at Banff
by T. E. Great hordes of this species occasionally
visit this part of the coast, and large numbers are
sometimes destroyed in consequence of coming too near
the land.
LESTRIGONUS EXULANS. Occasionally in vast numbers.
LESTRIGONUS KINAHANI.
HYPERIA GALBA.
HYPERIA OBLIVIA. In great shoals at certain seasons.
These are the only species of this family which I
have ever found on the Medusæ. I consider Lestrigonus
Exulans to be the male of Hyperia Galba, and L.
Kinahani the male of H. oblivia.
HYPERIA TAURIFORMIS. N.S.
HYPERIA PREHENSILIS. N.S.
HYPERIA CYANEA. N.S.
All these three new species were first taken at Banff
by T. E.; the males and females of all three being
procured. The males differ but little from the females,
except that they are somewhat larger.
DULICHIA PORRECTA.
DULICHIA FALCATA.
I look upon these as being male and female of the
same species.
PROTOMEDIA PEDATA.
PROTOMEDIA GOODSIRII.
PROTELLA PHASMA.
CAPRELLA ACANTHIFERA.
CAPRELLA LOBATA.
CAPRELLA TYPICA.
TANAIS VITTATUS. On tangle roots.
PARATANAIS FORCIPATUS.
PARATANAIS RIGIDUS. On tangle roots.
ANCEUS MAXILLARIS.
ANCEUS (PRANIZA) CÆRULEATA.
I consider these two to be male and female of the
same species.
ANCEUS (PRANIZA) EDWARDII. N.S. First taken at Banff by
T. E. There is another species of Anceus or Praniza
found here which I take to be the male of A. or P.
Edwardii. I find them associated, and they have
precisely the same habits. (See p. 299.)
PHRYXUS ABDOMINALIS.
PHRYXUS FUSTICAUDATUS. N.S. First found at Banff by T.
E. on _Pagurus Bernhardus_ and _Cuanensis_.
AEGA TRIDENS.
AEGA PSORA.
AEGA MONOPHTHALMA.
CIROLANA CRANCHII.
CIROLANA SPINIPES.
EURYDICE PULCHRA.
JÆRA ALBIFRONS.
MUNNA KROYERI.
JANIRA MACULOSA.
ASELLUS AQUATICUS.
LIMNORIA LIGNORUM.
ARCTURUS LONGICORNIS.
ARCTURUS GRACILIS.
IDOTEA TRICUSPIDATA.
IDOTEA PELAGICA.
IDOTEA EMARGINATA.
IDOTEA LINEARIS.
SPHÆROMA RUGICAUDA.
DYNAMENE RUBRA.
NÆSEA BIDENTATA.
CAMPECOPEA CRANCHII.
LIGIA OCEANICA.
PHILOSCIA MUSCORUM.
PHILOSCIA COUCHII.
PHILOUGRIA RIPARIA.
PHILOUGRIA ROSEA.
PLATYARTHRUS HOFFMANII.
ONISCUS ASELLUS.
ONISCUS FOSSOR.
PORCELLIO SCABER.
PORCELLIO PICTUS.
PORCELLIO ARMADILLOIDES.
PORCELLIO PRUINOSUS.
ARMADILLO VULGARIS.
ADDENDA.
CHEIROCRATUS MANTIS.
HELLERIA COALITA.
NEBALIA BIPES. From deep water. Burrows.
PHOXICHILIDIUM COCCINEUM. In rock pools.
NYMPHON GRACILE. }
NYMPHON HIRTUM. } Sea-spiders.
NYMPHON GROSSIPES.}
PALLENE BREVIROSTRIS.
PYCNOGONUM LITTORALE. In rock pools.
ANOMALOCERA PATERSONII.
CETOCHILUS SEPTENTRIONALIS.
Both these are occasionally met with during summer,
in millions.
NOTODELPHYS ASCIDICOLA. Found in the branchial sac of
Ascidia mentula and communis.
PELTIDIUM PURPUREUM. From deep water.
CALIGUS DIAPHANUS.
CALIGUS RAPAX.
CALIGUS MINUTUS. A variety of the foregoing.
CALIGUS MICROPUS.
CALIGUS CURTUS. All these are found on various fishes.
CALIGUS ISONYX. On the common gurnard. First taken as
British at Banff in 1864 by T. E.
LEPEOPHTHEIRUS PECTORALIS. On various flounders.
LEPEOPHTHEIRUS NORDMANNII. On the short sun-fish.
CHALIMUS SCOMBRI.
TREBIUS CAUDATUS. Found on a Ling, _Lota malva_.
MONIMA FIMBRIATA, or FIMBRICATA. On the short sun-fish.
First taken as British at Banff in 1862, by T. E.
LÆMARGUS MURICATUS. On the Short Sun-fish.
CECROPS LATTREILLII. Attached to the gills of the
sun-fish, both _short_ and _oblong_.
CHONDRACANTHIDÆ SOLEÆ. On the gills of _Platessa
vulgaris_. First taken as British at Banff, in August
1863, by T. E.
LERNENTOMA CORNUTA. On gills of Platessa vulgaris.
LERNENTOMA ASELLINA. On gills of _Trigla gurnardus_.
LERNEOPODA SALMONEA. Attached to the gills of the
Salmon.
BASANISTES SALMONEA. On the gills of the common trout.
BRACHIELLA BISPINOSA. On gills of Trigla. N.S. First
taken at Banff by T. E. in May 1863.
ANCHORELLA UNCINATA. Attached to various fishes, such
as the cod, haddock, whiting, etc.
ANCHORELLA RUGOSA.
LERNEA BRANCHIALIS. Attached to the gills of the cod
and haddock.
PENNELLA FIBROSA? Found on the short sun-fish.
[Illustration: EDWARD’S HOUSE, LOW SHORE, BANFF.]
By the same Author, Post 8vo, 6s.,
SELF-HELP;
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHARACTER, CONDUCT, AND PERSEVERANCE.
“_If I had read this look when I was a young man, my life would have
been very different._”—Such was the remark made to me by a friend on
returning Smiles’s ‘Self-Help,’ which I had given him to read. I was
very much struck by the observation; and while thinking of the immense
effect which this incomparable book has produced in England, and of
the universally favourable reception which the Italian translation has
received in this country, I received a letter from signor G. Barbèra,
in which he invited me to write a book similar to the English one, but
illustrated by Italian examples. I was much astonished at his thinking
me equal to the work: but his valuable suggestion greatly delighted me,
and I accepted his proposal with much cordiality.“—MICHELE LESSONA, in
_Volere è Potere_.
“‘_Volere è Potere_’ (‘Will is power’). Such is the title of a very
interesting popular work just issued by the eminent Florentine
publisher, G. Barbèra. The history of this production is rather
curious. It may not be known that the most remarkable literary success
achieved of late years in Italy (where literary successes are the
rarest of all events) has fallen to the lot of Mr. Samuel Smiles’s
admirable ‘Self-Help,’ an Italian version of which, published some
time ago at Milan, has since gone through several editions, and still
appears to be in continual demand. The idea of the book was a novelty
for Italians, and the moral which it inculcates one so eminently
deserving of being enforced upon all classes of the public of Italy,
that the question soon arose whether it would not be advisable to
extend the sphere of its utility by promoting the publication of a
similar book, specially designed for Italian readers, and in which
the examples of patient industry and of untiring perseverance in the
pursuit of a fixed design should be drawn from home materials. An
association founded in Florence with the express object of stimulating
the educational movement among the people, offered a prize of 3000f.
for the best production of the kind, and all the literary men of Italy
were invited to compete. M. Lessona, an agreeable writer upon popular
subjects, has already entered the lists, and printed his work (‘Volere
è Potere’) without waiting for the award of the committee appointed to
decide between the rival competitors.”—_Standard._
“Une grande sagesse qu’on pourrait appeler la splendeur du bon sens,
comme Platon définissait le beau la splendeur du vrai,—tel est le
caractère qui distingue surtout ‘Self-Help.’ Ce livre, si populaire
chez nos voisins, répond admirablement aux idées de la famille
anglo-saxonne. Recevra-t-il chez nous le même accueil? Je l’espère,
mais il aura aussi, je le crains, plus d’un vieux préjugé à combattre.
En France, n’a-t-on point trop compté sur les institutions politiques
malgré la durée éphémère des gouvernements? L’État peut faire du
premier venu un ministre; il ne saurait en faire un grand homme, il
même un fonctionnaire intègre et capable. Il est donc bon de chercher à
d’autres sources ces énergies morales qui développent et régénèrent les
sociétés.”—_Revue des Deux Mondes._
“Mr. Smiles’s book is wise beyond the wisdom of any but a very few
books that we have read. The chapter on the use and abuse of money
we must commend to the reader’s own perusal. It is pregnant with
practical wisdom, and contains, besides, some excellent remarks upon
the improvidence of the working classes, and upon the evils entailed by
the pursuit of vulgar ‘respectability’ among their so-called superiors.
‘Self-Help’ is one of the soundest, wisest, most instructive, and most
wholesome works we have opened for a long time.”—_Leader.
By the same Author, post 8vo, 6_s._,
THRIFT:
A BOOK OF DOMESTIC COUNSEL.
“There is no book among the current literature of the day we would
rather see in a young man’s hand than this. Although every person
in his daily experience must meet with many instances of the folly
of unthrift, especially among the poorer classes, the frequency of
the text, and it is to be feared the disposition of the age, render
the lesson valueless. Domestic economy as an art and a science is an
unstudied subject, and one few writers have deemed worthy of their
thoughts. We cannot therefore feel sufficiently thankful that the able
writer of ‘Self-Help’ has turned his attention to it, and endeavoured,
in language that has not only a literary charm about it, but bears
the stamp of philanthropic earnestness, to rouse the interest, and
thereby the reflection of the British public, in so important a matter
of national welfare. The dignity of labour, the necessity of inducing
habits of saving, the wickedness of extravagant living, the dangers of
prosperity, and the want of sympathy between employers and employed,
are topics on which Mr. Smiles speaks hard, and it may be unpleasant
truths, accompanied by a fund of illustration. Perhaps no part of the
book is so valuable as the dissipation of the superstitious belief in
goad-luck, and the chapter on the art of living. We trust the work
will be found in every village and public library, that its principles
may be disseminated broadcast among our youth; and we can assure all
that they may enjoy in it many an hour’s pleasant and profitable
reading.”—_Spectator._
“In Mr. Smiles’ latest book he gives us something more than an
illustrative treatise on that homely and excellent virtue, Thrift.
He deals with some of the leading social questions of the day, such
as Co-operation and Association. He sketches the sanitary movement
unsparingly, satirises the feminine follies of fashionable circles,
and lastly concludes with an admirable essay on what may be called the
æsthetics of common life. We all know what a book from Mr. Smiles is
sure to be, anecdotical, practical, and abounding in good sense and
every-day wisdom,—a book that is sure to entertain the old and instruct
the young.”—_Academy._
“Mr. Smiles has produced an interesting volume. His pages bristle with
sage precepts and with admirable illustrations of the virtue he has
undertaken to inculcate on his countrymen. There is no doubt ample room
for a judicious homily on Thrift. The wealth of England was never so
great as at this time, and the thoughtless improvidence of Englishmen
was never so conspicuous. Mr. Smiles complains, as well he may, of the
monstrous folly of highly-paid artizans, who spend half their wages in
selfish pleasure; and he shows that the large gains of such men are
no proof of prosperity, as they do but add to their thriftlessness,
and serve to gratify animal indulgences. Money, like political power,
in the hands of uncultivated men, is certain to be abused. . . . On the
whole, Mr. Smiles’ volume is marked by sound good sense, tersely and
vigorously expressed. There are few readers who will not gain from it
more than one useful lesson; and to young men it may prove specially
serviceable.”—_Pall Mall Gazette._
“In writing one more good book, in these days when much that is
worthless in literature finds favour with the masses, Mr. Smiles
has added permanency to the lustre of a name which has long been a
‘household word’ amongst us, and entitled himself to the renewed thanks
of every one who is interested in the prosperity, the happiness, and
the well-being of the community. . . . May the lesson he teaches be
deeply grafted in the minds of the rising generation, to whom more
especially we commend the careful perusal and study of the work now
before us.”—_Derby Advertiser._
“Mr. Smiles has done something in the concluding pages of this volume
to give us the supplement which many people have thought was lacking
to his teaching. They are full of the highest thought, replete with
generous sentiment, based on the true conception of man as a being
who only begins his life here below. . . . The book in several ways
supplements the former ones; and it is in one respect, at least,
superior to them.”—_Nonconformist.
By the same Author, post 8vo, 6_s._,
CHARACTER:
A COMPANION VOLUME TO ‘SELF-HELP’ AND ‘THRIFT’.
“This work is so exactly fitted for a gift-book (and indeed a
school-boy or a boy leaving school need desire no better one) that we
are inclined to mention it here. The value of character above all mere
intellectual culture, the blessedness of work, the necessity of courage
and self-control, the sense of duty as the guiding star of life—these
are some of the topics discussed in ‘Character,’—not, however, as
abstract propositions, but with the help of a store of illustrations
drawn from the biographies of great men. The book possesses, if we
may use the expression, a _vital_ force, and can scarcely fail to
stimulate the reader. The chapters headed ‘Companionship of Books,’ and
‘Companionship in Marriage,’ will be read with special interest.”—_Pall
Mall Gazette._
“To the lovers of a pure and healthy literature, this invigorating and
high-toned volume from the pen of the author of ‘Self-Help’ will afford
real and genuine enjoyment. In the clear and attractive style which has
rendered his previous writings so deservedly popular, Mr. Smiles has
here shown to what a height of mental and moral excellence our weak and
imperfect nature may attain, and how much true nobility of character it
may develop and sustain. . . . The last two chapters, on Companionship
in Marriage and the Discipline of Experience, form a fitting conclusion
to so excellent a book, and are pregnant with interest and lessons of
the highest wisdom. The breadth and soundness of the views enunciated
in the former on some delicate but universally important topics are
especially commendable, and should be read and pondered over by all
who see a much-neglected source of happiness for the people in the
elevation of their home-life, and a more extens
ive cultivation of the
domestic virtues.”—_Leeds Mercury._
“Uniform in size with the author’s very popular ‘Self-Help,’ this work
is of the same tone and cast of thought. Believing that character is a
great power in the world, the author treats the various points in which
it may be developed, or which call it forth. Hence, we have chapters on
Home Power, Companionship, Temper, Marriage, Experience, and abundant
citations of examples, so that the work is full of interest. It is
difficult indeed to limit the good that may arise from these honest,
earnest books, full of right thinking; plain, sensible, and not too
full of sentiment.”—_Publishers’ Circular._
“Readers of ‘Self-Help’ will need no further inducement to send them
in search of the new work by the author of that charming book. . . .
It would be difficult to select a book more admirably adapted as a
present to a young man or young woman at the outset of life. The
charm of the style is irresistible; the moral conveyed altogether
unimpeachable.”—_Manchester Courier._
“The author of ‘Self-Help’ has produced another little book which will
soon run over the face of the land, and help to inspire the rising
generation with ennobling sentiments. In our hunger for facts, we must
not overlook the value of ideas. While we are striving to give our
young people technical information, we must not omit to teach them to
be truthful, high-thoughted, noble men and women. We must foster their
abilities, but not forget Character. . . . Mr. Smiles, in this very
charming volume, has brought together the opinions and sayings of good
and wise men of all times, as to the various qualities which go to form
character. . . . The result is a valuable book, calculated as well to
give delight as to do good.”—_Builder._
“Mr. Smiles has been fortunate in the choice of his subject: and,
as a work of wise counsel and thoughtful instruction, the new book
is quite as successful as any of its author’s previous works. Nor
is it any less entertaining. It literally teems with apposite and
interesting anecdotes, and the writer’s style is at once so lively
and dignified, that on the one hand he never becomes dry however
earnestly and seriously he discusses life and duty; and, on the
other, he never degenerates into flippancy in his most amusing
illustrations.”—_Manchester Examiner.
By the same Author, post 8vo, 6_s._,
INDUSTRIAL BIOGRAPHY:
IRON-WORKERS AND TOOL-MAKERS.
“Mr. Smiles has hit upon a rich vein of ore, and works it with great
success. He has the art of biography, which is by no means so easy
of attainment as, judging from the number of persons who attempt
this species of composition, one would imagine it to be. Memoirs are
countless, but the number of biographies that can be accepted as
successful works of art are very few indeed. Mr. Smiles is not only a
skilful workman, he has chosen a new field of work. Hitherto the great
biographies have been written of soldiers and sailors, and statesmen,
poets and artists, and philosophers. It would seem as if these only
were the great men of the world, as if these only were the benefactors
of mankind, whose deeds are worthy of memory. The suspicion has arisen
that, after all, there may be other heroes than those of the pen, the
sceptre, and the sword. There are, indeed, men in various walks of life
whose footsteps are worthy of being traced; but, surely, considering
what England is, and to what we owe most of our material greatness, the
lives of our Engineers are peculiarly worthy of being written. ‘The
true Epic of our time,’ says Mr. Carlyle, ‘is not Arms and the man, but
Tools and the man—an infinitely wider kind of Epic.’ Our machinery has
been the making of us; our iron-works have, in spite of the progress of
other nations, still kept the balance in our hands. Smith-work in all
its branches of engine-making, machine-making, tool-making, cutlery,
iron ship-building, and iron-working generally, is our chief glory.
England is the mistress of manufactures, and so the queen of the world,
because it is the land of smith; and Mr. Smiles’s biographies are a
history of the great family of smith. Many of the facts which he places
before us are wholly new, and are derived from the most likely sources.
Thus, Maudslay’s partner Mr. Joshua Field, and his pupil Mr. Nasmyth,
supplied the materials for his biography. Mr. John Penn supplied the
chief material for the memoir of Clement, and so of the other memoirs;
though they necessarily go over much well-trodden ground, they contain
also much original information, expressed with great clearness, and
with a practised skill which renders the reader secure of entertainment
in every page.”—_Times._
“This is not a very large book, but it is astonishing how much
individual, conscientious, and thoroughly original search has been
required for its composition, and how much interesting matter it
contains which we possess in no other form. Mr. Smiles rescues no name,
but many histories, from oblivion. His heroes are known and gratefully
remembered for the benefits they have conferred on mankind, but our
knowledge of our benefactors has hitherto been mostly confined to our
knowledge of the benefit. It was reserved for Mr. Smiles to discover in
the workshop, heroes as true as ever hurled their battalions across a
battle-field, and to present us with much-enduring, much-endeavouring,
and brave men, where hitherto we had been content with disembodied,
almost meaningless names. The present work is further distinguished,
not indeed from its predecessors, but from much of the current
literature, by the exquisitely pellucid English, the vigorous but
unobtrusive style, in which the narratives are conveyed, the value of
the work before us is doubled, and the time required for perusing, and
especially for consulting it halved, by the full and minute index in
which its contents are tabulated.”—_Edinburgh Daily Review._
“This is one of the most delightful books we have ever read. It is at
once practical, instructive, and suggestive. Whoever wishes to benefit
his young friends will present them every one with a copy of this book.
Whatever struggling mechanic who, feeling that there is something
beyond what he now knows or can execute, yet hesitates or fears, let
him read this book. It is a sovereign panacea for doubt or cowardice.
Whoever takes delight in watching the development of knowledge and in
ascertaining the sources of the privileges which surround him, let him
possess himself of this book, and we can promise him a treat of no
ordinary character.”—_Sheffield Daily Telegraph.
By the same Author, Crown 8vo, 7s. 6d.
LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON,
INCLUDING A MEMOIR OF HIS SON ROBERT STEPHENSON.
_Illustrated with Two Steel Portraits, and numerous Engravings on Wood._
“It is a singular fate that some of the world’s greatest benefactors
should pass from the world with their history comparatively unnoticed
. . . and we rightly rejoice when the claims of any of them are
vindicated—when, from the hidden company of the Brindleys and Watts,
men risen from the ranks to do world-wide service, and incidently to
be the architects of their country’s later greatness, we can obtain
the authentic history of such a creator as George Stephenson. It is
not too much to say, that by Mr. Smiles, who has performed this office
with eminent success, a considerable void is filled up in the page of
modern history. We see the vast proportions of our modern achievements,
and the epic story of this age of iron, more than half comprised in the
feats of its strongest and most successful worker. The worker himself,
with his noble simplicity and energy, his zeal for his kind, his
native-born gentleness, and indomitable tenacity, would probably have
been eminent in any age or condition of society; but, in virtue of his
actual achievements and the obstacles he surmounted, of his struggles
and triumphs, we may designate him a hero, and ask, in defence of this
arbitrary title, what real conditions of heroism were wanting?”—_The
Times._
“We have read this book with unmingled satisfaction. We hardly ever
remember to have read a biography so thoroughly unaffected. There is
no pushing forward of the author himself—he never comes between us and
his subject. The book is an artless attempt to set out the character
and career of one of the most ingenuous, honest, resolute, homely, and
kind-hearted of human beings. We thank Mr. Smiles for having made the
man walk before us in a most life-like picture. The entire style of
the work is unambitious, lucid, thoroughly manly, and good.”—_Saturday
Review._
“We should like to see this biography in the hands of all our young
men. One breathes a healthy, bracing atmosphere in reading this
book. It sets before us a fine instance of success in life attained
purely in the exercise of genuine qualities. There was no sham about
George Stephenson. . . . He was a great and good man, and we can
give the ‘Life’ no higher praise than to say that it is worthy of
its subject. Mr. Smiles is so anxious to place the character and
career of Stephenson justly before his readers, that he quite forgets
himself. . . . We do not know that there ever lived an individual to
whom each separate inhabitant of Great Britain owes so much of real
tangible advantage.”—_Fraser’s Magazine._
“It is the fate of few men, even of those who are the most signal
public benefactors, to be known and appreciated by the generation
in which they live. The fame of George Stephenson spread slowly,
and, great as it has at last become, we cannot question that it will
continue to increase with time. Not only is he a surprising example
of a labourer raising himself to wealth and eminence without one
solitary advantage except what he derived from his own genius; but
the direction which that genius took has stamped his name upon the
most wonderful achievement of our age. . . . He died, leaving behind
him the highest character for simplicity, kindness of heart, and
absolute freedom from all sordidness of disposition. His virtues are
very beautifully illustrated, and by no means exaggerated, in his
Life by Mr. Smiles. . . . There is scarcely a single page of the work
which is not suggestive, and on which it would not be profitable to
institute inquiry into the results of past experience as compared
with present practice. The whole ground is novel, and of the highest
interest.”—_Quarterly Review._
“The author of the Railway System—already adopted in every civilised
country, and everywhere bringing forward vast social changes—is the
real hero of the half-century. This instructive and deeply interesting
story of his youth will contribute to keep alive the hopes, incite
the perseverance, encourage the industry, and form the mind of
after generations. It is one of the tales which ‘the world will not
willingly let die.’ The realities of Stephenson’s life, which till
now have found no biographer, are more astounding than the fancies of
even Eastern poets. . . . His life is an admirable model for youth,
supplied by one of the working multitude, while his exertions will help
to relieve them from the extraordinary difficulties which he had to
surmount.”—_Economist.
By the same Author, in 5 vols. crown 8vo, with 9 Steel Portraits and
342 Illustrations on Wood,
LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS.
WITH AN
ACCOUNT OF THEIR PRINCIPAL WORKS,
INCLUDING A
History of Inland Communication in Britain, and the Invention and
Introduction of the Steam-Engine and Railway Locomotive.
_A New and Revised Edition._
VOL. I.—EMBANKMENTS AND CANALS—VERMUYDEN, MYDDELTON,
PERRY, BRINDLEY.
” II.—HARBOURS, LIGHTHOUSES, AND BRIDGES—SMEATON AND
RENNIE.
” III.—HISTORY OF ROADS—METCALFE AND TELFORD.
” IV.—THE STEAM-ENGINE—BOULTON AND WATT.
” V.—THE LOCOMOTIVE—GEORGE AND ROBERT STEPHENSON.
⁂ _Each volume is complete in itself, and may be had separately._
* * * * *
“A chapter of English history which had to be written, and which,
probably, no one could have written so well. Mr. Smiles has obtained a
mass of original materials. It is not too much too say that we now have
an Engineers’ Pantheon, with a connected narrative of their successive
reclamations from sea, bog, and fen; a history of the growth of the
inland communication of Great Britain by means of its roads, bridges,
canals, and railways; and a survey of the lighthouses, breakwaters,
docks, and harbours constructed for the protection and accommodation of
our commerce with the world.”—_Times._
“We cannot but refer in passing to the captivating and instructive
volumes which Mr. Smiles has devoted to the ‘Lives of the Engineers,’
a record not before attempted of the achievements of a race of men who
have conferred the highest honour and the most extensive benefits on
their country. ‘Who are the great men of the present age?’ said Mr.
Bright in the House of Commons,—‘Not your warriors—not your statesmen;
they are your Engineers.’”—_Edinburgh Review._
“Mr. Smiles has profoundly studied, and has happily delineated in his
lucid and instructive biographies, that remarkable succession of gifted
minds which has, not by lucky guesses, but by incessant labour and by
lifelong thought, gradually erected that noble example of dominion of
man over the earth—the science of Engineering; and we are proud to
know that there are men yet among us who can wield the arms of the
invincible knights of old, and who will leave no meaner memory behind
them.”—_Quarterly Review._
“Mr. Smiles may fairly claim the merit of having produced one of the
most interesting and instructive works. He has discovered almost
unbroken ground, and has worked it with so much skill and success,
that his readers will recognise in his volumes an illustration of the
truth of Lord Macaulay’s saying, that history, personal or national,
may, when properly written, be rendered as interesting as any
novel.”—_London Review._
“In tracing the history of English engineering from the beginning, Mr.
Smiles really gives a history of English civilisation. He has produced
a kind of philosophical biography, the progress of discovery and
industrial conquest having necessarily a general correspondence with
the mental development of the great representatives of man’s external
action. We think Mr. Smiles has done what was well worth the doing,
with skill, with honesty, with purpose, and with taste.”—_Westminster
Review._
“There may be many here who have made themselves acquainted with a
book that cannot be too widely brought into public notice—I mean the
recent publication of a popular author, Mr. Smiles, entitled ‘The Lives
of the Engineers.’ There may be those here who have read the Life of
Brindley, and perused the record of his discouragement in the tardiness
of his own mind, as well as in the external circumstances with which he
determined to do battle, and over which he achieved his triumph. There
may be those who have read the exploits of the blind Metcalfe, who made
roads and bridges in England at a time when nobody else had learned
to make them. There may be those who have dwelt with interest on the
achievements of Smeaton, Rennie, and Telford. In that book we see of
what materials Englishmen are made. These men, who have now become
famous among us, had no mechanics’ institute, no libraries, no classes,
no examinations to cheer them on their way. In the greatest poverty,
difficulties, and discouragements, their energies were found sufficient
for their work, and they have written their names in a distinguished
page of the history of their country.”—_The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone
at Manchester._
“I have just been reading a work of great interest, which I recommend
to your notice—I mean Smiles’s ‘Lives of the Engineers.’ No more
interesting books have been published of late years than those of Mr.
Smiles—his ‘Lives of the Engineers,’ his ‘Life of George Stephenson,’
and his admirable little book on ‘Self-Help’—a most valuable
manual.”—_The Right Hon. Sir Stafford Northcote at Exeter._
“Mr. Smiles has done wisely to link the names of Boulton and
Watt together in the volume before us. The more we read of the
correspondence between these two great men during the birth of the
new motive power, the more we feel convinced that the world has to be
thankful for their happy partnership. Boulton seemed by some happy
chance to possess all the qualities of mind that were wanting in
Watt. . . . From the heaps of dusty ledgers in the counting—house at
Soho, the author has drawn the materials for these deeply-interesting
lives, and has so handled them as to produce a volume which worthily
crowns his efforts in this most interesting, because before untrodden,
walk in literature.”—_Times._
“Boulton was the complement of Watt’s active intelligence. . . . His
is a memory of which the leaders of industry in Great Britain may well
be proud. His virtues were the common virtues which render the English
character respected throughout the world, but in him they were combined
with admirable harmony, and were unsullied by any of those vices which
too frequently degrade the reputation of our countrymen. We cannot read
of Mr. Boulton’s grand struggle to bring the steam-engine into further
use without a feeling of pure admiration. . . . We lay down this volume
with a feeling of pride and admiration that England had the honour of
producing at the same time two such men, whose labours will continue
to benefit mankind to the remotest generation, and with gratitude to
the distinguished biographist who preserves for the instruction of the
times to come, pictures of them so full of life and reality.”—_Daily
News._
“That Mr. Smiles’s will be the standard life of the great engineer is
simply the necessity of his greater art as an industrial biographer.
His skill in weaving together anecdote and description, representations
of what was known with a distinct specification of what was contributed
by his hero; his dramatic power, in this volume especially, exhibited
in the contrast of the two partners,—the sanguine, speculative
character of Boulton; the anxious, morbid, cautious temper of Watt,—one
full of hope in the very darkest circumstances, the other full of fear
in the brightest,—give the volume a wonderful charm. The life of Watt
is a great epic of discovery: the narrative of it by Mr. Smiles is an
artistic and finished poem.”—_British Quarterly Review._
“We venture to think that this, Mr. Smiles’s most recent work, will
achieve even a higher popularity than those which have preceded it.
We are impressed by this book with the fact that hitherto, however
highly public speakers and writers may have lauded Watt and his
achievements, the general public have really known little or nothing
of this great man’s history, life, and character. These are admirably
and graphically depicted in the volume before us; in the preparation of
which the author appears to have had access to a vast mass of authentic
documents, of which he has made excellent use.”—_Observer.
Just Published, by the same Author, in Crown 8vo, 7s. 6d.
THE HUGUENOTS:
THEIR SETTLEMENTS, CHURCHES, AND INDUSTRIES IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND.
_A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED_
“The cunning of Mr. Smiles’s hand never fails him. He has chosen the
prosaic side of Huguenot history, and has made it as fascinating as
a romance. He has not essayed to depict the religious heroism or the
social tragedy of the Huguenot story—he has restricted himself to the
economical influence of its migrations, and he has made the statistics
and genealogies—of which his work is full—as interesting as Homer’s
lists of ships and heroes, or as Milton’s array of the demigods of
hell. The process seems very simple and easy, but it can be saved from
utter dreariness only by consummate art. Mr. Smiles has pursued his
investigations with a laborious minuteness worthy of the Statistical
Society and of the Heralds’ College; and yet it is as impossible to
skip a page, as in reading his life of Stephenson.”—_British Quarterly._
“Avec un rare déssintéressement national et un sentiment de justice
qu’on ne saurait trop encourager, un écrivain Anglais vient aujourd’hui
rendre aux étrangers ce que la riche et laborieuse Angleterre du
xix^{me} siecle doit aux étrangers. M. Smiles est l’historien de
la vapeur et de toutes les découvertes utiles; ses héros sont les
inventeurs, les artisans célèbres, les ingénieurs, tous ceux, en un
mot, qui out dérobé á la nature un secret ou un force pour étendre le
règne de l’homme sur la matière. Les conquêtes de l’industrie et du
commerce le préoccupent bien autrement que les victoires des armées
Anglaises. . . . Par la tournure de ses idées et l’ordre de ses études,
M. Smiles était done préparé à traiter cet interessant sujet,—la
naissance des arts utiles chez un grand peuple qui, à l’origine,
n’avait pas d’industrie.”—_Revue des Deux Mondes._
“The work of Mr. Smiles embraces a subject which has never been
adequately treated, at least in English literature—the history, namely,
of the French and Flemish Protestant refugees in this country, and
their descendants.
“Of the powerful influence exercised by this immigration on our
industry, commerce, arts, literature, even our usages and modes of
thought, few are aware. The subject is by no means a familiar one among
ourselves. The whole revolution, so to speak, took place so gradually,
the new population amalgamated so readily and thoroughly with the old,
that people hardly attached to the phenomena which passed under their
eyes their real importance. Mr. Smiles’s account of it is, therefore,
admirably calculated to impart, not only new knowledge, but really new
ideas, to most of us.
“To readers who love to dwell on heroic vicissitudes rather than on
mere details of economical progress, Mr. Smiles’s account of the
persecution in France, the sufferings of the many and the marvellous
escapes of the few, will prove the most attractive part of his work.
“How this noble army of emigrants for conscience sake—the truest
aristocracy, perhaps, which has ever developed itself—gradually and
peacefully amalgamated with that mass of the English people which they
had done so much to enrich and to instruct, Mr. Smiles has fully shown.
He recounts their euthanasia, if such it may be termed, as he does
their rise. To one of the great causes of their success, and not in
England only, he does ample justice. They were, as a body, extremely
well educated; and they jealously transmitted that inheritance, which
they had brought from France, to their children. The poorest Huguenot
refugee was almost always a cultivated man. Hence their great advantage
in the fair race of industry.”—_Pall Mall Gazette._
“Mr. Smiles’s book on the ‘Huguenots’ is an improvement on anything
he has yet done, and it deserves a success which, by reason of its
very merits, we fear it has no chance of attaining. The subject breaks
ground that may almost be called fallow. Many chapters of English
history, and these not the least interesting or important, are for the
first time written, with the care and breadth they deserve, by Mr.
Smiles.”—_London Review._
* * * * *
Transcriber’s Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Ditto marks were replaced in the
Appendix with the actual words. Superscripted letters are preceded by ^
and wrapped in {curly brackets}.
Page xiii, “Pertinaceous” changed to “Pertinacious” (Pertinacious Rats)
Page xiv, “Locustra” changed to “Locusta” (Locusta migratoria)
Page xv, “Entomostracea” changed to “Entomostraca”
(Bate--Entomostraca--Parasites)
Page xvi, “Thompsonii” changed to “Thompsoni” (Couchia Thompsoni)
Page 44, “ask” changed to “asp” (an asp, but it)
Page 207, sidenote, “LOCUSTRIA” changed to “LOCUSTA” (LOCUSTA
MIGRATORIA)
Page 253, word originally split over two lines after the first “con”,
“concontributor” changed to “contributor” (afterwards became a
contributor)
Page 328, “Holothuriadæ” became “Holothuridæ” (of the Holothuridæ
family)
Page 428, parentheses changed to brackets. ([_Edward’s Midge_].)
Page 429, “Chimaera” changed to “Chimæra” ([_Northern Chimæra_])
Page 432, “oth” changed to “other” ( Two other new species)
Page 442, “whch” changed to “which” (it contains which we possess)
Page 443, “laboure” changed to “labourer” (example of a labourer)
End of Project Gutenberg's Life of a Scotch Naturalist, by Samuel Smiles