Silver scabbardfish
Date
1811
Creator
Edward Mitchell (British) , Engraver
After
George Montagu (1753 - 1815, British) , Naturalist
Object type
Library reference
RCN32515
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 125mm
width (print): 211mm
width (print): 211mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Marine zoological study of the Silver scabbardfish Lepidopus caudatus (here referred to as Ziphotheca tetradens). Side view.
Plate 2 accompanying the paper ‘An account of five rare species of British fish’, by George Montagu, Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, v.1 1808-1810, pp.79-101 (Edinburgh, 1811). Inscribed above: ‘Plate II’. Inscribed below: ‘Montague delt. E. Mitchell sculpt.’
The accompanying text states that: ‘This singular fish was taken in Salcomb harbour on the coast of Devon, on the 4th of June last (1808). It was swimming with astonishing velocity, with its head above water; to use the fisherman’s expression, “going as swift as a bird”, and was killed by a blow of an oar. It was made a public show in Kingsbridge where in one day a guinea was taken for its exhibition at one penny each person.’
George Montagu (1753-1815) naturalist and army officer, was a Fellow of the Linnean Society. He described several British molluscs and fish for the first time.
Plate 2 accompanying the paper ‘An account of five rare species of British fish’, by George Montagu, Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, v.1 1808-1810, pp.79-101 (Edinburgh, 1811). Inscribed above: ‘Plate II’. Inscribed below: ‘Montague delt. E. Mitchell sculpt.’
The accompanying text states that: ‘This singular fish was taken in Salcomb harbour on the coast of Devon, on the 4th of June last (1808). It was swimming with astonishing velocity, with its head above water; to use the fisherman’s expression, “going as swift as a bird”, and was killed by a blow of an oar. It was made a public show in Kingsbridge where in one day a guinea was taken for its exhibition at one penny each person.’
George Montagu (1753-1815) naturalist and army officer, was a Fellow of the Linnean Society. He described several British molluscs and fish for the first time.
Associated place