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f rbriUD of tb Puscum

OF

COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,

AT HARVARD COILEGK, CASlBRlDfiE, MASS.

The gift of

^J. "SrJtt

No. /fl, 7^'

//.

JL^±j^i

8MITT. SCANDINAVIAN FISHEvS

A HISTORY OF

CANDIMYIAN FlSi "^

BY

B. FR1E8, 0. U. EKSTEOfI, AND C. SUNDEYALL

WITH COLOURED PLATES

BY

W. VON WRIGHT

„ AND TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS

SECOND EDITION

REVISED AND COMPLETED BY

I'xwFESSOR F. A. SMITT

RMBER OF THE ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY CfF SCIENXE

TEXT

PART I

BEHLIX

IR. FHIEDLANDER & SOHN

Carlstrasse I 1

• \

p. A. NOKSTEDT & S 0 N E iR
STOCKHOLM

LONDON

ISiJ j'SO LOW. MAKSTOX .^' COMPANY. I.iMiTi;/)
\ -I St. Dt'.x.sTAN s HorsE, Fetter Lane

PARIS
LIBIJAIKIE C. RELXWALI) ^' C

15. RfE DES SaINTS-P6RES

STOCKHOLM 1892

l\ A. NORSTEDT & SoNEK

KdYAl, PRTNTINfi OKFIlK

SMITT: .SUNDINAVIAN FISHES

A H] ; 1 ( )RY OF

SCANDINAmN FISHES

¥

.V

BY

B. FEIES, C. U. EKSTOM. AND C. SUNDEYALL

WITl PLATES

W. VON WRIGHT

I

SECOND EDITION

REVISED AND COMPLETi^P BY

F. A. 8MITT

TEXT

PART 1

Vir.7 TTBRARY
HF IIVERSITY

C .^^,c. MA USA

skoCKHOLM 1892

KONQI.. HOKTrIcKKRIKT. P-l A. NORSTEDT & sONER

scandinavIn fishes

SECOND HTION

HT

1 i

r

PREFACE.

When 1 was crMiinussioiied by the publishers to revise and complete in a systematic form ''Scandinavian Fishes,''
the work brought out l)y Fries, Ekstrom, and Sundevall, witii drawings by v. Wiiiiifri', 1 was not unaware of the great
difficulties associated with such an undertaking. Their original plan was to embody in a po])ular form the results of
scientific investigation, and with the most accurate drawings of living specimens to represent the appearance and charac-
teristics of the fishes. As far as the work proceeded, it gained a world-wide reputation as one of the best ])roductions of
its kind. But it was interrupted, and neither artists nor writers of the same note as tlie original ones cinild l)e found to
continue it. v. Wright's still unrivalled pencil and brush had been laid aside long before his death in 1888; and only a
writer of the greatest self-confidence would without hesitation ha\'e come forward to submit his work to the test of com-
parison with what the power of observation and description of Fries, Ekstrom, and Sundevall had already accomplished
in the same field of science. However, the Academy of Science was found to possess several hitherto unpublished drawings
of tislies executed liy v. Wright, and to the collections of the Royal Zoological Museum 1 had caused to be added ijuite a
considerable number of figures of fishes belonging to the Scandinavian fauna, which might be of service in the continuation
of the work. In the Hoyal Museum are also preserved both the original specimens described in the former edition and the
fishes collected by Fries and Sundevall with a view to the completion of their task. In recent years, too, ichthyology has
not been without diligent and distinguished investigators even in Sweden: the names of S. NiLssoN, A. W. Malm, and V.
Lilljeborg are widely known and renowned. The piscine faunse of Norway and Denmark have also been subjected to
exhaustive research: during the time that has elapsed since the first pviblication of "Scandinavian Fishes," Esmark and
Collett, Kr0YER, LiJTKEN, and Winther have all been enrolled among the most eminent ichthyologists, and have rendered
this department of zoology quite as thoroughly known in Scandinavia as it is in other lands. With confidence in the
value of tlie material at my disposal, I overcame my hesitation, and ventured to accept the invitation of the publishers to
bring out this new edition of one of Sweden's finest national works in the province of literature. But one more difficulty
remained, a difficulty which has considerably delayed the appearance of the work in print. Ilemembering the favourable
reception granted to the first edition in other countries, the publishers were desirous to render the new edition also available
to the reader who does not know any of the Scandinavian languages, and therefore decided that the work should be also
published in English. This difficulty could not be overcome until the puljlishers succeeded in procui'ing the valuable aid
of Mr. D. Lloyd Morgan, B. A., Lecturer at the LTniversity of Lund, to whom alone it is due that the English edition is
fully on a par with the Swedish.

The plan of the work has been the following: in the first place v. Wright's drawings have been reproduced, and
where coloured figures, drawn from living or perfectly fresh specimens, have existed among the collections of the Koj-al
Zoological Museum or where such figures could be procured from other sources, these figures are also given, printed in
colours and executed with the greatest accuracy attainable in this country. These figures have been lithographed and
printed at the Lithographic Fress of the Swedish Ordnance Surcci/. In the case of the species of which such drawings could
not be procured, or where the species in question is not of essential importance either in the Scandinavian fauna or from
an economical point of view, zincotypes, cast at the same establishment, are inserted in the text, from drawings, executed
with all possible accuracy, of the specimens preserved in spirits in the Royal Museum or of those which have been kindly
lent me by other museums. Most of these drawings have been executed under my supervision by Carl Erdmann. an artist
whose earl}' loss to science and art must be deeply regretted.

I have observed a similar rule in mj^ revision of the text. (Jf the two hundred piscine species that belong to the
Scandinavian fauna, sixty-four were included in the former edition. In every case where the requirements of modern science
have not seemed to call for any alteration in the work of my predecessors. I have suffered it to remain untouched. I leave
the reader to judge with what success I have eiuleavoured to follow them in their labour of general instruction. My hopes
of producing a handsome work have been grounded on the unsparing generosity of the publishers and the prominent rank
occupied by their office in the department of typography-; and I ha\e no doubt that an impartial judgment will give them
full recognition.

F. A. SMITT.
Stockholm, 1892.

CONTENTS.

Classis: I^isoes.

Ordo: PISCES TELEOSTEI pag.

Suboido: Teleostei Physoclysti .-- >■

Phalanx: Physoclysti Eleutherognathi »

Cohors: Eleutherognathi Aeanthopterygii »

Divisio: Eleutherognathi Pharyngognathi »

Series: Laliromorphi --. .-_ »

Familia: Labridce - »

Divisio: Eleutherognathi Li/siphargngei »

§: filiopteri »

Series: Perconiorphi »

Familia: Percidce »

» Scicenidce »

» Sparida' _.- »

» MidUdce »

» Berijcidce >•

Scries: Scomhromorphi »

Familia: Bramidie •

» Carangidcc »

» Scombridce , »

» Xiphiidai -_•. »

» Larnprididce »

§§: Anoraalopteri »

Series: Trachinomorphi »

Familia: I'rachinidcE »

» Balrachidtf »

» Lop/iiidiT »

1.

Series

2.

2.
2.

Series

2.

3.
23.

Series

24.

25.

25.

49.
52.

Series

61.

66.

Series

69.
70.

Series

82.

89.
116.
121.

Cohors :
Series

126.
127.

Series

127.

133.

Series

136.

: Cuttuiitorphi pag.

Familia: Scorpcenidoe — »

» Uottidce »

» Agonidce ..- »

: Blennoinorphi _ »

Familia: Blenniida; _ -.- »

Anarrhichadida> >'

: Gobiomorplii »

Familia: Gobiidce »

>/ Vallionijmida' »

» Cyclopteridtc »

» Gobiesocida >'

: Cyttomorphi »

Familia: Cijttidce »

: Trachypter am orpin »

Familia: Tracliypteridce »

: Mugiliformes {Cestreiomorphi) »

Familia: Mugilida' »

Eleutherognathi Malacopterygii »

: Synentognatlii (^Belonomorphi) »

F-amilia: Scombresocida »

: Heterosomata (^Pseltomorphi) »

Familia: Pleiironectidcr -- »

: (hioinorjilti »

Familia: Gadida »

I N DEX.

Abdominales, Acjintliopterygii 24.

abyssorum (Gadus, Lota, Molva), 621.

acadianus (Glyptocephalus), 379.

Acanthocottus, 168, 169.

Acanfhocybiuni, 90, 116.

Acantbolabrus, 4, 5.

acantbopteri, Hcterocormi, 24.

Acaiilhopterygii, 2.

Aceriua, 40, 25.

aculeatiis (Cliinis, Leptoclimis, Slicbivus, Luni-

penus), 228.
aculeatus (Rboinbiis), 398, 434.
Acus, 347.

acus (Belone), 343, 347.
acuta (Perca), 27.
acutus (Exocoetiis) 355.
.i^^glefinus, 460.
a^glefinus (Gadus, Melanogrammiis, Merlangus,

Morrliua), 465, 466, 467, 484.
affinis (Beryx), 68.
affinis (Gottus), 170.
affinis (Thynnus), 93.
Agassizii (Brama), 81.
Agassizii (Callionymus), 271.
agilis (Gadus) 484.
Agonidai, 126, 202.
Agonopsis, 204.
Agoiiostoma, 328.
Agonus. 146, 204.
Aigle, 468.
Aiglefin, 468.
Aigrefin, 466.
alalonga (Tbyiiiius), 91.
albicora (Tbynnus) 91.
albidus (Gadus), 540.
AUiicore, 97.
Alburnus lucidus, 33.
alburnus (Menticirrus, Uinbrina), 120.
albus (Gobius, Latrunculus), 266.
albus (Merlangus), 511.
algeriensis (Balrachus), 135.
allittenitus (Euthynnus, Scomber), 91, 93.
altivelis (Tracbypterus), 314, 309.
americana (Morone, Roccus), 44.
americana (Morrhua), 473.
americana (Pcrca), 27.

amerieanum (Amphiprion, Polypriou), 47, 48.
americanus (Brosmius), 562.
americanus (Limanda, Pleurouectes), 362, 363,

390.
Amraodytes, 461.
Auimodytidii?, 462, 557.
ampliibius (Salarias), 212.
Ampbiprion, 48.
Anabas 240.
Anacantbini, 371, 461.
Anacaiitliini gadoidei, 401.
Anarrliicbadidiv, 126. 231.
Anarrbiebas, 137, 211, 231
Ancylcidon, 51.
Anglepiga, 391.
Angler, 138.
anglorum (Lunipus), 294.

Aiioniali, 24.

anonialopteri, Acantbopterygii, 24, 126.

Anon, 460.

antaretica (Scia;na), 51.

Antennarii, 136, 144.

Antennarius, 144.

Anticitharus, 426.

Antiniora, 539.

Aper (Labrus), 7.

Aphya, 242, 204.

aphya (Gobius), 251, 262.

Aphyonus, 462.

Apodes, 461.

aquila (Cbeiiodipterus, Scia?na), 50, 51.

araneus (Trachinus), 128.

Archagonus, 206.

arctica (Liparis), 287.

arcticus (Chironectes), 146.

arcticus (Gymnetrus, Gymnogaster, Tracby-
pterus), 315.

argentatus (Merlueius), 514, 515.

argenteolus (Gadus, Molella, Couchia), 550,
553, 554, 556.

argenteus (Gadicuhis, Gadus), 404.

argenti-vittatus (Tliynuus), 91.

Argyropelecus bemigymnus, 305.

armatus (Aspidopborus), 208.

armatus (Caranx), 85.

Arnoglossus, 363, 426, 427, 428.

arnoglossus (Pleuronectes, Rhombus), 428, 429.

Ascanii (Blenniops, Blenuius, Carelophus), 218.

Ascanii (Gynmetrus), 322.

Asellus, 472, 518.

asper (Limanda, Pleuronectes), 390.

aspera (Lepidotrigbi), 195.

Aspicottus, 187.

Aspidopboroides, 203.

Aspidopborus, 204.

Atheresthes, 408.

Atberina, 265.

Atherinidre, 327.

Aurata, 4 1 .

aurata (Sparus), 53.

auratus (Mugil), 333, 337.

aurea, var. (Perca), 30.

australe (Amphiprion), 48.

australis (Brama), 77.

australis (Zeus), 306, 308.

Aiixis, 99, 107.

Backeljauue, 476.

Backeljo, 470.

babiensis (Exocoetus), 358.

Balistes, 2, 137.

Ballan (Labrus), 7.

baltbeatus (Tbynnus), 91.

baltica, var. (Pleuronectes), 393.

balticus (Homirampbus), 345.

Banksii (Gynmetrus, Regalecus), 323.

barbatus (Batracbus), 135.

barbatus (Gadus), 473, 479, 493.

barViatus (Liparis), 287.

barbatus (Lopliius), 139.

barbatus (Mullus), 62.

barbatus (Rliombus), 441.

Barbel, Sea, 61.

Barbus, 540, 558.

Barracuda, 327.

Bartel, 540.

Bartelfisk, 539.

Batracbida;, 126, 133.

Batracocepbalus, 558.

Batracbus, 134.

Baudroies, 136.

Beanii (Limanda, Pleuronectes), 390.

Bebnii (Hemirampbus), 345.

belone (Belone, Esox, Rbauipliistoma), 347.

Belonidie, 343.

Beloninffi, 344.

Belonini, 342.

Bergabborre, 151.

Bergflundra, 385.

Berggalt, 7, 10.

Berggylta (Labrus), 4, 6. 7, 10.

Berghvarf, 450.

Bergnabba, 14.

Bergsimpa, 173.

Bergskadda, 383, 385.

Bergsnultra, 10.

Bergstubb, 257.

Bergtorsk, 477.

Bergtunga, 375.,

Bergulke, 190.

Berycidie, 25, 66.

Beryx, 66.

Bib, 493, 498.

bicornis (Cottus), 165, 160.

bifurcus (Gadus), 540.

bilinearis (Merlueius), 120, 516.

bilineatus (Orcynus), 89.

bimaculata (Acara, Labrus, Scirena), 11.

bimaculatus (Cycloplerus, Lepadogaster), 302.

bipunctatus (Gobius), 251.

Birkebluga, 524.

bison (Aspicottus), 187.

bisus (Scomber), 108.

Blagoma. 238.

Blankesten, 59.

Blanksej, 506.

Blenniida;, 126, 212.

Blenniini, 212.

blennioides (Batracocepbalus), 559.

Blenniops, 217.

Bleunius, 211. 212, 213.

Blennoidea, 211, 212.

blennoides (Gadus, Pbyeis). 539. 540.

Blennomorpbi, 126, 211.

Blennus, 212.

Blenny, Butterfly. 212.

Blenny, Crested, 219.

Blinds, 493.

Blochii, (Trigln). 197.

Blue-moutb, 155.

Blaa bafkalten, 237.

BlSgunnar, 512.

Blakaften, 154.

Blaskal, 14.

^caitdinacidn Fishes.

II

Blasnultra, 10.

Blastak, 14.

Blastal. U, 272.

Blastral, 14.

Blackfisk, 561.

Boca negra, 155.

Bogdanovii (Pleuronectes), 399, 400, 403.

Bogmavus, 315.

bogiiiarus (Trachypterus), 315.

Bogini, 53.

Bola, 50.

Boleoplithalmus, 240.

Bouaparti (Cybium, Pelamy.s), 103.

Bonit, 95.

Bonito, 95.

Bonito, Plain, 108.

borealis (Batrachus), 135.

borealis (Beryx), 67.

borealis (Pleuronectes), 392, 396.

Boreogadus, 484.

Boscii (Lepidorbombus, Plenronectes), 447.

Botargo, 333.

Botbina, 371, 425.

Botliragonus, 203.

Botbus, 426, 432.

Botta, 441.

Bodengnidare, 30.

Bottenmus, 208, 211.

Bracbirus, 371.

bracbypterus (Tbynnus), 91, 98.

Brania, 70, 72, 75, 106.

brania (Cantbarus), 54.

brama (Pteryconibiis), 73.

Bramida', 70, 309.

Brandy-fisb, 376.

Brandtii (Cottus), 181.

brasiliensis (Tbynnus), 93.

Bream, Black Sea, 64.

Bream, Common Sea, 59.

Bream, Rascb's Sea, 80.

Bream, Ray's Sea, 77.

Bream, Spanisb Sea, 58.

Bredtorsk, 493.

Bregmaceros, 463.

brevipinnis (Thynnus), 91, 93.

brevirostris (Scombresox), 352.

Brevorti, (Brama). 81.

Biill, 441.

Brill, Ttirbol-like, 445.

Brisniak, 562.

Brosmiinaj, 464.

Brosme, 562.

lirosme (Brosmius, Gadus), 562.

brosme (Centronotus), 218.

brosmiana (Lota), 532.

Brosmius 464, 562.

Brosmus, 562.

Brotulina, 463.

Brunsnultra, 5.

bubalis (Cottus, Enopbrys), 169, 187, 192.

budegassa (Lopbius), 139.

Biickborn, 491.

Bullerflundre, 403.

Bullbead, Alpine, 173.

Bullliead, Armed, 208.

Bidlbead, River, 170.

Burbot, 532.

Butirinus, 1.

Butta, 432, 441.

Butte, 432, 441.

Byrkelange (Gadus, Lota, Molva), 521.

Cftbeljou, 479.

Cngnota, 213.

Calimande, graiide, 451.

callarias (Gadus), 462, 464, 465, 467, 472.

Callionymida', 271.

Callionj-mini, 271.

Callionymus, 271.

Callyodon, 6.

Carnperii (Scombresox), 353.

canadensis (Lucioperca, Stizostedium), 37.

Cantharini, 53.

Cantbarus, 53.

cantbarus (Spams), 54.

Gantrainii (Rampbistoma), 349.

Capelan, 497.

capensis (Gymnetrus), 323.

capensis (Trigla), 202.

capensis (Zeus), 308.

capitatus (Cottus), 170.

oapito (Mugil), 333, 334, 338, 339, 340.

Capridai, 70.

Carangidic, 70, 82.

Caranx, 84.

carbonarius (Gadus, Merlangus, Pollacbius),
500.

eardina (Pleuronectes, Rbombus), 453.

Cardine, 447.

Carelopbus, 217.

carneus (Labrus), 10.

Carpenteri (Onos), 544.

Carter, 447.

casurus (Ple-uronectes), 428.

catapbracta (Trigla), 195.

catapbractum (Peristedium), 195.

catapbractus (Agonus, Aspidopborus, Cottus),
204, 207, 208.

caudacuta (Motella, Rbinonenius), 545.

Cefalo, 331.

Centridermicbtbys, 157, 162.

centrodontus (Pagellus, Pagrus, Sparus), 56,
57, 59.

Centrolabrus, 4.

Cepbalacanthus, 24.

cephalus (Mugil), 333, 334, 340.

Cepolidas 211.

Ceratocottus, 187.

cernium (Polyprion), 48.

cernua (Acerina, Perca), 41.

Cestreus, 328.

Cbrenoraugil, 328, 333.

Cbaitodon, 24.

Chretodontidic, 71.

Cbaracinida;, 66.

Chelidon, 356.

chelo (Mugil), 328, 333, 334, 340.

Cbelon, 331, 334.

chilensis (Brama), 77'.

cbilensis (Sarda), 102, 104.

Cbirida;, 147, 211.

Chirolopbis, 213, 217.

Cbironectes, 145.

Cbondropterygiaus, 1.

Cbondrosteans, 1.

Cborinemus, 82.

Cborisocbismus, 300.

Christmas-fisb. 406.

Cbrysopbrys, 56.

cbrysops (Rocciis), 44, 46.

cicatricosus (Pleuronectes), 404, 422, 429.

Ciliata, 544.

cinibrius, (cimbricus, Encbelyopus, Gadus, Mo-
tella, Onos), 544.

Cirrostomes, 1.

citbara (Callionymus), 279.

Citbaricbfbys, 426.

Citbarus, 371, 426.

claviger (Cottus), 188, 192.

Climbing-fisb, 240.

Clinus, 219.

Clupea barengus, 149.

Clypeocottns, 187.

Coaltisb, 465, 499, 500.

cobites (Apbya), 262, 265.

Cod, 465.
Cod, Bearded, 493.
Cod, Broad, 493.
Cod, Common, 472.
Cod, Green, 500.
Cod, Polar, 463, 484.
Cod, Poor or Power, 496, 498.
Cod, Tang, 477.
Cod. Tbree Bearded, 550.
coerulea (Pelamis), 93.
coeruleus (Cyclopterus), 294.
coeruleus (Labrus), 10.
Colfisob, 500.
colias (Scomber), 90, 110.
Colin, 500.
comber (Labrus), 7.
Commersonii (Scomber), 93.
communis (Lota), 632.
communis (Merlangus), 511.
compressns (Gadus), 532.
Concadita, 331.
Conger vulgaris, 143.
Connor, 18.

conspersus (Pleuronectes), 429, 430.
conspioillum (Batracbus), 136.
Corax, 200.
corax (Trigla), 201.
coretta (Tbynnus), 91, 98.
Coris, 21. '

cornubiensis (Labrus), 7, 18.
cornubiensis (Barbus minor), 668.
coronatus (Cyclopterus), 294.
corrugatus (Mugil), 334.
Corviua, 51.
Corypbajna, 96, 309.
Corypbsenidie, 70.
Cossypbus, 5.
Cottida?, 126, 156.
Cottin;e, 156.
Cottomorpbi, 126, 146.
Cotto-scombriformes, 70.
Cottunculus, 157.
Cottunculus, Small-eyed, 158.
Cottus, 146, 157, 168, 272, 273.
Cottus, Bearded, 208.
Cottus, Brancb-spined, 160.
Cottus, Four-borned, 175.
Cottus, Short-spined, 180.
Couchia, 544.
Coucbii (Acantbolabrus), 5.
Coucliii (Crenilabrus), 18.
Crenilabrus, 4, 8.
cristatus (Pleuronectes), 441.
cruentatus (Gobius), 248.
Crystallogobius. 242, 268.
Ctenodon, 224.
Ctenolabrus, 4, 16.
cuculus (Trigla), 195, 197.
Cuvieri (Trncburus), 88.
curtus (Mugil), 334.
Cybium, 89, 91, 99.
Cyologaster, 282, 283.
Cyclopterida;, 126, 147, 282.
Cyclopterus, 282, 293.
Cyclostomes, 1.
Cynicoglossus, 386.
Cynoglossus, 371.

cynoglossus (Glyptoeepbalus, Platessa, Pleuro-
nectes), 364, 378, 383, 417.
Cyprinidie, 66.
Cyprinodontidio, 342.
Cypselurus, 35(5.
Cypsilurus, 356.
Cyttida", 304, 305.
CyttomorpUi, 126, 304.
Dab, Common, 386.
Dab, Lemon, 383.

Ill

Dab, Rough, 421.

Dab, Smear, 38.S.

dactyloptera (Scorptuna, Scbastes), 153, 522.

Dactylopterns, 146, 103.

Dajaus, 328.

Dealfish, 315.

decadactylus (Bery-x), 07, 429.

decagonus (Agonus, Archagonus, Aspidopborus,

Coitus, Podothecus), 204, 205, 200.
dciitatus (Paralichthys, Pseudoihonibus), 306.
dentex (Chorisochisnius), 300.
denticulatus (Aiiarrbichas), 237.
Desfontainii (Lepadogaster, Mirbelia), 303.
diapbanus (Pleuroneetes), 428.
diceraus (Ceratocottus), 187.
didactylus (Batrachus), 134.
Diplodus, 53.

dipterygia (Moliia), 521, 525, 531.
Discoboles, 282.
Discoboli. 282.
dispar (Labrus), 10.
Dogge, 476.

Donovani (Crenilabrus), 18.
Donovani (Labrus), 7.
Doras, 188.
Dory, 306.

draco (Tracbinus), 128, 272.
draculus (Callionynius), 273, 279.
Dracunculus, 272, 270.

di-acimculus (Callionynius, Urauoscopus), 273.
Dragonet, Gemnieous, 273.
Dragonet, Lesser, 279.
Dragskiidda, 391.
Drepanopsetta, 408, 420.

dubius (Mulhis), 63.

Dvergsinipa, 191.
Dveigulk, 190.

dvinensis (Plaiessa) 405, 406.

dypterigius (Gadiis), 521.
Ecbeneis, 89, 91.

Edwardii (Couchia), 545.

Eggerti (Anarrhiclias), 236.

Ekstromii (Gobius), 262.

Ekstromii (Liparis), 284, 286.

Elacate, 89, 91.

Elbbutt, 443.

Eleginus, 482.

Eleotriformes, 240.

ejongata (Glyptocephalus, Platessa, Pleuro-
neetes), 379.

elongata (Lotta), 521.

Eleuterognathi, 2.

Encheliophis, 462.

Eucbelyopus, 211, 537.

Engelsnian, 425.

Enophrys, 181, 187.

Epiuepbelus, 48.

equirostrum (Scombresox), 353.

erythrinus (Sparus), 56, 57, 58.

esculentus (Merlucius), 515.

Esmarkii (Gadus), 406, 407, 499, 508.

Esox, 342.

Esox brasiliensis, 345.

Euchalarodus, 405.

europa;us (Aspidopborus), 208.

europ^us (Hemiramphus), 345.

eurybrachii, Acantbopterygii, 24.

euryripidi, Acantbopterygii, 24.

eurypterus (Lophius), 139, 142, 143.

Euthynnus, 91, 92.

euxiniis (Gadus), 464, 487.

evolans (Exoca'tus, Halocypsclus), 358.

exiliens (Exocoetus), 358.

Exocoetiformes, 343.

Exocoetinaj, 355.

Exocoetini, 342.

Exoccctus, 356.

exoletus (Acantbolabrus, Centrolabrus, Labrus),

4, 10, 14.
exoletus (Crenilabrus), 5.
exsiliens (Exoccetus), 358.
faber (Zeus), 305, 306.
Fabiicii (Boreogadus, Gadus), 404, 484.
Fabricii (Liparis, Cyclogaster), 287, 288.
Fabricii (Lumpenus), 224, 225, 220.
Faisan dean, 440.
Fatber-lasber, 187.
Fenknoten, 200.

ferrugineus (Limanda, Pleuroneetes), 390.
festiva (Julis), 21.
Fierasfer, 402.
Fisbing-frog, 138.
Fjallflundra, 391.
Fjarsing, 128, 131.
Fjasing, 131.
Flatfishes, 361.

fiavescens (Bodianus, Perca), 27.
flavescens (Brosmius), 502.
fiavescens (Gobius), 243, 244, 250, 251, 257.
Flek-Steenbit, 236.

Hesus (Platessa, Pleuroneetes), 378,308,407.
Flounder, 398.
Flounder, King's, 396.
Fluke, Sail, 451.
Fluudra, 2, 403.
fluviatilis (Perca), 20.
Flydra, 416.
Flygfisk, 272.
Flying-fish, 355.
Flying-fish, Great, 357.
Flackpagell, 59.
Forked-beard, Great, 540.
Forked-beard, Lesser, 558.
Franklinii (Pleuroneetes), 404, 405.
Friesii (Gobius), 244, 248.
fuliginosus (Gadus), 559.
furcatus (Phycis, Pbyscis), 540.

furciger (Icelus), 160.

fuscus (Motella, Ones), 551, 556.

fuscus (Blennius, Raniceps), 558, 559.

Gadidae, 462, 463.

GadiniB, 464.

gadoides (Blennius), 540.

Gadus, 464, 514.

galeatus (Gyninacanthus), 160.

galerita (Blenniops, Blennius, Chirolopbis), 218.

Gallichthys, 309.

Ganoids, 1.

Garpike, 347.

Gasterosteidie, 341.

Gasterosteus pungitius, 204.

Gayi (Merlucius), 515.

gelatinosus (Careproctus, Cyclopterus, Liparis),
283, 287, 291.

genno (Orcynus, Thynnus), 90, 91, 97.

Gers, 41.

gibba, var. (Perca), 29.

gibbus (Labrus), 18.

gibbus (Liparis), 287.

Giersii (Pleuroneetes), 395.

Gilt-head, 18.

Giofredi (Julis). 21.

glabra (Platessa), 405.

glacialis (Cottus), 180.

glacialis (Gadus), 484.

glacialis (Pleuroneetes), 404, 405, 422, 429.

Glade, 391.
gladius(Cepola,Gymnetrus,Regalecus),321,323.

gladius (Xiphias), 118.

Glansfisk, 123.

Glashvarf, 448.

glauca (Ciliata, Couchia, Motella), 554, 550.

glauea (Lichia), 83.

glesne (Gymnetrus, Ophidium, Regalecus). 322.

Glib, 425.
Glibskadda, 425.
Glyptocephalus, 378, 379.
Glysa, 497.
Glyskolja, 495, 497.
Gmelini (Phycis), 543.
Gobiesocida;, 126, 300.
Gobiesocifonnes, 239.
Gobiiformes, 239, 240
Gobiida;, 126, 240.
Gobiina;, 240.

gobio (Cottus), 157, 160, 169, 170, 173.
Gobioidei, 239.
Gobiomorphi, 126, 239.
Gobius, 157, 242.
gobius (Cyclopterus, Liparis), 284.
Goby, Black, 245.
Goby, Doubly spotted, 251.
Goby, Freckled, 262.
Goby, Jeffrey's, 261.
Goby, Spotted, 262.
Goby, White, 266.
Goldsinny, 16.

gracilis (Blennius, Clinus, Leptoblcnnius, Lum-
penus), 225.
gracilis (Gadus, Tilesia), 405, 467, 481.
gracilis (Gobius), 248, 262.
gracilis (Perca), 27.
Grammiconotus, 352.
Grande Caliinande, 451.
granulata (Perca), 27.
Grentaggiga Ulken, 160.
grisea (Lucioperca), 37.
griseus (Cantharus), 54.
Grillii (Gymnetrus), 322.
Grodqvabba, 144.
groenlaudicus (Cottus), 180.
groenlandicus (Hippoglossus), 417.
Grasej, 500, 503.

Grasik, 503.

Grassnultra, 14.

Grastorsk, 476.

Guldmulle. 63.

Gudlax, 126.

Gunnel Spotted, 220.

gunnellus (Blennius, Centronotus, Murfenoides.
Ophisomus, Pholis), 220.

Gurnard, Grey, 197.

Gurnard, Red, 195.

Gurnard, Sapphirine, 200.

Gurnards, Cuirassed, 202.

gurnardus (Trigla), 194, 197.

guttatus.(Lampris, Zeus), 123.

Gymnetrus, 320.

Gymnocanthus, 157, 159.

Gyranogaster, 314.

Gos, 36.

Haa-ising, 425.

Ha»mulon, 52.

Haberdine, 470.

Haddock, 466.

Haddock, Norway, 148.

Hafgos, 50.

Hafgosfiskar, 40.

Hafkarp. 10.

Hafkatt, bla. 237.

Hafkatt. tigerfliickad, 236.

Hafkatt. vanlig. 232.

Hafpadda, 561.

Hafsabborre, 45.

Hafspadda, 144.

Hafsruda, 52.

Hafulk. 144.

Hake, 465, 515.

Hake, Trifurcated, 559.

Halfulk, 103.

Halhos. 107.

IV

Halibut, 409.

Halibut, Lesser, 417.

Halocypselus, 356.

Haloporphyrus, 539.

hamatns (Centridermiclithys, Icelus), 165.

Hansing, 396.

Haploidonotus, 40.

Havkvabbe, 543.

Havrauus, 211.

Hawkenii (Gymnetrus), 322.

Hawkinsii (Gymnetrus), 322.

Heiligbutt, 416.

Heilag-fiske, 416.

helvetica (Perca), 27.

Helgefiundra, 409, 416.

Helgeflundran, lilla, 417.

Helk-flyndre, 416.

Heiniltranchii, 2.

Hernilepidotus, 156.

Hemiihamphiformes, 343.

Hemirhamphus, 342.

Hemirbombus, 426.

beptagonus (Cyclopterus), 294.

Herrings, King of the, 322.

Heterocornii, 24.

Heterolepidotidie, 147, 211.

Heterosoiuata, 361.

Heterosonies, 361.

bexacornis (Cottus), 175, 178.

hiatula (Labrus), 11.

Hierax, 352.

Hippoglossina, 371, 408.

Hippoglossoides, 420.

bippoglossoides (Hippoglossus, Platysomatich-

tbys, Pleuronectes, Reinhardtius), 408, 417.
Hippoglossus. 408, 409, 420.
hippoglossus (Pleuronectes), 409.
Hirax, 352.
hirtus (Pleuronectes, Rhombus, Zeugopterus),

458.
Hirundo, 200, 356.
hirundo (Trigla), 195, 197, 200.
Histiophorns, 117.

liistrio (Antennarius, Lophius), 136, 145.
Hlyre, 236.
Holocentrini, 66.
Holocentrum, 66, 69.
hulolepidotus (Labrus, Sciwna), 52.
Hork, 43.
Hornfisk, 347.
Horngiidda, 347.
Horugrill, 347.
Hornsimpa, 175.
Hornskalle, 184, 185.
HorntuDga, 425.
Hoinuggla, 211.
Hornuike, 1911.
Horr, 43.

Horse-Mackerel, 86.
Hi.rimge, 393, 443.
huulia (Molva), 532.
Hulekolja, 561.
burta (Sparus), 56.
Ilvarf, luden, 456.
Hvilling, 487.
Hvitlinglyra, 508.
hybridus (Rhombus), 432.
Hallefisk, 416.
Halluflundra, 416.
Icc-lus, 162.

idioptcri, Acanthopterygii, 24.
imborbe (Ophidium), 220.
imbricatus (Acantholabrus), 5.
imperiale (Ramphistoma), 349.
iniperialis (Sebastes), 154.
inoniata (Lota), 532.
interruptus (Hoccus), 44.

iris (Trachypterus), 310, 311, 312, 313.

Isa, 466.

Ising, 391.

islandicus (Bogmarus, Vogmarus), 315.

islandicus (Centronotus, Gunellus, Lurapenus,

Sticlu-eus), 225.
italica (Perca), 27.

jacksoniensis (Regalecus, Trachypterus), 314.
japonica (Brama), 77.
japonicus (Zeus), 306, 308.
Jefireysii (Gobius), 244, 261.
John Dory, 306.
jozo (Gobius), 245, 246.
Judepiga, 425.

jugulares, Acanthopterygii, 24.
Julidina;, 20.
julis (Coris, Labrus), 21.
Jydekja?rling, 425.
Jydetunga, 378.
Jydetunge, 425.
Kabeljaauw, 476.
Kabiljo, 473, 476.
Kalleraglik, 418.
kanagurta (Scomber), 90, 110.
Kaulbarsch, 43.
Keila, 562.

King of the Herrings, 322.
kitt (Plc-urouecles), 383.
Klarstubb, 266.
Knerii (Polypriou), 48.
Knorrhane, 197.
Knot, 197.
Kolja, 466.
Kol'je, 497.
Kolmule. 511.
Kolmulehvitling. 511.
Kolmun, 511.
Kordylos, 99.
Kuderusk, 211.
KuUbas, 43.
Kullribas, 43.
Kulmund, 519.
Kummel, 515, 519.
Kumrill, 540, 543.
Kuugsfisk, 148, 152.
Kungsfluiidra, 396.
Kveise, 131.
Karing, 151.
Laberdan, 479.
labradoricus (Cottus), 180. •
Labrax, 45.

labrax (Perca, Roccus), 45.
Labridw, 3.
Labrina, 4.
Labroid, 3.
Labroides, 2.
Labromorphi, 2.
Labrus, 2, 5.

lacustris (Gadus, Lota), 532.
Liemoiiema, 539.

htvigatus (Chironcctes), 145, 146.
liBvis (Arnoglossus), 428.
l»vis (Cataphractus, Pholis), 214.
liEvis (Pleuronectes), 383.
liEvis (Pleuronectes, Rhombus), 441.
tevis (Trigla), 201.
Lakatrubb, 174.
Lake, 532.
Lakegers, 174.
lampretiformis (Bleuniiis, Glinus, Lumpenus),

225.
Lampridida", 70, 121.
Lainprini, 121.
Lnmpris, 122, 309.
lanceolatus (Gobius), 24.
Lancelct, 1 .
Lantern-tish, 42H.

laterna (Arnoglossus, Platophrys, Pleuronectes)
426, 428, 429.

laticeps (Gobius), 258.

latidens (Jlicrostomus), 383.

latifrons (Anarrhichas), 232, 237.

lauta (Lumpris), 124.

Laxestorje, 125.

leachianus (Scomber), 93.

Lebetus, 259.

leopardus (Anarrhichas), 236.

Leotardi (Pleuronectes), 428.

Lepadogaster, 301.

Lepibema, 44.

Lepidopleurini, 71.

Lepidorhombus, 426, 447.

Leptagonus, 206.

Leptoblennius, 224.

leptocephalus (Gadus), 500.

Leptoclinus, 224.

Lepturus, 314.

lepturus (Caranx), 85.

Lerbleking, 504, 506.

Lerflundra, 421.

Lerstubb, 256.

Lesueurii (Gobius), 248, 249, 250.

Leuciscus rutilus, 186.

Lichia, 82, 85.

Lilljeborgii (Cottus), 169, 191.

Limanda, 386.

limanda (Hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus), 421.

limanda (Pleuronectes), 378, 386, 407.

LimandeUe, 451.

limandoides (Hippoglossoides, Platessa, Pleuro-
nectes), 421, 429.

linearis (Gobius), 269.

lineata (Achirus, Solea), 364.

lineata (Liparis), 287.

lineatus (Beryx), 68.

lineatus (Cantharus, Sparus), 54.

lineatus (Cyclopterus, Liparis), 284.

lineatus (Exocoetus), 358.

lineatus (Labrus), 7, 10.

lineatus (Lepadogaster), 303.

lineatus (Roccus), 44, 45, 46.

Ling, 230, 526.

lingiiatula (Citharus), 371.

linguatula (Pleuronectes), 421.

Linnei (^Eglefinus), 466.

Linnei (Cantharus), 54.

Linnei (Hippoglossus), 410.

Linnei (Labrax), 45.

Linnei (Lota), 532.

Linnei (Merlangus), 487.

Linnei (Merluccius), 516.

Linnei (Molva), 626.

Linnei (Pollachius), 504.

Linnei (Solea), 373.

Linnei (Thynnus), 98.

Linnei (Trachurus), 86.

lioderma (Pleuronectes), 441.

Liparis, 157, 283.

liparis (Cyclogaster, Cyclopterus), 284, 287.

liparoides (Cyclopterus, Liparis), 284.

Lip-fish, 3.

Liza, 331.

Loligo sag'ittata, 120.

longipinnis (Brania), 76, 80, 429.

longus (.\selhis), 526.

Lophiid,i>, 126, 136.

Lophius, 138.

Lophobranchii, 2.

Lophonectes, 426.

Lophotes, 309, 320.

Lophotida;, 309.

Lophotiformes, 309.

lota (Gadus, Lota, Lotta), 531, 532.

Lolelln, 521.

LotiuiB, 464.

Lotta, 464, 520, 530.

Lubb, 519, 565.

lubb (Gadus), 562.

Lucerna, 200, 202.

luccrna (Trigk), 194, ID',), 200.

Luoifus'a, 462.

Lucioperca, 36.

lucioperca (Perca, Stizoslodiimi), 36.

Luden Hvarf, 456.

Lumpenus, 213, 224.

luinpenus (Blenniiis, Centroiiotiis), 225.

Lumpenus, Blinit-tailwl, 226.

Lumpenus, Sharp-tailod, 228.

Lumpfisk, 283.

Lump-Sucker, 204.

lumpus (Cyclopterus), 2'.)4.

luna (Chrysotosus, Lampris, Zeus), 123.

lunatus (PlatopUrys), 430.

lupus (Anarrhichas), 232, 237.'

lupus (Centropomus, Labrax), 45.

Lupus marinus, 234.

luscus (Labrus), 5.

luscus (Gadulus, Gadus), 466, 467, 493, 495.

luscus (Platessa, Pleuronectes), 399.

Lycodidse, 211, 463.

lycostonius (Gadus), 504.

Lyr, 506.

lyra (Callionymus, Uranoscopus), 272, 279.

lyra (Trigla), 195.

Lyrbleck, 506.

Lyrtorsk, 504, 506.

Lysi, 519.

Lysing, 515, 516, 518.

Lysipharyngii, 2, 23.

lysan (Chorinemus), 83.

Langa, 526.

Langebavn, 230, 530.

I,angebarn, spetsst.iertadf, 225.

Langebarn, trubbstjertadt, 228.

Mackerel, 110.

Mackerel, Frigate, 108.

Mackerel, Horse, 86.

Mackerel, Spanish, 1.

Mackerel-guide, 351.

macrocephalus (Gadus), 464, 473, 474, 475.

macrolepidolus (Pleuronectes), 370.

macrophthalma (Phycis, Molua), 521.

macrophthalmus (Gobiesox), 300.

macropbtbalmus (Onos), 544.

macropterus (Thynnus), 91.

Macrurid.-e, 461, 463, 539.

raaculata (Motella, Onos), 550, 551.

miiculata, var. (Perca), 29.

maculatus (Bothus, Rhombus), 366, 432.

niaculatus (Callionymus), 272, 279.

maculatus (Cliuus, Ctenodon, Lcptoclinus, Lura
penus, Stichanis), 228.

maculatus (Labrus), 7.

maculatus (Lepadogaster), 303.

maculatus (Liparis), 284, 286.

maculosa (Gadus, Lota, Molva), 532.

maculosa (Perca), 18.

mseoticus (Bothus), 437.

Maigre, 50.

major (Barbus), 540.

major (Liparis) 287.

major (Molva), 526.

major (Perca), 26.

Makrilgadda, 353.

Makrilstorje, 97, 125.

Malacanthidie, 127.

Malacopterygii, 341.

malabarica (Scorpii^na), 154.

malarmoides ( Aspidopliorus), 206.

Mancopsetta, 426.

Mareflundra, 385.

Mareflynder, 425.

Mareskadda, 398.

MarieskJidda, 398.

marina (Perca), 149.

marinus (Sebastes), 148.

marmorata, var. (Pleuronectes), 402.

marmoratus (Antennarius, Chironectes), 146.

Marulk, 138.

Mastaccmbclidu', 211.

Mastacombeliformes, 343.

Mastacenibelus, 344.

Matfar, 558, 561.

niaximus (Bothus, Pleuronectes, Rhombus),

427, 433, 434, 442.
maximus (Hippoglossus), 4 It),
maximus hybridus (Bothus), 433, 444.
mediterranea (Julis), 21.
nieditcrraneus (Gadus, Onos), 551, 556.
mediterraneus (Phycis), 539.
nieditcrraneus (Scomber), 105.
mediterraneus (Thynnus), 98.
mediterraneus (Trachurus), 88.
medius (Lumpenus), 224, 225.
megastoma (Arnoglossus, Lepidorhombus, Pleu-
ronectes, Rhombus, Zeugopterus), 447, 448.
Megrim, 428.
Melandrys, 99.

melanogaster (Pseudorhombus), 366.
Melanogrammus, 467.
melanostomus (Gadus), 511.

ujelanura (Julis), 21.

melops (Crcnilabrus, Labrus), 4, 18.

membranaceus (Paraliparis), 283.

Menida?, 52.

mento (Exocoetus), 355.

Menuaggia, 432.

meridionalis (Aphia), 26().

Merlangus, 487.

merlangus (Gadus), 464, 466, 467, 487, 511.

Merlu barbu, 540.

merluccius (Merlucius), 515.

Merluciina?, 464.

Merlucius, 464, 514, 515.

Merlus 515.

Merluzzo, 518.

Merulk, 138.

microcephalMs(Platessa, Pleuronectes), 378,383.

microps (Cottunculus), 158.

microps (Gobius), 244, 255, 256, 257, 258.

micropus (Liparis), 292.

microstoma (Crenilabrns), 15.

microstomus (Pleuronectes), 383.

milvus (Trigla), 197.

minimus (Gadus), 559.

minor (Anarrhichas), 232, 236.

minor (Couchia), 554.

minor (Perca), 41.

minuta (Aphya, Atherina), 265. 266, 432.

minutus (Cyclopterus), 294.

minutus (Gadulus, Gadus), 466, 493, 508.

minutus (Gobius). 243, 244, 251, 255, 257,
258, 262, 294, 425.

Mirbelia, 301, 303.

Mirbelii (Lepadogaster), 303.

mixtus (Labrus), 4, 6, 10.

Mogki (Rhomboidiclithys), 427.

Molua, 464, 520.

Molva, 520.

molva (Gadus, Lota, Molua. Molva). 521, 525,

526, 528, 531.
Monflundra, 385.

Moutagui (Cyclopterus, Liparis). 284.
morhua (Gadus), 472.
mormyrus (Sparus), 56, 57.
Morone, 44.
I Morrhua, 520.
I morrhua (Gadus), 472.

Mort, 503.

Morue, 520.

Motella, 543.

Motellin», 464.

mucosus (Cyclogastcr, Neoliparis), 286, 293.

Mudderskrubbe, 403.

Mugil, 328, 330, 342.

Mugilidie, 126, 327, 328.

Mugiliformes, 126, 327.

Mullet, Golden, 337.

Mullet, Red, 63.

Mullet, Tldcklipped grey, 334.

Mullet, Thiulipped grey, 339.

Mullidai, 25, 61.

Midloides, 61.

Mullus, 62.

niultidenlatus (Labrus, Crenilabrns), 7, 8.

Mulus, 62.

Munenolepis, 461.

mustela (Gadus, Motella, Onos), 544, 545, 554.

mustelaris (Blennius), 219.

mustelaris (Gadus), 554.

mustella (Gadus, Onos), 550, 551.

Myxine glutinosa, 472.

Myxus, 328.

Nasello, 518.

Naucrates, 82, 83.

navaga (Gadus), 465, 467, 481. 514.

Neoliparis, 286.

nesogallicus (Chironectes), 146.

Nestis, 328.

Neustrite (Labrus), 7.

niger (Gobius), 241, 244, 245, 255, 343, 461.

niger (Raniceps), 559.

nigripes (Trigla), 197, 201.

nigromanus (Pleuronectes), 379.

Nilsonii (Crystallogobius, Gobiosoma, Gobius,

Lntrunculodes, Latrunculus), 269.
Nonnat, 264, 432.

norvegicus (Crenilabrns, Labrus, Lutjanus), 18.
uorvegicus (Holocentrus, Perca, Sebastes), 148.
norvegicus (Lepidorhombns, Rhombus, Sco-

phthalmus, Zeugopterus), 427, 452, 453.
Norway Haddock, 148.
nostras (Liparis), 287.
Nonnat, 264.
Novaga, 481.

nuda (Orcynopsis, Pelaniys), 103. 104.
nudus (Cyclopterus, Gobiesox), 300.
Nalle, 503.
Nabbgiidda, 347.
Oceanica (Limanda), 387.
ocellaris (Blennius). 212, 219.
ocellatus (Lepadogaster), 303.
ogac (Gadus). 464. 465. 467. 479.
ogat, 480.
Ombrina, 50.

onitis (Labrus, Tautoga). 11.
Onomorphi. 461.
Onos 464. 515. 518, 543.
Opah, 123.
Opbidiida?. 461. 463.
Ophiocepbalidii'. 328.
Ophiura>, 425.
Opistomi. 211.
orbicularis (Cantharus), 54.
orca (Gobius), 244, 259, 260.
Orcynopsis, 91, 102.
Orcynus, 91, 92, 96, 99.
Oreosoma, 305.
Oreosomatiditt, 305.
orientalis (Thynnus), 91, 98. 101.
Orthagoriscus. 1. 2.
Ortliocormi. 24.
os.sifagus (Labrus), 10.
Otolithus. 51.
ouak, 479.

VI

ovak, 479.

ovis (Sargus), ."JS.

Oxsimpa, 187.

oxygeneios (Epinephehis), 48.

Ozzone, 331.

pacific! (Batrachus), 133, 135.

pacificus (Cynicoglossiis), 38G.

pacificus (Thynnus), 91.

Paddtorsk, 558.

Paddulk, 158.

Paddi), 561.

Pagellus, 56.

Pagrus, 56.

Pagurus, 425.

Pale, 503.

Pallasii (Pleuronectes), 392, 395.

Pallonii (Labrus), 4, 5.

palmicornis (Blenniiis, Chirolopliis), 218.

pantherinus (Anarrhichas), 230.

Paralichthys, 360, 408, 420.

Paialipiiris, 283.

Parexocoetus, 350.

PanicUi (Gobius), 201.

Parophrys, 377.

paroticus (Labrus), 21.

passer (Flesus, Platessa, Pleuronectes), 398,

399, 441.
Passer fluviatilis, 402.
patris (Acanthooottus) 100.
pavonina (Pleuronectes), 441.
pavoninus (Cyclopterus), 294.
Pediculati, 136.

pediculati, Acanthoptlierygii, 24.
pediculati, Anoiiiali, 24.
pelagicus (Latnpris, Scomber), 123.
Pelainis, 99.
Pelamis, Plain, 103.
Pelaniis, Striped-backed, 105.
pelamis (Euthynnus, Scomber), 91, 95.
pelamis (Orcynus, Sarda), 92, 105.
Pelamys, 104.

pelamys (Euthynnus, Thynnus), 95.
pelamys (Sarda), 105.
pellucidus (Aphia, Aphya, Gobius, Latrunculus),

200.
pellucidus (Thyris), 363.
Pennantii (Crenilabrus), 18.
Perca, 25, 20.
Percesoces, 328.
Perch, 26, 44.
Perch, Carass, 29.
Perch, Deep-water, 30.
Perch, Leaf, 30.
Perch, Mud, 30.
Perch, Pike-, 36.
Perch, Sea-, 45.
Perch, Sedge, 30.
Perch, Spotted, 29.
Perch, Stone, 30.
Perches, Sea-Pike, 49.
Percidie, 25.
Percinse, 25.
Percis, 127.
Perconioriihi, 25.
peregrinus (Thynnns), 103.
Periophthalnius, 240.
Pcristcdion, 193.
Perniuck, 554, 557.
Pharyngognathi, 2.
Pharyngogiiatlii nialacopterygii, 342.
Phobetor, 159.
Pholis, 213, 220.
pholis (Bleiinius), 214.
Phoxinus aphya, 33.
Phrynorhonil>us, 452.
Phyciiiio, 464.
Phycis, 404, 531, 538.

phycis (Blennius), 539.

Physiculus, 539.

Physoclysts, 1.

pictus (Chironectcs), 146.

pictns (Gobius), 241, 244, 255, 267, 258.

pictus (Uranoscopus), 272, 273.

Pifvare, 441.

Piggmakre], 87.

Pigghvarf, 434, 441.

Pigglivarfvel, 441.

Piggvarr 441.

Pike, Saury, 353.

Pilote-iish, 83.

Pingelii (Triglops), 107.

Piuguipes, 127.

pinguis (Hippoglossus, Platysoniatichthys,

Pleuronectes), 417.
pini (Trigla), 194, 195.
piscatoriiis (Lophius), 136, 138.
piscatrix (Lophius, Rana), 138, 139.
pistilliger (Cottus, Gymnocanthus, Phobetor).

160, 161.
Plagusia, 303.
Plaice, 392.

planifrons (Batraclius), 135.
Plank, 500.
Platessa, 392.

platessa (Pleuronectes), 365, 378, 392, 401 , 407.
platessoides (Citliarus, Drepanopsetta, Hippo-

glossoides, Pleuronectes), 376, 387, 408,

421, 429, 454.
Platophrys, 304, 420, 427.
platycepluvlus (Cottus), 181, 182.
Piatysoiuatichthys, 408, 416.
Plectognathi, 1, 344.
Pleuronectes, 377, 378.
Pleuronectida?, 366, 377.
Pleuronectina, 371, 377.
Pleuronectini, 370.
pleuroslictus (Triglops), 167.
Pluddennun, 386.
pueuniatophorus (Scomber), 110.
podas (Khomboidichthys), 300.
Podothecus, 206.
poeciloptera (Trigla), 196, 201.
pcecilopus (Cottus), 169, 173.
Pogouias, 49.

pola (Platessa, Pleuronectes), 379, 383.
polaris (Boreogadus, Gadus), 484.
Pole, 378.
Pollachius, 504.

poUachius (Gadus, Merlangus), 400, 407, 604.
Pollack, 499, 504.
Pollack, Norwegian Whiting-, 508.
Polycentrus, 11.
Polypriou, 25, 47.
Polypterus, 343.
Pomatomus, 82.
Pope, 41, 44.
Porcelhis, 41.
Porichthys, 133.
porosus (Cottus), 180.
Potta, 441.
Poutassou, 511.
poutassou (Boreogadus, Gadus, ^Icrlangus),

465, 406, 467, 511.
Pntstctiyndre, .396.
priuoep!r (Brama), 80.
probatoecphalus (Diplodus), 63.
productus (Gadus, Merluoius), 464, 610.
proximus (Gadus), 467, 490.
Psammodiscus, 377.
Psetlichthys, 408.
Psettodes, 408.

pseudoflesus (Platessa), 393, 403.
pseudogastropteri, Orthocormi, 24.
Pseudorhombus, 300, 408, 420.

Pteraclis, 70, 71.

Pterophrj^ne, 146.

Pterycombus, 70, 71, 72.

pulcher (Scomber), 95.

punctata (Labrus, Scia?na), 11.

punctatus (Batrachus), 135.

punctatus (Lepadogastcr), 303.

punctatus (Pleuronectes, Rliombiis,Zeugopteru8),

383, 427, 450.
punctatus, var. (Scomber), 111.
punctulatus (Batrachus), 135.
pungio (Zeus), 308.
purpureas (Gadus, Merlangus), 500.
pusillus (Labrus), 7.
Putnami (Euchalarodus), 405.
Pycnodonta, 71.
Pycnodontoidei, 71.
quadricornis (Cottus), 109, 175.
quadricornis (Motella), 550, 553.
quadridens (Pleuronectes), 383.
quadrimaculatus (Gobius), 261.
quadripunctatus (Scomber), 93.
quadrituberculatus (Pleuronectes), 392, 395.
quadrivittatus (Gobius), 263.
Quenselii (Pleuronectes), 383.
Querimana, 328.
Qvabbso, 297.
Qveite, 410.

iiuinquecirrhatus (Gadus, Motella), 554.
Radflackiga Tungehvarfven, 428.
radiatus (Trachiniis), 128.
Raji (Brama, Sparus), 70, 77, 80, 429.
Kaniceps, 404, 558.

raninus (Blennius, Gadus, Raniceps), 558, 559.
rauula (Liparis), 287.
raptor (Gadus, Molua), 520, 527.
Raschii (Brama), 80.
Rav, 415.
Regalecus, 320.
regulus (Sebastes), 150.
Reinhardi (Careproctus, Liparis), 292.
reraipes (Gyninetrus, Regalecus), 322.
repandus (Trachypterus), 312.
reticulatus (Callionymus), 279.
reticulatus (Lepadogastcr), 303.
reticulatus (Liparis), 286.
Rhamphistonia, 344.
Rhinomugil, 328, 333.
rhomboides (Rhombus), 462.
Khomboidichthys, 304, 427.
Rhombus, 432.

rhombus (Bothus, Pleuronectes), 427, 433, 441.
rhombus hybridus (Bothus), 433, 445.
Rhynchichtliys, 24.
riali (Onus), 516.
Ringbng, 283.
Ringbuyk, 283.
robustus (Clypeocottus), 187.
Roccus, 25, 44.
rocheanus (Thynnus), 108.
Rochei (Auxis, Scomber), 108.
Rock-cook, 14.
Reckling, Five-Bearded, 554.
Rockling, Four-Bearded, 544.
Rockling, Northern, 548.
Rockling, Three-Bearded, 550.
Rogn-kal, 297.
Rogn-kexe, 297.
Rondeletii (Exoccetus), 358.
Rondeletii (Scombresox), 353.
rone (Labrus), 18.
roseus (Pleuronectes), 401.
rostrata (Belone), 347.
Rotskiir, 603.
ruber (Gadus). 473.
ruber (Urocentrus), 07.
Rudabborre, 29.

VII

Ruff, 41.

ruiiiulo (Botlius), 441.

nipestris (Crenilabrus, Ctonolalirus. Laljrus,

Perca, Sci<a!na), 4, G, 10.
Ruska, 403.
Ruskeskudda, 403.
Russellii (Regalecus), 321.
Rutliensparri ((iobiiis), 2."j1.
Ranka, 297.
Rakliiig, 415.
Robug, 256.
Rodfisken, 152.
Rodknoteii, 105.
Riidnabba, 14.
Rijdsnacka, 14.
Rodspotta, 302, 308.
Rodspatla, 30.S.
Rudtorsk, 477.

Rotsinipa, 180. "

Sabbik, 262.
saida (Boreogadus, Gadus), 403, 404, 465,

467, 484, 514.
Sail-Fluke, 451.
Salarias, 212.
Salilota, 531.
Salmon, Spanish, 507.
sahnonea (Perea), 37.
Sandbvarf, 443.
Saiidflundra, 385, 390.
Sandfluiidre, 403.
Sandflynder, 300.
Sandra (Lucioporca), 36.
Sandskrubbe, 403.
Sandskadda, 300, 425.
Sandstubb, 202.
Sandlunga, 375.
Sanktepersfisk , 3 0 0 .
Sarda, 91, 102, 104.
sarda (Orcynus, Pelaniys, Scomber, Thynnus),

105.
Sargini, 53.
Saurus, 352, 353.
saurus (Esos, Scombresox), 353.
saurus (Tracburus), 80.
Saussurii (Brama), 81.
saxicola (Glyptocepbalus, Platessa,Pleuronectes),

379.
Sagris, 352.

seaber (Chironectes), 140.
Scad, 80.
Scarabieus, 54.
Scarus, 2, 4.
Scharretong, 378.
Schomburgkii (Polycentrus), 11.
Schilus, 36.
Scholia, 398.
Scirena, 50.
Soia>iiid;e, 25, 49.
Scleroparei, 140.
Scomber, 110.
scomber (Scomber), 111.
Scomberesoces, 342.
Scomberesox, 352.
Scomberomorus, 89, 91, 105.
Scombresocidaj, 343.
Scombresociformes, 343.
Scombresox, 352.
ScombridiO, 70. 80.
Scombroidea , 121.
Scombromorphi, 09.
scombrus (Scomber), 83, 92, 110.
Scophthalmus, 452.
Scovprena, 143, 140, 153.
scorpa'na (Cottus), 180.
Scorpwnida^, 120, 147.
scorpioides (Gobius), 244, 200.
seorpius (Cottus), 157, 109, 180.

scriptus, var. (Scomber), 112.

soitellatum (Scombresox), 353.

Sea-Bream, Black, 54.

Sea-Bream, Common, 59.

Sea-Bream, Rasch's, 80.

Sea-Bream, Ray's, 77.

Sea-Bream, Spanish, 58.

Sea-Cat, Blue, 237.

Sea-Cat, Common, 232.

Sea-Cat, Spotted, 230.

Sea-Pbcasant, 440.

Sea-Scorpion, 180.

Sea-Snail, 283.

Sea Pike-Perches, 49,

Sea-Snail, Common, 287.

Sea-Snail, Montagu's, 284.

Sea-Snail, Slimy, 291.

Sebastes, 140, 148.

Sebastodes, 147, 148.

secundo-dorsalis (Thynnus). 01, 98. 101.

Sej, 500, 503.

Sejlyra, 500.

Selene, 83, 85.

semispinosus (Caranx), 80.

septentrionalis (Motella, Onos), 544, 548, 557

septentrionalis (Mugil), 334.

Sevpula, 332.

Serranus, 3.

serrato-granulata (Perca), 27.

setipinnis (Selene), 83.

Shadow-fish, 50.

Shaimy, 215.

sibi (Thynnus), 01.

Silfverfisk, 87.

Sillkung, 322.

Sillmor, 507.

Silurida?, 00.

Simpa, 179.

siiiuatus (Merlucius), 510.

Siphagonus, 203.

Sjurygg, 294, 297.

Sjohane, 306.

Sjokock, 151, 272, 273.

Skaboskadda, 390.

Skattbonde, 41.

Skavskiidda, 390.

Skipper, 353.

Skinnskrabba, 185.

Skjielbrosme, 543.

Skja^r-ising, 382, 425.

Skotta, 18.

Skrabb, 185.

Skre.i, 87, 476.

Skrobba, 398.

Skrubba, 403.

Skrubbskadda. 398, 403.

Skyggfisk, 214.

Skalla, 398.

Skalling, 29, 30.

Skadda, 377.

Skaggsimpa, 208.

Skaggtorsk, 493.

Skalryta, 185.

Skar-auer, 155.

Skarilundra, 378.

Skarlauga, 543.

Skarlanga, femtonimad, 554.

SkSrlanga, fyrtomniad, 544.

Skarlanga, nordisk, 548.

Skarlibiga, tretommad, 550.

SkarsnulUa, 18.

Slathvarf, 441, 443.

Slathvarfvel, 443.

Slatta, 391, 398.

Sliitle, 391,

Slattika, 391.

Slatt-vahr, 392.

Slattvar, 443.

Smear Dab, 383.

Smed, 561.

smiridus (Merliiccins), 515.

Smihvarf, 453.

Smisej, 503.

Sm&torsk, 476.

Smorbult, svart, 245.

Snorfojbul, 207.

Snorgers, 41.

Snorhif, 41.

Snorpels, 41.

Sockerskadda, 382.

Sole, 372, 38i;.

Sole, Smooth, 428.

Solea, 371, 372.

solea (Plcuronectes), 372.

soleajformis (Amoglossus, Rhombus), 429.

Soleina, 371.

Soleini, 370.

Soles, Double, 375.

Soles, Reversed, 375.

Spser, 511.

Sparidio, 25, 52.

Sparini, 53.

Sparus, 56.

speciosa (Julis), 21.

specioBus (Labrus), 10.

spet (Sphyra^na), 327.

Spetsstjertadt Langebam, 225.

Sphyra;nid;e, 327.

Spilianga, 530.

Spindeltlynder, 379.

spinosus (Cycloptcrus), 298.

spinosus (Zeus), 300.

spinosissimus (Aspidopborus, Leptagonus). 206.

splendens (Beryx), 68, 429.

Spatta, 308.

Squamipinnes, 49, 52, 71.

Staggsill, 87.

Stainbuck, 297.

Stainbiijtare, 297.

Staksill, 87.

Stamp. 530.

Steinbits-Broder, 230.

Steinbutt, 441.

stellatus (Liparis), 290.

stellatus (Platessa, Pleuronectes), 399, 403.

Stcnbider. 235.

Stenbit, 297.

Stenbroslue, 543.

Stenflundra, 441.

Stengers, 174.

Stcnlake, 172, 537.

stcnobrachii, Acanthopterygii, 24.

stenoripidi, Acanthopterygii. 24.

Stensnultra, 16.

Stenspotta, 441.

Stensimpa, 170.

Stensugare, 172, 385.

Stensut, 172.

Stcrnoptychida\ 305.

Stcrnoptyx, 305.

Stickleback, 2.

Stizostediuni, 25, 36.

Stockfisk, 503.

Stoue-Bnsse. 47.

Storgap, 425.

Storgnodiug, 20(1.

Stormun, 425.

Stortorsk, 476.

Strinsia, 463.

Strcemii (Carelophus. Gunnellus), 218.

Stuvitzii (Boreogobius, Gobiosonia, Gobiu-

Latninculus), 266.
Stylopborus, 314.
Sucker Biniaculatcd, 302.

VIII

Slicker, Lump, 294.

Sudernal, 14.

.Sugarc, "28.3.

Sugfisk, 28.3.

Sujefianus (Blennius), 213.

suillus (CtenolRbnis, Labnis), 16.

Siila, .375.

siiperciliosus (Clinus), 219.

Huniniletus (Miilhis), (iS.

Svart Siiuirbult, 245.

Svarttorsk, 477.

Sviirdfisk, 222.

Swordfish, 118, 221.

Synentognatlii, 342.

Syngnathiis, 347.

Sypiga, 14.

SMa, 375, 425.

Sii-abborri.', 10.

Solvqveite, 314, 315.

Tacniid. 493.

Tadpolefish, 558.

T.-cnia, 314.

TtDtiiiforines, 309.

Tienioides, 309.

f.i'nioptcriis (Coitus), 181.

ta'iiuis (Arnoglossiis), 428.

TaggmaUril, 80.

TaggsiU, 87.

tancoides (Labrus), 7.

Tangbiosinc, 223.

tapeinosoma (Arnoglossiis), 428. 430, 431.

Tara, 482.

Taretorsk, 477.

tail (Batrachiis, Gadus), 134.

tazo (Scomber), 108.

Tejstefisk, 222.

Teleostei, 1.

Temnodon, 82, 85.

Tcpbritis, 408.

tosscllatiis (Labrus), 11.

Teste, 222.

Testcfisk, 220.

Tetrngoniirida;, 327.

Tetragonurus, 327.

Telraptiirus, 117.

TliMliissophryne, 13.3.

tliazard (Aiixis, Scomber), 80. '.I2, 108.

Tlioliclithys, 24.

Thoiiisonii (Co(tus), 157.

thoracici, Acanthopterygii, 24.

ihoracoptcri, Orthocormi, 24.

thuniiia, thunnina (Euthyntius, Orcynopsis,

Scomber, Thynnus), 93.
thynnus (Orcymis, Scomber, Tliyiiiius), 91, 97,

101.
Tliyris, .31)3.
'lilesia, 48->.
tinea (Lnbnis), 7, 18.
tinea (Sfrinsia), 463.
Tigertliickad liafkatt, 236.
Tistefisk, 222.
Toadfish, Coiiinion, 135.
Toadfish, European, 134.
Topknot, Kkstroin'8, 453.
Topknot, Mi'iller's, 456.
Torsk, 472, 562.
lorviis (Caran.x), 85.
torviia ((,'oltunculus), 157.
Trncliinidip, 126, 127.
Tracbinini, 127.

Tracliinomorpbi, 126, 127.

Traohinus, 128, 272.

Tracbipterus, 314.

Trachunis, 84.

tracbunis (Caranx, Sconilier, Traclnirus), 83,

84, 85, 8(i.
trachuius (Heinilepidotus), 156.
Trachydermus, 162.
Tracliynotus, 82, 85.
Tracbypteridie, 126, 309.
Traehypfpromorphi, 126, 309.
Tracbypterus, 304, 310, 312, 314.
TricbiiiridH', 309.
Triclionotida', 211.
tricirratus (Gadus, Motella, Onos), 644, 650,

551, 556.
tricuspis (Cottns, Phobetor), 160.
tridactylns (Salarias), 212.

trifuicus (trifurcatus, Blennius, Kauiceps), 559.
Trigla, 146, 194.
Triglin.-e, 193.
Triglops, 157, 166.
trimacidatus (Labnis), 10.
Trubbsljcrtadt langebarn, 228.
Tubfish, 200.
Tryte, 28.

tuuiidus (Cbironectes, Lophius), 145, 146.
Tiimula, 331.
Tunfisk, 97.
Tunga, 372.

Tungehvarf, radHfickig, 428.
Tiingens lioer-iinge, 425.
Tunglik flundra, 391.
tunicatus (Liparis), 287.
Tunnina, 93.
Tunny, 90, 97.
Tiirbot, 368, 432, 434, 435.
tiirdus (Labrus), 18.
Tusk, 562.

typus (Carangicbtbys), 83.
Tangsnarta, 218.
TJakal, 481.
UiBgte Tnnge, 425.
Ulk, 186, 190.
umbra (Scia:'na), 51.
vmcinatiis (Centriderniichthvs, Cotliis, leehis),

163.
unicolor (Orcynopsis, Pelamiclitliys, Pelamys,

Scomber), 91, 103.
unicolor (Spams), 53.

uuimaculatus (Rhombus, Scophthalmus), 452.
iinipunctatus (Gobius), 262.
Upenajiis, 6 1 .
Ur, 152.
Uraleptus, 539.
Uranidea, 157, 169, 170.
Uranoseopus, 272.
Uraspis, 83.
uraspis (Caranx), 83.
Urocentriis, (i7.
UroUadlin, 481.
Uakan, 481.
Vangmaer, 315.
Vaniig liafkatt, 232.
variabilis (Acanlbocottus, Cottus), 180.
variabilis (Labrus), 7.
variegatus (Labrus), 10.
Vega' (Pleuronectes), 390.
velivolans (Lcpidorbombus. Zeugopterus), 447,

451.

ventralis (Cottus, Gyinnocanthus, Phobetor), 1 60.

vernalis (Merlangus), 511.

vespertilio (Lophius), 136.

Vieille, La, 7.

Vildkraks-simpa, 185.

vipera (Trachinus), 131, 261).

virens (Gadus, Pollacbius), 466, 467, 500.

vitrea (Perca, Stizostedium), 37.

vittatus (Labrus), 10.

viviparus (Sebastes), 148, 149.

Vogmar, 314, 315.

vogmarus (Trachypterus), 315.

volgensis (Perca), 37.

volitans (Exoccetus), 357, 358.

vomer (Selene), 83.

vomerinus (Lophius), 144.

Vrakfisk, 47.

vulgaris (Acerina), 41.

vulgaris (Auxis), 108.

vulgaris (Belone), 347.

vulgaris (Brosmius, Brosmus), 562.

vulgaris (Cantharus), 54.

vulgaris (Flesus), 399.

vulgaris (Gunnelhis), 220.

vulgaris (Hippoglossus), 408, 409.

vulgaris (Julis), 21.

vulgaris (Limanda), 387.

vulgaris (Liparis), 284, 287.

vulgaris (Lota, Molva), 526, 532.

vulgaris (Merlangus), 487.

vulgaris (Merluccius), 615.

vulgaris (Motella, Onos), 550.

vulgaris (Perca), 26.

vulgaris (Platessa), 392.

vulgaris (Solea), 365, 371, 372, 373.

vulgaris (Sphyrrena), 327.

vulgaris (Thynnus), 98.

Valgild Torsk, 476.

Wa'cbna, 481.

Wachnja, 481.

Weever, Great, 128,

Weever, Lesser, 131.

Whiff, 447, 448.

whiff (Lepidorhombus, Pleuronectes), 427, 447,

448, 455.
Whiting, 465, 487.
Whiting Pollack, Norwegian, 508.
Whiting Pout, 493.
Wolf, 46.
Wolf-fish, 232.
Wrass, Ballan, 7.
Wrass, Comber, 7.
Wrass, Rainbow, 21.
Wrass, Scale-rayed, 5.
Wrass, Small-mouthed, 14.
Wrass, Striped, 10.
Wrasses, Parrot, 2.
Wieck-fish, 47.
Xiphias, 117, 118.
Xiphiidre, 70, 116.
Zachirus (Glyptocephalus), 386.
zebra (Brachirua), 371.
Zcnarchopterus, 342.
Zenid.-e, 70, 126.
Zenopsis, 305.
Zeugopterus, 426, 456.
Zeus, 304, 305.
Zoarces, 211.
Angerpiga, 390.
Oicnpaal, 512.

/J,9i;.

K.

JUL 11

TW9

PISCES TELEOSTEI

(OSSEOUS FISHES)

Skeleton complete and. usually, ossified. Olfactory organ double. The optic nerves
only decussate, and do not form a chiasma. Only two valves" in the arterial bulb.

In addition to theii* other characteristics, the com-
paratively lax arterial bulb of the two-chambered heart,
from which the blood passes to the arteries of the
branchial arches, and the simple decussation of the
optic nerves, \vhich, at their exit from the brain, only
cross each other without fusing together their fibres,
place these fishes lower on the scale of development
than the Chondrosteans, Chondropterygians and the
Ganoids (the latter unrepresented in the Scandinavian
Fauna), which orders come nearer the Batrachians. On
the other hand, the double olfactory organ, which the
osseous fishes possess in common with the above-men-

tioned higher orders, separates them from the Cyclo-
stomes, which are represented in Scandinavia by the
lampreys, •while the skull places them as ^vell as all
other true iisli, as vertebrates, high above the Cirro-
stomes, the sub-class to Avhich the lancelet belongs.
Thus, w^hile it is true that the osseous fishes do not
occupy the highest rank among fisli with respect to
their general degree of development, regarded as fish
they are nevertheless, above all the others, distinctly
marked by their usually ossified skeleton and the ma-
nifold development of their organs to meet the require-
ments of aqueous life.

TELEOSTEI PHYSOCLYSTI

Osseous fishes with the air-bladder, if present, closed (without pneumatic duct) at least in the adult.

The air-bladder, which corresponds anatomically,
though not physiologically, to the lungs of the higher
vertebrate animals, is originallj^ an outgroAvth of the
digestive canal, but loses in the most highly developed
fishes its immediate connection with this canal. Such
a change is in itself a sufficient indication of a more
advanced degree of development, and has consequently

full claim to he regarded in a systematic scheme of
arrangement. In certain cases -where the air-bladder
is absent — as, for instance, in the common mackerel,
whereas it exists in the so called Spanisli mackerel,
\\-hich is nevertheless a very closely allied species —
we must be guided by other resemblances to assign the
fish its place among the Phj-soclysts.

" Some Clupeoids form an exception, as they retain a rndiment of tin- Ganoid conus arteriosus at the base of tlie bulb. Cf. Bo.\s:
Om conus arteriosus lios Butirinus og hos andre Teleostei. Vidensk. Meddcl. Nafurli. For. Kbnhvn 1879 — 80, p. 333. Generally too
rudiments are to be found of two more valves in the arterial bulb between the others; but in Orthagoriscus mola (cf. Wellenbergu: Observ. Anat.
de Orth. mola, Lugd. Batav. 1840) these rudiments are true valves.

Scandtnnrinn Fishes.

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

PHYSOCLYSTI ELEUTHERO&MTHL

PJiysoclysts ivitli the edge of the upper Jaw composed only of the comparatively free intermaxillary hones, with the
hranchial arches complete and the branchial lamince pectinated. No externally visible interclavicles.

With the advancement of development in the Tele-
ostei the intermaxillary bones assume a more and more
important position in the formation of the upper jaw.
In the Eleutherognates the intermaxillary bones remain
indejjendent, whereas in the Plectognates they are united
with the superior maxillaries, at the same time as the di-
visions of the lower ja^v, the dental and the angular, coa-
lesce into one whole. The Plectognates, which are repre-
sented in the Scandinavian Fauna by only t^vo rare species,
Balistes and Orthagoriscus, are well qualified, as far as
tliis cliaracter goes, for a higher place in the system,
the coalescence of the jaw bones being an unmistakable
sign of a more highly advanced degree of metamor-
phosis. However, in other respects, — in the marked
development of the exoskeleton, combined with the slight
ossification of the endoskeleton — they have retained
so much that reminds one of more ancient types,
tliat liitherto they have generally been placed lowest
among tlie Teleostei. It lias been left to modern
systematists to correct this mistake, and to show their

close relationship to the most typical Physoclysts". The
Eleutherognates differ from the Hemibranchii, \vhich are
represented in our Fauna by the sticklebacks, in the
completeness of their branchial arches as well as in
the absence of interclavicles, and from the Lopho-
branchii, in our Fauna the group of tlie pipefishes, in
the pectination of their branchial lamina;.

In the Eleutherognates the strengthening of the
fins, especially of the dorsal and anal, by an increased
number of spinous rays, is one of the most regular
indications of an advanced stage of piscine development.
Consequently from the time of Cuvier onwards the
spinous-rayed Eleutherognates or Acanthopterygii have
generally been placed highest among the Teleostei. This
division of the Eleutherognates may be distinguished
by the fact that in the front part, at least, of the dorsal,
anal and ventral fins there are simple unarticulated and
undivided hard rays. Foremost among these fishes we
shall place a series of families of wliich the well-known
wrasses may l^e considered typical.

LABROMORPHI.

Eleutherognates with the lower pharyngeals united to each other.

In tli(! systems of Johannes Mijller and most
subsequent ichthyologists, these fishes have been named
Pharyngognathi'' in consequence of the union of the lower
pharyngeals, a character l)y which Artedi also defined
liis genus Lahrus," and Clvier the family Labroides^.
The rest of the Eleutherognates might therefore well
l)e called Lysipharyngii, if there be need of a cor-
i-esponding name for them, thcnigh the difference does
not seem to be of sufficient importance to justify us in
I'cferring tlie Phai-yngognates to a special order, as
MiJLLER and Guntiier have done'. However, the Pha-
ryngognates ])0ssess oiu' ninrk of a special modification
nf the Acanthopterygian ty|H', which apjjears only occa-

sionally in the Lysipharyngii. This is the fact that the
masticating power of the mouth and pharynx is in-
creased both by the union of the lower pharyngeals and
by the stronger teeth -with which these bones as ^vell
as the jaws are armed. This appai'atus has reached its
highest ])oint of development in the exotic family of
Parrot-^vrasses, as represented by the Scams and simi-
lar forms.

If furthermore we have regard to the great splen-
dour of colour by which manj^ of the Pharyngognates
are distinguished, we seem fully justified in following
the lead of Sundevall,' who was the first to place the
Pharyngognates highest, as far as development goes, in

« Cope, Trans. Anier. I'hilos. SdC, Pliilad., n. ser. vol. XIV, art. V, p. 458.

^ MCllkh: Uber den B<iu unci die Gremen der Ganoidcn itnd iiber das natiirliche System der Fische, Abli. A. Berl.-Akad. 1844,
Pliy.s. Kl., p. 199.

'' Artedi: Genera Piscium, p. .33.

■* Cuvier: Regne Animal, nouv. ed., Tome II, p. 254.

•■ MiJLLER, 1. c. and GUnther, Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., vol. IV, p. 1.

/ In the arrangement of the collection of fishes In the Royal Museum of Stockholm. Cf. Cope, 1. c, where the same view is taken.

WRASSES.

the Acanthopterygian series, thoufrli th('\- nvo not of
course in every respect qualified for this ])ositioii.

As is the case with organic life generally in the
warmer i-egions of tlie earth, so in the tropical seas the
Phai'yngoguates attain to their full (levelo])nient of form.
«Anyone,» says Fries, »who is out fishing on our western
coast and for the first time sees a, wrasse taken (jn the
hook, may huic)- himself transported, as if l)y a stroke
of magic, to tro])ical sliores, and, watching in intense
excitement, expect at the next bite to see one of the
paradoxical creatures which so abound in those waters.

But the ilhision is soon past, vnnishing as the line is
pulled in, and is followed by nothing but an ordinary
cod or floundei'.»

In their real native waters the Pharyngognates are
very numerous in genera and species. As early as 1862
GuNTHER described no less than 647 species, distributed
among 4 families and 74 genera, and mentioned in
addition a great many of which he liad no j^Tsonal
knoAvledge. Vei-y few of th(!m, however, belong to the
Scandinavian Fauna; and fill the Scandinavian species
fall under one family.

Fam. LABRID^.

The form of the body perch-like, the scales cycloid, the soft-rayed part of the anal fin like that of the dorsal;

the ventral fins thoracic ivith one spinous and 5 soft rays^ the hranchiostegal rays 5 or 6', the foarth roir of

branchial laminae simple, with no slit behind it, the pseudobranchice and air-hladder normal, the palate iritlnnit trrth,

the jaw teeth strong. The pyloric appendages and the blind sac of the stomach are a-antiug.

There is nuicli in the form of the wrasses that
reminds one of the genus Serranus among the perches,
but the cycloid, edentulous, and comparativelv thin scales
and the toothless |ialate of the former separate them
distinctly from the latter. Their teeth are strong, those
of the jaws being pointed or sometimes rather obtuse;
the pharyngeal teeth are blunt and often flat and crowd-
ed like the stones of a pavement; the upper and lo^ver
sets work well against each other, as the upper pha-
ryngeals articulate with the basilar jjart of the occipital
bone. Thus the jaw-teeth seize the prey, while those
of the |)haryngeals are used in grinding it. The dental
equipment of the wrasses is indeed characteristic of their
manner of life, as they live upon the crayfish and
mollusks of the rocks and sea-weed, which they usually
crush, though sometimes the shells are to be found
intact in the digestive canal. The protractile jaws with
the thick swollen lips M'hich have given rise to the
name 'labroid' or 'lip-fish' are also characteristic of their
habits. That Avhich enables us in most cases immediately
to distinguish a wrasse, as well as other Pharyngognate
Acanthopterygians, from a perch, is the prolongation of
the fin-membrane into a flap behind the point of each
spinous ray, the pinna ram,entacea of Linnaeus. How-
ever, this flap is said to be wanting in some species
belonging to this family, while, on the contrary, it
exists in several of the Serrani. The ventral fins are
thoracic, i. e. they lie a little fartlier back than the
base of the pectoral fins; but the pelvic bones with
which they articulate are long and project to the lower

point of the clavicles, or the front end (jf the pectoral
girdle. The fourth pair of branchial arches carries onlv
one row of branchial laminae, and the slit, which otlier-
wise separates this pair of arches from the lower pha-
ryngeals and the back wall of the gill-orifice, is closed.
The digestivfe canal is peculiarly simjjle: the stomach
which in many forms is scarcely perceptible as a special
enlargement of the canal, has no blind sac, and the
pyloric appendages are wanting.

The wrasses inhabit the seas of the hot and tem-
perate regions and are not to be found •within either
the Arctic or Antai-ctic cii'cle. They are among the
chief ornaments of the coral reefs and the algaj which
fringe the solid rocks. Some species however are also
to be found among weed and stones where the Ijottom
is of a looser nature. They are neither pelagic nor
deep-sea fish, and are not often to be met with in more
than .30 fathoms. In disposition the A\Tasses are lively
and sociable, though they congi-egate in small bodies
only and not in real shoals. The male and female
often differ very much in colour, and during the spawn-
ing season the former are especially gay and showy.
Their colouring is however very fugitive: their brilli-
ancy, which in life is varial)le, entirely vanishes soon
after death. A number of observations have been
made which suggest that the monogaraic principle is,
to a certain extent, practised among these fish; each
male is said to select and associate A\'ith his own fe-
male, at least during the spawning season; and some
species are said to build nests of seaweed for their

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

ova". To mtm the wrasses, being fish of good flavour
and easy of digestion, are of consideral^ly alimentary
value, but in Sweden they are seldom caught in any
great quantity, indeed with rod and line only, and are
not held in very high esteem. In southern countries
the case is dift'erent: and tlie ancient Greeks and Ro-
ininis li;ive handed down to us the most elocjuent pan-
egyrics of these fish. Their highest esteem seems to
linve been given to a ^lediterranean hsh of the genus
Sranis, as to wliich Aristotle cites the popular belief,
tliJit it was the only fish that chewed the cud after
tlie manner of certain land-animals, while Oppian adds
tiiiit in its amatory pursuits it is the most ardent of
Hslies, insomuch that, by the help of a captive female
;itt;iched to a line, luimbers of males may be enticed
into the nets. At the same time it was held to ])e a
\"ery sagacious fish, capable even of helping its cap-
tured fellows by drnwlng them through the meshes of
tlic net. According to Seleuclis of Tarsus it Avas the
only fish that indulged in sleep and was for this reason
not to be caught at night''. According to Pliny it was
introduced into Italy from Greece by Optatus Eli-
PERTius during the reign of the Emperor Claudius.
Physicians too considered it the best and, most whole-
some of food. The fat of its intestinal canal was espe-
cially esteemed; and we have a line of the Greek Comic
p(jet Epicharmus which states that it was not laAvful for
the gods themselves to throw away its excrement". In
hot countries the Avrasses are more numerous and easier
to catch, and are therefore fished for more assiduously.
I'^A'en the savages of the Polynesian islands and Australia,
in whose watei's some of the wrasses attain a weight
of as nuich as .">() pounds, are not slow to nvail them-
selves (jf this source of food. Armed with their long
\v(joden spears, wliich are furnished with one or some-
times several points, they keep watch upon the rocks
for these shy fish niid may be seen standing for hours
together silent iind motionless till the moment of the
cast comes. The Europeans too, who live in these
piirts, set a high value on the large wrasses, and catch
them with hook and line, using crabs as bait. In the
Mediterranean, acccirding to Elian, the pari'ot-wrasses'

(a species of Scams) were caught in old times with
baits of coriander and parsnip.

The -wrasse family is especially well represented,
as far as variety of form goes, in the East Indian Seas,
in connexion with which it has been excellently described
by the Dutch naturalist Bleeker. Gunther makes six
sub-divisions of the entire family, only two of -which
are represented in the Scandinavian Fauna — the ty-
pical wrasses (Labrina), which possess the extreme
number of dorsal fin rays together with free (not united)
jaw-teeth, and the Rainbow-wrasses {Julidina), which
have 12 spinous rays at most in the dorsal fin, the
jaw-teeth also free, and the pharyngeal teeth not con-
fluent. Those of the Scandinavian species which belong
to the first subfamily may be distinguished by means
of the following scheme:

I: Top of the head covered
with scales, as is also the
interorbital space Labriis {Arantholahriis) Palloni.

II: Interorbital space naked.

A: Number of scales in the
lateral line more than
40, above tlie lateral line
6 rows of scales at least.
a: Number of spinous

rays in the dorsal fin

at least 19 Lahrus herggijlta.

h: Number of spinous

rays in the dorsal fin

at most 18 '. Lahrus mixtus.

B: Number of scales in the

lateral line at most 40. ^

Above the lateral line
not more than 4 rows
of scales.

a: Number of spinous
rays in the anal fin

more than 3 Lahrus (Cenirolahrus) exoletus.

b: Number of spinous

rays in the anal fin

at most 3.

u- The smallest depth

of the tail at least

85 per cent of the

base of the anal fin L^abrus (Ctenolahrus) rupestris.
(^." The smallest depth
of the tail at most
75 per cent of the
base of the anal fin .... Lahrus (Crenilabrus) melops.

" Lahrug hciujijijlta, L. massa nm\ L. pai:o, GnHnE, Rev. Mng. Zool., ser. 2, Tom. XVI (1864) pp. 255, 273, 337; Moreau, Hist.
Nat. J'oiss. Fr., Tom. Ill, p. 102.

* This slutemcut a.s to sleep has been confirmed by Mfjnius and IIkincke (^Fische der Ostsee, p. 72) in connexion with a northern
species {Labrus rupestris), which, when kept in an afinariuni, seeks a sleeping place at night and lays itself down to rest on one side.

' Cf. Cuv. et Vai,. Hist. yat. Poiss. p. 133 etc. Epicharmns apud Athenacus, Vll, 114; a/MQOug, tlov Oids TO GxaQ ^EfllTOV
fy.iitt).e7v d^eolg.

WUASSES.

Gexnus LABRUS.

Dom,} Hu of a ,u,,form depth or deeper hehiud than in front. Cheeks ,unl .ill-rovers srahj. Jaivteeth

free {not united).

THE SCALE-RAYED WRASSE (sw. dhunsnultkan).
LABRUS (ACANTHOLABRUS) PALLONI.

Top of the head seal,, as n-ell as the InterorMtal ..pace. Dorsal and anal fns sndy at the Ime More than 40

Jde^ln the lateral line. Cheeks .itk 5^ roas of seales under the eyes. Several rons of teeth en he upper and

lower jan-s, within the outer row. In the dorsal Jin at least :>(> spinous rai/s. m thr anal :, .

Fi>. 1.

Scale-rayed Wrasse (Lalmts Palloni) from Kragero (Norway).

of the natural size.

R. br. 5; D. ^'/s^! -'i- Vs^ ^- "-a! V. '/,,; O. ..+ 13+.S
L. lat. 40—42''.

Syn. Lntjanus Palloni, Risso, IcM. de Nice, p. 263; Cuv., Val.

(Acanttwlabrus), Hist. Nat. Foiss., XIII, p. 243, fig. 375;

SsiiTT, Novel. Familjebok, I, 281; Lilueborg, Sv., Norg.

Fiskar, I, p. 447.

Crenilabrns e.mletiis, Eisso, Hist. nut. pr. prod. Eur. mer., Ill,

p. 329.
Labrus luscus, Couch, Loud. Mag. Nat. Hist., V, pp. 18 and

742 (fig. 121).
Acantholabrus Uouchii, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Foiss., XIII, p.

248; Obeko, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Fork. 1870, No. 4, p. 391.
Acantlwlabrus imbricatus, Lowe, Proc. Zonl. Soc. 1839, p. 86

and 84.
If an}^ of the Scandinavian wrasses deserve to be
distin'^uished from the others as a separate genus or

subgenus, this species, iirst and foremost, claims that
distinction. It is the only one that has scales exten-
ding over the top of the head, though there they are
small, over the neck and the inter-orbital space; the
only one that has an angular space, covered with rows
of scales, on the membrane between each pair of rays
in the dorsal and anal tins'; and lastly the only one
that has 13 branched rays in the caudal tin. We can-
not however assign so great an importance to these
distinguishing points, Avhen we see that similar varia-
tions occur in other genera of this same family.
The forehead is scaly in some species of the tropical
genus Cossuphus (a kind of Rainbow Wrasse) of the

<- Sometimes 4, according to Moreau. ^^^^^ p^^. ^.^^^ ^. g, ^,,-, „,^j /,,,., p. 266.

. Sometimes 4 and son.etimes 6; cf. ^^^^r^f vl I O and g'.kth'J (6'a.. Brit. M.S., Fi.b., IV, p. 91 and 92). Our speci-
. 2«; or ^>;«, according to Valenciennes (Cuv., Val., 1. c. . ^ ^^ ^^^ left side there is a superfluous

men from Hitter5 is abnormal in one respect, the ^^^ ^^^^ 2^.^ ^^^ o. this :ide has no basal scales,
ray, furnished with basal scales and with membrane jommg the nmth ra> ,

" In younger specimens 38, according to Lill.teborg, 1. c.

< Hence Couch gave this species the name of Scale-rayed Wrasse.

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

group Julidhia, while in others it is naked". Again,
the covering of scales at the bases of the dorsal and
anal fins, which is connected with the development of
the fin-sheath that appears in certain genera of the
wrasses and conceals the fins to a greater oi" less ex-
tent, displays the same want of imiformity in the dif-
ferent species of the tropical genus Callyodon^. The
structure of the caudal fin might perhaps sui)ply us
■with a more distinct generic character; but we shall
find below, in the Rainbo^v Wrasse, a variation in this
respect also. Such a diversity of form within the limits
of the other genera confirms, with regard to this species
also, the opinion of Fries, Sundevai.l and Lill.je-
liOKG tliat all the Scandinavian wrasses ma)- be included
in one genus.

In other respects, both in tlie number of scales in
the lateral line and of spinous rays in the dorsal fin,
the Scale-rayed Wrasse most closely resembles the follow-
ing species {Labrus hergfiyUa). But even in outward
ap]>earance it difters from this species, as well as from
the Blue-sti"iped Wrasse {Labrus mixtus), as it has only
4 roA\'s of scales above the lateral line and the scales
on the cheeks are larger. The liod}' is noticeablj^
elongate, and its greatest depth, about V4 of the length'',
is a little less than is tlie case A\'ith the Ballan AA'rasse,
so that in this respect it more closely resembles Labrus
mixtus or Labrus rupestris. The least depth of the
Iwdy is about 7i7 of the total length'', which in the
Royal Museum's specimen from Hittero in NorM-ay is
264 mm. Its greatest thickness of the body is about
\ 2 of the greatest depth. The relative length of the
head is about the same as in the Ballan Wrasse, being
about V7 of the total length'. The relative length of
the snout is also nearly the same as in tlie Ballan
Wrasse; ))ut the eyes are considerably larger, as is
natural in a, fish that api)arently lives in deep watei-.

The horizontal diameter of the e^'e, \vhich in older
s]3ecimens is about Vs of the least breadth of the inter-
orbital space-^, is about ^/^g of the length of the head".
The relative length of the dorsal fin is only slightly
greater than in the Ballan Wrasse, and the length of
its base is about */j- of the total length"; but the anal
fin is comparatively much longei- and more nearlj'
corresponds to that of Labrus mixtus, its base being
about •'^/og of the total length' and about half as much
again as the least depth of the tail'. These fins are
also fairly deep: the length of the longest spinous ra^'s
in the dorsal fin is about Vs of the length of the head
or ^/\ of the least depth of the tail*. That wliich de-
serves special attention, iiowever, is the shortness of the
first ra}- of the dorsal fin. This peculiarity, as well as
the some\vhat high position of tlie lateral line on the
back and its sudden do\vn\\'ard s^veep at the termination
of the dorsal fin, tlie arrangement of the jaw-teeth, and
the crenulated edge of the preoperculum, may all be
observed in our figui-e'. The lips are fleshy and thickly
covered with paj)illa?, which also fringe the sides of
the longitudinal folds beneath the lateral parts of the
upper-lip. The tongue is flat wdth sharp sides.

The colouring of the Scale-rayed Wrasse seems to
be highly variable, t(j judge by the descriptions and
figures of Risso'" and Couch". Oberg describes it as
follows: — «The colour of the body olive-brown on
the back, on the belly lighter and yelloAvish without
spots or stripes. The fins yellowish; a blackish-broAvn
spot at the meeting of the soft and spinous parts of
the dorsal fin, and a similar spot on the upper margin
of the base of the caudal fin; the upper part of the
spinous rays of tlie dorsal fin blackish-brown. » These
spots, as well as the lilackish-brown colour of the mem-
branous flaps behind the spinous rays of the dorsal and
ventral fins, ai'e still distinct in the specimen preserved

" Cf. Bleeker, Atlas Icldhijolofjique, I, Labr., p. 158.

'■" Cf. Bl.EEKEI!, 1. C. p. 12.

' OLs. Hereafter in this worli, wliere nothing else is remarljed, tlie ^length of the body always means the distance from the tip
of the nose to the extremity of the middle caudal rays. In the Hittero specimen the depth is 24.2 % of the length.

'' III the Hittero specimen 11.7 %.
' ' » 27.7 %^

■^ » » » 65 "/,.

9 III the Hittero specimen 17.8 '

■' In the Hittero specimen 151.6 °o.
*::■:. :» 77.4 %.

• » » » 17.8 %.

The figure also shows how the most superior and the most inferior of the caudal rays that extend to the extremitj- of this fin, are
branched. The diiTerence between the Scale-rayed Wrasse and the other Scandinavian species in this respect is expressed in the fin-formula
given above. In the formula for the caudal fin {(J) x stands for the number (very seldom uniform and almost impossible to fix without
dissection) of supporting niys at the superior and inferior edges of the caudal fin, as well as for the two undivided rays, one at the superior
and one at the inferior edge, which are really supporting rays, but usually extend to the extremity of the fin.
'" L. c. Cf. also Valenciennes, 1. c.
" Hist. Fish. Jirit. hi., Ill, p. .38, tab. CXXIX.

WRASSES.

in nlcohol, and ai-e shown in the figure. In this sjm'-
cinien there appear too, (jn tlie inferioi' part of the
gill-rover and on iho, anterior parts of the suhopercu-
Inni .'ind the l)elly, especially at the bases of tlie pec-
tt)ral fins, distinct traces of the golden gloss which this
fish jiossesses in Valenciennes' figure.

onc! that has been observed u]) to the present on the
coast of Scandinavia, was acquired l)y Dr. P. Oberg
during a visit to HitterO near the town of Flekkefjord
in Norway, in the summer of 1869. It was caught at
a depth of 30 fathoms. On the English coast only two
specimens are known to have been taken, the one at

The Scale-rayed Wrasse l)elongs to the fauna of ' a de])tii of 50 fathoms. (.)ff tlie coasts of Portugal and

the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. In the Atlantic it
is found from Madeira, to the south coast <jf Norway.
However, as it is more of a, deep-sea fish than the rest
of the Scandinavian wrasses, it is more seldom met
^^■ith. The specimen in the Ro}'al Museum, the oidy

Madeira too it is very rare, according to Lowe and
Steindachner". Mokeau also says that it is very
seldom met with in the Mediterranean. It can there-
foi-e hardly possess any value as an article of food.

THE BALLAN WRASSE (sw. beuggyltan).
LABRUS BERGGYLTA.

Plate I, fig. 1.

The hack of the head and the forehead naked. Number of scales in the lateral line more than 40. At least 6
roivs of sccdes (d)ove tlte lateral line. Otdij the posterior part of the interoperculum scaly. The cheeks covered
irith small sccdes: at least 6 suhorhital rows of sccdes. Number of spinous rays in the dorsal fin at least 19.
Length cf tlie snout {when the mouth is closed) less than either the greatest thickness of body or the postorbital
length of the head. Least deptli, of the tail more than ^/j of the base of the anal fin''. Streaks on the head red.

R. hr. 5; D.

19 —21

1 + 10 1. 9.1. 8
C. o; + 11 + x: L. lat. 41 — 47.'=

; A.

1+7 1. 8

; P. 2/13; V. 15;

Syti. LabTus Bergylta, Ascanius, Ic. rer. nat., I, p. 3, tab. I; Muller,

Zool. Dan. Pi-odr., p. 46 (Berg-galt); Cuv., Val., Hist. Sat.

Foiss., XIII, p. 20; Kroyer, Danm. Fiske, I, p. 47G {Berij-

gylta); Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 475; Winther, Prodi'.

Ichth. Dan. mai:, Naturh. Tidskr., 3, XII, p. 25; Lilueborg,

Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 419.
Ballan Wrasse, Pennant, Brit. Zool., ed. 1, III, p. 216, tab.

XLIV; Walb., Icht. Art., Ill, p. 259 {Labrus Ballan);

Couch, Hist. Fish. Brit. Isl. Ill, p. 24, tab. CXXV (Ballan

Wrass).
Comber, Pennant, 1. c. p. 221, tab. XLVII, fig. 122; Gmel.,

Syst. Nat. Lin., p. 1297 (Labrus Comber): Couch, 1. c. p.

32, tab. CXXVI, fig. 2 (Comber Wrass).
Labrus maculatus, Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, VI, p. 17, tab.

CCXCIV; NiLSSON, Prodr. Ichth. 6'c., pag. 74; Fr., Ekstr.,

Wright, Skand. Fiskar, ed. 1, p. 11 et 43, tab. 2; Nilss.,

Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 261; Gi3.\TH., Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish.,

IV, p. 70; Day, Fi.ih. Gt. Brit., D-eL, I, p. 252, tab. LXX

& LXXI.
I^abriis Aper, Retzius, Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 335.
Labrus lineatiis, Donov.\n, Nat. Hist. Brit. Fish., IV, tab.

LXXIV; nee Penn. 1. c., nee Nilss., Prodr.; Day, 1. c., p.

253, Labrus Donovani, Cuv., Val., 1. c. p. 39; Day, 1. c.

Labrus tancoides et Neustrice, LACEPfeDE; Labrus tinea, Shaw;
Labrus cornubiensis, CoDCH; Labrus variabilis, Thompson;
vide GiJ.vrHER, 1. c. et Day 1. c.

Labrus pusillus, Jenyns et Crenilabrus multidentatus, Thomp-
son; (juvenes) vide Gunther, 1. c. et Day, 1. c.

La Vieille, Duhamel, Tr. d. Pcches, part. II, vol. Ill, sect.
IV, cap. Ill, p. 34, tab. VI, fig. 1; La Vieille commune on
Perroqnet de Mer, Cuv., Val., 1. c.

In Scandinavia the Ballan Wrasse attains a length
of from 300 to 370 mm., and is thus one of the lar-
gest species belonging to this genus which we possess.
The length of the head is about ' ^ of the total length;
the greatest depth of the body from "/, to Vis and the
least about ' ^ t)f the length'*. The head is triangular
and suddenly comes to a point. The mouth is small;
the jawbones are completely concealed by large, thick
lips which project some way in front of them. On
the upper jaw the lips are double, the one lying above
the other. The superior is the shorter, and really forms
a continuation of the skin which covers the suborbital
bones; the inferior is longer and more fleshy, has deep

" Ichth. Span. Port, Sitzb. Akad. Wien, Matb. Natiirw. CI. LVII, Abtb. I, p. 699.

* The least depth of the body, in proportion to the length of the base of the anal fin, increases with age. In 6 measured epecimens
the least depth of the tail was on an average 91.5 °/o of the base of the anal fin, the minimum being 82 %. the maximun.i 99.4 %.

'' The variations of the fin formula are explained in the text.

■* The least depth of the body (least depth of the tail) in proportion to the length of the body increases with age; in 6 specimens
it was on an average 12.') '<,, the mininmm being 11.8 °o, the maximum 13.2 "».

8

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

longitudinal folds underneath, and starting from the
iuterniaxillary, forms with tlio under lip a distinct
corner at each side of the mouth. A broad flap hangs
on either side of the under lip. Tiiis formation of the
mouth gives it some resemblance to a swine's snout,
and is the origin of the name Berggalt (>: rock-boar/), Berg-
gylta, etc. The caAit\ of the mouth is narrow, and
li.is pahitnl curtains (tninsverse folds or reJa) above and
licl()\v which are opposite each other and seem intended
to prevent the escape of water oi- food through the
mouth in the net of breathing or swallowing. The
tongue is tiiin, nnd at the tip flat and attenuating.
\\'lien the mouth is open, the upper jaw projects con-
siderably, as the long nasal processes of the inter-
maxillary bones glide forwai-d on the ethmoidal and
frontal bones. In both jaAvs there is a row of small,
conical teeth, largest in front and gradually diminish-
iiii;- in size as they recede on either side. Within this
row in the anterior part of both jaws is a. row of
much smaller teeth which project very slightly or are
concealed by the gums. There are no other teeth in
the mouth itself, either on the tongue, the palatine, or
tiie vomer; l)ut in tlie ])harvnx there are two small
ii/)/ii')- pharyngeals (each composed of three bones),
wiiich articulate Avith the bottom of the skull, and one
ti-ilobiitc Joirer pharyngeal, all thi'ce densely set with
small, (jl)tuse, conical teeth. The e}es are circular, and
their diameter is from '/f, ^*' ','7 ''^ ^^^e length of the
head. They are placed fairly high, their inferior edge
being above a line drawn from the apex of the upper
jaw t(j the middle point of the tail. The nostrils are
small, and liave two distinct openings on each side,
tile antei'ior being jirolonged into ;i dermal canal with
widened month. The sides of tlie head are covei'ed

than its length, and the posterior margin forms t\vo
corners and is continued by a flap of skin which runs
out into a fine point at the lower corner. The inter-
opercidum is also large and distinctly visible under the
preoperculum ; it has some scales on the posterior portion
in the top corner. There are 5 branchiostegal rays, and
the branchiostegal membranes are united 1)}' a thick in-
tegument which hangs quite free round the breast and
is attached to the isthnuis only by its front point.

The body is oval and laterally compressed; it is
completely covered with large imbi-icate scales, which are
thin, have an entire edge and are not marked exteriorly
Avith any large streaks. The lateral line is generally
composed of from 42 to 44 comparatively small scales
pierced by a horizontal tube, a\'1uc1i ai'c not contiguous
but separated by the scales of the two nearest rows.
It is consequently not very distinct, and it I'uns parallel
with the curve of the back as far as the extremity of
the dorsal fin Avhere it makes the same downAvard curve
as the dorsal line. Above the lateral line there are 6
or 7 rows of scales and below it 13 or 14. The vent
is a little behind the middle point of the body.

The dorsal tin commences just over the base of
the pectoral tin and ends in a sharph" rounded corner
just where the back slopes towards the tail. At first
its edge is slightly convex, then somewhat concave,
rising again at the l:)eginning of the soft-rayed portion.
Its anterior part generally consists of 19 or 20 spinous
rays between Avhich the membrane is serrated at its
edge and prolonged behind each ray except the last
into a long, lancet-shaped flap. In the posterior part
are 10 or 11 branched and articulated soft rays, the
first of whicli however is, as a rule, simple at the point,
while the last is divided to the ):)ase, apparently forming

with scales, with the exception of the preoperculum ! two separate rays. In the anal fin there are 11 or 12

itself, the edge of the ])reopercidum and the anteorbital I rays, the first three of which are short and spinous,

region. It is true that in mature specimens the edge the others longer, soft and articulated. Behind each of

of the preoperculum is not apparently denticulated, but '\ the first two spinous rays the fin membrane is serrated

on taking away the skin one finds on the bone itself
tine serrations, which are also indicated by some narrow
strips of skin oi'iginating in llie middle of the edge.
In younger specimens the whole edge of the |ireoper-
cnlum is sometimes shari)ly and cleiirh' erenulated, a
i'act which has caused such specimens to be regarded
as a disthict species, under the name Cirnilaltnis niiilfi-

as in the dorsal fin. In the same way the first soft
ra,j of the anal fin is often simple, while the last is
always deeply cleft. The fin is rounded at its extremity
like the dorsal fin. In length it is about V'- of the
total lengtlr. Tlie ])ectoral fins are thin, with distinct
rays and rounded point; they consist of 15 rays, the
first of which is short and, like the next rav, undivided

fJoifafiift.

Tiie operculum is Imge, its depth is greater ' at tlie point; the others ai'c branched and thick. The

■" The relative leugtli of tlie biise of tlie iiii:il tin tlimiiiislios with ago. In G measured specimens it was on an average 13.7 % of
the total length; the niiniiinini was 12.4 %, tlie niiixiiniuii 14.5 %.

WRASSES.

ventral fins, which arc placed a little hehind the pector-
al and rounded at the extremity in the same way,
consist of 1 spinous ray and 5 ai-ticulatcd soft rays.
The caudal tin is straight (neither concave, nor convex)
at the extremity, with slightly rounded corners and
broad base. It consists of 1 1 thick branched rays with
one undivided ray, extending to the hinder margin of
the fin, on each side of them, and a number of simple
supporting rays, three of which may generally be dis-
tinguished without difficulty. Between the roots of
the former rays the fin-membrane is covered with im-
bricate scales.

As the colouring of this species is very diversified
and variable, it is by no means easy to give a descrip-
tion applying equally well in all cases. As a rule we
ma}' di\ide the Ballan Wrasse into two varieties, the
dark and the Ikiht. The former is represented in the
figure. Its pi-evailing colour is green, which becomes
lighter towards the belly and there has a bluish tinge.
On the sides are several large dark spots, which are
faintly marked and vary in number, size, and colour.
The scales are edged Avith orange, on the lower part
of the sides inclining to yellow and higher up to brown.
Under the chin and breast irregular wavy stripes of
the same orange tint. The iris green Avith an orange
ring next the pupil and another similar ring round the
outer margin. The dorsal fin green Avith a network of
chocolate-brown spots bet\veen the rays. The ra}'s of
the anal fin oi'ange, and the tin covered with round
blue spots on a russet gi"ound. The first ray and the
membrane of tlie ventral fins bright yelloAV, the other
rays l)lue Avith the points bright yelloAV, and here and
there a dash of the same colour. The caudal fin green
with a bluish tinge towards the base, and covered with
a network of russet lines. The raj's of the pectoral
fins orange, and the fins themselves spotted with blue,
especially at the base. The principal colour of the
lighter variety is yellowish brown with brown spots;
the belly is whitish, and the edges of the scales brown.
There are three brown spots on the posterior part of
the back which are especially remarkable for their size;
the first and largest is just below the middle of the
dorsal fin, the last and next in size at the end of this
fin. To this variety belong all younger specimens, and
betAveen the two varieties there are innumerable states
of transition, which are probably due to local circum-
stances and do not depend on the season of the year
or the sex of the fish.

Scandinavian Fishes.

The intestinal canal is very simple: it consists of
a tube which decreases in Avidth with almost jjerfect
regularity, and there is no stomachic dilatation, no ex-
tei-nally distinct pylorus, and no pyloric appendages. This
iiitcstiiiai \\\\)o has thin walls with tlic inner surface co-
\ered witii n network of folds, and widens suddenly into
a faii-l}' large rectum. The spleen large and triangular.
The liver consists of three lobes, the middle one very
large and lying lengthAvise in the belly a little to the left,
the tAvo others, one on each side, very small and short.
The gall-bladder small and narroAV, and of almost uni-
form width. Tlio air-bladder large but short, and
fastened by a strong membrane to the u])pei- wall of
the abdominal cavity. The ovaries and testicles double.

On the coast of NorAva}' u]) to Bergen and in the
island-belt of BohuslSn the Ballan Wrasse is not rare,
though seldom met Avith in any considerable nund^er.
It is also found along the Avhole Avest coast of Europe
and the north-Avestern extremitA' of Africa, as Avell as
in the Mediterranean. In the western parts of the Baltic
it is rare, but has been observed seA'eral times; and
from the fishing-station of Kivik in Scania Lector L. J.
Wahlstedt has obtained a specimen 260 nun. in length,
Avhich Avas taken in the beginning of November, 1878,
and is noAv in the Royal Museum.

The Ballan \\'rasse generally remains close to the
steepest cliffs and selects a place of refuge at their
foot. Here it confines itself to Avater of a middling
depth, varA'ing to some extent according to the age of
the fish. The young fishes may often be seen in tAvo
feet of Avater, seeking their food and at the approach
of danger concealing themselves among the seaAveed
Avhich groAvs on the rocky bottom. The older Avrasses
live in deeper Avater, but may be met Avith at a depth
of from 6 to 10 fathoms. They have their favourite
haunts in the island-belt Avhere one is ahvays sure of
finding them, Avhile at other spots, ap])arently quite the
same in nature, one looks for them in vain. Thus, in
the inmost part of the island- belt and on the outer
edge, at least to the seaAvard side of the rocks, they
never occur. Their food consists of small fishes, cray-
fish, and moUusks.

The bodA' of the Ballan Wrasse is, as Ave have
seen, fjiirly thick and plump; its fiesh is Avhite, firm,
and of good flavour, though a little sAveetish. In Bohus-
lan it is little esteemed, and in many places is only
eaten by the poorer part of the population A\ho first
split the fish and then drv it in the sun. Consequently

2

10

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

there is no special method of fishing for the Ballan
Wrasse, but it is generally taken by accident on the
'dorje-JiooU (a kind of hook used in cod-fishing) or in
the herring-nets. «The 'd5rje-hook',» says Malm (1. c),
«may be used to the best advantage at a dejjth of from
12 to 18 fathoms beneath sheer clifts with piles of
stones lying at their base. One must avoid drawing
in the line as soon as the fish bites, for in that
case one generally loses both hook and fish, as the
wrasse darts into its hiding-place among the rocks or
into a fissure of the clift' the moment it has taken the
bait. Only b}' cautiously taking in a little line now
and then one can tire out and eventuallj^ secure the
fish. By this method I have often seen a fisherman
take dozens of Ballan Wrasses a foot in length, and an
occasional Striped Wrasse, within a few hours.» Else, if
one is anxious to obtain specimens of this fish, a small
seine may be used \\'ith the greatest effect, for in a favour-
able spot one may often secure several at the first haul.
In Bohuslan the most common name for this fish
is BergsHuUra, but, as some of the smaller species

which have no popular name are included under this
appellation, we have thought it best, in order to avoid
confusion, to adopt the other name used in the same
district. In Norway the fish is called Bergc/ylte, B erg-
gait, and Soahhorre (sea-perch): Ascanius gives So-
karpe as the Danish name, and at KuUen it is said
to be called Haf sharp (both of the latter names =
sea-carp).

The figure given above is painted from a speci-
men caught in Bohuslan in the middle of July, im-
mediately after its capture. The colouring of almost
all fishes changes very rapidly after death, and after a
short interval the appearance of the fish is so altered
that it is scarcely recognizable. In most of the coloured
plates included in this Avork the natural colours of the
fish during life ^vill be given as correctly as art can
reproduce them. It may be that many, who have only
seen the fish after death, ■will accuse the artist of having
flattered nature, though he has only tried faithfully to
represent her.

(Fries, Smitt.)

THE STRIPED WRASSE (sw. blasnultban).
LABEUS MIXTUS.

Plate II, figs. 1 and 2.

No scales on flie back of the head or forehead. Number of scales in the lateral line more than 40. Above the
lateral line at least 6 rows of scales. Scales on only the posterior part of the inter operculum. The cheeks covered
tvith small scales: at least 6 suborbital rows of scales. Number of spinous rays in the dorsal fin at most 18.
Length of the snout at least as great as the greatest thickness of the body or the postorbital length of the head.
Least depth of the tail less than Vio «/ '^'^ base of the anal fin". Streaks on the head blue.

cf dark green, irith blue stripes., the fins and belly

yellow spotted with blue.
? minium red, tvith 3 black s^iots on the posterior

part of the back.

16—18 3

A', br. 5; D.

1 + 13 1. 121. U'

.-1.

1 1. 2 + 10 1. 9 1. 11'

P.

-; V. \'.; V. ic +11 + .r; L. lal. 40 — 47.

14(15)

6'i/n. Labrns ossi/agiis, Linn/EUS, 6')/st. iVai., ed. X, p. 286.
Labrns exoletus, Retzius, Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 335.
Lnbru.i speciosus, Fabriciu.s, Dan. Vid. Selsk. Skr. 1809 et

1810, p. 109.
Labrns dispar. Fries et Wright, Skand. Fh-k:, ed. 1, tab. 37

et 38; EkstrOm, Gbgs Vet. Vitt. Samh. Haudl. 1850, p. 38;

Malm, ibid., p. 90.
Labrtis mixlus, Krdyer, Ihvun. Fiske, I, p. 496 et 604;

SuNDEVALL, Skand. Fid:, ed. 1, |i. 160; Nii.sson, .'^fkand.

Fn., Fisk., p. 265; Collett, Christ. Vid. Selsk. Forli. 1874,

Tilla>g.sh., p. 91; ibid. 1879, n:r 1, p. 61; Malm, Gbgs,

Doll. Fn., p. 477; Lill.ierorg, Sv., Norg. Fiskar, I, p.

429.
CJ^: Labrns mixtus, Linn.eus, 1. c, p. 287 (ex Willughby, p. 322

et Artedi, Gen., p. 34; Syn., p. 57); Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat.

Poiss., XIII, p. 43, tab. 369.
Labrus cipruleus, Ascanius, Ic. rer. nat., call. II, p. 5, tab.

XII.
Striped Wrasse, Pennant, Brit. ZooL, III, p. 218, tab. XLV;

— Labrus variegatiis, Gmelin, Si/st. Nat. Lin., I, p. 1294;

— Labrus vittatiis, Walbaum, Ichth. Art., Ill, p. 256; —
Labrus lineattis. Risso, Iclitli. Nice, p. 220; Nilsson, Prodr.
Ichth. Scand., p. 75.

$: Labrus carneus, Ascanius, 1. c, p. 6. tab. XIII; Nilsson,
Prodr., 1. c.
Trimaculated Wrasse, Pennant, 1. c, p. 218, tab. XLVI:

— Labrus trimacidatus, Gmelin, 1. c, Cuv., Val., 1. c.
p. 58.

" In 6 measured specimens tlic least depth of the body was on an average 63.3 % of the base of the anal fin; the minimum was 57.6
'i\ (he innxiinuni 68.1 ?».

WRASSES.

11

Obs. Valenciennes with some hesitation also gives as a synonym
for tliis species Lahrus onitis, LiNN«u.s, Mus. Ad. Frid., pvodr. Tomi
Secundi, p. 79; 6'i/st. Mat., ed. X, p. 28G, ed. XII, p. 478. In the
Royal Zoological Museum in Stockholm there is a specimen bearing
the name Labrus o?nti,i, which was brouglit there together with the
rest of the collections from Drottningholni and is iirobal)ly the very
specimen described by Linn.kus. Sundevall (Skand. Fishar, l:8t Edit.,
p. 1()0) included this fish under the name of Labrus tessellattis, Bloch,
Oecon. Naturfjesch. Ausl. Fisclie, Vol. VI, p. 8, plate CCXCI, fig. 1,
which should thus be synonymous with Labrus onitis. As we now
know tlmt tlie younger specimens of Tantoga onitis, a species very
common on the west coast of the United States, and which in a mu-
tilated condition (without the anal fin) has been described by LiNN/BUS
(iSyst. Nat., ed. XII, p. 475) under the name Labrus hiatula, possess
the network of coloured lines mentioned by Bloch (cf. Jordan and
Gilbert, Synopsis of the fishes of North America, Bidl, U. S. Nat.
Mus. N:o 16, pp. 600 and 936), Ihere is no doubt that Sundevall's
opinion was correct. The colouring of the specimen described by
LlNN^US is, it is true, destroyed by the action of the alcohol in which it
has been preserved, but there are still traces of dark markings which seem
to have resembled those given in Block's figure ; and when Sundevall
described this specimen, some dark dots on the ventral side, mentioned
in Linn«us's description, were especially distinct. The fish is 142 mm.
in length. There are no scales on the operculum, except on the top

margin; and the fin formula is D. — i A. — The pectoral fins are

fairly large, in length about '^l\ of the greatest depth of the body, and
there are 15 rays, the first of which is simple, and in addition to these
one small ray at the beginning of the fin. The ventral fins are scarcely
more than -/^ of the pectoral fins in length. The caudal fin has 13
branched rays of equal length, and one shorter simple ray with several

j — I supporting rays on each side. The jaw-teeth are set in two rows,

the inner of which is indistinct and incomplete; the front teeth in the
outer row are fairly large, and the two middle teeth in each jaw the
largest of all, conical at the base, flat and truncate at the apex. There
is no record of the place of origin of this specimen, but that it comes
from America is a matter that scarcely admits of question, any more
than we can doubt that it must have been at second-hand that Bloch
got his specimen from Norway.

That the Labrus ossifayns of Linnaeus (D. "/14, A. ^ ,2; 'habitat
in Europa'') belongs to this species, as both VALENCIENNES and StJN-
devall have assumed, is most highly probable, for no other European
Labrus more nearly corresponds with Linn.eus's description in the num-
ber of the fin rays. But, as Linn.eus h.'is left no specimen himself
and has not cited any authority or figure, there still remains enough
uncertainty to prevent the use of this name for tlie species. Linn/eus
has indeed confused the habitats in his Systema Nattirw so often that
it is impossible to place implicit reliance in his statements. Thus in
the Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 66, he assigns no region to Scia-na (Labrus,
Syst. Nat.) punctata, which, to judge by the specimen in the Royal
JIuscum, is the species that has subsequently been named Polycentrus
Schomhurqkii, by MI'llkr and Troschel, or to Scicena (Labrus, Syst.
Nat.) bimaculata, which, to judge by the specimen in the Royal Museum,
is the Acara bimaculata of later writers, and therefore, like the for-
mer species, undoubtedly comes from Guiana, though both of the above-
mentioned specimens have no region assigned to them in the labels
from LiNX.EL's's time. In the Systema Nalurir the region of the for-
mer species has been given correctly ('Habitat Surinami), but Lahrus
bimaculatus is said to inhabit the Mediterranean. In one of the earliest
collections in the Royal Museum there is a specimen of Labrus mixtus,

" In 6 measured specimens the least depth of the tail was on
the maximum 11.5 %.

but if is only ticketed L^abrus, without any Linna>an label or statement
as to its habitat. This uncertainty compels us to retain for the Stri-
ped Wrasse the Linna'an name which has first been fi.xed with scien-
tific accuracy. (Cf. Valenciennes, 1. c.).

This fi.sh <rener;illy attains a length of from 300
to 350 mill., hut tlio female is a])parently always a
little smaller tliaii the iiiiile and most jn'ohjibly does
not exceed the former measurement. The length of
the head, measured to the npcx- of the gill-cover, is
about V3 of the length of the body minus the caudal
fin, which measures about ^3 of the length of the head.
The body is more elongate than is the case with any
other of the Scandinavian members of this genus, ex-
cept the Scale-rayed Wrasse {Lahrus Palloni); its great-
est depth, which is almost uniform along the anterior
half of the dorsal fin, is from ''u^ to '/., of the tot.-il
length. Least depth of the body V9 of the length".
The production of the snout is especially remarkable;
it tapers regularly to a point, forming a rectilinear
profile, and is so produced that it forms :\n angle of
less than 60° wlien the jaws are closed. The di.stance
from the eye to the tip of the snout is about equal to
the depth of the head at the anterior orbital margin.
Head slightly compressed and transversely rounded at
the top. Body still more compressed, the thickness
about ^/g of the depth.

The eye is closely surrounded by the tense, thin,
dermal margin of the orbit; the diameter about '/g of
the distance from the tip of the snout. The pupil not
quite circular Init slightlv produced anteriorly. The
nostrils are very small, and remind one of the stitches
in a piece of needle^vork ; the two openings on each
side are a, good wav ajjart from each other. The posterior
opening is higher than the iinterior corner of the eye
and on a level with its anterior margin; the anterior
opening lies at a point sucli that the distance to the
eye is about ','5 of the distance to the tip of the snout,
it is on a level with the articulation of the lower jaw
and has a smnll tubular rim.

The mouth is larger than in the other Scandi-
navian wrasses. It extends lialf the distance between
the eve and the tip of the snout, liut the dermal folds
reach a little further liack. The jaws are of equal size.
The lips are also fairly large. The upper lip in par-
ticular is considerably jiroduced, and underneath thickly
covered with smaU papilla^ and closely folded, as is
also the large bent lateral flap of the under lip. The

an average 10.9 'c of the length of the body; the minimum was 10.5 %,

12

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

teeth, as in the other species of this sub-family, are thick
and conical, and are set in a simple row; the front
teeth arc the largest, tliey are curved and project
sliglitly. In the lower jaw tlie middle pair are a little
smaller than the teeth on each side of them, in the
upper jaw they ai'c the largest of all. On each side
of the upper jaw 13, on each side of the lower jaw 16
teeth, at most; the 5 liack teeth in l)oth jaws fairly
small, ^^'itllin this row another irregular but simple
and complete row of small ])ut strong teeth wliich in
tlic living fish are entire]}- hidden in the gums. The
pharyngeals densely covered with cylindrical, straight
and blunt teeth. No teeth on the vomer, the ])alatine
bone or the tongue; and the folds of skin (w/rt) within
the mouth, as in all Lal^ri, of considerable size. The
branchiostega] membrane, as in the other species, large;
it encircles the thi'oat witli a broad, free margin and
is furnished on each side with 5 slightly curved, fine
rays. The gill-cover free up to the lateral line. The
hind margin of the preoperculum generally without serra-
tion; but in some specimens, and especially in the fe-
males, it is finely denticulated, almost as in Lahrns
rupestris, etc., which Cuvier on this account referred
to distinct genera.

The scales are large and almost rectangular, with
their free edge somewhat rounded and the breadth about
■V4 of the length, but they overlap each other to a great
extent. Theii- central area is very large, occupying
about lialf the length and breadth of the scale, and
densely punctate. In the posterior ](art of tlie scale
the striation is concentric with the margin, but late-
rally it is slightly oblique, and in the anterior part
runs from the margin inwards. The longitudinal stria-
tion is visible only in the anterior part, the margin of
wliich is deeply denticulated. In the transverse line
from the lateral line to the dorsal fin there are 6 scales,
and Ix'twccn the forme)' and the ventral fins 19 or 20.
'i'hc lateral line, which runs parallel to the dorsal line
and follows the curve (jf the back, as in all the Scan-
dinavian species of this genus, contains 46 or 47 scales
furnished with a small duct curving slightly upwards.
In the posterior jjart of the lateral line the scales are
nnieh more crowded than in the anterior part, and they
advance over the caudal lin. The continuations of the
lateral line on the head consist of very fine pores in
the same position as in most other fishes. The vent

is a little Ijehind the middle point of the body below
the 16th dorsal ray.

The dorsal fin commences just over the extremity
of tlie gill-cover. It is of uniform height, with the first
ray a little shorter and some of the hind ones slightly
longer than the rest. The first 16, 17, or 18 hard,
unarticulated and pungent, with a membranous flap
{r amentum), as usual, behind the point; the others, from
11 to 13 in number, articulated, the first simple, the
second and third divided, the others with a further
division of their hind Ijranch. The last is so deeply
divided that one may easily take it for t^vo rays. In
both sexes the proportion of these rays is inconstant.

being 1TVT3,

17
13

16
Ti'

or 77, making 30 or 31 in all.

The anal fin is right opposite the posterior part
of the dorsal, commencing at the 17th ray, and is of
about the same depth and shape, liut the spinous rays,
which are 3 in number, gradually diminish in size
towards the beginning of the fin. It has 11 soft rays,
seldom 10 or 12, the first or both the first and second
simple, the last, as usual, double. The length of the
anal fin is considerably greater than in the preceding
species; it is about Ve of the length of the body".

The pectoral fins broad and short, about ^/g of the
head in length, obtusely rounded, ^vith 16 rays, seldom
17. The first ray comparativelj' short and simple, the
second simple and a little shorter than the third, fourth
and fifth which are divided; the rest are doublj' and more
deeply divided; the last gradually diminish in length.

The ventral fins are inserted a little behind the
pectorals, commencing underneath them at about their
middle point, and '/,, or Vu ''s long again as tliey; they
have, as usual, 6 rays, the first of ^vhich is hard a,nd
pungent and about "/g of the fin in length; the others
articulated and three times doubly divided; the third
longest, the last almost as long as the first.

The caudal fin scaly at the liase, short, the ex-
tremity straight Avith rounded corners. It has 11 rays
of equal length, trebl}' and deeply divided, and on each
side one somewhat shorter simple ray, together Avith
3 very short and indistinct supporting rays.

The internal organs resemble those of the preceding
species. In the month of July Sundevall found in the
ovaries a large number of ne-wl}- formed, small eggs. The
peritoneum, as in the Ballan Wrasse, thin and Avhitish.

18.3 %.

" In 0 iiioiisurKl si.etimi'iis the length of tlio base was on mi average 17.3 °» of tlie total length; the mininium was 15.6 "/„, the niaxiiii

WRASSES.

13

The colouriii^f of the Striped Wrasse dift'ei's con-
siderably according to tlie sex, more so than is usual
anioii_^ fishes; but both male and females are among the
most gorgeous of European fishes and are conspicuous
even among the species of the wrasse family, distin-
guished as these species are by their luiivei-sal beauty
and l)rilliancy of colour.

Tlie male is dark green, nearly Ijlack, witli bmad,
curved, blue stripes on the head, and .5 irregular bhie
stripes along the body. The ])elly is flame-yellow, in-
terspersed in the anterior part under the lioad with
blue spots so dense that they sometimes run into each
other. The fins flame-yellow with a narrow edge of
blue. On the dorsal fin there is, in addition to this
edge, a large patch of blue which extends over the
greater part of its first half and is continued by a row
of blue spots. The caudal and anal fins are marked
with rows of blue spots, and the ^vhole extremity of
the ventral fins is blue. The colouring varies a little,
as the extent of the dark and j'ellow tints, especially
in the posterior part, is not always the same. In some
instances the caudal fin is almost wholly blue spotted
with yello^v, in others, according to Valenciennes, the
yello^v colour spreads backwards along the dorsal sides.
The situation of the ])lue markings is constant, but
they may be more or less coalescent. The pectoral fins
are generally dark green, but according to the figure
given by Ascanius they may also be flame-yelloAv.

The female is minium-red all over, with the same
blue marks on the head as the male, Ijut they are more
widely dispersed. On the posterior part of the l)ack
there are 3 large, black spots," the first t^vo of ^\■luch
are separated by a whitish patch, and situated at the
base of the branched dorsal ra}'s. These three spots
are visible even in specimens which have long been kept
in alcohol. The three vertical fins have narrow blue
edges, and the beginning of the dorsal fin is always of
a more or less pronounced shade of Ijlack, a slight trace
of correspondence to the blue colouring of the male.

Among the males there is a further difference in
colour, still more marked than that we have already
mentioned: the younger males display a more or less
close resemblance to the females on account of their
comparative lightness of colour, at anj' rate until the)'
have attained a length of from 150 to 170 mm. — A male
198 mm. in length, presei"ved in spirits, seems to have

" Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., I. p. 258. mentions a female \v
several with four spots and gives a figure (Plate CXXXIII) of one of

been very slightl}' dark with a very small blue patch
on the dorsal tin. The blue stripes on the body appear
only in the anterior j)iirt above the pectoral fins, and
on the back are indistinct but unmistakable traces of
the three black spots which occur in the female. The
caudal and ventral fins resemble those of older males. —
It is also said that the; wrasses are subject to periodical
changes of coloui' depending on the season of the year,
and that in winter theii- colouring is duller.

In consequence of their remarkable difference in
coloui', b(jth sexes were long described as distinct spe-
cies, and were regarded as such by Valenciennes in
1839, in spite of the fact that by the i''aMwa of Retzius
(1800) his attention was called to the opinion current
among the Norwegian fishermen, first made known by
Fabricius, that the two species represented only different
sexes of the same species. The opinion of Fabricius
himself was not pulJished before 1818, and does not
seem to have attracted the attention of anyone until
it was brought to light 1)y Kroyer. Before this time
Fries and Wright, in the first edition of «Scandinavian
Fishes,» had given an independent and complete solution
of the whole question.

During his visit to Bohuslan Fries was enabled to
examine several specimens of both these varieties, and
in 1835 he first remarked that no females occurred of
the blue variety, and no males of the red. Not being
able to discover any difference in shape between them,
he assumed that they belonged to the same species.
This assumption was completely verified by the inve-
stigations made bv v. Wright and him during a vear's
stay at the same i)lace, when they were enabled to exa-
mine a large number of specimens of both varieties.

In the works of several authors we may find de-
scriptions of male specimens of Labrus carneus or tri-
macitlatus, which was the ordinary name for the female.
This eiTor may have arisen, partly from the fact that
the colour of the specimens described had been destroyed
by the spirits in which they were preserved or in the pro-
cess of drying, and partly from the similarity mentioned
above as existing between the females and the young
males. It is also not unlikely that males may sometimes
occur in which the dark colouring is never developed
and which consequently alwajs resemble the females.
The fact that we have descriptions of blue females gives
rise to the conjecture that in warmer climates the fe-

ith only one of these spots; Couch, Fish. Brit, hi., mentioDs (p. 37)
them.

14

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

male occasionally acquires the colouring of the male,
a phenomenon wliich has not however been observed
on the coast of Sweden.

The Striped \\'rasse occurs on all the coasts of
JMirope, with the exception of the shores of the Arctic
( ).cMn and the Baltic. In Norway it is still found in
the neighbourhood of Ti-ondhjem, l)ut how far north it
iroes, is unknown. In Fininnarken neither this nor any
other s|)ecics of the genus Lahrus occurs, according to
tlie investigations made in that district by Loven, Sun-
OEVALL, and others. On the Swedish coast it is found
onlv in the island-belt of Bohusliln, where it is by no
means a common s])ecies. In the Sound and Avithin the
Baltic there is no authenticated instance of its occur-
rence. In England and Finance, as well as in the ^vhole
of the Mediterranean, the species is by no means rare.
In Iceland and Greenland it has not been found.

The Striped Wrasse, like the rest of the genus, is
a true 'rockfish'," oidv living near rocky or steep and
stony coasts. On low, shelving, sandy coasts it is appa-
rently never found. But even in the island-belt this
species seems to jje confined to certain fixed localities.
In the whole district of Lj'sekil it is said to be found
only among the islands known as Flatholmarne, where,
together with the four other species of Swedish wrasses,
it seems to liave its favourite haunt near a little rock
called ' SnuUreskdr (Wrasse Rock). According to Malm
it is most common in Bohuslan on the islets known
as VaderSar and Koster.

In the summer the Striped Wrasse remains at a
depth of from 5 to 10 fathoms among rocks and stones,
but in winter it apparently moves to still greater depths.
Fries and v. Wright at all events failed to obtain a
single specimen during the cold season; and in Yarrell's
book on the fishes of England the same statement is

made. It lives on shellfish and all other kinds of
marine animals, especially crayfish. In the stomach
of a female 300 mm. in length, -which was caught on
Snulti'eskilr, the islet we have just mentioned, and
which Sundevall had the opportunity of observing
in the month of July during life, he afterwards
found remnants of several different crustaceans and an
almost entire Portimus one inch in breadth, together
with the scales, fins and bones of some small fishes.
This specimen had very small ovaries containing only
small and newly formed eggs, from Avhich he inferred
that the ovaries had already discharged their contents
and that the spawning season must be earlier than mid-
summer; but he failed to obtain any more exact infor-
mation on this point. In Norway, on the other hand,
Kr0yer found the Striped Wrasse ready to spa-\vn at
the end of June or July; and Risso says that in the
Mediterranean it spawns twice a year. In England Couch
found females with the ova fully developed in April
and May, and also in July and August.*

The flesh of the Striped Wrasse is firm and white
and is said to be of tolerably good flavour, but like
the other wrasses it is seldom eaten in Scandinavia.
HoAvever, it takes a bait readily (cf. the remarks on the
preceding species), and is occasionally caught in a net
or seine, but on the Scandinavian coasts it is not sought
after by the fishermen.

In Bohuslan as in Norway the male is called Bld-
stdl, or rather Bldsfrdl (Blue-stripe), the female Bod-
ndhha (Red-beak). In Norway the male is said to be
also called Bldskal and Bldstak. In Strom's description
of SondmSre the female is called Bergndhha (Rock-ljeak),
and in Ascanius Suderndl; Nilsson also gives the na-
mes Eodsnacka (Red-shell) and Si/pU/a (Seamstress).

(Sundevall, Smitt.)

THE SMALL-MOUTHED WRASSE OR ROCK COOK (sw. guassnultran.)

LABKUS (CENTKOLABRUS) EXOLETUS.

Plate 1, fig. 3.

Head naked above the eyes. Number of scales in the lateral line less than 40 (about 35). Not more than 4 reus of
scales above the lateral line. Interoperculum half covered with scales, naked only at the margin and in the anterior part.
Cheeks covered with large scales, with 4 suborbital rows. Number of spinous rays in the anal fin more than 3.

ed. I, p. 48, tab. 9, fig. 2; Cuv., Val., (Acantliolabriis),

V. Vs; C.x+\l+.r;

7—6 7 12

L. lat. 33—37.

Syn. Labrus e.roletits, Linn.i:us, Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 287; Nilsson,
Prodr. Ichth. 6'c., p. 77; Friks et Whiiiht, Shaiid. Fiskar,

Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, p. 247; Nilsson, Skand. Fn. Fish.,
p. 277; GOnther, (Centrolabrus), Brit. Miis. Cat. Fish., IV,
p. 92; CoLLETT, (Acatitholabrus), Christ. Vid. Selsk. Fori).
1874, Tilhvgsli., p. 94; Id., ibid. 1879, n:r 1. p. 61; Malm

" Sw. skiirydrdsji.-!!,-.
Finlaud, etc. Tit.

'' Day, 1. c. p. 2.08.

Skdrgdrd is tlie Swedish name for tlie belt of small rocky islets which fringes the coasts of Norway, Bohuslan,

WRASSES.

15

(Uentrolabrus) Gbfjs, Boh. Fa., p. 47ii; Limjedoro, tSv.,

Norg. Fiskar, I, pag. 452.
Obs. NiLSSON lias given this species the name Srnamiiid iSnultra
(a translation of the Small-mouthed Wrasse (^(Jrenilabrus microstoma)
of THOJirsoN and Yarrell), but we can find no sufficient reason for
the rejection of the name which has formerly been given it in <Sean-
dinavian Fishes. »

The great(vst length tliat the Siiiall-inouthed \\'ra.sse
seems to attain is about 150 mm., and it is generally
from 100 to 125 mm. in length. We also inter that
it does not attain a mueh larger size from the fact that
in specimens only 100 mm. in lengtii tlie generative
organs are fully developed. In common with the Scale-
rayed Wrasse it is distinguished from the other Scan-
dinavian wrasses by the possession of 5 (sometimes 4)
spinous rays in the anal fin, while the others as a rule
have only 3. In its general shape too it has several
peculiar and distinctive features, notably the strong
compression of the body, the sharpness of the dorsal edge,
the handsome elliptical sha})e of the body -with the pro-
duction of the snout, the small size of the mouth, the
almost complete uniformity in depth of the dorsal and
anal fins, both of Avhich terminate in a somewhat sharp
corner, and lastl}' the very slight increase in breadth
towards the extremity of the caudal fin. The length of
the head is a little under ^4 o^" tlie total length and
much less than the greatest dejjth of the body. The
jaAV-teeth form a simj^le row and are comparatively
small. The margin of the preoperculum is very clearly
denticulated. In the lateral line there are from 35 to
37 scales with an entire posterior margin and pierced
by a raised duct, the end of \vhich is bent obliquely
upwards. On the tail the ducts are almost confluent.
The curve of the lateral line at the extremity of the
dorsal fin is sharper than in the other Scandinavian
wrasses. Above the lateral line there are 3 large rows
of scales and one smaller roAv; belo^\' the line there are
10 rows. The scales are so thin that with a magnifying
glass one can see the striate root of one scale through
the scale overlapping it. The scales whit'h cover the
tail advance a little over the base of the caudal fin, but
there are no rows of scales on the membrane between
the rays of the fin. The dorsal fin consists of 18 or 19
hard, pungent rays with deeply indented membrane and
membranous flaps at the tip, and not more than H or
7 soft rays divided at tlie point and with the membrane
at the margin entire. It is orange in colour with a
tinge of gviw in the posterior part, and lietween the

rays there are two rows of blue spots, the one at the
base and the other halfway up. The membranous flaps
and the extreme margin of the soft-rayed ])art are blue.
The anal fin which is of almost the same shape, mark-
ing, and coloiu' as tlie dorsal, consists either of 5 hard,
pungent rays and 7 soft rays divided at the point and
the last of them cloven to the base, or of only 4 spi-
nous rays and 8 soft; in the latter case the first soft
ray is not divided at the tip. The pectoral fins yellow,
transparent and made up of 2 simple and 12 branched
rays. The ventrals dirty-white and made up, as usual,
of one spinous and 5 soft rays. The caudal fin gray
with 13 yellowish In-own rays (the up])ermost and the
lowest undivided) and t^vo rows of blue spots on the
fin-membrane; the extreme margin edged with blue.

The principal colour of the body is olive with a
tinge of }'ellow at the sides and towards the belly a
gloss of bright gamboge, which is peculiar to this spe-
cies. The belly is dirty-white and is without spots.
The edges of the scales, with the exception of those on
the belly and head, are blue, darker at the top than at
the bottom, and thus form crescent-shaped spots which
greatly enhance the beauty of this little fish. The head
is yellowish brown -with the forehead of a darker shade
and the gill-cover yello^vish; along it there generall}'
run 6 violet bands, like reins, in the direction shown
in the figure. The iris is reddish brown with a narro^^•
ring of lighter hue next the pupil, which is of a
beautiful shifting green.

In its internal organs this species corresponds to
the preceding one.

The Small-mouthed Wrasse seems to be exclusively
an inhabitant of the northern seas. The statement that
it is found in Greenland, however, is only based on a
vague conjecture of Fabricius and, as far as we know,
has not been confirmed in later times. In Scandinavia,
at least in Sweden, it occurs more rarely than any other
species of the wrasses. South of Bohuslan it has never
yet been met with on the coasts of Scandinavia. Its
mode of life resembles that of its kindred species, Imt
it is more confined to the seaward side of the islets
and has never been found far up the fjords; that is the
case at least in the island-belt of Bohuslan. In the
places thev frequent they are found in small companies.

To the fisherman this little species is of no espe-
cial value.

(Fries, Smitt.)

16

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

JAGO'S GOLDSINNY (s\v. stensnultkan).

LABRUS (CTENOLABRUS) RUPESTRIS.

Plate 1, fig. 2.

Top of the head naked. Number of scales in the lateral line less than 40." Above the lateral line not more

than 4 roics of scales. Tnteropercidum upicards scaly for the greater part of its length. Cheeks covered tvith

large scales; 4 or 5 suborbital rows. Number of spinous rags in the anal fin 3. The anal fin so short that the

least depth of the tail is at least 85 per cent of the base of this fin.''

B. h: .5 ; D. -^
L. lat. 36—38.

2 + 7 1.6 1 + 7 12 5

Syn. Scicena rupestris, Linnaeus, Mas. Ad. Fr., I, p. 65, tab. XXXI,
fig. 7; Id. (Labrus), Syst. Nat., ed. X. p. 286; Retzius,
{Perca), Fn. Stiec. Lin., p. 337; Cuvier (Cremlabnis), R.
Anim., ed. 2, p. 269; ifiLSSOJ^ (Labrus, Crentlabrus), Frodr.
Ichtk. Scand., p. 76; Fries et Wright, Scand. Fiskar, ed.
1, p. 45, tab. 9, fig. 1; Cuv., V.-^L. {Ctenolabrus), Hist. Nat.
Poiss., XIII, p. 223; Kroyer {Creniiabrus), Damn. Fiske,
I, p. 541; NiLSsoN {Labrus, Ctenolabrus), Skand. Fn., Fisk.,
p. 274; GCnther {Ctenolabrus), Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish., IV,
p. 89; CoLLETT, Christ. Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, TilL-egsh.,
p. 92; WiNTHEit, Prodr. IcJitli. Dan. mar., Naturh. Tidskr.,
ser. Ill, vol. XII, pag. 26; D.\Y, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., I,
p. 264, tab. LXXIV; Lilueborg {Labrus, Ctenolabrus), Sv.,
Norg. Fiskar, I, pag. 442.
Labrus siiillus, Linn.eus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 285 (ex It.
W'got. p. 179 — Bargsnultia) ; Malm {Ctenolabrus), Gbgs,
Boh. Fn., p. 478.

Obs. In liis .Journej- through West-Gothland Linn.eus described
this species for the first time, though under the incorrect provincial
name Bcirgsnultra, the Bergsnultra of Bohuslan being really the species
we have above termed Berggylta. This species on the contrary is
clearly distinguished from the others by the fishermen of the district
under a special name (vid. Malm, 1. c.) which is too obscene to be
quoted, much less retained here. In the tenth edition of his Systema
Natures Linn^sus gave this same species the name Labrus suillus;
but owing to a misprint in the 'Journey through West-Gothland' the
mistake has arisen that in the description we have ^spinis dorsalibus
9» instead of 19. This circumstance has made it more difficult to
recognize Labrus suillus. and has misled Linn-EUS himself. In Mus.
Ad. Frid. he again described this species under the name Sciaena
rupestris, and in the tenth edition of 'Syst. Nat. he gives both as
distinct species of the genus Labrus, witliout being able to assign
any habitat to the species he describes under the latter name. Again,
as StrOm in his 'Description of Sondmiire' (I, p. 292) referred to
LiNNMcns's Labrus rupestris, this fish too might have been given as a
Scandinavian species in the twelfth edition of Syst. Nat. As suillus
is a later name for the species than rupestris, it is more strictly
correct to use the latter. In Zoolog. Danica (Tab. 107, Tom.
3, p. 44) Abildgaard erroneously included this species under the
geuuB Perca. This is the reason why Retzids in Fn. Suec.
quotes the species Labrus suillus from Linn.bus and Perca ru-

pestris from Abildgaard, though he suspected that they were identic-
ally the same.

The Goldsinn)' is one of the smallest of the Scandi-
navian Avrasses. The largest specimens we have seen
measured 170 mm., and the average length is about
120 mm. The form of the body most resembles that
of the Scale-rayed or the Ballan Wrasse. The short-
ness of the anal fin reminds us especially of the latter.
The length of the head is about V4 of the total length
and is about the same as the greatest depth of the
body, e.xcept of course in the case of females full of
roe. The lips are shorter than in the Ballan \A'rasse
and not so broad; the upper lip is the thicker and pre-
sents a truncate appearance, in consequence of which
the lo\ver part of the upper ja^v-bone is clearly visible
and the corners of the mouth are less distinct. The
teeth in both jaws are set in a .somewhat narroAv outer
row and one or more less regular inner rows, some-
times roughly resembling the arrangement given in the
figure of the Scale-rayed Wrasse. The teeth in the
outer row large and subulate ^vith the points bent in-
wards, the front ones largest; the inner teeth smaller
but projecting distinctly above the gum. The eyes of
middling size, their longitudinal diameter close upon ^ ^
of the length of the head, and in younger specimens
equal to the breadth of the forehead, in older ones ^,3 of
that breadth. The}- are so situated that the line from the
snout to the middle point of the caudal fin touches the
lower edge of the pupil. The superior part of the
interoperculum is almost entirely covered with scales.
The hind margin of the preoperculum is finely serrated.
During life however these serrations are not very distinct,
as long as the bone retains its covering of skin; but if
this be removed, or if the fisli be immersed in alcohol
or dried for some time, they become distinctlj' visible.

" Forty at most, according to Gil.NTiiER.

* The least depth of the body in proportion to the base of the
of the tail was on an average 93.3 % of the base of the anal fin; the

' Occasionally only r— g' as in the type-specimen of Linn.t:us's description of the species in Mus. Ad. Frid.

anal fin increases with age. In 6 measured specimens the least depth
minimum was 85.7 %, the maximum 100 'i.

WRASSES.

i;

Tlie l:iter;il line runs niucli nearer the l)ack tlian
the bell) and contains from iiQ to 38 scales, wliich are
smaller tlian those of the nearest rows and Iwive the
hind margin notched ()l)li(|uely upwards so lliat the lower
corner is longer than the upper. Above the lateral line
thei'e are three rows of oi'dinarj' scales, four rows in :dl,
including the row of smaller scales at the base of the fin.
Below the lateral line from 10 to 12 rows.

In the dorsal fin there are 17 hard and [tungent
rays and 9 soft and articulated, or 18 hard and 8 soft,
the last ray being split to tlie base. As a rule, tlie
first two soft ra)'s are, on the contrary, undivided. The
anal fin, the ])osterior corner of which is somewhat
pointed, has the membrane incised and a. flap be-
hind each spinous ray, as usual: it consists of 3 hard
rays and 8 or sometimes 7 ;irticulated soft rays, all
except i\\e first branched at the tij). Tlie pectoral fins
are very thin and transj)arent. They are made up of
14 rays, the first being short and hard, the second
simple and the others branched at the tip. The caudal
fin has the corners rounded and the hind margin also
slightl)- rounded: it consists of 13 true rays, the highest
and lowest of Avhich are simple at the jwint and shorter
than the others which are split. At the base of the
fin there are the usual rows of scales between the rays.

In l)rilliancy of colouring the Goldsinny is far in-
ferior to its kindred species, but still not without beaut}\
The ujiper part of the body is of an almost unvaried
brown, the sides greenish with marks or spots at the
base of each scale forming broken, longitudinal bands.
On the sides of the l)elly, in the third or fourth row
of scales below the lateral line, these spots become rusty
yellow. The belly is bluish white without spots. A
dark broA\n Ijand, interrupted by the lower margin of
the iris, runs from the upper lip to the margin of the
preoperculum. This l)and is coasted above by another
of pale green, which stoyjs at the anterior orbital margin.
The iris is of a dark reddish brown, ^vith a ring of
lighter colour at both tlie inner and the outer margin,
and a bright green spot in the superior part.

Most characteristic of this species, hoAvever, is the
uniform colnur of the fins, which are without any
spots or bands, if we except tlie anterior part of the
dorsal, Avhere the fin membrane between the first four
or five rays is of a deep black half-A\-ay up, and from

the fourth to the seventh has some bluish green streaks
at the l)ase. The Goldsinny is also sufficiently easy to
recognize in most cases by the rtjund black spot at the
superior margin of the base of the caudal fin, which is
always present except in the youngest specimens (up to
a length of about 40 mm."). The latter have instead
a brown spot at the to]) and l)ottom of the base of
the caudal fin.

From tlie remarks already made with regard to
the variations of colouring in fishes we may conjecture,
and rightly too, that the Goldsinnj' does not always
correspond to the description given above. The spe-
cimen represented in the figure is one of the finest in
colouring we have ever met with. As a rule the colo-
ration is duller and fainter, and the shades of colour
are more numerous. However, as this sjiecies is un-
mistakably distinct from the otliers, we should be un-
necessarily diffuse, were Ave to give a more detailed
description of these variations, especially as none of
them is remarkable or preponderant. Before leaving
this point, ho\\'ever, we must point out a remarkable
change of colour which the Goldsinny can effect in a
moment. When the fish is at liberty, it has 14 dark
spots on the sides, obliquely crossing the lateral line
so that there are 7 above and 7 below. These spots
disappear instantl}' when the fish is touched and do not
re-appear until it has been let alone for some time.
Many other proofs have been given of the power which
fishes possess to change their colour at A\ill; but a more
striking example than this, which was discovered by
Fries fifty years ago, can scarcely be adduced even
at the present time.

In its internal structure the Goldsinny most closely
resembles the Ballan Wrasse.

Of all the European Avrasses the Goldsinn}- is the
most common and most widely spread sjjecies. It is
found from the coast of Pomerania in the Baltic '' along
Denmark and up the -west coast of Scandinavia as far
as Trondhjem ■" at least. To the south it occurs off the
whole Avest coast of Europe and in the Mediterranean,
in the inner part of Avhich it is said to be less common.
In Bohuslan during the summer it staAS close to jetties
and steep rocky shores Avhere the Avater is only a fathom
or so deep. At such spots it may be seen in small
bodies seeking its food a little Avay fi-ora the bottom

" Vid. Malm. 1. c.

* Cf. MObius and Heincke, Fische der O.Hsee, p. 72.

' Cf. CoLLETT, 1. c. and Storm, Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skr. Trondhj. 1883, y. 28.

Scandinavian Fighes.

18

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

among the seaweed which grows so luxuriantl)' here.
Its food seems to consist exclusively of the smaller spe-
cies of crustaceans, worms, mollusks, etc., fragments of
which are found in its stomach. It rises to the surface
only when attracted thither by some prey, and as soon
as this is caught, it again descends to the bottom. At
the ai))>roach of danger it takes refuge under the jetty,
in a cleft of the rock, or under some coarse-leaved
seaweed. In the winter it withdraws into deeper -water;
at any rate it does not occur near shore at this time
of year. It cannot, however, be very far away, for on
the 12th January, 1838, v. Wright found 5 specimens
in the gullet and stomach of Lams glaucus. In Sweden
it begins to spawn in the middle of June, at which
time Fries found this species in Bohuslan ready to spawn,
or later. In the middle of July Sundevall has found
newly-formed eggs in the ovaries. There is evidence

tliat in other countries it spawns in April and May"
as well as in July*. Females with running roe occur of
a length as small as only 86 ram. According to Fries,
the ovaries resemble those of the Sti-iped Wrasse, but
according to Sundevall's description, thej^ are poste-
riorly united into one. The roe is very fine (i. e. the
eggs numerous) and yellowish, l)ut quite transparent at
the time of depositing.

Where there is opportunity for other more remu-
nerative fishing, the Goldsinny is held in ikj very high
esteem. Still its flesh is white and firm, and would
make a dainty dish if one availed oneself of it. It
is often caught in large quantities in nets cast for
other fishes. From the pier-heads in Bohushln it
may easily be taken with a small hook and a bait of
periwinkle.

(Fries, Smitt.)

THE GILT-HEAD OR CONNOR (sw. skarsnultran or skottan).

LABRUS (CRENILABRUS) MELOPS.

Plate II, fig. 3.

Back of the head naked. Number of scales in the lateral line less than 40. Above the lateral line 4 (sometimes
5) rows of scales. Superior part of the interoperculum for the most part scaly. Cheeks ivith large scales in 5
suborbital roivs. Number of spinous rays in the anal fin 3. Anal fin comparatively long, the least depth of the

tail measuring at most ^/^ of its base".

R /„■ 1- D'' — • A' ^ ■

pf 2/ . y
•I • /l3i ' ■

■ \ (J. .r+lH-.r;

L. Lat. 34!'.

Syn. Labrns melops, LiNN^us, Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 28G; Cuv. Val.,
(Crenilabrus), Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, p. 167; Kroyer, Damn.
Fiske, I, p. 521; Sundevall, (Labrus) Ukand. Fiskar, ed. I,
p. 182; NiLSSON, (Labrus, Crenilabrus), Skand. Fn., Fisk.,
p. 270; GOnther, (Crenilabrus), Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., IV,
p. 80; Malm, Gbijs, Boh. Fn., p. 477; Day, Fish. G:t Brit.,
Irel., I, p. 260; Mob., Hcke. Fische der Ostsee, p. 70;
CoLLRTT, N. Mag. f. Naturv., B:d 29 (1884), p. 73; Lillje-
BORG (Labrus, Crenilabrus), iSv., Norg. Fiskar, p. 436.
Lutjanus norivegicns. Block, Naturg. AusL Fische, V, p. 11,
tab. CCLVI; Nilsson (Labrus), Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p.
76; Fries et Wrioht, -Skand. Fiskar, gd. I, tab. 44; Cuv.,
Val. (Crenilabrus), 1. c. p. 176.

Perca maculosa, Retzius, Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 337.

Labrus Rone, Ascanius, Ic. rer. nat., II, p. 6, tab. XIV;
NiLSsoN Prodr., p. 77; Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 172.

Labrus tinea, Turton (Yarrell); Labrus turdus, Mullee,
Crenilabrus Pennantii, Cuv., Val., Labrus cornubicus, Gme-
LiN (Yarrell); Crenilabrus Donouani, Cuv., Val.; Creni-
labrus Couchii, Cuv., Val.; Labrus gibbus (Pennant) Gme-
lin (Cuv., Val.): vide GCnther et Day, 11. cc.

Note. Valenciennes was the first to state that the fish which
LiNN^us had described as a Mediterranean species under the name
Labrus melojis, also occured in the North Sea and off the coast of
Denmark. But Kroyer was the first to prove that this same fish had
long been known to the Scandinavian faunists and described by them
as a Scandinavian species. Thus he was able to prove that all the
names given above really belong to one single species. Sundevall
gave the additional information that the typo-specimen of LiNNiEUs's

" Vid. Day 1. c., p. 265.

* Vid. Kroyer 1. c, p. 555.

' In 5 measured specimens tlie least depth of the body was on an average 68, f) % of the base of the anal fin, the minimum being

63.5 %\ the maximum 74.2 %.

, c ■ 15 16 14—17

" Sometimes „ or -. According to Day (1. c. p. 262).

9 1+8 " 8—9 '

e « f '^ 3 3
' nometimes — or or .

10 2 + 7 1+9

Z Sometimes 2 + 12, sometimes 2 + 12 on one side of the body and 2 + 13 on tlie other.
" 32—35 according to Day. 1. c.

WRASSES.

19

Labriis melops, with one old manuscript label and another printed
one, »Labrus 7nelops», still exists in the Royal Museum of Stockholm,
where it has been brought together with the rest of the old Drott-
ningholra collections described by Linn-^us in Mas. Regis et Regina.
He states further that it exactly corresponds to the northern Labrus
norvegicus and Labrus rone, and has, like them, only 5 branchiostegal
rays, though LiNN^us has given 6 in his description of the species in
Mus. Ad. Fr., as well as in the generic characters in Hijst. Nat.
(following AitTKDl).

Adult specimens of this fish are about '210 mm.
in length. The body is deeper than in the other Scan-
dinavian wrasses. The greatest de{)th, which is the line
from the base of the ventral to the beginning of the
dorsal fin, is a little less than '/s of the lengtli of the
body — in the adult it is Vs "f the distance from the
tip of the snout to a |)c)int in the caudal fin Vj of the
distance along it. The length of the head is from '/jg
to */i3 of the length of the body, in younger specimens
a little greater in proportion. It is deep and short,
the superior and inferior profiles being almost perpen-
dicular to each other, when the mouth is closed. The
mouth, when closed, is obliquely rounded and turned
slightly upwards, as the inferior profile of the head
rises more sharply than the superior profile slopes. The
eye is small, and, as in the Ballan Wrasse, its inferior
margin is considerably above the median line of the
body. Its distance from the tip of the snout, when the

5 5

mouth is closed, is from ^ to -^ of its diameter. The

nostrils are placed as in the other wrasses. As we have
just mentioned, the mouth is placed high up, and it is
smaller than in the rest of the Scandinavian wrasses,
except the Small-mouthed Wrasse, for it does not extend
to the middle point between the eye and the snout.
The lips are thick but comparatively short, and the
jaws equal in length. The teeth are conical, obtuse,
strong and set close together; there are 5 or 6 on each
side in the upper ]a^\ and about 8 in the lower. As
usual tlie teeth diminish in size as they recede; the
middle pair, which in the upper jaw are a little apart,
are in botli jaA\s the largest. The preopercular margin
is more sharply denticulated than in tlie other Scandi-
navian wrasses, and has about 50 small serrations.

The scales are large and square or almost penta-
gonal, with rounded corners. When they are pentagonal,
the fifth side is formed hy the free posterior edge, which
is sharply rounded. The lateral line, which is parallel
to the dorsal line and bends sharply at the end of the
dorsal fin, contains about 34 scales (36 or 37 if we
inchide the scales above the gill-cover). Above the

lateral line there are 4 rows of scales, Ijelow it 10 or
11. The vent is about half-way between the tip of
the snout and the end of the tail, i. e., a little in
front of oi' beiiind the middle point, under the 12th or
13th dorsal spine.

The fins are of the same structure as in the spe-
cies already described. The dorsal fin commences right
over the posterior edge of the gill-cover, and its length
is equal to V2 the length of tiie body mimis the caudal
fin. It has 25 rays, 16 of which are hard and somewhat

pungent, and 9 branched, seldom 1^ or -^\ the fii-st

soft raj' is sometimes undivided. The first spinous ray
is, as a rule, hardly Vs of the third oi- fourth in length,
while the second is only a little shorter than they. The
anal fin is a little deeper posteriorly than the cor-
responding part of the dorsal fin. It contains 3 spinous
rays, the first of which is a little mcn-e than half as
long as the third, and 10 or sometimes 9 soft rays,
the first of wliich is generally (the second sometimes)
undivided or at any rate branched onlj' at the extreme
tip. The caudal fin is rounded, short, not quite ^/g of
the total length, and scaly at the base. It admits of
only slight expansion, as is the case throughout the
genus. There are 11 perfect rays which ai"e branched
several times, 6 above the lateral line and 5 below it;
and also, at the upper and lower margins, one sim])le
and somewhat shorter ray, and 3 or 4 small, rudimen-
tary (supporting) rays. The pectoral fin is inserted
below the second ray of the dorsal fin: it is flatly
rounded, is a little more than */g of the total length, and
contains 15 (sometimes 14) rays, the first of which is
very short (at most '/a, generally less than '/j of the
length of the fin) and simple, but soft and closely unit-
ed to the second, which is also unbranched; the 4th,
5th, and 6th are the longest. The ventral fin is oblong,
commences just behind the base of the pectoral fin, and
is V4 of that fin in lengtli. It contains, as usual, 6
rays, the 3d and 4th of which are the longest, the 1st
being spinous and not quite "/'j of the 3rd in length.
The colouring, as in all the species of the genus,
is handsome but variable. The body of the GUt-head,
immediately after its capture, is greenish, blue on the
back and with the edges of the scales throughout yellow-
ish. The head is yellowish with crooked, green lines,
and between the latter, at the posterior orbital margin,
is an almost l)lack sjjot. The fins are spotted with
yellow, green and blue, but are without any distinct

20

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

black spots. On the sides, below the lateral line, are
several large, dark spots, transversely situated, the last
of Avhich lies near the caudal tin and is generally the
darkest. — These markings disappear very soon after
death, if the fish be preserved in weak alcohol, the
whole body assuming an almost uniform grayish colour.
But the blackish spot behind the eye always remains
and becomes more distinct and even apparently larger
than in living specimens. As a rule too, but not al-
Avays, a slight trace remains of the dark spot l^y the
caudal fin.

In BohusUVn the Gilt-head is not so common as the
preceding species, thougli, according to Malm, more so
than the Ballan Wrasse. To judge by the fact that it
occurs more frequently on the Danish coast, this fish,
as well as the Goldsinny, seems to thrive equally Avell
off shores where the bottom is loose and rocky coasts,
provided that the alga^ are not too scanty. Retzius
says that the Gilt-head is found off the North of Scania.
According to Nilsson, Kroyer, and Winther it is
common in tlie southern part of the Cattegat and in
the Sound, as far as Kjoge. Trybom" states that it is
caught together with the Goldsinny in the northern part
of Oresund, where it is used as bait, chiefly for cod-
fishing. Accoi'ding to Mobius and Heincke it occurs,
though seldom, at Kiel. Farther up the Baltic it has

not been observed. (_)ft" Norway it goes, according to
CoLLETT and Storm, at least as far as the Fjord of
Trondhjem. It also occurs along the whole west coast
of Europe, oft' the shores of England and Ireland, and
also in the Mediterranean. No Icelandic species of
Lahrtis is known to us.

The food of the Gilt-head consists of crayfish, mol-
lusks, etc. In its stomach Lill.jeboug has found frag-
ments of Carcinus mcenas, Littorina, and Mytilus.

The spawning season, according to Kroyer, occurs
in July. This same author relates, as observed by him,
a circumstance which seems to show that a true pairing
occurs in this species and that during that season the
fish keep in pairs. He saj^s that two specimens had
been seen repeatedly, during an observation of some
length, darting out of the sea^veed by a jetty, pursuing
each other, then suddenly tui-ning the ventral sides
towards each other and remaining for a ^vhile in this
position. They then separated and again hid themselves
in the seaweed, but only to reappear again after a short
time and repeat these actions. A blackish papilla just
behind the vent, which is perforated at the point and
several times larger in the female than in the male, is
thought to have served on this occasion as the organ
of copulation, and a- true penetration is supposed thus
to have occurred. (Sundevall, Smitt.)

Subfamily JULIDINJ].

To the lirief diagnosis given above (p. 4) after
Gunther'', ^ve may here add that the JuHclhue are by
no means inferior to the true wrasses in brilliancy of
colouring, Ijut i-ather surpass them, and are also far
richer in variety of form. In the Atlantic, however,
they are comparatively rare, though some species are

represented in the West Indies and also occur in the
Mediterranean. One of these Mediterranean flshes, Coris
JiiUs, has also spread into the Atlantic, but is rare
even oft" the coasts of France and England. On two
occasions, however, it lias wandered into Scandinavian
waters.

" Gt. Internat. Fisheries Exhib., London 1883, Special Catalogue for Sweden, p. 132.
' Brit. Miis. Cat., Fish., IV, pag. 66.

WRASSES.

21

Genus CORIS '.

Head iialicd, fairly pointed. Body oblong, compressed, with comparatively small scales. More titan 50 scales in
the lateral line, ivhich is unbroken. Spinous rays in the dorsal fin 9, branchiostegah 0.

THE RAINBOW WRASSE.

CORIS JULIS.

Fig. 2.

Loiyth of the head from 2o to 28 per cent, greatest depth of the Ijody from. 17 to 20 per cent of the lenyth of.

the body. Namber of scales in the lateral line about 75. Above and below the lateral line, at its straight part

at the beginning <f the tail, 8 rows of scales. A dark-blue spat on the fiaji of the gill cover.

d^: The fr.<if .'spinous rays in the dor.scd fin are elongated, being the longest in the whole fin, and, between the first
(Hid the third or fourth ray, the fin-membrane is marked with a black spot. ?• The length of the spinous rays
in the anterior part of the dorsal fin increases as they advance along the fin, the first ray is the shortest, and

in this sex there is no black spot developed on the fin-membrane.

Fig. 2. The Rainbow Wrasse {Coris julis). cf and 9- Natural size. Two of the type specimens of Labms paroticus of LlXM^US.

7?. hr. 6; D. — ; A. — ; P. •',.; V. V,; C x + 12 + x;
12 12

4- 8

L. lot. 73 — 75'^; L. tr. aid. — — —\ L. tr. caiid. — .

Syn. Labriis palmaris varius, dentibus 2 majoribus maxilla; superi-
oris, Artedi, Iclitli., Gen., p. 34; Syn., p. 53.
Labrus Julis, Lmn^us, Syst. Nat, ed. X, Tom. I, p. 284; GCs-
THER {Coris) Brit. Miis. Cat., Fish., IV, p. 195; D.\T, Fish.
G:t Brit., IreL, I, p. 26!), tab. LXXVII; Winthee, Prodr.
Ichth. Dan. mar., Xaturh. Tidskr., ser. 3, vol. XII p. 27.
Labrus paroticus, Linn^us, 1. c.

Jitli.? mediterranea, speciosa, Gio/redi, Risso; vide GC.nther et

Day, 11. CO.
Julis vulgaris, Fleming, Brit. An., p. 210; Cuv., Val., Hist. Xat.

Poiss., XIII, p. 361; Kroyer, Damn. Fiske, I, p. 561.
Julis /estiva, Ccv., Val.,; Julis melanura, Lowe; vide Gt's-

THEU et Day, ]1. cc.
Obs. Both in Sijstema Naturce (10th and 12th Edd.) and in
Museum Adnlphi Friderici {Prodr. tomi secundi, pp. 75 and 76).
LiNNiVS has described Labrus Julis and Labrus paroticus, the one
after the other. In Syst. JVat. the Mediterranean is given as the
habitat of the former, and India as that of the latter; but in Mus. Ad.
Frid. America is given as the habitat of both. /,. paroticus seems,

" GOnther. 1. c. p. 195. Cf. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., I. pp. 55, 83, and 99.
' Of 9 specimens in the Royal Museum one has C. .r + 11 + x.
' 75 — 80, according to GCnther and Day.

22

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

however, to have disappeared from the system at a later time and
has really no place there, save as a synonym for Coris Julis. In
the Royal Museum are preserved in alcohol the 5 Linn;ean type spe-
cimens of L. parotietis, which originally belonged to the Drottning-
holm Museum ; and of these specimens we have procured drawings of
one cf I'ld one 9-

A comparison l)etween the Raiiibo\\- Wrasse and the
other Scandinavian wrasses at once suggests the relation-
ship between the Pei'ciform and Scia?niform fishes, accord-
ing to Gunther's definition of these groups, or between
the Scorpamina and Cottina of the same author. Thus
in the Rainbow Wrasse and the group which it repre-
sents (Julidiniv), the spinous-rayed part of the dorsal
fin is less than the soft-rayed part, and the spinous
rays are considerablj' ^veaker than in the true -wrasses.
Bleekek" gives as a character of the group Pseudolahri-
formes, which should correspond in the most important
respects to Gunther's Julklina, that the membranous
flaps Ijehind the points of the spinous rays are A\'anting
in these fishes. But in fact they are present, at least
in the Rainbow Wrasse — a point which Steindachner''
and Day have shown in their figures — though they
are small and most nearly resemble a Ixir-like thick-
ening of the margin of the fin-membrane. Thus in this
respect too, tlie Rainl)OAv Wrasse is a typical member
of the genus; l)ut it has quite a different appearance
from the wrasses, partly because of the elongated form
of the bodj', and partly because of its naked head. In
size it may attain a length of 250 mm. In j'ounger
and in average-sized specimens, the liead forms '^1^^ or
a little more of the length"; in older specimens, on the
contrary, to judge l)y a stuffed male from the Medi-
terranean, 250 mm. in length, the proportional length
of the head may apparently sink to 23 '/g % of the length
of the body. The least depth of the body and its great-
est thickness are about equal to, or less tlian half
the greatest depth. According to Day's explanation
(1. c.) of the difference between the sexes, Avhicli had
previously been regarded as a diff'erence of species —
Coris Julis = cf", Coris Giofredi = 9 — the shape of
tlie dorsal fin varies considerably, l)ut only in its ante-
rior part. In the male it is considerably raised, the
first spinous rays being in length about three times the
distance of the lateral line from the dorsal profile, and
in a liigh degree adds to the distinctive appearance of

the fish, on account of the black spot on the fin-mem-
brane. In the female this spot is entirely al)sent, l)ut
in both sexes the length of the posterior dorsal spines
is less than the depth of the soft-rayed part of the fin.
The anal fin, with its three spinous rays gradually in-
creasing in length, the first being extremely small, and
the first soft ray sometimes undivided and usually
branched but slightly at the }joint, in other respects,
both in sliape and position, fully corresponds to the
soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin, which
is rounded at the posterior margin, formed an exception,
in all the specimens I have examined except one, to the
rule among the generality of wrasses, in the fact that the
number of the branched rays was 12 instead of 11. The
ventral fins are shorter than the pectoral, Ijeing about "/j
of the head in length, ^vhile the length of the pectoral
fins is about ^/^ of the length of the head. Tlie dental
equipment is fairly |)owerful; there are about 11 teeth
on either side of each jaw in the outer row, the front
ones being the largest, the most pointed and the most
crooked, and within this row there is another ro^v of
blunt teeth. At the corners of the mouth, on the |)0-
sterior end of the intermaxillaries, there are one or
tAvo large teeth projecting forward. Both the nostrils
on each side are small, the anterior being about as far
distant from the posterior as the latter from the ante-
rior supra-orbital corner. The longitudinal diameter of
the eyes in average-sized specimens is about ^/g of the
breadth of the forehead between the eyes. The intero-
percula and subopercula are fairly broad, on account ot
their dermal expansion, the former meeting each other
beneaht the head. As a rule too they cover the bran-
chial membrane attached to their inner side, together
with the 6 branchiostegal rays, which are visible, how-
ever, through the thin membranous margin, which is
continued superiorly by the coloured flap of the oj^er-
culum. The lateral line follows the dorsal edge, at a
distance of only 4 or sometimes 3 rows of scales from
it; but at the 10th soft ray in the dorsal fin (the 19th
ray, counting from the commencement of the fin) or
in a line with the space between the 9th and 10th, it
suddenly bends do\vnwards to the middle of the side
of the tail, so suddenly that it resumes its straight
course in a line with the 11th soft ray or the space

« Atl Ichth., Lahr., p. 55.

» Ichth. ^pan. Port., Silzber. Akad. Wiss. Wicn, Abtli. 1, Bd. LVII (1868), p. 701, plate III, fig. 2 and 3.

' In 5 measured specimens, the smallest 104 mm. long, the largest 1G8 mm., the length of the head varied between 25.2 % and 28,2
% of the length of the body.

WRASSES.

23

between tlint and the lotli. In an ohlicjue transverse
I'ow, reckoning upwards or downwards in a posterior
direction from the first scale in tliis str'aight part of
the lateral line, there are 8 scales.

The beautiful but changeable colouring of this fish,
of wiiich Linnaeus said, forniosissinius piscis Europse-
orum ob colores varios', has naturally disappeared in the
S])eciniens preserved in spirits wliich have l^een acces-

sil)l(' to me; but the limits (if the extension of the . in the ma](

different colours may still be traced in the specimens a
century old, the mementoes of Linn.t^us's studies, and
are given in our figure. According to Day, «the males
are purplish or bluish-brown along the upjicr half of
the body, and silvei-y-white below; along the uppei' iialf
runs a broad and generally indented, yellowish-white
line which commences behind the eye and is continued
to the base of the caudal tin. A small, round black
s[)ot on the end of the opercle. Dorsal fin yellowish,
^\'ith a purple or orange outer edge, while a purplish or
greenish-yellow spot with a curved upper edge is pre-
sent between each ray. A large oval, lilack or bluish
spot exists on the anterior portion of this fin between

the first and fourth spines. A black spot in the axil
of the pectoral fin". The anal fin is similar to the
soft dorsal but lightei-. In tlie females the upper third
of the body is purplish, witii a light yellow band pass-
ing from the eye to tlie base of the caudal fin: lower
two-thirds of tlie body silveiy with one or more yellow
longitudinal Ij.mds. A dark s])ot in tlic axil of the
pectoral fin, and another on the end of the opercle as

The fins in tlie female reddish.*
lave mentioned, tlie Itainbow Wrasse has

As we

onlv twice lieen met with on the Scandinavian coast;
l)ut these finds were made a good distance within the
limits ol' oui' fauna. In 18.^>4 two specimens were
caught in the Little Belt off Strib (l'"uneii), whicli were
forwarded to Kuoykk and described by him. On another
o(;casion, according to Tauber*, a cou])le of specimens
were taken in the Sound, near Helleba-k.

In the Mediterranean the Rainbow Wrasse is among
the most common of fishes ^ Its flesh is white, of good
flavour and easy of digestion. Its voracity is attested
by tales in the literature of olden times, and it is even
said to have attacked persons bathing.

In the following Acanthopterygian Eleutherognates,
which we may call Acanthopterygii lysipliaryngei'\ in
order to distinguish them from the pi'eceding division,
the lower pharyngeals are, with few exceptions, free
from each other. This division of the Acanthopterygians
contains the most numerous and in general the most
regular forms of Physoclysts, but many of the fishes
which on account of their characters must be referred
to this division, are, however, of an anomalous, even
monstrous appeai'ance in comparison with the typical
piscine forms. All attempts to arrange the Lysipharyngei
in natural, distinct groups, have met with great diffi-
culties, for the character which distinguishes them from
the preceding division is by no means universal (though
this does not affect the Scandinavian Fauna), while the
great variety of form renders it extremely hard to find
constant characters, whicli hold gO(jd for the regular

forms, as well as for the anomalous ones connected with
them by more or less distinct intermediate forms. Among
the Lysipharyngei one may trace several distinct direc-
tions of development, which sometimes run parallel to
each other, and sometimes sudderdy deviate into strange
anomalies. These directions of development ought to be
systematically expressed in the division into families and
groups. This is, however, rendered difficult partly by
the anomalies mentioned above, and partly by the re-
semblances, often highly remarkable, between the lower
stages of develo]nnent in different families. Up to the
present, it is true, ^\'e have only isolated observations
of the variations of development — the principal works
on this subject are Lutken's Spolia Atlantica', in which
work a list is given of the rest of the literature on this
point, and GCxthers Audreiv Garretts Fische der Siidsee^.
This nuich, however, may be said of the result of these

" The Linnean type specimen of cf, tlie original of our figure, still exhibits distinct traces of the oblong, black spot behind the point of the
pectoral fin and below the dentated, yellow band which runs along the sides of the body, and also of the anterior continuation of this spot, in the
form of a narrow ribbon-like stripe, to the corner of the mouth. Cf. the figure given by WiSTHEU in Zoologia Daitica, Fhh., pi. VIII, fig. 7.

'' Vid. Hansen in Zool. Danica, Fiske, p. 56.

' >Coniniunissima> GlGLlOLl, Esposizione internazionale di Pesca in Berlino 1880, p. 95.

■* = Acanthopteri veri, Owen (p. p.) Anat. Vert., Vol. I. p. 11.

' Dansk. Vid. Schk. Skr., 5th R., Naturv. Math. Afh., XII, 6.

/ Journal des Museum Godeffroy. See also his later work: An Introduction to the 6'tudi/ of Fishes {Handbuch der Ichthyologie), Cap. XIII.

24

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

observations, tliat during the development of some of
the Acanthopterygians there occurs a juvenile period
which reminds us of the Ganoid type. As instances of
this we may give the Tholichthys stage of the Chcctodon
family", the CepJtalacanthits stage of the Swordfish'', and
the BhynchicMys stage for the Berycides''. The latter,
however, as they are included in the great series of the
Percomorph families, are themselves to be regarded as
similar mementoes. With this point also is connected
the denticulation of the preoperculum'' which appears
during youth and subsequently disappears, in manj^ forms
of the great Scomberomorph series. In these common
traces of an older type lies a, band of union, -which ex-
plains the difficulty of finding concise expressions of the
family characters and of referring, them to natural groups.
Where the history of development has not yet taught
us anything as to the natural relationship of the families
to each other, there remains nothing, except to alloAv iso-
lated characters to decide the point, though they may per-
haps lead us to construct a more or less unnatural system.
According to the precedent set by Gunther^ but
Avith those alterations which seem to be rendered neces-
sary b)' the attempts of later writers-^ to systematize,
Ave shall arrange the families of the Scandinavian Fauna
that belong to this division, in accordance with the views
that seem to us the most natural. The Acanthopterygii
Lysipliaryiigei seem to us most naturally suited for a
])rimary classification in two great divisions, limited
according to the structure of the caudal and paired fins.
Among the latter, the ventral fins vary in situation and
in composition; and the pectoral exhibit a considerable
difference in breadth, a difference Avhich also affects the
shajje of the basal bones of these fins. Besides these
differences, there is also in most cases a difference in
the composition of the caudal fin, most easily exjiressed
in the number of the bi'anched rays of this fin. In
those Lysipharyngei Avhich in most otlier respects are
the most regular, the ventral fins are placed below the

pectoral, or just behind the perpendicular from the base
of the latter fins {Acanthopterygii thoracici), and consist
most often of one spinous ray and five soft rays. The
pectoral fins are compai-atively narrow (Ac. stenohrachii),
and the basal bones generally narrow and shaped like
a sand-glass: the number of branched rays in the caudal
fin is comparatively larger {Ac. euryripidi). This divi-
sion of Lysipharyngei may be called Idiopteri' on ac-
count of the regularity of the structure of their fins. The
second division may also, it is true, possess thoracic and
regular ventral fins. But most commonly tliese fins
have fe-\\-er rays, are changed into organs of Avalking or
adhesion, or situated on the abdomen {Ac. ahdomhiales)
at some distance behind the pectoral fins, or sometimes
before the latter on the thront { Ac. jug ul ares). The pecto-
rals are generally broad at the l)ase, or their basal bones
at least are broad and flat (Ac. eurybrachii) or abnorm-
ally developed in some other Avay {pedicuJati). The caudal
fin has fewer branched rays'', generally less tlian 15 {Ac.
stenoripidi). This division we shall call AnomalopterV.

In addition to the characters of these divisons Avhich
Ave have now described, there also exists a biological
difference betAveen them. The first division contains,
generally speaking, fishes of an active way of life, whether
they be shore-fishes, Avandering pelagic fishes, or deep-
sea fishes. The second division includes, on the con-
trary, bottom-fishes of a more quiet and sluggish Avay
of life. The more marked this Avay of life is, the more
distinctly do these characters appear; and if the mode
of life be changed, there may generally be observed,
both in the shape of the body and in the other characters,
an apparent transition in the direction of the other type.

The types around Avhich most of the other Id'iopteri
may most conveniently be arranged in families are, in the
Scandinavian Fauna, the Perch and the Mackerel, Avhich
may therefore each give their names to one of the series
here described, series Avhich, from a systematical point
of view, are correlatiA^e to that of the Fharyngogiiathi.

" LtJTKEN, Spol. tab. V, fig. 7 — 11.

» GtNTHER, Journ. Mu8. Geoffr., Bd. I, p. 170 (Hcf(. 2, p. 98); LCtken, Spol, Tab. 11, fig. 11.

' Lt)TKEN, Spol, Tab. II, fig. 4 — 7.

■* LiJTKEN, Spol, Tab. Ill and IV.

' Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., Systematic Synopsis of Acantliopt. Fisb. (App. to Vol. Ill) and An Introd. to the Study of Fishes, p. 374,
Handb. d. Ichth., pp. 263 etc.

f Cope, Contr. to the irhth. of the Lesser Antilles, Trans. Am. Pbil. Soc. Vol. XIV, n. ser., Art. V, p. 445. — Fitzinoer, ]'ers.
ciner Natiirl. Classif. d. Fische, Sitxber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Matb. Naturv. CI., Bd. LXVII, Abtb. 1, p. 5. — Gill, Arraiig. Fam. of Fishes,
Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. XI, Art. 11 (n:o 247). — Jordan & Gilrert, Syn. Fish. N. Am., Bull. U. S. Nat.. Mus. n:o 16.

f Orthocornii thoracopteri (p. p.) Fitzingeu, 1. c, p. 28.

* Such exceptions as Gohivs lanceolatus, for instance, clearly depend vijion tlic fact that the supporting rays of the caudal fin (at the
top and bottom) are also branched.

'■ Orthocornii psetidogastropteri (p. p.) + //eterocormi acanthojiteri + Anomali pedicittati, FiTZ. 1. c. pp. 34, 39, 48.

PERCHES.

25

PEKCOMOKPHI.

The fumiUes of the I'ercomorph series, tvith scales nsuaUy ctenoid and uniformly covering the whole body, are further
distinfjuisheil l>y the lateral compression of the body, which is more or less deep even at the peduncle of the tail^
and also ly the yeneral strength of the spinous rays in the dorsal^ anal and ventral fins. The suhorbital ring

has no osseous connection tvith the preoperculum.

Althouo;li \\\' h;i\(' just stated that one of the elia-
racters whieli (listiiiguish most of tlie foi-ms within this
series, namely the clenticuhi-tiou of tlie preoperculiim,
may appenr in the mackerel-series as a character of the
younger specimens, thus showing that the latter series
has, in this respect at least, reached a higher degree of
metamorphosis, still, according to established custom and
the precedent set I))' (Iuviek, we place the Percomorph
series first. It is this type that gives the clenrest idea
of the pei-fection of the Eleutherognates, for in it no
special organic system has been stunted or developed
at the expense of the others and thus in any respect
caused a distortion of the regularity of the Teleo-
steous form.

'I'lie families of the Scandinavian Fauna which
belong to tliis series may lie distinguished by means
of the following scheme.

I : Ventral lins regular, with 1 spinous and h soft rays.
A: Branchiostogal rays at least 5. Chin without
or with only rudimentary barbels.
a: Preorbital bone covering only the anterior
and superior parts of the maxillary bone
when the mouth is closed.

a: A'omer with teeth Perddo'.

fi: \omer toothless Scicniidw.

b: Preorbital bone covering the whole of the

maxillary bone, when the mouth is closed Spatidw.
B: Branchiostegal rays 4. Chin with large and

mobile barbels MulUdce.

II: Ventral fins with 1 spinous ray and more (or less)

than 5 soft rays Berycida.

Fam PERCID/E.

Exterior bones of the head, at least the irreoperculum, jagged or denticulated. Scales denticulated. Spinousrayed

part of the dorsal fn or the anterior dorsal fin without scales, and longer than the soft-rayed part or posterior

dorsal fn. S/mjjle, conical teeth on the lower jaw, the intermaxillary bones, the vomer and the imlatine bones.

The ventral fins thoracic, with one spinous and five soft rays. Chin without barbels.

In numbei- of sjjecies the Percoid family is one of

the largest among the Teleostei. Gunther gives in his

Catalogue more than 700 species which must be refei-red

to tliis f;imily according to his later opinion''. They

belong to the salt and fresh waters of the tropical and

temperate zones: only a few are met with north of

the polar circle, and among these we find just those

species wliich belong to Scandinavia,. Their geological

age is, as far as we know, not great, but one species

of tlu' true genus Pcrra has been found in the Miocene

strata ;it Oeningen. Tlie genera whicli belong to the

Scandinavian Faun;i mav be distinguished by means of

the following .scheme:

A: Anal lin with 2 spinous rays. (Number of
vertcbrEe 30 — 45: Percime)

a: Two dorsal fins.

a: The teeth of the jaws and palate

equal in height (no canine teeth) Perca.

^: Between the jaw-teeth and the palatine
teeth large canine teeth far apart from

each other -- Stizostedium .

b: One dorsal fin - Acerina

B: Anal (in with 3 spinous rays. (Number of
vertebrte about 24: Serraninw)

a: Two dorsal fins lioccus.

b: One dorsal fin Polyjyrion.

Each of these genera is represented in our Fauna
by only one species. On that account, and becau.se the
Scandinavian forms whicli belong to this fiimily are not
so numerous as to render it difficult to distinguish
them without anv further division of the family, we

" Cope, (p. p.) Acanth. Ferciformes, GUntheu (p. p.)
* Introd. Stud. Fisli.

Scandinavian Fishes.

26

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

have departed from the later opinion of Gunther and
others who have followed him, according to which
these fishes should be divided into two families. Some
exception, too, may Ix' taken to this arrangement, on
the ground that the characters given therein draw a
wide distinction between forms that are obviously most
closely related in other respects, e. g. Boccus and Perca.
The character given by Gl'nther, as well as by Jordan

and Gilbert", as a distinction between these families,
tliat the PercidcB have fewer pyloric appendages than
the Serraniddi, does not hold good in the case of Boccus,
as B. lab rax has only 5 pyloric appendages'. The scheme
given above shows, however, that in the Scandinavian
Fauna we may follow the division proposed, whether
we decide to employ only external characters, or in-
ternal ones Avhich are not so easy to fix.

Genus PERCA.

The shape of the hodij an oblong oval, laterally compressed to some extent. The scales of average size, with sharply
denticulated margin. A spine behind the gill-cover. The preoperculum.i shoulder girdle and preorbital bones serra-
ted. The cheeks scaly, but the upper part of the head naked. Small teeth.^ of equal size, set in cardiform bands.,
on the intermaxillary bones, the lower jaw, the vomer and the palatine bones. The tongue without teeth. Only 3
pyloric appendages. Pseudobranchice complete., though sometimes overgrown. Branchial membranes separate, each
with 7 rays. In the anterior dorsal fin from 13 to 15 rays. In the anal fin 2 spinous rays; the base being
shorter than that of the posterior dorsal fin. In the caudal fin at least 15 branched rays.

As our knowledge of Perca Schrenckii of Turkestan
is only partial, and as Jordan and Gilbert'' have re-
ferred Perca gracilis of Canada to the common Ame-
rican perch, we can scarcely claim to know more than
one species of the genus Perca, our common perch. This

species, however, contains several varieties, which are
spread over the east of North America, the ^vhole of
Europe and the west of Siberia, thus forming one of
the remains of the ])rehistoric connection across the
Atlantic between the Old World and the New''.

THE PERCH.

PERCA FLUVIATILIS.

Plate 3, fig. 1.

2 2

n. hi: 7; D. 15 <> .; A. —

P. 1 + 11 + 3'

r.

C. .!• +

\3-

15 + a;'; L. lat. 50—7 0.

ib'.'/H. Perca Jiuviatilis et major auctormn, Art., Gen. Pise. p. 39;

6'i/iion., p. G6; Descr. Spec, p. 74.
Perca jiuviatilis, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 289; Bi.och,

Fische DeutsM., tab. LIT; Retz., Fn. Stiec. Lin., p. 335;

Cuv., Val., Hist. yat. Poiss., II, p. 20; Pall, Zoo/jr. R.

As., Ill, p. 248; Nilss., Proclr. Iclith. ScancL, p. 81;

Ekstr., Wright, 6kand. Fiskar, ed. 1, p. 1, tab. I, fig.

1; BONAP , Icon. Fn. Ital., Ill, n:o 87, p. 79, tab. fig. 1;

Kr0yer, Dawn. Fishe. I, p. 1; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk.,
p. 5; GtJNTH., Brit. Mas. Cat., Fish., I, p. 58; Sieb.,
Siissivasserf. Mitteleur., p. 44; Coll., Norges Fiske, Chr.
Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, Tilhogsh., p. 15; ibid. 1879, ii:r
1, p. 5; Malm. Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 374; Winther, Zool.
Dan., Fiske, p. 2, tab. I, flg. 1; Feddersen, Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvn, 3 R., XII, p. 71; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., I,
p. 2; LiLLJEBORG, Sv; Novff. Fiskur, I, p. 46; Reutee et
SuNDMAN, Finl. Fisk., tab. IX.
Perca vulgaris, Gronovius et Sch^effer; P. helvetica, Gron.;
vide GCiNTHER, 1. c. et Siebold, 1. c.

" .Sun. Fish. N. Amer., 1. c, pp. 48fi and 527.

* Cf. Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., pt. I, p. 9.

' Syn. Fish. N. Amer., 1. c, p. 524.

<* Smitt: Ur var tids forskning no. 29, pp. 58, etc.

' Sometimes 14, in the Anicriean variety sometimes 13.

■'■ > 14.

" » 9.

' » 2 + 10 + 2 <ir 2 + 9 + 3. The middle figures indicate the number of the branched rays.

' * ,r+ IG + ,r. The middle figure indicates the number of the branched rays.

PERCH.

27

I'erca italica, Cuv., Vai.., 1. c, ]i. 45.

Bodiamis flavescens, Mitschim,, Trniis. Soc. N. York, I, p. 421;

Cuv., Vai.. (Perca), 1. c, p. 46 ; Stelndachner, Sitzber.

Akad. Wiss. Wion, LXXVIII, Abtli. 1, p. .399.
Perca serratu-i/niniiliita, J', i/nniiilata, P. acuta, P. gracilis,

Cuv., Val., 1. c, pp. 47 — ^.00.

Perca americaita, Schrank, Gii.l; vide Jorp. et Gii,b., <Sy7i.
Fis/i, A'. Amer.. 1. c, p. 524.

Obs. GUnther", Steindaciiner'' and Day'' liavc nil tliree stated
that the North American Perca flavesvens, which is spread over the
east of the United States and Canada, should be reckoned as a variety
of the same species as the European perch. This opinion has, liow-
ever, been subsequently contradicted most flatly by Jordan and Gii,-
DERT''. Most of the characters given by the last-named authors as
distinguishing between the two supposed species, have already been
disproved by Day (1880), who pointed out the want of uniformity in
the American perches with regard to tlie length of the head, the
roughness of the body, the stripes, the spines of the bones, the num-
ber of the fin rays and of the rows of scales. However, Jordan and
Gilbert (1882) adduce, as a foumlation for this distinction of species,
some further circumstances^, to investigate the trutli of which we have
examined 4 specimens which we have received through the Smithsonian
Institution. Two of these specimens are from the Potomac and about
190 mm. in length; the third from Pekin in Illinois, and 183 mm.
in length, and the fourtli from Connecticut River, and 118 mm. in
length. On comparing these specimens with each other and with Euro-
pean specimens, we found that the most modern evidence to prove
a difference of species is also untenable. In the European perch, it
is true, the scales are smaller and the iirst dorsal fin begins more
forward than in the American. The latter point is shown most clearly
by the fact that in the European perch a row of scales from the be-
ginning of this fin downwards in an oblique, forward direction, gene-
rally meets the lateral line at the first scale, and contains 8 or 9
scales, while in the American variety it generally meets the lateral
line at the third or fourth scale, and contains 5 or 6 scales. In one
of the specimens from the Potomac, however, the line contains 8 scales,
and meets the lateral line at the first scale. In these American spe-
cimens the gill-rakers are not a bit broader than in the European perch
of the same size. In the smallest specimen from America the pseudo-
branchi.T resemble true gills as closely as in the European perch, but

in the larger ones they are covered (»glandulou8»), a peculiarity which
may also be observed in older specimens of the European perch. Thus,
no difference of species has yet been proved between the European
perch and the American. However, tlie wide geographical separation
which has so long existed, has not failed here, as well as in other
similar cases, to leave traces of the influence of the different natural
environments on the form of the fish. The European perch lias gene-
rally a greater number of spinous rays in the first dorsal fin, and the
base of this fin is generally longer in the European perch than in the
American. The length of the base in proportion to the, length of the
body increases with age, so that in the European perch about 200 mm.
in length the base of this fin is on an average, according to measure-
ments taken from newly-caught specimens, 32.9 % of the length of
the body, wliile the corresponding average proportion in the European
perch from 260 to 330 mm. in length, is 34.5 %. In the four spe-
cimens of the American perch.'' mentioned above, which are preserved
in spirits, the corresponding average is 28 %, while in still smaller
specimens of the European perch, also preserved in spirits, and from
106 to 109 mm. in length, it is 29.7 fo. In the smallest European
perch that we have measured, 36'/2 mm. in length, the proportion
was 26 %. The tendency of these changes due to age shows that
the European type is more highly developed than the American. The
least depth of the tail too is proportionally greater in the American
perch, and also in younger specimens in contradistinction to older
ones"; but the length of the base of the anal fin in proportion to the
lengtli of the body, seems, on the contrary, to diminish with age, and
is less in the American type than in the European*. This contrast
in the course of development among these fishes, to judge by the
specimens before us, causes a radical difference, which is most clearly
shown by the fact that the least depth of the tail is less than 75 % of
the base of the anal fin in the European perch, while in the American
it is at least 93 "o. We should be compelled to acknowledge that
so important a character constitutes a difference in species, but for
the fact that it does not hold good in abnormal specimens of the
European perch, e. g. the so-called Carass Perch. Tlie great simila-
rity in various respects between Perca fluviatilis and P. americana,
which has already been proved by the authors quoted above, renders
it most natural to regard these forms as varieties of the same spe-
cies, which, during a geographical separation of long duration, have
deviated in certain respects from each other's course of deve-
lopment.

" Uat., 1. c. p. 50.

'' Sitzber., 1. c. Cf. also Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. I, p. 243.

' Fixh.. 1. c.

<' Syn., 1. c.

' "The most important characters, the difl'erencc in the insertion of the dorsal, and in the gill-rakers and pseudobranchise, have not
been noticed by those writers who have decided that our species is identical with the European.'"

•'' With regard to the character given by Jordan and Gilbert, that in the American perch the first spinous rays in the anterior dorsal
fin are shorter than the corresponding rays in P. fluviatilis, we may state the difference in this respect between the two specimens from the
Potomac, which are almost equal in size. In one of these specimens the first spinous ray is about half as long as the second, which in its
turn is about '■'/j of the third in length. In the other specimen the length of the first ray in proportion to the second is about the same
as that of the second to the third in the first-mentioned specimen. The latter too has 14 spin<ms rays in the first dorsal fin, while the second
specimen has only 13, i. e. the first spinous ray is wanting. Again, the first specimen has a black patch on the anterior and also on the
posterior portion of the first dorsal fin, while in the second these spots are absent.

■' In the European perch we have found the least depth of the tail in specimens 36' o mm. in length and preserved in spirits to be
27 «<, of the length of the head, in newly-caught speciiuens on an average 210 mm. in length, 25.8 %, and in newly-caught specimens on
an average 291 mm. in length 24.1 %. The minimum proportion thus found was 23.8, tlie maximum 27. In the American specimens men-
tioned above, which are preserved in spirits, and on an average 169 mm. in length, the least depth of the tail is on an average 29.9 % of
the length of the head, the minimum being 29.3 °i, the maximum 30.6 %.

'• In the European variety the base of the anal fin is more than, equal to, or only a little less than 10 'i of the length of the body :
in 13 measured specimens it turned out to be at least 9.4 %. In the .\merican specimens mentioned above it is at most 8.6 ". of the length
of the body. The number of rays in tliis fin varies also in these specimens between - g and - ,.

28

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The Perch is a. tish of such common occurrence,
that there are probably i'ew persons who require to
consult a description in order to recognize it. Its body
is compressed, broadest anteriorh', and covered Avith
hard scales, not easy to detach, and rough on account
of the hooks, as tine as hair, which fringe their outer
edge and are directed upwards." Tlie head is fairly large,'
compressed and somewhat pointed: the eyes are of ave-
rage size,' the jaws of equal length, the nostrils large
with a double opening, the mouth also large, the jaws,
the vomer the palatine bones and the phai-yngeals co-
vered with teeth. The back, which is somewhat elevated
anteriorly, is furnished with two distinct fins. The lateral
line arched and nearer the back than the belly. The
first dorsal fin yello^vish gray -without spots, excepting
a black spot to\vards the termination (sometimes at the
beginning as \\'ell): it Ijegins just over the insertion
of the pectoral fins and ends in a line with tlie vent.
The second dorsal fin, the ground colour of which is the
same, begins close to the end of the first, and ends a
little behind the termination of the anal fin.

The body is grayish yellow, darker towards the
back, and marked with grayish black, transverse bands,
generally six in number, the middle ones being branched
at the top and ending in a point at the bottom: the belly
is white. The colouring of the fish varies greatly ac-
cording to age and the season of the year, and is also
considerably aftected by the nature of the bottom and
the composition of the water it inhabits. The young
specimens are always lighter than the old, their colours
being dirtier and their coloration less distinct. During
the spawning season the colouring of the males is brighter
and more distinct, and becomes still more so in summer,
the season when the Perch collects in shoals. The spe-
cimens wlfich live neai' stony shores and in clear water,
are always of brighter colour tlian those which frec[uent

places where the bottom is weedy and muddy, and
thus acquire a faint and sickly colour. In dark, but
clear water, such as we often see in forest lakes, the
colouring of the fish is always darker than usual, and
the inferior fins and the tail are bright i-ed.

The saccate part of the intestinal canal, or the
stomach, is comparatively large. The intestinal canal
forms two curves and lias three pyloric appendages
attached a little below the stomach. The liver consists
of two lol)es, the left one being the larger. The gall-
bladder is yellow and clear. The male has two milt-
sacs, but the female only one roe-sac. The air-bladder
is large, and occupies a considerable part of the ab-
dominal cavitJ^ The kidneys are placed lengthwise
below the spinal column. The bladder is saccate. There
are 20 or 21 ribs on each side, and the vertebrae are
41 or 42 in number.

The Perch is one of the most widely spread Scan-
dinavian fishes. It is found at Kilspisjarvi (lat. 50° N.)
in Torneil Lappmark, and occurs too in Norway, where
it is called in some places Tryfe/ One may therefore
assume that, south of the degree of latitude mentioned
above, it occurs more or less plentifully in all Swedish
waters. It does not disappear even in lakes that are
very considerably above the level of the sea. Though it
often occui's in shallow lakes ^vitll a weedy and muddy
bottom, it thrives best in deep and clear water where
the bottom is stony, and best of all where there is
some current. In the sea it occurs oftenest on the
landward side of the island-belt, and especially at spots
where a river falls into the sea and diminishes the
saltness of the water. However, it is also found,
though more seldom, Avithin the Baltic in the outer
part of the island-belt where the open sea be-
gins. It is believed that the Perch thrives best in
northern latitudes, since it there attains its largest

" These hooks (spines) are not present in the newly-formed scales, which are cycloid (vid. Winther, Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, 3 R.,
8 B., pp. 28 etc., Plate XVI), but soon become ctenoid, as the margin develops into 1, 3, 5, etc. spines (though the number is not always
odd), which afterwards become dciitoid in substance, and from time to time during their growth become detached at the root, though they
are still united to the surface of the scale, which continues to grow beneath them. In this way they eventually become fixed to the hind
margin of the scale, though the fragments of their former roots remain, arranged in rows directed towards the central part of the scale and
indicating the place, where their development originally began.

' In a specimen SG'/, mm. in length the length of the head is 30 % of the length of the body. Where the length of body is on
an average 207 mm., the length of the head has proved to be on an average 27.6 % of the lengtli of body, where the length of the body
is on an average 262 mm., 26.7 %, and where it is 308 mm., 27. .5 %.

'■ Lengtli of the body on an average 210 mm., longitudinal diameter of the eyes on an average 17.2 % of the length of the head.
Length of the body on an average 275 mm., longitudinal diameter of the eyes on an average 15.5 % of the length of the head. Length of
the body on an average 308 mm., longitudinal diameter of the eyes on an average 14.3 % of the length of the head.

'' Its range in Norway is confined, however, according to Collett, to the northern and southern (not the central) parts. "As is the
case with several of our fresh-water fishes, it chiefly (or perhaps exclusively) inhabits two extensive districts far apart from each other, na-
mely the inland parts in the east, south of Dovre, where it has immigrated from Sweden, and Finmark, where it has originally come
from tlie Tiorth-east". Coll., 1870, 1. c.

PERCH.

29

Fig. 3. Carafes perch (Rudabborre, Perca ftuviatilis, vav. fjibba) from Lake Elgsjo in Ostergcitland, '/j of ihe natural size.

Fig. 4. Skeleton of the Carass Perch externally figured above.

Fig. 5. Spotted Perch (Skdlling, Perca fluviatilis, var. maculatd) from Lake Tisaren in Xerike, - j of the natural size.

30

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

size". In central Sweden the largest examples occur
in lakes which have steep, rocky shores and deep bights.
The weight of the fish, however, seldom exceeds four
and a half poiuids.

The Swedish fishermen draw a distinction between
the Ice Ferrh, Leaf Perch, Stone Perch, Mud Perch,
Dee'p-water Perch, and Sedge Perch. But the differences
which liave given rise to these several names, are due
])artly to tlie dissimilarity in the haunts of the fish,
and partly to certain local or fortuitous circumstances
which have a varying influence upon the spawning-
season, rendering it earlier or later, and upon the appea-
rance and flavour of the fish. The so-called Carass
Perch which Linn^us found in the meres near Falun*,
has also been found in many other places both in Swe-
den and Finland, as well as in England. Wahlgren
lias shown" that this cliange in form is due to an ab-
normal shortening of the vertebrae (rachitis), but this
misformation may sometimes be peculiarly regular in
character, as is shown in figs. 3 and 4, p. 29, draAvn
from specimens taken in Lake Elgsjo in the neigh-
bourhood of Vadstena and handed over by Dr. Cnat-
TiNGius to tlie Roj'al Museum. From Lake Tisaren in
Nerike the Royal Museum has acquired, through Pre-
sident AF RoBSON (1837), a, peculiar variety of the
Perch, called by Sundevall var. macukita (fig. 5), and
kno\\'n to the fishermen by the name of Skdllmg. "Their
spawn," writes Robson, "is unknown, tliey have never
been found to ha^e milt or roe. They resemble the
common Perch, but are more slender, being thin and
lean. The head is larger in proportion to the body
than in the common Perch. The head black, the rest
of the body, on the contrary, lighter or fainter in colour
than is the usual case Avith the Perch. Thej' generally
swim alone or in extremely small companies, never
collect in shoals, occur seldom, and rarely exceed T'/,
oz. in weight." The appearance and habits of the so-

called 'hottengnidare (bottom rubber) of Sodermanland,
are identically the same as those of this variety. Our
figure of the Spotted Perch is further designed to recall
to the reader's mind the similarity to the American perch
that results from the ridges which may occur on the
gill-cover. A third variety (aurea or the Golden Perch)
has been described by Sundevall'', who took his de-
scription from a specimen from Eskilstuna which was
handed over to the Royal Museum l)v Mr. Linder.
"During life," he says, "the colouring throughout the
body Avas a decided orange, a little i-edder than the
colour of the small, common Gold Fish, with only in-
distinct traces of black spots on the back." It seems
evident that in this case too some kind of sickliness has
given rise to this variation of form, from the juvenile
characters which this specimen has retained, notably in
the comparatively large size of the eyes and the length
of the ventral fins'".

The sullen and sour disposition of the Perch seems
to be the reason why it prefers a solitary life, and only
joins its fellows during the spawning-season in spring
and at midsummer, when it collects in shoals. At all
other seasons only solitary individuals are found, but
in -winter one may see it collected in groups at certain
places. It generally keeps near the bottom, and, though
a fairly fast swimmer, remains motionless for long inter-
vals at the same spot; and awaits its prey oftener than
it seeks it. At need, however, it is veiy (juick in its
movements, and when on the jjoint of attacking its
prey, or itself in fear of the assault of some foe, it
spreads its fins, appai-entl}' as a sign that it is destitute
neither of courage nor of ■weapons.

The Perch is very tenacious of life, and may be
kept alive for a long time in a cauf, if this be placed
in slowly running water. In a packing of wet grass
it bears long journeys without dying. Its growth is
supposed to be slow'^, and it is not capable of propa-

" ScHKKi''Kn's account (Lapponia, Francofoiti 1073, p. 354) of a jiercli the Iiead of which was 6 inches broad, and was preserved in
Luleu churcli, probably refers to some other fish, perliaps the Pike-perch or the Pike; CuviER assumed it to liave been a Norway Haddock {Sebastes).

'• Fauna .Siiecica (1740), p. 100.

' 0/vers. Vet.-Akad. Fork. 1873, no. 8, p. 01.

"* Ofuers. Vet.-Akad. Fork. 1851, p. 155. Mai.m too lias descrilx-d a similar variety in Gbgs, Boh. Fn. p. 377.

' The li'nsth of this specimen from the tip of the snout to the middle point of the caudal rays is 220 mm. The longitudinal diameter
of the eye is 19.3 'i of the length of the head, while the normal diameter is not more than 17 K. The length of the ventral fins is 05 %
of the distance from the insertion of these tins to the beginning of the anal fin, while it is only in young specimens from 30 to 40 mm. in
length that I liave found this ratio to be as high as 00 'i: in specimens about 200 mm. in length it falls to about 50 K, and in specimens
of the common perch 300 mm. in length it was from 43 to 45 %.

f According to Maki.ix (see Rritei;, Fm\. Fi.4\) the Perch is on an average:
uhen 1 year old, 80..-> mm. in length; wlien 3 years old, 179.2 mm. in length; when 5 years old, 204 mm. in length.

» 2 n » 127.:i > » ). » 4 , . 224.3 >' ■■>

PEUCIl.

:il

,u;ating" its species until three oi' f'uur years old". This
may be verj' much influenced, however, by tjie abun-
dance oi" scal■cit^• ot its food, which consists (j1 small
fry, roe, insects and worms.

The spawning-season \ai'ics according to the depth
of the water; in shallow lakes it is often earlier than
tlie middle of April, but in deeper water, in Lake Wetter

but tlien- numlicr \aries considei'aljly ni |)roportion to
the size of the lish. In a female weighing about 255
gi'annnes Lund estimated the number of the eggs to be
26,880, and in another weighing about 584 grammes,
()G,1.")(). in a female 2 lbs. !)' , oz. in weight Bloch'
estimated tlie nnndjer of the eggs to I)e 268,800. From
these estimates we may imagine how (|nickly the Perch

and the island-belts for exanipic, not before the middle : might multiply. That it does not do so, may be

of May, and generally towards the end of that month. ascribed to the fact that tlu; roe is in one mass, and is

It is also much influenced by the temperature and the i thus more lial)Ie to be devoured by fishes of prey and

earliness or lateness of the spring. When the spawning- [ waterfowl, or in stoiany weather cast on the shore,

season has ai-rivcd, or, more correctly, some days before ! where it dries up, etc ll is also proliahlc that it is

its arri\al, the Perch leaves the deep water where it has inipossihlc for the milt of the mah; to fertilize all the
|)asse(l the winter, and, collected in large shoals, wanders
to points along the shore where the water is shallow
and the bottom consists of stones or sand covered with

eggs enclosed in the roe-sh(?atli.

As a general rule, the males seem to be less mime-
rous than the females — among twenty ])erch ijought
reeds {Arimdo pkragmites), or where it can find sunken ] at the same time in a mai'ket-place in Stockholm, there
twigs and branches. If it fails to find any spots of ' were only three males, and all three were among the

this nature, it deposits its spawn among tufts of rushes
{Srirpufi) and horse-tail (E(juisetum). The roe of the

smallest of the twenty. No external distinction as to
sex was visible at this time (in December). The opinion

Perch is not made up, as is generally the case among j that the female (according to others, the male) has a
fishes, of loose grains covered only with a viscid mucus greater depth of body or a smaller head, was not borne

and easily detached from each other as soon as the roe
is deposited, Ijut is enveloped in a netty membrane
which holds the grains more closely together, and ren-
ders it necessary for the female to make greater effort
and to have recourse to special expedients in order to
free herself from the roe. It is said'' that in the spawn-
ing-season the female rubs her belly against a sharp
stone or a piece of ^vood, until she succeeds in fastening

out by fact. It is during the spawning-season that the
difference of sex first becomes apparent in the brighter
and more vivid colouring of the male and the deeper
shape of the female, which is perhaps always visible at
this season'.

The courage \\ith which it defends itself, and the
fornndable weapons against fishes of prey which it pos-
sesses in its sjiinous tins, tend to preserve the Perch

the roe-string to this object, whatever it may be. She \ from attack as soon as it has reached an age when it

then darts suddenly forward with a winding motion,
and thus draws out the roe in the form of a string
which in some way resembles the strings of spawn Avhich
certain batrachians deposit. Now and again, however,
the roe is found lying loose on some water-plant' or
drifting about in the water''. The eggs are numerous,

can defend itself. It swims rapidly, but not continuously.
After each dart forwards it sto]is for a moment. It
generally keeps close to the bottom, and sometimes
half-way bet^veen the bottom and the sui-face. It is
only on bright and calm summer days that it disports
itself at the surface. About midsummer comes the time

In the t)eginning of Dec, 1880, among females with eggs about 1 mm. in size, we have found

tlic weight of specimens 266 mm. long to be 281 grm., the weight of specimens 288 mm. long to be 361 grm.,
, 278 3 » » » 276 ) s . ' 305 » » » » 361 »

281 -> -> ■> > 332 > > ■ > 330 ^ » » » 553 >

" XORBACK (Fiskevdrd ocli Fiskafvel, p. 359) and Maklix (1. c.) state that the Perch is capable of propagating itself when two years
old. That tliis holds good in the case of the males, is undoubtedly true, at least if the estimate of age given above be correct, for in Lilla
Vartau (a firth of the Baltic near Stockliolm) on 12th of May, 1887, males 127 mm. in length (measured to the end of the middle rays in the caudal
fin) were found to have fluid milt. The smallest female ready to deposit its spawTi, which was caught on the same occasion, measured 154 mm. in length.
'' LVND, Vet.-Akad. Handt. 1761, p. 188.
'■ Malm, Gbgs, Uoh. Fit., p. 377.
"* Su.NDEVALL, Vet.-iMcad. Handl. 1855, p. 9.
' Natarg. Fische Deittschl., 2 Th., p. 68.

/ The truth of this statement is most clearly shown by the fact that in the case of 3 malts and 4 females the least depth of the body, or the
least depth of the tail was more than 30 •'„ of the greatest depth of the body, while in the females it was less than 30 •..

32

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Fig. 6. Different sorts of traps for fresh-water f3shiiig.

a: wicker-work trap {videmjarde).

h: network tra]) (gariiiiijarde),

mmMMMMMM

c: sinking trap {sanhnjdrde),

d: flat-l)ottonied sinking trap.

e: metliod of fixing tlie funnel in Uie traii.

when it (.•ollects iu shoals. It tlieu a.sseuibles in lai-gc
or small bodies and makes its Ava}' to shalloAV spots in
the creeks where it is sure of iinding small liy and
insects. At this time its movements are very quick
and active, and it may often be seen to leaj) out of
the water in its pursuit of the smaller tishes. During
the chase it suddenh" slaiis the surface of the water

Avith its tail and thus produces a sound not unlike that
of expectoration. The fisherman imitates this sound
b}' snapping his fingers in the water, and some persons
believe that by this means they can entice the fish to
the place whence the sound proceeds.

As we have already mentioned, the Perch is a fish
of prey, and since on account of its courage and daring
it lias no difficulty in finding food, and does not remain
at other spots than those Avhere it can procure food in
aliiuidance, it is generally in good condition all the
year roinid. Its flesh is white, firm and wholesome,
and has the ])eculiarity, uncommon among fishes, that
one can eat it dail}- for a long time without becoming
tired of it. The flavour of the fish greatly depends.
hoAve\er, upon the nature of the water it inhabits.
Those perch Avhich are caught in shalloAv lakes Avith a
grassy bottom are smaller, leaner and of Avorse flaAour
than those Avhich are taken in larger lakes Avith a stony
bottom and dee]j, clear, riuming water. The salt-water
Perch is the most highly esteemed, and holds in Sweden
the same place as the Rhine Perch has long held in
France and the Perch of Lake Leman in Switzerland.
In domestic economy this fish A\'Ould be of much more
value, if it could be preserved for future use without
losing too much of its flavour. This is, however, an
impossibility. It lias been sometimes salted, sometimes
dried, but the delicate flavour which the fish possesses
when eaten fresh, entirely disappears under this process.
It is only poor people who dr)' the Perch in the sun
and eat it to stay their hunger; among people in better
circumstances it is always sent to table fresh. Expe-
rience has also taught us that the Perch cannot be kept
Ion"' out of the water before its flesh loses flavour.
In order to avoid this, recourse is sometimes had to the
expedient of throwing the fish into the pan alive and
boiling it Avithout cleaning it at all.

It is nattu'ul that a fish so valuable for culinar\"
purposes should be eagerly sought after. In spring the
Perch is caught in traps {mjdrdar, fig. 6) at the spots
where it deposits its spawn. The tra))s are either large,
in which case they are set in a kind (jf weir (rerke),
or small, in Avhicli case they are set singly and are
called sinking-traps. The 'rerke is a method of fishing
practised in the North from prehistoric times. Parallel
rows of stakes ai'e fixed in the bottom of the lake,
and the s|)aces between them are alternately filled with
pine-branches or left open to receive the traps. This
weir is constructed at the s[)ot ■\vliere the Perch spawns,

PERCH.

33

wliich is generally at the edge of the reeds, ;iii<l ,i place
is usually selected where the \v;itei' is so deep tlifit two
or three traps uuiy he hiid on the top of cnch other
\\ithoiit projecting above the surface. More attention
shouhl be paid, however, to the nature of the place
than to the de])th of the water, ;iii(l the weir shoidd
be constructed close to the edge of the reeds. When
the traps have been set, tlie weir is covered with large
pine-branches full of needles, in order that its interior
nia}' be only dindy lighted.

The sinking-traps are generally set singly at a.
distance of some yards fVoni each other; they are used
in places where the water is so deej) or the bottom so
stony that a weir cannt)t be constructed. These traps, or
sometimes the kind of traps called 'ri/ssja (fig. 7), are
also set in narrow straits or streamlets between neigh-
bouring lakes, for the Perch most often makes its way
to the spawning-place through channels of this nature.
At the entrance of the straits or the mouth of the ri\er,
standing nets {Idgcindt), are set at the edge of tlie reeds

I

the fail' sex. Tliere are several modes of angling for
Percli, and a description of them is necessary. One
imist fn'st jiay attention not only to the time of year,
but also to tlie hour of day, best suited for angling.
Ascension Day is known by fishermen as the first
day for angling. This is not quite correct every year,
but still it roughly gives us the time. The surest guide
is given by the growth of a reed, Anindo phragmifp.s.
As soon as this plant has grown to a height of an inch
or two abo\e the surface of the Avater, the spawning-
season of the I'erch is ovei', and (jue can then with all
certainty begin fishing. The best season, we may take
it, begins in the last da3-s of May and ends at the be-
giiuiiug of September. The best time of day is froiri
sunrise till 9 a. m. and fi-om (j p. m. till sunset. With
regard to the weather we may say that cloudy days are
better tlian very bright ones, and a light breeze than
a dead calm. All fishes bite best just after rain, espe-
cially if it has lasted long. The most suitable spots
are generally ^vell known. A stranger to tlie water

Fig. 7. Ryssja.

near the spawning-place. Tiiese nets have their advan-
tages, and may be used during the whole summer. They
onlv require to be taken up in the morning and set at
night, operations which do not take much time. \Mien
the spawning-season is over, these nets are placed off
stony headlands, in narrow creeks, etc.; and as all the
fish hug the shore, or more strictly the edge of the reeds,
they are always set at right angles to the shore, not
parallel to it. At the time -when the Perch have depo-
sited their sjiawn and disperse in order to find their
suninier haunts, they are sometimes taken, though sel-
dom in large numbei-s, in drag-nets. In order to have
am' sut-cess with the draf>:-net durini;" summer, one must
choose a cloudy day when there is a lin^ht breeze,
or only go out at night. To use a drag-net on a
bright summer day, is one of the most useless things
one can do. During summer, with the exception of
occasional catches in a net or drag-net, perch-tishing is
generally carried on with rod and line. Angling for
Perch is in many places one of the darling amusements
of high and low, and a pleasure not disdained even liy

Scandinavian Fishts.

should choose a spot at the edge of the reeds, off .stony
headlands and in places Avhere there are sunken twigs
and tree-trunks (Sw. Jagor). At such spots are gene-
ralh" to ])e found numbers of bleak, minnow and
small fry of all kinds, a store of food of which
the Perch does not omit to take advantage. In lakes
where the shores do not offer such favourable spots
for fishing, one may look for points out in the bights
where the bottom is sandy or stony. If no such
spots are to be found, one may form an artificial ang-
ling-place by sinking twigs and stones a little way
from the shore.

As angling maj- he practised at spots of a different
nature and in a vai-iety of ways, special names have
been invented for the various modes. When the angler
stays on shore or close to land, it is called ahote-fi^liing,
but when he fishes at some distance from shore in
deeper water, it is called deep-water fishing. In shore-
fish iug earth-worms are generally used as bait, the best
being those taken from under old woodpiles or in un-
maiiured soil, as the fish always prefers them to worms

5 .

34

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

taken from dunghills. Insects, flies, gadflies, etc. may
also be used, l)ut only when the Perch rises to the sur-
face, for at the bottom it takes such bait less freely.
In deep-irater fishing minnows are the most useful bait,
and if earth-^vorms are employed, one should chose the
lob^vorm, which may be caught by torchlight of an even-
ning. The shelled tails of crayfish too are regarded
by the Perch as a delicate morsel; but it is not easy
to fasten them on the hook, they often fall off, and one
must always put on a fresh one after every bite. At
a pinch one may also make use of cheese. For this

Fig. 8. Fisliing-tackle used in winter; a and h: rods, t> and d: ice-
shovels, e: fisliing-sled, with ice-chisel fastened at the side.

purpose new cheese is cut into slices, Avhich are then
kneaded in wiirm water and cut into the shape of worms.
Tliis l)ait does not dissolve in ^vater, but still it is only
a last resource. In putting the jjait on the hook great
care should l)e taken that the point of the hook is quite
concealed. When small fish are used as bait, the
hook should l)e inserted in tlie ])ack with the point di-
rected towards tlie liead of the fisli. When worms are
used, one need only \n\i on tlie hook a part of the worm
large enougli to conceal it entirely; but when the Perch
bites less freely, the whole worm should be used, the

hook being inserted in the thick end and the other end
being allowed to trail behind. To insert the hook in the
middle of the worm letting both ends dangle, as some
people do, deserves to be called feeding, not fishing.

In shore-angling a 'float-rod' {flotspd) is used, in
deep-water fishing a 'feeling' or 'sinking' rod {kdnn- or
snnkspo). The angler who chooses the former mode,
makes his ^vay to steep shores, rocky points or stony
lieadlands, and must content himself with the smaller
fish which swim near shore. If he fishes in a boat
or coble, he generally makes his craft fast at the edge
of the I'eeds by grasping a handful of them and either
sitting on it or t'wisting it round a thole. It is only
with difiiculty that he can use more than one rod, as
he is bound to take great care that the hook does not
catch in weed or rubbish, in which case it must be
disentangled by the help of a withe, a ring or something
of the kind. In dec|)-water fishing the angler prevents his
boat or coble from drifting by means of a cord fastened
to a large stone or a grapnel. From three to five rods
are used, the number varying according to the skill of
the fisherman. In order to be able to attend to them
all, he sits in the middle of the boat with his face to-
wards the bow, and on one or two boards laid across
the boat he arranges one rod, sometimes two, on each
side, and casts the third or fifth out over the bows.

Winter-angling (fig. 8), though seldom remunera-
tive in comparison with the trouble that must be taken,
is still considered l^y many to be good sport. The or-
dinary season for it is the beginning of ^vinter before
the ice is too thick, and towards spring when the days
begin to grow warmer. The necessary tackle is com-
posed of a short, curved rod {metfrd) with hook and
line, a small ice-chisel (isbill) for cutting holes in the
ice, a shovel to keep the holes clear, and lastly a fishing-
sled or simply a creel to contain the fish as well as
the rest of the tackle, and also to serve as a seat for
the fisherman. The success of this mode of fishing
greatly depends upon the fisherman's knowledge of the
spots where the Perch has its winter haunts. These are
generally at the edge of the deep water in the creeks
or off steep shores and headlands. The fisherman makes
his way to a spot of this kind, cuts a small hole in the
ice, and when he has cleared away all the loose bits
of ice from the liole, lets down the hook to the l)ottom
and takes in so nuich line that the hook hangs from
4 to 6 inches from the l)ottom. He then sits down

the sled or the creel iind keeps moving his hand

on

I'KKCII.

Fig. 9. 'Briglit hook'

(Sw. Ieker^\>hi\s) in a inaiiiicr iiiipossililc to dcscriltc
exactly, in order to iiixc the hook a certain ninlion
wiiich (Mitices the Perch to hite. W'licii a fish Kites,
it is lainh'd hy wiiidinii' in the line Itetween the ice-
shovel and tlie rod, ihc former heinu' held in the iisher-
nian's riuiit hand and the lattei- in his left. To bait
the hook he makes nse of a bit of bacon
as lariic as a pea, or the eye of a Perch
jnst caught; the hook may also be a so-
called 'l)rig'ht hook' (Sw. hlankkrok) and
withont any l)ait at all. This hook
should be of the ri<;iit shape, and must
be kept bri^uht. The fisherman looks
for the fish in the f()llo\\in<i; way: \\v.
tries a hole here and there, each hole
l)eing from 10 to 13 yards away from the others, until
he fiuds one or more fish in a hole. Then he begins
to try holes close to the same spot, sometimes not more
than two yards apart. We may see how little the Perch
moves about at this season, from the fact that the fisher-
man often takes several in one hole, but does not get
a single bite in another close by.

The 'slinging rod" {fttimspo) may be employed with
a fair amount of success. This must be in summer,
however, the season when the Perch collects in shoals;
and the best time of day is from 6 p. m. till sunset.
The day should be calm and warm. The angler must
have a boatman with him, and should Ije rowed out to
the reef's in the bights of the lake where the Perch
lias taken up its abode. \A'hen the shoal approaches,
the hook should l)e cast and trailed aloii"' the surface
of the water. The boatman should l)e skilful enough
to steer the coble after the shoal without any noise or
splashing. The Ijait should consist of a bit of dried eel-skin
(Sw. stimlapp) cut in the shape of a bleak or a smelt, or
a triangular strip of skin cut from the belly of a Perch.
Another mode of fishing is practised in some places.
The tackle employed is known as
'striking hook' (Sw. hufigkrok, fig. 10).
The autunni, jjeginning at the middle
or the end of August, is the only
season for this fishing, and the spot
selected should he in shallow water,
or near shore and close to the edge
of the reeds, where the water is fairly
deep. The tackle used con.si.sts of a
piece of lead about 3 inches long and shaped like a fish,
on each side of which is a large steel hook. The angler

Fig. 10. 'Striking hook'.

should be alone in his boat, and when he has reached
the place where he intends to fish, lie keeps the l)oat
still by ])lying his oars in a certain waj-: he holds them
with his left haml, wliile with his right he drops the
hook to the l)ottom and (piickly jei'ks it u]) again as
soon as it has sunk. The Perch, mistaking the piece
of lead for a real fish, darts forward to seize it and is
caught on the point of one of the .steel hooks. As soon
as the fisherman feels that he has .struck a Perch, he
must di'op his oars witliont a moment's delay and draw
up the fish into the boat. He should never slacken the
line, for tlien the fi.sh may easily slip oft' the hook.

Another mode of fishing, suggested by the voracity
and greediness of the Percii, is the night-line (Sw. lang-
re/=long line). The season for this is the same as
that for angling. When setting the line, one should
remember that if it is to be .set only for Perch, it ought
not to be placed in deep water, but nearer shore, around
rocks or shoals, etc. Small fry or lobworms are u.sed
as bait, and in baiting the hooks one .should follow the
advice already given under the head of angling. The
line should not l)e set before sunset, .so that the bait
may not be eaten by small fishes, ^vhich swim about in
the water during the daj'time. It should not be left
unexamined until late in the day, for in that case a
number of fish manage to escape, and others die and
thus lose flavour. In order to facilitate the setting of
the line, when dead bait is used, a box (Sw. refldda)
is employed, in which the line is placed ready for setting
and measured in fathoms. EverA" three or four fathoms
a. loop with a hook ready baited attached to it is
fastened to the line. The upper edge of the box has a
number of notches cut in it, into which the hooks are
inserted. When the line is to be examined, it is only
lifted up from the bottom of the water, tlie hooks, from
which the ])ait has been taken, are baited afresh, and
those on which a fish is found, are unfastened and other
liooks set in their place, ^^'ilen the line is taken up,
it is coiled in the box and the hooks are placed in the
notches. When the line is examined or taken up, the
fisherman must have a small landing-net ready, in which
to lift the fi.sh out of the water and get them into the
boat. Some persons use a gaff for this purpose, A\liicli
they strike into the belly or gills of the fish, and
then lift it out of the water. This method is, however,
not so sure as the former. The line must be examined
daily, and ouglit not to be left in the water more than
three or four days without being taken uj) and dried.

36

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Ill liis 'Travels in WestergotlaiHr (1746, p. 259)
Linnaeus gives a description of some perch-iishing in
Lake Yngen in ^^'^ernlland in which the tackle consisted
of a circular net two yards in diameter. "The Perch
always keeps close to the crags or rocks in the lake.
Thither the iisherman rows and dro])S the net to the
bottom, wlicreupon tlie Pci-cli, whicli are always fond of
rings and circles, l)egin to s]jort in crowds above it.
\\\ivu the net is drawn up, the Perch becomes frigh-
tened, darts towards tlie bottom and is thus taken in
the net, often in considerable numbers."

The Pei'cli is also often caught l)y nearly all sorts
of tisliing-tackle set near its haunts for other fish. Thus
large Perch are often taken l)y trolling, on a hook drawn
along the surface of the water {dragkrok) and on a line

fastened to a pole which is fixed in tlie bank (sfdngkrok).
In the autumn too it is often struck with a gig.

Besides the culinary value of the Perch, its usefulness
in other ways deserves mention. It is a fact well known
from the earliest times that, by boiling, an excellent
glue may be extracted from its skin. In several places
in Sweden the scales are used in making all sorts of
personal ornaments, being arranged in the sha|je of
leaves and flo^vers for bracelets, necklaces, earrings and
ornaments for the hair. As the Perch is of such com-
mon occurrence, it is a comparatively cheap fish. In
spring the average price of a middle-sized, live Perch
in Stockholm is from 2V4 d. to 8^4 d.; at midsummer
it is scarcer and the ]jrice higher, in autumn the price
sometimes rises as high as 5\,j d. and during ^vinter
it is sometimes as much as G'/^ d. (Ekstrom, Smitt.)

G

jENUS

STIZOSTEDIUM-

Bodu ohloriff. Scales small icith the margin sJiaiyly dentated. Fyeoi)ercidmn and shoidder-girdle serrated {inferior
margin of the preorhital hones even). Cheeks scalg^ scattered scales on the occiput. Teeth set in one rote (some-

times irregularly in

or

on the intermaxillaries, the loiver jatc and tlie pakitines., with scattered canine teeth

largest on the anterior ^yart of these hones. A transverse row of cardiform teeth (often disappearing in older spe-
cimens) on tlie vomer. Tongue ivithout teeth. From S to 7 pyloric appendages. Pseudohranchice complete. Bran-
chial niemhranes separate with 7 rays on each. From 13 to Hi rays in the first dorsal Jin. In the anal Jin 2
spinous rays; the base shorter thiui that of the second dorsal fin. In the caudal fin 1.5 branched rays.

(_)f this genus there are assumed to be 2 distinct
species from the Eastern Hemisphere and 2 from the
Western, and tlie difference between the types of the

Old and New Worlds is greater in this case than in
the genus Perca.

THE PIKE-PERCH (sw. gos).
STIZOSTEDIUM LUCIOPERCA.

Plate III, fig. 2.

TJie posterior upper corner of the gill-cover without spines {in older specimens), but two or three dentations on

the margin. The colour of the body grayish green, becoming lighter towards the belly, where it is silver-white.i

darker towards the hack., vhere there are about 12 transverse black stripes.

1

R. l/r. 7; D. IS'','
(J. x+lb+j-; L. lat. 88— 9-2-''.

1'' 2

. A. ~ ,.

1+21' 12'''

P. 2 + 12 + 2'' ; V.

iSyit. l.iwiuperca, Miilas et Nagemulus Auctoriim, Akt., Geii., p.
39; <Syn., p. 67; Spec, p. 70.

" ScHM. Rafinesque, Iclilli. Oh.; vide .loitu. Gilb., 1. c.
'' Someliines 14 (or l.'i, ixceording to Kboykr).
2 2

Perca Lncioperca, Lin., Syst. Nat, X, Tom. I, p. 289; Retz.

Fii. Suec. Lin., p. 336; Nilss., Prodv. p. 82; Ekstk. Morkii

Fisl:, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1831, p. 89; Reut. et Sundm.,

(Lucioperca) Finl. fiskar, 1, p. 9, tab. III.
Liicioperca Sandra, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, p. 110,

tab. 15; Krover, Damn. Fiske, I, p. 32; Nn.ss., Sk. Fn.,

1.

l-t-20 ■ 1+21'
2 9.

spinous rays and 21 or 22 soft, tlie first of which is not branched.

1.

1 + 11 1 + 12

' • 2+11 + 2 1. 2 + 13 1. l + i:i + 2 1. 2+13 + 1 (Vid. note li, p. 2G).

■'■ Number of rows of scales jiarallel to the lateral line I'roni KHI (in small specimens) to loO (in large).

PIKE-PERCH.

37

Fisk'., p. 22; Hkck., Kn., Siisstrasserf. (JJsterr., p. 8; Gthr.,

Brit. Mns. Cut., Fisli., I, p. To; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr.

Kbhvn iST'.t, p. 7; Khddkhs., iliid., p. 72; Lilij., .Sv., Norg.

Fiskar, I, p. 51t.
Var. I. spec, tlisf.'?: sqimiii. eorp., coec. pyl-, rail, pinii. an.

paucioribus.
Perca volgeiisis, Pam,., It., I, p. 4(il; Cuv., Val., 1. c. p. 117

et vol. VII, p. 441; NoRDM., Demid. Voy. Russ. Mer., Ill,

p. .•?(;.!, lab. 1, lig. 2; HuCK., Kn., 1. t:., p. 12; Gthk., 1. c,

p. 74.

Foiiiia aiueriraiia: (ipcrc. aciil.

Var. 1. spec. disl.V: squaiii. corp. et coec. ]iyl. plur.; rad. pinii.

an. paiicior.
Liccioperca canadensis S.m. in Ghiff. Cuv. Aniia. Kimjd., X.

p. 275; JoHD. et Gii.u. {iSlizcHediam), Syn. N. Amer. Fi.'^h.,

Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., N:r Hi, p. .520.
Liccioperca grisea, Ue Kay N. Y. Fit., Fish. p. 19, tab. 68,

fis- 221 (canadensis); Gthr., 1. o. p. 70.
Var. 1. spec, dist.?: sipiam. Corp. et coec, pyl. paucioribus;

rad. pinn. an. plur.
Perca vitrea, Mitch., Suppl. Amer. Moulhl. Mag., II, p. 247

JoRD. et GiLB. {Stizostedinm) 1. c, p. .525.
Perca salmonea, Rafin, .-Vmer. Monthl. Mag. V, p. 354.

(sec. JoRD., GiLli.).

Lucioperca americana, Cuv., Val., 1. c, II, p. 122.
Lucioperca lucioperca, Kirtland, Rep. Zool. Ohio, p. 190,
(sec. De Kay).

Obs. The list of synonyms for both the species of Pike-perch
on each side of the Atlantic, which have hitherto been universally
acknowledged, is intended to prepare the way for a new treatment of
the question as to their natural relationship to each other. Both in the
Old World and the New the number of pyloric appendages varies from
3 to 0 or 7. Our Pike-perch generally has 0, but I have sometimes
found only 5; Cuvier and Kroyer speak of only 4. Jordan and Gil-
bert state that the variation in Stizostedium canadense is between 4
and 7. In conjunction with the least number of these appendages (3)
on both sides of the Atlantic there appear a smaller number of (larger)
scales on the body, and a deeper (less elongated) form ". In addition
to these three variations there is, according to most authors, a diffe-
rence in the number of rays in the anal fin. Here, however, the
case is reversed, for in the Old World the greatest number of rays
in this fin is a character of the variety with small scales, while in
the New it belongs to the large-scaled variety. The last uamed diffe-
rence is, however, according to Jordan and Gilbert, not universal.
The importance of these differences may be variously estimated, either
as constituting a distinction of species or only of variet}-. The ana-
logy in their tendency in both continents is highly remarkable. If we
disregard the difference in colour — the American Pike-perch being
without the transverse black bands on the back and the sides being

more like brass in colour or having distinctly marked longitudinal
lines, running in an oblique direction, of brass-coloured spots — , the
only essential difference in form between the American Pike-perch and
the European that has hitherto been observed is in the armour of the
gill-cover. In two specimens of Stizostedium vitreum, the one 167
mm. in length and the other 471 mm., which the Koyal Museum has
acquired through the Smithsonian Institution, the smaller specimen
being from Pekin, Illinois and the larger from Lake Michigan, the
surface of the gill-cover has a longitudinal bar on the upper part
which reminds one of the bar in Acerina or Polyprion, though it is
much less developed. This bar is continued by a flat spine at the
posterior upper corner of the gill-cover. In St. lucioperca both bar
and spine are wanting in older specimens, though the comer of the
gill-cover is furnished with 2 or 3 dentations in the margin which
remind one of it. But we can generally find a trace of the bar in
older specimens, and in smaller specimens (between 200 & 300 mm.
long) it is usually still clearer, while these specimens sometimes have
a distinct, flat spine at the corner of the gill-cover. The difference
in this respect is therefore due to the fact that the American Pike-
jierch has retained a juvenile character which disappears in the Euro-
pean. To judge by the specimens now before us, St. vilrmm has
several other points of resemblance to St. lucioperca. The longitu-
dinal diameter of the eye in the specimen of -S'^. vitreum from Lake
Michigan which is mentioned above, is 17 % of the length of the
head, aud in specimens of St. liccioperca of the same size from 14.4
f» to 14.7 'o. But in smaller specimens of the latter species, about

270

long,

the ratio is from 16 % to 17.5

The case seems

to be the same with the only constant distinction between the two
species that we have been able to discover, namely the comparatively
greater length of the suboperculum in St. citreuin. In adult specimens
of the European Pike-perch, even those only 270 mm. long, the least
depth of the tail is equal to the length of the suboperculum (mea-
sured along the middle to the end of the ilermal flap), but in smaller
specimens 180 mm. in length, I have found the least depth of the
tail to be only 88 % of the length of the suboperculum. In the
smaller specimen of St. vitreum the ratio is 72 %, while in the larger
one it is 74 %, a fact which may sugges-t the opinion that in this variety
too it increases with age. Lastly, in order to prove that the structure
of the fins, at least in the two specimens of the American variety
which are all I have to judge by, rather strengthens than weakens
our point (hat St. lucioperca and St. vitreum belong to one and the
same species, the fin formula for the larger specimen is given below:

1

/>.'■ 16 - — -; A.

■2 + li

1_

2 -f 12'

P. 2 + \\ +-2: V.

1/

R. br. 1

C. ,r -h 1 5 -t- ,f ; L. lat. 93:

1 2

In the smaller specimen we have D. 13 r-;-—;; A. -z—:-rz-

2-t-lb 1-i-lU

Thus, as in the case of the Perch, we seem to have most
ground for the adoption of only one species of Pike-perch, this spe-
cies differing, however, more sharply in its local varieties, the safest
character for which may perhaps prove to be the difference iu colouring.

Ill comparison with the Percli the Pike-perch is siou in tlie occipital profile which marks the Perch, is

more elongated and thicker. The greatest depth of the generally absent in the Pike-perch. On the other hand

body is at the middle, from which point the body gi-a- we generall}- timl in the latter a marked depression

dually taper.s towards the head and ttiil. The depres- between the two ch.rstil tins. The length of the head

" However, in our specimen of the American St. vitreum as in St. lucioperca, the depth of the body at the insertion of the pectoral

fins is equal to the distance between the tip of the snout and the hind margin of the preoperculum; and the number of transverse rows of

scales along the lateral line (about 120 above it) may be included among the variations according to age in our Pike-perch.

1 1
* According to Jordan and Gilbert D. IS- — , according to GCsther D. 14 ~ ^ .

38

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

ill proportion to the length of the body" is about the
same as in the Perch, from 26 to 28 p. c; but the
dejjth of the body at the insertion of the ventral fins
is only equal to the distance from the tip of the snout
to the hind margin of the jjreoperculum. The mouth is
fairlv large and almost horizontal; the bones of the upper
jaw extend l)ackwards to a point almost exactly above
the posterior margin of the eye. The snout projects
oidy sliglitly beyond the lower jaw, at the jjoint of which
there is a kind of knol:). The two canine teeth in the
lo-^ver jaw fit into cavities in the front of the upper ja^v
when the mouth is closed, ^vhile the front canine teeth
on the intermaxillaries project beyond the margin of the
lower jaw. There are 8 pharyngeals, and teeth on all
of them, consisting of 2 lower, which are oblong in
shape, and 6 upper, which are smaller and coalesce into
2 oblong and distinctly separate pharyngeals. The t^'o
nostrils, the front one being furnished with a cover, are
situated nearer the eye than the snout, and the distance
between them is about the same as that between the
back nostril and tlie anterior orbital margin. The scales
are stitt' and sharp, and the}- are, as is generally the
case, smaller in the anterior part of the body than in
the posterior; even tlie cheeks (at least in the upper
part and in front) are covered ^\'ith scales, as ^vell as
the gill-cover and the suboperculum. (_)n the occiput
;ind forehead and in the depression at the middle of
the head, the)- are of irregular occurrence. The lateral
line is straight and runs nearer the back than the belly.
The first dorsal fin begins vertically above the insertion
of the ventral fins, the second above the vent. As in
the Perch, the margin of the first is arched, while the
second is straighter, but, like the anal fin, slightly
rounded. In older specimens the base of the anal fin is
eciual to the distance between the anterior orbital mar-
gin and the hind margin of the preoperculum, or
about half the length of the hum of the first dorsal fin.
In younger specimens it is slightly shorter. The least
depth of the tail is about e((ual to the distance between
the hind margin of the eye and that of the preoperculum.
The pectoral fins are inserted in front of the vertical
line from the beginning of the first dorsal fin, and the
upper rays, and generally some of the lower as well,
are unbranched but articulated. The leno:th of the

ventral fins is in oldei- specimens about half the distance
between their insertion and the beginning of the anal
fin, or even less. In younger specimens their length is
greater. The caudal fin is more forked than in the Perch.

In lirilliancy of colouring the Pike-perch does not
stand high, and is considerably surpassed 1)}- the Pei'cli.
The back of the head is gra-\'ish black. The back is dark
gray with transverse, irregular bands of l)lack spots across
it, Avhich usually extend down the sides a little below
the lateral line. The sides become lighter and lighter
towards the belly, being at first bluish gray on a l^rass-
yellow ground, then brass-}-ellow towards the belly,
which is silver-white. The first dorsal fin is bluish with
oblong black and yellowish spots arranged longitudinally
upon it in 4 or 5 ro^vs, the spots in the top ro^\•s being
usually elongated into an irregular, twisted wormlike form.
The second dorsal fin grayish with smaller, black and yel-
lo-wish spots. The caudal fin a darker bluish gray and
spotted in the same way. The jtectoral fins whitish gray.
The pectoral and anal fins of the same colour as the belly
or dirty white with blackish gra}- dots. The iris silver,
shading into brass-yellow and black, especiallv at the top.
The most remarkable varieties in colouring in Sweden are
a liglit one, ^\hicli genei'ally consists of young specimens
and those which inhabit shallow Avater where the colour
of the bottom is light, and a dark, usualh' including
older specimens and those ^\•hich live in deeper water.
The transverse black bands are also sometimes broken up
into sejjarate spots ^\-ith smaller spots between them.

In the large lakes throughout the greafer ])art of
S^veden*, especially in the southern and central parts of
the country (except in Lake ^Vetter) and with a prefe-
rence for the eastern districts (though common in Lake
Wener and its affluents'' in Norwa}'), the Pike-perch is
widely spread, though in only few ])laces especially
numerous. In the island-belt within the Baltic it is one
of the rarest of fishes; but still it occurs, according to the
report of Mr. Limborg, the late Inspector of Fisheries, in
the following places in the island-belt of Sodermanland,
Marsviken, where it has been introduced by the planting
of eggs, the Firths of Nykoping and Sjosa, whither it has
been carried by the streams \vhich drain the neigh-
bouring lakes, in the Firth of Sibbo, where fry have been

planted, and also at the mouth of the Trosa river and

Here, as througlioul lliis work, where nothing else is reiiiarl<cd, tlie leiigtli of the body is measured from tlie tip of tlie snout to
the end of the middle rays in the caudal fin.

* According to the reports of the Commission of Fisheries from 1881 to 1883 the Pike-perch is found in all the provinces of Sweden
except Jonkciping, Kronoberg, Gotland, Blekinge, Malinoluis, Halland, and Jamtland.

' Cf. CoLLETT, Norijes Fiske, 1. c.

PIKE-PERCH.

a little below Sodertelje. It is found in the Bay of
Kiel", hut only rai-ely, and it has [U'oliahh- migrated
thither through the Eidei' Canal. From the lakes and
lagoons of Schleswig-Holsteiu, however, thoughout Ger-
many east of the Rhine, in the North of Ital\-, and fi'om
Finland sontli of the Aretie-circle'' and the island-belt
of the (lulf of Finland, it is spread over the whole of
F.astern Europe as far as the Black Sea and the Caspian
with their affluents. It prefers deep, clear and pure
water, where the bottom is sandy or stony. On a, clayey
bdttdm where the water is turbid, it is seldom found,
though Lloyu' and Lili-.ikboho assert that it occurs in
|)laces where the bf)ttom is of this nature, in Lakes
Wener and KarslK)lm. "It does not remain stationary
in one place," Avrites Mr. LiMiiour;, "but wanders long
distances alone. It generally kcei)S near the bottom,
but at the approach of spring it swims nearer the sur-
face, often quite close to the ice. After the spawning-
season it keeps close inshore during a short part of the
summer, then goes out into deep water and first returns
to shallower water at the end of August or the begin-
ning of September. All the winter it remains in deep
water." In temperament it is sluggish, and displays so
little sagacity that it has given rise to the proverb, 'as
slUy as a pihe-percli. Its movements in the water are
also heavy and clumsy. As soon as it feels that it is
a prisoner and has made one or two unsuccessful at-
tempts to escape, it abandons itself to despair, so com-
pletely that it is most often found floating on its back
at the surface. When it is taken up from deep water,
the air-bladder bursts Avith a sound like that of eruc-
tation, and at the same moment it dies. It is not very
tenacious of life and is one of the hardest fishes to keep
alive; but with care at its capture and in a suitable
vessel filled with fresh Avater it can be conveyed long
distances, as ])roved by its transpoi'tation from Germany
to England, and from Galicia to the Rhine and Lake
Constance, and also by the attemps made by Mr. Tkybom'',
an official under the Board of Fisheries, to introduce
it from Lake Oppmanna into Lake Rabelof and Ring

Lake in Scania. In voracity the Pike-perch is little
sur])assed by its near relative, the Perch, and in its
rapacity as well as in its strongly armed jaws Gkss-
NER who, in llie sixteenth century, was the first to
desci'ibi! the Pike-per<h, found such a close likeness to
the Perch, that he gave it the name of Lnrioperca.
The fo(jd of the Pike-])erch consists of small fishes, espe-
cially the Smelt, which, like itself, inhabits deep water
during the greatei' part of the yciir. Ekstrom, however,
also found insects, worms, and grass in its stomach.

The reason for ihe ditt'ei'ent accounts of the spawn-
ing-season of the Pike-perch must depend on the fact
that it lasts unconimoidy long, which is perha]w con-
nected with the fact that it is confined To the night-
time. It begins as early as the end of Api'il and often
extends to the middle of June'. During this period
the Pike-perch makes its way in shoals to stony reefs
in open creeks or stony and sandy jKjints along the
shore'. It never spawns in Avater less than from 10 to
16 feet deep. The roe, which is light in colour and
ver}' fine in proportion to the size of the fish — so fine,
in fact, that moi-e than 300,000 eggs have Ijeen counted
in one single female — , is deposited on stones and water-
plants to which it adheres. It is a remarkable fact that
this fish is less numerous than one might expect from
the number of its eggs. "The fertilization and hatching of
the eggs of the Pike-perch," says Mr. Limborg, the Inspec-
tor of Fisheries, in Sodermanland, "labours under gi-eat
difficulties, for if the female be put into the cauf before
the roe is almost ready to be deposited, she dies before
depositing the roe. In order to succeed in the fertilization
of the roe, one must try to procure females in which the
roe is so matured that it can be ejected by a slight
pressure on the belly, immediately after the fish is taken
out of the water." Norback recommends the moistening
of the parts near the vent with some drops of the milt,
in order to facilitate the depositing of the eggs. Even if
the fertilization succeeds, and sometimes even after the
fry have left the eggs, it may happen that the attempt
finally fails'. The fry must, therefore, receive great

" Cf. MoBins and Heixcke, Fisclie tier Ostsee, p. 3.3.

* Cf. Malmgren, Krit. Of vers. Fiiil. Fisk/auna, p. 2; and Reuter and Scndman, 1. c.

' Anteckniiiyar under ett tjiignarigl vistande i Skandinavien, I, p. 14.

'' Cf. Xdt/rn fiskodliiiijsjoretag i Skdne, aren 1883 och 1884. ilalmohus Lans Hushidlningssallskaps Qvartalsskrift, 1884.

< -'To this rule," writes Mr. LiMBORG, ''Lake Yngaren forms a remarkable exception, for there the Pike-perch first begins to spawn when
the spawning-season in all the other lakes of Sodermanland is over, and the spawning-season extends to the middle of July."

/ . . . "often in very muddy water": Norh.Ick, Fiskevard och Fiskafvel, p. 3G2. Cf. also Reuter, 1. c.

!' Mr. .\mtsiiero of Stralsund liad great success with the fertilization, and from the eggs deposited on Myriophyllum he obtained "an
enormous number of fry,"' but the greater part of them died during the summer and only some hundreds were left alive. Vid. Max v. d.
Bor.ne, Fischziicht nnd Fischerei, p. 277.

40

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

attention. The planting of li\e specimens is less diffi-
cult, if cai'i-ied out at a cool time of year when the
temperature is from 41° to .50° Fahr., and provided
that a too great change in the warmth of the water is
avoided. Sjiecimens two or tliree years old should be
selected and then conveyed to such lakes as seem suited
for planting". It is also advisable to plant Smelt in the
same water for some yeai-s pi-eviously, unless they al-
ready exist there. The Pike-perch grows quickly an^
attains a considerable size. In Lakes Malar and ^Yener
it reaches, though seldom, a weight of from 20 to 22
pounds and a length of from 3 to 4 feet. Trybom
estimates the lengtli of a Pike-perch one year old to
be from 90 to 130 mm., tAvo years old 220 to 260
ram., and three years old 350 to 390 mm.

The Pike-perch is taken in many ways, but gene-
rally with nets or large "ryssjor" (see p. 33, fig. 7).
At the beginning of the spaAvning-season, when tlie nights
are still dai'k in Sweden, the Pike-perch is taken in a
drag-net, if, at the jilaces Avhere it spawns, the bottom is
so level that a net can be drawn there. It is sometimes
the custom to light bonfires on the shore at this time,
in the hope that the fishes may be enticed to collect
near the firelight. In other places, where a drag-net
cannot be employed, the Pike-perch is taken by traw-
ling. The nets which are used in fishing for the Pike-

perch during winter, are made especially for this pur-
pose, the meshes are large, and the nets are always set
in dee|i water. From midsummer till late in autumn
the Pike-Perch is also caught on night-lines with a bait
of Smelt or Bleak. Sometimes, though very seldom, it
is taken with I'od and line. According to Ekstrom
live bait is necessar}', Init others consider half rotten,
strong smelling bait the best.

Tlie Pike-percli is undeniably one of the most de-
licate Scandinavian fishes. It is eaten fresh, salted or
dried, in the last case generally after being soaked in
lye. In France, according to Cuvier, it is also eaten
raw with oil, pepper and salt. Its flesh is white, firm,
free from small bones and of excellent flavour. Still
it is generally stated that if one eats Pike-perch daily,
one soon becomes tired of it. The fat is said to be
used among the peasantry for rubbings in cases of
rheumatic pains, luxations etc. According to the time,
year and the abundance or scarcity of the fish, the
market-price of the Pike-perch here in Stockholm va-
ries as follows: in spring it costs about 4^^ d. per lb.,
in summer 6^/4 d., at midsummer sometimes as much
as 10 d., in autumns and winter from 6^/^ d. to 8 d.,
sometimes not so much. All these prices are reckoned
for middle-sized and perfectly fresh Pike-perch.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

Genus ACERINA.

Fonii of the body ait ohloiiy oval sliyldly compressed at the sides. Scales middle-sized with sharply dentated mar-
gin. Top of the gill-cover furnished posteriorly with one or tiro spines. Preoperculum and shoidder-girdle dentated.
Inferior m.argin of the preorbital bones irithont teeth. Head naked, its outer hones pierced with large ducts con-
nected iritii the lateral line. Small, cardiform teeth of equal size on the intermaxillaries, the lower jaw and the
vomer: also in a simj)le row on the palatine hones (often u-untiny o)i tlie vomer and the last named hones). Tongue
without teeth. Only three j)yloric appendages. Pseudobranchice present but only rudimentary. Branchial membranes
separate, each witli 7 rays. One dorsal fin with from 13 to I!) spi)ious rays. Tn^o'' sjnnous rays in the anal
fin, its base shorter ilian the soft-rayed jiart of the dorsal fin. In the caudcd fin 15' branched rays.

Of this genus, which is confined exclusively to the
so c'alled Palajarctic region (Europe and Northern Asia),
four species have been described, distinguished from one
another by tlic colouring, tlie difterence in the number

of spinous rays in the dorsal fin and of the rows of
scales, and the varying length of the snout. The species
which possesses the shortest snout and the least number
of rays in the dorsal fin is our common Pope.

" Cf. Trybom, 1. c. and the same Quarterly Report for 1885, p. 277.
'' Rarely 3.
<• > 14.

POPK.

41

THE POPE OR RUFF (sw. gkhm.)

ACERINA CERNUA.

Plate III, lis- 3.

Eyes set ahoiit haJf-iraii nlmi;! Ilic head (Icii^ulli (if tlic snout iic;ii-l\- ('(iiial to the rlistance from the posterior

orbital margin to tlic end of the irill-oover). Number of sphious nii/s in the ilorsal tin Ki at most. From 30

to 40 scales in the lateral tine. Colour of the Jtodi/ f/rai/ish or greenish liroini irith dark spots on the sides and

the unpaired fins: the heUji irjiitish.

It. bi:

IK

14"
12 '

A. --; P. 2+U + l'
0

V. .r+15

-\-x''; L. lat. 36—39'

Syn. Ccrnua, Perca minor, Aurata et Poreellus Auctormn, Art.,
fdith., Gen., p. 40; Syn., p. 68; Spec, p. 80.
Perca cernua, Lm., aS'^**. Nat., ed. X, toin. I, p. 294; Retz.
Fn. Sii. Lin., p. 338; Gthr (Acerina), Brit. Mus. Cat., Fisli.,
I, p. 72; Coll., Norij. Fiske, 1874, p. 10; L.inG, S., Norg.
Fiskar, I. p. 66.
Acerina vulgaris, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, p. 4;
NiLss., Prcidr. Iclitli. Sc, p. 78; Ekstk., Vet.-Akad. Haiidl.
1831, p. 96; Id. et W. v. Wright, Skand. Fiskar, ed. 1,
p. 9, tab. 1. fig. 2; Kroyer, Damn. Fiske, I, p. 43; NiLSS.
Sk. Fn., Fisk., p. 28; Winther, ZooL Ban., Fiske, p. 4;
Feddersen, Nat. Tidskr. Kjobenli., 1879, p. 72.

To the casual ob.server the Pope .seems closely to
resemljle the Perch, and in its way of life too there is
much to remind us of the latter. Its body is almost
the same in sha])e as that of the Perch, but is more
rounded, for though the dorsal edge is sharp, the belly
is not so mucli compressed as in the Perch, a circum-
stance \\liicli gives the Pope an appearance of being
fatter and in better condition. For this reason in some
parts of Sweden the name of skatthonden (rich peasant)
is bestowed upon it. Although the body is covered
with hard sc-ales which are tirmlv fixed and ctenoid
(denticulated at the margin), still it does not feel rough,
as it is enveloped in a thick, clammy mucus. This
secretion is especially noticeable on the surface of the
head, and h;is given rise to several provincial names liy
which the Pope is known, as for instance snorgers {snor
— the secretion of the nose), snorpels {pels — skin),
snorhtf {luf — forelock, forehead) etc. The back is of
a grayish bi-own olive-colour, and the single dorsal fin
is of the same colour with a touch of yellow and is

13 , 14 , 14 , 15 16

" Sometimes -—1. — 1. — 1. — I. — .

12 13 11 10 10

* Sometimes - ,. In a specimen from the island-belt oflE Stockholm we find ^ g.

' Sometimes 2+10 + 2 1. 2+12 + 1 1. 1 + 12 + 1 1. 2+11.

'' In a specimen from Archangel the numbers are x + H + .('.

' 40 according to Day, 1. c.

/ See Leydig, Leiirb. d. Ilistologie, p. 201 and Festsctir. z. Feier d. lOO-juhr. Best. d. Naturj. Ges. :. Halle, 1879: F. E. Schultze,
Arch. Mikr. Anat., VI (1870), p. 62: B. Solger, ibid. XVII (1879), p. 95 and 458, XVIII (1880), p. 364, with the passages on this subject
which are there quoted.

Scandinavian Fishes.

marked with dm-k dots, wliiili are set in rows on the
raembi'ane between the rays. On the back too tliere
are large, dark spots, and the sides, which are yellowish
gray or brass-coloured, are marked with dots or small
spots. The length of the dorsal fin, the relative length
of which increases with age, is about half the length
of the body. The sjjinous rayed part, which also in-
creases proportionally in the same way, forms about
7s of the fin. Both tlie spinous-rayed and soft-rayed
parts — the depi'es.sion between which recalls to mind
the two separate dorsal fins in the Perch and Pike-
perch — have a rounded (convex) margin; and in l)oth
of them the 4th and 5th rays are the longest. In the
spinous-rayed portion the last ray is longer than the
next one before it, a circumstance which indicates that
the former reallj- corresponds to the first I'ay in the
second dorsal fin in the case of those genera of the
family which have two distinct dorsal fins. The head
is of the same colour as the l:)ack; it is o^■al and some-
what compressed, the depression on the forehead and
just behind the eyes giving the snout a swollen ap-
pearance. It is fairly large in proportion to the length
of the body, being from 27 to 29 % of that length.
Its exterior bones are pierced by a system of ducts, the
so-called muciferous ducts, wliich are larger in the Pope
than in tlie Perch or the Pike-perch. These ducts com-
prise part of the organs of sensation connected with the
lateral line, a structure peculiar to fishes and the ba-
trachians-^. The orifices of these ducts form, in the case
of the Pope, the so-called muciferous cavities, which
are lined with a membrane which fi-eely secretes the
mucus. There are three of these oval cavities on the

42

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

forehead, one on each side of either nostril. One row
of cavities runs alon<r the cheek, and another on the
margin of the preoperculum is continued along the lower
jaAv. In front of all, on each side of the tip of the
snout, is a little, round hole through which the system
of ducts has free communication with the sun-ounding
water. The operculum and preoperculum, as well as
the shovdder-girdle (the post-temporal and clavicular
bones) are armed ^\■ith spines. The mouth is of average
size, and the upper jaw projects slightly over the lower.
There are several rows of very fine and closely set
teeth on the ja^vs and the anterior portion of the palate,
and also 4 pharyngeal patches of teeth, 2 upper and 2
lower. The nasal sacs are fairly elongated and are
situated about halfway between the tip of the snout
and the anterior orbital margin. The anterior nostril
is tubular and round and is furnished Avith a mem-
branous flap, the posterior is lai'ger and oval and is
without a cover. Tlie eyes are fairly large, their lon-
gitudinal diameter is in older specimens 24 or 25 % of
the length of the head, in younger about 29 %. In the
former this diameter is equal to the distance between
both the posterior nostrils, in the latter greater than it.
The iris is vellow, the lens blue. When the fish has
been out of the water for some time, however, the lens
turns a whitish l)lue-green, something like the appea-
rance known as wall-eye. The lateral line is near the
back and follows its curve. In the anterior portion of
the l)()dy it pierces the scales oblicjuelv do\vnwards in
a longitudinal direction, so that the anterior scales in
tills line are dentated at the posterior margin only above
the ducts of the lateral line, and are also posteriorly
emarginate. Nearer the tail the ducts of the lateral
line pierce the scales nearer their centre and follow

their direction exactl}', so that the hind margin is den-
tated both above and below the incision we have just
mentioned. The belly is yellowish white and flat, as is
also the breast, which is silver-white but shifts in colour
like mother of pearl at the death of the fish and finallj-
becomes rose-red. In the dorsal fin there are from 2.5
to 27 rays, and of these the posterior ones, from 10
to 13 in number, are soft and branched, while the rest
are strong and pungent spinous rays. In the pectoral
fins there are, as a rule, 14 or 15 rays, and of these
the two highest, and generally the two lowest as well,
are undivided but articulated. In colour these fins are
grayish }ello\v ^vith fine, dark dots forming transverse
bands. The ventral fins are almost Avhite and Avithout
spots. The anal fin resembles the ventral fins in colour
or sometimes has just a few dark spots upon it. As
a rule, it contains only 2 spinous ra}-s, and, a strange
exception to the general rule, the first of these is con-
siderably longer and stronger than the other. In the
specimen which has 3 spinous rays in this fin, the first
is little more than half as long as the second, Avhich
is the strongest and longest. The caudal fin, which is
grayish yellow -with dark spots arranged in transverse
bands, is deeply forked.

The internal organs of this fish are very like those
of the Perch, with the exception of the fact that in
the female the roe-sac is double, though its parts are
united posteriorly. The number of the vertebrae is 37
and of the ribs 15.

We know just as little of any constant, external
distinction between the sexes in the Pope as in the Perch
and Pike-perch, Init difference of age involves conside-
rable changes in form, and some of the most important
of these may be traced in the following table:

Lc-Dfrth of the boilv from llip tip of the snout to the end of the middle riu's of the i-audiil tin mm.

Length of the head in ./, of the length of the l)ody

Longitudinal diameter of the eye » • » , , > »

Base of the dorsal tin »»»« » »>»

Spiuous-rayed porlion of the dorsal tin _ > > j > . > » »

Base of the anal fin , , , , , , , ,

Distance between the insertion of the ventral tins and the beginning of the anal tin . > » > , ,. »

Length of th<r ventral fins . j » » ■, i > ,

Greatest depth of body » > > » , j , ,

least » » > J . , , . V .

Actrina cernua froii

Siljan
9

Hndiks-

valls-
fjiird

Islands
near

Stock-
holm "

9

MorkS

9

83

137

142

167

28,0

27

28,9

27,5

8,4

(>,6

7,4

6,6

45,8

48,2

50,7

51,5

28,9

31,4

35,2

33,5

10

11,T

13,4

12,3

28,9

31,4

31,3

32,3

16,9

I'J

17,G

18,6

21,7

27

27,4

27

7

8

8,4

7,8

" 111 tin's siiociiiini wi' liud /). .-n,,! A.~, as well ax i\ iiiiiiil

10 6

T of juvenile ehnracters, c. g. the exceptional size of the head and of the eyes.

I'OI'E.

Thus tlu' length of the liciid and th(! size of the
eyes in pi'oportion to the lengtli of the body diminish
witli age. The other pi'oportions given above increase
with age; and the male seems to differ from the fe-
male ill the greater lengtli of the \cnti'al fms and the
slightly deei)er form of the body.

Tlie Pope, which in Scandinavia is known by se-
veral names, e. g. kuUhas or kullribas (the German
Kiudharsch) in the south of Sweden, Ilork in Denmark
and Hon- in Norwa}', occurs more or less plentifully
in almost all waters. It seems, ho^vever, to Ijelong
more strictly to the central and northern provinces of
Sweden than to the southern ones. With the exception
of the countries which border on the Mediterranean, it
occurs throughout Europe, and in the Arctic regions
it is met with from the White Sea to Siberia, at least
as far as the Lena. It inhabits the island-belts of the
Baltic Avhere the water is not too salt, as avcII as most
of our ri\ers and lakes. It prefers lakes where the
water is clear, and though it is sometimes met with in
lakes with a muddy bottom, still it does not flourish
so well in such waters. It apparently prefers a bottom
of sand or clav, Init may also be found where the
bottom is stony or among weeds. In spring it ascends
the streams and brooks, but does not stay there during
winter. In autumn if makes its Avay to deep ^vater,
where it passes the winter. It seems to be of a very
sluggish disposition. It ahvays keeps close to the bottom,
never iroes to the surface and is seldom seen midway
in the water. During tlie spawning season and in
winter it lives in company with its fellows," while dur-
ing the rest of the year it leads a solitary life. It stays
long at the same spot and seems to a\vait the approach
of its prev rather than hunt for it; and when it does
move, it does not do so by continuous sAvimming but
by rapidly darting forward again and again. Still it
is not incapacity that is the cause of this sluggishness
and indifference. When it is frightened, its movements
through the water are so speedy, that they have given
rise to the proverb 'as quick as a pope'. Its voracity
is great, and it eats indiscriminately small fry, insects,
worms and shellfish, which it finds on weeds, stones
or other objects lying in the water. Seldom, if ever.

does it seize any prey wliicli is at liberty and moves
(juiekly through the water. Thus it Ijites freely if the
bait be allowed to rest at the bottom. It is highly
tenacious of life'', is thought to be slow of growth' and
does not reach any considerable size. In one or two
lakes, according to report, it may become as large as
a middling-sized perch. In the island-belt off the east
of Sweden it never attains a greater length than 200 mm.

The s])awning-season lasts long and occurs at ab<jut
the same time as that of the Perch, i. e. with us in
May, ])ut earlier to the South. It spawns in modei'ately
deep water wlici-e the bottom is of sand or clay and
overgrown with sedge. The roe is line and yellowish,
and is deposited among the sedge oi- on the sand at
the bottom. It is very prolific; in one roe, which
weighed about 11 grams, Bloch counted 7.5,600 eggs.

In Sweden the Pope is one of the fishes not held
in high esteem, and there is therefore no special mode
of fishing for it. In cei-tain places, however, it is taken
both in nets and in seines. When it lives alone, it is
taken on almost ever^- kind of tackle, together with
other fishes; thus it is often caught by the perch-fisher
when the bait is allowed to sink fairly deep. In Swe-
den it is only the peasants and poor people who know
the value of the flesh of the Pope, which is firm, white,
of good flavour, easy of digestion and free from small
bones. The peasant calls the Pope 'food for a king'
(kungamat), but it seldom appears on the tables of the
rich. As bait for pike, burbot, etc., for all its tenacity
of life, it is of very little use on account of its .slug-
gishness.

Attempt has been made to blacken the character
of this undeservedly despised fish still further and to
add hatred to contempt, by the statement that it is
guilty of devouring the roe of other fishes and small
fry. These accusations are perhaps unfounded, at any
rate they are not justified. The generality of fishermen
believe that it frightens away all other fishes. This
supposition may depend upon the circumstance that,
when all other fishes, at the approach of a storm or
from some other cause, withdra^v from the shore to
deep water, the Pope on account of its heedlessness
i)nd indifference remains and thus becomes the fisher-

' Klei.n relates (see Blocii, Naturg. Fische Deiitschl., II, p. 75) tliat at one haul of a winter seine in Frische-HaflE an enormous
quantity of pope and sahnon-fry were taken: lie declares that there were about 780 barrels.

* According to Flemmixo (see Blocii, ibid., i>. 77) it may be frozen stiff immediately upon its capture, and will still return to life
if placed in cold water.

<■ Kroyer (Danm. Fiske, I, p. 54) fouud that in the middle of September young speciaiens, which were thus about 4 months old.
were from 1 ' o to 2 inches long.

44

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

man's only prize. It is a troublesome catch in the net,
as in its struggles it becomes very tightly entangled in
the meshes, and the lisherman iinds great difficulty in
freeing it \\-ithout pricking his fingers with the sharp
spines of its fins and gill-cover.

Its enemies are sufficiently numerous. In addition
to the dangers it runs at the hand of man, though a
fish of prey itself, it often falls a prey to larger fishes
and waterfowl.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

Genus ROCCUS".

Form of the ho(h/ ohJonr/ (tiid compressed. Scales of average size and dentated. Two Jiat spines behind the top
of the (jUl-cover. Preoperctdum and shoidder-girdle dentated. Inferior margin of the preorbital hone smooth.
Head covered ir'dh scales, except the snout and loiver jaw. Cardiform teeth of equal size on the intermaxillary
and ma.xillary hones, the vomer, the palatine hones and the tongue. Pyloric appendages 4 or .5. Pseudohranchice
irell developed. Branchiostegal memhranes separate, each tvith 7'' rays. Dorsal fins separate or nearly so, the
first containing 9 rays. In the anal fin .3 spinous rays; its base shorter than the soft-rayed part of the dorsal.

Caudal fin tvith 15" branched rays.

The European Sea-perch is the representative of a
genus which is most highly developed in form in North
America, where its characters are still more marked
and it lives in the same ■way as the Salmon, ascending
the rivers to spawn or even landlocked in fresh water.
The American species also sllo^v hew closely this genus
is related to the fjiinily of the Sparidae — : l^y the
greater size of the scales, the deeper form of the body,
the greater breadth (depth) of the preorbital bones and
the increased fineness of the serration of the preoper-
culura, which almost disappears along the inferior
margin of this l^one — and some of these American
species (the sub-genus Morone'') are of special impor-
tance in explaining the relationship between the Perch
;iud tlie Pope, two genera so sharply distinct from
other points of view. Here, Avithin the limits of one
genus, we have those characters combined, Avhich sepa-
rate Acerina from Perca. In Boccus {Morone) inter-
ruptus and R. (M.) americanus the two dorsal fins are
so nearly united, i. e., the fin-membrane from the last
ray of the first dorsal fin groAvs so high on the first
ray of the second dorsal fin, that when the first fin
is raised, the second also rises simultaneously; and in
the an.-il fin the second spinous ray is the longest and
strongest as in Acerina, when the latter, as is some-
times the cnse, lias three spinous rays in the anal fin.

Furthermore, in conjunction with these characters so
like those of the Pope, the "muciferous ducts" and
"muciferous cavities " (see above) of the head are almost
as highly developed as in the Pope on the sides of the
lower jaw, the preoperculum and the snout. This is
most noticeable in Boccus americanus', somewhat less
so in R. interruptus and still less in Boccus (Lepibema)
chrysops, where, however, as in all the other species
of Boccus, they may be discerned exteriorly. The
most important difference between these three species
of Boccus and the others is the deep shape of the body,
the least depth of the tail being about 11 per cent of
the length of the Ijody, while in the other it is at
most 9,5, at least where the length of the body is
not more than 316 mm. This character with several
others, to judge b}' the changes of growth known to
us in the European Sea-perch, sets them highest on
the scale of the generic development. The fourth Ame-
rican species, B. lineatus, comes nearest our Sea-perch,
and in the same Avay seems to represent the lowest
grade of development within the genus, especially in
its most remarkable character, the great length of the
lower jaw, which is about 15 % of the length of the
body and longer than the base of tlie second dorsal fin,
the shortness of which in this species is, as far as it
goes, a token of a lower degree of development.

" MlTCHiLL Fish. N. Y. (1814). CuviEit called this genus Labraj- (Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Foiss., II, p. 55) though he must have
known and observed that this name had already been employed by Pallas to denote a genus of another family. Boccus is a barbarous Lati-
nization of the American 'liock-nsh'.

'' Rarely (! or 8.

■^ Uarely IH.

•^ Gill, cf. Johdam and Gilbert, Syn. Fish. N. Amer., 1. c, p. 530.

' Cf. GOnturr, Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., I, p. (56.

SKA-PERCH.

45

THE SEA-PERCH (sw. iiafsabokue.n).

ROCCUS LABRAX.

Fig. 11.

Sjjines on the inferior margin of prcopercnlum pointing fonvards, and fewer Out larger than those on the poste-
rior margin. Scales on the head, at least those on the anterior part of the forehead and on the cheeks, cycloid.

The shaft of the vomer without teeth.

Fig. 11. Sea-perch {Eocctis labra.v) from Bohusliin. '., nat. size.

B. hr. 7"; D. 9 — ; .4. ^; P. 2 + 15 + 1''; V. \; C. .r + 15
14 11 o

+ x^; L. lat. G5 — 72'.

Syn. Ferca Labrax, LiN., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 290; Schager- j
strOm, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1829, p. 95, tab. Ill, figg. 5—7;
NiLss., Prodr. Ichth. Sc, p. 81 ; Id., Sk-and. Fn. Fisk., p. 16.

Centropomus lupus, Lacep., Hist. Xat. Poiss., IV, p. 267;
Cuv., Val. (Labnix), Hist. Xat. Poiss., II, p. 56, tab. 11;
Kr., Damn. Fiske, I, p. 2.3; Gthb, Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish.,
I, p. 03; Steind., Szber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI, 1(1867),
p. 606; Coll., Norg. Fiske, p. 15; Cedehstrom, Of vers.
Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1876, n:r 4, p. 64; Lillj., Sv. Xorg. Fn.,
Fisk., I, p. 55; Winth., Natiirh. Tidskr. Kjobenh., 1879, p.
6; Id., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 3, tab. I, fig. 2.

Labra,t Linnei, Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 379.

Ill the colouring of it.s body the Sea-perch resem-
l)les the Salmon. The back is grayish black with a
steel-blue lustre, the sides bright silver but this bright-
ness tinged with a brassy yellow. The belly white.
The unpaired and the pectoral fins, according to Malsi,
of the same gi-ayish black colour as the back. The
ventral fins of the same colour as the belly. A black
spot on the upper part of the gill-cover. Blanchere''
describes the dorsal fins as rose-coloured, the pectoral
and ventral fins as yellowish. The lateral line, according
to ^Iai.m, is gi-ayish Avhite and coasted above and below
by a very fine, lilackish line. During youth, according

" In a specimen from Bohusliin there are only 6 branchiostegal rays. With respect to this abnormity we may point out that a spe-
cimen of Ilocais lineatus from the Potomac has 7 rays in the left branchiostegal membrane, but 8 in the right, while a specimen of R.
americanus from Connecticut has 7 rays in the left branchiostegal membrane and 0 in the right.

» Sometimes ^^ or ^-^.

"■ Sometimes — - or .

10 1 + 10

Of the whole genus Roccus Day {Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., I, p. 8) remarks: "The number of anal spines

has been observed to be inconstant."

•^ Or 2 + 14 + 1, or 2 + 14. or 2+15, or 2 + 16 + 1.

' In the specimen of R. lineatus from the Potomac which is mentioned above, C. jr + 13+.r.

^ Excluding tin- small scales on the caudal fin which belong to the lateral line.

9 Diet. Gen. d. Peches p. 75.

46

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

to CuviER and Steindachner, the fish generally has
small black spots irregularly scattered over the body.
In other respects our tigure is calculated to give a
correct idea of the ajjpearance of the fish. By the
character given first in our diagnosis of the species
it is distinguished from the American species of the
genus, and by the t^vo last cliaracters from Roccus
punctatus", the species found in the Mediterranean, off
the coasts of the Spanish Peninsula, the Avest coast of
France and the island of Teneritte. In southern Avaters
it often attains a length of 1 m., but the largest spe-
cimens found in Scandinavia have been about 350 mm.
in length, measured from tip of the snout to the end
of the middle rays in the caudal fin.

The fame of the Sea-perch dates from the early
classical times'. Aristotle described it and knew —
among other things — that it betakes* itself to the river-
mouths to spawn. Archestrates calls the Sea-perch
of Miletus the 'child of the gods'. For its voracity
{jiciQce Tijf ^a/ip6T)]Ta) it received the name of lahrax
among the Greeks, and for the same reason the Romans
called it tvolf {lupus). But it was also considered a
very sagacious creature. It enjoyed the reputation of
being able, if enclosed in a net, to dig a hole in the
sand in order to escape, and when taken on the hook,
to enlarge the wound and thus get free. A fact -which
has been demonstrated jjy Americans' and Englishmen''
in our own times, Avas also known then, namely, that
the Sea-perch may be kept alive in fresh water and
that when it is so kept, the delicate flavour of its flesh
increases. The Romans most highly esteemed the Sea-
perch Avhich lived in the dirty Avater of the Tiber,
betAveen the two bridges, a taste Avhich Avas long ago
(in the fifteenth century) stigmatised by Rondelet as
uiiAvholesome.

The habitat of this fish is the Mediterranean Avith
the adjoining parts of the Atlantic, as far as England

and Ireland. Oft' tlie east coast of England it begins
to be rare and is still rarer farther north, though,
according to Collett, solitary specimens Avander as
high up as Tromso. The first time it Avas found and
recognised in Scandinavian waters, it avms described by
Dr. Schagerstrom from a specimen taken in August,
1829, oft' Ha'Cu in the Sound. Subse(|ueutly, to the
best of our knowledge, it has been met Avith four times
in Bohusliin.

In its Avay of life the Sea-perch is. described as re-
sembling on the Avhole the common Perch. "Sometimes, "
says Winther, "it lies still on the Avatch for its prey
and sometimes Avanders along the coast. " The largest
shoals are met Asith during the sardine-fishing, and in
a Avav it does the fishermen good service, for by its
pursuit of the sardines it keeps tliem in continual fright
and confusion and thus drives them into the nets. For
this reason its appearance is ^velcomed Avhen the sar-
dine-fishing is good, but Avhen it is bad, the Sea-perch
is blamed for driving the fish aAvay. On account of its
voracity it is most easily taken on the hook Avith a
bait of sardines, shrimps, Avorms or something of the
kind. On the south coast of England and the coast of
France it is cauffht A\itii a rod and line or Avith night-
lines off the pier-heads and rocks. It is also taken in
large quantities in ;iutumn, Avhen it comes to the mouths
of the i-ivers or presses into the bays in order to spaAvn,
and is then cut off' at loAv-tide by the fishermen's nets.
Almost all the }-ear round it is taken to the markets
of Paris, Avhere it is highly esteemed for its firm,
Avhite, boneless and delicate flesh, except Avhen it has
been feasting on sardines, Avhich give its flesh an un-
bearable taste of train-oil. The American Boccus
Vmeafus, Avhich in many respects closely resembles the
Sea-perch, is one of tlie fishes most highly valued
by the sportsmen of that country, even for fly-
fishing^

" GOnther, Brito Capello and Steindachner, see Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LA'I, i (1867) p. 607. Cf. also Moreau, Hist. Nat.
Poiss. Fr., II, p. 337. According to Jordan and Gilbert (1. c.) the cycloid scales on the cheeks also separate Eoccus Ihicatiis and i?. cliry-
sops from the subgenus Morone (see above); but in the specimen of R. liucattis which the Royal Museum has received from tlie Smithsonian
Institution, this distinction does not hold good.

' Cf. Guv., Val., 1. c.

" Roosevelt, The Game Fish, New York 1884, p. 204 (B. lineaiiis).

'' Day, Fish. G:t Brit. a. Irel., I, p. 9.

' Roosevelt, 1. c.

STONE-BASS.

47

GENur; POLYPRION.

Form of tlic haili/ arol oiid compressed. Scales small n-il/i sltarp spines. The Ijo)iij ridge on llic outside of the
operculum extendinfi to tin: spine at the point of this liouc, hi'/h cud. like the spinous rays of the ventral fins and
most of the spinous rays (the anterior at least) in the dorsal and anal fins, sharply dentated or tvarty (during
youth at least). Preorhital hones., preoperculum, suhoperculum, interoperculum and shoulder-girdle dentated. Head
scaly, with the exception of the sjnnous or warty ridges and osseous lines of thr exterior hones, and also of the
lips. Villiform, in older specimens cardiform teeth on the intermaxillaries, the mandihie, the vomer, the palatine
Imnes and the tongue. Numerous (70) pyloric appendages, forming several hunches". I'seudohranchi(e well deve-
loped. Branchiostegal memhranes separate, each with 7'' rays. Dorsal fin continuous, ivith from Id to 12 spinous
rays'. In the ancd fin 3 spinous rays, its hase heing (dmuf ('(piid in length to the Ijase of the soft-rayed part of

the dorsal. In the caudal fin 15'' hranched rays.

Of this cosiuopolitan genus, which belongs to the I in this s])ecies is, however, of litth- importance, unless

(leptiis of the ocean, Steindachneu hns in recent ti- , it he an indication of juvenile characters still pre-

nies' described a new species from Juan Fernandez j served. With this exception the only species we know

and the Island of St. Paul. The difference of form | is tiic lung famous

STONE-BASS OR WRECK-FISH (sw. vuakfisken).

POLYPRION AMERICANUM.

Fig. 12.

Breadth of the interorlntal space equal to or greater than the length of the gill-cover, sometimes equal to the
least depth of the tail and from !'/„ to 2 times the longifiidinal diameter of the orhit.

Fig. r2. Stone-bass (Polyprion americanum) from Sardinia. ^ ^ of tlic natural size. Drawn from a specimen belonging to the

Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen.

" D.*y, I. c. According to GCnther, 1. c, there are only 2 pyloric appendages, according to Mobeau, 1. c, C.

* Sometimes 8.

' Steindacu.vkr, I. c.

'' 14, according to v. DCbes and Koren, 1. c.

•■ Mth. Deilr.. II, i: Sitzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LXXI, i, April 1875, p. 1 (sep.).

48

SCANDINAVIAN' FISHES.

R. In: 1" D. -^ — ; A. |; P. 2 + 15 + 1''; V- -; C- .r+15
1 + 11 9 0

+ .r''; L. lat. circ. 90; Sqti. tat. circ. 120.

iSy7i. Amphiprion americanus, Block, Syst. Ichth., edit. Schneider,

p. 205, tab. 47 {A. australe).
Epinephelus oxygeneios, Id., ibid. p. 301; Jokdan el Gilbert

(Polypriori), Sy7i. Fish. IV. Amer., Bnll. U. S. Nat. Mus.

N:r 16, p. 532.
Polyprion cernumi, Val., Mem. Mus. d'Hist. Nat., vol. XI,

p. 265, tab. 17; v. Di)BEN et Koeen, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1844,

p. 29; NiLSs. i>kand. Fn., Fisk., p. 33; Gthe, Brit. Mus.

Cat., Fish., I, p. 169; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel, I, p. 17,

tab. VI; LiLLJ., Sv., Xonj. Fn., Fisk., I, p. 71; Moreau,

Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. II. p. 349.

The Stone-bas.s attains a length of over 6 feet.
'•The form of the body .some^vhat resembles that of the
Tench," says Nilsson; and the Stone-bass really does
remind one of that fish, but perhaps not so much by
its shape as by the large number and small size of its
scales, as well as l)v its colouring, at least as it ap-
peal's when preserved in spirits in the museums. The
uKJst remarkable point, lK)^\ever, in the appearance of
the Stone-bass is the roughness of its head. This is
caused not only by the bony ridge on the gill-cover,
■which is the most important character of the genus
Pohiprion, but also by a number of similar structures
on the occiput and forehead. On the neck there is a
longitudinal, bony ridge, which in young specimens is
serrated ('like a segment of a circular saw': Moreau),
in older ones more or less smooth. In youth the epi-
otic bones (ossa mastoidea) liave also a similar appear-
ance, and tlie pterotic l)ones (ossa squamosa) form a
straight, horizontal, bonj' ridge on each side, thus form-
ing the up])er l)oundary of the cheeks behind the eyes.
On each side of the supraorbital region is a triangular
or semicircular patch of radiating lines of bone, which
are spinous and converge to a centre, Avhich touches
that of another i-adiating system of flatter ])ony ridges,
which form a fan-shaped figure and run towards the
longitudinal ridge on the occiput which we have just
mentioned. The strange appearance of the lisli is fur-
ther enhanced in a high degree bj- the extent of its
scaly armour, which is continued over the insertions of
the pectoral and caudal fins, and also ovei- the bases

of the anal fin and of the soft-rayed part of the dorsal.
In the dorsal fin we see, as in the case of Acerina, tliat
the last spinous ray is longer than the one next before
it; but in the Stone-bass the spinous-rayed part is lower
than the soft-rayed. The hind margin of the caudal
fin is rounded, Init in ijoth the specimens which I have
been enabled to examine by the liberality of the Copen-
hagen Museum, the rays of this fin are broken oft' short.
The colour of these specimens, which are preserved in
spirits, is reddish brown, fiame-coloured on the sides
and almost white on the belly, v. Duben and Koren
describe a freshly-caught specimen as being bluish gray
on the back, Avhile on the sides the colouring shades
oft' into yellowish gray ^\•ith a silver lustre, and on the
belly becomes still lighter. All the ftns were blue-
black, with the exception of the ventrals, the rays of
Avlneh Avere l)luish white and the membrane blue-black.
According to their description, tlie iris is silver and
the pupil l)liie-l)lack.

The Stone-bass, to which Lilljeborg has given a
S^vedish name formed on the analogy of the English
'Wreck-fish', a name due to the fact that it is often
met with near drifting Avreckage and timber, has been
observed in the most distant parts of the ocean, both
in the Atlantic and the Pacific Hemispheres. This
circumstance seems to confirm Sv. Loven's tlieory of
the uniformity (jf the deep-sea fauna, unless Pohjprion
Kiierii, described by Steindachner, be a .species pecu-
liar to the Pacific and Indian Oceans and there repre-
sent the genus. In the depths of the Mediterranean it
is common, and in Southern Europe it is highly esteemed
on account of the delicacy and fine flavour of its flesh.
Off the coast of Scandinavia it has been met with, in
the month of July, 1843, when a specimen oOU mm.
long was taken on a night-line at Solsvig, about 13
miles from Bergen. Though a deep-sea fish, the Stone-
bass sometimes comes to tlie surface, in pursuit of small
fr^" or perhaps to spawn, and it is under these circum-
stances that it is most often found near floating objects
covered with barnacles (Lepades), wliicli do not, how-
ever, seem to form its food.

" A specimen about 210 mm. long bas 7 brancliiostegal rays ou tbe rii,'lit side and 8 on the left.

Sometimes D.

10

11

1+12 1 + 10'
"■ Or 2+14+1 or 2 + 15.
'' .V + 14 + .7' according to v. DChen an<l Koren, 1. e.

SCI^NOIOS.

49

r AMU

,v 8€IiENIDiE.

K.ticnidl hones of flic head siuoolh, or the preoperculum and opercidum sli/jjitly denticulated. Scales slightly denti-
culated and extending more or less orer the vertical fins. When there are two dorsal fins, the anterior, ivMch is
slightly spinous, is shorter than the jxtsterior, soft-rayed fin: irhen the dorsal fins are united into one continuous
fin, the same relation holds good between the spinous-rayed and soft-rayed parts of this fin. The muciferous ducts
belonging to the system of the lateral line very much developed in the bones of the head. Simple, conical teeth
on the fides, bat the palate and tongue without teeth. Ventral fins thoracic, irith one spinous and five soft rays.

As GuNTHEii" h;is ■•ili'cadx- ohscrvcd, tlie system of
the lateral line in its extension on the head in these
tishes follows the same tyfiical ai-rangement as in the
I'cst of the Acanthopterygians; it is only its high de-
gree of develojjment ' that, to some extent, may form
a character of the family, tliongh in Acerina and Roccus
we tind these sensoi-y organs but very slightly less de-
velo])ed. Connected \\itli the continuation of the scales
over some or all of the vertical tins, a character very
common among the Scicenidie, by which they range
themselves along \vith the Squamipinnes, ^ve tind the
continuation of the lateral line over the caudal tin, some-
times right to the hind margin. Another organ which
is generally very highly developed in the Scicenido}, is
the air-bladder", which, by its longitudinal division or
its appendages in the form of longitudinal tubes or trans-
verse, simple or complex excrescences, is probably con-
nected with the power which these fishes possess of
producing sounds audible at some distance''.

In form of body these fishes are not very unlike
the Percoid family. The Scia;nidce might be considered
as Sea-perches with, as a rule, weaker fin-rays and scales
and also without palatine teeth, did not the dental equip-
ment of two Xorth American genera {Haploidonotus
and Pogonias) call for special notice on account of the
strength of the pharyngeals, ^vhicll is further increased
by the coalescence of the inferior pharyngeals, else a
character proper to the true Pharyngognates. This form

of tiic pharyngeal dentition — obtuse grinding teeth
(molars) arranged like the stones of a pavement — reap-
pears in the jaw-teetli of tlie fishes belonging to the
Sparidcc. Another likeness between certain Scirenida;
and the Sparidce is the circumstance that, though in
the former the preorbital bones themselves do not cover
the maxillary l)ones, it is true, still this is done by a
dermal Hap fr(jm tlie suborbital ring, when the mouth
is closed. The Swedish name for the family, Hafgos-
fiskar (Sea Pike-perches), which has been introduced bj-
X1L8SON, is a suitable expression for the likeness of
these fishes to the Perches, a likeness which does not
vanish in their way of life. They are shore-fishes,
though many of them, being excellent swimmers, are
widel}' spread throughout the temperate and tropic parts
of the ocean, and, like the genus lioccus, they some-
times make their way to fresh water at the mouths of
large rivers or higher up the stream. The genus Ha-
ploidonotus, which we have just mentioned, and several
species of other genera have their constant abode in
lakes. In the Mediterranean the Sci(cni(l(e have been
known and valued from time immemorial; in the Red
Sea, according to GCxthek, they are wanting. Accord-
ing to the same author the familv includes about 130
species, distributed among 12 genera; Jordan and Gil-
bert', however, assume no less than 25 genera. In the
Scandinavian fauna only one of these genera can be
adduced, and that onlv as an occasional visitor.

" Brit. Mus. Cat. Fish., II, p. 287.

'■ Cf. Cuv., V.\L., Hist. Nat. d. Poiss., pi. 140.

' Cf. Cuv., \m.., 1. c, pi. 138 and 139, and GC.nther, Study of Fishes, pp. 142 etc., or Handb. </. Ichth.. pp. 95 etc.

'' Cf. W. Sokensen: Om Lydoryaner hos Fiske. Kblivn 1884, pp. 162 etc. and the passages there referred to.

' Syn. Fish. X. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 566.

Scandinavian Fishes.

50

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus SCI^NA.

No barbels on the chin, ivhich does not project heijond the snout; no distincthj developed canine teeth on the jmvs;
no scales on the dorsal fins. The lower phari/nr/cals not united. Preoperculnm dentated. Pseudobranchice distinct.

sical name {^Ixiaipa in Aristotle, umbra in Ovid,

Distinguished by Artedi" under a limitation so
wide as to correspond very nearly to the Sciajnoid family
of our times, this genus now includes only those spe-
cies Avhich agree Avith the characters, chiefly negative
ones, ^vhich are given above and are the expression of
tlie most typical generic form in the family. About
.50 known species range themselves under these cha-
racters. The genus is spi'ead over the Old World and
the New, tlie Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific. Its clas-

CoLUMELLA and, at a later time, 1.554, in Salvianus;
ombrina among the Romans of the present day) means
'shadow-fish''', but is difficult to explain, as the accounts
of this genus given by the ancients are very meagre.
In India, where these fishes are ;ui important article of
food and where, according to Day", their air-bladder
is made into isinglass and exported to China, they
are called Bola in Bengali.

THE MAIGRE (sw. hafgoskn).

SCI^NA AQUILA.

Fig. 13.

Second ran of the anal fin from Va to V.^ of the first soft raij in length and of about the same thickness as the
latter. Number of branched rays in the second dorsal fin from 2(i to 28. Diameter of the eye from Ve ^'^ ^li"
of the lenyth of the head. Colour of the body silver-white, darker on the back. An indistinct, blackish gray

spot on the operculum.

Fig. 13. Maigre (Sciccna aqitila) from the Jlediterraneau. -3 of the natural size.

A', hi: 7; D. 10/-

1

20—28^
V. .(• + 16 + x; L. lat. 50 — 55*.

; A. ~; P. 2 + 15^; V. '/,,;

Sijn: Maigre, Duhamel, Pech., part. 2 (rol. Ill), sect. 6, p. 137,
tab. 1 fig. 3.

" Geii. Pise, p. 38.

' Cf. Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. d. Poiss., V, pp. 12 etc.

•^ Fi-sh. Gt. Brit., Irel., pt. I, p. 149.

'' In young specimens •'/,;, according to Stkindachner, Ichth. Reis. Sp. Port., Stzgbcr. Akad. Wieii, Mat. Naturv. CI. 1867, Bd. 50, I, p. 640.

'' 29, according to Day, 1. c.

2
/ Sometimes, but seldom- , according to Moreau, Hi.it. Nat. Poi.-ts. Fr., II, p. 401.

o

i' p. lit, according to Lii.UEnoiiG, 1. c.
'' Excluding the scales of the caudal iin.

MAIGRE.

51

C/ieiUnlipteru." (iijiiila, Lacki'., I/ist. Xat. J'oifs.. V, p. 684;

Cuv., Vai.., (Sciu'txt'), Hint. Nat. Pois.i., V, p. 28, tab. 100;

Nass., Skand. Fii., Fisk., p. 75G; Lilu., Hv.. Norg. Fiak.,

I, p. 199; Hansen, Zool.-Dau., F/.'tke, p. 32, tab. V, fig. 5.
iHfiinin iiinbra, Cl'v., R. Anim., ed. II, vol. IT, p. 172; BoNAp.,

Fn. Ital., vol. Ill, tab. 88, fig. 1, p. 65.
6'vicena antarctica, Castelnau, Proc. Zool. Soc. Vict. 1872, p.

100; Ten.-Woods, ;V. i'. Wal. Fish, ami Fisher., p. 53,

tab. XVI.

\\ hat first attracts our attention in the appearance
of tlic Mai_<ir(', when we compare it with the preceding
IVrcdiiiorphi, i.s the great length of the second dor.sal
liii .111(1 the shortness of the anal. Tlie plentiful cover-
ing of scales on the head reminds us most of the Sea-
perch, ;iiul the grayish black spot which we see on the
opei-ciiluni through tlie silver (sometimes golden) sheen
of the scales, ini'reases this resemblance and thus ex-
plains the confusion of these two species which we often
find among fishermen." Both reach a very considerable
size, though in this respect the IMaigre far surpasses
the Sea-perch, as it attains a length of at least 2
metres. The form of the bod}' is about the same
as that of the Sea-perch. In the Maigre, as well as
in the Sea-perch the length of the body is 4 or .5
times the greatest depth, and from 4 to 4V3 times
the length of the head. But the least depth of
the body (the least depth of the tail) is smaller* in
the Maigre, being about ?)6 % of the greatest depth,
whereas in the Sea-perch it is about 4.5 %''. Besides
these, the most remarkable point in the external ap-
pearance of the Maigre is the oblique position of the
scales, directed, as they are, posteriorly upwards. Ac-
cording to Steindachner (1. c), the caudal fin is com-
pletely covered with scales, which, hoAvever, easily drop the neighbouring part of tlie Atlantic. Still it is seldom
off. On each side of the bases of the dorsal fins the skin , taken on a hook*", but usually in a large-meshed net,
grows into a longitudinal, scah- flap, thus forming a and Duha.aiel declares that the fishermen can detect
groove in ^\■hk■h these fins may be partly concealed. ; where tlie fish is and where to set the net, by its "song",
The dental equipment of the mouth, too, is quite unlike : which is said to be audible from a depth of twenty
that of the Sea-perch, for though the Maigre has not fathoms. It is valued not only as food — the head
so large canine teeth as the Scia>noid genera Ofolifhiis is especially prized — but also for the large 'otolithes'
and Ancylodon, still it has an outer row of large, (hearing-stones) which distinguish all tiie Scuenidte. To
scattered jaw-teeth, largest on the intermaxillaries, which these is ascribed a magic power: they are kejrt as talis-
project from the velvety, ))apillose skin, which in its mans and used as a cure for colic, if they have been
turn conceals the inner patch of cardiform teeth. The received as a gift, but if purchased, they are thought
gill-rakers are strong, and on the front of the first useless.

bi'aniliial arch and ahiKJSt univci'sally on tlic anterior side
of th(! back ones they change into large-, spinous nodules,
while on the pharyngeals, upper and lower, they are
(le\clo|ie(l into cardiform rows (;f strong and pointed
teetii. The first spinous ray in tlie anal fin is extremely
short and often hidden by skin and scales, while the
second is weak in comparison witli the ravs in that
group of the genus to which Cuvikr has given the
generic name Corvina.

The bright ;ind gorgeous silver-gray colour of the
body becomes white on the belh' and shades off into
brown on the l)a<'k, while on the oi-ciput, according to
D.w, it is green with a lustre of purple and gold. How-
ever, these shades vary very coiisideral)ly. The fins are
reddish brown or I'cd, the dorsal ami rniujal, according
to Steindachner, edged with gray, as are also the ends
of the pectoral and anal fins, according to Day. The
scales on the body are punctated with fine, black dots.

According to Yah hell'', the Maigre is .seldom taken
less than 3 feet in length oft" the English coast. It
is not common there, though, according to Day, it
is sometimes taken in numbers oft' the coast of Devon-
shire and Cornwall. Steindachner procured small spe-
cimens in Cadiz and Barcelona. Geoffroy St. Hilaire
and Ehrenberg also brought home small specimens from
Egy])t, a, circumstance which led Cuvier to conjecture
that the Maigre spawns along the south coa.st of the
Mediterranean, as one can never get small ^Maigres on
the north coast.

The Maigre is distinctly a fish of prey, and seems
to follow the .sardine-shoals in the Mediten-anean and

" Of. Ddhamel, 1. c. p. 136 and Cuvier, 1. c.

' 7.2 % of the length of the body in a specimen 268 mm. long.

J. 8 ,'9 ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,* ,t ,, ,, i^O ,, ,,

"* Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 107.

' According to Tesison-Woods (1. c), in Australia the large Maigres arc caught with hook and line, the small ones in drag-nets.

52

SCAXDINAVIA>J FISHES.

One specimen of this species has Avandered into
the Sound. "It was found," says Nilsson, "on the 24th
of December, 18.52, not far from shore, outside Alstorp
south of Laiidskrona. The fish was stranded among the
seaweed, where it lay and lashed about in its struggles to
get free. It was killed with boathooks by the fishermen and
brought to Lund after the holidays, where it has since
been stuffed and is ])reserved in the University Zoologi-
cal Museum. It was 5 feet long and weighed 67 ^/g ll)s."

The Royal Museum has a specimen of the Maigre
from Cape Colony, where this species is said to be very
common, and from which place came the specimens
fii'st described l)y Lacepede and Cuvieb" under the
name Lahnts {Scicena) hoi olepi dolus. Another specimen,
whicli has formed the basis of the above remarks and
the figure, has been obtained by the Museum from the
Museum of Vienna through the generosity of Professor
Steindachner.

fam. sparidj:.

Form of the hod// deep and compressed. External hones of the head smooth; the frst two suborbital (preorbital)
bones, often united, broad and covering the maxillarij bones •when the mouth is closed. Scales ctenoid or cycloid.
The scales of the body are, as a rule, not continued over the dorsal or anal fin, but these fins may yenerally be
partly concealed in a groove formed by a scaly fold of skin. One continuous dorsal fin, the spinous-rayed part
of which is about equal in extent to the soft-rayed, or a little longer. System of the lateral line but little de-
veloped on the head. Either closely-set, cutting or pointed, at least somewhat compressed teeth in the front of the
Jaws, or obtuse teeth on the posterior parts of the intermaxillaries and the mandible. Palate and tongue without
teeth. Chin ivithout barbels. Ventral fins thoracic, tvith one spinous ray and five soft.

This family, like the pi'eceding one, was precon-
ceived by Artedi. The definition he gave his genus
Sparus^, in Cuvier's system was represented by the
two families Sparidce and Mmiidce'', and the character
to which Aktedi seems to have paid most attention,
namely the nature of the jaw-teeth, is still of service
in the system of our own times for the generic divi-
sion of the family Sparidce.

The Sparid(e, to which Nilsson has given the
Swedish name hafsrudefiskar (Sea Gibel Carps) on
account of the general depth of the body, occupy a
peculiar intermediate position, which makes a defini-
tion of the family very difficult. The deep form of
the bod)% and the movable cardiform teeth of certain
species remind us of the scale-finned fishes (Squami-
pinnes), while other species, Avith their flat, sharp front-
teeth, point to the Teuthididce. Again, the long, pointed,
sometimes falcate pectoral fins call to mind the Mackerel
group, while the deep snout and the strong, conical
front-teeth in other species remind us of their close
rcisemblance to Ilccmulon and some other genera of the
Fercoid family. Although they are Avithout the marked

development of the muciferous system of the lateral
line which Ave find in the SciajnidiT! and Avhich consists
in its extension over the head, still the naked (scale-
less) parts of the head are generally covered Avith a
skin densely pierced by fine pores. It is at the mar-
gins of the preorbital bones and the preoperculum that
these pores most clearly develop into attenuated, hori-
zontal tubes. Similar tubes, spread out like the fingers
of a hand, occur too on the posttemporal bones, Avhich
in their posterior part appear like scales, on the scales
in an oblique roAv"* ascending from these bones, on a
corresponding roAV of scales in the same direction from
the superior articulation of the preoperculum and on the
scales Avhich cover the posterior suborbital bones. The
direction of these roAvs of scales may vaiy^, so that those
Avhich ascend from the posttemporal bone a-nd the preo-
perculum may meet, or the latter take an opposite
course, more obliquely forAvards, over the forehead; but
still their appearance clearly shoAVs that they correspond
to the so-called muciferous ducts on the head, and they
may be found, though they are not so distinct, even
in the common Perch.

III.

p. .517, pi. 21, fig. 2; Cuv.. Vai.., (Sciirna) 1. c, p. 5.S; Smith: ///. Zool. ^. Afr., Fish., pi. XV.

" Lacicp., {LnJjfua) 1.

* Gen. Pise, p. 35.

" Regn. Anim., ed. 2. vol. II, p. 180 (.SjKiroidet:) and p. 18G {Manides).

'' Valenciennes and Bonaparte culled tliis row of scales sqwunce superscapulares, Winther in Zoologia Daiu'ca Fiske. Forklaring til

Tavlernc, ]>. II, fig. 2, k-, lias called il. "Sidelinions Nakkegren" (tlie occipital hrancli of the lateral line).

SEA-BREAMS.

53

In their maimer of lite the Spaiulfe closely re-
semble the Lahridrc, and several exotic genera of" the
former family are also very like the Wrasses in ap-
pearance. The priiicipiil character of the Sparidce, too,
is ex])r('sse(l in their strong teeth, adapted for crushing
or biting their food, and m;iny of tlicm are remarkable
for their tiiick lips, sometimes fringed witii a velvety,
papillose covering, which may be contimied into the
moutli and thei'e ch;iiige into a, coat of longitudinal
folds on tiie palate and tongue". They live for the most
part on mussels and other siielliish or crustaceans, the
shells of which tliev have to crush. Some species, how-
ever, which are pro\ided with a longer digestive canal
than the others, feed principally on seaweed. In con-
sequence of this diet the Sparida) are generally shore-
fishes, which, while young, live in shallow and tidal
watei's, but in old age keep to deep water. The young
are often found in shoals, the old ones, on the con-
trary, are generally of solitary habits. From olden
times they have been highly esteemed among Mediter-
ranean fishes by the Greeks and Romans, and one sj^e-
cies, the Gilt-head {Sj^arns aurata) was kept alive
in captivity and fed on mussels, to form a highly

prized dish. L>ut the family is no less valuable in
domestic economy in America, where the Sheep's-head
(Diplodns inobatocephalus = Surf/us ovis), which attains
a length of 3.') inches and ;i, weight of 14 or 15 lbs.,
is considered one of the most delicious salt-water fishes
of the United States'', or in Australia, where the Schnap-
per {S2)arus imicolor), which may weigh as much as
28 His.", is held in as great esteem.

The family includes al)Out 120 known species from
the tropic and temperate seas and tlie brackish waters
round their coasts. Of the four groups into which it
is divided (subfamilies: Cantharini, Bogini'', Sargini^
Sparini), and wlii<li have been distinguished by Cuvier',
Valknciennks-' and Gunther'-' on account of the diffe-
rence in the form of their t(!etli, there are two which,
though only on occasions more or less frequent, are
represented in the Scandinavian Fauna, the first, Cantha-
rini, including the forms which have only pointed,
cardiform teeth, the second, Sparini, containing those
which in the front of the mouth have pointed, cardi-
form teeth or canines and on the back of the jaws
obtuse, molar teeth. Of each subfamily we liave only
to give one genus.

Genus CANTHARUS.
The jair-teefh form anteriorly a dense, strong rard^ the outer row of which consists of larger teeth than the others.

The European side of the Atlantic, the Mediter-
ranean and the African side of the Indian Ocean, form
the habitat of the genus Cantharus, Avhereof Gunther
in his Catalogue (1. c.) has oidy cited 6 species as cer-
tairdy belonging to it. Three of these, he says, belong
to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside it, three
to the Cape and the Seychelles. Steindachner'', how-

ever, has combined two of the first-mentioned species
into one, and if this was done with good reason, as
certainly seems to be the case, we are compelled also
to assume that the third Mediterranean species has no
greater right to its position, since the characters given
by Valenciennes for Cantharus orbicularis', have most
of the appearance of characters of age.

" This structure is especially beautiful in Spariis erythrinus, for example.

'' Cf. Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Foiss., VI, p. 55, following Mitchill.

■■ Cf. Tenison-Woods, Fish a. Fisher. N. S. Wales, p. 40.

■' Obladim, More.^u, Hist. Nat. Foiss. Fr., Ill, p. 1.3.

' Rhjn. Anim.y ed. 2, vol. II, pp. 181, etc.

.'■ Gov., Val., Hist. Nat. Foiss., VI, pp. 6, etc.

■■' Cat. Brit. Afiis., Fish., I, p. 412.

* Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI, I (18G7), p. 649.

' Cuv., Vai... Hist. Nat. Poi.is., VI, p. 331.

54

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

THE BLACK SEA-BREAM (sw. hafsrudan).

CAXTHARUS LIXEATUS.

Fig. 14.

Colonriiu/ of the body f/ra/i irifh a blue or greenish lustre, during i/oufh marked iritli transverse I)a}>ds. Along
the middle of the rows of smies run yelloivish hroum longitudinal streaks, darkest on the lateral line. Both the
superior-posterior lines of muciferous ducts on the head meet on the occiput, are dark and include on each side

a triangular patcli of common scales, ivhich points uptvards.

Fig. 14. Black fSea-Bream {Canthnrus lineatiis) from Clirisliauia Fjord. V'., natural size.

R. br. 6; D. j^; A. -^; P. 2 + 13+1; V. -~; V.x+\b + x;

L. lat. 72—74"; L. tr. 7. + 1 ''•
18

iSi/)i. Krivd^ctgog, Aristotle, Uaniharus, Ovid, Scaraboeus, Gaza
(vide Artedi).

Spams lineis utrinciue luteis loiigitudinaliter parallelis, iride
argentea. Art., Gen. Pise, p. 36; iSi/n. p. 58.

■Sjiaftis Cantliarus, Lin., iSyst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 280.

Sparus linealus, Montaqd, Mem. Worn. Nat. Hist. Soc, II,
(1815) p. 451, tab. XXIII; Gthu (Cantliarus), Cat. Brit.
Mus., Fish., I, p. 413; Li)TK., Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For.
Kbhvii 1865, p. 220; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Cliristiama
1874, Tilla^gsh., p. 17; Wintu., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn,
ser. Ill, Bd XII (1879), p. 8; Id., ZooI. Dan., Fiske, p. 14,
tab. Ill, lig. 1 ; Day, Fis/i. G:t Brit., Irel., I, p. 2G, tab.
IX; LiLLJEB., aS'u., Norff. Fn., Fisk., I, p. 210; Coll., N.
Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 20 (1884), p. 50.

Cantliarus vulgaris, Canth. hraiiia, Cnntli. orbicularis{'i), Cantli.
(jrisem, Val. in Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, pp. 31'.),
328, 331, 333, tab. 160; Cantli. griseus et Canth. vulgaris.

NiLss., Ukand. Fn., Fisk., pp. 118 ct 110; {'f)Canth. orbicu-
laris, BoNAP., Fn. Ital, vol. Ill (Pesci), tab. 89; Canth.
griseus, Canth. brama, C?) Canth. orbicularis, Moreau, Hist.
Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. Ill, pp. 49, 52, 54.
Canthartis Linnei, Malm, Gbijs, Boh. Fn., pp. 97 et 384.

Obs. With regard to the relation between Cantharus lineatus
and C. brama Steindachneu (1. c.) has reminded us of the doubtful-
ness of a character derived from the presence or absence of an in-
cision in the lower margin of the preorbital bone (between the two
anterior suborbital bone.s) to receive the knob on tlie maxillary bone,
which is quite as inconstant. Though Bonaparte (1. c.) employs this
character in his diagnosis of C. oi'bicularis, both in his figure and
his description of the species there occurs a slight curve {un leggero
sino) in this margin. As far as the form of the body is concerned,
in which respect C. orbicularis could at most be regarded onlj' as a
variety with a deeper form, it is also remarkable that the depth of
the body, which according to Steindachner increases with age, may
rise as high as '/,q of the length'^ in C. lineatus, while in C.
orbicularis it may be as low as '"n'', a circumstance which re-
duces the expression for this character to l'/.j % of the length of
the body.

" 68 — 72 ( + 5 or 6 on tlie caudal fiii), according to Stejndachner (1. c).

, 9V2 — 10',.,
— To — 7o~ + ^' according to Steindachnek (1. c).
1 o — 1 y

■" Steindachneb (1. c).

■' MORRAU, 1. c, p. 54.

BLACK SEA-BKKAM.

55

The fona of budy of the IJliick Sea-Bream is one of
the most typical and regular in the fainii\-. The curves
of the back, wiiich is sharph- compressed, and of the
belly, which is flatly rounded as far back as the anal
tin, are almost eipial. The ('\-c is of average size, and
the snout proportional, neither excessively high, nor too
low. In the specimen we iiave examined, kindlv lent
l)y the rniversitA' Museum of Christiania, the length
of the l)ody, from the snout to the end of the middle
rays of the caudal tin, is 80 cm., the greatest depth
8(i % of the length, and the greatest thickness, mea-
sured on al)out a level with tiic insertion of the pec-
toral tins and half-way along them, is 38 % of the
greatest depth. The least depth of the l)ody (that of
the tail) is 26 ?^ of the greatest flej^th or 9.3 % of the
length, of which the length of the iiead forms 24.8 %.
The vertical and horizontal diameters of the eye are
equal and measure 22.4 % of the length of the head or
"'3 of tlie breadth of the convex interorbital space
at the middle of the eyes. The breadth of this
space, as well as the length of the lower jaw, is about
ecpial to ' .5 of the length of the head.

When the dorsal or the anal fin is depressed, the
spinous-rayed part is completely hidden in the fin-
groove. According to Steindachner (1. c.) the caudal
fill is covered with scales right out to the hind margin.
( )n tlie dorsal and anal fins I can find no trace of
scales. On the cheek there are 5 rows of scales, and in
addition to these, at the lower posterior angle, two
scales, so that counting from these there are 6 ro'ws.
On the operculum 9 ro\vs of scales. In a transverse
line straight u]) from the insertion of the ventral fins
there are 18 scales below the lateral line and 8 above
it, more anteriorly the latter are more numerous. The
scales are covered with fine, pointed granules in radi-
ating lines, the outermost granules becoming pointed
teeth or fine bristles at the margin of the scale. The
posterior dorsal branch in the system of the lateral line
on the liead (the posttemporal branch) is naked (without

scales) anteriorly, and bounded posteriorly by 12 scales
{squamce super scapular es, Val. et Bonap.), above which
the lateral outlets of the canal spread out like the
fingers ol a hand. The anterior dorsal branch is situated
at the limit of the scales on the head (occiput). In
the scales of the lateral line; the duct is branched
?> or sometimes .') times, so that above and below
the large (middle)pore thei'e appear (jue or two lateral
pores".

For information on othei- points we mav refer to
the figure.

The colouiMng of the Black Sea-Bream is very vari-
able, and is thus described by Day'': '"gray, becoming
lighter and dashed with gold on the sides and beneath:
forehead and cheeks pui'plish. Below the lateral line are
3 or 4 parallel, or sometimes irregularly horizontal
golden bands, along the body. Dor.sal fin dark, with
2 or 3 nearly black bands composed of spots. Pectoral,
caudal and anal straw-coloured. Caudal gray-edged,
margined externally with \\'hite: some bands of spots
along the anal. Ventral slate-colour along the centre,
with light or even white edges."

From its proper home, the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic between the Canary Islands and England, the
Black Sea- Bream has several times wandered north and
been met -with on the south coast of Norway, up to
Tronclhjem FjoixV. On only one single occasion, how-
ever, has it been found in Swedish waters: this was in
1840, when a si)ecimen 18',., in. long Avas taken ofi:'
the Scanian coast''. It is extremely improbable that it
propagates its species north of England, as only full-
grown specimens, and never small fry, have been taken
there. According to Couch' it prefers a rocky bottom
and sometimes enters harboui's and inlets, ^vhere it is
generally caught with rod and line, mussels being the
best bait. He says, however, that "it also feeds on the
finer kind of seaweeds, upon which it becomes exceed-
ingly fat.' Its flesh is generally little esteemed, but
in the north of France it is considered fairlj' good^

" This is also the case iu Cantharus orbiridarin, according to Bonaparte's figure and description.

'' Fish. G:t Brit., IreL, I. c.

' Cf. COLLETT, I. C.

<' NiLSSON, Skand. Fn., 1. c, p. 120.

« Fish. Brit. Isl., I. p. 222.

•'' Valenciennes, 1. c, p. 337.

56

.SCANDINAVIAN FISHIiS.

Genus SPARUS.

The front-tectlt of the Jairs form a card of pointed or somewhat obtuse, curved or straight {conicaT) teeth, largest
ill the outer roir: hack-teeth obtuse, rounded molars in tiro or more roirs. Cheeks scali/.

By this definition, as in Bi.eeker" and most re-
cently in -loRDAN and Gilbert'', the genus Spams of
Artedi is more nearly restored to its original signi-
fication, as it is made to include Guvier's and Va-
lenciennes' genera Chrysophrys, Pagrus and Pagellus.
Steindachner' pi'oved that the generic distinction
l)etween Chrysophrys and Pagrus was untenable, but
lie did not restore the generic name of Artedi and
LiNNiEUS, and herein he is followed by Day''. But
Bleeker followed up this train of thought, Avhich may,
however, be held to have originated with Valenciennes,
who cited'" the intermediate forms which unite these
three genera.

Obs. One of the clearest proofs of tlic correctness of this
combination of Pai/elliis and Pagrus as well, seems to me to re-
sult from a closer examination of the characters of Sparits mor-
mynis. the species that LlNNa:us has described under the name of
.S'/). Iiurta', as is shown by the type-specimen from Museum Adolphi
Friilerici, which still exists in the Royal Museum. This specimen —

US' . 3 „ _ ..1

with R. br. 6; D.

L. hit. GO 1. 62:

1'2
L. tv

p. 2 -hi 4; V.

5'

C. .V + 16 + x;

— -f I '' — has cardiform, but firm and ob-
tuse front-teeth, in the anterior part of the jaws somewhat pointed
in the outer row only, where they are larger and comparatively far
apart, almost like the lateral teeth in iSpai'us pai/ms, but in the
))Osterior part of the jaws obtuse. In the lower jaw, too, all the
teeth are niolar-like, except the two first, which are pointed and
project Blightly forward (exserti: LiN.). In the upper jaw the
four or five front-teeth in the outer row are more pointed than the
others and separated from them by an interval (superiores 4, quasi
canini': LiN.). Day's assertion (1. c, p. 35) as to the relation be-
tween Pagrus and Pagellus, that the latter has much smaller molars
than the former, entirely falls to the ground in the case of this spe-
cimen, as the posterior inner molar teeth in the upper jaw are com-
paratively large and remarkably broad. That this specimen, the hnrta
of LiNN^us, is not of the same species as Risso's Aurata liurta-',

need scarcely be remarked, in spite of the fact that such a conclu-
sion apparently finds some support in Linn^eus's incorrect statement
of the number of raj'S in the anal fin '. Still wo must notice that
the name hurta, which otherwise seems to be unknown, may well
have arisen through a slip of LlNN^.Us's pen (instead of aurata), for
together with the above-mentioned specimen of Sparus mormyrus
there was in the jar signed by himself, a specimen of iSp. aurata
210 mm. in length. Perhaps LiNNiEUS found both of them in Mu-
seum Adolphi Friderici sent in with the name Aurata illegibly writ-
ten; and his description, too, seems to point to a confusion of notes
on the characters of both specimens, though the description of the co-
louring (transverse bands on the body) clearly refers to Up. mormyrus.

The genus Sparus of Artedi, which from Cu-
vier's time up to Bleeker's had been erased from the
system, may thus be restored with complete justice, the
more so, as the case in this family is remarkably like
that which we have seen in the Labridce, where it has
also been proposed, on account of the jaw-teeth being set
ill one or .several rows to split u\> the old genus Labriis.

The genus Sparus, to Avhich we may refer 37
species, adopted and desci'ibed hy GOnther in his Cata-
logue, is spread over the whole geographical range ot
the family. Off the coast of Scandinavia only two
species have been met Avith, both belonging to the group
which has borne the name Pagellus., i. e., with cardi-
form teeth and no canines in the front of the jaws.
In both species the pectoral fins are longer than the
distance from the insertion of the ventrals to the be-
ginning of the anal, and the horizontal diameter of the
eye greater than the breadth of the snout across the
'articulation-knobs' of the maxillaries; but in the one
{Sjiarus erythrinus) this breadth is more than ^'g of
the base of the anal fin, while in the other {Sparus
centrodontus) it is less.

" Atl. Irhth.. Tonic VIII, p. 100.

' Syn. Fish. N. Amer., Hull. U. S. Nat. Mus., N:o 16, p. 555.
' Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI, i (1867), p. 657.
'' Fish. G:t Brit., IreL, I, p. 30.
' Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VI, p. 141.

/ Syst. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 279; Mus. Ad. Fr., torn. 11 prodr., p. 73.

" The third and fourth spinous rays in the dorsal fin are the longest and are equal in length (tertio longo, LiN.). Their length
' 3 °f ^'"'' Rreatesl depth of the body and is about e(|ual to the height of the anterior preorbital bone.
'' Vertically from the insertion of the ventral fins.

' Perhaps, however, LlNN^;us's description of the teeth is taken, at least in part, from a specimen of tiparus aurata (see below).
J Hist. Nat. Eur. Me'r., Tome III, p. ,358.

*■ •'''(,, i. c. 6 soft rays instead of 10.

.SEA-BREAMS.

57

Obs. In order to coinprelifiid the mutual relations of the spe-
cies within this group of the genus Spams, it must be of interest
to sec liow far certain relations point to a fixed direction of deve-
lopment in the diiferenoe of species. In several respects, it is true,
this difEerence is connected with the difference in the depth of the
water where they live, and this consists, as usual, in the greater or
smaller size of the eyes. To a great extent, too, it may depend, as
we see in some of the corresponding circumstances in the Salmotiidai",
on the preponderating influence of se.x on the development, on which
point, liowever, we cannot give any opinion here owing to the lack

of tlie necessary information. In other cases, on the contrary, the
difference in form runs parallel to the individual development, and
enables us to trace the natural, generic course of development. The
appended comparative table gives examples of the relations mentioned,
and simultaneously states the most apparent and constant characters
of three species represented by one specimen of Sparus mormyrus
(LinNjEUs's type-specimen of 8p. Imrta), one specimen of Sp. eri/tliri-
nus from Nice, kindly lent to mo by the Museum of Upsala Uni-
versity, and two specimens of 6'/). centrodontus, the younger from
Bohuslan and the nlder from the Atlantic outside Bergen.

Ijenijtli of the body, expressed in mm

Breiidth of tlic snout* in Ji of tlie length of the lower jaw

,, ,, ,, .. ,. ., ,. ,. internrbitiil spacc^

Interorhital space ,. .. .. ,. length of the head _ ".

Lengtli of the snout'' ,, ,, ,, ,. ., .,

Base of the anal tin in % of the distance between the tip of the snout and the beginning of tlic dorsal tin.

Horizontal diameter of the eye in % of the length of the body

, head

., snout ._

,, ., , breadth „ ,, iuterorbital space

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, length ,, .. lower jaw

,, ,, ,, „ ,. least depth of the tail

of the length of the body

„ ,, ,, .. ., head

„ ,, distance of the dorsal tin from the ti]) of the snout

of the base of the anal tin .-

in % of the length of the body

)i )» J?

Length of the snout in %
Base of the aual fin ,.
Postabdominal leugthf,,
Breadth of the snout in
Postabdominal length

Base of the anal tin „ „ „ .. .. ,. .. ..

Least depth of the tail ,, „ ,. .. .. ,, ,, „

Length of the pectoral fins ,, ,, ,, ,. ,, ,, ,. ,

,, ,, ,, ventral fins in % of the length of the pectoral fins.

Sparus
mormyrus

248
!i3.(i

71,4
2.S.4
51.3
41.4

.5.7

19

37

G(5.«

50

tiO.'.i

15.3

55.4

(14.6

3l).G

25.8

Vi.h

it.2

23.0
70.0

tryth rinvs
224
51.il
(id.r,
31
4;!.4
48. s

7.4

24.3
56

78.(;
61.1

114.3

13.1

57.3

69.r,

36

25.4

17.4
7.8

33

51.7

292
50

61.5
31.7

m.r,
53.3

8.2

29.2
96
92.3
75

KX)

8.G

68.3
78.1
28.6
28.1
19.1

8.2

29.4

57

333
48.7
5(;.2
33
80
54.7
8
27.3

91.4

82.8

71.6

96.4

8.7

66

77.8
28.1
27.3

19.2
8.2

30
54

The differences arising from the direction of development com-
mon to the whole genus, expressed in their proportions, run uni-
formly through all these four columns, rising or falling. The other differ-
ences are those with regard to whicli we have to look for the grounds
for the interruption of the serial arrangement in local or sexual circum-
stances. The comparison shows that Spavva inormi/i'us, which lives

in the shallower parts of the Mediterranean, seems in its characters
to come nearest the original type of the genus, which might have
been especially distinguished by smaller eyes, shorter pectoral fins
and a higher cheek, as well as a higher peduncle of the caudal fin.
This species is also distinguished by the transverse bauds, which call
to mind the juvenile colouring of other species.

" Smitt: Kritisk Forteckning ofvev de i Riksmuseum befintUga Salmonider, K. Vet.-Akad:s Handl., Bd. 21, X:r 8.

' The breadth of the snout here, as everywhere in this work where nothing else is remarked, is measured across the outer edges of
the knobs of articulation of the maxillaries.

' The breadth of the interorbital space here represents the breadth of the forehead from one orbital margin to the other, across the
middle of the eyes, and is thus far from alwa3's the least breadth of the forehead.

'' The length of the snout is measured from the anterior margin of the orbit to the middle of the tip of the snout. Steindachnek
(1. c.) has evidently taken this measurement in another way.

'■ As in the treatise on the Salmonid.T of the Royal Museum mentioned above, I give this name to the distance between the foremost
point of the insertion of the ventral fins and the beginning of the anal.

Scondinavia7i Fisht

58

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SPANISH SEA-BREAM.

SFARIIS ERYTHRIXUS.

Fig. 15.

Length of the snout more than '/^ of the length of the head, its breadth more than. \'^ of the base of the anal
fin, the length of n-hich is, however, less than half the distance from the tip of the snout to the beginning of the
dorsal fin, and also than I'/o times the length of the lower jaw. Longitudinal diameter of the eye more than V4
of the least depth of the tail, which is about ^U, or at any rate less than 7io »/ f^ie length of the head or the
greatest depth of the liodg. Occipital branches of the lateral line but slightly marked. Colouring of the body
scarlet with golden and silver lustre, sometimes spotted trith blue, in youth with rose-red transverse bands, whitish

on the rodral sides.

Fig. 15. Spanish Sea-Bream (Spams erytlirimis) from the ^Mediterranean. V., natural size.

12 .3 1

R. hr. 6; D. —: A. -; A •-' + U + 2 1. 2 + 12 + 1 ; V. -;
10!) 5

r. ,/■ + 15 + .t;; L. hU. GO"; /,. Ir. - '- + 1''.

14

S'jn. H()ii)Qr/.6g et EqvO-qivos Aristotle; Eabellio, S,\lvhnus (sec.
Artedi).

Spams lotus rubens, Iride argenlea, AnT., Gen. Pise, \\. 3G;
Syn., p. 50.

Spams erylhrinus, Lia., Si/st. Nat., ed. X, loin. 1, p. 279; Risso
(Pagms), Hist. Nat. Eur. Mer., vid. Ill, p. 361; Cdv.,
Vai.. (Paijellus), Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VI. ji. 170, tab.
150; Gthk, Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., vol. I, p. 473; Steind.,
Stzber. Akad. Wise. Wicn, LVI, i (1867), p. 660; \Vi.\th.,
Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 15, tab. Ill, fig. .3; In., Naturh.
Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. .3, vol. XII (1879), p, 9; Lii.u., Sr.,
Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. I, p. 220.

The Spanish Sea-Bream i.s one of the most common
fishes in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside it,
and as an article of food is ])y no means despised. Its
ordinary size seems to be between 280 and 320 mm.:
— according to Steindachner specimens 440 mm. and
more in length are extremely rare in its true home.
Just such a specimen, however, 460 mm. long, has once
been taken witliin the limits of the Scandinavian Fauna,
on the 4th ()f]\htrch, 1873, oft' the Skaw'. According to
DuHAMEL it generally lives at a depth of from 50 to 60
fathoms''. As far north as the south and west coasts of
England, according to Day', it is common, but oft" Scot-
land and Holland it is rare. The catch at the Skaw must
thus be considered only as a wandering stranger.

" 56 — 60 according to D.\y, GO — 61 according to STEiND.vrnjjER.
* Vertically from the insertion of tbe ventral tins.

' Cf. WiNTIIER, 1. c.

'' Traite des P'eches, sect. IV, ibap. II, p. 30.
•■ Fish, a-.t Brit.. Ird., I, p. 41.

SEA-BKEAMS.

59

THE COMMON SEA-BREAM (.sw. iii-ANKuyTENKN ok flackpagellen).

SPAKUS CENTR()1)()NT['S.

Fig. 1(5.

LengtJt of the snout less than ^/g of the length of the head, its breadth less than V:i of the base of the anal fin,
the length of n-hich is, however, more than (at least equal to) half the distance from the tip of the snout to the
beffmning of the dorsal fin, and also more than 1^/2 times the length of the lower jaw. Longitudinal diameter
of the eye more than V4 of the least depth of the tail, which is less than ^,\„ of the length of the head or the
greatest deptli of the body. Occipital branches of the system of the lateral line distinct and including between
them a crescent-shaped patch of common scales. Colour of the body red with a golden and silver lustre, back
dark, belly whitish: in (id alt sj^ecimens a black spot on the shoulder at the Iteginning of the lateral line.

^//h' ./.

Fig. IG. Common Sea-Bream (Spams centrodontiis) caught in ti flounder-nc-t oft Varberg, July, 1886.
o. mandible with teeth. From a larger specimen. ^'\, natural size.

natural size.

R. br. 6; D. -^ ; A. -^

11 1. 12 11 1. 12

; P. 2 + 12 + 2 1. 2 + 13 + 1;

V. Vs; C. .r+n+x: L. kit. 15'; L. tr. — +1.

1 4

Syn. Blanke-Steen, Strom, Sondm. Beslr., part. I, p. 270; BniiNN.,
Zool. Fund., pp. 127 et 137.
Spams centrodontiis, Delaroche, Ann. Mus. d'Hist. Kat., vol.
XIII, p. 345, tab. 23, fig. 11; Cuv., Val. (Pagelhis), Hist.
Nat. Poiss.. vol. VI, p. 180; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth., Scaiid.,
p. 72; SCHAGERSTRUM, K. Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1833, p. 138,
tab. 2 et 3; Kroy., Damn. Fiske, I, p. 20G; Nilss., Skand.

Fn., Fisk., p. 115; Gthr, Cat. Brit., Mus., Fish., I, p
476; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI, I (1867), p
663; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh., Christ. 1874; Tilla?gsh., p
18; Cederstrom, Ufvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1876, N:r 4, p,
64; Coll., 1. c, 1879, p. 6; Id., N. Mag. Naturv., Christ.
Bd. 29 (1884), p. 51; Malm, Gbgs, Boh., Fn.. p. 385
WiNTH., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 14, tab. Ill, 6g. 2; Id.
Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 8; DAT, Fish
G:t Brit., Irel, I, p. 36, tab. XIII; Hansson, Of vers. Vet.-
Akad. Forh. 1880, N:r 4, p. 20; Lii.lj., Sv., Norg. Fn.,
Fisk.. I, p. 214.

12

Is

according to Kroyeb.

according to Steindachner.

11—13

65 — 70 according to Lilljeborg: 67 — 70( + 5 — 7 on the caudal fin) according to Steixd.^chxer.

60

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

\\'licii full-iirowii, the Sea-Bream is the largest
species Avithin the group PafjeUus. The specimen taken
at Helsingborg and described 1)\- Schagerstrom (1. c),
was 458 mm. long and weighed about IV4 kg'"! '"'^i
Steindachnek asserts that he has sevei-al times seen in the
fish-markets of Spain specimens 630 mm. and upwards
in length. The deep form of tlie body, the depth being
about one-third of the length (exc-luding the caudal tin)
is about cqualK- curved on the back and the belly,
except at the head, whei-e the do^vnward slope is gener-
ally more abrupt than the upwai'd curve of the inferior
margin. The greatest thickness of the body is aliout
V7 of the length to the end of the middle caudal rays,
is situated near the articulation of the preoperculum
and is equal to the height of this bone measured from
the articulation to the point in the hind margin where
the suture bet^veen the suboperculum and interoper-
culum meets it. The length of the head is 28 or 29
% of the length of the body. The eyes a,re large, their
diametei- being greater than the distance between them
and the corners of the mouth, but in adult specimens
it is equal to or a little less than the breadth of the
forehead. Of the two nostrils on each side of the snout
the anterior is round and situated at about the middle
point in the length of the snout or a little behind it,
tlie posterior oblong and vei'tical, situated almost on a
level willi tlie corner of the mouth. The incisors on
the ja\vs are j)ointed, and larger on the intermaxillaries
tiiaii on the mandible (fig. 16, a); they form a fairly
croAvded card, Avhich is continued posteriorly by the
two or three (on the intermaxillaries sometimes several)
rows of comparatively small, round molars. The oper-
culum is high, but its breadth is less than the dia-
meter of the eye. Of the two occipital branches of
the lateral line the posterior is sharply marked as
a scaleless, transverse gi-oove, Avhile the anterior forms
tlie Iioundary between the occiput and the scaly cover-
ing of the body. Between them is a patch, generally
crescent-shaped, of three or four rows of scales. The
lateral line runs fairly parallel to the dorsal edge. In its
scales, as in the Black Sea-Bream, appear one or (seldom)
two lateral jjores above and below the middle pore.
The scales of the body are mostly slightly denticulated
at the margin, but finely and beautifully granulated
on the surface. The length of the pectoral fins is about
equal to the length of the head or twice the length of

" Fisli. lifil. Id., vol. 1, p. 238.

* Froiii tliis Ktateiiieiit of Coli.ett's it wonlil appear thai tliis

the ventral fins. The base of the dorsal fin, which
lies in a well developed fin-groove, occujjies about half
the length of the body or a little less (excluding the
flaps of the caudal fin). The base of the anal fin is
about "/, of that of the dorsal. The last ray, like that
of the dorsal, is covered by a scaly dermal flap, the
extreme continuation of the fin-yroove. The longest
(third) spinous ray is about Vs (61 or 62 %) as long-
as the longest (fourth or fifth) spinous ra}' in the dorsal.
The caudal fin is deeply forked; the length of its middle
rays is in older specimens about "V? of the length of
the upper fin-flap, which is abvays greater than that
of the loAver.

The colouring is red, dashed with gray and, on
the back, with brown. The sides have a golden and
silver lustre, \\\i\\ dark, longitudinal lines along the
middle of the rows of scales. The belly is nearly white.
The fins are bright red, the ventral being palest, the
soft-rayed part of the dorsal with a lighter margin.
The black spot on the shoulder at the beginning of the
lateral line is absent, according to Couch" and Stein-
dachnek (1. c.) in young specimens for the first year,
until they reach a length of from 7 to 9 inches.

These small specimens without the spot, which are
very common on the rocky coasts and in the harbours
of Great Britain and are known by a special name
(Chads), have never been found on the coasts of Sweden,
and thus it is highly improbable that there is any pro-
pagation of the species in our fauna. Adult specimens,
however, from 35 to 46 cms. long, can scarcely be con-
sidered as rare any longer. Since ScHAGERSTiiOjr de-
scribed the specimen caught in March 1833, in the
Sound off Helsingborg, Malm has recorded the taking
of 6 specimens in Bohuslan, and the Royal Museum be-
sides has recently received four specimens from the
neighbourhood of StrOmstad and Gullmaren. A similar
number have been sent to the same museum, which
were caught at a depth of from 100 to 250 fathoms
in the deep-water channel off the south of Norway. To
the last-named district it had alread}^ been assigned by
Sthom (1. c.) on the authority of the fishermen, who
even had a, separate name, Bkmkc-Sfeen (Bright-stone),
for this species. It has subsequently been met \vith on
several occasions, especiallj' often oft' Bergen, "both young
and adult specimens"'', and along the south coast from
Christiania Fjord as far as north as Trondhjem Fjord.

fish propagates its species off the coast of Norway.

RED .MULI.ET,

61

The .Sea -Bream's true home is the Mediteminean
and the Atlantic outside it: in England and Ireland,
too, it is common. In winter it keeps to deeper water,
in spring and during sununer it apprcjaches the coasts
and is met with nearer the; surface. Its food consists
principally of crustaceans and (ish, Imt also of seaweed.
Now and then, when it collects into shoals near the
surface, it seems to follow the sardines, and it is some-
times caught in tiionsands along with these fish. Most
often, however, it is taken on night-lines, and the young,
which during summer and in autumn crowd into inlets

and harhoiirs where the bottom is overgrown with sea-
weed, are caught on hooks baited with worms, mussels,
small fry or bits of fish. According to Risso" and
Valenciennes (1. c.) it sjjawns off Nice from May till
July. Couch (1. <■.), however, found young specimens
an inch long on the English coast in January. It is
nowhei'e'' highly valued as food, I believe, though both
DuiiAMEL and IJisso eulogized it in their days; but
when it can be had perfectly fresh, it is said to be
considcn-ed tolei-abiy good, even in England.

Fam. MULLlDiE.

I'xhIiI s()iii('/rli(if clonf/afc (nid sli(/l/tli/ (nnijircssed. External hones of t/ic Iiead nn(irnied or Ihc h'nul corner of the
operculum jiroditccd iido (t fat spine. Scales Icuye, slightly denticulated, not continued over the dorsal or anal
fns. The tiro dorsal fns quite separate from each other, fairli/ alihe and also resemhlinfj the anal fin, which is
situated under the second dorsal. Sij.sfein of the lateral line well developed, hat uithout special cavities in the
hones of the head. Simple, ci/lindrical or conical teeth on one of the jaws at least, sometimes on the palate as
u-ell. Ventral fins thoracic, with one spinous and five soft rays. Maxillary hone posteriorhj membranous and
partly concealed hy the preorhital hone, when the mouth is closed. Chin furnished with harhels. Branchiostegal

rays at most 4. Branched rays in the caudal fin at most 13.

Vvwvm' was the fii'st to suggest the formation of
a separate family for these fishes, but Bonapartk'' the
first to incorporate it in the system.

The Mullets or Sea Barbels — the former name
of Latin derivation and explained by the predominant
red colouring of these fishes, which reminds one of the
red shoes worn by the highest Roman oftlcials^ the
latter from their two barbels, ^vhich give them a re-
semblance t(.) the freshwater Barbels — in their struc-
ture come ver}' near the preceding family, especially
in the sj'stem of the lateral line and the form of the
teeth. The former, in its development on the head,
closely resembles that of the Sea-Breams. One or two
forms of the Mullidee, e. g. of the subgenera Upeneus
and MuUoides, have a covering of scales on the top
of the head as far as the snout, up to the point to
which the upper branches of the intermaxillaries extend

posteriorly. In others, again, as in tlie true si)ecies
of Mullus, the top and sides of the head are naked
throughout the snout, and there, as well as on the pre-
orhital bone, the preoperculum and the branches of the
lower jaw, the skin is pierced by pores, one and all,
as a rule, with raised, or at least distinctly marked
margin and some of them almost as large as the an-
terior nostrils. These pores also reappear fairly densely
on the barbels-', the feeling organs of the chin, as Wix-
thek" has also pointed out. Sometimes we may see
them, especially clearly on the preorbital bones, as holes
in the exterior walls of the underljang, branched ca-
nals. In the scales of the lateral line itself the canal
is generally divided into numerous, finger-like branches.
The teeth, the different occurrence of which on a
greater or less number of the jaw-bones or palatine
bones formed one of Cuvier's characters for the sub-

Pois

" Iclith. de Nice, p. 247.

* Cf. Valenciennes (1. c, VI, p. 101) and Day (1. c, p. 37).

' Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. I'oiss., vol. Ill, p. 419.

'' Sagijio etc., Roma 1832 = Versuch einer methodischen Eintheihtng der Wirbelthiere mit kaltem Blute, Uebers. in Iris 1833 p. 120.5.

' Others derive this name from the Greek ui?.kog = lip; but the Greeks called the Mullet IQiyXa.

/ "La surface des barbillons, vue a la loupe, parait toute couverte de petits points sailJants serres et fins'": Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat.

vol. Ill, p. 430.

" Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 6.

62

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

geneva, are rather weak on the jaws, generally cylin-
drical and conical only at the ti]) or even obtuse. But
in some forms we find in the front of the palate, on
the vomer, distinct patches of short but strong molar
tcetli, which remind one of the jaw-molars so common
in the preceding family. Furthermore, the granulation
of the surface of the scales, and the imperfect deve-
lopment of tlie teeth at their margin, as well as the
large, high preorbital bones, also call to mind the pre-
ceding family. There is a considerable difference in
tlie pyloric appendages, however, Avhich in most of the
MuIlid(S are very numerous and sometimes surrounded
by a thick coating of fat". The air-bladder, too, in
contrast to that of the preceding family, is so rudi-
mentary, in the true Mullets at least, that it is often
overlooked *.

The Mullets ai-e really ground swimmers, ^vhich
in an oozy, muddy or loose, sandy bottom root up
their food with the snout. Their food consists of

crustaceans, -worms and moUusks, in search of ^vhich
they make use of the sensory organs we have just de-
scribed. Alga-', however, also form a part of their diet.
It is remarkable that, just as they usually live at the
bottom, we find the caudal fin-rays in the Mullets re-
duced to the same numbei- as in the Anomalopterous
Acanthopterygians, and to some degree justifying the
former procedure of uniting'' into one the genera Mulhis
and Trigla. The Mullets, however, are migratory fishes,
at certain times of the year at least to be met witli
nearer the surface, ^vhen they are taken in drift-nets
even in the open sea; and their resemblance to the
preceding family is too strong for us to remove them
far from the group of the Perches in our system.

The family belongs principally to the tropic seas,
but also to the temperate, and includes about 40
known species, so slightly different in form that
they ma)' ^^'ell ])e incorporated in one, single genus,
the Linnean

Genus MULLUS.

The European representative of this genus has been
accepted by Cuvier as the type of a separate subgenus
Mullus, because the teeth on the intermaxillary hones,
most of them at least, disappear with age. As we have
remarked above, this subgenus is characterized, though
n(jt exclusively, by its palatine teeth, which form an

oblong patch on the anterior part of the vomer, pointed
posteriorly and divided into two by a longitudinal
groove. The back of the snout is Avithout scales, the
opercialum without spines and the air-l)ladder extreme-
ly small.

The subgenus includes only one species,

THE RED MULLET.

MULLUS BARBATUS.

Plate IV, fig. 1.

Colouring of the hody red, shading on the hack into brown, on the helhj into white irith or irithoat longitudinal,

yellow streaks.

R. Ir. 4(.3); L<. 8(7)/i; A. |; P. 2 + 15(14); T'. \- C. X +
0 0 5

13(12)+.r; L. lat. 36—40; L. t,:'' — + 1.

6(5)

<S'yji. TqlyXa, Aristot.; TqiyXri. ^Elian.; Mullus, Ovm. Cett. ;
Mulus, IsiDOR. (vide Artedi).
Mullus minor et major, Salvian., Aquat. anim. Hist.. Romse
1554, fol. 235, cett.

" According lo Cuvinu (1. c. p. 452; — ■ after Reynaud?), liowever, Upeneus tmiiopterus from Ceylon has only two pyloric appendages.

'' Cf. however Costa, F71. Nap., Pesci, Triglia (text) and Plate JX. Also in Upeneus Vlamingii and Up. cinnabarinus (Cuv., 1. c,
p]). 454 and 475), whorens the nir-bladdcr is large in Up. tcenioptert(s, Up. flavolinealus. Up. teylonicus and Up. maculatus (Cuv., ]. c, pp.
452, 458, 459 and 480).

' In Artedi for example.

'' Vertically from the insertion of the ventral fins.

KED ML'LLET.

63

Trigla 1 et 2; Art., Geit. Pise, p. i'd; -Syn., pp. 71 ct 72.
MttUus Imrbatus, Cicer., Attic, 22; Li.v., Syst. Nat., ed. X,
loin. I, p. 299; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. Ill, p. 442,
tab. 70; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mhs., Fish., vol. I, p. 401;
Steind., Stzber. Aknd. Wiss. Wien, LVI, i, (18G7) ]k 635;
Day, Fish. 0:t Brit., Irel., part. I, p. 22, tab. VIII.
MiiUhs surmuletus, Lim., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 300; Retz.,
Fn. 6'uw. Lin., p. 341; Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 433; NiLsa.,
Prodr. fchth. Sc, p. 89; Krov., (Den gimlstribede ^ftdle)
fJanm. Fiske, part. I, p. 72; Nilss., 6'hand. Fn., Fisk., p.
47; Gthr, 1. c; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874, Til-
litgsh., p. 17; Malm {GtddmnUe) Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 382;
WiNTH., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 5, tab. 1, fig. 5; Id., Naturh.
Tidskr. Kbhvn., ser. 3, vol. XII (1879), p. 7; Lillj., Sv.,
Norij. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 203; Mob., Hcke, Fische der Ost-
see, p. 34.
Mulltis dubius, Malm, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Fi'.rli. 1852, p. 224,

tab. Ill, fig. 1.
Obs. Salvianus distinguished between the true and the large
Red Mnllet; and this distinction, in spite of the protest of Brunnich",
was preserved by science with Cuvier's sanction, until GOnther in
his Catalogue (p. 402) declared some doubts of its correctness. Sub-
sequently, Steindachner, in his account of observations made on the
fishes of Spain and Portugal, was enabled by a large quantity of ma-
terials for comparison to declare this distinction of species untenable.
The first-named ''species" (Mtillus barbalus, auctt.) was said to have
a more vertical profile owing to the steep slope of the snout from
the forehead, and in conjunction herewith the membranous hind mar-
gin of the maxillary bones was said to reach farther backwards, some
distance behind the perpendicular from the anterior margin of the
eye. The larger "species" on the other hand, the Gold-striped Mxdlet
(Midlits surmuletus, auctt.) was said to have a more elongated snout,
and the maxillary bones were said not to extend so far backwards
with regard to the situation of the eye. Among 75 specimens, how-
ever, Steixdach.N'ER found that several were intermediate forms that
might equally well have been referred to either of these two "spe-
cies"'; and in these specimens the longitudinal, yellow streaks were
common to both "species". In the same manner Costa*, though
without acknowledging it, had already come to the same conclusion,
for he figured a specimen of Mullus surmuletus with the maxillary
bones extending considerably under the eyes, and the head of a spe-
cimen of Mullus bcirbatus' with the snout quite as elongated as in
.M. surmuletus. In two specimens of Mullus barbatus (according to
Hedenborg) from the Bosphorus, I find the snout of the one, a male,
comparatively greatly elongated, and the maxillary bones far from
extending backwards to the perpendicular from the anterior margin

of the eye, wliile the snout of the other, a female, is more vertical
in profile, and the end of the maxillary bones is almost in the said
perpendicular: — in the former the interorbital space is plain, in the
latter distinctly concave''. Thus no difference of species can well
be maintained between these forms. The opinion of Gronovius^, that
Mtdlus barbatus was the male and Mullus surmuletus the female of
the same species, has also proved untenable-'': — thus not even a
distinction of sex on this ground can be maintained. Still it seems
undeniable that the two forms, as such, are generally distinct in nature,
— a fact best proved by the circumstance that only the one form
has been met witli on the coasts of Scandinavia. An explanation of
the relation between them seems suggested by the result of observa-
tions made on the individual development of these fishes. In the
young specimens (fig. 17) described by Malji-', the profile of the

Fig. 17. Young of Mullus barbatus. Life size. After Malm.

head is almost like that of the Cod ; and from this pointed and com-
paratively long form the interorbital space rises during the growth
of the fish, until it reaches the Mullus-ioTvu. The form most deve-
loped in this respect is, therefore, Mullus barbatus; but here we are
met by the strange fact that it is highly seldom or perhaps never
that we find specimens of this form as large as the larger specimens
of M. surmuletus. GtJNTHER'', it is true, cites one specimen of M.
barbatus 14 inches in length, which is also the largest measurement
given by Willughby' for M. surmuletus. According to Moreau^',
however, the latter form may attain a length of 400 mm., and Day*
mentions a specimen, presumably of this form, which was taken at
Mevagissey, 17 inches in length. Thus Mullus surmuletus must be
regarded as a larger form, which has been stunted in the develop-
ment of one of the strangest outer peculiarities of this genus.

The body is oblong and .slightly compre.ssed, the
greatest thickness, as well as the greatest depth, lies be-
hind the head. The greatest depth, which is less than or
(in large specimens) equal to the length of the head, varies
between '24 and 21 % (jf the length of the body from
the tip of the snout to the end of the middle rays in
the caudal tin'. Tlie least depth of the body (that of
the tail) varies between 9 and 10 % of the length'".

" Ichthyologia Massiliensis (1768) p. 72.

* Fauna del regno di Napoli, Pesci, part. I, (1860) Triglia, p. 13, Spieg. della tav. IX, fig. 3.

' . . . "perche se ne distingua la forma comparativamente a quella della T. maggiore": 1. c.

'' Cf. Lilljeborg, 1. c.

' Gronov. Cut. Fish., ed. Gray, p. 108.

•'' Cf. Steindachner, 1. c.

■J Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1852. 1. c. and Gbgs, Boh. Fn.. pp. 383 & 384.

'■ Cut, 1. c.

' Hist. Pise. ed. R.aji, Oxford 168G, p. 285.

■' Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. II, p. 244.

' 1. c, p. 24.

' Maximum in 5 specimens from 142 to 252 mms. in length 24.2 °i

Average „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ 22.9 %

Minimum ,, ,, „ „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ 21.2 'i

'» Maximum ., „ „ ., „ „ „ „ „ „ 9.9 ',1,

Average „ „ „ „ „ ,. ,. „ „ „ 9.5 'i

Minimum „ „ „ „ „ „ ., ,, „ „ 8.9 'i

64

■SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The length of the lie.-id is between 27 iind 24 ?» of the
length of the body", and its supei'ior profile slopes more
or less steeply, u]) to (in the so-called Mullus harhatus)
an angle of about 67° with the inferior profile. The
interorbital space is convex or flat, or even concave, the
latter conditicju depending not oid}- on tlie elevation of
the supraorbital margins, but also on a greater deve-
lopment of tlie two longitudinal ridges on the frontal
bones, which run between tiie supi-aorbital margins and
parallel to each other. The mouth is small and the
opening almost horizontal. Of the teeth on tlie inter-
maxillaries, which disappear with age, one or two may
sometimes be olxserved still present in adult specimens.
The t^\■o nostrils on each side are fairly far apart, the
anterior being small and round, the posterior forming
a more or less vertical slit just in front of tlie eyes,
which are of average size or fairly large. The hori-
zontal diameter of the latter varies between 21 and
24 % of the length of the head', or between 5 '/a and
6 % of the length of the bodv'. The barbels beneath
the chin, which may be hidden under the intei'oper-
cula, extend about as far back as the perpendicular
from the hind margin of the preopercula. The bran-
chiostegal membranes are united lieneath the isthmus
and are extended on 4 rays, the first of \vhicli, how-
ever, is small and se]»arate from the others, and ac-
cording to Malm (1. c.) is wanting in young specimens.
The operculum and suboperculum each are distinguished,
as in the preceding family, by their short extent in the
longitudinal direction of the body. The base of the
fii'st dorsal fin, minus the membrane which connects

the last ray with the back, is about equal to that of
the second; its distance from the tip of the snout varies
between 32 and 34 % of the length of the bod)''. The
first ray is extremely small, sometimes scarcely visible
externally. The base of the anal fin, which is equal
to or a little longer than the least depth of the tail,
is about 73 % of the base of the second dorsal", half
of the lengtli of tlie pectoral and 10 % of the length
of the body'. The first ray is so small and so closely
united to the second that it may easily be overlooked.
The scales of the body are comparatively large and
thin. On the cheeks 3 rows of scales, on the inter-
operculum 1 row, and on the posterior part of the
maxillary bones, as a rule, 3 scales. Above the lateral
line in front 2 or 2V3 rows, farther liack 3 or S^/g.
The colouring of the l)od}- is very variable, especially
at deatli. This is the result of the difference in the
contraction of the dermal pigment cells. When they
are most contracted, the red colour is jn-edominant".
At other times the back shades oft" into brown, the sides
into rose and the belly into white. The longitudinal,
yellow stripes, \vhich are often ■wanting or hidden below
the red tint, are most distinct in sjn-ing, in May, wlien
the spa-wning-season is at hand*. The first dorsal fin,
according to ]\Ioreau', has, in the so-called Gold-striped
Mullet, a bright lilac l)and at the base, and above that
a, large, orange spot, and higher up is Avhitish but
crossed by a yellow band with a large, black spot.
The second dorsal and the caudal fins are orange: the
pectoral a paler yellow. The anal and the ventral of
the same colour as the belly, more or less dashed with

" Maximuni iii 5 specimens from 142 to 252 mms. in length 26.7 %

Average ,, ,,

Minimum ,, ,,

' Maximiun ,, ,,

Average „ „

Minimum ,, .,

'' Minimum ,, ..

Average ,, ,,

• Maximum „ ,.

'' Maximum ,, ,,

Average ,, ,,

Minimum ,. „

' Minimum ,, ,,

Average „ ,,

Maximum ,, ,,

^ Minimum ,, ,,

Average „ „

Maximum ,, ,,

26.0 %

24.6 %

24.0 %

22.8 %

21.0 %

5.6 %

5.9 %

6.2 %

34.6 %

33.7 %
32.5 %

71.4 %

72.7 %

73.7 %

9.6 %

9.9 %

10.7 K

" "Desquamate latera rubent, ac si minio vel rubrica tincta forent": Willuohby, 1. c.

'■ CuviER, 1. c, p. 439.

'■ Hist. Nat. PoisK. Fr., vol. II, p. 246.

]{ED MULLET.

65

red and yellow. The fry ;ire described by Malm (1. v.)
as grayish green on the back and the upper third of
the head, and witii this exception glossy silver-white
with grayish dorsal tins, the anterior witli two oblique,
blackish bands, the posterioi' witli one. Our figure is
coloured from the specimen (;i nude) caught by Mr.
v. A. Hansson in a mackerel-net on the fith of August,
1886, at Starekilen in the nortli of BohuslJln, which,
though somewhat damaged, seems to have preserved
its colour fairly well, until it was presented by Mr.
Hansson to the Royal Museum some time afterwards.
In olden times the Red Mullet was one of the
dearest fishes, and appeared only on tlie tal)les of ricli
epicures. "La Triglia non mangia chi la jjUjUa" (the
Mullet is never eaten l)y ium M'ho catches it), says an
old Italian proverb. It ^vas not uncommon, even among
Roman citizens, to have to pay for the Mullet its weight
in pure silver. Suetonius, in the time of the Emperor
Tiberius, mentions three mullets which were sold for
30,000 sesterces (£227). People went so far as to
l)ring these fishes from distant waters and keep them
alive in aquaria or ponds until needed for table. "The
fishes," says Seneca, "swim at the guests' feet, and they
are set under the table so as to be nearer to hand.
A Mullet is not considered fresh unless it dies in the
guest's hand. They are brought to table in a glass
vessel, and the company admire the changes of colour
they undergo during the pangs of a long and painful
death. Formerly one might hear it said, 'Nothing
is better than a rock Mullet,' but now people say,
'Nothing is more beautiful than a dying Mullet; give
me the glass dish, that I may watch it struggle and
<|uiver.' When their admiration has exhausted itself
in praises, the fish is taken out of the transparent bowl ;
and now the connoisseurs be<rin to instruct their more

unsopliisticated friends. 'Do you see that flame-red
colour, livelier than the fairest vermilion, those swelling
veins along the sides? One might fancy the belly was
blood. Have you observed that azure lustre gloAving
on its gills?'" This custom had nafiirally arisen from
a desire to enjoy tlie fish whew as fresh as possible,
and up to tlie present day, in oi'der to satisfy the eye,
as well as the other senses, of the freshness of this
delicious fish, it is scaled alive, the pigment cells of
the skin thus I)ecoming convulsively conti'acted by pain.
The taste for this fish lias latterly decreased, though
it still ranks as one of the best of fishes, on account
of its firm, white fiesh, which is of good flavour and
easy of digestion. The liver is considered the most
delicious part, and in the estimation of epicures the
head comes next.

The ^lullet has about the same geographical range
as the Sea Bream — the Mediterranean and the At-
lantic outside it. To Sweden its visits are few and
far between, but it has several times been taken b^-
herring-fishei's off Kullen; and the small fry described
by Malm, which were taken on two occasions in Gull-
maren, prove that it may propagate its species here.
The larger form, the Gold-striped Mullet, is the more
common in the Atlantic, being found as far north as
the neighbourhood of Bergen, while the smaller, the
Red Mullet, is the more common in the Mediterranean
and the Black Sea. The species attains its greatest
size in the west of the English Channel, according to
Couch". Off Yarmouth, too, it is sometimes .so plenti-
ful that in one week (in May, 1831) 10,000 are said
to have been sent from this town to London. In win-
ter it is taken in deep water with a traAvl, in spring
it makes for the shore, where it is caught in trammels
or with a seine.

" Fish. Brit. IsL, Vol. I, p. 209.

Scandinavian Fishes.

66

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

fam berycidj:.

Form of the boch/ ohloiuj or deep, and compressed. Ei/es large. Most of the external hones of the head armed,
at least during youth, Kith spines or teeth. Scales large nith numerous dentations in the margin, and not ex-
tending over the dorsal or anal fin. Simple, pointed cardiform teeth on the jaus and, usually, on the palate.
Ventral fins thoracic, with 1 spinous ray and (! or more soft rays. Branchiostegal rays S. Branched rays in the
caudal fin l.'j at least. Most, if not all. of the rudimentary rays at the upper and lower margins of this fin,

are spinous.

The Berycidre occupy a peculiar position in the
system. Cuvikr formed them into a distinct group
within the family oi t\\Q Percidm. In 1837 Bonaparte"
formed this group into a subfamily, Holocenfrini, and
in 1839 Lowe' changed it into a distinct family, Be-
rycidce. Among these fishes we find the Perciform type
exhibited in its oldest known forms, as deep-sea fishes
with the integument well developed but Avith a com-
paratively weak dental ecjuipment of the jaws. In this
form they lived as early as the Cretaceous Period. "It
is a fact well Avorth our careful attention," says Agassiz",
"that these genera are the oldest representatives not
only of the Percidce, but also of the whole order of
Ctenoides. They are, so to speak, the synthetic ex-
pression of the whole order at the beginning of its
development, and as it appeared before it began to pass
through all those changes of form Avhich belong to later
times when life appeared in new shapes." One of these
traces of earlier times is the large number of rays
in the ventral fins, which has generally been reduced
in other cases in proportion as the Teleosteous type

became marked by the changes of form appearing dur-
ing the course of its development. Other peculiarities
of similar significance appear, however, in special forms
of the Berycidce. One of them we find in the connec-
tion, pointed out b}' Cuvier'^ in the genus Myripristis
betAveen the air-bladder and the hearing-organ in the
skull, and also the contraction of the air-bladder into
an anterior and posterior part, points which are now
most general and most strongly developed in the Silu-
ridcE, Cyprinidce and Characinidce, all three of which
are to be reckoned among the less advanced develop-
mental stages of the Teleosteous type. Another of these
peculiarities is the preservation of the pneumatic duct,
a Physostomous character observed b}^ Kner" in the
genus Holocentrum of this family.

The family includes about 60 species distributed
among 5 or 6 genera, and principally belonging to the
tropic seas. As in the preceding family, red is the
predominant colour of the body. To the Scandinavian
Fauna we can only assign one species of the

Genus BERYX.

Only one dorsal fin, u-ith the .spinous- rayed part shorter than the soft-rayedf Cardiform teeth on the jau-s. the

vomer and the palatine hones.

This genus, which lias given its name to the family,
is the oldest belonging to it and therefore presumably
shows us the nearest approach to the original type. The
body is fairly liigli, strongly compressed laterally, and

thickest at the head, with fairly lobate pectoral fins and
both dorsal and anal fins displaying a striking likeness
of structure to the respective flaps of the caudal fin,
lieing anteriorly supported by spinous rays gradually

" A new Systematic Arrangement of Vcrlcbrated AnimaU, Trfins. Lin. Soc, vol. XVIII, p. 207, — printed iu 1840.
* Sjippl. Syn. Fish. Mad., Trans. Zool. Soc, vol. Ill, p. 1, — published in 1849.
' Rech. Poiss. Foss., tome IV, p. 115.
<* Cuv., Vai,., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. Ill, p. 108.
« Stzber. Aknd. Wiss. Wion, .XLIX (1864), I, p. 457.

•' In other cases — in the younger typos of tlie family — the spinous-rayed part of the dersal is generally distinct as an anterior
lin, and is longer than the sofl-rayed part, which is of about the same degree of development as the ana! fin.

BERYCOIDS.

67

iucreiising in leugtli but shorter than the first soft rays.
Another peculiarity lies in the fact that the dorsal part
of the larfje lateral muscles extends over the occiput
;ind the top of the head, and lias its anterior starting
points on the forehead, just abovc> the eyes, while in
the other, younger genera of the family tlie posterior
parts of the head are naked and ha\e their osseous
covering adorned and strengthened by raised ridges
and bars, essentially corresponding to those we liave
seen in Poli/prion and, to some extent, in I'erca, but
longer, more crowded and sharper. Among the other
bones of the head, in Bevyx too, the preoperculum,
the interoperculum, the nasal bones, the naked part of
tlie frontal bones, the upper part of the maxillaries
and the branches of the mandible are well furnished
Avith serrate teeth at the margin or on the ridges which
cross their surface. The preorbital, nasal and frontal

bones (the latter just abo\e the eyes) are furnished with
spines, which are sometimes branched, and disappear
or at least diminish with age.

The genus inliabits tlie abysses of the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, forming one of the many traces of the
partial survival of tlie Cretaceous Period in the life of
the present deep-sea fauna". It is taken in Australia
more often than in any other country, though even
there only occasionally and by fishermen engaged with
other fish, and the flesh of one species is thei-e prized
as one of the greatest delicacies'. The number of
existing species, according to Gunther {Cat., 1. c.) is
5, but our ignorance of the changes in these species
Avhich are due to age, is a strong ground for doubt as
to the correctness of all of them. From the Cretaceous
Period Agassiz (1. c.) cites 5 known species, and since
his time 3 more have been described".

BERYX DECADACTYLUS.

Fis;. 18.

Spinous rays in the dorsal fin only 4, soft rays over 15. Greatest depth of the body from 43 to 45 % of the

length from the tip of the snout to the end of the middle rays of the caudal fin. Col on r of the body on the head

and the hack down to the lateral line, as well as all the fins and the spines of the head, bright red, towards the

belly shading into light silver with a reddish lustre. Eyes tvine-yellow, transparent as glass.

R. br. 8; Z>/'

18—19

A."

4 1

• P ■' 2 + 14- V ^ — •

27-29' ^ ' 10'

C'.'' x+\l+x; L. lat.' 07; L. tr.

11
20

+ 1.

•^i/n. Beryx decadactylus, Cuv., Val., Hist. Sat. Poiss., vol. Ill,

p. 222; Gthe, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. I, p. 16; Steind.,

Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI (1867), I, p. 603, tab. I.

Urocentrus ruber, Dub. ct Kor. (per Duben) Ofvers. Vet.-Akad.

Forh., 1844, p. 111.

Beryx borealis, Dub. et Kob., Vet.-Akad. Hand]. 1844, p. 35,
tab. II, fig. 1 et 2 ; Nilss., Skaiid. Fii., Fisk., p. 37; Coll.,
Vid. Selsk. Christ. Forh. 1874, Tilliegsh., p. 14; Lillj.,
Sv., Norg. Fn., Fisk., voL I, p. 76; Coll., Vid. Selsk.
Christ., Forh. 1884, No, 1, tab. I.

Obs. Amongst the booty taken by the French from Lisbon,
when Napoleon I caused the treasures of the Portuguese Museum to
be conveyed to Paris, was a dried specimen of this species, with no
locality assigned to it, which was described and named by Cuvier.

" Cf. Smitt, De senaste drens undersokningar om hafsfaunans griins mot djupet. in the Magazine Fraintiden. Vol. Ill, (1870), p. 335.
* Tenison-Woods, Fish. a. Fisher, N. S. Wales, Sydney 1882, p. 61.
■■ Pictet: Tr. de Pale'ont., vol. 2, p. 50.

4

— according to GOxther.

0 D.
' A.

16—19
4

according to Steindachner.

27—30

/p. 2 + 15 according to Steind., 1 + 15 according to Collett.
1

0 V.

according to Steind.

9—10

'' C. x+18+.r according to v. DCben ct Koren and Lilljebobg.
' L. lat. 60 — 62 according to Steind., 64 — 65 according to Gthr

10—11

L. tr. 34 — 35 according to Gthr,

21—22

according to Steind.. 30 — 31 according to Lilueboro.

68

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

That tliis species coincides with Bery.v borealis of v. DOben and
KoiiKN, was evident wlien Lowe" and Steixdacuner'' described fresh
specimens of the former species. A comparison drawn between the
classical description of v. DuBEX and Kore.v and the diagnosis of
the species given by SteindaCHNER, leaves no room for further doubt as
to tlie identity of the species, least of all if we observe tlie significance
of the changes due to age (the reduction of tlie spines etc.), which
we see in other species of the family. Anyone who will reduce the
measurements of different parts of the body given by v. DimEN and
KOREN to the corresponding percentage of the greatest depth of the body,
will find the same projiortions in Steindachner's figure, in some re-
spects corresponding in the minutest details. The identity of species
was also clearly shown by the well-founded remarks of Lilljeboro
and the later comparison between specimens of B. decadactijlus
and the type specimen of li. borealis, a comparison which was
executed by Coi.lett. However, one (juestion connected herewith is
still unsolved. If one examines the characters for Berijx splendens
given by Lowe and STElNnACHNER — the lower form of body, the
comparatively straight back, the short base of the dorsal fin, the lon^

we are considering this point, an examination should also be made in
the same way of the relations between Beri/x a finis and B. lineaius.

The most remarkable points in the form of the
l)ody iu Benjx decadactijlus are given above. There
seems to Ije a very important change in form due to
age, which stnrts from the rhoraboidal form described
by V. DuBEN ;iud KoREN, with "the forehead and the
anterior part of the back parallel to the base of the
aiud fin, and the posterior part of the back parallel
to the hnver jaw and the niiterior part of the ventral
line." The peduncle of the caudal fin is narrow, its
least depth being less th;i.n tlie diameter of the eye,
which is perfectly cii'cular, and lioth in v. Duben's and
Koren's measurements ;iii(l in Steindachner's fiorure

Fig. 18. Bcrijx decadactijlus from Bergen. V, nat. size. After v. DCben and Koren. a: a scale; after Steind.wun'er.

pectoral fins, the large eyes, the smaller number of soft rays in the
dorsal fin"^ and the occasional increase in tlie number of rays in the
ventral fins, if one pays attention to the complete similarity of colour-
ing in the two "species," remarked by Steindachner, to tlie fact that
B. splendens was assumed to be of smaller size'', and lastly to tlie
fact that both species are said to occur with complete identity in two
regions so distant as the Atlantic and Japan, then it is evident that
there are sufficient reasons for the surmise that a still further reduc-
tion of the number of species within the genus is at hand. While

it is exactly ^/^ of the greatest depth of tlie liody.
The upper margin of the dorsal fin, like the lower of
the an;il, is concave, and the hind margin of the caudal
fin is still more deeply forked. The pectoral fins are
pointed and directed oblicjuely upwards; in the older
specimens they seem comparatively shorter and more
obtuse than in the younger ones. To the reduction of

" Trans. Zoo!. Soc, vol. Ill, p. 1.

'' Stzber., 1. c.

'■ According to GOnther the variation is between 15 and IG.

Though Steindachner mentions a specimen of B. splendens HOT mm. in lengtli and tlnis about 1 decim. longer llian the smallest
known specimen of B. decadactijlus, this proves no iiiorc Ilian tliat here, as in many divisions of the system, juvenili' characters may some-
times be retained excessively long.

SCOMBROMOHPHS.

69

genera, e. g. Jfolocentruni, liave never surmounted.

Bp.ryx decadactjiJus, which attains a length of about
52 cm., is oni^ of the rarest of fishes, not only in Scan-
(lina\ia, where onh' 3 specimens have been found and

these confined to the

neiiilihouriK

)od of Bergen and

the spines of the head which generally appears with age ! stages cjf development as other, apparently youngei*
— the branched preorbital spines are those whicli still
remain longest and strongest, while the spines on the
nasal l)ones and on \\w forehead between the eyes al-
most disappear, and the spine at the lower posterioi-
corner of the liranehes of the lower jaw becomes in-
significant — we must also assign the almost complete
disappearance of the bony ridge on tlie opercuhim,
whicli in several of tiie preceding forms we have seen
prolonged into a spine at the hind margin. It should
also prove interesting to examine some young specimens
in order to see whether the two "sharply denticulated
ridges" which occur at the rounded corner of the pre-
operculum, do not correspond in their development to
some evanescent spines on the same bone. The denta-
tion of the scales of the body seems also to undergo
a completely analogous diminution as tiie iish gro\vs
older. Their free surface, above and below the longi-
tudinal groove, is fringed in youth with from 16 to 20
or more rows of spines, which afterwards change into
denticulated ridges and tinally into still smoother bars,
a difference which may also l)e observed to exist be-
tween the scales of the back and cheek and those of
the belh'. All these changes indicate that Beri/.r, though
one of the oldest generic forms and though it retains
the original type of the family in some respects, has
still i)assed throuii'h chanii'es of form which mark such

taken at a depth of 200 fathoms, but also in the deep
water between the <'anar\' Islands, Madeira, the Azores
and Portug.il, the other locality wiiere it has been met
with in the Atlantic. Tiiere is a significant peculiarity,
howe\<'r, in connection with its geographical range, not
only that it thus lives in so far distant parts of the
Atlantic, a pi'oof of the fad that tlie deep-sea fauna is
uniform and made up of liard\-, ])rimitive forms, hut
also that it forms a connecting link between tlie fauna
of the Mediterranean region and the Sea of Japan.
DoDERLEiN and Steindachner include this species",
together with B. splendens among the fishes of Japan.
As an explanation of this find and other similar ones,
Gunther's* remark as to the still more remarkal)le range
of certain shore fishes must not be foi-gotten *": "Bold
as the hypothesis may appear, we can only account for
the singular distribution of these shore-fishes by as-
suminff that the Meditei'ranean and Jaijanese seas were
in direct and open communication with each other
within the period of the existence of the present Te-
leosteous fauna."

SCOMBROMORPHI.

A fusiform I/nd/j irith ii iiarmtr (loir)^ round pcdunde of flic caudal fu, a shin often, naked or only partly covered
with fliiu, cycloid scales^ a weak dental ecpiipment of the mouth, no denticulation of the preopercuhim in adult speci-
mens, u-eak spinous rays in the dorsal and anal fins and pointed {typically falciform) pectoral fins and caudal fiajis

form the general distinctions between the series of the
Mackerel and Perch families. But the former, as well
as the latter, in contradistinction t(j the Anomalopte-
rous families, are stenobrachii and furnished with nu-
merous rays in the caudal fin (euryripidi).

We ha\e already seen the principles on Avhich a
series of the Acanthopterygian Teleosteous families
might be grouped round the Mackerel-form as their
type. But there are imjiortant deviations from this
type within the series itself. Sometimes the body is

naked, sometimes covered Avitii lai-ge scales; sometimes
it is long and low, sometimes high and compressed;
but these different forms are systematically connected,
partly l)v changes of development (gi'owtli) and partly
by intermediate forms even in the same family. The
character which may most generalh' be employed, is
one that in other cases whei'e the distribution is so
wide, is scai'cely applicable, namely, the sharp-pointed
form of the feeblv-sujjported fins, especially the pectoral
and caudal. But e\en this character must lose its

» Denksclir. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Mat. Xalurw. (1.. Bd. XLVII, pp. ■220, iil.

* Provided it cannot be proved tliat both these '•species" are cosmopolitan deep-sea fishes.

' Introd. Study of FM., p. 270; JIandb. IchthyoL, p. 181.

70

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

validit^• where the liist(n'v of development conjoins an
obtuse-iinned form with the sharp-finned types. An-
other character ^vhich generally holds good, is the nar-
row and round peduncle of the caudal fin. The sin-
gularly characteristic bars on the sides of the peduncle
which occur in many forms of the Scombromorph series,
may also serve on occasion as clues to their distinction
from the series of the Percomorph families. Thus, for
example, one species of the genus Brama" possesses
such bars on its tail indicating the I'ight i)lace of the
genus and the family, Avhile the other forms of the
Bramidce are without it.

With the exception of tlie Zenldce and Capridce
and the addition of Gill's Acroniiridce, the series of
the Mackerel families, as defined here, corresponds to
the Scomhroidce of Gill*. Gunther combined this se-
ries with that of the Cottoid families into a group
wliich he named Cotto-Scombriformes, with the remark
that the true Cottoid genera exhibit forms of transition
to the Mackerel type''. It is certainly true that this
opinion finds support in the known changes of deve-
lopment, in the Sword-fishes, for example, where the
armoured head of the young specimens reminds us of
the Trigloid type, or in the diminution of the size of
the ventral fins which is very common among the
Scomhroinorphi and gives the juvenile forms a close
resemblance to the aforesaid type in this respect too.
But the Anomalopterous characters Ave have given

above, sharplv divide the Cottoid type from the Mac-
kerels.

Of the Scombromorph families the Scandinavian
Fauna possesses 5, whicli may be distinguished in the
following manner:

I: Soft rays of the veBtral fins 5 at most. Inter-
maxillaries and mandible, at least, armed with
teeth in adult specimens, though these teeth
may disappear in extreme old age.
A: Scales of the body in Ganoid manner con-
nected by processes from their basal part.
liateral line scarcely visible; its scales hardly
distinguishable from the other scales of the

bod v.- - --- - Bramhhv.

B: Scales of the body separate from eacli other,
thin and cycloid, where they exist. Lateral
line distinct.

1 : Before or at the beginning of the anal
fin two spinous rays, which may, however,
become indistinct or even disappear with
age. Longitudinal ridges of the bony
skull high and long; occipital ridge con-
tinued on the surface of the coalescent

frontal bones _ -.. Cmangidci'.

2: No spinous rays or only one before or at
the beoinning of the anal fin, Longi-
tudinal ridges of the bony skull com-
paratively low and short; frontal bones
without central ridge.
a: Upper and lower jaws about equally

projecting _.. Scombridce.

b: Upper jaw prolonged projecting "like

a sword" over the point of the lowerjaw Xiphiidcf.
II: Soft rays of the ventral fins more than 5. Jaws

without teeth, in adult specimens Lainprida:.

fam. bramidj?:.

Form of the hodij huih or elongated, strongly compressed. Eyes large or of average si^e. Of the external hones of
the head only the jtreoperctilum, and this only in youth., dentated at the margin. Scales large or middle-sized,
cycloid, high on the sides of the body (especially during youth), above and below continued by processes, ivhich in
certain j)arts of the sides at least, serve to connect the rows of scales. Spinous-rayed part of the dorsal and anal
fins little developed. Supporting rays of the caudal simple and spinous. Simple, pointed teeth, arranged in a card,
on the intermaxillaries and loiver jaw at least. Ventral fns thoracic (sometimes jugular) n-ith one spinous ray
and 5 soft''. Branchiostegal rays 7 . Branched rays in the caudal fin 14 at least (!^).

Following Gill's example' we make the genera
l*teraclis, Pterycombus and Brama into a family

distinct from the family Coryphcenidce as formed
by Lowe' and afterwards adopted by Gunther''.

" Brama princeps (from Madoira), Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G3, p. 37; = (V) Br. loiiijipiiinis (sec below).
'' Arranrj. Fam. Fish., Smith's Misc. Coll., No. 247,

' "The true Cottoide gradually pass into the Scombroids proper": Vat. Brit. .V»6'., Fish., vol. Ill, App., p. VI. No less clear, how-
ever, is the systematic transition, through the Squamipinnes, between the families of the Scombromorph and Percomorph groups.
'' PteracV.i, however, is abnormal in this respect and has its ventral fins reduced even in the number of rays.
' 1. c. Cf. Jordan et Gilbert, Syn. N. Am. Fish., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. It?, p, 455,
^ Fishes of Madeira, Introd,, p, XII,
" Andr. Garr. Fische der Stidsee, p. 14G: ,Studi/ of Fishes, p. 452; Handh. IchthyoL. p. 319.

BRAMOIDS.

71

Cuvier" and Boxapaute'' ret'crrcd Urama to t\m 'ac-Ah-
tinned' fishes {Squamipinnes or C'luctodontidce) and I'te-
raclls to the ScomhrUke, each genus, however, in its
own subfaiiiily {Bi(i)iilni and Coryplifenlnt). But Lut-
KEN, to whom belongs the merit of having first given
an explanation of the changes of age within the faniily'",
maintains tlie near relationship between Pteraclis and
the other members of the family, which he unites in
the "Sub-group Bramiihe." Tliat the higli and com-
paratively short, large-scaled IJ)aiii(i-iy\)Q lias l)cen
combined ^vith the elongated and small-scaled type of
the Borades {Coryplueita), is an echo of Cuvier's re-
mark as to the analogy in th(> structure of the skull
between Brama and Corypluena, an analogy which may
also be extended, however, to the Carangidce. But
that Cuvier was still justified in uniting Brama with
the scale-finned fishes, is an expression of the natural
relationship which also exists between the great series
of the Scomliroid and Percoid families. Here, in the
Bramidaj, this relationship has its expression in a fa-
mily type which is probably very old, even from a
geological point of view, in spite of tlie fact that as
yet we know of no fossils of this family. In their
covering of scales the BramidcB display one of the most
distinct traces of the oldest Teleosteous forms, which
amounts even to an explanation of the so called 'der-
mal ribs' or 'pleurolepidal lines'' of the P3'cnodont
fishes, as the scales, in Pterycomhus as well as Brama,
but most clearly in the former, repeat the structure
described by Agassiz, Egerton and Wagner, and after-
wards employed by Lutken as a- character for the
"series" Lepidopleurini or Fycnodonta (fig. 19) and by
GiJNTHER for the "suborder" Pycnodontoidei among the
Ganoids. Cuvier' described, and Costa and Luxel''
both described and figured this structure of the scales
in Brama; and we find it still more complete in Pte-
rycombus brama (fig. 20). There too, the scales are
of very dissimilar forms on different jjarts of t'.ie body,
but if we follow these dissimilar forms from the dorsal

in a transverse row, we find them
all alike in one respect, namely, that the hind (un-

^

vM'

Fig. 19. Sketch of a Pycnorloiit from the .Jurassic period. From
Lutken's treatise on the distinction and division of the Ganoids.

^'

..-CS:fl

,-?l

r^

Fig. 20. From the iirst to the si.xtli scale, together with tlie scale
of the lateral line (h) in a transverse row from the back to the
middle of the side, in Pterycombtis brama. Half as large again as

the natural size.

covered) pai't of each scale is thin, covered with fine
striations longitudinally radiating in the direction of
the body, and pierced by irregularly distributed, round,

" Cuv., V.4L., Hist. Nat. PoUs., vol. VII, p. 281 and vol. IX, p. 359. Cf. also Cuv., Regn. anim., ed. 2, torn. II. pp. 194 and 21(5.

*" Isis, 1883, pp. 1207 and 1209.

' Spolio Atlanli,-a, 1. c. p. 491. Cf. too Gu.n-theii. Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II. pp. 408 to 411.

<* Cuv., V.\L., 1. c, VII, p. 291.

« Agassiz, Poiss. Foss., vol. II, part. 2, ]). 184, tab. 67; 08; 69, fig. 2 et 3; 69. b; 69, c. Egerton, Qu.art. Journ. Geol. Soc.
Lond., vol. v. jmrt. I, p. 330. Wagner, Abh. Math. Phys. CI. Akad. Wiss. Miinchen, Bd. VI, .\hth. I, pp. 8 to 10. LCtken, Gan. Degr.,
Indil.. Vid. Mcddcl. .Valurh. For. Kbhvn. 1868. ].. 48 (sep.) and Geol. Mag. vol. V (1868). GC.nther, Study of Fishes, p. 366; Handh.
IchthyoL, p. 254.

/ Cl-v., Val., Hist. Xat. Poiss., vol. Vll, p. 289.

^ Costa: Fauna del regno di yapoli, Pe-id, parte prima, .\cantotterigii Squamipenni, pp. 13 etc. tab. LII. Lixel: Rev. Castagne.,
.Mem., Phys. et D'Hist. Xat. Geneve, Tome 18, pp. 174 and 188, pi. I, fig. 1, b — 1, f; pi. II, fig. 1, b — 1, e.

72

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

poi-es, and also tliat the anterior [jai't of the scale
(covered by tlie skin) is of a somewhat stronger struc-
ture, and separated from the other i)art by a sharp,
doul)Ie curve, which bends first inwards and then as
shar])lv forwards (in the direction of the body). The
liiK; striations ai-e continued on the curve, but the
inmost part of the scale is ('rossed by transverse,
thickening lines. The dorsal fin-corcrs (tiie scales form-
ini:' the groove into whicli the dorsal fin may be de-
pressed) are in one respect irregular — the curve is
knee-formed, so that it extends both over the anterior
and inferior parts of the scale, the free part of Avhich
thus becomes the superior-posterior. In a downward,
transverse row from one of these 'fin-covers' we first
find small scales with the free part rounded or emar-
ginate at its posterior edge, and also divided at the
circumference from the anterior part of the scale by
ail ini'ision in the upper and lower margins. In front
of this incision the anterior (covered) \)i\y\ of the scale
projects in a shorter (up\vard) or longer (downward)
process. It is these processes, with the thickening lines
mentioned above, that at the middle of the side of the
body are so elongated that the one scale is joined in
synarthros by its inferior process to the superior process

of the scale next in order below it. When Ave add to this
the externally visible elevation (transverse elongation)
of the Avhole scale in the rows at the middle of the
body, it is evident that if the thin, posterior (free)
part of the scale were taken away, Ave should find rib-
like formations in the integument, exactly like those
described in the Pycnodonts, a Ganoid group Avhich
existed from tlie Carboniferous period to the beginning
of the Tertiary, and to A\'hich the Bramidfe have no
further relationship than the sometimes striking like-
ness in the form of the body and the vertical fins.

Our knoAvledge of the BramicJce is as yet compa-
rati\'ely scant5^ They are deep-sea fishes, all presu-
mably of Avide geographical range. The principal di-
stinctions betAveen the tAvo genera Avhich belong to
the Scandinavian Fauna, are given in the foUoAving
scheme:

1 : The row of scales at the extreme dorsal and
ventral edffes along the base of the dorsal
and anal fins, consists of high scales {fin-
covers), which are so arranged, that thej' form
a deep groove, in which these fins, which are
otherAvise Avithout scales, may be sunk Pt.erycoinhus.

2: No fin-groove. Dorsal and anal fins covered

Avith scales Brama.

Genus PTERYCOMBUS.

The dorsal fin hef/ins at tlie occiput, vertically above tlie posterior orbital margin. The anal fin begins behind
the perpendicular from the insertion of the pectoral fins. The longest rags of the first named fins measure less
than the greatest depth of the hodg. Fin-covers large, from 50 to 53 pairs at the base of the dorsal fin and
alxiut 40 at that of the anal. Eyes large; diameter of the orbit nearlg half the length of the head. Palate

tvithout teeth.

At the first glance tlie extent of the dorsal and
anal fins seems to be the clearest distinction betAveen
this genus and Pteraclis, particularlj' as in adult spe-
cimens of the latter genus these fins are considerably
higher, especially in comparison Avith the depth of the

body, Avhicli is loAver and has smaller fin-covers. But
in youth, according to Lutken (1. c.) Pteraclis bears a
much closer resemblance to Ptergcombus and has a
higher form of body and loAver fins.

Of the latter genus onh- one species is knoAvn.

BRAxMOIDS.

73

I'TEHYCOMJiUS 131! AMA.

FiR. 21.

'Silrcr-irliite, soini'ii'liaf ditrker on the hack, iritli flic dorsal, anal, and ventral fins hJackish and the pectoral

lif/hf yellow." Lilljeboug.

Fig. 21. Pterycombus hrama from Haiumerfest. ', ., luitural size. After Fries and v. Wpight.

R. br. 7; D." 9 + (42—44); .4. 3 + (37—40); P. 2 + 19;
r. 'j; C. 20; L. lat. 49.
■Si/ii. Pterycombvs Brama, Fn., Vet.-Akad. Hand]. 1837, p. 1.5, tab.

II; NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 12.5; Lillj., Bidr. kanii.

Ft. br., Ups. Univ. Festskr. 4 Nov. 1864; EsM., Forh. SUand.

Naturf. Mode, Clirist. 1808, p. 522; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh.

1874, TilliPgsU., p. 47; ibid. 1879, p. 30; LiJTK., Spol.

Atl, Kbhvii. Vid. Selsk. Slvr., ser. 5, vol. XII, p. 501, tab.

IV, fig. 4; Lillj.. A'c, yonj. Fiskav, I, p. 291.
Obs. We linve had at our disposition only two dried specimens,
which are in several respects incomplete. The one, the property of
tlie Royal lluseuni and described by Fries, was brouglit by Captain
BlSMAiiK in 1834 from Hammerfest in Norway, the other, somewhat
smaller — about 301 mm. in length from the tip of tlie snout to
the end of the middle caudal rays — and also from Finmark, was
kindly lent by the Zoological Museum of Upsala University. We have
therefore thought it best to reproduce v. Wright's careful figure of the
former specimen, even with the imperfections that naturally affect it.

The specimen described l)v Fries measured 384
mm. from tlie tij) of the snout to the middle ravs of
the caudal tin, when it came into his possession, and
the gi-eatest depth of the body was 198 mm. The

" Number of rays in D., A. and ('. according to Lilljeborg.
ScantUnavinn Fishes.

greatest thickness, measured across both opercula, was
55 mm. Length of the head 100 mm. Orbital dia-
meters, which are exactly alike, 42 mm. The depth
is thus about half the length; the thickness about ' ;
of the depth; the length of the head about V4 of the
length of the body, and the diameter of the orbit * 3.
Length of the lower jaw 62 % of the length of the
head, and somewhat over 16 % of the length of the
body. The length of the intermaxillary and maxillary
bones, from the tip of the snout to the upper posterior
corner of the latter bones, measures 58 % of the length
of the head. Interorbital region 27 % of the length ot
the head, and the least depth of the body (the least
depth of the tail) 24 %. For other particulars Ave may
refer to the figure.

Both jaws are furnished with small, fine, pointed
teeth, which curve inwards and are set partly in re-
o^ular and partlv in irregular rows: in the mandible

10

74

SCANDINAVIAN FISHE-S.

they are apparently set in Uvo rows, an outer one, which
ends half-way along the jaw, and an inner one with
larger teeth, especially in front, -which extends along its
whole length, l)iit between these rows, in the front part
of the mandible, there are several teeth of similar form
Ijut in no regular arrangement. In the upper jaw, on
the intermaxillary bones, the teeth are similarly arranged
in an inner and an outer roAv with several teeth between
them, but posteriorly both rows converge and at last
join into one, single row. There are no teeth on the
palatine bones, the vomer or the tongue.

As in the rest of the Bramidce and as we have
already seen in Ben/.r, the dorsal parts of the large
lateral muscles originate as far forward as the forehead
just above the middle of the orbits. In front of this
point tlie forehead and snout are convex, with a de-
pres.sion along the middle and with the skin pierced
1)\' a nundter of ])ores like those we have above de-

Fig. 22. Young of Pteryconihns brama from the middle of
tlie Atlantic. Twice the natural size. After Lutkex.

scribed in the Sparidcc. The anterior nostrils are oval
and situated almost half-way between the point of the
upjier jaAv and the anterior orbital margin, the posterior
appear like slits and are situated loAver than the anterior,
about half-way between them and the orbital margin".

\\\ aihdt specimens the operculum and the other
lioiics belonging to the apparatus of the gill-cover are
completely destitute of arniour; but during youth the
margin of the preoperrulum is dentated in tlie maimer
shoAvn in LCtken's iigure, wiiich we reproduce here
(fig. l'l*) and which is presumably that of a young
specimen (if this species. In the dried specimen the
hind margin of the operculum is somewhat undulating,
\\\\\\ i)ne of tlu! pi-ojections longer than the others.
Tlie gill-apertui'c is complete and open as far down as
the point of the istlniuis.

The head is entirely covered with scales, with tiie
(exceptions mentioned above, namely the smmt, the inter- |

" This is true of (ho siiccinK-n belonging to the Hoyal Muscnm.
the poslcrinr nc.strils, too, ari^ n.inid. This diil'erence may iierlmps depi

maxillaries, the lower margin of the preoperculum, and
the lower jaw, along which we find raised bars as in
the Berycklce.

The most special characters of this fish are the
peculiar formation of the scales and the groove in which
the dorsal and anal fins are set. The body is covered
with large, imbricate, very thin and l)road (high) scales,
which form regular longitudinal rows. The free part
of each scale is almo.st square (see fig. 20, p. 71): the
inner or basal margin is straight and furnished at the
middle with a small, raised knob, which towards the
tail gradually develops into a short, stiff spine, while
the outer or hind margin is rounded or bilobate, with
the lobes separated by a small incision which receives
the spine of the scale behind. These spines are nothing
more than convexities of the scales themselves. The
lateral line, which is not distinguished by the form of
its scales from the other rows of large (high) scales,
contains from 49 to 51 scales, the anterior without
distinct spines. The canal of the lateral line pierces
the inner (covered) part of each scale (fig. 20, h)
about half-way up, and just behind the spine or the
corresponding knob sends out a small, opening duct
on the outside of the scale in an oblique, upward di-
rection: on the inside of the scale the canal is con-
tinued in a tubular form as far as the scale is attached
to the skin, Avhere it ends, to be continued at the an-
terior margin of the scale next behind. The lateral
line occupies the third I'ow of high scales incised at
tlie hind margin, and between these rows and the dor-
sal fin-covers there are anteriorly 5 ro^vs of smaller,
rounded or obliquely-incised scales. These rows be-
come fewer and fewer posterioi'ly till at last, at the
end of the dorsal fin, only one remains. Below the
lateral line there are 8 rows of high, posteriorly-incised
scales and 4 rows of smaller, posteriorly-rounded ones,
counted to the ventral margin of the body just in front
of the anal fin. Thus from the beginning of the dorsal
fin down to that of tiie anal we count 20 roMS of
scales in all, excluding the fin-covers. Most remarkable
of all, however, are the latter, which on each side
of the body rise along the dorsal edge and sink at the
posterior ventral and the caudal margins of the body,
like distinct walls surrounding the bases of the dorsal
and anal fins and forming deep grooves in which each
of these fins may freely rise and sink or even be hidden

In tlic s])ccimen borrowed from Upsala MuscMm, which is also dried,
■nd on the difference in the manners of drying.

BRAMOIDS.

75

altugctliur. These covering scales (fin-covers), which
are marked a in figure 21, are at first quite low at
the beginning of the fin, then gnidualh' increase in
height up to the '20th scale, which with the next ten are

in one longer

the highest, then again diminish and

scale, more elongated in form, at the

end
last ray in each
fin. At first the interstices between tlie fin-covers are
very narrow, and each of the scales is folded at the
upper margin and overlaps the next one to it, but gra-
dually these folds disappear, the margin becomes simple
and thin and the groove proportionall}' wider.

The dorsal fin begins in front of the insertion of
the pectoral and the beginning of the anal, almost ver-
tically above the posterior orbital margin or, as in the
younger specimen, somewhat behind it. According to
LiLLJEBORG it consists of from 51 to 53 rays", the first
9 being short and spinous and most of the others un-
articulated and simple, liut the posterior ones articulated
and branched, the last of all doubly. The longest rays
seem to have been situated just behind the spinous
ones avid to have been at least ^/j of the greatest depth
of the l>ody in length; probably, however, these, too,
ended in very fine points, united by an extremely thin,
scaleless membrane. The anal fin is of the same form
and structure as the dorsal, the number of pairs of
fin-covers being about 40. Its longest ra}% the 4th or
5th, measures about ^/^ of the greatest depth of the

l)od\- in tlie younger specimen. The pectoral fins are
narrow, long and obliquely pointed: in both of the spe-
cimens examined they are broken off short, but their
length has been at least ^/j of the greatest depth of
the body. The ventral fins lie a little in front t)f the
insertion of the pectoral. According to Lilljeborg
they are covei-cd above and beUnv by a few elongated
scales. The caudal fin is deeply forked and thickly
covered Avitli thin sc^ales, which form i-o^vs on the
mend)i'ane like those which in the genus Brama occur
on all the vertical fins.

Pterycombiis hrama is exceedingly rare and has
been found in an adult state only on the west coast
of Norway, from Finmark down to the most southern
part in the neighboui-hood of Egersund; and u[> to the
present only 12 such finds have been recorded*. One
specimen, caught in a salmon-net in \^aranger Fjord
in 4 feet of water, seems to prove that the species
sometimes wanders into the shallo^ver parts of the
ocean; but it is really an inhabitant of the depths of the
sea, from 100 fathoms to greater depths. The young
specimen described by Lutken (1. c.) was taken out of
the stomach of an Albicore (Orcynus germo), slightly
north of the Equator, between Africa and South Ame-
rica, in 8 ° N., 24 ° W., and thus shows that the spe-
cies has a wide geographical range.

(Fries, Smitt.)

Genus BRAMA.

The dorsal fin begins behind the insertion of the pectoral, the anal at about the middle of the body (excluding the
caudal fin). The longest rays of these fins measure less than the greatest depth of the body. No fin-covers; but on
the membrane of all the vertical fins a row of similar scales along the back of each ray. Eyes fairly large, the
diameter, hoivever, in full-grown specimens only about ^|^ of the length of the head. Teeth both on the palatine
hones and the vomer., though the latter often disappear in old specimens and even in young ones are sometimes

tvanting.

This genus, too, is one of the rarities of the Scan-
dinavian Fauna, though far from being as rare as the
preceding one. It is also much better known, for, in
the Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside it, it is still
less rare, and, we may say, is observed as often as
deep-sea fishes in general can be. It has also been
met with not only in the Atlantic but also in the Paci-

fic and Indian Oceans. The form of the body and the
other characters essentially correspond in many respects
to those of the preceding genus. The relation between
the two genera may be systematically expressed, in
Nilsson's words, "by the striking metamorphosis through
which the oblong, linear scales, which in Brama cover
the dorsal and anal fins, have sunk in Pterycomhus to

" The number of pairs of fln-covers in both the specimens mentioned above is 50 and each of them seems to belong to a separate ray.
* CoLLETT, N. Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 69.

76

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

tlie b.ise of these fins and there become united into lai-ge
'tiiicovei's', though still maintaining their oblong, linear
form." In this idea of the progression of development
(metamorphosis) between the two genera, we may also
tind the explanation of tlie other differences between
tlicm. In Pterycombus the dorsal and anal tins are
longer and begin uearei- the head, l)ut this is also true
of the adult specimens of Bruma compared Avith the
younger. In the former genus tlie superior profile of
the l)udy .slopes uniformly in a slight curve from the
Itegiimiiig of tlie dorsal fin to the tip of the snout,
and tills is also true of the younger specimens of Brama,
in which genus the height of the forehead and the abrupt
slope of the snout become developed only later in life.
The spines on the scales which we have seen in Pte-
rijcomhus, are also represented in Brama, but are here
really to be regarded as evanescent groAvths. In other
respects the formation of the scales is essentially the
same in both genera; but the widening of the high
scales and their singular form, reminiscences of the
Ganoid type, are more marked in I'teri/comhiis and the
younger specimens of Brama. Thus in the develop-
ment of the dorsal and anal fins Pterycombus is more
;i(l\anced than Brama, while in the other characters
mentioned above Pterycombus has stopped short at a
stage of development corresponding to the juvenile stage
in Brama. As in Pterycombus, the ventral fins are
also covered with scales in this genus, and in Brama
there also appears a row of singular scaly growths,
elongated into a spoon-shaped form, and situated in
the axil on a dermal flap which extends along the
inner base of the pectoral fin". The gill-openings are
also large in Brama, l)ut the In'anchiostegal membranes
ai-e united under the isthmus from about the middle
of the lower jaw.

In the genus Brama 9 species have been distin-
guished among adult specimens, but the correctness of
])erhaps most of them is still doubtful. In his meri-
torious treatment of this (luestion LCtkkn'' has pointed
out the character which may be derived from the dif-

ferent number of rays in the anal fin. When we also
observe that the species, all West Indian, which are
distinguished by the shortest anal fin, also have the
hind margin of the caudal more or less curved in an
S-shape, while in the other species it is simple liut
deeply forked, we have here a ground for the distinc-
tion of at least two groups of forms within the genus.
This, however, does not preclude the possibility that
even the number of rays and the length of the anal
fin may also prove subject to such changes due to age
that the character derived therefrom may lose its
validity. HoAvever, as the same changes affect the dor-
sal fin as well, we naturallv obtain a surer test of the
character by comparing the Uvo fins with each othei-.
Even the number of roAvs of scales on the body may
be employed, at any rate in extreme cases, as charac-
ters for the species. But here we are met by the dif-
ficulty of counting these roAvs \\'ith uniformity and
excluding the more or less irregular laj'ers of scales
in front of the caudal fin and on its base. Lutkkn
remarks that if, Avith Gunther, we count along the
lateral line, ^ve find from 80 to 95 rows, but according
to Lunel's method of counting in a, straight line from
the upper end of the gill-opening, Ave find only from
70 to 76 rows in Brama Baii, the sjjecies in which
LiLL.jEBORG has counted from 70 to 80 rows. The
statements which are not accompanied b}' a clear ex-
planation of the manner of counting, thus lose a great
part of their value, especially as age seems also to
involve an increase in the number of roAvs of scales.
Among the forms of this genus tAvo Scandinavian
species have been distinguished, liotli Avith the base of
the anal fin more than 70 % of that of the dorsal:

1: Base of the anal fin more than 40 % of

the length of the body ; greatest height of

the dorsal about -,'3 of the length of the

head Br. Raii.

2 : Base of the anal fin less than 40 % of

the length of the body; greatest height

of the dorsal almost C(|Ual to the length

of the head _-. Br. loni^ipiiutis.

" Fur the liKirpliologicnl significance of this deriiiiil flap see below on Cliiroliiphis galerita.
* ISpoliu .ML, I. c, ]j. 407.

BRAMOIDS.

77

RAY'S SEA-BREAM.
BRAMA IIAII.

Plate VI, lig. 1.

LeufjtJi of the loicer Jaw Jess tluni "/s of the length of the anal Jin. irhirh is Dinre than "/- of the length of the
hody. Greatest height of the dorsal fin less than ^/r, of its length or than "4 oj' the length of the head.

, 3 1. 4 , 2 1. 3

^•^"■^^ ^•30l-.32''^- 28=30'

P. 2 + 17 1. 20; V.

C. ,i'+15 + .r".

^yii. Braiiiii niarinn caiida forcipata, Ray, S>/?i. Pise, pag. 115.

Spaftis liaii, Bl., Ausl. Fisc/i., part. 5, p. 95, tab. 273; Id.
(Brama), iSyst. ed. Schneider, p. 99; SchagebstkOm, Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1827, p. 207, tab. VII; Cuv., Val., Hist. Aat.
Poiss., vol. VII, p. 281, tab. 190; NiLSS., Prodr. Ichth.
iScaiuL, p. 71; Kroy., Damn. Fiske, vol. 1, p.211; Nilss.,
Skaiid. Fii., Fi.sk-., p. 121; Gtbr, Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish. vol.
II, p. 408; LuNRL, Mem. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Geneve, vol.
XVIII, p. 170, Rev. Castagn., tab. I; Steind., Stzber. Math.
Natimv. CI. Akad. Wiss. AVien, 67 (1868), I, p. 374; Coll.,
Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874, Tilla^gsh., p. 46; ibid. 1879,
p. 30; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 420; 'Wimii., Zool. Dan.,
Fiske, p. 18, tab. IV, fig. 8; Id. Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn.,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 14; LuTK., Spot. Atl., Vid. Selsk. Skr.,
Kbhvn, ser. 5, vol. XII, p. 491, tab. IV, fig. 1; Dat, Fish.
G:t Brit., IreL, vol. 1, p. 114, tab. XLI; "LiiAj., Sv., Norg.
Fiskav, part. I, p. 300; Jord. et Gilb., Syn. N. Amer.
Fish., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 915.

Brama chilensis, Gat et Br. aiistralis, Val. (Cuv. R. Anim.
illustr., tab. 44, fig. 1): — vide Lunel, 1. c., p. 179.

Brama japonica, Hilgend. — vide tamen LtJTKEN, 1. c, p. 494.

The foi'm of the body is high, and in this, as in
the other species of the genus, assumes with age almost
equal curves of the dorsal and ventral profiles. In
youth, however, the curve of the ventral profile is
much the sharper, especially in front, and the eye is
. near tlie profile of the forehead, but in the adult state
the forehead and occiput are elevated as in Coryphaina.,
so that the ej-e is apparently removed lower down,
though it really retains its original position, its centre
being about on a level with the tip of the snout.

Another character which may ]:ie employed, though
none the less with caution, to distinguish Ray's Bream,

is the straight ])ase of the anal fin with a distinct
angle in its break to-wards the anterior ventral profile.
Caution is necessary as in youth tlie base is more
curved, though less than that of tlie dorsal, and the
curve of the ventral profile is then continued along the
anterior ])art of the l)ase of the anal fin. The peduncle
of the caudal fin is narrow and its lateral compre.s.sion
much stronger in young specimens than in old, which
in this respect approach nearer and nearer the Macke-

Fig. 23. Young speoiruen of Ray's Sea-Eream labelled "Brazilia"
from the older collections in the Royal Museum. Natural size.

rel-type. The form of the l)ody becomes on the whole
lower* and thicker'' with age. The height of the point-
ed anterior part of the dorsal and anal fins increases
with age, up to a certain degi'ee at least, while the re-
mainder of the fin becomes compai'atively lower. But,
as the length of the fins increases with age still more
rapidly, their height in proportion to their length di-
minishes as the fish grows older''. Increasing age
has an exactlv op]5osite effect on the pectoral and
ventral fins: it lengthens the former and shortens the

<• In a specimen from the Mediterranean we find C. j. + 16 + .r.

' In a specimen 56 mm. in length the greatest depth = 48 % of the length, while in a specimen 472 mm. long it is only 41 •^.

<" In the smaller specimen just mentioned the greatest thickness of the head is 26 Y' <>f the greatest depth of the body, in the larger
it has been presumably about 29 '/» (the specimen is stuffed), and according to Lilljeborg it may rise as high as 35 %. The statement of
Cdvier, Lunel etc. that in adnlt specimens the thickness of the body may be as low as 25 K of the greatest depth, presumably refers to
the thickness behind the head.

' In the smaller specimen mentioned above, the height of the dorsal fin is almost 36 ", of its length, in the larger specimen only 30
°'„; and that a diminution in the height of the dorsal fin, even in proportion to that of the body, may occur after a certain age, seems pro-
ved by Lilljeborg's observation of a specimen 210 mm. in length from the Mediterranean with '"the greatest height of the dorsal fiu slightly
less than ', of that of the body," while the height of the dorsal fin in the specimen 472 mm. in length which belongs to the Royal Museum,
is only about - j of the greatest height of the body.

78

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

latter". The lon.iz', pointed caudal lobes are the result
of considerable changes due to age, but sometimes seem,
according to Lutken's figure (1. c, tab. IV, fig. 1),
to be formed at an early period''. The changes of age
as ^vell as individual peculiarities cause remarkable va-
riations in the dental equipment of the mouth. A young
specimen, 56 mm. long, has in the upper jaw an outer
row of large teeth, and inside this in the back ])art
one row and in front two irregular ro^\'s of smaller
teetli; in the lower jaw there are two pairs of large
canine teeth in front, belonging to the inner row, which
throughout is made u]) of larger teeth than the outer;
on each palatine bone is a row of small teeth, but the
vomer is without t^eth. Lunel has, however, remarked
(1. c, pp. 171 and 172) the irregularity of the occur-
rence of the teeth on the vomer and the occasional
shedding of the jaw-teeth, which leaves only the outer
row iu^ each jaw. The spines at the margin of the
preoperculum still exist in specimens 56 mm. in length,
where 12 of them may be counted, though they are
indistinct.

The ditt'erences between the scales on difterent
parts of the body are highly remarkable. The snout,
the anterior ])art of the forehead, the inter maxillaries,
and tlie margin of the hind lower corner of the pre-
operculum are the only scaleless parts of the body.
In younger specimens the boundary of the scaly part
of tlie head begins vertically above the posterior
third of the eye and runs fairly straight down tlie
sides, but in older specimens it begins above the
anterior orbital margin and on the sides of the head
runs obliquely downwards and back-wards to the hind
upper part of the orbital margin. Winther' has
pointed out the resemblance to the Sparidce in the pores
which pierce the scaleless skin, and he also refers to
the same system of sensoiy organs (the sj'stem oi the
lateral line) the pores in the scales which occur in this
species as in Pferijcomhus (see fig. 20 al)ove). The
distribution of the different kinds of scales is also es-
sentiall}' the same as in the latter species; but in Ray's
Bream the lateral line, which from the ujiper corner

of the gill-opening roughly follows the curve of the
back, forms, at least in the anterior part of the body,
a well defined boundary between the smaller and more
rounded scales of the back and the higher (broader)
scales of the lower parts of the body. The former are
in old specimens smooth and perfectly cycloid, but in
younger specimens the radiating striations on these
scales, as Lutken'' remarks, are granular or even spi-
nous and give the scales a ctenoid character. On the
lower (broader) scales Lilljeborg' was the first to
remark the spine in the middle of each scale, which
disappears with age. In our smallest specimen (fig. 23)
these spines are especially distinct on the lower parts
of the ventral sides proper, and between the ventral fins
and the vent they make the ventral edge dentated as
in the Sprat. In older specimens, where the spines
have disappeared, the scaly covering of the belh' and
the pectoral (shoulder-) region is remarkable for its
closer resemblance to the scales of the back and head,
and b}' this contrast to the covering of the other lateral
parts reminds us in some ^vay of tlie corslet of the
true ScomhridcF.

Owing to these differences lietween the scales of
the body, we have above omitted, in the usual fin and
scale formula, to give the number of scales in the la-
teral line. In our smallest specimen we find 61 trans-
verse roAvs of dorsal scales and about 50 in a straight
line lielow the lateral line; in an older specimen 90
transverse ro-ws of dorsal scales, and above the lateral
line, counting obliquely downwards from the beginning
of the dorsal fin, 14 scales in one of these rows, below
the lateral line 16, thus making in all 31 longitudinal
rows of scales.

The colouring of the l^ody is brownish Avith a
silver or tin-white gloss; laut the dorsal edge and the
membrane of the vertical fins where it is free from
scales at the margin, are blacker, the caudal fin,
however, being edged with white at the hind mar-
gin. To judge b}' v. Wright's drawing of a fresh
specimen the black colouring also extends over the
snout and branches sideways along the depression

" In the siiiullor gpccimcn mentioned above, the length of the pectoral fins is almost 30 % of the length of the body and of
ventral almost 12 »«; in the larger specimen these proportions are respectively 33 % and 8 %.

'• In tlie smaller specimen nienlioiicd above, the length of the middle caudal rays is about 42 % of that of the longest ones, and
fin is thus much less deeply forked than in LtlTKEN's figure, the original of which, however, was younger or at least smaller, while in
larger specimen mentioned above, the length of the middle rays is only 18 °„ of that of the longest.

' Zool. Dan., 1. c.

<* 1. c., p. 495.

' Om Pterijcombus braina. 1. c: — cf. also L(Jtken, 1. c, pp. 495 and 406.

the
the

RAYS SEA-BUKA.M.

7 'J

above the eyes. The ]iectoTnl inicl ventral tins yel-
lowish.

In the Mediterranean, nrcordinii' to llisso", Ray's
Bream attains a length of 70 em. and a weight of 6
kgrm. The specimen taken hy Schagrrstuom on the
25th of November, 1825, on llildesborg shore near
Landskrona "after a .stormy night with a strong N. W.
wind," was (>()7 mm. long (including the lobes of tlie
caudal tin) and 2*.s7 kgrm. in weight. Four other spe-
cimens are recorded by Nilsson a.s taken on the west
coast of Sweden from Scania to BohusliUi, and one of
them, which was cast up after a N. W. storm on the
16th of December, 1843, in the neighbourhood of Tjorn^
is now in the Koyal Museum and was the original of
V. Wright's drawing. Its length is 472 mm. to the
end of the middle caudal rays. Tliere is no record
as yet of its capture in Norway; but in Denmark,
according to Kroyer, it has Ijeen cast ashore after
stormy weather three times iu Zealand, and according
to Winther'' it has once (1876) been caught oft' the
Skaw. In the Museum of Greifswald'' there is said to
be a specimen from the Baltic. HoAvever, it really
belongs to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside
it. It is said to have been found once oft' Newfound-
land", and if our list of synonyms be correct, it has
an equally wide range in the Pacific.

In the ^lediterranean Ray's Sea-Bream ranks as
a delicacy, but as it is really an inhabitant of the
depths of the sea, up to 900 metres — "the large
eyes and tlu; high development of the dermal sensory
organs," says Winther, "make it admirably suited tor
a life iu the ocean-depths" — no constant method of
fishing for it c'an 1)6 adopted. Only during summer
does it come up in small })()dies nearer the surface, j)ro-
bably in order to spawn, and it is then caught in
fairly large numbers on long-lines at certain spots,
near Genoa for example. The fishermen also say, ac-
cording to Lunel'', that it is most often taken at a
depth of fi-om 400 to 500 metres during the sinking
or i-aising of the; long-line. Thus it does not seem by
any means to be a constant inha})itant of the bottom
of the sea.

The specimens met with in Scandinavia have most
often been found cast up on shore after storm, a fact
to which LtJTKEN^ has called special attention. In or-
der to explain why these specimens have come so near
the surface and so far away from their true home in
the depths that they could feel the eft'ects of storm,
the assumption has been made that they were troubled
by parasitic -worms — it is known that Ray's Bream
suft'ers from them greatly, especially during summer —
and that it ^vas this disease that drove them away
fi'om their usual life and home.

•• Eur. Mer., vol. Ill, p. 454.

* EkstrOm, Gbgs Vet. Vitt. Samli. HaiuU. 1850. p. 37.
" NaUirh. Tidskr., 1. c.

'' MoBius and Heincke, Fische der Ostsee, p. 41.

■^ Brown-Goude: The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of United States, Sect. I (Wash. 1884). p. 335, where tliis species is also
said to have been found in Rt-rninda.
■'■ 1. c., p. 177.
'J 1. c, p. 492.

80

SCAN])INAVIAX FISHES.

RASCH'S SEA-BREAM.

BRAMA LOXGIPINNIS.

Fig. 24.

Length of the loirer jair mare than " , of that of the anal fii, irhich is less than "4 of the length of the body.
Greatest height of the dorsal fn more than "/j of its length or than ^/^ of the length if the head.

^<M

mm

Fig. 24. Brarna longipiitiiis from Hainincrfest. ' ., nat. size. After Esmark.

B. br. 1; D." ^_^,A.'' J,; P.'' 18; F. ',5; t'. '' .t- + 1 5 + 4?).

22

Syn. Brama lowjipiimis, Lowe, Prcc. Zool. Soc, Lond.. 1843, p.
82; LiLiJ. Ups. Univ. Festskr. 4 Nov. 1864. p. 7.
Brama Raschii, Essi., Forli. Yiil. Selslv. Clirist. 18G1, p. 2,38
cum tab.; Forh. Sljaiul. Natiirf. Mtirle, Clirist. 18G8. p. 521;
Collin, Forh. Sltand. Nnliirf. Mode. Kblivn. 1873. p. 418;
CoLLE-rr, Forh. Vid. Selsk. Clirist. 1874, TiHa'gsh., p. 46;
L1LL.1., AV., iXorg. Fiskar, p. 310.

{'i)Brnvia princeps, Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1863,

p. 36.
(^i)Brama Raii, Lltk., Spol. Atl., 1. c, tab. IV, tig. 2.

Obs. In his first description of this species Lilljeborg held
that Esmark's Brama Rasclii?, now kno^^•n both in Norwaj' and
Iceland, should be considered identical with Lowe's Brama longi-
pinnis from Madeira. The objections to this opinion given bj'
EsMARic, Collin, and Collett only concern the changes due to age
in the head and fins, which wo have mentioned above and which

" J^- rr according to Lowe: __-„— in Brama princepa according to Johnson.

A. 27 according to LOtken: — according to Lowe; ' in Br. princeps according to Johnson.

' P. 20 according to Lowe; also in ]ir. princeps according to Johnson.

C. 4 + 17+4 according to LuWK; 4 + 1.5 + 4 in /)';'. princepf according to Johnson. Esmark gives C. 20, whence I assume that
he also counted all the visible supporting rays. As usual, in the above formula by .r we denote the upper and lower, simple, supporting rays.

BRAMOIDS.

81

certainly apply here, too. Only the more elongated (lower) form of the
body might perhaps suggest a difference of species. But in a genus
whifli in this respect is as variable as Brama, we can scarcely draw
a diiforence of species from the higher or lower form of the body
when the difference is so small and measured in only one single spe-
cimen. Nor can I find any other ri-ason fur distinguishing Johnson's
Brama princepx from this species than the fact that in the large spe-
cimens from Madeira (68() — 838 mm. long, excluding the lobes of the
caudal fin) examined by Johnson, there was "a broad keel on each side
of the middle portion of tlie tail". This discovery is especially im-
portant as it clearly refers these forms to the group of the Scombro-
morph fumilie.'i, Vmt it does not therefore preclude the possibility of
Ihis being a chariiclcr of age wliich has not yet appeared in the spe-
cimens described under the names of Br. lonfjipinnis and Bv. Raschii,
the largest of which, Lowe's specimen, is 4G3 mm. long. Thus in
Scandinavia as well as in the Atlantic off Madeira, we should have
to distinguish two species, which are called by the fishermen of Ma-
deira "Frcira" {Br. Rail) and "Freira do alto" (/>'/•. longijnnnis).
From the changes due to age in the relative length of the dorsal
and anal fins, which are given below, it seems quite possible that the
j-oung specimen figured by Lowe in fig. 2, plate IV of his much-quoted
work belonged to this species, though to judge by the figure this circum-
stance, had it occurred in a more fullgrown specimen, would certainly
have referred it to the West Indian branch of the genus.

Rasch's Sea-Bream is evidently an intermediate
form between Brama Rail and the West Indian branch

of \\\v genus, the latter being distinguished by the
shortest uu.mI hii, but, however, including a high-finned
form {Br. Brevorti) as well as two comparatively low-
finned (Br. Af/assim and Br. Saussurii)", between which
we should have to distinguish if the distinction of spe-
cies in this branch of the genus could be regarded as
fixed. The relation between Rasch's and Ray's Sea-
Breams is in most respects, howe\'er, a distinct ex-
pression of the ditt'erent stages in one and the same
course of develoi)ment, in Avliich the former represents
the less ad\anced stages. Tins appears even in the
more perfect retention of the spines on the scales, but
also strikes us in several of the other changes due to
age, which we have traced as far as the scanty mate-
rials at our dispo.sition and the measurements given by
other writers admit. It is with titis object that we have
drawn up tlie following table of comparison, assuming
that Brama princeps represents one of the most highly
developed stages of Br. lonfjipinnis.

Lenstb of the bodv to the end of the middle

iidal ravs mm.

1) Length of the anal tin

2) „ „ ,, lower jnw

3) Greatest height of the dorsal fin

4) „ „ „

5) Length of the aual tin

in % of that of the body

„ „ ,, „ „ ,, anal tin _

„ ,, ,, its length

„ „ ,, the length of the head .._
„ „ „ „ „ „ „ dorsal.

6) „ „ „ head

7) „ „ „ „

8) » „ „ „

10) „ „ „ lower jjuv

11) „ „ „ „ „

12) , ..

13) Breadth of the interorI)it;il space ,, „ „

14) Lenarth ,, ,, dorsal tin

j» »» »

lo)

16)
17)
18)

pectoral tins
ventral ,,

» ,' ,, ,»

„ body

,, dorsal fin

„ anal „ .....

„ pectoral fins.

,, body

,, head

,, dorsal fin

„ lower jaw

„ bodv

„ ,, „ „ „ „ ,, pectoral fins...

!i 1! »i ,) „ „ „ body

„ „ „ „ greatest height of the dorsal.

,, I-

Bramt

ionfjipinnis

Brama Itoii

ESMAEK.

Johnson.

juv.

sen.

334

(701—712)?

56.3

472

31.8

<38

40.9

42.4

53.1

34.8

29

> 56

42.8

35.7

30

> 90

92.3—100

64.3

71.8

72

75

91.2

80.3

27,9

<27

24.8

21.8

63.2

46.4

55.5

41.4

87.7

61.9

60.9

51.5

102.4

84.7

83.4

68.7

IG.s

14.2

12.3

60.5

57.1

56.3

38.2

31.3

23.3

57.7

51.2

48.S

44.1

<51

44.7

52.7

27.3

{'!]

30.2

33

45.2

16.9

38.8

24.3

12.S

-^6

11.7

8

< 50

20.ii-20

73.S

51.3

In all these proportions except Nos. 4, 5 and 18 we
can easily see that where the changes of age in Br.
Rail shoNv an increasing ratio, in Brama longiplnnis the
percentage is least, and vice versa. We must, however,
pay attention to the age as well, provided it be expressed
by the length of the body, for then the specimens de-

scribed by Johnson nmst have passed through changes
considerably greater than the oldest specimen of Br.
Rail. It is from this cause, too, that, in the thi'ee ex-
ceptional relations (4, 5 and 18), we should really look
for the ratio of Esmark's specimen nearest to, but still
below or above that of the older specimen of Br. Rail.

" With respect to these forms see Lunel, 1. c, pp. 182 etc., Plate II.
Scandinavian Fishes.

11

82

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Besides the information we may thus gain from the
table, ^ve also find in JJr. Jongipinnis certain relations
\\liicli ciinnut be explained in accordance with develop-
ment. These chiefly concern the height of the body,
which in Esmakk's specimen is considerably less than
in Br. Bail. The specimens of Johnson, however,
level this difference, though they contradict the direc-
tion of development which seems to be indicated by a
comparison between the two specimens of Br. Bail,
just as the exceptional relations mentioned above.
This want of accordance suggests a true distinction of
species or a difference in the course of development",
even though the differences expressed in the above
table ma}' l)e eliminated by a richer supply of mate-

I'ials for examination. The scales correspond in form,
as we have mentioned, to those of the preceding spe-
cies, but their number is considerably less, there being
only from 41 to 45 in the lateral line according to the
statements to which I have access. In the colouring
there seems to be no real difference from the preceding
species.

Rasch's Sea-Bream has been met with in the North
on only two occasions, once when it -was caught in
Varge Fjord off Alten in Norwegian Finmark, and a
second time when it was cast ashore on the Westman
Islands, Iceland. The rarity of this fish naturally pre-
cludes all possibility of its possessing any special value
for the fisherman.

fam. carangidj:.

Form of the hodi) dioigated or high, perciform or strongly compressed. Eyes middle-sized or fairly large. Of
the external hones of the head the preoperculum and sometimes the frontal hones dentated at the margin or furnished
with sjnnes during youth, hut in adult specimens smooth. Scales small or middle-sized — sometimes absent — and
with smooth margin, sometimes, though only in the lateral line, resemhling high, spinous plates. Spinous-rayed part
of the dorsal and anal fins (or the anterior dorsal and anal fins, where each of these fins is double) shorter than
the soft-rayed part, hut in youth at least, well developed; at least two spinous rays hefore or at the heginning
of the anal fin. Simpde, pointed teeth in sparse rows or a card on the jatvs and palate, during youth at least.
The superior longitudinal ridges of the skull highly developed, the high supraorhital crest anteriorly prolonged on
the surface of the frontal hones as tvell. Ventral fins thoracic, and though sometimes reduced hy age in size as
tvell as structure, generally composed of 1 spinous ray and 5 soft. Branchiostegal rays usually 7''. Branched
rays in the caudal fin 15 at least. Total numher of vertehrce generally 24 or 25, 10 of which are abdominal.

From the Mackerel family as adopted by Cuvier
Gunthek' removed the greater part into a separate
family, Carangidce, the famil}' (jf the Horse-Mackerels,
wliich he characterized l)y the number of the vertebrae,
stating that in these fishes it is lower than in the true
Mackerels and their nearest relatives''. Gill" has
pointed out a safer chai'acter, drawn from the structure
of the skull and most distinctly expressed, as far as
we can see, by the different develojjment of the longi-
tudinal ridges on the occiput, the forehead and the

temples. In the Carangidce these ridges are compara-
tively high, especially the middle, supraoccipital ridge,
which extends forward over the coalescent frontal bones,
and reminds us of the preceding family. The other two
ridges belong to the temporal region, whence they ex-
tend more or less forward on each side of the skull,
the one starting from the mastoid (epiotic) bone and
sometimes, as in Trachynotus, continued along the side
of the fi'ontal bones as far as the rostral region, where
it meets the ridge of the opposite side, or, as in Ca-

" So far as we cau rely oti the results attained hy ;i study of the trifling materials which this species has hitherto atiiorded us.

* Gill, however, states that they vary between 6 and 10.

■= Cat. Brit. Mus., FM., vol. II, pp. .S54 and 417.

■' GCnther points out (1. c, p. 417) that the genera Chonnemtis and Teinnodon (Poiiiatomus) form exceptions: "but a comparison
with Lichia shows that tlieir natural position is by the side of this genus." That Nauerates, which GUnther placed among the Scombridce
because of the number of its vertebrae, should really be referred to this family, has already been stated by Gill (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad
1862, p. 431). That the number of the vertebrae may be of less systematic importance than GOnther here, as in other questions, e. g. in
the SalinonidcK, ascribed to it, is also shown by Heincke's observations of the variations in this respect in the common Herring.

' Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. V (1882), pp. 487 etc.

HORSE-MACKERELS.

83

ranx, apijarently ending at the middle of tlu; orbits or
over their anterior part, but contiinied more oi- less
distinctly l)y the marginal ridge; of the frontal bones.
The other, outev latei-al ridge on the skull starts from
the OS sqi((iiii<)f!inii (pferoficioit) ;ind is generally con-
fined to the posterior frontal bone {os sphenoticum),
but sometimes extends to the middle of the orbits.
Though these ridges are not \vanting in the true Mac-
kerels, they are much less highh' developed and do
not extend so tar forward". This difference, however,
like the nund)er of the vertebrae, is an internal one
and as a character is thus subject to practical difficul-
ties in its employment for the determination of species
belonging to this famih-. Furthermore, as it is rather
a difference in the degree of development than in form*,
its validitv as a family character may be doubtful,
though we liere retain the Carangoid familv in order
particularly to distinguish the Horse-Mackerels in our

of the frontal bones and even the rostral region-^ These
juvenile marks bear ^vitness to the original analogy
between this family and the Beryx type, as well as
witii tlie ('ottichr, though the Carangidce are untjues-
tional)l\- brought nearer to the latter by the compara-
tively late appearance of the scales on the body, which
in certain forms are completely wanting. The other
changes due to age, as we have already seen in the
Bramoids, consist in the elongation of the form of
the body and of the pectoral fins — the latter becoming
more and more pointed and directed more and more
upwards with a. more horizontal base — and also in
the diminution of the ventral fins. We have also to
notice in the Carangidce the reduction of the first dorsal
fin and of the spinous ravs in the anal, the changes
in the latter causing some likeness to the family of the
true Mackerels. In some Carangidce {Selene vomer), as a
compensation for this reduction, the anterior parts of

Fauna as a connecting link between the Bramidfe and the second dorsal and the anal fins are developed into

the Mackerel gvoup, a position clearly pointed out for j high, falciform flaps and the pectoral fins are simulta-

them ])y the development of the above-mentioned. Ion- I neously elongated. In others again {Selene setipinnis)

gitudinal I'idges on the skull. | age also causes a reduction in the length of the anterior

The correctness of this procedure is also shown parts of the dorsal and anal fins.

l)y the de\elopmental changes due to age, ^vhich are i In a family -with so great changes of development

better kno^vn in the CarangidfC than in the Scombrklce.
The most detailed information on this point' is given
by LuTKEN in his excellent work''. It is a universal
rule that in the CarangidtP, as in the ScomhridcB, the

the definition of the genera and species has naturally
been diflScult and unfixed, for the different stages of
development, before their correct signification was known,
were regarded even as separate genera. However, even

margin of the preoperculum is furnished with teeth or ' after the corrections made by later writers on this

spines during youth, there generally being a, iew large point, the Carangoid family still contains a large num-

spines at the corner and smaller spines or teeth on ber of species. Jordan and Gilbert^ estimate the

each side of them'. In the Pilot-fish {Naucrates) si- I number as high as 180, the great majority of which

milar spines appear not only on the preoperculum but belong to the tropic seas of both hemispheres. Many

also on the posttemporal bone, the supraorbital margin are highly esteemed as an article of food, and as they

" The difiEerence is given by Gunther, though not as a family chiiracter, and may be found in his descriptions of the skeleton of
Scomber scoynbrtts (Cat., 1. c., p. 358) on the one hand, and Garanx trachnriis (Cat., 1. c, p. 421), Chorinemus Itjsan (Cat., 1. c, p. 472)
and Lichia glauca (Cat., 1. c, p. 478) on the other.

' This is also the case in the large species of Tunnies, where these ridges are, it is true, comparatively much lower than in the
Carangidce, but still high enough to cause it to be referred to as an exception wlien the supraooipital ridge in Orcymts thynnus (see Cnv.,
Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., \'III, p. G6) may be traced as far forward as the ethmoid bone.

' There are several remarks on tlie subject, however, in Gill: Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, pp. 430 and 440.

<* Spolia Atlantica, 1. c., pp. 504—552.

■^ In an Indian species, Caranx (Carangichthys) typus, these teeth are retained even by adult specimens, provided that Bleekeb's de-
scription be really based on examination of fnllgrown specimens; and in Caranx Upturns from the West Indies, they occur as uniform teeth
at the corner of the preoperculum, though tliey are scarcely visible except on the skeleton. On the removal of the skin both the suboper-
culum and intcroperculum also present distinct erenulations at the outer margin.

f That this genus, too, should be regarded as representing the earlier developmental stages of the family type, appears from its colo-
ration, from llic dark transverse bands, the number of which diminishes with age, while in Caratix these bands are generally present, it is
true, but only as a juvenile character. Caranx nraspis (Uraspis carangoides), however, according to Bleeker, retains these transverse bands
even when fullgrown.

!' Syn. Fish. N. Amer., Bull. U. S. Kat. Mus., Xo. Il3, p. 431.

84

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

often occur in shoals, wandering at the surface out at
sea or along the coast, they are of great importance to
the tishernian. Their economical value, however, is far

less than that of the true Mackerels. Only one species
belongs to the Scandinavian Fauna.

Genus CARANX.

The lateral Ihie proper armoured, at least in part. The other scales on the loch) eijcloid. Tail keeled on the
sides. A spine starts, in a forirard direction from the fourth interneural hone, which supports the first spinous

rail in the anterior dorsal fin.

All the Carangidce furnished with scales, Avhich,
like the Sticklebacks, have the lateral line wholly or in
part covered \x\i\\ plates, — the form of \vhich strongly
reminds us of the high scales we have seen in the
iiranioids — ai'c so closely related to each other that
with GuNTiiER we may well unite them into one single
genus. The variety of form — about 80 species are
more or less known — may induce us, it is true, to
seai'ch for subdivisions within this genus. Such divi-
sions have been proposed, grounded partly on the dif-
ferent extent of the armour on the lateral line, partly
on the breaking-up of tlie posterior parts of the dorsal
and anal fins into small, separate fins which occurs in
some species. Both these diffei-ences, ho-wever, are met
with as changes due to age in forms so closely allied
in other respects that the assumption of a generic di-
stinction appears unnatural. Lutken", too, though he
still ado[)ted the genus Trachurus as distinct from
Caranx, Avrites as follows: — "At a certain age (at a
lengtli of 17 mm.) only the posterior half of the lateral
line is distinct, and one might more readily suppose
the young specimen before him to belong to Caranx
than to Trachurus." True, the same remark applies
to the covering of scales, which is absent in the fry;
but in addition to this lack of scales we find in Gall-
icJitJiifS so striking a development in the high form of
the body and so gi'eat a. reduction of the first dorsal
hn that we ma>- well follow LOtken and designate
these forms l)y a special generic name, pointing to
their im])(irlauce as intermediate forms between Caranx
and Selene.

In Caranx the system of tiie lateral line shows so
higli a degree of development as to place it on a level
with or even above this system in Cantharus. From
the arcuate canal in tlie posttemporal region (above
the gill-c()ver and the u])per corner of the gill-opening)

which is continued without interruption by the lateral
line proper, anteriorly there start two bi'anches. The
one as usual follows the outer edge of the preoperculum
do■\vn^vards and sends out its numerous lateral branches
with small pores in the 'adipose membrane' which
covers the Inroad margin of the preoperculum, and is
continued on the lower side of the lower jaw. The
other branch of the temporal canal advances towards
the posterior orbital margin but divides into two, the
one l:)eing continued forward above the eye to its
middle point, the other l)elonging to the suborbital
ring and, together with its many small branches in a
do\vn'ward direction, covered by the 'adipose membrane'*
Avhich lies over the posterior and anterior portions of
the eye. These small branches and pores are, as usual,
most distinct on the preorbital bone. From the tem-
poral canal there also starts the ordinary ujtAvard In'anch
towards the occiput, but in this case the most impor-
tant continuation of the latter is the dorsal canal (the
dorsal lateral line), Avliich runs along the base of the
dorsal fins, often right to the end of the posterior one.
From the bow which forms the connection between
this dorsal canal and the temporal one, there starts
back^vards, from the concave side of the bow, a smaller
canal between the dorsal one and the lateral line pro-
per, but nearer the former; and forwards, from the
convex side of the l)ow, run the ordinary canal from
the mastoid region, continued on the side of the fore-
head to the nasal region, and also another, smaller
canal in the supraoccipital region as far as tlie inter-
orbital space, where it meets the corresponding canal
of the opposite side and united with this is continued
along the middle of the forehead as far as the anterior
orbital margin. In Caranx trachurus all these divisions
of the system of the lateral line have transverse bi'an-
ches at right angles to them, ^vhich in their turn send

" Spot. Atl., 1. c, p. 53G, on Tracliurus Ciiiieri.

'' This iiHMiibraiie, it is well known, docs not contain fat, bnt is ii liyalin(! (gelatinous) connective tissue (''^Gallei'tgewebe", Leydiq) tlie
presence of which rounil Ihe ninciferous canals of tishcs has already been remarked by Leydig (Lelirbucli der Hislolof/ie, p. 24).

UOIJUE-MACKERELS.

85

out transverse branches on each side, lint in the la-
teral line proper the traiisxerse branches of the. lii'st
magnitude (;i pair I'oi- e;ich plate, one upwards nnd
one downwards) send out only b;iek\\;irds a number
(from 5 to 7) of secondary branches", which open into
the posterior nuirgin of the plate. In older specimens
(jf this species, in which these canals often become in-
distinct, we m;iy still hud numerous, scattered pores,
especially on the back and head, which are the orifices
of the system of the laternl line. Of the other species
of the genus, Caraiix torrus lias the dorsal canal simi-
larh- contimied almost to the end of the second dorsal
hn, l)ut in ('(ir. armatus ^ve liave not been able to trace
it farther than the beginning of the first dorsal, and
in some specimens of Car. lepturus it may be traced
to the end of the second dorsal, in others only to the
beginning of the first, as is also the case in the genus
Selene. The variations in this respect indicate the
transition to Temnodon and the true Mackerels, some
of which liave onlv a rudimentary dorsal canal, while
others are \\'ithout it altogether.

In Caranx, as in Selene, Trachynotus and Licliia
(I am luiable to speak -with certainty of the other Ca-
rangidm), the first three interneural bones are separate
from each other, while the others are more or less clo-
sely united by the osseous ridges on their back and front.
The coalescence is most complete between the 4th and
5th. Fi'om the 4th grows out in a forward direction
the spine mentioned in the diagnosis, and the first spi-
nous ray in tlie anterior dorsal fin is supported by the
same Ijone. On each of the first three interneural bones
there is a process in a forward direction Avhich corre-
sponds to the spine just mentioned. These processes
do not, however, project above the skin, though the
tops of these three bones are sometimes visible as oblong
knobs in the edge of the back in front of the first
dorsal fin.

The genus Caranx has gained some further interest
in an anatomical respect from an observation the
universal signification of which within the genus is,
however, still unknown. The chief function of the air-
bladder is, as is well known, to enable the body of the
fish to maintain or attain the same specific gravity as

that of the surrounding water. Thus, it is more com-
yn'essed (the size of tlie fish smaller), but contains more
gas (of greater density) in dec]) water than near the
sui'f'ace. When the fish gi'adiiajjy rises or sinks in the
water or only slightly changes its position, the quantity
of gas in the air-bladdtn- is altercid in proportion. When
the fish is rising and it is necessary to diminish the
quantity of gas, the Physostomi, whose air-l)Iadder is
furnished with a pneumatic duct, thus enjo}' a great
advantage, for those fishes which have no pneumatic
duct, can only gradually diminish the (piantity of gas
by absorption. Hence, too, the great ditt'ei'ence in the
effect upon different fishes of a, change in the pi-essurc
upon the water, e. g., when the pressure is diminished.
Those which have no air-ljladder, seem but very slightly
affected by the change; those ^vhich have an air-bladder
with pneumatic duct, emit gaseous bubbles through the
mouth and gill-openings, but those which have an air-
bladder without pneumatic duct, are drawn upwards in
spite of their struggles to sink deeper and deeper, until,
if they find it impossible to descend, they are quickly
borne to the surface, where they lie swollen up and
unable to move. In his endeavours fully to investigate
this point Arm and Moreau'' found that Caranx trachu-
rus, far from being borne to the surface like the Basse
and the other Phj'soclysts experimented on, when the
air above the vessel in which it Avas placed, was rarefied,
seemed only slightly uneasy and emitted only small
gaseous bubbles. (Jn closer examination he found in
the upper wall of the air-bladder, in a line with the
seventh rib, an opening surrounded b}' a raised, val-
vular margin and leading to a tube which follows the
right side of the aorta in a for^vard direction and after
a geniculate curve opens into the right gill-cavity.

Another peculiarity, the universal signification of
which is still to be decided, is the fact that the fiy of
Caranx trachuriis is a parasite of the Medusa^ a cir-
cumstance which is one of the many discoveries made
by the late Professor A. W. Malm (see below).

The numerous species of this genus are excellent
swimmers and thus, for the most part, have a wide
range. They are therefore subject, as is usual under
such circumstances, to fairly many variations of form.

" They may be seen in McCoy's figure (Prod. Zool. Vict., pi. XVIII), us it is reproduced in Fish. a. Fisher. X. 6'. \V<iles by
Tenison-Woods (Sydney 1882) pi. XXII, fig. 1 a, showing the inside of a plate from the Australian Car. trachurus, . nUch figure may be
compared with our figure of the high scales in Pterycninbus brama.

* Ann. Sc. Nat., ser. VI, Zool., Tome IV (1876), Art. No. 8.

86

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SCAD OR HORSE-MACKEREL (.s\v. taggmakeilen).

CAKANX TRACHURUS.

Plate V, fig. 3.

The lateral Ihic proper covered ulo)i(j its irhole length irith transverse plates, irhich, on the posterior part of the

line, tchich is straight and longer than the anterior part, irliidi is carved, are keeled and posteriorlg furnished with

a spine. Length of the head about 27 % of the length of the hodg and greater than the greatest depth of the

body, which is about 22 % of its length. No finlets behind the dorsal or anal fin.

V.

R. Or. 7; D. 8/
,; C. ,r+lfi 1

29—32"
1~ +j:; L.

A. 2/-
hit

'27—29*'

73— 75^

P. 2 + 17

18:

^yn. ^aiQOc:, Aristot. ; TQoyovQog, jElian.: vide Aetedi.

Scomber linea lateral! aculeata, pinna ani ossiculoriira 30, Art.,

Gen., p. 31; Si/ii., p. 50.
Scomber TracJuirtis, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 298; Retz.,

Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 340; Lacep. (Caranx) Hist. Nat. Foiss.,

vol. Ill, p. 57 ct 60; Cuv., Val., (Trachurus) Hist. Nat.

Foiss., vol. IX, p. 11, t.ib. 24G; Kroy. {Uaranx) Damn.

Fiske, I, p. 263; Kkstr., Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samli. Handl.

1850, p. 37; Id. (cum Wright) Sk-and. Fislcar, ed. I, p.

221, tab. 57; Malm, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1852, p. 226;

NiLss., Shmd. Fn., Fislc, p. 152; Gthr {Trnchurus) Cat.

Brit. Mus., Fisb., vol. II, p. 419; Steind. (Caranx) Stzber.

Akad. Wiss. Wien., Matb. Nadirw. CI., Bd. LVII, Abth. 1

(1868) p. 382; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Til-

litgsli., p. 50; Id. ibid. 1879, p. 32; Cederstr., Ofvers.

Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1876, N:r 4, p. 64; Winth. Naturb. Tidskr.

Kbbvn., ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 15; Id., Zocl. Dan., Fiske,

p. 19, tab. IV, tig. 1; Day, Fish., G:t Brit., Irel., I, p.

124, tab. XLIV; LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fisk., I, p. 330; Mob.

11. IIeincke, Fische der Ost-See, p. 37.
Trachurns sanrtis, Bafin., Caratteri di Alcuni Nitovi Generi

(1810) p. 20; JoRD., Gild., Syn. Fish. N. A7ncr. Bull. U.

S. Nat. Mus., N:r 16, p. 912; Brown-Goode, Fisher. In-

ditstr. U. S., part. I, p. 326, tab. 103.
Varaii.r semispinosus, NiLSS., Prodr. Ichth. Hcand., p. 84.
Trachurus Liunei, Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 421; Lt)TK.,

Spol. Atl., Vid. Sclsk. Skr. Kbbvn. ser. V, Naturv. Matbem.

Afd., Xll (6), p. 533.

The usual size of the Scad in the Cattegat is from
27 to 30 cm. The lai'gest Eksthom ever saw measured
395 mm. from the tip of the snout to the end of the
middle raAs of the caudal fin. The body is fusiform, an
intermediate form between that of the common Mackerel |
and the Perch, somewhat compressed and so deep that
the greatest depth, which is half wa}^ along the first
dorsal fin, is about 22 % or 23 % of the length of the
body. The greatest thickness, measured at the same
point, is about hall' the greatest depth. The back is
broad and I'ounded up to about the middle of the se-

cond dorsal fin, as is also the front part of the belly.
On the belly from the insertion of the ventral fins to
the vent, there is a groove into which the venti'al fins
may sink, and liehind that another which contains the
vent together ^vith the two spines before the anal fin
and the anterior part (if that fin. A similar groove,
in which the first dorsal fin and the anterior part of
the second may be hidden, runs along the back. The
head is of average size, cuneiform and so strongly
compressed underneath that the branches of the lower
jaw and the two interopercula touch below the isthmus.
The length of the head is from 26"5 % to 27-5 % of the
length of the body. The forehead is rounded with a
narrow, filiform carina (the outward sign of the supra-
occipital ridge) in the middle. It slopes towards the
snout in a curve continued by that of the back. The
snout is l)lunt and the mouth of average size. The
lower jaw is the longer; its articulation, which forms
an obtuse angle, is situated somewhat behind the an-
terior margin of the eye, and its length is equal to
the distance between the tip of the snout and the po-
sterior margin of the pupil. Fine teeth, which are
scarcely distinguishable, are set in both jaws, on the
tongue, on the wide head and the shaft of the vomer
and on the palatine bones. The eyes are large and
set hio-h. Their vertical diameter is from 24 % to 22 %
of the length of the head. The nostrils are nearer the
eyes than the snout. Of the bones of the gill-cover
the preopereulum is the largest: its margin is smooth
and rounded at the corner. The operculum is small and
triangulai-, Avith a crescent-shaped incision in the posterior
margin, \vhich is filled by a membrane, on ^vhich -we
find the large black spot so common in this genus. The
gill-openings are large. The branchiostegal membranes
are free, but that on one side of the body is united

" Exceptionally 33 — 35, according to Steindachner.
1) 25 32, „ ,, „

c 70 70

SCAll.

87

l)elo\v the isthums to tliat on the otlitT side. There
ai-e 7 curved, bi'anchiostegal raj^s on eaoli side of the
body. Tlie body is covered Avith small, (hin, ovnl scales
of dirt'erent sizes, tiiid only the tins, the c-iiidal fin ex-
cepted, the snout and the h)\ver jaw are naked. The
smaller scales of the body grow even Ijetween the pla-
tes of tlie lateral line, especially in the front part. The
lateral line begins at the upper margin of the gill-
oj)ening, then runs in an almost imperceptible upward
curve to a point vertically above the vent, where it
forms a downward curve, and is then continued in a
straight line to the base of the caudal tin. It is com-
pletely covered by about 75 transverse plates. Of these
plates the anterior ones, from the beginning of the line
to its curve at the end of the pectoral fins, are smooth ;
but from this point they are furnished Avith a high, sharp
keel, Avhich ends behind in a strong spine. The height
of tlie keel gradually increases and hence the tail is
twice as broad as high at the end of the dorsal fin. The
number of spinous plates is from 35 to 38. These keels
may be traced even in the skeleton by the hook on
each side of the last caudal vertebra. The vent is
about half-waj' betAveen the tip of the snout and the
middle of the base of the caudal tin, or a little in
front of (sometimes at) the middle of the body".

The anterior dorsal fin begins Avith a spine point-
ing forAvard and often covered by the skin, vertically
above the insertion of the ventral fins, and ends above
the vent. It is short and high, Avith 8 unarticulated,
but weak, rays. The posterior dorsal fin is long, ends
above the end of the anal fin and generally contains
from 30 to 33 rays. Tiie first of these is unarticulated
and half as long as the second, Avhicli, like all the
others, is branched and articulated. The pectoral fins
are narroAv, falciform and equal in length to the head.
They each contain 19 or 20 rays, the tAvo uppermost
undiA-ided and the top one of all unarticulated, the
others branched oftener and oftener to the loAver side
of tlie fin. The ventral fins are long and pointed, ex-
tending almost to the vent. In form the anal fin is
like the second dorsal. It generally contains 28 or 29
rays, the first of Avhich is unarticulated. In front of
this fin is another smaller one, Avith only tAvo, small,
spinous rays, Avhich are joined by a membrane. Tlie
caudal fin is crescent-shaped, Avith 18 or 19 long rays,

the two outer ones being undivided; there are also 4
or 5 smaller (rudimentary) rays at the toj) and bottom
of the base.

The colour of tlie back is dark olive-green Avith
lighter, Avavy, transverse Ijands. The head and the
sides beloAv the lateral line silver Avith a dash of orange,
like mother-of-pearl. The iris silver- Avhite, the ])Upil
dark blue. The intei'i(jr of the mouth black like the
inner side of the branchiostegal membrane, Avhich is
edged Avith silver. A large black spot at the upper
margin of the gill-opening. The anterior dorsal fin
transparent, the posterior dark gray, as is also the
caudal: tlie other fins Avhite.

The interior of the abdominal cavity is dark in
colour, the liver pale red, large and bilobate, and the
spleen large and triangular. The kidneys are black
and of average size. Tlie intestinal canal bends tAvice.
The stomach is large and there are a large number
of pyloric appendages (from 12 to 20, according to
Gunther). The ovaries are large, but the eggs small.

The food of the Scad consists of small fry and
crustaceans. The most usual contents of the stomach
are young Herrings, Sprats, or Sand-launces. It occurs
in the Cattegat all along the coast of BohuslRn and is
by no means rare, but is ahvays taken singly. Ekstroji
never found it in shoals, as it lives in other places,
and could never hear of its being so found. According
to NiLSSON, it has, in addition to the name given here,
those of tar/gsUl and, oft Kullen, staggsiU and staksiW'.
Malm says that in Bohusliin it is called piggmakrel
(Picked Mackerel) and skrej, Avhile CederstrOm also
gives the name of sUfverfisk (Silverfish).

The Scads Avhich are caught by Avhiffing (Sav. rann-
dorj — running-line) during the Mackerel-fishery in
Bohuslan, at the beginning of June, have ripe roe in
the ovaries. It may therefore be assumed that the
spaAvning-season occurs in this month, though no place
is knoAvn Avhere this fish spaAvns. Most jirobably it
does so out at sea. That it really does spaAvn in the
Cattegat, is proved by the occurrence there of the fry, in
companv with the large jelly-fish {Cganea capUlata) so
common there, of Avhich it seems to be a sort of para-
site'. The fry stay under the body of the jelly-fish,
among its ovaries, and seem to feed exclusivelj- on its
eggs. This most remarkable habit Avas first observed by

" In Todd's figure (Brown-Goode, 1. c.) the vent is situated considerably in front of the middle of the body.
'' All three names are about equivalent to 'Spiny-Herring'. Tr.
" ilALM (1. c.) also found the fry in Rhizostouia Aldrovandi.

88

SCANDINAVIAN FtSHES.

A. W. Malm, who dcserilied it in the report of the
Royal Swedish Academy of Science for the j^ear 1852.
Mr. I. W. Grill has subsequently described, in letters
to li!ivSTi{i).\i, some niirmte observations on this point,
which wore made in Heligoland.

Fry have thus been found of very small size. From
the 22iid of Julv to the 18th of August", Malm found
specimens IVdUi slightly over 12 mm. up to .36 nun. in
length, and 'Sh. Grill says that on the 25th of Sep-
temlicr he found 2o fry al)out 35 inuL in length under
a jelly-fish about 16 cm. in diameter. Generally only
few, from 3 to 7, are found under tlie same jelly-fish.
If removed from the jelly-fish and thrown into the
Avater neai- it, they at once endeavour to I'egain their
jiiding-place, and at the apjiroach of danger they creep
close to the disk of tlie jelly-fish among its threadlike
organs. Like all very small fry, they are at first quite
unlike the adult fish, being short, with a high head of
peculiar shape and with tlie mouth turned upwards.
Until they are about 20 mm. long, the greatest depth
of tlie body exceeds tlie length of the head; but when
they ai-e no more than 70 mm. long — at this age
they have left the jelly-fish — they have become normal
in this respect, the greatest depth of the bod}' being from
about 84 to 82 % of the length of tlie head. The plates
of the lateral line first appear, though indistinctly, in
si)ecimens from 1 5 to 20 mm. long; afterwards they
become more distinct and the lateral carinre appear.
In •\'<)ung specimens 35 mm. in length these parts of
the body have quite the same form as in the fullgrown
fish. Shortly after the fry have attained this size, in
September (or later?), they apparently leave the jelly-
fish and live independently, in company with young
Herrings and Sprats. Scads of this kind from 75 to 100
mm. in length, are fairly common late in autumn, when
they are taken with other fish in the seine.

During sunuuer the Scad is lean, but in autumn,
when it conies near shore, it is fairly fat and the flesh
is but little inferior to that of the Mackerel either in
quantity or in quality.

No special method of fishing for the Scad is prac-
tised in Sweden: it is onlj' occasionally taken in seines

drawn for other fishes. This is also the case in the
west of the Baltic, whei'e the Scad occurs, but probably
goes no further east than the coast of Mecklenburgh.
In the Baltic, too, it is generally taken singly, though,
according to M«")bius and Heincke, it is sometimes, in
autumn, met with in shoals. Thus in November, 1872,
about 32,000 Scads were taken in the Bay of Eckern-
forde. A similar occurrence has happened in Norway,
too, where, accoi'ding to Collett'r assumption, the
Scad goes at least as far north as Trondhjein Fjord.
It appeared there in large shoals in the summer of
1862 and came up the fjords between Stavanger and
Bergen. It sometimes appears in still larger shoals on
the English coast. Oft" Glamorganshire, on the 29th of
July, 1834, in the evening, the whole sea was so full
of Scad that the surftice seemed in a state of fermen-
tation; and these enormous shoals continued to pass
up the Bristol Channel for a week*. In mid-ocean, too,
it collects in shoals at the surface, but generally near
some reef", as on the Josephine Bank, between Portu-
gal and the Azores, where at midsummer the Swedish
expedition of 1869 fell in with numerous shoals of
Scad, on which the gulls feasted greedily.

In the Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside it
two varieties have been distinguished from tlie northern
Scad'', which, however, occurs there also. Thus Malm
gave the northern form the name of Trachurus Linnet
and characterized it as having at most 79 comparatively
high plates on the lateral line. According to Lutken,
the one of the Mediterranean forms, Trachurus medi-
terraneus, is distinguished by from 79 to 92 (according
to Steindachner, from 79 to 86) similar, but lower
plates. In the other, Trachurus Cuvieri, in contra-
distinction to the two forms just given, the straight,
posterior part of the lateral line is said to be shorter
than the anterior part or at most equal to it, -while
there are from 93 to 108 plates of average height on
the lateral line, and the ventral fins are exceptionally
short in comparison with the pectoral — in old spe-
cimens scarcely more than Vs of the latter in length.
These differences evidently run side by side Avith well-

known changes due to age.

The height of the lateral

« Cf. G/jgs, Boh. Fn., p. 452.

' Yabreli., Bi-it. FifJi., cd. 1, voL I, p. 155 and Day, I. c, p. 125.

' See the Magazine Framtiden, 1870, p. 348, note.

'' Cf. LVTKEN, 1. c.

* Caran.t Cuvieri, Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. II, (187.3) p. 183, according to him = Sei-iola pictwata, Bowdich, E.mirs.
Madeira (1825) p. 123, iig. 27.

SCOMBROIDS.

89

plates as well as their iuiml)ev also vai-ies in individual I both in the Atlnntie and in the Pacific, in the warmer
cases. Thus the de\'(!lopnient of iorni in accordance parts of the ocean, where this species without doubt
with the clianges due to age, has become most advanced, has its original home.

Fam SCOMBRIl)^.

Bodij fusiform^ more or less elongated. Head underneath {towards the loiver jaw and the isthmus) so compressed
that as a tvhole it more or less closely resembles a three-sided pyramid. Eyes middle-sized or small. Of the ex-
tenud hones of the head the preoperctda durinr/ youth are dentated at the margin or furnished tvith spines, in
adult specimens smooth (like the other hones). Scales small or completely wanting, hut in the region of the pectoral
fns most often large and forming a 'corslet! Spinous part of the whole dorsal fin-system shorter than the soft-
rayed ; but there being tiro dorsal fins, the anterior {spinous) is longer than the continuous piart of the posterior,
wlien the latter, as u-ell as the anal, has a number of finlets behind it". No free spinotis ray, or only one, in
front of the anal fin. Simple, pointed, conical or compressed {cutting) teeth, at least in youth, on the jatcs and
generally on the palate as well. Jaws of equal length, or the lower somewhat longer than the upper. Upper lon-
gitudinal ridges of the skull comparatively little developed: supra-occipital ridge not continued {at least not tcithout
a break) on the frontal bones. Ventral fins thoracic, generally tvith one spinous ray and five soft. Gill-openings
large, and branchiostegal membranes separate. Branchiostegal rays 7. Branched rays in the caudal fin at least

15''. Vertehrce more than 25% more than 10 of which are abdominal.

It is the Mackerel family,, next to those of the
Herring, Cod and Salmon, that is the most important
to man from an economical point of view. Their so-
ciable life makes these fishes comparatively easy to
catch, and their good flavour and fatness give them a
place of honour in the kitchen. This is also true,
though in a less degree, of the preceding family, which
the Scombroids, as we have already said, resemble
so closely that the family-character is restricted to a
higher or lower degree of development of certain pe-
culiarities. In the Mackerel family, however, we never
find the body so high and compressed as it sometimes
is in the Carangidce. Further, in the former family,
the eyes are not so large as in some species of the
latter, the bony ridges on the skull are not so high
or so long, nor is the reduction of the ventral fins or
of the first dorsal so great. But the spinous rays of

the anal fin to a great extent vanish, and in the fusi-
form body, which is more or less elongated, we may
sometimes find the number of vertebra? to be as high
as 45.

The system of the lateral line is much less de-
veloped, externally at least, than in certain of the Ca-
rangidfc. The distinct dorsal canal is either entirely
wanting or, as in Scomheromorus {Cybium), only ex-
tends as far as the beginning of the first dorsal fin''.

In the Scombroids the articulation of the mouth is
peculiarly arranged. On the outside of the lower jaw
is a well-defined groove, which really corresponds to
the fold beneath the underlip when it is laid down,
in other fishes. This groove is continued in a down-
ward direction back from the corners of the mouth.
There is a corresponding groove in the upper jaw; but
this is formed under the inferior margin of the pre-

" In tlie genus Elacate, whicli, it appears to me, should hardly he separated from the Scombroid family — Gill, however (Cat. Fisli.
East. Coast N. Amei:, 1873, Smiths. Misc. Coll., No. 283, p. 29), has made it a distinct family, after having previously (Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sc. Philad. 1862, p. 126) referred it to the Carangklce — the whole of the soft-rayed part of the second dorsal fin (as well as of the anal) is con-
tinuous, and in this case the spimnis-rayed part of the dorsal — here broken up into free spines — is shorter than the soft-rayed. This is
also the case in some species of Echeiieis, which genus may still lay claim to a place among the Scombrida, though the family-diagnosis
can scarcely notice all such variations.

* According to Lilljeborg, Axixis thazard has only 14 of these rays.

"^ According to GCxtiier, there are only 25 vertebra; in Elacate.

'' On the other hand a ventral branch of the lateral line occurs in Orcijmis (Thynmis) Mlineatus, a Tunny from the Red Sea which
has been described by RtppELL.

12

Scandinavian Fishes.

90

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

orbital bone. Both grooves serve to receive the upper
jaw when the mouth is closed. For this purpose in
the Tunnies there is an expansion of the furro-w in the
lower ja^v at the corner of the mouth, Avhere the broad
posterior part of the upper jaw may rest. This ex-
pansion is fairly great even in Anxis. In the true
Mackerels the upper jaw-bone slides completely under
the preorbital bone, when the mouth is closed, and
thus the expansion of the groove in the lower jaw is
inconsiderable.

Of the air-bladder there is nothing to remark,
save that it is sometimes wanting in species very closely
related to others where it is present. This family,
however, like the following, is remarkable for the power
which some of its larger members possess, of raising
their own temperature considerably above that of the
surrounding ^vater. Davy states" that on his voyage
to Ceylon he fdund the temperature of l)ody in a Bonito

— "in the deep-seated muscles in the thickest part of
the hsh, a little below the gills" — to be 99° Fabr.,
while the temperature of the water at the surface
was only 80.5°. He was also informed by fishermen
that they had observed the same circumstance in the
Tunny and in other large species of this family*. This
increase of temperature is connected with the great
muscular activity enjoyed b}' the Scombroids. This mus-
cular activity has its physiological conditions in an
abundance of richly corpuscular blood, a powerful''
respiration and circulation, a thick, muscular heart and
a strong innervation not only of the muscles of the
body, but also of tlie organs of respiration. Thus Davy
found the basal ganglia of the gills {ganglion hmnchiale,
belonging to nerrus ragus) to be larger in the Scom-
broids than in other fishes and almost as large as the
"electric ganglia" in the Toi'[)edo. The quick and ready
movements of these fishes are also aided by the reduc-
tion of the scales of tlie body which generally occurs
in this family. Tlie scales are sometimes fairly large,
as in the region of the pectoral fins, and cycloid or

— as in Scoml/er kunaguyta from the Red Sea and the
Indian Ocean — with wavy striations and crenulated
at the margin. Often, hoAvever, they are wanting, at
least externally, either o^■er the -whole body or over the

greater part of its posterior portion, or else they are
imbedded in the skin, as on the cheeks, where, as well
as in the corslet, they are generally larger than on the
rest of the body. All the Scombroids belong to the
most active of salt-Avater fishes, and their power of
wandering so far is closely connected with their wide
geographical range.

About 70 species, all belonging to the seas of the
Tropic and Temperate Zones, are recognised and de-
scribed in Gunther's Catalogue; but several of these
species are only imperfectly known, and on closer ob-
servation, as LuTKEN has shown with regard to the
Tunnies, will probably be explained as alterations due
to age or varieties of other species. The number of
forms within the family is large enough, however, to
admit of sharp disputes not only in the distinction of
the species, but also in their arrangement in genera.
Though tliis may depend to a great extent on our
ignorance of changes due to age in the dift'erent spe-
cies, an additional reason is the considerable size of
some of the species, which renders it difficult clearly
to understand the relations of form. All that we know
of the changes due to age, is summed up by Lutken''
in some observations on the spines of the preoperculum,
the larger jaw-teeth, and the shorter maxillaries of the
fry (in Scomher colias). He also describes some small
fishes from 8 to 17 mm. in length, Avhich he refers
with good reason to some species of Tunny, and assu-
mes this to be Orcynus germo. These small fishes
(fig. 25) are short and compressed in form, with sharply

Fig. 25. Young Tunny, probably Orcynus germo.
3 times the natural size. After Lutken.

dentated preoperculum and with the second dorsal
and the anal fins continuous, but with signs of the
breaking-up of the posterior part into finlets. The
mouth is large, its aperture, when shut, rising at an
angle of 45°. The pectoral fins are broad and short,
and the ventral short and rounded. With regard to
the continuation of the changes of form during growth,

" K.liiil., N. Phil. Jc.nrn., vol. XIX (1835), p. 325.

* Cf. also Caupenteu: Man. FJii/siol., p. 481; Couch: Fish. Brit. lal.. vol. II, p. 95; McCoy: Prodr. Zool. Vict., Dec. V, p. 24.
' The more complicatotl structure of llio gills in the Swordfislics and in one genus of the Mackerel family {Acanthoctjbium), where the
sevcriil branchial laminaa coalesce into one lamina, meshed like a net, is also probably connected with this circumstance.
'' ^polia Atlantica, 1. c, p. 482.

S('OJIIi]{(HDS.

91

LuTKEN has pi'ovcd tliat the cliaracters on wiiicli Cu-
vier's TliijiniKs byacTiypteriis is i)as('(l, hflonii- in all
probability, sinij)!)' to jnvcnilc forms of tlic iari^e
Tunny (Orci/nus tlii/uiuis) and that the, same author's
Th. coretta from the West Indies is only an inter-
mediate form lietween tliem. To this same species
he has also referred Stoheks Th. secundo-dorsalis
from North America and Schlegel's TIi. orimfti/is
from Japan. JMirtherniore, lie has shown that in
Euthynnus alUtteratus the depth of the body and tlie
height of the dorsal and anal fins eventually increases,
and tliat Cuvier's TIi. hrevipinnis should be regarded
as a juvenile form of this species. Finally, he has
referred to the same changes of age and collected
into one species, which he proposes to call by Lace-
pede's name Orcynus germo, all the long-finned Tunnies
known as Thynnus alalonga, Th. albirora, Th. [lermo,
Th. pacificns, Tli. argentivittatus, Th. halteatus, Th. .sibi
and Th. macr obiter us.

Merely from these i-emarks we may conclude
that the Scombroids Avith large jaw-teeth and with the
dorsal and anal fins low, only slightly ])ointed and
broken up into only few finlets, may generally be re-
garded as less advanced in development of form. From
the measurements taken by McCoy" of different-sized
specimens of Orcynus thynnus from 18 in. 3 lines to
5 ft. 1 in. in length, we have the following results:
the positions of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins move
forward as the fish grows older, and the height of
the second dorsal and the anal increases, while the
length of the j)ectoral fins and the snout seems first
to increase and then relatively to decrease. The rela-
tive length of the head, the dorsal fins, and the anal
fin seems also to diminish, though irregularly; and as
usual the relative size of the eyes decreases. In the
common Mackerel, on the other hand, we find that the
position of the posterior dorsal fin in relation to the
length of tlie l)od}- moves backAvard as the fish grows
older, while the distance between the front points of the
two fins inci'eases. We may thus distinguish between two
different directions of development, the one represented
by the true Mackerel, the other l>y the Tunnies. From
the latter fishes Cuvif.r separated the genus Sarda'',
which is characterized by the comparativelv large size
of its jaw-teetli and in this respect is an intermediate

form between the genus Scomberomonis (Cyhium) and
the other members of the family. Its chief peculiarity
is that, like several species of the genus Scombero-
monis, it displays least alteration in the extent and
shape of tlie first dorsal fin from those of youth. As
diftei'ent directions of development the genera Echeneis
and Elacate are also easy to distinguish, the former
liaving tlie first dorsal fin changed into a sucking disk,
the latter having this fin broken up into free spines.
In the Scandinavian fauna onlv the three first-men-
tioned branches of development are represented, each
by two or three species. The systematic relations of
these species to each other may most easily be ex-
pressed in the following scheme:

I: Preorhital bone compaiiitively nar-
row, leaving at least the greater
part of the upper jaw-bone exter-
nally visible throughout its length,
when the mouth is closed:

A: First dorsal fin anteriorly pointed,
with a flap-like point in front.
Jaw-teeth comparatively small.
Height of the anal fin greater
than its length. (ienus Or-
cynns:

a: Hind portion of the body
and the bellv for the most
part naked (without distinct
scales). Subgenus Euthyn-
nus:

a: Ventral sides silvery and
cither plain or spotted with
black Euthynnus alUtteratus.

(5; Ventral sides silvery and
marked with black longi-
tudinal bands - Euthynnus pelamis.

b: Body covered with scales pos-
teriorly and on the belly as
well. Subo-enus Orcynus Orrijnus tlii/nnus.

B: The anterior part of the first dor-
sal fin forms an even, convex or
slio^htlv concave curve continued
by the posterior part of the
upper margin of the fin. Jaw-
teethcomparativelylarge. Height
of the anal fin less than its length.
Genus Sarda:
a: Hind portion of the body

and the belly for the most

part naked. Subgenus Orcy-

nopsis Orcynopsis unicolor.

" Prodr. Zool. Vict., dec. V, p. 22.

' Begti. Aiiiiii., cd. 2. y. 109 = I'elamys, Civ., Vai... ///.-■■(. Xat. Poiss., vol. VIU. p. 149.

92

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

It: Hind portion of the body and
the belly also covered with
scales. Subgenus Sarda Su7'da pelaniis.

II : The preorbital bone completely
covers the front part of the upper
jaw-bone and at least the greater

portion of the back part, when the

mouth is closed :

A: Hind portion of the body and

the belly for the most part naked.

Genus Aiuvis Aiuiis thazard.

B: Hind portion of the body and

the belly also covered with scales.

Genus Scomber Scomber scombrus.

Genus ORCYNUS.

Body terete and fusiform. In the iireahdominal region the scales of the body form a corslet of larger and more
firmly fixed scales than on the rest of the trunk. Dorscd fins but little apart from each other, both the anterior
and the posterior being highest in front and pointed, irith the upper margin deeply concave: second dorsal fin
{excluding the finlets) situated, either completely or to a great extent, in front of the anal, which it closely re-
sembles in otJicr respects. Height of the anal greater than the length of its base. Number of finlets behind the
dorsal and anal fins from 7 to 10". Pectoral fins on a level with or sometimes beloiv the eyes. Adipose eyelid
comparatively little developed. The preorbital bone leaves the broad, back part of tJie up)per jaiv-bone for the most
part visible, when the mouth is closed. Jaw-teeth small. On- eacli side of the tail a high, longitudinal middle
carina without scales, and at the base of the caudcil fin two lou-er and shorter carina, covered with scales and
posteriorly converging, one cdjove and one below the middle carina. Pyloric appendages numerous and sometimes

united into a glandulous mass.

Subgenus EUTHYNNUS.

Body behind the corslet naked (without scales). Height of the anterior dorsal fin almost double (at least °l^) the
length of the snout and greater than, the height of fhe posterior dorsal. Depth of the anal fin about "/.^ {from
(10% to 70 9o) of the length of the ventral, which is more than Vs if ram 70 % to 84 %) of that of the pectoral.
Length of tin- liead less than half the distance from the tip of the snout to the second dorsal fin. Eyes of
average si^e. Palatine bones and vomer toothless as a rule, at least the latter, or with small deciduous teeth''.
HcBmapophyses of most of the caudal vertebrce broad at tJie base and pierced by a large hole which in the anterior
part (if the tail is so wide that fhe n-hole of the hwmapophyses resembles a network hung beneath the bodies of

tlte vertebrce.

To LuTKEN belongs the merit of having fii'st given,
in his Spolia Atlantica, botli the external and internal
characters M-hidi mark tliis subgenus, which he named
Thynnus s. str., a title which lie subsequently'' ex-
changed, however, for Euthynnus. The reduction of
the palatine teeth and the scales of the body, as ^vell
as the comparatively small size of the head and the
great height of the first dorsal fin, seem to indicate

that in the development of the Mackerel-type it is this
group that has advanced farthest in the direction of
the Tunnies, though none of the species known attain
so great a size as the true Tunnies. In other respects,
however, as for example in the comparatively small
height of the anal fin and the fairly great length of
the ventral, Euthy)inus takes the lowest rank among
the Tunnies and stands almost on the same level as

" During youth Wu- number of anal finlets is only 7; iuul aceortling to Ruppell, in Orci/iiux hilineatiis there are only G finlets on the
(iiil, botli above and below.

'' According to MoitHAU, Euthyimns allitteratus has teeth both on the palatine bones and on the vomer. Steindachnee found no vome-
rine teeth in his specimen. According to Collett there are neither palatine nor vomerine leetli in this species. Enthi/untis pelamis seems
always to he without vomerine teeth.

'■ See JoiiiJAN and Gii.nEr.T, S'/n. N. Amer. Fi.^^/i., Bulb U. S. Nal. ^lus., No. 10. p. 429.

TUNNINA.

93

the true Mackerels. The height of the anal tin in both
species seems to vary between 60 % and 70 % of the lengtli
of the ventral tins, while in the true Tunnies, as well
as in Felamis, it is generally greater than or at least
(in youth) equal to the lengtii of these fins.

Like the otlier members of the genus, the Eiithynni
are pelagic fishes, belonging to the tropic and tempe-
rate seas, and only appear as occasional visitors within
the limits of the Scandinavian fauna.

THE TUNNINA.

EUTHYNNUS ALLITTERATUS.

Fig. 26.

Distance hctircen the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout less than 28 % of the length of the body. Height
of the posterior donal fin about ^;^ of the length of the head. The hind portion of the back steel-blue marked
u-itli wavji black bands and spots, irhich melt into varying figures. The belly silvery, either plain or marked with

black spots.

Fig. 26. Eutlii/iuiHS aUitUraUtf!. .^fter XlLSSON.

R. br. 1; D. 15 1. 16/

-^— VIII 1. IX: ^.4r'-i'vi-

10 — 1-2' 10—12

VIII; P. 26 ). 27; V. \^; C. x+lS+.c.

Syii. Scomber allitteratus, Rafin., Car. Niiov. Gen., p. 46; Jord.,
, GiLB., (Euthyiinus) Syn. Fish. A'. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 16, p. 430.

Scoi7iber Uoinmersonii, Risso, Ichth. de Nice, p. 163.

Scomber quadripunctatus, Geofi'r., Descr. de I'Egypte, Poiss.,
Inb. 24, fig. 5.

Scomber leachianiis, Risso, Eur. Me'r.. rcil. Ill, p. 416.

Scomber ihnnina, Cuv., R'eyn. Anim., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 198;
Cuv., V.\i,., {Thynnn.'s thiiiinina) Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VIII,
p. 104, tab. 221; Id. (Scomber) R'egn. Anim. Illnstr.,
Poiss., p. 118, tab. 46, fig. 1; Schi.eg. {Thynnus) Fn.
Japon., 4, Pisces, p. 95, tab. 48; Gthr, Cat. Brit. M'ls.,
Fish., vol. II, p. 364; Nil.ss., Ufvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1863,
p. 499, tab. 5; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 416; Ltkn,
Viii. Metldel. Xaturli. For. Kbhvn. 1879 — 80, Heft. 3,

Ofvers. Vid. Mod., p. II; Wisth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn.,

ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 14; Id. Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 24;

MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. II, p. 421; Coll., Foih.

Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1882, No. 19, p. 1; Lillj. (Orcynopsis)

Sv., Norg. Fi.<ikar, vol. I, p. 270; Coll. {Euthynnus) N.

Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 58.
Thynnus brevipinnis, Cuv., Val., 1. c. p. 112 (Cf. Lvtkek,

Spol. Atl., 1. c, p. 467).
Thynnus brasiliensis, Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 110 (Cf. Gthr,

Cat. 1. c).
Thynnus ajjinis, Cantor (Cf. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 252: Ltkn,

Sp. Atl., 1. c, p. 467).

CuviER states that the distinction between the
Tunniiia and the Tunny was known to Aristotle; and
he also refers to this species Aldrov.^xo's Pelamis
coerulea. Before Clvieks time Rafixesque and Kisso

94

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

had given descriptions of this fish, and Geoffroy St.
HiLAiRE the best tigure then drawn. However, it is
much less known than the Tunny, though it lias tlie
same wide range, having been found in Japan, the In-
dian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, Brazil,
and on the east coast of North America.

The Tuiinina never attains the same size as the
Tunny. Risso gives 8 dm. as its greatest length. The

specimen from Limhamn described by Nilsson is 83
cm. long. The body is perfectly fusiform, a little
more elongated backAvard than forAvard. In his Sjiolia
Atlantica (1. c, p. 466) Lutken has given some mea-
surements of two specimens, which on comparison Avitii
Nilsson's measurements give the following indications

of the changes due to age:

Length of the boily in niillinietres

,. „ „ head .. % of the length of the body -

Height ,, ,, first dorsal fin „ .. ., ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, --- -

„ :, „ „ ,, „ „ „ .. >, 17 " >' '"'ad ._

„ „ „ second ., „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ body...

„ „ „ ., -, „ ., V „ V :, „ „ head -

,, „ „ anal ,, ,, :, ;, „ „ „ „ body

„ „ „ ,- ; :, „ „ ., ., .. •. ll'^lJ -

Length ,, „ pectoral „ „ ,, ,, „ „ „ ,. body

„ „ ,, ventral „ „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ -

Greatest depth of the body ., ,, ,. „ „ ., .. ,,

Diameter of the eye „ „ ,, ., „ „ .. head

Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body
Length of the head in % of the distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout
Diameter of the eye in % of the length of the snout

Average.

831

620

380

604

24.0

25.0

25.8

24.8

18.8

13.4

12.G

13.3

5(3.2

53.5

50.0

63.3

G.3

(;.a

5.8

6.2

2G.0

2G.5

22.9

25.3

(•5.0)

7.0

G.3

(6.4)

(25.0)

27.8

25.0

(25.9)

13,8

13.7

13.7

13.7

10.4

9.8

10.5

10.2

—

25.8

23.7

(24.7)

(14.1)

12.9

15.6

(14.2)

2G.9

—

—

—

90.0

—

—

—

47.4

—

—

—

Among the most marked alterations due to age
which appear from this table, is the increase in height
of the two dorsal tins, especially of the tirst, in pro-
portion to the length of the head. In tins respect, and
also in the forward position of the tirst dorsal tin, the
Tunnina is the most developed of its family.

The manner of life of this species, of which we
have only the most scanty information, probably differs
but little from that of the true Tunny, and it is taken
together with the latter in the Italian madragues. Its
flesh is said to l)e of a. tine red colour and of good

flavour; but like that of the other Tunnies it decom-
poses rapidly and then, of course, becomes unwholesome.
From its true home this fish has occasionally
wandered to Scandinavian waters. One specimen was
caught on the 29th of July, 1857, in the Sound oft
Limhamn near ^lalmO, and is now preserved in the
University Zoological Museum at Lund. Another was
taken near the same place, oft' Ilumlebaik, in a bottom-
net in October, 1878, and in August, 1881, four spe-
cimens were caught in a herring-net among the islands
oft' Christiania.

SCOJIBROIDS.

95

THE BONITO (sw. boniten.)

EUTHYNNUS PELAMIS.

Fig. 27.

Distance hettceen the frst dnrml fin and thf tip of the snout more than 30 % of the length of the tiodij. Height
of the posterior dorsal Jin more than SS % of the length of the head. Back steel-Une irithout stripes; belly ivith

4 or ') dark longitudinal hands.

Fig. 27. Boiiito (Enthynmis pelamis) from the Cattegat off Varberg. "^ of the natural size.

R. hr

D. 15 1. IG

1—3

VIII; A.

-I VII;

12 ' ■ ---' — ■ -^2

P. 2 + 26 \. 27; V. ','.,; U. ,r+18+^.

Syn. Scomber pulcIiPi; Osb., Ost. Besa, p. G7 et in registro.

Scomber Pelamis, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, p. 297; Cnv.,
Val., {Thynniis pelamys), Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VIII. p
113, tab. 214; Schleg., Fh. Japan., Pisces, p. 96, tab
XLIX; Gthr, Cat. Brit. 3Iiis., Fish., vol. II, p. 36-4
M.\LM, Ofvers. Vet.-Akafl. Forh. 1875, No. 7: p. 3, tab. 9
Id., Gbgs, Boh. Fii., p. 416; Reinh. apiid Ltkn, Spot
Att., 1. c, p. 465; Gigl., Elenco etc., Esp. Int. di Pesca
in Berlino 1880, Sez. Ital., Cat., p. 85; Jlon., Hist. Nat.
Poiss. Fr., vol. 11. p. 419; D.\y, Fish. G:t Brit., IreL,
vol. I, p. 100, tab. 37; Lillj. (Orcy?iopsis pelamis) Sv.,
Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 274; Jord., Gilb., (Euthynniis pela-
mys) Syn. Fish. N. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16,
p. 430.

In the form of the Iwdy this species resembles
the preceding one. The chief differences consist in
the less forward position of the dorsal fin, the gi'eater
height of the second dorsal and the greater length of
the head. From these differences we may see, as is
often the case, that one character maj- be highly de-
veloped, while in other re.spects the species ranks low
in the scale of the generic development.

In size it is about ecjual to the preceding spe-
cies, the greatest length being given as 8 dm. For
purposes of comparison betAveen the two species Ave

here

give,
foUowinsj table

according to ^Ialms measurements, the

96

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Length of the body in millimetres

„ ., „ head ., % of tlie length of the body.

Height „ „ first dorsal tin ,, „ ,, „ ,, ,, „ ,. .

j» )j )j

„ „ „ second „ ,

„ » .. anal „

Length ,, „ peetoral ,,

„ ,, ,, ventral ,,

Greatest depth of the body
Diameter of the eve

head,
body,
head,
bod V . .

head . .
snout .

Distance from the first dorsal fin to the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body

Length of the head in % of the distance from the first dorsal fin to the tip of the snout

Distance from the second dorsal fin to the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body.
Length of the head in % of the distance from the second dorsal fin to the tip of the snout..

Distance from the anal fin to the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body

Distance from the ventral fins to the tip of the snont in % of the length of the body

Average.

782

488

635

27.5

27 5

27.5

14.0

13.1

13.5

fil.i

47.7

49.4

9.9

—

—

3G.3

—

—

7,1

—

—

14.1

13.3

13.7

10.8

11.0

10.9

2G.8

24.G

25.7

—

14.2

—

-

r>i.3

—

32.0

31.1

31.5

86.0

88.1

87.0

61.1

61.1

61.1

45.0

45.0

46.0

65.7

05.1

65.4

—

20.3

—

The back is a bright steel-blue with a greenish
and reddish gloss. The belly silvery with several longi-
tudinal brown bands, generallj' four, ]:)ut sometimes
five or six, on each side, which run parallel to each other
from the front of the belly to the posterior part of the
lateral line, the caudal fin and the lower margin of
the tail.

The Bonito" is one of the fishes most often observed
within the tropics. Like the large Tunnies and the
Dolphins {Corypluena) but -wdth even greater eagerness,
it hunts the Flying-fish, and in pursuit of its prey
often leaps high out of the \\'ater. We also know that
it sometimes hunts the Cuttle-fish. Its flesh is eaten,
"though it is dry enough", writes Osbeck; and it is
caught in the following manner: "A small fish is fa-
shioned of tin or lead and fastened to a large hook.
On opposite sides of the hook are fixed the tips of
a pair of feathers to imitate a flying-fish; another
pair of feathers are used to represent the caudal fin.

The line is passed through the head of this imitation
fish, and taking his seat on the bowsprit or some
other part of the vessel, the fisherman waves the bait
to and fro above the water with his rod, till the fish
bites. The Bonitu is also struck witli the harpoon".
Within the tropics the Bonito is spread all round
the world, and in the temperate seas it goes at least
as far as round the Cape of Good Hope. In Japan it
is caught in great numbers and as an article of food
is in much request. In the Mediterranean it is appa-
rently rare, as oft' the coasts of England and the east
coast of North America. Here in the North its food
consists principally of Herrings, Anchovies and Sauries.
It was probably in pursuit of the herring-shoals that
it wandered in 1873 into the Cattegat, where a speci-
men was taken near Oroust on the 13th of October,
and another off Varberg in September, 1875, the only
two Bonitos as yet known to have been caught in Scan-
dinavian waters. Both have been described b)^ Malm.

Body behind the
the snout and (
adult specimens)
at most) of that
jmsterior dorsal

The Greeks
yog (Aristot.),

Subgenus ORCYNUS.

corslet covered with scales. Height of the anterior dorsal fin equal to or less than the leiif/th of
in adult specimens) less than the height of the posterior dorsal. Height of the anal fin {in
e(pial to or greater than the length of the ventral fins, which is less than ^/g {from 50 % to 60 %
of the pectoral. Length of the head at least half the distance from the tip of the snout to the
fin. Eijes small. Small, but numerous, cardiform teeth on the palatine bones and the vomer.
Haimapop)hyses of the caudal vertebrm normal in form and structure.

gave the Tunny the names of &vi'- (Athen.). As the first name Avas first employed sy-
'Oqxvvos (.Elian.) and Mi^ai'd'pvg stematically by Fabricius among the Hymenoptera,

" "From the Spanish Bonito, beautiful", ss^'s OsBECK.

SCO.Ml'.lidlDS.

97

the current laws of nomenclature enjiiin tlic eui[>loy-
nient of the name Orci/iuis for this ^^cnus. The same
name was also used bv ("uviek on one occasion" for a

The suhaeuus Orci/ntis contains the largest mem-
bers of the family and those in many respects with
the most marked characters within the limits of the

subgenus wliich included the long-finned Tunny (Albi- I Mackerel-type; but according to Lutken's well-founded

core: Orci/riKs genno), but was afterwards'' rejected by [ arguments we may accept only two species as known,

him on the ground that all the Tunnies should be re- j One of these has wandered fairly often within the

ferred to one single genus {Thijnnus). it has, how- boundai-ies of the Scandinavian fauna,
ever, been sidisequentlv restored bv (iILl'' foi- the rea-

sons given above,

THE TUNNY (sw. tunfisken or makeilstokjen).

ORCYNUS THYNNUS.

B'ig. 28.

The pectoral fns, when laid back, do not extend farther than the end of the first dorsal fin.

Fig. 28. Tunny (Orcynus trii/nmi.^) from Boliuslan. ';',.2 natural size.

B. br. 7; D. \?, 1. U

^- VIII— X; A. \i\'lll 1. IX;

1.3 1. U' 12

P. 2 + 31 1. 32; V. ' -; U. ,!■. + 18'' + .r.

^ipi. &n'i'og, Ur^luiuQ et KoQdD.Ot;, .\rist. ; 'OQ/.t'vo^ et Ili\Xa-
ing, ..Elun.; "OQ/.rt'o^ et l\lelcadQug, Athe.n'.: vide Artedi,
Si/H., p. 40 et Cuv., Val., Hist. yat. Poiss., vol. VIII,
pp. 77 — 79.

Scomber Thyunii.<, Li.n'., Syst. Xat., ed. X, torn. I. p. 297;
Eetz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 34,0; Hollbebg, Boh. Fisk:, III,
p. 1 cum tab., Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samh. N. Handl., V (1822);
NiLSS., Prodi: Ichih. Sc, p. 83; Su.nduv., Ofvers. Vet.-
Akad. Forh. 1844, pp. 11 et 214; Gthr (r/iytinKs), Cat.
Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p. 362; Winth., Prodr. Ichth.
Dan., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn., ser. Ill, vol. XII. p. 13;
Id., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 23, tab. IV, tig. 4; McCov,

" Bi'dn. Aiiiiii., ed. 2, tome II, p. 198.

'' Cuv., Val., Hist. A'at. Poiss., vol. VIII, p. 120.

' Proc. Acad. Nat. So. Philad., 14 (18G2), pp. 125 and 329.

■* The difficulty of counting the rays in stuffed specimens renders the correctness of this formula uncertain.

Scandinavian Fishes.

13

98

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Prodr. Zool. Vicl., dec. V. p. 21, tab. 44, fig. 2; Ltkn

{Orcynuit), Spol. Atl., Vid. Selsk. Skr. Kbln-n., ser. 5,

Naturv. Math. Afd., XII, No. 6, p. 460; D.\y, Fish. G:t

Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 93, lab. 35; MoR. {Thijnnus), Hist.

Nat. Poi.is. Fi\, vol. II, ji. 422; Lillj. (Orcpms), Sv.,

Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 24 0; Coll., N. Mag. Naturv. 1884,

p. .^8.
Tlujnnus mediterratieus, Risso, Eur. Mei'., vol. 3, p. 414;

Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forb. Christ. 1874, Till.-egsh.. p. 44;

ibid. 1879, p. 20.
Thijnnns vulgaris, Cuv., V.^l., I. o., p. 68, tab. 210; lieijH.

Anim. Illustr., Foiss., p. 117, lab. 45, fig. 2; Kroy,,

Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p. 237; Ekstr., Gbgs Vet. Vitt.

Samh. Hand., N. Foljd, H. 1 (1850), pp. 23 et 37; NiLSS.,

Skaiid. Fii., Fisk., p. 139; Cederstr., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad.

Forh. 1876, No. 4, p. 64; Mob. et Heincke, Fische d.

Ostsee, p. 39.
Thynnus brachypterns, Cuv., V.\L., 1. c, p. 98 (Cf. Lutken,

:Spol. Atl., 1. c, p. 462).
Thynnus corelta, Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 102 (Cf. Ltkn, 1. c.,

p. 463).
Thynnus secundo-dorsalis, Stoker, Mem. .Araer. Acad. A. a.

Sc, vol. V, p. 143, tab. XII, fig. 4 (Cf. Ltkn, I. c, p.

464).
Thynnus orientalis, Sciileg., F/i. Japon, Pise, p. 94 (Cf.

Ltkn, 1. c).
Thynnus Linnei, Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 412.

The Tunny is one of the largest tishes to -whicli
the Scandinavian fauna can lay claim. Specimens 3
metres in length are talven oft" the coast of Norway".
Risso gives its length in the Mediterranean as 5 me-
tres, and according to Storer a specimen ] 5 feet long
was taken in 1838 oft' Cape Ann, Mass., while Brown-
Goode'' adds that still larger specimens are on record.
When 2 metres in length, according to Moreau, the
Tunny weighs about 153 kilo.

The body is fusiform and thickest in the preab-
dominal region about half-way along the pectoral fins:
the breadth is V4 of the depth. It tapers much more
gradually back-\vards than forwards. The greatest depth,
according to McCoy's measurements, varies between
23 % and 29 % of the lenoth. The length of the head
and tlie greatest deptli of the body are sometimes
equal, but the former is generally the greater, varying
between 30 % and 28 % of the lengtli of the body, or
50 % and 55 % of the distance from the tip of the
snout to the beginning of the second dorsal fin. The
last measurement varies l)etween 58 % (in the young
specimens) and 51 % (in the old) of the length of the
body. The scales of the body, especially on the po-
sterior part, are covci-ed with an outer skin (epidermis),

which renders them more or less indistinct; and the
dift'erence in size between tlie scales of the hind parts
and those of the preabdominal region is very marked.
In the corslet we may find scales 12 times as broad
as those on the posterior jja-rt of the Ijody, for a row
of 12 scales on the ventral side above the base of the
anal hn is e(|ual in size to the externally visible part
of one of tlie larger scales in tlie corslet. The latter
are farther distinguished by their considerably greater
thickness and firmer structure. On the margin of the
corslet appear several sinuses and prolongations. One
prolongation runs along the dorsal fins, and may extend
as far as the termination of the second dorsal; another
runs along the middle of the side, passing the point
of the pectoral fins and furnished ^\'ith a groove to
receive them when they are folded, and extends under
the base of the second dorsal fin. A third prolongation
runs on each side of the body in the region of the
ventral fins and extends back a])out as far as a per-
pendicular from the point of the pectoral. In the
region of this prolongation lie the hollow and the
groove to receive the ventral fins. Of the two sinuses
between these three prolongations the upper is the
shallower, l)ut it sometimes extends forward to the
middle of the first dorsal fin; the lower lies between
the pectoral and ventral fins. These limits, however,
are often very indistinct. As is generally the case in
this family, the head is naked for the most part, with
the exception of the cheeks, Avhich are covered with
lanceolate scales beneath the skin, and the sides of the
occiput, where the cor.slet extends forwards in the form
of an acute-angled triangle over each temple as far as
the posterior margin of the eye, leaving bet^veen these
two triangles a naked wedge-shaped space pointing
backwards and extending as far as a perpendicular
from the u|)per corner of the gill-opening. The high,
middle carina on each side of the tail, which begins
between the antepenultimate and the |)enultimate anal
finlets, is also naked. The smaller lateral carina; on
tlie tail, two on each side, which converge posteriori}',
are, on the contrary, covered with scales, as in the
common Mackerel.

The ej'es are comparatively small. According
to McCoy's measurements of specimens from 463 to
1,778 mm. in length, their longitudinal diameter varies

"The largest spcciiucns may be more than 1(1 feet (5 Danish yards) in length", says Strom, Snndin. Beskr., part 1, p. 311.
Fish, fndustr., part I, p. 320. \. B., the figure of this fish given in Plate 96 in all probability really represents an Auxis.

Tl'XNY.

99

between 17 % (in }<)uiig specimens) nnd IIT) % (in nld)
of the length of tlie head or between 48 % and 32 %
of the lengtli of tlie snout. The adipose eyelid, which
is sometimes seairely (Hstinguisha])le, foi-ms an oval
opening for them. The anterior nostril is a sinall
round hole on a level with the superior margin of the
eye and about half-way between the eye and the tip
of the snout: the posterior nostril, as is generally the
case in the family, is u narrow perpendicular slit, its
distance from the eye and its length being altout e((ual
to the diameter of the pupil. The lower margin of the
operculum and the hind margin of the interoperculum
meet at the middle of the cur\ed posterior margin of the
preoperculum in almost the same curve, the one upwards
and the other downwards, over the exterior of the sub-
operculum, the hind margin of which forms the greater
part of the posterior edge of the gill-opening. The
interoperculum, which forms the whole lower q<\^q of
the gill-opening, is of about the same length as the
lower jaw. When the gill-openings are closed, the one
interoperculum touches the otlier or even overlaps it.

The height of the unpaired tins varies with age,
the second dorsal and the anal fins being lower in
youth than The tirst dorsal, while in old specimens
they are higher than it. Their height varies, according
to McCoy between 9 % and 12 % of the length of the
body. The relative length of the dorsal and anal fins,
on the contrary, diminishes with age: the length of the
tirst dorsal sinks, according to McCoy from 23 %
to 21 % of the length of the body, and its distance
from the tip of the snout from 33 % or 35 % to 30 %.
The length of the pectoral tins increases during youth,
but afterwards diminishes with age from 20 % to 15
% of the length of tlie body, as is the case even with
the Royal Museums specimen 236 cm. in length. The
length of the ventral fins, on the other hand, increases,
both according to McCoy's measurements and according
to the specimen in the Royal Museum, from 8 to 10
% of the length of the body.

Of the intei-nal organs the pyloric appendages and
the air-bladder are especially remarkal)le. The former

are 5 in number and branched repeatedly. They are
sometimes" so surrounded and united with fat and
Iilood-vessels by a connective tissue that they form
a large gland. The air-bladder, according to Malm'',
has two large, elongate processes in fi-ont and two
smaller ones behind''.

The colouring is a more or less dai'k, lustrous
blue on the back, and on the sides and belly gray,
sometimes thickly strewn with large silvery spots. The
tirst dorsal, the ])ectoi'al and the ventral fins dark
Iji'oAvn, the caudal a lighter bi'own. The second florsal
and the anal fins orange, tlie iinlets yelloAV edged with
black. Sucli is Moreaus description of the colouring
of the Tunny.

Even in classic times the Tunny had won a high
position in the economy of the Greeks and Romans.
It Avas chiefly at each end of the ^lediterranean, oft'
the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar) and in the Hel-
lespont ((Jonstantinople), that large fish of this species
were then found. The Phoenicians are said to have
introduced the Tunny-fishery into Spain on each side
of Gibraltar; and the Golden Horn of Constantinople
is said to have received its name on account of the
abundance of Tunnies which were caught there. It
was known that yearly, in spring, it entered the Black
Sea in order there to propagate its species — Stkabo
gives the Maeotic swamp (the Sea of Azov) as the
locality. The small Tunnies, when they left the Black
Sea in their first autumn, were known as Kordijlos
and Auxis, when they returned, they were called Pe-
Inmis. The largest were called Orci/)U(s; and according
to Athen^us, it was thought that they came into the
Mediterranean from the Atlantic, but never went further
than Italy. MeJaudrijs was a name originally used for
the sliced flesh of the Tunny, and Cyhiitm for the cu-
bical bits of flesh cut from young Tunnies.

Duhamel' and CErri' have given minute descrip-
tions of the Tuimv-fisherv of later times. At the
present time it is not believed that even the majorit}'
of the Mediterranean Tunnies are annual visitors from
the Atlantic, though their immigration and eraigi'ation

" According to Cuviek s description of IVii/iiiuis iyil(/ar/s, 1. c, p. 60. In Tliynniis hrachi/pterug. according to his description, tlie
connective tissue in wanting. The diflFerence is periiaps no more than that which often occurs in fislies. e. g. the Sahiion and Gwyniad, be-
fore and after tlie spawning season, and is due to the greater or less accumulation of fat round the pyloric appendages.

* 1. c, p. 415.

"■ Cf. LlLUEBOHO. 1. c, p. 252.

■^ Traite d. Pi'vhes. part II, sect. VII, chap. II.

' Nattirg. v. Sardinien, .^:tor Th. pp. 141 etc.

100

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

through the Straits of Gil)raltiir cannot be denied.
Even in -winter they are caught in the Mediterranean,
thougli lit this season they withdraw to the deepest
\\-aters. Not before spring do they again approach the
shore; and they are then caught in hirge quantities in
seines, chief!}' in Fi-ance and Spain — and also in the
Atlantic, wliere this fishery is more desultory — in
viachar/iics off the coast of Ital}', chiefly in Sardinia
and Sicily, ;nid in matanzas in Tunis. The last two
engines, which closely resemble each other, consist of
a series of nets fixed at a depth of at least 18 fathoms,
on the same principle as the S^vedish traps for Perch
(njssjor, fig. 4, p. 33) or netted pens {pator) for Sal-
mon, o)' the ground-nets (bottenf/arn) used in the Sound.
This principle, which is employed, though with several
modifications, by all fishing nations, is founded on the
observation that fish, at least when collected in shoals,
keep the same course and const any obstacles that may
meet tliem in the same direction, provided they are
not suddenly frightened. One ;irin of the net is drawn
to^vards the shore and another out to sea in order to
guide the fish into the chambers, which correspond to
the netted pen or the divisions of the Perch-traps.
The last chamber, called the chamber of death, has a
net iit the l)ottoiii, whicli is raised, like the chamber
of the ground-uet, when the catch is to be taken.
The murderous slaughter which now ensues is in some
places ;i pulilic amusement", and several hundred fish
are often taken at a haul. In the island of St. Pierre
oft" the south coast of Sardinia, 15,850 Tunnies were
lakcii by this method in 1866: their total weight was
about 1,255 tons and they -were valued on the spot at
about £51,000. The fishing goes on even in autumn
u\) to the end of October, when the Tunnies wander
in the opposite direction and are therefore supposed to
be endeavouring to make tlieir way out into the At-
lantic. The flesh is liighly valued in the countries
bordering on the Mediterranean. The dift'erent parts
of the fish are of dift'erent a])])earance and flavour. The
slices from the belly (sorra) are considered most deli-
cate. One part of the flesh is preserved in oil {sca-
heccio), another salted, and the head, bones and oft'al
are boiled down into train-oil. The roe, too, is highly
esteemed. It is sometimes made into hoUarga, a kind

of salted and pressed caviare. The liest hottarf/a, ho"\v-
ever, is obtained from the Grev Mullet. Good and
wholesome as the flesli of the Tunny is ^vhen fresh or
well preserved, it is no less harmful wlien tliis is not
the case, as it decomposes rapidly.

In the Scandinavian fauna the Tunny can only be
regarded as an occasional visitor, though it often crowds
"in large shoals" (Coll.) into the Norwegian fjords as
far north as the Lofoden Islands. STRckM (1. c.) informs
us that in the last century it was often taken ])artly
in the herring-nets among the summer Herrings, and
partly ^\'ith the harpoon, the latter instrument being
used chiefly in Jorgen Fjord (a branch of Stor Fjord
in Sondm5r), and that its flesh, which was fat as
Ijacon, Avas regarded as a delicacy b)' the peasants.
No fry, ho-\\'e\'er, to prove that it propagates its species
in Norway, have ever been found, so far as we know*.
()ft' the coast of Bohusliln the Tunny is seldom caught,
though, according to Cedekstrom, it is not rare on the
north coast during summer. Hollberg described in
1822 (1. c.) a specimen 172 cm. in length, which had
been caught eight years before in the River Gotha just
Avhere it passes the Old ToAvn (a part of Gothenburg).
Ekstroji presented to the Royal Museum a specimen
236 cm. in lengtli, which was found dead on the
23rd of August, 1844, in the island-belt of Tjorn (Bo-
husliin). Malm mentions a specimen taken oft" the rock
of Gaso, outside Gullmaren, in the autumn of 1851,
which was only a little smaller than another 248V2
cm. long, which was found by some fishermen "en-
tangled in seaweed" in the Skager Rack on the 15th
of October, 1867. In September, 1887, on an islet at
the mouth of the Dynekil not far from StrOmstad, "a
specimen of the Tunny was cast ashore which was
nearly 27 dm. in length; the length of the head from
the gills to the point of the lower jaw was 700 mm."
(C. A. Hansson). The Tunny has been met with on
numerous other occasions in the Cattegat, the Sound,
the Great Belt and even in the Baltic''. It has twice
been taken oft" Ystad, in 1709 and in October, 1878,
and once oft' Ostra Torp at the most southern point
of Sweden. In 1S69 a, Tunny was caught oft' Stral-
snnd, and the species has been met Avith several times
in the south-west corner of the Baltic and in the Sound.

<• Cf. BiiEMM, Tliierhben, 2nd. ed., Ablli. Ill, Bd. .3, p. 07.

'' Tliougli HoFMAXN relates in Tidskr. f. Naturv. Kbhvn., II, ji. 305, that a Tunny as large as a Jlaekerel, i. e. 3 ur 4 niontlis old,

has been caiiglit oft' tlie nortli coast of Fiiiien, Kroyer, wlio ciuotcs tliis tiiid (1. c, p. 250), seems to doubt its accuracy.

" See Krovkh, Nii.sson, Wi.ntiikr and MOinus and Heincke.

TUNNY.

101

cimoii tlie llO^•;il Miiscuiii liiis ;ic((iiiri'(l the left sub-
oiieiviiliun, wliicli measures 150') iniii. jiloiii;- the free

111 October, 1843, a speciincii l)ec;niie stranded in ihe | been suggested as the most probable explanation of
shallows off Saltliiiliu in the Sdinid, and of this spe- their eonduet that they endeavour to hide from their

enemies, ehieflj' from the Sharks. In the Mediterranean,
too, it is said that, when frightened, they try to con-
part (not covered b\- the operculum and interoperculum) ceal themselves in the seaAveed. Still the Tunny ])ur-
of the hind margin, a scale from the coi-slet and se- sues its own victims rapidly and eager!}'. These consist
veral tin-rays, all described by Sundicvai.i, (1. c). The principally of Herrings or, in the Mediterranean, An-
size of the suboperculum shows that the tish was | chovies and Sardines, Mackerel, Flying-fish, Sauries

d)Out :?69 or 273 cm. (8 ft. 7 in. or 8 ft. '.) in.) in

length.

As appears from the list of synonyms, the Tunny
is also known not only in the W. Indies {Thynnus
corctta), and on the coast of Massachusetts {Th. sccundo-
(lursalis), but also in Japan {Th. oriciifnlis) and Australia.
(TJi. fJiijiuuts, ]\IcCoy).

The Tunny is an active and voracious tish, but in
spite of its great size very timid. When the Ra'is, the
master of the madrayae, wants to drive the Tunnies
in the depths of the madrague from chamber to cham-
ber, he drops a handful of sand into the water, and
the iishes dart away, says Cetti, as though the sky
had fallen on them. If this expedient does not succeed,
especially when he has to drive them into the chamber
of death, he lets down a black sheep-skin, ^vhich seldom

and Garpike. It is interesting to see how the Flj'ing-
fish endeavoui' to escape its attack: the Tuiniy follows
them during their flight, but does not leap out of the
water in pursuit of them as it does A\hen it chases the
Sauries.

The spawning-season of the Tunny is in summei".
In April and the beginning of May, when the Tunny-
fishing first begins in Italy, one can scarcely distinguish
the eggs in the ovaries, which at this time weigh about
474 kgrin. in large specimens, whereas some daj^s after
in specimens of equal size they weigh about 42^2 kgrm.
befoi'e they are fully ripened". In the middle of June
the Tunnies, driven by instinct to propagate their spe-
cies, may be seen incessantly leaping and swimming
about in the bays and laying their eggs among the
seaweed, where they are fecundated by the males.

fails to do its work. The sailor may often see his ., "When the Tunnies sport round the females in burn-

vessel followed for long distances by Tunnies seeking
its shado^\'. No doubt thef fish snap up whatever is
thrown to them and bite freely at a hook baited with
Herring or something of the kind, at least so long as
there is any way on the vessel; but they follow it so
[lersistently even without these allurements that it has

ing desire," says Risso'', "they are bright with a blaze
of shifting colours; their whole body is covei-ed with
golden spots, which vanish at the end of the spawning-
season." In the month of July the newly hatched fry
weigh about 42 gm., in August 113 gm., and in Oc-
tober they have reached a weight of 848 gm.

" According lo Duke C. d'Amico of Ossada, quoted by Cuvier, (Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 84).
* Etir. Mcr., 1. c, p. 418.

102 SCANDINAVIAN FISIIKS.

Genus SARDA.

Bodij riiiind (oid fnsiform or someidnit compressed or elongated. The scales of the hodi/ form a corslet in the
2)reabdominal region. Dorsal fins onhj a little apart, tlie anterior part of the first heinq -not at all or only slightlji
elevated and forming an even, convex or slightly concave continuation of the Jiind part of the upper margin of the
fin: the second, which is generally lon-er than the first", being for the most part situated in front of the anal, to n-hich
it is similar in other respects. Height of the anal greater tlian its base. Finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins
from 7 to !K Pectoral fins set near the middle point in the height of the body. Length of the ventral usually
under S % of the length of the body''. Length of the head less than half the distance between the tip of the
snout and the second dorsal fin. Eyes small, the adipose lid but little developed. The preorbital bone does not
conceal the broad, posterior part of the upper jair-bone irhen the mouth is closed. Jaw-teeth comparatively large.
On each side of the tail a nal-ed, hnig and high, longitudinal middle carina, and at the extremity of the tail
two smaller, scaly carince., which converge posteriorly. I'yloric appendages numerous, and sometimes united into

a glandulous mass.

Subgenus ORCYNOPSIS.

Body behind the corslet naked {without distinct scales). Height of the anal fin nearly 10 {9'. 5 to 9' 8) % of the
length of the body. Jjengtli of the ventral fins a little more than half {from .54 to 56 %) of the height of the
anal and about "/.-, {from 40 to 42 %) of the length of the pectoral. L^ength of the head, as ivell as the distance
between the tip of the snout and the first dorsal fin, less than ^j ^ of the lent/tJi of the body. Length of the pec-
toral fins generally more than half {from ,57 % to HI %) the length of the Jtead: length of the ventral less than or,
at most, equal to ^'4 of the length of the head. Palatine bones and vomer tvith teeth.

Of the subgenus Orcynopsis only two species are I to doubt tlie distinctions Ijetweeu them given by the
known, or perhaps only one, as there is good reason | authors.

" 111 Ofojnopsis unicolor, according to Moreau, the posterior dorsid fin is liigber tliau the anterior, as in the specimen of this species
which we have been able to examine, in whicli, however, the rays of the iirst dorsal are bent and somewliat damaged. Still Moreau's spe-
cimen, as well as ours, was stuifed, a circumstance which inclines me to rely on Collett's examination of perfect specimens preserved in
spirits, tliough tlie possibility of a difference in this respect due to sex or age cannot be denied.

' According to Steixdachner, the length of the ventral fins in Sarda cliilieiisis goes as high as nearly 13 fi of the length of the body.

SCoMIiRilIDS.

103

THE PLAIN PELAMIS.
ORGYNOPSIS IJMCOLOK.

Fig. 29.

Back dark sfecl-hiae. Belly silrenj. No distinct stiijies or bands in the colotirinf/ of the bodij (in adult speci-
mens). Mandible about as long as the base of the anal fin or the length of the pectoral, or even a little shorter

than the latter.

,^'

:^"X,

Fig. 29. Plain Pelamis {Orcynopi^is iinicolor), from PioluiKlsin. ^^ ijutiiral size.

R. hr. 7; /). 13' , " ,„ VIII; .4

11 1. 12

11 1. 12

VII: P. 2

. + 21:

V. ','5; C. x+\~iJt.v.

l>'ijn. Scomber unicolov, Geoffr., Descr. de I'Egypte, Poiss., tab. 24,
fig. 6(?); Gthr {Pelaiivjs), Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish., vol. II,
p. 368; Gill (Orcynopsis), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad.,
1862, pp. 125 et 126; CedebstrSm (Felamys) Ofvers. Vet.-
Akad. Forh. 1876, No. 4, p. 64; SundsteOm, Fn. iSverg.
Ryijgr., p. 227; Coll, (Orcynopsis), Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ.
1879, No. 15, p. 3; Gigl. {PelamicJithys), Espos. Int. Peso.
Berl. 1880, Cat. Sez. Hal., p. 85; Lillj., (Orcynopsif),
Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 266.

Cybium Boiiaparti, Yer., Att. 8:va Riun. Scienz. Ital. Genov.
1846, p. 493; Fil. et Vek. (Pelamy.''), Mem. R. Accad. Sc.
Tor., ser. 2, torn XVIIl, p. 194, tab. fig. 4; Mor., Hist.
Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. II, p. 434.

Tliyniius pereyriniis, Coll., Vid. Selsk. Foih. Christ. 1879,
No. 1, p. 20, tab. 1, fig. 1.

Obs. Whether ROppel's Thynnus (Pelamis) imicolor" is iden-
tical with this species, as LOtken* thought probable, cannot yet be
decided. The difference in colour — the glossy, reddish violet of the
belly, and the white tips of the second dorsal and the an:il fins in
RtlrPELL's form — as well as the difference in the fin formula — one
ray more or less in the first dorsal — is certainly unimportant
when we consider the similarity in other respects. But the compa-
ratively long ventral tins and the low anterior dorsal in RCrrELLS
figure would form more important distinctions, if one could rely on

these points when there is no mention of tiieni in the description,
and when they are possibly differences of sex or age. The great
difference which we see in Rvppell's figure between the length of
the lower jaw and the base of the anal fin, which is considerably
shorter, is also worthy of notice.

The Plain Pelamis, which attains a length of about
8 dm., is fairly elongated in form, like the following
species, but more compressed than the true Tunny.
The character, too, which is expressed in the small
extent of the corslet, is conunon to both the species
of Pelamis; but in the Plain Pelamis a belt of scales,
starting from the corslet, runs along the whole of the
lateral line, which is more even and less undulating
in its course than in the Striped Pehimis. In compa-
rison with the latter the hind part of the body is more
elongated, the beginning of the second dorsal fin being
situated in front of the middle of the body. The
corslet is less marked than in the Tumiy, but simihir
in form, with clearly defined sinuses at the beginning
of the lateral line. The u])permost sinus extends for-
ward Mlong the side of the back to the gill-opening, and
al)Ove it the scaly covering of the body follows the bases
of l)oth dorsal fins; the second sinus extends forward

" Xeue Wirbellh., IV, (Fische d. Eothen Meercs), p. 40, tab. 12, fig. 1 = Pelamys mida, Gthr, Cat., 1. c; Kluxz., Verb. Zcol.
Bot. Ges. Wien, 21 (1871), p. 443.
' Spot. Atl., 1. c, p. 477.

104

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

l)eloAv the lateral line to the beginning of the tirst
dorsal fin, and a third, smallei- sinus, extending to a
perpendicular from the middle of the pectoral tins, may
be distinguished below this. The hind margin of the
preoperculum is fairly straight, but the lower margin
is arcuate. The hind margin of the gill-opening runs
parallel to the margin of tlie preoperculum. The nos-
trils resemble those of the other Scombroids; the pos-
terior being a perpendicular slit just in front of the
ej'e, the anterior a round opening on a level with the
uppei- margin of the eye and aliout half-Avii}- lietween
the tip of the snout and the hind margin of tlie eye.
The jaAv teeth are subulate and large, but scattered.
In the lo^ver jaw, however, their height is greater than
the distance bet-ween them, and about ^'„ the diameter
of the pupil. According to Collett, the palatine and
vomerine teeth are small; and on the tongue there are
two patches of villiform teeth.

The internal organs of this species are little known,
l)ut in Orcynopsis niida, wliicli at least reseml)]es it

closely, Klunzinger (1. c.) found the pyloric appendages
united into a gland, as (Jivier has stated is the case
in the Tunny.

The Plain Pelamis is one of the rarest of fishes;
and only a few specimens from the Mediterranean and
three from the Cattegat and Christiania Fjord are known.
Two of tlie latter were taken oft" Na^soen, between 6
and 7 miles from Christiania, at the end of August,
1876, and another was caught in the same year oft'
Kongback in Stromstad Fjord and preserved by Dr.
C. CederstrOii, by whom it was stuffed and sent to
the Royal Museum.

Of its hal)its we only know that it follows the
herring-shoals — Collett found the belly full of her-
ring-fry — and as, in contrast to the other Scombroids,
it is so seldom observed, it is highlv probal)le that it
generally keeps to deep or fairly deep water. Filitpi
and Verany state tliat its flesh is good and wholesome.
According to Moreau, specimens from 7 to 7^/., dm.
in leno'th weinh o korm.

Subgenus SARDA.

Body behind fJie forslet covered with small scales. Height of the anal fin gcnercdUj under 8 (fr. 5 to 7) % of
the length of the hodg". Length of the ventral fns about equal to or greater than the height of the anal fn and
at least '''/^ (fr. 67 % to 74 '^o) of the length of the pectoral. Length of the head, as well as the distance between
the tip of the snout and the frst dorsal fn, at least ^/\ (fr. 35 ?f> to 27 %) of the length of the body. Length of
the pectoral fins less than half (fr. 41 % to 43 %) the length of the head, of n-hich the length of the ventral fns
is more than Vi (/'"• ^S % to 31 %). Palatine bones with teeth., hut the vomer toothless.

It Avas Cuvier who first'' introduced this subgenus,
the name of which he afterwards'' changed to Felanigs,
while Guj/' has adopted the older name, which among

tlie Greeks, however, according to Cuviek, originally
meant tlie salted flesh of the Tunnv.

" According to LDtken, in the largest of the specimens of Sarda chiliensis examined by him the heiglit of the anal fin was 9"8 °i of
the leugtli of the body, and the length of the pectoral fins 55'5 K of the length of the head. This exception, as well as Steixdachner's
statement as to the length of tlie ventral fins in tlie same species, indicates a condition of development which renders our generic and sub-
generic definitions of the Scombroids merely expressions of more or less fixed stages in a common development. Strictly- speaking, too, only
the characters which we have adopted above (pp. 91 and 92) in the scheme for the division of the family, are constant; but the others show
partly the different directions of development and partly the stages at which the forms, as far as we know them, have generally stopped.

*- Regn. Anim., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 199.

■^ Cuv., Val., 1. c, pp. 138 and 149.

^ Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., 18G2, p. 125.

SC()Ml!l!(iII)S.

105

THE STRIPE-BACKED PELAMIS.
SAKDA PELAMIS.

Fig. .^0.

Back hJuish. irifh daih. transverse hands, which begin to disappear hi adult specimens, or at least traces of them,
and irifh oblique, lotigitiidinal stripes, start'nui anteriorhj loir down and (/radaally rising fill the// reach the dorsal
jirojile. Ventral side silrerg or brass-coloured. Length, of the lower jaw considerably greater than both the base

of the anal fin and the length of the ))e(toral fins.

#//////////////„'•','.

Fig. 30. Stripe-backed Pelainis from Stromstad Fjord. ' ^ natural size.

li. hr. 7; D. 22
P. 2 + 24

-24'

2—3

/VII— IX; A.

12—14'
26; V. ','3; C. x+ll 1. 18+,r.

11 — 13

/VII— YIII;

iSyn. Scomber pelamis, Bbunn, Ichth. ^fcissil., p. 68 (nee. Lin.);

Risso {Thijnnus, ex specim. adult.), Eur. Mer., vol. 3, p.

415; Gill {Sarda pelamys), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad.

1862, p. 126: Lillj. (Orci/iiu.<:), Sv., Xor;/. FUl\, vol. I,

p. 259.
Scoviber sarda, p. p., Bloch. Attsl. Fisclic, part. VII, p. 44,

tab. 334; Risso {Tliynniis, ex specim. jun.), Eur. Mer., \'6\.

3, p. 417; Cuv., Val., {Pelamijs). Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol.

VIII, p. 149; Rer/n. Anim. Itliistr., Poiss., tab. 48, fig. 2;

NoRDM., Demid. Voi/. Russ. Mer., p. 392; Gthr, Cat. Brit.

Mtis., Fish., vol. II, p. 367; Malm, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad.

Forli. 1870, p. 837; Id., Gbgs., Boh. Fn., p. 418; Cederstr.,

6fvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1879, No. 2, p. 60; Coll., Vid.

Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1879, No. 1, p. 19; Day, Fish. G:t

Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 102, tab. 38; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss.

Fr., vol. II, p. 430; Lillj. (Orci/niis), 1. c, p. 239.
Scojnber medilerraneus, Bl., Schn., Syst. Ic/ith., p. 23; Jord.

et GiLB. (Sarda) Syn. Fish. N. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mus., No. 16, p. 427.

Obs. It was LiN'N^us's mistaken use of the name pelamis for
the Ronito, which had already been described by OsBECK under a
binomial specific name (Scomber pulcher), that caused the blunder
of which liRLN.NlCH was guilty, and the confusion which existed until
CuviER solved tlie question. The Bonito was not known to the old
writers, while the Pelamis, even if the name was originally given to
young Tunnies, was well described by Rondklet and received the
name pelamis from Salvia.vus and that of pelainys from Willuohby.

Sciindinavian Fishes.

It was also called pelamide by the Italians and in Marseilles. The
disadvantages of having the same specific name within two genera
so closely related to each other as Orcynus and Sarda, especially as
the names of Bonito and Pelamis are often confounded, need no re-
mark. But they are a natural consequence of the current laws of
nomenclature, and can only be removed by the recognition, in defi-
ance of these laws, of Bloch's specific name, Sarda medilerranea,
as Jordan and Gilbert have proposed.

The Stripe-backed Pelaiuis, Avhich attains a length
of from 5 to 7 dm., is distinguished externally from
the preceding species chiefly by the straight, or even
slightly concave, upper margin of the first dorsal fin,
but there is no anterior flap-like elevation of this fin
in either species. The second dorsal and the anal fins,
too, are lower, the pectoral shorter and the hind mar-
gin of the preoperculum, as well as of the whole gill-
cover, more rounded, thus causing a resemblance, espe-
cially in the preoperculum, to the next genus and
species. The head, too, is longer, the eye being com-
pletelv situated in the front half of its length. The
jaw-teeth are pointed, but somewhat compressed, and
thus remind us of Scomberomonis. In the front of the
lower jaw there are a few (from 2 to 4) large teetli
which are almost distinct canines. Tlie membrane on
the margins of the preoperculum and operculum is

14

106

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

finely ciliated, })eing fringed with small, short bristles,
which are dentiform but soft, each of them externally
seeming to form the extremity of a fine stria. Within
the stria is a nerve-fibre, and the bristles thus serve
as organs of touch. Tliey are probably connected with
the system of the lateral line. The corslet consists of
larger scales than that of the preceding sj^ecies; the
scales of the body, indeed, seem throughout to have
suffered less reduction, as distinct, though small, scales
cover tlie hind part of the body as Avell. In the upper
part of the axil of the pectoral fins we find one mem-
branous flap, which is, however, fairly narrow, along
the outside of the postclavicular bone, and another
which runs down the inside of the fin. These flaps
correspond to the membrane which in Brama extends
throughout the inside of the pectoral fin and carries
the peculiar scaly formations we have already noticed.

The lateral line forms several undulating curves at its
commencement, behind the head, and then advances
beneatli the second dorsal fin nearer the dorsal edge
than in the preceding species. The dark, transverse
bands on the back, easily recognisable as traces of a
juvenile stage of development in the whole Mackerel-
type, most often comj)letely vanish with age, but may
also be long retained. The oblique, but parallel, longi-
tudinal streaks on the back are usually 7 in number,
but may also be as many as 10. The superior ones
are sometimes branched posteriorly.

A fuller comparison with the pi'eceding species
may be made by the help of the following table,
which I have based partly on Collett's statements
and partly on measurements of the specimens in the
Royal Museum":

Avi'i'iigc in 3
specimens of

Length of the body in millimetres --

„ „ „ head „ % of the length of the body - -

Diameter „ „ eye „ „ „ ,, „ „ „ heud

„ „ „ „ „ „ •, „ » " snout....

Distance from the first dorsal lin to the tip of the snont in 'i of the length of the body.

,, ,, ,. second „ „ „ ,, „ ,, „ ,, ,, ,. ,, ., ,, „ „ „ -

Height of the first dorsal in % of the length of the body

J, ») », " 5) »5 )> i» n >» fi v neau

„ „ „ second ., „ „ ,, „ „ „ ,, body

Length „ ,, ., „ „ „ „ ,. „ ., „ .,

Base „ „ anal „ ,, „ „ ,. „ ,. ,

Height „ ,, „ „ ., „ ,, „ ,, ,, ,, --

Length „ „ pectoral „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ -

), ») )i J) 75 n 75 ij " '1 " neau

„ „ ,, ventral „ „ „ „ „ „ ,. body

„ „ „ ,. ,5 ,, „ „ „ >. •. pectoral _

Distance from the ventral to the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body

Length of the ventral in % of the distance from them to the tip of the snout

Distance from the anal to the tip of the snout in % of the length of the body

Greatest depth nl' the body in % of the length

Length of the head in % of the dislancM' from the first dorsal to the tip of the snout

>» )T 51 55 55 55 55 55 -5 55 55 SCCOnU ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

unico/or

5411
22.2

13,6

37.7
23. 5j
(48.3)
11.4(?)
51. 3(?)
0.1
12.1
10. e

9.7

13.0
5S.5

(5.2)

41.o(?)
(27.0)
(19.5)
(60.0)
(22.6)

92.8
(45.1)

S(t rda
ptlamis.

Minimum in these 3
specimens of

Sarda
unicolor.

Sardtt
pelnmis.

Masinium in these 3
specimens of

Sai-da Sarda

unicolor. pelamis.

45IJ
25,9

13.6

40.5

(2(i,!))

(57.4)
(9.1)

(35.0)
(7.0)

(10,3)

7.9

G.3

10,9

42.1

(7.7)

(70.3)
(29,4)

(2(i.3)

(65.1)
(23.0)
(9.S.7)
(46.1)

513

21,8(8)
13,3(j)

35.7(j)
23.5(m)

(9.7? 8)

44.3 ?(s)
8,8(j)
ll,S(m)
10.3(m)
9,S(m)
12.8(j)
57,i(m)

40,0(8)

90.0(j)

423
24,9(s)
12.5(s)
37,2(s)
(26.0 8)
(55.8 s)

(8.9 8)

(54,0 j)
(7.0 j)

(9.1 8)

7,7(3)
5,o(s)

lO.G(j)
41,6(m)

7,7

(67.3 s)
(29.3 s)
(26.2 8)
(64,2 s)
(21.7 j)
(93.9 j)
(43,2 j)

610
22,7(m)
14,0(8)
40,0(8)
24,5(j)

12..i(j)
57,5(j)

9,8(s)

12,4(j)
10.9(3)

9,8(8)

13,i(s)
(;0,i(8)

42,0(3)

96.7 (m)

515
27.4(m)
14,4(m)
44 7(ui)

(27,1 j)

(59,1 j)
(9,3 3)

(36.0 8)
(7,i,s)

(11.11 j)

8.1(8)

7.(i(ui)
ll,4(m)
43.o(s)

7.7

(73.3 j)
(29.5 j)
(26.4 j)
(66.0 j)
(22.3 s)
(103.5 s)
(49.1 s)

The Stripe-backed Pelamis is a common fish in the
Mediterranean, where, like tlie larger members of the
family, it chases the Herrings, Sauries, and Garpike,

often lea-ping out of the water after its prey. It is
often taken in Sicily during the Tunny-fishery, and as
an article of food is highly esteemed, whether fresh,

" III this table j (Icnclcs tlie siiiallost specimens, ,9 tlie largest iurI hi those of average size. The brackets indicate that the nieasure-
ineiits in question have been made on only two specimens, or even one.

STRIPE-BACKED PELAMIS.

107

salted, or preserved in oil. It .scorns to spawn off the
Kiiglish eoast, loo, for Day states that I'ry (! inches in
length have been taken there. It is nsnally confounded
with the Mackerel, liowc\er, and reg.irch'd onl\- as a
large specimen of thiit species. In Scandinavia only
comparatively large specimens have been tnken, and
these but seldom. Only four such finds are known.
The iirst, described by Mal.m, was caught on a Mac-
kerel-line off SmOgen (Bohusliln) on the 18th of July,
1868: two others were taken off' Stromstad, in De-
cember, 1877, ;md January, 1878, during the Herring-
tishery which had just begun, and are now preserved
in the Royal Museum. The fourtli was taken in a net
near Christiania on the 15th of June, 1878. The spe-
cies can thus be regarded oidy as an occasional visitor
to the Scandinavian Fauna; but it is spread over the
greater part of the Atlantic from the Cape of Good
Hope to the North Sea and westAvard to the coast of
Massachusetts. While Day states that it has been ob-
served that this species has latterly become rarer on

the English coast, the case is said to be the opposite
on the coast of America. It has sometimes been caught
in enormous quantities, between Block Island and New
York for exaniph;: the catch off l)iock Island alone; in
1877 is said to have weighed at least 2 million lbs.
At one haul of a piu'se-seine 1,500 specimens were
taken". In spite of this proof of its gregarious habits
there, it seems tliat the Pelamis, as a rule at least,
does not spawn on the coast of the Northern States,
as only solitary young specimens have been found. As
an article of food, the Pelamis ranks among the l)est
of fishes in North America to(j, but the large quantity
of Wood it possesses and the high temperature of its
body render it necessary to slaughter it soon aftei- its
capture, in order to prevent decomposition. In the
Southern States instances are given of illnesses (diar-
rhaui, vomiting and skin-eruptions) due to the eating
of the flesh of the Pelamis or of other closely related
species.

Gknus AUXIS.

Body fusiform^ fairly hiyh in adult specimens. The scales of the body form a distinct corslet in the jimdj-
doDihial reyioii. hid heh'uid this the body is naked {without scales). Dorsal fins far apart, tlie first triangular, the
second of the same form as the anal, but either (dtoyether or for the greater part at least situated in front of the
latter. Finlcts beldnd the dorsal and anal fins from 7 to !). Pectoral fins set midway between the back and the
belly. Eyes of average size: the adipose lid, as a rule, rudimentary. The preorbital bone covers at least a great
part even of the back of the upper jaw-bone, when the mouth is closed. Jaw teeth small, set in a single row.
Palatine bones and vomer without teeth. On each side of the end of the tail a middle carina and two shorter,
lateral carinee: behind the latter two weaher ones., which extend to the hind margin of the caudal fin. Pyloric
appendages united, into a glandulous mass, or {in youth?) free but repeatedly branched.

(_)f this geiuis, a remarkable inteianediate form
with some Thynuoid and some Scombroid (s. str.) cha-
racters highly developed, we probably know only one

species, which was tirst described b)^ Commerson as
belonging to the neighbourhood of New Guinea.

" See Bhown-GdODK, Fi.^h. Imln.itr., pt. 1, p. 318.

108

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE FRIGATE-MACKEREL OR PLAIN BONITO.

AUXIS THAZARD.

Fig. 31.

Hack (/Idssi/ iiidit/o or (jrai/ish blue, frith irregular, dark-blue spots and stripes, u-Jiieli sometimes ranisJi: ventral

sides silvery.

Fig. 31. Fiigatt-Maclierel (Atixis tliazard), from tlie soutli of tlie Cattegat. Specimen belonging to Lund Mupunnj. '^ natural size.

R. bi: 7; /'. 10
r. 22 1. 23; V. '/-; C." ,c+19+^

11/— — /VIII
'9 1. lO'

IX; A.

10 1. ll'

6'i/n. tScuiiiher tluizard, Lacep., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. Ill, p. 9;

Cuv., Val. {Aiixis = Scomber ta:o, Commerson), ///.</. Nat.

Poiss., vol. VIII, p. 146; Br.-Goode {Au.vis), Fish. Indnstr.

U. S., part. 1, p. 305, tab. 92.
Scomber Boclici, Risso, Ichth. Nice, p. 10.5; Id. ('/'ki/ninis

rocheantis), Eur. Mer., vol. 3, p. 417; Gthr, (Auxis),

Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p. 369; Nilss., Ofvers.

Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1863, p. 500, tab. VI, Day, Fish. G:t

Brit. Ircl., part. I, p, 104, tab. XXXIX, fig. 1 et 1 a\

LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 280.
Scomber bisiis, Rafin., Caratt., p. 46, tab. 2, fig. 1.
Aii.vis vitli/aris, Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 139, tab. 211.
Orcynus thynnus, Br.-Goode, Fish. Industr., I. c, tab. 96.

Olis. Though CuviRE distinguished between Commerson's Scomber
taso and the Frigate-Mackerel described by Risso and Rafinesquk, he per-
sonally acknowledged that he could discover no other difference than
the absence in taso of the dark markings on the back, which he
sometimes, liowever, could not find in the Frigate-Mackerel (1. c, p.
145), and a small, uval, blue-black spot under the eye, which, on
the contrary, he assumed to mark taso. Both Day and Brown-Goode,
however, have amalgamated the two species; and, as we already know
from GUnther's explanation of Bleekeu's Auxis thynnoides as a syno-
nym for A)i.ris Nochei that the Frig.ite-Mackerel has a place in the
fauna of the East Indian Archipelago, there should be no doubt as

to the meaning of LACEpiiDE's Scomber thazard, a name which we
must thus recognise as the original designation of the species.

The form of body of the Frigate-Mackerel changes
so much with age tliat we have iu it an admirable
example of the transition from the Mackerel-type to
that of the Tunny. During youth the greatest depth
of the body is not more than \'j; of the length; luit
in old specimens it rises as high as ^/^. With respect to
the great distance between the two doi'sal tins, whicli may
be more than twice the length of the base of the first
dorsal, the Frigate-Mackerel, as ^ve have already stated,
is really a Mackerel; but by the situation of the second
dorsal fin, Avhich lies either completely, or for the grea-
ter part, in front of the perpendicular from the begin-
ning of the anal, it ranges itself with the Tunnies.

According to Nii.sson's measurements the situa-
tions of these tliree fins are as follows:

Distance between the first dor.-;al and the tip of tlie snout in '« of

the length of the body, 32.8;
Distance between the second dorsal and llie lip of the snout in °o of

the length of the body, 68.2;
Distance between the anal and tlie tip .of tiie snout in "i of tlie

length of the body, 74.1.

" .r -r 2 1 -f- .(■ according to MouEAU. .r -(- 1 4 -F .c according to LlI.IJEBORG.

'' Bi.eekek's Auxis tajicinosoma. from .Japan is also, according to STEiNPAniXKi! (Dcnksclir. Matli. Naturw. CI. AUad. Wiss. Wien, Bd.
XLIX, p. 180), identical witli .-Ik.W.v Hochei.

FRIGATE-MACKEREL.

109

II' we compare these nieasiireiiients with the aI)ove-
ineritioned figures of Day or Ukown-Goodk, which
represent young specimens, we shall find that tlie cor-
i-esponding proportions are, respectively, 2!) — .^0, 60 —
ii2, and 66 — (t8. Hence we conclude that in the Fri-
gate-Mackerel, as ill tiic ^Mackerels, the length of the
preahdominal i-egioii, as well as its height, increases
with age, a state of things directly opposed to that
we have observed above in the Tunnies, whose groAvth
consists, to a, great extent, in the elongation of tlie
caudal region, and in which the dorsal and anal tins
seem, in relation to the length of the bod}', to apj)roach
tlie ti]> of tlic snout as they grow older.

Ill the Frigate-Mackerel the form of the head is
especially marked by the short, but pointed, snout and
the sharply curved (almost elliptic) hind margin of the
preoperculum. The length of the head about ^4 of
that of the body. The eyes fairly small in proportion
to the length of the head (lietween 1!) and 17 %), but
large in jiroportion to the length of the snout, of
wiiich they mea.sure 75 %. Of the breadth of the iii-
terorbital space they measure 60 %. The gape com-
paratively small. When the mouth is closed, a great
portion, even of the back part, of the upper jaw-bone
is covered by the preorbital bone and its dermal Hap;
1)1 it the lower posterior corner and a part of the hind
margin of the jaw-bone falls into a cavity in the ex-
ternal mai-gin of the loAver jaw. The margin of the
gill-co\ers ciliated. The corslet well defined, with a
depression, as usual, on each side for the pectoral fins
and one common to the ventral fins. The uppermost
of its points, which are directed backwards, extends
to a point midway between the two dorsal fins, the
middle ones, one on each side, follow the lateral line
for some distance, and the lowest extends along the
belly to a point somewhat behind the ventral fins.
Of the sinuses, wliich are directed forwards, the upper
extends to the end of the first dorsal fin or even as
far as its .")th or 4th ray, and the lower to a, perpen-
dicular through the insei'tions of the pectoral and vent-
ral fins. Behind the corslet the lateral line is undu-
lating. The caudal carinsp are weaker than in the true
Tunnies. The pectoral fins are fairly short, being a
litth' longer than the ventral and somewhat less than

V„ of the length of the body. They do not extend
quite so far back as tiu! first dorsal. The first two
rays in the first dorsal are the longest, the last two
very siiort and the last of all generally so short that
it scarcely ])ro)ects abo\e tiie margin of the fin-groove.
The second dorsal and the anal fins are low and scaly.

The internal organs essentially correspond, accord-
ing to CuviER, to those of the Tunnies. The long-
tubular gall-bladder is especially remarkable. There
is no air-bladder.

The colouring of the body, \vliicli on the whole
resembles that of the Tunnina (Euthi/nnits (dliUcniliis)
is particularly subject to variations in the distinctness
of the spots and of the dark, irregular, wavy transverse
streaks on the back, which sometimes seem to have
vanished entirely. The pectoral fins silver-gra\- on the
outside and black on the inside. The other fins gray,
the anal shading into yellow.

The Frigate-Mackerel is common in .lapan, was
seen in crowded shoals by ('ommerson oft" New Guinea
and has long been known as a common fish in tlie
Mediterranean. Like the Pelamis, it has latterly ap-
peared in huge masses of the east coast of North Ame-
rica, where it has, however, been regarded up to now
as an unwelcome iiitruder, its flesh being less esteemed
than that of the other members of the family as it
rapidly turns lilack on exposure to the air. "Its oil
does not seem to be very abundant, and it \\\\\ hardly
pay at present to capture it solely for the purpose of
using its flesh in the manufacture of fertilizers," says
Bkown'-Goode. It is equally despised, according to
Risso, in the Mediterranean. When salted, hoAvever,
it is said to be eatable. According to Risso its weight
seldom exceeds 3 kgrm. Its greatest length is appa-
rently about 45 cm. The spawning-season is supposed
to be in August, when the female deposits her eggs,
which are whitish and enveloped in a reddish mucus.

The Frigate-Mackerel has been met ^\■ith once or
twice off the Fnglish coast and on one, single occasion
in Scandinavian waters, at the fishing-village of Arild
(Scania), Avhere Baron Gvllenstjerna obtained a spe-
cimen .377 mm. in length, which Avas described by
Nii.ssoN and is now preserved in the Zoological Mu-
seum of Lund University.

110

.SCANDIXAVIAN FIMIES.

Gknus scomber.

liodij (III eloiif/dfed fiisifonii or shorter and someirhaf compressed {perciform). Scales of fuirhi uniform size
distributed over the l)odi/. in the preabdominal region onli/ slighthi, hut generidly distinctlij, larger than on the
hind parts. Dorsal fins quite distinct., often far apart: the first more or less triangular, the second set almost
verticallg ahorc the anal fin and corresponding to it in otJivr respects too. Finlets behind tlie dorsal and
anal fins usuallg 5, sometimes 4 or (>. In front of the anal fin one free, spinous ray. Pectoral fins set fairly
high, at least the Uj)/)er part of their insertion on a level irith fin- pupil. Eyes comparatively large, hut covered
anteriorly and posteriorly by a uell-developed adipose lid. I'rcorhital hone broad, completely covering the upjier jaiv-
bone, when^ the mouth is closed. Small teeth, irhich are sometimes scarcely distinguishable and sometimes disappear,
on the Jaws, the head of the vomer and the palatine bones. On each side of the end of the tad, at the hose of
the caudal fin tiro lateral carince converging jjosteriorly and covered by a ro/r of jiointed dermal fiaps., hetireen
which oblong, linguiform scales are set. No middle carina on tJie tail. Numerous, but free., pyloric appendages.

Most of the species belonging to this genus may
easily be distinguished at tlie first glance from the
other numbers of the family by the distinct scales of
fairly equal size on the body, in conjunction with the
■wide se])aration of the dorsal fins. In the latter I'e-
spect these Mackerels resemble onlj^ the preceding ge-
nus. But the genus Scomber also contains forms, e. g.
Scomber kanagurfa from the Red Sea and the Indian
Ocean, in whicli the dorsal fins are nearer each other,
or at least the groove of the first dorsal extends so
far back as to reduce the distance l)etween it and the
second dorsal to about '/g of the length of the first
dorsal, thus depriving this distance of its value as a

generic^ character. In this capacity tlie high develop-
ment of the })reorbital bone, the comijaratively large
size of the eyes and the unimportance of the difference
in the size of the scales on the pectoral region and
the hind parts of the body, are far safer guides. From
the large size of the eyes and the comparatively small
number of the finlets we. may conclude that the genus
Scomber occupies a lower rank in the scale of develop-
ment of the famil}^ than the preceding genera.

Of this genus, according to Gunthek", no more
than 7 species are known''. (_)nly one of them belongs
to the Scandinavian fauna.

THE MACKEREL.
SCOMBER SGOMBRUS. <

Plate V, fig. 2.

Back bluish green with a dasJi of brassy yclloiv and ivavy, black, transverse bands; bcloir the limit of the dorsal
colouring we often find a longitudinal row of dark spots, sometimes coalescenf. Length of the suture between the
suboperculum and inter operculum more than half of that hetiveen the former and tlie operculum. Scales on the
hind parts of the body extremely small, much more so than in the region of the pectoral fins. No air-bladder.

R. br. 7; D. 10—12/-? — ^,V. 1. VI; A. 1---— /IV 1. V;
'8 — 10 ' 8—11'

P. 1 1. 2 + 17 — 19; V. I; V. ,r + 1 5 1. 16+.r.

Syn. Scomber No. 1, Art. Gen., p. 30; Syn., p. 48; Spec, p. 68.

Scomber scoynbrus, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 297; Retz.

Fn.Suec. Lin., p. .■3;59: Ascan., Icon. Her. Nat., part. 1, p. 4,

tab. Ill; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nut. Pois.?.. vol. VIII, p. 6;
NiLss., Prfldv. Ichth. ScaiiiL, p. 83; Kkoy., Daiiiii. Fiske,
vol. I, p. 220; NuKDM., Dcmid. Voy. Russ. Mcr., p. 391;
Wriout, Fries, Ekstr., Skand. Fiskar. ed. 1, p. 128, tab.
29; NiLSS., Skand. Fn. Fisk., p. 129; Lii.lj., Ups. Univ.
Inbjudn. 4 Nov. 18()4, p. 7; Linpstrum, Gottl. Lans Hush.-
Sallsk. Arsber. ISlKi, p. 25 (sep.); Malmor., (3fvers. Vet.-
Akad. Fijrli. 1867, No. 25, p. 260; Esmarck, Forli. Naturf.

" Tntrod. Study Fish., p. 457; Handb. IchthyoL, p. 323.

According to STElNDACnNicn's opinion that Scomber j)iieumatopboriis and Sc. colitis belong to the same species, the nnniher of spe-
cies known within the genus is reduced to 6.

MACKEREL.

Ill

Mode, Clirist., 1808, p. 520: Mai,m, 6'%s', Boh. Fa., p.
408; LiLi.j., A'ii., Nor<j. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 224; Jonu., Gilb.,
^l/n. Fish. N. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mns., No. 16, p. 424;
Bit. (iooi)K. F/'sh. Iiulii.-'Ir. U. S., part. I, p. 281, tab. 91.
Scomber sconibci; LiN., H'/st. Nat., ed. XII, torn. I, p. 492;
(iTiiH, Vat. Brit. Mils., Fish., vol. II, p. 367; Cull., Vid.
Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874, Tilbcgsh., p. 43; 1879, No. 1,
p. 18; WiNTHER, Nntnrli. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XII,
p. 12; Id., ZooI. Dan., Fi.sli-e, p. 21, lab. IV, fig. 3; Day,
Fi.sli. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 83, tab. XXXII et XXXIIl
{var. punctatii-:): Mdn., IIcke, Fischc d. O.'ilsc'C, p. 38.

The t'orni of the body is handsome, elongated,
terete and shallo\\': it tapevs almost ecjuall}' at hoth
ends. The greatest depth, which is generally situated
at the end of the first dorsal fin, varies according to
age and sex between 15% and 20% of the length. The
greatest breadth, which is situated at the same j)oint,
is somewhat more than "/g of the greatest depth. Both
the back and the belly are broad and convex, but the
dorsal line is almost straight from the occiput to the
second dorsal tin, from which point it slopes down to-
wards the caudal fin. The ventral line, on the other
hand, runs fairly evenly in a sliglit curve from the
point of the lower jaw to the l)ase of the caudal tin.
The head is cuneiform, triangularly pointed and middle-
sized. During the first year and up to the spring of
the second its length is somewhat over ^/^ (between
27 % and 25 %;) of the length of the body; it then sinks to
about 23 %; but after the third year it apparently rises
again to about 24 %. The perpendicular draAvn from
the occi])ut to the isthmus through the hind margin of
the orbit is about half the length of the head, and the
breadth of the latter, measured above the hind margin
of the orbit, is equal to the distance between the tip
of the snout and the anterior margin of the pupil.
The breadth of the interorbital space at the middle of
the eyes is on an average about 42 % of the length of
the lower jaw up to the end of the first year, during
the second year about 46 % and afterwards about 57 %.
The snout elongated and pointed; the mouth of average
size. The jaws are of ecjual length; when the mouth
is open, tlie lower seems longer than the upper; l)ut
when the mouth is closed, it glides under the broad,
flat preorbital bones. At the margin of the inter-
maxillaries is a simple row of tine, pointed teeth of
equal size, which are sparsely set and somewhat re-
curved. A .similar row of teeth also occurs at the
margin of the lower pw. The pharyngeals, too, are
covered with long, setiform teeth, and there are al)out
44 long gill-rakers on the front of the first branchial

arch. At the margin of each |)alatine bone is a row
of very small teeth, and laterally at each end of the
head (jf the vomer we find from 2 to 4 somewhat
larger teeth. The tongue is small and smooth, with
the point free. The e\-cs of average size and set high;
the diameter of the (jrbit measures about V.'i of the
length of the head. They are covered with a thin,
transparent membrane, which, however, seems to grow
thicker toward winter. Tiiis membrane — the so-
called adi|)()sc lid, though there is no fat whatever in
it (see above) — extends along the side of the head
and envelops the eyeball, but ahvays leaves uncovered
a per])endicular slit al)ove the pu|iil. The anterior flap
is continued some way over the posterior at the lower
margin of the eye. The anterior nostril is, as usual,
a r<Miud hole, and lies half-way between the tip of the
snout and the anterior margin of the pupil: the poste-
rior, as is also generally the case in the Scombridte,
is a perpendicular slit, situated half-way between the
anterior nostril and the antei'ior margin of the pupil.
The apparatus of the gill-cover is made up of thin bones
with .smooth margins: the hind margin of the oper-
culum is somewhat incised, its length (in the direction
of the body) is about 7, (from 20 to 22 %) of the
length of the head: along the preoperculum it is elong-
ated downwards, over the suboperculum, into a point.
The breadth of the back part of the interoperculum
varies between 13 % and 16 % of the length of the head.
The rounded lower coi'uer of the preoperculum is elong-
ated posterioi'ly in a downward direction. The .striation
of the mai-gin of the preoperculum \vhich we have ob-
served above in Sarda pelamis, is not quite absent in
this species, but is far more indistinct. The gill-
openings are large. The branchiostegal membrane,
which is free (not fastened at the isthmus) is supported
by 7 rav!? on each side, the last two of which lie close
together under the gill-cover.

The body is covered with very small scales, which
on the silvery belly can scarcely be distinguished with the
naked eye; in the region of the pectoral fins and along
the clavicular bones, the posterior boundary of the gill-
openings, they are somewhat larger, but form no distinct
corslet. The lateral line, which lies much nearer the back
than the belly, begins at the upper margin of the gill-
opening and extends in a sinuous line to the middle of
the caudal fin. Tiic vent is situated at the beginning
of the last third of the length of the body, measured
from the tip of the snout to the base of the caudal fin.

112

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

The fii'st dorsal fin, all the rays of Avhicli are uii-
branched, is short, high and almost triangular, with
the upper posterior margin concave. Wlien depressed,
it lies hidden in a deep groove in the back; the second
ra-\- is the longest and the last rays are very short.
In a large specimen from the noi'th of the Sound there
are onlv 10 ravs in tliis fin, and the last ray is so
short that it scarcely reaches half-way u|) tlie fin-
groove. The second dorsal fin, which begins aliove
the vent, is lower than the first, concave at the upper
margin, lialf as liigh as it is long and covered -with
scales at the base The anal fin begins a little farther
back than the second dorsal, but it has the same form
and the same covering of scales. The finlets behind
the dorsal and anal fins consist of one ray, which is
branched repeatedly, and are generallj' bent side^vays
in opposite directions on the back and the lower caudal
edge. Thus, if the former are bent to tlie right, the
latter are generally bent to the left. The pectoral fins
are obliquely pointed and set, as is usual in the family,
in a depression, so that there is no unevenness at the
base when the fins are folded and laid back. In the axil
a dermal flap, which is folded or at least dentated at the
margin, hangs down from the outside of the postclavi-
cular bone. The ventral fins are inserted a little farther
forward than the beginning of tije first dorsal, and al-
most vertically below the beginning of the tliird fifth of
the length of the pectoral fins. They are narrow and
obliquely pointed, are set close together and, like the
pectoral fins, when folded, lie in a depression which
has a dermal fold at the sides. The caudal fin is
deeply forked, with narrow lobes, which are widely
spread and have rounded points: the number of the
rays, which it is difficult to distinguish on account of
the thickness of the fin-membrane, is about 8-|-l(]-|-8.
Though there is not the least external trace of a middle
carina on the sides of the tail, we find a raised, bony
ridge on the penultimate and the last caudal vertebra;.

The colouring is so brilliant and variable that it
is difficult to describe. The back and the forehead are
dark green, with crooked, black transverse bands, some-
times like fine streaks (var. scriptus) and sometimes
broken up into spots (var. pimctatus), which extend
down the sides somewhat below the lateral line"; be-
tween these lines the colDur is a- bright bluish, shading

into greenish yellow. At the end of the dark trans-
verse bands a more or less distinct, straight, black
streak, which is sometimes broken up into spots, runs
along tlie sides. From this point downward the co-
louring becomes gold, silver and mother-of-pearl, shad-
ing into red and yellow, while the belly is white. The
sides of the head silvery: the mai-gin of the mouth,
the snout, the tip of the lower jaw, the inside of the
branchiostegal membrane and sometimes the articula-
tions of the gill-cover black: the first dorsal fin a clear,
transi)arent gray. The second dorsal and the dorsal
finlets blackish gray. The pectoral fins black at the
base, especially on the inside, and gray at the point.
The ventral and anal fins and the inferior caudal edge
with its finlets white. The ('audal tin dark gray.

On examination of the internal organs we find
that the long digestive canal consists of a wide oeso-
phagus, running in a straight line -with the stomach,
which is jjointed and extends to the region of the vent.
Around the pylorus and duodenum are a large number
of long, narrow pyloric appendages, which follo^v the
intestine to its first bend, from which point its dia-
meter varies very slightly, though it forms two more
bends. ( )n the interior of the stomach are a large
number of longitudinal folds, joined by fine, ti-ansverse
wrinkles. The liver, which is situated far forw^ard and
for the most part to the left side, consists of one, large,
thick lobe, which has an elongated point at its extre-
mity. It is pale red in colour. The gall-bladder, which
is long and narrow, lies on the right of the dio'estive
canal. The spleen is small, oblong and blackish brown.
The kidneys, which are narrower behind than in front,
are almost as long as the abdominal cavity. No air-
bladder. Two ovaries, as long as the whole abdominal
cavity. The eggs fairly small. The milt-sacs of the
same form as the ovaries. Malm has described herma-
phrodites of this species'. All the statements as to ati
external difference of sex in the Mackerel which have
been made up to the present, have proved untrust-
worthy on closer examination.

The usual length of the Mackerel is between 3 and
4 dcni. Off the English coast'', however, specimens
have been found, though seldom, 470 mm. in length;
and AnTEDi, as well as Strom, mentions specimens,
the length of which was 594 ram. The species occurs

" The colour uf the back may soinetiuu's be an unvaried bhuiv (Cdi.LETT: N. Mag. Naturv. 1884, p. 58).
* Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. fiirli. 1876, No. 5, p. 71, tab. V.
' Day, 1. c., p. 91.

MACKEKKI,.

illotlg the

whole west coast of Scandinavia, as far
as the most northern parts of Norway", thougli it is
rare north of 62°, and has im equally wide range
in the west of the Atlantic*. It is in the Skager Rack
and the north of the Cattegat, as far as the neigh-
bourhood of Kongsbacka and LiessO, and off the south
coast of Norway, that the Mackei'el is most common in
Scandinavian waters. As far south as the Bay of La-
iiohn ^lackerel-fry are sometimes found in great num-
bers. Off the fishing- village of Kullen in Scania it is
only occasionally found, though some few shoals appear
yearly in the south of the Cattegat or even force their
way through the Sound and the Belts into the Baltic,
where both Cederstrom and Lindstrom declare it is
known to the iishermen of Gothland. It is said to oc-
cur even in the Gulf of Finland, and though it is usu-
ally ]'are in the Baltic, MoBius and Heincke state that
in August, 1851, it was seen in lai-ge shoals and caught
in thousands in Kiel Bay. Off the coasts of Ireland
and England and the west coast of France the Mackerel-
fishery is one of the most lucrative of all. It is most
valuable in the English Channel, which may in all pro-
bability be regarded as the central point of the range
of the Mackerel in the east of the Atlantic. Farther
south, where the Mackerel is found as far as the Canary
Islands, as well as in the MediteiTanean and the Black
Sea, it is, hoAvever, less highly esteemed. According
to Andeusson's theory, which, however, was overthrown
by Bloch'', the Mackerel, like the Herring, was sup-
posed yearly to make distant journeys from its winter-
quarters in the Arctic Ocean. A French admiral'' was
told by his sailors that at the beginning of spring, in the
bays of Greenland, they had seen thousands of Mackerel
standing with their heads bored into the mud; and he
added that the Mackerel first caught were blind and
were taken without difiicult)' in a net, but that after-
wards they were compelled to use hooks to catch them,
as they then shunned the nets. Greenland's first natura-
list, Fabhicius, however, knew nothing of the occurrence
of the Mackerel there; nor did Faber or any of his
successors meet with it in Iceland. Again, these annual

journeys lose all appearance of truth when we know
that the Mackei'el is caught as early in the year in the
Mediterranean as in the North. After the experience
Ekstrom gained in Bohuslan, his opinion, too, was that
these journej^s did not extend farther than from the
deep water where the Mackerel spends the Avinter, to
the island-belt where it spawns. The same opinion was
maintained by Hind on behalf of the Canadians, in the
dispute between Canada and the United States as to
the right of the latter to take part in the fisheries in
Canadian waters. But in his attempts to prove that
the Mackerel hibernates in a state of lethargy at the
bottom of the sea — we have similar stories of the
hibernation of the swalloAvs at the bottom of the lakes —
he was met by Baird and Brown-Goode* on the part of
the United States. They proved that within its range
on the east coast of North America the Mackerel first
appears in spring in the south and is gradually taken
in increasing numbers farther and farther north. This
circumstance, however, does not fully enable us to de-
cide whether it is due to annual migrations from the
south to the north and later in the year in the opposite
direction, or whether it is only in the latter part of
spring that the Mackerel ascends from the deep water
off the northern parts of the coast.

In spring, while the shoals are pressing into the
island-belt, the Mackerel keeps to the surface, always
chooses places where there is a current, and is most
restless in stormy weather, always swimming against
wind and tide. Thus it happens tliat in certain years
it aiTives or departs earlier oi- later, according to the
state of the weather-^. Its wanderings begin early. It
has been seen in spring as early as the beginning of
May, off the southernmost point of Norway (Lindesniis),
and a few days after it appears on the inside of the
island-belt of Bohuslan, where it seeks the shalloAver
inlets. These shoals, however, are comparativel)' small,
and the large ones do not enter the island-belt before
the beginning of June. When the latter arrive, they
may be seen at a long distance, as they always keep
to the surface and cause such a disturbance in the

" Kroyeb (1. c. p. 595), S. LoviiN (Ekstk6m, 1. c), Malmgren (1. c), Esmarce (1. c), Collett (1. c).

' "The Mackerel tlien," says Brown-Goode (1. c, p. 282), "would appear to be a shore-loving fish, not addicted to wide wanderings
in the ocean, and wilh range limited in the Western Atlantic between latitudes 35° and 56°, in the Eastern Atlantic between 36° and 71°."'

"■ Fiache DeutscliL, pt. 2, p. 90.

'' Cuv., Val., 1. c., p. 18.

' Rep. Commiss. Fish a. Fisher., 1877, pp. 56 etc. and Fisher, a. Fisher., Indttstv., U. S., sect. I, p. 282.

•'' In the west of the Atlantic, according to Brown-Goode, the Mackerel approaches the surface when the temperature of the water is
about 45° Fahr.

Scandinavian Fisltes.

15

114

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

water that the spray drifts like snow or clouds of dust.
Their presence, too, is often betrayed by the gulls and
other seabirds which prey upon them. The fishermen
state that at night the Mackerel emits a. light which is
visible at a long distance. This is the ordinary phos-
phorescence created by disturbed lower animals (for the
most part small crustaceans and medustc) in their ra])id
movements in the water.

In addition to these annual migrations the Mackerel,
like several other tishes, often makes irregular wander-
ings. Thus, for a jjeriod of about ten years it may
be more plentiful in one part of the island-belt than
in another".

The Mackerel passes the winter in very dee]) water
and, it is generally supposed, where the bottom is of a
loose nature. The fishermen believe that at this time
of year the eye of the Mackerel is covered by a mem-
brane which prevents it from seeing. This is, of course,
false; but still the adipose lid increases in thickness
and extent even in autumn'', while it becomes thinner
and smaller between spring and summer. It is seldom
that a single Mackerel is found in the island-belt of
Bohuslan at the end of November, for when the westerly
storms commence, which is generally at the beginning
of this month, it makes its ^vay out into deep water. It
is stated, however, that in England half-grown Mackerel
have several times been taken in great numbers in the
middle of winter, in December and January.

The movements of the Mackerel are incrediblj^
quick and active. It darts forward witli the speed
of an arrow and leaps out of the water with no less
rapidity. When drawn out of the water and taken
into the boat, it beats a lively tattoo, as it were, on
the bottom; but this does not last long, as it dies
very soon.

The Mackerel is a voracious glutton and eats ^vhat-
ever comes in its way. Besides small fishes and fry,
Ekstrom also found in its stomach fragments of cru-
staceans and mollusks. That it feeds on jelly-fishes,
is certaiidy a fable, for if, as often happens, a ])iece of
a jelly-fish sticks to the hook or the bait, it ^vill not
bite. On the other hand, it is higlily probable that, as it
has often been seen snapping at jelly-fishes, it does so,
as MoBius and Hkincke have assumed, in its attempts
to catch the parasitic crustaceans {Hi/peria f/aJha), that
live in the genitals and tlie other parts of the jelly-
fish. As a retribution for its OAvn voracity, the Macke-
rel is the victim of several large fishes of prey, which
seem to prefer its flesh to other food. Slices of ]\Iac-
kerel, too, are one of the best baits for sea-fishing,
even when meant for its own kind.

On the coast of Bohuslaii the spawning-season of
the Mackerel generally occurs, accoi-ding to Ekstrom's
observations, in June; but still one may find speci-
mens with ripe roe imtil late in July'', the month, ac-
cording to Sars, during which the Mackerel spawns in
Norway. "It spawns in the open sea, where the roe
drifts about until fully developed. I have found float-
ing roe in Koster Fjord, as well as 6 miles ott' Kiinso,
in the middle of July" (Malm''). The eggs are about
1 millimetre in diameter, and may be distinguished,
according to Sars, l)y a large, clear oil-bubble in the
upper pole. The fry grow quickly. According to Dunn's
observations, given by Day^, in August and September
the young Mackerel are about 76 mm. in length, in No-
vember from 152 to 157 mm. and in the following June
from 2(J3 to 228 mm. In the 13 specimens which have
been available for examination at the Royal Museum,
the following changes due to age are especially notice-
able (the respective averages are given for each length-^):

" This is still more clearly proved in the courjtries where there are statistics as to the changes in the Mackerel- fisheries during a long
period. Thus EaRll reports (Rep. Coinm. Fish. a. Fisher. 1881, p. 217) that in 1804, in the United States, 8,079 barrels of Mackerel were
salted in Massachusetts, in 1814 only 1,349. In 1831 the number had increased to 383,658, but it then sank so fa.st that from 1839 to 1845
the average annual quantity was (57,674 barrels. About 1860 the Mackerel again became common, and for eight years the average quantity of
Mackerel annually salted in Massachusetts was 240,877 barrels. Again the Mackerel became rare, and iu 1877 oidy 105,017 barrels were
submitted to inspection. But then the catch once more increased. In 1880 the total qunnlity of Mackerel taken in Massachusetts was cal-
culated to amount to 95'/., million lbs. or about 400,000 barrels. In tlie same year, in the six states of the Union which are engaged in
this fishery. Mackerel were taken to a quantity of about 132 million lbs., with a first-hand value (as sold in the market) of 27^ million dollars.

' Cf. Bairij, as quoted by Brown-Goode, Fisher, a. Fisher.-Imlustr., sect. I, pp. 287 and 288.

' "Towards the end of July": Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 409. This year (1887), on the 19th of July, both male and female Macke
rel from Bohusliin were bought in Stockholm, which were not quite, but very nearly, ready to deposit their spawu.

'' Cf. Saks, Indber. for 1865, p. 28; for 1875, p. 14.

'■ 1. c, p. 89.

■' The number.s in tin' table which are enclosed in parentheses are not tlie average ones. The marks < and > respectively denote
the ma.xinnim or ininimum aiiiuiig the specimens of the same age.

MACKEHKI,.

115

Length of tlu' body exprcHsed in iniUiiiu'trt'H

Least depth ot" the tiiil, in % of tln' IcTifith (tf the lower jaw Aver.

Length of the veulnil lias, , ,, „ body „

Distance between the first doi'sal tin ami I be lip of the snout, in J^of the length of the body „

J) 1* " OlKl ., ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,. J, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,, „ ., bcginniiiiis of the two dorsal fina „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Length of Ibc lower jaw in % of the length of the body „

Breadth .. .. iiiterorbital spare ,, .. lower jaw „

Length „ „ bead .. ,, „ „ „ ,, ,, body „

„ „ ,, pectoral tins „ „ „ ., „ „ „ „ „

Distance between the ventral and anal fins in ?^ of the length of the body
Distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout ,, ,, ,, ,, „

We thus see that the changes due to age are most
marked between tlie first autumn and the follo\ving
spring, and between the latter and the period immedi-
ately following. Some further changes appear most
distinctly, when the length is about 390 niio., and others
when it is about 410 mm., but it is an open question
how far these latter changes belong to particular years.
We have already explained the signification of the ten-
dency of the changes indicated by the table. The
Mackerel becomes capable of propagating its species
M'hen about 300 mm. in length.

The Mackerel is prepared for use in many different
ways: it is eaten fresh or boiled in sea-water, salted
or preserved in oil, smoked or dried. In whatever
way prepared, it is always delicious, so long as it is
not stale; and in flavour it is not much unlike the
Salmon. Those taken in spring, are always lean; but
the longer it has been in the island-belt, the fatter it
grows, and it is fattest in October.

The Mackerel-fishery, which forms an important
part of the fisheries in the western island-belt of Sweden,
gives occupation to a great part of the population, and
the profits are often by no means inconsiderable. First
in spring, at the end of May, and then in autumn,
during August, September, and October, the Mackerel
is taken in seines along the coast, within the island-
belt. During June and July, twenty years ago, in the
open sea, it was caught mostly by whiffing or railing,
a method not much employed now, except as sport,
and replaced chiefly by drift-nets. The season for
\vhiffing was always eagerly awaited in the island-belt.
It began about a fortnight before midsummer and ended
about St. Lawrence's Day (the 10th of August). Shortly
before this period, the same activity and excitement

137-140 201
18.3{<19-i)-

10.5 I

3r).o( >33.3)
61.7(<G3.o)

2(!.7(<27.2)

14.8 (> 14.5)

42.2(<42.(!)

26.9 (> 26.5)

11.4

- 31.7

226 ! 340—389 390-410

• 22-^{:^:I}

(25,3)
(12.6)

411-422

2.5.2 (> 24.9)

9.1

32.S (<33.3)

65.4 (>63.8)

33.1 ( >32.«)

12.B (<13.3)

,56.8 ( ^ 51.9

1 23,8

11.4

37.5 (^35.4)

" Intern. Fisch. Ausstell. Berlin 1880, Schwod. Cat.. I, 2,
5 seines took iiboiil 2', million Mackerel of a value of £26.121.

9.8 ,

... 32.0 (<33.s)

... 64.5(>63.6)

13.9

... . (>44.6\

(24.3) 23.5
(lO.eV)
(34. B)
62.6 (< 63.4) 1 65.8 (>64.5)

might always be observed among the fishermen as at
the approach of a general holiday. All the boats which
were intended for the fishing, were now repaii-ed, and
each one strove to have the finest sails and the fastest
boat. When the time came, they sailed out witii set
sails and before a fresh breeze. The line, which was
furnished with a heavy plummet (1 or 2 lbs. in weight)
and two hooks baited with some bright object, if pos-
sible a piece of the shining skin from the side of a
Mackerel, was trailed after the boat at as rapid a speed
as could be obtained. One boat with from 5 to 8 men
and boys, each with two lines, sometimes took from
one to three thousand Mackerel in a day; but the catch
was generally much less, and it has been much better
since the sixties, when the drift-net came into more
general use. The drift-net is shot in the evening and
dragged after the boat all night. The sails are taken
in and the boat drifts with wind and current. The
drift-net is most useful on dark nights, and it is said
that the largest catches are made at nightfall and just
before dawn. In 1878, according to the report of
Mr. v. Yhlen, Inspector of Fisheries", there were 373
mackerel-boats in Bohuslan, with a total tonnage of
3,480 tons, with 10,450 nets and manned by 1,456
hands: the total catch for the year was 1,346,000
Mackerel. Up to that time, however, the most sucess-
ful year had been 1873, when 1,813,000 Mackerel were
taken in this manner in Bohuslan. In August and
September the Mackerel may also be taken with the
sladorj, a line furnished with a lighter .sinker and cast
fi'om a boat which is at anchor; but though the depth
chosen for this method of fishing is from 20 to 30
fathoms, the Mackerel are to be found only in mid-
water, i. e. at a depth of from 10 to 12 fathoms. The

45. In Bohuslan in 1890, according to A. H. Malm, 567 boats and

116

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

fisherman chooses a different deptli of ^vater according
to the season: as the season advances, the Mackerel
gradually' goes into deeper water, a fairly sure sign
that it is on its way back to the deep sea.

On the west coast of Norway, according to H.
Baars {Die Fischereiindustrie Norwegens, Bergen 1873,

p. 58), about 2,500 boats are engaged in this fishery,
and the annual catch is from 30 to 35 million Macke-
rel. The Mackerel-fishery is carried on on a still larger
scale oft" the east coast of North Atnerica (see note a,
p. 114), \vhere the tackle employed consists chiefly of
purse-seines". (Ekstkom, Smitt.)

fam xiphiidj:.

B()(hi fusiform and elongated. Eyes middle-sized. Both, the preopercuJiim and the supraorbital margins dentated
during gouth'', smooth (like the other bones of the head) in full-grown specimens. The scales vanish during growth,
in young specimens they are ciliated and some of them platelike and spinous. During youth one continuous fin
on the back and in the anal region, hut in full-grown specimens a greater or less part of the middle of these fins
disappears, and thus two dorsal and two anal fins are formed, the anterior being, in both cases, larger than the
posterior. No free spinous ray in front of the anal fin. Simple, pointed conical teeth in both jaws during youth;
but they finally disappear in quite fuU-grown specimens'. During youth both jaivs are more or less elongated in
a forward direction, the upper more than the lower, but in full-grown specimens the lower jaw is still more con-
siderably shorter than the upper, which is prolonged into a "sword," formed by the maxillary and intermaxillary
bones, the vomer {rostral part) and the ethmoid bone. The superior longitudinal ridges on the .skull are only
slightly or not at all developed. In the species where there are ventral fins, they are thoracic, and the number of
raifs is less than usual, in other cases they are wanting. Gill-openings large., but the branchiostegal membranes
partly united. Branchiostegal rays 7. Branched rays in the caudal fin at least 15. Vertebrce at least 24, more

than 10 of them abdominal.

Agassiz'' separated this family from the Cuvierian
Scombroids "in order more clearly to fix the characters
of the latter;" Ijut it is not Avithout reason that botli
LuTKEN*" and Lii-ljeborg' liave suggested the reunion
of these two families. It is not only that at least one
genus of the Scombroids (Acanthocybium) has the same
retiform branchial lamelhe as the Swordfishes (see above),
nor that in the latter this coalescent formation of the
branchial lamellte does not apj)ear during youth'', but
also that the osteological characters, to which Agassiz
gave the first ])lace in his diagnosis of the Swordfishes,
to a great extent correspond to those of the Mackerels.
The remarkable structure in the Swordfishes of the
ha'uiapophyses of the caudal vertebra?, which consist of
broad processes beneath the lateral holes of the haemal
canal and the consequent articulation between the haemal

arches of the successive vertebras, apparently corresponds
to the structure of the caudal vertebra' ^vhich we have
remarked above in Euthynnus. The strong connecting-
links in the Swordfishes between the interspinal bones
and also between the interha?mal, which are formed
Ijy the sagittal extensions of these bones, and side
by side with which the neural and the luismal spines
are also extraordinarily broad (extended in the same
direction, the longitudinal direction of the body), are
indeed wanting in tiie Mackerels; but still they are
caused only by a stronger ossification of the membrane
between these bones, which even in the Mackerels is
sometimes fairly hard. The family character of the
Swordfishes is thus the ensiform (sometimes cuneiform
and terete) elongation of the snout, the chief part of
which is composed of the rostral portion (original]}^

" See also Materials for a IJigtorij of the Mackerel Fishery by G. Bkown-Goode, J. W. Collins, R. E. Earll, and A H. Clark, Rep.
Cumiii. Fish. a. Fisher. 1881 (Washington 1884) pp. 91 — 631.

'' In some species the corners of tlie temples (according to GUntiier, the parietal bones) and of the preopereiiluni are prolonged into
strong spines, which call to mind the Trigloid type.

"■ In a Swordfish which has attained a length of 8 feet we find small, but numerous, teeth on the hind part of the intermaxillary bones.

'' Rech. Poiss. FoKS., tome V, jiart. 1, jip. 1, 7 and 89.

^ LOtken, ^pol. Atl., Vid. S.dsk. Skr., Kbhvn., 6:te Rad<ke, Naturv. Math. Afd., vol. XII, p. 447.

'' jSv. Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 379, not. 1.

'J Ll'tkkn, 1. e., p. 44G.

SWORDFISHES.

117

the point of llie trabccithr) iiud the ctlniioid lioiic which
lies behind and within the rostral portion, wdiile the
point and the lateral edges of" the sword are formed
by tiie intermaxillary bones. The other differences
between the Swordfishes and tlie Sconibi'oids are the
round shape of both nostrils and the greater distanee
]3et\vcen the ]iosterioi' nostril and the eye in the former
— in whieli respect the Xiphiida; come nearer the
Horse-Macl\erels — the smaller size of the subopercu-
luni and interopereuhun — the ojjereuhini, liowever, is
larger in the Swordfishes — and the smooth, or only
slightl\" rugose, anterior edges of tlie l)ranchial arches,
where strongly developed gill-rakers appear in the Mac-
kerels. The greatest systematic importance of the fa-
mily Xipliitd(C consists in the changes due to age which
have been given by GOnther" and Lutken' and partly
even by Cuviek'', and which we have therefore given
in the above diagnosis of the family. First we see the
larval stage (fig. 32), with the large eyes; the low,
continuous dorsal fin and the similar, but smaller, anal
tin; the rounded caudal tin; the broad and short pec-
toral fins, wdiich are still set fairh^ high: and the spi-
nous equipment of the head, wdiieh reminds us of the
Trigloid type or the juvenile forms of the Berycidce''.
When the snout and the loAver jaw (the length of which,
however, is soon reduced again) begin to grow elong-
ated, and the spinous equipment of the head to vanish,
there appear other traits of older piscine forms, several
scaly formations on the body (fig. 33), rows of spinous
plates and scales, one on each side of the bases of the
dorsal and anal fins and others, parallel to each other,
on the sides, while in the intervals between these rows
we find small scales, Avhich also cover the head and
snout, also spinous or ciliated. These scaly formations
are not imbricate, but juxtaposed. During this period
there are also fairly strong jaw^-teeth; the unpaired fins
appear as before; the body is long and slender; the
caudal fin becomes more and more concave and is also
prolonged and pointed like the pectoral fins; and the
ventral fins, in those species where they are found,
appear in tlie form of small protuberances, which be-

come elongated and dcNeloj) one or three rays, some-
times longer tliaii those of the pectoral fins. We may
also see before long, on each side of the tail, the middle
carina (in Xipliias) or the two small carinas (in Tetrap-
turus and Histiophorus), to which we have above seen
corresponding formations in the Scombroids. The sub-
se(juent changes are mostly reductions: the disappear-
ance of the scaly formations, tlie more or less complete
disappearance of the jaw-teeth), the reduction of the
middle part of the dorsal and anal fins, the relative
diminution of the eves and, lastly, the removal of the

Fig. 32. Young specimen of a terete-snonteil species of Swordfisli

{Histiophorus? or Tetrapluriis?) from tlie South Atlantic.

Magnified 7 diain. After LiJTKEN.

pectoral fins down towards the ventral edge, "so far,'
says Cl'VIER of Xiphias, "that at the first glance one
might be tempted to regard them as the ventral fins."
In all these changes the Swordfish proper advances
furthest: its relations to the other two genera of the
family (each containing two or three species) form a
distinct chain of development, Hisfiophonis having three

Fig. 3.3. Young Swordfisli {Xip/iias gladiiis) from the Atlantic.
Magnified 2^ „ diam. After LUtken.

rays in the ventral fins, Tetrapturus two and Xipliias
having no ventral fins at all.

This family, like the greater part of the preceding
one, consists of distinctly pelagic fishes and powerful
swimmers, which generally keep to the surface — those
which retain the high dorsal fin are even said to use
it as a sail — but are also able to descend to con-
siderable depths. They really belong to the Tropics
and the warmer parts of the Temperate Zones, but some-
times rove north into our latitudes.

« Joum. Mus. Godeffr., Heft. 2, p. 170; Heft. 3, p. 265; Introd. Study Fish., pp. 173—175; Handb. Ichth.. pp. 117 and 118.

* Spol. Atl., 1. c, pp. 441 etc., tab. II, fig. 10 and 11.

-= Cuv.. Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VIII, p. 261, tab. 225 et 226.

•' According to LOlKEN (1. c, p. 447), however, the long temporal and opercular spines are wanting in the larva? of Xiphias.

118

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus XIPHIAS.

No ventral fins. Tii adult specimens the anterior part of the dorsal fin is pointed and falciform. The "sirord"
flat and tiro-edged. The middle caudal carina hir/h; no smcdl cariiice in adult specimens, thonr/h theji mat/ he

distinffuished during youth".

Only one species is known within this genus with its classic;)] Gveelv name''.

THE SWORDFISH.

XIPHIAS GLADIUS.

Plate IX, fig. 1.

Back lustrous dark-blue, sides gragish-hlue, belly silvery.

^- '"■■ '^ "■ 15(36-/'"

V. X. + \r> 1. lO + .r.

-4; A.

9(11)

'3—5; P. 2 + 1-4; F. 0 ;

Sijn. Xiphias seu Gladius piscis, Gesn., Hist. Aniin. (Francof. 1620),
Lib. IV, pp. 379 et 1049.

Xiphias, Lin., Fn. Sttec, ed. 1, p. 108.

Xipliias gladius, Lin., Si/st. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 248; Kolpin,
Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1770, p. 5; 1771, p. 115; Rets., Fn.
Suec. Lin., p. 316; Cuv., V.\l., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. VIII,
p. 255, tab. 225, 226, 231; Nir.Ls. Prod,: Ichth. Scand.,
p. 108; KE0y., Daiim. Fiske, vol. I, p. 253; Noedm., De-
iiiid. Voij. Russ. Mer., p. 393; Ekstr., Gbgs Vet., Vitt.
Saiiih. Handl., Ny Tidsf., H. 1, p. 37; NiLSS., Skand. Fn..
Fisk., p. 147; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p. 511;
LiNDSTH., Gotl. Fiskar, Gotl. Lans Hush. Sallsk. Arsber.,
1866, p. 25 (sep.); W.\llengren, Of vers. Vet.-Akad. Forh.
1866, p. 5; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, Tilla-gsh., p.
51; 1879, p. 33; Cederstr6m, Otvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh.
1876, No. 4, p. 64; M.u.i.i. Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 423; WiN-
THER, Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 16; Id.,
Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 25, tab. IV, fig. 6; Day, Fish. G:t
Brit, IreL. vol. I, p. 146. tab. XLIX; MOb., Hcke, Fische
d. Ostsee, p. 36; Br.-Goode, Mater. Hist. 6'word Fishes,
Wash. 1883; Id., Fish, fndustr. U. &'., part. I, p. 336,
tab. 115; Coll., N. Mag. f. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884),
p. 60; LiLLJ., jSv., Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 380.

The fusiform body of the Swordfish is so elong-
ated that in full-grown specimens the length is 6 times
the depth; but the young specimens are still inoi-e
elongated — at a length of 75 cm. the length of the
body is nearly 8 times the greatest depth, and at a
l(!ngth of 87 mm. about 15 times''. In specimens 75
cm. long the greatest deptli of the body is about '/s
of the distance from the point of the "sword" to the

liind margin of the eye, in specimens half this size
about 7i ^iif^ i'^ specimens .37 mm. long only slightly
over Vii- 111 adult specimens the greatest depth is about
half-way along the high lobe of the first dorsal tin,
behind the insertion of the pectoral tins. The length
of the liead, that of the sword included, varies in full-
grown Swordfish between 40 and 45 % of the length
of the l)ody: in specimens 75 cm. long the liead is
almost as long as the trunk from the gill-opening to
the base of the middle caudal rays. In young speci-
mens, as we have mentioned, the lower jaw is com-
paratively much longer than in adult, and in specimens
about 20 cm. in length'' may be only slightly shorter
than the upper jaw; in specimens 75 cm. in length
the length of tlie head from the point of the lower
jaw is about 26 % of the length of the l)ody; and in
adult specimens the length of this part of the head is
about equal to the greatest depth of the bodv and
al)out 16 % of the length. Even in adult specimens
the length of the loA\er jaw varies considerabl)' : in
specimens from 2 to 4 metres long it varies between
15 and 11 % of the length of the body. The length
of the snout from the anterior margin of the eye varies
in full-grown specimens between 70 and 75 % of the
length of the head; the diameter of the eye is about
6 % of the length of the head or somewhat less than
half the breadth of the interorbital space. The
eye is thus small in proportion to the length of the

" LuTKEN, Spol. Atl., 1. c. p. 446.

* EKfing, Arist. etc., see Artedi, -Syn., p. 47.

' LCtken, also mentions a specimen 19 cm. in length, where the greatest depth was only 10 nun.

'' See Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., IreL, plate XLIX, fig. 2.

SWORDFISir.

119

body ;iiid of the head, but in comparison witli the
width of tlie cheek it is larae, and indicates, as WiN-
THEK h;is I'eniarked, that the Swordlish, sometimes at
least, seeks its food in the deeper (darker) ])arts of tlie
sea. Scarcely lialf the postorbital portion of the head
is occupied by the cheeks (to the hind margin of the
preoperculum), and tlie rest is formed by the oper-
culum. In adult specimens the thickness (height) of
the sword at its l)ase is oidy Va of the breadth; but
in young specimens the thickness rises as high as ^j^
the breadth, and the form of the sword thus approaches
its terete form in the other two genera, which in other
respects, too, represent the juvenile stages of the family.
On the side of the nose, on a level with the upper
margin of the eye, lie the two round nostrils, the
posterior being considerably larger than the anterior
and the distance between it and the eye being about
^'3 of the orbital diameter. The forehead is fiat; the
cheeks fall perpendicularly from it. The operculum is
quadrilateral, almost square, thin and striated; its height
is about 4 times that of the suboperculum, which is
of nearly the same length, and the lower margin of
which almost entirely forms the lower ed"e of the ijill-
cover, for the interoperculum is only a comparative!)^
small triangle inserted between the suboperculum, the
preoperculum and the lower jaw. The preoperculum,
too, is remarkably short (in its horizontal branch) but
of ordinary height. The forms of the dorsal, anal,
and caudal fins and the changes due to age are given
al)ove. The apex of the dorsal tin is formed bv the
first branched ravs and reaches a height which is l:)ut
slightlj- less than the greatest depth of the body and is
about- equal to or even exceeds the length of the falci-
form pectoral fins.- The lateral line is scarcely distin-
guishable,.".but it"faii>ly closely follows the curve of the
dorsal profile. The scales, like the jaw-teeth, as we
mentioned" above, alinost completely disappear. No
tongue or gill-rakei's. The pyloric appendages are nu-
merous, and are united into a mass like a bunch of
gi'apes. The sclerotica of the eye contains two osseous
lamina^ united by sutures, which in front (distallj')
leave a round opening for the cornea and behind an
irregular Iiole for the optic nerve. The colouring of

the body is a darker or lighter variation of the colours
given above. In youth, like most Scombromorphi, the
Swoi'dtish is marked \vith dark transverse bands across
the body.

From the classical times the history of the Sword-
fish has always been embellished with a thousand
exaggerated tales of its fierceness and the hostility it
entertains even towards objects which cannot serve as
its food. It is really, however, of a peaceable disjiosi-
tion, and even remarkable for its timidity, but one of
the most rapid SAvimmers of all fishes, and quite capable,
though this is not its habit, of dealing other ci-ea-
tures dangerous wounds with its powerful sword. It
has especially been accused as the bitterest enemy of
the whale; but this may very easily be due to a con-
fusion between the Swoi'dfish and the Grampus (Orca
ffj(idififor). With regard to the terete-snouted Swoi'd-
fishes it is an established fact that they have often
darted at a vessel and pierced its side with their sword
— in one case, even where the ship was copper-
bottomed, to a depth of 14 in. Of such an action on
the part of the true Swordfish, however, we have only
one authenticated instance, which took place in Norway,
where in August, 1839, it is said, a Swordfish 21 dcm.
in length was caught at the mouth of a river far up
Lerljord in Helgeland, after having driven its sword
into a boat". We can set no great weight on the
account given by Yakrell'' of a Swordfish which killed
a man bathing in the Severn, for the fish was probably
rushing blindl)' forward in fright. From America we
are told" that the Swordfish, Avhen struck with a har-
poon, turns upon the boat whence it has received the
blow; but we may easily understand that on such pi"o-
vocation it is enraged to madness. Perhaps the real
purpose of the sword is not yet fully known; but we
must assume that it is connected Avith the procuring
of food. Bennett has given a clue to the explanation
of the attacks made upon vessels by the terete-snouted
Swordfishes. With lightning speed they dart among
shoals of Bonitos, Albicores and other Scombroids,
spitting them on their swords, intending afterwards to
shake them oft' and devour them. When its victims
seek shelter in the shadow of a ship, the Swordfish may

" still it is worth mentioning tliiit not a single word of the blow dealt to the boat occurs in the letter to Kroyer, wherein Governor
Christie describes the catch. See Damn. Fiske, vol. I, Tillasg. p. 597. (Helgeland is a district of Finraark. Tr.).
'' Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 165, after Daniell, Rural Sports, 1801.
' Browjj-Goode, Afater. Hist. Sword-Fish., p. 45; Fish. Lidustr. U. S., part. I, p. 351, from Prof. Baird's rotes.

12(

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

miss its aim and strike the vessel's liull. Brown-Goode
gives almost the same account of the true Swordfish".
"They feed on menhaden, mackerel, bonitoes, bluefish
and other species which swim in close schools. Their
habits of feeding have often been described to me by
old fishermen. They are said to rise beneath the school
of small fish, striking to the right and left with their
swords until they have killed a number, which they
then proceed to devour. Menhaden have been seen
floating at the surface whicli have been cut nearlj' in
twain ])v a 1)1()W of a sword. Mr. John H. Thomson
reniiirks that he has seen them apparently- throw the
fish in the air, catching them as they fall.

"Capt. Benjamin Ashby says that they feed on
mackerel, herring, whiting'', and menhaden". He has
f(>\nid half a bucketful of small fish of these kinds in
tlie stomach of one Swordfish. He has seen them in
tlie act of feeding. They rise perpendicularly out of
the water until the sword and two-thirds of the re-
mainder of the body are exposed to view. He has
seen a school of herring crowding together at the sur-
face on George's Banks as closely as they could be
packed. A Swordfish came up through the dense mass
and fell flat over on its side, striking many fish with
the sides of its sword. He has at one time picked up
as much as a l)ushel of herrings thus killed by a Sword-
fish on Geoi'ge's Banks. ' We know, too, that the
Swordfish also feeds on the Cuttle-fish: Fleming found
remains of LoJi(/o sagittata in its stomach.

The peaceful disposition of the Swordfish may also
be observed when together with the Tunny it enters
the madrague or tonnaro of the Mediterranean fisher-
men. Sometimes it may tear the meshes of the lateral
nets of the madrague with its s"\vord and thus give the
Tunnies a way of escape; but it is often taken together
with them. It seems to be fairly sociable, and one
often finds Swordfish roving in pairs (male and female?).
The only information Ave have of the spawning-season
is from the Mediterranean, AA'here it is said to occur
in spring and the beginning of summer; but Ave have
no exact statements on this point. That it also spawns
in the open sea, is shown by the finds of small fry,
mentioned by Lutken, in the Atlantic and the Indian

Ocean. In the Mediterranean young, but fully deve-
loped, SAvordfish, Aveighing half-a-pound or more, are
fairlv common, and are often sold in the Italian fish-
markets, especially in Sicily and at Genoa. Their
flesh is more highly esteemed than that of the larger
ones.

The SAvordfish often attains a length of 12 feet or
even more; but specimens of a much larger size must
be considered at least as extraordinary exceptions, if
not as altogether fabulous. Broavn-Goode, hoAvever,
mentions a specimen of uncommonly large size, Avhich
according to Ashby's measurements had a SAVord nearly
6 ft. long and should thus have had a body almost
18 feet in length and have weighed betAveen 750 and
800 lbs. It is knoAvn in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic
as far south as the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian
Ocean, and the Pacific (off Ncav Zealand). In the At-
lantic it is fairly common off tlie coast of the United
States of North America; l)ut only full-groAvn specimens
have been taken there: Captain Ashby is said to have
caught 108 SAVordfish in one year. On the European
side it is not common even off the English coast, and
farther north it occurs still more seldom, though it
has been found in as high a latitude as West Finmark.
HoAvever, it can scarcely be considered as being rare
in Scandinavia, especially as it noAv and then enters
the Baltic and Avanders as far as Gothland''. Both Nils-
son and LiLLJEBORG state, as a proof of its common
occurrence oft" the soutli coast of Scania, that forty or
fifty years ago, bet.Aveen Malmo and Skanor, one might
very often see the dried tail of a SAvordfish set up as
a Aveathercock on a fisherman's cottage. According to
MoBius and Heincke it is oftenest in autumn that it
Avanders into the Baltic, as far as the coasts of Prussia
and Russia. Ekstrom and Malm have each described
one of tAvo specimens of the Swordfish taken recently
in Bohusliln, the one in Aby Fjord and the other oft'
Grebbestad: Cederstrom says that the SAvordfish is
fairly rare oft" the north of Bohusltln. Our figure is
coloured from a female 211 cm. in length, Avhich Avas
caught on the 21st of October, 1887, in Stahrekil (5
miles from Stromstad), and sent to the Royal Museum
by Mr. C. A. Hansson.

" Mater, etc., p. 41; Industr. etc., p. 349.
* Not our European Whiting.

' A Swordfish 2'43 metres in length, whieli was caught on the Ist of October, \i
of Schleswig and Aleen, liad about GO Herrings in its stomach (M6b., Hcke, 1. c).
'' LindstrOm, 1. c. and Lilueuoho, 1. c, p. 388.

52, in a mackerel-net in a bay between the coast

OPAIIS.

121

111 Sweden the Swoi'dtisli is taken only occasionally,
or it heeonies stranded on a sandbank or a shelviiif^
beach, having ventured too near shore in search of"
food. But in the Mediterranean, esi)ecially off the coast
of" Sicily, and in Nortli America, it is fisiied for with
great vigour and no small profit, for its flesh is greatly
valued. It is often liarpooned from a, boat or from a
.ship's bowsprit, where the Americans have a special place
for the harpooner to stand. The Italians set watchmen
on the cliff's to give the fishing-boats notice of the
approach of the Swordtish, and in the boats tliey keep
a look-out from the mast-head. As tlie Swordfish often

swims at tlie surface, sometimes so high that tlie top
of the florsal tin projects al)ove the water, it is easily
caught sighi of. The fishing has a dash of tlie cliarm
of whaling, it"or it cannot be considered altogether free
from danger, when the Swordfish at full speed takes
out tlie line to the very end, and when we remember
how luaiiy tales there are of the assaults it makes in
selfdefence u])on a l)oat. The Swordfish is also taken with
hook and linc!, but, as in the mackerel-net and raadrague,
more seldom. Bkowx-Gooije mentions the capture of
a Swordfish on a long-line set for Halibut, at as great
a deiitli as 27.') fathoms.

Fam. LAMPRIDIDiE.

F'orm of the hoihi high, compressed, oval. Eyes of average size. External hones of the head ivith smooth edges".
Scales small, fitin. cycloid, and deciduous; in the pectoral region somewhat larger than in the other parts of
the body. Spinous-rayed part of the dorsal and anal fins extremely short. No finlets. No free spinous ray in
front of the anal fin. No jair-teeth, hut strong, pointed pharyngeal teeth. Jaws short and about equal in length.
Supraoccipital crest high and continued forward over the frontal and ethmoid bones. Base of the pectoral fins
horizontal. Ventral fins thoracic, though set fairly far hack, with from 14 to 17 rays. Gill-openings large:
branch iostegal membranes free at the isthmus. Branchiostegal rays 6" {or 7?). Branched rays in the caudal fin
about 17. Vertebrae from 43 to 48, the 22nd of which {taking the latter number) bears the last ribs.

Gill'' founded a separate family, Lamprididce,
witliin the group Scondiroidea, to receive the single
genus that represents this family, while Moreau'' has
given the same definition to a sub-family, Lamprini,
within the family of the Srombridce. These arrange-
ments may be regarded as distinctions without a real
difference.

The relation of this family to the preceding ones
is expressed in several characters which indicate the
highest stage of the metamorphosis which prevails among
several Scombromorph families. Among these characters
are the disappearance of the jaw-teeth, the horizontal
base of the pointed, falciform, pectoral fins, which in
form resemble the ventral fins and the anterior part
of the dorsal fin, and the absence of the anterior, spi-
nous-rayed dorsal. To these we may add another
character, however, which is more indicative of a lower
stage of development, namely, the large number of

" Juvenile stage luikiiowi].

' An: Fam. Fish., Smiths. Misc. Cull., No. 247, p. 9.

-^ Hht. Nat. Potss. Fr.. tome 2, p. 48.?.

Scandinarinn f-isfits.

rays in the \entral fins, which are set comparatively
far back. Their situation is indeed due to their close
connexion with the shoulder-girdle, which is much
developed posteriorly, and has thus removed the ventral
fins with it. But the pelvic bones, though large, are
hung, not, as is generally the case, on the clavicle,
but on the high and broad coracoid bones. Another
peculiarity of the pectoral fins is the anomalopterous
character of their basal bones, the first three of which
are low, and united with the scapular bones — the
first of all completely, without the least vi-sible suture;
the other two retaining the suture — the last higher,
but still broad, and closely united b}' a cartilage witii
the third basal bone and also with the coracoid bone.
The glenoid surfaces of the fir.st two basal bones are
sharply convex, thus indicating unusual power in the
perpendicular motions of the pectoral fins; the surface
of the last two, on the other hand, is concave, to re-

16

122

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

(^eive the cartilage which connects them with the pos-
terior rays of the pectoral tins. Another peculiarity
in the skeleton of the Opah whicli seems to indicate
a lower (older) degree of development, appears in
the structure of tlie last caudal vertelarje. The last
of all, as usual, is without any true haraal arch;
but the three next to it have theii- hannal arches free
a,nd not united to the bodies of the vertebrae, and the
vertebra next in front of these has the htxMnal arch
united to its body, but retains the suture between them.
Tlie penultimate vertebra has both hannapophyses wi-
dened at the base into a projecting ridge, which runs
along the loAver posterior part of the vertebra on each
side, and is continued backward across the hypural
bones, where it is free. We have above remarked a
I'idge corresponding to this in the common ^lackerel,
where it does indeed belong apparently to the hypural
bones (the last caudal vertebra), thougli, there too, it
originates distinctly on the side of the penultimate
caudal vertebra. Even in tlie skeleton of the adult
Mackerel and of the Scad, too, we may trace in tlie
last caudal vertebrae (as far as the fourth from tlic
end) sutures reminding us that the ha^inapophyses
were free in the earlier stages of development. Thus
the skeleton of the Opah, even Avhen the body is 1 1
dm. in length, explains a circumstance the elucidation
of wliicli in the Mackerels must probablj' be sought
in the youngest specimens.

The fauiily Lampriclidce thus possesses points of
resemblance to all the preceding families in the long
Mackerel-series — to the Bramoids in the high form
of the body, to the Carangoids in the liigh supraocci-
pital crest, to the Scombroids in the large number of
the vertebrte and to the Xipliioids in tlie reduction of
the ja^v-teeth and the circular form of the nostrils.
But in this family we also find anomalopterous cha-
racters liotli in the situation of and in the number of
rays in the ventral tins — the nunil)ei- of tlie rays
calling to mind the position of Benjx in the Perch-
series — as well as in the articulation of the pectoral
fins. In the formation of the gill-covering ajiparatus
it most nearly resembles the Carangoids, though the sub-
operculum is considerably smaller, and shaped like a
triangular lamina, which occupies only a tiny part ot
the lower corner of the margin of the gill-opening.

As our knowledge of the changes of growth in
the family is so imperfect — we onl}' know that the
tips of the dorsal and ventral tins become shorter with
age" — and especially as the younger stages and the
supposed larval stage are completely unknown, we have
no data of sufficient importance to decide the correct
place of the family. Its ^vhole appearance, however,
speaks in favour of its retention within the Mackerel-
series, although the anomalopterous characters just
mentioned may seem to assign it another place in the
system.

Genus LAMPRIS',

The only genus within the family, contains only one known species,

" Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. X. p. 58, tab. 282; cf. also Cuv. (Val.), Regn. Anim. Illustre, Fois.'-'., pi. Gl.
'■ Ketzil'S, Vet.-Aka.l. Handl. 1799, pt. 2, p. 91.

I-.\Ml'lilIill).K. 123

THE OPAH (S\V. GLAN.SKISKEN).

LAM PIUS PELAGICUS.
Fig. 34.

DdisdJ si(h' dark Mecl-hhto, on the shies f/radualli/ shadinr/ info green irlth a Jnsfre of silver, piir})le and gold,
the o/iereiihon heing cspecioll// lustrous; the ventral side rose-red ; the Jins vermilion : tlie whole liodij streirn irith

silvern and niilk-irhite sjwts: the iris golden red.

„^f'^

'"^'^^ii^itiH;:!/^

m.

Fig. 34. Opali, fri.iii the W. coast of Zealand (Denmark). Specimen belonging to the Museum of Upsala Univ. ' g llie natural size.

R. br. 6 (7V); D." ~; A.'' ~; P. 24-23(21) + !; V. -^;
51 40 lo

C. .r. + 17+.r.

Syn. Zeus cauila bifurcn, colore nrgenteo purpiireoqne spleiideiis,
Sir6m, iSimdm. Beskr., 1, p. 325, tab. 1, fig. 20.
iScomher jielaijiais, Gunn., Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skr. (Trondj.),
part. IV (Kldivn 1708), p. 92, tab. XII, fig. 1 (nee LiN.).

Poisson Lune, Duh.\m., Peches, Sect. Ill, p. 74, tab. XV:

Zeus lima, Gmel., Syst. Nat. Lin., I, p. 1225; Lacep.

(Chrysotosus), Hist. iVa<. Foiss., vol. IV. p. 586; Gthb.

{Lampris), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., II, p. 41G; Malm, Gbgs.

Bob. F,i.. p. 420: D.w, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel, vol. I, p.

118, tab. XLII.
Zeus guttatiis, BbOnn., D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., Ny Saml., part. 3.

p. 398, tab. A; Retz. {Lampris), Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1799.

" D. according to LowE.

52—54

' A. according to Lowe.

39—41

124

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Qvart. 2, p. i)8; In., Fn. 6'nci: Lin., p. 361; Fabeh (Zeus),
Fische IsL, p. 132 ; Nii.ss. (Lampi'is), Prodi: Ichth. Scand.,
p. 70; Cuv., Vai,., 1. c; Kroy., Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p.
280; Ekstk., Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samh. Handl. Ny Tidsf., I,
p. 37; LiLLJEB., Vet.-Aknd. Handl. 1850, p. 333; Malm,
Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. FiJrh. 1852, p. 229; mhas., Skund. Fn.,
Fisk., p. 150; Esm.. Forh. Skaud. Naturf. Mode, Christ.
18G8, p. 522; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Til-
Wgsh., p. 48; 1879, p. 31; Winth., Nattirh. Tidskr. Kbhvii,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 15; Id., ZooL Dan., Fiske. p. 21, tab.
IV, fig. 2; JoRD., GiLn., .Si/n. Fish. N. Amer., Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mils., No. 16, p. 453; Coll., N. Mag. f. Nalnrv.
Christ., Bd 29 (1884), p. 59; Lilljeb., -Sv., Noi-g. Fisk.,
vol. I, p. 315.
Lampris lauta, Lowe, Hist. Fisli. Madeira, p. 27, tab. V.

Obs. As the specific name employed by GuNNEiiUS is the oldest
biniiiiiial name of this species, according to the rules of custom it
must be restored, though it is faulty in the same way as Surda
pelamis, the name recognised above, as in most modern writers, thougli
Brunnich's use of it was also due to a mistaken determination of the
species.

The 8pe'citic chjivacter given ;il>o\e is a suiiiiiiary
of a description wliich I have received in a letter from
Mr. 0. T. Olsex of Grimsby, of the coloration of a
newly caught Opah which was brought to the aI)ove
town in 1886. During life, or at least when uninjured
and with the scales intact, however, the fish, according
to I.owe's (1. c, p. 31) and Schneider's" descriptions.

here, and thus could scarcely give any idea of the
colouring of the fish during life. It is highl)? probable
that the colour varies and tliat the red is part of its
fine dress during the spawning-season; but all descrip-
tions agree in setting the Opah among the most sho^vi-
ly-decked of fishes — "one of Neptune's courtiers in
full dress," writes one of Buffon's correspondents wlio
is quoted by Lacepede.

The l)ody of the Opah seems to vary considerabh*
in depth. Collett mentions'' a specimen 109 cm. in
length and (i07 mm. in (lej)th, i. e. tlie (le])th al)out
56 % of the length, and another specimen'' 6 fi. in
length and 2 ft. 4 in. in depth, i. e. the depth about
3!) % of the length. To judge by these statements, in
the older specimens the body becomes considerabh-
elongated with age, while the height of the dorsal fin
and the length of the ventral fins, according to Va-
lenciennes' observation mentioned above, sink from
more tlian '/o the length of tlie body to ',4 or V5
of the same. Tlie thickness of the l)odv, according to
Lllljeborc;, is about 30 % of its depth. The length
of the head, according to Collett, varies between 30
% of the length of the body, in the smaller specimen
mentioned above, and 24 ?*, in the largei- one. The

is red witli a lustre of transparent silver thoughout diameter of the eye, according to both Lowe and Lill-

the body: according to Schneider, too, the oval white
spots do not occur in the living and uninjured fisli,
but first begin to appear wh<ii the scales drop oft'.
Lowe, on the other hand, asserts that these spots appear
more clearly and brightly through the scales, and de-
scribes the silverv lustre as being most distinct on the

JEBORG, is about V. of the length of the head and
about ^'2 the l)readt]i of the intevurbital space. The
small oval nostrils, wiiicli are close to each other, are
set on a level witli the upi)er margin of the eye and
aljout half-way between the e^■e and the ti]> of the
snout. The mouth is small in comparison with that

raised folds of skin \\lnch form the grooves for the I of the Mackerels, but capable of some, though only
dorsal and anal fins, and on the rows of scales which 1 slight, protrusion. The tongue is narrow, free and
occur between tlie rays of tlie caudal fin. Anteriorly, ! smooth, according lo Lowe. In the skeleton tlic lingual

on the belly, he says, the white spots are sometimes
united into curved, verinitorm streaks. Hi her writers
do not insist so strongly upon tlie red colour of tlie
body, at least on the dorsal side; and the only s})eci-
men which has been received by the Royal Museum,
had lost most of its metallic lustre — even the white
spots were e.\tremely indistinct — and the up|ier half
of the body was dark, almost velvety, blue-black. This
specimen, which was caught in the Cattegat in August,
1873, was, howe\er, half decomposed when it arrived

bone is cartilaginous; but the basihyal bones are large
and spongeous, the first pair being fairly long and
shai'ph' curved downwards — between their extremities
is placed the huge, triangular, basibranchiostegal bone
(Parker; iiyolii/dl, Owen), which hangs down in a
posterior direction. The number of branchiostegal rays
is 6; liut we must not forget to remark that not only
GuNNERUs among the old writers, but also Valenciennes,
Kroyek and Bakker'', ihe last both in the text and the
figure, have given 7. Thotigh there are two simple

" See Collett, Cliiist. Vid. Selsk. Korli. 1879, No. 1, p. 32.

^ N. Mag. Nalurv. 1884, p. 60.

■■ Cliiist. Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, Till.-i'gsh. p. 49.

'' 0.'<l(-ijraidiia I'isriitiii. Grrmingen 1822, p. 187, (ah. III. lig. III,

Ol'AIl.

125

rays at the l)egiiiMiii^ of tlie dorsal tin, the first is
extremely short, and uiiiUid to the l)as(! of the second,
which in the specimen Ix-loni^ing' to the Uoval Museum
is broken oft' short, hut according to Lowk is the
longest ray in the whoh; fin. A peculiai-, fidcilnrni,
interspinal hone, with lhe concave margin grooved,
lies loose in the flesh Ijetween the occiput and the
first dorsal tin''. The tii'st true interspinal bone is both
long and high, with tlu^ curved anterior margin dilated
and ^virh several pairs of hitei'al ridges, tiie posterioi',
in particular, liigh and shar[), but h'ss so than on the
eight next following interspinal bones. The intcrs])inal
bones are gradually reduced in length in the same
proportion as the length of the rays in the dorsal fin
from the first branched ray to the twelfth. The neural
spines in the alxlominal region, on the other hand,
become longer posteriorly. The dorsal fin in form
resembles that of the Swordtish: behind the elevated,
falciform, anterior |)art folKnvs a lo^w portion, from the
fourteenth ray to the seventeenth inclusive, in the spe-
cimen of the Itoyal Museum, and then tlie fin again
rises, though slo^vl}• and inconsiderably. The anal fin
throughout its length resembles the posterior part of
the dorsal. The lateral line is sharply curved in an
elevated arch anteriorly, and then runs straight along
the body in the middle line of the depth.

The Opah is one of the deep-sea fishes of the
Atlantic, known from Norwegian Finmark, Iceland and
Newfoundland at least as far south as Teneritt'e, and
also occurs in the Mediterranean, but is genei'ally very
rare. In Madeira, however, according to Lowe, it is
fairly often brought to market during spring. It can-
not, however, be reckoned among the inhabitants of
the deepest regions, as seaweeds are occasionally found
with other food in its stomach. Its food consists chiefly
of cuttlefish, thin-shelled Isopods which have their home
in the alga?, Herrings and, probably, other small fishes.
It is caught ott" ^ladeira, says Lowk, with hooks l)aited

with Mackerel or Scad, at a depth of from 50 to 100
fathoms. This depth, if indeed it be the Opah's pro-
per home, is great enough to prevent it from moving
freely at its pleasure at the surface", ^\■hcn for some
reason or othei' it suddenly rises into the higher re-
gions of tlie ocean. Thus, like other deep-sea fishes,
it is often found floating hcli)lessly at the surface or
cast ashore by the waves. It attains a length of aljout
4V2 feet (I'/a metres)''; but most of the specimens
known have measured between 3 and 4 ft. in length.
Its whole body is very fat, and its flavour is compared
by most of tliose who have tasted it, to that of the
Salmon; but Mr. Olsex writes to me that a part of
his Opah tasted like beef, another part like veal, a
third like brain, and a fourth like "fish." In Madeira,
says Lowe", the flesh of the Opah is considered better
and costs more than that of the Tunny. "Formerly,
I am informed, it Avas held in such esteem that every
fish taken was obliged by law to be carried to the
governor of the Island, without whose licence it could
not be sold in the market."

In Norway the Opah is rai-e, but according to
both LiLLJEBORG and Collett a specimen is taken al-
most every year in the neighbourhood of Bergen. So
early a writer as Pedek Claussen-'^ knew it from Nord-
land and called it ''den skone Laxestorjc" (the beautiful
Great Salmon). It has been met with several times
in Christiania Fjord and, strangely enough, off the
coast of Zealand and near Helsingborg. It was from
the last place that Retzius described it for the first
time as a Swedish fish. We have fewer mentions of
it from Bohusliln; but according to Malm it is known
to a few of the fishermen by the name of ''makril-
storje". Ekstrom (1. c.) mentions a specimen which
was caught in the forties in the neighbourhood of
Stromstad; and the specimen of the Koyal Museum
which we have already mentioned, was taken at the
beginning of August, 1873, by some fishermen from

" Cf. Lowe, 1. v.. p. 29.

' Cf. Lowk. 1. c, p. .'U.

"" See abovr, under Genus Ciirnnx.

'' Baikik (ZooL 1853), according to Day (L c), nientiims a ppecimen 6 ft. long, wliicli was caught oil Sanda^". one of tlie Orkneys.
The specimen mentioned above which was examiiieii bv Oi.SEX. he states to liave measured 5 ft. iu lengtli, 3 ft. in depth and 10 in. in
thickness.

' 1. c, p. 3.5.

' .\orrif/es BcfcriffneUe, Kjobenhaffn 1032, p. 120.

1-26

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

Fiskebackskil, avHo exhibited it for several days to
the visitors at Lysekil", where it was afterwards pur-
chased and sent to the Roy;il .Museum by Dr. A.
Stuxberg.

According to Fabeh (]. c.) tlie Opab is mentioned
in the Edda under the name of Gudlax {godlax =
good Salmon) '', and in Iceland every part of the fish
is in general use as a remedy for all kinds of diseases.

The following Acanthopterygian Eleutherognates
are distinguished from the preceding Lj'sipharyngii b)'
several characters, ^vhich Ave have above endeavoured
to express by the name of Anomalopteri.

The Scandinavian Fauna contains the following
families belonging to this division:

A: Ventral tins independent, jugular. Spinoiis-rayed
part of the dorsal tin or fins considerably shor-
ter or with a smaller number of rays than the
soft-rayed part. No anal papilla. Suborbital
ring without any osseous connexion with the
preopcrculum : Trafhinomorphi.
1: Gill-openings in front of the pectoral lins.

a: Body compressed -.. Fam. Trachinida'.

b: Plead broad and flattened ,, Batracliida'.

2: Gill-openings behind or above the pectoral

fins , _ Fam. Lophndiv.

B: Ventral fins independent, thoracic or jugular.
Suborbital ring joined to the preopcrculum bj'
an osseous connexion. A prominent papilla
often present at the vent. Body Cottiform or
Perciform: Cottomorpln.

1 : Body with ordinary scales or naked or
partly covered with plates.
a: SjDinous-rayed part of the dorsal fin longer
(with more rays) than the soft-rayed

part, or at least as long as it Fam. Scorpmnidm.

b: Spinous-rayed part of the dorsal fin
shorter (with fe'wer rays) than the soft-
rayed part -- Fam. Cottidce.

2: Body almost entirely covered with plates

Fam. Agonidce.

C: Ventral fins (when present) independent, ju-
gular or thoracic. A prominent papilla some-
times present at the vent. Spinous-rayed part
of the dorsal fin (where it is hardened) longer
(with more rays), or at least only slightly
shorter, than the soft-rayed part behind the

spinous rays. Suborbital ring usually with-
out any osseous connexion with the pre-
opcrculum. Body low and compressed,
more or less taenoid : Bleimomorphi.
1 : No molars on the jaws or palate. Fam. Blenniidce.
2: Molars on the jaws and palate... ,, Anarrliicltadida'.
D: Ventral fins generally united. A promi-
nent papilla at the vent. Spinous-rayed
part of the dorsal fin shorter than the soft-
rayed, and with flexible spines, or wanting.
Suborbital ring generally without any osse-
ous connexion with the preopcrculum.
Body long and low or bulky : Gobiomovphi.
1: The rays of the ventral fins may be ex-
ternally distinguished, but the fins are

united in a funnel form.. Fam. (joliiidw.

2: Rays of the ventral fins distinguishable

and the fins remote' from each other. Fam. CaUioiii/inidir.
3: Bays of the vcnti'al fins indistinguishable
in the sucking-disk formed by the union

of these fins Fam. Cydopteridw.

4: Ventral fins remote from each other, but
between them a sucking-disk. No spi-
nous-rayed part in the dorsal ihi. Fam. Gobiesocidw.
E: Ventral fins independent, much longer than
the pectoral, and generally witli more than
five soft rays. Form of the body high and

compressed: Ci/ttomorpJii Fam. Zenida'.

F: Ventral tins (where they exist) independent,
much longer than the pectoral, and gene-
rally with less or more than five soft rays.
No anal fin. Body compressed and long,
ribbon-shaped. Caudal fin irregular, raised
upwards, or wanting: Traclii/jHeromoiphi

Fam. Trachypteridw.
G: Ventral fins independent, abdominal: Mu-

giliformes Fam . MugilUhv.

We give the first place among these fishes to a
group of families, as a. type of Avhich Ave may take tlie
Avell-knoAvn and realh' formidal)le Weever.

" a watcrinjj-place in Bolmslan. Tn.

' Aasen {Noivk Ordbog) suspects, liowever, tlial by this word may be meant Gtddlax (Gullax, Anjentina Silas, according to Nn.ssoN).

WKKVi:i!S.

127

TRACHINOMORPHI.

7'>V.s-^ (hirsal fill" slinrtf-r thait the second, /'ciidrti! ^tiiis ir'ith hroad hasp and iritli broad and flattened or elong-
ated till sal til) lies. \ 'ml rat fins free and Jar/ alar. Branclied rays hi the caadal fin less than Jo. Xo osseous
coiniexiiin hiiireni tin- siiliitrhital riiif/ and the preoperculnm. Jairs and palatine hones {as a rule) with teeth.

Between the Mackerels and the Cottoids Gunther''
has phvced some families whieh do not belong in their
entirety to this division'', but apparently consist of a
series of types wiiich connects the most abnormal Ano-
malopterous forms with the Lahromorplii, as well as
with the Percomorphi. In tlie ZTranoscopi the Trachi-
noid type conies near the Batrachidce, and tlie latter
in their turn form a transition to the Lophioid group;
but within the family Traehinidce. itself — provided
it be possible to retain it with Gunther's definition —
the genera Percis and Pinguipes clearly point to the
Lahridm and also to the family Malacantliidm'' , while

the dental equipment of the palate led Cuvier to in-
clude the Weevers in the Percoid famih', as "Perches
with jugular ventral tins." The other fishes in the
group resemble the Cottidce or, in their compressed
form, the BJenniidcB.

The members of this group are, as a rule, poor
swimmers, and l)ottom-fishes, and for the most part
live near shore, where they lie in ambush for their
prey or entice it by the movements of their strange
appendages. Most of them belong to the Southern
Hemisphere, where in the Antarctic regions they take
the place of the Cottoids in the Arctic fauna.

Fam. TRACHINIDJ].

Body long and compressed. Head without armour'. Scales {where they exist) cycloid or granular. The eyes
are set laterally, but high up, and admit of being turned upwards. Anal and second dorsal fins long in proportion
to the length of the abdominal region. Basal bones of the pectoral fins broad and flat, but of ordinary shape.
Jaw-teeth of uniform size, or with several canines interspersed in front. Lips without fringes. Lateral line

unbroken. Gill-openings in front of the pectoral fins.

With this definition the family- essentially corres-
ponds to GOnthk.r's subfamily Trachinini, which was

intended to include 14 genera, only one of which is
represented in the Scandinavian fauna.

" Or the spinous-rayed part, wlicrc the fin is contimioiis.

'' •Systematic Si/jwpsis, 1. c.

' GlJNTHER has himself remarked the resemblance between the genus Sillngo (among his I'mdiinidir) and the Scisenoids.

<> Cf. Cuv., Vai,., HM. Nat. Foiss., vol. Ill, p. 277 and GOnther, Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish., vol. III. p. 358.

•" In old specimens of Tracliinus, however, tlic tup of the head (the forehead and occiput) is naked and rough, as in the Uranoscopi.

128

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus TRACHINUS.

Head sUfjJitl;/ broader {thicker) than the frniik. Gape distinctly vertical. Cardiform teeth on the jaus, the vomer,
the palatine and the jyterygoid hones. Tongue smooth. A strong, pointed spine on the operculum. Preopercuhim
and prcorhital hones dentated, but sometimes tvith the dentations hidden by the skin". Six or .seven strong, pungent.,
spinous rays in the first dorsal fin. Lower rays of the pectoral fins undivided or at least with free tips. Scales
of the body small, and arranged in distinct, oblique, transverse rous. Branchiostegal rays 6. Pseudobranchio'
distinct. Pyloric appendages few, usually 6. Xo air-bladder. Branched rays in the caudal fin 10 or 11.

The genus Trachinus, in which five veiy closely
related species ;ire recorded'', in its geographical range
has the peculiarity that it is known only in the ^ledi-
terranean, the Avest coasts of Europe and Africa, and

the west coast of S. America, while from the west of
the Atlantic we have no information of a single species

of the genus.

THE GREAT WEEVER (sw. f.iarsingen).
TRACHINUS DRACO.

(Plate IV, fi^. 3.)

Preorbital spiue short, dentoid, turned downu-ards and outa-ards in a fonrard direction. Tn-o or three supraorbital
spines above tin' anterior upper corner of the orbit. First dorsal fin black, with (> spinous rays; the .second with
about 30 rays, and the anal tvith about 32. Cheeks scaly. Greatest depth of the body from 15 to 19 % of the length.

R. hi: 6; D. 6 728—31''; A.
10 + 6 1. 5; V. ';,; C. ,r.+ ll+.r.

30 1. SI'

; P. 1 1. 2 + 8 ad

Si/n. Jqu-mov, Aristot. cett.: vide Art., Tchth., 'Syii., p. 70.

Trachinus draco, LiN., &i/.it. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 250; BrOnn.,
Ichth. MassiL, p. 19; Risso, IcJitli. Nice, p. 108: Id., Eur.
Mer., vol. Ill, p. 260; Cuv., Val., Hixt. Nat. Poiss., vol.
Ill, p. 238; NiLSS., Prodv. Ichth. Sc, p. 90; Fries, Ekstr.
et Wright, Skand. Fiskar, ed. 1, p. 13, pi. 3, fig. 1;
KviOY.,- Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p. 55; Nordm. in Dem., Voij.
Bus. Mer., vol. Ill, p. 370; Costa, Fn. Regn. N'ap., part.
1, Acantotterigi Percoidei, Trachini, p. 1; NiLSS., Skand.
Fn., Fisk., p. 40; Gthk, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II,
p. 233; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturw.
CI., LVI (1867), 1, p. 696; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ,
1874, Tillc-egsh., p. 42; Schmidt, Nord. Medic. Ark. 1874,

No. 2; Malm, Gbgs, Doh. Fn., p. 407; Winth., Zool. Dan.
Fiske, p. 7, tab. 1, fig. 6; Id., Naturb. Tidskr., Kbhvn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 11: Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. 1.
p. 79, tab. XXX; Lillj., j6V., Norg. Fiskar, vol. 1, p. 82;
MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. 2, p. 98; Mi'iB., Hcke,
Fische der Ostsee, p. 41.

Obs. It seems highly probable tli.it llie South European forms
Trachinus aranctis and Tr. radiutus which were distinguished by CuviER,
following Salvianus and Delaroche, may be regarded as being merely
deep-sea forms and colour-varieties of the same species as Tr. draco.
Steindachnrr (1. c.) has pointed out the near relation between the
first-mentioned forms; and the character (with the exception of the
coloration) on which CnviER and his successors grounded the species
l^rachinits araneus, the 7 rays in tlie first dorsal fin, has long ago
been pointed out by Kroyer in Tr. draco. For tlie further elucida-
tion of this point I maj' adduce a specimen of the Weever, a male

" In one species (from Chili) the preorbital bone is described as having a long, recurved spine, hut it generally has one or two
pointed or blunt protuberances instead.

'' A proof of the sligbtness of the specific diflEerences within this genus is given by Kner (Stzber. .\kad. W
Naturw. CI. LVI, 1 (1867), p. 717), who found no other difference between Trachinus draco and a Weever from Iquique
height (more elongated form) of the latter. Cf. GCnther, Cat. Brit. Mus., 1. c. The generic name Tracliinus owes its exi
(Ichth., part. II, p. 74): "a XQCty^tlvog, asper, scabcr, quia ossicula pinmc dorsalis valde aspera et aculeata sunt". Cuvier's
name from ()p«/.«()'ft thus finds no support with .^rtedi.

•■ Sometimes 7, according to Kroyer.

' . 32

iss. Wien, Math,
than the smaller
stence to Artedi
derivation of the

GREAT WEEVER.

129

from tlie iiortli of the Sound off tlie fishing-village of Molle, wliich

is clearly an intermediate form between the supposed species last

mentioned. Its length is 237 mm. There are 6/2S rays in the

2
dorsal fin and ,- - in tlio anal. The greatest depth of the bo.ly is 19 "i

of the length — in the deepest typical specimen of Tr. draco tliat
I have measured, it was 17.3 %. The least depth is G.3 % of the
length and 13.3 % of the second dorsal fin; in typical specimens of
Tr. draco it is at most 5.9 'i and 11.9 K respectively. The length
of the base of the second dorsal fin is only 47.7 °i of the length of
the body; in typical specimens of Tr. draco it is at least 49.2 %.
The length of the lower jaw is 13 "» of the length of the body,
53.9 % of the length of the head, and 27.4 % of the length of the
second dorsal fin : tlie highest corresponding ratios I have found in
typical specimens of 'Tr. draco are 12.4, 52.4 and 24 respectively.
Above the anterior corner of each eye there are 3 spines; in per-
fectly typical specimens of Tr. draco I have never found more than
2. As far as I can judge frojn six measured, typical specimens of
Tr. draco, 3 cf and 3 9i however, it is most correct to regard this
intermediate form, though a o" specimen, as being, in most of these
peculiarities, the result of an abnormal development of the external
female characters. — Cf. with regard to the influence of the sexual
characters on the development of form in the Salmonoid family, Smitt,
Eiksmuseets Salmonider, Vet.-Akad. Hand!., Vol. XXI, No. 8, pp.
204, 289, and several other passages.

The body of the great Weever is long, compressed,
and thickest at the top of the head, but even there
the greatest thickness i.s only Va of the greatest depth
of the body. The length of the head varies between
21 and 24 % of the length of the body. The longi-
tudinal diameter of the ej'es in j^oung specimens until
about 250 mm. long, is between 21 and 20 % of the
length of the head; in older specimens it is between
18 and 17 %. The scales of the body are oblong and
set in very distinct, parallel, transverse roAvs, which
run obliquely downwards and backwards, and are about
80 in number". The cheeks, temples and operculum
are covered with very small scales. The nostrils are
small and situated above the preorbital bone: the an-
terior, which is the larger, has a grooved flap in the
posterior margin; the posterior looks like a slit. The
first three spinous rays in the first dorsal fin are fairly
close together at the roots, the last three farther apart.
The second or the third ray is the longest. We may
sometimes find one or two of the rays longitudinally
(sagittally) divided from in front. The fin Yn&y be
hidden in its groove, but also admit.s of being sharply
raised, so that the first ray points somewhat forward.
The second dorsal fin, like the anal, which is still longer
than it, is fairly uniform in height: the rays of the
latter fin are thick and covered with a .skin, which
projects at the side almost like a flap. The caudal fin is

" In the lateral line their number is from 77 to 85.
Scandinavian Fishes.

truncate or only slightly concave. The pectoral fins
are truncate, with If) or Hi rays, tin; two ujjpermost
being generally .simple, the next 8, 9 or 10 (juadrifid,
or the last of them deeply bifid, and the last 5 or 6
thicker and bifid at the tip, or the lowest ones simple.
In the axil is a broad dermal flap, which is scaleless,
but in other respects resembles the structure which
exists at the same spot in Brama (see above). The
ventral fins are set close together and small, measuring
between 8 and 10 % of the length of tlie bod}'. The
lateral line i.'< almost perfectl)- straight and runs nearer
the back than the belly, but slopes .somewhat down-
wards at'-the base of the caudal fin.

The Great Weever is adorned with fairly bright
colours, which in a strange way shift into one another
in the form of broken, oblique, narrow bands. The
first dorsal fin is dark in front, with den.se, large, black
spots and reddish brown rays, and light behind. There
is a dark spot on the anal fin too, near the ninth ray.
The posterior dorsal, the colour of which, with the
exception of the spot, is reproduced in the anal, is
whitish at the base, with a yellow .stripe along the
middle, and edged with blue. For the other details of
the coloration we may refer to the figure.

As the abdominal cavity is fairly small, though it
extends even behind the vent, the digestive canal lies
in spiral coils. The stomach small, but fairly thick
and firm. Six pyloric appendages. The liver consists
of two lobes, the left considerably larger than the right,
to which the gall-bladder is attached. No air-bladder.
The urinary bladder long and fairly narrow. The
generative organs are situated in the posterior part of
the abd(jminal cavity. The dorsal column consists of
40—42 (10 or 11-1-30 or 31) vertebra-.

No external difference between the sexes in this
species is yet known. Though Costa states that the
male has only 5 spinous rays in the first dorsal fin,
while the female has 6, this difference, in Sweden at
least, does not hold good. In the females, however,
as a rule, the head seems to be longer and the distance
from the middle of the tip of the snout (which is some-
Avhat concave, as the preorbital bones project forward)
to the beginning of the dorsal fin so much greater than
in the males, that in 3 females and 4 males we have
found the length of the lower jaw, without exception,
j in the former less, in the latter more, than 63 % of

17

130

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

this distance. In all three females this distance is also
considerably greater than the greatest depth of the
body, while in the males it is only slightly greater or
even less than the depth, which in the females varies
between 81 and 88 % of the distance in question, in
tlie males bet\veen 93 and 103 %.

The usual length of tiie Great Weever on the coasts
of Scandinavia is between 22 and 30 cm.; but speci-
mens are also found up to 37 cm. or a little more in
length. It occurs along the whole west coast, from
Bergen in Norway to the south of Scania and into the
Baltic as far as the coast of Prussia, where it is, ho\v-
ever, extremely rare. To the south it is common as
far as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It gener-
ally lives alone; but at certain spots and certain sea-
sous, periodically for a number of years, as IvROYEii
states, and especially during the summer months, whole
boat-loads are taken in seines and bottom-nets (Danish
bniiihidrn). It is greatly dreaded by all fishermen, who
generally throw awav all the Weevers they may happen
to catch on the hook, in the net or the seine. The
cause of this dislike and dread is the fact that the
fisherman is often very painfully wounded by the sharp
spinous rays of the first dorsal fin or the still stronger
opercular spine. All these spines are furnished with a
real poison-organ, which only needs special contractile
muscles to be fully comparable to the corresponding
organs of the venomous snakes. The rays of the first
dorsal fin have on each side a comparatively deep groove,
in which lies a small saccate poison-gland, superiorly
attenuated into a fine duct. On the inside of the mem-
brane of this glandular sac and of the duct we find
an epithelium of cylindrical cells, filled with graimles
ol a translucent yellow, 0.025 — 0.020 nnu. broad and O.i
mm. (or more) deep". The jjoison-organ of the oper-
cular spine is similar, but larger. This spine has on
tlu- outside a longitudinal ridge, the free margin of
which is expanded on each side (upwards and down-
wards), and thus partly covers the two glands, the rest
of which is covered by the skin and the extensors of
the operculum. The quantity of poison which can enter
the wound caused by one of these spines, is of coui'se

extremely small; but none the less its effects on several
occasions have proved quite equal to those of the sting
of the viper. "iV strong young fisherman near Hahn-
stad," says Dr. Ratzky', "had caught a Weever. In
detaching it from the hook he was wounded in the
finger. The wound gave him intolerable pain, and
within an hour his arm, and even his head, were
swollen. The swelling afterwards extended over the
^\■hole upper part of the body. Then followed painful
headache and a desire to vomit. Several small blisters
appeared along the arm. Hereto were added feelings
of suffocation, deep mental depression and sleeplessness.
The skin assumed a yellowish green colour over the
whole body. Only thx'ee drops of blood had oozed from
the wound. Several leeches were applied to the arm
affected, and they died soon after, as if they had been
poisoned .... The part immediatel)- surrounding the
wound became gangrened." By maintaining the bleed-
ing caused by the leeches, by giving vapour and warm
baths and applying opium plasters to the wound, the
pain was relieved; but it was a month before the pa-
tient could be discharged from hospital. At the same
time Dr. LandeberCx of Stromstad wrote; "Most suf-
ferers, who do not obtain speedy assistance, die on the
sixth or seventh day of gangrene''." On other occa-
sions, perhaps in consequence of the patient's consti-
tution, the results of wounds caused liy the Weever
are, however, very slight, though violent pain always
follows. The surest way of relieving the pain is to
open the wound with a knife iunnediately and bathe it
^vith cold water, dropped into the wound from a height,
as long as any burning sensation is felt. In Bohuslan,
says Fries, it is held to be a sovereign I'emedy to cut
open the belly of tlie fish that has caused the wound,
take out the liver and at once make the patient eat
it. This remedy, strange as it may appear, is never
omitted. "At Fredrikshavn," writes Schmidt, "it is a
favourite pastime of the boys to fish for Weevers in
the harbour, and when they go fishing, they take with
them a bottle of hartshorn or, still more commonly,
of aquafortis, which they apply to the wound im-
mediately, if they are stung by a Weever."

" According to ScilMinr (1. c.) these cells have no special memhraiie, and he describes tliem, as well as the otlier cells in the epi-
theliiMii, as supporting cells.

* Tidskr. f. LaUare ocli Plianii. 1834, p. 125.

"■ Death is, however, only an exceptional consequence. Schmidt (1. c.) knew of no such case. Still, he also regards as exceptional the
cireuiiislance wliich Kuhykr asserts to be borne out "by his own experience and tliat of others," namely that the consequences of the sting
of Ihr Wecvor are sonictiinc^s no worse than those of the prick of a pin.

LESSER WEEVEH.

131

The Grent Weever lives in wntcr of a iiiodei-ate
depth with a sandy buttom. It buries itself in tlie
sand and keeps in hiding, in order more suddenly
to attack its i)rey, which consists of small fishes and
crustaceans. The spaAvning-season occurs during the
summer months, when it goes nearest shore and is
oftenest caught. Its flesh is said to be of excellent

fla\()ur, but, as we have mentioned, it is generallv
thrown away by tlie fishermen.

The ccMunion name of the species in Bohuslan is the
one we have given. The same name occurs also in other
districts, though the pronunciation is somewhat changed,
e. g. Fdrsing. Fjdsing etc. In Norway, according to Asca-
Nius, it is called Kveise. (Fries, SMrrr.)

LESSER WEEVER.
TRACHIN[TS VJPERA.

Fis. ?,b.

No pyeorbital or su'praorhitaJ spine. Anterior dorsal fin black, ivith 6 spinous rays. Second dorsal fin., as well
as the annl. irifJi nhoitt 24 rays. Cheeks naked. Greatest depth of the hodi/ ahont 20 or 21 % of the length.

Fig. 35. Lesser Weever. Natural size.

R. hr. r, ; //. 6 24; A.
+ ,r; L. lat. (i2 ( + 4 caud).

23

P. 1+ 8 + 5 ; V.

U. .r+10

Si/n. Boderemi ou Bois de Roc, Ddh.4M., 7V. d. Peches, II, sect.
VI, p. 135. tab 1, fig. 2.
Trachinus vipera, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. Ill, p.
254; Kroy., Danm. Fishe, vol. I, p. 71; Nilss., Shand.
Fn., Fisk., p. 46; Gthr, Vat. Brit. Miis., Fish., vol. II,
p. 236; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturw.
CI., LVI (1867) 1, p. 607; D.\y, Fish. G:t Bvit., Irel.,
vol. I, p. 81, tab. XXXI; Lillj., Sv., Nonj. Fiskar, vol.
I, p. 89.

Among the older collections of the Royal Museum
from the time previous to 1839, is a jar labelled "Tra-
chinus ilraco, Fiirsing, — Suecia — ," but containing,
in addition to a specimen of tlie Great Weever, the
Lesser Weever which we have tigured here (tig. 35).
The reasons for the inclusion of this species in the
Scandinavian Fauna which have been given by Kr0Yer,

NiLssoN and Lilljeborg, thu.-< find a further support.
With this exception the Lesser Weever has not been
observed on the coasts of Scandinavia. In Eng-
land and France and in the Mediterranean, on the
other hand, it is as common as the preceding species,
if not more so, and is all the more feared as its small
size — it is said never to exceed 135 ram. in length
— renders it less easy to distinguish, when it is caught
with other fishes. Its colouring, too, is duller: the back
is yellowish gray^ the sides silvery and the belly yellow;
but the scales are punctated with brown dots, which
are collected into a row of spots below the lateral line.
The top of the head is marked with spots formed of
black dots. Instead of describing it we shall give in
the following table a comparison between the specimen
of the Lesser Weever which belongs to the Royal Mu-
seum, and 7 specimens of the preceding species.

132

SCANMMNAVIAN FISHES.

Length of the body in milliniftres -

1) Greatest depth of the body in % of the length of the body

9\ .. „ distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout .

, „ length of the body —

,, „ head ,,

„ „ lower jaw „

»> H )■

3) Length

4) „

5) „

e) „

7) „

8) Longitudinal diameter of the eye ,,

9) „ ., „ „ „ ,.

11 ») J

head .

„ „ distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout.

„ „ length of „ second „ „ _

„ ,. „ „ the head

„ „ least depth uf the tail

10) Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout in '/^ of the length of the body

11) Length of „ „ „ „ ,> „ ., ,, „ n v .i

12) „ „ „ „ „ „ ., ,> „ :, ., M V low" i«w

13) „ „ „ „ „ „ ,> „ >. ,. >. V » second dorsal fin...

in % of the length of the l)ody._ •

,, ., „ head —

, distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout.

length of the lower jaw _

,, ,, „ first dorsal fin

„ ., ., body..

14) Least depth of the tail
If.) „ „ „ „ „

16) ,, „ „ ., n

17) n V »» 11 11

18) „ ., ,. „ .,

19) Length of the second dorsiil tin

Trachinus
viper a.

83
21.1
94.6
24.7

14.7

59.5
(JU.o
33.6
24.4
83. H
22.3
10.1
69.0
23.1

7.2

29,2
32.4
49.2

71.4

43.7

Trachinus draco.

189

15.3
81.7

22.2

11.6

52.4
62.0
23.6
21.0
86.2

18.7
9.4

80.9
19.1

5.4

24.3
28.7
4G.4
57.3
49.2

2a'cf+19

Average.

2cfcf + 19

229

17.3

93 »

22.5

11.9

52.9
64.6
23.9
20.5
77.1

18.4
9.4

79.2

18.8
5.9

26.5
32.4
50.2
63.4
49.9

285

16.9

93.8
22.5

11.6

51. G
64.4

22.7

17.8
(i9.5

18,1

9.5
81.7
18.7

5.8

25.6
32.0
49,6
60.5
51.1

Where the ratios in this table run uniformly through
all four columns, rising, as in 19, or falling, as in 8,
they naturally indicate a common direction of develop-
ment, in which our specimen of Trachinus vipera, as
being least, represents the lowest stage; but where this

is not the case, especially where difference of sex in
other fishes, too, takes, a prominent place, as in 2, 6, 15,
16 and 17, we see that Trachinus vipera — as far as we
can judge from one specimen — represents a branch of
development where the male characters are predominant.

T(I,\I)-1-IS1IKS.

Fam BATRACHIDiE.

Bodji tadpole-sliapcd, posterlarli/ coiitjin'a.'icd, (luterioiiy terete witit Ijroad, Jtut head. Scales small and cycloid.
Eyes small, and directed more or less upwards. First dorsal fin short, -with strong spinous rays; second dorsal
long; anal similar in form to the second dorsal, hut sJiorter. Basal Ijones of tJie pectoral fin flat in the external
{distal) part, hut elongated, and anteriorli/ (in the proximal jiart) narrow". Jaw-teeth of uniform size and pointed,
set in a card, or some of thou larger and ohtuse. Vomer and palatine hones also furnished with numerous teeth.
Lips fringed. Lateral line continuous or hrokeii : the rest of the system of the lateral line and of the muciferous
ducts liighly developed. Only three perfect branchial arches. (Ull-openings confined to the sides in front of the
pectoral fins. No pseudohranchia}. Air-hladder more or less completely divided in a longitudinal direction, or

hrohen up into two rhamJiers with a communication between them.

By the broad, flattened liead and the loose, slippery
skill, which is covered witli extremely small scales or
even naked, these fishes are [ilai'ed in aliout the same
relation to the Weevers as the Cottoids to the Scor-
pajnoids. We have fnrther proof that the natural place
of the Batrachoids in the system is by the side of the
Weevers, not only in the arrangement of the fins and
the otlier characters given above. Both tliese families
have another common peculiarity in the poison organs
wliicli they possess. Gunther'' has described these or-
gans in tlie genus Thalassophryne from Central America,
which belongs to this family. They are situated, as
in the Weever, on the operculum and in the spinous
rays of the first dorsal tin, but are still more highly
developed. The opercular spine is perforated, like the
fangs of the true vipers, and not merely grooved, as
in the Weever, the spines of which in this respect re- I
seml)le the fangs of venomous colubrine snakes.

By the side of this poison organ in some Batra-
choids is another, which, hoAvever, belongs rather to
the system of the lateral line and of the muciferous
ducts, and the venomous pi'operties of which are not
yet fully demonstrated. The advanced development of
the system of the lateral line is not confined to the :
head, with the usual, but numerous, branches, especially
in the suborbital ring, where there is sometimes a row
of pores hidden under a peculiar, longitudinal, dermal
flap; but also extends to the trunk. This appears most
distint'tly in the genus Porichthys, from both the east

and the west coasts of America, in which the poi-es of
the lateral line, at least during youth, are especially
distinguished by a golden-yellow, cornea-like substance
in tlie openings. In this species the branches of the
lateral line run, as usual, in graceful curves on the
head and the middle of the sides, but also on the
operculum and the branchiostegal membrane, as well
as on the lower side of the lower jaw and on the
belly itself, in curves which surround the ventral fins,
ascend on the anterior side of the lobate base of the
broad, pectoral fins, and surround tlie vent. Another
branch slopes down from the axil to the lower part of
the side, and then follows the base of the anal fin for
some distance. Another branch of the lateral line,
a dorsal canal, runs close to the base of the second
dorsal fin. In the genus Batrachus, on the back of
the pectoral fins, we find a row of pores from which
oozes a slimv moisture, and in the axil of these fishes
is a cavity beneath the skin, which in some species
opens into a liole in the corner of the shoulder. The
properties of the secretion formed in this cavity are
not yet known; but Guntheh" endeavours to explain
it by a comparison with a similar structure in the same
part of the body in certain Siluroids, where the poisonous
properties of the secretion are more probable, as it is
emitted at the base of the defensive weapons these fishes
possess in the strong, serrated spines of the pectoral fins.
The ventral fins of the Batrachoids are remarkable
not only for their jugular position, but also for their

" In Batrachus Facifici, the only spuoies the skeleton of which I have been enabled to examine, I find 5 basal bones belonging to the
pectoral fins, or one in excess of the ordinary number. The uppermost is narrow and terete, and has no rays of the pectoral fin articulating
with it. The 3rd and 4th from the top are considerably narrower than the rest. The lowest of all is the largest and broadest.

'' Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G4, p. 155.

' Introd. to Stud;/ of Fi.'ih, p. 102; Handb. Ic/ilhi/oL, p. 120.

134

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

structure. Their spinous ray is consideral)ly stunted
in ofrowth, and is firnilv united to the base of the first
soft ra)'. The hitter, on the other hand, is all the
longer, is closely and distinctly articulated, but simjjle
(undivided), and on the outside has a dermal fold,
^\■hich is bi'oader at the middle and generally marked
with transverse stripes, and which gives this ray an
acinaciform shape. The second soft ray is so deeply
branched, that it appears to be formed of two rays:
inside of this ray we sometimes find in some species,
at its base, a small cartilaginous disk, which is perhaps
to l)e regarded as a remnant of those parts of these
tins which have disappeared with this exception.

The singular appearance of the Bati-achoids is fur-
ther enhanced by the filaments which fringe the cheeks
and the margins of the jaws (lips), and often occur
even on the ujjper margin of the orbit.

The suborbital ring is very little developed; it is
generally without any osseous structure wluitever".

In order to comprehend the relation of these fishes
to the other Anomalopteri, especially to the Gohio-
moyplii it is of interest to remember the observation
made b}' Stoker, that the fry are furnished with a
ventral disk, which disappears with age, and with
which they attach themselves to stones and rocks.

The family contains only few species'', most of
them belonging to the tropic seas.

Genus BATRACHUS.

Three spinoii.^

rdi/.-! Ill the first (hrsal _fiii. Suboperculum and operculum furnished with spines. Head naked;
the trunk ivith or icithout scales. Caudal Jin u-ith about 12 hranclied rai/s.

Obs. Jordan and Gilbi
genus, in which, according 1
should not be included. They
which are completely destitute
be followed in the definition
cannot demand many genera w
the European species must, in
Batrachus, for this species,

iRT'' suggest another definition of this

0 their opinion, the European species

refer to this genus only those species

of scales. Whatever principles are to

of the genera — convenience alone

ithin a family witli so few species —
any case, be retained within the genus

as even Joepan and Gilbert mention.

was the generic type employed by Block-Schneider (1. c), who in-
troduced the genus into the system.

If we retain Gunthek's division of this family into
genera, most of the species belonging to it must be
referred to this genus, \vhich consists of voracious
shore-fishes, belonging to the tropic and temperate seas,
and living on small fishes, crustaceans and mollusks.

THE EUROPEAN TOAD-FISH.
BATRACHUS DIDACTYLUS.

(Plate X, fig. ]).

Trunk covered ivith scales. The axillary sac opens into the upper corner of the axil. Three opercular spines,

the ttvo uppermost belonfjinff to the operculum proper, the longer one to the suboperculum. Jaiv-teeth and palatine

teeth pointed. No filaments above the eye- Second dorsal fin ivith 20 {21) rays; anal ivith 16 {17).

E. br. G: D. 3/20 1. 21''; A. 10 1. 17; P. 22— 25^ F. 1/2!

a.-^ ,p-f 12 + .V.

Sun. Gadus Tau, Bloch, Naturg. Fish. Deutschl., II, p. 170, tab.
LXVII, fig. 2 et 3; Bl., Schn. (Batrachns),Si/st.Ichth>/oI.,i,.4:i.

Batrachus didactylus, Bl., Schn., 1. c, p. 42; Gthr, Cat.
Brit. Mus., Fish., Ill, p. 170; Stkind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss.
Wien, Math. Naturw. CI., LVII (1868), I, p. 419, tab. V;
Malm, Gbys, Boh. Fn., p. 466; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 21; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske,

" A preorbital bono, however, is sometiiiios present, e. g. in Bntraclms Pacifici.

' 12 species, distributed among the three genera mentioned above, are adopted in Gunther's Catalof/ue.

' S;/n. Fish. A'. Amei:, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 750.

'' Sometimes 22, according to Steindachneu.

' According to Steindachnkr: in Nilsson's specimen we have found P. l-f-20-1-1.

/ (J. 13 according to NiLSSON. The caudal fin of the specimen is damaged. BLOcn found only 12. Agassiz found only 10 branched
ra_ys in tlie caudal tin. In a specimen from Cadiz, the original of our figure, and obtained for ns by Prof. Steindachner, we find C. 2-fl2
-|- 1 . Ill anotluT specimen from Cadiz, presented to the Royal Museum by Professor Giglioli of Florence, ('. l-|-12-t-2.

EUROPEAN TOAD-KlSll.

135

p. 42, lull. VII, fig. 5; LiLU., ^u., Nunj. Fid:, vul. I,

p. 740.
Batvaclms burealis, Nilss., J'rodr. Iclitli. Scciiul., p. 90: KiidY.,

Damn. Fiske, I, 473 et 603; Nilss., ISkaiid. Fn. Fi.ik.,

p. 2,'i4; Id., OtVers. Vel.-AUa.l. Forh. 1863, p. 502.
Batracliii.t pitnctntHn, A(7.\ss., Cuv. (in Si'i.\, Pise. Bra.sil., p.

133, tab. LXXIV); Jintr. nonsjncillwn.. B. jntnctulattts, B.

barbaUis, Cuv., Val., Jlist. Nat. Poiss. XII, pp. 495—498;

Batr. plaw'frons et /I. alijcriensis, GuiCH., E.vpl. iScioit.

Ahjer., PoiKs., p. 81, tab. 5; — vide Gthr et Steind. (1. c).

Tlie iiiiiiu'ruus iiaincs wliich this spccit's hns horiic
;ire a. .sufficient proof how tircntly its appwiriirice may
vary. This is tnie fir.st of tlie colouring, which varies
considerably according to age. The ground colour is
brown, shading into lilack, on the lower part ol the
sides becoming paler or changing into white between
the large brown or blackish spots which occur even in
the form of oblique bands on the unpaired fins, while
the spots of the pectoral fins are smaller. Young spe-
cimens, according to STEiNnACiiNER, have black, trans-
verse bands on the top of the head, and one black
band on the sides of the head, starting from the inferior
orbital margin do^vuwards in a forward direction, and
another in a backward direction. These bands, like
the boundaries of the spots on the body, become in-
distinct or even vainsh Avith age, while the skin grows
thicker and the scales of the body also become in-
distinct.

^^'it!l regard to the changes of growth in the form
of the body Steindachker, who had examined speci-
mens fi'oni about 100 to 260 mm. in length, states
that the diameter of the eyes changes from ^/j to V?
of the length of the head to the ti]) of the uppjermost
opercular .spine, and that in voung specimens the length
of the snout is less than the diameter of the eye, in
old ones more. The length of the head varies between
^^,5 and a little more than Vs of the length of the
bod}-; its ])readth increases with age". The dental
equipment of the jaws and of the palate also increases
witli age: in young specimens there are two rows of
teeth in the front of the lower jaw, in older ones three
or four: in the former 3 rows in the front of the in-
termaxillary bones, in tiie latter 5; in the former one
vow on the head of the vomer, in the latter tAvo
transverse roAvs; and though the palatine teeth are set
in one row, in the oldest s])ecimens Ave find tAvo roAvs
in the front part of the palatine bones.

< M' the numerous peculiarities described by GuN-
THER (1. c.) in tJK! osteology of the Toad-Fish, Ave slrrill
call attention only to tlie singular bones Avhich serve
as a connecting link between the coalescent tir.st and
second neural s|)incs (to Avhicii the supraoccipital bone
is also united by a. ])rocess) and the upper jjart of the
clavicular Ijones, which articulate Avith these; two bones,
as is also shown in Steindachner's figure. These bones
correspond t(j the first pair of ribs; and in Batr. paci-
fici at least, we hnd distinct ribs attached just below
the hind ])art of the ccjnnexion betAveen the neural
spines mentioned. The posttemporal bone in tliis species,
as in Lophhts, is united to the mastoid bone {cpioticum).
The top of tlie su])raclavicular bone articulates with
the loAver side of the mastoid process thus formed.

According to Steindachker BatracJnis didacfj/Ius
is common near Cadiz and Gibraltar. Guiciienot, through
Desiiayes, obtained a specimen from Oran. Near Lis-
bon too, the species is knoAvn; and Bloch (Schneider)
had specimens of it from Guinea. The Mediterranean
and the neighbouring parts of the Atlantic thus seem
to be its true home; but north of Portugal it has been
found, to the best of our knoAvledge, on only one single
occa.sion, and that too, at a considerable distance from
its ordinary habitat. This find is one of the treasures
in the Museum of Lund University, and is a specimen
2 dm. in length, Avhich, about the year 1820, was
procured by Baron Gyllenst.jerna from some fishermen
belonging to the fishing- village of j\l6lle near Kullen,
and presented by him to Nilsson, who has described
it (1. c). In its stomach Avere found a Avhelk {Bucci-
niini refictdatum), a crab {Cancer depurator) and a
fragment of an Ophlura.

Of the way of life of the European Toad-Fish we
have no other detailed information; but of a species
very closely related to it, the North American Batra-
cJms tau {The common foadfish) Storer* has given a
very noteAvorthy description. This fish, as Avell as,
in all probability, the European species, generall}- lives
in shallow Avater near shore. It prefers shalloAv inlets
Avith a sandy or muddy bottom, Avhere it can hide
among the Aveeds {Zostera marina), or takes refuge
under stones among the rocks. Where the Avater is
only a fcAv inches deep at Ioav tide, one may often see
the sand scratched aAvay at the side of a stone so as

" Bloch says that bis specimen 1 ft. in lengUi was 4 in. broad.
* Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts. Sc, n. ser., vol. V (1855), p. 272.

136

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

to form a liollnw, perhnps ;i foot in widtli, \vhich ex-
tends under the stone. If one ai)]n'oaches cautiously,
one may see the head of a Toad-Fish peeji out. The
tish is not easy to see, but with a little care you can
distinguish its broad mouth, the fine, graceful filaments
on its jaAVS and the rest of its head, and its eyes, which
are really beautiful. Occasionally, too, a lai-ge portion
of its body is in sight; but at the slightest noise it
draws back under the stone, soon to reappear once
more. It lies here perhaps only in order safely to
conceal itself, or perhaps to watch for its prey; but
during July and August it seems to be engaged other-
wise: at this time it apparently keeps guard over its
eggs or its young. The eggs — of the size of dust-
shot — adhere to the bottom of the stone, or, it may
be, several hundred tiny Toad-Fish have attached them-
selves there by the help of the disk which surrounds

the Ijase of the still nnabsorbed yolk of the egg. If
one drives the parent fish from the hole, it soon hurries
back again". In winter, in Massachusetts, the northern
portion of its geographical range, the Toad-Fish appar-
ently withdraws on occasion to deep Avater; but dur-
ing this season it generally buries itself in the mud
and lies there in a torpid state.

If our European Toad-Fish, as is highly probable,
leads the same or a simiku' life and is also a distinct
shore-fish, it is remarkable in the highest degree that
it has been found off Kullen, but neither on the coast
of France, nor in an}' other place north of the Spanish
Peninsula. Perhaps Nilsson is right in his assumption
that this fish has been found on more than one occa-
sion and at more than one spot, but has been thrown
away by tlie fishermen on account of its resemblance
to the Cottidce.

'AM.

LOPHIIDiE OR PEDICULATI.

Form of the body variable, flat or oral. Skin naked, without scales., or tvith scattered protuberances or spines.
Eyes small. First dorsal fin more or less entirely broken up into free, tentacular or spinous rays. Anal fin,
and sometimes the second dorsal, comparatively short. Basal bones of the pectoral fins brachiate, two or three in
number; the rays arficulating only with the lowest of these bones. Jaw-teeth pointed, cardiform, mobile, of uni-
form shape, but often varying in size. Gill-openings set in the form of large or small holes behind or above the
base of the pectoral fins. Branchiostegal rays 6. Gills 2'^!^, 3 or S^/^- Pseudobranchice generally wanting''.
System of the lateral line of average development. Rays of the pectoral fins undivided. Rays of the caudal fin

about 0. Skeleton only slightly ossified.

The genus Lophius" of Artedi and Linnaeus is
replaced in the works of modern authors either, accord-
ing to Cope'' and Bleeker', by a special order, Pedi-
culati or Antennarii — the three species of Linnaeus

{Lophius piscatorius, L. vespertilio and L. Jiistrio) cor-
responding to the three families within this order as
defined by Bleeker — or according to BgxaPxVRTE-' and
GOntiieh^, by a faniily among the Acanthopterygians,

" These observations have received from Rydek (American Naturalist, vol. XX (1886). p. 77) tlie additions that it is the male that
watches the eggs and the fry, that the latter remain fast, as we have described, until the yolk-sac, which forms the adliesive disk, has been
absorbed, and that the young are thus much better capable of free motion, when they leave the egg, than those of other fishes.
In Lophinn, it is true, the pseudobranchioe are present, but they are very small.

' AiiT., Gm. Pie., p. 62; Lm., Syst. .Vat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 236.

<' Trans. Anier. Phil. Soc, Philad., N. ser., vol. XIV, art. V, p. 458 (Pediculati). Cf. also Gill, .-in: Fam. Fish., Smiths. Misc.
Coll. No. 247, pp. XLI and 2. Cut. Fish. E. Coast North Amer., Smiths. Misc. Coll. No. 283, p. 6; Jord., Gilb., Syn. Fish. N. Amer.,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 843.

« Atl. Ichth., tome V, p. 1 {Baudroies = Antennarii).

f Isis, 1833, p. 1200 {Lophidai).

0 Cat. Brit. Mns. Fi.fh., vol. Ill, p. 178.

r.oPHKllDS.

lo7

the place of wliicli in llic s\-.stein accdi'diiig to ('uviF.li's"
(iliinioii is near the (tobioids, hut accordiiip' to (tOn-
'I'iikk's'' here by the side of the 'I'rachiiioids. To raise
the famih' to the rank of an or(h'r, and thus ij_'ive it
an independent place in the system, is indeed the most
convenient course for the systeinatizcr — and on this
])oint it is ])rol)able that some freedom must always
be granted to individual taste — but the procedure
is to a certain degree misleading, if it places us in
danger of overlooking the natural connexion ])et\veen
tlie forms. But Cope, as well as his successors Gill
and .ToKDAN and Gilbert, although they created such
an ordci-, have reminded us of the connexion between
these fishes and the rest of the Eleutherognates".
Furthermore, the most distinctive characters of the
Pediculati have their original ])atterns in the Batra-
choids. Even in the latter the branchiostegal rays are
extraordinarily long; and it is, in the first place, a
greater (even if it be considerably greater) elongation
of these rays — in conjunction with an increase of
the membrane extended ])y them — which in the Lo-
phioids gives the gill-cavity so great a, width and length
posteriorly that it extends under the base of the pectoral
fins, and, in Lopluus, even behind it. This membrane
is also extended, however, by other rays: in Loph'ms
from the upper part of the operculum goes a long and
narrow process, which at the top assumes the form
of a ray, and curves down through the branchiostegal
nuMubrane to^vards the angle of the pectoral fins''; and
other rays, about 20 in lunnber, form a finlike conti-
nuation of the suboperculum in the branchiostegal mem-
brane. The great elongation of the basal bones of the
pectoral fins is also prefigured, as we have already
seen, in the^ Batrachoids. In the Lophioids the lowest
basal bone is always Avanting, and in Lopluus the
uppermost as well; but the lowest of the remaining
ones has taken the lead in development, and supports

tlie whole of the broad pectoral fin on the hind margin
of its wide, upturned top. Tiie breaking-up oi' the
first doi'sal fin into free tentacles and spinous rays
and its removal towards the head, so far that the first
ray may be set right out on the snout, is in fact no
greater diflf'erence from the preceding family than that
between the Sucking-fish {Eclicneis), with its sucking-
disk, and the typical Scombroids. The singular ex-
tension of the mastoid b<;nes {ossa epiotica) in the Lo-
phioids, Avhere these bones, as Bkuhl' has shown,
force themselves between the supraoccipital bone and
other parts of the occipital region and there unite, a
peculiarity which Copk has mentioned as a charactei-
of the Pediculati, appears both in Batistes (among the
Plectognates) and in AnarrhicJias (among the Blennioids).
Again, the character which has been assigned by Cope to
the Plectognates, namely the union of the posttemporal
bone to the skull by means of an osseous connexion with
the mastoid bone {epioticum), has been shown b\- Lill.je-
borg' to l)elong also to Lophius. In the Lophiidee, as
in the Batrachidce, there are only two upper pharyngeals.
The family Lophiidce is further distinguished by
the most fantastic forms assumed by the bodj-; and,
as usual, the form of the body is adapted to the man-
ner of life. Some forms are bottom-fishes with the
body, in most cases at least, flattened; others again
prefer to swim, or literally to crawl, among seaweeds
and coral, and thus have the 1)ody strongly compressed
laterally. All are comparatively ];)Oor swimmers; but
some travel long distances by drifting with loose tufts
of seaweed which are borne away by wave and tide,
or by independently floating in the same way at the
surface, by the help of the air with which they have
inflated their stomach. All are voracious fish of prey,
the small ones being naturally restricted in ordinary
circumstances to smaller victims; but as a proof of
their capacity in this respect we may mention the fact

" Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Tome III (1817) p. 420. Cf. also Cuv., Bhine AnimaU ed. 2, tome II, p. 249 and Cdv., \M..,Hist. Nat.
Poifs.. tome 12, pp. 3.35 etc.

'' Systematic Synopsis, 1. c; I/itrod. Study of Fisches, p. 469, Haiidli. [clilliijol.. p. 332.

'■ "Tliey connect with tlie Percomorplii by the Blenniida^ and BalracliidcF" Cope. "Their relations are more intimate with the
Batrachoid and Blennioid forms, and doubtless they have descended from the same common progenitors," Gill.

'' Bleeker rejjards this process as coirespondinp: to the whole operculum. The larse, tliick and anjrular bone of fairly uniform size
which articulates superiorly with the hyomandibnlar bone — with the outside of which the preopercuhnn has coalesced like an irregular,
longitudinal bar — would then correspond to the suboperculum, while this bone, according to the general opinion, could be represented only
by the triangular bone, furnished witli strong spines in front and with rays beliiud, which is attacheil to the lower end of the operculum.
The intcroperculum. in LopliiuK a triangnlar, foliate bone, armed with a spine at the middle of the posterior margin, and. as usual, joined
by a ligament to the angular part of the lower jaw, is not subject to this dift'erence of opinion.

' Osteologm-hes <ius dem Pariser Pfiamemjarten. taf. 2. fig. 3, 4, 8, 13; taf. 6, fig. 4.

■'' iS'i'., Xorg. Fiskar. vol. I. 707.

Scandinai'ian Fishes, 18

138

SCANDINAVIAN FLSHES.

that on the voynge of the "Challenger" a specimen be-
longing to this family was taken in the Atlantic at a
depth of 1,800 fathoms, namely a Melanocetm Johnsonii
?)■*-, in. in length, with a twisted Scopehis TV, in.
ion"- and 1 in. deep in its stomach, which was in-
credibly distended.

(3f this family we know about 60 species distri-
buted among 14 or 15 genera. Two of these genera.

one species of each, may be included in the Scandi-
navian fauna, the one species, how^ever, only as an
occasional visitor. The family belongs chieiiy to the
Tropics, but also lives in the temperate seas. Most
of the species inhabit the upper regions of the ocean
or keep close in shore; but some species (at least 8)
belong to the deep-sea fauna,.

Gknus LOPHIUS.

Head large, hroad, and like tlie greater part of the lioihj. depressed, with large, horizontal gape, and well armed
with spines on the sides of the skidl" and also on the sithopercidum and the claricnlar hone. Bodij naked {with-
out scales)^ hut furnished with nmierous fringes. Lower jaw, intermaxiUarics, palatine hones, and the outer corner
of the hrond head of the vomer, as well as the upper and lower pharyngeals, strongly armed ivitli teeth. Eyes set
ahouf midway in the upper side of the head'. In the frst dorsal fin 6 rays, the first 3 being tentacular and free
from each other'. Three gills''. No gill-rakers. The gill-openings are large holes behind the pectoral fins, which
have only two basal hones. Two pyloric appendages. No air-bladder. Bays of the caudal fin at most 8; the
uppermost and lowest of these rays undivided. Posttemporal bone united to the mastoid hone.

The genus Lophius, with its two or perhaps four
species, is known on the coasts of all pnrts of the
world except Australia ;ind South America. These
fishes should really be regarded as shore-fishes; and at
least during youth they live in shallow water, but when
older, they withdraw to greater depths. The Atlantic

species, if there be more than one, are distinguished
from the Pacific species — ^vhich may perhaps be also
I'educed to one, to judge by the descriptions — by the
greater number of rays in the second dorsal and the
anal tin, and liy the lack of colour in the mouth be-
hind the hvoid bone.

THE FISHING FROG OR THE ANGLER (sw. m.vrulken or meeulken).

LOPHIUS PJSCATORIUS.

Plate X, fig. 2.

Rays of the second dorsal fin 11 at least' ; rays of the anal fin at least 9''. Dorsal side chorolafe-coloiired or gray,

streaked or grained with black or brown, and sometimes with scattered, small, round, irhife sjiots: ventral side white,

hut the tops of the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins, during youth at least, black or blackish broirn.

R. br. 6; Z>. 1 + 1 + 1+3 11 1. 12; 4. 9--11; P. 20 1. 27?;
V. '/' • C. 1 + 6+1.

jSijii. Bdiqy.'iO'i uXia^^, Aiustot., celt.; Rana, Ovid., cett.; Rana
marina, Cic, cett. ; Rana piscatrix, Belon., cett. : vide
Artedi, Lophins ore cirroso, ^Syn., p. 87.

" On the epiotic (mastoid), pterotic (squamosa), parietal, and frontal bones, and on the upper part of the beginning of the palatine bones.

'' There is no suborbital ring, as also seems to be the case in the other genera of the family, and as is niost generally the case in
the Balrachoids.

' The first is especially well suited for its purpose as a mobile, attractive bait: it is bifoliate at the top, and can be moved in all
possible directions by means of a pivoted articulation with the interspinal bone which lies on the snout. This interspinal bone is common
to the two first rays; the interspinal bone of the third lies farther back on the top of the head.

'^ Still there are, as usual, 4 branchial arches besides the lower pharyngeals. It is the fourth arch that is without branchial lamelhe.

" According to NiLSSON 9: according to Fabek 8.

.'' According to Nii.ssoN and Faber 8.

^ P. 23, according to Vai.rnciennes, Faher, Nir-ssoN, and Moreau.

ANGLER.

139

Lophuis piscatrhv, LiN., Afii/:. Ad. Frid., I, p. 5.0.
■ Lophius piscatoriii.i, LiN., Syst. Nat., ed. X, lorn. I, p. 2.36; Fn.

Siiec, ed. II, p. 108; MCll., ZooI. Dan. I'rodr., p. 38;

Retz., Fii. Siif'c. Lin., p. .-iOS; Fauer, F/.5t7;(> /»/., p. 55;

Ekstk., Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samli. Hixndl., Ny lidsf., hiift. 1,

p. 38; NiLSS., Pcofi/'. Ivhth. :Scaiid., p. 101; Cuv., V.m,.,

/r?s(. iVrt/. Po?,w., vol. XII, p. 344, tnb. 362; Kii., Damn.

Fiske, vol. I, p. 446; NlLSS., Skand. Fn. Fisk., p. 245;

Gaim., Vol/. f.iL, Foiss., tab. 10; Gthr, Ann. Miig. Nat.

Hist., ser. 3, vol. VII, p. I'.U), {:th. X, fig. C — E; In., Drit.

Mits. Cat., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 179; Steind., Stzber. Akad.

Wiss. Wien, Matli. Naturw. CI. LVII (1868), I. p. 421;

Coll., Vid. Stdsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Tilbcgsli. p. 08;

Ceperstr., Ofvers. Vet. -Akad. Fiirli. 1876, No. 4, p. (15;

1870, No. 2, p. 60; Malm, Gbijs, Boh. Fn., p. 466; Winth.,

Nalnrh. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 21; Day, Fi.ih.

G:t Brit., IrcL, vol. I, p. 73, tab. XXIX; MoR., Hist. Nat.

Poiss., Fr., vol. II, p. 180; A. Agass., Proc. Amer. Acad.

Arts., Sc, vol. XVII, p. 280, tab. XVI, fig. 2 — 5, tab.

XVII et XVIII; Mub., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 42; Lillj.,

Sc, Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 757; Hansen, Zool. Dan.,

Fiske, p. 43; tab. VII, fig. 6.
Lophins barhatiis, Montin, Vet. -Akad. Handl. 1770, p. 187,

tab. VII.
{'i)Loplii!is hudcijassa, Val., BuNaf., cett.

Lophius euryptei'us, DCb., Kor., Vet. -Akad. Handl. 1844, p.

63, tab. Ill, fig. 1—3; Nilss., Skand. Fn.. Fisk., p. 251.

The monstrous!}' large, flat head, with the broad,
wide gape, give the form of the Angler an ugly, not
to say hideous, appearance. When distended, the breadth
of the head is considerablj' greater than its length: its
breadth straight across the subopercular spines is then
about ^5 of the length of the body, or about equal to
the distance from the tip of the snout to the end of
tlie first dorsal tin. The depth at this point is only
from ' g to '/- of the length of the body; and the
length of the head from the tip of the snout (the tip
of the upper jaw) to the occiput is oidy slightly more
than ' J of tlie length of the bod}' (from the tip of
the snout). The anterior part of the body thus forms
an almost circular disk, from the posterior quadrants
of which extend the pectoral fins. Behind this disk
the bod}' is still flat, but considerably more slender,
and it tajjers evenly backwards, until at the ba.se of
the caudal fln it becomes laterally coinpres.sed. The
pectoral fins, when extended, are of the rounded form
shown in the figure, and look like the spread wings
of a binl; when folded, however, tlle^' are somewhat
truncate. The singular appearance of the flsh is also
greatly increased by the breadth of the mouth, ^\■hich
is about ' 4 of the length of the bod}-, and 1)}' the

projecting, but rounch'd, lower jaw. Just in front of
the middle nf the liead are .set the S(|uinting and com-
paTatively small eyes", with the iris marked with yellow-
radiating streaks. They are separated by the deeply
concave interorbital space, the margin of which ri.ses
above them in the form of two strong spines, the po-
sterior pointing upwards or .slightly backwards, the
anterior in a forward direction. This supraorbital
margin is continued anteriorh by a row of bony pro-
tuberances. Among the other spines of the head, as
Me have mentioned above, are twn on the ui)j)er part
of the anterior end of the palatine bones, rising behind
the articulation of tlic superior maxillaries. Between
these palatine spines, on each side of the snout, is a
clavate stalk, at the top of which is the smelling-
organ. When depressed, this stalk is like a common
dermal flap, but on closer examination we may find
the one nostril on its anterior side, the other on its
inside. Between these openings lies a cavity lined with
the foliate mucous membrane of the smelling- organ,
and in the centre of the stalk runs the olfactory nerve.
Mid^vay bet^veen these nasal stalks stands the first,
tentacular ray of the dorsal fin, with its green, foliate,
dermal appendage at the top, and at different distances
behind it the one halfway along the snout, the other
at the middle of the top of the head — stand the
other two, long, free ra}'s, with filiform, pointed tips,
Ijut fringed along the sides ^vith dermal appendages.
Behind each ray, at the base, is a small fin-membrane.
The three rays, at least the first two, in the first con-
tinuous dorsal fin, which are united at the base by a
more developed fin-membrane, are like the former rays
fringed and flexible. The distance between this fin
and the tip of the snout is about a third of the length
of the body; and the space between it and the second
dorsal is about equal to the space between the eyes.
The extent of the second dorsal fin, like that of the
anal, is indeed difficult to fix, as these fins are deeply
imbedded in the loose skin; but the length of the former,
which liegins almost vertically above the vent, is a little
le.ss than the length of the head from the tip of the
snout to the occiput, and the height is about "/g of
the length of the head and almost equal to the length
of the longest ravs in the pectoral fins. The anal fin
begins just in front of the perpendicular from the fifth

" 111 a specimen 144 mm. in length (from the tip of the snout) the longitudinal diameter of the eye is 22 \ of the length of the
head from tl;e tip of the snout to the occiput, and 49 % of the distance between the eye and the middle of the snout (the length of the
snout): hilt in a specimen 350 mm. in length these proportions have sunk to 12 and 34 respectively.

140

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

(the longest) ray in the second dorsal, and ends a little | middle of the eye, is especially remarkable. As a rule,

farther l):\ck than this tin; its height (the length of the
longest ray — the fourth or tifth) is ;d)Out equal to
that of the second dorsal. Tlu' hind margin of the
caudal fin is truncate or slightly rounded. Its length
is somewhat greater than that of the pectoral tins. The
ventral tins, the creeping organs of the hsli, are set
far forwai-d on the lower side of the head, just behind
the perpendicular from the hind mai-gin of the eye.
They are oldiquely I'ounded, but almost ti'uncate in
form. Their lengtli is about equal to, or at least * 5
of that of the longest rays in the ])ectoral tins.

Fig. 36. Embryos and young oi Lophius piscatorius. Magnified.
a: three eggs, enveloped in tlie gelatinous membrane, and each con-
laining an embryo; b: one of these embryos with external (pendent)
yolk sac, taUen out of the egg; c: a young specimen already hatclied,
with the yolk-sac almost entirely absorbed, and with a clavate stalk
at the bottom of the sac, which is the rudiment of a ventral fin;
d: another young specimen, with the yolk-sac completely absorbed,
and witli tlio stalk more developed. After Alex. Aoassiz.

The naked and loose, slii)pery skin is chiefly dis-
tinguished 1)V its numerous fringed appendages, which
are wanting, however, on the lower side of the l)odv,
their ai-rangement tiius bearing out the assumption that
their ol)ject is to give the fish when nt rest at the bottom
and wiieu seen from above, a certain resendjlance to
the vegetation growing there. These fringes, which
assume the form of iobate leaves of seaweed, var^■ in
size, and ai-e most highly developed at the edges of
the body, hul ni-c also scattered over the whole of its
ujjper side and over the upjier side of the ])ec1oral hns.
The fringe on each side of the foi-chead, above the

too, a row of small fringes coasts the lateral line and
its branches on each side.

The course of the lateral line may easily be dis-
tinguished by the white spots, or small white trans-
verse streaks on its pores. The lateral line proper
starts from the temporal region, about half-way between
the pectortd fins and the first dorsal, but a little be-
hind this point curves some way downwards (outwards

Fig. 37. Young of Lopliiu.'i pi.-catoritis. a: a specimen somowliat
older than the oldest one in the preceding figure, but still with only one
ra}- in the dorsal, as well as in the ventral fin; I/: the same specimen
seen from above, with the pectoral and ventral tins figured only on one
side; c: a somewhat older specimen, with the rudiment of a new ray
in the ventral fins, on the inner side of tlie first ra\'; it: rays of the
dorsal fin in a somewlial older specimen; e: the same rays in a still
older specimen: /; an older specimen, with the rudiment of a new
ray in the dorsal fin, behind the first two; //: the rays of the ventral
fin in a specimen somewhat older than c, and of about the same age
as that from which fig. e is taken. .-Vfter Alex. Ag.\ssiz.

on the flattened bodv), nearei- and nearer to the lateral
edge, which it afterwards follows all the way to the
middle of the base of the caudal tin. From the temples
the lateral line sends out in a forward direction an
occipital and a parieto-frontal branch, the latter of
which, however, soon divides and sends out a supra-
orbital branch on the snout, while its other division,
the su]iorl)it;d l)i'ancli, ;q)i)arentlv disappears just below
the eyes. In a downward direction from the temples
runs an opercular branch, -whicli lower down (above

ANGLEK.

141

the interoperculal spine) is divided iiiln Ihrcc l)i-;in(hes,
tlic lii'st ;i(l\;incini;' along' llie I'heek, the st-ennd ;d<ing'
the lower jaw, and the (liird in a posterioi' dii'celion
on the hranchiostegal uicnibrane, to thr lower iiiariiiii
ol' tlie base of the pectoral fins.

Thanks to tlie investigations of A. Aoassiz", we
now ha\c coniiih'te information of tlie great changes
which the form of the Angler undergoes during growth.
Off Newport and in Massachusetts l>ay (N. America),
during the month of August, Agassiz found band-
shaped, gelatinous masses floating at the surface, 2 or

end)r\<) is still enclosed in the membrane of the egg
(tig. ;')('), (I and //), the pectoral fins have begun to ap-
pear, in the form of dermal flaps on the sides, behind
the head; and on the back, vertically above them, a
pi'otuberance rises towards the dorsal edge. From this
protuberance the first ray — which subsequently
becomes the second — of the dorsal fin soon rises; and
simultaneously, as soon as the embryo has left the egg
and befoi-e the yolk-sac is entirely absorbed (fig. 36, c),
there apj)ea.rs on each side of th(' belly, l)elow the base
of the pectiM'al fill, a caulifoi-m (jr somewhat clavate

3 feet broad and from 25 to 30 feet long, of a light ! process, which is the rudiment of the first (outermost)

violet-gray colour, but covered with black dots arranged ' soft ray in the ventral fin. This process, which for a

in one layer. The dots are the eggs, in which the ' time (fig. 37, r/) is geniculate, grows longer and longer,

black-coloured embryos are still enclosed (fig. 36, a). , On its inner side (fig. 37, c) there appears the rudi-

Fig. as. Young of Loplihis piscatoriiis. a: vviUi 4 rays in the dorsal fin and with the rudiments of the caudal fln ( + ): I': with 6 rays in
the first dorsal fin, with heterocercal caudal fin, and with the second dorsal and the anal tins almost typical in form; c; the same specimen,

seen from above and less powerfully magnified. After Al. Agassiz.

In their first stages these embryos, or even the hatched ment of a new (inner) ray, and this new formation on

fry, are scarcely recognisable as belonging to this spe- ■ the inner side is repeated once more during the growth

cies. The body is elongated, and the head luj broader of the rays. \Mien the longest of them (tig. 38. h

than in the ordinary fish-embryo. The embryonic tin- | and v) is considerably longer than the whole body of

membranes of the dorsal and ventral edges — on the the fish, the membrane of the ventral fins is also highly

hitter the membrane extends only behind the vent — developed, and the rudiment of the outermost (first)

are united at the end of the tail (diphycercal); and ' ray in tliese hiis (the spinous ray) begins to appear.

the comparati\'eh- thick notochord is almost jieriecth"
straight all the way to this point. But even wliiK- the

Meanwhile the rays of the first dorsal tin (fig. 37, (I,
(' and /' and tiu'. 38, a, b) also increase in the same

" I'roc. Anicr. Acad.. 1. c. Cf. also B.Miii.. American Naturalist, vol. V (1871), p. 785. We hare only very little information, with
this exception, of the propagation of the Angler: we only know that males are rarer than females, and that Thompson estimated the number
of eggs in a gravid female 4'., feet in lengtli to be 1,427,344 (see D.-\Y, 1. c), while B.\iRD calculated that there were at least 432,000 in
the gelatinous mass found by him.

142

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

way in imniber and length, though they never ;itt;iin
so great a length as the rays of the ventral tins.
For a time all the last four rays in this tin are united
liy a membrane at the Ijase (tig. 38, h), until at
last the first ray appears just in front of the second
and above the middle of the eye, being thus some
distance from its future place on the snout, although
the whole anterior part of the tin has advanced con-

first rudiment of which appears on the ventral side of
the notochord (fig. .38, a, +) in the form of two carti-
laginous disks lying below the notochord in the mesial
line of the body, the one in front of the other, just in
front of the boundarj' of the pigment collected on the
rudimentary, rod-like rays in the fin-membrane round
the end of the tail. During the subsecjuent develop-
ment of the tin these cartilaginous disks force the end

Fig. 39. Young l^upluus piscatoiius from the Mc-diteiraneau off Messina. After KiTPELL and Ginther.

Fig. 40. Young Lophiiis jiixcatoriiis (=LnpIi. euryptcrus) from Cliristiansunii (Norway). Natiir.al size. After v. DOben and Koren.

a: seen from above; h: seen from tlic left.

siderabh- from its original situation. The Hat dermal
flaps, the rudiments of the pectoral fins, have steadily
grown, and been furnished M'ith a greater number of
rays; but even in the last stage examined by Aoassiz
(fig. 38, c) the tips of these rays are not yet free. Last
of all appear the second dorsal and the anal fins, which
occupy tiicir ulliuiate situation and mutual ])osition
pr(!tty closely from the lirst, and the caudal fin, the

of the notochord upwards; and at their lower margin,
which e\entually becomes the hind margin of the tail
(the hypural bones), the future rays of the caudal fin
begin to appear (fig. 38, h). This is the usual course
of development of the caudal fin in the osseous fishes, the
caudal fin of which is thus originally ventral, like the
greater (lo^ver) pai-f of the caudal fin in the heterocercal
fishes, and is, strictly speaking, to be assigned to the same

A.NCLKI!.

143

(li\ision of the iiiis as the anal. In the osseous tishes, in
most cases at least, only the u]>|h'i' sii|ipoi'ting I'aysofthe
caiulal till are developed above tlie iiotocliord (dorsally).
The hist staii^es of (le\-elopmeiit in tliis species which
Agassiz has figured, are active young specimens which
rove at the surface of the sea which was their cradle.
The step from their form to the stage tigured by RuP-
IMCLL irom a Mediterranean specimen and described by
Gunthek" (fig. o9), is no very great one. At this
stage the Angler with its fringes, if we compress its
head lalerally, as is shown in the figure, is not unlike
a < '(if Iks or a Scorpcsna. The rays of the pectoral fin,
like those of the ventral, are prolonged in a filiform
shape beyond tlie margin of the fin; and the base of
the latter fin is still more distinctly advanced, in front
of the insertion of the pectoral fins. The first five
ravs of the dorsal fin have received tlieir t}'pical co-
vering of filaments, and the whole of the anterior part
of the doi'sal fin is in its typical jiosition; but the first
rays, especially the first of all, are still comparatively
short, and, most important of all, the head is consid-
i'ral)lv shorter in proportion to the length of the body
at this stage than it becomes afterwards. The fin-
formula now is: 7). 1 + 1 + 1 + 3,12; A. 10; P. 23;
V. ' 5; C. 8. Starting from tliis form Gumther had
no (lifRculty in showing that Loplikis eunjpterus of v.
DuBEN and Koren (1. c.) was a young specimen of the
common Angler. The latter authors obtained their
specimens from the Norwegian coast off Stavanger and
Bergen and from the harbour of Christianssund, where
one specimen (fig. 40) was found actively swimming
at the surface, and was kept alive in a vessel for some
days after it was caught — "it liked to stand upside
down in the vessel, and often, too, swam on its back,
rooting with its snout in the bottom". At this stage
the pectoral fins have their full number of rays, which,
like those of the ventral fins, have lost their long,
filiform tips; but both the pectoral and the ventral fins
are still so large that tliis larval stage may in this
respect be set side by side \vith the largest-finned
Cottlda;. On account of their large size the pectoral
fins are folded internally (posteriorly) at right angles
to the rest of the fin. The fin-fonnula for this stage is
JJ. 1 + 1 + 1+3 12; J. 11; 1'. 27; Y. ' .; V. 1 +G + 1.

The length of the Angler rises in ordinary cases
as liigli as 3 or 4 feet; but it is also stated to have
attained a length of even (i feet. Its life is that of a
treacherous l)andit. It lies idh', but in a carefully
chosen place, at the bottom of the sea, hidden among
seaweeds or stones. It can probably change its colo-
ration, which is by no means disagreeable, to suit the
sni'i-oundings. Sometimes, too, it bui-ies itself in the
mud, with onh' the mouth and the gill-openings free.
In this position it lies in anibusli for its prey. Per-
haps it also allures its prey hj means of the mobile,
anterior rays of the dorsal fin. in this case it must
do so chiefly Ijy means of the fii-st, the double fringe
of whicli may well be capable of imitating in its
movements some small, swimming moUusk, a small fish,
a worm or some other marine creature, if all the tales
of the Angler's cunnino; mode of fishin<j which the
ancient writers, from Aristotlk onwai'ds, have handed
down to us, l)e founded on actual observations. In anv
case, it is true enough that its mouth is a sure gi'ave
for any creature which allo^\•s itself to be enticed too
near the Angler, even if the victim be equal in size
to its devourer. The form of its body, too, is clearly
a })oint in favour of this assumption as to its way of
life, a life requiring no special powers of swimming,
which the Angler does not seem to possess. Ob-
servations have been made, however, which ])oint to a
different conclusion. Couch relates that a fisherman
had hooked a (Jodtish and was drawing up his line,
when he suddenly felt a new bite and a heavier weight
on the line: this proved to be an Angler which had
swallowed the Cod and was drawn up together with
it into the boat, where it was onh' after a heavy
blow on the head that it loosed its hold. A stUl
clearer proof of its activity in pursuit of its prey is
the fact that it has been seen seizing and devouring
swimming-birds'' at the surface of the water, while in
its stomach have been found diving-birds' which had
perhaps fallen victims to its voracity at the bottom of
the sea. Among the tales of its attacking fishes already
hooked, Couch relates that a Conger which had taken
the hook on a long-line, was swallowed by an Angler,
but struggled through its gill-apertui-es and in that
situation ^vas dra^vn up together with it. The Angler,

<" Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 1. c, Introd. Stud. Fish., p. 471 ami Handli. Iclith., p. 3.34.
* Fhalacrocufd.v carlio. Lams iinjentatus, (Jolymbiis glacialis, Anas penelope.
' Uria trail e and AIca tarda.

144

SCAXDIXAVIAX FISIIKS.

like other fishes of great voracity, also swallows what-
e\ei- comes in its wa^-, however liard of digestion it
inaA- be; but its food seems really to consist of Rays,
(nirnards and other bottom-fishes. In some places it
is believed to have a great liking for the fiesh of the
Shark, and the fishermen therefore consider that it does
iiood, and set it again at liberty, if they catch it.
That it is not deserving of this reputation is, however,
shown by the fact that among the fishes found in its
stomach have been Herrings and Mackerel in scores.
Its way of life being of this nature the Angler is
probably of solitai'A' habits: as far as we know, at least,
it has not been met with in any large number at one
spot. The smaller specimens, from 2 to 3 feet in length,
are found in water not more than from 1 5 to 1 S fa-
thoms deep, and sometimes so near shore that they
are left dry at ebb tide; the larger specimens are occa-
sionally taken at a considerable depth, from 100 to
300 fathoms, but according to Agassiz they also move
into the hiorher regions of the ocean in summer during
the spawning-season. The Angler has a geographical
range which includes the Mediterranean and the Black
Sea (Nordmann), and extends throughout the basin of
the Atlantic from the Cape of Good Hope (Lophius
vomenniis, Valexcienxes, 1. c.) to Varanger Fjord
(Collett) and Iceland (Fabek), as well as along the
American coast, north of North Carolina at least (Jordax
and Gilhert); but in Greenland it has never been
found. It does not penetrate far into the Baltic, in the

Sound scarcely farther north than Hven (NiLSSOx and
LiLLJEBORr;). l>ut oft' the east coast of Schleswig-Holstein
it has been caught fairly often (MoBics and Heixcke).
In Bohusliin the Angler, says Maem, "is not so rare as
would generally seem to be the case, partly because
the fisherman regards it with hatred when it is acci-
dentally taken in the net set for other fishes, and partly
because it is so feared by many that the tackle is cut
as soon as the "monster" reaches the surface; and its
captor hurries home in oi'der to get there, if possible,
before the misfortune portended Ini the monster overtakes
]iim." NiLS-sox too, writes of the fishermen on the banks:
"Among other things they believe that on board the
vessel on which an Angler is taken, someone is feg",
i. e. doomed to die soon. They, therefore, never or
hardly ever take the Angler on board, but prefer to
cut the line and thus lose the hook with the fish.
Sometimes, when they have drawn it up to the surface,
and \vhen its wide mouth is open, they cast a stone,
the largest a man can lift, into its throat, and thus
sink it to the bottom." It is, therefore, seldom that
the Angler is made use of in any way, though its
flavour is said to be far from bad.

Lixx.Eus called the Angler hafs-padda (:= Sea-toad,
Skdnska resaii, p. 3"27) and grodqvabba (—Frog-fish,
3Ius. Ad. Fr.). According to Ekstrom and Malm the
most common name for the species in Bohuslan is meridk
(Sea-cottus); according to Cederstrom and Malm it is
called hafidk {liof = mer) in the north of Bohuslan.

Gexus. antennarius.

Head middle-sized, and, tike the Imdy, lateral! ;/ eompressed: month more or less perpendicular, middle-sized, or fairh/
large. Bones of the head a-itlioat spines. Body naked or with sparse, granular papillce or pointed spines, and most
often ivith dermal fringes. Lower jaw, intermaxiUary bones, palatine bones and the head of the vomer, as tvell as the
upper and loner phary)tgeals, furnished with cardiform teeth. Eyes set laterally. In the first dorsal fin three rays,
till' frst tn-o on the snout {in front of the eyes), the third on the front behind the eyes: the first tentacular with foliate
tip and set just in front of tlie base <f the second, the last two strong, spiinous rays, n-ith a more or less developed,
thick fin-membrane behind them. Second dors(d fin considerably longer than the anal. Four gills: but the fourth
branchial ardi u-ith no gilt-slit Ijehind it, and the first u-itli branchial lamelUc only on its inferior part. Gill-rakers
only slightly developed, verrucose. The gilt-openings resemble comparatively small holes in the lower corner of the
axil. Basal bones of the pectoral fins thrre. Ventral fins perfect. No pyloric appoidages. Air-bladder present.
Bays of the caudal fin '.). Bosttemporal bone free, and articulating u-ith the mastoid bone.

The compressed form of the Antennarii (Linn^us)
causes the; characters of the Bediculati to appear here
in a singular manner. Those of these fishes that creep

" Scotch 'fey'. Sw. fey properly = cowardly. Tr.

among seaweed and coral, look like straTige quadrupeds,
the ventral fins taking the place of the forelegs, and the
geniculate, pectoral fins that of the hind legs. Though

I

Ldi'iiioins.

145

some of tliLMH luivi; a liai-d skin, strcn^tliciiud vww b\' , to a high degree. The colouring is especially gorgeous,
spines, those \vliich are now of s]jeei;il interest to us, ! and in this respect some members of this genus rival
have a soft, loose skin, in extreme cnses \vith scattered, tlie most beautiful of fishes; but iiere, too, is a source

nd tliere, as in fjoplrins^

soft, granular papilla', and hci-c a
furnished with dermal fringes, which even (>shf.ck"
supposed to be intended to give the fish a rcsend)lance
to the weeds, as a protection against iishes of prey.
On account of this looseness of the skin, and on account
of their powci- of distending themselves by tilling their
stomach ^vith air or cramming it with food, the form
of these fishes, which is always irregular, and iviiders
the definition of the sj)ecies difficult, becomes variable

of difficulty in the definition of the species, for these
colours are as variable and iri'cgular as they are hand-
some. The genus Antemiariiis really belongs to the
tropic seas; and, in spite of the uncertainty in the de-
finition of the species, it may be assumed to include
from about '20 to 30: Blekiceh assigns 24 species to
the East Indian Archipelago alone. As a wandering
stranger, one of tliese species mav be included in the
Scandinavian fauna-

ANTENXARIUS IIISTKIO.

Skin naked, covered irith soft imp'dUe, irifJi scattered fr'nic/es on the sides (did more numerous ones on the beUy,
tlie lower jaw (with tlie corners of the month) and the thick, free rai/s of the dorsal fin. Second dorsal fin so
long that its posterior rai/s, n-hen laid down, extend farther hack tlian the hase of the caudal fin. Length of
the ventral fins equal to that of the )'ai/s of the pectoral fins. Coloration yellowish or reddish, marbled with white
spots and patches and irregular, broad, brown stripes, irhich form a nctu-ork, ((nd fliree or four of which radiate
from the ei/e. while some cross the second dorsal and the ((n(d fins oblicjuelg, and otJiers the caudcd fin transversely.

Fiff. 41. Antennarius liintrio. from Finmark. Natural size. After v. Duben and Koren.

R. In: 6: D. 1 + 1 + 1 12 = 9 + 3 1. 10 + 2''; A.l'; P. 10'';
T'.'' ',5; C.-' 9 = 1 + 7 + 1.

%». Lopliiiis tiimidus, Lix., il/p(.s\ Ail. Fr., I, p. 56; Osb., OstinJ.
Resa, p. ;305.
Lopliius (Histrio), Odhelius, Chinensia Lagerstromiana, Disp. j
Ups. 1754 (Lin., Aman. Acad., vol. IV, p. 24G). !

Lophius hi.ftrio, p.]).. Lix.. Syst. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 237;

Gill (Pteropln-yne), Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. I (1878), p.

222; JoRD., GiLB., S>/7i. Fislt. K. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat.

Mils., No. 1("), p. 845; Lill,i. (Antennarius), 6'v., Nonj.

Fisl,:., vol. I, p. 775.
Vliironectes lavigatiis, Cuv., Mem. Mus. D'Hist. Nat., tome III,

p. 423. lab. XVI et XVIII.

" "Providentia fortassis hisce f uteris vestivif, uf a rapacibus piscibns confundatur cum Fuco, ue plane destruatur" : Osb., Ost. Resa,
1750—1752, p. 305.

' Out of 17 specimens from St. Bartholomew I find one specimen witli 3 undivided rays at tlie beginning of the second dorsal fin,
then 1 branched (the 4th ray), next 4 undivided (the 5tli — 8th rays) and last 4 branched: most of tlie other specimens have 9 undivided
and 3 branched (9 + 3) or 10 + 2, others 11 + 1 or 8 + 4 or 8 + 3 or 7 + 3.

'' Bleeker gives .4. 7 or 8, only the last 5 or 6 branched. In one specimen from St. Bartholomew all these rays are divided, in
the others Bleeker's formula holds good.

'' .Ml simple. According to Bleeker: P. 10 1. 11. Three of the specimens mentioned above have 9 rays in the pectoral fins and
three 11, all the others have 10.

<■ All simple. According to Bleeker: V. 5.

•'' According to Bleeker: C. 1+7 + 1 or 1+5 + 3. In two of the specimens from St. Bartholomew ('. 8 + 1. i. e. all the rays
except the loAvest are branched: in the others ('. 1 + 7 + 1.

ScoTtdinnvian FIghes.

19

146

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Chironectes pictus, Vli. tumidus, Ch. Imvigatus, Cli. nesogaUicus,
Ch. marmovatus, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Pom., vol. XII (de
his synoiiyinis vide Gthr, Cat.); Ch. jiictu.% Steenstr.,
Vid. Meddel. Natiirli. For. Kbhvn 18G3, p. 208, celt.

Chironectes arcticiis, Dub., Koe., Vet.-Akad. Ilandl. 1844, p.
72, tab. 3, fig. 4 et 5; Nilss., Skand. Fn., FisL, p. 257.

Antennarius mavmoratus, Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mns., Fish., vol.
Ill, p. 185; Coll. (forma picta), Vid. Selsk. Forh. Chr.
1874, Till,T?gsh. p. 69; Bleek., Atl. Ichth., tome V, p. 23,
tab. CXCVIII, fig. 4, tab. CXCIX, fig. 1.

Obs. As CuviEH ha.s remarked, Linn.eus's Lophiiis hi.':trio com-
prehended all the species belonging to the group Aiitvnnnrius. When
LiNNSUS quoted Willughby in Syst. Nat., he clearly referred to
those species also in which the skin is covered with spines; and
Gt'STHEK (Cat., p. 188) has given the Linnaean specific name to one
of these species — Cuvier's (1. c.) Chironectes scaber. First among
his synonyms, however, LlNN^US quotes the Wast(jota-resa (where
the great length of the pectoral fins, among other things, shows tliat
he did not refer to Antennarius scaber) and Museum Ad. Frid.,
Odhelius's thesis and last of all Osbeck's Ostindiska resa. Hence
Gil.L asserts that the Linnsean specific name is most correctly applied
to the species common in the Sargasso Sea of the Atlantic, an opinion
fully borne out by Lilljeborg's examination of the type-specimen
from LagerstrOm's collections, which is still preserved in the Zoolo-
gical Museum of Upsala University.

According to Cuvier this species m^y attain a
length of 8 '/a in- (216 mm.), but specimens of" so large
a size are probably rare. The most usual length seems
to be about 1 dm.", with a depth of 4 or 5 cm., the

latter varying according to the distension of the l^elly.
This fish, which creeps among the sea-weed, where it
feeds on tiny crustaceans, mollusks etc. Avhich have the
same home, occurs frequently in the Sargasso Sea (be-
tween the Azores and America), and in the West In-
dies is also common — the Royal Museum has received
numerous specimens of this species from St. Bartho-
lomew through Dr. A. von Goes. In the Indian Ocean
and the Pacitic, too, it occurs under similar conditions.
It is the intiuence of the Gulf Stream, which has car-
ried man}' other objects from the warmer parts of the
Atlantic as far as the extreme north of Norway, that
explains the fact tliat in 1826 two specimens of this
species were found among the Capelins, off VardO in
the Arctic Ocean. One of these specimens, 47 mm. in
length, which is preserved in Bergen Museum, has been
minutely described by v. Duben and Koren under the
name of Chironectes arcticus. Steenstrup restored it to
its proper species by showing that the singular penni-
form appendages mentioned in the specific diagnosis of
the above authors, are really parasitic crustaceans {Pen-
nella sagittata), which are known to be of frequent
occurrence in Antennarius histrio.

Since this occasion the species has never been found
in Scandinavia.

COTTOMORPHI or SCLEROPAKEI.

The suborbital ring united to the preoperculum J>g an osseous conne.vion. Dorsal spinous rays strong and stiff.

Ventral fins free, thoracic or jugular, often with less than .5 soft rags. Pectoral fins broad, with broad and

flat basal bones. Branched rays in the caudal fin under 14. Head, as a rule, furnished with numerous spines.

Jaw-teeth, where theg exist, cardiform, weak and of uniform size. Comparatively feu- pyloric appendages. In

most cases a prom/inent u:art {gcnitcd papilla) behind the vent.

These forms are otherwise known as the cheek-
armoured fishes ("Acanthopterygiens a joues cuirassees"),
under which name they were first adopted by Cuvier
as forming a natural whole, in the most essential re-
si>ects corresponding to the three genera Trigla, Scor-
pcBna and Cotfus, which Ahtedi set side by side. They
form a series of families with the most variable forms.

from the almost typical and pure Percoid form of some
Scorpasnoids (Sebastcs) to the monstrous appearance of
others {Scorpmna) and their relatives {Pelor, Synanceia),
where the dermal appendages are still more developed
than in the preceding family, or, in another direction, to
Dactylopterus or Agonus. The universal character which
unites them all, the cheek-armour, is, however, by no

" Accordine; to BuiEKicr, it attains a length of from 8G to IDO mm. in the Dutch East Indies.

coTni.MdKriis.

147

means confined to these fishes. It also occurs l>o1h in
a North Pacific finnily, flcfcrolrpiihc {(Jlnruhf), wliich
is reniarkaldc in se\"eral otiier respects, and which is
now regarded by Gunther" as belonging to the lUcn-
tiomorphi. and in tlie Gobioniorph I'aniilv Ci/cloj)-

teridcr. In the C'ottomorplii the cheek-armour may be
traced thi'ough diffei'ent degrees of development, from
its perfect form in the Trigloid type to the far nar-
rower osseous bridge across the cheek in the true
Cottoids.

Fam. SCORPyENIDiE/

Body perciform {dongated, oral and more or less compressed) or of irrc,giilar shape, without cuirass, covered
reguJarly with scales or naked. The spinous-rayed part of the dorscd fin longer {ivith more rays) than the soft-
rayed ]}(^i't- Anal fin, as a rule, tvith strong spinous rays In the anterior part. Lower rays of the ijectoral fins,
as well as the uppermost 2 or 3, and sometimes all the rays of these fins, simple. Fseudohranchiai, and also, as

a rule, the air-bladder, well-developed.

Most of the genera within this family, including
manj' singular forms Avith long dermal filaments on
the body or with greatly elongated fin-rays, with the
head depressed into the form of a saddle or in some
other way deformed, and manj' of them with brilliant
colours, belong to the sub-tropical and the neighbouring
parts of the temperate seas, especially of the Pacific.
Out of a score of recognised genera with about 200
known species altogether, only two species, each repre-
senting a distinct genus, belong to the Scandinavian
fauna. These two genera, which in their extreme
forms are most unlike each other, are still so nearly
connected by intermediate forms that the boundary
between them is, we may almost say, arbitrary. The

changes of growth in tlie better-known of the Scandi-
navian species, also show that there exists a natural
course of development between these genera, which
starts from the true Scorpienoids, with fewer rays in
the dorsal and anal fins, more spines on the head and
a deeper depression in the forehead, and with the maxil-
laries naked or almost so, and passes to the almost
Perciform Sebastes, with more fin-rays, smoother head
and a closer covei-ing of scales on the maxillaries as
well as on the rest of the body. The last character
is eventually developed to such a degree that in Se-
bastes and Sebastodes, its representative in the Pacific,
small ("accessory", Joed., Gilb.) scales press in be-
tween the ordinary scales of the body.

" Systematic spiopsis in Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish.; see also iSiitdy of fishes, p. 491; Handb. Iclith., p. 350. We must remark, however,
that these fishes have a large number of rays in the caudal fin and are thus distinguished from the rest of the Anomalopteri .
* Gn.L, Canad. Natur., Geol., n. ser., vol. II (1865), p. 247.

148

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus SEBASTES.

Body perfecthj perciform. Interorhifal space otihj sUghthj concave or quite lerel. Supraorhital spines ai/d the
ridges on the top of the Jiead comparatirehj little developed, rreopereuliim irith 5 spines, opercidum iritJt tivo
spinous points. Scales of the bodi/ ctenoid, thichlij covering even the maxiUarics. Eyes large. Dorsal fin con-
tinuous, with 15 strong, sjiinous rays; anal fin with 3. Cardiform teeth on the loirer jair. the interma.riUaries,
the palatine hones, and the vomer. Brancliiostegal rays 7. Vertebrce 30 or 31. Air-bladder present.

Thus defined, the genus Sebastes, originally es- is viviparous, the entire development of the e^g pro-

tablished hj Cuvier" with a wider extension, includes ceeding in the ovaries. This peculiarity extends,

only one species, which belongs to the north of the however, to tlie near relatives of this genus, the

Atlantic. Kroyer was the first' to point out the re- numerous species of the Nortli Pacific genus Seba-

markable way in which it propagates its species. It stodes'.

THE NORWAY HADDOCK (sw. kungsfisken).
SEBASTES MARINUS.

Plate IV, fig. 2 and Fig. 42.

Colouring flame-red, sometimes grayish or brownish red, on the belly paler and sometimes white, with or without
large, irregular, brown spots on the gill-cover and the back. From 30 to 35 pores in the lateral line.

tm

Fig. 42. Norway Haddock \_Sehastes mariims {norvegicxi.<<y], found dead on the coast of Laiigo, near Stromstad, on the 4th of Deccmbec, 1884.

','3 natural size.
a: a part of the lateral line with the adjacent ordinary and accessory scales. Full size.

Forma typica: major, boreali-arctica, iSeb. iiorvei/iciis.

R. bv. 7; D. 14 1. 15 ^ — ; A.-^\ P. 2 1. .'. + (7 1. 8 1. 9)

1.'} — 15 7 — 0

+ (7 1. 8 1. '.I 1. 10) (in summ. 18 — 20); V. '3; C. ,c + 1 1 1. 12 + ,i';

Vert. :il.

V(tr. minor, borealis, Seb. vivipariis.
9

R. br. 7; P. li

8 1. 9 (in summ. 17 1. 18); V. V5; C-'. ,f + 11 1. 12+,i';
Vert. .SO.

" Hist. Nat. Poiss., tome IV, p. 320.

' Naturh. Tidskr., Kbhvn, ser. 2, bd. 1, p. 275 and Voy. >Scand. (Gaijiard), PI. 6.
' JoiiD., GiLB., Sijn. Fish. N. Amei:, Bnll. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. G53.

'' Sometimes 1 + 11 (i. e. one simple and eleven branclied, soft rays), sometimes 1 + 12, and sometimes 2 + 11. Sometimes 14 accord-
ing to LiLLJEBORG.

NOKWAV HADDOCK.

149

iSyii. Perca tnarina, Lin., Sijsi. iiat.. ed. X, toui. I, |i. 200 (t-.\cl. syn.
Art.); Fn. Siiec. ed. II, p. 118; Ltkn (Sebastes), \\d. Mecldel.
Natiirh. For. Kblivn, 1876, p. 358; Mai.m, Gbijs, Boh. Fn.,
p. .^585; WiiNTH., Zool. Dan. Fi.tk-e, p. 11, tab. II, fig. 7;
Id., Naturh. Tidskr. Kblivn, sor. Ill, v(d. XII, p. 9; Com,.,
Vid. Selsk. Forh. Clirist., 1871), No. 1, p. 7; Id., Norsk.
Nordh. Exped., Zoologi, Fiske, p. l.'i, pi. I, fig. 3 et 4;
LiLLJ., Sv., iVory. Fisk., vol. 1, p. 02; Jokd., Gii.b., 6'yji.
Fish. A. Amei:, Bull. U. S. Nat. Miis., No. IG p. 651;
Coll., N. Mag. Naturv., Christiunia, Bd. 29 (1884), p. 52.
Perca norvegica, Ascan., Icon. rer. nat., c;di. II, p. 7, tab.
XVI; MCll., Prodr. Zool. Dan., p. 46; Fabr., Fn. GroeiiL,
p. 167; Uetz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 336; Hollukko {llolo-
eentrus), Beskr. Boh. Fisk., part. Ill, p. 49 cum fig.; Cuv.,
Val. (Sebastes), Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 327, lab. 87;
NiLSS., Prodr. Tchth. Scand., p. 79; Kroy., Danm. Fiske,
vol. I. pp. 159 et 584; I&.y Naturb. Tidskr. Kbbvn, sor. 2,
vol. I, p. 268; Ekstr., Vet., Vitt. Samh. Handl., Ny Tidsf.,
I, p. 36; NiLSs., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 91; GrTun, Cat. Brit.
Mils., Fish., veil. II, p. 95; Morn, Ufvers. V.-t.-Akad. Forh.
1864, p. 508; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Til-
livgsli., p. 19; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel, vol. I, p. 42,
tab. XVIII.
Sebastes viviparus, Kroy., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbbvn, ser. 2, vol.
I, pp. 275 et 281; Ekstr., .Skaitd. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 197,
tab. 49 (Hebastes regiilas in tab.); Id., Vet., Vitt. Samb.
Handl., 1. c; NiLss., iSkand. Fn., Fisk., p. 97; Kroy.,
Danm. Fiske, vol. I (Till.-eg), p. 585; Id., Voy. Scand.
(Gaimard), tab. G; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p.
96; Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pbilad. 1863, p. 333; Ltkn,
1. c; Cederstr., Of vers. Vet.-Akad. Fiirb. 1876; N:r 1, p.
64; Malm. 1. c, p. 386; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1879, p.
9; LiLLj., 1. c, p. 101; Johd., Gii.b. 1. c, p. 652; Coll.,
N. Mag. Naturv., 1. c.

Obs. Kroyer regarded the .smaller form of 6'ebastes mariniis
as a distinct species, S. vifiparns, founding his opinion chiefly on
the difference in the reproduction", the colouring, the breadth of the
interorbital space, the length of the pectoral and ventral fins, the
number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins, and tlie number of the
vertebrse. Hereto Lltken added the difference in the geographical
range of the two forms — the smaller form does not occur, so far
as is known, within the Arctic part of the Atlantic — ; and Collett
pointed out the difference in the direction of the anterior spines of
the preoperculum, a remark which Lilljeborg also applied to the
preorbital spines. Tliis specific difference is indeed marked and mani-
fold enough to be employed in most cases, but on closer examina-
tion, as NiLssON also found, it sinks into an expression of different
stages of development and individual peculiarities. This is true of
the direction of tlie first spine both ou the margin of the preoper-
culum and on the lower margin of the preorbital bone. The changes
of development in Seb. viviparus clearly tend to prove that the po-
sition and the direction of these spines approach more and more to
those they have in the larger form, the so-called Seb. norvegicus.
In the smallest specimens of Seb. viviparus in the Royal Museum,
two specimens from Norw.iy 180 mm. in length, these spines are all
directed backward, the five preopercular spines being situated at fairly
equal distauces from each other, only the upper (posterior) ones a
little closer together — almost as in our figure of Scorjxsna dac-

ti/loptera, though the spines in the young specimens of Seb. vivi-
parus are longer and more pointed — the two preorbital spines being
of fairly equal size and as acutely pointed as the others. The lower
part of the preoperculum is now elongated, and this bone, which was
at first of a fairly regular, arcuate form, approaches more and more
the form of a rounded angle. That this is due to the elongation of
the lower (horizontal) part, and its growth in a forward direction, is
shown just by the fact tlj.it the two lower (anterior) spines grow
farther and farther distant from the three upper spines and farther
and farther apart from each other: the first spine moves nearer the
articulation of the lower jaw. At the same time the first spine gener-
ally grows more obtuse (assumes a broader, triangular form); and in
a specimen from Stromstad, a male 207 mm. in length, the first spine
of the right preoperculum is flat, triangular and directed almost straight
downward, while that of the left preoperculum has the same form,
but the tip of the spine points distinctly in a backward direction.
The transition to Seb. norvegicus in this respect is, therefore, quite
clear. The specimens of the Roj'al Museum also show similar altera-
tions in the preorbital spines, which on the left side of a male Seb.
norvegicus from Archangel, 228 mm. in length, are of exactly the
same form and direction as on the same side of a female Seb. vivi-
parus from Siicke Fjord (Stromstad), 251 mm. in length. In the
large specimens of Seb. norvegicus we find, however, a character which
we have never observed in Seb. viviparns, namely that the anterior
margin of tlie posterior preorbital spine is sometimes furnished with
2 or 3 serrate teeth pointing downward. The pointing of the lower
jaw in Seb. norvegicus by the development of a protuberance on the
chin is a change of growth which in small specimens of this form,
sometimes at least, is no more prominent than in large specimens of
Seb. viviparus. The interorbital breadth in proportion to the size of
the eyes is subject to far too great individual variations to be of
use as a specific character. In two female specimens of Seb. vivi-
parus from Bohuslan, the one 226 ram. in length, the other 251
mm., the least breadth of the interorbital space is respectively 68 %
and 77 °o of the longitudinal diameter of the orbit: in a male from
Bohuslan, 207 mm. in length, the corresponding ratio is 63'^ "i,
and in a male Seb. norvegicus from Archangel, 228 mm. in length,
72 %. The number of rays in the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins is
generally leSg in Seb. viviparus; but a specimen of Seb. norvegicus
in the Royal Museum has only 13 soft rays in the dorsal fin (another
has 16), and 3 specimens have only 7 soft rays in the anal fin-
Most specimens of Seb. norvegicus have 19 rays in the pectoral fins,
the rest 18; while most specimens of Seb. viviparus have 18, the
rest 17. The black spots are indeed less distinct when they appear
in Seb. norvegicus, as is shown in our figure of this form; but a
greater or less degree of distinctness in markings which are in other
respects exactly similar, can scarcely constitute a specific difference.
Of the specific characters given only the number of the vertebrse
remains — according to both Kroyer and Malji the smaller form has
only 30 vertebra?, the larger 31. But the case is the same in other
fishes, e. g. in the common Herring (Clupea harengus), a species in
which the smaller forms generally have fewer vertebne, and in which,
according to Heixcke '', the number of vertebrfe varies between 51
and 58. It, therefore, seems to us most natural to regard the two
forms of Sebastes as belonging to the same species, the one form,
Seb. viviparus, which is less pelagic and more probably confined to
the deep water among the islands and in the fjords, more persistently
and more constantly retaining the traces of the early stages of the
development of the genus from the Scorpsenoid type. To the history

" Koren, quoted by Malmgren (Of vers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1867, p. 260), Liluebobg (1. c.) and Collett (1. c.) have proved, however,
that the larger form is also viviparous.

'' Die Varictaten des Herings, 2;te Theil, p. 55.

150

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of this question we must furtlier add that tlie figure of the smaller
form in the first edition of "Scandinavian Fishes" is printed under
the name given to the species hy FfiiKS, Hebastes regulus, while the
Royal Swedish Academj- of Science possesses a figure of the larger
form, signed by W. v. Wright and coloured under Fries's direction
in 1835, though not quite fiuished, which bears the name Seb'istes
norvegicus. Fkies had thus already distinguished between the two
forms.

The Norway Haddock, in its Arctic liume at least,
attains a length of 1 metre or slightly over"; l)ut the
smaller form, which is the more common in tlie fjords
and the island-belt of tlie sonth of NorAvay and off
the coast of Bohuslan, attains, to the best of our know-
ledge, only a third of this length. The body is com-
pressed and, in comparison with that of the Perch,
somewhat high, especially in the smaller form, where
in the gravid females the greatest height of tlie l)ody
is about 33 % of the length, while in the males it is
about 31 ?4. In the larger form it varies l)etween 30
% and "28 %. The curves of the dorsal and ventral
profiles ai-e about equal: luit in the female the l)elly
is distended at the time of parturition, and the curve
of the bellv is then sharper than that of the back.
The greatest breadth (thickness) of the hodj behind the
head is equal to, or slightly greater or less than half the
height. The back is convex, the belly almost flat. The
head is fairly large, its length from the tip of the snout
varying bet\veen 30 % and 33 % of the length of the
body. The forehead is flat, in the smaller form some-
Avhat concave''; near the occiput, where two pai-allel,
osseous ridges occur, which slightlj' diverge posteriorly,
it is somewhat depressed. The mouth is large and
directed upwards, and admits of some protrusion of
the intermaxillaries. The length of the intermaxillary
bones is silmost equal to the distance from the tip of
the snout to the anterior margin of the pupil. The
upper corner of the In'oad extremity of the ujjper jaw-
bone extends to a point beneath the middle of the
pupil, when the mouth is closed. The length of this
bone varies between 82 % of the length of the lower
jaw, in small specimens, and 69 %, in large ones. The
prominent, lower ja^v has at the point of the chin a
protuberance which forms a hook turned do\vnwards
and, including the height of the teeth, in large speci-
mens at least, is equal in height to the diameter of the

pupil, or somewhat greater than it. The length of the
lower jaw varies between 17 % and 18 % of the length
of the body. The intermaxillary teeth anteriorly form
broad bands, which posteriorly taper to a point, but
are broken and separated at the tip of the snout. The
bands of teeth in the loAver jaw converge anteriorly,
Avhere the jaw rises into two, rounded protuberances.
On the head of the vomer the band of teeth forms an
angle ^vith its point directed for^vard. The palatine
teeth are set in t^vo longitudinal bands, which are far
apart and diverge in a downward and backward di-
rection. The pharyngeals, six upper, which are closely
united, and t^vo lo^ver, one on each side, are also fur-
nished ^^'ith fine teeth. The toftgue is heart-shaped and
smooth, with a free, narroAV tip. Both nostrils on each
side of the snout are round, the posterior being larger
than the anterior, the margin of Avhich is raised and
posteriorly elongated into a dermal Hap. They are
situated nearer the eyes than the tip of the snout.
The distance between the two posterior nostrils varies
betAveen 70 % and 80 % of the least breadth of the
interorbita] space. On the side of the snout, just out-
side the anterior nostril, is a muciferous pore, which
is often open, and in other cases closed by a dermal flap.
At the middle ])oint of the distance betAveen the nostrils,
on each side of the snout, is a prominent spine. The
eyes are large, set high, and slightly turned up in an
oblique direction'. The longitudinal diameter of the
orbit is generally more than " g of the length of the
maxillaries; not until the specimen attains a length of
450 ram., do we iind this ratio as small as from 30 %
to 35 %. Above the orbit are two large spines in its
margin, the one behind the other, and behind the posterior
one, somewhat higher on the forehead, are two smaller
spines on each side, nearer each other: all these spines
point in a backward direction and are comparatively
larger in young specimens than in old. Still higlier
up the forehead, in a line with the anterior of the two
spines last mentioned, begin the lateral ridges of the
top of the head, often preceded by two smaller spines.
These ridges are smooth, longitudinal bars on the pa-
rietal bones, slightly diverging posteriorly and ending
in a spine at the outer hind corner of these bones.
The preoperculum is rounded, with 5 spines of fairly

" Day states that it attains a length of 4 ft.

' "Flatly concave" (Nilsson).

<■ As is generally the case with Physoclysts when suddcidy drawn up from great depths, the eyes most often bulge out of their sockets,

and the air-bladder, the external pressure being thus diminished, also forces the oesophagus and a portion of the stomach into the pharynx.

NdliWAV lIADDnCK.

151

uniform size, the lowest 3, however, being broader and
of ;i flatter, triangular shape in the larger (older) s])e-
cimens. The 0])ercu!uni is 1ri;nigid;ir, with two tl;i.t,
spinous points behind jit the top corner. The sub-
opereulum is long and narrow, lies under the lower
posterior margin of the o]ieiTtduni, Jind at its juncture
with tlie interoperculum bears ;i spine, whicli in older
specimens has almost entirely vanished. At the be-
ginning of the lateral line are two spines, which in old
specimens, however, more or less completely disapjiear,
the u|)per belonging to the posttemporal bone, the lower
and posterior to the supraclavicular bone. The gill-
rakers are of average length, set fairly close together
and covered with fine teeth on the iiuier side.

The hodv is covered with midi He-sized, firndy
fixed and imbricate scales, fringed at the hind margin
with filiform points, which render the body rough to
the touch. Between these scales are everywhere in-
serted the accessory scales mentioned above (see fig.
42, (i). Tliey are most numerous atid si)read over the
greatest part of the bod^- in the larger si)ecimens. The
head is also covered with scales, which towards the tip
of the snout grow very small and resemble the ac-
cessory scales of the body. The lateral line, which
pierces only every other, every third or every fourth
scale, has from 30 to 8b pores, and runs parallel to
the dorsal line and nuich nearer it than the ventral
line, exce])t on the tail, where it follows the mesial
line of the body. The vent is situated in the male
slighth' in front of, in the female exactly at the be-
jlinninu- of, the last third of the lenoth of the body
measured from the tip of the snout to the base of the
caudal tin. At its liind margin is a protuberance or
wart (the genital pajtilla), which is considerably longer
and more pointed in the male than in the female, and
probably serves as a copulatory organ.

The dorsal fin liegins above and slightly in front
ot the ]»oiut of the gill-cover and occupies a part of
the dorsal line which measures from 52 to 46 % of
the length of the bod\-, being generally relatively longer
ill small specimens. The last of its strong, spinous
rays is usually distinctly longer than the last l)ut one,
and may therefoi-e with reason be regarded as corre-
sponding to the first ray in the second dorsal fin of
those fishes, where two dorsal fins are present. The
immber of the soft rays varies between 13 and 16;
and the first of these rays is in most cases undivided.
The solt-rayed part of the tin is higher than the spinous-

I'ayed. The pectoral tins are large and I'ounded at the
point. They are inserted beneath the second spinous
ray of the dorsal tin. Their length, which relatively
diminishes with age, measures in the smaller form over
23 % and at most 27 % of the length of tlu' body, in
the lai-gcr form at most 22 % and at least I'O %. The
nund)er of rays in these fins is from 17 to 19, the
larger form generally possessing the higher nund)er.
The uppermost two or three, as well as the lowest 8,
ij or 10, are undivided; the raifldle ones (from 6 to
9: the greater number in the larger specimens) are
branched; the 9tli, Kith and 11th are the longest. The
ventral fins are inserted farther back than the pectoral.
Their length, which luidergoes the same changes due
to age as that of the pectoral fins, measures in the
smaller form more than 18 %, generally 19 or 20 %,
of the length of the body, in the larger form from 16
to IS %. The distance between their insertion and the
beginning of the anal fin is generally greater in the
female than in the male, being in the former about
30 96, in the latter about 26 %, of the length of tlie
body. The anal fin, which begins beneath the first
soft ray of the dorsal, is higher than the latter; but
the length of its base is only 12 or \S % of the length
of the bod}-. The caudal fin, the hind margin of which
is slightly concave, has 11 or 12 branched rays, and
at the side of these, at the top and bottom, a varying
number of undivided, supporting rays, 6 at the top
and 4 at the bottom being generally distinctly visible
externalh^

In most cases the colour of the head and the back
is orange, gradually becoming lighter on the sides and
shading into the white colour of the belly. On the
dorsal sides, above the lateral line, are se\eral dark,
oblique spots, Avhich vary, however, in number, shape
and position, and which are generally wanting in the
larger form. (])n the gill-cover, near the point, is an
indistinct, large, black spot, which sometimes has one
or two smaller spots at the lower margin. In the
larger form this coloration of the gill-cover also dis-
appears, as a rule. The fins arc carnation superiorly,
and paler towards the belly. The iris is bronze-coloured
at the top, yellowish with a silvery lustre inferiorly.
and has a fine brass-coloured ring round the pupil,
which is dark-blue.

This fish is of fairly connnon occurrence in the
island-belt of Bohusliin, where it bears the names of
Sjokock (Sea-cook), Kdrliig (Hag), and Bergabborre

152

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

(Rock-Perch). The smaller t'oriu, however, as we have
remarked alcove, is the more common there, as well as
(iff' the south of Norway, as far north as Trondhjem
l''ior(l. It is generally found at the comparatively small
depth of from 20 to 60 fathoms, but sometimes at as
great a deptli as 150 fathoms". South of Bohusliin the
smaller form lias never been met with, but the larger
form has ^vandered on several occasions as far as
the Sound''. An active fishery, M'hich has this larger
form as its object, is carried on along the ^vhole coast
of Norway, but especially in the north, where the Nor-
•\vay Haddock is found in deep water, though most
often at a depth of from 60 to lOO fathoms. It has
also been met with in the White Sea'', off Nova Zembla,
Spitzbergen, Iceland and Greenland, where the smaller
form apparenth' does not exist, and also off NeAvfound-
land and along the North American coast as far south
as Cape Cod. whence the Royal Museum has received
specimens which b^- certain characters range themselves
l)etween the two forms. The lai-ger form has also been
taken on a few occasions off the coasts of Scotland and
Ireland. In the North Sea the species scarcely seems
to l)e stationary.

The Nor-ttay Haddock seems generally to keep to
a rocky bottom, where it lives on crustaceans, mollusks,
and small fishes. It is of gregarious habits, for where
the fisherman lias one bite, it is generally not long be-
fore anotlier foUows; and amono- the Lofoden Islands,
according to Collett, it is sometimes taken in hund-
reds in the nets set for Coalfish. Accordino; to Eii.-
sxiiO.M it is caught, though seldom, on the coast of
Bohusliin fi-om April to .July inclusive, and somewhat
oftener at certain spots from October to December.
The male is generall)- rarer than the female. The young-
ones leave the ovaries of the parent-lish during the
spring-months, from April to May, or sometimes early
in sunnner, when they are from 3 to 5 mm. in length.
From the fact of his having received on several oc-
casions during the monlh of May a paii' of Norway
Haddocks, male and female, that had been I'aught to-
gether, Kkstuom came to the conclusion that this fish
is perhai)s monogamous. At the end of ;\lay lie ob-
tained females witli the eggs so advanced in develop-

ment that not oidy the t\\-o lilack sj>ots which mark
the eyes, l)ut also the whole embryo Avas visible within
them. At'cording to Kroyeu the fry are so developed
in duly that they are able to leave the mother. At
this period they ai-e tiny, lively creatures which make
their way u\) to the higher regions of the sea and swim
about near the surface. During the Norwegian Arctic
expeditions of 1877 and 1878, according to Collett,
young specimens from 9 to 19 mm. in length were
taken in the month of July, together with several pe-
lagic crustaceans and young mollusks, in a surface-net,
in the Ai'ctic Ocean off Bear Island and Spitzbergen.
Apparently, however, they soon i-eturn to the bottom
of the sea, for in 1878, in the months of July and
August, during the same expedition, specimens from
62 to 143 nnn. in length were taken in Tana Fjord
and the same part of the Arctic Ocean, at the bottom,
where the water was from 120 to 150 fathoms deep.

In spite of its being viviparous, a circumstance
which in other fishes admits of the production of only
a comparatively small number <:»f IVa-, the Norway Had-
dock is still fairly prolific. Collett estimated the
number of the eggs in a female specimen of the larger
form, 550 mm. in length, to 1)e about 148,000, and in
one of the smaller form, 300 mm. in length, 18,000.
As Rydeh'', however, estimates the number of embryos
in each ovary to be only about 1,000, it seems highly
probable that only a small portion of the eggs come
to maturity at the same time. The latter writer also
believes he has found on the dorsal part of the inside of
the ovary an a1)undant covering of flat, fleshy and highly
vascular processes Avhich to some extent corresponds to
the maternal placenta of the higher vertebrates.

The Norway Haddock (Sw. Kiou/sfisk = King-fish
or Rodfisk =-- Redfish), which in Norway is more gene-
rally called Ur, is a fish of exquisite flavour, a veritable
ocean delicacy. Its flesh is firm and white, and tastes
very like that of the common Perch. In tlie island-
belt of Ikihushln it is generally taken on the long-line.
It is too scarce to be of any great commercial value,
and is therefore most often eaten fresh liy the fisher-
men themselves.

(Eksthom, Sjutt.)

Loi.i.KTr, N. Mao-. Xatiirv.. 1. r. The lioyal Jluseiiiii lias also roceiveil from a tislieruiaii of Kariiigo, AIattsox by name, a male
spjjcimeii of tlie smaller form, wliicli was taken at a depth of "from 75 to 150 fathoms, N. W. of Bergen".
'■ NiLSSON (1. c.) gives several instances.

■" Lieutenant II. S.\ndehei!G brought home a specimen fmm Archangel to the Royal Museum.
'' r.iill. U. S. Fish. Comm., vol. VI (l.SGG), p. 02.

8C<)i;i".i:\<>ii).s.

Genus SCORP^NA.

For»i (if the budi) like that of the Perch or the I'opc. IntcrorlHtal s/jucc ai/d, in most cases, the fop of thr head
and the occiput concave. Supraorhital apives and parietal ridges ircll marhed. I'reopercidar spines, as a ride, 5,

opercular

Scales of the Itodi/ slit/httii cfoioid or ci/cloid, u-anting or rerg sjuall on the maxillari/ bones. Eyes

middle-sized [even small) or large. Dorsal fin continuous, wifh 12 strong spinous rags", aind irilh H. Cardiform
teeth on the lower j'<ur, the internuuillarii tiones, fhcroiiier and, as a rule, (ni the pididinc tiom-s. Ilranchiostegal

rays 7. Vertehr(C from 24 to 2(1. No air-bladder.

The true .Scorjiu'uoids l)eloii<;' to the shores of the
tropic se.-is, where they live among the seaweed, which
they closely resemble in appeai-aiice, both in their
hiiihh- variable coloration and in the foliate dermal
Haps which fringe the supei'ior orbital margin and the
lateral line on the sides of the body in particular.
They sometimes Imry themselves in the sand, an ope-
ration in which thev are helped, according to Gux-
ther'', by the strong and simjjle, lower rays of the
pectoral fins. They have an evil reputation on account
of the painful wounds inflicted by their spines; but
they are said not to be really poisonous. The transi-
tion from these typical Scorpa^noids, to \vhich genus
GuNTHEH assigns 40 species, to Sebastes may be traced,

as we ha\"e mentioned aboxc, through intei-mediate forms
with scarcely a single missing link. Tlie deep-sea fi.sh
of this genus which belongs to the Norwegian fauna,
ranges itself among just these intermediate forms. It
is without the naked depression on the top of the head
and on the occiput, and entirely without free dermal
flaps; the cheeks are densely covered witli scales, and
there is sometimes a nari-(jw band of accessory scales
on the maxillary bones; and the nund)er of soft rays
in the dorsal tin is greater than in tlic most typical
Scorpajnoids. For this reason Poey" gave the species a
special generic name, Pontinus. In the Scandinavian
fauna, however, Avhere the number of species is so small,
it may well retain its original name.

" According fo v. Duben and KonEN Sc. dactyloptera sometimes, though seldom, has 13 spinons rays in the dorsal fin.
'' Fische der Stidsee (Mus. GodefEr.), p. 74; Iiitrod. Study of Fishes, p. 414; Hand/j. Icldhyol.. p. 201.
■^ Memorias Cuba, II (1860), p. 172 (according to JoEU., Gilb.)-

Scandinavian Fishes.

20

154

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BLUE-MOUTH (s\v. blakaften).
SCORP^NA DACTYLOPTERA.

Fig. 43.

fiifrriirhifal space ir'ifh a iitirfdir concavity, and niitcriorh/ naked, like tlie entire siiaiit: the top of tlie head and
the occi})ut between the rUhjes fat. No free dermal faps on the bodi/ {except that which belongs to the hind margin
of the anterior nostril). Lower jaw slightly projecting, irith a small protuherance on the chin. Soft-rayed part
of the dorsal fn lower titan the spi nous-rayed, the 3rd ray of which is the longest. Palate and pharynx, and
often the top of the tongue, as well as the peritoneum, black or blue. Ground colour of the body red on the back,
lighter on the sides and shading into irhife towards tlie abdominal line. From 3 to 5 light brown, fr(tnsrerse
bands sometimes appear on the back, and brown or green spots on the body and fins.

r^fej;

Fig. 4?>. Bliie-moulh (6'corpcpna dactyl optera), from Borgen. ','.j uatiiral size.

R. hi: 7; 7>. 11

.•1.

P. 2 + 9 + 8

1 + 11 1. 12

+ 10 + 7; r. ';.^; V. x + 11 + .<•; L. Itit. (sqii. perfor.) 26 — 30;
Vert. 24 — 21!.

■'^'i/n. 6'riirptvna dartijloptefa, Dei^.^kocuk, Ann. Mus. D'Hisl. Nat.,
vol. XIII (1809) p. 337, tab. 22, fig. 9; Isihss., {SebaMes)
Skund. Fn., Fisk., p. 100; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish.,
vol. II, p. 99; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.
Natiirw. CI., LVI (1807), I, p. 669; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli.,
Christ., 1874, Tillaegsh., p. 19; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 9;
LiLU., iSc, Norrj. Fiskar, p. 107; (?) Johd., Gilb., (Scor-
pana) Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 679.
iSebastes imperiaiis, Cuv., lieyne Anim., od. II, p. 167; Cuv.,
V.\i.., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 336; KiioY., Naturh.
Tidskr. Kblivn, ner. 2, vol. 1, pp. 269 ct281; DOli., Kon.,
Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1844, p. 4,'); (?) Lowe Fi.sh. Madeira,
p. 171, tab. XXIV.

Ob.'t. As CuviEit (Hist. Xat. Poiss., IV, p. .340) say.s that he
has e.xuiiiiiie.l the type specinieii of Bi.ocii-Schneidek's Scorpana

malabarica {Sijst. Ichth. posth., p. 104), which Bloch is said to have
received from Abildgaard, and has ascertained that it belongs to the
present species, we ought perhaps to restore Block's specific name.

In Lowe's figure to which we have referred above, the lower
jaw projects very far, the dorsal line is much too convex, the jaw-
teeth are large and scattered, and the maxillary bones are densely
covered with scales.

It is evident that Jordan and Gilbert's iScorpa'iia dactyloptera
from the deep water outside Chesapeake Bay can scarcely belong to
this species, from the description, according to which the pectoral
fin extends to a point verticallj' above the beginning of the anal fin,
and is without the thickening of the lower rays, while the gill-
rakers are described as being long.

Tlie Ijluc-uioiitli attains a length of about 45U
mm.". It is distinguished in form fi'om the Norway
Haddock by the thicker (somewhat terete) head and
the ]()^ver liody with a less convex dorsal line. The
greatest depth of the l)od_y is about 27 % of the

"' 17 .\iislrian in. (iilniut 17'., Kng. in.), according to Steindaciiner, I. e.

iJLrK-MorTir.

15i

leiiirth".

nc

least (Icptli, nil the otlici' hand, is "•reatei'

ill the iUue-iuouth. In a specimen of" tliis spcfies 352
\n\n. \i)\\'j: the least depth oi' the tail is i) % of the
length of the l)ody, while in Scltasfea we have never
known it to exceed 8'/., %;. The length of the head is
also grealer than in the Norway Haddock, being about
o4 % of tile length of the body''. The eyes of the
Blue-mouth, too, are comparatively larger — even in
specimens 350 mm. long the longitudinal diameter of
the orbit is about 10 % of the length of the body, a
relation wliieh seems to cease in tiie Norway Haddock
at a length of about 225 mm. The dui-sal tin is re-
latively of the same length in both species; but in the
Blue-mouth the spinous-rayed pait is higher and com-
paratively shorter. The caudal tin is perfectlv truncate
or rounded. The pectoral tins with their singular form
— superiorly truncate at the point — are considerabl)'
broader at the base than in the preceding species, and
their simple, lower rays are thicker and to a great
extent free at the top, "tingerlike", a circumstance from
which tlie species derives its name {(larfi/Idpfcra). The
length of the belly (the distance fr(jm the front point
in the base of the ventral tins to the beginning of the
anal tin) is less in this species than in the preceding
one, being under ^ ^ of the length of the body. This
is sho^\•n more clearly by comparison with the least
depth of the body or the length of the lower jaw, both
of wliicli are greater in the Blue-mouth, the former
being more than ^'.j, the latter more than '^ ^, of the
length of the I)elly.

The connexion betM^een the suborbital ring and
the preoperculum is much more marked in the Blue-
mouth than in the Norway Haddock. This "osseous
bridge" runs externally across the cheek in the form
of a sharp ridge, which is anteriorly continued on the
surface of the preorbital bone. The superior ridges
and spines of the head are also more strongly defined
in the Blue-mouth. The least breadth of the inter-
orbital space in middle-sized specimens, about 350 mm.
in length, is only about 12 % of the length of the
head and 42 % of the longitudinal diameter of the
orl)it. Ill this narrow interorbital space runs a deep.

longitudinal groove, coasted by two frontal ridges, whicli
in the preceding species are only rudimentary; and
I)etweeii the latter and the raised, upper margin of the
orbit runs another groove on each side. In eacli of these
two lateral grooves lies a cranial branch of the lateral
line, with an orifice, whicli is sometimes open, above
the anterior nostril and nearer the middle of the fore-
head than it, while a similar muciferous pore, the orifice
of the branch of the system of the lateral line Avhicli
belongs to the inferior orbital margin, a]>pears (nitside
and lielow the anterior nostril''.

The scales are of the same structure as in Sehastcf>,
with fine spines at the hind margin, and within these
a pretty, retiform brim, formed of the roots of pre-
existent, marginal spines; but the accessory scales are
entirely wanting in this species.

The lateral line slopes fairly evenly down from
the temples, but never descends so low as the middle
of the side.

The geographical range is remarkable in one respect,
though this may be explained by the variations in the
depth of the .\tlantic. The Blue-mouth is a ^lediter-
ranean fish, liy no means rare off Nice and in those parts
of the Mediterranean where hooks are used for deep-sea
fishing, and it is also known off the south of Portugal,
the Canary Islands and Madeira; but north of Portugal
it has never been found south of Norway, ■where it
occurs at depths varying from 100 to 300 fathoms,
from Stavanger north along the whole coast. It is
most often taken off Bergen, where it is met Avith all
the -sear round. It \vas from here that the specimens
were obtained whicli enabled v. Dlbex and Korex in
1844 to claim and describe it as a Scandinavian species;
but as far north as Tromso, according to Collett, it is
so common that it is sometimes caught "by the barrel".
It is Avell known, say v. Dubex and Korex, to most of
the Bero'en fishermen bv the name of Shdr-aiir {iir)' or
Blakaft, the latter name cori'esponding to Boca-negra
(Black-moutli), the name by which it is known in Ma-
deira. According to Lowe its flesh is of little value,
being both flabby and tasteless. According to Lilljeboro
its flavour is not so good as that of the Norway' Haddock.

" In one of the largest specimens (about 440 mm. in lengtli) Steisdachner, however, found tlie greatest deptli of the body to be
only 25 % of the length.

'' According to Steindachner, however, the length of the head varies between 31 % and 33 % of that of the liody.

" Cf. the preceding species.

'' = Rock-ur, cf. the preceding species.

156

SCANIMXAVIAN FISHES.

Fam. C0TT1D.E.

Body of fill' liijiicnl (Jottus-fonn {flu' hcail thickest and tJie hudij cunicallj/ pointed posteriori i)), witlioat cuirass

most ofti'i/ naked or partly covered ivitli plates or S2)iiies. Spinous-rayed part of the dorsal fin shorter {with fewer

rays) than the soft-rayed part. No spinoas rays in the anal fin". By far the yreater part of the rays of the

pi'ctoral fins, as a rale, simple. Pseudohrancliice prese)it. Vertel^ree generedly more than SO.

Subfamily C 0 T T I N M.

Head mure or less completely armed irith sjdnes, hat not cairassed. No air-hladder.

In the fauna of the northern seas the true Cotti and
their nearest relatives are among the most prominent
fishes, and their typical form is, therefore, most probably
well known to most of my readers. "A head which is large
in proportion to the rest of the Ijody, sharply rounded
at tlie top and armed witli spines or j)r()tuberances,
and which tln'ough the dilatation of the gill-cover and
the branchiostegal membrane ma}^ undergo considerable
lateral extension and assume a more depressed form;
and a body Avhich is rounded and tapers posteriorly
in a conical form, is covered l)y a naked or spinous,
highly mucous skin, and bears large, rounded tins —
these are the general characters which give these fishes
an easily recognisable, though uninviting appearance".
Many of them, tliough not those forms which are com-
mon among us, liave ciHate scales, scattered or even
imbricate; Init in far the greater number of cases the
above description of EKs'n!r>M holds good.

The spinous equipment of the head conforms to
the same type as in the preceding family, though it is
generally more highly develo|)ed. A pair of nasal spi-
nes arc; almost always present; and on tlie posterior
part of the liead, from the forehead to the end of the
occiput, is a (juadrilateral oi' liarp-shaped patch, which
is often conc-ivc and is l)ounded at its four corners by
tlie so called parietal spines. The spines of the margin
of tlic preopercnlum are as a rule four in nund)er;
the operculum and interopei-cuJum are generally armed

with sjiines at the hind upper corner, and the sub-
operculuin at the lower corner. As a rule, too, the
clavicular and supraclavicular bones are furnished with
spines at the top. The system of the lateral line is
generalh' well-developed in these fishes, both on the
head and on the body — in the former region it is
most developed in tlie Four-horned Cottus — and on
the body there are usually distinct lateral branches of
the lateral line proper, but apparently' the system is
here developed posteriorly only at an advanced age,
and often enough the hind portion of the lateral line
is pai'tlv incomplete or e\e\\ totally wanting on the
posterior half of the sides.

Another distinctive point in the Cottidcc is the ex-
ternal dift'erence of sex, \vhicli is most often sharply
marked'. Besides the fact that the females are usually
more numerous and larger than the males, the latter,
at least when full-grown, generally have a genital pa-
pilla at the vent; more marked spinous warts on the
skin and more highly developed spines on the inside
of the.i-ays of the pectoral and ventral fins, the latter
of which ai'e most often elongated; higher dorsal fins;
and a dift'erent coloration, often spotted with white.

The centre of the geographical distribution of the
CottidfC — if ^ve disregard their scaly representatives
in India, and Australia — lies in the Arctic and Boreal
seas: some species, too, ai'e circumpolar. They really
l)elong to water of moderate depth where the bottom

" Of llie first ray in (he annl fin of HeiiiHepklohin trachnrus, from Kamlclialka Cuv., Vai,. {Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 278) say
that it may possilily be a spinous ray ("pourrait rlre epineiix"), but in specimens from Behring Island it is distinctly articulated.
' Cf. Coi,i,|.:tt, NorgeA Fiske, Vid. Selsk. Forh. Clirist. 1874, Till.-ogsh., p. '2y.
' Cf. Li'TKKN, Vid. 5Iedd. Xafurli. For. Kbhvn 1876, p. 387.

COTTOIDS.

157

is overgrown with scnwccd; hut some |icculiar loriiis
iiiake their way to the ahysses of the ocean, while
others have heeoiue iVesh-watei' (ishes, the former ( '^ ''//-
fniniihis) presenting a certain hkeness to Li/xais and
the latter (the sul)genus I'nuiitli'd) to dnhiiix.

.loi;i)A\ and (iii,iii:i{T estimate the number of spe-
cies within this suhfamily at about 150, distributed
aiiKjng al)out 4(» genera and subgenera. Those genera

which belong to the Scandinavian fauna, may be di-
stinguished as follows:

.1.- Ono contiiiuous rlorsiil (in Genus CoUunciilii^.

J)': Two fliftinct (ioi'sal (ins:

1: Less than 20 niys in the anal (in:
a: Palatine bones toothless:

«((.■ \ oiner toothless: Genus G/jmnocanthns.

hh: ,, with teeth: „ Cottus.

b: Palatine bones with teeth:. ,, CentriderniichtJiys.
2: More than 20 rays in the anal fin : ,, Trlfjlops.

Genus COTTUNCULUS.

\\c<ik, f/c.nhlr sjiiiiims rai/s. trrajiped in (t /(losc sl-iti, fonii tin' (Uitcri<n\ Imrrr /„i,i nf the rontinuous dorsal fin.
Skill irithont inir scales, hitf f/niitalafed or roitijli iritli smtdl sjiii/rs. Hind lurijc 7'lii' four prc'ojx-rndor spines
iilifiisi\ mid rnrrrcil irifli skin. Fine, cnrdiform teeth mi tin- loircr jnir. tin- inti'nnn.iillorij l/oiirs mid tlir romcr.
Jh-miilii(ist('(/iil iiiciidirmii's miitcd to flic lirand istlniiiis, irliidi is irithoiit miij trmisversc fold. Xo /jill-s/it Ijcliind

flic foiirtli lirmicliiid arcJi.

We assign the first place among the Scandinavian
Cottoids to this genus, which is without doubt the most
marked metamorphosis of tlie Cottoid type among the
forms of which we have to treat. It was first remarked
and characterized as a distinct genus by Collett in
1874. Its metamorphosis is connected, however, in
several respects with a retention oi the juvenile cha-
racters of the type. It is one of tliese characters that
most distinctly marks the genus, namely, the confluence
of the two dorsal fins, or, more strictly, their retention
of this condition. They are united in the same wax,
and with almost the same relations to each other in
respect of size, or at least of height, in the most de-
veloped young specimen of Cottus scorpiiis (tig. 44)
which AcASSiz has fisjured".

Anothei- juvenile character may be found, as Col-
i.irn' has remarked, in the coloration of the Scandi-
navian species, with its 8hai-])lv defined, black, trans-

verse bands on the head, body and fins. The clcse
pi-oximity of this genus to Cottus in other respects is
best shown by the typical ((]uadrangular) arrangement
of the parietal spines, the anterior pair of which are.

Fig. 44. A yomio- specimen of (Jottiis ■■•■corjjiii.9, 1 1 '., iniii. in length.
Masrnilied. After A. AG.4SSIZ.

however, .situated on the forehead in a line with the
hind margin of the eye.

Three, ])erhaps four, species of this genus'' are
known to exist in the deep water in the north of the
Atlantic. ( hilv one of these species belongs to the
Scandinavian fauna.

" Proe. Anier. Acad. Arts. So., vol. XVII, Vouiiy Of^seoiis Fi.^ftes, pi. II, tig. 2. Tlie same clianges of development in the mutual
relations of the two dorsal fins are shown in the result of Sindev.\i.l"s observations of the development of Cottiis gohio (Vet. Akad. Handl.,
v(d. I 1855), Om fiskyiii/els itivecliiiig, p. 7, pi. I, figs. 3 and 4.

'' Cotltis tfiomsoiiii Gthr, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb. vol. XI (l.Si^l — 82) p. 079. Vottnnculu.i torvus, Goode, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.

1880, p. 479; Jonn.. Gu-n., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 10, p. 088.

158

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SMALL-EYED COTTUNCULUS (s\v. rADDiLKEN").

COTTUXCULUS MICEOl'S.

Fig. 45.

Skill roiKjh irifji scaitercd small spines set in c/roiijis or in small fransrerse roirs, or isolated. Lenr/th of tlie
head, in adult specimens, from 35 to 37' % and its dcjitJi at the oiiipnt from 23 to 2(> % of the lenf/th (f the
hodi/. Eijes small, their lonffitudinal diameter being in adult specimens about half the hreadtli of tJie interorbital
space: and closeh/ covered to the mari/in of the iris bi/ the rour/h shin. Tlie tubular, anterior nostril, with its
margin posteriorly elongated, is situated at a distance in front of the ei/e about v(jual to the diameter of the
pupil: the j^osterior is less raised, and set closer to the eye than to tlie anterior nostril, but also a little nearer
the middle line of the snout. Bays of the anal fn less than 11. Three rays in the ventral fins. The lateral line
of the body opens into a roir if about 15 scattered pores, of irhieh at least the anterior are set at the top of
verrucose protuberances. That part of the system of the lateral line ivhich belongs to tlie head, has large open
j)ores under the margin of the preoperculum and the loirer margin of the preorbital bone (on the dermal flap above
the ma.riUary bones). The rent is situated in adult specimens about half-iray between the insertion of the ventral
fins and the beginning of the anal. The anal region {in the male duriiKj tlie spawning-season) sirolh'u into a large,
conical jiajiiUa. Coloratimi grayisli-irhite, irifh large, black spots, irhich resemble transverse bands, and are here
and there interrupted by or mingled irith nnind sjiofs of the ground-colour.

Fig. 45. (Jottiinciilus microps, r^, natural size. Taken on tlie east coast of Gieenlantl, 65° 30' N., at a depth of KiO fathoms.

R. hr. G; D. — -; A. 10; P. 17—20; T'. 3; U. .r+6 + ,r;

13—15

L. lat. (por.) 10—18.

tSyii. Cotluuculus microps, Colt... Viil. Selsk. Forh. Crist. 1874,
TillaigRh., p. 20, tab. 1, tig. 1—3; ibid. 1878, No. 14, p.
20; ibid. 1870, No. 1, p. 11; Id., Norslc. Nordli. Exped.,
ZooL, Fiske, p. 18; Lill.i., <S'f., Nortj. Fisk., vol. I, p. 113;
— (?) Joed., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. IG, p. 688 — ;
COLI,. N. Mag. Natiirv., Bd. 2'.1 (1884), Heft. 1, p. 53.

Ob.i. The large eyes ("equal to the snout") and the large
number of soft rays (!'.•) in tlie dorsal fin render it extremely doubt-
ful whether the specimen taken off Rhode Island and desciibed liy
Jordan and Gilbert (1. c), belongs to this species.

" LiLLJEBORG, 1. C.

'' About 10, according to Collett. In the specimen belonging

' Proe. Roy. Soc. Edinb., vol. XI (1881—82), p. 679.

The .Sinall-eved Cottiim'iilus seem.s to be a true
Arctie form, though, aecordiug to Gunther', it was
found by the English "Knight Errant" ]<]xpedition of
1880, in the eold bottom-water between Scotland and
the Faroe Islands, at a depth of 540 fathoms. It had
previously been found l)y Professor G. 0. Sars at a
depth of 200 fathoms, oft' Hasvig, near Hammerfest,
and Ijy the Norwegian Arctic Expedition between Nor-
way and Bear Island, and also west of the Norway
Islands (the north-west of Spitzbergen), on a clayey
bottom, at depths varying from about 200 to 450
fathoms. A fairly large number of specimens have

to tlie Roval Museum, we find 18.

(■(ciTdins.

lo'J

nlsd hccn taken in Ti'oikIIiJchi I'jord, at (lc|itlis varvin,i:' es])e('iallv tIk
from loo to 200 fatlionis. l)ui'in,L!' Noijdknskiold'.s ' sci'vicc to tlii
l",\lic(lition of 1883 a male 157 nun. in Icniilli, with
a, large genital papilla, was taken on the (ilji of Sc])-
Icnil)('i-, off the east coast of (ireenland, li.')° :',{)' X., on
a clayey bottom and at a dcplli of 1 .'iO I'atlioms.

As CoLLETT has remarked, the hroail pectoi'al tins,
with their ra\s, wliich are thick ami IVee at lhe tii)s,

lower ones, are witlioul doubt of groat
llsh. lly tlieir help it digs up the soft
clay of the bottom and tloundei's along, preying on the
worms oi- small mollusks and crustaceans which live in
its company at a depth of 100 fathoms or still more.
We have no fui'ther knowledge of its niannei- of life;
and it can be of special interest to us only in a syste-
matical and zoogeographical respect.

Genus GYMNOCANTHUS.

7'ini i/isfiiicf (hirsdl fiiis. .S'/.v'// iritlinKt s(((Ies. J/cail of nrrnigc size (less than ' ., of fJic hiif/fli nf the l/adfj).
Foi(i\ pointed, pi-copcrcKtar spines, tlie njipennost of n-lileh Is famished with from 1 to :'> lateral spines directed
npa-(irds. Palatine hones and romer toothless. Branehiosfegal memhranes milted to the Isthmas throae/hout the
t/reater part of Its len(/th, lint their inarf/ln eontlnned In a fi'ce dermal fold orer Its surface. Xo f/lll-sllt hehlnd
the fourth hranchhd arch. liase of the an(d fin lonf/er than that of the serinid dorsal. Baijs In the amd fin

less than :J().

This genus is as truly Arctic as the former, if not
more so, but it belongs to the littoral fauna. It was
tirst formed by Swainson" in 1839, but from Kuoyer'',
in 1845, it received a new name, PJiohefor, Ijy -which
it has been lietter known since that time. Thouffh its

most remarkable character consists in the aljseiice of
teeth on the palatine bones and the vomei-, tlie two spe-
cies Avhich belong to it, may be recognised most easily,
within the Scandinavian fauna, by the singular form
of the uppermost preopercniar spine.

■' Xat. Hist. Fisli. Amph. L'ept., II. |i|.. IS I

'' Xatiirli. Tidskr., i-Acn Rivkke, l:ste Iliiici. p. ■JO;-',

11,. 1 -271.

160

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BRANCH-SPINED COTTUS (s\v. (UiKMAUGioA ulki;.\ ").
GYMNOCANTHUS VtLXTKALIS.

Fig. 4G.

No parietal spines, if n-e except a pyatiilicrance on cncli side of the hintt juni of the sxpraorbital viare/iii: Intt
the top of the head, sometimes fyov> the (interior mare/in of the eije, and the teiiijjoral ret/ion, sometimes eren the
operculum n)id the hony ridge of the cheek, more or less closehj studded irifh spi)ious u-arts, or at least e/ranulated
with spinous tubercles''. Length of the head less than ;J8 % of that of the hodif . Length of the maxiUari/ hones
more than 33 % of that of the head, cren in the males''. Distance from the beginning of the first dorsal fin to
that of the second more than 20 % of the length of the bodg or than 05 %'' of the length of the head: and the
lenqth of the base of the second dorsal fin more than 89 % of the Icugtli of the head. Least breadth of the in-
terorbital space less than .53 % of the least depth of the tail. Length of the central fins, even in the males n^hen
readg to spairn. scarcelg more than 2,2 % of tlic length (f the bodg. or hardly more than a fifth greater than the
distance from the insertion of these fins to the beginning of the aned fin. Coloratioji brownish, gray, or still
darker., on the back: vhite or yeJlon-ish irith /rhite sj)ots on the belly: sides marked with dark transverse bands or
icith high and Ion- s/tots alternately; dorsal and pectoral fins with alternate dark {black or brown) and white
transrersc bands: ventral and anal fi'ns of the same colour as the belly and without spots.

Fig. 40. Gyinnocanthv.i vcntraVis. 9, Uom Mos.sel Bay (Spilzbcrgeii), taken on a rocky bottom at a duiitli of between 2' ., and 5 fallKim.s, on

the '2nd of December, 1872. Natmal size.

/,', bf. C; /'. 11) 1. 11 (12)15 — 17; ,4. 16 — 18 (19);
P. 18 1. 19; V. '/.j; C. .c + (7 1. 8) 9 + .r ; L. Int. (por.) 40—50.

•Hyii. Cottuf! (jobio, Faw;., Fii. Grocnl., p. 150 (vide Keiniiardt).

Coitus ventralis, Cuv., Val., Ili.il. Xat. Poiss., vol. IV, p.
194, fab. 79, lig. 1; SwAiNS., {Gymnocanthuti) I.e., p. 271;
Gtiiu, (Collus) Cat. Brit. Mtis., Fisli., vol. II, p. 108; Mgrn,
(Phohetor), Of vers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1867, p. 259; Coll.,
Vid. Selsk. Forb. Clirist. 1874, Tilhegsli., p. :50 ; 1878, No.
14, p. 15; LllTK., Vid. Meddel. Naturli. For. Kblivn 1876,

p. 30;i.

Vottus tricuspis, Keinh., Vid. Selsk. Nalurv. Math. Afh. Kblivn,
Deel V (1832) Overs., p. LII; ibid., Deel. VII (18.38), p.

117; Kii., (Phobctor), Nalurli. Tidskr. Kbhvn, 2:den liiekke,

vol. I, p. 203; Lu.u. (Cottiis), Vet.-Akad. Ilandl. 1850, p.

309; Njlss., Skaiiil. Fu., Fisk.. p. 78; Gtiik, Cut., 1. c.;

Malmgu. (PJiobctor). Finl. Fisk. (Disp. 1863), p. 11; In.,

Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1804, No. 10, p. 504.
Coitus pistillijer, LCik.. 1. e., ji. 364 (nee Pali..); Bean {Gi/iii-

nacantlins) Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 15, p. 127; Coll.,

Norsk. Nordli. Exped., Zool,, Fiske, p. 20; Lilli. (Phohetor),

He, Xoiy. Fish:, vol. I, ]>. 118.
Acantliocotlus palris, Stoiiei;, Bos(. Jonrn. Nat. Ili.st., vol. VI,

p. 250, tab. VII, fig. 2.
Gymuacanthus ijalcatus, Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. IV

(1881), p. 153.

" I,ll,l,.lKliiiH(i, 1. e.

'' During youfh — in specimens less than 50 nun. in length — this ehararfer is, however, in most cases not yet developed.

' The same remark applies to this character as to the preceding one.

COTTOinS.

Ifll

Ohs. Ll'tken's (ii)iiiion that Cottits pistilliger, as described by
Pallas (Zooyr. Boss. Asiat., vol. Ill, p. 143), is identical with
Gymnocant/iHS vmtrah's, has indeed won general approval, as ap-
pears from the above list of synonyms; but the collections made
by the Vega Expedition in the north-east of Siberia seem to us to
throw a new light on the ((uestion. Especially worthy of notice are
a pair, o^ and $, of the typical pistilliger, obtained off Najtschkaj.
The male (fig. 47) is 163 nnn. in length, has a long and pointed
urogenital papilla, and is furnished with well-developed spines on tiie
inside of both the pectoral and tlie ventral tins. 0?i the part of the

spinous warts on tlic licad, while on the top of the head and the
occiput there are distinct, lliough small, spines, which correspond to
the parieto-occipital spines bo common in other Cottoids, in their
characteristic, quadrangular arrangement. There are also several other
differences from the characters we have given above in the diagnosis
of Gtjmnocanthus ventralis. Considering that we have been able to
compare a fully developed male of Gijinn. pistilliger, which was ready
to spawn, with a male of Gijinn. ventralis 190 mm. in length, from
Disco (Greenland), these differences seem far too great to fall under
the head of variations within one and the same species. The length

Fig. 47. Gijmnocantlnis pistilliger, 0^, with three dermal appendages (whicli may be seen between the urogenital papilla and the ventral fin),
tal<en from the part of the side wliich is hidden by the pectoral fin. Natural size. From Najtsclikaj Lagoon, 19th March, 1879.

Fig. 48. Gymnocanthus pistilliger, 9- From Najtschkaj Lagoon, 14th May, 1879. Natural size.

abdominal sides which is covered by the pectoral fins, we find the
usual white spots and also the clapper-like or spatulatc, soft, dermal
appendages", with black stalk and white head, whicli arc especially
remarked by Pallas. The female (fig. 48), which is of almost the
same size, is naturally without these characters. The most marked
character of the species, however, is the almost entire absence of the

of the head in the former specimen is 28'2 % of the length of the
body, while in the male specimen of Gyinn. ventralis from Disco it
is 2G'3 °i, and in a specimen of Gymn. ventralis 43 mm. in length
27'9 %. In the female specimen of Gymn. pistilliger it is 30 %.
The length of the maxillary bones in the male specimen of Gymn.
pistilliger is only 30'4 % of the length of the head, in the female

" "Pedunculi pistilliformes, miuuti, albi, molles, c lilo brevissimo et capitulo piano fungiformi compositi" (Pallas), not as LiStkex
supposes, "half-cruciform, spinous scales".

Scantlinavian Fishes. -'

162

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

30"9 %, while in Gijmn. ventralis it is at least 33 %. The distance
from the beginning of the first dorsal fin to that of the second in
tlie first-mentioned specimen is 19'3 % of the length of the body and
64'5 % of that of the head, and in the female specimen of Gymn.
pistilliger 18-9 % and 62'6 % respectively; while in the male speci-
men of Gymn. ventralis it is 21 '8 % of the length of the body and
83 "i of that of the head, and, even in the specimen 43 mm. long,
tU; '„ of the length of the head. The base of the second dorsal fin
in llie male specimen of Gymn. pistilliger measures 82"6 % of the
length of the head, in the female 84'8 %: in Gymn. ventralis this
ratio may vary between 89 and 105 %. Tlie least breadth of the
iiilerorbital space in the male specimen of Gymn. pistillifjer measures
MVI "o of the least deptli (if the tail, and in the female 80-6 "o,
wliile in the mule the lengfli of the rays of the ventral fins, the
free part of which measures about -/j of their whole length, is 38 %
of the length of the body. Witli the exception of the last two cha-
racters and the singular dermal appendages, the other characters of
Gymn. pistilliger, however, indicate a retention, in common with
Gymn. ventralis, of juvenile eliaracters, a point which shows that these
species are very closely related. It is, therefore, natural that the
young specimens and the fry of both species should present a still
greater similarity in their characters. Thus, a male of Gymn. pistil-
l/i/er, CG mm. in length, from Kara Sea, has a granulation on the
tup of the head which is harder than the slight trace thereof which
occurs in the above-mentioned older specimens of that species, and a
specimen 48 mm. in length, from the winter-quarters of the Vega
Expedition, has an exceptionally small head, measuring only 26 % of
the length of the body, while the length of the maxillary bones is
:>4 % of the length ot the head. In every case, however, the other
characters should be sufficient to decide the species. The coloration
of the two species seems to be the same on the whole: but in the
male of Gymn. pistilliger the first dorsal fin is blacker, Avith more
<listiuct, round, white spots in one row along the superior margin,
in another shorter one at the middle of the fin, and in a lliird along
the base, M'hile the ventral fins liave distinct, black, transverse bands.
All these points, however, may sometimes be observed, though never

so distinctly, in male specimens of Gymn. ventralis. Whether Gym-
nocantliiis pistilliger occurs in the basin of the Atlantic, west of Nova
Zembla, is a point on which we have no information.

Gi/miiocanfhus ventralis is an arctic and circum-
polar .species. It is of fairly common occurrence off Spitz-
l)ergen, ^vhere it has been fonnd by all the Swedish
expeditions since 1837 (Sv. Loven), among the alga?
at depths sometimes as great as about 20 fathoms or
even more". It is met with in similar places on tlie
coasts of Greenland and Sil)eria. Since Lilljebokg
found it in 1848 off Scluiretskaja (Russian Fiiiinark),
it has also been met M'ith a few times off' the extreme
north of Norway. In 1850 a specimen from Hammer-
fest was forwarded to tlie Royal Museum by Mr. Bull.
In these regions, according to E.smark'', it lives at as
great a depth as 76 fathoms, or far below the lielt of
marine vegetation. It attains a size of from 215'' to
250'' mm. Its food, in all probability, is chiefly com-
posed of worms; but certain crustaceans {(jdnniKirithe
and Idotltetc) have also been found in its stomach l)y
CoLLETT. Fabkicius states, assuming that his obser-
vations refer to this species, that in Greenland it lives
on a sand}^ or clayey bottom, even where there is no
vegetation; that it is more cautious and quicker in its
movements than the true Cott'i : and that the female
lays its eggs a-mong the ulvte, while the male is sup-
posed to keep guard over them until they are hatched.

Genus CENTRIDERMICHTHYS.

Two distinct tJorsal fits. Skin iKikcd or irith spines or scales. Head middle-, ^ized. Uppermost preopercidar
spine bent or Jiraiidied or trith Utterttl spines. Palatine Iwiies ai/d roiiicr irith teeth. Branchiostegal metnhraiies
united, irith a free traiisrerse fold under the isthmus. No gill-slit liehind the fourth branchial arch. JRai/s in the

anal fin less tlian 20.

Obs. RICH.4RDS0N gave this genus its name in 1844'. Though
it liad previously been formed by Heckel' under the name Tracliydermns,
this name was unavoidably rejected, as it had already been used both
among insects and reptiles. In later times both the Scandinavian
species which belong to it, have received from Khoyer'' the generic
name Iceius.

The genus Centrideriiiichth//s, with teeth lioth on
the palatine bones and on the vomer, so far as denti-
tion is concerned, forms tiie most decided contrast to
Gijmnocaiithiis of all the Cottoids; V)ut in other respects
is closelv related to tliat fjenus. The relations lietween

" In 1801 it was taken in Hornsnnd at a deptli of (ill fathoms. According to CoLLETT it has been taken by the Norwegian Arctic

Expedition in Magdalene Bay (N. W. Spitzbergen) at a depth of ,50 fatl s.

'' Coi.i.ktt: Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, 1. e.

'■ (Z', according to LtlTKEN.

'' $, according to Coi.i.ett.

' Voy. iSiilph., Fishes, p. 73.

/ Ann. Wien. Mus. 1880, II, p. 159.

'■' Naturh. Tidskr. Klihvii, 2:den Ra-kkes 1 :ste B. (lS4t— 45), p. 251.

COTTOIDS.

163

(^puiridcrniirlifl/i/s mid GifninoniHtlnis iirc in sevcrnl re-
spects simil.-ir to those which genei'nlly exist between
tlie true Cotti and the fresh-water members of the
famih . In the former genus, for example, tlie mouth
is laimn' and the anal tin shorter: the length of the

and thi' fresh-watei' Cotti, we find, too, in the genus
Centridermichthys, even in the two species of which we
have now to treat, a distinct approach towards Gi/mno-
canfJiKs.

In the basin of the Atlantic Centridermichthys, as

ma\ill;irv bones is never less than W % of that of the \ well as tlie preceding genus, contains only forms which

body, and the lengtli of the anal tin seldom exceeds j belong to the extreme north, but in the Pacific at

25 % of the length of the body, i. e. tlie length of the i least one species is found as far south as the Philip-

maxillarv bones is never less than 44 % of that of ' pine Islands. The number of species is not great: only

the base of the anal tin. However, just as we can I 8 are known, most of them from the west coast of

scarcely draw a generic distiiu'tiou l)etween the true ! Noi'th Americ-a.

CENTRIDERMICHTHYS UxXCINATUS.

Fig. 49.

Skin naJi-ed, trithoxt scales or the corresponding spinous formatiotis, but sometimes irith soft irarts on the top) of
the head, <is irell as on the Itark (d)ove the lateral line. The tiro middle spines of the preoperculum almost tvanting
or only slightly d er eloped : tlie upper spine bent. pointi}ig backirards in an npirard direction, and often with a
lateral spi)ie at the base: tlie loiver pointing forwards in a downward directioti. Only tiro slightty-developed spines
on the top of the head, corresponding to the posterior {occipitcd) spines in the other Colloids. On the hind part
of the maxillary bones a smcdl, conical, dermcd flap. A similar flap sometimes 0)i the hind part of the skin u'hicli
covers the upper part of tlie eyes. Head fairly low and fat, its length from 28 to 30 % of tliat of the body.
Length of the maxillary bones less than 12 % of that of the body, or from 57 to GO % of that of the base of
the anal fin. Length of the lower jaw less titan 15 % of that cf the body. Length of the base of the second
dorsal tin less than 27 % of that of the body. Length of the base of the anal fin at least 80 % of that of the
base of the seco)id dorsal. Least breadth of the intcrorbital sp)ace less than half {from SO to 40 % of) the least
depth of the tail. Urogenital papilla of the male small". Eggs fen- and large''. Coloration light oil-broum on the
back, yelloirish irhife on the belly: 3 dark-brown transverse bands on the dorsal side — in yotmg specimens a similar
band on the head above the orbital region — but these transverse bands are generally broken up into an irregular
mass of spots. Dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins with similar transverse ba)ids : anal and ventral fins of the same

colour as the belly, but sometimes with transverse bands or spots.

Fis:. 49. Ceiitridermiclithi/s iincinatus, taken at a depth of from 5 to 10 fathoms, on a rocky, algous bottom, in Actinia Bay on the north
coast of Taimyr Sound, in Aug., 187S. Temperature of the water at the bottom ■29'9' Fahr.; at the surface 3.3'6' Fahr. Natural size.

Ol)S. The proportions given here, founded upon measurements
of two males and two females, are intended to show, in comparison
with the preceding genus and the following species, firstly, that the
specific difference in Centrideniiclithi/s follows tlie same rules as in

Gi/mnocanthtis as described above, and secondly, that the characters
of Ucntr. Iincinatus, compared with those of U. hamatus, generally
indicate a successive approach to Gymnocanthtis.

" It is, however, uncertain whether males ready to spawn have been examined.

'' In two females respectively 87 and 92 mm. in length, from the Arctic Ocean off Ljakoff's Island (Siberia), taken in September,
1878, the eggs were about 2','3 mm. in diameter. Collett (1. c.) estimated tlie number of the eggs in females taken by the Norwegian
Arctic Expedition at about 60.

164

B. l»: G; D.

-9jl2 — 14: A. 10-

V.

V. x + S 1. 9+.r; L. lat. por. 24-

-12; P. 18
-28.

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.
21;

6///(. CoHiis micinatiis, Reinii., Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Naturv. Malh. Afli.,
Dcel G (1837), Overs, p. LIIII; ibid. Deel 7 (18.38), pp.
114 et 118; Kr., (Icelns) Naturli. Tidskr. Kblivii, 2;den
REekke, Bd. 1, p. 2G3; Esii., (Uentridermiclit/u/s) Forh.
Skand. Naturf. M. Cliristiauia 1868, p. 517; Coll., Forli.,
Vid. Selsk. Cliristiauia 1874, TilL-cgsli., p. 31; ibid. 1879,
No. 1, p. 14; Id., Norsk. NorcUi.-Exp., Zool., Fiske, p. 29,
tab. I, fig. 7; N. Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29, Heft. 1, p. 54;
Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1876, p. 379; Lill.i.,
So., Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. IGl; JoRD., GiLB., {Icelas)
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.. No. 16, p. 693.

Centridennichthys uncinatus is one of the small,
tliough not of the smallest, Cottoids. On the coast of
(Ireeiiland, according to Lutken, it attains a length of
100 mm. The size is said by Jordan and Gilbert to
l)e the same on the east coast of North America, where
it occurs as far south as Cape Cod. The largest of the
specimens taken by the Vega Expedition are only
slightly smaller, being about 92 mm. in length. These
specimens were found in different parts of the Arctic

Ocenn oft' Siberia., from Taimvr Sound to the winter-
quarters of the expedition near Behring Strait: they
Avere taken at spots where the bottom -was sand}' or
stony, and most often among seaweeds, at a depth of
from 5 to 13 fathoms. The species was first described
from specimens found in Greenland. On the coast of
Norway it was first found by G. 0. Sars in 1865, nenr
Lofoden, and by Essiakk in 1866, oft' Hammerfe.st. It
was taken oft' Nova Zembla by Heuglin in 1871. It
has subsequently been caught at various spots along
the whole coast of Norway, as far south as the Whale
Islands, on the Swedish frontier; but in its southern
haunts, like other arctic forms, it lives at greater depths.
Even in its true habitat, the Ai'ctic C)cean, it was
t;iken by the Norwegian Arctic Expedition at a depth
of 223 fathoms, south-east of Bear Island. Singularly
enough it has not yet been met with on the coasts of
Spitzbergen or of Iceland.

Its food, like that of the preceding species, is
composed of worms and crustaceans.

CdTTdlllS.

165

CENTRIDERMICHTHYS HAMATUS.

Fig. 50.

Skill for tlie most part naked, on flic lop of tin' licod am/ tlic, hack more or less rerrucose; hut the openings of
the lateral line sapiiorted hij spiiioas, se<dy formation.'', and hettveen the dors(d edf/e and the lateral line one longi-
tudinal roir (in the males ta-n or three) of spinous disks of hone or simple spines directed hackirards — simiJar
formations sometimes occur along the hase of the anal fin — and also in the males scattered, spinous scales on
the ahdominal sides helow the pectoral fns. Four preopercular spines, all well-developed, the uppermost hent, and
usualli/ {in. adult specimens) branched {hicuspid). In the females onlg tivo occipital spines, each, continued anteriorly
into a ridge; hat in the males there commonlg appears, on the front 2^(frt of these ridges as ivell, a protuherance
or spine. On each side of the head" 3 fine, deciduous, dermal filaments, the largest of which has digitate divi-
sions in the margin and is situ(ded ahore the posterior part of tJte ege. The posterior jxtrt of the head and the
hodij just hehind the occiput somewhat elevated, and the profile of the head sloping steeply tou-ards the snout.
Length of the head from ,28 to nearly S3 % of that of the hody. Length of the upper jan- more than 12 % of
that of the body or than 6'() % of the hase of the anal fin. LjCngth of the lower jaw more than 10 % of that
of the hody. Length of the hase of the second dorsal fin more than 28 % of that of the hody. Length of the
hase of the anal fin less than 72 % of that of the base of the second dorscd. Least hreadth of the iidcrorhital space
(at least in adult specimens) more than half the least depth of the tail. Anterior part of the lateral line straight
or curved upu-ards. Urogenital papilla of the male long. Eggs sometchat smaller than those of the jrreceding
species'". Coloration brownish yelloiv on the hack. with, dark-hroivn transverse hands, which are, hoivever, usually
broken, up info irregular .spots, on the head and the body — on the sides of the fail, helou- the lateral line, these
spots are sometimes arranged in a longitudinal row — the ventral side a paler yellow ; the pectoral fins thickly
striped transversely with varying shades of dark-brown and yellow, as are also, though u-ith fewer stripes, both
the dorsal fins and the caudal fin, and sometimes the anal. The rest of the last fin is of the same colour as

the belly, like the ventral fins, which are, however, sometimes spotted.

Fig. 50. Centride.rmiclitlnjs hamatu.s, $, from Fairliaven (Spitzbergen), taken at a dcptli of from 20 to 25 fatlioras, on n clayey bottom, on

the .30th of August, 1872. Natural size.

R. br. 0; Z). S'jlO — 21''; A. U''; P. 17/
^ + (8)0 +.r; L. lat. por. ?,b — 45''.

V.

c.

Syn. (?) Cottus bicornh, ReiNH., Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Math. Natiirv.
.Afh., 8:de Deel, Overs., p. LXXV.

" According to EsM.\nK and Collett.

'' In a gravid female 55 mm. in length, taken in Liebde Bay on the 3rd of September, 1868, and also in another 75 mm. in length,
(aken on the .30th of August, 1872, in Fairhaven (Spitzbergen), the eggs are about IV4 mm. in diameter.

" Sometimes 7, according to Collett; sometimes 9, according to Kroyer, Collett and Litkex.

'' Sometimes 17 or 18, according to Malmgren and Collett.

■■ Sometimes 1.-5, according to Collett; sometimes 15 or IG, according to LOtken, Collett and Khoyer.

■' From 17 to 10. according to Collett.

!» The last number is given according to Malm. The tirst number given is taken from a female 63 mm. in length, from Spitzbergen —
in this specimen the lateral line ends about half-way between the end of the base of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin.

166

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Icebis liamatus, Kr0YEE, Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 2, vol. 1,

pp. 253 et 262; Id., Fo.y- Scand. etc. (Gaim.) tab. I, fig. 2.

Malmgr., Ufvers. Vet.-Ak.id. Forh. 1864, p. 507; EsM.,

Forh. Skatul. Nalurf. M. Christ. 1808, p. 518; Coll., Vid.

Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, TillKgsh., p. 35; Ltkn, Vid.

Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1876, p. 380; Gthe, Proc.

Zool. Sec. Loud., 1877, p. 293; Coll., Vid. Scdsk. Forh.

Clirist. 1870, No. 1, p. 14; Id., Norsh. Nordh. Exp., Zool.,

FUke. p. 34. tab. I, %. 8; Lillj., So., Norg. Fislc, vol.

I, p. 104; Bean, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 15, p. 128;

Joed., Gilb., ibid.. No. 16, p. 691; Coll., N. Mag. Naturv.

Christ., vol. 29 (1884), p. 50.
Icelns fiirciger, Malm, Forh. Skand. Naturf. M. Stockli. 1865,

p. 410; Gb(js, Boh. Fn., p. 393.

Obs. Though Reinhaedt states that the number of branchio-
stegal rays in Cottus bico7'ms is 7, still from the rest of his brief
remarks on the species it seems highly probable, as Malmgeen has
already asserted, that this species is identical with Kroyer's Icelus
hamatus, especially as a variation from 6 to 7 in the number of the
branchiostegal rays, though not observed in anj' other case in this
species, is fairly common in the following genus.

Cenfridermlchthys hamatus is a fairly coininon spe-
cies in Spitzbergen, where it has been fonnd in most
of the places examined by the Swedish expeditions,
among the alga^ and on a stony, sandy or clayey bot-

tom, ;it a deptli of from 6 to 80 fathoms. During the
Norwegian Arctic Expedition it was taken off Jan-
May en Island ;it a deptli of 95 fathoms. On the coast
of Greenland the species seems to be equally common;
and the largest specimen known, a female 115 mm. in
length, is mentioned by Lutken as taken there. During
the "Sophia" Expedition of 1883 it was taken on a
clayey l)ott()m, at a dejjtli of from 10 to 20 fathoms,
north of Cape York; and according to Gunthek it is
one of the most common fishes in these regions between
latitudes 80° and 82° N. According to Jordan and
Gilbert it occurs on the coast of Alaska; and the Vega
Expedition obtained specimens from the coast of Siberia
west of Tai^nyr Peninsula. It is thus a circumpolar
species, but roves south in the Atlantic as far as the
Skager Rack, where a specimen 52 mm. in length was
taken by A. W. Malji in 1861, at a depth of less
tlian 20 fathoms, oft" Loken at the entrance of Gullmar
Fjord. Its food is probably the same as that of the
preceding species: we liave found in its stomach num-
bers of the bristles of Annelidans.

Genus TRIGLOPS.

Tioo distinct dorsal fins. Lateral line covered iritJi scales, irhich are dentafed at the upper margin of the opening
ducts; a roiv of spinous plates along each side of the dorsal fins; the rest of the skin naked, rerntcose {on the
head and above the lateral line) or gathered into oblique, transverse folds, fringed or dentnted at the margin {on
the sides beloiv the lateral line). Head middle-sized and, like the anterior part of the bodtj, posteriorly elevated
and compressed. Four simple spines in the margin of the preopercidum. Jaws and the liead of the vomer iriih
teeth, but the palatine hones toothless. Branchiostegal membranes inferiorhj united, but free from the istJimas.
Gill-slit behind the fourth branchial arch shrunk into a hole. Urogenital j)apilla of the male long. Bags iu the

anal fin more than 20.

The genus Triglops was first introduced into the
system in 1832 by Reinhardt", as a subgenus of Cottus,
on account of the smaller size of the head; the nar-
rower pectoral fins with their lower rays free to a
greater extent; the greater breadth of the preorbital
])one; and the large number of rays in the posterior

dorsal and the anal fins. As a genus, however, its
characters were more fully gi\en first b}' Kroyek, in
1845. It contains only one known species, named after
the explorer of Greenland, Dr. Pingel, who in 1829
obtained the first specimen known.

" Da

Vid. Selsk. Naturv. Math. Afh., 5:te Deel Overs. ]>. LII.

COTTOmS.

1G7

TRIGLOPS PINGELII.

Fig. 51.

Bodji posteriori If eloiif/afnl. Leiif/fli of flic hnid iihoiit 27 % of tlmf of flic IxkIi/". Preopercular spines compa-
riifircli/ siiKill. S/jiiics on flic fop of flic head small, cveiiti(ally disa))jiciiriii(/ irifh age. Snouf in old specimens
l(iii//cr. ill i/iiinii/ spceimciis shorter, than the loii(/ifiidinal diameter of flic e;/e, irhicJi varies ivith increasing age
from HO to 2<> % of the leni/fh of the head. Li'osf fjreadfh of the iiiferorljifal sjiace'' in old .'specimens greater,
ill jioiiiig sjiecimens sUghtli/ less, than the least depth of the tail''. Length of the maxillary hones less than 12 %
of the length of the liodif or fliaii 37 % of that of the base of the anal fin, irhich is more than 28 % of the
length of the hodi/ or than !)() % of the hase of the second dorsal fin, the last measuring from HO to H3 % of the
length of the hodg. Length of the loirer Jaw le.'is than Id % of that of the body. Base of the pectoral fins
rertical and fairly straight, the length of these fins measured from the upper corner of their insertion being about

21 % of the length of the body, or slightly less than when measured from the lower corner, in n-hich case it is

22 %: the lower and thicker rays free for a relatively great part of their length. Head superiorly and laterally,
and the back aborc the lateral line, in adult specimens, covered irifli a verrucose skin, which is firmly united to
the subjacent bones, and shagreened on the head. The breast (the ventral side in front of flic ventral fi'ns) with
the skin gathered into fnnisverse folds, like those belonging to the sides of the body below the lateral line, but the ven-
tral side from flic ventral fins to the vent smooth. Anterior part of the lateral line curved downwards. Colo-
ration essentially the same as that of the preceding species, but the dark spots on the sides are blacker in full-

groivn specimens, and the belly is purer ivhife and even lustrous.

Fig. 51. l^rigtops Pimjelii, 9j natural size. From a depth of .30 fallioins in Behring Strait; July, 1879; Vega E.xpedition.

R. hr. 6''; D. 10— 11'- 23-
C. .)'+0+,^': Lin. lilt. 49''.

-25-'; .-1. 22—26/; P. 18^; V.

.Syii- Trl'f/lo2^s PiiKjelii, Reinii.. Daiisk. Vid. Selsk. Math. Naturv.
Afh., Deel 7, pp. lU et 118; Kroy., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kblivn, ser. 2, vol. 1. p. 261; Id., Voy. Scand., Lap.
(G,\I5I.\rd), tab. I, fig. 1; Malmqb., 6f vers. Vet.- Akad. Forh.
1864, p. 508; Esm., Forh. Naturf. Miide Christ. 1868, p.
520: Coll., Forh. Vid. Sul^^k. Clirist. 187-1, Tilhtgsh., p.

36; Ltkn, Vid., Meddeh Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1876, p. 378;
Gthr, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lend. 1877, p. 476; Coll., Norsk.
Nardil. Exp., Zool., Fislee, p. 38, tab. 1, fig. 9 et 10;
LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fisk. vol. I, p. 168; Be.an.. Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mils., No. 15, p. 128; Jord., Gilb.. ibid. No. 16, p.
713.
Triglops pleurostictus. Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. 1865,
p. 81.

" In a specimen 37';.i mm. in length the length of the head = 27'2 % of that of the body; in two specimens 154 mm. in length

'' In old specimens about 36 % of the longitudinal diameter of the eye, in young 39 %.

' In old specimens the latter is as much as 2'1 K of the length of the body, in young as much as 3-4 f, or even 4'2 %
vouth this species thus corresponds, in this respect, to the older stages of the three preceding species.
'' Sometimes 7, according to Kroyer and Lutken.
"^ Sometimes 12 or 13, according to Krover, LCtken and Collett.

•'' Sometimes 26, according to Collett. In a specimen from the Cattegat there are only 20 rays in the second dorsal fin.
9 17 — 19, according to LOtke.S'; 17 — 21. according to Collett.
* 45 — 49, according to Collett.

Durin.g

IfiS

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Triglops Fiiigelii is known in Greenland", J;ui-
Mayen Island'' and Spitzbergen as ;i fairly rare species.
It was not until 1S77 that the Bi'itish Museum was
successful in obtaining a specimen. The S-^vedish ex-
jieditions to Spitzbergen, however, have taken it at se-
\eral spots in the northernmost ])arts of these islands
and in Stor Fjord, at depths varying from 3 or 4 up
to 105 fathoms. The \'ega Expedition brought h(nne
a small specimen, taken at a de])th of 15 fathoms, north
of their ^\•inter-quarters in Behring Strait, and two
females 154 mm. in length, taken at a depth of 30
fathoms, off Port Clarence. The geographical extension
of the species is thus circumpolar. On the coast of
America, according to Jordan and Gilbert, its range
extends from Greenland as far south as Cape Cod. In
Norwegian Finraark it was found in 1866 by Esmark
at a dei)th of 30 fathoms, off Hammerfest, and by
LoBERO near Vadso. It has been met with l)y G. 0.
Sars near tlie Lofoden Islands at as great a depth as
150 fathoms, and also off (Jhristiansund. Collett also
mentions a specimen, a gravid female 163 mm. in
length, from North Cape, and several others, the largest
<4' which was 80 mm. in length, from the neighbour-
iiood of Tromso. It must be regarded, however, as
one of tlie rarest Scandinavian fishes. Its occurence in
tiie Cattegat is, therefore, highly remarkable. A spe-

cimen 13 cm. in length (excluding the caudal fin) was
taken here by Mr. A. Svensson, taxidermist to the
Royal Museum, during a visit to Trilslof, near Varberg,
in the summer of 1867. It was subsequently stuffed
b}- the same gentleman, and presented to Christianstad
Museum. By the kindness of Lecturer Wahlstedt we
have been enaljled to examine this specimen. In it
we find T). 10|20; A. 22; P. 17; there thus being an
unconunonly small number of rays in the second dorsal
fin. The black spots below the lateral line, too, ai-e
united into a broad, undulating, longitudinal stripe,
extending as far as the caudal fin, and more continuous
and distinct than those we have seen in arctic speci-
mens. These dift"ei*ences, however, can scarcely be re-
garded otherwise than as individual peculiarities.

The food and the manner of life of this species
are probably the same as those of the preceding one,
even if, as Collett states, it be still more truly a
bottom-fish. This opinion is borne out by the forma-
tion of the lower rays in the ])ectoral fins, which are
free to a still greater extent of their length, and by
the help of \vhich it proliably creeps or flounders along
in exactly the same way as the Gurnards. Collett
estimates the number of eggs in a female 102 mm. in
length at five or six hundred.

Genus COTTUS.

I'lro distivd dorsal fins. Skin naked or tr'ith spines or spinous tubercles. Head fairhj Jarr/e, hut never more than
Va '"'/ ''"' li'ngth of the body. Uppermost j)reopercular spine simple, straight or curved. Palatine bones toothless,
hut the ronier irith teeth. Branehiostcyal 'membranes either miited hi/ a free fold across the isthmns or sepa-
rated hji the latter, (jillslit behind the fonrth branchial arch n-anting or shrunk into a Jiolc. Less than :20 rags

in the (iiad fin.

\\"\t\\ the limitations generallj' given to this genus
at the prt'st'ut time, it contains some forty more or
less known or recognised species". As Artedi in his
arrangement of the genus gave the first place to the
lliver Bullhead {Cotfus gobio), this species has been
adopted as the true type of the genus', and \\ hen Gi-
UAKD, in 1849", formed a special genus to receive the

fresh-water Cotti, ^\•hich in Araeinca seem to be far
more numerous than in the (31d World, basing his ar-
guments on the weaker spinous equipment of the head,
the less marked division between the head and the body,
the smaller mouth and the lower dorsal fin of these
species, he retained the name Cottns for this genus and
gave the other Cotti the generic name AcantJiocottus.

" RKl.NIIARti, MaLMGREN, LCTKEN (ll)d GUNTIIEII, 11. CC.

' Collett, 1. c. ; at a ilcplh of from 70 to 20.^ falboms.

' Jordan and Gilbert recognise 34 North American species of this genns.

'' Cuv., Val., Hist. Nut: Poiss., vol. IV, p. 143.

<■ Proc. Bosl. Soe. Nat. Ilisf., vol. Ill, p. 183.

CO'lTOIUS.

169

Dkkav", luiwevcr, Ii.mI previously a(lo|)tt'cl one of the
AiiK'i'i(/ini tVcsli-wiitci' CoUi MS the 1v|(c of ;i new geiiiis,
l'nii/i(Je(i, a name whidi lias thus uu older claiui to
eu^plo^"UleMt, e\'en thouiiii this claim was duiiious, so
long as only one species of the geuus was known.
In a grou]) so naturally connected as that of the ('off/,
it is always con\ enience, the con\'enieuce nee(U'(l to
facilitate tlie inspection of a genus, tliat in the first
])lace decides the necessity of its systematic division;
and in a local i'anna, where the inuuher of species is
no greater tlian, for example, in Scandinavia, this
question loses a great part of its importance. Lutken
has pointed out'' the impossibility of maintaining the
distinctions between these genera l)y the helj) of fixed
characters. Fixed characters are ho\\ever to l)e found.
The fact that a fish lives in fresh ^vater is in itself l)y
no means a sufficient ground for its systematic isolation
— the River Bullhead occurs in the Baltic, and the
Kour-horned Cottus lives in the larger Swedish lakes —
but this manner of life, probably, has set on the fresh-
water Cotti an impress of the juvenile stages in the
development of the others, which also attain a greater
size than they. One apparent ])roof of this is the fact
that in Lake Wetter youTig specimens of the Four-
horned Cottus have a smaller head than those of the
same age in the Baltic or the Arctic Ocean. Again,
the River Bullhead and its relative the Alpine Bull-
head {Cottus poerilopiis) have the smallest head of all
the Scandinavian Cotti, and might be distinguished from
the others ])_y means of this character, liad not the
circumstance mentioned al)Ove caused an encroachment
of the character of the Four-horned Cottus in this re-
spect upon the limits of the variations of the Alpine
Bullhead. The above-mentioned characters given by
GiRARD to the fresh-water Cotti also hinge upon the
fact that they correspond to the juvenile stages of the
other Cotti. But the smaller size of the gape, com-
bined with another peculiarity, tlie length of the base
of the second dorsal fin, ^\•hich according' to our ob-

servations is generally longer, form a constant character,
on w liicli we base our present adoption of the fresh-
water Cdltl as a distinct sul)genus. The species which
occur in the Scandinavian Fauna may Ije distinguished
l)y the help of the following table;

A: Length of the maxiihny bones less tliaii
36 % aad the length of the lower jaw
less than 44 °<, of tlie length of the
base of the secoufl dorsal flu. Head
without spines on the top or on the
snout: — Subgenus Uranidea.
a: Length of the base of the anal fin
less than 48 % of the distanee be-
tween this fin and tlie tip of the

snout Cottus goliio.

h: Lcngtli of the base of the anal fin
more than .53 "« of the distance be-
tween this fin and the tip of the

snout Cottus jioecilopus.

B: Length of the maxillary bones more
than 38 % and the length of the lower
jaw more than .50 % of the length of
the base of the second dorsal fin. Head
with spines on the top as well as on
the snout: — ^wh^exiws Acantliocottus.
1 : Least dej^th of the tail less than 4*. .,
% of the length of the body and less

than i\ K of the base of the anal fin Cottus cjuadricornis.
2: Least depth of the tail more than
4',.; -0 of the length of the body and
more than 24 % of the base of the
second dorsal fin.

a: Lateralline smooth, with a down-
ward curve at the end of the
Second dorsal fin. Margins of
the branchiostegal membranes
united to each other by a free
dermal riap under the isthmus.
No dermal papilhv on the upper

jaw-bone Cottus scorpius.

b: Lateral line spinous, without any
visible curve in the posterior part.
Branchiostegal membranes united
to and separated by the isthmus.
At least one dermal papilla on
the posterior part of the upper
jaw-bone:

«: Four ravs in the ventral fins Cottus huhalis.
(j: Three „ „ „ „ „ Cottus LiUjehorriii.

" N. York Fn., vol. IV, Fi.^h , p. Gl.

'' Vid. l\reddd. Naturh. For. Kbhvn, 187(5, p. 3(;6.

Scandinavian Fishes.

170

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE RIVER BULLHEAD (sw. stensimpan).
COTTUS GOBIO.

Plate VIII, fig. 1.

Among the bones of the head only the anboperculum and preopercKltiin furnished n-ith spines, a)id onlij the upper-
most preoperctdar spine distinctly prominent, forminij a hook pointin// apirards iu a posterior direction, and cur-
red inivards, the second spine scarcely projecting above the skin, and tin- third apparent only as a tubercle. The
spine at the lower corner of the sidioperenhtm is directed forarirds, bat scarcely projects above the shin". The
distance, n-liich increases with age, betiveen the anal fn and the tip of the snout, in adult specimens at least, is
ncrer less than 48 % of the length of the body,, and the length of the base of the tin is under 48 % of this dis-
fdiice. The innermost ray of the ventral fins measures more than half their length. Branchiostegal membranes
united to and separated by the isthmus. The length of the maxillary bones is greater iu the male than in the
frmale and varies betu-een about 24 and 35 % of the length of the base of the second dorsal fin: the length of
the lou-er ja/r, wliicli is subject to the same difi'erence according to sex, varies between S3 and 44 % of the length

of the base of the same fin.

R. hv. (5: T>. 7'— 9|16— 18; A. 11—13; P. 13
, ; C. .i' + 8 1. O+.r; L. lat. por. 33 — 36.

14;

.S///i. Cottiis alepidotiis glaber, capite diacantho. Art., Gen., p. 48,
Si/ii., p. 76; jSpec, p. 82.

Cotttis capitatns, LiN Miis. Ad. Frid., vol. I, p. 70.

CoUns Got)io,Li}^., 6'i/st. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 265; Fn. ^iwc,
fvl. 2, p. 115; Retz., Fn.Suec. Lin., p. 329; Cuv., Vai,., Hist.
Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 145; Ekstr., Vet.-.\kad. Handl. 1831,
p. 308; NiLSS., Pvodr. Ichth. 6'cand., p. 98; Ekstr. et
Wricht, Skand. Fi.9k.. ed. 1, p. 34, tab. 7, fig. 2; Kroy.,
Danm. Fiskc, vol. 1, p. 141; Sl'ndev., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad.
Forh. 1851, p. 185; Id., Stockh. L. Hush. Sallsk. Handl.,
1855, p. 179; Nilss., .Skmid. Fn., Fid:., p. 64; Gthr,
Vat. Brit. Mas., Fish., vol. II, p. 156; Sieb. , iSnsswasser/.
Mitteleur., p. 62; Mgen, Finl. Fisk.,-p. 4; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel.
Naturh. For. 1865, p. 218; Lijjdstr., Gotl. Fisk. (Gotl. L.
Hush. Sallsk. Arsher. 1866) p. 14 (sep.); Bl.^nchard, Poiss.
d. eanx douces de la France, p. 161; Malm, Gbc/s, Boh.
Fn., p. 387; Feddersen, Natiuh. Tidskr. Kbhvii , ser. 3, vol.
XII. p. 73; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., IreL, vol. I, p. 46; Liu.,i.,
Sc, Norij. Fisk., vol. I, p. 125; MOE., Hist. Nat. Poi.>!S.
Fr., vol. II, p. 293; MuB., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 48.

Cottus affmis, Meckel, Ann. Wien. Mus. Naturg., vol. 2 (18:'.6),
p. 146.

Obs. In his Sijsttina Nalurcv (1. e.) Linn.kus lias overlooked
the circumstance that four years before he liad called this species
Cottus capitatns, deriving the specific name from Gesner (Gohio j/ii-
viatilis capitatns) De Aqnat., p. 477.

This .species and the following one ave the smallest
(»f the true (Mti in Scandinavia. The usual size of the
River Bullhead, when full-grown, is between 75 and 100
mm., tliough specimens have been met witli up to a
length of 12.") nun.'. Small as is its importance in an

economical respect, its interest from a scientific point of
view is nevertheless great, partly for its breeding habits,
and partlj' for the differences between it and its rela-
tives, wherein it represents the transition from the
genus Cottus to ('allionymus, Gobius etc.

The body is of tlie usual round Cottoid-forin, ta-
pering like ;\ cone posteriorly: the sides of the tail are
somewhat compressed. The head, the length of which
varies between 25 and 27 % of that of the body, is
depressed and Ijroader than the trunk, but, like that of
the following species, differs from the others in the
following respects: it is entirely without projecting
spines or knobs and has no trace of the elevations
which appear in the other Colli on the top of the head.
It is tlius rounded evenly at the top towards the sides
and the snout, ^\•hich is also rounded anteriorly, and
flatter underneath. Tlie eyes* are set. on the slojje,
somewhat nearer the snout than the occiput, and at a
distance from each otlier which in adult specimens may
indeed l^e externally equal to the vertical diameter of
the eye, but if we measui-e only the least interorbital
breadth of the frontal bone, is at most ^/^ the hori-
zontal diameter of the eye. They project considerably
and are turned somewhat upwards'', a circumstance
wliicli causes the profile of the head to appear com-
pressed behind the eyes. The gape is liroad and almost
horizontal and the jaws project equally, but the upper

" The spine whicli is situated at the lower posterior corner of the inleropercuhim and directed backwards, is present, but is extremely
indistinct.

'' Sonictinies 6 according to Valenciennes and Lilljuroro, or 5 according to JIcjbius and Heincke.

' MuBlus and IIisincke say even 150 mm.

'^ Hence tlu! name of Uranidea, with a reference to the resemblance to Franoscopus (Gronov., Mus., 2, No. 166; Dekay, 1. c).

i!i\'i:i; liUi.i.iiKAD.

171

j;iw-l)oiie is short and extends hack only to a [loiiit I'clt than sucii. 'I"hc two dorsal fins are united at the
vertically below the anteriof nuirgiii of the eye. The ! base, and the second is fairly long in proportion to the

size of the fish — so long- that there is only a short
interval between the end of this fin and the beginning
of the caudal tin. In the ventral fins we find a re-
markable exception to thc^ I'ule Mitiiin the genus, na-
mely that they have one ray more, i. e. they contain
one s])inons and four weak, articulated rays; the spi-
nous I'.iy is, as usual, closely joined to the first weak
ray and hi(hleu by the skin. The length of these fins
is, as usual, greater in the male than in the female,
but, so far as our observations extend, does not exceed
17','.,% of the length of the body or 35 % of the dis-
tance between the anal fin and tlie tij) of the snout,
the eye. In this, as in the other species of the geruis, In the anal fin it is wortln' of remark that the last
small cardiform teeth are set on the lower jaw, the ! two rays are close togethei' at the base and that the
intermaxillary bones and, in a curve anteriorly convex, j base of this fin measures at most about 23 % of the
on the head of the vomer. Underneath, from the lowei- j length of the body. In the caudal fin, which is sharply
margin of the pectoral fins, the branchiostcgal mem- rounded at the end, the 7 or 8 middle ravs are qua-
branes are united to the breast, without any free der- ! drifid or doubh- bitid; in most cases too, in old speci-
mal fold across it; partlv on this account and partly [ mens at least, there is one more bifid ray. Furthermore,
in the opercular flap, which is moi-e deeply incised at I in this species as in the following one, more at least
the top, there is a slight resemblance, of which more than in the others, the rays of most of the fins, especially
hereafter, to tlic structure of the gill-openings in ('aJ- of the pectoral and ventral, have a tendencv to divide at
Wonijmns. The hind margin of the preoperculinn is the jtoint. This is visible only under a magnifying glass;
furnished at the top \\ith a small, flat hook, turned | to the naked eye, however, the ra^^s seem sim])le.

length of the uppisr jaw-bone in the female is between
7V2 ;ind 8^/. % of that of the body and in tlic male
about 10', 2 %, or in the former between 83 and 41
and in the latter about 4(i % of the length of the base
of tlie anal fin. The length of the lower jaw ^■aries
between II and 1;! % of that of the bod\. The lips
arc thick and swollen, like the checks. The whole a|>pea-
rance of the head thus gains a close resemblance to
that of the genus Gohiits. The nostrils arc small and
open on each side into two fine ducts, as is usuall}-
the case in this genus; the anterior opening is tlie larger
and is situated about half-wav between the snout and

U])wards, but the interstice between the mai'gin of the
preopenailuni and the point of the hook is filled by
the skin. Below this hook — in which we may trace
a fairly distinct likeness to the many-pointed preoper-
cular hook in Callioi/i/iiins, as ^vell as to the corres-

The coloration, as usual, varies considerably, from
eai'h' Aouth, A\'hen the dark transverse bands which are
general in the Cottoids, are more regular and distinctly
marked. In adult specimens the body is of a grayish
green colour, with irregular spots and transverse stripes

ponding structure wc have seen in Centridennichfhys — I of ^•ar^'ing size and shape. The dorsal side is marbled
is another, slightly projecting, flat spine with l)road with graA' and brown right out on the snout. The lateral
base and Idunt tip, which is generally very indistinct, line is coasted underneath bv some lighter, yellowish

though it varies in size. The lateral line, which is

spots, which are more distinct in some individuals than

marked by about 33 small, short, porous openings, is j in others. The rays of the caudal, the second dorsal,

^vithout any armour and runs fairly straight forward j the anal and the pectoi-al fins are crossed by light streaks,

from the caudal fin, at aliout the middle of the side, which together form bands, partly broken and partly

but below the first third of the second dorsal fin curves j continuous, over the fins. These light transverse streaks

slightly down\\ards and then, in a line \\ith the vent, give a broken appearance, as it were, to the rays. In

gradually rises to such an extent, that at the margin of j the males the belly is of the same colour as the body,

the gill-cover it is much nearer the back. Tlie skin j though somewhat lighter; in the females it is whitish.

is smooth, scaleless and covered with a thick and tough | The ventral fins are generally without spots and of the

mucus over the whole body. Even in this species, but | same colour as the belly, but they are sometimes dotted

still more commonly in the following one, we some-
times find the anterior part of the sides — the part

or even spotted Avith black. The iris is dark, with a
flame-yellow ring round the inner margin. The figure

which is covered by the pectoral fins — sprinkled with (plate VIII, fig. 1) is painted from a male, taken in the
small, spinous, scaly formations, \\liich are more easily ; Baltic, in the month of July.

172

SCANDINAVIAN F1SIIE,«!.

Ill tlie internal (M-gaiis of this species we tiiid no Stensii(j(ire (Stone-sucker), Stonsid (Stone-tench), Sten-

(■onsider!il)le difference from those of tlie rest of the hike (Stone-l)url)ot) etc. Tlie spawning-season extends

genus. The liver lies right across the anterior part of j from the latter part of winter' into the month of ^lay^.

the abdominal cavity, witli its greater portion on the I In 1726 Marsigli stated, in his description of the

left side. The intestine forms the same curves as in the
other species, but there are only four, rather large,
pyloric appendages. The ovaries are black, the milt
of a brownish colour, and the peritoneum silvery, spotted
with black.

Tlie Kiver IJullhead is of common occurrence in
Sweden l)oth along the coast of the Iialtic and in fresh
water. In Denmark it Avas not found before 1865",
wlien it was taken by Lorenzkn in Zealand. In Nor-

Danulje'', that the female, the 1)el]y of which is almost
monstrously distended during pregnancy, lays its eggs
in March, first preparing a hiding-place for them by
scraping a liole Avith its tail under a stone, or fiistens
them to stones or bridge-piles dri\en into the l)ottom.
It then, however, deserts them, and the male takes its
place as their protector and guards them for a month,
until tlie young are able to shift for themselves. In
more modern times Heckel and Kner'' received trust-

way, according to Collett, its place is taken by the ; Avorthy information to the same effect from some fisher-
Alpine Bullhead. It also occurs throughout all Europe \ men of the Drave, one of tlie trilnitaries of the Danube,
noi'th of the Pjn-enees and Greece, and according to ' Avho added that it was the male that searched for the
Gunther'', in Northern Asia. Whether it coincides with hole to receive the eggs' and then defended it with
any of the fresh-water Cntfi of Nortli America'', still ' desperate courage. Before the latter authors had given
seems a matter of doidjt, however probalile it may their opinion in favour of the truth of this assertion,
appea.r. Througliout this Avide geographical range it is I I-jcstrom' doubted its vei-acitv on the ground that he
most often found at spots where the water is clear and "had often seen this fish close to its roe, \vhen it was
the bottom consists of sand and pebl)les. It does not just as timid as usual and did not make the slis'htest

live in lai'ge shoaJs, but leads a solitary existence apart
from its fellows; it frequents shallow beaches and at
spots of this nature is seldom sought in vain, if one
raises the stones. It is under them that it usually
passes its time in (juiet ami inactivity, \vatching from
its lurking-i)lace for the insects, worms, Gammaroids
and other small crustaceans, or the fry or even the
small tishes of no inconsiderable size, Avhich may ap-
proach and fall a prey to its voracity. According to Be-
NECKE it is especially fond of Trout-ova''. Its move-
ments are (puck; when driven from its shelter, it darts
witli the speed (jf an arrow under tlie nearest stone or
other suital)le place of refuge. This peculiarity in its
way of life has given rise to the various names by
which it is known in different parts of Sweden, as

attempt to defend it. ' More minute observations are
still needed on this points Sundevall (1. c.) found
the eggs "in a mass, firmly attached to small stones,
close in shore" in the island-belt near Stockholm.

The fiesh of the River Bullhead is white, but is
said to turn red ■when boiled'. It is stated by many
to be of extremely good flavour; l)ut as the fish is
never so large as to render it worth while to catch
and prepare it, there is no special fishery for it. It
is, however, an excellent bait, especially for Eels and
Perch. It may be easily taken witli a forked stick of
suitable si/.e, if one cautiously lifts the stone under
which it has hidden itself.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

" See LCtkex, 1. c.

'' Studij of Fishes, p. 47 7; Iliindh. /rlithyoL, p. ;3;!8.

'■ Cf. Day, 1. c, p. 4i).

'' ILtndh. Fisclic. Finclierfi, by Benecke, Dauier and Max v. d. Borne, p. 79.

'' Febnmry, according to Munius and Heincke, 1. c; cf. also Malmgren, 1. c.

^ G. C. C'EnERSTiiOM, FiskoJI/'iiij orli Svcriges F/skerier, p. 231.

'■> Dannbiits Pnnnoitico-Mij.-iicus, toiu. IV, ]:i. 73.

'' iSiisKivasserjlscIie dcr OesteiTcicin'i'rlicii Moiua-rhie, ]i. .'SO.

' Cf. Ilie account of Batviiclnis given above.

' Vet.-Akad. Hand!., 1831, ].. .Til.

* Cf. Bl.ANCIlAIili, 1. c, p. 170.

' Cuv., Vai,,, 1. c, p. 152. Day, ). c, p. 48, slates tliat this is a i>ccnliarity confineil to certain localities.

corn II I )s.

THE ALPINE BULLHEAD (s\v. nEHcsiMrAN").

COTTUS POBCILOPUS.

FiR. 50.

Head (tnucij as nt the jircccdiiK/ s/iccirs, Iml llic n/)/ifninisf /in'ojjcrralar spnie not so carn'd, sometimes almost
strali/lif. iJisfaiice l>efireeii the aiud Jin ami the fi/i nf llic simat at most 47'^/., % of the leiif/tli of the hoilij, and
the lei/(/th of the base of this fin more than '><) %'' of lliis distance. Length of the innermost ra;/ of the rentral
tins less than htdf or rrrn than a third of the lenf/th of the fns. ddl-openinejs as in the jireredinfj species,

and idso the relafire Icnffh of the jan's.

Fig. 50. Coitus jioecilopiis from Motala River, 1st Oet., 18G1, C. Sun'Devai.l. Natural size.

B. hr. G'-; D. 7 1. 8'' 17M. 18; .1. 14'; P. \?, 1. 14; V. 'v
V. x+l — 9 + ,r; L. tat. s:rpiss. imperf.

'^yn. Cottus poecilopus, Heck., Ann. Wion. llus., II (18oG), p.
145, tab. 8, fig. 1 et 2; SUND., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh.
1851, p. 185; NiLS.s., iSlcand. Fn., Fislc.. p. G7; Heck.,
Kn., Sussicasscrf. Oesterr., p. 31; Gthr, Cat. Brit. 3/iis.,
Fisli., vol. II, p. 157; Jeitt., Arch. p. 1. Zoologia, vol.
I, p. 175; LiNDSTR., Gotl. Fisk., 1. c, p. 14 (sep.); C'OLI,.,
Forli. Vid. Selsk. Cliniia 1874, Till.Tgsh., p. 24; 1870,
No. 1, p. 12; Ol.ssoN, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Furli. 1875, No.
.'5, p. 129: Malm, Gtigs, Boli. Fn.. :is8: Lu.i.j., .S'l'., Xi>i;j.
Fistcar, vol. I, p. 131.
Cottus gobio, Dav, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I. fab. XIX,
lig. 2.

Ol/s. None of the Scandinavian species of this genus has been
so variously estimated, and justly so, as the Alpine Bullhead in its
relation to the preceding one. Most of the characters given by
Heckel can scarcely be retained, and only one of them — that which
consists in the length of the innermost ray of the ventral fins, a point
not touched upon by Heckel in liis latest work — may be regarded
as an unmistakable mark of the species, as far as we know it up to

the present. Furthermore, JIai.m, Day, Benecke and MuBlus and
Heincke still maintain the opinion that the two species are not di-
stinct. On e.xamim'ng the different relations of age and sex in both
species (see the appended table), we also find that their relative po-
sitions in the chain of development indicate a common origin of a
period not far removed from the present. In all the respects in which
Cottus poecilopus differs from Cottus ijobio, it exhibits the juvenile
or the male characters of the latter, or both combined. This appears
most clearly from a comparison between the length of the ventral
fins and the distance from the anal fin to the tip of the snout, for
the relative size of the fins gradually diminishes witli age — pro-
vided that this be expressed by the increase in the length of llie
body — and is greatest in the males and greater in (.'ottits poeci-
lopus than in Cottus gohio. It is also strange that, while in ('otitis
gobio the females are more common than the males, the contrary is
the case iu Cottus poecilopus, at least in the collections of the Royal
Museum. Again, in the south and east of Sweden at least, no fixed
limits can be set to the range of either species: Su.VDEVAl.r, found
both in the islaiid-bilt of Stockholm, they occur together in Mo-
tala River, and Lin'DSTrom assigns them both to Gothland, even though
it be to different lakes. It is, therefore, easy to understand how
confusion has often arisen in the specific and sexual differences of
the two species. The following comparative table may afford more
minute information on this point.

" LlLUEBORG, 1. C.

* At least 53 % in the specimens we have measured.
' Sometimes 5, according to Heckel.
•^ Or 9, according to Heckel.
" Or 10, according to Heckel.
•'' Or 13. according to Heckel.

174

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Lcnifth of llic boilv iu uiiii

Iiead in °i of the length of the body

.. iiui\illary bones ., ., .. ,. ., ,. ,. ,:

.. lower jaw ., ,, ., .. ,. .. ,. , -

.. ventnil tins ., ,. .. ,, ., .; -. >j --- -

Distance between the ventral tins and (he aual tin in % of the length of the body...

.. anal tin ., .. tip of the snont .. ,, .. .. .. .. ,. „

liase of the .. .. .: :• >> n •• i- v :•

Least de])th of the tail v .. .. „ ,. .. ., v

Hase of I lie anal lin in 'i of the distance between this tin and the liii of the snout —

Length of the ventral 11ns ,. „ ,, „ „ ,, their insertion and the anal fin....

,^ J, „ ,, ,, ,. „ „ the anal lin and the tip of the snout

Cottus gobio.

Lake

P'orssa,

Helsing-

land,Nov

1882.

72.0

25.0

7.G

11.5

17.0

27.6
48.6
23.0

5.8

47.4
Gl.o
34.8

Islands
near
Stock-
holm,
Aug.
1851.

9

Lake

Forssa,

Hclsing-

land, Nov.

1882.

(4).0

25.3

8. .5
11.1
IG.i
27.4
48.2
22.4

5.0
46.4
58.8
33.4

Lake
Forssa,
Hcl sing-
land, Nov
1882.

86.3
26.0

8.5
12.7
l(i.2

24.4
50.4
20.8

5.8
41.3

GG.o
32.1

89.0

25.8

8.1

11.2

15.V
28.1
51.1

21.8

5. c,
42.0
56,0
30.8

Islands
near
Stuck-
bohn,
Aug.
1854.

78.0
2t;.a
lO.ii
13. 1

17.4

23. 1
50.0
23.1

5.8

46.2
75. .■s
35. 0

Cottus lioecilopus.

dvick-
joi-k
1860.

Bj6rk-
niis.

9

9

67.5

08.0

24.1

26.5

7.7

8.1

10.8

12.1

17.4

19.1

21.0

22.1

44.4

47.1

25.0

25.0

5.G

5.3

57.3

53.1

83.1

86.0

39.3

40.6

Bjfirk-
niis.

rf'

Motala.

o"

Motala.

cf

45.0
25.8

7.7
11.6
18.2

22.2
44.9
26.7

4.7

59.4
82.0
40.6

77.5

26. G

9.0

12.9
19.3

23.5

47.1
25.8

.5.3

54.5
82.4
41.1

93.0

28.5

9.7
13.3

20.4
25.8

47.3
25.8
6.0
.54.5
79.2
40,3

Tlie Alpine Bullhead, which attains ;i lenijth of
about 14 cm., is in most respects so like the preceding
species that a minute description is unnecessary. The
length of the jaws, the ventral fins and the base of
the anal tin, which is generally greater in this species,
and the distance from the tip of the snout to the be-
ginning of the anal fin, which is generally less, form
its true charticters. The species owes its systematic
name {poecihpus, "with variegated foot") to the blackish
transverse bands which usually appear on the ventral
fins; and in most cases this character holds good, though
these bands are often indistinct, while in Cottus f/ohio,
too, the ventral fins are often spotted witli Idtick. In
all the .specimens we have examined, even in tJie fe-
males, thei-e are numerous and very distinct, l)ut scat-
tered, spinous scales on the anterior part of the sides,
even above the latei-al line. We have always found
the lateral line imperfect, or at least that its openings
and pores become indistinct at the middle of the second
dorsal fin and sometimes just behind the beginning of
this fin; but its usual course to the Imse of the caudal
fin is generally indicated bv a groove in the skin. In
this res])ect, however, Cottus poecilopus does not stand
alone: the posterior part of the lateral line is indistinct
and api)ai'ently destitute of pores in the generality of
cases — though to a less extent — in Cottridermichthys
Inimatus, Cottus quadricornis and occasionally in Cottus
f/ol)io, where, however, it is generally perfect or perhaps
becomes indistinct for a small part of its course to be
again continued by distinct pores further back.

The Swedish name wliicli Lilljeboug has given
this species, ttcrfisiwpa or 'Mountain Bullhead', is really
founded on the circumstance that it was first desci'ibed
as an inhal)itant of the mountain torrents among the
Carpathians — according to a statement of doubtful
authenticitv it also occurs in a similar way among the
Pyrenees. Its geographical range is, however, far too
little known as yet to admit of any decided inference
being drawn from this circumstance, especially as it so
closely resembles the common River Bullhead even in
colour and in its habits that the species may well have
been confused on uKim' occasions where a most careful
examination has not l)een made. Lilueborc, however,
I'ightlv points out that it lias been found in one of
the northernmost Swedish lakes, Saggat Mere near
Qvickjock (WiDEonEN), in the lakes of Jemtland — where,
according to Olsson, it is called Stengcrs (Stone-ruflt')
Lalrrfers (Burbot-ruff) and Lakatruhl) (Flat-nosed Bur-
bot) — and in Lake NiVmm in Smaland (Porath and
Theorin), and that Collett assigns only this species,
and not the preceding one, to the rivers and lakes of
Norway south of Dovre Field. It would thus appear in
Scandinavia too, to belong more or less entirely to the
mountain-regions, though, as Suxdevall has shown, it
lives together with Cottus (/otiio in the island-belts of
the Baltic. That it also occurs in Fngland, appears
from Day's figure which we have mentioned above,
and \\'hich is di-ivvn from a specimen caught in the
Chern, one of the upper tributaries of the Thames.

COTTOIDS.

175

THE FOUR-HORNED COTTUS (sw. iroiiNsiMPA>i).
COTTUS QUADRICOKNIS.

Plate' VI, lig. 2, V; I'late VII, tig. 1, cf-

Tdj) <if tlic head finiiishcd /rill/ s2)iHes ai/d tid/crcle.'^. Preopercidar spines 4. Lalci/d lii/c /ritliaid spii/es. Lci/rjtii

of file ii/<(.iilhiri/ l/diifs more tlian ^/.,, ai/d of the In/rer jair more than ^/., of the lei/r/fh of the t/ase of the second

dorsal fi/. Least dejdh of the tail less than 4^'^ % of the length of the l/od/j ond less thai/ 21 % of tl/c l/ase of

the anat fin. Marijii/s of the t/ranehiostefpd mcinl/rai/es united, t/i/ <i free denn/d fold across the islhinns.

/,'. Ar. 5— 7; J>. « 1. ill:!— If); .1. 14 1.15: P. l,j — 17;
V. ',;,; ('. .!• + « 1. !•" + ,)•.

Si/ii. Cottiis scaber, tiibf;i-ibiis i[iiatu()r, eoriiiforiiiibus, in medio capite,
Art., Gen. Pise, p. 4-8; Hyii. p. 77; Spec, p. 84.

('nttits quadricornis, Lin., Mus. Ad. Frid., vol. I, p. 70, tab.
XXXII, fig. 4; Sj/st. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 2(;4; Rktz., Fii.
8uec. Lin., p. 328; Pall., Zoogr. Boss. As., vtil. Ill, p. 127;
Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. Ili8; Ekste,,
Vet.-Akad. Haiidl. 1831, p. .-JH; Nilss., Prodi: h-lith. Scand.,
p. 98; Ekstr. et Wright, Skand. Fish., ed. 1, p. 30, tab.
VII, fig. 1; Kroy., Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p. 140; Nilss.,
Skand. Fa., F/sk., p. 80; Sundev., Stoekh. L. Ilush.-Sallsk.
Handl. 1855, pp. 80, 80, 178; Gthr, Cat. Brit. iMiis., F/,5/i.,
vol. II, p. ICIi; LovKN, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1862, p.
403; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (disp.) p. 8; Lindstr., Gotl. Fisk.
(1. c), p. 14 (sep.); Ltk.v, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn
1870, p. 375; Malm, Gb,js, Boh. Fn., p. 390; Day, Fish.
G:t Brit., Irc'L, vol. I, p. 40; Lillj., Su., Norg. Fisk., vol.
I, p. 144; MOi!., HcKE, Fische d. Ostsee, p. 47.

Coitus hexacornis, Rich., Frankl. Journ., p. 720; Fn. Bor.
Ainer., pt. Ill, p. 44.

This species ;uid the following one are the largest
of the Scandinavian Cotti, and in Sweden they attain
about the same size, generally about 250 mm., but
one may occasionally meet with specimens of the Four-
horned Cottus wliich e.xceed this size. The appearance
of the Four-horned Cottus is (juite peculiar, owing to
the strongly depressed head, especially when the gill-
covers are e.xtended; the small eyes, with the breadth
of the interorbital space in large specimens greater than
the longitudinal diameter of the eye, but in small ones
considerably less; the less distinct projection of the
upper orbital margin, in consequence of which the inter-
orbital space is almost flat; the flatter and more elon-
gated snout, which removes the spines of the two nai?al
bones farther from the eyes than in the folloAving spe-
cies, etc. The length (jf the head varies between 28
and 33 % of that of the bodv. The nostrils are small:

the two openings on each side are, as is the I'uli' in
the genus, fairlj^ widely separated by the n;isal ])()iie;
the anterior is situated nearest the snout and tlic po-
sterior ju.st in front of the anterior margin of the eye;
both open into cylindrical or funnel-shaped dermal
tubes. The two lateral ridges on the top of the head,
which run from the eyes to the occiput, are onh' slighth-
marked as low, rounded bars. The four spines which
in the other Cotti mark the beginning and the end of
these ridges, are generally replaced in this species b-\-
singular structures, which rise in the form of spongeous
bony protuberances, two in front, each on the upper
posterior margin of the orbit, and two behind on the
occiput. Tliese protuberances vary considerabh', how-
ever, in form and size, but without any fixed depen-
dence on sex or age in specimens at all advanced in
groAvth: during youth, however, they ai'e very indistinct.
As a rule, the two anterior ones are the largest, and
the two posterior are sometimes much worn or even
wanting. They consist of a thin, foliate, osseous disk,
which is somewhat bent and at the upper margin wi-
dens out into a ))orous, finigiforni knob. The longitu-
dinal distance Ijetween them is greater tlian the trans-
verse, the anterior pair are farther apart from each
other than tlie posterior, and the space betAveen all four
is usually more or less rough with small, obtuse, osseous
tubercles, which are scattered about in no reffular
arrangement. Just behind and outside the anterior
pair we generally find a small bony spine, which varies
in size.

There are four projecting sjjines on the preoper-
culum, all fairh- large. The uppermost is the longest
and is generally turned obliquelv upwards and outwards,
while the next is directed backwards and outwards.

" In young specimens there are often only 7 brauelied rays in the caudal fin; sometimes none of these rays is branched, as is the
case in a specimen from Siberia, 137 mm. in length.

170

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

tlie third Ijackwavds ;ni(l dowiiwai'ds and the h)west
downwards and forwards. In most cases the points of
all of them project above the skin, but sometimes the
points of one or tAvo of them arc, as it -wei'C, broken
off short, nodose or branched. They also vary consi-
derably in direction and length. Tlic o])erculMi' si)iuc
is almost hidden 1)V the skin, Hat and without any
roughness whatcxer. On the suboperculum are ?> or 4
fine, pointed spines, scarcely distinguishable, with the
exception of t!ic lowest, whicli is the longest. On
the superior clavicular bones there are also two spines
Avhich are l)r()ad at the l)ase and rougli partlv at the
point and partly along the upper margin — the lateral
line starts from these si)ines — and on the true claviculai-
bone a more pointed sj)ine just above the pectoral tin.

The cavernous bones of the face must also in some
degree be regarded as a distinguishing peculiarity of this
species. This cliaracter is, however, easily overlooked
Avhen the tish is examined during life or soon after its
capture, for the thick, elastic skin conceals the depressions
in the bones. It is more distinctly visible when the fish
has been dead for some time or has been preserved in
spirits. These depressions", -which belong to the system
of the lateral line, occur on the loAver side of the lower
jaw, three on each side; along the lower margin of the
sul)orl)ital ring — the chain of l)ones which forms the
lower boundary of the orbit — to a number of four or
five; and lastly in tlie margin of tlie ])reoperculum,
Avliich has a swollen appearance and in which there are
two depressions above the uppermost spine and one in
the interval between each pair of spines.

As is generally the case in the Coffi, the liody
tapers in a conical form towards the tail. It shows less
lateral compression than in the following species, but
is also more elongated and shallower''. The lateral line
is fairly straight. It consists of raised, olilong scales,
concave at the end, and thus acipures a chain-like
appearance. With this exception it is completely mi-
armed, and usually ends a little in front of the base
of the caudal fin. Above the lateral line there are
generally two irregular rows of scattered, round, some-
what raised and rough scales, which are continued with
one or two breaks, now in one row and now in the
other, back to the caudal fin. On closer examination
these scales sliow a jxirous surface, from tlie raised
centre of Avhich radiate small, granulate, l>ony lamelbe.

" Cf. Acerina cerniia, above.

* Cf. the abuve scheme for llie distinction of tlie species of this

Similar scales, though of smaller size, also occur in no
regular arrangement below the lateral line, Avhere they
begin just above the commencement of the anal fin
and generally disappear at its end.

The nunil)er of the branchiostegal rays varies in
tliis species; it is most often six, but in some specimens
five and in others seven.

Tlie dorsal fins are distinct and of ordinary form.
Tlie anterior generally contains eight ra}-s; Init the
luimber \aries between 7 and 9. All these rays are
simple, not articulated and somewhat pungent, though
more flexible and Aveaker than in the following species.
The posterior dorsal fin generallv contains 14 ravs,
sometimes 13, 15 or 16, all very rough and sharp on
each side, articulated but not branched at the tip. In
the anal fin we usually find 15 smooth, simple, arti-
culated rays, but the nundier varies lietween 15 and 13.
The pectoral fins contain from 15 to 17 i-avs, the 4th
and 5th being the longest and the others gradually
diminishing in size downwards, to such an extent that
the last ray is extremely short, its lengtli lieing only
al)Out ^'j of that of the first oi- ujipei'inost ray. All
these rays are articulated and undivided, and some of
them rough and sharp on each side, in which respect,
however, sex generally causes some variation. In the
female only the first vax is rough on the hiside, Avhile
all the others are smooth; and on the outside onlv the
first VAX is rough throughout its length, the second
from the middle to the tip, the next ones, down to the
5th and 6th inclusive, only at the tip, and all the rest
smooth. In the male, on the other hand, the first 8
ravs are rough on the outside throughout their length,
and the rest are also armed, when stripped of the thick
skin which envelo])S them; and on the inside the first
8 ravs are rough at the point, the roughness extending
to the middle of the 2nd and 3rd I'a^s and gradually
diminishing in extent as we proceed down the fin. The
ventral fins contain four iviys, the first a hard, spinous
ray, which is relatively longer than in the following
species of this genus, but is just as closely united as
in them to the second raA", which, like the next two
(inner) rays, is soft and articulated, but simple at the
tip. In the male the innermost rav is often consider-
al)ly longer than the middle one, in the female of about
the same length as it, but to this rule, too, there are
many exceptions. The caudal fin is moi'c truncate than

i"(ni!-ii()KNi:i) ciiTrrs.

r

in the other s])ecies of the genus. Besides the supei'ior
,111(1 inferior sii])|)ortiiig- rnys, this tin eoutiiiiis 11 other
r;i\s. The 8 or '.) middle ones, in old speeiinens at
least, are generally ])ranclie(l, though one may sometimes
tind specimens from 130 to 140 mm. in length without
a single hranehed ray in the caudal tin. In tiic male
all the simple rays of this tin are generally rough
througliout their length, hut the hranehed ravs, on the
other hand, only from the beginning of the division to
the tip: in the female oid\- the uppermost rav is rough.
When the caudal lin is folded up, the outer ra\s ai'c
generally those which extend farthest baek.

On the effects of difference of sex on the external
parts of the l)ody we tind no remarks in any author
before ICksthOm, although they are very striking. In
the males tlu; ])ody is generally more cylindrical, and the
begiiuiing of the anal tin usually in front of the middle
of the l)ody. In these respects, as in several others, the
males have retained their position in the juvenile stages
of development, which they thus hold in common with
the \'ounger females; while we tind that in very old
males the anal fin sometimes begins a little behind the
middle of the body, thouafh not so far l)ack as in fe-
males of equal size. The males generally have also

higher anal and dorsal fins and longer pectoral and
ventral tins, 'fhis prevails in some cases, perhaps in
most, to such an extent that the rays of the second
dorsal fin, when depressed, extend beyond the base of
tiic caudal lin; and it is a nde, to which we have found
few exceptions, that in the males the length of the vent-
ral tins is greatei' than that oi' the lower jaw. There is
also a ditterence according to sex in the relations of the
dorsal fins to each other. In the males the base of the
second dorsal fin is generally longer than in the females.
but the distance between the beginnings of the two fins
is less. Though these two ditt'erences ai-e not invariable,
the rule holds good if the\- are combined, — -attention
being j)aid to the significance of the aliove-inentioned
changes of growth — that in tlie males the distance
from the begiiuiing of the first dorsal fin to that of the
second is less than the length of the base of the latter
fin, while in the females, except during youth, it is
greater. In tlie latter, too, the belly is more pendent,
the anal fin begins behind the middle of the ])ody, and
the fin-rays are shorter and not so rough. In the
following table we give the most important differences
depending on age and sex which we have found in
eight females and five males:

Lcnglli of the body in niillimetres

., ,. .. Iieiid in % of tlie leiiglli of the I)ody

.. maxillary bones ,, ,, ,, .. .. ,, ., ,,

,, „ lower jaw ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, „ ,,

„ ,, „ ventral tins „ „ „ ,, ,, ,, ,, „

Least depth of the tail ., „ ,, ,, „ „ „ ,,

Distanee from the anal tin to the tip of the snout in °i of the length of the body

Distanee from the beginning of the first dorsal fin to that of the seeond in
% of the base of the Litter _

Least depth of the tail in % of the length of the longest ray in the anal fin

„ ,, ,. .. seeond

dorsal tin

Length of the ventral fins in fe of the length of the belly from the insertion
of these tins to the beginning of the anal fin

Length of the ventral fins in % of the distance from the beginning of the
1st dorsal fin to that of the "ind

Length of the ventral fins in % of the distance from the anal fin to the tip
of the snout

Longest ray in the Ist dorsal fin in % of the distance from the beginning
of the 1st dorsal fin to that of the second

Longitudinal diameter of the eyes in }i of the length of the head

Least breadth of the intcrorliital space in f* of the least depth of the tail.

Sca7iflinavian Fishes.

Q

Lake W
Novel

o "
<
2 ^

3 n

fl

n

■? 1=)

|_1«Q

1— I

cd2

PS

PS

pS

'

a-

Q

Q

73

n

30.1

31.2

10.9

11.7

15.2

14.0

12.3

13.0

3.9

4.0

48.2

48.1

87.5

'.15.6

40.0

47.0

35.0

32.6

51.4

54.1

64.3

65.3

25.C

27.0

40.0

50.0

18.2

20.8

96.4

84.0

9 j 9 I 9

78 jl37 1 173
28.2i 29.0 29.4

11.1

15.2
11.5

3.i<
46.1

V

206
29.3

11.9

12.4 12.1
le.oi 15.0 15.8

14.0 12.4 10.8

3.6

51.5

106.4 107.4
47.6 35.7

36.6 22.7

46.4
54.S
25.0

52.6
69.0
28.3

33.7 i 34.5
22.7 17.2
66.7, 100.0

4.0 3.9
50.9 52.1

46.6
33.3

y

218
29.3

12.4
14.8
14.4

4.1
.53.2

110.3 118.5 109.0 110.0
42.1 37.5

274
33.

15.3
17.5

13

3.6

55.6

ao.f

44.8 41.3

57.3, 46.4

i

24.4 20.7

41.3 35.4

23.5 22.8
75.7! 87.5

28.1
50.8
64.3
27.1
34.7

17.8

100.0

34.5

27.0

46.2

61.1

24.2

40.5

12.1

14.5.0

s: 7^

c n

cy ^

cc,2

162
28.4
11.7

15.4

19.1

4.3

47.3

91.2

38.8

19.0

79.S

100.0

40.5

60.0
24.0
57.1

170
30.0

12.7
14.9

17.1

3.5

48.0

94.6
27.3

15.4

66.0
82.8
35.6

w3

>\

0"

cT

!56

265

31.2

29.4

14.0

12.1

14.8

17.0

18.3

17.3

4.1

3.8

47.6

50o

94.5

92. B

•J1 „

18.7

73.4
90.4
38.5

21.8

65.7

272
30.0
15.1

17.2

26.1
4.0

51.8

13.3

100.0

54.8 55.7
16.6' 15.0

81.4 131.5

34.8 50.4

53.0

14.7

81.5
14.7

113.3 133.3 114.31 127.3

^ 1

>

<

0

3

"K!

—

s

^

,-,

sr

^T

n

'

31

CB

"■

s

9

V

76.0
29.8

11.2

14.9

12.3

3.9

47.5

96.5
44.9

34.7

50.6

61.J

25.9

41.2
20.6

82.4

23

I

201.5| 225.0

30.1 29.8

12.8
15.8

13.1

I

3.8

52.7

13.1

15.9

19.«

3.9

48.9

111.0 93.1

39.3I 29.7

28.4 17.6

47.1 76.9

59.0

97.2

24.9 40.0

37.3 60.9

18.6 17.0

lOl.G 109.1

178

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

If it l)e borne in mind during examiniition of this the abdominid (•;i\ity ;ind extends slightly fni-tlier Iwck
table tliat the average lensjth of the body in the males i on the left side than on the riglit. The pyloi'ic appen-

here measured is greater than in the females, it is clear
that in every line in the last three columns where the
numljers rise oi' fall in uniform succession, a distinct
(•hanjje of growth is indicated, and that where this is
not the case, an equally distinct sexual difference ap-
pears. With ]'espect to ihc length of the \entr;il tins
in ])roportion to that of the body, it is true that these
three numl)ers rise uniforndy; but here the difference
Ijetween the last column and the next to the last is so
gi-eat that the sexual difference is indicated in this way;
while, on the other hand, with regard to the length of
the maxillarv l)ones and of the lower jaw, the ditt'erence
l)etween the last column and the next to the last is so
slight tliat we may well suspect that here, too, difference
of sex has had some influence, in which case it becomes
a rule that the jaws are generally longer in the females
than in the males. The table also suggests that the
long and low lurm of tiie bodv, which is so character-
istic of the species, expressed in the ratios of tiie least
depth of the tail, and the relatively small eyes are most
strongly marked in the two specimens from tlie frozen
sea of Siberia, where, to judge by this circumstance,
the species attains its most perfect typical character.

The colouring of the Four-horned Cottus is nuu'h
duller than that of tin; two following species, and thus
contributes to I'cnder its appearance still more repulsive.
The ])ack and ihe ujiiicr \r.\vt of the head are grayish
bi-(jwn, in some specimens tinely mai"bled with dai-k
spots, which arc partly coalescent. The sides are lighter
and towards the belly shade into light brownish yellow
with a brassy lustre. In the male the same colour,
with a. dash of I'ed, extends over the l)elh' as well;
but in the female the belly is white. The I'ound, rough
scales on the sides of tlie l)ody are yellowish whit(.'.
The iris is dark tlame-yellow, lighter at the inner
margin.

The internal structure of the Four-horned Cottus
is essentially the same as that of tlie othei- species of
the genus, but is different in some respects. The liver,
the breadth of which is greater than its length, lies across

dages, ^vhich are arranged in a wreath round the yiyl-
orus, are comparatively slR)rt and only from (i to 8
in number. The longest of them is situated on the
side next to the stomach; the others gradually diminish
in size. In this si)ecies, too, the ovaries are really
united into one, but this is more deeply cloven into
two lobes. According to Sundevall the colour of the
roe varies between dark bi-own and dark or light green.

The geographical range of the Four-horned Cottus
is extremely singular and instructive. It is wanting, to
the best of our knowledge, on the west coasts of Scan-
dinavia" and Gi'eenland, as far north as the Danish
colonies extend'; but on the east coast of Greenland it
^vas taken l)y the German "North Pole Expedition" of
1869 — 70''. In Spitzbergen it has not ^-et been foiuid,
but in the White Sea it was taken in 18(31 by the
Finnish naturalist Semn, and Lieutenant Sandeberg
brought home to Stockholm innnerous specimens from
the neighbourhood of Archangel. Even Pallas (1. c.)
stated that the Four-horned Cottus is not oidy an in-
habitant of the coasts of Kamchatka, but is also ol
common occurrence in fresh water in Siberia, as, for
example, in Lake Baikal and other lakes, and also in
the rivers flowing from these lakes all the way to the
Arctic Ocean, ^vhere it ■was fomid, on the coast of Si-
beria, by the Vega Expedition. It was from Copper-
mine River, in the middle of the extreme north of North
America, that Kichaudson obtained his ('offiis liiwa-
roi-itis, which he subsequently proved to belong to the
same species as the Four-horned Cottus; and during
Captain Feilden s expedition ]\lr. Egektox found a
small Four-horned Cottus dead on the shore of Duin-
bell Harbour in latitude H2\L° N. — "No other salt-
water tish," says GCxtukk'', "is known at present to
have been found at a higher latitude."

In Sweden, luitil the ])nblication of the first edition
of this work, the Four-horned Cottus had been regarded
exclusively as a salt-water fish. Ekstrom and Fiues
wei'e then able to show that it occurs in fi'esh ^va-ter
in Scandinavia also, "probabh' in several localities,

" According to information i;iven by Baron OviJ.HNsTJEiiNA to NlLssoN (1. c.j, il has been taken of( Kullen, Ijiit it lias never rcapjicarcil
tliere. According to GOntiiek (1. c), Gray once obtained a fresli specimen at Billingsgate, wliicli was perhaps a stray individual tliat bad
wandered into the North Sea. Malm (1. e.) obtained a specimen from Nordrc River, six miles from its mouth, which had presumfdily come
(l<i\vn th(' stream from LaUe Wcner.

'' Cf. LOtkun, 1. c, p. .-iTG.

' Die Zweite Deutsche Nordpolar/dJirl, Bd. 2, p. IG'.i. (I'ki'ERS.).

'' Proc. Zool. aoc. 1877, p. 29;!.

l'ii|l!-llilKNKI) col TIS.

179

though as yet wo liave liad time to trace it oiil\- in
Lake Wetter." It lias subsequently I)eeM ol)taiiie(l l)y
Ekstrum from Lake Wener as well". For tlie lirst-
meutiouefl diseover}- we lia\e to tliank Sergeant-major
H.\LL of (Ireiuia, wlio in 18;^>(i forwarded to the Ko\'al
Museum several s]H'cimens of this Hsh, taken during
the spawning-season. The Four-homed Cottus of Lake
Wetter dirt'ers, however, in some respects from that of
the Baltic and the Arctic Ocean.

The Four-horned ('ottus of Lake Wetter — or
''siiiipn", as it is called there and verv often in tlic
island-lielt of Stockholm — is of smaller and more
slender shape, hcing at most -about 210 mm. in length.
The body is strewn with smaller and fewer sliarp sca-
les oil the sides, and in the female is often scaleless
below the lateral line. The eyes are large, their longi-
tudinal diameter (see the table above) varying between
23 and 24 96 of the length of the head, whereas this
ratio in specimens of ecpial size from the BaJtie or the
Arctic Ocean varies lietween 17 and, at most, 21 %.
The distance lietween the eyes is also less, the least
Iji'cadth of the interorbital space in the three females
from Lake Wetter mentioned above — which are on
an average 152'3 mm. in length — being on an aver-
age only 76'6 ?«i of the least depth of the tail; while
in the other females, the average length of which is
15.')'8 mm., this ratio rises on an average to 105'1 %,
and even in the four youngest of the latter, the average '
length of which is 126"5 mm., to 95' 1 ?4. ()t the four
protuberances on the top of the head we find only the I
rudiments, consisting of small, low, obtuse, bony sjiines,
wiiich are most often, however, furnished with several
points, exactly as in young specimens from the Baltic.
To judge by specimens preserved in spirits, the colour-
ing also seems to be much paler. According to Mr.
Hall's account this variety is common in Lake Wetter,
and spawns there in November, in deep water and on
a clayey bottom. It is not eaten. Its food consists
of insects and small fresh-^vater crustaceans, among
which it also finds its favourite morsel, the fairly
large Idothca ciitoiiion, also a relic of the Glacial \
Period. The contents of its stomach also show that it
greedily devours tlie deposited roe of other fishes.
Malmgken and S. Lovex have proved that a similar

variety of the Four-liorned Cottus occurs in Lake La-
doga; and the hitter has founded on this find and se-
veral others of a like nature his lirilliant theory as to
the post-glacial liislory of Lake Wetter and several
other Scandinavian lakes. Tlie\- carr\- us back to a
time when the Arctic Ocean extended southwards from
the White Sea aci-oss Finland till it joined the Bjaltic,
which in its turn spread westwards o\ci- the districts
surrounding Lakes Wetter and Wencr. This is his
explanation of the fact thai (he Foiir-hoi'iied ('ottus,
together with a number of ciaistaceans, has become an
inhabitant of these lakes, as a sur\i\or from a pre-
historic Arctic Fauna.

< )n the Swedish coast of the Baltic the Four-horned
Cottus is most common in tiie middle portion, especially
in the inner island-belts of Stockholm, both the northern
and the southern. Its range extends south at least as
far as Gothland. It also occurs occasionally even on
the coasts of Prussia and Pomei'ania*. In the north
it is found along the coast of Norrland, and also in-
habits the Gulf of Finland. Its way of life probably
differs in no important respect from that of the Sea
Scor]>ion; and both these species are often met with
together, though the Foui'-horned Cottus is more strictly
a shore-fish and a])parently does not occur so far out
at sea as the other species''. Its food seems chiefly to
consist of the crustaceans common in the Baltic, espe-
cially the large Idothca cnfomon, with which one gene-
rally finds its stomach tilled, and also of mollusks and
insects, seldom of small fishes. The .spawning-season
occurs in November, December and January, in the
Baltic on a stony bottom. The roe is deposited, says
SuNDEVALL, like that of the Perch, in one single mass;
but this is attached to the bottom in water of some
depth, possibly even several fathoms. In a piece of
roe which Baron Cederstkom found in a seine, the
young were hatched during the latter half of April.
They were then about 1 1 mm. in length, and their
external and internal organs were far more developed
than is generally the 'case in the frv of other fishes.
The-\" swam about freel\-, but soon sought shelter in the
roe from which they had emerged.

It is during the spawning-season that most of these
fish are taken in nets, which are called Sinqtiu'if (Cottus-

" See Malm, 1. c.

* Cf. MoBius am\ Heixcki:, 1. c.

' Cf. SUNDEVALL, 1. C, p. 8(5.

180

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

nets). Foi- this purpose (jUI, discai-ded Perch-nets, peculiar smell, which is not agreeable to all tastes, it

l!oach-nets etc. are used. It is also taken witli tackle j loses this when riglitly prepared, and acquires a fairly

caUcd ii'nniJcldon, which consists of a bright piece of pleasant flavour. Tiie liver is held in the highest

tin as long as one's linger, to the lower end of which | esteem. In Stockliolm this tish is regarded by many

four hooks are fastened in a, cross. This is attached
to a line ^\•hich is sunk to the bottom and plucked up
and down without a, stop, as in bobbing {inmplande)
for Herrings. This fish is also speared with small
leisters by toi'chlight, and sometimes taken in nets or
seines siiot for other fishes.

The I'^our-horned Cottus is considered the most
eatable of the ^vhole genus. Though the flesh has a

as a great delicacy. It therefore often appears in the
market. It is then always skinned, anil the head re-
moved. SuNDEVAi.L calculated the annual value of this
fishery between 1850 and 1860 at about 2,000 Swe-
dish crowns (£l 10). In this estimate, however, the
Sea Scorpion is also included.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

THE SEA SCORPION OR SHORT-SPINED COTTUS (sw. ROTSiMrAN).

COTTUS SCOKPIUS.

(Plate Vlir, figs. 2 and .3).

T(tj) of fhc hern] icith spines and ridges. Preoperciilar margin ivitlt 3 or 4 spines. Lateral line irithoaf spines,
f/enerally irifh a rcrg distinct, doirnnrtrd ciirre at the end of the second dorsal fin. Length of the maxillary
hones generally greater in the female than in the male (at least after the time n-hen the external difference of sex
appears) and varying hetireen 47 and 58 % of the base of the second dorsal fin: the length of the lover jaw,
irhich difi'ers in the same /ray according to sex, varying between 57 and 6'8 % of the base of the same fin. Least
depth of the tail more than 4\'o % of the length of the body, and varying hetn-een :24 and S3 % of the base of
fhc anal fin. Margins of the hranchiostegal membranes united by a free dermal fold across the isfhinns. No
dermal fri)iges on the ma.rilUiry hones. Numher of rays in the second doisal fin genendlji more than 14, in the

anal fin gcne)'((lly more than 11.

R. hf. G; Z>. 9"— ll!l4''— 17; A. W
V. ','3; C. .1- + 7 — 9+.)': L. ha. por. .37—43.

-14; F. 16''— 18;

6'yn. Cottus alepidotus; capite polj-acantho; maxilla superiore paullo
longiore, .\rt., Gen. Pise, p. 49; Si/n., p. 77; Spec, \>.
80.

Cottits .Scorpa-iia, Lin., Mits. Ad. FrUL, vol. I, p. 70.

Cottus Scorpius, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, loin. I, p. 265; Fn.
Huec, ed. II, p. 115; F.\BK., Fn. Groenl., p. 156; Retz., Fn.
Suec. Lin., p. 328; P.\ll., Zoogr. Ross. Asiat., vol. Ill,
p. 130; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nut. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 160;
Ekstr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1831, p. 312; Nilss., Prodr.
Ichtli. Seand., p. 96; Fhies, Ekstr., Wright, Skand. Fisk.,
ed. I, p. 23, tab. 5; Kroy., Damn. F/ske, vol. I, pp. 130
et 583; Nilss., iSkaml. Fn., Fisk., p. 68; Gthb, Cat. Brit.
Mas., Fish., vol. II, p. 159; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk., p. 6;
>SpL:/. Fisk., Ufvers. Vot.-Akad. FiJrh. 1864, p. 495; Lindstr.,
'iotl. Fisk,, Gotl. L. Hush. Sallsk. Arsber. 1860, p. 14
(sep.); Coi.i.., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874, Tillajgsh., p.

24; Ltkn, Vid. Jleddol. Natnrh. For. Kbhvn 1870, p. 370;
Mai.31, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 388; Winth., ZooI. Dan., Fiske,
p. 8, tab. II, fig. 1 et 2; Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, .scr. Ill,
vol. XII, p. 9; Coll., Norsk. Nordh. Exped., Zool., Fisk., p.
25; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irei., vol. I, p. 49, tab. XIX, fig.
1, tab. XX, fig. 1; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 135;
MoREAU, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Fr.. vol. II, p. 298; Mob.. Hcke,
Fisch. d. Ostsee, p. 43; Jord., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 16, p. 702.

Cottus (/roenlandictis, Cuv.. Val., 1. c, p. 185; Richards, 7^/;.
Bor. Amer., pt. Ill, pp. 46 et 297, tab. 95, fig. 2; Dek.,
.V. Y. F,,., Fi.sh., pt. IV, p. 54, tab. IV, fig. 10; Gthr,
1. c., p. 161; Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., 1872, p.
213; Jord., Gilb. (subsp.) 1. c, p. 703.

Cottus porosiis, Cuv., Val., 1. c. vol. VIII, p. 498; Cottus
(Acanthocottus) varialiilis (Ayres), labradoricus (Girard),
ocellatus, Storer, Journ. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. vol. VI, pp.
248 et 253. Cottus glacialis, Richards., Vog. Belcher,
vol. II, p. 349, tab. 24. De his synon. vide MORN, 1. c.

" Sometimes 7 or 8, according to Lutken.

'' Sometimes 13 or even as many as 19, according to LCtken.

' Sometimes only 9, according to Day, or 10, according to LOtken; sonietimcs 15, according to the latter.

'' Only once have 15 been found, according to LiJTKEN. NiLSSON, however, gives from 15 to 17.

SKA SCOKI'loN.

181

The Sen Scdi-pion is mic of tluMiiost vjiriahlt; forms I)\- tlie low t;iil to tlint ^^roiin of the ;^euus of which

;iii(l h;is thci'cfoi-c, not without i-enson, hofiic iiuiiiy sy-
str-iaatic iinmcs. The mei'it of referriiiii' ;ill tlie specific
iiaiiies i;i\cii in the above list of sviionynis to one single
species, was iirst gained hy Professor IMAi-MCiiii'-.N in his
excellent revision of "The Fishes of Spitzbergen." lie-
sides the varions forms which appear within the limits
now accejitcd for the species, we lintl several other
forms which cannot he included within these limits, but
which, either as intermediate forms or by their changes
of development, range themselves so close to Cotfus
scnrphis that natural series may be traced in one di-
rection to the gemis ('iiftin/rtilKs, in another to f'oftus
</ii(«Jri(()n/is and in a tinrd to the more nearly Scor-
ptviioid Ctitfits hiiliidis. One of these intermediate forms

Cotfus i/imdiicon'ls is tiie best-known representative.
I'l-om this group Cotfus si-or/)iiis itself forms the tran-
sition to tlu; Ijiiljdlis {Eiiojjlir//s) gr(jnp.

The Sea Scoi'pion — as in some respects the fol-
lowing species — thus stands at the centre, so to speak,
(jf the developmental range of the family, with branches
in several directions; and its vai-ieties of form aain
greater importance, the more i'ldly we are able to
explain the circumstances from which they have arisen.
MOmus and Heinckk have given' the following list of
tlie changes of form which occurred in about 300 spe-
cimens examined by thera and taken in the south-west
of the Baltic. The largest of these specimens were
300 mm. in leno-th.

Fig. 53. Cottiis platyceplialns, Najtschkaj, lOtli April, 1879, Vega Expedition. Natural size.

we find in the Siberian Catfiis platijcephalus" , which
1)^- Caff IIS ffi'inoj)fei-iis'' and ('offKS Bi'iniilf'ii' is united
to Cotfus srorpuis, but ])y its small eyes, the great
l)readth of the interorliital space and the long low'er
ja^v, which projects be\'ond the tip of the snout, guides
us to the transition to Coffni/cnlus, and again is referred

229 specimens (84 %) had only 3 spines in tlie pre-

opercular margin,
28 ,, (10 %) had 4 spines in the preopercular

margin on one side of the body,
17 „ (6 %) had 4 spines in the preopercular

margin on each side of the bod)-,

" P.u,i..\s: Zooijr. Roits. Asiiit., torn. Ill, ]>. 1.!.';; but without palatine teeth and with the fin-foriiiiila: D. 9|15; .4. 13; P. 16; V. V3;
(_'../; + l + .)'. This is (he form iu whieh this species appears in the collections of the Vega E.xpeditiou from Najtschkaj (the extreme north-east
point of Siberia) — uf. the Catalogue of the Swedish Department of the Fisheries Exhibition in Loudon 1883, p. 174. It thus does not
tally with the description given by Pallas, to whicli K.ner's Cottiis tieniopterits perhaps answers better. As P.\Ll,.\s states, however, that his
species is common in these regions, and as it would appear never to have been found again by later explorers, there seems to me to be very
little danger in employing his name, which is at any rate most suitable for this species.

'' Kner, Stzber. Aknil. Wiss. Wien. Math. Naturw. CI., LVIII, I (1868), p. 310, pi. IV, fig. 10.

' Stelndachner, ibid., LV, 1 (1807), p. 700, pi. Ill, figs. 1 and 2.

'' Fische der Ostsce, p. 44.

182 SCANDINAVIAN FISHES

6 specimens (2 %) had nri extniordinarily short head,

6
10

(2 %) Avere veiy nearly short-headed,

(8',., 96) hnd the ridges and protul)eran-
ces of the head very strongly
marked (transition to Coitus
hiihaJis)i

(I'A, %) had tlie ridges and protul)eran-
ces of the head extremely little
developed and also covered by
the skin (transition to Coffus
ffohio),

(' !(, %) had very short preopercular spi-
nes, almost covered by the skin
(transition to Cottus gohio).

7 specimens (2*/2 %) had the longest preoi)ercnlar

spine l>ranched at the tip or
furnished Avith small lateral spi-
nes (transition to Coffus diccrai(s
and reiifraJis),
{] ,, (2 %) had an irregular arrangement of

ridges on the head.
If we MOW endeavour to find an explanation n[
the cause of similar changes of form, we ol)tain the
clearest indications, here, as in other cases, by follow-
ing the course of the chaiiiies due to aoe aiid iuAcsti-
gating the expression of the external sexual differences,
Avhile this species also affords singular proof of the
appearance of different chai-acters in different geogra-
phical environments. The following table is calculated
to give information on these points:

Cottus scorpitis.

Length of the body csjiresseil in milli metres

„ „ „ head in % of the length of the hndy

„ „ ,, maxillai'v bones ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

,, „ .. lower jaw ,, „ „ ,, .. .. ,. ,,

LonsritHdinnl diameter of the eyes ,. ., ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, „

lireadth of the interorbital spaec ., ,. ., ,, ,, „ „ „

Least depth of the tail „ „ ,, ,, „ „ „ „

Distance between the first dorsal fin and the

tip of the snout „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ „

Distanee between the beginning of the first

dorsal fin and that of the seeond „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ ,,

Base of the second dorsal tin „ „ ,, ,, ,. ,, „ „

„ „ „ anal fin „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Length of the ventral fins „ ,, ,, „ „ ,, „ ,,

Distance between the insertion of the vent-
ral fins and the beginning of the anal fin „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ „

Distance between the beginning of the anal

fin and the tip of the snout „ „ „ ,, ,,

Length of the pectoral fins from the upper

end of the base „ ,, ,, „ ,, ,, ,. ,,

Length of the pectoral fins from the lower

end of the base ,, ., .. ,. , ,,

Length of the maxillary bones in % of the base of the second dorsal fin...

„ „ ,, lower jaw „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ ...

Least depth of the tail ,, ,, ,. ,. ., ,, ,, anal tin

,, „ ,, ,, „ in % of the distance between the insertion of the
ventral fins and the beginning of the anal fin

Longest ray of the first dorsal fin in % of the distance between the begin-
ning of the first dorsal fiu and that of the second

o ...

St?

o 2.

Bolusllin,
Julv, 1835.

The Baltic.

n-i

S

1.?

Spitzbergcn,

»-

Hornsund,

«-(

— ^

July, 18G4.

s

ZE.

"*

ii i-

CC

-}

Greenland,

Ivigtut Aug.
1883. "^

Cottus platij-
cephnhis.

The winter-
quarters of
the -Vciia,'
18711.

19/

96.0
33.5

12.9

16.1

7.G
3.7
5.3

30.0

20.0
24.0

17.6

16

61.2

20,

30.1
52.4
65.8
30.2

20.7

51.11

cf

01. L'

150

32.3

33.3

13.1

13.6

15.9

16.0

7.0

6.3

4,4

4.1

5.2

5.3

30.0

30.0

20.2

19.6

25.7

25.6

10.9

18.6

16.2

19.3

24.7

24. G

51.0

52.0

20.7

22.0

29.8

30.0

51.2

53.5

62.2

62.6

26.2

28.6

21.0

21.6

49.1

57.6

149
33.5

13.4

16.6

7.4

4.1

4.7

30.2

20.8
26.8

17.4

18.

25.2

51.3

21.4

31.5
50.0
59.2

27.0

18.6

55.0

9
189
36.0

14,8

18.0

6.9
4.2
5.5

80.8

20. i)
20.4
19. G

17.4

26.4
53.6
22.

31.2

56.0
68.0
28.4

21.0

48.1

&
189
36.0

14.3

18.0

7.4
4.7

6.1

31.7

18.6

26,

19.7

18.2

25.7

54.2

21.7

30.0
54.0
68.0
30.8

22.0

9
201
32.8

14.6

17.1

5.2

4.4
4.9

32.1

21.7

25.2

19.4
15.9

28.6
54.7

19.9

30

58.1

67.9

25.6

17.4

53. r,

204
32.6

13.3

16.4

5.4

4.7

5.4

29.9

21
26.0
18.1
20.8

25.0

52.4

22.5

30.4
50.9
63.2

30.0

21.6

201
34.3
12.9

16.1

r. I

7-4
3.9'
5.4

30.3

19.2

27.6

18.9

9
227
34.3

14.5
16.7

6.1

4.4

30.6

20.7
27.3

17.7

20.3J 15.0

25.2; 29.6

53.S 54.G

22.0; 21.1

31.3 30.8

46.8 53.2

58.5! 61.1

29.0 29.5

21.7' 17.G

72.5' 56.4

9
299
33.8

14.7

16.7

5.0

4.3

5.7

32.1

23.7
26.7
17.0
16.7

26.7

50.8

21.4

32.1
55.0
62.6
33.3

21.2

59.1

9
310
32.9

14.7
17.3

5.1

4.4

5.5

23.2
27.4

17.7
16.4

54.8

21.G

30.0
53.5
62.3
30.9

20.0

58.3

&
211
31.5

12.3
19.2

4.3

7.1

3.9

30.0

20.5
28.9
24.6
19.9

27.5

52.1

26.0

37.4
42.G
66.6

15.G

14.0
52.0

255
30.6
12.1

18.8
3.9
7.8
4.3

27.8

22.3
25.5

22.7

18,4

28.2
52.3
23.9

36.1

47.7
73.9
19.0

15.2

i
54.4

SEA SCOKIMON.

183

Willi ,il;(' cuiiic (listiiict cliaiiges in I lit' length of but t'roiii a systematic point of view this "degeiieracj'"
the liead and ol tlu' jaws, which become lai'ger, even | indicates a transition to tiie hnhalis group. In tlie

in relative size; in tlu; distance between tlie Ix'ginning
of tile lirst dorsal fin and that of the second, and in
the distance between the foniier ;ind the tip of the
snout, both of which nieasurenients also increase; in
the distance between tlie ventral fins and the be-
ginning of the anal hn and in that between the latter
and the ti]) of the snout, wliicli also increase; and
lastly in the longitudinal diameter of the eye, which,
on the other hand, diminishes with aire accordiu"' to
the rule. In the length of the head scarcely any sexual
difference can be detected; but in all the rest of these
changes of growth the females take the higher place in
the scale of development. The most constant external
difference between the sexes, the length of the ventral
tins, naturally becomes more marked with age. It may
be expressed, at least in specimens 150 mm. or more
in length, as follows: in the males it is more, in the
females less, than 18 ?» of the length of the body, or

number of the vertebra; (Jotfiis scorplus occupies an
intermediate position between Cotfus quudricorms, Avhich
has 40, and Colhis IjiiIkiI/s. which has only 29 or ?>0.
The \ariabilit\- of the Sea Scorpion thus suggests with-
out and)iguity an explanation of the origin of its kind-
red species. The course of development stops at dif-
ferent stages, has its direction fixed by a sexual cha-
racter, or bears the stamp of different external influ-
ences due to different local circumstances.

The usual size of the Sea Scorpion in Scandinavian
waters is between 200 and 250 mm. In the Baltic and
the Cattegat it seldom exceeds the latter measurement;
but on the coast of Norway it grows somewhat larger,
and in the Arctic regions it is said to attain a length
of about GOO mm". The length of the head (cf. the
al)ove table) is about ^/.., its depth about ^5, of the
length of the body. The breadth of the head varies
considerably, and depends on the greater or less ex-

85 % of the distance between the beginning of the first J pansion of the gill-cover, which causes a great altera-

dorsal fin and that of the second, or 33 % of the di- 1 tion in the appearance of the head. The gape is large,

stance between the anal hn and the tip of the snout, i and the upper jaw soraeAvhat projecting; it is moved

Geographical separation, according to the above table, chiefly by the help of the intermaxillary bones, which

seems to be accompanied also by an increase in the , are rendered capable of some protrusion liy their nasal

length of the head in the specimens from Bohuslan and process. They are covered by the labial skin, which

the Baltic, but shows its influence most clearly in the i is, as it were, rolled over them. Fine, cardiform teeth

size of the eyes, the longitudinal diameter of which, in j are closely set in the lower jaw, on the intermaxillary

spite of the great changes due to age, is distinctly bones and on the head of the vomer, where they are

larger in specimens from more southern latitudes than j ai-ranged in a right angle pointing for^vards. There

in those from the Arctic regions. We must here add are no teeth on the palatine bones or the tongue; but

an oliservation made liv Mai.mghen, given also by Day", in the pharynx, above and below, we find two round

that the Scandinavian specimens generally have a larger j patches, close to each other and covered with similar

number of rays (usually 2 more) in the first dorsal fin
than those which live further south. It has also been
ascertained, says LuTiucx'', that the Arctic Sea Scorpion,
as a rule, has 39 (in exceptional cases 36) vertebra',
while the European variety has only 34" or 36''. In

teeth. The ujiper pair of patches are larger, more jier-
fectlv round and set almost in the same plane; the
lower are smaller, flatter and set in different planes,
together forming a right angle in an upward direction.
Of the four branchial ;irches on each side the first three

other fidies, of less variable form, these differences ( are completely free, the fourth generally united through-

would certainly have lieen considered great enough to
constitute specific charactei's — here we see them de-
pendent on differences of age, sex or locality. Ac-
cording to D.VY the species has "an evident tendency
to degenerate the further it is from the .\rctic region".

out its length to the liack wall of the branchial cavity
by a membrane behind it, which sometimes, however,
leaves an opening free. The gill-rakers appear in the
form of verrucose, spinous, bony protuberances; the
branchial lamella' are thin and low. The branchiostegal

<■ Fiithes of Great Britain ami Ireland, vol. I, p. 50.

'' Vid. Medilel. Natnrli. for., Kbhvn 187G, p. i'lTi.

' MOREAU. Poiss. Fr.. Tome 2, p. 299.

'' Malm. Gl^gs, Boh. F,i., p. 389.

« Pallas, 1. c. MObius and Heincke state tlint it attains as great a length as 1 metre.

184

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

membrane, wliich is suj)j)oi'tecl by six rays, is united
under the middle of the throat (the isthmus) to the
corresponding membrane on the other side by a con-
tinuation of its skin, which is here of almost the same
breadth as itself, and has an even, transverse margin,
]K)steriorly free. When both the branchiostegal mem-
I)ranes are expanded, thei-e thus appears a large arcu-
ate collar round tlie head. The nostrils are small,
forming on each side two funnel-shaped, dermal ducts,
which are separated by tlic nasal Ixme, the one open-
insf Ivinc on the side of and close to the anterior mar-
ein of the eve, the other in front of the latter and
somewiiat nearer it than the tip of the snout. The
eyes (cf. the above table) are fairl)' large — their longi-
tudinal diameter varies between ^ ,, (iu young speci-

mens)

anc

1/

(in old) of the length of the head —

and so close together tliat the space between them,
which is concave, is narrower than their diameter. The
pupil is I'ound; in some specimens oval, with the more
])ointed end directed forwards. The head is armed with
several spinous processes — first -with two, pointed,
conical spines in front of the eyes and between the
nostrils, projecting from the sides of the nasal bone
and movable; and secondly with four fixed spines on
its top, which point in a backward direction, one at
the superior margin of each eye and one on each side,
at the end of the occiput. Between the latter runs a
bar on each side of the top of the head, that on one
side being nearly |)arallel to that on the otlier. The
four last spines, which look like small horns, have given
rise to the name of Hornskalle (Hornhead). Sometimes
they are wanting, and in their stead we find more or
less sharp tubercles. The fishermen hence believe that
tliese horns are shed or knocked off in some way du-
ring the spawning-season. On the margin of the pre-
operculum we generally tind tln-ee (sometimes four)
strong spines. The uppermost is the largest and jjoints
in a backward direction; it never extends so far back,
however, as the o])ercular spine, wliich points in the
same direction as it. The second is next to it in size
and also directed backwards: sometimes the tips of both
])roject above the thick skin which covers them. The
other two are short and flat: the fourth points down-
\vards and the third is often wanting, or present on
one side of the body and wanting on the other. The
operculum ends iu a long, ])i'o)ecting spine (the oper-
cular spine) and a still longer, thin, dermal margin.
The suboporculuHi has two spines in its lower margin;

the one points doAvnward and is the longer, the other
is turned inwards in a forward direction and is hidden
by the preopei'culum. The interoperculum, as usual,
has its upper posterior corner prolonged into a spine,
which is directed backwards, but is scarcely visible, as
it lies under the point of the do\vnward s])ine of the
suboperculum. There is also a long spine, Avhich lies
under the skin and is directed backwards, on the tiaie
clavicular bone, and a similar one on the upper cla-
vicular I)one. The lateral line is raised, but totally
luiarnied. It lies near the back, and follows the dorsal
curve to the end of the second dorsal tin, at about the
30th pore iu the line counted from the beginning,
where it curves slightly downwards and then termin-
ates at the middle of the base of the caudal tin. On
each side of the line are scattered irregularly strewn,
stiff scutes, of a singular nature, generally differing in
the different sexes. In the male they are large, flat,
rounder, depressed at the centre and cup-shaped, with
from 3 to 5 or more stiff' points, turned outwards in a
backward direction or set in the margin of the Avhole
scute; in the female they are smaller and narrower,
nearly oblong. \\\{\\ oidv 1 or 2 spines. In the latter
sex, too, they are not ahvays present, for one may tind
specimens entirely without them, others with extremely
few, and so forth. The body tapers coiiicallv towards
the tail and is rounded, ^\•\\\\ the caudal part laterally
compressed to some extent. The back, which rises
somewhat to the 3rd tin-rav and then slopes evenly
towards the tail, has its two tins quite distinct, but often
set very close together. The iirst dorsal tin is more
convex, shorter and lower than the second; its two first
ra5^s are usuallv close together at the base. In Scandi-
navian specimens the number of rays varies bet^veen
8 and 10, all simple, pungent and curved slightly back-
wards; in Arctic specimens it is most often 11. The
posterior dorsal tin is larger, with rounded margin, and
in Scandinavian specimens contains from 14 to 16, in
Arctic often 17 and sometimes even 19, simple, articul-
ated and weak rays. The ])ectoral tins are large, as is
the rule in the genus, oblong and rounded, Avith from
15 to 17 simple, articulated, round and thick rays. The
7th and 8th ra}S are the longest, and the fin then
sharply diminishes in length to the last ray, the length
of which is only ' ^ or ' ., of that of the first (upper-
most) ray. As is generalh- the case in the genus, the
tips of tlie lowest rays extend someAvhat ])eyond the
fin-membrane. The ventral fins are long (cf. the aljove

SEA SCORPION.

185

table), riaiTDw and of aliiiosi uiiifunii l)i-caflth: they are
set l)elo\v the iiectoral iiiis, and consist of one, short,
spinous ray and three, longer, soft rays, the middle
ray being generally the longest. The spinous i-ay, which
is closely united to the first soft ray and lii(hh'ii l)y the
skin, may easily escape notice, but is incntioiied even
in AuTEDi. The anal iin contains from II to 14 rays,
generally 12 or 13, which are similar to those of the
second dorsal fin. The caudal tin is rounded and
contains 11 or 12 I'ays, from 7 to 9 of the middle
ones bifid at tlie tip. Behind the vent is a small,
conical papilla, larger, as usual, in the male tlian in
the female.

The difference between the sexes is often so great
tliat the fishermen of the middle portion of the island-
belt on the east coast of Sweden regard them as two dis-
tinct kinds of fishes. The male generally has a more slen-
der body and higher fins, to which we may add the spi-
nous scutes described above and the remarkable character
which consists in the arming of the inside of the rays
of the |)ectoral and ventral fins with a row of sharp
teeth, beginning about lialf-way along the rays and con-
tinued almost to the point. The fe))iale, on the other
hand, usually has a more l>ulky body and shorter fins,
especially the ventral (cf. the above table), while the
scales of the body, as we have remarked above, are
either wanting or, at least, are fewer and smaller: the
teeth on the pectoral and ventral rays are also wanting.
Tiie difference between the sexes, however, is not con-
fined to the form alone; there is a still more marked
distinction between them in the coloration, which in the
Sea Scorpion also varies considerably with age, the sea-
son of the year and the environments of the fish. The
coloration also changes suddenly when the fish is drawn
out of the water, and it is hard for anyone who has
not seen a new-caught Sea Scorpion during the spawning-
season, to realise the blending of brilliant colours which
adorns tliis fish, in other respects so ill-favoured. Plate
Vni, fig. 2 represents a male, fig. 3 a female, of this
species", lint in neither figure does their handsomest
dress, that of the spawning-season, appear, but that
which tliey generally wear in the Baltic. It is easy,
however, to gain from these figures an idea of the co-
louring in the spawning-seJison, when we remember that

boundaries more sliarply defined. The red belly of the
mah', its most distinguishing point, ac(iuires a bright
red colour with a coppery lusti'e, forming a sharp con-
trast to the silvery, (lro])-shap(^(l spots. In the female
yellow, shading into gold and with more distinct varie-
gations, becomes the predominant colour. It must
not be supposed, however, that all the spots and bands
given in the figures are constant in number, form
and position, for they vary considerably in all three
respects.

The digestive canal is made up of a short, but
wide, oesophagus, which gradualK widens into a muscu-
lar stomach, the sac being very distinct. From 8 to
10 appendages, of about the same length, are wreathed
round the pylorus and extend to the end of the sto-
mach. The intestine, which is very thin and fragile,
forms three curves before it opens into the vent. The
liver stricth' consists of one, large, thick lobe, which
is situated on the left side. It is yellowish bi'own
in colour, and the gall-bladder is small. The spleen
is small and chestnut-brown. There is no trace of
an air-bladder. The ovary is divided at the point
into two lobes with I'ound corners, and contains, for
some weeks previously to the depositing of the spawn,
red eggs of the size of a grain of mustard. There
are two testes, the right one being much the larger,
of a yellowish white colour, marbled with more or
less blackish blue. The urinary bladder is fairly large
and also divided at the bottom into two lobes of dif-
ferent size.

The most common name of the Sea Scorpion among
the fishermen of the Sound and the Cattegat is Ulk, but
it has also many others among the islands of the Baltic,
e. g. SJcrahb, VUdkraks-simpa (Wild-crow Cottus), Honi-
skaUe (Horn-head), Skliniskrahha (Skin Cottus), Skalii/fa
etc. It lives only in salt water, and is found on both
sides of Scandinavia, from the extreme north of Norway
down to the Sound, and then along the island-belt of
the Baltic at least as far north as Uleaborg in Fin-
land, according to Malmgren. As we have remarked
above, however, it is in all respects most highly deve-
loped in the Arctic seas, which must, therefore, be re-
garded as its true home. It has long been known in
Greenland and Spitzbergen. Pallas assigned it to Si-

the colours then become deeper and purer and their j beria; but his statement was doubted untU the Vega

" Tljese figures and Ekstisum's description were publislied, as is known, long before GiLl. (1. c.) published his observations on the sexual
difference in the coloration. Cf. Dav, 1. c. But even in Farricius (Fn. Groeiil.. p. 156) we find: — "maris venter Havus. alboniaculatus."

Scaiitiindvian Fishes. -*

186

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Expedition" bi'ought home specimens from the northern-
most parts of that region. It also occurs to the south,
though it is there "degenerate", as far as the Avest
coast of France, and on the American coast as far as
Ne\v York.

This species is one of those that may be called
migratory. It moves from one place to another along
the coast of the sea which it inhabits, occurring in con-
siderable quantities at a, certain spot for some years
and tlieii suddenly diminishing in number, not to re-
appear in anj^ aljundance until after the lapse of ten
or twenty years. It occurs in water of no great depth,
■where the bottom consists of clay or stones overgroAvn
with seaweed. Except during the spawning-season it
leads a solitary life and always keeps close to the bot-
tom. It passes tlie hours of daylight in dark crevices,
awaiting the approach of some victim. It is due to its
sluggisli disposition that it spends the greater part of
its existence in idleness and solitude. Rashness and
voracity are the other chief traits of its character. In
the latter respect it is surpassed by few, if any, fishes.
Three Roach, each nearly 100 mm. long, have ])een
found in a Sea Scorpion 220 mm. in length. Its ti-
midity is so slight that, when touched, it only makes
a leisurely movement to avoid the object that has dis-
turljed it, and soon stops, as still as if nothing had
happened. If it is caught, as often happens at ''forsk-
niny" (tishing Avith hand-lines for Codlings), and then
marked in a- way sometimes employed l)y the fisher-
men, by cutting away a part of one of its fins, and
again di'opped into the water, after a few minutes it is
ready to take the same hook and submit to the same
operation. Though so little sensitive, still it is not re-
markably tenacious of"^ life. When drawn out of the
water, it wriggles a few times in its eftorts to get free,
and, not succeeding in this, seems quite indifferent to
its fate, seldom showing any marked sign of life, even
though it is still alive. It seems to grow quickly, for
small specimens are rare. In Sweden it probably does
not propagate its s]:)ecies until it has attained a length
of about 1,50 mm.; no smaller specimens, at least, oc-
cur at the spawning-place. Its movements in the water
are speedy but not prolonged, and the winding curves,
like those of an Eel, in wliich its body moves, are ap-
parently the result of considerable exertion. Tlie gi^eat
size of its fins does not contribute greatly to the sj^eed
of its movements, but seems rather intended to main-

tain the equilibrium of its bulky and unwieldy body.
Its food consists chiefly of other fishes, though, espe-
cially in winter, when the supply of fish is scanty, it
does not despise crustaceans, worms and mollusks. The
spawning-season begins in December and lasts through
the winter; but as eai'ly as the beginning of October
these fishes begin in large shoals to approach those
parts of tlie coast where the bottom consists of sand,
here and there overgrown with seaweed. The males
and females are then in company, but the former are
so greatly in the minority that one scarcely finds one
male to ten females. The latter come nearer shore
than the males, which extremely seldom occur at the
place where the roe is deposited. We might here find
grounds for the conjecture that the roe is fertilized
before its deposition, and that there is some closer
commerce between the sexes out at sea. In this case
the serrate teeth on the inside of the pectoral and vent-
ral fins in the male would help it to retain the female
during copulation.

It is only the female of this species that is used
for food l)y the poor, who prove the truth of the pro-
verb: "the Cottus is the liest of fishes, when there is
no other to be got." If carefully j^repared, the flesh
is eatable, but it always retains a rank flavour which
is repulsive to most people. Tlie liver, however, is
one of the island delicacies, but if eaten in any quan-
tity, its flavour is also unpleasant. Tlie male is con-
sidered poisonous by most of the islanders, and is there-
fore not eaten: tlie}' never bring it home, but throAv
it back into the sea, as soon as caught.

In the islands on the east coast tliis fisli is some-
times taken in nets really set for the Four-horned
Cottus; and in autumn it is speared with leisters by
torchlight. In consequence of the indift'erence to danger
displayed by it, the sport is by no means difficult,
and is a coniniou pastime among young people. If
the fisherman misses the fish, it moves only a yard
or two and stops again to await another blow. In
winter it is also fislied for with the BJauk-hrok (bright
hook), wliich exactly resembles that used for Perch.
The fisherman cliooses a spot in deep water, at the
foot of rocks or precipitous shores where the bottom
is stony. Bacon, meat, the eye of the Cottus or any-
thing eatable whatever is used as bait, for tlie Sea,
Scorpion is no dainty feeder. As it ahvaA's pays more
attention to the quantity tlian to the (juality of its food.

" Cf. Smitt, Catalogue of llu> Swcilisli Deiiartnietit of the Fisheries Exhibition in London ISSS

P-

174.

COTTolD.s.

18(

it is pi-ohably tlic bri<iiit hook that really entices it.
In the islands on the west coast the Sea Scoi'pjon is
generally taken on the iiooks cast for other, more
useful fishes, and often in shore-nets or seines; l>nt it

is usually thrown away or cut uj) into bait for other
lishes. 1'"ai!i;i(1us describes, hc^v this fish is taken in
Greenland with the pimpddon.

(EkstkOm, S.mitt.)

THE FATHER-LASHER (s\v. o.xsimpan).
COTTUS BUBALIS.

IMalf VII, figs. 2 (c/') and .3 (?).

Top of the head fiirnished iritJt spiiiefi and ridf/es and rough wifh protiiberai/ces and bars. Four preopermlar sjriiies,
the length of the uppermost in fidl-groirn specimens being greater than the longitudinal diameter of the ege. Lateral
line straight {without an;/ sharp lend) and armed with spines. The length (f the maxillarg bones, n-hich is less
than the length of the ventral fns and than SO % of the base of the anal fn, varies hetireen 38 and /jfj %, and
the length of the lon-er Jair betinrn .'iD and 72 %;, of the length af tin- base af the second dorsal fn. Least depth
of the tail more than 5^., % of the lengtli of the hodg and varying betn-een 29 and 41 % of the length of the
base of the anal fn. Margins of the branchiostegal membranes united to the isthmus, n-hich separates them. Dermal
fringes often present on the upper margin of the ege and ahrags on the posterior part of the maxillarg bones.
Number of rags in the second dors(d fn at most 13, in the anal fn at most 10. in the rentral fns 4.

R. l)}-. 0"; D.
V. a- + l 1. 8 1. 9 +

— SjlO— 13; A. 8—10; P. 14— 15^ V. Val
L. hi. 32 — 35.

6'yn. Cottus Bubalis, Euphr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 178G, p. 65, fab. Ill,
fig. 2 et 3; Retz., Fii.Huec. Liu., p. 328; Cuv., Val., Hist.
Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 165, tab. 78; Nir.ss., Prodi: Icht/i.
Scatid., p. 97; Ekste., Vct.-Akad. Hand!., 1834, p. 72; Fi;.,
Ekstb., Wright, 6'lcand. Fislc, ed. 1, p. 27, tab. 6, fig. 1
ct 2; Kr., Damn. Fiske, vol. I, pp. 118 et 582; Sundev.,
Stoclch. L. Hush. Sallsk. Handl. 1855, p. 80; Nilss., jSIcaiid.
Fn., Fisk., p. 74; Gthr, Brit. Miis. Cat.. Fish., vol. II, p.
164; LiXDSTR., Gotl. L. Hush. Sallsk. Arsber. 1866, p. 14
(sep.); Steindachn., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVI, i (1867),
p. 604; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ., 1874, Till^gsh.,
p. 29; ibid., 1879, No. 1, p. 13; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh.
For. Kbhvn, 1876, p. 377; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 389;
WiNTH., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 9, tab. II, fig. 3; Naturh.
Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 10; Dat, Fish. G:t
Brit. IreL, vol. I, p. 51, fab. XX, fig. 2; LiLLr., :Sv., Xorg.
Fisk., vol. I, p. 153; Mor., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. II,
p. 302; Mob., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 46; Jord., Gii.n., Bull.
U. S. Nat. Mils., No. IG, p. 701.

Ohs. Though it was our countryman, Euphraskn, who first gave
tlie ichthyologists full information of this species, which he discovered
in 1783 at Kyrksund in Bohuslan, we still find by a short, but fairly
clear, description in Schonevelde {Ichthyol., Slesv. Hots., p. 67: ^^alia
iScorpii species in Sleia") that at that early date (1624) he both
knew and recognised it as distinct from the common Sea Scorpion. At
about the same time as Eupurasen, Strum also discovered tliis species

in Norway and adopted it as an independent species, two years before
the publication of Eopiirasen's description, under the name: Cottti?,
capite lateril/tisque spinosis (see Nj'e Samling af det Kongl. Norske
Vidcnsk. Selskabs Skrifter, Bd. I, p. 151). Valenciknnes, on the
other hand, was mistaken — and in this mistake he has been followed
bj' many — when he identified the "Fisk-sympen" of ToxNLVO (Trondj.
Selsk. Skrifler, 2:den Deel, Kbhvn 1763, p. 345, tab. XIII and XIV)
with tliis species. Tonning'.s fish was evidently a Sea Scorpion.

The Father-Lasher belongs to a group of the genus
which reaches its highest development in the Pacific
Ocean. Its characters are far more sharplv marked
there, and there is the home of the giants of the group
— the Father-Lasher is only a stunted form of the tyjje
Avhich has otherwise been named Enophrgs', Aspicottus'' ,
Clgpeocottus'' or Ceratocottus-' . The character of this
group which is perhaps most important in a systema-
tical respect, lies in the development of the dermal
fringes, which remind us of the relationship between
the Cottoids and the Scorpa^noids. Side by side ^vith
this, however, we find a character that reminds us of
the (nirnard tj'j^e, in the nakedness and roughness of
the upper part of the head. The head is otherwise dis-
tinguished by the high, but deeply concave, interorbital
region; the broad ridges on the top, ^vhi(•h are po.ster-

" Sometimes 5, according to Kroyer.

* Or 16, according to Day, Lilljeborg and Moreav.

' Swaixso.n', Nat. Hist., Classif. Fish. vol. II. p. 271.

^ Aspicottus bison, Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad. 1854, p. 130.

' Clypeocottus robustus, Ayres, Proc. Calif. Acad. Nat. Sc., 1854, p. 12.

•'' Ueratocottus diceraiis. Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad. 1859, p. 165.

1S8

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

i(.i-lv coiitiiuied into strong occipital spines; and the large
l;iteral spines, the uppermost preopercular spine being
especially prominent on account of its size and strength,
which nre sometimes almost monstrously developed, and
heiiig often furnished with lateral spines in the upper
mai'gin. Another peculiarity of this group of the genus
Coitus lies in the armour of tlie lateral line, which we
have indeed seen before in ('entridermichthjis litoiKifus
and Triglops r'tngeVi'i. but which may here be of a
strength most iiearh' ;ipproaching to that of the lateral
|(l;itcs in a Doras (among exotic Siluroids) or of the
armour-plates in the Ai/onL Our Father-Lasher is a
dwarf in this respect too, but the Vega Expedition
brought liome from Behring Island" a Cottus claviger,

size of the parts of the body and in their forms. We,
therefore, here intend to refer the reader to the descrij)-
tion of the Sea Scorpion, and to pay attention only to
the difterences whicli may^ be traced between the two
species. In the Father-Lasher the upper orl)ital margins
are more elevated, and the interorbital space, therefore,
deeper. These mtirgins are also more nearly parallel,
while in the Sea Scorpion they diverge posteriorly. Fi'om
the raised ridges (on the parietal Ijones), which run
from the orbital margin to the occiput and almost to
a line with the beginning of the first dorsal tin. and
which end, and often l^egin as well, in a spine directed
back, there projects, at their middle point, a third, more
or less distinct spine, of which there is not a trace in

Fig. 54. Cottii.^ i-laciijer, Bebring I., 16th Aug. 1879. Vega Expedition. - ., of the natural size.

a, species of this group, which lives on sea-urchins, and the preceding species. These ridges also approach each

of which we here give a ligure in order to show at the other slightly at the middle near the occiput and then

same time how the rV*///(.s-ty]»e mny pass into Cottnii- slightly diverge again. From the tirst and middle spines

cuius, starting from this group as well as from the pre- there radiate several rows of fine, Iwny points or small

cedinsr, both in form and coloration, while retaining the
black transverse l);tnds on the light-gray ground colour,
which otherwise chai'acterize juvenile forms.

The Father-Lasher nevei- attains so large a size as
average specimens of the Four-horned Cottus or the Sea
Sccn'pion. Among the largest specimens we have found,
either in the North Sea or the Baltic, the males have been
at most L")t) mm. in length, the females 160 mm. The
usual length of the body is between 125 and l.)0 mm.
(lenerally speaking, there is a close i-esemblance between
this .species and the preceding one, both in the relative

tubercles, \vhich render the sides of tlie ridges and the
space between them rough and scabrous to the touch.
There is also a similar roughness on the posterior pai't
of the raised, upper margin of the orbit, on the higher
parts of the gill-cover, on the larger spines (^f the gill-
cover, as far as they are covered l)y the skin, and on
the l)ridge which interiorly surrounds the orbit and is
]josteriorly united to the preoperculum. The uppermost
pre(j})ercular spine is especially remarkable for its length,
as it generally not onl)' retiches to the point of tlie
opercular spine, but even extends beyond it. NMicn the

" Cf. Smitt, ('atnloguo (jf tlie Swedisli Department of tlie Fisheries Exhibition in London 188:5, p. 175.

KATIIEH-LASIIKK.

189

fish ex|);iii<ls tlie gill-covers, an opci'iifion usualh' acroiu-
|ianied hy a grating noise", and resorted to by the iish
as soon as it is di-aAvn out of the water, tiiese long spi-
nes point upwards and outwards, in a w.w which gives
them some resemblaiu-t; to a pair of horns, i'^rom this
circumstance has arisen the name of Ox-sinipa {bnbrdis).
Besides the K)ng spine, a third part of wliich generally
projects out of the surrounding skin, the margin of the
preoperculuin is furnished with three smaller spines,
which vary in form, hut seem to he alwa\s pirseut:
the lowest ol' them is turned downwards and forwards.
The suboperculum is fui'uished witii two or three
}jointed spines. Another character which distinguishes this
species, is the circumstance that, from the margin of
the skin which is united to the upper part of the eye,
and wiiich i-esembles an eyelid, there hang down over
the margin of the iris iive or six small, thin, dermal
filaments, the next to the last beiu": twice as long- as
the others and, during life, erected vertically upAvards''.
A similai', though mucli longer, dermal filament — oi-
sometimes two — appears at tlie trioleate end of tiie upper
jaw-bone''. The branchiostegal membrane is interiorly
united to the isthmus, without a free fold across the
latter. The course of the lateral line is fairly straight
and forms no curve in its posterior part. It is gene-
rally armed with stiff points, which are anteriorly set
in large munbers on the small, slightly raised, scaly
disks which form the line, but gradually diminish in
number posteriorly and, as a rule, completely disappear
at the end of the second dorsal tin'. The scattered,
pointed, scaly plates with which the sides of the Sea
Scorpion are furnished, are entirely wanting in this spe-
cies in its adult state; but it passes through a larval
stage, so to speak, during which it has pointed, scaly
spines on the anterior part of the body, both above and
below the lateral line. These spines have disappeared,
however, when the fish has attained a length of 26
nun.'', and the somewhat granulated skin is subsequentlj^
quite unarmed and covered with a clear, thick mucus.
The tAvo dorsal fins are ijuite distinct, but often only
imperfectly separated from each other. The membrane

of tlie anterior tin is often united to the base of the
first ray in the second, higher up in some specimens
than in others, in the first dorsal tin there are gene-
rally 8 rays, but sometimes only 7, the two first being
usually closely joined at the base; in the second from
10 to 12 and sometimes Ki. The anal fin contains 8
or 1) I'aA's and sometimes 10. The pectoral fins, in
which there are 14 or 15 rays, are completely without
the serrate ridges wliich ai)])ear on the inside of the
rays in the Sea Scorpion. This is also the case with
the \entral fins, which li;i\e one, shoi't, spinous i-a\',
hidden by tlie skin, and tin-ee simjde, articulated rays,
the middle one being the longest. The caudal fin con-
tains from 12 to 14 rays, from 7 to 9 of tlie middle
ones being branched at the tip.

In external form the difference lietween the .sexes
is less striking in this species than in the pi'eceding
one. The iihiIc may be recognised, however, by the
more slender l)ody, the larger spines on the head and
the elevation of the anal region into a long, conical
papilla. As usual, lunvever, its chief external distinction
li(^s in the greater length of the fins, especially of the
ventral, which in this sex, at least when the fish is
over 60 mm. in length, apparently vary between 16
and 20 % of the length of the body, and in ordinarv
cases extend as far back as the vent or even farther.
The base of the anal fin, too, is generally longer in the
male, but the distance between the insertion of the
ventral fins and the beginning of the anal tin is less
in the male than in the female, a circum.stance which
gives us the general rule that, in the male the base
of the anal fin is at least 80 % of this distance, in the
female at most 76 96. Further, in those resjjects in which
distinct changes of gro\vth appear, the male represents,
in this species also, the lowest stages of development,
e. g. in the size of the eyes (see the table below).

The difference between the sexes is more apparent
if Ave observe the coloration, though it is extremely
variable. Our plate gives the colouring of both sexes
as it usually appears (the originals are from the Baltic).
The prevalent green colour is a distinguishing mark

" According to Sorknsk.n (Oin Lijdorganev hos Fide. Kbhvii 1884, p. 79) this sound originates at the articulation of the preoperculuin
witli the hyomandibiilar bone. According to DuFOSSE (Ann. Sc. nat., ser. 5, Tome XIX et XX — 1874), we may conclude that the vibration in
the articulation, wliich is the immediate cause of the sound, is due to the vibration of the muscles of the hyomandibular apparatus which in these
muscles, as in all others, accompanies their strongest possible contraction. This sound also occurs, though there it is weaker, in the preceding species.

' Cf. above, on Centridermichthys liamatus.

■ In a sprcimcn 71 mm. in length from Wnidcgnba (Kola Peninsula) tlie lateral line is without any spine whatever, except the stiff
margin of the middle pores, which is raised in a posterior direction.

"^ Cf. XIai.m and Collett.

190

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of this species; it even extends into the uioutli, and
the iris has green radii from the pupil. From the or-
dinary dress of the Father-Lasher one can scarcely
form an idea of its attire during the spaAvning-season.
Nature then lavishes upon it a ^vealth of colour which
one cannot sufficiently admire, and which it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to reproduce with the painter's
lirusli. We shall endeavour to describe the male in its
spawning di-ess. The head, back and tail olive-green,
darker above, with a dasli of yellowish Ijrown, lighter
lielow, shading into green. The top of the head mar-
bled with dark olive-bro^vn and thinl}' strewn with
bluish green spots; the lower part of the head adorned
with numerous, golden figures, interspersed with a few
whitish blue or pearl-coloured spots. The top part of
the l)ody crossed by four, dark olive-brown, transverse
stripes, the first of whicli is the Ijroadest and extends
down to the insertion of the pectoral fin; the others
strictly extend only to the lateral line, but may l)e
regarded as being continued a little Avay belo^v it Ijy
several, large, scattered figures. All these transverse
stripes are coasted l)y a narrow, pearl-coloured margin,
which is wanting only along the anterior edge of the
first stripe. The belly half-way up the sides, and the
breast a handsome golden yellow, with three round,
pearl-coloured spots: one in front of the vent, one by
the ventral fins and the tliird on tlie breast; there is
also a whitish stripe straight across the hyoid Ijone.
Along the lower side of the lateral line scattered, small
spots of a 1)luish green tint — a. larger spot of the
same colour at the end of the line. The pectoral fins
yellowish brown, the lowest 7 rays olive-green, with
distinct, dark-l)rown, transverse stripes, which gradually
fade avfay on the membrane, which is lighter and
speckled witli bi'owii: on the inside of these rays three
or four light, jjearl-coloured, round spots between the
transverse stri[)es. Three larger spots of the same co-
lour, edged witli a narrow, blackish brown margin, in
a row just in the axil. The ventral fins olive-green at
llie base, then light blue, with In-ownish spots both on
the rays and on the membrane. The anal fin yellowish
l)rown, with somewhat darker rays, on Avhich there are
three or four dark russet, transverse stripes. The caudal
fin, like tlie second dorsal, yellowish brown with darker
rays, four or five dark russet stripes and a flame-coloured,
(hirker yellow meml)rane. The first dorsal tin darker
tlian the second, more grayish brown, Avith a lai'ge
bhu'kish brown spot between the fifth and seventh rays.

and throughout finely marbled Avith the same colour,
thougli of a lighter shade. The iris blackish brown,
with a fine, yellow ring round the pupil, and bluish
green radii.

In the structure of the internal organs there is no
difference worthy of remark between this species and
the Sea Scorpion.

The Father-Lasher is known, as appears from the
collections of the Royal Museum, from Waidegula (on
Kola Peninsula, near Norway) round all the coasts of
Scandinavia, up the Baltic as far as the island-belt of
Stockholm. Southwards, along the European side of the
Atlantic, its geographical range extends, according to
MoREAU, to the middle of the west coast of France, and
according to Steindaciinek, to the coast of Galicia. We
have no knoAvledge of its occurrence in Greenland (cf.
Jordan and Gilbert). It lives only in salt water. On
the coast of Scandinavia, uj) to the year 1833, it had
])een met with only in Bohuslan and Norway; but it was
then foiuid 1)}- Count Boxde in the Baltic, among the
islands round ^lorko. In the latter ])lace, and also in
the island-l)elt of Stockholm (cf. Sindevall), it has often
been found since that time, but it occurs in no great
number and is taken only occasionally. When it is
caught, one generally gets a pair, male and female. In
the island-belt of Bohuslan, (jii the other hand, it is by
no means rare, and is taken there almost as often as the
Sea Scorpion, during the shooting of the seine: speci-
mens of all ages are found, both in sunniier and in win-
ter. In the Sound, according to Winther, it is most
numerous and largest at the deeper spots, where the
water is from 6 to 10 fathoms in depth, and the bottom
is ovei'grown Avith seaweed and not of too loose a nature.
The fishermen scarcely take the trouble to notice this
fish at all: they generally throw it away or, at most,
use it as bait. They have generally no special name for
it, but use the same name, Ulk, both for it and for the
Sea Scorpion. Malm states, however, that on Kyrk5sund
it is called IlonniJke and on Sydkoster Berfjidkc. Ac-
coi'ding to NiLSSON it is called Dvcir/ifJk at Abekas.

The spawning-season of the Father-Lasher, at which
time it is taken in the greatest numbers, occurs at the
end of November and in December. Its food is the
same as tliat of the other Scandinavian Coffi, consisting
chiefly of crustaceans and small fishes. With these
exceptions we know \ery little of its manner of life.
No special method of fishing is jjractised for this spe-
cies, nor is it used as food. (Ekstrom, Smitt.)

coTriiiDs.

lyi

COTTUS LII.L-IK];(7UG1I.
(Fig. 55.)

Top of the heiuJ furnished u-'iih s/iives hinI riihicK, 01/1/ iok//]/ icith jirotiiJicranccs. Four preopercidar spines, the
length of the uppermost beinrj scareelij r/reater than, tlir lonf/itiidinal diameter of the eye, hut extending usually as
far hack as the point of the opercular spine. Lateral line stralyld. and, like the sides of the body, especlalbj
aboce the lateral line, armed a-lfh spines. The lenyth (f the ma.rdlary bones., which Is greater than that of the
ventral fns and more than 80 % of that of the base o,f the amd fn, rarles befrveen about 55 and 65 %, and the
length of the loirer jaw beta-een about (!.'> and 75 %, of the length of the base of the second dors(d fn. Least
depth of the iall more than 5^L % of the length of the body, and rarylng between about S5 and 45 % of the
base of the anal fn. Margins of the branchiostegal membranes united to, and separated by, the isthmus", hernial
papllUe on the upper margin of the eye, and dermal filaments on the hind part of the maxillary bones. Itays in
the second dorsal Ji)i af mast 1:>, in the anal fin s or '.), in the ventrcd fins H.

Fig. 55. Vottns LiUjeborgii, 9. from Bclinslaii. Magii. 2 tliam.

R. br. 5 1. (5; D. 8 11 L 12; .1. S 1. 0; /'. 15 1. 16; V. > .,;
C. .r + 7+,r; L. hit. 25 ad .30 1. ?,l.

Si/ii. Cottus LiUjeborgii, Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Clirist., 1874, Til-
L-egsh. p. 25; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Natiirh. For. Kbhvn, 1876,
p. 376; Coll., 1. c, 1879, No. 1, p. 13; Lillj., &>., JVor^.
Fislc., vol. I, p. 158; Malm, Gbgs Naturh. Mus. Arsskr. 1881,
p. 21; Coll., N. Mag. Natnrv. Christ., Bd.29, H. 1, p. 54.

It" the Fathev-Lasher, iu relation to the Sea Scor-
pion, can be called the Dwarf Cottus (drcrgslmpa), this
name may be applied with .still greater propriety to
Lilljeborg's Cottus, the length of which, according to
LuTKEN, is known to rise as high as 54 mm. in the
Fai-oe Islands, but in Scandinavia- has never exceeded
47 mm. lu relation to the preceding species, liowever,
it occupies, in most respects, a place corresponding to
the highest degree of development of the former, tliough
it retains the above-mentioned spines on the sides of
the body, especially above the lateral line, wdiich in
the Father-Lasher are a character of the larval stage.
The other character which most distinguishes Lillje-
borg's Cottus, consists in a shortening of the occipital
ridges (the posterior part of tlie ridges on tlie top of

the liead), which thus end in their posterior, spinous
point at a greater distance from the beginning of the
first dorsal tin. Though tlie separation between the two
dorsal tins is more distinct tlian is generallv tlie case in
the preceding species, still ^ve can apparently find no
constant difference in this respect. On the other hand,
the great difference in the length of the maxillaiy bones'',
especially in comparison with the length of the ventral
tins, should afford a definite character easy of em]iloA-
ment. The spinous armour of the body displays a strik-
ing similarity to that of Centridcrmichthys hamafus, but
is still closer, especially above the lateral line, and ex-
tends as far l)ack as the end of the .second dorsal tin.
C)ne row of these spines, more developed than the others,
coasts the bases of both dorsal tins, just as in the spe-
cies referred to. Below the lateral line too, there are
numerous spinous scales on the anterior part of the
sides, but on the posterior part they are thinly scattered.
The bellv is smooth or tinely granulated. These spinous
scales' are simple spines, erected in a backward di-
rection, just liku those of the lateral line'.

" Soraetimes, however, willi a ilistinet trace of a dermal fold straight across the isthmus.

' Even Collett remarked tliat in Cotli/f: LiUjeborgii the gape is relatively larger and broader than in C. bubalis.

'•■ "Granular points'", M.\L)l; "bony protuberances", Lilljkboro.

'' Cf. the above description (p. ISO, note r) of the armour of the lateral line in a specimen of Cottus bubalis from Waideguba.

192

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The coloration of Lilljeborg's Cottus is essentially
the same as that of young Cofti in general and espe-
cially like that of young Father-Lashers. It is pale
Aellow, with four or five broad, black, transverse bands
over the head and back, the last two or three extending
over the caudal region down to the ventral side and
more or less confluent. The fins are crossed by rows
of grayish I)rown spots.

Lilljeborg's Cottus is known from the shallower
spots on the coast of Norway up to Trondhjem Fjord,
from l>ohusl;ln and from the Faroe Islands. According
to Malm's observations in Bohuslan, it "generally lives
at about the same depth as Cottus scorp'ms; but as the
latter is most often found in tlie Zostera region and C.
t)iibalis in the Laminaria region, it would appear that
C. Lilljeborfjii prefers the Corallina region." Of the spe-
cimens belonging to the Royal Museum two -were taken
l)v Lecturer Olsson on the coast of "Bohuslan, 1869," to-
gether with Cottus buhalis, and another by Professor S. Lo-
VEN in Gullmaren. Malm mentions eight specimens fi'om
Bohuslan, belonging to Gothenburg Museum; but whether
the species is common there, we can hardly judge as yet.

Cottus LiUjeborgii is of no economic importance,
but is all the more interesting from a scientific point of
view, for most of the characters assigned to it above,

correspond to the highest stages of development in the
preceding species, but are combined with a retention of
the spinous, larval dress of the latter. So closely related
to each other are these two species, that one might rea-
sonablv regard Lilljeborg's Cottus as a Father-Lasher
wliich had adoyjted in youth the characters of the adult
state. This opinion, however, is i-efuted bv the differ-
ence which lies in the above-mentioned shortening of
the occipital ridges and in the smaller number of rays
in the ventral fins, the former circumstance indicating
a special approach toAvards Cottus claciger. As long as
a constant difference exists, we must, of course, retain
the species in the system as distinct. In other respects
we see, according to the table given below, that, where
ill Cottus LUljehorfi'ti the proportion is highest — e. g.
in the length of the maxillary ])ones relatively to the
length of the l)ody — Cottus hulmJis approaches it by
the increase of the proportion with age. Again, where
in the former species tlie ]n"oportion is comparatively

low

in the relative lengths of the l)ase of the

second dorsal fin and of the Ijody — we find in Cottus
bubalis, both in the male and in the female, that the
proportion sinks with age, more or less regularlj-, but
still distinctly. The table also shows the relations between
these two species and their near relative Cottus chivi(/er.

Cottus bubalis.

Cottus Lillje-
borgii.

■X

3-

5"

> 3.
=: ^

1

B
o
cr

c

<

K (-"IT

1

03
o

B-
C

is:
^P

5'

ra

2

o
tr
c

w

i

c

o
■z

=

en 2^

a

o3

Kola Peninaula. Waideguba,

28th September, 1877.

H. Sandebeuo.

o'

in O:

C

<

1-3
o

*<

§ w

00

o

cr

• ' ^

c J"
z

c =^
^ CC

W
o
tr

p:

o

V.

o
z

o

o
<

2

cf

o'

&

&

9

9

9

9

cT

V

o"

26.2
30.9

63
30.1

66

31.8

70
33.7

125
33. G

71
29.G

133
33.8

139
32.4

160
33.9

41

31.6

47

31.5

257
34.2

„ ,, ,. head in JJ of the length of the body

„ „ ,, maxillary bones „ ,, „ ,. ,, „ ,, „

10.7

11.1

ll.s

10.0

12.4

lO.G

12.4

12.6

13.8

14.6

14.0

13.6

,, ., ,. lower jaw : ,, ,, ,, „ ,,

13.7

14.G

16.0

16.1

16.8

14.1

15.0

15.8

16.9

17.5

16.6

16.8

ongitudinal diameter of the eye ,, ,, ,, „ ., .. „ „

y.6

7.9

7.9

7.4

7.0

5.7

6.2

6.1

6.2

8.8

8.9

5.6

ietance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout ., „ „ „ ,, ,, ,, „

30. c

29.0

31.8

30.0

31.6

28.6

3L7

30.2

31.2

29.5

28.7

32.3

„ „ „ beginning of the first dorsal fin and

(hot of the second ,, ., ,, ., ., ,, „ „

19.1

17.4

19.7

20.0

19.8

18.7

20.3

20.1

16. G

17.1

21.3

17.5

asc of the second dorsal fin „ „ ,, ,, „ ,. „ „

25.9

28.6

27.3

24.7

24.0

28.2

24.0

23.8

25.0

23.4

25.5

24.9

cngth of the ventral fins , .. „

11.4

16.0

16.7

17.1

20.0

15.5

15.0

13.0

14.3

12.2

12.7

15.1

islance between the insertion of the ventral fins and the

beginning of the anal tin „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ „

21.3

21.9

22.7

24.3

23.2

31.4

26.3

25.2

23.1

25.6

25.7

33.0

istance between the tip of the snout and the beginning of

the anal lin _

45.8
19.1

47.6
20.5

45.8

18.2

48.6
20.0

51.6
19.2

48.7

18.3

52.6

15.9

50.3
18.0

50.6
17.5

51.7
14.6

51.1

16.6

53.4

17.5

ase of the anal fin ,. ,. ., ., ., ,. „ „

east depth of the tail , „ „ ., ., ., „ „

6.8

6.0

6.0

6.1

6.0

6.3

6.6

6.0

5.8

6.G

5.9

6.6

east breadth of the interorbital space in % of the length of the inasillaries

46.4

42.9

41.0

50.0

35.5

34.7

33.3

30.0

34.1

33.3

27.3

31.4

ength of the niaxillaries in % of the base of the sei'ond dorsal fin

41.2

53.0

88.8
51.1

42.8
57.7

40.4
65.8

51.7

70.0

37.5
50.0

51.3
(i2.5

42.7
53.6

55.0
67.3

62.5

75.0

55.0
65.0

,54.7

67,6

„ „ ,, lower jaw ,. ,, ., „ ,, „ ,, ..

east depth of Ihe hiil in fo of the longiludinal diameter of Die eve

72.0

76.0

76.9

82.(1

84.1

112.5

107.3

1)8.8

93.0

75,0

66.7

117.2

COTTOMOKI'IIS.

193

MI5KAMII.V

T R 1 (i L I X M.

JJcdd <illi-(lssC(J. Ail-l/l(l(li/rr jircsviil.

Tlic iD'csence of the ;iii'-l»l;i(I(lci- iiud IIk; ajjpeiiraiioe
of the head, wliicli is ahuost naked, hut anaed hy tlie
thickening" and granulation of the external bones, to-
gether with the fairly uniform rovering of scales on
the body, distingy^iisii the subfanuly of the Gurnards
from that of the true Cottoids. In the preceding sid)-
family, hoNvever, we have seen numbers of intermediate
forms l)etween it and the Gurnards. In a specimen of
Coitus clavif/er a great part of the head displays the
same nakedness and the same gi'anulation; but the most
striking external similarity appears in the spines which
occur along the base of the dorsal tins in Centrider-
)iuc]iflii/s Jhi Ilia fits, Coffiis Lilljelxm/ii' and the young spe-
cimens of ('. hubaJis. Similar spines are here a con-
stant character of that genus ^\dlich has given its name
to the subfamily, and here the}- are firmly attached to
the subjacent interspinal bones, a circumstance which,
as a rule, renders their number constant in each spe-
cies and equal to the total number of ravs in the two
dorsal tins. The difference between the upper and
louver rays of the pectoral fins, ^vhich is ^ve\\ marked
in the preceding subfamily, is here maintained in one
of two ^vays: either some of the lower rays become
free, digitate organs of touch and motion, or the upper
(smaller) part of these fins (in Dacfylopfenis) is wholly
detached from the lower (posterior). In connexion
with the cuirass of the head ^ve find a marked de-
velopment of the bones of the sul)orbital ring, -which
are firmly united posteriorly to the preoperculum and
anterioi'ly cover the sides of the whole snout, projecting
to a greater or less extent — in some forms like spa-
tulate processes — beyond the snout itself, and at the
same time covering the maxillarv l^ones, when the
tnouth is closed. The development of tlie air-bladder
constitutes a distinct difference from the preceding family:

the sounds which flic (Jurnards are caiialjlc of producing
much more gcneralK and more loudly — -a cii'cumstance
which has given tliem their Swedish name, knorrhanar
("Crooners") — arise from or at least are intensified by the
vibrations of the air-l)laddei'. These vibrations are due
to the strong contraction, accompanied also by rapid
\ibrations", of the muscular sheathing of the air-bladder
itself, of the adjacent infracostal muscles or even of
the large lateral and abdominal muscles. For the same
purpose the air-bladder is furnished with special nmscles,
and also, probably for the same pui'pose, the propertv
of changing the strength and tone of the sounds, gene-
rall}- divided into chambers by a constriction, either
anteriorly, as in Tii(/hi f/iouardus, ov anteriorly and
posteriorly, as in Dacftjloph'rus: it may also have lateral
processes, as in Trigla luccrna, in the form of long
horns, lying along the sides'. The gill-openings are
generally normal in these fishes; and tiiere is a pei-fect
branchial slit even behind the fourth branchial arch.
Through the strong covering of scales on the body
several of these fishes, notably Dactyloptenis and Peri-
stedion, come so near the following family (Af/onidce)
that they have sometimes" been referred to it; but the
strucfui'e of the head and the air-bladder speaks in
favour of their retention close to the Gurnards.

The appearance of the Gurnards is peculiar, but
their manner of life still more so. The Gurnards and
Malarmats are realh" to be regarded as bottom-fishes
wdiich use the free, lower rays of tlie pectoral fins as
feelers in searching for food at the bottom, or even as
creeping-organs, and which often betray, by the traces
of wear in the points of the prominent preorbital bones,
tliat these bones have been used to root up the bottom.
But they are frequently found in the open sea, and
are then scarcely inferior in swiftness of motion to

" According to DuFOSSli. LlXX«US, in bis concise, but telling, style, described this sound witli perfect fidelity to nature, and hinted
at its source in Triyla gurnarchis: ''Captus in abdoniine iimrniurat. moribiindus treiiiit" (Fauna ^uecica, ed. II. p. 120). Cf. also Mobeau,
Comptes Rendus, 1864, II, p. 436.

* Cf. Yabrell, British Fishes, ed. 2, vol. 1, p. 40; Kkhyeh, Danmarks Fisle. vol. 1. p. IIG: Dufoss6, .\nn. d. Sc. Nat. ser. 5,
Tome XIX (1874). art. No. 5, pp. 38 etc., pi. Ui — 19: Tome XX (1874), art. No. .3. pp. 47 etc.; Sobensen, Om Lydorganer hos Fiske,
p. 129.

■^ GC.NTHEi!. Iiitrod. .Stud. Fish., p. 481 (Handt'. Ichthijol.. p. 341).

Scandinavian Fishes. ~"'

194 SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

aiiv iither ti;«li, not cxcfptiiii!- xhv Mackerel. Their re- The suhfaiiiily is represented in all the tropic and
latives, the Hving Gurnards, always sport at the sur- temperate seas. Jordan and (tIi.bkrt estimate the
tare, or lea]) up into the air, hoverin<r there on their number of species at about 40, distributed among 5
parachutes, the large pectoral tins, ^vliich are spread genera. Only one of these genera belongs to the Scan-
like wings. dinavian fauna.

Genus TRIGLA.

Ventral Jimi far apart and contaiiiiiif/ 5 soft rai/s. The three Joaer raijs of the pectoral fns free and Jim/er-like.

The lower j'aa-, the internia.tillari/ hones and the head of the vomer set irith fine, cardiforni teeth: the palatine

hones toothless. The true scales thin, ciliate and extremehi small.

In olden times, and even in Aktedi, the Gurnards continued, with lateral ducts and ]iores, in dermal folds

were referred to the same genus as the Mullets; and both above and below the scales of the lateral line,

the generic name Trif/la ought really to be conferred In Trivia lineata, an inhal)itant of the Mediterranean

on the latter tishes, if more attention were paid to and the neighbouring parts of the Atlantic, the system

classical (jrder than to Linn.eus's authoritv". We now, may spread in this way almost over the whole of the

indeed, set them far apart in the system; but the opin- body. Furthermore, the lateral line in the Gurnards

ion of the old writers tinds some ground not only in is not only unbroken and perfect along the whole body,

the red colouring, which often prevails in the Gurnards but also divides, at the tail, into two, forked branches

too, but also in the structure of so important an or- on the caudal tin: tiie upper branch usually runs be-

ganic system as that of the lateral line. In the Gur- tween the second and third rays above the middle of

nards this svsteni is insigniticant on the cuirassed head; the tin, the lower between the lii'st and second rays

but its distribution on the l)od\- reminds us of that in below this point; and, as a rule, both these branches

Mullus, and is sometimes far better developed. The extend to the extreme hind margin of the fin. With

scales of the lateral line are much larger than those regard to the structure of the tin rays in this genus,

of the rest of the bodv, and often armed with spines, we ma\' remark that, as a rule, bv far the greater

as in some Cotti. Thev are sometimes of the usual portion of the ravs in the anal tin are simple, only

form, oblong or of slightlv greater depth than length, the antepenultimate and penultimate being sometimes

and pierced with onlv few branches of the lateral canal branched at the tip, while in the second dorsal tin most

— as in Trifjla yurnardas, where onlv one lateral of the rays are branched, onl}' the tirst two or three

branch of this canal runs obliquelv downwards and being simple. All the latter ravs are, however, articulated,

backwards in the posterior part of the scale. Some- and the last two are very closelv joined at the base.

times, however, thev are pierced with a finger-like The genus Trigla contains about 15 known species,

branching of the canal, which stronglv resembles that in and is spread over the Atlantic, though not known

^^ldlll<i\ as in the middle of each scale of the lateral with any certainty in its western regions, round the

line in 'Trir/la pini. In this species, however, these Cape of Good Hope to New Zealand. The three spe-

scales are diminished in length, but increased in depth, cies found within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna

by lateral processes (upwards and do^vnwards) which may be distinguished as follows:

call to mind the scales in Fteri/comhas: in each of j. Scnlcs of the lateral line high, their upper

these scales, too, the canal sends out two lateral bran- processes cxtenrling to the lateral plates

ches, one upwards and one downwards, each with lateral ""! ^^^ '^'"''^''^ fin-groove Triola pirn.

- . B: Scales of the lateral line of ordinarv form.
ducts in a backward direction, which, like the chief

branch, open into jwres in the scale. In some instances

a: Scales of the lateral line spinous.
Pectoral fins sliorter than the base of

the scales of the lateral line are prolonired upwards to cither the second dorsal or the aual (in Tricjla .yurnanlus.

, . "^ li: Scales of the lateral line unarmed,

the spinous plates ot the dorsal fin-groove, or the two i p^,,^^^.^! j-^,^ i„^„^,. ^j,^,, ^^^ i,,,^ ^f

lateral branches are so well developed that they are ! cither the second dorsal or tlie anal tin Triola lucenia.

" Systema Naluriv, ed. X. toiii. I. p. .000.

* See EsGSTRiJH, Om Fjullen.t btjgijnad hos Osteopterygii, disp. I.und 1874. tab. I, fig. 13.

TUIGI-OIDS.

195

THE RED GURNARD (sw. hudknotkn").
TiaULA I'JM.

Fig. 56.

Scdffs (if flie Idfcral line 70 — 7.7 iii numhcr. nnanucd, thin, cJoulidteiJ iijiirards (uid doinnrards l>if ))rorrs!<e-'<. flic
iipj)er ones c.rteiidini/ to tlic sj)iiioit.s plates of the dorsal fin-(jroore, of which the posterior are smooth, hut sharp.
(Did end in a spinous j)oint, the anterior (at the sides of the first dorsal fin) serrated. Kiimher of these sjjinoiis
jilaies 27 or 2'S. First spinous ra// of the anterior dorsal Jin tiilirr< uhdcd or serrated at the aiderior marf/in.
LenfltJi of the head '/^ of that of the hodij. Lenffth of the snout less than V., of that of fhr head. Interorhital
sjiare coiicare: its hrradth in i/oiinf/ sjiecimens ', ,„ in old ' -, of the h'Uf/fh of the head. I)iameter of the eijc in
old specimens nearhj '_,'' of the lenr/fh of the head. Pectoral fins someuliat shorter than the head', irhitish on the
outside and darl; blue or (/reenish f/rai/ on the inside. Colour of the hodi/ rose-red.

Fig. 56. l!cd Gurnard {Tri'jla piiii), *,. of tin- iiaUiral size. From Stromslad, Srd June. 1860. Speciiiion belonging to Gotlicnbiirg Museum.

J?. In: 7: /'. S. 1. 9!18 1. 10 : .4. 10 1. 17 : P. (1 + 7 + 3) + 3 ;
I'. '.-,: ('. .r + o('^|+,r; L. lal. 70—73.

Si/n. Ciifiilu.^, Wii.i.LGHUV (eJ. Kaii) p. 281 (descr., nee fig.); Art.
{Trigla, 7) Gen., p. 45; Sijn.. p. 74: Lin. {Trigla cuctdtis)
Syst. Nat., cd. X, loin. 1, p. 301 (synon. vix liitjiis spec,
quia D. 9 10 1. 17 dicitur; vide adn. infra).
Ti'igla pint, Bi.ocn, Aiisl. Fiscli., part. VII, p. 130, lab. CCCLV;
Gtuu, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fisli., vol. II, p. I'.IO; Morkai-, Hist.
Nat. Poisf. Fi:, part. II, p. 266.
Trigla cucvliis, Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2. part. I, p. 38; Steisd.,
Stzber. .\kad. Wiss. Wien., LVI, I (1867), p, 680: Malm,
Ofvers. V.'t. Akad. Forli. 1870, p. 825: Coll., Vid. Selsk.
Forh. Christ., 1874, Tilliegsh., p. 37; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn.,
p. 397; TiLMER, Mem. Soc. Sc. Nat., Math. Cherbourg, torn.
XXII (1879), p. 276; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., part. I,

p. 58, tab. XXIII: Lii.u., Sc, Norg. F;>/.-., part. I, p. 179:
JoRD., GiLii., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 10, p. 733.
Obs. Before Bloch's lime this species cnnnol be regarded as
fixed with any certainty. LiXN.EUS in his Hgsleiiiu Natiinr, ed. X,
was chiefly only Artedi's mouthpiece; and the latter has evidently
copied WiLLUGHBr, whose figure (in Plate S. 2) represents a Trigla
li/ra. The number of rays in the second dorsal fin which LlXX-Els
(1. c.) assigus to this species, also shows that he really referred to
the latter species; and this is also the case with Trigla cuciihis in
his Museum Adolphi Frid(;rici. tomi 2di. prodr., p. 93. Among other
relics of this Museum the present Royal Museum still possesses five
jars: one labelled Trigla cataphracta and containing a specimen of
Peristedion cataphractum; two labelled Trigla cuculiis, the one con-
taining a specimen of Trigla lyra and the other one specimen of the
same species and another of Trigla lucerna. var. poeciloptera ; a fourth
labelled Trigla hinnido and containing a Trigla guriiardiis; and a fifth
labelled Trigl'i liinn, ,!,->, ,^f .ind contaiuing a Lepidr.trigln aspern.

" Malm. 1. c.

* In young specimens as much as ' ,„, according to Steini'ACHker.

<■ * ,. — ■• ,g of tlic length of the body, according to TiLLlER.

196

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

The Red Gurnard is, in nil probability, scarcely to
I)(' considered as a stationary fish Avithin tlie limits of
the Scandinavian fauna. It is couinion on the coasts
of Great Bi-itain and Ireland and the west coast of
France"; but in Spain and Portugal Steindachner
found only solitary specimens in the fish-markets,
and in the Mediterranean, according to Bonai'aute'',
it is less common than in the Atlantic, where it also
becomes probably rarer the farther south we go, for
in Madeira, according to Lowe'', it is "rarior". It is the
oId^' true Tri(/Ia which has sometimes, it is stated, been
found on the American coast'', where this genus is else
represented l)y Prionotus, with teeth on the palatine
bones as well. According to Valenciennes it is highly
valued in Paris for the firmness and good flavour of
its flesh, and often l)i'ought to market. In Scotland,
according to Coucii', it is held in small esteem; liut in
England it is said to sell Avell, and only on account of
its inferior size to be regarded as inferioi" to the Tub-
fish and the Piper. "The usual habit," says Coucu, "of
this species, as of the whole family, is to kee]) near tlie

bottom in moderately deep Avater; and thei'c they feed
on shellfish, cral)s and small fishes, with a variety of
other creatures inhabiting the Ijottom of the sea. They
also take a, bait freely, ])ut are caught in the greatest
abundance with trawls. I have found them with spaAvn
well developed at the opposite seasons of January,
Api'il and June."

In Scandinavia, to the best of our knowledge,
only two specimens have been taken, and these at about
the same date in places not far apart. The one was
taken "about 1869" according to Collett, in Christi-
ania, Fjord, the other Avas caught on the 3rd of June,
1869, just oft" Stromstad, and preserved by Dr. C.
Cederstrom. The latter specimen now belongs to
Gothenburg Museum, and was lent us by the Keeper,
Dr. A. Stuxberg, to serve as the original of our figure.
As it lias been described minutely bj^ Professor Malm,
we shall here content ourselves with adding some of
its most characteristic points; and for the sake of
comparison, we append the corresponding measurements
made on specimens of the two following species.

Lenj^th of the I)t)(ly from llx' mitlilk' of I]ic Ii|) nl" the snout lo the mlihlle of tlu* hind nniririn of the e:MM]:il lin, expressed

in millimetres _ _ _ ___

Length of the hend to the tip of the operruliir fl:ip .,_ in % of the length of the hody

„ ,, „ „ „ „ top of Ihe hind niiiriiln of the jji'enperciiluni ., „ ., „ „ „ „ ,,

„ „ ,, snout,, ,, anterior mnrgin of the orbit „ ., .. ., ., ,, ,, .,

„ „ „ ., ., .. anterior nostril _ _ ,. ,, ., ., ,, ., ,,

Length of the body from the middle of the lip of the snout to tlie point of the peeloriil

tins, when folded _ _ _ ,, „ ., „ „ ,, ,, ,,

Length of the pectoral fins „ ,, ,, „ „ „ ,, ,,

., ,. ventral ., „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „

Distance from the middle of the tip of the snout to the vent ., „ „ ., „ „ „ „

Length of the base of the first dorsal fin „ ,, ,, ,, „ „ „ „

J) ^» T) .7 .) ,) seconil .. ,. ,, ,. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

" " " " » " anal ,, — „ „ „ ,, ,, „ „ ,,

Length of the seeond ray in the first dorsal fin ., „ „ ,, ,, ,, ., „

Greatest depth of the t)ody at the beginninu: "f the lirst dorsal fin „ „ „ „ ,, „ „ „

breadth ., „ „ ., „ „ „ „ „ ., „ „ „ „ „ „ ,. „

licast depth of the tail , „ „ ,, ., ,, „ .,

Least breadth of the interorbital space , ., ., ,. ,. ., ., „

Longitudinal diameter of the eye ,, ., ,; „ ., „ „ .,

Trighi

Trirjla

Tficjla

lacei'mt.

pini.

fjurntirdus.

var.
potL-iloptera.

•>\)b

298

224

2G.1

2(1.8

26.8

•Jl.o

21. r,

21.6

I--.'..-,

11.7

12.

4.4

4.7

4..1

45.8

42.9

55.4

2;!. 4

1S.4

30.3

22.4

21.0

23.6

44.7

48.6

46.0

Hi..^

ir).4

14.3

32.2

30.2

2i).2

2i).fi

29.0

25.5

16.0

17.1

14.5

lii.ii

1'.).4

14.5

14.2

14.3

14.0

4.1

3.7

4.4

ii.4

5.7

4,5

(!.4

6.0

,..S 1

" Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiis., vol. IV, p. 33.
* Icon. Fauna Italioa, Pesci, No. 96 (Fasc. XI, i). 58).
'■ Trans. Zool. Soc. London, vol, II (1841), \i. 175.

'' V.\f,KNcmN.\KS, 1. (■., p. 54; Mtrotfff.t,, Trans. Lit. Phil. Soc. N. York,
.JOHIl., Gii.ii., 1. c.

' Fisli. rSnt. /si., vol. 11. p. 19.

T, p. 449 {Polynemu.i tviiliijitatii.^, acconling lo Day, 1. c);

TKIGLOIDS.

197

THE GREY GURNARD (.■<\v. KNoiiiiiiANKN.)
TKIGLA GURXAIIOUS.

Plate XI, fig. 1.

Smies (if flii' hifcraJ Hue aJxiut 7:1 ii/ lunuJicy". sci(f/f(triii, reversely linrjuiforDi or ohorafi', uniicil ir'itli spiiirs. Mar-
flhinl jildti'x of flic dorsol fii-f/roovc ^7 or ;J8 in iittmber, tuherculaicd'', hut cxtrcmdy seldom spinous. First tivo
or fliri'c'' spii/oii^: rof/s of tlif anterior dorsul fii liihcnnlated. Lenyfh of flic head fo flic fij) of flic npercular fa))
(relafireli/ greater in old specimens fliiui in i/onnij) from .26 to 27' % of the Icnfith of the bodij. Lenyfli of the
snout less than ^/„ that if the head. Breadth of the interorhital space, n-hich is slightli/ concave'', about V,'' or ^/„,
and the diameter if the ei/e about 22 %', cf the Icnifth of the head. Pectoral fns {asaallij longer in the male
than in the female) considerablij shorter than flic head'', blackish or f/rai/, irifh irhife rai/s — the ? or (/' middle
ones branched once — and irifh irhife spots on flic inside. Colonriiif/ of the hodij saperiorli/ f/nii/ or broirnish
red, irifh or irifhoiif irhife sjiofs and loHfjitadinal irhife sfrij)es on the sides.

R. In: 7; D. 8 1. 9,18— 20; .1. 18—20; P. (1+7+3 1.
1 + 0 + 4) + 3; V. '/j; C. .r + 9+.r; L. lot. 72— 7G.

Sijn. Gornatiii' sen Gurnardiis f/riseiis, Wili.ughby (cd. Kaii) p.
270. Triijla, No. 8: Art., Gen. Pise, p. 40; Syn. Pise,
\y. 74.

7V/;//a Gurnardas, Lin., Syst. Xat., eil. X, torn. I, p. 301 ; Bloch,
Fisclie Deutschl., part. II, p. 121, tab. LVIII; Retz., Fa.
Siiec, LiN., p. 341; Faber, Fisclie IsL, p. 123; Cuv., Val.,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 62; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth.
,Scand., p. 87; Fries, Ekstr., Wr., Skand. Fisk., ed. 1, p.
15, tab. 3, fig. 2; Kroy., Damn. Fiske, vol. I, pp. 83 et
.581; Yarr., Brit. Fisli., ed. 2, part. I, p. 53; Nilss.,
■Skaiid. Fn., Fisk., p. 53; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol.
II, p. 205; Couch, Fish. Brit. IsL, vol. II, p. 27, tab.
LXVIII; Malm, Ofvers. Yet. Akad. Forli. 1870, p. 829;
Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874. Tilla>gsh., p. 37;
Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 405; Winth., Zool. Dan., Fiske.
p. 12, tab. II, fig. 8; Id., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3,
vol. XII, p. 10; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1879, No.
1, p. 15; Tillier, Mem. Soc. Nat. So. Natur., Math., Cher-
bourg, torn. XXII (1879), p. 205; D.iY, Fi.sh. G:t Brit,
Irel.. part. I, p. 02, tab. XXV; Moe. Hist. Xat. Poiss. Fr.,
torn. II, p. 274; Lillj., Sv., Aorg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 172;
Mob., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 49; Coll., N. Mag. Naturv.
Christ., vol. 29 (1884), p. 57.

Trigla Hirundo, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 301; Fn.
Snec, ed. II, p. 120; Mus. Ad. Frid., toni. II prodr., p. 93.

Trigla C'lcuhis, Bloch, Fisclie Deutschl., part. II, p. 124, tab.

LIX; Cuv., Val., Hist. Xat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 67: Gthr,

Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p. 207.
Trigla milvns, Lacep., Hist. Xat. Poiss., vol. Ill, pp. 340 et

362 (adn. taracn D. 10 17; A. 15); Bonap., Fn. ItaL. Pesci,

fasc. X, tab. 94, fig. 3: Mor.. Hist. Xat. Poiss. Fr., vol.

II, p. 278.
Trigla Blochii, Yarr., Hist. Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. 1, p.

50; Couch, Hist. Fish., Brit. IsL, vol. II. p. 29, tab.

LXIX.
Trigla. nigripes. Malm. Vide infra.

This Ush is known by several minies in the western
islands: its most comrnon name in Bohuslan is Knot,
in Strom.stad it is called Halhos. The name Knorr-
hane ("puiTin<r cock"), which is really Scanian, has
arisen from the circninstance that, wlien drawn out of
the water, the fish makes that purring sound the origin
of which we have explained above.

The Grey Gurnard occurs along the \vhole of the
Avest coast of Scandinavia. In the Baltic, according to
NiLSSON, it penetrates to the coast of Blekinge, and,
according to Winther, to (JhristiansO (X. E. of Born-
holm), though it is rare there, but fairly common west

" From 72 to 76, according to Steindachner.

'' At least the anterior: in full-grown specimens all.

"^ Sometimes the fifth ray too, according to Tillier.

'' More so in young specimens.

' From - ,3 to -/jj of the length of the head to the tip of the lower opercular spine, according to Steindachner. According to our
measurements varying between 17 and 21 %, i. e. about 17 "o (in young specimens) and from 18 to 21 % (in old), of the length of the head
to the point of the opercular flap.

•' According to our measurements varying between 27 "i (in a specimen 70 mm. long) and 20 '■„ (in a specimen 3(>0 mm. long) of
the length of the head to the point of the opercular flap.

'J From '/,g to ■• .,4 of the length of the body, according to Tillier. These fins too, are comparatively longer in young specimens than
in old, but their tip never extends behind the middle point of the length of the body.

198

tSCANDIX AVIAN FISIIKS.

of Riigeii. It is also known from the extreme north
of Norway and fi-om Iceland to Spain and Portugal,
and also in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea.

The surface of the bones of the head is adorned
with numbers of tuberculated lines, which radiate from
certain points. The nostrils are situated in a slit,
covered -with skin, between the preorbital and nasal
l)ones; the anterior is small and round, \\ith a some-
what raised margin, the posterior larger, obliijuely set
and elongated. In the front \rdrt of the anterior margin
of tlie eye are two or three sharp spines, and, in young
specimens, a spine of equal size and also pointing in
.1 backward direction, in the postei'ior part of this
margin. Behind the eye, in young specimens in par-
ticular, a sharply defined, spinous ridge runs along
the temple at the side of tlie occiput, and ends in a
thick, sharp spine, belonging to the posttemiioral bone.
Similar, but smaller spines, also appear in the lower [
part of tlie hind margin of the preoperculum. In
young specimens there are also distinct occi]:)ital spines,
corresponding to those which are so characteristic of
the ])receding genus. The operculum is tipped with
two sharp spines, the lower being the longei'. Tiie
clavicular bone, too, is armed with a strong spine just
above the pectoral .tin. Tlie ventral tins are inserted
below or a little behind the pectoral, and in adult spe-
cimens are somewhat longer than the latter: in voung
specimens the reverse is sometimes the case. Of the
three free rays of the pectoral tins the tliird is the
longest and the first the shortest. When pressed chjse
to the body, they are straight, but they form a geni-
culate curve, with the points turned backwards, when
they are extended forward in a downward direction.
In the first dorsal fin, which is of about the same height
as the body and twice as high as the second, the third
ray is usually the thickest and but slightly shorter
ihan the second; l)ut ihe rest diminish in length so
shai'ply that the tin slopes suddenly in its posterior
l)art. According to LiLL.iKBoia; the length of the long-
est rays in this fin, in adult specimens, is greater in
ihr. female than in the male, being about equal, in the
lormer, to ihe distance from the tip of the snout to

the hind margin of the orl)it, and in the latter less
than this distance". The total niunber of rays in both
dorsal fins varies between '27 and 29. The vent is
somewhat, tliougii sometimes on!\- very sliglitly, in front
of the middle of tlie l3od^•. The stomach is large and
triangular, with thin walls. Tlie intestinal canal forms
two curves and is furnished with 7 pvloric appendages.
The liver is small, and consists of two lobes: in Aoung
specimens it is relativeU- larger and more completely
divided. The air-l)ladder is large, simple posteriorly
and divided anteriorlv into two, short, terete loljes.

In this fish, too, the coloration is very variable.
Most often tlie upper part of the bodv is grayish
yellow, strewn with bright, wiiite dots, which below
the lateral line sometimes unite into vermiform streaks,
and the bellv and latei'al line white. In other speci-
mens the white dots are surrounded bv a small, black
ring, which gives them the appearance of small ocelli.
ill others, again, there is no trace of these spots.
Specimens also occur of a more or less dark, reddish
brown colour, instead of the grayish yellow, and with
the lateral line and the ventral sides strongly tinged
with yellow. It is this colour-varietv whii'h we have
represented in our figure, and which, if we are not
mistaken, is rather a character of young sijeciinens.
The caudal, pectoral and dorsal fins adopt tlie colour
of the body; the anterior of the latter pair is always
the darker, and has ;i more oi' less distinct, blackish
spot at the margin, l)etweeii the third and fifth rays.

The Grey Gurnard attains a length of from .3.'>0
to 400 mm.'' It is specimens of this size that are
generallv taken in Bohusliin. It lives at the same spots
and in water of the same depth as the Haddock and
Whiting, and is taken on the hook together ^vitll
these fishes. According to Kiiovici; it is also occasion-
allv taken by fishermen whiffing for Mackerel, even
when the wind is so strong and the speed of the bout
so great that the Mackerel does not bite readih'. Ac-
cording to Cortii it is a gregarious fish, and sometimes
(during the spawning-season?), in fine summer- weather,
collects in large shoals at the surface and slowly rises
and sinks in the water, crooning, as if with pleasure.

" Even if lliis nexnal diflerence be restricted In specinieus over 2(50 iiiiii. in lenylli. tlieri' are many exceptions. Among the numerous
uieasurements on wliidi tlie appended table is based, v.e have found Uiat a male of Triijla i/uriidi'diis had o\>e of tlie longest rays in the
first dorsal fin and, at the same time, the shortest snout. Tn.l.lEl! (1. c.) has also failed to discover any constanl external differences be-
tween the sexes in this species.

'' Acrordin.n- to Pennant (see Day) it may atlain a length of 2' .^ ft. (7112 mm.).

CKKV (aUNAIil).

lJ>i)

Mai,\i fuiind ri[)e ei:',iis in :i fi'ui.-ilc (iivv riiirinii'il .-it the flesh is soinewliat fliiljhy .•md insipid. There

ih<' ini(hllc of .lul\-; imd the lishciMiicn assured him is no spcciiil lisiicry for it, however. Its food con-

thiit this lish 'h.-is no (\isil)lc) roc, cither in spring or sists chiefly of shelltisii, crustaeeans and small fishes,

in aulunm." Acrordini;- to Saijs the c^^s float at the Malm found the stomach of a female crammed with

surface durin,ii' their dc\clopment". Sprats.

This tish is eaten in Sweden as well as in utiier (I'KiKs, Smitt.)

countries, though it is not considered a- delicacy, as

Table showing partly the most important changes of growth in Trig/a gurnardus and partly the relations

between this species and the following one:

Ti'jgla f/arnnrtUts

Triijla lucema.

^ o o
^3.1^ =

„ ), »

r, », )» 1,

Lpnvctli cif tlic body from tlic miilillc of lh(^ tip of IIil' snout lo llie iiiiilille of tlic liinil marifiii of the caudiil tin,
expressed in mill i metres _ _

I.eiiL'lh of the head lo the tip of the opereuliir (lap in % of the ieniilli ol' llie liody

,, „ .. top of tlie hind iiinri;in of llie preopereuluni ,, ., „ ., ,, ., ., ,,

,, „ .. snout.. .. anter'Ior inari^In of the oi-liii , ., ., ., ,, ,, ,, ,,

,. anterior nostril

Length of the body from the middle of the tip of the snout to the tip of the
peetoral tins when folded

Length of the peetoral lins - ,, ,, ,, .,

,, „ ,, ventral ., ,, ,. ,. .,

,, ,, „ liody from the middle of llie li|i ol llie siioiil lo the lent

,. base of the tirst dorsal liii , ,, „ ,,

., .. ., .. ,, ., second .. .. „ „ ., .,

., „ .. ., ,. anal „ , ,, ., .,

., .. seeoud ray in the lirst dorsal tin.-- - , ,, ,. .,

(irealest depth of the body (at the hesrinning of the lirst dorsal lin) ., ,. .. ,,

., breadth „ ,, „ .. .. .. ., ..

Least depth of the tail... , „ ,. ..

Least breadth of the interorbital space , ., .. ..

Longitudinal diameter of the e\c ,

'S-s

3 3
3 2

3 >

= 2

'.15-S

•2ii:i.8

ir,.-;

26G

385

•-'(i.s

27.1

27.0

2(J.8

2(i.o

•JLs

21.8

21.4

21.4

20.2

ll.s

11.8

12.i.

13.1

13.7

4.9

4.9

5.4

.5.6

5.2

44,i;

44 4

.'l-'li

r>2.G

51.C

:.'Li;

lil.i)

2.S.S

28.2

—

2-2.2

22.0

21,. 1

24.0

42.1

4.-..0

4t.;,o

45.0

4(5.9

L^i.s

14.4

!«.«

15. G

—

;!0.6

m.s

27.9

2«.8

—

.•'.1.2

.'.0.3

27.11

26.3

— .

i;j.2

Iti.o

1(3.0

14.:-i

—

17.8

1G.6

is. 4

13.5

17.8

14..^

12.:.

iCii

14.0

16.8

;5.4

.'j.5

4.3

4.0

4.3

4.7

.").0

4.2

5.«

5.5

ll.C

G.o

.')..i

5.0

.5.1

" N. Mag. Naturv., flirist., 15. 15 (ISCiC). \>. 126; ami .\iiii. Mag. Nat. Hist., str. 4, vol. 1 (1868). p. .'iOO.
* G//:/.->., Uoli. Fn., p. 403. The Iciigtli of the specimens varies between 245 and 555 mm.

200

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SAPPHIRINE GURNARD OR TUBFISH fsw. sToiiGNODiNfiEN" or fenknoten*.)

TRIGLA LUCEIINA.

Fig. 57.

Scales of the lateral line ahont 70'' 'in nnmhcr, ireak, idtaiiiicd : scales of the hod// smooth at the margin. Mar-
ginal plates of the dorsal tin-groove 24 or 25 in iiumher, smooth, aith the posterior spinous jxtini onlg slighthj
erected. Ua//s of the anterior dorsal fin smooth''. Length of the head to the j)oint of tlie opercidur flap from
,25 to 2'7 % of that of the hodg. Length of the snout in goung specimens less, in old specimens more, than ^/^
that of the head. Breadth of the inferorhital space, which is slightly concave', about \'. or ^'/ and the diameter
of the ege cdiout 20 %, of the leni/tli of the head". Pectoral fins longer than the head'', irith blackish or bluish
membrane on the outside and irhite or red rays, on the inside black, edged trifh blue or {usually only during
youth) brownish-red with an oval, black spot, dotted icitJi milk-white sjwts (vav. poeciloptera). Zipper part of

the bodi/ red.

*^^-,

i ^""a^Th.--,

Fig. 57. Tn'r/lii lucerna, -/., of the natural size, from Strijinslad, taken by Mr. C. A. Hanssox, 1887.

R. br. 7; D. 8 1. 9 IG 1. 17': A. 14 — 10 ; P. (1 + 7 + .■',)'+• 3 ;
V. V.,; O. ,r. + 0+.r.

iSi/n. Corax (§. IV), Hirundo (§. V), Lucerna Venctoriiiii (§. VI),
WiLLUGHDY (ed. Raii), pp. 280 et 281. Trigla, No. 5 et
No. 6, Art., Gen. Pine. pp. 44 et 45; No. 4 {Hirundo,
Will.) et No. 5 {Lucerna, Will.), Sijn. Pise, p. 73.

Triijla Ljiicerna, hm., iSy.'it. Sat., cd. X, toni. I, p. 301
(= Art., Trigla, No. G in (jcn.. No. 5 in Sipi.).

Triijla Hirundo, Bloch (p. p.), Naturg. Fisch. DeiitscJd., part.
II, p. 12G, tab. LX; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., yo\. IV,
p. 40; NiLss., Prodr. Iclitli. iScand., ]>. 88; Kroy., Damn.
Fislce, vol. I, pp. 106 et 581; Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2,
vol. I, p. 47: NiLSS., Skand. Fn.. Fislc p. 59; Gthr, Cat.

" NiLSSON, Ska7id. Fauna.

* Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fauna.

' We have found tlie number of tin- tubifurm ibicts of the lateral line to be eiDier 09 or 7'2.

'' In exceptional cases Tillier (1. c.) lias found a few tubercles at the base of the anterior margin of the first ray.

' More so in young specimens.

■f From '/b ^° V21 "^ ^'"^ length of the head to the tip of the lower opercular spine, according to Steindaciiner. According to our
measurements varying between 15 % (in young specimens) and 22 'i (in old) of the length of the head to the point of the opercular flap.

' According to our measurements and those of Prof. Malm, varying between 22 or 20 % (in specimens from IGO to 250 mm. long)
and 19 or 18 % (in specimens from 250 to 550 mm. long) of the length of the head.

'' From 28 to 30 % of the length of tlie body, and with the tip always extending beyond the middle of the body when tlicy arc
folded; also longer than the base of either the second dorsal or the anal fin.

' Sometimes 15, sometimes 18, according to Steindachner and Tillier.

■> (1+8 + 2) + 3, according to Steindachner. Sometimes 9 or 12 + 3, according to Collett. •

SAri'llllilNK GlKNAlil).

201

Brit. Mils., Fish., vol. II, p. '202; Coucii, /"/.«/(. Jirit. Id.,
vol. II, p. 21, tnb. LXV; Steixd., Stzber. Aknd. Wisg. Winn,
LVI, I (18C7),ii. OSS; Coi,L., Vid. Selsk. Foih. Christ., 1874,
TilUegsli., p. 37; Ltkn, Vid. Meddcl. Nntiirli. l''or. Kblivn,
1876, p. 388; Mai.m, GbffS, Boh. Fn., p. 398; Winther,
Zool. Dan., Fisl-e, p. 13, tab. II, lig. 9; In., Natiirh. Tidskr.,
Kbhvu, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 10; CoLl.., Vid. Sclsk. Forli.,
Christ., 1879, No. 1, p. Ifj; Tiu.iKU, Mem. Soc. Nat. Sc.
Natur., M.ilh., Cherbourg, toiii. XXII (1879), p. 272; Day,
Fish. at. Brit., Ire}., part. I, p. .59, tab. XXIV; LiLLJ., Sv.,
Norg. Fiskar, vol. 1, p. 182; MOi!., Hcke, Fiscli., Osts., p. .00.

Trigla losvi-si, Montacu. Mcim. Werii. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. II,
p. 455.

Trigla poeciloptera, Cuv., Val., 1. <■., p. 47; viih' Steixd. ct
Ltkn, 1. c

Trigla cora.v, Bonai'., Fii. Ital., Pesci, fasc. X, p. 52, tab.
94, fig. 1; MoR., 11, .H. Nat. Poiss., Fr., toin. II, p. 284.

Trigla nigripes, Malm, Fcirh. Skand. Naturf. M., Stockh. 1803,
p. 410; Gbg.'i, Boh. Fn., p. 403; Gbgs Nat. Hisl. Mus.
Arsber. Ill (1881), p. 22.

Obs. As there can be no doubt as to the identity of Wil.-
i.ucHBv's Lucerua Venetormn, and as Linkveus has misapplied the name
Hirundo — in his works the same species as Gurnardns — it is
evident that, according to the current rules of nomenelature, this spe-
cies should be called Trigla Incerna. Even in Blocii we find several
remarks whicli clearly show that he has confounded this species with
the preceding one: and should we refuse to recognise the specific

^

'^

Fig. 58. Trigla nigripci', taken i>ii the 20lli of August, 1872. oif
Marstrand. A. \V. Mai.m. Magn. 3 diani.

name hicerna, on the grounds that it lias also been misapplied, Mox-
TAGU is the first post-Linn:i>an writer who has given the species an
Accurate name and definition.

Malm's Trigla nigripes has been referred b}' Collett and Lillje-
DOKG to the preceding species, as a young specimen thereof. This
opinion is borne out by the strange circumstance pointed out by Malm
himself, that he had never found the fry of Trigla gurnardns on the
coast of Bohuslan, but, if his own later opinion be correct, had met
with young specimens of the much rarer Trigla lucerna. F.smark,
however, according to Collett, at a more recent date obtained in
Christiania Fjord young specimens of the latter species, so small that
we must assume that it also propagates in Scandinavian waters. Hence
we must pay more attention to Malm's reference to the number of
rays in the anal fin of 7';-. nigripes, which is too small to apply to a
Tr. gurnardns. By Mr. Stuxbeho's kind permission I have been enabled
to examine two of Malm's type-specimens, one of which is figured
here (fig. 58), and to verify his statements as to the number of rays
in the dorsal fins (9(8) IG) and the anal fin (15), and of spinous plates
at the margins of the dorsal fincgroove (23 - though in the anterior
part two more are to be found, though only rudimentary), and also his
observations as to the Cottoid characters which give this larval stage
its especial interest. The question of species must reniaiii undecided,
however, until it has been shown that the number of rays cannot
undergo during growth the requisite increase to admit of the inclusion

ScanJinnrinn Fithtt.

of these young specimens in the preceding species, or that the spines
which here mark the lateral line, as well as the two nasal spines,
which also remind us of thf Cotti, are evanescent, juvenile characters.
These young specimens are further distinguished by 0 large muciferous
pores beneath the eye, arranged in a row from the snout along tin-
cheek and superiorly bounded by a raised bony ridge, which is con-
tinued posteriorly in a curve to the upper preopercular spine. We
find a corresponding structure to these nmciferous pores in the Cotti,
c. g. in (Jnttns quadricornis; but they appear with a still more strik-
ing likeness in the genus Agomis of the following family.

'I'lic SapitliiriiiL' (jiiniard i.s priiieipalJy di.stiiiguislifd
IVdiii the ])ivcc(lin;i- si^fcies 1j}' its wwikcr scales, dcciKT
tail, longer snout and longer pectoral tins: the :iual tin,
as well as tiic second dorsal, on tlie other hand, is
shorter and contains fewer rays. The base of the first
dorsal fin is more tlian half the length of the liase of
these two tins; Imt its height is altout tlie .same as
in the ])receding species. The scales of the latei-al
line are scarcely apparent, but the lateral ducts into
wliicli the canal branches, in young specimens at lea.st,
are all the more distinctly visiVde. These ducts are
generally four in nnndjer, at least in the anterior
part of th(; line, two running upwards and two down-
wards tVoni the main duct in each .scale. The least
depth of the tail is at least 1.5 ?/> of the length of
the head, which is .about e(|ual to the length of the
base of the anal tin, or even exceeds it. The length
of the snout, wliicli in old specimens is more than half
tliat of the head, even iu young specimens measures more
than 4.T % of the length of the base of the anal tin.
The length of the pectoral fins is always greater than
that of the ventral, and tiieir middle rays are triply
bifid, a character remarked even l>y Willughbv. An-
other distinction between this species and the pre-
ceding one lies in the granular .striation of the largi-
suborbital bone (the cheek). These raised stria-, which
here, as on the other external bones of the head, radiate
from a centre, have this centre set so low down that,
as ;i rule, no .striie (probably in young specimens only)
run downwards therefrom; l)ut one or two stria\ which
are thicker than the rest, run up from this point towards
the lower, anterior corner of the orbit, and another,
risin"- into a sharp edge, runs straight backwards and is
continued on the surface of the preoperculum out to tlie
sui)erior marginal spine at the corner of this bone.

T!ie coloration of the Sapphirine Gurnard is far
more remarkalile than that of the preceding species.
The back, according to Kuoyer, is usually red (seldom
fn-avish) with a tlash of brown or green, and the sides
a ligliter orange with a more or less distinct, golden

2<5

202

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

lustre. Tlie or.-inge colour soinetimes forms a longi-
tudinal stripe, sc'ijarated h\ a -white streak from the
deeper colour of the back. The ventral side wliite,
sometimes with a dash of rose-colour. The dorsal, anal
and ventral tins orange, the caudal tin blackish gray
tinged ^\'ith blood-red. The pectoral fins externally
blackish bhic, with orange or bluish white rays, according
to Day, reddisli with blue margins. (Jn the inside of
these fins we sometimes find at the lower margin a large,
black spot, stre-wn with small spots of milk}' -white or light
blue. This colour on the inside of the pectoral fins is not
fast, however, and loaves stains when touclied (cf. Malm).
The Sapphirine Gurnard is a rare fish in Scandi-
navian watei's, thougli its geographical range is about
as \vide as that of the preceding species, solitary speci-
mens being met wiih as far north as Lofoden. As
Steindachner states that the Trigla capensis of Valen-
ciennes belongs to the same species, the range of the
Sapphirine Gurnard must extend south at least as far
as the Cape of Good Hope. Strangely enough, according
to Mal^i, it apparently occurs in the Skager Hack and
the Cattegat more frequently in some years than in
others. In 1860, for example, the Museum of Gothen-
l;)urg received eight specimens, and in 1869 four; with
these exceptions Mal:\i had not met with this species
on the coast of Bohusljln for thirty years. In 1886 Mr.
C. A. Hansson obtained a specimen, which had been
caught in Stromstad Fjord in the month of July, and
in 1887 another, wliich had l)een caught in the same
place in December. Tiiough it penetrates into the Sound
and has l)een taken in Kiel Bay (Mob., Hcke), this
happens very seldom, generally in autumn and winter.

The Sappliirine Gurnard attains a larger size than
the preceding species. According to Moreau its length
may be as great as 600 mm. — a specimen taken in
Christiania Fjord, in November, 1869, was 620 mm.
long, according to ('ollett — and according to Thomp-
son (see Day, 1. c), it may weigh as much as 14 lbs.
Its manner of life is probably the same in the most
essential respects as tliat of the preceding species; and
the spawning-season proper also occurs probably in the
summer, though Couch found specimens with ripe roe
both at Christmas and from May to July. The greater
size of the pectoral fins in this species, however, reminds
us of its more pronounced habit of leaping out of the
water, which in some places, according to Nilsson, has
given it tlie name of "Flying-fish," and which, says
Lacepede", is connected, to a certain extent, Avitli the
name of lucerna {''lanteriie on fancd"). "It is chiefly the
parts of tlie head," he says, "especially the gajie and,
alcove all, the palate, which shine at night with a pleas-
ing and steady light, like that which radiates from so
many phosphorescent objects, living or dead, during
the lovely summer-nights of the South. After sunset,
on a calm evening, one raav see hundreds of Gurnards,
exposed to the same danger and impelled by a common
panic, leap out of their element to avoid a dangerous
foe, and spi-ing into the lower aerial regions, where
they supjiort themselves for some moments by flapping
their membranous wings, which are short, but wielded
by strong muscles. It is a strange sight — these soft
lights which suddenly rise above the waves, advance
and again fall into the depths, after tracing in the air
interlacino; lines of fire, now distinct and now united.

It may, therefore, be regarded onlj^ as an occasional : Helped by the phosphorescent gleam of the -watei' fit

visitor to the Cattegat, though Malm's and Esal\1!KS the surface, they thus form in the air an illumination

observations which we have mentioned above, sho^v that which moves on and varies \vithout a pause."
it may }>ropagate its species even in the Skager Rack.

Fam. AGONIDiE.

Bofli/ cottiform hut elongated, and cuirasscd ir'dh coidifinons, hoin/ phdet^. arranf/ed in from S to 10 longitudinal
rairs. Spinnus-raijed part of the dorsal fins {which is sometimes wanting) nsuulhi shorter {Imt sometimes longer)
than thr soft-raged. Anal fn without spinous rays. Ventral fins with 1 spinous and 2 or 3 soft rags. Bags
of tlie pectoral fins, like those of the other fins, usnallg simjde. PseudohranchifC present. No air-bladder. Ver-
tebra; more than SO.

As we have mentioned above, the forms within this
family, the Cuirassed (lurnards, are so closely related

to the preceding ones that some writers regard both
the Flying Gurnards and the Malarmats as Cuirassed

" Hist. Nai. Puiss., loiii. Ill, [). 363.

CnUASSKD {;ri!XAI!l)S.

203

(iiii'iiiirds. But the absence i>t' the ;iir-l)hHld(M', the
undivided pectoral tins without tree rays at the bottom,
the somewhat siiii^ular forin of the bod\', and the situa-
tion of the vent, which lies tar in I'ront nf the end of
tlie abdominal ravitv, nearer the Neutral lius than the
anal tin, are all in I'aNour of I he in'ocednrc oi' Gill",
and aftei' hiiu of -Ioriian and ( in.i!i;i;i'''. who isolated
these fishes under the fainih name of Af/aitidir, which
was tirst emploxed by Swainson'. TIh' body is of the
typieal Cottus foi'ui, witii the head thicker than the
body, which tapers posteriorK- in ii conical form, but
is sometimes so elongated and low that, with its few
rows of jdates, it i-eminds us of the Si/ni/nathl. Its
resend)lance to the latter is furtlier increased by the
longitudinal cur\ature of the plates on the trunk, which
are traversed b}' a keel at the middle, on the outside of
the curve. Sometimes, too, as in the genus Slphagonus,
the snout, with the projecting lower pw, is almost tu-
bular and resembles that of Si/i/f/nafhus. Sometimes,
how^ever, as in the genus Botliragonus, the body is
laterallv more strongly compressed and fairly deep and
short. The variations of form within the family are
thus h\ no means inconsiderable. The eyes are set
hiiih, but on the sides of the angular and lacunose
head; and on the lower ])art of the clieek we tind the
row of muciferous ]X)res, belonging to the system of
the lateral line, \\hicli wg have remarked aljove in the
fr\- of the Sapphirine Gurnard. The strange appearance
of the head is often enhanced bj^ the elongation of the
snout into a kind of proboscis, and by the spines on the
upper surface of the latter; and numei'ous barbels are
sometimes attached to the lower side of the head.
Behind the fourth branchial arch the gill-slit has dis-
appeared; and the pseudobranchiie are well-developed.
Tlie jaw-teeth are small and cardiform; and similar
teeth sometimes ot'cur on the ])a]atine l)ones and the
vomer as well. The ventral tins, with one spinous and
two oi' three soft raj-s, are set fairlv close together
and somewdiat behind the insertions of the pectoral fins.
As a rule, there are two dorsal fins, the anterior \vith

spinous rays; but sometimes, in the genus Aspidopho-
roi(les'\ tliis last fin is wanting.

The sj'stematical, as well as the morphological,
relations between the genera are explained, in this fa-
mih- as in others, by the changes of growth in the
species, which changes have already been descril)ed by
Steenstkup and LOtken'". The most remarkable of
these changes is the gradual removal in a forward
direction of the \ent — in a specimen of Afjonus de-
canouns, 76 mm. long, from Greenland, we find 8 pairs
of ])lates between the vent and the l)eginning of the
anal fin, in another, 162 ram. long, 10 plates on the
left side and 11 on the right; in a specimen oH A(/oni(S
cataj)Jiracfi/s, 93 mm. long, from Bohusliin, there are
f) ])lates on the right side and 6 on the left, between
the \ent and the anal fin, in a specimen 121 mm. long,
6 on each side, and in a specimen 178 mm. long, 7
pairs of plates on this space. Another change lies in
the elongation of the tip of the snout, and the eleva-
tion, or even tiie protrusion, of the nasal spines. Young
specimens are without the marked elongation of the
nasal bones in a, forward direction, in front of the
original tip of the snout, or even (as in Af/onus dccafjo-
fius juv. = Af/. spinosissimns) have the lower jaw more
protruded than the upper. The form of the body in
these species begins its changes with the relativeh'
shorter (deeper) form in young specimens than in old,
and with the deeper caudal region, which is even la-
terally compressed. In young specimens of both tlie
Scandinavian species of Agonus, the middle keels of the
plates on the body and the ridges of the head are
higher, and I'ise into spines pointing in a backward
direction, even in the species {Ag. cataphractus) which
in the adult state can scarcely be called spinous, so
rounded and blunt have these plates and ridges become.
The genera which, when full-groAvn, are distinguished
by the deeper form of the body, by higher spines on
the plates, b\- the shorter (more obtuse) form of the
tip of the snout or by the rising (projecting) tip of
the lower jaw, ma^• thus be regarded as representatives

" Arrang. Finn. Fish., Smiths. Misc. Coll. Nu. '247, y. 0; Cat. /-Vs/i. E. Cort.-'f -V. Aviei:. ibid.. No. 28.5. p. 2.

* Sijii. Fisii. N. Amer., Bull. U. S. Nat. Miis., No. 16, p. 722.

' Nat. Hist., Class. Fisli. Ampli.. Rept., (Lardn. Cab. Encycl.), vol. II, pp. ISl and 272.

•^ One species of this genus. A. Olrikii, has been found both in Greenland and in Kara Sea (LCtkex in Dijmphna-Togtet, \>. 120),
and may possibly occur, therefore, in the deep water off the extreme north of Norway, though it is just as probalde that its range extends
west only from Greenland to Nova Zembla. .\ specimen do mm. in length, was taken by the Vega Expedition at a depth of 18 fathoms,
in Behring Strait (64° 52' N. ; 172° 3' W.)

' Via. Moddcl. Naturh. I'^or. Kbhvn 1S61, p. 276.

204

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of tlie earlier (lower) stages of tlevelopmeut. It also
seems probable that the p;ilatine and vomerine teeth
are subject to similar clianges and disappear with
increasing age, for traces of teeth (small and to be
distinguished only by the touch) occur, in exceptional
cases, on the vomer in Anonns decagonus. We have,
liowover, no further observations on this point.

The family belongs chiefly to the depths of the
Arctic seas — one genus, hinvever, Jfjoinqisi'^, with

two dorsal tins ;nid both vomerine and p;ilatine teeth,
belon<TS to the Antarctic fauna. The true haunt of
these fishes is ;ip}>arently the soft, clayey bottom, where
they feed on all kinds of small animals and often fall
a prey to the Halibut, being subsequently found in its
stomach. Some S])ecies, however, ascend nearer the
surface. Jordan and Gilbert estimate the numl)er of
species at about 16. In the Scaiidinnvian fauna only

Genus AGONUS.

Tiro (Jnrsal fins.

Falatinc hones ami roiiier toothless. Tip of the snout projeeting in front of the loirer juir.
Caudal region elongated and loiv.

Thus defined", the genus Agon us, which was esta-
blished I)y BLOCH^ includes Gill's genus Podothecus".
According to this opinion four species are known, t\vo
of which l)elong to the northern ])arts of the l)asin of
the Atlantic and two live in the corresponding parts
of the Pacific. The first two may be most easily dis-
tinguished by the different numl)or of pairs of plates

(posteriorly forming onl}' one row) from the occiput to
the caudal fin:

A : Xvimber of paired and impaired pla-
tes in a row on the back from the
occiput to the caudal fin above 40... Agomis decagonus.

B: Number of paired and unpaired pla-
tes in a row on the back from the
occiput to the caudal Tin under 37... Agonus ratcphractim.

" Cf. Steindachner. Stzber. AktiJ. Wiss. Wien, LXXXII (1880), I, \>. 255.

'> Blochii Syst. Ic/ithi/oL, cd. Schn., p. 10-i. One year later (1802) L.\cepepe (ITist. yat. Pois.^., tome III, p. 221) en(itlef) (his
genus Aspidoplionis.

' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. riiilail. ISHl, p. 259.

CUIWASSEI) GlKNAUnS.

205

AGONI'S DECACOXUS.

FiK. oil.

Form of tlir lind/t n-r// rhuii/dted, slidlloir ninl narrow: nHinher of paired ami unpaired plates in a row on the
hack from flic ociipiit fn f/if caudal tin almrc 40"; least deptli of the tail, in adalt siiecimens^ 2 % (or sUfjlithj
more) of the Icnr/lh of I lie Imdi/ and at most 10 % {or slic/htlf/ more) of the lengtlt of flic head; breadth of the
hodji at the base of the jiirtoral fins less than Ki % of its lenijth or than 7o % of the lein/th of the head. Hidges
on the head anil on the plates of the bodi/, cren in adalt specimens, raised into s/iincs /niintini/ in a baehward
direction. The tiro dorsal tins ipiitv distinct; at least S'' pairs of plates on the bail; betircen them. First dorsal
Jin set rather far fiinriinl : the disliincc bctireeu it and the tip uf the snniit less than oO % of the lem/fh of the
body, and the leni/lh of the lieiiil innrc than. 7 0 % of this distance. Eyes large: the loni/itiidinal diameter greater
than the least brendth of the infemrbifal space and also more than '> % <f the length of the body, tvhile the least
depth of the tail, in adult specimens, is less than 40 % of this diameter. Only firn nasal spines'. About 5 barbels,
simple or branched, on each side of the head, one on each side of the loirer jnir and three or four on the dermal
fold at the corner of the month: no)ie on the branchiostegal membrane, in the middle of nliieh (below the isthmus)
small plates, each irith a tubercle at the middle, are set so as to form an angle (A).

:Li? -i^^'^.^^T;

X^^',.

Fig. .'I'J. A'jKiuix dcoiijoiiii!>, sL'fii from above, from llic siile ami from beneatli, natural size, totretlior with a part of the tail, seen from the
side and magnified to sliow tlie pores of the lateral line. Specimen from North Fjord off Disco (Greenland), taken at a depth of 146

fathoms on a loose, clayey liottom, on the 10th of .Inly, 1871. .Josiw Ll.SD.vHL.

" 41 — 45. aicordiiig to LCtken; 43 or 44 in tlie specimens belonging to the Royal Museum.

ii 3 — 5^ according to Coi.i.i^tt; .'5 or 4 in the specimens belonging to the Royal Musenm.

" Corresponding to the posterior pair in the following species. In adult specimens, however, there are two blunt protuberances on
the anterior part of the tip of the snout.

206

R. hi: C: D." 7\6~
kit. por.' 25—29.

A.'' 7 1. 8:

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS
P.' 16; V. V.,;6'/'.r+7+.r;

7"

Cottus cataphraetus, Fabh., Jul GroeiiL, p. 155 (nee Lix.).

AffOHiis decagotms, Bi-., Si/st. IchtlnjoL, ed. Sciin., p. 105, fab.
27; Cuv., \'.\L., {Aspidophorns) Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, p. 223;
Heinu., Dan. Vid. Selsk. Natiirli., Math. Afh.. V, Overs. 1829
— 1830, p. LIII; ibid. VII, pp. 114 ct 119; Kr., Naturh.
Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 2, vol. I, p. 243 ; Id., I'oy. 6'cand., Lapp.,
G.4IM., Poiss., tab. 5, fig. 1; Nilss., &'kand. Fu., Fisk., p. 88;
Gthr, (Agonus) Cat. Brit. Mtis., Fish., II, p. 215; Mgrn,
(A.?piilop/iorn.'<), Finl. Fi.4\fn., (disp.), p. 12; Id., Ufvers. Vet.-
Akad. FOrh. 1867, p. 260; Gill, (Archagonus) Cat. Fish. E.
Coast. N. Amer., Smiths. Misc. Coll., No. 283, p. 22 ; Coll.,
{Agonns), Vid. Solsk. Foili., Chn.ia 1874, Tilhogsli., p. 40;
Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1876, p. 381; Coll.,
Norskc Nordh. Esped., Zool., Fiske, p. 44, tab. II, tig. 11
ct 12; Lillj., Si\. Norg. Fisk., I, p. 193; Jurd. {Agonus,
Podothecus) Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad., 1883, p. 293.

Aspidophorus sptnosissimus, Kh., Naturh. Tidskr., 1. c, p. 250;
]'og. iScand., 1. c, fig. 2; Gill (Leptagonus), Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sc. Philad. 1861, p. 167; — form. juv. demonstr.
Steenstr., Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. Forh. Kblivn 1861,
p. 280.

Aspidophorus malarinoides, EiD., Desl., Mem. Soc. Linn.
Norm., torn. 9, p. 167.

According to the above remarks on the mutual re-
itions of the forms within this family, Af/oi/iis (h-caf/niiits,
1 form of body, occupies a higher place in the .scale
f development than the following species; but in most
ther respects it remains at a lower stage. The former
haracter is most clearly expressed, as usual, by the
roportions of which the least depth of the tail is a
ictor; and, connected with the elongated form of the
odv, we find the comparative!)- large number of plates
1 the longitudinal rows. These rows are anteriorly 8
I number, but on the tail, a little behind the second
orsal and the anal tin, are reduced to 6, owing to the
onfluence of the two neighbouring rows on the l)ack

])ase of the caudal tin. Tlie anterior ])art of the lateral
line of the bodv is furnished witli al)oiit o (in young
specimens) or 7 (in old) .smooth, scaly plates, wliich it
pierces in the ordinarA- wav: and during this part of
its course the lateral line sloj)es do^vn from the u])per
corner of the gill-opening almost to tiie middle of the
side, vertically below the beginning of the tirst dorsal
fin, the point at whicli the upper of the two lateral
rows of spinous plates begins, while the lower has al-
ready begun at tlic middle of the axil of the pectoral
tin. The lateral line now rounds the up])er lateral row
of plates and riuis along the middle of tlie side to the
base of tlie caudal tin. At tlie beginning of its course
between the two lateral rows of plates it still opens
into a ])ore at each of the hrst two (perhaps three)
plates; liiit then these ducts become elongated and run
in the form of small lateral tubes along the lower side
of the lateral line proper, opening only at every second
or every third plate. Hence it follows that ^vhen, foi-
example, we can count 42 spinous plates in the lower
lateral row, we can find oidv 2!l pores in the lateral
line. On the head the system of the lateral line is
furnished with large muciferous pores, both undei' the
lower margin of the suborbital l)ones and in the louver
posterior margin of the preoperculum, where four cor-
ner-spines (most distinct in young specimens) — the
uppermost (hindermost) pointing backwards and upwards,
the corner-spine itself backwards and downwards, the
next downwards, and the first one f(.)rwards and down-
wards — form the boundaries of the muciferous pores
between them, which are continued, as usual, in a row
on tiie lower side of the branches of the lower jaw.

nd the under side of the tail. On tlie back there are | The anterior nostrils are fairly large, cylindrical, der-

or 6 plates in front of the first dorsal fin, which j mal ducts, turned outwards and set about half-waj'

tself extends along 8 or 9 plates; then o or 4 (some- j along the snout; the posterior, on the other hand, are

lines 5 according to Collett) similar pairs of plates i extremely small and very slightly raised ducts, set just

letween this fin and the second dor.sal, which generally ' in front of the lower part of the anterior osseous boun-

xtends along 7 plates. Behind this point 2 |)airs of i dary of the orbit (the ectethmoid bones). Just in

dates may generally be distinguished, and then the front of the posterior nostrils lies a small i-ound hole

wo rows coalesce, at first retaining a longitudinally ] or slightly raised; opening pore of the large muciferous

iivided, su])erior ridge on the plates, the number of I canal which belongs to the system of the lateral line

vhich we have found to be 18 or 16 (from 14 to 17 on the head. This canal is a continuation, on each

iccording to Lutken) in this sim])le dorsal ro^\• to the | side of the snout, of the fi'ontal and occi|>itnl mucifer-

" Z>P 5 or 0, according to Lltken; 5 — 7, according to Collett.

'' A. 5 — 8, according to LDtken.

' P. 14 — 16, according to Collett.

** All the rays simple; 3 — 5 supporting rays above, and 2 or 3 below the 7 middle rays.

' L. lut. por. 23-25, according to Collett.

AGONUS DKCAIiONUS.

207

(JUS (■.•mills, wliicli ,-ii'c t'uniislicil with small, raised,
tiiliulai- iipcniiiizs, on flic tbreliead l)et\v('('ii the siipi'a-
ovbital spines and mi the ncciimt lielwccii the occipital
spines, respectively. The xciilral tins, which in tliciv
stnictiii'e — \\ith onl\- two soft ra\s and with thc^ spi-
nous ray hidden in thi' coniiexioii lictwecn it and the
outer soft ra\" — reinind us of certain species among the
Cntti, also give us a sexual distinction, as LCtkkx was
the first to point out, which likewise calls to mind the
Cotti. In the males the outer soft ray is considerably
elongated, measuring somewhat more than 11 % of the
length of the hodv or about half the distance from the
insertion of these tins to the beginning of the anal fin;
while in the females the length of the ventral tins is
much less, being only slightly more than, or ecpial to,
the longitudinal diameter of the eye.

Afionns dccaf/ouiis attains a length of at least 21
cm. It is an arctic form, first discovered in Green-
land, and subsecjuently found by O. Torell in Bern
Fjord (Iceland) and by the Fiiniish explorers Nylander
and riADi) in Varanger Fjord (Norwegian Finmark). It
was found by the Norwegian Arctic Expedition of '76 —
78 at a considerable depth (between 123 and 260
fathoms) and in very cold watei- ( + 34"7 Fahr. to + 30'2
Fahr.), on clayey and stony bottoms, in the Arctic
Ocean i-ound Bear Island and Spitzbergen. The Swedish

Expedition of 1868 found young specimens, 21 mm. in
length (ill all probability not more than a month old),
near the surl'ace, where the water was 3 or 4 fathoms
dee|), in l>iebde Bay, Spitzbergen, on the 29th of
August. One of these si)ecimens is here figured.

In this s])ecies, as in the following one, the colour-
ing is distributed accoi'ding to the typical arrangement
in Cottiis. It is yellowish gray, with dark transverse

Fig. (50. Young sviecimcii of Aijoiius decayonus, Liebde Bay (Spitz-
bergen), taken at the surface, 2iHh Aug., 1868. Malmgren and Smitt.

bands, the situation of which is more minutely shown
in the figure (p. 205).

Instead of giving a more detailed description we
may refer to the following tal)le, which gives the most
important relations of form in th(! two specimens of
the Royal ^luseum from Greenland, side by side with
which we have set the corresponding measurements in
three specimens of the following .species. We may here
trace the tendency of the changes of growth and the
consecjuent I'elative position of the two species, as well
as the respects in which constant specific characters
appear, to judge by the materials at our disposal.

in % of the lensTth of the body

I.eniflh 111' llic holly cxprcsseil in inilllinctres _

head ,,- -

!..on!;itu(linul iliiiinetev of the ('\e _. --. ,, „ ,, ., ., •, :. •»

nistauee hetween the tivst ilorsiil fin and the tip of the snout ., ., ., .,

Distance between the insertion of the ventral tins and the beginning of the anal tin ., ,, ., ., ,, ., ., .,

Least depth of the tail ., ., ., ., ,, „ .,

Breadth of the body across the base of the pectoral tins „ „ ?, .,

Depth ,, t tlie beginning of the first dorsal tin.. , ., „ „ „ ,, -, .,

Least depth of tlie tail in 'i of the length of the head

., ,, „ „ ,. ., „ „ .. longitudinal diameter of the eye

., ., ., ,, ., ,. „ „ leasl breadth of the interorbital space

., ,, „ ., ,, ,, „ „ .. length of the lower jaw

.. ,. ,, ,, ,. „ ., distance between the first dorsal tin and the tip of the snout

., ., ,, ., , ., ., height of the first dorsal hn - -

., ., ,, „ ., second ., .,

„ ,, „ ,, ,, .. ,. ., ., length of the base of the anal fin

Distance between the insertion of the ventr.il tins mid the beginning of the anal fin in % of the distance be-
tween the anal fin and the lip of the snout

Breadth of the body across the base of the pectoral fins in % of the length of the head

Length of the ventral fins in % of the length of the pectoral fins

„ , ., ., „ „ ,. distance between the insertion of llie ventral tins and the beginning of

the anal fin

Length of the head in ^ of the dislJince bettvcen the first dorsal fin and the lip of the snout

-ig

onus cataphractus

Agonus aecagonus
from Greenland.

from
Bohusliin.

from
Hammerfest.

from
Bohusliin.

76

162

93

1^21

178

•21.3

•21.3

'21.3

21.3

20.8

5..i

5.5

4.8

4 3

3.9

28.3

29.6

32.2

33.9

33.2

19.5

2-2.4

23.9

'25.0

25.0

2.1

2.0

3.1

.3.3

•2.8

12.5

14.2

17.1

19.!l

20.S

10.5

1-2.7

1-2.7

1.-5.7

13.7

9.9

9.3

14.5

1.').4

13.5

38.1

35.5

64.4

7('i.9

71.4

42.1

40.0

58.0

lili.7

53.7

•23.5

•20.0

48.3

40.0

35.7

7.4

6.7

9.7

9.7

8.5

26.7

32.2

—

38.4

—

18.8

35.3

—

34.5

18.2

■2-2.S

•27.3

.30.0

23.3

47.1

49.G

53.1

.'4.1

55.5

59.2

66.7

78.5

92.3

97.3

45.1

51.3

55.0

•>8.2

62.1

40.3

49.8

54.5

49.3

45.0

75.3

71.9

66.7

i;3.4

62.7

208

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BEARDED COTTUS (sw. skaggsimpan or bottekmu^ex.)
AGON [IS CATAPHR ACTUS.

Plate V, fig. 1.

Body eloufiatcd^ hut Icsf so tliau in the precedin(] species: mimher of paired and impaired plates in a row on the
liack from the oeeipnt ta the eaudat fin less than 37": least depth of the tail more than 2'^j^ % of the length of
the hod II and at least IS % of the lenfjth of the head: breadth of the hod// aeross the base of the pectoral fins more
than Id % of the lene/th of the bod// or than 7 T) % of the lent/th of the head. Bidt/es of the head {a-ith the
exception of those of the cheek and the preojien-uhun) and the plates of the bod//, in adalf sjiecimens^ obtuse, not
raised in a spinoas form. The tn-o dorsal fins onl// a slight distance apart or cren contignons. Distance between
the first dorsal fin and the tip of the ,snoat about SS °/o' (f the length of the bod//: and the length of the head
less than 70 % of this distance. Longitudinal diameter of the ege, in full-grown specimens, less than the least
breadth of the interorbital space and also less than o % of the len(/th of the body: and the least depth of the tail
more than (10 % of this diameter. Tn-o pairs of nasal spines. One or tn-o pairs of barbels on the lon-er side of
the snout: in most cases three barbels at eaeli corner of tJie vxaifh and three on the posterior part of the cheek;
numerous barbels throughout the branchiostegal membrane on tJie lower side o/ the head.

R. In-. 6: I). 5 1. GiG~8; ^.<' 6 1. 7 ;
C." .r + 7+,?'; L. lat. por.-'' 37—40.

IG: V

Si/n. CatapJiracttis, Schonev., Ichtli. Slcsv., Hols. (Hamburg! 1624),
p. 30; Coitus cirri's pluriynis, corpore octagono, Art., Gen.,
p. 49; /%»., p. 77; iSpec, p. 87.

Coitus cataphr actus, Lin., Mas. Ad. Fried., I, p. 70: Si/st.
Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 264; Fn. Siiec, ed. IT, p. 115; Retz.,
Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 327; Faber, Fisclie Isl., p. 117; NiLSS.,
{Agonus) Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 95; V.wa.., {Plialangi,ites)
Zoogr. Ross. As., vol. Ill, p. 113; Ki:., {Aspidopliorus)
Damn. Fisle, vol. I, p. 143; Ekstr. ct Wright, Sltand.
Fislc., ed. I, p. 167, lab. 40; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
86; Gthr (Agomis), Cat. Brit. Has., Fish., vol.11, p. 211;
Strp., Ltkn, {Aspidophorus), Vid. Medd. Naturh. For. Kbhvn
1861, p. 277; Coll. {Agomis), Vid. Selsk. Forh. Chr. 1874,
Tillregsh. p. 38; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn
1876, p. 27; Malm, Gbgs, Boli. F«., p.406; Winth., .Z'oo/.
Dan., Fislce, p. 10, tab. II, fig. 6; Id., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 11; Day, Fisli. G:t Brit., Irel.,
vol. I, p. 67, tab. XXVIII, fig. 1; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fish:.,
vol. I, p. 187; Mob., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 51.

Aspidopliorns iirmatus, Lacep., Hist. Nai. Foiss., toni. Ill,
p. 222.

Aspidopliorns curopcvus, Cuv., V.m.., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV,
p. 201.

The Bearded Cottus attains alK)ut the same leugtli
as the preceding species, Init the forni of the body is

both deeper and Ijroader. The anterior part of the body
is so strongly depressed th;it tlie l)readth, measured
across the insertion t>f the jiertoral tins is 125 % of the
depth", which, at the same point, is somewhat less than
^'^ of the length of the bodA'. The dorsal line, ^vhich
is highest at the occiput, slopes almost in a straight
line from this point to the caudal fin. The ventral
line is almost straight. The head is depressed, broader
than the liody, angularlv rounded at tlie top and flat
underneath; and in lengtli measures somewhat more
than ^/j of the lengtli of tlie bodv. The breadth of
the head across tlie gill-cover is about equal to its
length. Tlie forehead is flat and slopes evenly towards
the snout, which is divided at the point, projects far
in front of tlie mouth and, at the extreme point, is
furnished witli four spines or liorns, the two anterior
pointing for\vards and the t-\vo ])osterior curved back-
wards. In some specimens one or more of these spines
are branched at the tip. Tlie ga]je is small, semicir-
cular or crescent-shaped, is situated on the lower side
of the head, and is not directed upwards. Tlie corner
of the mouth ends below the anterior mariiin of the

" From 31 to 33 in the specimens of the Royal Museiuii.
' At least 32'2 % in the specimens of the Royal Museum.
<■ Sometimes 5, according to Lutken.

5) ^-Jl „ ,, „

" All the rays simple, 3 or 4 supporting rays above, and 2 or 3 below the 7 middle rays.

■'' According to Lill.iehoeo. In the specimens of the Royal Museum we have found 35 in one young specimen and from 37 to 39
in older specimens.

-' In the preceding species (see the table) we have found the greatest depth of the body to be from 84 to 89 % of the greatest
breadth; in this species, on the other hand, this ratio varies between 67 and 74 "o.

BKARDKI) COTTUS OH AUMED BULLHEAD.

209

orl)it. The jiiws ;ire ;inned witli extremelj' fine, coni-
cnl and straight teeth, witli the jioiuts somewhat re-
curved, and set in several irregular rows, thus turniiug
fairly In-oad hands (cards). Tlie two upper pharyngeal
cards are round, tlie two lower triangular, all four being
composed of very small teeth. The gill-openings of
average size. The preoperculum, the surface of which
is generally striated, is almost twice as high as l)road
(long), and at the h)wer ])osterior corner is furnished with
a spine, pointing in a backward direction and generally
recurved. The opcrcuhna is also striated in most cases,
is of small size and irregular, triangular form, with
its longest corner pointing downwards, and bears supe-
riorly a blunt, longitudinal ridge. The nostrils are
arranged as in the preceding species, and here too, the
posterior one on each side is so small that it is to be
distinguished only with difficulty. The eyes, which are
set high, are smallei' than in the preceding species, the
diameter being less than the least breadth of tlie inter-
orbital space. The distance between them and the tip
of the snout is less than that between them and the
gill-openings. We sometimes find round the iris a ring
of dermal tubercles, especially "well-develoj^ed and raised
in a conical shape on the lower part of its margin.
The superior margin of the orbit forms a raised, blunt
ridge, which is sharper and even furnished witli spines
during \()uth. From this ridge run two bars, diverging
posteriorly, the inner of which ends in a protuberance
corresponding to the ordinary occipital spine of the
Cotti, while the outer runs across the squamosal bone
and ends in an obtuse spine, at the hind point of the
posttemporal bone. The suborbital bones are elongated;
the lower part of the anterior one is furnished with
three transverse ridges, with depressions between them
wliich contain the mucifei'ous cavities and pores be-
longing to the system of the lateral line; and the
posterior, which is larger and is united to the pre-
operculum, is square in form and has a bony spine,
pointing in a backward direction, at the middle of the
raised lower margin. The spines of the head are thus
8 in number — four on the tip of the snout and two
on eadi side of the head, the anterior on the suborbital
bone and the posterior on the preoperculum. On the
head we also find a number of short barbels, which
ai'e characteristic of this species, and the arrangement
of which is given in the specific description.

The bod)' is covered with plate-like scales, furnished
with an edge or compressed elevation, Avhich in most
cases, at least among young specimens, ends in a more
or less sharp point, which extends back over the margin
of the next scale. Tliese plates are set in regular rows,
which form longitudinal ridges or edges. The back
and a ])art of the sides are covered by two rows, the
plates of wliich, especially the anterior by the occiput,
arc lav'cr than those of tlie othfsr rows, and the antei*ior
ones, especially in old siiccinicns. without any spine.
These two rows, each of whicli is made up of about
20 plates — four of ^\■hich lie in front of the first
dorsal fin, two, one or none between the two dorsal
fins, and seven or eight along the base of the second
dorsal fin — form a furrow along the back, are broad
anteriorly, and gradually decrease in breadth towards
the second dorsal fin, at the end of which, when it is
depressed, they unite and from this point to the base
of the caudal fin form only one row, containing about
12 plates". Under the belly there are two rows, with
about 20 plates in each, and in extent and position
analogous to those on the back. They unite at the
end of the anal fin, forming from this point to the root
of the caudal fin a simple row of 12 plates. This
union of the rows of plates, botli on the back and on
the belly, renders the anterior part of the bod)- octa-
gonal, the posterior hexagonal. Between the rows de-
scribed there are two others, parallel to them, on each
side of the bodv; the upper consists of about 27 plates,
begins at the end of the pectoral fin, and extends in
a straight line from this point to the base of the caudal
fin; the lower begins at the insertion of the pectoral
fin, consists of about 34 plates, and also ends at the
base of the caudal fin. Besides these regular rows of
plates, there are other smaller, convex, rounded plates,
on some parts of the body, e. g. in front of the pec-
toral fins and round the vent. The lateral line, the
scales of which, like the plates, gi-adually diminish in
size as they approach the caudal fin, runs along the
middle of the body, rises slightly above the pectoral
fins, and from the end of these fins runs in a straight
line to the caudal fin. The vent lies well in front,
at the end of the first quarter of the length of the

body.

The first dorsal fin is almost triangular, with
I'ounded apex, and contains five or six simple rajs, the

" The number varies between 9 and 13; on the anterior ones the top of the ridge is longitudinally divided.
Scandinavian Fishes.

210

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

tips of which do not project ;il)ove the fin-membrane;
the first ray is slightly shorter than the second, which
is the longest. Tlic second dorsal fin, which l^egins
fairly close to, or even just at tlie end of the first,
above the beginning of the anal fin, is of almost uni-
form height, and contains six or seven (sometimes eight)
simple rays, the first of wliich is shorter tlian the next
three, whicli are of equal length iind the longest of all
the rays, but still are overtopped by the fin-membrane.
The pectoral fins, which are inserted close to the gill-
openings, are large, rounded at the ])oint and with
from 15 to 17 (generally 1(5) simple rays. The ventral
fins are situated a little behind the insertion of the
pectoral, and contain three raj^s, the first of \vhich is
a spinous ray closely united to the second, which, like
the third, is simple and has a soft tip, extending beyond
the tin-membrane. The innermost (third) ray is the
longest, and maj' occupy as much as ^/g of the distance
from the insertion of the ventral fins to the beginning
of the anal fin. The latter begins below the beginning
of the second dorsal fin and ends in front of the per-
]jendicular drawn from the end of that fin. It contains
from 5 to 7 simple rays. The caudal tin is long,
rounded at the point and contains only simple rays, the
number of which, including the supporting rays, varies
l)etween 12 and 15-

The upper part of the body is grayish brown.
Back and sides marked, as in the Cott'i, with four, large,
nearly black spots or rather trans^■erse bands, the fii'st
of which is situated at the hind part of the first dorsal
fill, the second at the hind part of the second dorsal
fin, the third at the middle of the peduncle of the tail,
and the fourth at the base of the caudal fin. Lower
side of the head and the belly white or whitish j'ellow,
generally unbroken to the end of the anal fin, behind
which point some more or less distinct, grayish brown
spots are always to be found. Dorsal and ytectoral fins,
like the caudal, light gray, with irregular, dark spots
and transverse bands. Barbels and anal fin white, as
well as the ventral fins, which ai'e sometimes marked,
iiowijver, with dark spots. Iris bronze, ^vith red streaks
radiating from the pu[jil, which is green.

Livei' small and forming two lobes, one of them
very small and the other compai'atively large and
rounded at the point. (Esophagus very short; stomach
also shoi't, but broad. Five short and thick jjyloric

" Vertebrata Feniiicn, tab. IX.
'' Cf. Maui and Day, 11. cc.

appendages. The intestinal canal forms tM'o bends.
The abdominal cavity occupies about a quarter of the
length of the body, and the vent lies almost at its
middle. Ovaries large, extending along nearly the
whole length of the abdominal cavity. Kidneys equal
in length to the abdominal cavity, and set, as usual,
under the sides of the spinal column. No trace of an
aii--l)ladder.

NiLSsoN states, as an external sexual difference,
that in this sjjecies, as in most of the Cottt, the male
is distinguished from the female by a soft papilla be-
hind the vent, and that the interorbital space is appa-
rently broader in the male, measuring about half as
much again as the diameter of the eye and lieing almost
flat. The males, however, are so rare that neither
Kroyer or Ekstrom has met with an example, full-
grown at least, nor during late years has the Royal
Museum received a single male specimen.

The geographical range of the Bearded Cottus,
or as it is commonly called, the Armed Bullhead in
the north-east of the basin of the Atlantic is fairly
wide, extending from the White Sea and Iceland at
least as far as the Eno;lish Channel; but it seems no-
where to be one of the common species. As early as
1830 the Roj'al Museum received from Mr. Bull a
specimen from Hammerfest. In the Baltic the Ai-med
Bullhead is rare even off Kiel, according to Mobius
and Heincke, l)ut occurs, according to Nilsson, on the
south coast of Scania, and, according to Mela", has
.strayed as far as the Gulf (jf Finland.

The Armed Bullhead pi-efers to make its home on
a sandy and weedy bottom. During the summer months,
from April to November, the females are met with in
water of a moderate depth, but at the ap|)roach of
winter they withdra^v into dee]) water. The males, as
we have already mentioned, are extremely rare, |)ro-
bablv l)ecause it is only during the spawning-season
that they live in so shallo'w \vater as to be in any
danger from the nets u.sed in shore-fishing.

In its habits, as in its appearance, the Armed
Bullhead closely resembles the Cotf'i. It hardly ever
leaves the bottom, where it seeks its food, wliich con-
sists chiefly of small crustaceans. The spawning-season
is in spring, in March'' and April or the lieginniiig of
May. We have no information as to the way in which
the roe is deposited or the development of the fry.

BLENNOMdlil'll.s.

211

Thf fc'ciinditA' of this species is apparent!}' not great.
Krovkk assmnes the number of e"i;'s in a fnll-o;rown

therefore assumes that Armed Bullheads of this size

are a year old.

female at about ;'i,()00, a number which is insigniticaut ! The Armed IJullhead is occasionally caught in

comi)ared with that in nK)St other fishes. Accorfling 1 Herring-nets or Eel-])ots; but as it is not used as food,

to the same author the l'r\- have reached b\' Septcndiei'
a length of about i)(» or 100 mm.; but the IJoyal Mu-
seum possesses a specimen ?>'2 mm. long, which was
taken at a depth of 1 (! or 17 fathoms on Stora Middel-
grund in the Cattegat, on the lOth of dul\-, and another,
50 mm. long, which was caught in Sti'omstad l-jord in
December. Ekstijo.m also remarks that the specimens
he obtained in spring on the coast of Rohuslan were
seldom more than from 80 to 100 mii]. long, and he

oi' even as bait for iargei' fishes, there is no special
fisher\' for it. Its fiesh, however, is white, firm and
(jf good flavour, its singular appearance has confen-ed
u])on it several Swedish names. Its usual name in Bo-
husliin is Bottemniis (Bottom-mouse), corresi)onding to
the Danish Ilavmus. At Kullen, according to Nilsson,
it is called Kiideiusk and at Abekas (.southern ."^cania)
Hornugfila (Horned-owl).

(EksthOm, iSMixr.)

BLENNOMOEPHI.

Body elongated, loir aiid lafrraJh/ compressed. Dorsal and anal fins long, iisualli/ irltli simple rays, the majority
of irhii-li, on the hack, are generally hard and spinous. Ventral fins {irlicn present) Jagidar or thoracic, free
front each other, lint often nith a reduced number of rays. Pectoral fins genertdly n-ifh liroad hasat liones, and
the candid fin n-ith o)dy fen- branched rays. Suborbital ring generally without the osseous connexion with the
preopercnlnni. Anal jtapilla sometimes present. Scales generally weak and small, imbedded in the slimjt skin:

or even wanting.

Around the old genus Blennius of Artedi, GCn-
TUEii" has collected this series of families, the common
characters of which appear chiefly in the more or less
ribbon-shaped body and the numerous spinous rays,
genei'ally of uniform strength, in the long dorsal tin,
which is most often continuous, Init may also be broken
up into two or three tins, the t^vo anterior ones, in
the latter case, being spinous-rayed. This series, how-
ever, shows traces of forms of transition both to the
Labromorphs and to the Malacopterygian Physoclysts.

Even in some Scandinavian forms, e. g. the geims
Anarrhichas, we find traces of a transition in the latter
direction, most of the rays in the dorsal tin being soft
(l)ut unarticulated), and oidy the hindmost part of
the tin retainiiig a number of spinous rays. In the
genus Enchelyopus (Zoarces) too, the spinous rays are
confined to the posterior ])art of the dorsal fin, and
this analogy to Anarrhichas might well ju.stify the re-
tention of Enchelyopus within this series. But the
structure of the soft dorsal ra^•s, as entirely different

" Si/sf. Si/,i. Fain. ActiNthopt. Fi.--fi.. Cat. Brit. Mus., Fisli., iin<l in /„tro,!. Studi/ of Fhh.. p. 490 (Hand/). Ichth. p. 348). GiLr.
has a corresponding "Snper-f.iiuily", Bleiinoidea, from which lie has, however, exclnded the families which by their various irregularities throw
diflicullies in Ihi- way of llie limitation of the series by fixed characters. The families Vepolida; and Trichonotidce are referred by Gill to
his Phi/sodysti incertm eedis. The Heterolepidotidoe (Cliindce) he refers to the Cottomorph series — we have above remarked the Idiopterous
appearance of these fishes; and even if the osseous coune.xion which they possess between the suborbital ring and the preopereulum, seems
scarcely enough to justifj- their inclusion among the Cottomnrphi, still their place in Gill's system, close to the Labromorphi, is perhaps a
more snital.le one. For tlic family Mastacembelidce, on the ntlier hand, which GiJNTHKn, in spite of the fact that it is separated from the
rest of tin- Physoclysts \'\- the absence of any connexion between the shonlder-girdle and the skull, has referred to the Blennomorph series.
Gill, following Cope (Trans. Aincr. Philos. Soc., Philad., n. ser. vol. XIV, p. 456), has retained a special suborder, Opisthomi, which he
has placed nearest to the Eels. For tlie genus Eiichelijopus ton. Gu.L has formed a distinct subfamily within the family Lycodidae (Smith's
Misc. Coll. Xo. 28.^, p. 7), a place undoubtedly more natural for this genus. See Proc. Acad. Xat Sc. Philad.. 1863, p. 255.

212

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

from that in Anarrliiclias, and the di])hycercal form of
the tail, one of the points most characteristic of the
lowest (and earliest) stages of development, and among
the Physoclysts most often retained Ijy the Anacanthini,
are still more powerful advocates of Gill's procedure
in referring the genus to these last tishes.

Cuvier" united these fishes with the following
series into one fiunily, Gobio'ides'' , of which Bonaparte'

regarded them as a subfamily, Blennihri, -which was
set apart by Muller'' as a distinct family, Blennioidei.
Since that time so many forms have been discovered
that it has become necessary to distribute them among
sevei-al families, of which the Scandinavian fauna in-
cludes two.

Fam. BLENNIID^.

ExtciiHtl hoi/cs of the head lo/aniied. No osseous connexion behveen the sithorhitnl ring and the preoperculum.
Jair-tf'ctli (like the palatine teeth, n-liere tlieij exist) of ordinary shape, couical or curved, of uniform size or in-
terspersed with canines. Scales of the body r/enerally small with smooth margins, and imbedded' in the slimy
skin: or even wantiny. One, tn-o or three dorsal fins extend along the n-hole length of tlte hack behind the occi-
put, or at least the greater part thereof. Anal fin also long. Ventral fins generally jugular, tvith reduced num-
ber of rays: in some genera n-anfing. PseudobranchicB generally distinct. Air-hladder and pyloric appendages

generally wanting.

Tlie Greek (iMvpog [slimy or silly) was a small
Mediterranean fish that lived among the seaweed; but
its species can scarcely be fixed at the present time,
as the old writers liave given no description of it.
It \v;is, however, the Butterfly Blenny {Blennus in Be-
L(»\ and ijEs:sE}i,Blennius ocellaris in LinnjEUs), a
species common in the Mediterranean, that Artedi
chose as the type for the genus Blennius, which was
the first genus among his Acanthopterygians, and which
lie defined with about the same characters as are now
applied to the Blennomorph series. Most of these fishes
belong to the Blennioid family, which, even within the
limits given above, offers considerable vai-iety of form.
About 250 species, distributed among from 30 to 40
genera, have been described. The majority of the
l)leiinioids and their most typical representatives are
small shore-fishes, common in the tropic and temperate
seas, and some of them extraordinarily small. They
;ire generally of sluggish temperament, but momentarily
their movements are extremely quick. At their homes
on rocky shores, where they are left dry b}- the re-

tiring tide, these fishes, so tenacious of life are they,
lead an almost amphibious life. An East-Indi;in spe-
cies, Salarias tridactylus, has indeed been called am-
p)hihius; and Comm.erson, Forster and Ehrenberg'', all
three have watched \vith interest and described its swift,
leaping motions even on dry land, where it is said to
hunt insects. During their life on land and also at
the bottom of the sea, the ventral fins in particular,
and the pectoral as well, are said to serve as admirable
organs of motion. The eyes too, the lirilliancy of ^vhich
reminds us of those of the snakes, continue to perform
their functions out of the water-^. The family is not
destitute, either, of the beauty of bright and vai'ying
colours; many of tlie Blennioids are, in splendour of
colour, the rivals of the Wrasses, while the form of
the bod-s' sometimes calls to mind the Julidince, a like-
ness enhanced by the general thickness of the lips and
the frequent occui-rence of canine teeth in the back part
of the jaws.

The genera -wliich belong to the Scandinavian fauna,
may be distinguished by the help of the appended table:

" Regne Animal, ed. 2, tome II, p. 23G.

' Called Blennioidei by NilssOiN {.Shnnd. Fn., Fiskanie, p. 180).

' Isis, I83,B, p. II!)9.

'' Abb. Acad. Wiss. Berlin 1844, ]>. 199.

' See Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poi.s.i.. XI, p. .340.

■'' Cf. Day. Fish. G:t Brit, fret., vol. 1, ji. 198.

BLENXOMOKPns.

213

I: Front jaw-tectli firmly set in one row,
and sharpcne'l at the point like a chi-
sel (anteriorly and posteriorly compressed
incisors). At least the greater part of
the dorsal fin (in the Scandinavian spe-
cies the whole) soft-rayed Ueniis Blennius.

II: Jaw-teeth conical, sharp or blunt, gene-
rally set in several rows, and more or
less far apart from each other. Only
spinous rays in the dorsal iin:
1 : Branchiosteoal memhranes to a

o

great extent united, and the gill-
openings therefore vertical. Vent-

ral fins small, with thick skin, or

wanting:

a: No spinous ray in the anal fin.
Head above the eyes furnished
witli dermal fringes Genus C/drolop/ds.

h: Two spinous rays at the begin-
ning of the anal fin. No dermal
fringes on the head (ienus Pholis.

Branchiostegal membranes only

slightly united, the lower part of

the gill-openings extending in a for-
ward direction. Ventral fins with

thin skin and fairly long (equal in

length to the lower jaw) Genus Luinpenus.

Genus BLENNIUS.

Bodji naked {iciflioiif scales). In the anterior part of the Jairs an arcuate ran- of stronfj, closely set, recurved
and chisel-like teeth: in the hark of the jaas (/eneralli/ solitarij canines. Head short, witli the upper profile sharply
curved. Mouth sinall, (/ape horizontal. Gill-openings fairly htrye, hat vertical; branchiostegal membranes tvith 6
rays and hmadhj united to each other or to the isthmus. One continuous dorsal fin, generally, hotvever, incised at
the margin, nith most {or all) of its rays soft, hut unarticulated, at least in the anterior part of the fin. Only
the caudal fin with branched rays, and these generally few {under 10?). Ventral fins with thick skin, one short
spinous ray and three soft rays. Anterior part of the lateral line arcuate, and often the only distinguishahle
portion thereof. Fseudobranchics distinct. Air-bladder and pyloric appendages tcanting.

This genus includes about 40 species, which be-
long chiefly to the Atlantic. Some, however, have been
found in the Red Sea and off Ceylon, the Sandwich
Islands and Tasmania; and one species {Blennius
Sujefianus or Cagnota) has domiciled itself in the fresh-
water of the ea-st of Spain, the south of France, Italy
and Dalmatia. Although the naked, slimy skin is
without the brightness lent bv the .scales to the body

of other fishes, .still some of these species belong to
those most richly endowed with beauty of colouring.
Hence some of them bear such names as butterfly and
peacock. As we liave mentioned above, they are shore-
fishes; but some of them have been met with far out at
sea, following pieces of wreckage or finding a }jerma-
nent home among the floating Sargasso-weed. Only
one species belongs to the Scandinavian fauna.

214

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SHANNY (s\v. .skyggfisken").

ISLEXNIUS PIIOLIS.

Fiij. 61.

l[c<i(l /rlflioiif (icniKil friin/f's abafc flic ei/cs. hiif flic liiiiil iiiiirt/ii/ of flic inifcyior iiosfrif,^ nii-scd (Did firoken up hifa
a friii(/c. Ercn flic aiifci'ior parf of flic dorsal fiii irifli niifs soff af flic f'lp. One or firo ciniiiic fccfli on each-
side of flic iijijtcr (did loircr Jdicft, hch'nid flic end of fhc froiif roir, irli'icli (■o)isisfs of from ]') fo ,24 compressed fcefli.

Fig. 61. Slmiiny (Bleiiniiis pholis), taUcij on the fisliiii.n-liank of JfedcTCMi (im tlie coast of Norway), iit a ileptli of fioiii GO lo 100 fathoms,

according to the statemeiifs of the fishermen, a: natnnil size; li: the head, niagn. 2 dinm., in order to sliow the position of tlie nostrils and

tlie dermal flap of the anterior nostril. The lips too, are turned slightly hack to show the teeth.

R. hi: G; D.
L. lat. pui: 40—50.

12*

18 1. 19'

A. 10'': P. 13; V.

a. ,f + 9+,r;

k-ix PlioUii RoNDiCL.; vide Ar.T. Si/n.,

Si/u. Vix Ocolic:, AiusTOT.

p. 116.
Catapliractns Icevis, Jagg apud R.mium, Si/n. Metli. Pise, p.

164, tab. 1, fig. 10.
Blennhts Pliolis (p. p.) Lin., !Sijst. Nat., cd. X, toni. I, p. 257;

Bl., Fisch. DeutscliL, part. II, ]>. 184, tab. LXXI, figg. 2 et 3;

Yarr., I/ist. Brit. Fisli., cd. II, vol. I, p. 260; Gthk, Vat.

Brit. Mils., Fisli., vol. Ill, p. 226; Steind., Stzber. Akad.

Wiss. Wien, LVII, i, (1868), p. 674; Cult,., Vid. Selsk.

Forh. Crist. 1874, Tilhi'gsh., p. 72; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p.

58; Day, F;.s//. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 203, tab. LX,

fig. 2; MoHEAU, Hist. N^ai. Puis-^. Fr., toni. 2, p. 143.
Pliolis Iwris, Flem., Hist. Brit. .Aiiiiii.. p. 207; Cuv., Val.,

Hist. Nat. Puiss., vol. XI, p. 269: KnoY., Daiim. Fiske,

vol. I, p. 330; NiLSs., Sl^aiid. Fit., Fisl... p. 182; LiLU.,

iSv., Nortj. Fi.<flc., vol. I, p. 517.

The Shaiiny, which attains a lengtli of IGO mm.,
is in form of body relatively the deepest and thickest
of the Scandinavian Blennioids, the greatest depth of
the body being 19 or 20 % of the length, and the

" NiLSSON, 1. C

* Sometimes 1 1
20,
<* „ 18—20,

according to Day.

greatest breadth, across the cheeks, from 14 to 16 %.
The brc;:dth at the axils is equ;il to, or only slightly
less than, tlie l)readth across the cheeks, and the pos-
terior part of the body is nioi'c compressed at the
dorsal edge than at the ventral. With this exception
it tapers fairly evenly towards the tail, ^vhich is strongly
compressed, though the alxlomen is, as usual, more
swollen, even laterally. The least depth of the body
in a young specimen, 93 mm. long, measured 6'8 %
of the length, and in an older specimen, 12.5 mm. long,
7"7 %. The head, with the eyes set high and the snout
.steeply sloping, measures in voung specimens 27 96 of
the lengtli of tlie body, in old 26 96. The gape is
fairly small, |)laced low down and almost horizontal,
with the ujipcr i;\w projecting slightly in front of the
lower, and with its swollen labial .skin extending back
to a point almost vertically beloAv the middle of tiie
eye, the longitudinal diameter of which is 18 94 of the
length of the head in young specimens, 16 % in old.

SIIAXNY.

215

Midway between the eyes, tin- f'oreliend, the hrcidlli of
wliich is 14 % of the leuj^th of the licad in young speci-
mens and 16 ?tj in old, is somewhat coiicuxc; .-ind ])c-
liind the eyes, on the to]) of tlie hcnd .■ind the occiput,
we find a h)ngitudinal deiMn;d rid^c", which is gene-
r;iil\- only slightly marked. The antci'ioi' nosti'il is
situated about twice as near to the eye as to the lip
of the snout, and on a level with the lower mai'gin of
the eve: its margin is only slightly raised, hut grows
posteriorly into from \ to 7 dermal filaments. The
posterior nostril is a little round or ohlong opening,
nearer the eye and about level with the upper margin
of the pu]iil. The brancliiostegal membrane extends
back, in a small flap, to a, point just above the upper
corner of the axil; and underneath it is continuous
from one side of the body to the other, but so thoroughly
luiited to the isthmus that the breadth of the free dermal
fold in the middle is only about half the diameter of
the eye.

The dorsal tin is distinctly divided into an anterior
part, which is short, and consists of simple and un-
articidated rays, and a posterior, the rays of which are
also simple, but articulated. Its length is about 61 or
62 % of that of the l)ody, and its height from 10 to
12 % of the latter. All the rays, except the 12th from
the beginning, which is the smallest, and also the last
of the unarticulated rays, project, to some extent at
least, al)ove the tin-membrane, the hrst three oi' four
most of all. The anterior part, which corresponds to
the spinous-rayed part in other cases, is as high as,
or slightly lower than, the posterior; and its length is
al)out 78 % of that of the latter. The anal tin is loAver
than the posterior part of the dorsal fin (its height is
about 9' 2 % of the length of the body), but in length
and structure it corresponds to the latter. The distance
from the tip of the snout to the beginning of the anal
fin is 47 or 48 % of the length of the body. In one
of the males we have examined, we found at the be-
ginning of the anal fin a vesiculate dermal swelling,
united to the first ray of the fin and representing the
anal papilla. The caudal fin is rounded, and its length
measures 7 or 8 % of that of the body. The pectoral
fins are also round: their length is less than that of
the abdominal cavity, being only about Vj of the length
of the body. A little in front of these fins we find the
singularly-formed venti-al fins, the length of which is

almost half that of tlie head, and about half (more or
less) the distance l)etween them and the beginning of
the anal lin. The rays are gathered into two bunches,
each with a sepai'ate dermal coyering, which extends
about half-way along the fin. The outer (anterioi-)
hunch contains the short spinous ray, the length of
which is about a third of that of the second ray, to-
gether with the latter ray, which is simj)le and arti-
culated; the other bunch contains the two remaining
rays, which are also simple and articulated. Each
venti'al fin has thus the appearance of two fingeivs, the
inner one heing the longer, owing to the circumstance
that the middle soft ray is the longest in the fin.

On the naked, slimy body the lateral line at first
hends slightly upwards towards the back, but soon
sinks again in a curve which ends above the beginning
of the anal Hn; from this point it advances in a straight
line almost along the middle of the sides of the tail.
It contains about 45 pores, the hindmost of which are,
ho^vever, not very distinct. Rows of small pores be-
neath the eyes and out on the snout, as well as at the
bottom of the cheeks and forward on the lower side
of the under-jaw, mark the extension of the system of
the lateral line on the head.

The colouring of the Shanny is so variable that
one can scarcely find two individuals exactly alike in
this respect. The colours are most diversified and
brightest in young specimens, one of which is thus de-
scribed by LiLL.iEBOEG. "Upper part of the body dark
green, marbled with a somewhat darker tint and with
yellowish spots along the upper and lo^ver parts of the
sides. Dorsal and pectoral fins with dark stripes on
a lighter, greenish ground. Caudal fin with broad,
yellowish and dark greenish transverse bands. The anal
fin, the rays of which are tipped with white, is next
marked with a, blackish, longitudinal stripe, and yellowish
at the base. Ventral side and fins yellowish. Lower
side of the head yellowish, clouded with darker colour."
In a specimen 93 mm. in length, which has been pre-
served in spirits for ten years or so, we still find di-
stinct traces of five large spots, edged with white,
which in live specimens extend half-way up the dorsal
fin, the upper part of which is marked with a network
of smaller quadrilateral spots. Below the lateral line
we also find large dark spots, divided at the bottom.
The anal fin still retains its dark mar<rinal band, with

Presuinnbly a sexual distiuction, peculiar to the males. "Der Nacken bei Mannchen selir fleischig," Steindachxer.

216

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the light ti])s of the ravs. In older specimens there
is a more irregular arrangement of dark bro\vn spots
on the dark greenish body. The colours are also duller
during winter.

The Shanny prefers to live above low-water mark,
and seems, like other members of the genus, to lind
pleasure in being left dry at ebb-tide. It then creeps
about, or hides under stones or in crevices of the rocks,
])utting out its head and keeping a watchful eye for
the approach of any danger, whereupon it hurriedly
disappears. Day gives an observation made by Ross,
according to which the Shanny can turn its head, while
resting in its usual position, on the ventral and pec-
toral fins; and Couch" who has given the minutest
details as to the habits of this fish, says that, like the
chameleon, it has the power of turning its ej'es in
different directions, and thus seeing what is behind and
before it at the same time. Even in the water it is
of timid habits, and not without reason, for it is keenly
pursued by waterfowl, especially cormorants, Avhose
narrow beak, with its bent tip, seems especially adapted
to drag the Shanny from its retreat. Couch kept a
specimen in captivity for six months. The fish would
often change colour, without any visible cause. In the
aquarium lay a stone which projected out of the water,
and in warm weather the fish crept up on the stone
to bask in the sun. During the summer it passed half
its time in this way, high and dry: but in cold weather
it sank down into the water and hid itself. Ross
l)Ositively asserted that, even in captivity, these mi-
grations between dry land and water coincided with
the ebb and flow of the tide; but Couch is equally
positive in his denial of this circumstance.

When the tide rises, according to Couch, the
Shanny goes in quest of food. It lives on all kinds
of small creatures belonging to the classes of worms,
mollusks or crustaceans. It seems to be especially fond
of small shell-fish and Balanids which ai-e attached to
the rocks. Its bite is powerful, owing to its sharp in-
cisor teeth. It is highly impatient of any trespass by
a comrade upon its hunting-ground, and speedily attacks
the trespasser. On account of its pugnacity children
amuse themselves by ])itting two Shannies against each
other and watching thein fight. The combatants long
I'efuse to relinquish their hold in their struggles. The

Shanny also retains its gripe fiercely, if it has seized
a person's finger; but its teeth are not strong enough
to pierce the skin. \Yith this vindictive temper the
Shanny leads a solitary life, and does not wander
far, unfitted as it is for long journies by its heavy
body, the front part of which is somewhat unwieldy,
and hx the absence of the air-bladder.

The Shanny deposits its eggs in spring or during
summer, and, according to Couch, the female displavs
a high degi'ee of discrimination in her choice of a nest.
She selects a small hole with a narrow entrance, just
above low-Avater mark, and attaches her bright, amber
eggs, wiiich are 2' ., mm. in diameter, to the roof of
the hole, which is thus adorned with mosaic. The
breeding of the Shanny, as it took place in the Man-
chester Aquarium, is thus described by Saville-Kent':
"In a tank containing some forty or fifty examples of
this Blennv, a pair had selected a uaiTow ledge, high
up on one side, for the purpose of a nursery. The
eggs were deposited in a single layer upon the ledge,
first by one and subsequently by a second female, the
species being thus shown to be polygamous. The male
had meanwhile undergone a Avonderful colour trans-
formation, much after the manner of the male of the
Black Bream {Cantliarus liueatiis), previously described.
All the gay mottlings of yellow and brown that usu-
ally characterise the species, had given way to a uni-
form tint of deep sooty black, the large, prominent
lips alone remaining nearly white, his appearance under
such circumstances being particularly ferocious and
forbidding. Thus attired he now mounted guard over
the female fish and eggs, his self-appointed task, as
presently seen, proving no sinecure. The discovery
Avas soon made, in fact, by the other members of the
communitv, that Blennies' eggs were a choice gastro-
nomic delicacy, and thenceforward our little friend was
scarcely allowed an interval of peace. While one fish
was being repulsed in front, another descended upon
and made off with the coveted booty in the rear; or,
as fi'equently happened, there was a concerted attack
along his lines of more than half a dozen fish. Thus
overpowered by numbers, there was but little chance
of a young family descending from the rocky fortress,
and, indeed, several times within the course of an en-
tire month spent by the little Blenny in the arduous

" Hist. Fish. Brit. /.«/., vol. II, p. 220.

' Brit. Mar., Freshw. Fish., Handb. Gt. Intern. Fish. Exhib., London 1883.

SHAXNV.

217

endeavour to guard his embryo hi-ood, flic little aerie
was mei'cilessly stripped of every egg. At tlie <Mid of
tliat period an untimely end bcf'cl our little hero; wea-
ried out with liis exertion lie was at length iuial)le
to v<)\)C \\'\t\\ llu' odds arrayed against him, and was
found one morning literally torn to pieces at the foot
of the ledge he had so long defended, a huge fellow,
nearly twice his size, an<l who had doubtless been

Except as bait, this fish can be of no economical
value to man.

The Shanny is by no means rare on the south-
west coast of Norway, at least in the neighbourhood
of Bergen, where Reinhardt (Maanedskr. f. Litter.,
1833, p. 231) made the observations on which he based
the first statement as to its geographical extension
nortlnvards; but in Sweden it has never been observed.

chiefly instrumental in bringing about his overthrow, | Its true home is on tiie coasts of Great Britain an(

now occupving the ])Ost of honour. ( )ne otiier little
episode concerning the object of this notic-e remains to
be chronicled. While the female was depositing her
sj)awn, an operation whicli extended over several days,
her 1)rave little partner was seen on several occasions
to descend to the bottom of the tank, and hurriedly
snatching up a fragment of the food supplied for the
general meal, to return with it aloft and place it at
the disposal of his ladylove."

Ireland, extending southwards at least as far as Gi-
braltar (Steindachnek) and into the Mediterranean at
least as far as Barcelona (Steixdaciinek). In the Me-
diterranean, however, it is not so common as in tlie
Atlantic (Valenctexxes), and its occurrence east of
Spain has been denied (Moueau, 1. c. and Giglioli,
Espoz. iiifeni. (U I'esca in Berlino 1880, Cat. Sez.
Ifal., p. 91).

Genus CHIROLOPHIS.

JJiiid part of the txxti/ ribbon-shaped ainJ covered ivith rerij small sc((les. Head naked (irithout scales), bat a-ith
dermal fringes on the top. Jans famished, almost throaghoat their niari/in, irifh an arcuate, nnhroken roir of
conical teeth, somewhat compressed and jioi)ded at the apex (/lartli/, hon-erer, especially in the front part of the
Jaa-s, alternating, everij other tooth beinf/ set farther in than the next to it): no canines at the ends of the roas.
Head, especially the snout, short: mouth broad, obliquely ascending. Gill-openings large, but vertical; hran-
chiostegal membranes joined to each other under the isthmus., to n-hich they are united. One continuous dorsal fn,
containing only spinous rays, along the whole of the back behind the head. Anal fin long and with a small spi-
nous ray at the beginning: the rest of the rays articulated and branched. Ventral fins short, jugular and con-
taining one spinous and three branched rays. Bays of the pectoral fins repeatedly branched. Branched rays of
the caudal fin feu- {under 14). Only the anterior part of the lateral line distinct. Branchiostegal rays 6°.
Pseudobranchice present. Air-bladder wanting. Pyloric appendages present, but small''.

Of this genus only one species is known with
any certainty", and even this has borne six different
generic names. The best and fullest descriptions of
it have been given by Kroyeu, who gave it the name

of Carelophus'', and Nilssox, by whom it was called
Blenniops' : but botli these writers were anticipated
h\ SwAix.sox, who established the geiuis Chiro-
lophis'.

" Soiiietiiiies ;">, accordinir to Nii.ssoN ami CoL'CH.

* According to Kboyer and NiLSSOK.

" Paixas's (Zoogr. Ross. As., Ill, p. 179) Blciinius poli/actoceptialus from Kamclialka probalily l>elongs to this genus (cf. .JoRP., GiLB.,
Bull. U. S. Nnt. llus., No. 10, p. 765), and is possibly even the same species as Ctiirolopliu galerita; but it is described from a dried spe-
cimen and not further known.

•* Naturh. Tidskr., Kbhvn, 'itden Ka^kkes l:stc Bind (184.1 — 1845). pp. •227 and 236: Kdgt], liead, and )'6q)0g, crest.

' 6lcaiid. Fn., Fisk:. p. 185 (1855).

/ Nat. Ifist., C'fa.w. Fist,., Amp/i., Kept.. (Lardn. Cab. Encycl.) vol. II, p. 275. (1839): XeIq, liaml.

no

St'r.nJinavian Fishes.

218

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE CRESTED BLENNY (sw. tangsnartan).
CHIROLOPHIS GALERITA.

Phite XI, figs. 2 and 3.

Tivo jmirs of fimhriated dermal appenducies above the eyes, the posterior jiair J>ehi(i the loitf/er: one simple dermal
/tap on each side of the snout, outside the anterior nostril, and sever(d of varyinfi size sparsely set in several {3
or ')) ron-s on the fop of the head and the occiput. Length of the head from 15 to IS % of that of the t/ody.
(ireatest depth of the tiodji in old specimens someivhat greater than the length of the head, in young equal to the
latter. Breadth across the cheeks ahoat ^3 of the length of the head. Least depth of the l/ody (in front of the
ttase of tin' caadal fn) in old specimens equal to the longitudinal diameter of the orbit, ivhidi is ahoid '/s of the
length of the head and a little less than the length of the snout. Eyes set high, close to the forehead. Number
of teeth in each Jan- from SO to JOO. A dermal flap, like that of the opercnlum, above the insertion of the
pectoral fn, at the hind margin of the gill-opening ; and at the same point, just above the upper part of the in-
sertion of the pectoral flns, a liony ridge, covered with, skin, curved oiitumrds, and starting from the anterior

•
mari/in of the clavicular bone. Distance between the dorsal fn and the tip of tliv snout somewhat less than the

length of the head: the base of this fn ab<nit 70 % of the length of the body: the anterior rays sometimes {most
often in the males and old specimens) elongated and furnished with dermal appendages, the rest of the fn fairly
straight, with a height equal to ((bout 7 % (f the length of the body, back to cdiout the 12th r((y from the end,
from u-hich point the length of the r((ys gradually diminishes. Distance between the anal fn ((nd the tip of the
snout about 4:J % of the length of the body; its base about V2 '^'^ length of the body: the rays slightly sliorter,
but freer at the point, th((n those of the dorsal fin. Pectoral fins rounded, in length about 14 % of the length of
the body or 7(1 % of th((t (f the head. Ventral fins, even externally, divided into four parts: the third ray long-
est, being a little less tlian ' ^ of the distance between these fins and the beginning of the anal fin or than '/g of
the greatest depth of the body, or someirliat more than */, of the length of the caudal fin, (vhich is rounded.
Coloration in young specimens yellowish brou-n, icith dark, olive-broivn, transverse bands on the sides and^
spots of simitar colour on the dorsal fin and along its tiase: also trith a dark ring round the eye, from ivhich
there runs a stripe to the corner of tJie mouth: in old specimens plain yellow or reddish broirn, with irregular,
dark spots at the hind p((rt of the dorsal fin. Sometimes" a roir of lighter, r(nind spots along the dorsal sides

or the middle of the body.

R. bi: 0(5); D. 50''; A.

,Syn.

35 '

F. 14;

V. -; a. x-h \2'' + .v.

Blennius I'rista capitis transversa, cniacea (cit. Art.), Stroem,
i/ondm. Beskr., vol. I, p. 322.

Blennius (lalerita, Lin. (p. p. uec Honuel., nee Art.), Sijst.
Nat., ed. XII, toin. I, p. 441; AscANlus, Ic. ]\cr. Nat.,
call. 2, p. 8, tab. XIX; NlLSS., Prodr. Iclitli. Scand., p.
102; Id. (Blenniops) Sl.and. Fn., Fish:, p. 185.

Blennius Ascanii, Wai.u., Iclitli. Art., part. Ill, p. 173, Reinii.,
Maancdskr. f. Litter., 1833, p. 25!); Gthr (Blenniops),
Brit. Mils. Vat., Fislt., vol. Ill, p. 284; Mgrn (Uarelophus),
Ufvers. V(;t.-Akad. Forh. 1867, p. 2C1; EsM., Forh. Skand.
Naturf. M. Clinia, 1868, p. 523; CoLl,., Forli. Vid. Selsk.
Clinia, 1874, Tilla:'gsli., p. 76; M.\lm (Blenniops), Gbgs,
Boh. Fn., p. 471, tab. 8, fig. 2; Hanssox (Careloplnis),
Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1880, No. 4, p. 21; Day, Fisli.
G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 206, tab. LX, fig. 3; Coll., N.

Mag. Naturv. Chrnia, Bd. 20 (1884) p. 68; Lill.i., ^v.,

Norij. Fisk., vol. I, p. 491; Petersen, Vid. Meddel. Naturh.

For. Kbhvn 1884, p. 156; Gthr (Blenniops), Rep. Deep-
sea FisJt., Chall. Exp. (vol. XXII), p. 71.
Ccntronotus Brosme, Bl., Syst. Ichtli., ed. Schn., p. 167;

Reinh., 1. c.
Blennins palmicornis, Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. 1, vol. I, p.

233 (nee Cuv.); Bl. Yarrellii, Cuv., Val., (emend.). Hist.

Nat. Poiss., vol. XI, p. 218; Sw.mns. (Chirolophis), Class.

Fish, etc., 1. c.; Kroy., Naturb. Tidskr. Kbbvn , ser. 1, vol.

I, p. 372; Yabr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 263; Couch,

Fish. Brit. IsL, vol. II, p. 233.
GiinneUiis Stroemii, Cuv., Val., 1. c., p. 444 ; Kroy. (Uarelophus),

Natnrb. Tidskr., Kbbvn, ser. 2, vol. I, pp. 227 et 236; Id.,

Damn. Fiske, vol. 1. p. 600;

Ohs. Tbc rule in accordance witli wliicli the preceding species
lias been generally suft'ered to retain the Linniean specifi<' name of

" .According to NiLSSuN. Couch and Collett.
'' 51 — 53, according to NlLSSON.
1
39^0'
'' 13 according to Nilsson and Lim..)Eiior(;. In the specimen described by Hansson 3+12 + 1.

CKKSTKl) m,i;NNY.

219

pliob's, here also, as Nii.ssoN has remarked, demands the retention of
the Linna}an name. Pholis was a Mediterranean fisli, and in Ronde-
LET (Artedi's and LiNNa:us's, as well as WiixuoiinY's, chief authority
with regard to this species), certainly- did not mean the more Atlantic
species whicli occurs in Scandinavia, and wliich now hears the name.
But LiNN^us also quoted Gronovius's Mas. /c/ith., va]. II, no. 17.0,
a passage which leaves no room for any doubt as to his application
of Blennhts pliolis. Here too, where LlNN^;us lias quoted S'l'UOEM,
the case is the same; and with regard to galen'ta we now have the
further advantage that hardly anyone at the present day will refer
the species here in question to the same genus as the species with
which it has been confounded by LlNN.fEUS. There is thus no danger
of confusion, even if we retain the Linnnean specific name in both
genera, in Bleuniiis from tlie 10th and in Chiroloplii.f from the 12th
edition of jSi/stema Nahivce.

The form of body of the Crested 151enny is, so to
speak, oil the point of transition to the ribbon shape;
it is fairly thick anteriorly, but the caudal part, which
is the longer, is perfectly ribbon-shaped. Among the
characters given above ^ve iind a peculiarit}-, of which
there is onlj- a slight trace in Blennius phoUs, but
which is all the more developed in other forms within
the faniilv. This consists in the circumstance that on
the posterior margin of the gill-opening we find, in
the iirst place, at the top, by the upper corner, a
dermal flap — evidently a continuation of the branchio-
stegal membi'ane, ^vllich here advances above the slit,
and in other species, e. g. Cliims supcrciUosns" , is con-
tinued do^vn to the liase of tlie ])ectoral fin, where, in
Blennius ocellaris for example, it projects in a dermal
flap over the upper corner of the axil — and in the
second place, farther downwards and inwards, on a level
with the upper half of the base of the pectoral fin, a
bony ridge, covered with skin, and here of uniform
height, but in CI i mis snpcrciliosiis at the lower end
produced into a hook. The upper supporting rays of the
caudal fin (in the specimens belonging to the Royal
Museum) are remarkable for the circumstance that the
two anterior ones are real spinous rays, with a mem-
brane between them, as well as in continuation with
the dorsal fin. The membrane of the anal fin also

advances over the margin of the caudal fin. Of the
latci-nl line of the body we can oidy find a row of 6
jwres at the lieginning, but the head is furnished with
the ordinary rows of distinct pores, both in the margin
of the preoperculum, with a continuation under the
lower jaw, and in the suborbital ring with a continua-
tion on the snout.

Tlie Crested Blenny is a northern form, whicli,
at depths varying from .some few to ISO fathoms, ex-
tends from the extreme north of Norway to the south
coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. As early as 1762,
Strom described it as occurring in the south of Norway.
During Gaimard's expedition Kroveh obtained speci-
mens at Bosekop in Finmark. In Christiania Fjord,
according to Collett, it is taken almo.st yearly; ))ut
on the coast of Sweden it is extremelj' rare. In July,
1S61, Malm took three small specimens, the smallest
somewhat under 27 mm., the largest 34 mm. in length,
at the entrance of Gullmar Fjord; and C. A. Hax.ssox
has procured for the Royal Museum a specimen 21 cm.
long, a male, which was taken in December, 1879, in
an oy.ster- dredge, at a depth of 12 fathoms, in Dynekil
near Stromstad. Day gives several instances of its
occurrence on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.
Farther south it has not been found.

The habits of the Crested Blenny ai-e but little
known. According to Couch, it is now and then taken
in crab-]jots, into which it is probal)ly enticed Ijy the
bait. In its stomach have been found inollusks, worms,
Hydroids, Spongias and seaweed. Its food thus seems
to be the same as that of the true Blennies; and in
captivity it lives in the same way as the Shanny, ready
in a moment to hide under a stone or some similar
object. When resting at the bottom of the aquarium,
it curls its tail up to its head, and depresses the anal
fin laterally, as if to support itself more securely. It
is far too rare, and its size far too small, for it to
possess any economical importance.

" = Blfiiiiiiis mustelaris, Mas. Ad. Friil. Lixn.eus's two original specimens are still to be found in the Royal Museum; and they
show that the character, "caput absque cristis", is due to an oversight. Linn.eus's var. ,i may perhaps be explained by the fact that in the

3+34 (31) . 2

one specimen the membrane is torn behind (lie third ray in the dorsal fin. The fin-formula is: D.

8(7)

A.

28 (26)

220

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus PHOLIS.

Bodtj lihlxiit-sJidpcd, covered ir'ith renj ■'^iikiJ} scalers. Head naked and irlthout dermal frinfies. Jaa--teeth pointed,
in front set in several roas. Head, especialhi the sinnd, short. Mouth turned upwards. Gill-openings large, hut
vertical: the hranchiostegal membranes united to eacli other under the isthmus, to u-hich tliei/ are Joined only in-
front. One, continuous dorsal fin, containing onli/ sj)inous rai/s, along the u-hole of the hack hehlnd the head.
Anal fin lone/, u-ith two sjnnous rags at the hegiiin'ing, and uifli tlie other rays articulated and (usually distinctly)
hranched. Ventrid fins short, jugular and containing one spinous raif and one (indistinct) soft ray. All the rays
of the pectoral fins often hranched. Branched rays in tlie caudal fin feu' (under I.'j). Latend line indistinct.
Brancliiostegal rays J. Pseudohraiahirt' present. Air-hladder and pyloric appendages wanting.

To receive the common Spotted Guiiue], as it was j
described and figured by Sujef", Lacepede'' formed
the genus Murcenoides a year before Bloch-Schneiijer
called the same genus Centronotus'', the two names
which, together with Valenciennes's'' later name of
Gunnellus, have been most generally recognised up to !
the present. Long before Lacepede's tinje, liowever,
the same species liad been adopted by Gronovius, in
1763, as the type of the genus Pholis", the name which, ■
according to the current la^vs of nomenclature, must
thus possess the right of priority. The name is derived,

hoAvever, from Aristotle'', and originally denoted a
Mediterranean fish "which hides itself in its own mucus".
The genus is very nearly related to the preceding one;
but the still more ribbon-shaped body, the pointed
jaw-teeth, set in several rows, and the structure of the
ventral hns — one small, pungent, spinous ray and
one rudimentary, soft ray in the membrane inside
it — or even the al)sence of these iins, are the dis-
tinguishing characters of these fishes, of which six or
seven species have hitherto been recognised from the
northern jiarts of the Atlantic and Pacific.

THE SPOTTED GUNNEL (sw. testefisken).
PHOLIS GUNNELLUS.

Plate XI, tig. 6.

Along the base of the dorsal fin, a row of (diout 10 hlack, ocellated S2)ots, which also extend slightly down over

flic hack of the hody. Bays in the dorsal fin at most 81.

13 1.
S'/ii.

n. bi:
U + .v.

D. 76—81; A.

40—42

P. 0 — 12; T'.

C. .r +

Opiiidion cirrllis carens; Aet., Gen., p. 25; iSyn., p. 42; Heyke,
Vet. Akad. Handl. 1744, p. 12'.); LiN., Fn. Svec, ed. 1, p.
108; Oplddmm imberhe, Lin., Fn. >Suec., ed. II, p. 114.

Blennius Gunellus Lin., Mus. Ad. Frid., tnin. I, p. 60, Syst.
Nat. {Bl. Gunnellus), ed. X, torn. I, p. 2.'J7; F/i. Suec, ed. II,
p. 114; NiLSS. (Centronotus), Prodr. Icluli. Scand., p. 103;
Fiiiiis et Wright, Sicand. Fisk., ed. I, p. 105, tab. 25, fig.
1; Swains., (Opliisomus), Fisli., etc., vol. II, p. 277; Gthr
(Centronotus), Cnt. Brit. Mus., Fisli., vol. Ill, p. 285; Mgrn,
Finl. Fisk. (disp.), p. 21; Gli.L (Mnramoides), Proc. Acad.

Nat. So. Philnd., 1864, p. 204; Coll. (Centronotus), Forh.
Vid. Selsk. Chnia, 1874, TilL-cgsh., p. 77; N. Mag. Naturv.,
Bd. 20 (1884), p. 60; Malm, Glnjs, Boh. Fn., p. 472; Winth.,
Natiirb. Tidskr. Kbhvii, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 23; Day, Fish..
G:t Brit.. Irel., vol. I, p. 208, tab. LXI, fig. 1; Mela,
Vert. Fenn., p. 290, tab. IX; M6b., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p.
61; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 522; .Jord., Gilb.
(Murcenoides), Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 767; Hansen
(Centronotus), Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 48, tab. VIII, fig. 1.
Gunnellus vulgaris, Flem., Brit. Aniin., p. 207; Cuv., Val.,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XI, p. 410; Kr., Damn. Fiske, vol.
I, pp. 341 et 600; Nir.ss., Skand. Fn., Fisk.. p. 200; Mor.,
Hist. N'at. Poiss. Fr., vol. II, p. 153.

" Acta Petrop. 1770, part. II, p. 105, tab. VI, fig. 1.

'' Hist. Nat. Poiss., torn. II, p. 324; — 1800.

' Syst. Ichtli., Bl., ed. Schn., p. 165.

'' Crv., Vat.., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XI. p. 418, corresponding to Cuvier'.s subgenus Les Gonnelles (Regn. Anim., ed. 2, torn. II,

p. 230).

' Zoophyl., Fasc. I, p. 78.

/ Cf. Cuv., Val., 1. c., p. 260.

Sl'dlTKI) (iUNNKL.

221

On tlic coasts of Sc;\ii(liiinvia the Spnttcil (iiiiiiicl
attains a ]eii,<;'tli of at least 2;') cm."; the dcpili is alioiit
' ,, of tile Icnu'th'', and the tliicl<ness, which is greatest
ari'oss the checks, is in Nonn,^' speciinons soinewhat move
than, in old sjiecimcns ('(inal to oi- less than ' \j the
iifveatest deptii. 'Plie bodA" is strongly compressed later-
all\- and I'longatcd, Ix'inii' of almost uniform (h'pth foi'
moi-e llian half its lenath, and then very gradually
tajiering towards (lie tail, 'i'his I'orm gi\-es the fish a
sw'ordlike a))j)earan(H', and hence, in various places, it
hears the name of Sirordjisli. 'fhe liead is small, mea-
suring only ' ,, of the length of the body, compressed,
and so sharp at the top that the (jcciput and forehead
form a rounded carina. Cheeks somewhat tumid and
prominent. Mouth small, turned sharply up', and fur-
nished with f iirl\- thii'k lijis, whicii are rolled over the
jaw-hones; botli jaws of about the same length; the
lower jaw, however, i)rojects distinctly beyond the tip
of the snout, when the mouth is open. The even are
small and set so high that a line draAvn from the back
point of the gill-cover to the margin of the upper jaw
touches their lower margin; they are also set so far
forA\ard that the distance from the tip of the snout to
the anterior margin of the eye is only */„ of that from
the posterior margin of the eye to the back point of
tlie gill-cover; their diameter is Vo> or in old specimens
*/g of the length of the head. The length of the gill-
cover exceeds '/.^ of the length of the head, and its
end coincides with the top of the insertion of the pec-
toral fins. The gill-openings are of average size. Both
the branchiostegal membranes extend round the upper
corner of the gill- openings above, and below they are
united to each other without any ^■isible incision. They
thus lie tree round the isthmus, like a collar, being
luiited to it only in front. Branchiostegal rays 5, the
foui- uppermost being fairly l)road, but tlie fifth very
narrow, and so short that it does not extend to the
margin of the branchiostegal membrane, and is directed
more towards the isthmus. Branchial arches small, the
hindmost groAvn together with the posterior wall of the
branchial cavity and leaving onl)^ a small slit open
behind it. Tlie gill-rakers ajipear in the form of sub-
ulate teeth, set, as usual, in tAvo rows. The upper

pharyngeals are united into two almond-shaped lumps,
tliickh' set with fine, cardiform teeth; the lower are
smaller, but their dentition similai-. Tlie tongue is
smooth, hard, cartilaginous and triangular, with the tip
free. In both jaws wc' lind small, conical, fairly sharp
teeth, set some distance apart from each other: in the
upper jaw the largest (about 11 on (!ach side) are set
in an outer, more regular row, within which there are
from 1 to o ii'i'egular rows of smaller teeth, generally
most numerous in the front part of the jaw. In the
lower jaw, on the other hand, the teeth are set in only
one row, about 11 (Jii each side and the largest in
front; but within the front teeth we find a few- small
ones, irregularly set and varying in number. On the
head of the vomer there are a few (from 3 to 6) small
teeth, like the; jaw-teeth, but s('t in an arcuate row.
The palatine bones are toothless.

The skin is covered with an abundant mucous
secretion, and in the living fish one can .scarcely find
a ti'ace of the small, round scales, which are deeply
imbedded therein, and, without touching each other,
are spread over the whole body. The lateral line, \
however, is scarcely visible, but, in the form of a row
of small pores, runs in a straight line almost along
the middle of the body, slightly nearer the dorsal edge
than the ventral. On the other hand, the oi-dinary
roAvs of pores on the head A\liich belong to the system
of the lateral line, are very distinct.

The dorsal fin is unbroken, \o\v and of almost
uniform height: it begins above the base of the pectoral
fins, and extends to the caudal fin, to the base of
which its membrane is united, though the two fins are
distinctly separate. All its rays, about 80 in numl)er,
are simple, hard, fairly thick at the base and very
sharp at the tip. Theii- pungent tips are completely
hidden, however, by the thick membrane, as long as
the fin is intact, but if it l)e damaged, force their way
out of the covering". The anal fin is of the same
shape as the dorsal and ends vertically below the
posterior end of that tin, but it is somewhat higher.
The distance between it and the tip of the snout is
from about 47 to 52 % of the length of the body. It
has tM'o, hard, pungent ra\'s at the beginning, and the

" Cf. Coi.LETT, N. Mug. Xiiturv.. 1. c.

* The greatest depth of the body varies between 9' ^ (in young specimens) and 12 'o of tlie lengtli thereof. The least depth, at
the base of the caudal fin varies between 3 and .3'^ "i of the length.

' After death the mouth is generally nion- iiptnrnfd than in lift', as at death, in tliis species as in the preceding one, the dorsal
muscles usually undergo so powerful contraction that tlic whole head is drawn somewhat upwards.

222

SCANDINAVIAN FI.SHE.S.

rest of it consists of from 40 to 42 articulated, soft
rays, which are as it were divided at the point, or at
least show traces of a di\-ision there. The pectoral
iins are oval and very small, their length being about
half the depth of the body, or, in old specimens, less.
They are inserted very low, tlie upper end of the axil
occupying the top of the lo^vest thii'd of the depth of
tlie body. They contain 11 or 12 rays", the first three
of which mav be simple; the 6th and 7th are the
longest. The ventral fins are extremely small, almost
rudimentary, and are set close to each other, very
sli'ditly in front of the pectoral fins. At first sight they
seem to consist of only one small, hard and very sharp
ray, which is very thick at the base, in length about
'/o tlie diameter of the eye, and enveloped in a thick
fin-membrane with a somewhat widened rim; but on
closer examination we find in the skin an inner, smaller,
soft ray, closely joined to the outer one. The caudal
fin is also very small, being of about the same length
as the pectoral fins. When expanded, it acquires a
handsome, rounded shape. It contains from 18 to 20
rays in all, the outer ones being exti-emely small,
simple and articulated, the middle 13 or 14 bi-anched
at the tip.

The colouring is yellowisli brown, ^vith indistinct,
irregular, confluent, lighter, roundish spots, which give
the body a mottled appearance. Under a magnifying-
glass the skin also displays numbers of black dots,
with which it is thickly besprinkled. Sides of the head
pale. From the eye a black streak runs vertically
doA\n\vards to the articulation of the lo-\ver ja^v. The
regions of the gill-cover, the branchiostegal membrane,
the isthmus and the ventral and pectoral fins flame-
yellow. Iris of a glossy, dark, greenish yello^v, with
a yellow ring round the i)Upil. Along the Ijack, at a
fixed distance from each other we find 10 (sometimes
onlv 9, or even as many as 13) large, ocellated spots,
which extend out on the dorsal fin-membrane. These
s}jots arc roundish, l)ut irregular, and have a deep black
centre, surrounded by a yellowish white ring. The front
ones are generall)- the most distinct, the posterior ones
often dull or obliterated, and sometimes these spots
are entirely wanting''. In very young specimens, 31 V2
mm. long. Malm' dcscriljes these spots as being colour-
less, standing sharply out against the reddisli brown

colour of the bod}^ whicli also extends o\ er the ver-
tical fins. The anal fin is of the same colour as the
body, but is edged with flame-yellow and marked with
indistinct, whitish spots, set in oblique rows, and thus
having the appearance of transverse bands, when the
fin is depressed. Caudal fin flame-yellow at the tip.

The entire digestive canal is short and forms a
tube of almost uniform diameter, with a slight Avidening
for the stomach, which is small, and without any true
sac, or even any trace of pyloric appendages. It forms
some less marked curves, and bends in tlie shape of
ail S before opening into the vent. The liver, which
is pale livei"-brown in colour, really forms only one
lobe, envelops the stomach, and extends to the end of
the first quarter of the abdominal cavity. On its in-
side, just in front of this point, we find the gall-bladder,
Avhich is small. Air-bladder wanting. Urinary bladder
cylindrical, with long, tapering bottom, transparent,
and filled with a clear, colourless fluid. On cutting
open a gravid female, we find only one, large, cylin-
drical ovarA', -which fills nearly the whole of the ab-
dominal cavity from the vent to the end of the liver.
The ovary is then crammed with white eggs, almost
as large as a pin's head, and, on account of their ar-
rangement, hexagonal in shape, like the cells of a honey-
comb. In the male at the same season, we find two
long testicles of uniform breadth and yellowish white,
as usual, in colour, which lie close to each other, and
extend forwards to the end of the liver.

Of the remarkable points in the skeleton we shall
point out only one, which has already been remarked
by Valenciennes. Both the abdominal and the caudal
vertebra?, with the exception of the first two or three
among the former, have the transverse processes turned
dowinvards and meeting each other, thus forming a
closed ring for each vertebra. The number of the
abdominal vertebra} is about 34, of the caudal about 51.

The Swedish name of the Spotted Gunnel {Teste-,
Thie- or Tejsfcfisk) varies in different districts accord-
ing to the local form of the name of the black guille-
mot {Grissia or Teste). It has been named after this
bird, as being one of the small fishes which form the
chief part of the Ijlack guillemot's food. According to
NiLssoN it is called Srardfisk (Swordfish) at Kivik, on
account of its shape, and in Norway, according to

" In a young specinifii, luiwevfr, we Imve found only !'•

'' This variily is described by Oi.SSON in Of vers. Vet. x\kad. Forli. 18G7, p. 00.5.

' Vet. Akfid. Ilandl., Bd. 7 (1Sr,7), No. 4, p. [, and r%.s Boh. Fii.. 1. c.

Sl'DTTKI) Ol'N'NKI,.

223

S'l'lvOM, it l)(';irs tlic iiiiiiic ot 'J'(ii/(/hr(isiiii' (Scjiwced-
Brosmius). It occurs nloiiii' the wlioh; coast of X(ir-
way and Bohus];iii, mid also in the ( "attcizat, tlic Sound
and the Baltic. < )ff (iotldand, accordinji' to IjINDStuom",
it is fairly common. In 18.")(> the l!<)\nl Museum re-
ceived from Baron A. ( 'ki)KHsti!uM a specimen 155 nun.
lony, which had been taken off Beatelund in the island-
belt of Stockholm. In 1863 \\'ii)io(;iii;N found the Spotted
(tunnel in Alands Haf'; and accorfling to Mei.a, it has
also been taken on llu; coast of Nyland in the Gulf
of Finland. Still, in tJK! Iwdtic, it does not belong to
the common lislies. It extends soutiiwards as far as
Knglaiul and Ireland, and the northern part of the
west coast of France. On the west of the Atlantic, it
lias betni found in North America' ; and whether it is a,
distinct species from Pholis fnsckifits of Greenland and
the Pacific species, Pholis onudits, to which it is at
least very nearly related, is a (juestion that deserves
more searching investigation.

As the S]»otted Guiuiel always leads a solitary life
at the !)ottom, among stones and seaweed, and is an
adept at finding a hiding-place, it is not taken very
fre(|uentl\'. It generally lives in shidlow water and thus,
on coasts where there is any perceptible rise and fall
of the tide, it is often left behind at low water in the
])ools or among the seaweed. It is on such occasions
that its capture is most easy. It is also taken fre-
(pientlv amongst other tishes in the fientc. It is tena-
cious of life to a very high degree, and can live fairly
long out of the water. Its movements are extremely

active, when attempt is made to catch it, but at other
times slow and simious, at least in the daytime — at
night it is said to move more briskly. It is seldom
seen lying stretched at full length, but generally in
more or less undulating curves, or even as it were
folded round some object or in its retreat. This is
the explanation of the fact that the Spotted Gunnel is
often found hidden in empty mussel shells, in company
wilh which it is fairly often drawn up from the bottom,
especialK' dui'ing the oystei--fishery''. It has tiierefoi'e
been accused of making its way into live oysters and
devouring them", but of this offence it is certainly
quite innocent. Its food seems to consist chiefly of
small crustaceans and mollusks, fragments <jf which
have been found in its stomach.

At the end of October the ovaries of the female
are full, and the railt-saes of the male distended, thus
showing that the spawning-season occurs in that mouth,
or soon after. The young specimen mentioned above
as described by Malm, however, was taken in July;
and similar catches are recorded bv Kuoveh, wdio hence
concludes that the spawning-season must be much later,
unless, indeed, the growth of the fry is extraordinarily
slow. It is not improbable that the spawning-seasQU
may last throughout the winter, and even extend into
the early part of spring. A female, taken off StrOmstad
in Novembei", still contained rather small eggs.

As the Spotted Gunnel is of no service to the
fishermen, they have no special method of catching it.

(Fries, Smitt.)

" Gotl. Fisk., Gotl. Liiiis Husli. Sails. Arsber. ISSO, p. l;j (sep.).
'' According to Malmgrex, 1. c.
■" JORD., GiLB., 1. c.

■' Cf. Hevke, 1. c.

' Cf. KnoYER, 1. c, p. 3.54.

•224

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus LUMPENUS.

BocIji eloix/dfed, (niteriorhj fercfr, in the caudal part stronfjli/ compressed Jatoidhi {r'lhhoii-sliaped), and corered tvifh
reni small scales. Cheeks, as a ride, and sometimes even the oceijntf, covered irifJi sc(des: the rest of the head
naked and irithoaf dermal fringes. Length of the head and snout moderate, or, in proportion to the depth of the
head, fairly great. Gape only sUghtli/ turned upu-ards, or even horizontcd. GUI-openings large, sloping distinctly
forwards, the branch iost eg al membranes being separate, and free to the very point of the isthmus. One continuous
dorsal fn, containing only spinous rays, along the whole of the back behind the head. Anal fin long, and with
one spinous rail at tJie beginning: the other rays articulated and (usually distinctly) branched. Ventral fins of
moderate lenqtli, or, in prainniion to the lengtJi of the body, fairly short, and with one spinous and tliree" soft rays.
Bails of the pectoral fins often all branched'' except the top one. Branched rays of the caudal fin feir {under 13?).
Lateral line indistinct, situated at the middle of tJic sides. Branchiostegal rays G or 7. PseudobrancJiice present,
but sometimes indistinct. Air-bladder iranfing. I'liloric appendages usually small, 2 or .-> in number.

This genus Mas founded in 1835 by Reinhahdt,
wlicit ill his study of tlie Blennies of Greenland, he
had to define Blennius lumpenus of Fabkicius. The
genus is an arctic one, with a circumpolar range, but
with an extension in the Pacific down to California, and
in the Atlantic to Cape Cod in tlie ^\'est and Scandi-
navia and Scotland in the east. (3nly from 5 to 7
species can be recognised as defined with more or less
certaintY; but for these species Gill" established five
distinct genera, which by Collett'', however, were with
ivasoii reduced to three, with the rank of onlv sub-
genera: Leptoblennius, witli teetli in tlie jaws only;
Liniipenus, with teeth in the jaws and on the palatine
bones; and Leptoclinus, with teetli in the jaws, on the
jialatinc bones and on the vomer. This division had
already been proposed, though without any reference
to the naming of the subgenera, by IlEiNHARnT*' in his
study of the species belonging to Greenland; and for
the Scandinavian species Nilsson-'' had proposed an ana-
logous division of the genus, employing the name of

subo'enus was without canine teeth. In Nilsson s writ-
ings Leptoclinus is called Ctenodon, a generic name
previously employed in zoolog)- and therefore here un-
tenable. Collett^, however, has remarked the Avorth-
lessuess of the character derived from the presence or
absence of ]jalatine teeth'': and even though the canine
teeth, as Fries' has also pointed out, are well-deve-
loped, and clearly distinct from the other jaw-teeth, in
one of the Scandinavian species, still this character is
oiih' relative, as in the other species the jaw-teeth also
vary in size. The changes of growth are also of great
importance here, as in other genera. Collett has re-
marked that the palatine teeth are developed later than
the jaw-teeth; and, to judge by individual variations,
it seems to be true that the palatine teeth often dis-
appear, in old specimens at least. Other, equally im-
portant changes of growth are remarked by JMalmguen
in his valuable account of the fishes of Spitzbergen-'.
He there shows, -with regard to the t\vo species Lum-
penus mediiis and L. Fabricii, established by Reinhardt,

Lumpenus, though essentially in the meaning later ap- j ho\v the length of the head and of the pectoral and
plied to Leptoblennius, still witli the addition that this [ ventral fins, as well as the depth and thickness of the

" Lumpenus amjiiillnrif: and A. nn/j/luf! are stated, however, to have foiu' soft rays in tlie ventral fins.

'' Sometimes even tlie lowest are sini|ilc.

'= Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1804, p. 209.

'' N. Nordhavs-Expedition, Zool., Fiske, p. G.3.

' Dske Vid. Sclsk. Math. Natnrv. Afh., Deel 7 (ISSS), p. 104.

■^ iSliaiidinavisk- Fauna, Fiskariie, p. 100.

0 Norske Nordhavs-E.xpHdition, Zool., Fiske, p. 64.

'' It is easy to judge of the effects involved in this division of the genus, when one has to determine the species belonging to it.
The Vega E.\pedition brought home three large specimens of Lumpenus Fabricii from Najtschkaj, just north-west of Behring Strait, the largest
being .344 mm. in lengtli. They jiave 1). 00 — O.'i, ^1. '/^., and T'. '/;,; hut tw<i of tliem are entirely without palatine or vomerine teeth,
and should tlius, according to Gill, be referred to the genus Leptoblennius:, \v\\\\v. the lliinl s|iceimrn has teeth on the anterior part of the
palatine bones, and thus shows the correct determination of the others as well.

' Vet. Akad. Haudl. 1837, p. h2.

J Ofvers. Vet. Akad. FHrh. 1S04, pp. 510 — .''I'il.

LUMPENUS.

225

body and the distance troni the snont to the beginning
of the anal fin, all diminish witli age; in proportion to
the length of the body, the caudal part of which in-
creases most during growth. It also appears from his
tables of measurements that the length of the caudal
fin undergoes even relative increase in proportion to
the rising length of the body", even if this increase be
inconstant and insignificant. The rays of the anal fin,
according to Malmgren, undergo a cliange of growth
which is important as an explanation of the structure
of this fin in the kindred sjiecies and genera as well.
"The division of the points, of which we can find no
trace in the smallest specimens, begins in the last rays
of the fin — those which are nearest to the caudal

fin — and advances Avith the growth of the fish towards
the beginning of the anal fin." That the lower rays
of the pectoral fins are subject to a similar change,
seems probable from the circumstance that in the largest
specimens from Spitzbergen only the two or three lowest
rays, in addition to the uppermost ra,)', are simple at
the point. We must certainly expect to find corre-
sponding alterations in the other species belonging to
this genus, when they are better known, and therefore
be cautious in our distinguishing of new spetdes. Herein
we may also find a clue to the explanation of the re-
lations between the two species observed in Scandina-
via, and regard them as representatives of different
stages in tlie development of the genus.

THE SHARP -TAILED LUMPENUS (s\v. spetsstjeutade langebaknet').
LUMPENUS LAMPRETIFORMIS.

Plate XI, fig. 5.

No vomcriiir or paJatine teeth. Lenc/th of the maxiUaiy bones less tJian Vio of that of the head. Distance l>ettveen
the anal fn and the tip of the snout less than Vs of the length of the body. Number of rays in the dorsal fin
more than 67, in the anal fin more than 47. Pectoral fins evenly rounded; caudal fin sharply rounded or pointed.

E. hi: G; D. 68—74; A. ; P. 15 1. 14; V. '/il

48—51 "

a. ,r+ 11 1. 12+,c.

Si/n. Tangbrosme No. 4, StE(jm, Soiidm. Beskr., I, p. 315; Bleii-

niiis capite Icevi, radiis pinnce dorsalis pungentibus, Mohb,

Islands Natitrhist., p. 85, fab. IV.
Blennius Lampretiformis, Walb., Iclith. Art., part. HI (lumpreta;-

forviis, p. 184; lampretcpformis, p. 700; Lampretiformis, p.

702), tab. 3, fig. 6 (exMoHR); Kr0Y. (^Climes), Naturli. Tidskr.

KbhvD, ser. 1, vol. I, pp. 32 et Zl^Clinus Mohrii, p. 38; Id.

(Liimpenus) ibid., ser. 3, vol. I, p. 287; EsM., Sliand. Naturf.

Mode, Christ. 1868, p. 523; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ.

1874, Tillsegsb., p. 72; Id., Norsk. Nordh. Exped., ZooL,

Fiske, p. 71; Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 291, tab. IX; Lillj., So.,

Nnrg. Fiskar, I, p. 507; Jobd., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.

16, p. 779; Day, Proo. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1884, p. 445, tab.

XLI; Peteesen, Vid. Meddel. Natiirb. For. Kblivn 1884, p. 156.
Centronotus islandicus, Bl., Syst. Ichth., ed. Schneid., p. 167;

Cuv., Val. {Gunelhis), Hist. Nat. Poi.-is., vol. XI, p. 433;

Gthb {Stichmts), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 281;

Malm {Lumpemis), Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 470; MOb., Hcke

{Stichcens), Fische d. Osts., p. 60.

Blennius lumpenus (p. p.), Fabee, Fische Islands, p. 79;

NiLSS. {Centronotus), Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 104; Kb0Y.

(Blennius), Naturh. Tidskr., ser. 1, vol. I, p. 519.
Clinus nebulosus, Feies, Vet. Akad. Handl. 1837, p. 55; Kboy.

{Lumpenus), Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p. 336; Lillj., Vet. Akad.

Handl. 1850, p. 333; Ekstb. (Clinus), Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samh.

Handl. 1850, p. 38; Malm, ibid., p. 90; Nilss. (Lumpenus),

6'kanil. Fn., Fisk., p. 195; Gif.h (Centrnhlennius), Proc. Acad.

N.it. Sc. Philad., 1861, App., p. 45; Loven, Ofvers. Vet.

Akad. Forh. 1861, p. 291; Mgbn, ibid. 1864, p. 524; Bren-

NEE, Not. Sails. Fn., Fl. Fenn. Forh. 1871 — 1874, p. 463.
Blennius gracilis, Stuwitz, N. Mag. Naturv., Christ. 1838, p.

406, tab. Ill; Reinh. (Clinus), Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Naturv.

Math. Afh., Deel 7 (1838) p. 194; Kb0Y. (Lumpenus),

Naturh. Tidskr., ser. 3, vol. I, p. 282; Gill (Leptoblennius),

Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1864, p. 210; Id., Smiths.

Misc. Coll., N:o 283, p. 19.

The Sharp-tailed Lumpenus attains as great a length
as 412 mm.'. In full-grown specimens the body is
extraordinarily elongated; in specimens about L50 mm.
long the greatest depth of the body is about 6 '8 % of

" On e.xainination of these tables of measurements, and on comparison of the specimens belonging to the Royal Museum of Lumpenus
medius with those of Lump. Fabricii, which are determined by Prof. Malmgben, the conclusion forces itself upon us that, in these ma-
terials at least, we can find no ground for distinguishing between the species. We have failed to find any confirmation of the statement
that the breadth of the forehead is less in Lump. Fabricii than in Luiiip. medius. From Kroyee's minute descriptions it also seems probable
that Lump. Fabricii is only the older form of the same species as Lump, medius.

* NiLSSON, 1. c. LiLL.iEBOEG, following Strum, gives this species the name of Tangbrosme.

' According to Cullett's measurements of an Icelandic specimen in the Museum of Copenhagen.

Scandhiaviau Fidltes. ""^

226

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the length, and in specimens about 270 ram. long
about 5"6 %. From the occiput to the vent the body,
which is almost terete, is of uniform depth as well;
but behind this point it becomes more and more com-
))ressed, even knife-shaped, and also gradually dimi-
nishes in depth to the base of the caudal fin, where
the de])th of the l)ody is about 2 % of the length.
The licad is fairly short in proportion to the length
of the ])od\-; but its relative length varies considerably
according to age: in specimens 50 mm. long, according
to CoLLETT, the length of the head is about \% % of
that of the l)ody; in specimens 154 mm. long it has
proved to be 13"6 %; in specimens 271 mm. long ITS
%\ and in specimens 320 mm. in length, according to
CoLLETT, 9*7 %. The occiput is convex, the forehead
somewhat compressed, and the superior profile of the
liead slightly curved, with the snout sloping more
steeply. The gape is only slightly turned upwards,
almost horizontal, and the snout projects slightly beyond
the under-jaw. The eyes are fairly large, the longi-
tudinal diameter being 24 or 23 % of the length of
the head. There seem to l^e three pairs of nostrils,
two of which, however, are very small, simple openings,
most resembling the pores of the lateral line, the an-
terior pair being situated just behind the articulation
kni)bs of the maxillary bones, and the posterior in front
of the anterior upper corner of tlie eye on each side.
Between these two o])enings on each side we find a
fairlv large, tubular papilla, which should jjrobably be
regarded as the true nostril". The maxillary bones
are rather short, and some\vhat wider posteriorly than
in front. Their length is from 22 to 28 % of that of
tlie head. The intermaxillary bones, on the other hand,
are narrow, but with fairly large nasal processes. The
upper jaw, however, admits of scared)' anj' protrusion.
The intermaxillary teeth are small and cardiform, l)ut
in the outer row there are several teetli of larger size
than the others. The lower jaw-teeth are set in one
row, or anteriorly in two. The palatine bones and
vomer, as well as the tongue, which is rounded, are
without teeth. Beneath the point of the chin a knob,
which increases in size with age. The operculum and

suboperculum, together with the posterior dermal flap,
foi-m a triangle, the base of Avhich is about half the
distance from the point of tlie flap, Avhich fits into the
upper corner of the axil, to the hind margin of the
eye. Tlie branchiostegal membranes are entirely free
from each other, and are not united to the isthmus
until they reach its front pait. There are six, acinaci-
forin branchiostegal raj'S, the first of ^vhich is extra-
ordinarily small.

The scales are small, and at the middle of the
body, on the upper lialf of the sides, above the lateral
line, 18 scales may be counted in a transverse row.
The scales Avhich cover the tumid (muscular) cheeks,
are still smaller. The system of the lateral line is
most highly developed on the head, but even there the
pores are generally distinct only in the ro^\' which runs
along the hind margin of the preoperculum, and from
this point downwards on the lower side of the branches
of the under-jaw'. The pores of the lateral line of the
body are scarcely distinguishable, but the line runs in
a groove straiglit along the middle of the sides.

The vent lies a little behind the end of the first
third of the bod v. In accordance with the changes of
growth mentioned above it is relatively situated farther
forward in old specimens than in young. In a- speci-
men 154 mm. Ions; the distance from the vent to the
tip of the snout is 37'7 % of the length of the bod)',
in another, 230 mm. in length, 35'7 %.

The pectoral fins seem pointed, when folded;
but, when expanded, they prove oval, with evenly
rounded margin. Their relative length diminishes with
age: while the length of the body increases from 150
to 270 mm., the length of these fins deci-eases from 10
to 7'/\, % of that length; but while the length of the
body increases from 150 to 230 mm., the length of
these fins relatively to the length of the belly between
the insertion of the ventral fins and the beginning of
the anal fin, suffers 1:)ut very little change, measuring
about 40 % thereof. All the rays are articulated, and
all, except the first (uppermost) may be branched;
sometimes, however, the last (lowest) ray is also simple.
The ventral fins are pointed, and, in young specimens

" Cf. Stuwitz, KBOVErt and Lii.ljeboug. The lulmlar structure of tliis papilla is generally more easily distinguished iu Tjumpenus
Fabricii. In the Sharp-tailed Lumpenus it is, in njost cases, difficult to find any opening at the top of the papilla.

'' The system of the lateral line on the liead is most distinct in young specimens, especially in Lmnpenns Fabricii, where a row of
pores lies in a furrow on each side of the temporal region, from the articulation of the preoperculum to the eye. The preopercular row of
pores runs from the end of this furrow, in a downward direction, and, from its beginning, the row belonging to the suborbital ring, is con-
tinued forward on the snout, along the lower margin of the preorbital bone. In this species, the lateral line of the body, anteriorly at least,
is furnished with distinct pores.

LUMPENUS.

227

arc inserted below and between tlie l)ascs of the pec-
toral lins, in older specimens farther forward. The spi-
nous ray measures about '',( of tlic lenf^th of the fin;
and of the three soft rays tlie innermost is the longest,
its length diminishing with age from 5 to 3 % of that
of the bod)-. The distance between the ventral fins and
the beginning of the anal fin varies between 25 and
24 % of the length of the body. The first rajs of the
long dorsal fin are small, but thick, and gradually in-
crease in length to the lltli or 1 2th ray, from which
jjoiiit the fin is of uniform lieight, measuring about "/s
of the greatest depth of tlie body, back to about the
40th ray, and then very gradually diminishes in height.
It begins almost in a line with the tip of the opercular
flap, and is united by its membrane to the base of the
caudal tin. The spinous ray of the anal tin is about
half as long as the soft ra}^ immediately behind it.
At the beginning, to about the 5th ray, this fin also
increases in height, and then becomes straight and of
the same height as the dorsal fin, ending in a line with
the termination of the latter, and united in the same
way to the base of the caudal fin. The caudal fin
grows more and more pointed with age. Its length is
generally about 10 or 11 % of that of the body, but,
according to Stuwitz, may rise as high as 14 %, and
thus be nearly half as long again as the head".

Tlie colouring of the body in the living fish, ac-
cording to Fries, is superiorly pale brownish, shading
into blue, with irregular, grayish brown spots, dotted
with a, darker colour, and uniting into indistinct, oblique,
ti-ansverse bands. The lower part of the body is lighter
and without spots, shading in front into blue and behind
into greenish yellow. A row of about nine oblong,
brownish spots follows the lateral line, which is tinged
Avith yellow. The head of the same colour as the body,
but without spots. Gill-cover bright green and yellows
Iris brass-coloured with a silvery lustre, but this patch
of colour is very narroAV superiorly, as a wide strip of
the eye is here brownish black. Dorsal fin pale, with
transparent membrane, in certain lights with a hand-
some bluish lustre, and striped with about 12 wavy, pale
brown bands, sloping in a posterior direction. Pectoral
fins with j^elloAvish rays, and with this exception pale
and without spots, like tlie \entral and anal tins.
Caudal tin with 6 indistinct bands — in young spe-

cimens only 8 or 4 — of pale In-own spots on the
yellowish i-ays.

Pyloric appendages only two, but fairly large.
Ovaries united, but in front distinct from each other.
In the females we find a small anal papilla, which seems
to be prominent, however, onl)' during the spawning-
season.

Tlie Shaip-tailed Lumpenus has been found on the
coast of Bohuslan on onlj- few occasions, first b}- B.
Fries, who in January, 1837, in the outer part of Gull-
maren, took a female 190 mm. long in a seine. Since
that time Mai.m has recorded two captures of this spe-
cies in the south of Bohuslan; and in May, 1880, Mr.
C. A. Hansson found a specimen 154 mm. long in the
gullet of a Gadiis morrhua from the neighbourhood of
Stromstad. Almost at the same time as Fries, Stuwitz
and EsMARK discovered the species in Christiania Fjord.
It is of more common occurrence on the west coast of
Norway, ^vhere it had already been remarked by Strom;
and it seems to be most numerous in the extreme north,
in Finmark, in which district it was obtained by Lill-
JEBORG in 1848. As early as 1786 it was described
and figured by Mohr as an Icelandic species. It occurs
in Spitzbergen too, up to 80° N., according to Collett;
and it is stated to occur in Greenland by Reinhardt
and Kr0YER. Thus it is really an arctic species, but
also lives in the Baltic, w^here it was first observed by
Mr. G. VON Yhlen, who in 1861 sent to the Royal
Museum two females, respectively 230 and 274 mm.
long, which had been taken in Bravik. Brenner has
subsequently recorded its capture in the summer of
1871, off Hogland in the Gulf of Finland; and Mubius
and Heincke have received a specimen 25 cm. long,
taken ^vith a Herring-net in Kiel Harbour on the 22nd
of November, 1877. Finally Day has added this spe-
cies to the fauna of Scotland by his description of a
specimen which was taken on the 31st of May, 1884,
in a trawl, at a depth of 40 fathoms, 15 miles off St.
Abb's Head.

With reo-ard to its habits nothing is known, save
that it is generally taken in the seine, and therefore in
comparativelj' shallow water and near the coast. The
specimen taken by Fries had evidently just deposited
its spawn; and the spawning-season thus seems to oc-
cur during the winter*. (Fries, Smitt.)

" Day gives a figure and description of a singularly-shaped caudal fin in a male of tliis species, the five middle rays (though perfect)
being considerably shorter than the outer ones on each side.

* "Vid jtiltideii" (at Christmas), says NiLSSON, not "iin Jtdi" (Mob., Hcke).

228

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BLUNT-TAILED LUMPENUS (sw. teobbstjertade langebarnet).
LUMPENUS MACULATUS.

Teiih (III the palatime hones and vomer, as ivell as in the jaws; and among the jaiv-teetli, In both jaws, in front,

a pair of distinct canine teeth. Length of the maxillary hones more than ^L of that of the head. Numher of

rails in the dorsal fin less than 62, in the anal less than 39. Upper pjart of the pectoral fins arcuate, lower part

elongated, with the rays free at the tip. Caudal fin truncate or slightly rounded.

R. br. 6; D. 58 — 61; A.

34—37

; P. 15; V.

','3; C. .r+11 +J-.

Syn.

Lumpenus aciileatus, Eeinh., Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Naturv. Math.
Afd., Deel 6, Overs., p. CX (sine descr.); Id. (Clinits), ibid.,
Deel 7, pp. 114, 122, 194; Kroy. (Lumpenus), Voy. Scand.
Lap., Gaim., Poiss., tab. 14, fig. 2; Gthr {Utichceus), Cat.
Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 282 (num. rad. pinn. err.);
Kroy. (Lumpenus), Naturh. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. I, p.
268; Gill (Leptoclinus), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1864,
p. 210; EsM. (Luinpenus), Skand. Naturf. Mode Christ. 1868,
p. 523; Gill (Leptoclinus), Smith's Misc. Coll., No. 283,
p. 19.
Clinus macnlatus, Fries, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1837, p. 51; Id.,
Skand. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 108, tab. 25, fig. 2; Kr0Y. (Lum-
penus), Damn. Fiske, vol. 1, p. 333; Ekstr. (Clinus), Gbgs
Vet., Vitt. Sanih. Handl. 1850, p. 38; Malm, ibid., p. 90;
NiLSS. (Lumpenus, Ctenodon), Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 190;
Gthr (Stichwus), 1. c, p. 281; Gill (Leptoclinus), 1. c, 1861,
App.. p. 45; Coll. (T^umpenus), Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,
TilUegsh., p. 74; Cederstr., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1876,
No. 4, p. 65; Malm (Ctenodon), Gbgs, Boh. Fn.. p. 470;
Coll. (Lumpenus), 1. c, 1879, No. 1, p. 59; Id., iV. Nonlh.
Exped., Zool. Fiske, p. 67, tab. II, fig. 18; Lillj., Sv.,
Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 500; Jord., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 16, p. 777.

All the specimens of this species that Fries ob-
tained on the coast of Bohuslan were between 150 and
175 mm. in length. The body is not so elongated as
in the preceding species, and of more uniform breadth,
only slightly tapering towards the tail, moderately com-
pressed throughout its length, and with broad, rounded,
dorsal and ventral edges and a longitudinal depression,
as in the preceding species, along the middle of the
sides. The greatest depth of the body is from about
8 to 10 ?i, of the length, and the greatest Ijreadth nearly
^/^ of the greatest depth. The head, which measures
about 1() or 17 % of tlie length of the bodj'", is some-
what rounded at the top, like the latter, with the snout
curved, sometimes tumid witli a quantitj' of the same
substance as the so-called adipose membrane, and pro-

jecting distinctly in front of the jaws. The cheeks are
tumid with strong masticatory muscles. The eyes are
large (their longitudinal diameter being about 2/5 96 of
the head), turned slightly upwards and only a little
distance apart. The length of the snout is about the
same as that of the eye, tlie hind margin of \v'hich is
consequentlv placed, as in the preceding species, some-
what in front of the middle of the head. The nostrils
are small, and their arrangement the same as in the
preceding species; but in this species the two pairs of
small openings which have been regarded in this light,
one in front of, and one behind, the more distinct
dermal tube, are covered and generally hidden by the
adipose, membranous integument''. The gape is turned
somewhat obliquely upwai'ds. The upper jaw, as in
the preceding species, is only slightly movable, and
does not admit of anv protrusion, as the bones which
form the jaw, tlie narro^v and linear intermaxillary
bones and the maxillaries, are closely united by short
ligaments. The maxillaries, Avhich are longer than
in the preceding species, and are hardly any wider
behind than in front, form a slight S-curve, and ex-
tend behind the perpendicular from the centre of the
eye. A broad, labial skin is rolled over the inter-
maxillary and maxillary bones, and the margin of the
jaws is somewhat arcuate. The branches of the lower
jaw, which is long, and curved slightly upwards, but
is still shortei- than the upper jaw, are almost parallel.
It is onlv the lower jaw that is moved when the mouth
is opened. In the extreme front of both jaws we find
large, prominent, canine teeth, one on each side in the
upper jnw, and two in the lower. In the upper jaw
there is an cmptv space between them; but in the
lower jaw this space is filled by a row of much smaller
teeth, behind whicli the whole front surface of both

" In small specimens, from Ci{) to 69 mm. long, according to Collett, the length of the head is 17'4 »« of that of the body.
'' Cf. above, p. 84, note c.

LUMPENUS.

229

jaws is set with a c;ird of fine, pointed teeth, which
is eontinued in the upper jaw by a tew rows in the
margin, the outermost ot" whieh is the most distinct,
and contnins the largest teeth, hut in the lower jaw
by Old)' one row. Similar teeth occur on the head of
the vomer ami in a row on each of the |)alatine bones;
the tongue, on the other iiand, is smooth witli tlie thin
and rounded tip free. In the front part of the palate
we find a distinct, transverse, Tnerabranous, palatal fold
(velum), deeply incised at the middle.

The gill-openings, as in the preceding species,
large. Branchial arches four, the last of which is united
to the wall of the branchial cavity. Branchiostegal
membrane deeply incised at tiie bottom and united to
the isthmus, with G rays. Above the preoperculum,
wlucli is closely united to the operculum, lies a strong
masticatory muscle, wliich rendcn-s the temples thicker.
The end of the opercular margin is truncate, pointing
in an u|)ward direction above the upper fold of the
pectoral tins, and is continued by a thin, pointed, der-
mal flap. The base of the triangle formed by the
operculum, suboperculum and this flap is considerably
less than half the distance from the end of the flap
to the hind margin of the eye.

The skin, with its copious secretion of nu;cus, is
covered as in the preceding species, with very small,
thin, rounded scales, some of whicli overlap each other.
These scales are scarcely visible, until the mucus has
been removed from the skin. Tlie lateral line is in-
distinct, runs straight along the depression in the sides
of the body, about half-way between the dorsal and
ventral edges. The vent lies half-way between the
snout and the base of the caudal tin. The distance
between the anal fin and the tip of the snout is about
45 % of the length of the body.

The dorsal tin begins in front of the pectoral fins
— the distance betAveen it and the tip of the snout is
about 15 % of the length of the body — vertically
above the insertion of the ventral fins, and runs along
the back almost to the base of the caudal fin. It con-
sists of hard, pungent rays, the points of which pro-
ject above the margin of the fin-membrane, wdiich thus
acquires a seri'ated appearance. The first two or three
rays are very short and look like independent spines,
but in the male aie generally united by a membrane,
though free in the female. The next ten rays gradu-
ally increase in height, from which point the height
of the fin remains about the same for half its length,

and then diminishes almost imperceptibly towards the
end. The upper margin of the fin is thus arched, and
its greatest deptli is about equal to the diameter of
the eye. The anal fin is of almost the same shape as
the dorsal, and extends quite as near, or even nearer,
the base of the caudal fin. It is only slightly lower,
and its lower margin is not so convex as the upper
margin of the dorsal fin. The hi-st two rays are usu-
ally sinqjle, the first of all being an unarticulated spi-
nous ray; the others, from 33 to 36 in number, arti-
culated and branched at the tip. The pectoi-al fins are
especially singular in shape. When they are expanded,
the hind margin is rounded at the top, while at the
lower coi'ner five or six long rays project beyond the
margin of the fin-raembrane. They contain 15 rays
each, the uppermost being quite short and simple; the
next eight or nine, which are about equal in length
and bi'anched at the tip, are united by the tliin mem-
brane right out to the point; but the next ray quite
suddenl}' ])rojects a long distance, about Vs of the length
of the upper rays, beyond the fin-membrane, and is the
longest ray in the whole fin. The last four or five rays
gradually decrease in length, being of the same structure
as the last-mentioned ray, and all bifid at the tip.
When folded, the fin is of an oblique, lanceolate shape,
measures about 14 % of the length of the I)ody, and
lies obliquely in an upward direction. The ventral fins,
which are situated a little in front of the pectoral,
close to each other, are of the same structure as in
the preceding species, narrow, of almost uniform breadth,
and in length equal to the loAver jaw or about B'/g %
of the length of the body. The caudal fin is almost
equal in length to the depth of the body, is wide and
truncate or somewhat rounded at the end, and consists
of 1 1 branched rays and one simple ray on each side,
not to mention a few smaller and shorter (supporting)
rays just at the base.

The body is of a dirty yellowish colour, darker
above and lighter below, marked along the sides above
the lateral line with several dark, irregular, j-ellowish
brown spots, which are edged Avith dark brown, and
thus form, as it were, several dark rings, partly broken,
and parti}' coalescent. As a rule, too, we find on the
extreme dorsal edge five or six large, dark spots with
the appearance of transverse bands. There is a row
of smaller and lighter, round spots along the lateral
line, and below it appear indistinct traces of similar
spots. The ground-colour of the head is the same as

230

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

that of the body, hut the sides are more yellowish,
and on tiie top we find very indistinct traces of spots.
The eye is of the same colour as in the preceding
species, the iris only being more whitish. The dorsal
fin is also pale, with a dash of yellow, and marked on
the rays with from 9 to 11 wavy I'ows of small, round,
brown spots, which run obliquely doAvn from the top
of the fin in a posterior direction. The anal and
ventral fins j)ale and -without s])ots. The caudal and
pectoral fins, on the other hand, have small spots on
the rays, forming a few more or less distinct, trans-
verse bands.

The liver is of a pale colour, and is divided at
the point into two lobes, both of the same size, or the
left somewhat longer than the right, and extending to
the bottom of the stomach. It is concave at the top,
and is wrapped round the oesophagus, the stomach and
the pylorus. Tlie gall-bladder is very small, scarcely
larger than a canary seed, and lies between the upper
pai't of the lobes of the; liver. The a3Sophagus is \'ery
short, and the stomach small, with the pylorus set
laterally in an upward direction and furnished with
three, sliort, conical ap])endages. The intestine is fairly
long, and forms its first curve just in front of the
pylorus; behind the bottom of the stomach it forms a
slight bend, and tJien descends in an almost imper-
ceptible curve towards the vent. The air-bladder is
wanting. The urinary bladder long, narrow and trans-
parent. The male has tAvo oblong, terete testes, joined
to each other, and the female one single ovary, fairly
lai'ge and cylindrical, and towards the spawning-season
full of white ova of the size of poppy seed.

This little fish, worthless to the fisherman, but
all the more valuable to the ichthyologist, has been
found, in Sweden, only on the north coast of Bohus-
lan, where it was discovered by Fries in 1 835 at the
entrance of Gullmar Fjord, and was subsecjuently met
with annually for some years after, in October, No-
vember and December. More recently Malm, Ceder-
STROM and Hansson have also found it during these
months; and the last-named gentleman has sent to the
Royal Museum a specimen which was caught at the

end of April, 1887. It has also been ascertained that
this species lives along the whole coast of Norway, in
Spitzbergen, where the Norwegian x\rctic Expedition
found it in Magdalena Baj', and in Greenland, where,
according to the collections in Copenhagen Museum, it
is the most common species of this genus.

It seems to be an inhabitant of deep water during
the greater part of the year, and to enter the shallows
onl)' in the spawning-season, which occurs during the
months mentioned above. As it is never caus'ht in
any quantity, but only one or two at each haul of the
seine, it is more than probable that, even during the
spawning-season, it does not congregate in shoals, but
lives in pairs. Immediately after its capture it is very
active, and, if put into a. vessel of water, makes stre-
nuous eft'oi-ts to escape, often leaping over the edge of
the vessel. Like its near relations, it is very tenacious
of life, and may be kept alive for several days in a
small vessel, filled with water, if the water be changed
dail)'. It then keeps close to the l)ottom, with the
body extended and the pectoral fins expanded, and
apparently supports itself on the free, lower rays of
these fins, which, in some way, look like fingers, and
serve as feet in the slow, creeping movements of
the fish.

The great strengtii of the jaws indicates that, relat-
ively to its size, the Blunt-tailed Lumpemis is distinctly
a fish of prey, though the stomach is empty in most
specimens, during the period when it is found on the
coast of Bohusliln. In specimens from Greenland Kr0Yeu
found the stomach full of Annelids; and Collett states
that his specimen from Spitzbergen contained several
perfect specimens of Themisto UbeUula (a Hyperidian
crustacean), and a specimen of one of the scaly Annel-
ids {Lepidonote).

The fisherman call this fish Ldngeharn (Ling-child)
on account of its small size and resemblance in shape
to the Ling. They know quite well, however, that it
is distinct from the fry of the Ling. All the speci-
mens obtained by Fries were taken in a large Herring-
seine at the entrance of Gullmar Fjord.

(Fries, Smitt.)

I

SEA-CATfS.

231

Fam. a N a R R H 1 C II a D 1 d ^.

External bones of the head smooth. No osseous connexion between the suborbital rin// and the preoperculum.
Jaw-teeth a)id palatine teeth of extraordinary strength, parthj obtuse molars {on the vomer and the palatine bones,
and in the lower jaw), partly eonical or curved canines {on the intermaxiUary bones, and in the front part —
sometimes in the back part as well — of the loiver jaw). One continuous dorsal fin along the whole of the liach
behind the occiput, containinf/ only simple rays. Anal fin also tony. Ventral fins wanting. I'scadobranchicB

present. No air-bladder or jtyUiric appendages.

The singular dentition oi' the mouth in these fishes
led Gilt/ to form a distinct f;imily for them, though
they are so like the Blennies in other respects that
their union ^vith the preceding family would be by no
means unnatural. Of the whole apparatus of the ventral
fins the Sea-cats retain only a pelvic bone on each side
of the body, attached to the inside of the anterior (in-
ferior) end of the clavicular bone; but a similar re-
duction of these fins is not uncommon in the preceding
family, where the pyloric appendages and air-bladder
may also be wanting. But the Sea-cats possess another
individual peculiarity in the structure of the dorsal fin,
in which the simple, undivided rays in the back part
(about 1(J or 12 in number) are hardened into true
spinous rays, while all the anterior rays are soft-tipped.
Another peculiarity of the Sea-cats is the shortness of
the intermaxillary bones, Avhich consist almost entirely
of the anterior part alone, tlie posterior (horizontal)
branch being both shorter and more slender than the
vertical (tlie nasal process), the point of which is united

by a firm, cartilaginous connexion (synchondrosis) to
the anterior end of the ethmoid bone, whereas, in other
cases, this branch lies free in a groove on the top of
the ethmoid bone. Lastly, we find another deviation in
the Sea-cats from the general rule among the Anomalo-
pterous fishes, in the circumstance that the number
of l^ranched raj's in the caudal fin uKiy rise to at least
15, only from 11 to 13, however, being so long that
they can be regarded as caudal rays proper, while the
other (outer) ones are rather to be considered as branched
supporting rays. The system of the latertil line is
especially well-developed, though its pores are small
and often indistinct. There are two lateral lines proper
on each side of the body, one at the middle of the
side and the other along the base of the dorsal fin, at
a greater or less distance from it; but in tlie posterior
part of the body they can scarcely be detected.

The family contains 6, perhaps 7, species, belong-
ing to northern and high northern latitudes, and dis-
tributed between two genera.

GicNus ANARRHICHAS.

Caudal fin distinctly separated both from the dorsal fin and the anal.

A groundless tale that the Sea-cat was called klipp-
fisk (Rock-fish) by the fishermen of the Baltic, because
it crept up on the rocks, induced Gesner to give it
the name oi' Anarrhichas (climber), and Artedi' retained
this name for the genus, whicli is spread over the
northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific. For the

elucidation of this genus according to the requirements
of modern science we have first to thank Professor
Jap. Steenstrup. Within the limits of the Scandina-
vian fauna three species occur, which may be distin-
guished as follows:

"' Canarl. Natur., Geol., Aug. 1855, p. 247.
'• Irhth., Gen., p. 23.

23i

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Suoiit blunt (its upper profile steep).

LeuiTtli of the eiiudal fin more than

V,o of thiit of tiic trunk (excluding

the head and the caudal fin):

a: Bodv dark gray, with black trans-
verse bands Anarrldchas lupus.

h: Bodv yellowish or grayish blue,

with blackish brown spots Anarrldchas yninor.

7i; Snout pointed (its upper profile slop-
ing). Length of the caudal fin less
than '/,(, of that of the trunk (ex-
cluding the head and the caudal fin).
Body chocolate-coloured, with in-
distinct, dark spots Anarrhichas latifrons.

THE COMMON SEA-CAT OR WOLF-FISH (sw. vanliga hafkatten).

ANARRHICHAS LUPUS.

Plate XII, fig. 2.

Lotgth of the head more than V.i of that of the liodi/. Length of the pectoral fns more than 13 % of that of
the body. Tlte row of vomerine teeth longer tliaii the row on each palatine bone. Eiid of the dorsal fin evenly .
rounded or {in young specimens) sloping gradually towards the base of the caudal fin {the more or less hard,
spinous rays which form this curve, from 10 to 13 in number, diminishing in length uniformly, or, in young
specimens, with a slightly marked break). Frontal bones behind the eyes gathered at the top i)ito a ridge. Colour-
ing blackish graij, ivith more or less distinct black, transverse bands.

E. br. 7; /). 70—75"; A. 45 — 48'; P. 18— 20^ V. 0;
V. .r-t-12 1. l.S-f-.r; Vert. 74—76.

kSyn. Auarvliichas, Gesn., Nomencl. Aquat. (Tiguri 1560) p. 116;
Lupus marinus nostras, Schonev., Ichth., p. 45, tab. V.
Anarliichas Lupus, LiN., Syst. Nat., ed. X, toin. I, p. 247;
Olafs., Reise IsL, I, p. 590; Mui.l., Zool. Dan. Prodr., p.
40; Faee., Fn. Groenl., p. 138; Mohr, IsL N-aturh., p. 63;
AscAN., Ic. rer. nat., cah. Ill, p. 4, tab. XXV; Block, Fische
DetitschL, part. Ill, p. 10, tab. LXXIV; Retz, Fn. Suec.
Lin., p. 315; Hollbicrg, Bolt. Fisk., Ill Haft., p. 18, cum
tig.; Nii.ss. {Anarrhichas), Prodr. Ichth. Scaitd., p. 108;
Cuv., Val., Hist. Nut. Poiss., vol. XI, p. 473, tab. 342;
Fii. et Wright, ^kaiid. FisL, ed. I, p. 39, tab. 8, fig. 2;
Kr., Damn. Fiske, vol. I, p. 369; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk.,
p. 208; Gtur, Vat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 208;
Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (disp.) p. 22; Coll., Forb. Vid. Selsk.
Clirnia, 1874, Tilla\gsb., p. 70; Steenstr., Vid. Meddel.
Natin-b. For. Kblivn 1876, p. 200, tab. HI, fig. 1; Malm,
Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 468; Winth., Natiirb. Tidskr. Kbbvn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 22; Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol.
II (1879) p. 218; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., IrcL, vol. I, p.
195, tab. LVIII; M6b., Hoke, Fische d. Osts., p. 59; Jord.,
Gild., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 781; Lillj., Sv.,
Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 530; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske,
p. 46, tab. VII, ffg. 7.

The Sea-cat attains a considerable size. Its length
is usually between 4 and 7 dui., but specimens 12 dm.
long are occasionally found. The body is elongated
and more or less cylindrical; the sides strongly com-
pressed, especially in the caudal region, and the belly

pendent. The greatest deptli of tlie body shows even
relative increase with age: in specimens from 100 to
400 mm. long it measures nearly 18 % of the length,
and in specimens 11 dm. long about 22 %. The head
is comparatively small: during early growth, from a
length of 100 to about (jOO mm., its length sinks from
23 to about 20V2 % of that of the body; but sub-
sequently seems, even relatively, to increase, being
about 22 % of the length of the body in specimens
11 dm. long. The top of the head is rounded, the
sides compressed, and the temples and cheeks tumid,
thus showing the strength of the masticatory muscles.
The snout is short and blunt, and the jaws project
about equally. This circumstance, in conjunction with
the long, conical front-teeth, gives the head a certain
resemblance to that of a cat, and hence is derived the
name of the species. The eyes are of moderate size
and set high, close to the upper margin of the fore-
head, and nearer to the snout than to the occiput. In
specimens about 100 mm. long the diameter of the eye
is about '/g of the length of the head, and twice the
least depth of the tail; in specimens about 400 mm.
long about equal to the latter; and in specimens 11
dm. long the diameter of the eye is only slightly more
than half the least depth of the tail. Thus, the changes

" SoiMCluiies 09 or even as luaiiy as 77, according to NiLSSON.
' Generally from 43 to 46, according to Lilljebobg.
' Sometimes 21, according to Bean.

COMMON SEA-CAT.

233

of growth undergone by these p;irts of tlie body, run
in opposite directions. IJound the eye there is a ring
of tine, white pores or dermal openings of the system
of tlie lateral line. Similar pores also occur, in the
usual manner, along the lower jaw and on the sides
of the head, which are covered Avith a tliick skin, en-
tirely enveloping the bones of the gill-cover. The
nostrils are set about half-way between the snout and
the eye, one on each side, and are raised into cy-
lindrical dermal tubes. The mouth is middle-sized and
furnished with fleshy lips, which form thick folds,
especially at the corners. In consequence of the iirm,
cartilaginous connexion between the strong, but shoi't,
intermaxillary bones and the front part of the skull
(the point of the ethmoid bone), the upper jaw admits
of only slight motion, and the opening and closing of
the mouth are performed almost entirely by the lower
jaw. On each side of the intermaxillary bones we find
two or three strong, conical teeth, widened and grooved
at the base, like the tusks of the predatory mammals,
but blunt at the top, set one in front of another, and
each fastened to a hard osseous socket. Within these
teeth is a row of 5 or 6 (in old specimens generally
fewer) smaller, somewhat compressed, shorter teeth.
On the palate are three double rows of thick, globular
teeth, with raised, osseous bases. In the middle row,
whicli contains the largest teeth, and is set on the
vomer, there are generally four ])airs of teeth with an
even, worn surface, the penultimate pair being con-
siderably larger than the others. In each of the lateral
palatine rows there are two roM's, each containing four
oi- five blunt teeth, those of the one row alternating
with the other; and these roAvs are attached to the
two ])alatine bones. In the front of the lower jaw there
are from 4 to 6 tusk-like teeth in a. row, and within
this roAv begin tlie two longitudinal rows of shorter,
globular jaAv-teeth, molars with flat, worn crown and sur-
face sloping inwards. Of these molars the middle ones
are the largest. In the roof of the throat there are
three upper pharyngeals on each side, united together
into a roundish bone, and furnished with scattered,
cardiforra, conical and curved teeth; and beneath these
two longer lower j^haryngeal bones with similar teeth,
forming an angle in front. The tongue is fleshy, but
short, somewhat pointed and toothless. The four branch-
ial arches are furnished in front with spines covered
with skin. The gill-openings are of moderate size and
almost vertical. The branchiostegal membranes are

Scatulinavia?i Fishes.

furnished Avitli 7 rays and inferioi'ly united to the isth-
mus, just below the insertion of the pectoral fins.

The body is covered with a thick and tough skin,
which at first sight seems to be scaleless and protected
only by an abundant, mucous secretion; but on closer
examination we find small, round, thin scales, deeply
imbedded in the skin and scattered, not contiguous.
The latei-al line is hardly visible, being most distinct
in the anterior part of the body, where the dermal
pores wliicli belong to it, are genei'ally clearly marked
I)y their white colour. The line runs almost straight
along tlie middle of the body. The vent is large, some-
what pendent and situated a little in front of the
middle of the body.

The dorsal fin begins somewhat in front of the
perpendicular from the insertion of the pectoral fins,
the distance between it and the tip ,of the snout being
alwa)\s somewhat less than the length of the head, and
runs with fairly uniform height along the back very
close to the caudal fin, where it ends in an obliquely
truncate and rounded corner. All the rays are simple
and unarticulated, but only the last 10 — 13 are really
hard, all the others being soft and flexible at the tip.
The Avhole fin is united b}' a thick and slimy mem-
brane. The anal fin is of the same shape as the dorsal
fin, but scarcely half as high, and ends in a pointed
corner vertically below the end of the latter. The first
ray is unarticulated, but soft; all the other I'ays are
articulated, the anterior ones being simple, the posterior
branched at the tip. The pectoral fins are large and
rounded; when expanded, they are almost circular.
Their branched, thick, weak and fleshj' rays give them
a striate appearance, which reminds us of the shell of
the scallop (Pecten). Their length in proportion to that
of the body diminishes Avith age, varj-ing from about
16 to slightly more than 13 % thereof. The ventral
fins are Avanting. The caudal fin is small, with rounded
tip and 20 or 21 rays, only 13, hoAvever, being branched,
and only the 11 middle ones extending to the true
hind margin of the fin.

We have not remarked any considerable difterence
betAveen the sexes.

The colour is a uniform dark gray. The sides
are marked Avith more or less distinct, black transA'erse
belts, Avliicli varA' in number and shape, and are gener-
ally composed of a number of confluent, small spots.
The belts are continued, though more indistinctly, on
tlie dorsal fin. The colour of the eye is very dark,

30

234

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Avith a lighter ring round the pupil. The dorsal and
anal fins are marked with oblique, black streaks.

All the new-caught specimens we have seen, have
been of this colour. If the iish is exposed to the air
for some time, or left to lie among other tishes in the
lioat, the colour becomes bleached; and it thus happens
that the one side, that on which the fish has lain, or
which has been covered with other fishes, may partly
or wholly lose colour, while the colour of the other
side is more or less perfectly retained. This is a change
to which most fishes are liable; and caution should,
therefore, always be employed in the determination of
new colour-varieties. That there may be such varieties
of tlie Sea-cat", we do not intend to dispute; but several
of those which have been considered in this light, were
evidently due to this cause. During youth the colour-
ing of the I)odv is liiihter, and more like that of the

the left being twice as long as the right and also nar-
ro^ver and more pointed. The Uvo ovaries are posteriorly
united and are furnished with a' wide opening duct.

The Sea-cat is one of those fishes of which the
old writers have collected a number of fictitious ac-
counts, which have been transferred from one book to
another. Doth its generic name, AnarrJiicJias, and its
specific name, Lupus, have originated from the false
ideas entertained of the liabits of tins fisli. Gesner,
as we have remarked above, in the middle of the seven-
teenth century gave it the former name, which means
climber, in accordance with an old tradition that the
fish climbed up rocks and cliffs. Linn.eus retained
Lupus as the specific name from the old name Lupus
marluus. under which the Wolf-fish liad l)een generally
known and dreaded. Even in Hollbekg (]. c.) we find
the following paragraph, quoted from Lacepede: "Cruel

Fig. IJ2. Yimiig Anarrliichas lupus from Didmslaii. Natural size.

following species. The spots which form the transverse
bands are tlien more prominent, many of them being
as large as the pupil. The greater distinctness of the
spots, and tlie break at the end of the upper margin
of the caudal fin which \ve have already mentioned,
in young specimens of this species, indicate the deve-
lopmental relations in which it stands to the following
species.

The Sea-cat has a fairly wide, muscular oesophagus,
whicli opens into a somewhat saccate stomach, near the
bottom of which lies tlie pylorus. There are no pyloric
appendages whatever. The intestine is long, wide and
of a tliin and fragile texture. It forms three bends,
and ends in a short, widened rectum, like a reversed
cone. The air-bladder is wanting. The liver consists
eitlier of two lobes, of fairly equal size and closely
united, or of three, the middle one lying transversely
across the anterior cMid of the abdominal cavity, and

as the Shark, it works terrible havoc amonij its own
genus, and displays the same voracity in the piscine
Avorld as the wild-beast from ^vhich it derives its name,
among the defenceless herds." We give this quotation
only as a specimen of the old prejudice against this
fish for its rapacity, and of the length of time for
which, when once rooted, sucli a |)rejudice may endure.
The Sea-cat is anything but a fish-of-prey, in the
meaning generally attached to the term. To convince
oneself of this, one need only examine its remarkable
dentition, large masticatory muscles and short jaws,
which do not axlmit of the wide opening of the gape
which characterizes the true fishes-of-prey or those col-
loquially called voracious {svalgfiskar). The sti-ucture
of the mouth, on the contrary, belongs to a creature
that lives on very hard substances, which must be
crushed before they can be swallowed. It is difficult
to conceive a crushing-machine more suited to its pur-

" Cf. Hdu.berg, 1. c, p. 25.

COMMON SKA-CAT.

9M

^o

pose than the luasticatoiy organs of" the Sea-cat, i)ro-
vidcd that iu addition to the crushing of tlic hard sub-
stances it is not required that they should be ground fine.
Of tlie |)o\ver of tlie jaws one nm}' con^•ince oneself
by oiieiiing tlie stomach, which may l)e chock-full of
crushed, tliick-shelled mussels. Tlie food of the Sea-
cat consists chiefly of mussels and other shell-fish. It
eats them in great tjuantities, and ihc thin-walled in-
testine is often full of thin shells, it does not despise
the larger crustaceans — it seems to be especially fond
of large hermit-crabs — sea-urchins and star-fish, with
which the seas where it lives, abound; but apparently
leaves its companion fishes in peace, being perhaps of
too sluggish temperament to trouble them. It seems
hardly probable that the Sea-cat attacks other creatures
than those of wdiich its food is composed; but in Olsen's
PiscfiforiaJ Atlas (1883) divers are warned against meddl-
ing with this fish in the water, as in that case they
cannot avoid being assailed by it; and in Brown-Goode
{Fisheries and Fishery Industries of Unit. States, sect.
I, p. 249) we read that the Sea-cat is known to have
attacked persons wading at low-tide in the shore-pools
among the rocks at Eastport, iMaine.

The Sea-cat, which in Norway bears the name of
Steenbider (Stone-biter), occurs along the whole west
coast of Scandinavia, from the Sound to the extreme
north of Norway. It also lives on the Murmanian coast
and in the White Sea, and is common in Iceland and
Greenland. On the American side of the Atlantic it
has been found as far south as Cape Hatteras. (_)n the
European side it is common in the North Sea, but
becomes rare on the west coast of France. It seldom
enters the Baltic, but has been found in the neighbour-
hood of Sti-alsund, in Kiel Bay and off Traveraiinde
(MijB., Hoke). On the west coast of Sweden it cannot
be regarded as rare; but as it leads a solitary life, it
is nowhere taken in large numbers, only few specimens
being occasionally caught. That it is a stationary fish
in Sweden, appears from the fact that it is taken all
the vear round, thouirh oftenest, according to ^Ialm,

from Marcli to ^lay, according to Fries, from May
to June.

The long, soft body, tapering tail and small caudal
fin of tlie Sea-cat probably render it a poor long-
distance swimmer. Its movements too, are sinuous,
like those of the Eel, and in genei-al slow. It keeps
close to the bottom, generally at a depth of from 10
to 25 fathcjuis, hidden among stones or seaweed. It is
fond of lying still, with the body doubled up. The
spawning-season is stated to occur in spring, the time
of year when it is oftenest taken.

There is no special fishery for this fish. Tlie Sea-
cats which are occasionally taken, are generally caught
on tlie hooks used in Cod-fishing, sometimes in nets
and also iu the Herring-seine. In spite of the fact
that their smell is highly repulsive to most people and
their appearance by no means prepossessing, they are a
favourite article of food among the fishermen of Bohus-
l:ln, who alwaj'S regard a Sea-cat as a good catch, and
its liver, in particular, as a delicacj'. "Stewed and pre-
pared like the Burbot, the Sea-w^olf (hafsvarff)," as
Hollberg called it, "is very good, and in flavour can
scarcel}' be distinguished from the former ... On Oroust
and Tjorn the peasants make a kind of porridge of the
hafskiise" (Sea-king, as it is called on these islands).
In the towns there is less demand for it, and it is
therefore more seldom offered for sale. However, not
only the flesh, but also the strong skin is of compara-
tively high value.

When caught, the Sea-cat must be handled care-
full)', at the risk of a bite from its powerful jaws; and
it keeps firm hold of whatever object it has once got
between its teeth. On this account the fisherman gener-
ally gives it its death-blow^ before he ventures to free
it from the hook. In some places it is the custom to
cho}) off the snout at the eyes, before exjwsing the fish
for sale, as the hunter cuts off the head of the hare
he has shot, before taking it home. In the London
fish-markets the Sea-cat, skinned and with the head
cut off, is often oft'ered for sale. (Fries, Smitt.)

■2'dQ

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE SPOTTED SEA-CAT (sw. tigeeflackade hafkatten).

ANARRHICHAS .AlIXOR.

Plate XIII, fig. 1.

Lenjjth of the pectoral fins more than 13 % of that of the body. Row of vomerine teeth longer than any of the
palatine rows. The dorsal fin ends in a suddenly depressed, lower part, which extends to the base of the caudal
fin {the last S — 0 spinous rays are uniform in length, hut short, and the next 14 — 1.2 rays in front of them,
anteriorly diminishing in stiffness, hut increasing in length, form a curve in the fin margin like that in the pre-
ceding species). Top of the frontal hones behind the eyes about equal in breadth to the interorbital space. Color-
ation brownish or yellowish, with large, blackish brown spots.

if. l»: 7; D. 74—78; .-1. 45—47; P. 21—22''; V. 0;
U. a;4-I2 — 14 + .1-; Vert. 78 1. 79.

Syn. Hlyre og Steinhits-Broder, Anarrhichas (minor) vnaculis nigris

rotundis totus conspersus, Olafsex, Reise Isl., vol. I, p.

592, tab. XLII; An. minor, MUll., Zool. Dan. Prodr., p.

40; Fabr., Fn. Groenl., p. 139; Mohr., Isl. Naturh., p.

G4; Steenstr., Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn, 1876, p.

200, tab. Ill, fig. 2; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ., 1879,

No. 1, p. 46; Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. II (1879),

p. 217; Sp. Scuneid., Troraso Mus. Aarsber. 1882, p. 21;

JuRD., GiLB., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 781; Lillj.,

Sv., Norg. Fiskar, vol. I, p. 540.
Anarrhichas pantherinus, ZouiEW, Acta Acad. Sc. Petrop. 1781,

part. 1, p. 271, tab. VI; Mgr.v, Finl. Fish, (disp.), p. 23;

Es3i., Forh. Skand. Naturf. Mode Christ. 1868, p. 524;

Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874, Tilla-gsh., p. 70.
Anarrhichas leopardns, Ac, Ge/i., Spec. Pise. Bras (Rp., Mart.)

p. 93, tab. LI (vide Steenstr., Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For.

Kbhvn 1877, p. 109).
Anarrhichas Eggerii, Steenstr., Fcirh. Skand. Naturf. Mote,

Sthlni 1842, p. 647.

As Steenstrup has pointed out, the specific name
(minor) by no means denotes that the Spotted Sea-cat
{Flek-6'teenbit, on Vardo) is smaller than the other spe-
cies of" the genus*. On the contrary, this species,
according to E.smakk, is the largest of all, attaining a
leng-th of 2 yards (18 dm.). In external shape it is
so like the preceding species that a special description
seems hardly necessary, seeing tliat ^ve can refer to the
figure and the above specific diagnosis. The colouring
of the body, the structure of the end of the dorsal fin
and the form of the skull are the main differences; but
even Olafsen and Mohr also knew that the Spotted
Sea-cat has smaller jaw-teeth and palatine teeth, which
are more pointed, or, at all events, not so depressed
at the top. In this respect the Spotted Sea-cat is an

intermediate form between the preceding and the fol-
lowing species; and Steenstrup has shown that this
reduction in the strength of the dental equipment is
accompanied by a diminution of the surface of origin
for the masticatory and respiratory muscles, on the
sides of the posterior frontal region, the length of which
is here less than the diameter of the orbit (in the pre-
ceding species about equal to it).

No external difference of sex is known in this
species, any more than in the preceding one: but that
there is such a difference, seems more than probable,
considering the great individual variations ^vhich meet
us, both in the ground-colour of the bodv and in the
position and extent of the anal fin. Of the two spe-
cimens presented to the Roj^al Museum by Baron NoR-
DESSKiOLD, from Dickson's second expedition to Green-
land, the one, which is 68 cm. long, is of a ground-
colour best described as chocolate, all over the body,
here and there with a dash of yellow; while the di-
stance from the anal fin to the tip of the snout is
nearly 4') % of the length of the body. In the other
specimen, which is 82 cm. long, the ground-colour of
the liind part of the body is grayish-j'elloAv, Avhile the
front part is more chocolate- coloured; and the distance
from the anal fin to the tip of the snout is 49 % of
the length of the body. The dark spots are blacki.sh
brown in both specimens, the condition of which, how-
ever, is such that it is now impossible to determine
their sex. This was also unfortunately the case with
a specimen extraordinarily Avell-preserved in external
respects, which the Royal Museum received through Mr.
Sparre-Schneider, from Vads6, and which was the

" .According to Lill.ikboro 24.

'' ''The term Minor here means Brother or i/oiinger Brother, as in the famous classical names Cato minor" etc.

ARCTIC SEA-CATS.

237

original of our figure. Its length was 914 nun. In
this specimen too, tlic distance between the anal tin
and the tip of the snout is less than half the length
of the body; and thus Aiiarrhichas minor, like the
preceding species, is probably distinguished in this
respect from the following species; but the variations
in the specimens from Greenland mentioned above throw
a doubt on the constancy of this character. In Todd's
figure of An. minor (in Bean, 1. c.) the beginning of
the anal fin is also vei'y near the middle of the body.
In our specimen the row of vomerine teeth is scarcely
any longer than the palatine rows. The former row,
which consists of six teeth, the two posterior pairs
being obtuse (the one tooth of the innermost pair even
flat), the front pair obtusely pointed and showing more
lateral compression than the others, is 28'5 mm. long;
while the row on the riglit palatine bone is 28 mm.
long, and consists of 10 pointed teeth. All the teeth
are red — Stenstrup explains this as due to the cir-

cumstance that sea-urchins compose the chief food of
the fish — , but the jaw-teeth and palatine teeth are
white at the point.

The Spotted Sea-cat has long been known in Ice-
land and Greenland as a still more useful fish than the
preceding species. Zouiew was the first to describe it
as l^elonging to the White Sea and the north coast of
Russia; and Esmark the first to publish an identification
of the European Anarrhichas pantherinus with the
Hhjre of Iceland. In the North this species is more
common than the preceding one — off VardO, according
to Si'ARRE-ScHNEiDER, it is taken in large quantities — ;
but southwards its geographical range seems to end
in the; neighbourhood of Bergen. On the American
coast it has been met with in the Bay of Fundy". It
seems generally to keep to deep water, descending to
at least as great a depth as 200 fathoms (Collett).
Its food is of the same nature as that of the preced-
ing species.

THE BLUE SEA-CAT (sw. blaa hafkatten).

ANARRHICHAS LATIFRONS.

Plate XIII, fig. 2.

Length of the pectoral fins less than 13 % of that of the body. Vomerine row of teeth shorter th((n tlie row on
each of the palatine bones. The dorsal fin ends in an even curve doivn to the base of the caudal fin. Top of
the frontal bones behind the eyes at least as broad as the interorbital space. Colouring dark grayish brown or a
lighter chocolate-colour, with indistinct, round or rounded quadrangular, black spots, partly arranged in sUglitly

marked, transverse bands across the back.

R. br. 7; D. 17—79; A. 45—47; P. 20—22; V. 0;
C. ,!• + 1 4 + .r ; Vert. 79—81.

■Syti. (?) Anarvhichas deniicitlatiis, Kroyeb, Voi/. Scant!., Lap.,
Gaim., tab. 12, fig. 1; Id., Overs. Vid. Selsk. Forh. Kbhvn
1844, p. 140; Gthe, Cat. Brit. Mus. Fish., vol. Ill, p. 211.
Anarrhichas latifrons, Steenstr., Forli. Skand. Naturf. Mote,
Sthlin 1842, p. 647 (sine descr.); Id., Vid. Meddel. Natuih.
For. Kbhvn, 1876, p. 201, tab. Ill, fig. 3; Coll., Forh.
Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1879, No. 1, p. 46, tab. II; Bean, Proc.
U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. II (1879), p. 218; Si'. Schneid.,
Tromso Mus. Aarsber. 1882, p. 21; Jord., Gilb., Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 782; Lill.i. , .S'y., iVor(/. Fisk., vol.1,
p. 546; Coll., N. Mag. Naturv., Christ. 1884 (Bd. 29),
p. 67.

Ohs. On reading Collett's description (Forh., I. c, 1879, p.
57) of the teeth in Anarrhichas latifrons, and comparing it with
KrOYER's figures of the teeth in Anarrliichas denticulatus, we find so
close a correspondence between them that we can hardly escape the
conclusion that they both refer to this species. Nor is Kroyer's

figure of the external appearance of the fish incompatible with this
opinion, especially if we remember Steenstrup's observation (Vid.
Meddel., I. c, p. 179) that this figure is probably draw^n from a
badly-preserved specimen, the snout of which may very likely have
been flattened. Still, in this figure the caudal fin, the pectoral fin,
and the head are longer than in Anarrhichas latifrons, according to
our present knowledge of it; and we ought, therefore, not yet to
deny the possibility of grounds for Steenstrup's assumption that a
fourth species of this genus m.iy await our further investigations, and
that for it should be reserved the name of An. denticulatus.

This species too, with our present knowledge of
its individual peculiarities, is externally very like the
two preceding ones. The snout, however, is more
pointed. The deeper form of the body, the gi'eatest
depth being more than 22 % of the length, may also
occur, according to Bean's measurements, in large spe-
cimens of Anarrhichas lupus; and in this case the cha-
racter which might otherwise be employed, that in the

" Brown-Goode, Fish. a. Fish. Industries of U. S., sect. I. p. 249.

238

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Blue Sea-cat the length of the head is less, in the two
preceding species greater than the greatest depth of
the body, loses its validity. The same remark applies
to the character which might else be derived from the
greater breadth of the interorbital space in An. minor
and An. denticulatus, Avhich, as a rule, is more than
' , of tlie length of the head, while in An. hqnis it is
less. But in the largest specimens of the latter species
measured by Bean, the breadtli of the interorbital space
is nearly 25 % of the length of the head. In the dental
equipment of the mouth, on the other hand, the Blue
Sea-cat is always distinguished by the smaller and more
pointed, or at all events conical, but more numerous
palatine teeth. The palatine rows are also distinctly
longer in every case than the vomerine row. In the
specimen from which our figure is drawn, and which
we have received from \^adso by the kind co-operation
of Mr. Sparre-Schneider — the largest specimen he
had even seen — the ro^\• on the left palatine bone
was 30 mm. long and contained 11 pointed teeth of
fairlj- uniform size, while the vomerine row was only
21 mm. long and contained 6 blunt molars, the first
pair, however, being somewhat pointed. Another in-
ternal character of this species which was first observed
by Steenstrup, is the greater breadth of the top of
the skull and the more spongeous nature of the frontal
bones, in which respect the three species form a series,
with An. minor in the middle. Steenstrup has also
pointed out the singular form of the rays of tlie dorsal
fin in the Blue Sea-cat. They are anteriorly convex
and ])osteriorly concave, thus being sectionallj^ crescent-
shaped. The front ones, at least, are also extraordi-
narily broad at the base; and Collett remarks that
it is chiefly this circumstance, in conjunction with the
thick envelope of adipose tissue, that causes the re-
markable thickness of the dorsal fin throughout its
base, which is so prominent in this si)eeies that the

boundary between the dorsal fin and the body is almost
imperceptible.

In colour the Blue Sea-cat is an intermediate form
between the two preceding species. It is without the
transverse bands which are generall}^ so distinct in the
common Sea-cat, l)ut tlie black spots Avhich appear in
the Spotted Sea-cat, are also present here, though only
indistinctly visible on the dark l)rown ground-colour.
The cavity of the mouth is for the most part gra\ish
black (Collett); but in the specimen mentioned al)ove
l)oth the anterior part of the mouth and the back ^\••d\\
of the gill-openings were pure white.

The most important distinction between this spe-
cies and the two preceding ones, however, is of eco-
nomical nature. "In the quality of the flesh," says
Sparre-Schneider, "it dift'ers considerabl)- from its
kindred species: even the Russians regard it as un-
eatable, and most of the specimens taken are therefore
thrown a^vaj' at once, though I have seen a feAv flayed
and hung up to dry." In Iceland the Bldgoma (Steenstr.,
Vid. Meddel., 1. c,, p. 164) enjoys no gi'eater esteem;
and it therefore seems highly probable that the fisher-
men of the North distinguished between three species
of Sea-cat, two edible and one inedible, long before
the zoological determination was made.

The Blue Sea-cat occurs on the coasts of Green-
land and Iceland, as well as in Noi'wegian Finmark.
In the more southern parts of Scandinavia it is un-
known. It attains a length of about 11 dm. Our
specimen was 1,105 mm. long. Its home is the same
as that of the preceding species — at all events it is
taken among them in deep water: but the difference
in its dentition undoubtedly indicates that its food is
also in some way different. Sparre-Schneider found
in the stomach of all the specimens which he examined,
nothing but the offal of Codfish, which he supposed
had been thrown overljoard hv fishermen who had gutted
their catch at sea.

GoBIOMOHrilS.

239

GOBIOMORPHI.

Bodij, anteriodij at least, terete or ereii depressed, in the remaining part elongated and low or hulkg and fairlg
deep. The great majority of the rays of the tmpaired fins soft; anterior {spinous-rayed) part of the dorsal fin
shorter than the posterior {soft-rayed), and generally with flexible spinous rays, sometimes hidden under the skin
or entirely wanting. Ventral fins thoracic or jugular, well-developed and sometimes free from each other., hat
generally united in a funnel-shape or together forming an adhesive disk". Pectoral fins ivith broad basal hones.
Branched rays of the caudal fin generally few {under 13); hut sometimes even the supporting rays of this fin
are branched. Suborbital ring generally without any osseous connexion with the preoperculum. Vomer and pio-^O'l-
ine bones in most cases toothless. Anal papilla ivell-developed, at least in the male. Scaly covering of the skin ex-
tremely rariahle: sometimes abundant and regular, consisting of thin ctenoid or cycloid scales, sometimes verruco,se
or tubercular; while sometimes there are no scales on the highly muciparous skin.

This series of families, corresponding to Gunther's"
two series, Gobiiformes and Gobiesociformes, is com-
posed of distinct bottom-fishes, most of \vhich live on
the sea-coast, and only a few occur in fresh water.
Like the Blennomorphs, these fishes are also, in general,
tenacious of life, as the relatively small size of their
gill-openings enables them, though out of the water,
to retain the moisture on their branchial lamellaa for
some time. The abundant mucous seci'etion of the
skin, which is so common in these fishes, also contri-
l)utcs to this result. Like most of the Blennomorjjhs,

the majority of the Gobiomorphs also have no air-
bladder. The difference in the development of the
ventral fins, as well as in the structure of the rays of
the dorsal fin, however, renders this series of fishes a
sharp contrast to the preceding one. The most remark-
able peculiarity of this series also lies in the emploj--
ment of the former fins (the pelvic apparatus), and also
in the reduction which sometimes appears in the spi-
nous-rayed part of tlie dorsal fin.

The series corresponds to Muller's" family Gobi-
oidei, witli tlie exception of Echeneis.

" In Oxudei'ces, a Chinese species, liowever, the ventral flns are wanting.

'' Systematic Sy7iopsis, Cat. Brit. Jfus., Fish., p. VII {Acanthopterygii GobiiforiiieK) and p. IX (Acanthopterygii Gobiesociformes);
Inirod. .Stnd. Fish., pp. 483 and 510: Handb. d. IclithyoL, pp. 343 and 363.
' Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1844, Phys. Ahh., p. 158.

240

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Fam. GOBIIDiE.

Body elongated, terete or with the caudal part compressed, head sometimes depressed. Dorsal fin-formation re-
gular, continuous or divided into two fins, with the anterior p>art or fin shorter than the jwsterior and consisting
of flexihle, simple rays". Anal fin in structure and extent analogous to the soft-rayed imrt of the dorsal fin or
the posterior dorsal fin. Ventral fins with 6 (seldom 5) clearly distinct rays, the outermost being simple, the
inner ones branched, and the innermost {hindmost) ones usually the longest. Pseudobranchice present, but some-
times only rudimentary. Number of rertebrce from 27 to 29. Air-bladder and pyloric appendages generally
wanting. No osseous connexion bet/reen the suborbital ring and the preoperculam.

This family, as established by Gunther'', is one I sufficiently marked to have given rise to the establish-

of those containing the greatest number of species
— about 500 are entered in the system — even though
future researches may show, as seems highlj- probable,
that many of these species are really only nominal.
The variations of form within the family are also

ment of several subfamilies — Gunther'' adopts four —
two of which are represented in the Scandinavian fauna.
Here, however, we may follow Richardson and Blee-
KER in treating the one of these subfamilies as a di-
stinct family.

Subfamily G 0 B 1 1 N iE.

Ventral fins set close together. Vertical fins distinct. Gill-openings lateral.

The greater part, about 450, of the species be-
longing to the famil}' range themselves in this subfamily.
In a great number of them, about 100 species, corre-
sponding chiefly to Bleeker's Eleotriformes, the ventral
fins are indeed set close together, but are entirely or
at least partly separate from each other. Some of these
fishes, the genera Periophthahms and Boleophthalmus, are
of especial interest on account of their singular manner
of life, which, like that of the ■well-knoAvn Climbing-fish
{Anahas), displays at its highest the capability of fishes
of adapting themselves to circumstances foreign to
their nature. These two genera belong to the Tropics,
where they live between high and low water-mark or
in fresh Avater near the sea. But water is hardly their
true element, for they are generally found on land,
where thej^, generally at least, seek their food. Their
relatively narrow gill-openings enable them to sustain
life for a long time in the air, and their pectoral fins
are brachiate and fleshy at the base, being thus trans-

formed into organs of creeping oi- hopping. The eyes,
which project from their sockets, are protected by a
dermal fold, a kind of lid. Such is their equipment
for the life they lead, hopping about on clayey or muddy
ground in chase of insects or crustaceans, or even
leaping up on the branches of trees or the roots of the
mangrove. Sometimes they may be seen in shoals,
tumbling about or hopping, as if in sport, on the
muddy ground, and at the approach of danger burying
themselves in the mud, or seeking shelter in a hole
burrowed by a crab or a crevice between the stones.
Even Osbeck has described this singular phase of pisc-
ine life".

The nucleus of the subfamily, the greater part of
Bleeker's Gobiiformes, on the other hand, consists of
the forms Avhich have the ventral fins united by a
membrane into a funnel-shaped instrument of adhesion.
To this division belong all the species of this subfamily
that occur within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna.

" As a rule, tliis part of the ilorsal fin-formation is sliorter in tlie female tliaii in tlie male, and in one of the Scandinavian species
it is wanting in the females.

* Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 1.

' Bleeker (Arch. Neerl. So. Ex. Nat., tome IX (1874), pp. 280 etc.) has an entirely different determination for his four subfamilies;
but (as well as Gill: Smiths. Misc. Coll., No. 247, p. G) he also ranges Vallionymus and Platijptera in two distinct families.

"^ Ostindisk liesa, p. 130. Cf. also Dussumier in Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Foiss., vol. 12, p. 186, and Pechuel-Loesche in Breijm's
Thierleben, Bd. 8, p. 12.^.

GOBIOIDS.

241

The membrane tliat unites the two ventinl fins, may
soraetiines be wanting in front; ;uid Win iiier" attempted
to make the presence or absence oi' this membrane a
generic character. But as it may be wanting in spe-
cimens of these species'' perfectly typical in other re-
spects, we ciin regard this only as an individual de-
parture from the normal structui'e of the genus.

One of the most remarkable ])eculiarities of this
subfamily is the structure of the system of the lateral
line. The system is not without the so-called muci-
ferous ducts". In Gobiii.i nir/cr for example, these ducts
with their pores appeal- on the head, both in tlie hind
margin of tlie preoperculum, on the parietal sides and
the forehead (in a line from the upper corner of the
branchial opening to the middle of the hind margin of
the eye), between the eyes and on the snout, on the
inner side of the nostrils. Solger'', however, searched
in vain for sensory organs in these ducts. On the
other hand, the cheeks, the branches of the lower jaw,
the gill-cover, the occiput, and one row of scales on
the sides of the body or, at least, some of the scales
in that row which corresponds to the lateral line, are
furnished with external, small papilhe, which have the
appearance of sensory organs, and are arranged in more
or less regular roAvs. The histological structure of
these sensoi'y oi-gans, composed, as they are, partly of
inditterent, epithelial cells and partly of pear-shaped,
sensory cells, tipped with bristles, which project into
the cupula covering the top of thi- organs and tilling
a cavity bare of epidermic cells, corresponds to the
structure ascribed by F. E. Schultze" to the sensory
organs of the lateral line proper and the other parts
of this system. The position of these organs, which lie
uncovered on the surface of the skin, represents the
earlier developmental stages of the system of the lateral
line, as Schultze has shown, before it is furnished
with ducts, originally channelled, and at length perfected
by the coalescence of the dermal folds which liave risen
on each side of the sensory organs ali-eady present.

Similar free, "embryonal", lateral organs also occur in
the fry of the Pike and the Sticklebacks', and may
perhaps l)e present in many other fishes, especially those
in which the lateral line is indistinct or broken; but
nowhere are they so distinct as in some members of
the subfamily Gobiince.

The generative organs of these fishes call for spe-
cial attention. In the male of the Common Scandina-
vian Goby {Gohius nUjer), during the spawning-season,
the testes are considei'ably expanded posteriorly, lobate

Fig. 63. Deriiial papilla? on the head (raagn. 1' 2 fliaiii.) and on two
of the scales of the left lateral line (niagn. 6 diam.) in Gobius nigev.

After WiNTHER.

and of a spongeous structure with relatively large
meshes. The two hindmost lobes, one on each testis,
or sometimes three — one of them in this case being
unpaired, and issuing from the union of the rasa defe-
rential or belonging to the left testis — issue from
the testes proper in the form of flat, triangular disks
Avith rounded corners, which are considerably broader
and even thicker than the latter, but like them open
into the rasa deferentia. Rathke described them*
under the name of auxiliary generative organs, and ex-
plained their function partly as prostatic formations,

" Naturh. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XI, p. 40.

* In a Gobius pictus (Auctt.) from Allinge (Boniholiii) the nK-iiibranc whicli in other eases unites the ventral fins, is so small and
thin, that it was only after the minutest examination tliat we could find any traces of it.

" Cf. Cdv., Vai.., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XII, pp. 33 and 87: Winther, X.iturh. Tidskr. Kblun, ser. .3, vol. IX, p. ISl. plate VII.

•' Arch. Mikr. Anat., Bd. XVIII (1880). p. 377.

' Arch. Mikr. Anat, Bd. VI (1870), pp. (52 etc., jilates IV— VI.

'■ LEvmo, Xeue Beitr. Anat. Keuntn. d. llautdecke nnd Ha'it.iiniiesort/aiic der Fische. Festschr. z. Feier d. Hundertj. Best. d. Naturf.
Gesellsch. in Halle " S, 1879. See also Solger, 1. c.

'J According to Rathke.

'' Uber den Dannkanal und die Zeagungsorgnne der Fische, p. 201, tab. V, fig. 9-11, in Beitr. 7.. Gescb. d. Thierwelt, Abth. 2
(Schr. Xaturf. Ges. Danzig, Heft. Ill, 1824). Cf. also Kroyer, Danm. Fiske, vol. I, p. 395.

Scandinavian Fishes.

31

242

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

pai'tly as spermatic vesicula'. In the females m> cor-
responding strncture appears, except that the posterior
l)art of the left ovary is often more or less distinctly
separated from the remainder l)y a fold, being bent
down\v'ards and slichtlv forwards. In tlie female, how-

Fig. G4. Ovicapsulc from tli<' ovary of a Gobhis niijer, taken on tlie

lOtli of July, 1877, in tlio island-belt of Gothenburg; together

with the egg enclosed in the capsuli-. Magn. r!3 diam.

ever, there appears another ])eciiliarit)': tiie eggs are
enveloped in a sijecial coNering, which at the same time
serves as an instrinueiit of adhesion. This covering
consists of an oval capsule (tig. 64), whicli, as long as

it is retained in the ovary at least, is transparent; and
within it the egg lies in a. perfectly transparent fluid,
in wliic'l), however, there float a inimber of more solid,
refractive granules which collect in a girdle round the
egg in the middle of the capsule. To the thick end
of the capsule is attached the adhesive apparatus, which
is shai)ed like a frill or cap, formed by a great number
of contiguous, transparent filaments concentrically ar-
ranged round tliis pole. In the ovary we have always
found this frill hanging down over the capsule; but
when the capsule leaves the iish, the frill is turned up,
and the tilaraents spread, attaching the capsule to some
object, with the thick pole as fastening-point".

The Scandinavian Gohiiiia;, which are all without
])alatine or vomerine teeth, belong to three genera,
which may be distinguished as follows:

A: First dorsal Hu with at least b rays.

a: Jaw-teeth in several rows (ieiius Gol'liis.

b: Jaw-teeth in one row, witli single

canines within this row . (ieniis Aphifa.

B: First dorsal fin with two rays or nidi-
men tar v . (Jemis Cri/sfalloaobius.

Genus GOBIUS.

Tlie faliii/ doiigated hodij for the most part covered ivitli rfeiioid scales, hitf auter/orlj/ {ou flte head and the parts
just behind it), darliif/ i/oath at least, i/aked or icitli ci/cloid scales. Simple, but firmlii set, pointed teeth in a
card or In serend rotes hi the loirer jair and on the intermaxillary bones. First dorsal Jin irith at least 5 rays.
Ventral funnel united to the central side only at the base. Gape relatively small, and the jairs so short that the
least depith of the tail is generally more than ^'g of the length of the loirer jair, irhich in all the Scandinavian
species is less than \^ tlie length of the head. A relatively broad part of the branchiostegal membrane united to
the isthmus or to the corresponding membrane on the other side, the gill-openings being thus more or less vertical.
Branchiostegal rays •>. Where tlie air-bladder is jn'oscid, it is usually small.

that generally cause the systematizer most trouble. A
great part of the geiuis Gobiiis must be ascribed to the
latter class. Howexer various may be the opinions as
to the limitation of the species, in any case this genus,
whicli M'as first established bv Airi'EDi'', in the form
in whicli it has been adopted bv Gunthkr', with

It is the giants and pigmies among the vertebrates '• nearh' 300 described species, is sutRciently lai'ge to

require division, if only on the score of convenience.
An attempt to accomplish this has been most thorough-
ly made by Bleeker'. Whether the 36 genera which
he adopted, all have a right to their position, is, how-
ever, a matter of doulit, and in the Scandinavian fauna
of little iin])ortance.

« Of. Mai.m, Ubijs, Holi. Fii.. p. 44-2, tab. 11, ligs. '2 and ?>.
' Gen. Pise, p. 28.

' Introd. t. Stud;/ of Fis/i.. [i. 480; llaiidl. d. /(:htlii/oL. p. 345.
'' Arch. Neerl., 1. c.

GOBIES.

248

The Scandinavian Gobii may most easily he dis-
tinguished tVom the two t'oUowing genevn hy the num-
lier (if ra\s in the Hrst dors.al fin, which in the former,
as a rule, is not nntlei' 6; l)ut (he most universal char-
acter lies in the arrangement of the jaw-teeth in several
I'ows, tlie front row containing the largest teeth. The
size of the gape and the form of the body, wliich shows
strong lateral compression onh' in (he caudal ])art and
sometimes only at the extreme end tiicrcof, are with
these exceptions the most striking characlci's of the
true Gobies. The branchiostegal rays are o in luimber,
the three middle ones being closer to each other at
the base than to the other two, and the second (the
next to the lowest) generally marking with its point
the angle at \vhich the branchiostegal membrane turns
inwards to its union \vith tlic isthmus, on about a level
with the l(jwer end of tlie base of the pectoral tin.

The difterences between the sexes have been re-
marked in [larticular by Malm" and Heincke''. In the
males, wliich may also be recognised externally I)y
their longer and more pointed genital papilla, one or
more of the anterior rays in the first dorsal fin, and
the posterior rays in both the second dorsal and
the anal fins, are, as a rule, elongated. In colour they
are distinguished by the greater abundance of black
pigment, especially in tlie anal and ventral fins, by
ocellate spots and by stripes of a particular colour on
the dorsal fins and the sides of the body. But these
sexual differences vary according to age and size, the
older and larger females very often resembling the
males in colour. The coloration is also far from con-
stant, being deepest, as usual, during the spawning-
season, and being further subject to sudden changes
in accordance with, the mood of the fish and the colour
and light of its surroundings.

Heincke was the first to point out, among the
changes of growth, the increase in the number of rays
in the first doi'sal fin — in one species {Gobi us fla-
vesceits) he found that young specimens had 5 rays in
this fin, old specimens 6 or (in most cases) 7 or (ex-

also points out the individual variations. Out of 208
specimens of this species which he examined, eight had
8 rays in tlie first dorsal fin, three 6, and the rest 7\

The cxtcMit of tiie scaly covering on the ariterioi-
jjart of the body also varies with age, as far as this
can be fixed l)y tiie size of the specimen. Winthek''
and after iiim Collett' and Lii.ljebokg-', believed that
the most im]jortant specific characters within this genus
were to be found in the ditt'erences which the species
often show in tiie extent of the naked (scaleless) part
of the body. In the small species the scales ai'e want-
ing on the belly, on the body in front of the ventral
and pectoral fins, aiid also on a strip of the back along
the whole base of the first dorsal fin or the anterior
part thereof. In the large species of the genus which
belong to the Scandinavian fauna, on the otiiei- liand,
it is a standing rule that the whole body, with the
exception of tlie head, is covered with scales, and some-
times the occiput and the forehead behind the eyes,
are also scaly. Heixcke has shown that the largest
Scandinavian species, Gohius nu/er, during the growth
of individual specimens passes through stages of de-
velo])raent which, with regard to the extent of the
scales, correspond to the adult state of the smaller
species. In a specimen 21 mm. in length, he found
the head, with the occiput and a narrow strip along
the base of the first dorsal fin, as well as the belly
between the ventral fins and the vent, entirely liare of
scales. Of the fry of the same species Lilljeborg"
also remarks that "no scales appear on the top of the
head or on the occiput." In a male Gohiits niger from
KansS, in the island-belt of Gothenburg, 67 ram. long,
the scales are also wanting both on the throat in front
of the ventral fins and on the part of the dorsal edge
already referred to. In the same way there are no
scales in front of the ventral fins in a Gohius minutus
50 mm. long, from the island-belt of Stockholm.

These observations clearly show that neither the
variable colour of the body, nor the number of rays
in the first dorsal fin, nor even the extent of the scales
ceptionally) 8. In connexion with this circumstance he | on the front part of the body may be used as a trust-

" Skand. Naturf. Mode Kbhvn 1873, Beretn., p. 382.

' Arch. f. Naturg., 46:ter Jalirg. (1880) Bd. I, pp. 304 etc.

' According to Canestrisi (Arcli. Zoo!. Anat. Fis., Geneva 1861, vol. I, fasc, II, p. 125), the number of rays in the first dorsal (in
of Gobius gnttatiis also varies between 6 and 7.

■' Naturh. Tidskr., Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. IX (1874), pp. 197 etc.

' Christ. Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1874, pp. 153 etc.

•'' Sv., ^t'org. Fisk., I, pp. 563 etc.

» L. c, p. .o70.

•244

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

M'orthy specific character. The definition of the species
grounded on the size and number of the scales of the
bod}^ is often liable to equally great uncertainty. True,
the scales on the caudal region are arranged in fairly
regular I'ows; but on the abdominal sides, in front of
the second dorsal fin, they generally become smaller
Mild smaller, and their arrangement more and more
irregular, the nearer they are to the front part of the
bod\-. This sometimes renders it a matter of some
ditticult}" to compute the numbei- of scales in a line
Ml(jng the sides of the body. In the following table,
liy which it should be possible to recognise the species
wliich have hitherto been established and adopted as
Ix'loiiffina: to the Scandinavian fauna, and which is also
intended to show their natural relationship, we have
endeavoured, as far as possible, to avoid tlie employ-
ment of such characters as may easily lead astray.
However, as we shall now sliow, tiie question of the
actual right of all these species to recognition is still
unsolved. Several of them are founded on an insigni-
ficant number of known specimens, and the variations
of such "s])ecies" are far too little known to admit of
their elucidation on scientific principles.

^4 : Length of the peduncle of the tail at the
upper margin" about '/., that of the base
of the second dorsal fin. Least depth of
the tail more than 30 % of the length of
the head. Six rays in the first dorsal
fin. Vent situated in front of the middle
of the body.

a: Number of scales in a transverse row
on the body at the besinninw of the
anal fin about 12, and in a row along

the sides of the body about 40 Gobius niger.

h: Number of scales in a transverse row
on the body at the beginning of the
anal fin about 7, and in a row along

the sides of the body about 25.. Gobius Friesii.

B: Length of the peduncle of the tail at the
upper margin about equal to the base of
the second dorsal fin.
a: Least depth of the tail more than
30 °'o of the length of the head or than
40 '/c, of the length of the peduncle
of the tail at the upper margin.
aa: Number of scales in a transverse
row on the body at the beginning
of the anal fin about 10 — 12, and
in a row along the sides of the
body about 40. Vent situated in
front of the middle of the body.
a: Seven rays in the first dorsal fin Gobius Jiavescens.
(i: Six (exceptionally five) rays
in the first dorsal fin.

aa: Longitudinal diameter of

the eye less than -/j of the

distance from the first ray

in the first dorsal fin to the

first ray in tlie second... Gobius mic7'0fs.

(ifi: Longitudinal diameter of

the eye more than -/- of

the distance from tlie first

ray in the first dorsal fin to

the first ray in the second Gobius pictus.

bb: Number of scales in a transverse

row on the body at the beginning

of the anal fin about 6 — 8, and in

a row along the sides of the bodv

25—30.

«; Seven rays in the first dorsal
fin. Vent situated in front of

tlie middle of the body Gobius orca.

/S; Six (exceptionally five) rays in
the first dorsal fin.
aa: Vent situated behind the

middle of the body Gobius srorpioides.

/J/J." Vent situated in front of

the middle of the body.. Gobius Jeffreysii.
b: Least depth of the tail less than 30 %
of the length of the head or than 40 %
of the length of the peduncle of the
tail at the upper margin. Number of
scales in a transverse row on the body
at the beginning of the anal fin about
12 — 14, and in a row along the sides
of the body about fiO. Six (exception-
ally five) or seven rays in the first
dorsal fin. Longitudinal diameter of the
eye less than '/j of the distance from
the first ray in the first dorsal fin to the
first ray in the second, ^'ent situated
in front of the middle of tlie body... Gobius miiutfus.

Among these recognised species we have first to
distinguish the deep-water forms, with larger eyes,
larger (more scattered) scales and more elongated (low)
body. To this division belong Gobius Friesii, orca,
scorpioides and Jeffreysii, the last three of Avhich we
have been able to examine only in one solitary specimen
the name of which could be fixed with certainty. With
this exception, these four species are given here on the
authority of other writers. We Avould also mention
here that the distinction between Gobius microps and
Gobius pictns has in many respects proved difficult to
fix. Remembering the account we have given abo\e
of the variation in the number of the rays in the first
dorsal fin, we consider it l)y no means improbable that
future researches may show the connexion between these
forms to be so close that the Scandinavian fauna at the
present time really contains onl)- five known species of
the genus, precisely those which, as early as 1838, were

" Between the seeciiid dorsal and (lie eandal fins.

GOBIES.

•245

adopted by Fkies, tojjether with Gohiiis Jrfreysii, a
species which has lieeii descril)ed at a later date. Per-
liajjs, however, we may be compelled rather to return
to Nilsson's point of view in liis Prodromiis, where he

refers Gohiiis Jiavescens and Gob. mhnitus to one spe-
cies, an ojiinioii which would now involve the regard-
iiig of all the last seven "species" in the above table
as \ari('ties of one and tlie same species.

THE BLACK GOBY (sw. svahta smorbulten).

GOBIUS NIGER.

Plate XIII, figs. ^ - 6.

Second dorsal fin Joug, the JoH/fli of its has(^ bcin// at least ei/iial to " 5 of the distance heftveen the first dorsal
fill and the tiji of the snout. Peduncle of the tail deep and short: its least depth in fidl-tjrotvn specimens more
than ^/s of the distance between the first rai/s in the tiro dorsal fins, and its lenr/fh from the end of the base of
the second dorsal fin to the fi'rst upper supporting/ rai/ of the caudal fin at most about 40 — 45 % of the base of
the second dorsal fin. Lonffitudinal diameter of the eye in full-ffronm specimens less, or at most only sliglitly more,
than V4 of the length of the head. Caudal fin rounded at the end. The two dorsal fins set fairly close together,
sometimes united at the base. Scales middle-sized, about 40 in a row along the sides of the body, and about i^
in a transverse row between the beginning of the anal fin and the second dorsal fin. Scales of the front part of
the body extending forward, in full-grown specimens, along the dorsal side to a point vertically above the hind margin
of the eye, and on the abdominal side to a point vertically beloir the union of the branchiostegal membranes and the
isthmus. Body marked with indistinct, black, transverse bands on a broirnish green or dark grayish green ground.

R. br. 5; D. 6|

11 — 13

A.

10—12'

P. 17 — 10; I'

('. .r+13(15) + .f

Gobius vel Gobio (inarinus) niger, (Salv.), Belon, Rondel.,
Gksn., WilluCtHby, Schonev., vide Art., Geii. Pise, p. 28;
tiyii. Pise, p. 40.

Gobias niger. Li.\., 6'yst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 262; Mull., Zool.
Dan. Prodi'., p. 44; Retz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 326; Nilss.,
Prodr. Ichth. tScand., p. 93; Ekstr., Vet.-Akad. Handl.
1834, p. 60; Fr., ibid. 1838, p. 242; Kr., Damn. Fiske,
I, p. 382; Ekstr., Skand. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 157; Wright,
ibid., tab. 36; Nilss., 6'kand. Fauna, Fisk.. p. 219; Sundev.,
Stockh. Lans Hush. S.illsk. Handl. VI (1856), p. 80; Gthr,
Cat. Brit. Mits., Fish., Ill, p. 11; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (dhp.)
p. 16; LiNDSTR., Goll. Fisk. (Gotl. Lans Hush. Sallsk. Ars-
ber. 1866) p. 15 (sep.); Winth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn,
ser. 3, vol. IX, p. 181, tab. VII et pp. 198 et 224; vol.
XI, p. 54; vol. XII, p. 16; Coll., Chrnia Vid. Selsk. Forh.
1874, p. 153; ibid., Tilla-gsh., p. 52; Cederstb., Ofvers.
Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1876, N:r 4, p. 65; Mai.m, Gbgs, Boh. Fn.,
p. 423, tab. V, fig. 1; Feddersen, Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn.
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 74; Heincke, Arch. f. Naturg., Jahrg.
46 (1880), 1, p. 306; Mor., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Fr., vo\. 11,
p. 230; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., I, p. 163, tab. LII, fig.
3; Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 283, tab. IX; MOb., Hcke, Fische
d. Osts.. p. 52; LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fisk.. 1, p. 564;

Gobius jo:o. Mull., Zool. Dan. Prodr.. p. 44; Retz., Fn.
Suec. Lin., p. 326.

In the Baltic the Black Goby seldom exceeds a
length of 75 mm.. Init in the North Sea it attains a
length, measured from the tip of the snout to the base

of the caudal tin, of fully 150 mm. The bodv is elong-
ated, anteriorly almost terete and frtnu the vent to the
caudal fin compressed. The greatest depth, generally
at the beginning of the first dorsal tin, is aliout ' ,. of
the total lengtli of the bodv; and the greatest thick-
ness, generally at the operculum, often equal to and
in other cases only slightly less than the depth. The
lea.st depth of the body (tail) is about ' ,„ (in young
specimens about ' j^) of the length. The back is broad
and convex, the belly flat; the curves of the dorsal and
ventral profiles about equal. The head is fairly large,
measuring slightly less than V4 of the length of the
body, convex at the top, with a depression between
the eyes, and flat underneath. The length of the per-
pendicular drawn through the eye is ' , the length of
the head. The cheeks are .so tumid that the breadth
(thickness) of the head across them is */j of its length.
The occiput is also tumid, Avith a longitudinal groove
which ends at the beginning of the first dorsal fin, in the
middle. The mouth is fairly large and turned somewhat
upwards; the length of the lower jaw is about 43 %" of
that of the head. The jaws project about equally far;
they are surrounded by a thick skin in the form of a
round lip, and are armed with short, pointed teeth, set in
several irreofular rows. In the outermost row the teeth

" In young specimens the lower jaw is relatively longer.
45 °„ of that of the head.

In a specimen 34 mm. long we found the length of the lower jaw to be

->4(i

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

,ire longer, but farther apart, and subulate with re-
curved points. The palate is smooth (toothless), like
the tongue, which is thick, with truncate ti)). The
pharyngeal teeth, two patches above and one below,
are small and conical. The gill-openings are faii'ly
^mail. The four i)raiirhial arches have two rows of
tubercles on the anterior side. The gill-cover, as well
as the cheeks, is scaleless. The preopercular margin,
ill wliicli the ])ores mentioned al)ove are situated, forms
a. fairlv even curve, with rounded corner. The oper-
culum has a row of |)a])ilUe along the base and another
obliquelj' across the middle of its surface, and together
with the suboperculum forms a ti'iangle, the up])er pos-
terior corner of which is pointed, but hidden in a dermal
flap which closely unites it to the body. The Ijranchio-
stega] membrane is fastened to the isthmus on each
side, from a, point exactly in front of the ]o^ver end
of the base of the i)ectoral tin. The rows of papilla' on
the cheeks are arranged both longitudinally aiid trans-
versely, being somewhat different in diff^'erent individ-
uals, but essentially as shown in tig. 63, borrowed from
WixTHER. The eyes are moderately large in full-grown
specimens, measuring from 22 to 25 % of the length of
the head, somewhat oblong and prominent: in young spe-
cimens they are relatively larger, at a length of ;)4 mm.
measuring 31 % of the length of the hesid. They are also
far apart in adult specimens, the distance between them
being about equal to their \errical diameter; but in
young specimens the breadth of the interorbital space
is hardly more than \ „ the diameter of the eye. They
are set so high that they are not touched by the line
drawn from the anterior margin of the upper jav\' to
the middle of the caudal tin. In the forehead i)etAveen
the eyes there are two pores (see fig. 63), the anterior
broad and set transversely, the posterior smaller and
round; and behind the middle of the posterior m;irgin
of each eye is another pore. All these j)ores belong
to the system of the lateral line. The nostrils are
double, small and indistinct, the anterior ])air being
tubular, and the posterior small round holes just in
front of the eyes. Nearer the middle of the head than
the latter, on each side of the snout, is a large pore,
belonging to the system of the lateral line.

The front ])art of the body, on the top of the head
behind the eyes and on the anterior part of the back,
is covered with small, cycloid scales; but on the greater
portion of the remainder of the body the scales are
ctenoid, striate and imbricate, broad in jirojtortion to

their lengtli, and at the hind margin dentated with fine
bristles, wliicli render the bodv rough to the touch,
when the thick mucus which covers it, has been re-
moved. The scales are firmly fixed, and are largest
in the middle line of the sides, which contains from
about 36 to 40 scales. The true lateral line is want-
ing, no perforated scales appearing in it; but each or
each alternate scale in the middle line, at least on the
anterior part of the body, is furnished with a, trans-
verse row of small papilhv belonging to the system of
the lateral line, and set just behind the posterior mar-
gin of the next scale in front (see fig. 63).

Close l)ehind the vent, which lies in front of the
middle of the body, is a soft genital papilla, longer
and moi'e pointed in the male than in the female.

The two dorsal fins are set close together, especi-
ally in the male. The anterior Ijegins at a distance
from the tip of the snout ecpial to 26 or 27 % of the
length of the body, vertically above the end of the in-
sertion of the pectoral fins, and terminates vertically
al)ove the vent. The anterior corner of this fin is
rounded, the posteiior projects in a point, and the
upper margin is straight, this shape being due to the
fact that the first tive rays are much longer than the
fin-membrane, but in spite of this lie within it in a
curve, one behind another. When the thin and fragile
fin-membrane is carelessly handled, the i-ays break loose,
and then project considerably above the membrane, thus
giving the fin a rounded shape, with the tips of the
rays free {Gohius jozo). This fin contains six rays,
the middle ones being the longest, and the sixth being
farther apart from the next one than is the case with
the other rays. The distance between the beginning
of the first dorsal fin and that of the second is from
15 to 17 % of the length of tlie body. The posterior
dorsal fin, the base of Avhich measures from 23 to 2^1
?6 of the length of the body, begins above the vent and
ends behind the perpendicular from the end of the
base of the anal fin. In the females and young males
it is generally of fairly uniform height, or even, in the
former, lower posteriorly; but in the adult males and
sometimes in the females, the posterior corner is so high
or elongated that the last rays, when depressed, extend
over the base of the caudal fin. The anterior corner
is rounded. The number of rays in this fin is 13 or
14, generally 13, in Avhich case, however, the last ray
is divided down to the base. The pectoral fins are
rounded and ('ontain from 17 to 19 branched rays,

BLACK fiOBV.

247

ffeneralh the t'onner niniiher; the mitliUc r;ivs are tlie just heliiiid the stomach, where the small s])leeii is also

longest. The ventral tins, which an; inserted helow the ; situated. The air-ldaddei' is clear and almost round;

pectoral, are united into a cucullate (cornet-like) shape, , tlie uianary Madder lon;u- and narrow, 'ihe testes and

and witli this exception norniul, each containing one | ovaries are described above. The spinal column is com-

simple ray and five rays Invinclied to the base. The
anal tin, which begins at a distance t'roiri the tip of
the snout equal to from 4() to 4!t' ., % of the length
of the bodv, and the base of whicli measures from 17

posed of '1'6 vertel)ra', 11 of which l)elong to tlie ab-
dominal region.

In Scandinavia, in places of a suitable nature, tlie

lUack frobv is a fairly common fish, both on the west

to 20 "o of the length of the bod^-, is of the same shape , coast and in the Baltic, where, however, it becomes
as the second dorsal tin, and contains 12 or 13 rays,

rarer nortliwards, oidy seldom occurring in Alands Haf
and the (iulf of Finland. Where the coast is saiuh.
however, and the vegetation scantv, it does not thrive.
It is thus wanting, or at least rare, on the south
and east coasts of Scania and the south coast of Hal-
land. It apparently prefers water of a moderate depth,
where tlie bottom is stony; and at spots of this nature
it is common during the summer-months, but at the
approacli of winter it retires into dee]) water, though
even at this season it is sometimes taken I)v tackle set
of the length of for other fishes. ( Jn the coast of Norway- its range ex-
tends at least as far north as Trondhjem Fjord. In the
Orknevs, Great Britain and Ireland, and in the Channel,
it is common; but whether it occurs farther soutb, is
still an open question. According to Nalenciexnes"
and Steixd.vcuxer'' it does not occur in the Mediter-

generally the former number, the first ray lieing simple,
and the others branched at the tip, with tlie exception
of the last, which is branched to the very base, at least
when there are onh^ 1 2 rays. The caudal fin contains
14 or \h branched rays, generally the latter number;
but one or, in most cases two, those at the extreme
margin of the tin, are so short that they are most cor-
rectly regarded as branched supporting rays. The length
of tlie middle rays of this tin, in young s])ecimens, is
about 19 %, sometimes nearly 20
the bodv, in old about Hi %.

The upi)er part of the body is greenish black, with
darker, broad, transverse spots on the sides. Along the
middle of the sides there are a few, scattered, black
s])ots. Occiput grayish brown; cheeks, snout and fore-
head black. Belly grayish white. Anterior dorsal fin ranean, but according to Caxestrim'' and ^Ioheau (1. c.)
yellowi.sh graj-, with darker, wavy, transverse streaks; it is even common there. These contradictory state-

pectoral fins gi'ayish brown. Posterior dorsal and anal
fins greenish black, with darker margin, and tlie former
marked with black spots, arranged in rows. Caudal fin
dark grayish brown. Ventral fins velloAvish white, but
often, in the males, with black streaks or dots along
the rays. Young specimens are always lighter in colour
than old ones. The colour also changes quickly after

raents are due to the \\ant of certainty in the deter-
mination of the species within this genus.

The Black Goby is apparently of sluggish tempera-
ment, and its movements in the Avater are far from
active. Its food is composed chiefiA' of crustaceans and
worms, but it also eats vegetable substances. The
spawning-season occurs during the summer-months, be-

the fish has been drawn out of the water, and then j ginning in May, and the roe is deposited on stones or

acquires a reddish tint. dead shell-fish. "The Black Goby," says Saville-Kext'',

The liver is yellow, and so large that it fills about '"is frequently met witli beneath large stones at Iom'

*/,. of the left side of the abdominal cavitA'. It is also water, it selecting such a habitat not only as an ordinary

almost undivided, only having two incisions in the right domicile, but as a luu'sery where it may safely deposit

margin. The gall-bladder is small and white. The and hatch its spawn. The eggs', as frequently observed

digestive canal is about ' \ longer than the body, and Ity the writer, are of very singular shape, being elong-
fairlv wide throughout its length; anteriorly it is some-
what widened to form the stomach. It forms two bends,
one at the end of the abdominal cavitv and another

ate, ovate or fusiform, about three times as long as
broad, and are attached vertically by one of the smaller
ends in a single, closely approximated layer, that may

" Gov., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss.. vol. XII. p. 19.

* Stzbor. Akad. Wiss. Wien. LVII (1868). I, p. 41.^.

"■ Arch. Zool., Anat. Fis., Geiiova 1861, vol. I, p. 135.

'' Bril. Mar. Freshir. Fish., Handb. Gt. Intern. Fish. Exhib. London 188;-5.

' See above, ji. 242.

■248

SCAXDINAVIAX FISHES.

extend over an area of many square inches of tlie under |
surface of tlie rock selected. Over these eggs the male ;
tish now mounts guard, vigorously repelling all would-
l)e intruders with whom he can cope on equal terms,
•ind in those instances in which the disturbing influences
are ;ippai-ently too strong for him — such as human
interference — resorting, in self-defence, to an artful
stratagem. On several occasions, when shore-collecting
in the Channel Islands, the writer has, in fact, on turn-
ing the rocks over in search of specimens, dislodged what
■it first sight, from the apparently large size of its head,
was taken for a Bullhead (Cottus) but on closer exami-
nation proved to be an example of the Rock Goby, with

its opercula and branchiostegal membranes abnormally
distended, with the evident intention of passing itself
off as one of those spiny-headed Coftidte which are not
to be handled with impunitv. A like imitation of a
hurtful or stronger form is adopted, as a means of pro-
tection, bv harmless and weaker species in many de-
partments of the Animal Kingdom."

No special fishery is can-ied on and no special tackle
used for this fish. It is taken only by accident among
other fishes. In Sweden the flesh, though its flavour
is not disagreeable, is not used for human food, l)ut
is thrown away with other refuse as food for domestic
animals. (Ekstrom, Smitt.)

GOBIUS FRIESII.
(Fig. 65.)

Second (Jorsal iiii Jong, the leiif/fJi of its base being about equal to the distance between the first dorsal fin and
the tip of the snout. Peduncle of the tail short, but relativehj low, its least depth being less than ^2 the distance
between the first rags in the first and second dorsal fins, and its length from the end of the base of the second
dorsal fin to the first upper, supporting rag of the caudal fin about \, 3 of the base of the second dorsal fin. Longi-
tudinal diameter of the ege more than ' ^ of the length of the head. Caudal fin pointed. The two dorsal fi)is
well separated. Scales large, about 25 in a row along the sides of the bodg, and about 6 in a transverse roir
between the beginning of the anal fin and the second dorsal fin. In the front part of the bodg the scales extend
along the dorsal side to the posterior margin of the eyes, which are set very close together, and on Hie abdominal
side to a line with the point of union of the branchiostegal membranes to the isthmus. Bodg marked with golden

or red or darker-coloured spots on a gellowish brown ground.

Fig. 65. Gobius Friesii, from Giilliiiar Fjonl, 5th Jan.. 1838. Natural size. -Vfter v. Wright's figure in Fkies.

^. Ar. 5:Z). 6|— \A.— -,P. 18 1. 10; F. > ,: C. .i-+ 13(14) + .r.
14'' 13' "

Syn. Gobius gracilis, Fr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 245, tab.

IV, fig. 2; NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 224.
Gobius cruentatus, Gthb (nee Lin.), Cat. Brit. .Vus., Fish.,

vol. Ill, p. 54 (in synon.).
Gobius Friesii, Malm, Skand. Naturf. Mode, Kbhvn 1873, Ber.,

p. 383; Coll., Christ. Vid. Selsk. Fork. 1874, p. 154:

Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 425, Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fiskar.
I, p. 573.

This Goby is one of the least-known species within
the genus, if indeed it do not finally prove, as Collett
suspected, to be identical with a ^lediterranean and
somewhat better known species, Gobius Lesueurii'. The
extent of the scales on the head in Gobius Friesii, and

" According to Collett, 13.
„ „ 12.

' Bisso, Hist. ^'at. Princ. Prod. Eur. M,'r., Tome III, p. 284: Cuv., Val.. Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XII. p. 33: Ca.vertrki, Arch.
Zool., Anat., Fis., Geneva 1861, vol. I, p. 143, tab. VIII, fig. 2.

KRIKiSS (illHY.

249

tlic nunilier of tlie branchiostegal rays, stated at 4, in
Goh. Lesneurii, are apparently tlic only characters that
distinguish these forms".

Compared with the l)ody of the Black Goby, that
of Gobius Friesii is more elongated and shows stronger
lateral corapi'ession. The greatest depth of the body is
between ^l,. and V, of the length thereof, and the great-
est thickness, across the base of the opercula, is onlj^
" - of tlie former. The least depth in our specimens,
which are from 91 to 95 mm. long, is between 7i4 '"^d
' 15 of the length. The lengtli of tlie head is about
' 5 of that of the body. The occiput is flat and with-
out au^• middle groove, but relatively narrow. The eyes
are very close together at the top, being separated only
bv a narrow, bony strip of the forehead. Their longi-
tudinal diameter is \ 3 of the length of the head". The
mouth is turned somewhat sharply upwards, and the
length of the lower jaw is 48 % of that of the head.
The lower jaw also projects distinctly beyond the tip
of the upper jaw.

The dermal papilla^ on the head wliich belong to
the system of the lateral line, are large and prominent,
according to Collett''. They seem to be arranged
essentially in the same way as in the preceding species.
( )n the cheeks below the eye four, almost parallel lines
run back from the region behind the nostrils; and the
two lines on the under surface of the lower jaw bend
upwards along the hind margin of the preoperculura,
where they extend even farther up than in the pre-
ceding species. There is also a perpendicular row along
the base of the operculum. Tliis row contains 20 pa-
pilla?, and from the twelfth, counting from the top,
runs tlie horizontal row to the hind margin of the
operculum. On each side of the snout there are two
parallel rows in a backward direction from the posterior
nostril; but these rows unite between the eyes, and
then form two rows, diverging from each other, on the
top of the head. There are also two parallel rows in
a backward direction from the hind margin of each

eye; and, lastly, there are short, vertical rows just above
the insertion of the pectoral fins.

The scales on the top of the head behind the eyes
are ctenoid and those on the front ])art of the back
arc almost as large as those on the u|)per part of the
body, which are distinguished from the scales of the
preceding species by their greater breadth, the gi'eater
number of their fan-like stria; and the weaker bristles
at their hind margin. These scales are deciduous. Tiieir
number in a transverse row upwards from the beginn-
ing of the anal fin is 6, and, according to Coli.ett, in
a row along the sides of the body about 25.

In this species too, the anal papilla is well-devel-
oped.

The two dorsal fins are distinctly separated, even
in the male. The distance between the anterior dorsal
fin and the tip of the snout is from 25 to 26'/2 % of
the length of the body. In this fin are 6 raj^s, the first
five being of fairly uniform length (in the female?) or,
as in one of our two specimens % the first of all being
prolonged into a filament and of about the same length
as the head. The distance between the beginning of
the first dorsal fin and that of the second is 16 or 17
% of the length of the bod}-. The base of the latter
fin measures from about 26 to 27V2 ^ of the length
of the body, and the base of the anal fin fi-ora 18 to
20 % thereof. The mutual position of these fins, as
well as their position with regard to the rest of the
body, is the same as in the preceding species. In other
respects the figure, drawn by v. Wright with his well-
known accuracy, shows the form and relative size of
these fins as well as of the others; but the small, an-
terior, supporting rays at the top and bottom of the
caudal fin are not represented in the figure, and the
peduncle of the tail thus seems longer than, it is in
reality — in both of our specimens it measures only 9'1 %
of the length of the body. The number of the simple,
sui)porting rays of the caudal fin is 7 above and 6
below; while in Fkies's specimen there are 14 branched

" "II capo e perfettaniente privo di squame", says Casestbini of Gob. Lesueurii. Cf. also Liluebobo (1. c), in wliose male speci-
mens, however, the third ray of the first dorsal tiii was elongated, in place of the hair-like elongation of the first ray of this fin in Gob.
Lesueurii, according to Canestrixi, and in one of our two specimens of Gob. Friesii.

* In young specimens the depth is relatively greater than in old, to judge by Collett's specimen, which was 59 ram. long and 10
mm. deep, while Fries's specimen was 95 mm. long and 14 mm. deep.

■■ This is true both of Fries's and Collett's specimens; but in a specimen from Stromstad, sent by Mr. C. A. Hansson, the long!
tudinal diameter of the eye is only slightly more than ' , (27'/. "o) of the length of the bead.

'' In our specimens, in which the epidermis is almost entirely destroyed, they are scarcely visible.

' This specimen, which was taken out of the gullet of a Cod, though the belly round the vent is damaged, is undoubtedly a male^
as it was possible to extract portions of the testes through the wound thus caused. On the other hand, I have refrained from destroying
Fkies's specimen, which, to judge by tlie small size of the anal papilla, is probably a female, in order to decide the question of sex.

Scandinavian Fiihes. «'*

250

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

rays — one above and two below, however, being ex-
ceedingly short - — and in our second specimen 13.

The coloration of this species has been described
bv Fkies as follows. The only specimen he ever saw,
hnd then been dead far too long to give any certain
indications of its colouring during life. Judging by
the traces thereof which still remained, he was of opinion
that it must be one of the most handsomely marked
species. A row of golden spots on a yellowish brown
ground still appeared along the middle of the sides,
and similar spots followed the rays of both dorsal
tins and of the upper half of the caudal fin. Tlie tip of
tlie anal fin was tinged with a darker shade, and the
ventral fins, which are still blacker in our other S])e-
cimen, were almost inky. According to Collett, the
Spots on the sides of the body and the back are darker,
and there are no true spots or transverse bands on
tlie fins.

For a long period only one example of this species
was kudwn. This was taken in "the large Herring-
seines", "in the dee]) water of Gullraar Fjord" off Lyse-

kil, on the 5th of January, 1838; and the specimen,
which has now entirely lost both colour and scales, is
still preserved in the Royal Zoological Museum. At a
later date, according to Collett, Prof. G. 0. Sars ob-
tained another specimen, 59 mm. long, in a dredge, in
Christiania Fjord. The third specimen that has yet
been found, was taken by Mr. C. A. Hansson, who has
done so much for the investigation of the fauna of
Bohuslan, "from the throat of a Cod," in Stromstad
Fjord, on the 1st of Julv, 1S81. As we have remarked
above, this example, which is unfortunately damaged,
differs in one or two respects from Fries's type-speci-
men; and so far as I can judge, corresponds in every
particular, with the exception of the scales on the head",
to Canestrini's Gobitis Lesueurii.

Our knowledge of this species Vjeing so scanty, we
have scarcely anything to remark as to its manner of
life, save that it is ;i deep-sea form, which, in tlie points
where it differs from the preceding species, is distinctly
analo":ous to the oroup of the ojenus which we are noM'
about to describe.

The following six "species" form a series of inter-
mediate forms between the two preceding species and
that given last in the above table, Gohins miniitus. They
are also so closely related to each other that the specific
distinction, which is difficult to fix, has always been
subject to uncertainty. In the nuniber of the scales they
correspond most closely to the two preceding species;
and here, as in the latter, we find that those which
have been distinguished as deep-water forms, have a
smaller number of scales on the body. In conjunction
with this peculiarit}', the eyes are, as usual, larger in
the deep-sea forms; but even among those \vliich live
in shallower water, there is a difference in this respect
which depends upon a longer or shorter retention of
the relatively large eyes as juvenile chai'acters. The
same explanation also applies, in my opinion, to the
variations in the number of rays in the first dorsal fin.
In this respect, as we have mentioned above, we find
botii changes of growth from a lower to a higher num-
ber and individual deviations from the t)rdinary number.
The character given in the above table, on Cullett's

authority, as distinguishing Gohius srorpioides, also
seems to me to be due to nothing more than an indi-
vidual deviation. This character too, does not hold
good in Winther's example of the species, which ex-
ample in this respect resembles the rest of the Scandi-
navian Gobies. The elevation of the first dorsal fin
W"hich occurs here, as in Gohius Friesii, and which, in
particular, has given rise to the name of Gohius orca,
is probably a sexual character belonging to the males,
or perhaps appears, as is often the case, as a forni-
character in certain localities. On this point we are
naturally unable to give an opinion with any certainty,
for we have not had the opportunit}' of examining moi'e
than one specimen of tlie last-mentioned, rare "species".
Lastly, with respect to the characters based on the
coloration, Heincke, in his excellent account of the
colour-variations in Gohius flnvesccns^, has warned us
most strongly against the definition of the species ac-
cording to these characters, as they have been given
up to the present time.

" It is difficult t(i count tlio l>r.'UH'liiostegal rays in this specimen, as llie braiicbiostegal membranes are turn. Tlie body is very strongly
compiesscil and anteriorly contorti-d.

'' Scbr. Nalnrw. Ver. Scbles. Hoist., 1 (1875) pp. 2G0 etc.

GOBIES.

■251

THE DOUBLY-SPOTTED GOBY.

GOHIUS FLAVESCEiNS.

Plate XIII, tigs. 3 and 4.

Second (lorsdl fin relativdji slnni, tin- Iciif/tli of its Imae hcivf/ at most ^/^ of the (listanco heticeeit the first dorsal
fill (tiid the tip of the snout. I'cditnvlv of the tail rel((tin'li/ loiii/ (uid dee}), its Jeinjth at the itjiper marfftn being
about eijiud to that of the base of the second dorsat fn, and its least depth more than 7 % of the lenr/th of the
Imhj, than SO % of the tentfth of the head or than 40 % of its oioi tength at the upper margin. Eyes, in
adult specimens, far apart at the top, and their longitudinal diameter from about 26 to 29 % of the lotgth of
the head, or from 3(1 to .-JS % of tlie distance between the first rays in the first and second dorsal fins. Number
of the scales in a transverse row on the body at the beginning of the anal fin between 10 and 12, and in a row
along the sides of the body about 40. The dorsal side in front of the first dorsal fin and the middle of the
central side in front of the anal fin scaleless. Seven rays in the first dorsal fin. Upper part of the body a more
or less greenish, blackish brown, with several more or less distinct, light, transverse patches on the back; the sides
marked with a row of more or less lustrous, dark S2>ots, one at the middle of the base of the caudal fin and {in
the male) another behind the base of the pector(d fin being the most prominent; the rentrcd side light with a yel-
loivish lustre. Dorsal and caudal fins marked with alternate, dark (red) and light {yellow) stripes, composed of

spots. Anal, pectoral and ventral fins for the most part colourless.

R. hr. ?, (4); D. 7 1

; A.

1

'9—11' 10—11
6'. .r+ 11 (13)" + .i:: L. lat. circ. 35—40.

; F. 17 1. 18; V. 1,5;

SiiH. Gobitis flavescens, Fabr., Reise n. None. (1779), p. .322.

Gobius Rviithensparri, Euphrasen, Trnnynims-Acten, p. 52 ;
Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1786, p. 64, tab. Ill, tig. 1; Retz., F».
Suec. Lin., p. 326; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss.. vol. XII,
p. 48; Fk., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 243; Kr., Danm.
Fiske, vol. I, p. 399; Yarr., Hist. Brit. Fisli., ed. II, vol. I,
p. 285; NiLss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 226; Gthr, Cat. Brit.
Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 76; Lindstr., Gotl. Lans Hush.
Sallsk. Arsber. 1866, p. 15 (sep.); Winth., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvn, ser III, vol. IX, pp. 199 et 221 ; ibid., vol. XI, p. 65;
ibid., vol. XII, p. 17; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874,
p. 179; ibid., Tillajgsh., p. 58; HcKE, Schr. Naturw. Ver.
Schlesw. Hoist. 1875, 1. c; Id., Arch. Naturg., Jahrg. 46
(1880), I, p. 310, tab. XVI, fig. 5; Malm, Gbgs, Boh.
Fn., p. 434. tab. VI, fig. 1; Day. Fish. G:t Brit, Irel,
vol. I, p. 160, tab. LII, fig. 1; M6b., Hcke, Fische d. Osts.,
p. 55; LiLLj., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 609.

Gobius minutus, Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 94.

Gobius- bipunctatus, Yarr., Hist. Brit. Fish., ed. I, vol. I,
p. 255.

Obs. As Fabbicius's description of this species — "macula
caudali utrinque atra. Pinna D. 7. 12" — is quite as clear as
Euphrasen's remarks thereon, which were first published in 1784 in
the Swedish " Trangnnns-Acten" , the current rules of nomenclature
require that the name given the species by Fabbicius should be re-
stored, though it has been generally known for a long period by that
of Gobius Ruuthe7isparri.

According to Fries (1. c.) it is "without doubt this species in
particular that bears the name of Aat (food) on the coast of Nor-
way", "being so called," writes StbOm (iSdndm. Be.'tkr., p. 266), "be-
cause it is eaten by other fishes." Muller (Prodr. Zool. Dan., p.
44) applies this pHSsago in Str6m to Gobius Aphija, wi.ich KR0TEB
(1. c.) therefore gives among the doubtful synonyms of the Doubly-
Spotted Goby. The Aat which is given among the Gobies by StrOm,
with a reference to Artedi's Gobius Aphya, is, however, described
as being transparent, and may with equal justice be regarded as a
Gobius minutus or an Aphya minuta.

The greatest length attained by the Doubly-Spotted
Goby is betAveen 60 and 65 mm. The greatest depth
of the body is about 16 or 17 % (in gravid females
about 20 %) of the length thereof. The length of the
head is from 21 '/a to 23 V2 ^1 and its greatest Vjreadth
(thickness) about 12 or 13 %, of the length of the body.
The least depth of the tail is 7 or 8 % of the length
of the body. The other point in the external form of
the body which distinguishes this species of the genus,
as well as the following ones, from the preceding, is
the circumstance that the first dorsal fin begins some-
what farther back, the distance between it and the be-
ginning of the snout being apparently never less than
28 % of the length of the bod}'. The last ray in the
first dorsal fin is, as usual, farther apart from the next
ray than is the case with the others. There is a dis-

"15, according to Winther.

252

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

tinct interval, without fin-merabraiie, the length of
which corresponds to the width of two or three trans-
verse rows of scales, between the two dorsal fins. In this
species, as in the folloAving one, we often find that the
distance between the beginning of the first dorsal fin
and that of the second is equal to the length of tlie base
of the latter fin, or to the distance between this fin and
the first upper, supporting ray of the caudal fin; or
also exactly twice the least depth of the tail. The base
of the anal fin is generally some\vhat shorter, though
often only very slightly", than that of the second doi'sal
fin. The length of the caudal fin, which may be
rounded, truncate with rounded corners, or even some-
what forked, is generally eipial to the base of the anal
fin, varying between 14 and 16 %* of the length of the
body. The distance between the beginning of the anal
fin and the tip of the snout is 46 or 47 % of the length
of the body. The tip of the ventral fins, which are
generally longer in the male than in the female, usu-
ally extends to the vent or even beyond it. The length
of the rounded pectoral fins is Ijetween Ve ''"^ ^U of
that of the body. The longitudinal diameter of the eye
varies between 6 and 7 % of the length of the body, being
comparatively greater, as usual, in young specimens.
The interorbital space, which is somewhat depressed in
the middle, is externally fairly broad in adult speci-
mens, its bi'eadth being equal to the horizontal diameter
of the eye or somewhat greater. It is chiefly formed,
however, by the upper dermal covering of the eyes,
the breadth of the frontal bones between the eyes being
at most equal to the diameter of the pupil. As a re-
sult of this, in young specimens or in examples with
tliin or shrivelled skin, the eyes seem fairly close to-
gether at the top. The gape is turned slightly up-
wards, and the length of the lower jaw, the point of
which projects somewhat beyond the tip of the snout,
is about 9 % of the length of the body, or from 40
to 44 % of that of the head.

The Doubly-Spotted Goby is one of the most hand-
some Scandinavian fishes; and as we are here able to
refer to the figures of v. Wright and Thornam, the
latter coloured under the supervision of the late Professor
Malm, we leave to Heincke'' the further description of
the beauty and the sudden variations of its colouring.

He begins with a description of the male in its spawn-
ing-dress.

"At the first glance we observe a deep velvet-black
spot at the base of the caudal fin surrounded by a
pretty golden, marginal ring. This spot is character-
istic of the species, and appears in both sexes, but even
during the spawning-season is less handsome in the
female than in the male. Another black spot, without
the golden mai'gin, lies on each side of the body, be-
hind the base of the pectoral fin; but this spot appears
only in the male, and is one of the most important
external sexual characters. In the female it is gen-
erally entirely wanting, though there are sometimes
faint traces of it. In the male during the spawning-
season the upper part of the body is of a dark brown-
ish-black ground-colour, often shading into green, on
the head lighter, with a dash of red and a dull coppery
lustre, on the back marked with five selliform, light
spots ^vith a dull metallic lustre, Avhich are always set
at fixed points, and which give the fish a singular
appearance. The several spots are united at the middle
of the back, at the base of the two dorsal fins, by
narrow, irregular streaks of the same tint. The dark
colour of the back extends somewhat below the middle
of the sides, but from this point tlie belly is of an
unvaried, light colour with a coppery lustre, as well as
the tail, the lower part of which is, however, stained
with a l)lack pigment, while the under surface of the
head is of a deep copper colour with a golden lustre.
The transparent branchial lamella^ render the branchial
region blood-red. At the boundary between the light
coloui- of the belly and the dark tint of the back, a
little below the middle of the sides, is a row of spots
with a shifting, gemmeous lustre of blue and green.
A similar spot appears at the upper corner of the
operculum.

"The fins of the male, with the exception of the
ventral and pectoral fins, which display only a dull
lustre here and there, are by no means less brilliant
in colour. The anal fin, the remainder of which is
almost colourless, is marked with a dark, black streak
along the base, a peculiarity which, however, appears
with varying distinctness in the males of all our Go-
bies. The caudal fin, behind the black, gold-edged

" According to Kroyku, it is sometimes longer tlian tlie laUer.
' According to KiioYKU, as mnth as 17 %.
' Sclir. Sclil. Hoist., 1. c.

I

UOLBLY-Sl'O'ITKI) (;()I5V.

258

spot, is adoi'ned with somiMvhnt imperfect, vertical stri-
pes of a varying cherry and yellow colour, which pos-
teriorly become fainter ajid finally disappear. On each
of the dorsal fins there are tlu-ee horizontal, deep cherry
stripes, separated by streaks wliicii apjjear now of a
deeper or fainter yellow, ii(n\- green.

"The pupil has a strange, deep l)iiie lu.stre. The
iris is marked with foiu" copper-brown spots, set obli-
quely in a cross.

'"In the female all these colours, especially the
markings of the dorsal fins and tlic iridescent sjjots on
the sides, are much fainter.

"This description may fail to give more than a
feeble idea of the beauty of the fish at a given moment.
I say mome>if, for under certain circumstances almost all
tills brilliancy may nioi-e or less suddenly and com-
pletely vanish, or only lea\e traces behind to reappear
just as quickly.

"On putting one of these small fishes, while still
alive, beneath the microscope, we see that several kinds
of variously-coloured chromatophores (pigment-cells) lie
scattered in the skin. In old specimens the black chro-
mntojjJiores are most numerous, occurring almost every-
where on the body, and tliickest on the back, at the
base of the caudal tin and Itehind the base of the pec-
toral tins, ^vhere tliey form the black spots already
mentioned, and along the base of the anal fin in the
males. The i/elloir or greenish-i/eUoir cliromato'phores
are more numerous than the black in young specimens,
but not so in old. They occur on every ])art of the
body, with the exception of the [sectoral and ventral
fins, and are especially prominent on the unpaired fins,
where they form the yellow and yellowish green streaks
already mentioned. When contracted, thej- are yello^vish
red. The orange or red rhromafophores are less nume-
rous than the preceding ones. They occur in small
numbers on the body and in greater number on the
head, but are most numei-ous on the unpaired fins,
where they form the cherry stripes mentioned above.
When contracted, their colour varies from reddish
brown to black. In the selliforni spots, on the top of
the head and on the belly ai'e collected chromatophores"
filled with small disks of a metallic lustre (glitter). In
their ordinary, expanded state they are confluent, form-
ing an unbroken network. Most of these chromato-
phores apparently contain black or yellow pigment in

tiie middle; but perhaps these apparently central collec-
tions of pigment i-eally lie only on the outside of the
chromatophores — this question is not yet solved.

"Tlie fish has the power of now contracting, and
now more or less expanding these different chromato-
phores in a myriad ways, thus causing tlic most varying
and unexpected arrangement of colours. Tliis alteration
in tlie degree of expansion of the chromatophores .seems
to proceed without a moment's pause, but unfortunately,
in consequence of the restlessness of the fisli while un-
der examination, can only very imperfectly be followed
bv the observer. The cells do not seem to be at per-
fect rest for a single instant; and the colour of the
fish undergoes incessant, more or less sudden, irregular
variations.

"If, for example, Ave completely cover Avith a small
box a specimen taken during the spawning-season and
of bright coloration, and keep it thus concealed for two
or three minutes, or even only one, on removing the
box we find the fish entirely changed. There is now
not a trace left of the selliform spots; the whole of the
variegated dress has disappeared, and is replaced by a
monotonous shade of brownish black or blackish green.
But this dark colour changes visibly under the influ-
ence of light. We see how the selliform spots reappear
in their original places. The upper surface of the head
becomes lighter. The contrast betAveen the light colour
of the belly and the dark tint of the back increases.
After a minute or tAvo the fish is as variegated as be-
fore. If. on removing the box, Ave throAv a ray of
sunlight on the fish by means of a mirror, this altera-
tion takes place much more rapidly.

"If, instead of covering the fish, Ave place it in
water Avith a black substratum, it also turns perfectly
dark, tliough only after an interval of some length.
The selliform spots again disappear almost entirely.
The black pectoral spots and the caudal spot scarcely-
stand out on the ground-colour. Only the belly re-
mains light, for there the black chromatophores are
Avanting. If the fish, together Avith the black substratum,
be noAv put under the microscope, all the black chro-
matophores are seen to be expanded to the uttermost.
Even the parts previously occupied by the selliforni
spots are noAv so closelv filled Avith these chromato-
phores, though here their number is small, that the
dull lustre can no lonjjer maintain its usual degree ot

" Called iriciocytes by Pouchet. Cf. below, oi\ tlie variations of colour in the Flounders (p. 367).

254

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

brilliancy. The pretty network is much less distinct;
the central collections of" pigment which were previously
[ninctiform, have now increased in extent. But on the
l)odv, which is thus almost dark, the emerald spots on
the middle of the sides still glittei- with undiminished,
or, if |)ossible, still greater brilliancy. We now see
tliat tliese spots are composed of nothing more than
chromatophores exactly like those which form the selli-
f'oi-m spots, but subjected to extraordinarily strong
contraction. It is the immense number of glittering
disks that are liere collected within a comparatively
small space, that gives these spots their iridescent lustre,
which, when the chromatophores are expanded and the
glittering disks distributed over a larger surface, passes
into the dull gleam of the selliform spots, the top of
the head and the belly.

"If Ave now place our darkened Goby on a light
bottom of straw or sulphur yellow, for example, after
a,bout ail hour the fish is as light as it was dark before,
and the selliform spots are invisible. Under the mi-
croscope we observe the following peculiarities. The
black chromatophores are contracted, the yellow ex-
panded. As the former are far more numerous than
the latter, ^ve may sometimes see the yellow bottom of
the vessel shine through at certain parts of the body,
Avhere only contracted chromatophores occur, especially
at the tail. This phenomenon is due to the thinness
of the body. In the selliform spots there now appear
immerous, yellow, expanded pigment-cells; but in addi-
tion to these the network of jiale, lustrous colour is
sharply marked.

"Let us now move the fish, ^vhich is partly of a
yellow colour and partly transparent, showing the yellow
bottom, over some red substance. Instantaneously it
assumes a transparent, reddish tint, and the selliform
spots, which were invisible on the yellow l)ottom, be-
come distinct for a, moment. There is no other change in
the degree of expansion of tlic chromatophores than that
the yellow, as well as the black, are contracted, though
not so strongly; Avhile the few red chromatophores on
the upper surface of the body, which previously looked
like dots varying from brownish red to black, now begin
to form pretty projections and large processes of a red-
dish brown or cherry colotii-. The rest of the body is as
transparent as before. The selliform spots are visible, as
they contain no chromatophores, and therefore stand
out on the i-ed colour which shines through from the
bottom on which we have placed the fish.

"If we now change the substratum from red to
blue and from blue to light green, we see that each
time we change the colour, the tish for a moment
assumes the corresponding tint, on account of its trans-
parency. Exactly the same results may be obtained by
setting a dark tish for a somewhat longer period, on
a red, ])]ue or green bottom. The adaptation seems to
take place most slowly on a green bottom. If a spe-
cimen is kept for some time on a light (white or light-
coloured) bottom, even the handsome, lustrous, lateral
spots grow pale, evidently on account of the expansion
of the chromatophores. Last of all the black caudal
spot disappears, the pectoral spot having already van-
ished. The handsome stripes on the fins gradually fade.
The male becomes exactly like the female, and in this
dress it is quite impossible to distinguish either of them
by the colour from a young dohius niger of the same
size that has l>een kept on a light bottom. But if we
take the two species out of their narrow glass vessels
and again put them among the plants in a large aqua-
rium, all the characteristic dift'erences of colour betAveen
them soon reappear. Gobius nigcr never possesses the
selliform spots or either of the caudal and pectoral spots
that distinguish Gobius flavcscens. The faintly lustrous
chromatophores, which are also present in the former,
are there irregularly sprinkled in small groups over
the surface of the body, and, when contracted, form
irregularly scattered, small, bright dots, but are never
arranged Avith the same I'egularity as in Gobius Jiavescens.

"In short, Gobius Jiavescens possesses in a high
degree the power of adapting its own colour to that
of the bottom with comparative rapidity. If the colour
is such that the fish possesses chromatophores with the
corresponding pigment, these are expanded. If there
are no cells containing the corresponding pigment, all
the chromatophores are contracted, and the consequent
transparency of the ])ody brings about the same result.
The metallic lustre is due to extremely fine, crystalline
disks, which are either spread on thfe exterior of a
pigment-cell or completely fill it. These cells perform
their function in a manner quite the reverse of that
of the monochromatic cells; the stronger the contrac-
tion, the brighter is their lustre, and the greater their
expansion, the duller they appear.

"The same variations of colour as we have no\v
produced artificially, so to speak, also proceed in an
aquarium, if its colour-relations correspond to those of
the natural home of the fish. The only difference is

DOUBLY-SPOTTED (iOUV.

2o5

tlint in this case tlic adaptation takes place in a much
more i!itri(;ate manner, hut is always fruided by the
simple or variegated colours of the suri'oiindings. It
is often very Imrd to discover one of these fishes, when
at rest among tiie \\ater-])lants.

"During autumn and winter the coloui's of the
Doubly-Spotted (iohy are duUei-, and the sexual distinc-
tion in this respect less marked. Furtliermore, different
individuals seem to possess the power of changing co-
lour in different degrees. One fisli takes twice as long
as another, before it acquires a uniform dark or light
colour; one retains a colour fairly (though never com-
pletely) utichanged for a long time, while another,
though on tlie same bottom and under the same cir-
curastances, seems to undergo an incessant shifting of
colour. If \\e continue the above experiments for a
lengthy period of time upon the same fish, the chro-
matophores become distinctly fainter."

Most of the colour characters given in the aljove
description are, however, not entireh' peculiar to the
Doubly-Spotted Goby. The selliform spots, in particular,
ha^e been described as characteristic of the next t\vo
species, especialh' of G(U)ii(s 2>/cfi(s, and also occur, as
LiLLJEHoiic has already remarked, in (joJ)it(s mimifus,
even though some difference may l)e shown in their
prominence and position. The black caudal spot is also

common to the following species, though in them it but, on leaving its resting-place, has risen in the water

to discover in a(|uaria whicli are thickly overgi'own
with plants. It sustains life without difficulty in fresh
water, if gradually accustomed to it; but if suddenlv
remo\cd i'voni salt water to cold fresh water, it be-
comes rigid and dies with exjiandefl tins, just as when
it is thrown into strong spirit immediately after its
capture. LowK states of this species, according to Day,
that it readily learnt to take food from his hand. "Its
movements," says Heincke, "are restless and active; and
with the funnel-shaped ventral fins it can firmly attach
itself even to the perpendicular walls of the aquarium."
in its free state the Doubly-Spotted Gol)\- prefers
a I'ockv l)ottom, thickly overgrown with seaweed, at a
depth of tVom 1 to 10 fathoms; l)ut it is also found
in weedy spots, where the bottom consists of stones or
gravel. The Royal .Museum possesses several specimens
which were taken in a dredge at spots of this nature.
Malm, however, as well as Parxell, found it living in
quite another manner, more resembling the life of the
Sticklebacks. "In contradistinction to all the Gobies,"
writes Malm, "whicli in Sweden keep to water so shallow
that they may be observed without difficulty, it is only
very seldom that this tish is seen near, or, more strictly
speaking, at the bottom. I ha\e observed this on only
fcM' occasions, and it lias then Ijeen a solitar^■, full-
grown male that has swum in and rested on a rock;

seems never to be so sharply defined; and though the
emerald spots on the sides, sometimes sharply separated
bv a black space between them, have not been observed
in the following species, they still have a corresponding
marking of black, simple or bisected spots, which some-

not creeping, as it weve, along the bottom like Gobivx
niger, microps, pkius and miiuitus. As a rule it is
only seen in larger or smaller, close-packed companies,
in mid-water, so to speak, and especially at clear spots
in the Zostera region. The water may be two or three

times appear like transverse bands. x\s is shown in ! fathoms deep or more, but the shoal stays, sometimes

V. Wright's figure, there also occur in Gobii(S _ffrirescens
two black spots, starting from the eyes down the cheeks
and snout, the one ending just behind the corner of
the mouth, and the other running almost straight for-

almost still, a foot or two below the surface. I have
often seen shoals containing several hundred small spe-
cimens and only one or two full-grown individuals,
thus seeming to be composed of a family or two that

ward. We may hence judge how inconstant are the led an isolated life in this manner. When disturbed,

characters derived from colour; l)ut the black spot, the shoal sinks deeper in the water, l)ut as a rule,

during life with an azure lustre, that occurs at the end soon rises again. I have never succeeded in enticing

of the dorsal fin in the tw(j following species, and which this tish to take a bait, though I have taken its kin-

Heixcke has given as one of the external sexual char-
acters of the male of (iohiiifs iiilnutns, is apparently
wanting in Gobliis ^fiarcsceiis.

The habits of the Doubly-Spotted Gob}- are no less
interesting than its beauty of colour. It is one of the
most handsome aciuarium fishes and pleasing enough.

dred species in this manner; liut when it leaves the
bottom, at least in the daytime, it may easily be taken
with a hand-net. '

The spawning-season occurs in summer, from
May to .\ugust. The female attaches the eggs to the
shells of dead shellfish or Balanids, and the male keeps

though its propensity of hiding itself renders it difficult faithful and coui-ageous guard over them.

256

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The Doubly-Spotted Goby is fairly common on the
west coast of Sweden — being called Bobiu/ ("Red-
belly") in Bohuslan, according to Malm — in the Sound
and on tlie rest of the Danish coast (Winther) and in
the south of the Baltic (Heincke and Benecke"). It
has been taken by the eminent naturalist, Dr. Kolmo-
din, at M5rbylanga on the coast of Smolaiidia, by
Baron G. C. Cederstrom on the coast of Gothland,
and by Mr. Wahlberg, Inspector of Fisheries, and Dr.
Soderlund in the island-belt of Stockholm; but up
to the present time it has not been ound in Finland

or the Baltic Provinces of Russia''. On the coast of
Norway, according to Collett, its range extends at
least as far as Lat. 65° N. It lives on the coasts of
Great Britain and Ireland and on the west coast of
France, north of Gascony; but we have no certain
evidence of its occurrence farther south or in the Me-
diterranean.

The Doubly-Spotted Goby is so small that it is
of no immediate econonucal value, but as supplying
food to our edible fishes, it is of some importance.
Its own food is composed of small crustaceans.

(iOBIUS :\IICROPS.

(SW. LEESTUBBEN <').
Plate Xm, fig. 5.

Characters essentially the same as those of the preceding/ species, but the longitudinal diameter of the ei/e in full-
grown specimens sometimes less than '/^ of the length of the head and at most 40 % of the distance between the
first ra/i of the first dois(d fin and fJiaf of tlie second. The boundari/ of the scaly covering of the body on the
dorsal side extending from the end of the first dorsal fin along the sides of its base and at a distinct distance
therefrom. Bays in the first dorsal fin not more than (>. Colour of the body lighter and less variegated than
in the preceding species, but ivitli more brownish {black) spots and transverse bands; among the black spots ar-
ranged in roirs on the first dorsal fin there sometimes appears a larger spot on the back part of the fin, with a

marked., azure lustre.

R. l>v. 5; U. (5)61-- — ; A. — ^— ; P. 17 1. 18; V. '' ;
' '9—10 8 1. 9

C. ,r+ 11 (13 1. 15) + .r.

Syii. Gohiiis microps, Kr., Daniii. Fiske, vol. I, p. 416; Olsson,
Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1868, p. 475; Malm, ibid. 1870,
p. 844; Id., Forli. Skand. Naturf. Mode Kbhvii, 1873, p.
383, cett.; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. IX,

pp. 199, 200, cett.; vol. XI, p. 55; vol. XII, p. 17; Coll.
Forh. Vid. Sclsk. Christ. 1874, p. 168; ibid., Tillsegsh., p
56; N. Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 61; Malm
Gbgs, Boll. Fn., p. 426, tab. V, fig. 2; Hansson, Ofvers
Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1880, No. 4, p. 20; Lillj., .Sv., Nory
Fisle., vol. I, p. 602; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 35
tab. VI, figg. 1 at 2.

" Fische, Fisclierei etc. in Ost- mid Westprenssen, pp. 84 aud 201.

'' Seidlitz, Fanna Ballica, pp. 29 and 121 (Arch. Naturh. Liv-, Ehst- und Kurlands, ser. 2, Bd. VIII, Lief. 1).

■■ A. W. Malm, ). c.

I

G(JBIE8.

257

GOBIUS riCTlS.

(SW. l!El!GSTrill!EN).
rial.- XIIl, liL'. u.

Charaefers cssnitiall;/ the .same as those of the /irccc'dii/fj sj/cilcs, Inil the luii/jitKcliintl dhiitietcr of the eijcs, iihich
approach more or less closeli/ to each other on the forehead, from about 3S to SI % of the length of the head,
and more than 40 % of the distaiiee lietireeii /he frsf nii/ of the frst dorsal tin and that of the second: the an-
terior hinuidarji of the scales on the dors(d side rnnnij/i/ don-n/rards anil f'orirards from the middle, or from a
j)oint nearer the heijinni)!;! of the first dorsal fin, n-hicli contains (i rai/s; and the colour of the liodi/ Inifihter and
more variegated, aufh the lateral spots on flic hodi/ and the selliform dorsal spots more sliarphi defined.

bv. 5; ]). 6|^; A. ^; P. 17 1. 18" V. ',5; (.'..<■+ 11 (l.'!) + ,r.

^yn. Gohiits pictiis, Malm, Forh. Skand. Naturf. Miite, Stlilm 1863,
p. 410; Gbgs, Boli. Fit., p. 429, lab. V, lig. 3; Winth.,
Nafurli. Tiiiskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. IX, p. 199 et 218;
vol. XI, p. 41: vol. XII, p. IS; Coi.i,., Forli. ViJ. Selsk.
Christ.. 1874, p. 163; ibid., Tilla-gsh., p. 56; Hansson,
Of vers. Vet.-Akad. Forli., 1880, No. 4, p. 20; Day, Fish.
G:t Brit., Int., vol. I, p. 167, tab. LIII, fig. 1; LiLU.,
Sv., Xorff. Fist,:, vol. I, p. 595; Hansen, Zool. Dan., F/.s-^r,
p, 35, tab. VI, %. 3 et 4.

The last two species, Gobius microps and Gobius
pictns, in their typical form at least, never attain the
maximum size of the Doubly-Spotted Goby. Their length
seems never to exceed 50 mm. Furtliermore, in relation
to the latter species, they respectively range them.selves in
such a position that they represent its juvenile stages,
Gobius microps in the anterior boundary of the scales,
Gobius picfus in the relativel}' large size of the eyes, and
both in the smaller number of rays which they generally
possess in the doi'sal and anal fins. Their Swedish names,
nerstabb ("Clay Goby") and Bergstubb ("Rock Goby"),
which were happily chosen by Malm, and are derived
from the nature of the spots they most frequent, give
us the clue to the explanation of their chromatic char-
acters, if we bear in mind the variations of colour
given above, which Heincke observed in Gobius ftare-
scens as being evidentlv due to changes in tiie colour
of the surroundinffs of the tish. l>iit tiiev are distin-

guished from Gobius Jiavescens and approximntcd to
Gobius minutus by a black spot, with azure lusti'e, be-
tween the 5th and 6th rays of the first dorsal fin, and
sometimes behind the latter ray as well''. This spot
occurs in the males and sometimes in tlie females,
though there it is never so prominent or so lustrous.
'Another transition to Gobius miiiatus appears in the
form of the ))ody, the least depth of the tiiil sometimes
sinkin"' as low as 6 % of the leiifith of the l)od\'; and
specimens in whicli this is the case, can be distin-
guished from Gobius minutus only liy the number of
the scales along and across the sides of the body, a
distinction which is often delusive, and by the usually
smaller number of rays in the second dorsal and anal
fins. Again, Heincke regards both Gobius microps and
Gobius pictus as forming a variety of Gobius minutus.
In Bohusliln both these species are common at
suitable spots. In Denmark, where, we need hardl)'
say, the bottom of the sea consists chiefly of loose soil,
sand, gravel and clay, Gobius microps, according to
WiNTHER, is the commonest species of the genus. "It
lives in shallow Avater, from .shore out to a depth of
5 or (i fathoms, and is by no means averse to brackish
water." In Norway, where the bottom of the sea for
tlie most part is rocky, "Gobius microps," says Coixett,
"is of onlv sporadic occurrence and is met with far
more seldom tlian Gobius pictus." At suitable spots,
however, where the shore is shelving and clavev. in

" Soinetimcs 20, according to Day.

^ The supposed difference in the position of tlie spots on the dorsal fin, that in Gobius tiiicrops they belong to the rays and in
Gobius pictii.i to the fin-nicinbrane, has not proved constant. Tlio first dorsal fin. too, seems generally to be shorter in Gobius pictun, and
llie distance between the first ray of the first dorsal fin and that of the second less (less than 14 <■; of the length of the body): bnt there
are also exceptions to this rule

ScantVfini'ian Fighed. "*'

258

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Christiania Fjord for example, Collett met with the
formei- species "in enormous numbers." In Denmark,
up to the year 1885, according to Winthek and Han-
sen, only 4 specimens of Gobius jiictiis had been found.
According to Day, on the other hand, it had been
met with on the Welsh coast; and, as it is proljaljly
synonymous with ^Ioreau's Gobius laticeps", it also
occurs on the coast of Normandy.

These two "species" also occur in the Baltic, though,
as far as we can ascertain, not in their fully typical
form. At Gudhjem (Bornholm) Dr. Kolmodin has
taken a Goby 36 mm. in length, with the head 8 mm.
long, the longitudinal diameter of the eyes, which were
almost contiguous on the forehead, measuring 2V2 nini.,
and the least depth of the tail slightly more tlian 2
mm., the fish thus possessing ihc eyes oi Gobius pictus,
but the form of Gobius minutus. Mr. C. A. Hansson
too, has taken at Rodo, in the neighbourhood of Sunds-
vall, a specimen of Gobius microps, typical in the form
of the bodj^ but by the number of the scales referred
to Gobius minutus. Specimens similar to these and others
which have been described as "doubtful examples,"
indicate the influence of external circumstances on form
as well as on colour, and render the distinctions be-
tween the small Gobies difficult, if nut impossible, to
maintain.

WiNTHEH and Malm have both given the fullest
descriptions, based on their own observations, of the
habits of Gobius microps, and the latter of those of
Gobius jiicfus. Both tliese fishes generally live in water

of no great depth, and on sunny days often stay close
in shore. Malm writes as follows of Gobius microps:
"It keeps to the bottom, upon which it rests; and it
is then so like a shrimp (Cranffon) both in colour and
habitus, that one may easily be deceived. It takes a
bait so freely that I have often caught fifty examples
in an hour at the same spot." Of Gobius pictus tlie
same writer says: "The females, which kept to the very
bottom and close in shore, among stones and seaweed,
often at a depth of no more than an inch or t^vo, and
in company with a few females of Gobius microps,
were easil^■ taken on the hook; but the males, on tlie
other hand, were extremel}^ cautious and hai-dly ever
took a bait. When frightened, they took refuge under
stones and seaweed, but soon reappeared whew the hook
Avas cast afresh .... At the beginning of July I took
several females full of roe, but in the middle of the
same month several spent ones, a decisive proof that
the spaAvning-season occurs at about midsummer. The
males were at least from 6 to 8 times as rare as the
females." At certain spots, however, Collett sometimes
(in autumn) found, almost without exception, only
males of Gobius pictus. According to Wixther Go-
bius microps is most active at night, and is then often
caught in shrimp-pots. In winter, according to Col-
lett, these fishes withdraw into deep water; but as
early as the beginning of March, the day after the
breaking up of the ice in the Sound, Winthee found
numerous examples of Gobius viicro2)s at a depth of a
foot or two.

" Hist. Xat. Poiss. Fr., tome II, p. 215.

(ioniES.

259

GOBI US OHCA.
Fig. GO.

r>tif«' of tin' srcdiul (Itirsiil lii! dlitint c/iial in Iciifilh hi tlir jicdiincJe of flie fail, the least deptJi of irliicli is mayc
tlidii 7 % of tlic Iciii/tli of flir liodji. Eyes siqjerioii;/ alinost or quite contiguous, their longitudinal diameter being
about 4(1 % of the lexgth of the ln'od. Number of scales in a roir (doiig the sides of the bodij about :J4. Fore-
head and throat scaleless. Sir or seveti rags in the first dorscd fin. Funnel formed bg the central fins incom-
plete, the membrane uniting the fins being a-anting in front. Jlodg of a uniform grayish broivn without distinct
spots or bands, onlg n-itii a darker shading on the sides below the beginning of the first dorsal fin, at the end
of the anal fin and at the base of the caudcd fin. First dorsal fin high and, like the anal fin, of a uniform
brownish Itlack; second dorsal fin (in tlie male?) marked irith idternate, brownish black and snow-white hands.

Fig. 06. Gohittit ovca. ilagii. 2 diam. Speciiiion Wlongiiig 1o the Zoological Museum of Christiauia University.

1

1

circ. 24.

Sipi. Gobitis orca. Coll., Ami. JIag. Xat. Hist., ser. 4, vol. XIII,
p. 446; Forh. Vid. Selsk. Chrisf. 1874, p. 172, tab. Ill,

figg. 1—3; ibid., Tillwgsli. p. 57; ibid. 1870, No. 1, p.
34 (Lebettis); N. Mag. Naturv., Clirist., Bd. 29, p. 61,
tab. I, fig. 1 — 2; Lill.i. (Gobius), Si:, Xorg. Fistc., vol. 1,
p. 616.

260

SCAXDIXAVIAX I'ISHES.

GOBIUS SCOHPIOIDES.

Fig. 67.

Base of the second dorsal fn about equal in Jeugtli to tlie peduncle of the tail or longer: the least deptJi of the latter
more than 7 % of the length of the bodg. Eges snperiorly only slightly" separated from each other, their longitudinal
diameter being about 30 %'' of the length of the head. Number of scales i)t a row along the sides of the body
(d)out ^S'. Forehead and tlirout scaleless. Six rays in the first dorsal fin. Funnel formed by the central fins an-
teriorly incomplete. Ground-colour of the body irhitisJi-yelloir'', nitJi large, irregular, bron-nish black, transverse bands.

Fig. 67. Gol/iiis scorj)ioides, inagii. 1- , diain. Specimen belonging to the Zoological Museum of Cliristiania University.

1

A.

1

P. 18—20: V. ';-; V. .r+l'2 + ,r: L. hit.

D. 6

8

circ. 28— .30.

K^ipt. Croliiiis scorpioides. Coll., Ann., Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, vol.

XIII, p. 446: Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, p. 175, tab.

Ill, iigs. 4—6; ibid., Tilh-egsh., p. 58; WixN'TH. {Lebetns),

Naturh. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XI, p. 40; vol. XII, p. 18;

Malm, Gb(js, Boh. F»., p. 651; Lillj. (Gobitis), -Sv., JVoi-i/.

Fisk.. vol. I. p. 620; Hansen, ZooL Dan., Fiske, p. 36,

tab. VI. fig. 7.

Goblus orca and Gobius scorpioides have hitherto
been examined almost exclusively by Collett. Of the
former species he has mentioned 5 more or less well-
preserved specimens, from 'IX to 32 mm. long, which

were taken (iff the south-west coast of Norway, at a
depth of from oU to 200 fathoms. Only three speci-
mens of the latter species are known. Two. respec-
tively 28 and 37 mm. in length, were taken bv G. ( ).
Sars at a depth of from 20 to 60 fathoms, outside
Stavanger Fjord and Hardanger Fjord. The third, a
young specimen 18^/, ram. long, and prol)ably referred
to this species chiefly on account of its coloration, was
found by Wixtiier at a depth of 6 fathoms, in the
south-west of the Cattegat (at the north entrance of
the Great Belt). Of their manner of life nothing further
is knoM'u.

" Distinctly, according to Wixther.

' 97 K

" • * ?) rl j»

' About 30

'' Deep rose-colour ,, „ ,,

G (I I! IKS.

'2i)\

JEFFREYS' GOBY.
(iOBIUS JEFFKEVSII.

Fig. (;8.

Base of t/ie second t/iiisal Jin ahoiit ('([huI in Ifi/f/fl/ fa the pcdmiclr of the ftdl, the least depth of trhieh is (dmid
7 % of the leiif/fh of the liodj/. Kjies snpeyiinlji oidi/ slifjhtl/i scpaiated from each other, their lonfjifudinal dia-
meter lieiiifi alidut HO % of the lei/r/th of the head. Ktmiber of sc(des in a nnr (done; the sides of the tjodi/ alxntt
28, and in a transverse ran- at the licf/inninf/ of the an<d fn (dnad (!. Forehead and oeeiput naked, throat in froid
of the rentral fns seedy. Six or fee rai/s in the frsf dorsal fn, the second rai/ lieinq elongated in the male.
Fannel formed hi/ the rentral fns c(in//iliic. Candal fn somen-liat pointed. Ground-colour of the hody yreenish

jiellon', a'ith fee hlacl: spots in a roic alonf/ the middle of the sides.

Fig'. 68. Gohiiis Jefrei/sii. Hnugesiind (Norway), W. Lilljeborg, luagn. 2 diaiii. Speciiricn belonging to Upsala Miisetiin.

n. (5) 6^: ^. -^: p. 10 1. 17: V. '.- ; U. .c + 11 ( + 1) + .r;
L. lat. C'irc. 28.

S)/ij. Gobiiis Jeffreijsii, Gthr, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3, vol. 20,
p. 290, tab. V, fig. C; ser. 4. vol. 13 (1874). p. 139;
Coll.. Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, p. 159; ibid., Til-
l»gsh., p. 54; LiLLJ., &v., JS'org. Fislc, vol. I, p. 587.
Gobius quadrimamlattts, Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. I,
p. 168, tab. LIII, fig. 2 (nee Risso, Canestrini, cett.?).

Jeffreys' Goby, with it.i Ijody of fairly uniform
depth, but still elongated and laterally eompressed in
the caudal part, is ranged by the .scales on the throat
(the front part of the belly) as an intermediate form
between the preceding species and the following one.
Its other chief distinctions are the large scales, the de-
pression of tlie head in typical specimens and the some-
what sharpl}' upturned eyes. Both nostrils on each
side of the snout are surrounded b\- a raised margin
and set in a swelling common to them both, just in
front of the middle of the anterior mai'gin of the eye.

Ju.st behind them ;ind nearer the middle of the snout
lies a large ])ore belonging to the supraorbital ])ranch
of the system of the lateral line, which is furnished
with other similar pores behind the eyes and in the
temporal line on the parietal bones. The length of the
lower jaw (about 10' „ % of the length of the body
and 45 % of that of the head) is apparently greater
than in our other small Gobies, and is distinctly more
than ' 3 of the distance between the beginning of the
first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout. In this last
respect Jeffreys' Goby corresponds to Gohius niger and
Gol). Friesii, but even here we find intermediate forms,
such as those taken by Theei, and Tkybom at a depth
of from 10 to 17 fathoms, on Lilla Middelgrund (a sand-
bank in the Cattegat), among them being a specimen
with 7 rays in the first dorsal tin". These forms may
be referred with about equal justice to Gohius flavcscens,
Goh. Jefi'reysii or Goh. minutus, unless we choose to
follow the method hitlierto adopted, and found new
species on such examples'".

" In the specimen (>f Gobiiis .Jefrei/Mi taken bv Lii.i,.it:Bon(, at Ilaiigesiind. tliere are oidy 5 rays in tlic first dorsal fin, this being
due to the stunted development of the last ray.

' Day lias established one such species under tlie name of Gol'iii.< I'ariwlh' (Fish. Gt. Jii-it.. IrcL. vol. I, p. 167, plate LIl, fig. 5).

262

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Jeffreys' Goby is a i-are species. Tliree specimens
have been taken by Gwyn Jeffreys off the Hebrides
at a depth of from 60 to 90 fathoms, one by Wyville
Thompson at a depth of ISO fathoms between Shetland

and the Faroe Islands, four by G. 0. Sars in deep
water outside Stavanger Fjord, and one by Lilljeborg
at Haugesund. This last specimen has been lent us
for examination by tlie Museum of Upsala University.

THE FRECKLED GOBY (sw. sandstuuben" on sabuiken'').
(iOBIUS MINUTUS.

Plate XIII, fis. 7.

Second (hirsal fin lehifiri'I// slioii, flic leiK/fJi of its base being ahout '"^ of the distance between the frst dorsal
fill and tJie snout. Peduncle of tlic tail long and Ion\ its least dcjitli being less than "/j either of its otm lengtJi
or of the distance between, the first ray of tlie first dorsal fin and tliat of the second, and its length from the
end of the base of the second dorsal fin to tfie first upper supporti)ig rag of tlie caudal fin equal to, or onlg
slighthj less than (at least about 80 % of) tlie base of the second dorsal fin. Longitudinal diameter of tlie eges
in full-groirn specimens less, or at most onlg slightly more, than \/\ of the length of the head. Caudal fi.n trun-
cate or rounded. The tiro dorsal fins distinctly separated, with at least 2 {sometimes as many as 7) rows of
scales between them. Scales comparatively small, about GO in a row along the sides of the body, and from 12
to 14 in a transverse row o)i the body at the beginning of the anal fin. Sccdes anteriorly extending, in full-grown
specimens, on the dorsal side to the top of tlie head, in front of the gill-openings, and. on tlie abdominal side over
the whole of the throat (the front part of the belly). Coloration yellowish, with dark {black or dark brotvn) sjwts,
which are most distinct, and- sometimes form transverse bands, at the middle of the sides and the base of the
caudal fin, irhicli is also marked with transverse bands. Among the roirs of s2)ots on the dorsal fins the lustrous,
azure spot at the end of the first dorsal fin in the male is especially conspicuous.

V. '

R. hr
■ ; V.

o;

D. (5) 6(7)j:

1

A.

1

10 1. 11 ' "' 10 1. 11
f+ll( + l) +a;; I., lot. oirc. GO.

P. 18 — 21

Aphi/a col/ite.i, Rondel. , Willughbv (p. 207, tab. X, 14, tig.
4): Gobius apJiya, Art. p. [i. {Gen., p. 20; Si/n., p. 47);
Lin. p. p. Sijiit. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 2(33; GiiON., Zoo-
pliyl., fasc. I, p. 81; Pe.n'n. (Spotted Goby), Brit. ZooL, toin.
Ill, p. 187, tab. XXXVII, No. 0(5.

Gobius minutus. Pall, ((ino.s'ov. emend.), Spic. ZooL, fasc. VIII,
p. 4; Gmel., Sijst. Xat. Lin., ed. XIII, tniu. I, p. 1109;
NiLSS. (p. p.), Prodi'. Iclitli. iScajuL, p. 04; Ekstr., Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 18.34, p. 04; Cuv., \'.\l., Jlist. Nat. Poiss.,
vol. XII, p. ?,%; Fb., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 242; Kr.,
Damn. Fistic, vol. I, p. 407; Sunukv., Stockh. Lans Husli.
Sallsk. Handl., H. 0 (1855), p. 80; Nilss., SIcand. Fn.,
Fislc, p. 222; (jTHr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fisfi., vol. Ill, p. 68;
Mgrn, Finl. Fish, (disp.), p. 17; Lindstr., Gotl. Fisk., Gotl.
L. Hush. Sallsk. Arsber. 180G, p. 15 (sep.); Steind., Stzber.
Akad. Wiss. Wien, Bd. LVII, Abth. I (18G8), p. 400; Wtiir,
Naturli. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. IX, p. 108; vol. XI,
p. 54; vol. XII, p. 17; Coll., Forb. Vid. Selsk. Christ.,
1874. 11. l.-,8; ibid., Tillu-gsh., p. 53; N. Mag. Naturv.
Christ., Bd. 20 (1884), p. 60; Seidl., Faiuta Bait., Arch.

Xatiiib. Liv-, Est-, iind Kiirl., ser. 2, vol. VIIl, p. 121;

Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 433, tab. V. fig. 4; Hcke, Arch.

f. Naturg., Jahrg. 4G, Bd. I (1880), p. 313; Dav, Fish.

G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 165, tab. LII, fig. 4; Mela, Vert.

Fenii., p. 284, tab. IX; MOn., HcKE, Fiscli. Osts., p. 54;

Hansen, ZooL Dan., Fiske, p. 34, tab. V, fig. 8; Lill.t.,

So., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 580.
Gobin.s mimita.f ( = 9) + Gob. unipunctatiis + Gob. gracilis (^c/'),

Parn., Fish. Firth of Forth, Mein. VVern. Sec, vol. VII

(1838), pp. 242 — 245, tab. XXIX.
Gobius Ekstromii, Gthr, 1. c., p. 57.

Next to the Black Goby tlie Freckled Goby is the
largest of the Scandinavian species of this genus. In
Bohuslan its ordinary length varies Ijetween 50 and
100 mm. In the Baltic it attains a length of at least
75 mm. As Fries has already i^emarked, the typical
form of this tish is expressed in tlie comparatively great
length of the ])eduncle of the tail and the distance be-
tween tlie two dorsal fins, which varies in length, Init
is always distinct. It is furthei- marked by the terete

" Malm, 1. c.

' SUNDEVALL, 1. C.

■^ Sometimes, though seldom, _ or -, according to Steindachner. Fk.S'I'rom's -— is probably due to a mistake (V).

8 12 13

'' Sometimes, though seldom, , according to Steindachner.

FRECKLKn (iOBY.

2(k

form of tlie bofh' witli the sliiillow tiiil, the Iciist
deptli oi which x.-irics hotwceii ^ ;iiiil li % of the
length of tlu' body, vtv sckloiii mikI (inl\- slightly ex-
ceeds this size, and also measures about ',,, of either
the distance between the first ray of the first dorsal
fin and that of the second, tlie base of the latter fin,
or the length of the peduncle of tlie tail, which three
measurements, in this species too, are almost alike".
The length of the head varies between 21 and 24 % of
that (if the body, being greater in the voung specimens
and in thos(> fmni the P)altic, and the distance between
the first dorsal tin and tlie tip (if the snout varies be-
tween 2S and 81 % of the length of the body. The
longitudinal diameter of the eyes, which are fairly
closely approximating, Init well separated, at the upper
surface, is in young specimens about '', of the length
of the head, in old about '/-, and only during youth
greater tliau tlie least depth of the tail, in older speci-
mens less than it. The length of the caudal fin is
from 1.5 to 1<S ",j of that of the body. The distance be-
tween the anal fin and the tip of the snout varies be-
tween 47 and .'iO % of the length of the body (we have
found this distance greater in the female than in the
male); and the base of the anal fin is generally slightly
shorter than that of the second dorsal, measuring be-
tween 1') and 17 % of the length of the liody. The
scales, which are comparatively small, in adult speci-
mens usually number 13 or 14 in an oblique trans-
verse row in a posterior direction from the beginning of
the anal tin, and about (!() in a longitudinal rovv along
the middle of the sides. In young specimens, however,
even in those 40 mm. long, there are sometimes only
45 scales in the latter row, in which case the difference
between Gohius mhmtiis and Goh. mkrops is confined to
the deeper tail of the latter. Heinckf. also regarded
these Gobies as varieties of one and the same species.
The coloration of the Freckled (xoby, with all its
variations, is principalh" the same as that of Gohitis
microps, and reproduces, though in fainter tints, the
handsome markings ])ossessed, according to STEixiiAfii-
NEit'', by Gnh. (/it(i(h-iritfatiis. The ground-colour is
whitish or grayish yellow, somewhat darker on the
back, and dotted with dark brown ehromatophores, which
are most closely set in the hind margin of the dorsal
scales. Light, selliform spots appear on the dorsal side

ill this species too, as well as a row of dark spots along
the middle of the sides, or small, transverse bands,
among which tlie caudal spot, at the base of the caudal
fin, should also be included. There sometimes appear
too, in this species as in the jireceding ones, two dark
bands at each eye, one running from the lower part
of the anterior orbital margin in an oblitpie, forward
direction along the snout, and the otlier perpendicularly
downwards from the middle of the inferior orbital mar-
gin. "The belly is white, with a brassy lustre" (Ek-
STKOm), this lieiiig due to the circumstance that the
mother-of-pearl lustre of the peritoneum shines through.
The dorsal and caudal fins are marked in the same
wa}- as in the preceding species. "The pectoral fins are
grayish yellow, with dai'k rays, and strewn with fine,
ferruginous dots" (Eksti!.). The ventral and anal fins
in the female are generally white, in the males more
or less thickly punctated with black. Sometimes, how-
ever, all these colours and markings are fiided. "The
whole fish is transparent," says 1'>ksti;(')m, "and there-
fore, when it is |)ut in water while still alive, and ex-
amined from above, the intestinal tract ap])ears as a
large, oval, black spot."

The geographical range of this fish extends fi'om
the Mediterranean, at least as far in as the Adriatic
8ea, along the west coast of Europe to the north of
Norway, where it lias been found by Kkoyer off" Dyro,
in Lat. 69° N., and into the Baltic as far as the Gulf
of Finland (Mela), the island-belt of Stockholm (Srxni:-
vall), and probably the Gulf of Bothnia as Avell. It
lives in water of a depth as great as 12 or even 2t>
fathoms (Collett), deepest in winter; but in summer
comes u|) near shore into water only a few feet deep
(Malji). It prefers a level, sandy bottom, overgrown
with seaweed (Ekstij.). The spawning-season occurs in
summer from the end of May (Ekstr.) to August (Malm).
Its food is generally composed of small crustaceans;
and the following statement of ^^'I\TI^■;u with regard
to Gobi lis xiicrops, also apjdies to the Freckled Goby.
"The mouth is surrounded by fairly well-developed lips;
and on the palate, within the intermaxillary bones, we
find a narrow, crescent-shaped, transverse, membranous
fold (\eluui). .\ similar fold lies immediatel}' below it
in the lower jaw. The function of these folds is easih"
understood; they operate in the same way as the valves

" This is tnie, in particular, of tlie specimens from Boliiialan whidi we have been nble to examine. In young specimens and tliosc-
from the Baltic, the peduncle of the tail seems generally to be somewhat shorter, but also shallower.
* L. c, p. 390, plate II, figs. .3 and 4.

264

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of the veins in the circulation of the blood; when the
mouth is being closed, they hinder the passage of the
Avater, which is thus forced back through the gill-open-
ings. They are, therefore, most highly developed in fishes
whose teeth are too long to admit of the entire closing
of the mouth, and to a certain extent they take the place
of mobile lips, wliicli might pertoi'in the same function.
Ill spite of the somewhat small size of these folds in
the Gobies, they are still sufficiently developed to en-
able the tish to maintain a continuous flow of water
into the mouth, ^vithout moving the jaws. They onl}'
ac-t when the mouth is open and while it is being closed.
As soon as the mouth is shut, the lips serve the same
])urpose. But just because the folds operate only when
the mouth is open, the tish is able to pump in water with
its free, very bi'oad and flat tongue, in exactly the same
way as certain pai-ts of the maxillary feet of the Deca-
pods pump out water from the gill-sac. When the
tongue is protruded, the water fills the pouches formed
by the folds, the opening of the mouth is stopped, and the
water is forced back. In this way many kinds of small
creatures are caught which the fish would lose, if they
were disturbed by the stronger motions of the ja\vs."

D'Orbigny" often observed the Freckled Goby in
the salt-water reservoirs in the neighbourhood of La
Rochelle, and he states that it there takes up its
abode under some shell, and digs small hollows, radi-
ating from this centre, in the sand. There it lies
and watches, until some tin}' creature falls into one
of the hollows, when it instantly darts out and seizes
its victim.

That the Freckled Goby, however, does not alwavs
feed on such small creatures, is shown by Sun7)Evall's
collections made in the island-belt of Stockholm. Among
them we find a Freckled Goby, 50 mm. long, tliat has
swallowed the third part of a Ten-spined Stickleback
{Gasterosteus puiiglfms), of at least half its own length,
which has, however, stuck in its throat, piercing its
palate Avith the anterior dorsal spines.

According to Malji the Freckled Goby is also easj^
to catch, as it i-eadily takes a hook baited with a bit
of shellfish.

This species is of as little immediate value to man
as the rest of the genus; but Heincke states that it
forms the chief part of the food of the Cod and the
Bullhead, and some portion of that of the Herring.

Genus APHYA.

Bodji fahiy elonfjated, sides covered with thin, deciduous, ci/chid sc(Ues. Simple, fixed, pointed or in part blunt
teeth, in a sinyle or double roM\ in the lower jaw and on the intermaxillary hones. Five rays in the first dorsal
fin. Funnel formed by the ventral fins united to the ventral side only at the base. Gape comparatively laryc,
and the J((irs long, the least depth of the tail being at most 60 % of the length of the lower jaw, which is equal
to, or more titan, half tlic lotyth of the liead. Branchiosteyal membranes coalescent only in front, at the tip of
the isthmus, and the yiU-openings, therefore, large and broad, set almost horizontally. Branchiostegal rays 5.

In England Whitebait {Clupea tdba) is the name
given to a number of small fishes, consisting chiefly of
young Herrings, Sticklebacks etc., which are caught in
considerable quantities, and, when fried, form a much
esteemed dish; and in the countries bordering on the
Mediterranean, Nonnat'' or Nounaf is the French name
applied to fishes used in the same way, fried or stewed
in milk, and consisting chiefly of young Atherines and
the fry of the species which ff)rms the genus Jphya.

Even the ancient Greeks, however, had acquired a taste
for this course of fish, quickly parboiled in oil, and
called the small fishes difvrj', in the belief that they
were not generated in the ordinary way, but "created
in the water," to use an expression still in vogue among
the Scandinavian fishermen (i. e., born of the sea-foam
etc.). Aristotle, however, distinguished between several
kinds of these fishes, and resrarded some of them as
reall)' lieing the fry of other fishes. Among these he

" Valenciennks (Cuv., Vai,., 1. c, p. 4a).

'' JVon natns.

' (X priv. and (pi'iO, to beget.

ooBioMonriis.

•2 05

iiifiitioiis (i(fi'ij itcoiii'rijS as tlie young of suiiiU Gobies
which crcei) nii tlic bottom"; aiul IVdiii this source
Kondki.kt'' (leri\x'(l his J/ihi/a nihifis, a species difticult
to fix, but vefeiTed i)v Aktkdi and his imuicdiate suc-
<'essors to (rolihfs iiiimitifs (sec ab(i\c). 'I'hc lirst ])o.st-
LiniKi'aii w ritcr to a|i[)J\' the iiauie of jhiiiikiI to a lixed
species, was Ris.so. lie ori_ii'iMali\- referred this species
to thi' genus Atltcrnid. but when he (•i)ri'ecte(l iiis mis-
take, he placed it in a ne\\- genus, .tjiliiii. iieside Go-
Iiiiis. but in the t'aniil\' next alter it.

To the s\stematist this genus is of special interest
on account of its remarkal)le changes of growtli and
external sexual characters, whicli still fnrtlier increase
our hesitation to go to too great lengths in Ihi^ dis-
tinction of species within the preceding genus, to which
^{pln/(t is b\- no means (listantl\- related. In the only
species belonging to this genus, the form of the body
during \duth (tig. 71, h) is elongated und compressed',
renunding us especially of the fr\' of the lleri-ing; and
it is not until the sexual organs approach maturity,
that the Gobioid appearance of this species is developed.
The bi'eadth of the bod}-, especially of the head, now
increases; and the interorbital space, which has hitherto
been narrow, measuring only slightly more or even less
than half the diameter of the eye, attains a breadth
e(]ual to the longitudinal diameter of the e}e or, in the
males, still greater (tig. 69). The most important, se-
condarv, sexual distinction lies, however, in the form
and si/e of the jaw-teeth. In the females they retain
their juvenile arrangement, and are suuxll, pointed, some-
what curved, of uniform size, and set fairly close to-
gether in a single row. In tlie full-grown males, on
the other hand (fig. 70), these teeth disappear, in the
front of the mouth at least, but are replaced bv a fresh
row of larger, more scattered and somewhat blunt teeth,
4 or 5 on each of the intermaxillarv bones and ?> or 4 on
each half of the lower jaw; and within this row, in the
lower jaw at its end, but in the upper jaw farther for-

ward towards the snout, there appears a recurved, canine
tooth on each side. Tlnnigh Caxesthini'' was the first
to remark this difference in the teeth, it has been
most full\' elucidated ])y Gollktt', who also came to

Fig. (J9. Apliijii miniitu; head of an adult male, sjiowing llie longi-

Uidinal and transverse rows of papilla; belonging to llie system of llie

lateral line, seen from above. Magnified. After Coi.lE'IT.

'^f^9^j

JSSs^^iteite^-

Fig. 7U. Aplii/a ininiita: bead of a young male («), during winter,
of an older male (i), just before the spawning-season, and of a full-
grown male (e), during the spawning-season; seen from the side. In
the last figure is sliown the extension of the lateral line on the side
of the head. Magnified. After Coi.lett.

the conclusion that these tishes, as well as the follow-
inji" irenus, are annual vertebrates, the onh' instances
of the kind, which propagate their species wlien a year
old, and die soon afterwards.

" Anim. Hist., lib. \-I. eap. 15.

* De Piscibus. lib. VII. eap. III.

■■ ApiClUS took this form as his model, and though far from the sea, where it was quite impossible to obtain these fishes, thus pro-
cured for NicOMEDES, king of Bithynia, the coveted dainty, by cutting turnips into thin slices and thoroughly boiling them witli spices in oil.
(UoNDEt.., 1. c, cap. II.)

■' Arch. Zool., Anat., Fisiol. vol. I (Geneva, Dee. 18G1). p. 1,52. Kessi.eu (Bull. Soe. Imp. Nat. Moscou, tome XXXIl (18o0), Xo. 2,
p. 2 GO) had also remarked this difference, but only in individual cases, and without regarding it as a sexual distinction.

« Proe. Zool. Soe. Lond. 1878, p. .S2y.

Scinidintirian Fi^iltts.

34

266

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE WHITE GOBY (sw. klar-stlbben").

APHYA iMINUTA.

Plate XIII, figs. 8 and 9.

rxnlji SI) traitsparoit, iritli a faint fiiif/e i>f lediJish or greoiish jjelluir, that the intenud aifjans arc fisiblc'', and
diittrd with black chromntojjhores, in youth chief if at the bases of the second dorsal fin (sometimes not even there),
the laudal fin and {most distinctli/) the anal fin. In adult specimens tliere is also a distinct rote of about 2'j dark
dots or collections of dots at the middle of the sides, one of these dots or collections of dots being placed in the space
between each pair of the transverse sections of the lateral muscles, on the hind part of tJie bodi/ soiiict lines denser
and forniinfi a continuous streak along the mJcldle of the sides. The whole dorsal side {sometimes the ventral sides
proper as /cell) and the head, especiallg the tip of the snout and the point of the loirer jan\ also strewn, in speci-
mens ready to spawn in jxirticular, with similar dark chromatophores, which also appear on the rays of the
vertical fins, and generally mark the divisions bettveen the lateral muscles by transverse rons of dots in. an upward

and dowmvard direction from the middle of the sides.

R. hr. /); D. 5 1

1

.4.

P. 16—18; V.

11 1. 12 12 1. 13

V. ./•+ll+.c: L. lot. 25 1. 2(5; /.. ti: 5; Vert. 27.

6'>/n. Atheriiia minuin, Risso, Ichiliyol. de Nice, p. 340; Cuv., Val.,

Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. X, p. 437.
Gobius pelliicidus, Nardo, Giorn. Fis., C'hiin. Stor. na(., Pavia,

III (1824), Osservaz. etc. p. 7; Isis, XX (1827) p. 479;

Kessl., Bull. Soc. Imp. Natur. Moscou, XXXII (1859) No. Ill,

p. 260; Gtiii! (Latriincuhts). Cat. Brit. .]fus., Fish., vol.

Ill, p. 556; Couch {Gobius), Fish. Brit. M., vol. II, p. 171,

tab. CII, fig. 2; Coll. (Latruncuhis), Foih. Vid. Selsk.

Christ., 1876, No. 6, p. 2, tab. I, fig. 1—8; Proc. Zoo].

Soc. Lond. 1878, p. 319; MoR. (Apln/a), Hist. Nat. Poiss.

Fr., vol. II, p. 238; Day (Aphia), P'isli. G:t Brit., IreL, vol.

I, p. 169; LiLLJ. {Aphya), iSv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 626;

Coll. (Apliia), N. Mag. Natiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 62.
Aphia meridionalis, Risso, Fur. Me'r., torn. Ill, p. 288.
Gobius albiis, Parn., Trans. Roy. Soc. Ediiib., vol. XIV, p.

137; Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. VII (1837), p. 248,

tab. XXIX; Yarr., JPist. Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 295;

Canestr., Arch. Zool. Aiiat. Fi.^iol.., vol. I, p. 152, tab.

VIII, fig. 3; GriiR (Lntrnnculus), Cat. Brit. Mns., Fish.,

vol. Ill, p. 80 et 556; Malm (Gobius) Forh. Skand. Naturf.

Mote, Stockh. 1863, p. 411; Coll. (Latrinicnlus), Forh.

Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1872, p. 8 (sep.); Blkr, Arch. Neerl.

So. E.xact., Natur., tome IX, j,. 312; Malm, Ghgs, Boh. Fit.,

p. 435, tab. VI, fig. 2.
Gobius Stuvitzii, v. DOb., Kor., Ofvers. Ve.t.-Akad. Forh. 1844,

p. Ill; Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1844, p. 59, tab. II, fig. 4;

NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 229; Grun (Gobio.soma), I.e.,

p. 86; Gill {Boreogobias), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad.
1863, p. 269; Malm (Gobius), Forh. Skand. Naturf. Mote,
Stockh. 1863, p. 411; Cou.. (Latrunculus), Forh. \'id. SeUk.
Christ. 1872, p. 9 (sep.); ibid. 1874, Tillsegsh., p. 59;
Blkr (Boreogobius), 1. c, p. 310; Malm (Latruncidns),
Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 439, tab. VI. fig. 3.

The great external difference of sex in the White
Goby has found its ex])ressioii in the nnnierous names
it has ])oi'ne in the system. In modern times the
males (Plate XIII, fig. 8 and tig. 71, a) have been
generally known by the name of Latruncidns albus,
and the females (Plate XIII, tig. 9 and tig. 71. c),
together with the young specimens (tig. 71, b), by that
of Latr. {Boreogobius) Stuvitzii. The former were dis-
tinguished by the greater size of the teeth and the
greater length of the rays at the end of the second
dorsal and anal tins. These tishes were also long suj)-
posed to be the fry of some larger, still unknown
Goby'', until Mal.m in July, 1861, found gi'avid females
from 42 to 48 mm. long, in Gullmar Fjord off" Chris-
tineberg. In Scandinavia tiie males attain a. length
of at least 52 mm.''

In this species too, the greatest depth of the body
varies considerably according to age and sex, measuring

" Malm, 1. c.

Tliis is true only of the living fish. When preserved in spirits, it is an opaque, whitish yellow.

' Tliis was Pabnell's assumption as to the males, and v. DUben and Koren's as to the fenniles and the specimens where the external
differences of sex were not yet developed. The former also cites an opinion flien current among the Scotcli fishermen, that these fishes were
the young of Trachinus vipera.

'' From 40 to 50 mm. in more .soiithern latitudes, according to Moreau; only slightly more tlian 38 mm., according to Day.

WIin'K (inliV.

2fi7

in Nouiii:' spcciiiiciis 11 di- 12 % of tlie Iciiii'tli di' tiic
body, ill ;m1uIi iniilcs ;il)()iit lo'/„ % niid in liivixid fe-
males, according' to Lii.i..iKi?()]i(i, as uiucli as lis %.
The Ipast depth of the Ixxlv in young sperimeiis, as
well as in ,i;ra\id I'cnialcs, is he! ween fi and fi'\, % of
the lengtli of the body, being thus iiearh' the same as
in old speeiniens of Gohius minKfns, wliile in a(bdt
males it is about 7 ?6 of the lengtii of the IkmU, or
al)out the same as in (rohiiis JeffieijsU. The length <d'
the head, which is excii i-elali\('l\ less in young speci-
mens thai: in old, especial)} in ihe males, varies be-
tween 18 and 'll % of that of the body, and its greatest
thickness in the former is less than 50 % of its length,
in the latter at least 90 % thereof. The length of the
snout in the former is about etpial to the longitudinal
diameter of the eye, which varies between 26 % and
28 % of the length of the head; while in the males it
is greater than the diameter of the eve, which in their
ease is about 24 % of tlie length of the head. The
adult females occujiv an intermediate position in this
respect, as in se\eral others. In young specimens and
adult females the length of the lower jaw measures 10
or 11 % of the length of the bodv, in adult males
13 %. Ill young specimens, according to v. DCben
and KoKEN, the distance between the beginning of the
first dorsal tin and the ti]) of the snout is 28 or 28 '/a
% of the length of the bodw In older specimens, espe-
cially in the males, this distance is even relatively
greater, measuring 30 or 31 % of the length of the
body. In young specimens the base of this tin is less
than '/.,, in gravid females exactly V3, and in adult
males nearly \'o, of the distance between the lirst ray
of the first dorsal fin and that of the second, this di-
stance being, however, less in the males than in the
females, measuring about 13 % of the length of the
body in the former and about 1.5 % in tlie latter. The
base of the second dfirsal tin is also longest in the
adult males, its length varying between 19 and 22 %
of that of the body. The relative length of the anal
fin. on the other hand, diminishes with increasina' age
and the development of the sexual characters, being 20
or 21 ^> of the lengtli of the body in young specimens,
16 or 17 % in adult. We have already remarked the
male character common in the Gobies, Avhicli in this
species too, is expres.sed \f\ the elongation of the pos-
terior raAS in the two fins last mentioned. The be-

ginning of the anal tin lies jusi in front of the middle
of the body, its distance from the tip of the snout in

the females being about 49 % of the length of the
body, in the males about 47 %. The length of the
caudal fin increases e\-eii relatively with age, and is
greatest in the adult males, varying between 13 and
22 % of the length of the body.

The distribution of the scales on the body is shown
in the figures we have; taken from ("ullett's woi'k, .-ind
the coloration, as far as its transparent nature could
be reproduced, in the two figures which we have bor-
rower! of Malm.

^^r?^"

Fig. 71. Aplii/a minnta: a. adult male, in the spawning-season:
b, young male in winter; f, gravid female. Magu. 2 diam. d, a scale
from the middle of the side, more powerfully magnified. After Collett.

In Scandinavia the White Goby has not yet been
utilised as an article of food. The large numbers in
Avhich it occurs, occasionally at lea.st, in Christiania
Fjord, where Collett" at the end of November, 1880,
for example, took about 40,000 at a single haul of
the seine, among the Herring-fry, give us good reason
to expect that here in Scandinavia, on the Norwegian
coast and perhai)S in Gullmar Fjord, where the species
also occurs, with suitable tackle we may be able to
establish a fishery similar to that of more southern
countries. There, according to Risso and ]\Ioreau.

" N. Mag. Naturv., 1. c, p. 6,^.

268

.SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

these i/oiuuifa are caught in a fine-meshed kind of
puree-net {Taiiaue ov Tartaneum), Avliicli is sunk to a
depth of between 1.5 and 18 fathoms. In this manner,
according to G. <>. Saks, ];irge (|uantities of this fish
are taken both in tlie Adriatic and oft" the coast of
Sicily.

The White Goby spawns in sunnner. Collett
iound th;it the males change their teeth during May;
;ind in June the females were full of roe. At tlie be-
ginning of rTuly, most of the males had emptied their
milt-sacs; and after that date he did not see a single
.specimen until he met with the fry in the autumn.

The White Goby is common in the Mediterranean
and the Black Sea. Off the south part of the west
coast of Europe it has not yet been observed, but it
has been found in Scotland and jilong the Norwegian
coa.st up to the neiglibourhood of Bergen. Its Scandi-
navian haunts were first discovered by the eminent

Norwegian naturalist Stuvitz, who took four specimens
oft" Bergen, in December, 1834. The species of these
examples, however, was not determined until ten years
afterwards, by v. Diben and Koren. In Sweden it
was first found in (jtullinar Fjord, in July, 1858, by
G. M. Retziis. In 1859 it was taken oft' Skiireberg
in Gullmar Fjord by S. Loven, and in the same year
In' LiLL.iERouG. Since that time it has again been
found in the same neighbourhood by A. W. Malm,
and at Stromstad it has lieen taken in Salmon-traps
by C. A. Hansson, in June, 1880, and May, 1887.

The food of the Wliite Goby is composed of small
ci'usta-ceans and their young and larva;, as well a« those
of shellfisli. It serves in its turn as food for other
fishes, and in this capacit}^ is of special importance to
the small Oadid/p and the young of the larger ones.
Collett found the stomach of these fishes in several
instances crammed with White Gobies.

Genus CRYSTALLOGOBIUS".

Bodi/ elongated, laterally compressed and scaleless. Teeth simple, fixed, and set in a single roir, present anlij in the
front part of the lo/rer jaw and the intermaxillary hones; in the female extremely small, in the male more pro-
minent and interspersed n'ith canines in tlie lower jan\ Two rays in the first dorsal fin. Funnel formed hy the
ventral fins irith the outer (anterior) rays branched, open posteriorly, and uith each of the two innermost rays
united hy a membrane to the belly. Gape relatively large, the length of the lower jatv being more than \ ., that
of the head. Liill-openings large, obliquely Jiorizontal, extending forward to the point of the isthmus.

Branch iostegal rays 5.

This northern genus may be regarded as almost I tinuous vertical fins and tlie more ]ol)ate pectoi-al fins,
peculiar to the Scandinavian fauna. In the system it \ and, like the males of Crystallogobius, are often fur-

forms a link between the preceding genera and the
Amblyopiformes, which are distinguished l)y the con-

nished witli well-developed, canine teeth.

The only known species of tlie genus is

" GiLi,, Proc. AcacL Nat. Sc. PhilaiL 1863, p. 269.

NILRSON S (!OBY.

2G9

cnvsTAM-Odonirs xii.ssoxii.

Fig. 72.

rKxIji (Inrii/f/ life liifjlili/ tr((iisj)urciil. irith a rote of ddtk rluuinal<)phore>i. in most, cascft one for each roi/, oit
each s^ide of the bases of the second dorsal, caudal and anal fins, and at the loirer iuarf/in. of the hellij projier.
Three or four small spots {consistii/fj of .serer((l jiif/nient-rells) on each side <f' the hell if, and {in the males) a row
of chrouKitophores on the under surface of each of the tiro hranches of the loirer jan\ the articulation of irhich

is marked in hoth sexes hi/ a hiack s/tot. Vertehrce 20.

ti^ji^

^^^mfii:^,.

f

Fig. 72. Crystallogobius yU.^aonii. After Com.eit. a — c, iiuigii. 2 iliaiii.; d — f, luagii. 6 fliaiii. n: adult male, in the spawning-season;

li: young male; c: female, with ripe roe; d: head of an adult male, during the spawning-season;

e: the same, seen from in front; /: head of a gravid female.

A', bi: it: D. 2il9 — 20"; .1. 20—21*; P. 29—30; V. ^;

6

C. .r+ll-fj.

Si/ii. Gobius linearis, v. Dtis., Kon., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1844,
p. 111.

" Sometimes 21, according to v. DOnEN and KoiiKN.

6 0-7

Gobius Nilssonii, v. Dub., Kok., ibid. 1845, p. 11; Vet.-Akad.
Hand. 1844, p. 53, tab. II, fig. 3; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk.,
p. 227; Gthk {Gobiosoma), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill,
p. 86; Coll. (Latrioiadus), Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1872,
p. !> (sep.); Blkr (Cri.stallogobius), Arch. Neerl. Sc. Exact.,

)» »i »

270

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Nat., torn. IX (1874), p. 310: Coll. (Lutninculodes), Forh.
Vid. Selsk. Clirist. 1874, p. 151; ibid., Tilla>gsh., p. 60;
In. iCnjstallogobius). ibid. 1876, No. 6, p. 26, tab. II, fig.
0 — 14: Mai>m, GImjs, Boh. Fn., p. 651; Coli... 1. c. 1879,
No. 1, p. 36; Day, FL^h. G:t Brit., Irel,, vol. I, p. 172,
tab. LIII, fig. 4: LiLU., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 640;
Coll., N. Mag. Naturv., Cbrist,, Bd. 20 (1884), p. 63.

('r!id((Uof)ohim Nilssonii, is essentially of the same
tofiii as the pi'eceding species, and of eiiiial or even
greater transpai-ency. The body is, however, still more
strongly compressed; and the great length of the second
dorsal and the anal tins, the shoi'tness of the first dorsal
fin, and the arcuate, upturned form of the loAver jaw,
Avith the peculiar structure of the teeth in the male
(tig. 72, r/ and e), condjiuc to give this species an en-
tireh' different appearance. Another remarkable point
in this tish is tiie broad (nuiltiradiate), somewhat lobate
form of the pectoral fins, with their semicircular, mus-
cular root and elongated, roundish shape, furnished as
they are with short, tine rays at the top and bottom,
and with the middle 12 — 14 rays longest, though much
shorter than in the preceding species, and even in the
males only about 10 % of the length of the body." When
expanded, the pectoral fins ai-e as deep as the body. The
development of the fins in this species is, however,
widely different in the dift'erent sexes. The second ray
in tlie first dorsal fin is the longer, and the fin-mem-
l)rane sometimes extends back to the beginning of the
second dorsal fin, l)ut is generally nuich shorter. In
the females (fig. 72. c) this fin is remarkably low,
being often scarcely distinguishable, Avhich is also the
case with the ventral fins, while the second dorsal and
anal fins are also lower in tlie female than in the
male, and the pectoral fins much shorter. According
to V. DuBEN and Koren's measurements of specimens
from 31 to 42 mm. long, the fins also undergo con-
siderable changes of growth, the base of the second
dorsal fin increasing from 30 to 35 % of the length of
the bod)', the base of the anal fin, on the other hand,
being reduced from 36 to 35 % thereof, while the dis-
tance between the tip of the lower jaw and the vent
is reduced from 45 to 42 % of the length of the body,
and the distance between the first dorsal fin and the
tip of the snout from 23 to 22 %. According to the
same measurements tlie greatest depth of tlie body
sinks from 13 to 11 % of the length, and the least
depth from 8 to 7 %. Again, according to the same

measurements, the length of the head is about 17 %
of that of the liod)-; l)ut in two females, 33 and 38
mm. long, sent us from C'hristiania Fjord, by Pro-
fessor CoLLiCTT, this ratio varies between 15 and 16 %,
and in Uvo males from the same place, 44 and 45 mm.
long, it is 20 %. Tiie longitudinal diameter of the
e^'e decreases, according to v. DCben and Koren, from
29 to 23'/ 2 % of the length of the head. In our own
specimens the length of the lower jaw varies between
56' 2 and 60 % of that of the head.

To the best of our knowledge Cri/stallof/obuis AvV.s-
sonii has only twice been found in Sweden, on both
occasions near the entrance of Gullmar Fjord. In July,
1877, oft" Gaso, Malm found a male and a female which
had probably been drawn up in a net from a depth of
14 fathoms; and among the collections whieii Dr. Wi-
REN brought with him in 18S5 from the Zoological
Station of Christineberg, was a male specimen 36 mm.
in length. ( )n the Norwegian coast, on the other hand,
it has repeatedly been met with, in some years in
fairly lai'ge numbers, though at other times, like the
preceding species, it .seems to l)e extremelv rare. The
first specimens, 5 in luimber, were taken by Stuvitz
oft" Steen, near Bergen, in December, 1834. Off Aske-
AN'old, in the north of the Department of Bergen, Go-
vernoi' ('hristie took two specimens, wdiich were
also placed at v. DOben and Koren's disposal in tlie
Museum of Bergen. These writers also mention two
other specimens which they had personally taken in a
dredge, at a depth of about 30 fathoms, oft' Christi-
anssund, in July. 1843. Each of tliese specimens was
found hidden in the emptA' shell of a worm (GJuc-
fopferits 'iiorvcgicifs). Both of the Norwegian zoologists
Sars have subsequently met with this species at several
Sjwts in the south of Norway; and in recent years,
from 1875 to the present time, it has repeatedly been
found by Collett during the seine-fishery for Macke-
rel, Sprats and Cod in Christiania Fjord. In June,
1879, in particular, he took about a hundred specimens
among a small shoal of Herrings that was netted in
Sandvig, some Swedish miles south-west of Christiania.
June is approximately the spawning-season of this
species; and its habits are in all probability much like
those of Aphija mim(f((, in companj" with which it is
often found. Like the latter species it is also com-
prised among the fishes called Aaf by the Norwegians,

" In tbis respect Collktt's figure is less accurnte tlian v. Dl'nEN and Koren's and Pay'.s figures above referred to.

i)i;A(i(»NK'rs.

271

iiiul may he (if no siiinll iiniiortaiice as food for other of these last species at flift'ereiit spots and in dififei-ent

fishes, espeeially yoini^' ("od, small (iadidtc ,ind llcr- I years.

rinjfs. The w.int uf I'ciiul.irity in its annu.d appearance | Cri/shdlof/nl/tits Xilssonit has only once lieen fonnd

at a certain spot may, thcrcfurc, he well deserving' of ont of Scandinavia. Tiiis fuid was made in Scotland,

careful investigation, as we may |)ossil)l\- lind herein j where, according to Day, in Ma\', 1868, Edward dis-

a clue to the explanation of the \ar\ing (icciirrence ' covered a male specimen in a pool on the siiore near Banff.

'AM.

( A L L I 0 N Y M T 1) M.

Bodfi el()ii(/(tfi'(l, iixirc or less (Jottifoiiii, (iiilcrioiii/ ilcjncsscd and posti'iioiiij fcrcfc or of ii iniindci/ //ididrinii/idiir
shapt'. Two dorsal /ii/s. the hose of llie aiiti'iior shorter thou that of tJic posterior, oi/d the former eomposed
of flp.rihie, simple roi/s. A mil tiit in struct lire <nid position oii(doi/oti.s to the second dorsal. Ventral fins of
normal striirtnre and set far apart, Itiif JKf/nlar, and (jeneridl// lonjp'r and' broader than the pcctorid fins. Pseiidn-
hranehifC j)resent. Si.r lirancliioste<pd rai/s. .{ir-bladder and /)f/loric upjioidofjcs nvrntini/. Xo osseoKs connexion

between the suborbital rinfi and the ))reopereulum.

BoNAi'AiirK defined and established this familv" as
a snl)famil\' (Callionipnini) of the Gobioids, and V.v-
LENciENNES made the suggestion'' afterwards adopted by
Richardson", when he gave the familv the above name.
It is probably a, question of no great importance \vhether
we follow CuviKR and Gunther, and retain the Drago-
nets within the Gobioid family, or place them as a
distinct family beside the latter. Like the Gobies they
are bottom-tishes, with the form of the body still better
adapted to their maimer of life, depressed as it is,
sometimes almost to the liase of the caudal fin. In
addition to the common character which lies in the
structure of the first dorsal fin, with its flexible rays
and short, hut sometimes remarkably high shape the
resemblance between the Dragonets and the Gobies is |

fnrthei' enhanced, in particular, h\- tlie similarity of
their external sexual characters. Distinctive characters
foi' these families ai-e, however, not wanting. In the
Dragonets the mouth admits of protrusion; and the
jugular ventral fins are set so far apart that the pos-
terior part of their membrane pi'ojects upwards along
the front of the base of the pectoral fins.

The family of tiie Dragonets is not rich in forms.
About 30 species are known, all hut one, Callionymus
Agassizii, which, during the voyages of the American
steamer "Blake" between 1877 and 1880, was found at
a depth of .340 fathoms in the Gulf of Mexico'', be-
longing to the Eastern Hemisphere. By far the greater
part of them belong to the genus

CALLIONYMUS.

Bodij naked, scales ((pj)earinf/, in. some cases onl//. on the lateral line. Small, cardiform teeth on the intenna.rillari/
bones and in the loa-er jaa\ The hurer jiosterior corner of tlie preoperealnm prolonfp'il into a .spinous point,
(rill-openings small, sometimes shrank into ta'o, r(ni)id foramina, one on each side of the occipiif. Vertehrx about 20'.

The ancient writers did im\ know tiiis fish, to lionijmas, derived from Ari.stotle'', wiio used it, how-
which LiNN.EUS-'' has applied the generic name of (.'al- ever, according to Athex.eus and Puxy, as a synonym

" See his, 183.3, p. 11 DO.

'' Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XII, \<. 2G2.
' Zool. Ereb., Terr., 11, 2 {IchthyoL). Method. Li.sl, p. IV.
•' Bull. Mils. Conip. Zool., Harv. Coll., Mass., vol. XV, p. 29, tig. 207.
' From 19 to 21.

■'' i>ij/!t. Nat., ed. X, toil). I, p. 249.

V From .\ristoti,e we only learn that Ku'UuiuVli.tOQ (fair-named) was a slioretisli with a large gall-bhulder. In the Dragonets the
gall-bladdi-r is small, and it seems, tljereforo, improbable that tlie name was originally applied to them.

272

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

i>\' Uniiiosropiis. Oiw of the Scaudinnviaii species -was
;ilso origiruilly" called UraHOScopits by LiNNiEUS, though
lie ;ift('rw;ir(ls eh;iiiged tlie ii;ime to Traclitnm''. The
oldest generic uaine, DracuncttJus, derived from Pliny,
;md intended to indicate the likeness to TrucJiinus
{Draco), was applied by Rondelet' to a Mediterranean
species of the genus, Mdiich Avas referred by AuTEur to
the genus Coffus''. The Swedish name "SJokoek" (Sea-
cook), according to Fries'', really signifies Sea-cock;
and "7<'%//?'.s7i ' (Flying-fish), another Swedish name for
this genus, is an unconscious reminiscence of Exococtus,
the name a]iplied to the genus by Gesner and 1)EL()n''.
All the species of this genus are salt-water fishes
Avhich live alone nv in pairs, always keep close to the
l)Ottom at a moderate or great depth, do not wander
far, and ai-e apparently monoganious. The males, in
particulai', are adorned with the most beautiful and
\arious colours. The external distinction of sex, which
in other fishes in general is only slightly marked, is
shown in this genus by a considerable difference of
form as well as colour. In the former respect the rule
holds good in this case also, that in the males the first
dorsal fin is higher, the first ray being considerably
elongated; while in this gemis the last rays of the se-
cond dorsal fin are also elongated, being, as a rule, at

least longer than tlie anterior rays of this fin. The
distinction of colour is expressed by the gayer and more
brilliant attire of the males. This difference between
the sexes led the ichthj'ologists of a period when little
attention had yet been given to this point, to dc'scrilie
as distinct species forms Avhich \\ere reallv different
sexes of the same species. The changes of growth,
howevei', are also considerable; and as tiie young males
are externally very like the females, thei'c was a double
cause for tiiis confusion in tiie nomenchiture. It is
Neill whom we have to thank for the first t'lear elu-
cidation'' of the sexual characters. The changes of
growth in the most common Scandinavian Dragonet
Avere first described b^- Fries''.

The two species which belong to the Scandinavian
fauna, ina-v be distinguished as follows:

A : Base of tlie :imil I'm less than -/.j

of tlic distance from its beginning

to the tip of the snout. Second

dorsal fin marked with several pa-
rallel, eoknired, longitudinal bands Callkmiiiiins h/ra.
B: Base of the anal fin more than -/.j

of the distance from its beginning

to the tip of the snout. Second

dorsal (in marked with ocellated,

round spots, set in several rows,.. Calliiuii/inus nuiculatnt!.

The most common Scandinavian species is

" Muf. Ad. Frid., t<iiii. I, \i. 71: Uraiwscopiis picttis (S\v. Blastdl).
'■ Fit. 6'iiec., ed. 1, p. lOG.
<■ Fisc. Mar., lib. X, caii. XII.
'' Gen. Pise, p. 49; «^'///(., ji. 77.
« Skand. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 04.

■' MClleu, however, supposes (Zool. Dan. I, No. 3G, p. 'Jl) tliat the D.ino-Norwegiaii naiiie Flojfisk, whieli has given rise to I'uXT-
)I'PII).\n's description of the flight of the Dragonet, is derived, not from fli/ve (to lly). but from //oy (vane, pendant).
'J Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. I (1808 1810), p. 529.
'' Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1837, n. 39.

CAMJONYMinVE.

273

THE GEMMEOUS DRAGONET (.sw. sjokockkn.)
CALLIONYMUS LYRA.

Plate XIV.

Lenfith of flic liead from the front point (f tlic UitcrmaxiUarii hones, niioi retruded, to the hind Jjrmicliiosteyal
iiiuriji)i'\ /chicli is hidden by the skin, more thou .// % of the le)igth of the body, and to the anterior margin of the
gill-openiiifi more than 18 % thereof or thou '' ,, of the base of the anal fn. Base of the anal fin less than or equal
to \ ,| of the teiif/th of the hod;/, and (dso less than {or at most ('(/ual to) either the length of the hi'od as first given,
or the di.sfaiiee helireeii the first dorsal fin and I he liji of llic snoiil, (uid lastly, ahoaf (id ((11) % at most of the
distance between the beginning of the anal fin and the tip of the snout. Least depth of the tail at least Vi % of
the base of the anal fin, and the breadth across the insertions of the ventral fiis at least ')() % of the latter.

The lateral line rniis atom/ tin

n. bv. C: D. 4|9(8); A. 9(8): P. 17—20
Vert. 21''.

Hyn. Vutliis ossifiilo pinna' il(prsali.< prinui limgitiuline cdrjupris, .J. F.
Geon., Act. Soc. Rpg. Sc. Ups. 1740, p. 121. tab. VIII;
Uranoscopus ossiculo prime ]iinna? dorsalis priniio loiigitudine
corporis, L. T. GnoN., Mns. Ichtli., I, p. 23, No. (54 (cf
ad\\\t.= Uranoscopus Lyra, Vat. Fisli. Gron., I'rit. Miis.,
ed. Gray, p. 4:2)+ Uran. oss. pr. pin. dors. pr. triunciali,
Mtis., 1. c , No. 65 ((f juu. = Uran. Draciiuctiliis, Cat.,

1. c.) + Uran. OSS, pr. pin. dors. pr. nnciali, Mus., 1. c, p. 21,
No. 63, exel. syn. (9= Uran. microptcvygius, (Jat., 1. c, p. 4.3).

Uranoscopus pictus, Lin., Mus. Ad. Fr., toni. I, p. 71.

CaUionymus Lyra, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 249; MOll.^
Zool. Van., I, No. 36, p. 91 (ed. germ., Leipzig — Dessau),
tab. XXVII; Ketz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 313: Nilss., Prodr.
Iclttli. Scand., p. 92; Schagebstr6m, Vet.-Akad. Handl., 1833,
p. 127; Cuv., V.\i,. Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XII, p. 266; Fr.,
Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1837, p. 47; Id. et v. Weight, Sk-and. Fislc.,
ed. 1, p. 95, tab. 22 et 23; Keoy., Danm. Fislce, vol. I,
p. 422; Nilss., ^Icand. Fn., Fish., p. 212; Gthe, Cat. Brit.
Mus., Fisli., vol. Ill, p. 139; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ.
1874, Tillsegsb., p. 62; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 37; Malm,
Gbgs, Boll. Fn., p. 443; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 19; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr.. tom.

2, p. 164; Day, Fisli. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 174, tab.
LIV; LiLLj., Sv., Norg. Fish., vol. I. p. 648; Hansen, Zool.
Dan., Fiske, p. 37, tab. VI, figg. 8 et 9.

CaUionymus dracuncnlus, LiN. (p. p.), Syst.. 1. c; Nilss.,

Prodr., I. c: Cuv., Val., I. c., p. 274.

CaUionymus draculus, Mt)LL., Zool. Dan., I, N(i. 26, p. 65

(ed. cit.); Retz.. 1. c.

Obs. Evi-n Pallas (Hpicilegia Zoologica, Fasc. VIII, p. 25)
and after his time Nilsson {Prodr.) and Valenciennes (Cuv., Val.,
I. c.) have expressed the opinion, which according to 0. F. MOl,LER
has also been current among the Norwegian fishermen, that CaUiony-
mus lyra and dracunculiis, as they have been determined in the Ncjrtb

middle of the body. Posli'rior dors/il fin marked n'ifh sercral coloured bands,
running parallel to the direction of the badi/.

V. ', -; C. x + 1 +.x;

European fauna, are only different sexes of the same species. But
Fries was the first to demonstrate on scientific principles that this is
really the case (See Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1837).

Tlie males ot the Gemiaeous Dragoriot are laueli
larger tliari the females. While the former, when full-
grown, measure from 25 to 30 cm., mo.st of the females
taken are from 20 to 22 cm. long, nnd neither Fries
nor LiLL.iEBuiif; had ever seen a female fully 25 cm.
in length. Tlie liody is depressed and roundish, taper-
ing posteriori}- in a conical form: the lielly is broad
and fl;it, and there is a longitudinal depression along
the back and also under the tail, which gives the trans-
section of the body behind the vent a close resemblance
to the tigure <S placed horizontally (<»). The greatest
breadtli of the body, l^etween the preopercular spines,
varies between about 18 and 20 %' of its length, and
the breadth at the end of the i\\y<\\ tin between about
7 and 9 %'' of the latter. The deptli of the body at
the base of the ventral fins appai-ently decreases with
age from about II to about I'^l^ ?^ of the length of the
body, at the end of the base of the anal fin from about
6 to about ^\., %, and the least depth, just in front ot
the base of the caudal fin, from 4 to S'/g %.

The head is depressed, but .somewhat higher at the
middle than tlie sloping sides, forming a broad triangle,
the body being, therefore, broadest at the opercula, and
then tapering toAvards the snout. The frontal line forms
a sliijfht (lownwnrd curve. The snout is rounded to a

" This is formed by the upturned branohiostegal ray whicli extends t'lirthest back, .uid which is generally the most prominent posterior
boundary of the head. The hind margin of the gill-cover is formed by the subopcrculuni, wliicli is, however, hidden by the skin, and some-
times indistinct. The most trustworthy measurement of the length of the head, in order to determine this species, is that taken to the an-
terior margin of the gill-opening.

' In young specimens according to Malm, 19 or 20, 6 of which are abdominal. In old specimens the number of the latter is 7 or 8.

' The least proportion we have found in 6 specimens, varying in length between 53 and 237 mm., is 17'7 "•, the greatest 19'6 '^■

'' The least jiroportion \\(' have found in the above specimens, is 6'8 %, the greatest 8"6 %.

Scandinavian Fishes.

35

274

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

]>uint, strongly depressed and tliin, resembling a lal)ial
fold which covers the upper jaw, and underneath which
the latter niaA- be drawn in. The margin of the upper
jaw, wliich ])rojects bevond the lower, is formed by the
fairly firmly united and somewhat arcuate intermaxillary
l)ones, which form a kind of beak. These bones are
furnished with long nasal jn'ocesses, which slide along
the facial bones, and contribute to tlie marked pro-
trusion of the upper jaw, when the mouth is opened.
The latter then accjuires a tubular appearance, and is
turned olili(|uelv downwards, as we hnA'e endeavoured
to show in the outline drawing in Plate XIV. The
maxillar} bones are verj* small, situated behind the
intermaxillaries and hidden by the labiate skin of the
snout, their lower end being visible only when the
mouth is opened and protruded. Both jaws are fur-
nished with fairly Heshy lips and very small, cardiform
teeth. There ai'e no teeth on the palate or on the
tongue, which is small, cartilaginous and rounded to a
point, with a. small, soft rim round the free tip. A
small, transverse, membranous fold appears on the pa-
late, but there is no corresponding fold below it. The
eyes are set high and close to each other, l)ut are turned
in a lateral direction, the eyeballs, which project above
the level of the forehead, being superiorly depressed.
Tiie pupil is kidne}'-shaped, there being a lol)ate process
in the u[)per margin of the iris. The nostrils are veiy
small and are set quite close to the eyes; the anterior
opening is somewhat tubular, the posterior almost in-
visible. At the lower corner of the |)re(jperculum ^ve
find a projecting hand-shaped process, which is gener-
ally furnished at the end with .3 pointed, subulate spines,
directed upwards and backwards, and interiorly with a
si>ine pointing forward, whicii lies, however, along the
base of the process, hidden by the skin, and is there-
fore easily overlooked. The fish is not unskilled in the
use of these weapons. When an attempt is made to lift
it, it expands the gill-covers, like the Bullheads, the
spinous processes being thus erected. The operculum
is small and very thin, with soft, cartilaginous margin.
The gill-openings are small round holes on each side
of the occiput, with a thin, loose membrane at the
margin, which closes them like a. valve. The remainder
of the opercular margin is unite<l to the body by the
skin. Tile branchiostegal mcnd)rane is furnished with
6 rays, all tine and soft, with hairlike tips, the u]iper-
raost three being especially long and bent round the

" Somelimes only 7.

opercvdar margin. The branchial cavity is narrow, ^vith
small gills and narrow openings between the arches;
the anterior margins of the latter are furnished ^vith
two rows of small, verrucose, osseous protuberances (gill-
rakers). The upper pharyngeals are loosely united into
tM-o i-ounded almond-shaped plates, entirely rough with
fine, cardiform teeth. The lower pharyngeals are (jf the
ordinary oblong shape, and are armed in the same way.

The skin of the body is throughout thin and smooth,
without any trace of scales, and covered with an abun-
dant mucous secretion. At several spots it is so loosely
attached to the body that it may be raised into folds.
The lateral line is scarcely visible, but runs in the form
of a, somewhat raised seam along the middle of the
sides, its course being fairly straight, though somewhat
winding. It advances out to tlie hind margin of the
caudal tin, lying between the third and fourth rays
thereof. Straight across the occiput there runs a con-
necting-duct between the two lateral lines. On the
hind part of the body, from the middle of the second
dorsal fin, we generally find ti'ansverse branches of the
lateral line, alternately in an upwai'd and a downward
direction, one I'unning straight up, and the next, which
is shorter, obliquely doAvnwards. One or two such
branches rise from the latei'al line on each side, meet-
ing at the dorsal edge, just in front of the caudal hn,
and thus forming connecting ducts. The vent is situ-
ated in front of the middle of the body, almost verti-
cally below the second ray of the second dorsal tin.

Two dorsal tins rise from the depression which runs
along the dorsal edge. The anterior is triangular, and
begins above the upper angle of the base of the pec-
toral tin, at a distance from the middle of the point of
the intermaxillary bones, when drawn back, which mea-
sures from 2.5 to 28 % of the length of the body. It
contains only four, simple, soft-tipped rays, which are
followed l)y the fin-membrane out to the very tip. The
first ray is the longest, the others gradually diminish-
ing in length. The second dorsal tin, which begins near
the end of the first, generally contains eight" simple
rays, all of which are articulated, and at the end one
ray branched down to the base, and with the branches
also divided at the tip. The length of its base de-
creases with age from about 26 to 23 % of the length
of the body. The anal hn is of the same shape and
structure as the second dorsal, but begins a. little farther
back than the latter, the distance between it and the

(iEMMKOl S I)I;A(;i»XKT.

27;

tip 111 tilt' snout l)t'iiii;- tVoiu .-iliout W> to 41 % of tiic
lengtli of tlie hoch-, and also cuds a little heliiud the
tenniuatiou of the second dorsal tin. 'i'lic IcuLilii of its
base varies between 2() and 23 % of that of the body.

The sliaipc ol the pectoral fins, wlien expanded, is
almost rlioudioid, at other times lanceolate, though some-
what broad; :ind their points extend a. little iiexond the
vent. Tlieir base is long. Thev contain one simple
rav and from 17 to 19 branched at the tiji. \\ hen
the total mindier of ravs is IS, the eighth is the longest.
when it is lH, the eighth and ninth are equal in lengtii
and longest, and when 20, the ninth ra\' is the longest.
These rays are \-erv distinct, though tine, and are united
by a thin mend)rane.

The \enti'al tins, which are set far ajiart, in a
liorizoutal position, somewhat in front of the base of
the pectoral tins, are united to tiie anterior side of the
latter b^- the fin- membrane. They contain one simple
rav and five repeatcdlv branched at the tip and thick
at tiic base. The simple ray is very small and closely
tuiited to the second; tlie others gradually increase in
length, the last ra\- being the longest oi', at least, of
the same lengtii as the next to it, and extending to
the vent or, in old males, even to the beginning of the
anal fin. The relative length of these fins decreases,
however, with increasing age from about 22' ^ to U) %
of the length of the bodA'. The breadth of the pelvis
across their base, on the other hand, shows even rela-
tive increase with age, varying between about l^'/g and
14\, % of the length of the body, and being greatest
in the females.

The caudal hii is long- and rounded at tlie end,
its lengtii, in the females and young specimens, being
about 19 or 20 "o of that of the body, greatest in the
males, in which, according to Kroyer, it may rise as
high as 25 ?& thereof. It is composed of seven middle,
bitid I'ays and a varying, but comparatively small,
number of supporting rays on each side. The number
of the latter is generally o, this being most often the
case at the lower mai'gin, but at the upper margin in
particular it varies between 1 and 4.

The remainder of the external sexual distinctions
are as follows:

1. 01(1 iiiiilr (Plate XIV, fig. d"). Head more

elongated, obo\ate, its length from the margin of the

upper jaw, when drawn back, to either of the gill-oi)en-

" ings being about 23 % of that of the body. Snout also

long, its length being about equal to the distance be-

tween the hind margin of the gill-cover and that of
the eye or about 13 or 14 % of the length of the body,
the eyes being thus set behind the middle of the head.
The two dorsal tins contiguous at the base. The an-
terior rises in a falciform shape to a considerable height,
which nia\ be more than half (he length of the body,
the tip of the liii. w lien (hipi'essed, extending ijeyond the
base of the caudal hii. The tip is formed, however,
entirelv b\- the first ra\, which is the longest, being
iieai-ly twice as long as the second, three times as long
as the third, and seven times as long as the fourth.
Ill ihe second dorsal tin, the luMght of which is only
V:, of that of the first, the middle i-a\s are somewhat
shorter than the anterior, which in their tui'ii are shorter
than the last ray, which is the longest, and, when
erected, points obli(pielv in a liackward direction. The
u})per margin of the fin is thus as it were incised, and
the posterior part of the fin is so high that, when de-
pressed, this fin also extends beyond the base of the
caudal hn. The anal fin is also much higher behind
than in front, the last ray being so long that the points
of its branches extend beyond the base of the caudal
fin. The caudal fin is of nearlv the same length as the
head, and the other fins are also larger than in the fe-
I males. Behind the vent we find a long, conical papilla.
The colouring is above yellowish brown and below
yellowish, the belly being white with a dash of yellow.
Along the sides there run two handsome, azure bands,
separated by a somewhat broader, greenish stripe. The
upper of these blue l)ands is generally broken up an-
teriorly into spots. Above these bands we find a longi-
tudinal YiAv of bi'ight green spots, which are continued
on the head across the gill-cover, and mingled with
the handsome, Ijlue and violet spots and short, irregular
stripes which adorn the sides of the head and a part
of the snout. The lips are also altei'iiately violet
and blue. Iris bricrht irreen, with a fairly broad,
brown stripe above and below the pu]iil, which often
has a bluish lustre. First dorsal fin bright yellow,
with three, small, oval, light gridelin spots edged with
blue, at the base, one betAveen each ])air of rays, and
a wav\ band of the same colour and edged in the
same AvaA', running from these spots and folloAving each
mesial line of the membrane betAveen the first three rays.
Second dor.sal fin marked with several bands, succes-
sively green, yellow and light blue, and running trans-
verseh- across the fin (i. e. in the direction of the body),
three of them being generally continuous and edged

276

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Avith a darker blue, and one broken iij) into spots,
running nearest the upper mai-gin of the fin. Tliese
l)ands begin at the first ray in the form of large, ex-
tended spots, advance in a somewhat winding course,
and posterioi'ly bend upwards, towards tlie upj^ei- mar-
Hin of the fin. The loAvest ones are the darkest, the
others growing gradually lighter in colour tlie nearer
they approacli the margin of tlie fin. Caudal fin green
at the base, shading into yellow towards tlie hind mar-
gin, and marked with irregular, longitudinal, inter-
rupted bands, which are blue at the l)ase of the fin
and violet at the margin. Anal fin of a uniform drab,
but in certain lights shading into a handsome violet.
Ventral fins yellow at the base and green at the tip,
marked with a varving number of handsome blue spots.
Pectoral fins of a lighter yellowish gray, marked Avith
spots forming transverse bands of several colours across
the rays, and with a few, bright blue sjjots at the base
of the latter.

Tills description is generally true of the coloration
of the males, which is subject, however, to innumerable
individual variations. It is seldom that we find all the
parts of an individual specimen e(|uall)' j^erfect in co-
lour; now one part comes out, and now another, seem-
ingly at the expense of the others. The beautiful co-
lours which adorn this fish during life, are also highly
evanescent, and in most cases I'apidly disappear after
death.

2. Female (Plate XIV, figs. ?). Head shoi-t and
triangular, with pointed snout. In a female, 235 mm.
long, the head measures about 18 % of the length ol
the body, in another, 185 mm. long, 20 ?a thereof.
Eyes set about half-way along the head. Length of
the snout in old specimens about 9 or 10 % of that of
the body, in young T'/o or 7 %, and always less than
the distance between the anterior margin of the eye and
the gill-opening, or than the distance between the pos-
terior margin (jf the eye and the margin of the oper-
culum. Dorsal fins some distance apart at the base,
and their mutual relation in respect to height the con-
trary of that existing in the males, the first being not
only knver than the second, but so low that the first
and longest ray measures onh' \/j(, of the length of
the body. The tip of this ray, when depressed, ex-
tends onl)' to the base of the first ray of the second
dorsal fin. The anterior rays of the latter are longer
than the last ray, the branches of which, when de-
pressed, do not extend to the base of the caudal fin.

The last I'av of the anal fin is someA\'hat longer than
the first, but, when depressed, falls far short of the
base of the caudal fin. Behind the vent there is only
a rudiment of the conical jiapilla.

The whole of the upper ])nrt of the body, aljove
tlie lateral line, and the head are of a, yelloAvish brown
colou]', marbled Avith greenish spots of A-arying size and
shape and lirown dots. The spots are encircled by dark
brown rings, which at certain points coalesce, assume
a darker colour, and foi'iii as it Avere faintly traced
transverse 1)ands across the back. The usual number
of these transverse bands is three, the first, Avhich is
also the narroAvest, Iieing situated at the beginning of
the second dorsal fin, the second, Avliich is also the
broadest and most distinct, at the end of this fin, and
the third just in front of the base of the caudal fin.
Sides beloAv the lateral line \vhitish and semi-trans-
])arent, Avith a fcAv, large and scattered, broAvn (some-
times blackish liroAvn) spots, which are arranged in t^vo
someAvhat irregular roAvs and surrounded bv a liroad
strip of bright, brassy yelloAv. Belly milk-Avhite, and
the loAver part of the tail as clear as Avater and almost
transparent. Along the lateral line a dark liroAvn,
))roken streak. Iris Avitli a narroAV, golden ring round
the pupil, Avhicli is black, shading into blue. First ray
of the first dorsal fin yellowish broAvn, Avith a fcAV
greenish transverse bands, and the membrane uniting
the last three rays deep black and covered, as it Avere,
Avitli a net of fine, dense, broAvnish acHoav veins. This
singular marking is peculiar to the female and highly
characteristic. Second dorsal fin marked Avitli three
broA\-n bands, Avhicli are often interrupted, the first
along the base of the fin, the second, Avhich is the
broadest and most distinct, along the middle of the fin,
and the third at the margin. BetAveen them tAvo other,
faint, bluish bands may be traced. The rays of this fin
are Avhitisli and transparent, the first being marked Avitli
seA'eral broA\'n transverse bands, the second Avitli only
three at the tip, the next rays Avith tAvo and the last
rays Avith only one. Anal fin of a uniform, Avhitish,
almost milky colour, ^'^entral fins of the ground-colour
of the body, Avith a fcAV irregulai-, broAvn spots, inter-
spersed Avith one or tAvo of liluisli green. Membrane
of the pectoral fins pale gi'ay and traiispai-ent, and the
rays spotted alternatelj' Avith yellow and broAvn, these
spots forming broken transverse bands across the fins.
Caudal fin Avith yelloAvish rays and three large, indis-
tinct, light broAvn, transvei'se bands, strewn Avith spots

(JKMMEOUS I)RA(;0N1',T.

277

of ii (hirkcr hrowii, \\hi<'li on tlic lower p.'irt of tlic (in
becomes almost lilnck. The lowest my is cntircK white,
iliul the next to the lowest wllite at the tip.

3. loitiifi ))Hil('. \\ lien \'ery vounii', the iiinle is
exti'enieh' like the f'eni.ile; .ind until l''i;iKs's time the
two sexes of this speeies in their juNcnik; sta;f(; were
confused hy most iehtluoloii'ists who hiid not exiimined
the intei'iiMJ sexuiil oi'g;ins. The same coloin-, the Mime
short head, the same relative size of the |);ii-ts of the
body meet us in tiie xduiii:' niMJes as in the fem;des.
The only external point 1>\' which we can ;dwa\s re-
cognise the youniz male, is the somewhat greatei- lieiiiht
of the first (h)rs;il tin, which is alwa^'s somewhat hiiiher
at least than the second doi'sal, and alwa\s without the
black colour between the rays. But as it grows, tiie
young male h:is less and less of the appearance of the
female, and gradually a(lo|>ts the shape and dress which
belong to the full-grown male. This transition may
be illustrated most clearh' 1)\' a coni|)arison between
young males of diftereiit sizes. Let us choose four
specimens, the tirst Kio nun. in length, the second 179,
the third 197 and the fourth L>2-2. In the first the
length of the head to the occiput is not quite Vo <'f
the length of the body, in the second exactly ' -. In
both the relative length of the snout is the same as in
the full-grown female. In the third specimen the length
of the head is somewhat more than ' -, of that of the
body, and the distance between the tip of the upper
jaw and the eve is equal to that between the anterior
margin of the eye and the gill-opening, but less than
that l)etween the posterior margin of the eye and the
margin of the operculum. In the fourtli specimen the
length of the iiead is still greater in projjortion to that
of the body, and the length of the snout is very nearly
as great as in the full-grown male. In the first speci-
men the first ray of the first dorsal fin measures less
than v., of the length of the body, but in the fourth
specimen more than ' 3 thereof. In the first specimen
the tip of this ray, when depressed, extends to the tip
of the first ray of the second dorsal fin, in the second
specimen to the tip of the fourth ray of the lattci- fin,
and in the fourth specimen to the tip of the sixth ray
thereof. In the first three specimens the two dorsal
fins are still separated at the base, as in the full-grown
female, in the fourth, on the other hand, they are al-
most united. In none of these specimens does the last
ray either of the second doi'sal fin or of the anal, when
the fin is depressed, yet extend to the base of the

caudal fin, but the distance gradually decreases from
the first specimen to the fourth.

The coloration of all four is most like that of the
female, but here aii<l there in the first two specimens,
and still more frefjuentl\- in the fourth, we find some-
tiling of the dress of the older males.

We have never found a single young male during
the spa\\'ning-seasoii with the sexual organs fully de-
veloped; and we therefore conclude that all of those
which have the colouring and the external characters
described above, ai'e not yet ca|)al)le of propagating
their species. The\ probabK do not ])08sess this power
until the first dorsal fin (taken as an example of the
genei-al develo])ment) has attained the length it pos-
sesses in the old males. However, as we used the
length (jf the bo<lv to express a comparison between
the specimens, it may not be superfluous to remark
that the length of the fish cannot always be regarded
as a trustworthy measure of its age. Among numerous
individual exceptions we have found a male fully de-
veloped, l)ut only 200 mm. in length.

On examination of the intestines as thev lie in
the abdominal cavity we find an unmistakable resem-
blance between the Gemmeous Dragonet and the Bull-
heads. The intestinal canal is fairly long. The sto-
mach, which is without any trace of p)-loric appenflages,
appears ordy as an expansion of the intestine. The
intestine proper forms several bends, and has extremelj'
thin walls. The livei-, which is of a nankeen-yellow,
consists of one single piece, without true lobes. It lies
principally to the right, and partly envelops the first
bend of the intestine. The gall-bladder is small and
oblong, and lies in an incision in the liver. The air-
bladder is wanting. The kidneys are triangular, and lie
with the broad end in front, jjosteriorly tapering to a
point. The urinary bladder is large, clear, thin-walled
and obovate. The peritoneum is white and shiny. The
ovaries are united behind, but distinct in front. The
testicles are oblong and distinct, and in the young male
are externally much the same as in certain bii'ds. They
are situated somewhat behind the middle of the ab-
dominal cavity.

Of the peculiarities of the skeleton we shall re-
mark only the absence of the subcranial tube (for the
optic muscles); the partition wall between the orbits,
on the other hand, is ossified to a great extent, at
least in front (as nrbitnspliciioideum), though thin. The
operculum and preoperculum are considerably reduced,

278

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the latter eonsistiiig almost entirely of the above-
mentioned spinous ])rocess, and the t'oi-mer resembling
a sealene ti-iangle, with its articulation witli the hyo-
mandibular bone at the obtuse angle, and with the
subopereulum. wliicli is large and tar more like the
ordinary operculum in shape, attached to the longest
side. The subopereulum thus forms the entire hind
margin of the gill-cover.

Tile Gemnieous Dragonet occurs along the whole
west coast of Europe, fi-om tiic simtii of Spain" as far
nortli at least as the; neighbourhood of Trondhjeni. It
also enters the Sound, where if was observed in 1743
b\ LiNx.ELS. It is, however, ^■erv rare there, of some-
what more frequent occurrence ofl' Kullcn, and still
more common on tlie coasts of Bohusliin and Norway.
It is no^\•here found, however, in large numbers, only
solitarv individuals beine lakcn during the tisherv for
some other species, notablv the Herring. Not a single
exception to this rule has been observed even during
the spawiiing-seasoii, whence it seems highh' probable
that this tish always lives alone or in pairs. The entire
foi'ui of the bodv shows tiiat it is a boTtom-tish of
sluggish temperament and slow in its movements; and
the knowledge we })0ssess of its manner of life, con-
rirms this impression. It prefers deep water — the
Royal Museum has obtained from the fishermen on the
Jutland Reef a female l(i<S mm. long, taken at a depth
of between 100 and :200 fathoms — and probably a
soft bottom. It is usuallv onh during the spawning-
season, which occurs in November and December, that
it approaches the shore, and it is most often taken at
this period. In Sweden the females are much rarer
than the males''.

Several inductions drawn partlv from its manner

deavour to attract the attention and fascinate the af-
fections of his future mate, much after that manner
of courting commonly pursued bv the male birds of
the Pheasant family and Callinaceiv usualh' termed
"strewing". The female, at first indift'erent, l)ecomes
at length evidently dazzled by his resplendent attire
and the ])ersistency of his wooing, she rises to meet
him, the pair — so far as such a course is practicable
with tishes — rush into each others arms, and, witli
their ventral areas closely applied, ascend perpendicu-
lai'h- towards the surface of the water. In connection
with these mananivres, it may safely be predicated that
the ova ai'c extruded and fertilised, but in the limited
dc])tli of water of an aquarium tank, the matrimonial
tour caiuiot, apparently, be sufficiently proLinged to
assure tlie consummation of this act; the tish after
reaching the surface being projected b^ their previouslv
gained impetus slightly above the water, when, falling
ajiart. thev sink slowly to the 1)Ott()m. and the process
after short iuterxals is i'e])eated.'

The Dragonets are extraordinarily tenacious of life
in comparison with othei- salt-water fishes, and can pre-
serve life for lengthy periods out of the water. Their
closely covered gill-openings, whic'h help the gills to
retain their moisture, and protect them against the
effects of immediate contact with the atmosphere, are
especially conducive to this result. In s|)ite of its
phlegmatic temperament the Dragonet is bv no means
clumsy in its mo\ements. "In its resting-place on the
bottom," says Couch'', "the size and position of its
ventral tins afford it support, ^vhilc, 1)\- a very slight
motion in them, it is able to raise itself in an instant
for escape, oi- to seize any object it wishes to devour. '
Of the females and vouns' males, which, it is stated.

of life and partly from its structure, lead us to believe | sometimes seek shelter by burying themselves in the
that this fish is monogamous. Savu.le-Kent"', who sand at the bottom ^ Couch remarks, according to Yak-
had witnessed the ojieration of si)a\vnhig in an acjua- rell-'': "Thev keep at the l)ottom, among sand or stones,
rium, wi'ites as follows: "At such times the male, re- and nc\er I'ise but to ])ass from one station to another,
splendent in his bridal livei'A", swims leisurely round which is done with great suddenness and rapidity. They
the female, who is reclining on the sand, his opercula j possess great quickness of sight, and dart with swift-
abnormally distended, his glittering dorsal fin erect, ! ness when alarmed, though not to a great distance; and
and his every effort being concentrated upon the en- I have seen the Sordid Skulpin re])eatedly mount after

« STEiNDACiiNKii, Stiiber. K. K. Akad. Wiss. Wien, LVII (1868), I, p. 416.

* It docs not seem to occur in the Mediterranean. Cf. Ni.nni, Atli 1st. Venet., ser. 5, toni. 4, p. 1049.

' Brit. Mar., Fresliw. Fish., Handb. Gt. Intern. Fisli. Exliili. London 1883.

•' Hist. Fi.ih. Brit. Isl., vol. II. p. 17.').

' L. c, p. 178.

■^ Bnt. F)W,.. ed. 2, v(d. L p. ;3a:!.

|)I!A(;()\i;ts.

279

prey, and iiivarinhh- ictiirn In the same .s])ot again.'
The Dragonets li\(' on small \ivc\, wliirli iiia\- be easily
seizofl. In tlic stdniarh we generallv find several kinds
of small ci'iistaccans and univalves, and the thin in-
testinal canal is crammed with the crnslic<l shells of
these animals.

As the I )l'a lionets lielon;;' to the s|iecie>; <les|)ise(l
l)\' the fi-;hermen, there is im narticidar method of fish-

ing for tliem; and the few specimens that are acci-
dentally taken, are thrown away. For all this, their
flesh is very fine, wliite and agreeable, and would, with-
out doulit, furnish an apiK-tising dish, if sent to table.
( )ccasionalh% though seldom, a specimen or two may
be taken on tin- hook tluiing summer, but most of the
catches are made in nets or large Herring-seines.

(FkIES, S.MITT.)

THE LESSER DRAGONET.
CALLIONYMUS MACULATUS.

Plate XV, fi^^ 1.

Leitf/fli of tlic head fnnii the front point of the intcrmaxillaiii ttoncs, tvhctt rctrKcii'd, to tlic liiitd lirunchiul maifjln",
which (K hidden hij the skin, less than 24 % of the lem/th of the hodi/, and to the anterior margin of the gill-
opening less than 18 % thereof or than ^ , of the base of the anal fin. Base of the anal fin more than 26 %
of the length of the liodi/, and also more than cither the length of the head as first given, or the distance hetiveen
the first dorsal fin and thr tip of the snout, and lastli/ at least ahout 70 % of the distance between the anal fin
and the tip (f the snout. Least depth if the tail at most ahout 12 % of the length of the base of the anal fin,
and the breadth across the insertions of the ventral fins at most cdwut 47 % of the latter. Course of the lateral
line considerablji ahore tlic middle of the sides. Posterior dorsal fin marked with ocellated round spots, set in

several transverse rows.

If. hr. li: D. 4 9(8): A. 1) : /'. 18

19:

V. .r + 7 + .;■.

Hyii. Dracunculns, Willughby. lliM. Pise, lib. IV, cap. XXV; Ray,
Sijn. Metli. Pise, p. 79; iiec Rondelet.

Uallionymus dracuncidus, BrOnn., Ichthyol. Massil., p. 17;
SCHAGERSTR., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1833, p. 133, tab. I, figs
1 — 3 (nee synon., nee fig. 4).

Callionymiis mnculatus, Raf., (Jaratt., p. 25, sp. 00, tab. V,
fig. 1; Dr., Icon. Fit. ItciL, torn. Ill (Pesci), Xo. 104, lav.,
figs 2 ef 3, fase. Ill; Fit., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1837, p. 48;
II). et V. Wright, Sk-and. Fisk., ed. I, p. 102, tab. 24; Kr.,
Danm. Fiske, vol. 1, p. 442; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
216; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 144: Ca-
XESTR., Arch. Zool., Anat., Fisiol., vol. II, p. 110, tab. 1,
fig. 2 ; Gthr, Ann., Mag., Nat. Hist., ser. 3, vol. 20, p. 290,
tab. V, fig. A; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien. LVII
(1868), I, p. 416; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874,
TilliBgsh., p. 62; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 444; Mor.,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ft-., torn. II, p. 169; Day, Fi.-'Ii. G:t
Brit.. Trel., vol. I, p. 177, tab. LIII, fig. 5; Lill.i., Sv.,
Xorff. Fn., Fisk.. vol. 1. p. 666.

Callionymus lyra, Risso, Iclitli. Nice, p. 113; Eiir. Mev., vol.
Ill, p. 262. Call. uitltara + Call. reticulatus, Cvv., Val.,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XII, pp. 280 et 284.

Obs. Though the oldest post-Linna-an name of the species is
dractinculus, and thongh BrOnnich's description is conclusive proof
of his having correctly understood tlie difference between this species
and the preceding one, still tlie reiterated misuse of the name drac-
unculns in previous writers seems to render it advisable to let this

name drop. Schagerstrom does not quote BrU.N'Nich as bis authority,
but grounds his opinion on tbose of his predecessors who have wrongly
described the female of Call, lyra as a distinct species, under the
name of Call, dracunculns; and in Schagerstrom dracunctdus, which
in LiNN^us etc. was a half-speeies, so to speak, becomes a double
species, for he describes and figures a young female of lyra as a
specimen of the former. The original of his fig. 4 is preserved in
the Royal Museum, and, as Lilljebokq has also remarked, is a female
of the preceding species. This is also shown by the measurements
which Schagerstrom has given in his description, of the length of
the head and the caudal fin, and of the distance between the anal
fin and the point of the chin, as well as by his description of the
colouring of the second dorsal fin, though the correctness of these
characters can no longer be tested bj- an examination of the specimen,
the body of which has once been dried until hard and bent. Fries
had no opportunity of examining this specimen, which did not come
into the possession of the Royal Museum until 18.51, when it was
bequeathed to the collections by Schagerstrom; but in the first edition
of "Scandinavian Fishes" he writes: "to judge by the description it
must have been an ordinary female specimen of C. lyra."

"In a genus so natural as Calliongmus," writes
Fries in the Transactions of the Swedish Academy of
Science for 1837, "where the difference between the
sexes is also so considerable, and the relative size of
the jjarts of the body so subject to changes of growth,
the diagnosis of the species must always be fraught
with difficultv. To judge bv the relations between the

" See p. 273. note a.

280

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

two northern species, we must have recourse to the
evanescent coloration, if it be necessary that the dijfer-
entia specijica shall embrace both sexes as well as the
younger specimens."' The attempt we have made in
the aliove diagnosis to range by side of the most con-
stant chromatic character the tenable characters of form,
is based on a comparison between six specimens of the

preceding species and five of the species noAv under
consideration. With a moi'e abundant supply of ma-
terials for examination in the case of CaUionymits
maculatus, of which we have examined only one female,
we may find some exceptions to these characters, the
general validity of -which appears, however, from the
follomng table:

Callionymus maculatus.

OOM

Lcngtli of the l)ody expressed in tnilliinetres __

Length of the head to the liind braiiehiostegti] margin in % of the length oi' the body

„ ,. „ „ .. gill-opening ., ,. .. ,. ., „ „ „ -.-

„ ,, ,, , .. ,, ,, „ ., Ijase of the anal liD...

Base of llie anal liii in % of the length of the body

Distance lietween I lie lirst dorsal fin and the tip of the snont in % of the length of the body

Base of the anal liu in % of the distance between it and the tip of the snout

Least depth of the tail in % of the base of the anal fin

Breadth across the insertions of the ventral tins in % nf the base of the anal fin

Length of the caudal fin in % of the distanee between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout

Length of the snont in fo of the length of the body --

Longitudinal diameter of the eye in % of the length of the snont _

Breadth of the head across the preopcrcular spines in % of the length of the body

Depth of the body at the insertion of the ventral fins ,, ,. ., ,. ., „ ,,

Length of the 1st ray of the Isl dorsal fin „ „ „ „ ,, „ „

' 'ind
Base of the second dorsal fin ,, „ ., ,, „ ,, „

Length of the pectoral fins „ „ ,, ,, „ „ „

jj 5, ,) ventral ,. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

Distance between the ventral fins and the tip of the snout ., „ „ „ ,, „ ,,

D3

^

rri

tr'

-"'

CO ^

*-j

g-^s

D-

5:

<

{T-

ft

cr

<-*

xs

CO

Q
fll
22.9
17.2
62.5
27.5
24.6
70.0
ll.il

■4(;.6

83.3

6.7

97.6

16.4

0.8

9.3

15.4

21.3

18.5

21.3

18.S

102
22.3

16.7

60.0
28.0
22.3
75.0

12.3

46.7
88.5

6.8

85.7

16.7

7.8

24.8
23.4
26.5
17.1

18.6
17.6

cT

cT

111

138

22.5

22.4

17.1

15.2

60.3

55.2

28.4

27.5

22.0

20.3

81.2

80.0

11.1

12.6

38.7

42.1

ITO.o

117.0

7.2

7.2

87.5

80.0

13.5

14.5

8.1

8.3

52.2

37.7

29.3

31.5

27.0

25.4

17.1

16.7

20.0

18.1

17.1

17.4

146

21.2
14.4

54.4
26.4
20.2
80.4
12,4

41.4

117.8

6.8

80.0

13.7

7.5

37.0
29.0
25.3

18.8
19.4
16.6

Callionymus lyra.

H <L

- p

00 w
CO

2 c n

i=" 3 £.

a. re

2 P

1

53

26.8

19.8

79.5

25.0

26.4

57.4

15.9

50.0

71.4

7.5

90.0

18.3

10.4

9.0

13.2

25.1

18.1

22.6

21.3

83
25.0

18.9

77.3
24.4
25.5
60.0

15.7
51.7

75.5

7.8

86.1
18.1
10.8

10.2

15.fi
26.1
17.8
2L4
18.0

;r:i 3 9

9

163

26.3

19.4

84.8

23.0

26.2

56.0

14.7

62.1

79.4

9.1

63.3

17.7

7.C

10.1

14.3

23.3

17.7

20.2

20.2

9

168
26.8
20.2
83.0
24.4
27.1
60.4
16.0
56.0
72. f.
10.1
54.7

19.6
9.5
9.2

13.1
23.2

19.0

19.8

20.0

00

&

191
26.2
20.4
86.7
23.5
27.7
56.6
15.1
61.1
70.0

9.6

54.0

17.8
9.4

24.8

13.8

23.0

16.3

19.1
21.0

237
28.9
23.2
94.1
25.0
27.5
60.8
13.0
54.2
78.4

13,6

43.8
18.1

8.8

60.8
14.0
24.0
16.0
19.0

21.9

Tiiis table also shows the most important changes
of growth and sexual differences. The most distinct
and remarkable instances of the former are expressed
ill the proportion between the length of the head to
the gill-opening and that of the bodA*. This proportion
sinks in CaU'wnymm maculatus, but rises in Call, lyra,
the two species thus shoeing different directions of
development, and being most closely allied during youth.
The sexual difference which appears in the distance be-
tween the ventral fins and the tip of the snout, and
which in Call, lyra is less in the female than in the
male, also seems to show tluit the female characters
have fixed tlic direction of development in Callionymus
maculatus, anrl tlic male characters in Call. lyra. This

seems to be also the case with the average height of
the second dorsal fin, Avhich in Callionymus lyra is rela-
tively greater in the female than in the male (with the
exception of the last ray), and is generalh' greater in
Call, maculatus than in Call, lyra, though the females
of both si)ecies are much alike in this respect.

With these exceptions we can find no remarkal)le
difference, in the form, tlie position of the parts of the
body, or the number of the fin-rays, between this spe-
cies and the Gemmeous Dragonet; and we may there-
fore refer tlic reader to the description of the latter
species. In the colour and the markings, however, there
appear considerable differences between the two species;
and it is l)v these characters that we may most easily

LKSSEU DRAGONET.

281

distinf^uisli Ijetweeii thciii. The male wliidi Fhiks ;iik1
V. WiiiciiT ohtaiiied in lioliiisiiin, mikI which the\ kept
alive tor some tiiiu' iiiulcr their own obsei'vatioii, is thus
described hv the foniiei':

"Above <^reeiiish yellow, ntid below a vei'v pale
f^ame-^■ello^v. The whole oF the l)aek mid the ii|)]ier
])art of the head tlucklx strewn with small, irregular,
ferruginous spots of different size and shape. Along
tiie sides of the body a fe\v irregular rows of round
spots, partly light l)iue and parti\ l)la:ckish brown, most
of them being surrounded liv a greenisli ring. Lips
and the sides of the gill-cover u ith a few short, light
blue l)ands and large spots. Iris greenish, with a light
flame-yellow ring, darker in the middle, next the pupil,
which is tinged with blue. First dorsal tin of a very
light, grayish colour, witii somewhat darker rays, each
ending in a snow-white tip. On the membrane between
the tirst thi'ee ravs three, dark green spots, one above
another, and lietween them two others, which are snow^-
white; two more spots of a snow-white colour surround
the hind margin of the middle dark green spot; be-
tween each pair of ravs in the rest of the tin two dark
green spots, the upper oblong and elongated into a
])oint, and two, \ery small, round, snow-white spots;
behind the fourth ray only one spot of each colour.
Second dorsal tin very light and transparent, changing
colour according to the background on which it appears.
(Jn this tin four transverse rows of round, green spots,
containing a darker centre; the lowest row the darkest,
the others l^ecoming gradually lighter as they approach
the uppei' margin of the tin; these spots are so ar-
ranged that one spot in each row lies between each
pair of rays. But besides these fairly distinct, ocellated
spots we find five rows of more indistinct, snow-white
spots, each encircled by a yellow ring, the lowest four
rows being in a line with the green spots, there being
a wiiite spot in front of each of the latter. The fifth
row lies close to the upper margin of the fin, and con-
tains the .most distinct rings, liut only a slight trace
of the green, ocellated spots. Anal fin without spots,
whitish at the base and shading into violet towards
the margin. Caudal fin whitish, with scattered, feiTU-
ginous spots at the base, yellowish, longitudinal spots
in the middle, and light blue s])ots along the tip. Pec-
toral fins whitish, shading into yellow, with yellow
rays, marked with russet spots, which form broken

transverse bands across the fins. At the base of these
fins a few, blackish brown, round spots and light blue
streaks. Ventral fins flaine-yello\\' at the base, a hand-
some light green towards tlie tip, and blue at tiie mar-
gin. At tlie base of these fins some small, roiuid,
scattered, snow-white, ocellated spots."

The coloration of the female, according to Bona-
I'Aiai:, is essentially the same; but in the females of
this .species, as in those of tlie preceding one, the hind
part, at least, of the membrane of the first dorsal fin
is black.

The Lesser Dragonet is one of the rarest Scandi-
na\iaii species. In the Meditei'ranean, which is ])i-o-
bably its true home, it is all the commoner". In re-
cent times (1867) a specimen was taken b}- Gwyn
elEi-FHEYS- off tiie Hebrides, at a depth of 80 or 90
fathoms. Up to that time it was a notable peculiarity
that this Mediterranean species should also belong to
the Scandinavian fauna. About 1830 it was found in
the Sound, off Landski-ona, l)y Dr. Sciiagerstrom, and
in Gullraar Fjord, off Fiskebackskil, by Professor Fries.
The three specimens from the tieighbourhood of Bergen
wiiich have been presented by Governor Christie to
Bergen Museum, probably date from the same period.
All these specimens were males. There is no sub-
sequent record of its occurrence in Norway, though it
has several times been found in the Skager Rack. Pro-
fessor Malm obtained two male specimens in Bohuslan,
the one 95 mm. in length, and taken at the entrance
of Gullmar Fjord (ord Aug., 1863), and the second
125 mm. in length, and taken at a depth of 16 fathoms,
off Vinga near Gothenburg (2nd June, 1873). During
the voyage of the gunboat Gitnliild, in July, 1878, Dr.
Theel and Dr. Tkybom took three specimens, two males
and one female, between 60 and 70 mm. long, on a
clayey bottom at a depth of from 17 to 30 fathoms,
between the Skaw and the Nidingen Islands. Mr. C. A.
Hansson has forwarded to the Roj-al Museum a male
111 mm. long, from Stromstad Fjord, where it was
taken at a depth of 30 fathoms, on the 23rd of Au-
gust, 1880: and in 1882 Di-. A. H. Malm forwarded
from Bohuslan the largest example of this species vet
di-seovered, a male 146 mm. in length. A female 99
mm. lonjj, the largest on record, and described by
Professor Lilljeborg as having "fairly large, though
not rii)e, eggs", was taken in July, 1883, by Professor

" BoNAr.\RTE, 1. c; Steindachner. 1. c. GiGLioLi, Espo:. Intern, di Pesca in Berlino 1880, iSe:. Ital.. Cat., p. 90; Moreau, L c.
' Gthr, .'^nn. Mag. Xat. Hist., I. c.

Scandinavian Fithet.

36

282

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

TuLLBERG and Dr. Tiieel, in n trawl, iit a dejjth of
80 or 40 fathoms in Gullmar Fjord. No more northern
or Atlantic specimens are known, and Moheau states
em[)hatira]ly thnt the species is unknown on the west
coast of France. It is probalily a deep-sea fish, too
difficult to obtain with ordinary tackle, oi- despised for
its small size l)v the fishermen.

We have every reason to suppose that tlie habits
of tlic Lesser Dragonet are almost, if not entirely, the

same as those of the preceding species. However, we
have no trustworthy information as yet on this point.
The specimen described l)v Fries was taken in a large
Herring-seine, together with several specimens of the
Gemmeous Dragonet and a. great quantity of small
Herrings. Most of the other examples were taken in
a dredge or trawl. Malm's specimen from ^'inga had
become entangled in a Flounder-net.

(Fries, S-Mrrr.)

I AM. CYCLOPTERID^.

T>o(hi more or less tadpole-like or hidki/ (irifh short caudal part), anteriorhj terete and posteriorhj compressed.
Dorsal ,tin normal or irith the anterior part reduced or overfjroini, composed of Jfexible, bid anteriorly unarticii-
latcd rai/s, continuous or divided into tiro parts. Anal fin in structure and extent analoqous to the posterior part
of the dorsal fin. The rays of the central fins, six in each fin, form the frameworh of a fieshy sucking- dish.
Pectoral fins broad, with the base projecting downwards in front of the rentral sucking-disk. Gill-openings small
or narrow. Fourth branchial arch n-ith only one roir of lamelhc, the gill-slit behind it wanting. Six branchio-
stegal rays. Air-bladder wanting. Pyloric appendages numerous. Suborbital ring united to the preoperculum by

an osseous or cartilaginous connexion. Xo palatine or ronicrine teeth.

I>ike the Dragonets — by the form of the body
and the spinous armour of the preoperculum — the
('yclopteridce are also ranged by the form of the body,
and further by the broad pectoral fins and the catila-
ginous or bony l^i'idge on the cheeks, beside the Cottoid
type, and may be regarded as Cottiform Gobioids. Their
place among the Acanthopterygians is a low oni', for
the skeleton is only slightlv ossified or even cartila-
ginous, and the S])inous-rayed pai'ts of tlie fins are but
little developed. The scales are also few and iri'egular,
entirely \vanting or replaced ])y scattered tuberculated
plates or spines on the skin. The jaw-teeth, on the
other hand, are numerous, though weak, being cardi-
foi-m and simple or tricuspid. The most singular char-
acter of these fishes, and tlie one most closely connected
witli their manner of life, however, is the metamorpho-
sis of the ventral fins into an adhesive dish, l)y means
of wiiich the Cyclo])teroids attach themselves to stones
or other hard objects at the bottom of the sea. In this
round or somewhat oblong disk we find a ring com-
posed generally of l.'> distinct, fleshy protuberances,

tJic first unpaired, each of tlie other lielonging to one
of the rays of the ventral fins; and around this ring
there is a dermal border.

The family, which was referred b\ Cuvieu to the
Malacopterygians, in his writings bears the name of
Discoholes", ''lU also includes the following family.
rxiXAPAUTE'' held the same opinion, but changed the
name of the family to Cyclopteridw. Ihsso was in all
prol)al)ilitv the first to suspect the connexion between
these fishes and the Gol:)iomorphs' ; but Ml'ei.er (1. c.)
the first to discover in this connexion their true Acan-
thopterygian nature. It was Gunther'' who reduced
the family to its present limits. These are by no means
extensive; for though "24 species, all of northern origin,
have been described, and distributed among 5 genera,
both these numbers may with good reason be reduced.

The si)ecies belonging to the Scandinavian fauna
may be distrilmted between two genera, Cyclogaster,
with one, continuous, dorsal fin, and Cyclopterus, with
two dorsal fins, the anterior, however, being gradually
covered during growth by the skin.

" Regne Animal, nouv. ed., tdim- II. p. .".44: Jh'srolioli. MiU,i,., Abb. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1844, Physik. Abb., p. If.G.

'• See Isis, 183;5, p. 1201.

' Lepadogaster, a meinbcr tit" the following faniiiy, was referred by Risso to (be family Goliioides {Env. M:'r., tonio III, p. 271).

■' Brit. Mils. Cit. AV.?/,,, %-ol. Ill, p. l.^U, Discoboli.

(•v(i,<ii"iKi;ii).i-;.

■lH?y

Gem.s cyclogaster.

licnhi tddpolc-like, more or /cnn jidlitfcd tairards the /((inhil Jin. (iiid ((iicrcd iril/t a slinii/ (iiid loose slchi, irliicli is
inikrd or (in old specimens) sometimes roi(f/li iritli scollcrcd, snuill plolcs, a ml lliic/.ii/. Imt looseli/, carers tlw <ni-
terior port oiol the hose of flic loii(/, ciiiifiinioiis, dorsal Jin. mid also of flic onol Jin. I'seitdohravchice tvantivff

or riidiinciifiiri/. Vcrtcliro' more tlian 40.

Obf. liuXUKl.KT" borrowcti from I'l.lNV Ur- naiiu' of /^ijiiiri.t''
for a lisli wliicli probably did iiol belong to this genus, and Wll.-
lumiiiY' was the lirst clearly to describe a species belonging to this
genus under (hat name, with the addition of the English name of
Sea-snail, which is still in use. Neither Ahtkdi'' nor LlNX/iils ■■ knew
this fish fi'oni his own observations: and as LlNN^US did not recog-
nise Liparis as a distinct genus, and Autedi gave no diagnosis there-
of, this genus, according to the laws of nonicnclature, must now
bear the name of Cyclogaster. which it received of Gronovius', who
was the first author to give a scientific description and determination
of the genus. He states that in Belgium it is called Ringhiii/k. In
Sweden, according to Koi.thokf'', it is called Sugfifk (Sucking-fish);
but neither Eksthom nor Malm give any name used by the fisbcrnien
of Bohusliin. Nilsson employed tlic name of Lump/sk, Mai.m that
<'f 'Siigiire (Sucker). Kucykk translated Ui/cloga.<<ter. and called the
genus Riugbiig.

The sliiiiv tiiid, in most case.s, eiitii-ely nuked .skin
is o\\\\ luoseh- attached to the body by a subjacent
hl^■er of loose, connective tissue; and the variability
thus caii.^ed in tiie exteninl shape of the body, as well
as the conse(|iient ditiicidtv of preserving the fisii in a
perfect state, and lastlv the large number of colour-
varieties \\hicii we tind among the young specimens,
have rendered the determination of the species within
this genus no easy task. However, if we compare all
the species described, we easily" find that they compose
a distinct, continuous series of forms, starting from
those which approach nearest to the juvenile stages of
the following genus, and acquiring a greater and great-
er number of rays in the dor.sal and anal fins, until
these fins imperceptibl_y coalesce with the caudal fin,
while the body simultaneously becomes more and more
elongated and pointed towards the tail. The adhesive

ventral <lisk also nio\cs farther and farther forward,
and is reduced in size, suggesting a continuation of
this change, and tinallv disappears'', tiie family thus
gaining a (l((ipti\c likeness to certain forms of the
Cnttidrc and f/pliidiidre. As this series of forms is re-
|)resented in the changes of growth of individual forms,
we also regard it as the expression of a true develop-
mental series, even though it be of a retrograde cha-
ractei'. The different .stages of this dcxelopment may,
in different localities or at different ages, show a greater
or less degree of constancv; but transitions involve an
incon.stancy of character. GC nihkk s o]jinion of tiie oidv
known sjjecimen of J'liridiparis mcmhronaceus may thus
apph- to still more of the species described: "It is im-
certain whether this specimen represents a species in
Avliich certain embryonic chai-acters are persistent, or
merely an early stage of development of some other
species". In the Scandinavian fauna we follow the
example of Collett, Lilljeb()R(; and Lltkex, and
distinguish between the three foUoAving species only:
A : Kay.s of tho doisiil lin more than

50, of tlic anal fiu more than 40.

Vent situated in the lirs-t quarter

of the length of the body. Length

of the adhesive disk equal to or

slishtlv o;reater than the diameter

of the eve Cyclogaster gelatinosus.

B: Eavs of the dorsal fin less than

,oO, of the anal fin less than 4(1.

A'ent situated behind the first

quarter of the length of the body.

Length of the adhesive disk twice

the diameter of the eve:

" De Pise. lib. IX, cap. VIII.

' From XlTtttQOg, sleek. Descriptio ad euni dignoscendum non raultum valet: 1!ay.

•■ Hist. Pise. .\pp.. p. 17.

'' Synon., p. 117.

' Sysl. Nat., ed. XII, tom. I, p. 414, Uycloptenis liparis.

■' .^fus. h-hth.. torn. II, p. 0: Zoopliyl., fasc. J, p. 55: Cat. Fish. Gron.. Brit. Mus., ed. Gray, p. 39.

" In LiLUEBORG, 1. c.

'' In the genus Paroliparis, a deep-sea foriii, found at a depth of from 300 to 600 fathoms in the Atlantic, from Bear Island down
to Cape Vincent. See Coli.ktt, Norsk. Nordh. Exped. 1876—78, Zool.. Fiske, p. 53 (Paraliparis bathybii); Brown-Goode, Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mns. 1880, p. 477 (Amilra liparina); Jordan and Gii-bert, Hyn. Fish. X. Amer., Bull. I". S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 739: Gthr, Voy. Chall.,
vol. XXII, Re/i. Deep Sea Fish., p. 68.

284

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Base of the anal fin at least 10
times the least deptli of the tail
(at least in adult specimens).
Rays of the dorsal fin at least
;-?2, of the anal fin at least 26 Ci/olocfaster Ujjarig.

Base of the anal fin less than 9
times the least depth of the tail
(even in adult specimens). Kays
of the dorsal fin at most 32, of
the anal fin at most 25

Cyologaster Montagui.

MONTAGU'S SEA-SNAIL.
CYCLOGASTER MONTAGUI.

Rays of the dorsal fin 26 — 32., of the anal fin 22 — 25. Least depth of the tail more than 11 % of the length
of tlie base of the aval fin. Length of the raadal fin more thav 70 % of that of the head. Distance hetiveen
the anal fin and the vent less than Vs «/ i^'c distance hetiveen the former and the tip of the snont, and the dis-
tance hetiveen the vent and the tip of the snout more than ^! ^ of the length of the hodg. Tn adult specimens only

one pair of nostrils, the posterior pair being covered hy the skin.

R. br. 6; D. 26—32; A. 22—25; P. 27—30; T'. (5;
C. .r+10+.f; Vert. 35 1. 36.

Syn. Gobius, MOll., Rtke, Zool. Dan., fasc. IV, ]). 16 ot 38, tab.
CXXXIV et CLIV.

Ut/clopt.erus Montagui, Donov., Bi-ii. Fish., vol. Ill, tab. 68;
Mont., Mem. Wern. Soc, vol. I, p. 91, tab. V, fig. 1; Cuv.
(Liparis, subg.), Regn. Anim., ed. 2, torn. II, p. 346 ;
Yakr. {Liparis), Brit. Fish., ed. 2. vol. II, p. 374; Kruy.,
Damn. Fiske, vol. II, p. 519; Voij. Scaiid. cett. (Gaim.),
tab. 13, fig. 1; Naturli. Tidskr. Kbhvn, set. Ill, vol. I, p. 243;
NiLSs., SIcand. Fn., Fisk., p. 239; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus.,
Fish., vol. Ill, p. 161; Malm, Forh. Skand. Natiirf. Mote,
Sthlm 1865, p. 411; Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 451, fab. VII, fig.
1; Malmgr., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1867, p. 262; Coll.,
Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilliegsh., p. 63; ibid. 1879,
No. 1, p. 37; N. Mag. Natiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p.
64; WiNTH., Natm-h. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 20;
Hansson, 6tvfrs. Vef.-Akad. Fiirh. 1880, No. 4, p. 21; Day,
Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 186, tab. LVI, fig. 2; Jord.,
GiLB., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 743; MAb., Hcke,
Fische d. O.sts., p. 56; Lill.i., 6'v., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p.
703; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 40, tab. VII, fig. 1;
Ltkn, Dijniphua-Togt. zool. bot. Udb., p. 139, cett.

Cyclopteriis (Liparis) liparnides + VycL {Lip.) gobius, Nilss.,
Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 62; Lip), gobius, Schagerstr., Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 248.

Liparis lineatus + Up. macitlatus + Lip. Elcstromii, Malm,
Forh. Skand. Naturf. Mote, Sthlm 1865, p. 412; Lip. vid-
garis + L. maculatus + Z/. Ekstromii, Id., Gbgs, Boh. Fn.,
p. 447, fab. VII, fig. 2; p. 461, tab. VII, fig. 3; p. 464,
tab. VII, fig. 4; Lip. Ekstromii, Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh.
For. Kbhvn 1865, p. 221; Ljip. vulgaris + L. Ekstromii,
Hansen, Zool. Dan. Fiske, p. 41, fab. VII, figg. 2 et 3.

Tlie ^v ell-known shape of the tadpole is the most
suitable expression of the shape of tiie body in this
species, as well as in the two following ones. To the
posterior extremity of the abdominal cavity the an-
terior ])art of the body is terete or, in the front part
of the head, even depressed; behind this point the tail

is laterally compressed. The most remarkable departure
in Montagu's Sea-Snail from the tadpole form lies,
however, in the lack of continuity in the vertical fins,
the dorsal tin being generally entirely separate from
the caudal, and the anal fin, though it may sometimes
advance for some distance along the lower margin of
the caudal tin, being always distinct from the latter.
In the gravid female the greatest depth of the body
may be as much as ','4 of tlie length, and in the male
as little as Vs- The difference chiefly lies, as usual,
in the degree of disten.sion of the belly. The gi-eatest
breadth (thickness) is always somewhat, sometimes con-
siderably, less than the greatest depth, and in the male
may sink to about 15 % of the length of the body.
The difference between the breadth of the head and
that of the belly is always sliglit; but the latter is
sharpened above, towards the dorsal edge; and though
in young specimens it passes fairl}? evenly at the end
of the abdominal cavity into tlie compressed caudal
part, in older specimens, especially in gravid females,
the division between the belly and the tail is sharply
marked. The superior and inferior profiles of the tail
converge evenly towards the base of the caudal fin,
where the least depth of the tail varies between about
5 and 7 % (from 4"8 to 6'9) of the length of the body.
In the female, according to Day, the latter may be as
much as .5 in. (12.5 mm.); but we have no further in-
formation of specimens of this size. The largest .spe-
cimen of this species which the Royal Museum pos-
sesses, was received from Finmai-k through Mr. F. Bull
of Hammerfest, and is 101 mm. long. The longest
Swedish specimen is a female 7ti mm. in length, which

MONTAGUS SEA-SNAIL.

285

was taken by Mr. (". A. Hansson off StrOmstad at a
depth of IK) more than a foot or so.

In adult specimens in ^'eneral the Iciiiith of the
head is e(|ual to the gi-eatest de])th of tlic body, or less
than the latter, sometimes sinking' as low as 19 % of
tiK! length of the body. In the fry it is, as usnal,
I'elntively greater". The eyes are small, their longi-
tudinal diameter, in adult specimens fi-om 40 to 80 mm.
long, varying between 1 (i and 14 % of the Icngtli of
the head, oi- between 55 and 44 % of tlic breadth of
the slightly convex interorbital space, or between 55
and 75 % of the least depth of the tail. The bbnit and
in most cases, convex snout, the lengtii of which is
rathei' more than Va of that of the; head, is furnished
superiorly, in front of the eyes and somewhat nearei'
the middle of the head, with two tubular nostrils; and
behind the latter, just within the upper anterior corner
of the eye, there sometimes a])pears in young specimens
a small hole or transverse slit on each side, forming
the posterior nostril, but in most cases closed, covered
b\- tlie skin, and visible only as a. small dermal pro-
tuberance. The mouth, which lies at the very tip of
the snout, with the upper jaw- projecting only slightly
beyond the lower, is small, but fairly broad, the breadth
of the gajje, which is horizontal, measiu'ing about half
the lengtii of the liead. Tiie dental card on the inter-
maxillary bones, as well as that in the lower jaw, is
broad (containing many I'ows) in the middle, the teeth
being tricus])id, with the middle ])oint longest. The
lips, botli the uppei' and the lower, are each furnished
with a row of pores along the margin, generally con-
taining 4 pores on each side, and from the upper lip
thei'e also runs, in the direction of the nasal region, a
roAv of two similar pores on each side. The further
extension of the system of the lateral line (jn the head
is externally visilde in the poi'es round tiie eyes, and
in a row which is the only external indication of the
margin of the preoperculum ; l:)iit of the lateral line
proper we find onl\- two pores on each side, just above
the upper corner of the gill-o])ening. The latter is a
perpendicular slit, the lower third or fourth of which
lies just in front of the upper part of the base of the
pectoral fin. The length of this slit, however, varies
considerably, between */, and ^,'^ of the length of the
head. The anterior margin (jf the slit, or tiie oper-

cular niai'gin, projects at about the middle into a more
or less obtuse dermal flap, wiiicii fits into the upi)er
angle of riic ])ectoral fin, and the thin frame of which
is formed by the end of the elongated, ti'iangular, forked
or almost crescent-sha]ied operculum, together with the
iiind part of the subjacent, narrow and bent suboper-
culum, wliicli is of almost uniform breadth. The rest
of tiic l)ranchiostegal membrane is united to tiie skin
of the bo(i\-, but forms a fold whicli hangs like a c(dlar
across the tiu'oat and the isthmus. This membrane is
often so tliin that one can easily count the six branchio-
stegal rays on each side of the body, togethei' witii tiie
interoperculum, wiiicii is of exactly the same shape,
and extends from tiie articulation of the lower jaw in
a, cur\e parallel to the lower posterior margin of the
))reoperculum. The interoperculum has often been
i-eckoned I)}' mistake among the branchio.stegal rays.

The pectoral fins are verv broad at the base, which
inferiorI\- cur\t's forward, in a direction ]jarallel to the
fold of the branchiostegal membrane and in front of
the ventral disk, the pectoral fin on the one side being
separated from that on the other by a distance no
greater than the diameter of the eye. All the rays of
these fins are simple and furnislied ^itii a fairly thick
skin, the lower ones being free at the tip. The lowest
rays are very short and only graduall}- increase in
length; but aliove the longest of them are a few slightly
shorter rays, the lowest part of each pectoral fin, with
the ti|)s of tiie raAs turned outwards, thus resembling
a distinct division or lobe of the fin. Tiie upper part
of the fin is obtusely rounded, the superior rays being
of fairly uniform length. The length of the fin from
the upper angle of the insertion is about 15 — 1772 ^
of the length of the body, and from the front part of
the lower end of tiie liase about 24\!\~ 26 % thereof.
When folded the pectoral fins extend to the perpendi-
cular drawn just behind the vent, or even half-way
between tiic latter and the beginning of the anal fin.
The longitudinal diameter of the round or somewhat
oblong sucking-disk formed by the ventral fins, together
with its marginal fold, is about 11 or II ' ^ ^ of the
lens'tli of the bodv and ' ., the lenirtii of the head or
more. When the fish is in its normal state, this dia-
meter is onh' slightly less or even e(|ual to the distance
between the disk and the tip of the snout; but when

" In a ninlc 71 iniu. long, from I'lolmslan, flie lengtii (if the head is only 1."' ., iiiiii.: in a young specimen 18 mm. long, from the
same lucalitv. the Icnsrth of the licad is 21 H 'i, of that of the liodv.

286

SCANDINAVIAN t'ISHKS.

the dorsiil muscles ai-e contracted niifl tlie opercula
expanded, as often Imppens when the tish is thrown
into strong spirit, tliis relation undergoes considerable
alteration, the disk, the anterior margin of Avhich is
genei-ally situated almost vei-tically below the hind
margin of the eye, now l}ing almost entirely behind the
head. The vent, wliicli is situated about half-way be-
tween the hind margin of tJic base of the sucking-disk
and the beginning of the anal lin, is large and broad,
especially in the female, as its dermal fold also encloses
the transverse genital opening, behind the vent proper.
The margin of the genital opening is often verrucose,
and the genital pai)illa is distinct in the males, less so
in the females. The dorsal tin occupies the greater
l)art of the back, Init varies somewhat in this respect,
the distance between it and the tij> of the snout being
from "2'2 to 29 % of the length of the body. The dis-
tance between its last rav' and tlie caudal tin is equal
to, or somewhat less than, the least depth t)f the tail,
but this space is generally tilled by the fin-meml)]-ane,
and the tijjs of the last two rays of the dorsal fin,
when depressed, sometimes extend to the base of the
caudal fin. The first rays of the dorsal fin, generally
to a number of 13, are true, unarticulated, spinous rays,
and lieliind this point the i-ays are simple, but articu-
lated. The margin of the fin forms a double curve in
the following fashion: the middle spinous rays are shorter
than the rays on either side of them", while the rays
imm(!(liately following them are gradually elongated as
they pass into the soft rays, but the middle soft rays
are the longest in the whole fin. The caudal fin is
truncate, but rounded at the corners. Its length varies
between IG',', and 19 % of that of the body, or between
72 and 95 % of that of the head. The anal fin is ana-
logous to the posterior part of the dorsal fin in form
and structure, but lies a little further liack, the tips
of its hindmost rays, when depressed, generally ex-
tendina' to the l)ase of the candid tin and sometimes a
little l)eyond it. The first .'! or 4 rays are spinous.
The anal Hii is longer in the male than in the female;
and if its length he measured to the base of the caudal
fin, tlic dividing-line between the characters of the two
sexes, in an adult state, falls at about 45 % of the length
of the l)o(lv. One of the results of this circumstance
is that the distance between tlie anal fin and the ti])

of the snout is greater in the female than in the male,
and in this case the dividing-line seems to lie at about
43 'fc of the length of the body.

In adult specimens (Plate X\', fig. 2) the colour
is generally brownish red, above and in front darker,
below and behind lighter, and everywhere strewn with
small. d:irk s])ots and dots, which on tlie fins form
bands straight across the i-ays. Lighter varieties also
occur, however, in which the ground-colour shades more
or less distinctly into mellow, green or gray. Even
V. Wkight gives a figure of a fairly large young spe-
cimen (Plate XV, figs. 3 and 4), which was pale 3'ellow,
with pale red spots; and Malm's Liparis waciilatiis is
a, colour-variety of the same desci'iption, though more
sti'ongly tinged with gray. Another form, most com-
mon among young specimens, but sometimes occurring
among older ones, is marked with dark lines on the
lig-hter "i-ound-colour. wliicli are undulating, melting
into elliptical I'ings, or interrupted (Plate XV, fig. 5).
For this varietv we have obtained permission to borroAv
Malm's figure of his Liparifi nilr/aris. Light spots on
a dark ground-coloui-, on the other hand (Plate X\',
fig. H), mark the varietv described by Malm, and en-
titled Liparis Eksfromii. In this variety, when the spots
become predominant, and the ground-colour appears
only a.s a network, we have Couch's'' Lipaiis rctiruhifus.
With regard \o all these colour-varieties and their inter-
mediate forms, of which Collett gives eight, we may
refer the i-eader to Hkixcke's remarks on the variations
of colour in the Gobies, as quoted above (p. 252).

^lontagu's Sea-Snail or, the Lesser Sea-Snail, as it
has also been called, not without reason, is described
by Day as a comparatively lively fish, but is by no
means destitute of the power or the halnt, which it
shares \vitli the other members of the family, of attuch-
ijig itself to some object h\ means of its sucking-disk.
At such nionients these fishes lie in a coil, with the
tail curved towards the head, in the position shown in
our figure (Plate X\', fig. 4). This species is often
found in this position, hidden among the stones at the
ebb, either above low-water mark or in verj' shallow
water. It is also found, however, in the deepest sea-
weed-regions, at as great a depth as 20 fathoms at least.
Its habits are, with this excejition, little known. From
March to A\\\\. on the coast of Hohusliin, gravid females

" In a Califoriiiau form. (_!i/i-lij(jiiiilcr (A'cui/jicinf) miicosiis, this bend is su deep that the dorsal fin is apparently divided into two parts
(SrniNDACHNEit, Iclitli. Beitv. (Ill), p. 54).

'' FL^h Urit. /.«/., vol. II, p. l'.)r>, (ah. evil, fig. 3.

COMMON SKA-SNAIL.

287

ocelli' near slioi'c, hasiiii;' prohahh' ionic tluM'c to spawn.
The I'odd of this species is coin|)ose{l of (iainiiiai'ids and
othei' small c rustaeeaiis, and siikiII shelUisli. It is of
no importauce to the fisheniian. Its goograijliical range
extends from Norwegian Kinmark to the southern coasts
of I'jiiglaiid and Ireland". ( )n the west coast of Sweden
it goes as far as tlie Sound, where; it was first dis-
covered off Landskrona 1)\' Sciiaokhsthom. < )n the

liM'k. in the (ireat Belt, according to Wixtmi-.i;, two
specimens ahoiit 100 mm. long have been taken in I'^el-
pots. it has also lieen found ofl' Mocn and in the
Little l>elt; but in the Baltic itself it is unknown.
Whether it occurs on the coast of Greenland, seems ac-
cording to the results of LOtkkn's investigations'', to be
a matter of donbt; but according to doitOAN and Ctii.-
liKKi' it occurs on the American side of the Atlantic,

|)ani.*

side it has also been found fairl\- often off Helle- ' on the coast of Massachusetts.

THE COMMON SEA-SNAIL.
CYCLOGASTEH J.ll'AHIS.

Itai/s of t/ic dorsal Jin 32 — 45' , of tlir (uial fii .2h' — 38. Least depth of the tail less than 10 % of the tnKjth

of the hase of the anal fin. Lerujth of the caudal fin less than <1(! % of that of the head. Distance between the

anal fill and the rent less than */., of that between the former and the fij) of the snout, and the distance between

the rent and the tip of flic snout more than ' , of the Icnc/fh of the hodij. Two pairs of nostrils.

R. hi: 6; D. .32—45'-; .4. •2(;— .38: P. .=52—42; V. •> ;
C. .r+10+.r; \'ert. 46 — 50''.

•Si/ii. (I : forma iiiicrops.

Jjipai'is nostras, Wii.i.ughhy, Hist. Pise, App., \i. 17, lab. //.
I), No. 1.

Cyclopterus Liparis, Lin., Sysl. Nat., ed. XII, toiu. I, p. 414;
F.«R., Fn. Groenl., p. 135; Bi,., Aii.^l. Fisclir. Th. 1, p. 48,
tab. CXXIII, fig. 3 et 4.

Cyclopterus lineatus, Lep., N. Coram. Acad. Petrop., toiii. XVIII,
p. 522, fab. V, figg. 2 et 3; Ku. (Liparis), Voi/. Scaiid.,
Lapoii., cett (G.\JM.), fab. 13, fig. 2; Naturli. Tidskr. Kblivn,
ser. II, vol. II, p. 284; ibid., ser. Ill, vol. I, p. 244; Ltkn,
Vid. Meddel. Natiirli. For. Kblivn 1860, p. 174; ibid. 1861,
p. 243, fab. VII, fig. 1; MoHN, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh.
1867, p. 262; Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874, Till.-egsh.,
p. 65; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 41; Id., Norsk. Nordh. Exped.
1876—78, Zool., Fiske, p. 50; In., N. JIag. Naturv. Christ.,
I!d. 29, p. 65; Mela, Vert. Feiiii., p. 285, fab. IX; Jord.,
GlLH., Bull. U. S. Nat. Miis., No. Ill, p. 742; Lh.lj., Sv.,
Nory. Fisk., voL I, p. 688.

Liparis vulgaris, Flmno, Brit. Aiiim.. p. 190; Gthr, Cat.
Brit. Mas. Fisli., vol. Ill, p. 159; Wthb, Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvn, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 20; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel.,
vol. I, p. 184, tab. LVI, ttg. 1; Mon., HcKK, Fisdie d.
Osts., p. 57.

Liparis barbatiis, Ekstr., Vef.-.\kad. Handl. 1832, p. 169,
lab. V: Kr., Damn. Fislce, vol. II, p. 534; Xa.ss., Slcand.

Fn., Fish., p. 237; Loven. (Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Fijrh. 1862.
p. 465; Forh. Sknnd. Xaturf. M. Sthlin 1863, p. 62; Mgk.n,
Fiiil. Fi.ik. (disp.) Helsingfors 1863, p. 18; Ufvcrs. Vet.-
Akad. Fiirh. 1864, p. 510; Llndstr., Gofl. Lans Hush. S,all8k.
ArsbiT. 1866, p. 16 (sep.); ESM., Forh. Skand. Natnrf. M.
Christ. 1868, p. 525.

Liparis tanicatus, Reinh., Danske Vid. Selsk. Nafurv., Math.
Afh., Deel 6 (1837) Overs., p. CXI; Kr., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kblivn, ser. Ill, vol. 1, p. 236; Ltkn, Dijmplia-Togtets
zool. hot. Udb., p. 151.

Liparis Fabricii, Gthr, 1. c, p. 161: Lijiaris linealu -r arctica
+ Fabricii + major., Gill, Proc. Acad. Naf. Sc. I'liilad. 1864,
p. 191: LJparis gibbus. Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol.
IV, p. 148.

Liparis gelatinosus, Peters, Die Z\v. Deutsche Nordpolarfahrt
(1869,70), vol. 2, p. 171, f.ab. 1, fig. 2.

b: forma mcgalops.

Liparis Fabricii, Kr., Voij. Scand., Lapon. celt. (Gai.m.), tab. 8,
fig. 2; Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. II, vol. II, p. 274; ser. Ill,
vol. I, p. 235; Morn, Ofvers. Vef.-.\kad. Forh. 1864, p. 513;
Ltkn, Dijmphna Togt., 1. c, p. 146, tab. XV, figg. 4 et 5.

.'' Liparis ranula, Goode et Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.. vol.
2 (1879), p. 46.

Liparis lineatus, var. Fabricii, S.M., Gt. Litem. Fish. Exbili.
London 1883, Steed. Cat., p. 170.

Obs. In their extremes the two varieties of this species, as
shown, for example, in llie figures of both in KhoveI! and LCtkeX

" As JIoBEAU (Hist. Xat. Foiss. Fr.. vol. III. p. 353) stales tlie numlier of the verfcbr.i- in his Liparis vulgaris, at 32 or 33, it
seems probable that Cyclogaster Montagiii also occurs on Ihe nortli part of the west coast of France.
'' Dijmphna Togtet, 1. c, p. 143.
'■ Sometimes 49, according fo LiiiKEX.
•' 42, according lo GCnther: sometimes 53. according to Lt'TKKN. Malmhren found 45 and 46 in specimens from Spitzbergen.

288

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

which are above referred to, are sharply and easily distinguished by
the larger eyes, the more tumid snout, the longer pectoral fins, the
more anterior position (in most cases) of the ventral disk, and the
black peritoneum of Cydogaster Fabricii. But the transitions deprive
these characters of their value, and the dubiousness of these varieties
is forced upon us, especially when we have to decide to which of
them the Baltic form should be referred. We have already" declared
our opinion, when arranging the collection of fishes made by the Vega
Expedition in the Arctic Ocean oif Siberia, that Cydogaster Fabricii
is a variety of the Common Sea-Snail, and a new examination of all
the examples of this species belonging to the Royal Museum has still
further strengthened this impression.

The Common Sea-Snail attains a consiflerably greater
size than the preceding speeies, but only in its true
home, the Arctic Ocean, where it may be at least 275
mm. long. In S^veden, however, it scarcely ever exceeds
half this size. The form of the body is essentially the
same as that of the preceding species; but tlie caudal
part is still more compressed, and its outlines converge
more sharply toAvai'ds the caudal fin, the least depth
of the tail varying between 3 and 4\'^ % (3' 1—4-2 %)
of the lengtli of the body. The head is generallj' larger
in this species than in the preceding one, its length in
most cases l)eing about V^ (from 24 to 27 %) of that
of the body''. The eyes are also larger, but vary con-
siderably in respect of size. They are, as usual, rela-
tively larger in young specimens than in old — in a
specimen 19 lum. long, from the Baltic, the longitu-
dinal diameter of the eye is 8'4 % of tlie length of the
body and Sl'.S % of the length of the head, in middle-
sized specimens (under 100 mm. in length) the usual
size of the eyes is 4 or h % of tlie former and from
15 to 20 % of the latter, while in the largest specimens
(170 mm. or more in length) it may sink to 2'/2 % of
the length of the body and 10 % of the length of the
head. We also find, however, that in the variety which
has received the name of Cydogaster Fahrlcli, the large
eyes are generally persistent, their longitudinal diameter
varying betAveen 6 and 8 % of the length of tlie liody
and 1 8 and 28 % of the length of the head. The breadth
of the interorbital space also varies considerably, be-
tween about 7 and 14 % of the length of the body,
but is generall}' greater than in the preceding species.
Tlie anterior pair of nostrils are rather high and tubu-
lar, the posterior generally appear merely as transverse
slits on each side, at the side of the anterior upper
corner of tlie eye, but the margin of these slits is also

considerably raised in some instances. Among the jaw-
teeth, which \vith this exception rescMnble those of the
preceding species, Lutkex found, in old specimens, some
simple (single-pointed) teeth, like those which Stein-
DACHNER (1. c.) has described in the Californian species
Cijclofjaster (Liparis) pulchellus and Cydog. (Neoliparis)
mucosus. The character which lias been derived from
this peculiarity, and employed as a generic distinction
between this species and the following one, thus loses
its validity. The nature of the skin and the extension
of the system of the lateral line, on the head and the
body, are the saine as in the preceding species. Of
the lateral line on the body there generally appear, in
this species too, only the first two pores (ducts); but Lut-
kex has described perfect lateral lines, though with some
distance between the pores, in Cydogaster Fabricii, and
the lateral line is also complete in the largest specimens
of the common form from Spitzbergen. The small,
round, granular plates on the skin are more common,
especially on the head and the front part of the back,
in this species than in the preceding one.

The pectoral fins are generalh* longer than in
Montagu's Sea-snail, especially in the Baltic form and
Cydogaster Fabricii, where their length from the upper
angle of the insertion to the tip of the longest I'ays
may rise to 20 — 25 % of that of the body. In young
specimens, however, in this species also, their length
is no more than 15 % of that of the bod}-. The dorsal
and anal fin are distinguished from those of the pre-
ceding species — apart from the greater number of the
rays, which has already been remarked — partly by
the fact that the descending curve in the margin of the
former is much less marked, sometimes quite imper-
ceptible, in this species, and that the longest rays of
these fins are situated somewhat farther forward, and
partlv by the fact that l)oth these fins are continued
much further out on the caudal fin, and in Arctic spe-
cimens Avhich are normal in other respects, are some-
times so closel)' united to the latter, that the line of
demarcation between them is externally invisible. We
find an example of this in Cydogaster Uneatiis as first
described by Lepechin; and the species thus departs
con.siderably from the form common in more .southern
localities, whicli in this respect sometimes comes very
near Montagu's Sea-Snail — so near that this character

" Fish. Exhib., London 1883.

* Only exceptionally have we found the length of the liead so small as 22 % of that of the body; and these exceptions may well be
due to the difficulty of taking sure measurements from tlic loose tip of the snout.

COMMON si:a-snail.

289

(■Mil scarcely i)e regarded as a valid one — and ap-
]n-(>aclies the t'ulh' tadjKilc-likc f'oi'in of the (ail whicli lic-
lungs to the speciincns just mentioned, which ai'c I'ar
from the commonest, even in Spitzljcrgen. The pecu-
liarity of the caudal fin, on the other iiaiid, in this
species is its smaller length, whicii varies between 1 1
and II % (occasionally rising, however, to 16' ., %) of
the length of the liodv, or lictwccii lO and 65 % ot
that of the head. The adhesixc disk f(ii'me<l 1>\' the
ventral tins is also less than in the preceding species,
its length never rising to \., that of tiie head, and
sometimes sinking as low as to 36 % thereof. It is some-
times surrounded e\cn in front by the pectoral fins, a
dermal tla|) uniting the latter to each other — tliis is
distincth' the case, for example, in a specimen from
Bravik (a iirth of the Baltic Sea), and also in one of
LCtken's figures of ('ifdof/asfrr luihiieii tVom Kara Sea
— hut in this S])ecies as in the preceding one, there
is generalh an inter\al between the ])ectoral fins. The
position of the \('nt varies considerably: in a young
specimen 28 nun. long, from Stor Fjord (Spitzbergen),
which, however, still retains distinct traces of the larval

of a uinform gray or red, dotted with brown. In Cy-
chif/dsfer Fahricii the black peritoneum generally shines
through. Lepechin's specific name {lineatus) is derived
fi'ora a variation of colour common in this s])ecies too,
wdicre the markings of the b(jdy are arranged in longi-
tudinal, undulating streaks. In short, Ave may find
every conceivable variation and transition between uni-
coloured, dotted, sjjottcd and streaked forms, light or
ilai'k, reddish oi' grayish, yellow ov cxen blue \arieties.
CoLLETT, indeed, gives ten of these dift'erent forms. As
in the ])receding species, however, these variations of
colour belong chiefly to the younger specimens. The
vai'icty remarked by Mal.ai (sfellatus), with star-shaped
chromatophores in the skin, is also marked (Plate XV,
fig. 10) by a St. Andrew's cress of" sepia-coloured streaks
from the eye. This marking is parti}' represented in
one of v. Whk air's two figures, and may also occur,
according to Hanssox, in the preceding species.

The Common Sea-Snail is of especial interest in
the geology of Scandinavia and Finland during the pe-
riod immediately preceding that knoAvn by geologists
as the Recent or Human. Its occurrence in the Baltic
stage, the vent lies close to the beginning of the anal is one of the relics collected by S. Lovex, of the qua-
fin; in a specimen ,53 mm. long, from the same loca- \ ternary, northern connexion between this sea and the
lity, the distance between the vent and the anal fin is Arctic Ocean. The species has received greatest pro-

of that l)etween the latter and the ventral disk;

minence from Ekstr(")m'.s description of it, under the

and in a specimen 60 mm. long, from the neighbour- name of Lipuiis harhatus", as occurring in the island-
hood of Visby ((rothland), the former distance is % of I belt of Morko, where he found specimens 130 mm.
the latter. In ordinary cases, however, the vent lies long. Far up in the Gulf of Bothnia, too, this species
about half-way between the ventral disk and the anal fin. attains a length of at least 90 mm., for one of the
The coloration is essentially the same as in the specimens in the Royal Museum', which was taken by

o

preceding species, and is no less variable. In full-grown Mr. Abom off Neder-Kalix, is 94 mm. long. According

specimens, however, at least in Sweden, it is usuallj^ to Mela it occurs both in the island-belt of Abo and

darker, the ground-colour being more distinctly tinged off the island of Hogland in the Gulf of Finland,
with gray; and the brown dots are more often collected \ Lindstrom assigns it to Gothland, and has presented

into transverse bands on the fins and the bod\. These to the Royal Museum a male 60 mm. long, from the

bands are in most cases very irregular, as is shown in neighbourhood of Visby. In the south of the Baltic,

V. Wrights two figures of Scandinavian specimens however, it was unknown until Theel and Tkybom

(Plate XV, figs. 7 and 9), and in a colour- variety com- during the voyage of the gunbout Gunhihl, in July,

nion in the Arctic regions, the transverse bands are 1878, took a small specimen 19 mm. long, south of

interrupted at the middle of the sides and their superior Ystad, and some other small specimens, the largest of

and inferior parts are set alternately opposite the spaces which was 26 mm. long, between Moen and Arcona.

between them, a dark band from the back lying verti- All these last specimens were found at a depth of 10

cally above a lighter band from the anal side and vice or 11 fathoms, among stones and sea-weed on a sandy

versa. The lielly itself, on the other hand, is usualK bottom. Off Kiel it does not occur, according to Mo-

" This specific name is derived from the beard-like lower lobe of tlic pectoral fins, and as early as 1785 Bi.ocH had given ihe spe-
cies the name of Der Hartjiscli, Vyclopterus pinna pectorali barbiformi.

* A female with almost ripe roe, taken at the end of April (1842).

Scandinavian Fti^htit

37

290

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Bius and Heincke; and on the east of Denmark it is
very rare, though found off Hellebii^k (the Sound), and
the specimens taken are very small; the largest on re-
cord was caught in the Great Belt at a depth of 10
fathoms, and was only 50 mm. long (Winthek and
Hansen). In Bohusliin it can scarcely be called rare;
but e\en there only small specimens arc common:
among all his finds Malm mentions only two large spe-
cimens, between 72 and 75 mm. long, both from the
island-belt of Gothenburg. In Norway it is somewliat
commoner, but more so in the north than in the south,
according to Collett. In the Orkneys it is common,
according to Day, who gives statements to a similar
effect from sevei-al places in Scotland, England and Ire-
land, but also points out the uncertainty whether all
these statements refer to this species or the preceding
one. As we have remarked above, the same uncertainty
rules in Moreau's statement as to the rare occurrence
of the species on the north-west coast of France in the
Channel. That the range of this species extends further
south tlian the Baltic, is thus unquestionable: but even
from the fact that, in the south, it is so often con-
founded witli the preceding species", we surmise that
there it does not appear in its typical form'', or does
not follow its normal manner of life. It is far more
typical in the Baltic, though, strangely enough, only
in the inner parts of this sea, while in the south and
west of the Baltic and in the east of the Cattegat ^ve
find a distinct departure from the typical form. Pro-
fessor S. Loven ascribes this peculiarity to the same
origin as the occurrence of several other Arctic animals
in the Baltic (see above, on ('off us qnadricomis), and
thus defends his conception of the history of the Baltic
at the time when it ^vas a, gulf of the Arctic Ocean.
Cijclogaster Uparis must be regarded, in the first place,
as an Arctic species, for it attains its highest point of
development in the Arctic Ocean, and is of more com-

mon occurrence there than in any other part of its
geographical extension. Since Phipps' expedition in
1773 it has been included in the fauna of Spitzbergen.
The Swedish expeditions to these islands have also dis-
covered it at most of the spots examined, from high-
water mark to a depth of from 20 to 25 fathoms, and
on every variet}- of bottom. (Ji/elogaster FdhricU seems
there to be less common, but all the more so in the
east of the Arctic Ocean. During the Vega Expedition
numerous examples of this species, from 90 to 130
mm. in length, were taken in shallow water (3 — 6 fa-
thoms deep), off Irkajpij (69° N., 180° E.), and another
specimen, punctated like a steUafus, at a depth of 35
fathoms, north-east of Taimyr Peninsula (76° 40' N.,
115° 30' E.). During the Dijmphna Expedition, accord-
ing to LiJTKEN, a1)0ut 50 specimens were found at depths
varying between 46 and 106 fathoms, in Kara Sea.
Another instance of the occurrence of the species in
deep water, -which probablj' refers to the common variety,
is given bv Gunther'', namely, the discovery of a spe-
cimen by the Porcupine expedition at a depth of 180
fathoms, north of the Shetlands. It may also be met
with, on the other hand, at the surface. In Varanger
Fjord, in July, 1879, Professor G. 0. Saks is stated
on Collett's authority to have found the frv swiramins;
about among those small pelagic crustaceans which are
called bv the fishermen Sej-aat (Coalfish-meat), as they
form part of the food of the Coalfisli. The species is
circumpolar, and is included among the fauna of Green-
land even b}' Fabricius. On the west of the Atlantic,
according to the American writers, it goes as far south
as Cape Cod. How far south its range extends in the
Pacific, is a question which cannot be decided until
the relations between the Atlantic forms and the two
Californian varieties'' have been fixed.

The habits of the Common Sea-Snail probabl}- cor-
respond to tliose of the preceding species. Of the spe-

" According to liis opinion in 18tJ0 (Vid. MeddcL, pp. 10',' — 174) and 18G5 (ibid. 1865, p. 221), Lutken included this species {Li-
})ar)S Uneatiis) among the fishes of Denmark. But in 1886 {Dijmphna-7\(jtet, 1. c.) he regards onl^y tlie preceding speiiies (Liparts Mon-
tafjui) as really belonging to the Danish fauna., and asserts tliat Malm's Lip. stetlaiiis, as proved by the personal statements of the latter,
belongs to the preceding species. In the fauna of Great Britain D.\Y distinguishes between Lip. viilffaris and Lip. Moiitaijui by the number
of the lin-rays and the length of the caudal fin, but remarks of both that the dorsal fin is hardly united to the caudal, while it appears
from his description of the nostrils that he has overlooked the true posterior pair in botli cases.

'' Or, more correctly perhaps, that we shall eventually be driven to the conclusion that in the south the two sjiecies are indistinguish-
able, i. e. that Cyclogasler Montagui sliould be regarded as a variety, essentially southern, of Ci/cloijaster lipari,i.

' Vol/, (jlialletijer, Hep.., Zool., Deep- A'ea- Fishes, p. 07.

'' According to Steindaciiner (1. c.) the Californian species Lipari.'i pulclietliis and Lip. iiiiicosiis eslablished by Aykes, are distinct
from the two Scandinavian species of (Jyclogaater. But the ditfereiice between tlie first two species, in form and colour, is evidently pa-
rallel to that between Cijcl. lipiiris and ('yfl. Montagui, and so similar (hat it may well excite our suspicions that the species are identical.

ciiiKMi which lie kept ;ili\(' [uy some time, P>KSTR<").M
writes: '"When the lish left oil' swiiiiuiiii.L;' .•ilxnit in tlic
vessel ill which it w;is kept, it .-ittiiched itself to the
bottom, ;iii(l drew the c<impresve(l pnrt of the liody
tightly up to the left side, thus ,ic(|iiii'iii,ii', when still,
an almost spherical form." This specimen was a female
1?)0 mm. lon^', which at the beginning of May con-
tained running roe, "of a light carmine colour," the
eggs being slightly more llian 1 millimetre in diameter.
In April, ISl'.l, in r>ravik, Mr. G. von Viilkx took
another female, in which the development of the eggs
was equally far advanced. These instances give us an
approximate indication of the spawning-season in more
northern localities, when we remember that Sahs, as

Sl.lMV SKA-SNAir.

291

we ha\(' mentioned al)ovr', found y(jung specimens up
to 1.") mm. in length, swimming at the surface in Va-
raiiger Fjoi'd, during the month of July.

CoLLETT found the lood of the Common Sea-Snail
t(» consist of small crustaceans and worms; Lill-ieborg
also found small shell-fish (Ilissoa) in its stomach.
According to h^AUKicii's the fry of other fishes and sea-
weed also form a part of its diet. It is of no greater
economical importance to man than the ])receding species,
even if it be eatable in case of need, according to the
account of Fabuicius", the triitii of which is, however,
denied by Kicuaud.son'', of its employment among the
(ireenlanders.

THE SLIMY SEA-SNAIL.
CYCLOGASTER GELATINOSUS.

Fig. 7:5.

Distance hefircoi flic rent (uitl the tip of the siiaiit Jess than '/^ of the length of the Jiodij. Distance between the
anal Jin and the vent more than '/g of that between the former and the tip of the snout. Only one nostril on
each side, Just in front of the ei/e. Just above the middle of the latter or at its anterior upper corner. Hays of
the dorsal fin from '>() to ~>'>, of the anal fin from 44 to 48; both these fins posteriorly united to the caudal fin
almost irittioiit viriiblc division. Least depth of the tail about :i % of the length of the base of the anal fin, irhich
is more than ^ ., the length of the body. Length of the caudal fin less than Vs '/'«' of the head. Teeth in the
cards of the mouth simple. Disk formed by the ventral fins equal in size to the eyes or slightlv larger; the
longitudinal diameter of the latter (in specimens about 60 mm. long) being about 6 or 7 % of the length of
the body, from 27 to 3.3 % of the length of the head, or aliout ^1^ of the breadth of the interorbital space as
far as this is covered by the skin. Snout blunt; its length about equal to that of the ventral disk. Length of
the pectoral fins from the upper angle about 16 % of that of the body or 70 % of that of the head. Di.stance
from the tip of the snout to the dorsal fin from about 24 to 28 % of the length of the bodv, to the ventral
disk 11 or 12 %, and to the anal fin from about 32 to 3.') %. Body flabby, very slimy, partly transparent and
of a yellowish or reddish colour, thinly punctated witii dark brown, chieflv on the dorsal side.

Fig. 7.-5. Cyclogagter gelatiiiosus, natural size, lakpii in tlie Skager Rack lnUveen Areudal and tlie Skaw at a deptli of 350 — 370 fathoms,

in .Iiilv, 1870. ThSki. and FoRSSTRAND.

B. br. t;; D. oQ — ;J5; A. 44—48; P. :52~33: V. 0; i .!>>«. Cydoptenis gelatinosuf, Pall., Spicil. ZooL. fasc. VII, p. 19,
C. .i + lO+.r; Vert. 60— U4. tat-. Ill, figg. 1— G; Id., Zoogr. Ross. As., vol. Ill, p. 74:

" "Editur coctus cum ovariis siiis inter scorpios," Fn. Gr.. p. 137.
*" Fn. Boi: Amei:. part. Ill, p. 204.

292

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Reinii. (Ljparis), Overs. Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Forh. 1842, p.

82; JoRD., Gii.B. (Careproclus), Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.

16, p. 740; Gthr (Liparis), Chall. Exp., Rep. Scient. Res.,

Zool, vol. XXII (Deep Sea Fish.), p. 67.
Liparis (Carepructus) Reivhavdi, Kr., Naturb. Tidskr. Klihvn,

ser. Ill, vol. I, p. 252; Coll. {Careproctus), Vid. Selsk.

Forh. Christ., 1880, No. 8, p. 1; Id., Norsk. Nordh. Exped..

1876—78. Zool, Fiske, p. .57, (ab. II. figg. 15 et 16;

LiLLJ., <6V., Norg. Fisk., vol. I, p. 682; Ltkn {Liparis),

Dijmphna-Togtets Zool. bot. Udb., p. 152.
? Liparis micropas, Gthr, 1. c, p. 66, tab. XII, fisr. B.

Obs. GuNTHEH. as well as Jordan and Gilbert, lias returned
to Reinhardt's opinion that this species, as it occurs in Greenland,
is the same as the Kamchatkan species described by Pallas, from
Steller's notes and specimens. This point cannot be elucidated nn-
til well-preserved specimens have been obtained from the north of
the Pacific, but if we keep in mind the variations to which the spe-
cies of this genus are subject, and the geographical extension of the
preceding species, every possible fact urges us to recognise this iden-
tity. Pallas also states, in his Zoograpliia (1. c), that he has heard
on trustworth}' autliority that the species also occurs in the White
Sea. Whether GOnthee's Liparis micropus is not identical with this
species, is a question that may well be asked ; so exactly do his figu-
res and description apply to the specimens we have examined. The
number of the fin-rays (Z). 35 — 37; A. 35 — 36) is the only cha-
racter which might constitute a specific difierence; but here a slip
of the pen or some abnormity involuntarily suggests itself to us, for
in no other Cychgaster is the number of rays in the dorsal fin so
like that in the anal; and even if the number of rays in the anal
fin is as low as stated by Gunther, still the other characters are
against the recognition of the specific difference.

The Slimy Sea-Snail is distinctly a deep-sea fish.
All the fishes of this description that we have pre-
viously treated of, are al)le to sustain life in the higher
marine regions, or are not confined to so great a depth
that the sha])e and structure of the true deep-sea fishes
have been forced upon them. Among the peculiarities
of the latter forms" we find, in the first place, their
loose structure, which is not restricted to the skin, as
in the other species of Cijclogaster (though in Cyclo-
gaster gdafinosus it attains its highest development),
but also affects the texture of the muscles and the
bones. Steller and Pallas compare the organization
of Cychgaster gelatinosus in this respect to that of tlie
Mediisce. Though tlie smaller specimens tliat we have
examined, are of only slightly looser structure than
similar examples of the preceding species, still the diffe-
rence is pronounced enough to distinguish the species
to some extent. Kroyer too, describes the skeleton as
"remarkable for its loose, spongeous structure and con-
sequent softness." Another characteristic of the deep-
sea fishes — also a retention or even a higher deve-
lopment of a juvenile character — lies in the large

« Cf. GCnther, LUrod. Study of Fish., pp. 209 etc. (Ilandb
pp. XXIV etc.

muciferous pores and cavities in the head, belonging
to the system of the lateral line; Init even in this
respect the Slimy Sea-Snail is to be regarded onlv
as a more advanced form than the preceding species.
This gradual progression in the same series of develop-
ment, which further expresses itself most distinctly in
the coalescence of the vertical fins, the greater number
of rays in the dorsal and anal fins, and the decreasing
depth of the tail, is all the more interesting as it is
accompanied by the reduction of the apparatus of the
ventral fins, and the removal in a forAvard direction of
this apparatus and also of the vent, an alteration which
is of systematical importance as a partial explanation
of the relations between the jugular or the apodal forms
and other types. During youth the position of the
ventral disk in those specimens of Cijclogaster gelatinosus
which we have examined, is only slightly different
from that which it occupies in Cyclogaster Montagui
or Cijcl. Fahricii. In these cases the distance between
it and the tip of the snout is 11 or \i % of the length
of the body (about 1 % less than in similar specimens
of Cycl. Ilontagiii), and only part of it lies under the
posterior part of the eye. In older specimens, however,
it is apparently moved considerably further forward:
in Kroyeu's specimen 183 mm. long, he states that it
was only 4^/^ mm. distant from the ])oint of the lower
jaw. This seems also to apply to the position of the
vent. The distance between it and the tip of the snout
in our specimens measures 20 or 21 % of the length
of the body. According to Pallas, this proportion
may sink to 9 %.

Assuming that the Kamchatkan species is identical
with the Atlantic, the Slimy Sea-Snail attains a con-
siderable size. The specimen described by Pallas in
his Spicilegia was 495 mm. long, and in his Zoograpliia
he says that the species often attains a length of 2
feet. In Scandinavia and the Atlantic Ocean it is ex-
tremely rare, and only small specimens are found. In
1879 the zoologists on board the gunboat Gunlnld,
Professor Theel and Doctor TrybOxM, took four .speci-
mens about 60 mm. long, in the month of July, about
half-way between Arendal and the Skaw, at a depth
of from 350 to 370 fathoms and on a bottom of fine,
bi'own clay. On the Norwegian Arctic Expedition of
187G — 78 three specimens between 56 and 79 nun. in
length, were taken at a depth of from 263 to 658

. Icblli., pp. 199 etc.) and Voy. Cliallenger, Rep., Zool., vol. XXII,

I. I'M I' SUCKKRS.

293

fathoms, between J.iii Mnyiii .•iiul Bear Islands. As we
have stated above, the three specimens between 'il and
89 nun. in Icnulh which were taken on the voyage of
the Kiiiiilit-F.niiiil in ISSO, at a depth n|' .")40— (JOS
fathoms, between the Faroe Ishinds and the Shetlands,

tVoni its true home to the higher marine regions, where
it helplessly drifts ashore before the wind, as de.scribed
b\- I'ai.i.as in Kanichatkii. Tlie spawning-sea.son occurs,
accor(liiig to SrKi.LKu's observations, in May, and in
the larger females the esKS are then of the size of a

and described l)v (iUNTiiKR under the name of Ijjxir'is \ pea. In the small females the eggs are also smaller:

microj)i(S, probably belong to this species. The Dijmphna
Expedition brought home from Kara Sea a specimen

CoLi.inT found them to be about as large as a po])pv-
secd. Oyclogaster qelafinosus is of still less economical

taken at a depth of ()4 fathoms. IJkin'uahdt and Ki{0yi;r I \alue to man than the preceding species: even the Si-
possessed specimens fVoni (irecnhiii(L Nothing more is \ berian dogs, says Steller, however hungry they may
known of its manner of life than that, like other deep- ' be, refuse to eat it.
sea fishes, it may sometimes be driven in some \\ay |

Genus CYCLOPTERUS.

Bodi/ bulki/, short and thick (durhifj youth, hoiverer, mxcJi the same as in the preceding genus). Skin fairly hard,

and rough with spines aud spinous tubercles {in youth, however, smooth). Two dorsal fins, hut the anterior distinct

only during youth, in older specimens to a greater or less extent, sometimes completely, overgroivn and hidden by

the skin. Branch iostegal rays well-developed. Skeleton weakly ossified; vertebrcc at most 30.

Fig. 74. Two caily juvenile stages of Cyclopterii.-i Inmjuis: a: at a Iciiglli of 4 imn.; li: at a length of 5 mm. After A. Agassiz.

Ti

le

slight granidation of tlie skin which some-

times appears in adult s])ecimens of the preceding ge-
nus, and the curve in the upper margin of the dorsal
tin which we find in Oyclogaster Montagui or, still
deeper, in the Califoriiian ('yd. mucosas, are sufficient
indications of the close relationship betAveen the pre-
ceding genus and Cyclopterus. This relationship aj)pears
still more distinctly from a study of the juvenile forms
of the latter genus, which in their earliest stages of
development (fig. 74) are elongated like Oyclogaster,

and may retain the nakedness of the skin even after
they have attained their own proper form in other
respects. Like the preceding genus, too, Cyclopterus is
furnished with an osseous connexion between the sub-
orbital ring and the prcoperculura, though from the
almost membranous texture of the bones this connexion
is easily overlooked". These resemblances speak strongly
in favour of the retention of these two genera in the
same family, even without their separation into distinct
subfamilies, in spite of the great external differences

" It is distinctly and correctly shown, however, in Rosenthal's Ichthyotomische Tafeln. tab. XIX, fig. 1.

294

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

between them in an adult state. Even Cijcloptenis
partially retains the external similarity to the tadpole;
but the marked development of the forepart of the
body and its deeper (shorter) form, together Avith the
singular covering of the skin, give Cyclopteriis a greater
resemblance to Ostracion or Diodon, to which fishes
this genus was partly united even b)' Artedi and

LlNNiEUS".

The genus contains only two species, both of north
ern and Arctic origin, but only one, the more southern
species — distinguished by the shorter head, the larger
gill-openings, the longer rays in the second dorsal, anal
and caudal fins, the more or less complete dermal co-
vering of the first dorsal fin, and the dermal plates,
arranged partly in rows, on the body — is knoAvn to
belong to tlie Scandinavian fauna.

THE LUMP SUCKER (sw. sjuryggen).
CYCLOPTERUS LUMPUS

Plate XVI.

Leiu/fJi of the head Jess than ^ ., of that of the body. Least depth of the tail more than ^/^ of the lene/fh of the
head, and the length of the caudal fin more than ^, r, of the latter. GiU-openings extending doirnicards in front
of the upper part of the base of the pectoral fins. Longest rags in the second dorsal and the anal fins measur-
ing more than 14 % of the length of the body. First dorsal fin, in adult specimens, so completely overgrown that
sometimes no free rays are externally visible. The large dermal plates arranged in distinct, longitudinal,

elevated rows on the body.

R. bi: 0; D. (6—8)1

1

; A.

I

(9)10 9(10)

P. 20; V. 6; C. .f + 0 + ,c;

Vert. 28 1. 29.

A'(/«. (.'i/clopterus. Art., Gen. Pise, p. 61; 6'i/n. Pise, p. 87; C'//t'-
loplerus if. Liimpus, Lin., /(. Oland.. p. 110; Fn. ,iiiec.,
ed. I, p. 103; It. i>can.. p. 188; Ascan., Icon. Per. Nat.,
tab. XXXIV.

Cyclopterus heptaijomis, Lin., Mus. .\d. FricL, I, p. 57.

Cycloptenis Lumpiis, Lin., Sy&t. Nat., efl. X, toiii.I, p. 260; Fabr.,
Fn. Groenl., p. 1.31; Moiir, Isl. N'attirli., p. 61; Retz., Fji.
fSnec. Lin., p. 327; Pai.jistb., Qven.s., Sw.. Sveyisk ZooL,
No, 52; Ekstr., Vet.-Akad. Ilan.tl. 1831, p. 100; Pau,.,
Zooijr. Ros.^. As., vol. Ill, p. 72; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. Scand.,
p. 61; Kr., Damn. Fi.H-r, vol. II, p. 490; Nn.ss., Skand.
Fn., Fisk., p. 232; Gtiii!^ Cat. Brit. Mus., Fi.ih., vol. Ill,
p. 155; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (disp. Helsiugf.). p. 17; Lindstii.,
Gotl. L. Husli. Siillsk. Arsber. 1866, p. 16 (sep.); Coll.,
Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Till.x'gsh., p. 63; Seidl., Fn.
Bait., pp. 29 et 122; Mai„\i, Ghgs, Boh. Fn., p. 445; Bncke,
Fisch., Fischer., Fischz. 0. imd IV. Prettss., pp. S5 ct 201;
WlNTH., Naturli. Tidskr. Kbhvii, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 19;
MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., vol. Ill, p. 349; Day, Fish.
Gt. Brit., IreL, vol. I, p. 179; Mei.a, Vert. Fenn., p. 'ISi,

tab. IX; M6b., Hcke, Fisch. 0.its., p. 58; JoRD., GiLB., Bull.
U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 747; Lillj., Sv., Nm-g. Fisk.,
vol. I, p. 718; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 39, tab. VI,
figg. 11 et 12.
(Jijclopterus minutns. Pall., Spic. Zool., fasc. VII, p. 12, tab.

III, figg. 7—9: MtlLL. (Rathke) (Gobius), Zool. Dan., istsc.

IV, p. 38, tab. CLIV. B, figg. 1 — 3; — juv. bujus spec,
vide Fries, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 226, tab. IV, fig. 1,
a — c; v. DCb., Kor., ibid. 1844, p. 116, tab. Ill, fig. 8, a — c.

Ci/clopterns paconintis, Shaw.; (Ji/cl. coertileus, Mitch.; Lumpiis
Anglorum (Wii.lughby), Dekay, Stoker; Ci/clopterus corona-
tiis. Couch: — vide Day, 1. c.

Athi.: Forma balticn cbaraelcribus juvenilibus et pinnis Ii et .4
altioribus distinguifiir.

In Sweden and on the coasts of Europe the Lump
Suckei' pi'obably never exceeds a length of (5 dm. and
a Aveight of 5^ 'o kgrm., and is generally much smaller*.
The females are, as a rule, larger and, especially during
pregnancy, thicker than the males. A gravid female
46 cm. long, according to Nilsson, weighs ?>^ 5 kgrm.
According to Buckland, a, female 5 dm. long and ?>

" Orhis ranii3 rictu and (Jrbis spinosns in Clusius, Wili.uoiiby and Ray, Crai/rcicion ore rictu raniv and Crayracion scutatus in Klein,
are synonymous with Ostracion rotiindo-oblongus, tuberculis ntrinque, pinna dorsi longissima and Ostracion snbrotundns, aeuleis undique brevi-
bus planis, ventre glabro, in Artedi (Gen., p. 59; Syn., p. 86), and Diodon raniniis and Diodon ■■apinosiis in Linn.eus (Syst. Nat., ed. X,
tuni. I. pp. 335 and 3:!6), botli of wliich wv.tv subsequently referred by Linn.bus (Syst. Nat., ed. XII, toni. I, p. 414) to Cyclopterus lampiis.

'' Muiiius and Heincke state the niaxiniuni length of the Lump Sucker at 12 dm.; Stoker (Mem. Amer. Acad., VIII, part. 2, p. 404)
states that the largest specimen he had seen Aveighed 18^4 lbs. = 8''2 kgrm. Tlie largest specimen belonging to the Royal Museum is 485
mm. in lengtli, and was taken in Norwegian Finniark (1837, S. Loven).

Lf.MI' SUCKI'IK.

295

dm. dec]) (tliii'k) wt'i^lis iicarl\' a l<,i;riii., the i'(i<' fonii-
iii^- (i8() ^I'lii. n[' tliis wciight. In sli;i|ic llic I.iiin|)
Slicker is (iiic of <ini' most siii^'ulnr lislics, liciiiLi' l)nlky
;iii<l polvgoiinl, iis the Swedish mime sliows, tor liy
sjitryiifi (Sovcii-biiok) is only meant lliut it has seven
longitudinal ridges, marked 1)\- huge, spinous plates,
on the body, wliieh is sciileless, hut I'ougli with small
s])in(>s. One of these I'idges runs in the form of a
cartiliiffiuous hump alonu' the dorsal line heliind ihc^

an(

1 general

invests the whole of the lirst dorsal
fm. being double between the latter and the second
dorsal lin. Another ridge runs on each side of the
bod\- from the upper anterior corner of the eye, be-
tween the pt)sterior nostril and the latter, and then
advances over the eye, being fairly straight or some-
what cur\ed above the pectoral fins, and situated at
the bottom of the upper third of the body or a little
higher, out along the tail to the base of the caudal
tin. Anothei- ridge runs fairh' parallel to the latter.
It begins just behind the gill-opening, about lialf-waA'

undergoes even relative increase with age. It is usu-
all\ givater in the uuile than in the female, and varies
between 8 and 10 ?«; of the lengtli of the body. The
head is fairh' large, generall}' more so in the males,
but its i-elative length decreases with age, varying in
full-grown specimens between 2()' j and 28 % of that
of the body. The cheeks fall perpendicularly from the
broad and flat forehead — the breadth of the inter-
orbital space at the middle of the eyes, in full-gro\\n
specimens, varies between about (iO and 70 ?6 (r)8'3 —
71 "o) of the length of the head. The abruptly rounded
snout is shoi't, but its breadth renders it large: its
point is occupied by the mouth, which is turned some-
what upwards, and the breadth of which — generally
Sreater in the male than in the female — varies be-
tween about 55 and 05 % of the length of the head.
Both jaws, with their thick lips jiroject eipialh far for-
ward, when th<- mouth is closed, but when the latter
is o])en, the lower jaw proves to be slightly the longer.
The jaw-teeth are small and jiointed. in Miunger spe-

between its upper corner and the upper angle of the 1 cimens forming two or three rows in front only, and

pectoral tin, and advances on tlie abdominal region,
along the middle of the side, but on the caudal resjion

set in a sim])le row behind; but in old specimens set
in cards which grows gradually narrower t)ehind. anrl

at about the toj) of the lower third of the tail. The I are broader (contain more rows) in the upi)erjawtha

lowest ridge runs on each side of the belly itself, which
during youth, after tlie formation of this ridge, is flat

in" the lower. The thick tongue and the palate are tooth-
less; but the pharyngeal bones. l)oth abo\ e and below, are

or even concave between the latter and its correspondent \ set with oblong cards of teeth. The nostrils are double,

on the other side of the body — as if this part of the both pairs being sometimes raised in a tubular shape, but

bell\- were a contiiuiation of the ventral disk — until this is the case, as a rule, only with the anterior pair,

it becomes rounded when the organs of generation I'each j which are the larger, and lie on a level with the middle

maturity. This lower ridge is generally continued, after ' of the eyes, the distance between them and the latter

a short interruption, by a row of small protuberances ' being about equal to the diameter of the eye (some-

along the base of the anal tin; and a similar row of j what less in young specimens). The eyes ai-e laterally

protuberances — or even two — generally appears
along the base of the second dorsal fin. A row of two
or three osseous tui)ercles generallv runs back along
the branchiostegal mendjraue. below the cheek, from
the end of the lowei- jaw. The depth of the bod\ varies
considerabK' with the growth of the dorsal hump and
the greater or less tumidity of the belly; in old males
it may often rise to about 45 % of the length of the

set and mobile"; they are situated high up, below the
margin of the forehead and just in front of the middle
of the head, in fu]l-gro\vn specimens generally measur-
ing from about 17 to 'li % of the leuirth of the latter
— in old specimens from greater depths this proportion
may rise to 25 %. and in young specimens the eyes
are, as usual, larger. In young specimens between 24
and 28 mm. lono; we have found them to measure as

body, and in gravid females to more than half the much as 3(5 Vo and 31 % of the length of the head,

latter. This is also true, though in a less degree, of The; gill-opening begins superiorly on a level with the

the greatest thickness of the body (across the belly). superior margin of the eye, and ends below, in front of

which in old specimens varies between about 25 atid ' the base of the |>ectoral fins, on about a level with the

27 % of the length of the body. The least depth of mouth. Below this point the thick branchiostegal mem-

the bodj' too, just in front of the caudal fin, generally brine hangs like a dermal fold straight across the throat.

" "Je ne connais aucun poisson qui toiirne ses yeiix brillants avec taut de promptitude": AsCANICS.

296

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The pores belonging to the sj^stem of the lateral line
are small, and in old specimens hardly distinguishable.

The pectoral fins and the disk of the ventral tins
are of the same structure and shape as in the preceding
genus; but the former are not so broad — their upper
angle lying lower do^vn, and the number of rays being
oulv 20 — and are without the incision in tlie lower
posterior part of tlie margin. The distance between
thi' pectoral tins at the bottom is scarcely equal to the
diameter of the eye; when laid Ijack, the fins do not
extend to the vent, the length of tlieir uppei- part in
full-grown specimens being 14 or 15 % (13'8 — I5'l %)
of the length of the body. In specimens from the
Baltic, however, the length of these fins is relatively
greater (17 — 19 %), and also in young specimens:
in specimens between 24 and 28 mm. long we have
found them to measure 17'5 — 17'8 % of the length of
the l)ody. They are also, as a rule, longer in the male
than in the female. The length of the oval disk formed
by the ventral fins is also relatively greater in A'oung
specimens than in old and, generally, in the male than
in the female, its longitudinal diameter, including the
dermal rim, varying in adult specimens between about
14\'o and 19'/2 % of the length of the body, and in voung
specimens between 20 and 2172 thereof. In the hind
]iart of the dermal margin we find the tips of the four
posterior (inner) rays on each side". In the old males,
which are furnished with a genital papilla behind the
vent, the latter lies about half-way between the ad-
hesive disk and the anal fin; while in young specimens
and the females it generallv lies nearer the latter. Hence
it follows, as a rule, that the length of the pectoral
fins in young specimens and those from the Baltic (see
above) is greater than the distance between the vent
and the anal fin, but in the adult Atlantic specimens less.

The first dorsal fin, with from 6 to 8 simple, but
soft, spinous rays, is covered in old specimens, as wa
have mentioned above, by the more or less cartilaginous
huuip\ which develops during growth. This hump
generally rises almost evenly from the occiput or forms

a slight break at its origin; but sometimes, especially
in old males, it may rise like a cock's-comb, or at least
in a sharply marked semicircle, to a height equal to
the depth of the head at the occiput or that of the
body at the termination of the abdominal cavity. The
alteration in the shape of the liody thus caused is so
great tliat Pallas and his successors long Ijelieved that
the young specimens were a distinct species {Cyclopteriis
minutus, Plate XVI, the three middle figures). Fries
Avas the first to demonstrate that these young examples
belong to the species now under consideration, in spite
of their rounded back and distinct anterior dorsal fin,
Avith visible rays'. At this period, before the rows of
tubercles appear, the skin is also smooth; and some-
times, as V. DuBEN and Koken have shown, specimens
30 mm. long may be "entirely smooth and even, with-
out the least trace of tubercles, spines or ridges". For
a long time, too, the tips of tlie last rays in the first
dorsal fin may be distinguished, thougli not with ease;
this seems to be most persistent in specimens from
the Baltic.

The second dorsal and the anal fins are very like
each other, the first (simple and unarticulated) and the
last (articulated and generally simple) rays being the
shortest, and the fourth (the first branched) ray the
longest. The remainder of the margin is rounded or
almost straight. Tlie base of the former fin, the length
of which varies betAveeii 15 and 20 % of that of the body,
and undergoes greater increase with age, even relatively
than the length of the anal fin, is always longer than
that of the latter, which varies between about 14 and
15',;, % of the length of the body. During youth the
height of each of these fins is equal to its base; in
old specimens, on the other hand, the height of the
anal fin is greater than the length of its base, but in
the second dorsal fin the proportions are reversed.
Specimens from the Baltic are apparently marked by
the still more considerable height of these fins (more
than 18 % of the length of the body), and hence it
follows that in tlieir case, even in old specimens as

" According to Bloch (Fische Deutscld., Ill, \<. 104), Hanow estimated tliat tlie adliesive power of the disk in a Lumji Sucker 8
Prussian inches (21 cm.) long represents a lifting-power of 74' ._, Zollpfund (34**/jq kgrm.). Pennant states {Brit. ZooL, III, p. 118) as a
proof of this power that he once placed a fish of this species, just caught, in a pail containing several gallons of water, and by taking ludd
of the tail of the fish was able to lift pail, water and tish without forcing the latter to relinquish its hold of the bottom. It is, however,
tlie adhesion of the disk alone, without any special exertion on the part of the fish, that is at work here, for Buceland {Nat. Hist. Brit.
Fish., p. 126), on cutting oft" the adhesive disk of a dead Lump Sucker 5 kgrm. in weight, and pressing it against a damp window-sill,
found that it was only with the greatest effort he could just lift it straight up, though laterally it did not offer the slightest resistance.

' A similar formation appears during the spawning-season in the males of the Pacific Salmons.

' Even Ascanius, however, had seen and identified these young specimens, though his figure of one of them (1. c.) is not verj- instructive.

LrMI' SIYKKIi.

297

well MS diiriiiii' Ainitli, tin- liciiiiit (iC tlic second dorsiil
till is ciiumI to tli<' length nf its husc 'i'lic cinidnl liii
is also sli^'htly rounded or sonu'tiiiR's iiliiiost truncate:
the middle rays are sli<i'litly longer tliaii tlie niitcriiKist
hraiiched rays, their length, which relatively decreases
witii age, varying hetMceii 2''> % (in young specimens)
and 1(! % (in old), or, liy oui' measurements, exactly
'22"8 % and 16"2 % of the length of the body, or 71 %
and (i5 % (7ri and ^Wh %) of tiic lengtii of the iiead.
The Baltic specimens are distinguished, iiowever, liy
longer rays in tliis tin also, the length of tiie caudal
tin at the middle in specimens 150 — 170 nun. long
being about 18 % (18'1 — 18"4) of that of the body or
6G % ((;5-(i— 65-8) of that of the head. In the caudal
fin we \\vA.\ sometimes find 8 supporting rays above
and lielow; l)ut as a rule, only one of these rays can
be distinguished at the top of the fin, and two at the
bottom. Most of the nine true rays are simple during
youth, and in old specimens the outermost ray on each
side or on the one side is simple or at least indistinctly
branched. All the rays in the second dorsal, anal and
caudal fins are rough with small spines, but the mem-
brane between the rays is smooth and, especially in
the caudal fin, very ductile.

Among the internal organs the intestinal canal is
remarkable for its great length and the number of the
pyloric appendages. The o-sophagus is ^\■ide and straight,
but the stomach curves forward and extends to the
diaphragm, where the pylorus with its numerous appen-
dages occupies the I'ight side of the abdominal cavity,
the li^•cr Iving chiefly to the left. The intestine itself
lies in a number of coils, its length being considerably
greater than that of the body. The urinary bladder,
which lies at the termination of the abdominal cavity, be-
hind the vent, is also remarkably large. During the spawn-
ing-season the generative organs are considerably tumid.

The coloration in the old specimens is liluish gray,
darker (blackish gray) nii the l)ack, with large dark
spots on the sides, and almost everywhere strewn with
small black dots on the skin, most of the spines and
l)lates being tij)ped with brown. During the spawning-
season these colours arc intensified, and the males are
marked by their red belly, as shown in v. Whight's
two figures of old specimens (Plate XVI, figs. <^ and

9). "The iris is brassy yellow, with a dash of a darker
tint," says Kkstuom, "but when the fish has been out
(if tlie water for some length of time, the iris turns
siK'er-white." The living young specimens, in which,
accoi-ding to Muiuus and Heiscke", we find the live-
liest play of colour, are thus described by Fries''. "The
whole fish is of a greenish yellow colour, thickly punc-
tated with a number of fine, dark dots, visible only
under the magnifying-glass. A narrow, bluish stripe,
witli a silvery lustre, follows a somewhat winding course
on each side from the point of the nostrils to the eye
and thence across the sides of the head to the point
of the gill-cover. In some specimens this stripe begins
on tlie upper jaw. The eyes have an orange ring next
the pupil, and the rest of the iris is very thickly punc-
tat(;d with dark brown, on a varying golden and sih'eiy
ground. All the fins are transparent, with the e.xcep-
tion of the anterior dorsal, wdiich is of the ground-
colour of the body, and in some specimens has a little
silvery spot or similar transverse band near its point,
and of the collar running from the jiectoral fins, which
is of a handsome flame-yellow colour, and in .some spe-
cimens crossed by a silvery transverse band. Sometimes,
too, we find small silvery spots, inconstant in number
and shape, at the base of the pectoral fins, beside the
adhesive disk, and on the dorsal edge behind the pos-
terior dorsal fin', but their occurrence is only partial
in some cases."

The difference in the coloration has given rise to
different names for the sexes. In Scania, as in Den-
mark, tlie male is called Sfenbit (Stone-biter), the fe-
male Qvahbso (Angler-sow), these names being also
used, according to Malm, on Gaso in Bohushln. In
the north of BohuslSn, on the other hand, the female
is said to be called Bdnka, a reminiscence of the Nor-
wegian name for the species, Rogn-kal (Roe-fellow) for
the male and liogn-kexe (Roe-hag) for the female. In
the Baltic the species is more commonly known as Sju-
rygn'', as we are told even by Artedi and Lixx^us,
and also, in Gothland, Stainbajtare (= Stenbit) and on
Faro S)io>\fojbnl (Snivel-fellow) and Staiubuck (Stone-
buck), according to Lisdstrom. We have thus every
reason to suppose that the Lumj) Sucker has attracted
considerable attention on the part of fishermen and

" Fische der Ostsee. p. 57.

' Vet.-Akad. Handl. 18.S8, p. 231. C'f. Plate XVI. figg. jin:, wliich are copied from v. Wright's drawings executed for Fries.

' Sec above, fig. 74, </.

'' .\lso Lumpjish, according to EkstrOm.

Scandiuavian Fhhts. 38

298

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

others, iu spite of the insignificance of its economical
value. The attention paid to it is, therefore, clue chietly
to its singular appearance and manner of life.

The Lump Sucker occurs from very deep water
up to the littoral region, ^vhere it prefers a rocky or
stony bottom. The Royal Museum has received spe-
cimens from a deptli of between 100 and 150 fthins
off Jaderen on the coast of Norway, and of l)etween
100 and 200 fthins, on the Jutland Reef in the North
Sea. Though a Ijottom-fish and thus of sluggish tem-
perament, it may sometimes be found swimming freely
about in the open sea. This does not depend entirely
on the cii'cumstance that it attaches itself to tioating ob-
jects and drifts al^out in their company, for it also dis-
plays considerable activit}' in the pursuit of its prey
and on its migrations to the spawning-place. Ekstkom
mentions its habit of attaching itself to tlie wooden
floats or liuoys {skofklabhar) used to support the Herring-
nets {skotarne). Couch" states, on good authority, that
a Lump Sucker has been taken firmly attached to a
Mackerel caught in ;i drift-net where the water was con-
siderably deep. Day also gives two observations, made
by Mr. Cornish'', of the capture of the Lump Sucker in
Mackerel-nets drifting at the surface. On the voj'age
of the Ingegjerd and Gladan, the two ships of the Swe-
dish expedition to Greenland in 1871, a young specimen
33 mm. long was taken in a, surface-net in the neigh-
bourhood of Newfoundland'. This species is most often
taken, however, though only by accident, in nets sunk
to the bottom or in tra^vls.

The geographical range of the Lumj) Sucker extends
from Greenland, the extreme north of Norway'', and
tlie White Sea'' southwai'ds to the Bay of Biscay, on
the east of the Atlantic, and to Chesapeake Bay, on
the west. In Bohusliln it is far from rare, up to the
Laminaria region (Malm). In the Baltic, according to
Mela, it occurs up to the top (jf the Gulf of Bothnia,
where it is said, however, to l^c rare. As Lill.jeborg
has already remarked, however, the Baltic form is dis-
tinguished by several peculiarities; and we have above
given all the instances of these that we ha\e found in

the specimens between about 14i) and 170 mm. long,
which the Royal Museum has acquired from Brsivik and
the island-belt of Stockliolm. Most of these peculiarities
indicate a persistency of the juvenile characters fully
analogous to the relation between tlie Baltic Herring
and the common form. One of these characters lies
in the greater length of the pectoral fins, in which re-
spect the Baltic form approaches the more arctic Cij-
clopferns sp'mosus. Others, however, as for instance
the greater height of the second dorsal and the anal
fins, contradict this impression and suggest a distinct
direction of development, even if this l)e not far enough
advanced to justify a distinction of species. According
to Benecke the Lump Sucker attains a length of from
20 to 30 cm. on tlie coast of Prussia. ( )ft' Morko Ek-
STHOM never found specimens more than 1.5 cm. long.
In the Baltic it probably does not attain so great a size
as in the Atlantic. Even in Kiel Bay, however, ac-
cording to MoBius and Heincke, it may be 40 cm. in
length. The Danish authors, after Kroyeh, state the
maximum length of tlie female at 45 cm. and of the
male at about 30 cm. Malm records the capture of a
female 48 cm. long in the island-belt of Bohuslan.

The Lump Sucker has sometimes been met with
in fresh water, at least at the mouths of rivers: Day
mentions an instance of this at King's Lynn in Nor-
folk, and MoBius and Heincke another at the mouth
of tlie river W'eser.

The spawning-season of the Lump Sucker occurs
at the lieginning of spring, in the Baltic at the end of
April or beginning of May, according to Ekstrom, in
Bohuslan at the same period or, according to an ob-
servation recorded by Malm, at the middle of May,
and in Greenland, according to Fabricius, at the end
of May or beginning oi .Tune. At this time or a little
earlier the Lump Sucker migrates from deep water to
the spawning-places, at a depth of some fathoms and
where the bottom is overgrown with seaweed, some-
times closc! to low-water mark, where the bottom is
almost dry during spring. Here the female lays her
numerous', red'' eggs, and after lier follows the male

" Fish. Brit. IsL, voL II, p. 185.

* Zoulogist, 2n(l scr., vol. VIII and IX, pp. 35:32 and -idCA.
' Lat. 47°35'N., long. 52° 34' W. (26 Aug., 1871, Josua Lindahl).

'' Where, according to CoLl.ETT, however, it is less common than in the south of Norway.

'■ There is no record of its occurrence in Spitzbergen, where the genus is represented by the otlier species, Cydoptcrus spinosiis.
■' The number of eggs and, probably, their size vary with the size of the parent fish. In .i female weighing 5 kgrm. Buckland (I. c.)
counted about 194,000 eggs. The entire roe weighed 730 gram.

'J In the ovaries, according to Fabeicius, the colour of the eggs varies considerably, being white, red, yellow, blue or green.

r.l'MP SUCKKH.

L>99

to fertilize and w.iteli llieiii. I'.vcii Faukkii s describes
tlic vi^rilaiice and courauc displayed hv the male in the
perforinauee of this diit\. Joiian I'kusson, a Hshenn.ni
of Sydkoster in Unhnsliin, as .Mai,m relates, observed
tlie spaA\'niiit;' of the Lnnip Sncker foi- three years run-
ning' in the same elel't in tlie rocks, at a. depth of 3 or
4 fathoms. y\fter the I'oe had lieeii deposited, the male
|)OSted its(df' "a couph' of I'eet away and blew on the
roe. whieli it defends from all enemies, det'eatin,^' the
attacks e\en of the crab.' It is probalih', howexcr,
that the female also shares this (bit\. I'l'oni (ianirie,
ill Banflfshire, IIahkis" states: '"rpon this coast tlieir
}U'sf>: are almost invariably to be met with in rocky
places, a little bcvoiid low-water mark. There is also this
peculiaritv, that the sites of tiiese are usnalh' cavities
from ei,uht to ten inches in diameter, openin.U' horizont-
ally into the water. Mr. West, of Pennan (Zo(j1. 2'1'JS),
int<irms me, that in one case he came upon a l/cii seated
on her nest, just, he supposed, as she had completed
the jn'ocess of s]>awnin,u'. She adhered very tenaciously,
manifesting at tlie same time considerable intrepidity,
■which seemed to be shared bv her companion, the rock,
who, during the struggle, kept close Ijy, flitting through
and throuuli the water in a state of violent a£jitation."
The fry grow slowh', ])ut vary in this respect. During
the lirst year, in the majoritv of cases, they jji-obably
do not exceed u length of 20 mm. (_)n the vovage of
the gunboat (iinihUiJ, in 1S7N, A'oung specimens from
10 to li' mm. long were taken on Lilla Middelgrund,
at a depth of between 10 and 12 fathoms, on a stony
and sandv bottom, on the 12th of July, and on the
Itith of the same month another specimen IG mm. long
Avas caught S.W. of Kullen, at a depth of 13 fathoms,
on a bottom composed of blended sand and clav. On
tiie 4th of August. 1865, Dr. A. V. LjixciMAN took
young specimens from 12 to 18' ^, niin. long, at the
surface of the open sea, west of Koster, and on the
21st of the .same month a voung specimen Ki' .. mm.
long, at a depth of lietween 3 and 8 fathoms, on a
clayev bottom. In ^hirch, 1882, Mr. C. A. HanssoN
caught a Lump Sucker 28 mm. long in Koster Fjord.

This specimen, when c(jmpared ^vith tint <jthers men-
tioned above, must naturally be assumed to have be-
longed to the previous year, as well as the fry between
19 and .'>! mm. long which Fhies (1. e.) took in such
large numbers in a bottf)m-iiet. in <iullmar Fjord, in
the month of April. According to this assumption too,
the small, light .sea-green specimens, strewn with black
dots and about 75 to 100 mm. long, which are stated
by FlUKs to be taken in small inimbers in autumn, in
the seines, on tlie coast of llohnsliin, must also date
from the spawning-season of the preceding \ear.

The Lump Sucker feeds, according to Ek.strom, on
crustaceans, worms and Moduaft;, the latter entering into
its diet, as Lii.UEBOitG has remarked, chiefly for the
sake of the crustaceaiLs (Hifperidce) which live in their
body. Its own most formidalde enemv is said to be
the seal, which skilfully skins it from head to tail,
leaving both these parts fast to the skin''. As human
iood the reputation of the Lump Sucker varies. "The
flesh, when boiled, is flabby," .says Ek.stkom, "is al-
ways rather tough, and in iny opinion is far from
appetising." In France it is not eaten: "the He.sh,'' says
MoHKAU, "diffuses an odour which is by no means pleas-
ant." In Scotland, however, many per.sons thoroughlv
appreciate it, at least before the spawning-.season, though
the female is less liked than the male. "Here," writes
Malm of Bohuslan, "no method of ])reparing this fish
for food is generalh" kiiovvn, or of removing the skin,
which is much thicker than in the majoritv of fishes,
and almost cartilaginous. The Lump Sucker is, there-
fore, not much in demand, and is usually sold at a
price which seems trifling when we consider its value
as a wholesome and agreeable article of food."

In the ])harmacopoeia of foi'mer times the Lump
Sucker held a high idace*". "The few specimens that
are caught here," writes Ekstrom in the Fauna of
Moiko, "are never used as food. They are employed
onh- as a remedy for ague. For this i)urpose the fish
is thoroughlv dried in an oven, and pounded to a
powder. The ])owder is taken in corn-brandy, in doses
of a teaspoonful."

" Zoologist, 1S.51 (IX). p. :H.JT.

' H.\RltlS. 1. c.

*■ "'Piilvis contra Tfrtiaiiniu viilgn mlliibetiir": Lisn/EL'S, Fii. Suec.

800

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Fam. GOBIESOCIDJ].

Bodij hroad, tadpole-like, depressed in front and terete hehind. Seales ivantiHg. No distinct lateral line. No
hrauclivd Hn-rai/s. Onli/ one dorsal Jin, corresponding to titc posterior dorsal fin in the preceding forms, and
composed of flexible, simple and articulated rai/s, generalli/ iritlmiit spinous rai/s". Anal fin similar in shape and
opposed to the dorsal, hat shorter {ivith fea-cr raijs). Ventral fns proximalhi distinct, hat in front united hij a
dermal fold and hehind surrounding a double adhesive disk, the frame of ivhich is formed anteriorly by the pelvic
I/ones (Did posteriorly by the postclavictdar bones, which project downwards behind tlie former. Fourth branchial
arch with no lamelke or only one rou\ Pscudohranchia 2^'>'<^sent, hut most often only rudimentary. Six or five
hranchiostegcd rays. Air-bladder and pyloric appendages wanting. No osseous connexion betiveen the suborbital
ring and the preoperculum. Palatine and vomerine teeth wanting. Anal papilla present, at least in the males.

It is indeed true, as Gunthek has remarked, that,
in the structure of the ventral disk, these fishes are
entirely different from Cyclogaster and Cyclopterus ; but
tlieir relation to the latter in this respect, to a certain
extent, corresponds to that of Callionymus to the Gobies,
and thev have many striking resemblances to Callio-
nymus. They ma)', therefore, with reason retain their
place in the Gobiomorph series, as was also the opinion
of Job. Mullek, as cited above.

On merely external examination we easily lind that
the adhesive disk is of a more complex structure than
in the |)receding family, and is formed of two distinct
])arts, an anterior and a posterior, though the boundary
between them is not always marked throughout the
exterior. The skin of the adhesive disk is covered with
a mosaic of small tubercles, and underneath the skin
is a well-developed layer of muscular tissue. The an-

rim is turned upwards on each side of the body behind
the pectoral fin, the fish being thus apparently possessed
of two pairs of ])ectoral fins, the one just in front of
and covering the other. This is due to the fact that,
just as the pelvis forms the osseous framework of the
anterior division of the adhesive disk, the posterior di-
vision is also furnished with an osseous framework,
which belongs to the lower |)art of the ])ostclavicular
l)one suspended on each side of the body ^vitilill the
shoulder-girdle (the clavicular bones). But the carti-
laginous rods issue from the cartilaginous disk which
lies in the skin outside (beneath) the postclavicular bone,
and thus do not correspond to the rays of either the
pectoral or the ventral fins. The true rays of the
vential fins are four in number, simple and articulated,
the penultimate ra^- being the longest; and in front of
them Ave hud an unarticulated, discous, spinous ray,

terior margin is formed by the flat, extended rays of I broad at the top, often triangular and geniculate, and
tlie ventral fins and the membrane which unites them j hidden in the skin. In a groove in the anterior side
to each other, and anteriorly forms a broad connecting-
link between the two ventral fins. As in the Dragonets,
the same membrane posteriorly runs up the louver part
of the front of the pectoral fins, which in several of
the forms belonging to this family is also furnished
with a perpendicular dermal fold lying in front of this
point. The posterior division of the adhesive disk is
furnished with a separate dermal rim, whit'h is extended
by cartilaginous rods exactly resembling fin-rays, and
the more liable to Ijc mistaken for the latter as the

of the latter Gunther also found a thinner ray con-
cealed, "(]uite free and not joined to the pelvic bone."
The number of ventral rays normal in the Acantho-
pterygians (G) may thus occur in this family too.

The shape of the whole liead, the position of the
eyes (though they are further apart), tlie shape and
inferior position of the thick-lipped and protrusile mouth,
and aljove all, in most of the forms, tlie mobile spine
or posterior tij) of the lower posterior corner of the
preoperculum, all still further enhance tlie resemblance

" Sometimes, liowever, as in Gohiesox nudiis (LiN., nee Gthi;), there is one spinous ray, iinarticulaled, but flexible at the tip, at the
lieginning of the dorsal fin. MUli.eu and Tkoschki. (Mora' Iclithijoloijici.e, Heft. Ill, p. 17) mention two similar spinous rays at the beginning
of the dorsal fin in Cliorixochisiuus dente.r.

With regard to the former speeies, it should be stated, however, tliat llie original specimen of LlNN.EUs's Cyclopterus nuchis {Mus.
Ad. Frid., p. F)7, tab. 27, fig. 1) is still preserved in the RoyaJ Museum, and is evidently the same species as that described by GOntiier
(Brit. Mitt:, (^it., I''isli., Ill, p. 502) under the name of Gol/icso.r macrophtliatiniis. Several additional specimens of this last species have
lieen forwarded to the Royal Museuui from St. Bartholoiricw (W. Indies) by Dr. A. V. Goiis.

DllUBLE SUCKERS.

301

of these fishes to the Dragonets. The Gobiesocidce are
thus distinguished t'roui the latter chiefly by the highest
development of one organ, the adhesive disk, and the
total lack of anotliei', the first dorsal tin, the reduction
of whicli, ho\ve\er, was alr(;ad\' foresliadowed in the
Gobioid family. Thus, the gain of the ventral part
is tlie loss of the dorsal.

The jaw-teeth are usually small, but comparatively
strong, conical and set in one or a few rows, though
in the front of the jaws they are sometimes cardiform,
or some of them are developed into sharp and strong,
compressed incisors. The intestinal canal is short and
simple, but internally furnished with broad and nu-
merous folds of the mucous membrane. The liver is

large and bilobate. The gall-bladder large.

Among

the anatomical cliaracteristics Guntiieu has remarked a

well-developed omentum" in some species, and lacrymal
sacs, as he terms them'", at the eyes of one of the spe-
cies. With regard to the external characteristics we
may remark that the predominant colour in most of
the species is red.

The family contains about 20 species, distributed
by (jUXTHER among 9 genei-a', and occurring in the
Temperate Zones of both the Southern and Northern
Hemispheres, but rare within tlie Tropics. Its members,
most of which are small fishes, usually lie very still, Avith
their adhesive disk fast to the bottom, sometimes so
close to shore that they are left dry l)y tlie ebb. The
larger species, it is true, live in deeper water, and even
the small ones may have their usual haunt at a depth
of as much as 30 fatlioms; but no true deep-sea spe-
cies is known.

Genus LEPADOGASTER.

]'ostcIaviei(I(ir jiaif of tlie adhesive disk completejji separated, even external} ij, from the pelvic part, the dermal rim
of the former lieiufi traiisverseJi/ jiendenf, even in front, at the houndary hefa-een if and the latter. Xo special
deniiiil fold on the front of tlie base of the pectoral fins, or only a sliyht trace thereof. Xo preopercular spine.
Gill-opening perpendicidar, the hranchiostegal niemhrane heing coalescenf irith the broad isthmus, without any derniid
fold across the throat. Fourth ttranchial arch a-ith a simpjle roir of lamelhc. Six hrancMostegal rays on each side.
Snout depressed and more or less elongated. Jau--teeth set laterally in a simpAe row, and anteriorly cardiform.
Xo incisors. Dorsal and anal fins without spinous rays, but with the rays distinctly articulated. Anal papilla

present both in the female and in tJie male''.

This genus, which was established in 1770 by
(tOUan', really belongs to the Mediterranean, to which
liK'ality Caxestrini' ascribes 6 species, half of which,
Iiowever, he refers to a distinct genus, Mirhelia, dis-
tinguished by the marked separation of the vertical fins
from each other, whereas, in the other species, they are
more or less closely united. The insignificance of this
generic character, however, we have already seen in
the species of the genus Cgclogaster. Three species
occur on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, and
one of these also belongs to the Scandinavian fauna.
'"They are peaceable and gregarious," says Risso'' of
these fishes, "and generally collect in small companies

which live together. Their scaleless, slippery body
glides through the sand and pebbles where they make
their home. Their food is composed of worms (Xereidee)
and other small creatures." That they live on other
food as well, is apparently shown, however, by the
method of catching them Avhich he describes. "In order
to procure these fishes," he says, "a hole may be scraped
in the sand, and a dead fish laid there. \Yhen the
Suckers (Lepadogaster) scent the fish, they attach them-
selves to it, and begin their meal on the flesh." All the
species are to be reckoned among the small fishes, the
largest of them scarcely attaining a length of more than
1 dm. The Scandinavian species is one of the smallest.

<oi.

" Vat. Brit. Mus., Fis/i., vol. Ill, p.

'■- L. c, p. 492.

•' According to Jordan and Gilbert 10 genera.

•' This last character is given on the authority of MOller and Tboschel, Hora- Ichthyologkw, Heft. Ill, p. 20.

•' Hist. d. Foiss., pp. 100 and 177.

■' Arch, per la Zoologia, LWnatoniia e la Fisiologia, Vol. Ill, Fasc. I, p. 177.

0 Eur. Jh'r., Ill, p. 278.

302

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BIMACULATED SUCKER.

LEPADOGASTER BIMACULATUS.

Fig. 75.

Dorsal (uid (nial fiits dhtinctlji scpaiatrJ fiom flic caiitJal fin, the ,firsf containing at most 7 rai/s and the anal
Jin 6. Breadth of the snout just in front of the eijes greater than its length, n-hieh is about eqwd to the hreadth of
the interorhital space, to the length of the base of the dorsal or anal fin {the difference usually being only slight),
or to the distance between the dorsal and caudal fins. Two nostrils on each side, within the line from the upper an-
terior corner of the ei/e, the posterior with a small muciferoiis pore beside it, the anterior alone iritli a slightly
raised, tubular margin, but u-ithout any lobate appendage. Longitudinal diameter of the eye in small specimens
{about 30 mm. long) "z., or more of the breadth of the interorbital space, in large specimens {over 50 mm. long)
Va o>- less thereof. Longitudinal diameter of the entire adhesive disk about 18 — 21 % of the lengtli of the body:
pelvic disk {wit]iin the ventral fins) short and round: postclavicular di.sk trapezoidal, broadest behind. Length of
the head from about ^'4 to '//, greatest depth of the body front about ^/\, to V?''? 'f^^'^'^ de2)fh of the tail about
V'12', (tnd the length of the caudtd fin from about ^/r, to "/is'') of the length of the body. Length of the pectoral fins
about equal to the greatest depth of the body, the lateral flap of the posterior division of the ventral disk ex-
tending scarcely half-way up the pectored fins.

Fig. 75. Lepadojaster biinucuhttus from Norway, M. v. DCden 1845. M;igi). 2 diaiii.

A', br. C; Z). C; A. 4-^ P. 21 1. 22"; V. — ; 6'. .r + 0 1. 10 +.r;

4

Vert. 29 1. 30.

.Vyo. Bimacidated sucker, Penn., Drit. ZooL (ed. 177G), torn. Ill,
p. 345, tab. XXII, App.; C'yclopteriis bimaculaUis, Donov.,

Brit. Fish., IV, tab. LXXVIII; Flum. (Lcpadogaster), Brit.
Anim., p. 190; Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 363:
DiJB. et KOREN, Vet.-Akad. Handl., 1844, p. 109, tab. Ill,
iig. 7; NiLSS., Skand. Fu., Fisk., p. 241; Gthb, Cat. Brit.
Mns., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 514; Coll., Forb. Vid. Selsk. Cbrist.,
1874, Tilhog«b., p. 90; MoR., Hist. Xat. Foiss. Fr., torn.

" From 25'6 to 30*3 % of tbe k'tiglb of tbe body, according to Canestrini. In specimens from Norway, of an average lengtb of
30'7 mm., tbe length of the head is on an average 29'6 % of that of tbe body.

'' From 11"6 to 15 % of tlie lengtb of tbe body, according to Canestrini. In the Norwegian specimens just mentioned tbe average
is 12'7 "o of the length of tbe body.

■^ In tbe Norwegian specimens just mentioned tbe average is 8'1 °o of the lengtb of tbe body.

'' From 20'4 to 15'5 % of tbe length of the body in specimens between 33 and 53 mm. long, according to Canestrini. In tlie
Norwegian specimens just mentioned the average is 19 % of the lengtb of tbe body.

' Sometimes, though seldom, 5 or 7, according to v. Dt)BEN and Koren.

•'' Sometimes, though seldom, 5 or 6, according to v. DOden and Koren.

■' 23 or 24, according to v. DOuen and Koren.

BIMACULATED SUCKEU.

303

III, p. 3G1; Day, Fh/i. Gt. Brit, /rcl., vol. I, p. 192, tab.

LVII, fig. 3; LiLU., Sv., Norg. Fi.^k., vol. I, p. 739; Coi.i,.,

N. Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29, p. 73.
Lepadogastev ocellntus + Desfontainn + rcticiilatur: + Mirliel/i,

Risso, Ichlh. Nice, p. 74 et 77; Etii: Mer., vol. Ill, p.

275 et 277; Mirbelia Desfontainii, Cankstk., Arch. Zool.

Anat. FisioL, vol. Ill, fasu. 1, j). 192, tab. Ill, figs. 5 el G.
Lepadogastev ocellatns + maculatua + piincUitiia + liueatus,

GuiCH., Explor. Alger., ^'e. Plii/s., ZooL, V, pp. 109 et

110, tab. G, figs. 3—5.

The length of the ISiiuaculated Siickev probabl}'
(lues not exceed about 5'^, or G cm. The hirgest spe-
cimen mentioned by Canestrini was 53 mm. long. Day
assumes that it attains a length of at least 2 in. (51
nun.); and Moreau states that its maximum length is
GO mm. According to v. Duben and Koren its usual
length on the coast of Norway is at most 37 mm. The
sijecitic name of this fish is derived from a very sin-
gular, Ijut inconstant markiuii', and all the numerous
synonyms given above are due chiefly to the variability
of the coloration. '"The ground-colour is always reddish",
say V. Duben and Koken, "clear and bright, with a
more or less pronounced dash of yellow, ^\•hich forms
small, irregularly arranged spots and dots or continuous
l)ands, along the back and sides, or a row of large
spots across the back etc. Straight across the forehead,
between the eyes, we generally find a lighter streak,
and behind the latter a darker-coloured belt extends
across the body. On the sides, just behind the base
of the pectoral fins, there generally, though not always,
appears a round, black or dark purple spot, very dis-
tinctly and sharply marked and edged with a narrow,
white stripe. The belly and the whole of the under

finely dotted with blue, and without the least trace of
the two ])ectoral spots.

()i) ihc coast of Norway, at least at certain spots
to the south-west, between Stavangei- and Ti-(jndhjem,
the Bimaculated Sucker can hardly be called rare, if
not common. It occurs at a depth of 20 or 30 fathoms,
especially \\here the bottom is soft and strewn with
shells to which it may attach itself and its eggs. "On
one occasion," write v. Duben and Koren, "five spe-
cimens were taken together, attached to the shell of a
Ci/piiiia islandlca. On taking this little fish out of the
water with the hand, it instantly attaches itself to the
finger; even when thi'own into alcohol, it sometimes
adheres to the side of the vessel for a moment. Even
in the water it is generally seen keeping quite still
and adhering to some object, with the tail bent for-
wards, right up to the head''. The eyeballs are extra-
ordinarily prominent" and may be turned, independently
of each other (almost more than in the Flounders), in
every direction; and when the fish is fixed to the bot-
tom, it follows with its eyes, Avithout the slightest turn
of the head, every movement of any object, a ]>air of
pincers for example, drawn through the water round
about it. If the pincers come too near, the fish winces
slightly, or moves in a gliding manner, without loosing
its hold. If it is torn away by force, it makes all
possible haste to re-attach itself to the first suitable
object." There is only one instance recorded of its
occurrence in Sweden. On this occasion a specimen
26V2 i""i- Jo"o "^^'as taken by Dr. Carl Aurivillius''
in a dredge, among the Weather Islands (Vaderoarne)
surface are usually light yellow, with or without red off Fjellbacka, at a depth of about 40 fathoms, on the

spots or streaks on the lower jaw and the sides of the
tail. The eyeballs are grayish olive-green at the top,
with a brownish band in the middle, and below this
somewhat lighter. The iris is golden-yelloAv, the pupil
with beautiful shades of green and blue. The pectoral
fins and the whole of the adhesive apparatus are always
without spots, l:)ut the unpaired fins are mottled with

so-called Coral Bank, east of Storo. In Denmark it is
unknown, but .south of its true habitat, the Mediter-
ranean, it has been found by Steixdachner'' oft' Tenerift'e.
According to Rissu the female is large with roe
towards the end of May. On the 20th of July, on
the coast of County Down (Ireland), Hyxdmax' took
in a dredge, at a depth of 15 fathoms, a Venus rh-

yellow and red, more or less bi'oken, transverse bands." ginea, in whicli he found a Bimaculated Sucker, to-
Mo.NTAGu" desci'ibes the colour of the fry as green, gether with the eggs and some specimens of the neAvly-

" Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. I, p. 92.

' The fishes of the preceding family have the same habit, as we have remarked above.

' "No words," says Hughes, "can describe the singular beauty of its eyes. They are perfectly gemmeous, and appear like living
opals set in burnished gold."

'' According to Lilljeboro, 1. c.

<■ Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Xaturw. CI., LVII, I (1868), p. 6%^.

f See Thompson, Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 213.

304

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

hatched fry; and in August he dragged in Belfast Bay
and found a sinjjle full-i?rown valve of Pectiincuhis
pilosus, the hollow of which was close studded over, for
the space of a sfjuare inch, with the eggs of this fish,
the diameter of the eggs being about ^/j^ of an inch
(r6 mm.). L1LL.JEBORG also found the eggs of this
species in empty mussel-shells on the coast of Norway,
in the month of July.

Hughes" observed this fish in an acjuarium, and
has recorded its variations of colour from yellowisli
white to a rich carnation liuc, as well as its sluggish-
ness and general inactivity. With regard to its food,
he remarked that it ate small portions of mussel, oyster
or ra^v fish. Lilljeborg found in its stomach chieflv
j'oung specimens of shellfish (Rissoce) and small crusta-
ceans {Copepoda and Ostracoda).

CYTTOMORPHI.

Body deep and compressed, hut comparat'ivehj sJiorf, oral, irJicri seen from the side. Bai/s of the uiipdired fins
principally soft; anterior {spinous-rayed) part of the dorsal fin shorter {tvith fewer rays) than tJie posterior (soft-
rayed). Ventral fins thoracic or jugular, ivell-deveJoped, independent of each other and longer than the pectoral
fins. No osseous connexion betiveen the suhorhital ring and the preopercuhnn. Anal papilla u-anting. Sccdcs small
{sometimes ivanting), sometimes scattered and imbedded in the skin, sometimes imbricated and furnished with small
spines; at the edges of the body we sometimes find strong spinous plates.

The present series, like the following one, reminds
us in a certain degree, by the weak development of
the scales, of the series of the Mackerel type; and
Cuvier' actually referred the John Dory, the best known
type of this series, to the Mackerel family. Gunther"
was also impressed with this kinship between the Cj^tto-
raorphs and the Mackerels, but referred the former to
a distinct family, CyttidcB, by the side of the Horse-
Mackerels. One abnormal form'', which pei'haps belongs
to this series, renders the latter difficult to characterize;
and though the kinship between these forms and the
Mackerels is undeniable — though the grounds for this
opinion are entirely difterent from those given by Cu-
viER — as we shall see more clearly in the following
series, still, as we have followed Gunther in his ar-
rangement of the Vaagmaer-fishes as a separate series,
in order to be consistent we must treat the Cyttomorphs
in the same way, for their kinship with the Mackerels
is apparently much less natural than the ties between
them and the following series. The spinous plates of
the Horse-Mackerels, both in position and in shape, are

entirel)- difterent from those of the Cyttomorphs, whose
anoinalopterous characters also unfit them for a place
in the Mackerel-series. The spinous plates of these
fishes are more like those which occur in the Gur-
nards and Lump Sucker, and when they are want-
ing at spots Avliere they may occur in other cases —
e. g. at the base of the spinous-rayed (first) dorsal fin
in the subgenus Zeus (s. str.) — they are replaced by
lateral spinous processes at the base of each spinous
ray, in which form they also appear in the genus Tra-
chypterus within the following series. The typical Cytto-
morphs are thus so closely and distinctly approximated
to the forms of the following series, that their inclusion
in the latter is a point \vhich shoidd rather be investi-
gated. There too, we shall find the body compressed,
the mouth highly protrusile, with the gape turned up-
wai'ds when the mouth is closed, the maxillary bones
broad and flat, the brandies of the lower jaw broad
and hanging down below the isthmus behind, the inter-
operculum large, the ventral fins long and furnished
with numerous rays, and the pectoral fins short and

" The Zoologist for 1864 (vol. XXII), p. 91.31.

' "Les Zees ont deux dorsales et quelques autres caracteres osteologiques voisins de certains perco'ide.s; mais la nature de lenrs
t%umens, les boucliers dont les' eotes sont amies, les rapprochent incontestablenient des scoinberoi'des a corps cuirasse :" Cuv., Val., Hist.
Nat. Poiss., vol. X, p. 2.

"^ Introd. Stud. Fish., p. 450; Handh. IchthyoL, p. 318.

'' The obscure genus Oreosoma, Cuv., Val., Hist. Xat. Poiss., vol. IV, p. 51,5. tab. 9'.).

CY'rr()M(iiij'ii,s.

305

with only few rays. As yet we know iiothiii<j;', it is
tnic, of the elianges of developirieiit ihfouiiii which
the ( 'yttonioi'])!! fishes ]);iss (hiriiii;- eni'lv Nouth", niul
which \\()ul(l |)i'ol)!il)ly <ji\e the stifest clue to tlu;
solution of the i|uestion ;is 1o their I'iaiit place
in tlie system. l)ut the points we htivc! nientioned

above, defend the position they oceui)y in the present
work.

The series, which derives its niune from one of
th(! genera, Ci/tfus, is composed of one, perhaps two'',
families, containing more or less pronoiuiced deep-sea
or pelagic fishes.

Fam CYTTIDtE.

X(> lirai/clied rai/s in flic dm-sdl, iiikiI <ir pectoi'dl ,fiiis. Tlic hisl-mentiofied fins iritli fcir /w/.s. Ventral Jins irlth
our spinous ru[i and niorc IIkdi five soft ra/js. Basal liones of the j)ectoi-((l fins flat, Ijiit rcri/ nary<nr in the
middle. Branched rays of the eaiid(d fin feir. -fairs and vomer furnished with comparatively ireak, eardiform
teeth. Mouth capat)le of extensive protrusion. Eyes lateral, (lilt-openings lari/e. Branchiostegal rays 7 or 8.

FseudobraneJrm present.

The familj' is not large, though its range extends 1 (spinous) plates, with the spinous rays of the dorsal fin
over the basins both of the Atlantic and the Pacific. flexiljle at the tip, the fin being also without free, mem-

The 8 or 10 species it contains, may easily be included
in two genera, Zeus and Cyttus, the latter without true

branous appendages, and with only 2 spinous raj^s in
the anal fin, l)ut 8 branchiostegal rays.

Genus ZEUS.

Scales small or irantiny. Spinous plates, with one or tiro spines, along the whole or a part of the base of the
dorsal fins, as well as of the ventral edge and the base of the anal fin. The two dorsal fins contiguous or co-
aleseent, the anterior containing 9 or 10 strong, pungent sinnous rays, and irith the membrane betiveen these rays
elongated into long filaments or fiat, clavate lobes. Anal fin with S or 4 strong spinous rays in front, which
sometimes form a distinct lobe, representing an anterior anal fin. Branchiostegal rays 7. Air-bladder large
and the pyloric appendages very numerous. Coloration ivith a more or less pronounced, silvery lustre, marked with
black, either in the form of large, irregular, transverse or irary, rlmidy spots or of a sharply defined, round

spot at the middle of tlie sides.

From this genus Gill'', by the establishment of
the genus Zenoides, has separated the species which
have only three spinous rays in the anal fin, but are
furnished with spinous plates even along the base of
tlie spinous-rayed part of the dorsal fin, leaving the
other species to form the true genus Zeus. All these

species, however, are so nearly allied — only 5 or (i
can be distinguished with certainty — that it is im-
possible to recognise these divisions as more than
subgenera. Only the latter division is represented
in the Scandinavian fauna, and that by only one
species.

" As we know, L. Agassiz staled positively tliat Anji/ropelccitii hcmigyiiiiiiis, a Medilerraneaii form of the familj- Sternnptychidie, was
a juvenile form of Zms faber (Ann. Sc. Nat., ser. 5, vol. .S (18(>u), p. 5(i), and Low had already proposed (Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1843,
p. 85) to range the genus ^teniopty.i- Ijeside Zeus. The observation has not been confirmed, however, and KfJEB has justly remarked (Verb.
Zool. Bof. (Sesellsch. Wien, XV (18G5), p. 288) its great improbal)ility, though the resemblance to the SternoptyMdm is worthy of mention.

'' If the family Oreosomatidw proves, on more minute investigation, really to belong to this series. In Oreosoma, according to Cut.,
V.M,., the pectoral fins contain numerous branched rays, the palatine teeth are present and the ventral fins contain only 5 soft rays.

•- Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1862, p. 126.

39

Scandinavioft Fishes.

;-)()(; SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

THE JOHN DORY (sw. .sjohanen" or .sanktepeksfisken'').
ZEUS FABER.

Plate IX, fig. 2.

No plates (il(ii/</ the Itasc of tlie .yiii/diis-rfn/cd /xnf of the dorsal or the anal fa, the ra//s of tliese fins, on tJie
other hand, heim/ armed a-ith a po'inted spine, jiroJectii></ oata-ards, on each side of the base. From '/''' to 10 spi-
nous plates of fairly uniform size alonfj each side of the posterior part of the base of the dorsal fin, and from 7
to 9 along the corresponding/ part of the hase of the amd fin. Both in front of and behind the jugular central
tins is a rou' of plates on each side of the ventral edge and partly at its middle. Tlie frontal spines, which project
backwards on the occijiut, as well as the supraclavicular and clavicular spines, simple and small, measuring less
tiian half the longitudinal diameter of the eye and. in old specimens, more or less reduced, a rule n-hieh also applies
to the si/mpJiysial, angular and art/iiilar spines of the lon-er Jan-. I'reopercHluin, in adult specimens, without spines.
Scales small and scattered, not ind/ricate, thin and smooth at the miuf/in. lint during youth spinous on tlie surface,
the spines being most persistent on the scales belonging to the upper and loirer parts of the sides, beloir the base of
the soft-rayed dorsal and above that of the anal fin. Head scaly only on the cheeks. Coloration grayish violet, with a
silvery lustre, marked irith longitudinal yellow stripes on the sides of the body and with a round, blue-black spot, en-
circled by a narrow, yellow ring, about haJf-way up the sides and below the middle of the spinous-rayed dorsal fin.

R. br. 7; />. 10123 1. 24; A. 4|22 1. 23; P. 13—15; V. '/,; j GiGi,., Espos. Int. Pesc. Berl. 1880, Sez. Ital., Cat., p. 86;

Mob., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toni. II, p. 467; Day, Fisli. Gt.
Brit., Ird., vol. I, p. 138, tab. XLVIII; Olsen, Piscatoi:
Atl., tab. 34; Lillj., .SV., yor<j. Fi.<k., vol. I, p. 285; Coll.,
N. Mag. Naturv., Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 59.

Zeus austrab's, Richards., ZooI. Ereb.. Terr., II, 2, Fisb., pp.
36 et 138, tab. XXV, fig. 1 (vide Gtuk); Tenn.-Woods,
Fish.. Fischer, N. >S. Wales, p. 61, tab. XXI.

? Zens jnpoiiicns, Schleg., Fii. .Japon., p. 123.

The deep'', coinpressed " body, with its spines at the
margins' ;ind the formidable weapons it also possesses
in the first dorsal" and the anal tin.<'', render the Dorv

a. 2 + 11 + 2 1. 1 + 13 + 1; Vert. 31—34.

Sijn. Zeus, idem faher appellatiis, Plinius, lib. IX, cap. 18.

Zeus spinosus, Lin., i\fus. .iil. Frid., I, p. 67, tab. XXXI, lig. 2.
Zens faber, LiN., Syst. Nat., ed. X, loin. I, p. 267; Cuv., Val.,
Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. X, p. 6; Yakr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2,
vol. I, p. 183; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. II, p. 393;
Couch, Fisli. Brit. IsL, vol. II, p. 118, tab. LXXIX; Steind.,
Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wieii, Matli. Natiirw. CL, LVII, i (1868),
p. 364; Coll., Forli. Vid. Solsk. Cbrist. 1874, Tilbogsh., p. 44;
Malm, Ghi/s, Boh. Fit., p. 650; Ltkn, Vid. Selsk. Skr.
Kbhvn, ser. 5, Naturv. Math. Afd.. vol. XII. No. 6, p. 553;
" LiNNiBUS, Mus. Ad. Frid.

Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fii.
■^ Sometimes 6, according to LOtken.

•^ In the 5 specimens which we have been enabled to examine, the length of the body (from the anterior margin of the upper jaw-
lione, at the articnlation, to the middle of the liind margin of the caudal fin) varies between 143 and 417 mm. In these specimens the
greatest depth of the body varies between 44 and 48 % (44'5 — 47"7) of the length thereof. The least deptlj of tlie sliallow peduncle of the
tail (in front of the caudal fin) varies between 6 and 7 'i (6-4 — 7-1) of the length of the body.

' In the specimens mentioned above the greatest thickness (breadth) of tlie body, which occurs across the preoperculnm, varies between
7 and 10 % (7 '6 — 9'8) of the length of the body. The proportion generally increases with age. The least breadth of the interorbital space
is always less than the least depth of the tail, varying in different individuals between about 5 and 5' ., % (5'2 — 5'7) of the lengtli of the
body, or 60 and 68 % of the longitudinal diameter of tlic eye.

■' The plates at the base of the soft-rayed dorsal and the anal tins are eacli furnislied with two spines, the inner spine (along the dorsal
fin the lower and along the anal tin the upper) being directed straight out from the body, and the outer spine, which is the larger, pointing
backwards. The first anal plate, in the second and third specimens in point of ago, is situated beside the fourth spinous ray, which in these
cases is without a special basal spine; while in the younger specimens, as well as in the oldest of all, this plate is situated beside the first
soft ray, and the fourth spinous ray is furnished witli the usual, simple basal spine on eacli side. The plates at the side of the ventral mar-
gin in front of the base of the anal fin vary in number between 7 and 10 (anteriorly single, posteriorly paired), in front of the ventral fins,
and between 7 and 9, behind the latter. In all these plates the short, but sharp spine is directed backwards. Just in front of the ventral
fins and, in one specimen, in front of the vent a simple row of spines is inserted at the middle of the ventral margin. In the smallest spe-
cimen the head is furnished with two blunt spines, one above and one below, in the anterior orbital margin and a third at the upper pos-
terior corner of the orbit; bul in older specimens tliese spines become indistinct. According to Knkr (1. c), the prcopercuhim in young
specimens (55 mm. long) is furnished with a marginal spine. This spine does not occur, however, in any of our s|)ecinieiis.

■' The third spinous ray is the longest — though in the least but one of our specimens it is scarcely any longer than tlie second —
being a\)Oiit cipial in length to the lower jaw, i. c about lialf tlic greatest depth of the liody. In the oldest specimen, however, this ray
is broken off short, but its relative length has evidently been considerably less than in the younger specimens, for the free dermal flap be-
hind it is preserved, bul is only equal in length to the lower jaw.

'' In tlie aiinl fin Ihi' lirst spinous ray is sometimes the longest, and sometimes the second, but the length in proportion to that of
the body decreases with increasing age, in the j'ounger s])eciniens lieiiig about ' ^ of the length of tlie body, measured as aliovr, in the older
specimens '7, '/^ and finally ','10 thereof.

JOHN i)()i;v.

307

oasil\- i'ecogms;il)lc', especially wlicn the l>l;H-k, latt-i'iil
snot is still to be tuuiul. Its recoffuitioii is also facilitated

oii<i' a])])endages ol' the tin-iuein-

considerably b)- tli(
braiie of the first dorsal tin and llie i>r('at length of the
ventral tins". On closer examination, howevei', the head''
is the most striking point, for with the eyes set high
and rather far back, though 1)\- no means sinair, it re-
minds lis somewhat of that of a pig. It is most
singular in ap])earance when the mcjuth is protruded.

and almost round, the posterior lieiug oblong and
pcrp<'ndicular.

The base of the spinous-ra>ed dorsal tin is about
equal in length to that of the soft-rayed, which, on the
other hand, is somewhat lon<i-er and hiiihei' than the
soft anal tin, to ^\■hich it is analogous in other I'espects.
l^oth the latter tins are rounded at the margin and have
the longest rays in the posterior half, the longest ray
in the soft dcji'sal tin beiu'!' about half as long as the

The nasal (frontal) |)rocesses of the intermaxillarv Ijones [ caudal tin. The margin of the caudal fin is also slightly
are so long that their point, when they ai'c drawn back, j rounded (convex), the outer branched ravs being, how-
i. e. when the mouth is closed, extends up to the fore- ; ever, .slightly longer than tlie middle ones. Its relative
iiead between the eyes'', where, on the to]i of the head, length'' diminishes with increasing age. Tlie |)ectoral

fins are small'' and rounded, with few rays, and .situat-

tliey slide in a groove extending along the whole length
of the frontal bones, wliieh is somewhat broader at the
beginning and end, and the margins of which end
in the above-mentioned spines, which really belong to
the fi'ontal bones, ])ut are situated as though they were
occipital spines. The great length of the nasal processes
of the intermaxillarv bones enables the fish to protrude
the mouth so far that the snout, which is then extended
in u lateral direction as well, becomes considerably
larger than the rest of the head. The tlat maxillary
bones' then turn in their articulation, which is covered
1)}- the front part of the ])reorbitaJ bone, and assume a
\ertically doAvnward or forAvard position. By this ac-
tion evei-ything immediatelv in front of the fish is
sucked into the mouth, and when the latter is again
closed, the capture may be no small one. The lower
jaw' always projects beyond the uppei', Init \vhen the
mouth is closed, the difference is less apparent.

ed below the middle of the sides and Ix^hind tlie
perpendicular from the insertion of the ventral fins.
Their length in young specimens is more than lialf
that of the lower jaw, but in older ones equal to or,
eventually, less than this measurement.

The lateral line forms a sloping curve from the
temporal region to the middle of the side, just in front
of the perpendicular from the middle of the base of
the soft-rayed dorsal fin, from which point it runs
in a straight line to the middle of the base of the
caudal fin.

The Dor}- attains a lengtli of about 5 dm., accord-
ing to Coucu, 6 dm., according to Moreau. Its ma-
ximum weight on the English coast, according to the
former A\'riter, is about 8 kgrm. As Ave ma^" easily
see by the shape of the fish, it can scarceh" be regarded
as possessing any great ]jower of swimming. The deep

The two nostrils on each side are set close to the I body may indeed be steered and maintained in an upright
anterior orbital margin, being mutually separated only position by the help of the long Acntral fins and the
by a narrow dermal wall. The anterior is the smaller high, spiuous-rayed dorsal fin with its long, dermal

" Tlie rel.itive length of the ventral fins decreases dnring growth from 38 "» of the lengtli of the body, in the youngest of our spe-
cimens, to 20',.,, in the oldest specimen.

'' The relative length of tlie head, measured from the anterior margin of the articulation of the maxillary bones to the end of the
opercular flap, apparently undergoes but slight change of grovvtii, varying in our specimens between 29 and 31 '« (29'1 — 30'9) of the length
of the body.

"■ The longitudinal diameter of the eye varies with age, in our specimens, between 9 and about 8 % (9'1 — 8"2) of the length of the
body or 30 and 27 % (30-5— 27-3) of the length of the head.

■' The distance from the middle of the anterior margin of the intermaxillary bones to the tip of their nasal processes is about equal
to (sometimes somewhat less than) the length of the maxillary bones or of the interoperenlnm, equal to the distance from the anterior margin
of the preorbital bone to the liind margin of the preopercnlimi, twice the longitudinal diameter of the orbit, or half the depth of the body
at the beginning of the soft-rayed dorsal fin; but in young specimens somewhat less than the last measurement.

' The length of the maxillary bones varies in diiferent individuals between about 19 and 20',., % (19'1 — 20'4) of the length of the
body. They are Hat even above the articulation and the upper (anterior) end is as broad as the lower, but at the articulation they are narrowed.

•' The length of the lower jaw, including the angidar spine, varies between 23 and 25 "• (23'0 — 24'7) of the length of the body.

■" In the smallest four of our specimens the length of the middle rays of the caudal fin varies between about 24 and 22 % of that of
the body. In the largest specimen the caudal fin is damaged, but its length seems to have been scarcely more than 16 % of that of the body.

'' The relative length of thr pectoral fins also decreases during growth, in onr specimens, from about l.S to 11 °i (13'2 — 11'2) of
the length of the bodv.

308

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

.•ippenclages. Still, -when it swims upon its pi'uy, it does
so 1)\- lits and starts, or approaches with extreme
lautioii and ver-\' sIo\v]\'. In its usual position, too, it
lies u]ion its side, whether swimming through the
water or resting on a rock".

Its usual manner of gliding through the water is
also accom])lished by continuous undulating movements
uf the soft-ra^-ed dorsal fin, the corresponding part of
rhe anal fin, and the pectoral fins, the other fins re-
maining motionless*. Nevertheless, the Dory is said to
make long journeys from deep water to the shallows.

caj)ti\e. The l)luish-black spot on each side of the
body is thus the mark left by Peter's grasp''. The
Dory, however, does not occur in any lake. It is a
true salt-water fish, in European waters being most
common perhaps in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
outside it. On the south and Avest coasts of Great
Britain, however, it is still fairly common. In the
North Sea it becomes rarer and rarer towards the North,
and its true geographical range probably does not ex-
tend furthc'i' north than tlie Dogger Bank, though it is
taken once or twice a year on the Scotch coast. It
It is fond of a rough bottom, says Couch, or digs a i has i)een met with twice on the coast of Norway,

hole in the sand, Avhere it hides, like rhe Angler, with
the long filaments of the spinous-rayed dorsal fin waving
like worms to entice its prey, which consists of Floun-
ders, Herrings, other fishes and small fry, cuttle-fish
and other mollusks, and crustaceans'. It is said to make
a, grunting noise Avhen drawn out of the water. It
generally leads a solitarv life, being onlv seldom taken
in large numbers, Init it is known and prized as a

once at Glesvflr, in the neighbourhood of Bergen, and
again at the very head of Christiania Fjord. It has
only once been found in Sweden. On the 5th of August,
1887, a female with very small effCfs in the ovaries
and with the caudal fin somewhat damaged, thus ren-
dering the length, Avhich was probably 43.5 mm. from
the point of the lower jaw to the end of the middle
I'ays of the caudal fin, impossible to fix with certainty,
was caught off Stockevik in SkaftOland (Bohuslan). In

dainty dish. The flavour of the flesh is compared to

that of a lobstei''s claw'' or of the Turljot, or set even the Scandinavian waters this species is thus one of tlie

higher than the latter. It is said to be best in early
spring, from January to March'', especiallv when it has
been kept a day or two, or rinsed in fresh water, after
it has been gutted. Its (jualities, howeyer, are not all
good: Day states that its spines are capable of inflict-
ing dangei'ous wounds. The spawniiig-season is said
to occur during the winter months^ Olsen states the
numbei' of eggs in a female specimen at 3,000.

The singular name (Sankfepersfisk, St. Peter's Fish)
is derived from a tale to the effect that it was this fish
tliat St. Peter caught in the Lake of Gennesaret, and
out of whose mouth he took the tribute money. Ac-
cording to another version of the story, the apostle
caught the fish, but when lie heard the grunting sound,
interpreted it as a cry of com]jlaint, and released his

rarest. B)- the rest of its geographical extension, Iioav-
ever, it seems to be a cosmopolitan species, for there
is only an extrefnely slight difference between this spe-
cies and Zens copensis of the Cape of Good Hope.
Tlie latter may perhaps deserve a distinct specific name
as the form marked b)' an increase in the number of
the spinous plates, while Zens pimgio, the species which
occurs in the Mediterranean, can ground its claim to the
rank of a distinct species oidy on the more advanced
development of some of these plates than of others. The
difference is still less, however, between the present
species, Zens jcqionicus and the Australian Zeus austra-
Us, the last of which GCnther, who had examined the
oi-iginal specimen described by Richardson, unhesit-
atingl)' referred to the same species as Zens faher.

" Tliougli this habit of lying on its side lias not left such distinct traces in the structnre of the Dory as the similar, but mure pro-
nounced habit in tlie Flounders, still it has not been entirely without eifecl, for we find a want of symmetry even in this species. The
spinous plates at the bases of the soft-rayed dorsal fin and the anal fin are set farther forward on one side of the body than on the other,
and their number, too, is often different on either side. This is more often the case in old specimens than in young.

' Saville-Kent, Nature, July .31, 187.S.

" In the stomach of a Dory about 32 cm. long Corcri found 25 Flounders, some of which were 0 cm. in length, 3 half-grown
Falher-Lasliers anil 5 pebbles from the beach, one of which was 4 cm. long. Another Dory not quite half a kilogramme in weight, had 18
Sprats, 2 Athorines, a ciittle-fisli and sonu? digested fragments of other species in its stomach. The Dor^" thus does not seem to be at a loss
liow to ]irocure food.

■' Ol.SKN, I. c.

' Br.ANCHfeRU, Noiw. IJiet. Gen. Pcches, p. 24lj. Olskn states, on the other hand, that the Dory is best from May to January.

■^ Day, 1. 0. and Olsen, 1. c.

'J The same tale is also told of the Haddock.

DKALFISIIKS.

309

TRACHYPTEROMORPHI.

Bndji rlhhon-sliaped" , silver;/ and scaU'less. Dorsal Jin Ion// {extending (dom/ hi/ far flic greater part of the dorsal
edge), in front high or crest-shaped and sometimes separated into an anterior dorsal Jin, irhich is deciduous and
iisaallg wanting in old specimois. Anal fii s)iiall or iranting. I'erforal fins usually smalt, irith fen- rags and
horizontal hase. Ventral fins during gouth long and furnished with numerous rays, but entirely or (usually) partly
disappearing irith age''. Hranches of the hirer jair high and triangular.

With the exception of tlif Cepolce, which are now
ivt'evred to the- Bleinioniorphs, Cuvikr's Tcenioides, as
lie eventually defined this f;nnilv', corresponds to the
Trachypteronioi'ph series, __which in Gunther is repre-
sented by the two series Lophotiformes and Tceniiformes''.

In many respects the Trachypteroniorph series co-
mes nearest the Mackerel sei'ies: the elongated, ribbon-
shaped bod\', with the long dorsal fin, most nearly re-
sembles that of" the Trichiarlda', \mX also reminds us
of the Dolphin-fishes (Corgpluoia), the nakedness of the
bodv too, reminds us most of the former, but also sug-
gests the scaleless Horse Mackerels {GaUichthys), while
its silver}', deciduous epidermis is a rennniscence of the

scale, in Selene, another genus of the same family. The
round, black, lateral spots, which are so cliaracferisfic
of the true Ti'achypteroids, as well as of the Dorv, are
also I'epresented, strangel)' enough, b\- the evanescent
spots in the fry of Gallirhthys. These changes of de-
velopment thus seem to indicate a starting-point connnon
to the Scombroniorph and Trachypteromorph series; but
from this starting point their development has advanced
in directions so widely difl'erent that we mav well be
justified in following Ginther, and treating the latter
series as independent. Anomalopterous charactei's, as
we have already remarked, belong, as a rule, to the lower
(earlier) stages of development, and in the Trachyptero-

Sea-Breams (Bramidce). The horizontal base of the pec- morphs these characters have been retained in conjunc

toral fins — which also occurs in the Trichiurida' — and
the high, triangular l)ra.nches of the lower jaw call to
mind the Opah (Lampris). Tlie history of development,
which is alwavs the safest guide to the determination of
kinsliip, also seems to point in this direction, for what

tion witli a most extraordinary shape of the body.

The series contains two families, the one, Lophotidfc,
with onh- one genus, remarkable for the restriction of
its occurrence, to the best of our knowledge, to the
Mediterranean Sea and the Japanese part of the Pacific

we now know, thanks to Emery's valuable observations, \ (see above, p. 69), and distinguished 1)\ tlie small
of the development of the Trachypteroids, directs our j size of the anal tin behind the vent, which is situated
special attention to the extraordinary reduction in the close to the end of the tail, as well as by TJie slight

original length of the fin-i'ays, a point which had al-
ready been shown in the species of the genus GaUichthys,
starting from the Blepharoid stage, ;ind, on a smaller

degree of protrusion of which the mouth is capable.
The second family contains the true Dealfishes and the
Oar-fishes (Kings-of-the-Herri ngs).

fam trachypteridj:.

Mouth capable of eiiensire protrusion. Xo anal fn. Vent situated at the middle of the ribbon-shaped body. Xo
air-liladder. Psendobranchuc and jigloric appendages well-deveJoped. Xo branched or articulated fn rays'.

This family consists entirely of true deep-sea fishes, clusively from the solitary specimens which now and
and our knowledge of its adult state is derived ex- j then approach the surface for some reason or other,

" This is tlie case in tlie uiuscuiii-speciiiicns preserved in spirits; but we know tliat, in these fishes, as in other true deep-sea forms,
the body is of extremely loose structure, and shrinks considerably after death, while during life it is probably more terete. The fishermen
of Finniark stated to LilljeborG in 1848 that the Dealfish lie received from them, was "about 6 in. thick somewhat behind the head" iust
after its capture, i. e. at this spot the thickness w.is more than half the depth.

'' In Lophotes, however, the ventral fins are described as small, with the ordinary number of rays.

^ Cuv., Val., Hist. iXat. Poiss., vol. X, p. 309.

•' Acanlhopterygii §§ III and IV, Syst. Si/n., Cat. Brit. Mus.. Fish.: Introd. Stud. Fisli., pp. 519 and 620; Handb. Ichth., pp. 3G9 and 370.

' .\ccording to Kner (Stzber. Akad. Wiss., Wien, Math. Naturw. 01., XXXIV, i (1859), p. 437, tab. 1), however, Trachyptenis al-
tivelis, a Pacific species, is furnished with branched rays in the caudal fin. According to Costa (Fn. Regit. Nap., Pesci, Acant. Scomberoidei,

310

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

iind are more or less helplessly driven ashore ])y wind
and tide. We have already (juoted from GCxtiier some
(if the most important, general cliai'acteristies -which
belong to the deep-sea fishes. One of these character-
isties, the loose structure of tlie body, both in the
osseous and mnscuilar texture, api^ears in a high degree
in the Tracliypteroid family. The larger forms at least
— some of tlie Trachypteroids attain a length of at
least 6 metres — are so fragile that even with the
greatest caution it is scarcely possible to di'aw a spe-
cimen out of the water witiiout damaging some part
of it. Still less can we expect that a specimen cast
ashore b}- the storm and exposed to the action of the
waves, may be found in a perfect condition. Further-
more, the fins and their appendages undergo changes
of growth so great that it is b-\- no means always pos-
sible to decide with certaint) whether the loss of a
character derived from these parts of the body is the
result of some injurv or merelv of the natural develop-
ment. The s})ecific distinctum within this family is,

Fig. 7l>. Young 'rraclii/jitcriif:, 3 inm. in leiigtli. After Emei:Y.

therefore, far from certain, and the majority of the
species estal)lished by formei" Avriters up to the time of
Valenciennes" and recognised even in Gunther's Ca-
talof/KC, have been rejected or proj^osed for rejection in
more recent times. The history of the development has
shown a variability scarcely conceivable before, in the
supposed specific characters. The pioneer of tliis reform
is the Italian Emerv'', who enjoyed the most favourable
opportunities of studjing the young of these fishes, as
they ajipear in the surface-regions of the Mediterranean.
The first stage in the development of a Trachy-
ptcnis described to us by Emkky (fig. 7(i), is a larva 3
mm. in length. At this period it is perhaps most like
the larva of a Coitus or a Lophius. The head is large,
and tlie long caudal part sharply contrasted to the much
deeper abdominal region. The whole body is trans-

]jarent. The embryonic vertical tin runs without a
break along the margin of the liodv, from the head
along the l)ack and round the tail to the end of the
abdominal |)art. At the occiput this fin contains the
rudiments of three true rays, with this exception it is
without rays, and is su])ported onlv bv the primary
rods (fibrilhe). The pectoral fins are comparatively
large, with a brachiate base, and edged with a rim of
the same structure as the vertical fin. The rudiments
of the ventral fins appear in the form of a process on
each side, projecting back-wards from the lower pos-
terior coi'iier of the abdominal part.

In the next stage described by Emery (fig. 77),
the larva has attained a length of (i mm. It is now
tadpole-like, and the first three rays of the dorsal fin
have grown beyond the fin-membrane, thus reminding
us of the Batrachoids. Behind them three new rays
have begun to ap|)ear, and the embryonic vertical fin

Fis.

Young siiecinieu of Trachi/pterns, 6 niui. in lougtli.
After Emery.

has lirown to sncli a height on the caudal uart that
the hind part of the larva is nearly as deep as the
forepart. The rudiments of the pectoral and ventral
fins have also grown. The ^vhole larva is still trans-
parent, but finely pinictated with small, brown collec-
tions of pigment, forming two transverse bands on the
caudal ]iart.

In a larva 9 mm. long, which was brought home
by Professor Leche from Messina, the caudal part of
the liody itself is still terete and of an elongated, con-
ical shape. The occiput is raised as in Lophotcs.
The dorsal fin has begun to accjuire rudimentary rays
throughout the greater part of its length from the
occiput. The anterior dorsal rays have attained a length

Gen. Trachypterus, p. 14, tnv. IX ter), tlic first ventral ray in Trachyptei'Hn rejiandus (iris/), a Mediterranean form, is divided at the tip
into four membranous filaments (see fig. 81, </). With these exceptions little is known of the structure of the ventral rays in the older spe-
cimens, as they easily and generally break or drop off. During youth, however, and even in specimens 32 cm. long, they arc unbranclied in
the s])ecimena we have examined of the Mediterranean sjiecics yrachi/pteriin ir/s.

" Cuv., Yai.., Hist. Nat. Poiss.. vol. X, pp. 313 etc.

' Atti Accnd. Line., ser. 3, Mem. Sc. Fis., vol. III. p. .'.'.HI, con tav.: Mittli. Zool. Stat. Neap., Bd. I (187',)), p. 581, tab. XVIII.

UKALFISIIES.

311

e(|ual to tluit of tlie l)o(l)-. Tlic ;il)(l<iiiiiii;il p;irt of the;
body y;/«,s' the head is al)out eciual in huij^th to the <'aud;d
part, hut the base of the ventral tins still remains just
behind and l)el()w that of th(! pectoral. IA)ui- of tiie rays
in eaeh ventral fin are already elongated. The caudal tin
lias be<jun to form the first rudiments of its true rays
below the end of the notochord, which is curved up-
wards at the tip, though as yet oidy slightly. Extei--
nally, however, the tip of the tail is still symmetrical,
with a lobate extensioti of the (Mnbr\onie verticsd tin

itself (jii the skin. In other respects the lai'va is only
slightly changed from the appearance it had at a length
of 9 mm.; but the development of the embryonic pec-
toral lins is now arrested, theii' l)i-acliiatc base showing
signs of reduction. The five occi])ital I'ays of the doi'sal
fin and the three outer \(Mitral rays have attained a
length more than douI)le that of the body, but are
united to a fairly great extent at the base by the tin-
nunubrane. Tlu; three iinier rays of the ventral tins
graduallv diminish in length. The vent lies at the end

Fig. 78. Yoiiug specimen of Trachijptevus iris, 10 mm. in lengtli. After Emery.

Fig. 79. Caiiiliil liii nf a Traclii/plerns iris 2l5 mm, long, from Messinn. r/, embryonic vertical tin rpf the back;
V, embryonic vertical tin of tlie ventral edge; c/i, chorda dorsalis.

which is about eiiually large above tind below the end
of the notochord; Imt onh' the lower lolje is furnished
with rudimentary rays, while in the upper we find only
the priinarv fibrilLe, which are destined .soon to dis-
appear, together with the whole of this lobe. Chro-
matophores are scattered both on the raised occiput
and the sides of the abdominal cavity.

In the next stage of the development described by
IvMEiiV (fig. 78), the larva has attained a length of 16
mm. The silvery colour has now begun to deposit

of the second third of the length of the body. The
embryonic vei'tical tin is still present along the ventral
margin, but there are no rudiments of true ravs in front
of the caudal tin, .ind there seems to be no rudiment
of a true anal tin. The caudal fin, on the other litiiid,
has passed through a great ])art of its early alterations.
This fin originates, here as in all Teleosts, at the
ventral part of the caudal end of the eml)ryonic (larval)
vertical fin, but in front of the end of the notochord.
It thus belongs originally to the .same division as the

31-2

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

anal tin, and in the lai'va^ of many Teleosts its original
])ositiou is so fav forward tliat in this respect it is fully
analogous to an anal hn. In Trarlnipferus, where no
distinct anal tin is developed, it has been proposed, in-
deed, to. regard a [lart of the caudal tin as representing
the remainder of the anal tin. But there is scarcely any
ground for this hypothesis, as in specimens 9 mm. long
the primary caudal tin is still perfectly normal in structure,
and only after this stage, though still at an early period,

the lateral line. The latei-al line, witli its upright
spines — one at the middle of each plate on the hind
part of the tail in the older larva?" — ends at the
middle of the l)ase of the lower division of the caudal
fin, i. e. at the spa.ce between the upper of the two
elongated rays and the lowest of the small, middle
ravs of the caudal tin.

When the larva lias attained a lenoth of 3'2 mm.
(fig. 80), the caudal fin has reached the highest point

begins to undergo a considerable change, in conjunction of its development, but still retains the position common

with a reduction of its lower (originally a.nterior) jiart.
When the notochord acquires its usual upwai'd curve
(fig. 79) — here in a double, S-shaped liend — the
upper (originally the posterior) [)art of the caudal fin
grows out in the form of a distinct division, consisting
of 8 rays united by the fin-membrane throughout the
greater portion of their length. In the lower part, on

Fig. 80. Yours; Trai'liypterus iris, .32 lani. in length. After Emehy.

the other hand, which consists of 6 ravs, the two rays
next to the lowest, which foi- the rest of the larval period
l)ecome considerably elongated, to about the same length
as that of the body, are united onh^ for a small part
of their length by the fin-membrane, while the other
rays in the lower part remain short, scarcely projecting
l)eyoiid the fin-membrane, the upper (innermost) three
resembling ordinary caudal rays, but the lowest (outer-
most) ray with the appearance rather of a supporting
I'ay. This last ray subsecjuently bends straight down-
wards and is changed into the doid^le spine whi<-h, in
the adult specimens, lies below the two last plates of

in the Teleosts, in relation to the longitudinal axis of
the body. The elongated rays of the doi'sal, ventral
and cautlal fins are adorned with chromatophores, and
most of these rays are furnished Avith lobate appendages'',
the remnants of the fin-membrane, arranged in pairs
at certain intervals (fig. 81,ff). The embryonic pectoral
fins are still further reduced, but true rays have now
begun to form in the membrane. The number of rays

Fig. 81, o. Young Tracltypterns rcpandus {iris.''), ^i^ of tin- naUiral
size. After CoST.\ (copied in Gunthkr).

in the ventral fins has increased to 8, and the rays in
the dorsal fin extend liack almost to tlie caudal fin.
Along the sides of the dorsal and caudal ravs and of
the first ventral ray, the rudiments now begin to appear
of the small spines from which the geinis TraclnipterKs'
derives its name; but even these formations probablv
disappear, as a rule, at a greater age, although they
have also been employed as a specific character.

The spinous plates on the lateral line and the basal
spines of the rays of the dorsal fin are still wanting;
but with these exceptions the 2'rarl/i/pferus-ty\)e is per-
fect, and the fish may continue to preserve this form

" With age the plates on the anterior part of the lateral line also develop similar spines.

* These appendages, as shown in the figure given bj- Costa and copied in GiiNruEK {Introd. SlmJ. Fish., p. 521), are prob:il)ly imtliing
more than remnants of the fin-membrane, torn loose as the rays detach themselves from the latter. But they are porlinps highly important
in a biological respect to tlie larvae. While the length of the rays assists the larva, which is without doubt a poor swimmer, to support
itself in the water, these processes perhaps serve to protect it by the resemblance it thus accpiires to the Stinging Medusa^ (jSip/ioiwjilionp).
In figure 81, b, from a somewhat older ('/., longer) specimen of Trachypterns iris from Messina, tliesu append.nges are lost, while (lie number
of rays is simultaneously reduced, both in the anterior dorsal and the ventral fins.

"" "With rough fins."

DKAl.FISHES.

313

;it least until it is lOU iiini. Ion,!;- ((jxcludiiig the caudal
tin), without any reduction ot the long, anterior rays of
the dorsal or the ventral tin (tig. 81, a). Sometimes,
however, this reduction ai)pears at an earlier pei'iod, tlie
elongated, lower rays of the caudal fin also shrinkintr

In the course of development, however, a great
dissimilarity may prevail: tlie same stage of develop-
ment is attained earlier (at a smaller size) by one larva
and later by another; and we are still far from com-
petent to decide with certainty whether this dissimilarity

'"''^^/K'-A^^y^^...

Fio-. 81 li. Young Trachijpterus iris from Messina, brought home in 1891 by Dr. Bovallius. Nat. size.

Fig. 82. Caudal fin of a Trachypteriis iris 42 ram. long, from Messina. Magnified.

and vanishing, while the upper division of the caudal i depends on a difference of species. \\'e iaiuw, however,
tin, which eventually assumes the appearance of a per- | that, at a more advanced age. great individual varia-
fect tin, with the two outermost rays strongest and long- ; tions appear in tlie characters of the l)est-known si^ecies.
est, takes up a vertical position on tlie dorsal edge of
the end of the tail, in the form of an uin'ight ftm (tig. 82).

Scandin a via n Fishes.

Emery has shown that, in the Mediterranean Tracluj-
pterus iris, the length of tlie head, during the growth

40

314

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of the body from a length of 95 to 1,410 iiiiii., rela-
tively sinks from 23 to 9* j % of the length of the body
and the greatest deptli of tlie l)ody from 28^/.^ to lO^'^
% of the length, ^\'hile the length of the tail (the di-
stance between the vent and the caudal fin) undergoes
even relative increase from 31' 2 to 60 % of that of
tlie body — changes which are extremely extraordinary
and significant in fishes that, in spite of them, liave
attained the typical form of their species. At the same
time his measurements show intli\ idual deviations from
these rules so marked that none of the ;ibove relations
can be employed as a specific character. The number
of rays in the dorsal fin of this species is just as irre-
gular, varying individually in full-grown specimens be-

tween 130 and 179, excluding the 5 or 6 rays, the
number (^f which is also inconstant, in the anterior
division of the fin.

Such is our knowledge of tlie whole of this family,
the natural history of which has hitherto been drawn
from specimens usually rare and more or less damaged,
of species which are evidently subject to great changes
of development and irregular variations, even in their
adult form. The family has been divided, however,
into three genera", two of which occur within the limits
of the Scandinavian fauna, the one furnished with teeth
in the jaws and on the vomer, the other probably
without any teeth in the mouth, at least in adult spe-
cimens.

Gknus TRACHYPTERUS.

Tlie sUrery body smooth and even on the sides, but ir'dli spines on tlie lateral line and at the base of the dorsal
rai/s. Upper part of the caudal fn erected into a fan, more or less perpendicidar to the longitudinal axis of the
bodii, irhile the hnrer part of the tin is stunted. Recurved, pointed teeth scattered on the inner surface of the
intermaxillary bones, in the front part of the loirer jaw and on the head of the vomer. Xiimber of rays in the
dorsal Jin less than 20(K Branchiostegal rays (I. Bottom of the stomach short.

Tlie genus of the Vogmar'' or Solv-ijveite' was
known to the ancient writers, who trailed it Tmiia''.
Neither Artedi nor Linnaeus knew it l)y autopsy; and
Gouan' was the first to introduce it into the system
of modern times, under the name of Trachypteriis.
hnmediately afterwai'ds the Icelandic Dealfish was dis-
covered, and in Olafsen's Voyage referred to Artedi's
genus Lepturus' , while Brunnich subsequently proposed
to refer this species to the Gronovian genus Gymno-
gaster'', the name under which this genus was first
claimed for the Scandinavian fauna by Nilsson.

We have already remarked the difliculty of defin-
ing the species in tliis genus. Even in Gigliuli s list

of the forms belonging to the Italian fauna'' there
appear se^•en species from the Mediterranean. We
should further recognise one distinct species from Ma-
deira, one' from the North of the Atlantic and two'
from the Pacific Ocean. The nundjer of species has
l)een so reduced, however, by E.mery (1. c.) and still
further by LCtkex'', that we can now scarcely recognise
more than two species as belonging to the basin of
the x\tlantic, the northern species, though it attains a
greater length, merely representing the earlier (lower)
stages in the same course of development as that of
the southern.

" Of one of these genera, Stylophonts, only one specimen is known, which was taken at the beginning of this century between Cuba
ami Marliniquc, and is now in the possession of the Britisli Museum. This ger.us is characterized cliiefly by the persistency in this specimen
(28 cm. long) of tlio long caudal ray, twice the length of the body, which we have remarked in the larva of Tracliypterus.

'' Vogmere or VogmaT = maid of the bay (from voj, bay and nupr, maid), according to Oi,.\FSEX, Eeise iyjeriiiem Island (1772), p. 594.

' This is the name given to the Scandinavian species in the north of Norway. See Lilljeborg, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1850. The name
signilk-s Silvery Halibut.

'' caivla, Aristot., tcmia, Kondel.

'' Hisl. Pise. (1770), pp. 104 and 153, Traehiptertis (air).

f Art., Descr. Upec, p. 111.

■' Zooplii/L, fasc. I, p. 136.

'' Espos. Intern. Pcsca, Berliuo 1880, Cat. Sec. Ital.. p. 91.

' Two, according to Nn.ssoN.

■' Tlie American Traclii/pieriis altiveliri, Knkr, I. c, and the Australian '/'raclii/pterns (Regalacns) jacl^'-ionieiisi'!, R.\>isay, Proe. Lin.
Sue. N. S. Wales, vol. V, p. (;:il, pi. 20.

* Viil. Meddcl. Xaturli. For., Kblivn 18K1, p. 190.

TUACHYPTEKIlJvK.

115

THE DEALFISH OR VAAGMAER (.sw. vogmaken; Nonw. solyqveiten).

TUACHYPTEHU.S AKCTICUS.

Fig. 83.

The greatest deptfi of tlic IxkJi/. irh'ich Is deepest at a polut nearer the rent than the head or even at the vent

itself, undergoes even relatire increase with agi- in specimens more than 1 metre in length, and is wore than

15 % (on average aliont 17 %) of the length of the t)odg, excluding the caudal fin.

^-««^3|c'

■■%

-li^pj*

Fig. 83. Trachi/ptems arctictis, 9j "''tl' eggs of a microscopical size, from Vargo (the southern island-belt of Gothenburg),

the 22nd of April, 187

of the natural size.

R. br. 6"; D. (5 1. 6), 150— 180; A. 0: P. (1) U''; V. (8 1. O)'";
C. 8 + (6): L. lat. 94^101; Vert. 07 — 100''.

Syn. Vogmere 1. Vogmar. Lepiuriis, Olafsen", 1. c. et tab. XLIII:
Trichiurus Lepturtts, Mohk, Isl. JVatiirh., p. 63.
Gymnogaster arctictis, BeSkn, D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., N. Saml.,
vol. Ill, p. 408, tab. B, figg. 1—3; Cuv. (Gymiietnis).
Rcgn. Anim., ed. 2, torn. II, p. 219; Fabee (Gymnogaster),
Fische Isl., p. G6: Flem. {Gymnogaster), Loud. Mag. Nat.
Hist., vol. IV (1831), p. 215, fig. 34; ^ilss., Prodr. Ichtli.
ScancL, p. 107; Id. (Tracliypterns), Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
162; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 305; Coll.,
Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, TiU.Tgsh., p. 78; ibid., 1879,
No. 1, p. 59: N. Mag. Naturv. Clirist., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 69;
WiSTH., Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 17, tab. Ill, fig. 7: Day,
Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel, vol. I, p. 217, tab. LXIII; Ltkn,
Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1881, p. 190: Sp. Schx.,
Forh. Vid. SelsU. Christ. 1872, No. 15 cum tab.: Lillj..
Sv.. Norg. Fn., Fisk.. vol. I, p. 462.

Bogmarns islandicus, Bl., Syst. Ichth. posth., ed. Schn'., p.
518. tab. 101 (ex BbOnn.); Reid (Vogmarus), Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., ser. 2, vol. Ill, p. 456.
Trachypterus Bogmarns, Cuv., Val., Hist. JVat. Poiss., vol. X,
p. 346; Reish. (Tr. Vogmarus), D. Vid. Selsk. Naturv., Math.
Afh., Deel 7, p. 65 cum 2 tab.; Stuwitz (Tr. sp. innom.), N.
Mag. Naturv., Bd. 2 (1840), p. 277, tab. Ill; Kb., Danm.
Fiske, vol. I, p. 292; Val. (Tr. Bogmarns). Voy. Isl. Groenl.
(Gaim.), Zool. Poiss., tab. 12; Lillj., (Tr. Vogmarus), Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1850, p. 331; Mgkn, Ofvcrs. Vet. -Akad. Forh.
1867, p. 261; Esm., Forh. Naturf. Mode Christ. 1868, p. 522.

Ohs. The only tenable distinction hitherto given between this
species and its Mediterranean relative, Trachypterus iris, is adopted
in the above specific diagnosis; but the validity of even this cha-
racter, as shown by the wording of the diagnosis, is only relative.
Our ignorance of the juvenile stages of Trachypterus arcticus renders
this character still more doubtful, and our present knoniedge on this
point is most accurately expressed by the following table of averages,
derived from the observations of LCtken and Emery:

I

■" 7. according to Reid.

* 10 — 13, according to Lilljeborg.

' 6, according to Reinhardt and Lutkkx.

■* According to LuTKEN.

!16

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Length of tht-

body in

millimetres.

Greatest depth of the body
in % of the length thereof.

Length of the head in % of
that of the body.

Distance l)et\veen the vent and

the tip of the snout in % of

the length of the body.

Track, arcticus. Track, iris.

Track, arcticiia.

Track, iri.^.

Track, arcticus. Track, iris. .

2,03.')

19.1

11.1

ol.S

l.;312

18.2

—

12.4

—

52.9

—

991

17,(!

—

14.2

—

54.8

—

923

—

12.3

—

10.6

—

—

917

17..5

—

14.3

—

55.0

—

76G

—

12.8

—

10. G

—

46.7

333

—

18.1

—

13.8

—

52.8

219

—

21,0

—

1G.2

—

53, s

130

—

25.7

—

21.0

—

(54,8

In (be last four cohunns the rise or fall of the minibers is
foniiDOn to both species, and we can Hnd no consistent difference in
any of tlji- tliree proportions given. Still, it is only in the juvenile
stages of the latter species that we can find the same proportions as
in the former. This statement applies, however, only to the averages:
it is only in tlje character first given (the depth of the body) that
the difference is so marked that the character, to the best of our
knowledge at present, is independent of the individual variations.
We also see that the direction of development in this case is not
tlie same, for tlie proportion rises with age in the one form and sinks
in the other, assuming that the rule which holds good in this table
for Trachypterus arcticua, also applies to the earlier stages of this
species, which are still unknown.

The Dcalfish attain.s a length of at least 2' ., nietre.s".
The ribbon-shaped body'' is of fairly uniform depth for
the greater part of its length Ijehind the head, but is
deepest at about the middle of this part'', whieh ends
at a varying distance behind the ^•ent. From this point
the outlines of the body sharply converge, at nboiit equal
angles upwards nnd downwards, towards tlie shallow
base of the caudal tin''. The liack behind the head is
almost entirely occupied by the continuous dorsal tin'',
the height' of which fairly closely follows the lines of
the body, with the exception of the fact that in front
it is lower, but steeper, and behind higher than the
latter. In front of this fin there probably lies in all

young specimens a higher occipital or anterior dorsal
tin, whose 6 (sometimes only 5) rays are, however, fra-
gile, and generally disappear with age externally, though
their stumps may generally be traced in the dorsal
edge. Behind the dorsal tin rises the caudal tin de-
scribed above", sometimes in a vertical direction, but
sometimes leaning sharply backwards. (3f the stunted
ra^-s of the caudal tin (the original lowei' part thereof)
the stumps may generally be traced without difficulty,
three above and two below the end of the lateral line, as
well as the double spine (.spinous plate) which is situated
in fi-ont of them, on the under surface of the end of
the tail, with one point directed forwards and the other
backwards, and which has replaced the original lowest
(rudimentar) ") ray of the caudal tin. The singular ap-
pearance of the tish is further enhanced by the entire
absence of the anal tin and, usually, of the ventral fins,
though the latter, at least in specimens not more than
a metre in length, generally leave traces behind them''
in the form of a ro^v of stumps (from five or less to
ten) on each side of tlie ventral margin, just behind
the perpendicular from the end of the horizontal base
of the pectoral tin. The pectoral fins are turned up-

" The largest specimen from Norway examined by Collett was 246 cm, long. The occurrence alleged by fishermen of specimens
3 m, in length has not been confirmed up to the present.

'' The body, it is stated, becomes consideral)ly thinner after death ami on dry land. In the specimens preserved in spirits it is
thickest at the head, across the upper articulation of tlie preoperculmn, where the breadth measures 3 or 4 'Jo of the length.

' Even in specimens from 830 to 98.5 mm, in length, according to Lutkex, the greatest depth of the body may be no more than
15 or It) °o of the length; but it afterwards rises to at least 20 \ thereof — according to Siwrre-Schneider, 21'4 °o. The greatest depth
usually occurs in front of the vent, but in a specimen about 11 dm, long, from West Fjord (Norway) the body is deepest just at the vent.

''■ The least depth of the tail measures only from about 1 to 2V2 % of the length of the body (the latter measurement according to
Reinhakdt). Still, it is so strongly compressed that at this point the thickness (breadth) of the body is only about '/j of the depth,

" Tlie roughness of the rays of the dorsal fin, caused by small spines along their sides, is extremely inconstant. Sometimes, especially
in old specimens, all the rays are smooth to the touch, if we except the basal spine on each side.

■' The length of the longest ray of the dorsal fin, about the 100th from the beginning, is about lialf the greatest depth of the body.

•'' In specimens between 830 and 1,505 mm, long the length of the caudal fin varies, according to LUtken, between 18 and 11 '/o %
of that of the body; in a specimen 1,870 mm. long he found tlie length of the caudal fin to be only 9", % of that of the body.

'' In a specimen 7G cm. long Sparre-Schneider found the stump of the first ray of the ventral fin to measure 43 mm. in length.

DEALFISH.

!17

wards, thin, sniaJl, -witli few rays and rounded at the
ti]i, tlie first ray hemg extremely sliort, the second the

thickest and the fifth the longest". T

head

IS com-

paratively small, its length beii:g always less than flie
greatest depth of the body''; hut flie eves are large", flat-
tened to the plane of the cheeks, and set about half-way
up the body, the distance between them and the frontal
l>rofile being equal to their radius. The pupil is oblong
and set obliquely downwards in a backward direction.
When the mouth is closed, the head, when seen
from tlie side, is of a (juadrilateral shape. The straight
profile of the forehead and snout slopes downwards al-
most at a right angle to the ascending under surface
of the lower jaw, the ])oint of whieli projects, however,
beyond the upper ja\\-. The cornei-s of the mouth are
now entirely hidden at the sides, being covered by the
intermaxillary and the maxillary bones; but the upper
margins of the lower jaw rise vertically within the gape.
The hind corner of the head, formed by the suboper-
culum, is somewhat rounded and elongated. The lower
corner of the square is formed by the angular part of
the lower jaw, which is produced behind into a blunt
spine''. The cheek is naked; only in front of the eye
do we find two suborbital or preorbital bones, the lower
being so narrow that it only just separates the eye
from the point of the high, triangular branch of the
lower jaw, which, in its turn, is covered by the broad,
thin maxillary bone^ The latter, like all the opercular
bones, is of a thin, spongeous textui'e, externally ca-
vernous, with radiating elevated ridges. It is obliquely
linguiform, the breadth beinir rather more than half
the length. The preoperculum is crescent-shaped, the
operculum almost like the upper half of the pi-eoper-
culum in shape, the part of the suboperculum Avhich

is externidh' visible, narrow, and tiie interoperculum,
which i'oi'ins the greater jtart of the lower margin of
the gill-cover, of fairly uniform breadth. All these
bones are nieniljranous at the margin. The gill-open-
ings ai'e large, tiieii- height' being about e(|ual to the
total length of the interoperculum and suboperculum.
The Ijranchiostegal membrane is united to the narrow
isthmus back to a point vertically below the hind mar-
gin of the eye; but in front of this point it hangs in
a fold across the isthmus, thus appearing double, when
the jaws are drawn back. At these times too, it is co-
vered, together with the whole of the branchial appa-
ratus and the isthmus, Ijv the interopercula and the
branches of the loAver jaw.

But the appearance of the head is quite different
when the mouth is protruded. The nasal processes^ of
the intermaxillary bones extend right up to the occi-
put, where they mav slide to and fro in the deep groove
in the frontal l)oiies. When they are pi'otruded, they
draw Avith them the maxillarA' Ijones, which are oidv
loosely connected with the palate, and are thus capable
of extensive protrusion. The snout now attains a length
which may even exceed that of the rest of the head,
and acquii-es an appearance, Avhen seen from the side,
not unlike that of a swine's snout. Now, when the
branchial apparatus is expanded, the hj'oid bone, to-
gether with the broad ceratohyoid bones, projects down
below the isthmus, and the branchiostegal membrane
emerges from the opercular apparatus.

The nostrils are comparatively small, the posterior
being long, Init narrow, and situated in the form of a
perpendicular slit close to the anterior upper margin
of the orbit. The anterior nostril is separated from it
by a dermal l)ridge.

Their lenfrth is nearly 4 % of that

"' Tlie pectoral fins are perfect in a specimen caught in 1879, on the Ite of Vinga (Gothenburg),
of the body or '/j of the greatest depth of the latter.

* In the specimen from Vinga (025 mm. long) the length of the head, measured from the middle of the margin of the upper jaw
(the tip of the snout), when drawn back, is ITS % of that of the body. This coincides with Lvtken's measurement of a Trachypterits
ardicus 830 mm. long, and also with Emery's measurements of the largest specimens of Track, iris in his possession (1,120 — 1,410 mm.
long). According to LCtken, however, in specimens of Trach. arcticiis about 1 m. in length, the average length of the head is 14'2 %
thereof, in specimens about 13 dm. long, 12"4 %, and in specimens about 2 m. long, 111 °o.

'' In specimens about 1 m. long the longitudinal diameter of the orbit is about 30 \ of the length of the head. In specimens I'/o
m. in length it may sink to 25'8 % of the length of the head, according to LOtkes. In many cases, however, the eye on the one side of
tlie head is at least somewhat larger than that on the other.

'' In the specimen from Vinga the length of the right branch of the lower jaw is 57 'i of that of the head, of the left only 52Y2 /»•
Though the snout has been damaged, this does not seem enough entirely to explain the difference. In the other two specimens preserved in
spirits in the Royal Museum, however, there is no such difference: but the gape is crooked when the mouth is protruded.

■■ In the specimen from Vinga the length of the right maxillary bone is 40 % of that of the head, of the left only 34-3 %. Cf.
the preceding note.

•'' In the specimen from Vinga the height of the gill-openings is - 3 of the length of the head.

'■' In the specimen from Vinga the length of the nasal processes, together with the anterior height of the body of the intermaxillary
bones, is 75 mm. or very nearly * ., of the length of the head.

31S

SCAXDIN'AVIAN FISHES.

The jaw-teeth are pointed and fixed, but small and
>pai-se, varying from al)oiit 20 to 4 w less in either
jaw. Their number is sometimes the same on each
side, but they are usually unsymmetrical in this re-
spect. In the lower jaw thev are set on the inside of
liie margin itself, but in the upper jaw, on the other
hand, further in, on the inside of the intermaxillary
bones. The vomerine teeth are like the jaw-teeth, but
still fewer (from .5 to 1) and more irregular in size.
The outer margin of the upper phar^■ngeals is furnislied
with similar, but longer teeth, whereas the lower pha-
ryngeals are toothless. The gill-rakers are short, their
number on the first branchial arch being 13.

The esophagus Avidens just behind the pharynx,
and runs straight back to the pylorus (fig. 84), with-
out forming any distinct stomach; but a short blind

Fig. 84. Part of the intestinal canal of Trachijpterus arctictis. a: the
stomach, opened and with the right side folded back to show the interior:
b: the pyloric part of the stomach: c: the duodenum or first division of
the intestine; </, d: the second division of the small intestine; e: the
pyloric appendages, the openings of which are shown in the section of
tlie duodenum; /: the valve at the passage of the small intestine
into the rectum: (/: the rectnm. opened; li: the spleen, .\fter Reid.

sac rises from the end of the pylorus. From the py-
lorus the first divi-sion of the small intestine (duodenum)
curves straight forward under the oesophagus, sur-
rounded by extremely well-developed and numerous
pyloric appendages. Just in front of the anterior end
ot the mass of pyloric appendages the small intestine
turns back under the former, and in a line with the
pylorus, M-here the spleen is also situated, passes into
the large intestine (rectum), which runs straight back,

and above tlie vent, just beliind the middle of the body",
forms a geniculate curve down to the anal opening.

The course of the lateral line is fairly straight,
but just behind the head it slopes downwards, and thus
comes nearer to the belh" tiian to tlie liack*. With
this exception it follows the direction of the s])inal
column, externally showing the position of the latter
within the liodv. Each of its plates, at least in .spe-
cimens less than 1 m. in length, may be armed with
a spine pointing in a forwai'd dii-cction. The spines,
however, seem as a rule to disappear with age.

At fii'st sight the whole body, with the exception
of the spines belonging to the lateral line and the dorsal
fin, is apparently smooth, distinct, verrucose tubercles
appearing only at the ventral margin. But on closer
examination the surface of the body proves to be di-
vided into small squares, consisting of flat tubercles,
arranged in a kind of mosaic. These tubercles are
covered by the thin, naked epidermis, which is tin-
coloured, l)ut lias a silvery lustre. The ground-colour
is diversified h\ two or three coal-black spots, of the
same size as the eye or smaller, which are round or
oblong (in the latter case set obliquely), on the upper
])art of the sides. Two of these spots belong to the
abdominal part, and the third, which seems to be .soon-
est obliterated during growth, is set on the caudal part
of the l)odv'. The forehead, the top of the snout and
the tip of the lower jaw are also black. All the fins
are Idood-red.

The true home of tlie Dealfish is unquestionably
in the deeper, if not in tlie deepest, parts of the North
Atlantic. Of its manner of life at these deptlis we
know nothing. It is onh' h\ accident that it can come
into the hands of man, for our ordinary fishing-tackle
is useless at depths so great. Like many other deep-
sea fishes, however, when some fortuitous cause has
suddenly raised it above the depth where the pressure
is suitable for its organization, it is l)orne to the sur-
face against its will, and then floats helplessly about,
unable to descend again. But on one or two occasions
it has shown its capacity of adapting itself to water ot
a less depth: Nilssux states that in Norwegian Finmark

" In the specimen from Vinga the distance between the tip of the snout and the vent is 54 fo of the length of the body, excluding
the caudal fin. According to Li'tken this proportion sinks, on an average, with increasing age to 51 °o, and may even be as low as 40 "<,.

* Where the body is deepest, jus! in front of the vent, in the specimen from Vinga, the distance between the lateral line and the
ventral margin is 72 'i of that between it and the dorsal margin.

*■ The distance between tlie first spot and the tip of the snout is from about 21 to 2(5 'i of the length of the body, and between
the second spot and the tip of the snout from about 46 to 50 % of the length of the body. In the specimen from Vinga we find a dis-
tinct trace of a fourth (posterior) spot.

DEALFISH.

;i9

it is sometimes taken in aiituiuti, in the Herring-seines; i
and Day describes a specimen 174 fin. long, which
was taken in a stake-net off Montrose. Wiien the Deal-
tish has been fouiifl in the Sound itself, it has also
naturally had a long sti'etch of comparatively shallow >
warei- to ti-iverse. The specimen which Lill.jehorg
obtained in 1848 oft" the coast of Norwegian Finmark,
was also taken with a dredge, at a depth of 2 or 3 fa-
thoms; and XiLs.so.N' probably refers to this specimen
when he says that the Dealfish "is sometimes discovered j
lying at tlte bottom by tlie fishermen, and is then de-
scribed as shining like the brightest silver. The fisher-
men let down a diafjfi" and strike the fish, for it is
a veiy poor swimmer and by no means quick in its
movements." These instances, however, are rare, and
in the great majority of cases the Dealfish has been
found cast ashore bv the waves or floating in its death-
struggles at the surface of the water. Up to the present
time nothing has been found in its stomach to suggest
the idea tliat the object of its wanderings is the cap-
ttire of some prev which may have fled to the higher
regions of the ocean''. Collett supposes that most of
the specimens that have migrated from deep water,
have been females'; but it is far from pi-obable that
it is to deposit their eggs that they make their way
to the shallows; for the frv have never vet been found
on anv of the Atlantic coasts.

The eye-witnesses of the movements of this fish
declare that it swims on its side, like the Flounders.
Their conduct under circumstances foreign to their na-
ture and when probably suffering from some disease,
cannot be unresei-vedly recognised as normal. But that
this is possibly their custom, or at least a habit to
\vhich they often resort, is apparently shown by the
difference between the two sides of the body that oc-
curs in certain individuals, which in a certain degree
reminds us of the want of svmmetrv in the Flounders,
and was first remarked bv Xilssox. Lilljeborg was
informed V)v the fishermen of Finmark, with regard to
ills specimen, that the right eve was brighter than the
left. According to LCtkex's table of measurements the

eyes were of different size in four of the ten specimens
whifh he measured in this respect''. In one of the
three specimens preserved in spirits in the Royal Mu-
seum, as we have remarked above, both the jaw-bones
on the right side are larger than those on the left;
and though the other two specimens are symmetrical
in this respect, the mouth, when protruded, is oblique.
According to the oliservations hitherto recorded as to
the arrangement of the jaw-teeth and the vomerine
teeth, we must regard the cases as exceptional in which
their number is the same on both sides. A certain
want of symmetry must, therefore, be acknowledged',
even if it be inerelv one of the numerous individual
variations of this genus.

The Dealfish belongs to the abvssal depths between
Iceland and the north of Norway. It has oftenest been
met with north of the polar circle, but also on several
occasions oft' the south of Norway and on the Scotch
coast. It has been observed even on the coast of Ire-
land. In 1823 Mauklix brought home from the north
of Norway the first Scandinavian specimen on record-',
its length being about 156 cm.; and in 1837 S. Lovex
caught two specimens in West Fjord, the one about
11 dm. long and the other about 13 dm. Since this
time the Dealfish has often been met with on the coast
of Norway: between 1875 and 1883, according to Col-
lett, 10 instances of its capture were recorded. In
the autumn of 1827 a specimen came ashore between
the Skaw and Fredrikshavn ; on the 6th of May, 1879,
another specimen was cast ashore to the south of the
Skaw; and on the 8th of February, 1881, a third spe-
cimen, 830 mm. in length, the smallest on record, was
taken about 6 miles south of the Skaw, and forwarded
to Copenhagen Museum, where another specimen is also
preserved which was received in June, 1886, from
Frederikshavn''. Several specimens have thus been taken
in Denmark, but only two in Sweden. The first was
found on the 22nd of April, 1879, on the lee of Vinga,
in the island-belt of Gothenburg, and was received by
Mr. N. MoLix on behalf of the Royal Museum; and
the second, according to Lilljeborg, was taken in the

" A kind of harpoon-dredge with which the fishermen draw up the seals which have sunk to tlie bottom after being shot.
' It might otherwise be supposed that, when it is taken in the Herring-seines, it has followed the Herrings from deep water.
•-■ In the long ovaries of a female 246 cm. in length Collett estimates the number of the eggs at between 550.000 and 580,000.
The testes, according to LCtkex and Sparre-Schseider, are long and timbriated.
■^ L. c, p. 204.
' Cf. Kroter, 1. c, p. 599.

■'■ Cf. NiLSS., Prodr., 1. c. The specimen, which is still preserved in the Royal Museum. Is damaged and dried.
^ Peterse.v, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1884, p. 156.

;}20

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

.iiituinii of 1880, ill the neighbourhood of Helsingborg,

and is now preserved in the Museum of Luud University.

On account of the manner of its occurrence the

Dealfish can be of no economical value to man, though,

according to information gained by Lilljeborg in Fin-
mark, it is fairly fat, "but the fat is soft and oih', and
readilv drains from the bod-\- after death."

Genus REGALECUS.

Anferior end of the licail tninctttc, irheii the iiioiifh is closed, and formed bi/ the perpeiidiciilar loirrr iiuuy/ti of
the iinder-jair. Sides of the hodii, n-Jiieh is silreri/, fitniished trith lonc/ifndinal, terete or flat ridf/es, hut irithout
spines on the t(tfer(d line". ('audal fn, anal fn and Jair-teeth irantinn in fidl-f/ron-n specimens''. Niiinl/er of
rays in tlie dorsal fn more than 300' . Branrhiosteffal rai/s G''. The bottom of the stomach siphoned, elongated

i)i a tidmlar form behind the rod.

Our knowledge of the genus Begalecus', the genus
of the Kings of the Herrings, which was first established
by AscANius', but soon afterwards recei\ed of Bloch^
a name more widely-kno-wn since that time, that of
Gymnetrtts, is still more imperfect than of the ])receding
genus. BegalecKS ranks in more than one respect as

have Ijeeii perfect in this respect. The most charac-
teristic point, however, is the structure of the stomach
and the intestinal canal. Whereas in Lophotes the vent
lies near the tip of the tail, in liegalecus, as in Tra-
chgpterus, it is placed considerably farther forward —
in this genus alwa-ss in front of the middle of the

S2J7'

1

I I i I ■ ' ;

Iieji vf li i mi vu v

Fig. 8.5. Viscera of Regalecus glcKnc, after Hancock and Embleton. r: kidney; spr: supra-renal bodies; nr: iiiellira; ov: ovary; oe: leso-
phagiis; V, v: stomach; hep: liver; vf: gall-bladder; * ductus choledochus coniniunis; coec: pyloric appendages ;//; spleen: /.• iiitrstine (rectum);

an: vent; vu: urinary bladder.

ail intermediate form between TracJnjpteras and Lo-
photes. The protruded occiyjital region of the latter
genus, which appears to a certain degree in the larviv
of Trachypterus, is fairly distinctly reproduced in adult
specimens of Begalecns, and in this genus the lateral
line also extends straight forward alone: the head above
the eyes, to judge by the few specimens described that

body. In Regalecus, however (fig. 85), the bottom
of the stomach (the jiosterior end above the pylo-
rus) is elongated into a long, tubular blind sac, which
extends back almost to the verv end of the tail.
Still, in other respects, the digestive canal is ex-
actly similar to that of Trachypterus, as described
above.

" In Reijaleciis the spines at the base of the dorsal rays are generally wanting. Tlicy may also be present, but are even tlien small:
— see McCoy, Prodr. Zool. Vict., dec. XV, p. 169.

'' LiNDiiOTii states, however, that in one specimen he found "the bead very short and blunt, with distinct strong teeth." Valenciennes
found teeth in botli jaws in Reijalecns gladius, but they were "so tine and short that they were impercejiliblo to the touch." The same
words recur in Jourdain, Vomptes Rendus 1872, p. 59.

' The statements in which the nmnber of rays is less, have never been confirmed on examination of entire specimens.

'' Hancock and Emuleton's "7 branchiostegal rays" is due, according to GiiNTHEl!, to a confusion between the suboperculum and these rays.

*■ Latin vex and tudec {Herriiuj, strictly Herring-brine).

■'' Icon. Rer. Nat., cab. II, p. 5 (1772).

-" AusJ. Fifcli., part. IX, p. 94.

TKACIIYl'TKUID.K.

321

Ja'tken has specified certain osteological rlistinotions
hetweeii tlie genera Begaleens and 'f'rachi/pfenis, chiefi_y
affecting tlie general structure of the skeleton. In Ik-f/a-
IccKs, which is usualh" of coiisideralih' greatei' dimen-
sions, in spite of this the skeleton is nuich looser, a
circumstance which is, however, consistent with the fact
that Rcgaleciis is a deep-sea genus of a still more marked
description. As we have seen above, there is no lack of
characters to distinguish between the two genera; but on
the other hand, it cannot be denied that they are very
closely related to each other, especially if the changes
of development be taken into consideration.

The earliest stages liave hitlicrdi been almost unknown; but by
the kindness of Professor I.ECut: \vc aic liere enabled to give some

damaged and indistinct. The depth of the body, whicli is eoiisider-
ably less than the length of the head, gradually decreases from the
occiput to the very end of the tail, which is furnished with a long,
though damaged and broken, caudal tin. This fin (fig. 86) consists
of seven simple and uiiartiiulated rays, the four lower (pnes articulating
with the hypural bones, which are directed straight backwards, and
tlie three upper with the end of the urostyle. The second and third
rays from the top, however, are rudimentary, and the fin is thus di-
vided into two parts, with one ray at the top entirely separated, to
all appearance, from the lowest four rays by the interval referred to.
All the rays are broken, but the pieces of the middle ray are still
united by a thin filament, and end in an extremely fine filiform tip.
This ray, as well as the uppermost and lowest rays, is also rough
at the sides with two rows of spines pointing in opposite directions,
a character which reminds us of the preceding germs. When perfect,
this ray seems to have been half as long again as the head. An
essential distinction between this genus and 7'rachi/pterii)} may thus
be drawn frum the circumstance that in the former tlie rudimentarv

Fig. 80. Caudal fin of a Regaleciis jladius 36 cm. long, from Messina.

ilelails with regard to a specimen of Jieijalectis gladius, 36 cm. long,
which he received at Messina.

The head is perfect in the essential points, and shows that ex-
tensive elongation of the preoperculum, the interoperculum and the
hyomandibular, together with the quadrate bone, downwards and for-
wards to a point in front of the perpendicular from the anterior
margin of the eye by a distance equal to the longitudinal diameter
of the ej'c, which sets the articulation of the lower jaw in such
a position that the lower margin of the latter is perpendicular, when
the month is closed, and thus forms the front of the head. The
jaw-teeth are wanting. The operculum is triangular, with the hind
corner, which forms the end of the head, obtusely rounded. Beneath its
inferior side lies the suboperculum, which is of fairly uniform breadth,
but somewhat broader behind than in front. Only the anterior part
of the occipital fin is persistent, i. c. the first, strongest ray and the
next four. The tips of those rays are broken off short, but their
length is still about '/s greater than that of the head. Of the rays
behind these there is no trace, in front of the dorsal fin proper, which
b3gins in a line with the middle of the operculum. Each of the
ventral fins contains only one ray, even this being broken, but in the
left fin about equal in length to the head. The pectoral fins are

rays are situated at tlie top of the caudal fin, in the latter at the
bottom. In this circumstance we may perhaps find a partial expla-
nation of the more general retention of the caudal fin in Trwhyptevus
and its almost invariable loss in Regalecus. The other ditferences,
however, atfect only the degree and not the direction of the deve-
li>pment.

We thus retain the genus BcgalecKS, but only as
the expression of an intermediate stage between Lo-
pliotes and Tradn/pferKS.

It is perhaps a matter of doubt \\hether more
than one species is known from the Atlantic, the Medi-
terranean, the East Indies" and Australia: but it is
apparently certain that only one species of this genus
belongs to the north of the Atlantic and the Scandi-
navian fauna, that same species which on many, if not
all, occasions has given rise to the mysterious accounts
of the "great sea -serpent'.

" It seems hardly probable that Regaleciis Russellu from Vizagapatam is a distinct species. It has never reappeared since 1788, and
there is no specimen of it in existence. Even Sh.\w (Gen. Zool., vol. IX. p. 195, tab. 28) regarded Russell's Gymnetnis as an early stage
of the development of Regaleciis glesne.

Scandinavian Fishes.

41

322

SCANDINAVIAN FISIIKS.

THE KING OF THE HERRINGS (.mv. sillkunge.n).
REGALECUS GLESXE.

Fig. 87.

Jjcngth of the liead less tliaii the (jr cutest deptli of the Ijodi/". Tall i)iohuhlij cloiniatcd to u fine point iv'dli the dorsal
fin gradually disappearing posteriorly, hut in all recorded specimens from the Atlantic broken ofi' short, with the point
stripped both of the dorsal fin and the caudal and ending In a naked vertebra, ivhile the dorsal edge slopes down-
ward, generally In an ohUqne S-curre. bclilnd the last ray of the dorsal fin. TJie first {10 — 15 or 1/ Y) rays In
the dorsal fin are elongated and erected into a {continuous {Y) or) bifid, cristate, occlpitcd fin : the :Jnd, Hrd, 4th
and ')th of these rays are the slenderest, and the 1st the tlilckest and, together nitJi the (>th, proli(dAy the longest;
most. If not (dl, of these rays n-lth a foliate extension of tlte membrane at the tip. The rest of the dorsal fin
loieer, Its greatest height coinciding n-lth the greatest depth of the body and measuring from ' .. to '/^ of the latter.
Base of the pectoral fin horizontal and about equaV in length to the fin Itself or at least half thereof. Only the
first ray of the rentral fins 2^srsistent, being thick and long, n-lth a foliate extension of the membrane at the tip
{and {Y) a triangular extension thereof at the second third of the length of the ray, on the Inner margin). Longi-
tudinal diameter of the eye {in specimens 3 metres or more In length) about equal to the thickness of the head
or from '5 to ^'„ ')/" the length of tJie latter: and the eyes set hi the upper anterior half of the head. Maxillary
bones, iupraortiltal part (of the frontal bo)ies) and opercular bones Irregularly cavernous and striated u-ltli radiating
grooves and ridges. Frontrd profile concave in. its slope from the occiput. Lateral line forming a chain of oblong
scales, each pierced n-ltli a fulie, ''n-hich are quite thin and set loosely in the skin." On each side of the body,
which is of a silvery lustre, 4 — <> longitudinal, dark brou-n ridges, granulated u-lth rough tubercles and separated
by shalloH- grooves n-lth smoother skin. These ridges are obliquely traversed In front by the lateral line, which
just in front of the vent takes its place at the lowest fourth {further back at tlte lowest fifth and finally at the
lowest seventh) of the depth of the body". Body transversely marked with oblique, black bands or rows of spots,
tvhich are usually interrupted at the lateral line''. Dorsal fin and the ventral ray red'. Forehead and the inside
of the mouth black. Number of gill-rakers on the first branchial arch 42 or 43.

^i/ii.

R. hi: ii: n. - ; P. 11-^

200 — 400

-13; V. 1; Vert. cirL-. 110.

Opliidiuin ijlcsne, AsCA.v., D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., N. Saml., Deel
III, p. 421; Id. (Regaleciis), Icon. Her. Nat., call. II, p. 6,
tab. XI; NiLSS., Prodr. Ichth. ■Scaiid., p. 105; Cuv., Val.
{Gymnetrus), Hist. Nat. Poiss., toni. X, p. 306; Gthr {Re-
rjalecus), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 310; Coll.,
Forh. Virl. Selsk. Christ. 1874, TilL-egsh., p. 84; ibid. 1883,
No. li;, p. 7: N. Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 71;
LlLL,!., <S'y., Norg. Fish., vol. 1, p. 475.

Regalecus reniipes, Brunn, D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., N. Saml.,

Deel. HI, p. 414, tab. B, ligg. 4 et 5 ; Wai.b., Art. Gen.

Pise, App., p. 696, tab. 3, fig. 4; Bl., Seas. (Gymnetrtts),

Si/st. Idilh., p. 482, tab. 88.
Gi//iinetrus Ascanii. Lindr.. Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1798, p. 290.
Gymuetrtis Haickenii, Bl., Ausl. Fish., part. IX, p. 95, tab.

423; Bl., Schn. (G. Hawkinsii), 1. c, p. 481; Cuv., Val.,

1. c, p. 372; Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. II, vol. I, p. 221.
Gi/mnetrus Gril.Iii, Lindr., 1. c, p. 288, tab. VIII; Cuv., Val.,

1. c, p. 370; Nilss., 6'kand. Fn., Fish., p. 169; Gthr,

1. <•., p. 311.

° 'L'he iiverage length of the head is about 14 "i (13 — 15 %) of the distance between the vent and the tip of the snout or about 70
% (67 — 73 %) of the greatest depth of the body, which in its turn measures on an average about 25 % (22 — 26 °o) of the distance between
the vent and the gill-opening or about 20 % (18 — 22 %) of the distance between the vent and the tip of the snout, which latter distance,
in specimens not more than 45 dm. in length, is about 40 S of the length of the body.

* According to Lindroth and Wright, as well as McCoy.

' Before it ends at a distance from the tip of the tail which measures at least about '/'u of the length of the body according to
McCoy.

'' On the hind part of the body, though not on the hindmost part of the tail, there also appear, according to McCoy, round black
spots, arranged in fairly regular, longitudinal rows.

*■ Pectoral fins white, according to McCoY.

Kix(; ov TiiK m:i{i!iN(;s.

323

Hanccick and
V(.l. IV, p. 1,

Gymnetnis Bankr'ii. Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. .'UJi'
Embleton, Ann. Mag-. Na(. Hisl., ser. 2.
tab. I et II; Rich, in Yari!., Brit. Fuh., ed. It, SuppL, p.
27; Gtiir {Regalecus), 1. c, p. .SOO; Day, FiWi. (^'<. .fin<.,
IrcL, vol. I, p. 2'20, tali. LXIV ; (V) McCoy. Prodr. Zool.
Vict., dec. X\', p. Klil, tab. 145.

Obs. In lliis genus too, LuTKEX has pave<l tlie way t'ur a
reasonable reduction of the number of species hitherto recognised.
Still, it is as yet an open (]Uostion whofher the Mediterranean liecja-

llu' characteristic that in its case the liody is deepest at the head or
just behind it. It is a thought which naturally suggests itself, tliat
this difference may be explained as a ditlerence of growth — the
largest specimen described by Valenciennes of the Mediterranean spe-
cies was 268 cm. in length, and there is no instance of so small a
specimen of Iler/alecus ylesne. It is also hardly probable that the
individual variations of this genus are less than those of the preceding
one''. Layard's'- specimen of G'jmnetriw capeiisi.s'' from the Cape of
(iood Hope, a form which Guntiier referred to the same species as
llefialecus ijladhni, probably measured, when entire, nearly 4 metres
in length and about 20 % of the distance between the vent and the

Fig. 87. Regalecns gles/ie. The figure is partly schematic. About ' ,„ of the natural size.

leciis gladuis" is really a distinct species from the Atlantic Regalecus I gill-opening in depth, the latter measurement even exceeding the

glesne. The only tenable distinction hitherto suggested consists in the ' average depth of Regalecus glesne. According to Valenciennes, Rega-

more elongated body of the former species; and in this genus as in | lecus gladius is furnished with more than 200 rays iu the anterior

the preceding one, the Mediterranean species is said to be marked by part of the dorsal tin, measured for a distance of 1,678 mm., while

" Cepola gladius. Walb., Art. Gen. Pise, App.. p. 017: Ggmnetnis gladius + Gymnetnis teluin, Cuv., Val., 1. c, pp. 352 and 361,
tab. 298—299.

'' In the specimen of Regalecus glesne from Alstahoug (1859 — Bergen Museum), which had probably been 356—360 cm. in length
when perfect, the greatest depth of the body is only slightly more than ",., of the length of the body, according to Collett, or, according
to Lilljedorg, than >/,, thereof or about 22 % of the distance between the vent and the gill-opening. The latter measurement agrees closely
enough with Valenciennes's figure of Ggmnctvus teluin.

' Proc. Zool. Soc. 1868, p. 321.

<* Cuv., Val., 1. c. p. 376.

324

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

in the same space Reijalecus capensis should only possess 163 rays;
and in a specimen of Regalecus glestie from Bohuslan this space should
presumably contain only 103 rays. Thus we might here expect to
find a specific distinction expressed witliout difficulty; but in fishes
of so loose a structure as these, and considering that in Regalecus
(jlc.vie we are compelled to recognise a variation in the rays of the
dorsal tin so considerable as to range between 200 and 400, the dif-
ference in the degree of contraction of the body may considerably
affect the results arrived a(, and the individual variations render the
character wortldcss. As n general rule we may reasonably assume
that the rays of the dorsal fin are more densely set in young speci-
mens; but in the largest example known, Lindeoth's specimen from
Hittereii, there are 47 rays in a sjiace which in the Royal Museum's
smaller specimen, from BohusLin, contains only 40 rays, and accord-
ing to CoLLETT, in the Stavanger specimen (1881 — Stavanger Mu-
seum), which in size was probably almost exactly intermediale between
these two specimens, tliere are on an average 43 rays in a similar
portion of the dorsal fin.

The relation between these three specimens thus contradicts the
above rule; and a further example of the individual variations may
be found in the Regalecus from the waters between the coasts of
Tasmania and Victoria, in Jlay 1878, which specimen McCoy (1. c.)
referred to the same species as the Atlantic King of the Herrings,
assuming that the identity of the species may be defended, as seems
not improbable. This .Australian Regalecus was only 414 cm. long,
and only an insignificant part of tlie tail was wanting (the last re-
maining ray of the dorsal fin was only 2 mm. long and the tail, at
tlie point of fracture, only 13 mm. deep). It was thus at least 1
metre shorter, though more nearl}- perfect, than the Hitteren specimen;
but it had 406 dorsal fin rays, in addition to the 17 rays of the high
occipital fin. In the shape of the body — which was, liowever, con-
siderably shallower, a characteristic which McCoy supposes to belong
to the male — in the coloration and in other respects" this Regalecus
so closely resembles the Atlantic species that it is only our insufficient
knowledge of the latter species that calls for caution in the identi-
fication of two species from localities so distant.

We may still acknowledge the truth of Nilsson's words: "It is
impos.sihle strictly to define the distinction between the species of this
genus". But it seems most probable that as yet we know only one
species of the genus; and the fragmentary knowledge we possess of
tlic adult stages of this species — no entire specimen of the Atlantic
llegalecus glesne has yet been scientifically examined — maj' safely
be supplemented from tlie better-preserved specimens of the Mediter-
ranean and Australia.

The Royal Museum possesses the remains of two specimens of
Regalecus glesne. Of the first specimen, which was found on the 12th
of August, 1797. oft' the island of Hitteren, near Trondhjem, and
which was tlie original of Lindroth's description and figure (1. c.) of
Ggmnetrus Grillii, there is left only the skin of the left side behind
the head and the ray of the left ventral fin. This jiart, which was
stuifcd by LiNDiiOTH for Grill's museum at Soderfors, is nailed to a
lioiird. The head and the dorsal fin are artificial, as they are shown by
Li.NiiRiiTH in his figure of the stuffed specimen. This example is re-
markable in several respects. It is the longest specimen hitherto pre-
served and examined. The number of rays in the dorsal fin is greater,
and tlic vent is situated farther forward, relatively to the length of

the body, than in any other Atlantic specimen on record. The last
two characteristics may thus be interpreted as expressions of the
changes of growth; but the difference between it and the other At-
lantic specimens in these respects is so great that some standard by
•which to test the correctness of the description, may well be required,
and the specimen fortunately offers us one, even in its incomplete
state. The interspinal hones are still to be found at the dorsal edge,
throughout the greater part of the length of tlie body, and, posteriorly
at least, are so distinct that they may he counted without difficulty.
The total length of the base of the dorsal fin left is 515 cm. The
part occupied by the last 100 interspinal bones measures 945 mm.,
bj- the next 100 in front of them 1,305 mm., and by the next 100
1,505 mm. The remaining 1,395 mm., where the interspinal bones are
now partly indistinct, can hardly have contained less than 106 rays, the
number of artificial rays set there by Lindroth. It is, therefore, highly
probable that Lindroth's statement that the dorsal fin contained 406
rays, is based on his examination of the fresh specimen, just as it was
when he received it and before the dorsal fin was lost. This assump-
tion finds strong support in McCoy's description of the Australian Rega-
lecus, which had still more rays in the dorsal fin. Again, with re-
gard to the position of the vent Lin'DROTh gives a definite measurement
(4 Sw. ft. 7 in. ^= 1,361 mm.) of the distance between it and the
head, a statement which almost exactly applies to the stuffed skin,
where the vent itself is 25 mm. long, and is stopped with red putty.
This distance is indeed less in proportion to the length of the body
than in any other specimen known (nearly 25*/.2 %, instead of the
usual average 34',', %); but in proportion to the depth of the body
as given by Li.vdroth (25'/., 'i of this distance) it corresponds fairly
closely to the same measurement in several of the specimens best
known in this respect''.

The second specimen in the possession of the Royal Museum is
the only Swedish specimen of Regalecus glesne discovered up to the
present date. It was found on the 28lh of March, 1879, about 3
miles west of Koster, on the shore of an islet called Burholni, and
secured for the Museum by Mr. G. v. Yhlen, Inspector of Fisheries.
The greatest depth of the body, according to Coastguard M.vrTSON's
statement, was a little more than a foot (3 dm.) and the thickness
about 4 in. (1 dm.). The length was 25';^ ft. (?). The colour was
"grayish (Ui the sides and white on the back, covered with a bright
dust''. A fin 3 in. (75 mm.) high ran from the occiput to the tail.
When the specimen was secured for the Royal Museum, however, it
had been considerably damaged by the surf and the ravages of birds.
The upper part of the black forehead, with the groove for the nasal
processes of the intermaxillary bones, is, however, preserved, and on
the occiput we can find traces of the anterior fin-rays, the first of
which points in a forward direction and is set at the end of the
groove just mentioned. The rest of the head is crushed to pieces,
and the nasal region, with all the jaw-bones, is wanting. The re-
mainder of the body from the first ray of the dorsal (occipital) fin
is 245 cm. in length, and the greatest depth, which occurs at a dis-
tance of from 5 to 11 dm. from this ray, is 29'/., cm. At this
point the lateral line (fig. 88, a) lies at a distance of 70 mm. from
the ventral edge and 226 mm. from the dorsal. The greatest thick-
ness is now onlj' 36 mm.; and, according to Mattson's statement, the
body has thus shrunk to '/j of its original thickness. The gill-rakers,
42 in number, may be counted on the first branclnal arch. The}- are

" According to McCoy's nu'asurements the length of the head is greater tlian llic depth of tlie l>ody; but the figures show that he
took the length of the head when the mouth was protruded.

'' The greatest depth of the body in 'i of the distance between the head and the vent measures, according to published statements,

ill the spei'imen from North Fjord (1855 — Bergen Museum) 24'9

., ., ,, Langesund (1822 — Christiania Museum). ,_ 26'5

,, ,. Grovie (1844, see Richardson, Sujiiil. to Yarh., Brit. Fish.) 26'1

.. .. „ .. the Cape of Good Hope (1868, see Layard, Proc. Zool. Soc.) 25'n

KiN(; OF Till-: iiKinuNCs.

325

fairly long, llie longest olios niciisuring- inorc tliiiii 2 cm., and entirely
ditterent from those of the preceding geiuis. Neither of the veiitra]
rays is present, but of the loft pectoral fin there reuiain the Imsal
parts of 13 rays.

The distance between the base of the first dorsal ray and the
base of the ventral fin is 277 iiiin.

The distance between the base of flic first dorsal ray and the
vent is 1,455 mm.

The distance between the anterior end of' tlie base of the pectoral
fin and the base of the ventral liii is (iG mm.

The distance between the anterior end of the base of the pectoral
fin and the vent is 1,.T20 nini.

Tlie last nieasurenient suggests ihat the Ifiigth of the living
fish was about 38 dm.

^«^.*J«^;f>^^ >^r*;o£i''

?spsftfis^^^«sos^^^

•35

h

Fig. 88. Ri;ijalecus ijlesne, portions of the skin of the specimen from

Burholm, a: with a part of the lateral line, where it traverses one

of the carin,-v} on the side of the body; l>: a part of the ventral

margin. Natural size.

The King of the Herrings li\es ifi very deep Avater,
its species being perhaps identical in all the oceans;

hut of its usual manner uf life

we

know nothing.

Occasionally it appears at tlie surface, and ifi the su-
perstitious imagination of the sailor takes the form of
"the great Sea-serpent.'"" H.vncock atid Embleton de-
scribe the capture by three fishermen from Cullercoats
in Northumberland, not far from Newcastle, on the 26th
of March, 1849, of the specimen afterwards examined

h\- tiicsc writers. The tishermen found it about 6 miles
from sliiirc .ifid iti from 20 to 30 fathoms of water,
when tliey were leaving their lishing-station to return
hofiic. Wheti thev came iijioii it, tlte fish was lying at
full letigth on its side at the surface; I)ut at their ap-
[ifoacii it "righted itself, and came with a gentle, lateral,
ufidfilating motion towards them, showing its crest and
a small portiofi of the head occasionally above water:
wlien it came alongside, one of them struck it with his
])ickct — a hook attached to th(^ etifl of a small stick,
afid used iff latiding their tish: uii iliis ir made off' with
a vigorous atid \ ertical undulating niotioti, atid disap-

lie surface. In a

iftidcf

peared as (juick as lightning

short time it reappeared at a small <li.stance, and pulling
up to it they found it again lying on its side: they
plied the picket a second tim<; and struck it a little
behind the head; the picket again tore through the
tender flesh by a violent effort of the fish, which escaped
once more, but with diminished vigour; on the boat
coming a third time alongside, the two young men put-
ting their arms round the tish lifted it into the boat.
Sigfis of life remained for some time after the iish was
captured, but no doubt it was in a dying or very sickly
state when first discovered."

According to the account of these fishermen the
whole body of the tish Avas of a silvery, iridescent
oTound-colour, as brilliant as that of the common Her-
ring, but with a decided dash of l)lue. In the open air,
however, the colour soon fades, and the silvery gloss
vanishes at the slightest touch. It is also iirobable that
the colour of the dark brown, longitudinal stripes on
the lateral ridges of the body is due to injuiy. The
lilack transverse bands which cro.ss the .sides obliquely
in a downward and backward dii'ection, as well as the
scattered black spots, disappear .soon after death, leav-
ing scarcely a visible trace behind, according to Wright*,
after the lapse of a day or two. Eventually the tish
becomes darker and darker, and in the process of dry-
ing turns (juite black, as is the case with Lixdroth's
specimen iti the Roval Museum.

We are still ignorant of the exact shape of the
occipital tin. Hancock and Embleton were told by
their informants that the rays were like peacocks feath-
ei'S. Naalsoe's drawing as reproduced by Lutken (1. c.)

" The tales of the great Sea-serpent may probably be explained by a variety of different causes — tumbling dolphins, enormous
cuttle-fish, specimens of Selache (Basking Shark) floating and resting at the surface, or even floating wreckage. But in the cases where tlie
Sea-serpent appears with crest erect, the explanation seems to lie in the appearance and death-struggles of the King of the Herrings at the
surface of the ocean.

'' Nat. Hist. Trans. North., Durham, vol. V (1877), p. 341.

32 fi

SCAXniXAVIAX FISHES.

and ;ilso Layakd's fiiiure of tlie Begalcnis tVoia tlie
Cape of Good Hope" render it probable that the high
crest or mane of "the great Sea-serpent'' is formed in
the manner shown in Valenciennes's figure of BegaJecus
flhuVms, and consists of two parts, the one being formed
1)}' the tirst tive ra^s (the first raA- l)eing the longest
and thickest according to Wright (1. c.) and ending in
a tine, tiliform tip, the other four slender and gradu-
ally decreasing in length). The second ])art consists of
from 9 to 12 rays, the tirst of M'hich is tlie longest,
the others gradually diminishing in length, and all of

the total length of the body. The King of the Herrings
has not always been found under so favourable cir-
cumstances as in the above cases, where it has been
possible to lift tlie entire tish into a boat or, as in the
case of LiXDiK/rHs specimen from Hitteren, to discover it
soon after it has come ashore. The tish has generally
been found dead and in a damaged condition among
tlie lireakers on the l)each. From the structure of the
end of the tail in tlie best-preserved s))ecimens it ap-
pears that the tail is almost iiivariablv l)rokeii during
life, but heals again, leaving the surface of the fracture

them ^vith foliate tijis or, according to Day, with the ! in a fairlv characteristic S-cui've, as has lieen the case

membrane behind the tip of each viw elongated into a
filament which in shape resembles the dorsal filaments
of the Dorv, but is shorter than they. All the latter
rays are proljably united, at the base at least, to each
other as well as to tlie true dorsal tin.

In the singular, long rays of the \entral tins, which
remind us of the juvenile stages of Trdchijptenis, the
foliate, membranous extension of the tip, according to
Naai-S(")E and Collett, is triangular and trilobate. This
description also agrees closely with La ya no's figure,
according to which, as in Valexciexnes's Bef/alecus
f/lacUits, there also ajjpears a triangular dermal fiap on
the inner side of the ray, the distance between this flap

in the specimens of Haxcock and Ejibletox, Lixdroth
and others. Furthermore, as Collett has fully de-
monstrated, this fracture mav recur repeatedly, or, at
all events, a larger part than usual may be broken off,
in which case it is of course still more difficult to
arrive at the total length of the bodv''.

The remark we have made with regard to the shape
of the bodv during life in the preceding genus, also
applies to BcgaJecus. It is undoubtedly much more
terete than in the specimens preserved in spirits as we
see them in the museums. Wright found the greatest
thickness of the bodv in his sjjecimeii to lie about 34'/2
%j of the greatest depth. According to Lixdroth the

and the base of the ray being twice that between it and | corresponding proportion in the Hitteren specimen was
the tip of the latter. In spite of the variation to which j 25 %, and in the Crovie specimen, according to Kichard-
the length of the ventral rays is apparently subject, | son, 28 %. In the Burholni sjiccimeii I find the greatest

their tip, to judge by Lixdroth's specimen, always
extends at least beyond the vent.

The length of the pectoral fins, according to Hax-
cock and Embleton as well as Wright, is a third
greater than the diameter of the eye, but according to
LiN'DRiiTH, erpial to the latter and also to the thickness
of the head behind the eyes''. According to Haxcock
and Embleton these fins are colourless''.

The average distance between the vent and the tip
of the snout in Atlantic specimens is rather more than
40 % of the length of the body, and the distance be-
tween the former and the middle of the hind maroin of
the gill-cover (behind the head) is somewhat more than
34 % of the length of the body; but into these measure-
ments there enters a factor in most cases obscure, c'tz.

thickness of the bodv to be onh' slightly more than
12 % of the greatest depth. A varintion so considerable
— from v., to \/,^ — can be explained only b^- the
loose structure of the body and the different extent to
which the various specimens have shrunk. The dorsal
edge is thin and sharp, the greatest thickness being
situated in the lowest third of the body.

In Norway, according to Collett, 13 specimens
of the King of the Herrings have lieen foiuid at differ-
ent spots along the entire coast line, between 1740
and 1883. Most of them, however, were found off' the
south coast, during the spring Herring-fishery. The
Museum of Copenhagen possesses a specimen from the
Faroe Islands. From Scotland and the north-east of
England 20 S])ecimens are known, found between the

" Proc. Zool. Soc. London' 1808, p. 320.

'' In the Anstralian Reijalccvs, according lo McCuv, the Jenglh of the ])eitornl fins is '/., less than the diameter of the eye, but
equal lo the Icnglli oi" Ihrir base, just as in the Atlantic species, according to I,iN'iiH(i-iii and Wright.

- Wliite in the Australian Regalccus, according to McCoy.

'' In the Australian specinieti described b}' McCoy the end of the tail was almost pointed, but still imperfect, and in this respect this
specimen is the ujosl nearly perfect of all. Of the ]iosition of the vent, however, Mct'ov does not say a single word.

CliAV Mll.LKT.S.

327

middle (if tlie last century and the present time. At
tlie end of the last eentuiy one specimen was found
on the Cornish coast.

All the Atlantic specimens thnt hnve been exniiiin-
ed, were females. This wns also the sex of the oidy
specimen yet found in Sweden, the above-mentioned
specimen from Burholm, off Koster in the north of
B<:)lnisl;'in. in tliis specimen tiu're was not the least
trace of food in tlie stomach or the intestinal canal.
In tlie specimen examined by 1 Iancock and Embleton,
the ca'cal prolon<;;ition of the bottom of the stomach
contained a few partially-digested o\a.

If it is renlK- the case, as has been assumed, that
the females approacli tlie b;nd\S and coasts in order to
deposit their eggs, and thus trespass upon regions where
the pressure is too slight to suit them, still it is re-
markable that the males do not fall victims to the same
misfortime just as often. We may, therefore, equally
well accept the other assumption made in order to
account for the appearance of these tishes at the sur-
face, that they have been driven by disease or some
enemy — perhaps in pursuit of some prey — beyond
the limits of the pressure necessary to their existence.

The eggs of these fishes are small and fine as those
of the Cod, and are contained in enormous numbers in

the ovaries, which may be a metre long and an inch
broad. As yet, however, we can scarcely decide with
cert,'iint\' the time of year at which the eggs are ripe.
A specimen about 3 metres long, which was taken on
the coast of Yoi'kshire on the 23rd of April, is stated
to have had ripe roe; but even in the month of August
the Ilitteren specimen contained "eggs fine as a grain
<jf sand." The spawning-season is thus doubtful, but
is supposed bv Collett to occur during the summer
or autumn niontlis. It is a matter of doubt, however,
whether the dee])-sea fishes are in this i-espect subject
to the iutlueiice of the seasons.

"The riesh is white and fine," say Haxcock and
Emi5LETOX. "The smell of the fish," says Lindkoth,
"was almost like that of raw fish in genei'al, but when
the skin was sci'aped clean of flesh, the fibres of the
latter dissolved into mucus and Avater, which soon be-
came rotten. The flavour of the flesh did not seem
especially good, l)ut somewhat oft'ensive, this being pro-
bably due to the repugnant smell diffused during the
process of cleaning the skin. When boiled, the flesh
was more firm and compact, like that of the Eel, but
entirely destitute of fat and almost tough. The dogs
refused to eat it, whether raw or boiled.

MUGILirORMES.

Bodij terete or compressed like that of the Perches. Tiro dorsal Jlns, separate from each other", the frst short
and eoiitahilng few or weak spinous rays, the second in form and position analogous to tlie anal fin. Ventral

fiis of typical structure ('/,-,), tiat ahdoniinal.

According to Gunther's'' establishment and defini-
tion of this series of families, it includes fishes of very
different habits. Some of them, the family Sphyrcenidm,
belong to the most pronounced fishes of prey, with
large gape and huge jaw-teeth, and compi'ise the barra-
cudas of the tropical seas"', which even venture to attack
persons bathing. Others, on the contrary, the Afhe-

rinidce, TetragonuridcE and Mugilidce, are feebly armed
or even without true jaw-teeth, and live only on weak
victims or decomposing substances. The former were,
therefore, ranged both by Cuvier' and (V)rE'" among
the Perches, in spite of the fact that they have lost
the immediate connexion between the ventral fins and
the shoulder-girdle. The latter, even by Cuvier', were

" lu this respect Tetragonurus is exceptional.

' Cat. Brit. Mas., Fish., Si/st. ^[ijn. Acanth. Fishes, p. VIII; Introd. Studi/ of Fish., p. 499; Haiib. Ichih., p. .155.
•■ One species, Sphyrccna spet or vulgaris, belongs to llie Mediterranean and the Atlantic outside it, and is only slightly, if at all,
different from one of the North American species.

'' Re.gne Animal, nouv. ed., tome II, p. 1.56.

' Trans. Araer. Philos. Soc, Philad., new. ser., vol. XIV, p. 472.

^ L. c, p. 230.

328

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

ranged side ]>\ side with each other and next to the
Ophioc&pJiididn', air-breathing, fVesh--\vater fishes of the
Indian region, together witli wliich family the)- were
unit(.'d by Cope" into a group, under the name of Perc-
esoces. Gill'', on the other hand, excluded the Ophio-

Barracudas to the Gray Mullets (MuglUdfd), but separ-
ates from them, not only the Tcfiaf/oiiurichf, l)ut, still
more distincth', tlie OphiocephaJhhi'. In the case of
these last fishes tlie ventral fins are also thoracic, and
the only close resemblance they possess to the Gray

replialichp from tliis group. Tliese varying opinions are Mullets, lies apparentlv in the scaly covering of the head,
also dependent on the different importance set on tlie The Scandinavian fauna contains only one of these

structure of the dorsal fin, a character which unites the families.

fam. muoilidj^:.

Anterior part of tlie IkhIii hroail at the darsdl side <iiid niorc or less depressed, of tJie reidnil side viore eoiiipressed,
hnt terete. First dorsal Hii irith 4 {exfremchj seldom •>) stroruj spinous r<ii/s: second dorsal, as irell as the anaV,
■irifli S or !> {seldoDi 7 or JO) hranehed iiii/s l)eliiiid the sineple, bat arfieitlafed raii at the hef/ii/nii/f/ of f]ie forviei'
fill and tlie three spinous rai/s'^ at the hef/iniiim/ (f the latter. JMouth transversely set, narroir or oidij slifjlitly
cleft laterallji. and farnished iritli snudl or sefiform jan-teeth. Se<des cycloid'', imbricate, fairly larye and on the
head e.rteiidii/t/ fonrard over tlie forehead : on each side of the base of tlie first dorsal fin and often at the upper
anyle of tlie jwctoral fin, as ivell as at the outer angle of the ventral fin, distinct, axillary scales ivith a lobate
elonyation. No distinct, continnoas lateral line, bid most of tlie scales pierced or incised to receive the opening
ducts of the system of the lateral line. Air-bladder large. Branchial arches all present. I'seudobranchice well-
developed. Gill-openings large. Uranchiostegul. rays 5 or (>'. Pyloric appendages feiv. Pyloric part of the sto-
mach muscular, sometimes like a bird's crair. Intestine long and arranged in numerous coils. Peritoneum black.
Vertebrcr :24' , the anterior abdominal vertebrce irith irell-developed or even strong ti'unsverse and spinous processes,
[lasuj bones of the pectoral fins short and fiat. Jiranched rays of the caudal fin 12.

The Mugiloid family, which was recognised as dis-
tinct even by ( 'uvieu (1. c), contains extremely similar
species, the determination of which has been a point
])oth difficult and debatable. The number of the spe-
cies cannot, thei-efore, be stated with any ])Ositiveness;
l)ut about a hundred species have been named. These
were distributed by Valenciennes'' among 4 genera,
by Guntiier'' among three and bv the American wi'iters
(till' and Johdan and Swain' among six. Ordy one
of these genera, the most typical and containing the
most numerous species of the Avliole fa mil}- occurs
within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna. The geo-

graphical range of the rest of the family embraces all
the tropical and temperate seas; and many of the spe-
cies are recognised visitors of brackish or even fresh
water. These visits are not paid, however, as in the
case of the true Anadromous fishes, for the purpose of
spawning, but in search of food. The usual food of
these fishes consists of various minute animals'' and
decomposing substances which they search for at the
bottom, rooting up the nnid or sand or among the
seaweed. The buccal and pharyngeal apparatus are
also speciallv adopted to this purpose. The snout,
which is usually' verA' short, is furnished on each side.

" L. f., p. 456.

*■ Smilhsoii. Misc. Coll., Nn. 247, p. X?..

' Sometimes (in e.xotic f(irnis) Uic aiuil fin contains 11 or 12 branched rays.
'' Tl)c third of these rays may sometimes, however, be branched.

' In most cases, however, llie scales are rongh (granulated) at the surface, and in sojue Indian fresh-water siiecies of tlie genus Miiyil,
according to D.\Y, this granulation may pass into marginal spines, the scales thus becoming ctenoid.
■^ From 24 to 26, according to D.w.

? Cuv., Vai,., Hiitt. JVat. Pom., Ionic XI, p. 1 : Mmjil, Cestnrus, Dajaus, IS'e.'stii:.

'' Cut. Brit. Miis., Fi.tli.., vol. Ill, p. 400: Muyil, Agonostoma (= Cestrirus + Dnjaiw, + XeHic), .My.rns.
' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. 18(').'!, p. lli'.t: CInmomiigil, /'livwinui/il.
J Proc. U. R. Nat. Mus., vol. VII, p. 261 : Qiierimaini.
*■ In the stomach of Miigil clielo Tuowpso.n (i\at. Hist, frcl., vol. IV, p. 10;.) fiiiunl i liictly small shelltisli.

G]!AY MULI.KT8.

329

ill front nf ilie e\'e, with ;i pi-corhitnl Imiic, senvitt'd ul
tlic postevioi' ;iii(l outer (lower) iiini^ii'ins, ;iii(l |i(i-l'oi'uiiiig'
its rooting' function in the seiireh I'oi- food. 'I'he Ic^eth
of the mouth ;ii'e uither wenk or repliiced l)\' tiexilile
bristles, enamelled onh' ;it the tip. 'fhese bristles, how-
ever, iu-e not mere dermal growths, iiut oiMginiite from therefrom, in the typicnl Mugiloids is tliick-walled and

furnisiied with a strong muscular covering, ■•ind calls to
mind the craw of a bird. The jnloric appendages are few,
generall\- (I — H mid sometimes oidy 2. 'I'he intestine is
e\ti-aordinai'il\ long and lies in numerous coils, sometimes

The inside of the (esophagus is furnished with long tila-
ments, amongst which ii. eo|)i()iis secretion of mucus is
collected. The stomach |)roper is compiirativel}- small and
ihin-walled, with the liotloni in the form of a short Mind
sac; liut the pyloric part, which is distinctly .separated

the dental margins of the interma\illar\ hones them-
selves and of the lower jaw, which margins seem coated,
as it were, witii a layer of dentine, broken into closely
set bristles. In the upper jaw, which is furnished with
a fleshy and often (•onsiderablx' tumid lip abo\c the
internia\illar\' bones, these l)ristles project be\c)nd the
labial margin; but the lower jaw has a sharp edge,
turned outwards and generalh without ;uiy external

as manv as 'li). \ digestive canal of this length is rare
among the class of tishes". The whole of the digestive
appai'atus bestows upon the <ira\' Mullets a great capa-
bilit\- of extracting nourishment from the substances of

traces of bristles. At the ti]i (above the s\mphysis) | which their food is composed; and they also belong to

the fattest, most .active and most prolific ol' all tishes.
The skeleton is in several ])oints worthy of notice.
The broad top of the cranium is convex and smooth,
without an\' i)rojecting osseous ridges, its great breadth
being due to the space required by the phai-yngeal
cavit\ to contain the masticatory apparatus described
above. The ridges which issue in a backward direction
from the upper occipital bone, the mastoid bone (e^^o^icvrw),
the pterotic bone and even the styloid l)one {opisthoti-
euni), on the other hand, are all the longer and some-
times of an extraordinary length. The first-mentioned
ridge (crista ossis occipitis) advances above the extra-
ordinarily long lateral parts of the occi])ital bone, and
meets the neural spine of the first vertebi-a. The mastoid
bone sends out a foliate, somewhat bent, osseous pro-
cess, which may attain a length almost half tliat of the
head, and is continued in the flesh to a point vertically
above the second vertebra. This process may well be

the lower ja\\- is furnished with two hard pi-otuljerances,
which tit into a eoi'responding incision at tiie middle
of the margin of the upper ja-\v. The mouth is pro-
trusile, thougii not to ;\n\ great extent, the nasal pro-
cesses of the intermaxillar^■ bones being broad, but
short. This is the nature of the apparatus of the jaws
in tlie more tvpical Mugiloids; and everything tliat is
conveyed into the mouth by means of this apparatus,
including a gTeat number of indisi'estible substances
mixed with the food, undergoes in the pharynx a pre-
liminar}' [irocess of mastication and filtration. The
phaf\iix is constructed especially with a view to this
purpose. The skin of the palate and tongue is closely
set witli tubercles and often even with small teetli; and
the pharyngeal bones form the framework of tliick swell-
ings which obstruct the pharyngeal cavity and the
opening of the oesophagus. The upper pharyngeal bones
are broad and curved into a slightly patelliform shape,

with the convex side downwards, pointed in front, but \ regarded as an ossification of the muscles. To the outer
more rounded behind. They rest on a soft, but thick i side of the base of this process is attached the upjjer

layer of fat on the under surface of the skull, and are
covered by a skin thickly set with tubercles and partly,
at the inner margin, with small teeth. Between and
behind the upper pharyngeals there also lies on each
side a swelling witli a soft, adijjose base; but at the
middle of the roof of the ijalate there runs a groove

prong of the posttemporal bone, while the sliorter lower
prong joins the jjrocess of the styloid bone. The posterior
process of the scpiamosal bone is shorter th;ni that of
the ma,stoid bone, though it may extend to a line with
the beginning of the last third of the gill-cover, bur
stronger in proportion and of a pointed, triangular shape.

into which the lower i)haryngeal bones and the base of ; The upper neural spines and transverse processes of the

the tongue (the copular row of the hyoid bone) fit. I first six vertebra' are also well-developed, the former

The gill-i-akers are comparatively short, but dense and being extended into disks in the ]on_gitudinal direction

fine. Here the mouthful of different substances is chew- of the body; and as the corresponding interspinal bones

ed, and the larger pieces of the indigestible part rejected. are equally broad', a continuous osseous roof is thus

" We find tlie nearest appio.icli in (his respei't to tlie Gray Mullets in ciTlain of the Carps and Chietodonts.
'' Sec Agassiz, Pois.i. Fosi^., .\ll., tonic V, tab. F, fig. 2.

i^Cfnulintrflari Fishes.

42

330

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

foniu'd ;il)ovt' the anterior ]>art of the spinal coluiau,
I)ack to the insertion o\' the tirst doi'sal tin. All this
singular development of bone gives increased tirmness

The shape of the preorbital l)one too, is often of
importance in the determination of the species. The
outer, externally visible part is sipiare; but in its en-

to the front part of the body, and strengthens the points . tirety the bone is rather triangular or polygonal, with

of origin of the upper lateral muscles of the body and
tiie marginal nuiscles of the back. The same strength
is siven to the lateral muscles of the lower iiart of the

the posterior and lower (anterior) margins sharply ser-
rated. In front of and below this lione, and often, when
the mouth is closed, entirelv concealed bv it, lies the

bodv and those of the pectoral hns bv the deeply in- singularly bent and twisted maxillary bone. The arti-

cavated hind margin of the claviculai- bone. This bone i cular process of tlie latter is S-shaped and directed at

is also furnished on the innei- side with a iiainate pro- a right angle inwards, and is furnished |iosterioi-ly with

cess. Each of the pelvic l)ones is suspended posteriorly a long, convex, articular surface, tuiaied towards the

b\- a liiiament from the lower postclavicular bone and point of tlie ethmoid bone and the top of the head of

anteriorly from the lower end of the clavicular bone. the vomer, ^\■hich jn-ojects in front of the latter, and

The anterior branchiostegal rays are almost filiform, the
posterior distally extended and sword-like. The large
opercula. are longitudinally arched at the top, and thus
serve both as the roof and outer wall of the gill-cavity.
They are (juadrilateral in shape, but the lower posterior
corner is obliquelv I'ounded. Tlie preoperculum is more
or less nearly rectangular, with the anterior margin in-
cavated. Both the subopercuhim and the interoperculura

anteriorlv, further in, with a similar articular surface,
turned towards the nasal process of the intermaxillary
bones. The shaft of the maxillaTy lione is also bent
and terete or, at all events, uniforndv nai'row, with the
hind part uku'c or less crooked; and on its inner side
we often find a ^vand-shaped process, ])ointing in a l>ack-
ward (upward) direction. The intermaxillary bones are
short and deep. The mandilile is so twisted that the

are well-developed and fairlj' uniform in breadth, the dental part is horizontal, with tiie dental margin turned
latter lieing, however, as usual narrower in front. As ; outAvards and forwards and the ])Osterior articular (an-

a rule too, they are covered with scales, as well as, in
many cases, the posterior (angular) jiart of the undei"
surface of the branches of the lower jaw. The inter-
opercula generally, and the branches of the lower jaw
sometimes, meet or even ci'oss each other to a greater
or less extent under the throat. The liranches of the
lower jaw, however, generallv leave a naked chin-space"
])etween them, the size and shape of which may some-
times be of use as a- specific distinction. In cases where
the intero]jercula do not quite touch, this chin-surface
is continued backwards by the bare part of the bran-
chiostegal membranes, which cross each other anteriorly,
under the isthmus.

gular) part inwards and l)ackwards.

As ^\■e can easily see from the above description,
the Mugiloids have several points of resemblance to the
Cj'prinoids; l)ut the nijost striking external resemblance,
the broad dorsal side of the forepart in conjunction
with the high jjosition of the |)ectoral fins, guides us
towards the Svonihrcsoclthe and, nearest <jf all, to the
Flying-fish. Both the comparisons involve soft-rayed
fishes, and gain still further significance by the ab-
dominal position of the \entral fins. Among the
Acanthopterygians the Mugiloids and Atherines occup}'
a somewhat isolated position.

Genus MUGIL.

No fccfli piojier; mobile, setiform tentli, exteriiaUij visible, as a nile, oiilij in tite upjier Jair ; imirniit af the iimii-
tJihh' sJinrp; month tmnsverseh/ placed, and its breadth greater than its length. Nostrils set on tlie upper side of
the short and blunt siunif, the anterior bein;/ snndt and roninl. the /nisti'fior oblonf/ and transverse. Pijloric jnut

of tJie stomach Jiif/hli/ ninsiidar.

By this limitation the genus Mtifjil is exclusively
reser\ed for the most typical forms among the Gray

Mullets. In spite of this, the genus contains by far the
greater part of the family, jjerhaps some seventy spe-

" IVii' spare at the cliin, lieticecii tlie maiii/iMe.i: GOn-I'IIEk; espace juijiilaive: MoiiRAU.

nUAY MfM.ICTS.

331

fies, though it In liighh ]ir<>li;il)h> fh;i1 iiiiniy of them
iire species oiih in n.-mic

I'lMiu nldcn tiiiics ihc uciius h;is hccii well kiKiwii
ill MediteiTMiiciiii coiintrics. Aims roi'i.i;, wlio calls the
gemis /{saTQtv^, gi\cs the names oi' |iei'liii|)S four or five
species, at least two or three. \iz. x''^-""' {npdayttoe),
uv'§u)>' (n8p«icig) and itHfaZnc;''. The Jtoiiiaiis called the
genus Mufl'iV', and it was under this name that it was
introduced li\- Aki'kih' iiild modern ichllunlogw

Tile Gra\' Mullets lia\e gained great prdiiiiiieiice
from tile excellent tiavour of their flesh and their pecu-
liar manner of life. 'i"he\ are gregarious, and we lia\'e
many telling observations of their lo\c of societA . In
search of food thev a])proacli the coast in shoals, espe-
eialh' where the bottom is dead, i. e. full of decompos-
ing materials, for it is here they find food in greatest
abundance, or thev may even ascend the rivers. In the
River Loire tlicA have been caught above Saiimur', and
thev formerh' entered the River Somme in Ma^, says
]^i>AN('HAi;i>', in such enormous shoals that the river for
days was full of them: but since tlie opening of the canal
between Abbeville and tlie sea, they have deserted this
river, according to Makcotfe. These migrations to
brackish or fresh water have given rise, in many places,
to important fisheries for the Gray Mullets. "Although
^lullets," says Bkown-Goode'^, "are sibundant almost
everywhere, it is probable that no stretches of seacoast
in tlie world are so bountifulh- supjilied with them as
those of our own Southern Atlantic and (rulf states,
with tlieir broad margin of partially or entirely land-
locked brackish water and the numerous estuaries and
broad ri\er mouths." Without any other inea.ns of de-
fence, and pursued as they are, not only by man, but
by numbers of fishes of prey and seabirds, they escape
by the extraordinar\- (piiekness and strength of their
movements. They ha\e always been notorious for their
powers of leaping over or forcing their way under the

nets and seines with which the lishei'men luive barred
their path or surroiin(ie<l them. The Neapolitan fisher-
men described to Cktti'' four kiinls of Gray Mullets:
■The tii'st, Cefalo. is the largest and has the largest
head. The second, O.i.khic, with more pointed head,
takes only one jump when it leaps. Tlie third Tmnula
or Liza, forms a circle with its tail when it leajis, the
head being the centre of the circle. The fourth, Coii-
caditii, attains a weight of more than two pounds. \\ hen
it lea])S out of the water, it skims the surface like the
small tint stones thrown b\' children in tlie game ol
'ducks and drakes'." "At Mevagis.sey, says Day'', "a
shoal entered the harbour, and having been perceived,
the entrance was a1 once barred by nets. The fish first
tried to jump o^•er, but a net was raised so as to bar
that route. The water was ver^- clear, and the fish
were seen to swim round and round, to try to find an
exit. Next they attempted to get under the fV)Ot rope:
at last one made a push, but became meshed. When
this was done, another came and laid {sic) beside it,
and nothing could drive it away. In short, all e.scaped
but these two."

The method resorted to by the Gray Mullets of
seeking escape \)\ jumping over the net is instinctive,
and this instinct, like others, is the outcome of here-
ditary and gro\ving habit. "Even Mullets of extremeh^
small size,"' writes Couch', "have been seen to throw
themselves, head or tail foremost, over the head lim;
of a net, where it would have seemed much easier for
them to have passed through a mesh."

There are many instances related of the co-opera-
tion of individuals in a shoal, in the attempt to escape
from their prison; and when only one tish has shoAvn
the way, the others instantly follow. The same remark
also applies, however, to other fishes when in shoals;
and it is hardly probable that the Mullets possess the
ixiwer of calculating or estimating the nature of the

" The zoulogical system of Aristotle must naturally not be judged by the requirements of modem times. In some passages of his
writings /Mfalog is a species of /.eacqeiq, in other passages yElioi' and uviiov are species of yJqicJ.og. the former being rtQoayetoc, i. e.
a shore-fish, and the latter TtEQaiag, i. e. a form living outside the archipelago or far out at sea.

*■ Chakleton derives this word from mHci/.« (for the fish, according to Aristotle, eats its own slime); Isidorus regards it as a con-
traction of mnltttm ngilis.

<■ Gen. Pise. p. 32. In the Appendix to .Sijn. Pise. Artedi adopted a genus Clieloii, with species thelo and myj:o, but only on the
authority of Aristotle, Gaza, Rondelet and Gesneh.

•' Duiiamel, Trnitc des peches. II part., VI sect., p. 144.

' Poiss. d'eau doiive de la France, p. 251.

■^ Fisher, a. Fisher. Ind. U. S.. Sect. I, p. 4.50.

:' Natimj. r. Sardiiiien, Th. 3 (Transl., Leipsic 1784), p. 203.

'' Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. I, p. 229.

' Fish. Brit. Is!., vol. Ill, p. 12.

332

S('ANDINAVIAN FISHES.

(jl)struction in a higher degree than many other fishes,
for this hal)it of leaping over the obstacle may mislead
them no less tlian other fishes. "In tlie jiort of Lose,
in Cornwall," says CorcH, -there is a, saltwatei- mill
IKjol of thii'teen acres that is enclosed on the side (jf
the river \)\ an embankment, and into which the tide
flows throngh flood-gates that afford a ready passage
for fish to the space within. When tlic tide begins to
ebb the i;ates close of themselves, bnt even before this
has hap])ened the Mnllets wdiich have entered have been
known to pass along the enclosed circuit within the
l)a,nk, as if seeking the means of deliverance, and,
finding no outlet, they have thrown themselves on the
liank on the side to their own destruction."

Aristotle quotes the Gray Mullets as the only
representatives of their chiss "that refused to eat flesh;"
and after his time these fishes Avere generally famed,
and l)y Ovu) and ()rPiAN celebrated in song, for their
peaceable disposition and other social virtues, as well
as for their sagacity in avoiding any lure. For all this
they are by no means vegetarians, and destroy quite
as many lives as other fishes. "From a single stomach
of the Thicklipped Gray Mullet," says Thompson (1. c.),
■1 have obtained what would fill a large-sized breakfast
cuj) of the following species of bivalve and univalve
mollusca (which had been taken alive) — MijHlus edulis,
Modioht papitana (of these very small specimens), Kellia
niln((, Skci/ed (k'prcssa, Littorina retusa, Bissoa labiosa
and /.'. jiarra, Serpuhe and 3Iiliol(P. Of these mollusca,
specimens of h'isson labiosa, three lines in length, were
The largest, and the RpHia rubra, from the smallest size
to its maximum of little more than a. line diameter,
the most abundant. In the profusion of specimens it
affords, the stomach of one of these mullets is quite a
stoi-e house to a conchologist. In addition to these
were various species of minute Crustacea. The only
inanimate mattei' tliat appeared, were fragments of Zn-
sfi-ni iiiKriiiii and ('oHfervce, which were ])i'oba])ly taken
into the stomach on account of the adhering mollusca."
It is proliabh- for this same reason that the Gray Mul-
l(!ts follow vessels into liarbour, and haunt the algte
attaclied to the xessel's bottom. At certain seasons of
the \ear at least, the Gray Mullets freely take a bait.
In Blancheur's work" Savigny gives a descri|)tion of
this fishery, as it is cari-ied on on the French side of the
Ghannel, near Dieppe. The bait is composed chiefly of

Annelids, Nereids of tiie kind we ma)^ often see crawl-
ino- amone the roots of seaweed or on oyster-shells
etc. When the shoal of Mnllets a]ii)roaches along the
coast or i-oves outside the (piays or flood-gates of the
harbours, in August and Sei)teml)ei' in particidar, a
busy fishery is pursued on land and in boats. The
active fishes are often taken without biting, tiie hook
catching in tiie belh' or tail or some other part of the
bodv. The fishermen call these catches stolen fish [roU),
and know the bite h\ its uncommon strength, at least
three times that of an ordinary bite. These occurrences
explain the old myth that the ^lullet first takes the
precaution of sti'iking the liait with its tail (Ovid). In
other places a bait of dough or something similar is used.

The most usual and most pi-oductive fishery, how-
ever, is carried on with seine and net. The cautious-
ness of the Mullets and their leaping-powers necessitate
the use of special tackle, as for instance trammels, nets
with a double head-line or back floating at the surface
etc. In some places it is customary to spread straw
in front of the seine, it being supposed that the fish
dare not leap bet^veen the straws.

The largest catches of ^lullets ai-e made, to the
best of our knowdedge, in the Mediterranean and the
Gulf of Mexico and <mi the Atlantic coast of Florida.
In recent times it has l)een supposed' that the species
which is commonest on both sides of Amei'ica (the Mu-
(j'll albiila of LiXN.EUs), is identical witli the species
most important in the Mediterranean, Mugil cepJialus,
Avhich is foreign to the Scandinavian fauna, but of Avhich
we have the fullest information. On tlie east coast of
Florida, according to Buowx-Goode (1. c), we may
distinguish between "thi-ee ])eriods of schooling or se-
parate I'uns of Mullet. The "June Mullet" average
about five to the pound; the "Fat Mullet," which are
taken from August 20 to October 1, weigh aliout two
pounds; these have, the fishermen say, a "roe of fat"
on each side as thick as a man's thumli. Tlie "Roe
Mullet" weigh about two and a half pounds, and are
caught in November and until Christmas. Between the
seasons of the "Fat Mullet" and "Roe Mullet" there is
an intermission of two or tln-ee weeks in the fishing."
Fishes of a greater weight than 3 kgni, are exceptional,
though specimens 58 cm. long and 5 kgm. in weight
are on record. In this genus, however, the largest
fishes are hx no means the most highly esteemed.

" Xouv. Diet. Gen. d. Pechcs, article Mulct.
'' .IiiKiiAN and SwAi.N, Prnc. U. S. Nat. Miis.,

VII (1HK4), p. 263.

OHAV MUI,I-KTS.

333

The Gray Mullets Ix'loiiii' to the nidst prolific of
fishes". They are said to s|i;nvii in coiniiai-afively shallow-
water, where tlic holtoiii is weedy, sand\', muddy or
strewn with shells, aud, aceordinu' to Stkaun's observa-
tions in the Gulf of Mexico, at spots where the wa.t.er
(•haiiges from salt to fresh with the ebb of the tide, at
a temperature of froui 70° to 75° Fahr. Fat and de-
lieious as it is before the spawnin<?-seasou, the Gray
Mullet is afterwards thin, lean and unfit for food. In
the countries bordering' <hi the Mediterranean a caviare
of great reputation, known as lidhirf/o, is prepared from
the ovaries. From the age of H to ."> months, accord-
ing to Stkarx, the Gray Jilullet is from 1 to 2' ^ in.
long, and is found in great ((uantities near shore. During
the first year it is said to grow to a length of about
S in. and during the second to 12 or 13 in., when it
weighs about a pound and a (piarter. When it returns
to shore from its wanderings out at sea, it changes
colour. In the open sea the back is gloss}' blue, in
tlie inlets light lirown, and in fresh water of a dark
Im'owii colour.

In large aquaiia the Gray Mullets may be kept
alive without difficulty for lengthy periods. There are
instances to show that these tishes, where coniined to
fresh water, may even become fatter than in the open
sea/'. The Frenchman Viimi/' asserts that he has cul-
tivated or rather reared thousands of Mullets in jjonds.
Cauew, the Cornish historian, according to (^ouch'',

had formed a pond on a branch of the Tamar, in which
Mullets were fed at regular periofis, and they were
flrawn together to the appointed spot at the sound made
by the chopping of their food.

Gi'.\ ruKi; divided the genus Mugil — if we now
follow (ill, I, and separate from it Chfrncnmifjil and llhvno-
mujjU — into three groups, corresponding to Cuvieu's
three chief sjM'cies, MiifiiJ rrplicdus, capita and chela.
The fu'st group is marked \ty the well-developed adipose
nuMubrane o\'er the eyes, both in front of and behind
the piijiil, and the slight tumiditv of the upper lip;
the second is without the adipose membrane, but also
without the swollen upper li]); and the third is distin-
guished by the ])rominent tumidity of the upper lip.
The hi-st group, wiiich is wanting in the Scandinavian
fauna, is spread both over the ( )ld and New Worlds,
the other two belong exclusively to the Easteiai Hemi-
sphere. Within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna
three species have been found, which may be most
easily distinguished as follows:

A ; Heiglit (thickness) of tlie upper lip at least
about 11) % of the length of tlie iiead behind
the eyes Muyil chelo.

B : Height of the upper lip at most about 12 Vo
"i of the length of the head behind the
eyes:
a: Length of the ventral fins at most about

70 "o of that of the pectoral fins Mugil auratu!<.

h: Length of the ventral fins at least about

80 % of that of the pectoral fins Muyil capito.

" Oi.SKN, Fiscal. Atl.. pi. 30, estimates the uuiuber of the eggs in a female specimen of j]fiiyil capito at thirteen niillion, an estimate
whieh is probably too high, for the eggs, according to R.4FFAei,e (Mittli. Zool. Stat. Neap. Bd. 8, p. 77), are 1 mm. in diameter when the
embryo has begun to develop, as was the case with the eggs he found during the summer months. They are said to develop while floating
at the surface.

'' Arnold, Proc. Zool. Soc. London 18.51. p. 120 and Yarr., Brit. FisJi., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 239.

'■ Bull. Soc. Zool. d'Acclimat., ser. 2, tome IV (18(57), p. 190. According to this writer it is possible, with the usual precautions,
to keep from 600 to 800 Mullets, between 2.0 and 40 cm. in length, in a pond of an area of 25 — 30 square metres and a depth of about
l'/, metres.

F/.sV/. Brit. hi..

Ill, p. 13.

i

884

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE THICK-LIPPED GRAY MULLET.
MUGIL CHELO.

Plate XV, tig. 11.

Adipose memhnine romnl the ei/es oiili/ slii//>fli/ developed. Upper Up sirollen and thick, its heie/ht in front, i)i
specimens from :27 to 4~> cm. long, measnrinf/ at least about '/,„ (!>-7" — 11 2 %) of the total length of the head.
18" to 21 % of the length of the head behind the eges, :',<)' to Sn % of the length of the snout, 26 to 32 % of
the breadth of the month or 27'' to 3H % of the length of the loirer jan\ Upper lij), in full-groivn specimens at
least, famished nith two or more transcerse nnrs of tnbercles on the loirer part. lAingth of the snont {distance
hetn-een the eyes and the middle of the npper Up n-hen drtiirn bach) distiuctlji more than half {.')9 — ()2^u %) of
the length of the head behind the ei/es, n-hieli, in sxiecimeus of the ((bore size, measures at most ' ;, {lO'S — 11 2 %)
of the length of the bodg. 54 % of the total length of the head, 55 % of the greatest depth of the hodg or 25^1^ %
of the distance between the frst dorsal Hn and the lip of the snout. Length (f the loirer Jair more than (ji2 %
{62 3 —09 '!o) of the length of the head behind the eges. and the breadth of the mouth more than 63 % {63 3 —
7T1 %) of the latter. Breadth of the inlerorbifal space at least about SO % {79 — 90 %) of the length of the
head behind the eges. Length of the head us a rule distinctly less than 24 % {22 — 23 %) of the length of the
body minus the caudal fn or than 49 % {45 — 48'3 %) of the distance between the first dorsal fin and the tiji of
the snout. Least depth of the tail more than S5 % of the length of tJie head behind the eges and at least about
61 % {6(/7 — 66 %) of the length of the pectoral fins, irliicJi is at most 16 % of the length of the body or 4S %
of the distance between the ventral fins and the tip if tlie smnit. Base of the second dorsal fin more than '"' ^
{SO — 90 ?6) of the base of the anal fin. them ^/^ {68 — 76 %) if the length of the head behind the i^yes or than
36 % (37 — 40 %) of the total length of Uii' head. Length of the rent rat fins abont 80 % {71 — SY^/a %) of that
of the pectoral fins. Middle groove of the roof of the pharynx confinued forward in the roof of the palate,
where it is bounded on each side by a longitudinal, rounded elevation. The tongue, which is highly and sharplg
carinated, fits into this palatine groore. Hind extremity of the preorbital bone obliijuelg truncate, irith the lower
corner rounded. Hind {lower) e.rtremity of the maxillary bones externcdly visible, eren irlien the mouth is closed.
Chin-space usually small and narrow, its breadth being less than half that of either of the branches of the lower

jair at fhr hind extn-mity.

n. bi: 6: I>. 4j9 ('2 + 7 1. 1+8); A. 'i,, 1. 3,,; P. 1 1. 2 + 1.0
1. U!: V. ' ..,; C. .r+V2+x\ Squ. tin. Int. 43—47: tin. tr. 1.'!- 16.

Sipi. Vlielon. KoNDEi.., Dc Pise. lib. IX, cap. \"; cc-tt. vide Artedi,
Syn. Pm-., App., p. 118.
Mmjil cepliahiK, var. B, Dei.aroche. Ann. Miis. D'Hist. Nat.,
tome XIII, pp. 318 et 358, tab. 21, fig. 7; M. ceplialus,
ScHAGERSTH., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1820. p. 00, lab. Ill, fig. 1,
tab. IV, figg. 1—6.
Mngit clielo, Cuv., Eegn. Anim.. ed. 2, torn. II, p. 232; Bonap.,
Fn. Itul., toivi. Ill (Pesci). tab. No. 01; Cuv., Val., Hist.
Nat. Poiss., vol. XI, p. 50, tab. 309, fig. sup.; Yarr., Brit.
FisJ}., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 241; Thomps., Nat. Hist. Irel., vo].
I\', p. 100; NiLss., Stcanil. Fn., Fisk.. p. 177; Gthr, Cat.
Brit. Mus., Fisli., vol. Ill, p. 464; Steind., Stzber. Akad.
Wiss. Wien, Matli. Naturw. CI., LVII, i (1868), p. 683;
Coll., Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874, Tillivgsb., p. 88; ibid.,
1879 No. 1, ].. GO; WiNTii., Zool. Dan., Fid-e. p. 16, tab.
Ill, fig. 4; Naturli. Tidskr. Kblivu, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 24;

<" Exceptionally 8-7.

" „ 16-3.

"■ „ 26-0.

" „ 260.

Mult.. Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., imn. Ill, p. 105; 1>.\V. Fisli.

Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 232, tab. LXVII; Mod.. Hcke,

Fisclie d. 0.sts., p. 02; LiLU., Sv., Norg. Fisle., vol. I, p. 396.
Mugil capita. NiLSS., Proilr. Iclitli. Scand.. p. 69; Ii>., 6'l>aiid.

Fn., Fist:, p. 176.
.^flll/il cio-tiis, Yarr., Brit. Fisli.. ed. 1, vol. I, p. 210; ed. 2,

vol. I, |i. 245. Vide Day, 1. e.
Mngil cnrriigatiis. Lowe, Fisli. Mudtira. p. 165, tab. XXII.
Mngil septentrioualis, Gthr, 1. c., p. 455; Malm, Ghgs, Boli.

Fn.. p. 474.

Tlu' Thifk-lipped Gray Mullet probably attains a
greater length than am' other species of this genus.
As a rule its length probably does not exceed 6 dcm.
(including the lobes of the caudal tin), which is the
maximum .size ascribed by Moheau to this species. On
the coast of Norway, however, Coli.ett has met with

THICK-LIl'PKI) r,]{.\\ MUM.KT.

335

specimens of as great a length as (i().") nmi.. and ac-
cording to Dav the s|)('ci('s nia\' attain a leiigtli ot i)
dm. and a weight of (!"/'.t i<gui. The oi'iginal of our
tigiire is a smaller specimen, a female measuring >> dcm.
from tlie tip of the snout to the end of the middle
caudal rays, in -which oik' or two of tiic points most
characteristic of the spcicies ha\-e not yet become so
distinct as they sometimes do in other cases. In this
genus too, the signiticance of the changes of growth
represents the appearance of the specific differences;
and among the Scaudiuaxian species MufjU rlicJo oecn-
])ies the highest raid< in the generic series of develo])-
ment. The character froin^ which the English name of
the species is derived, the tumidity of the upper lip,
which is usualh' so marked that the height of this lip
is considerably more than half the longitudinal dia-
meter of the eye (from about (JO to 70 % thereof), in
our specimen measures only 53 ?^ thereof or only slightly
more than it ma^' measure, thougli it be only in ex-
ceijtional cases, in full-grown specimens of Miigil cdji'ifo.
Similar changes of development in conjunction with
individual variations, render the species of this genus
extremely difficult to determine. Thus we tind in the
above list of synonyms that this species has borne the
name of all the three chief species of the genus.

In its general appearance, apart from the structure
and ])osition of the fins, the Thick-lipped Gray Mullet,
like the two following species, reminds us of a broad-
backed Herring or (TWA'uiad; but the broad-topped,
slighth' convex and, for the most part, scaly head",
with the broad snout, at once gives the Gray Mullets
a distinctive feature. The colour is not unlike that of
the Herrinij, Ijcing- a briffht, irreenish steel-blue on the

back'' and silvery on the bell\-, but marked with the
singular, longitudinal, blue streaks, seven or eight in
nund)er, on the sides of the body. Tlw^ gill-co\er is
of a bright golden lustre, which, in xoiing sjtecimens
at least, is visible through the scales. The pectoi'al
tins (scaly at the base) are pale and transparent, but
moi'e or less strongly tinged with yellow and with a
more or less distinct black spot at the upper |)art of
the base. The ventral Hns, like the belly, are milk-
white witli a silvery lustre. All the vei-tical fins are
more or less distinctly gra\ . At least the fir.st three
vay?, of the first dorsal tin are covered on the broader
side with small scales, and all the rays of this fin are
of the same colour as the back. The second dorsal fin
and the somewhat paler an;d fin (both covered with
small scales on the fin-membrane in front and at the
base at least), as well as the caudal fin (with more
numerous scales both on the fin-membrane and at the
base of the rays), are ashy blue, which is also the pre-
dominant colour of the iris, though it has an inner
i-ing of a golden colour next the pu])il, which is black.
The greater ))art of the upper lip is grayish blaek, but
inferiorly it grows paler and is white at the margin.
Such was the appearance of the young specimen which
Mr. ('. A. Hanssox forwarded to the Royal Museum
from Stronistad, immediately after its capture.

The chief characteristics of the older specimens are
the comparativelv short head'', the lower (more elongated)
shape of the body'', the sometimes greater relative distance
between the tip of the snout and the first dorsal fin', the
somewhat shorter ventral fins-' and the somewhat shorter
base of the anal fin^, while the lower lobe of the caudal
fin seems to become shortei- and shorter than the upper.

" Tlie breadtli (jf ttie head beliind (straiglil across tlie posteridr part (if tlie sill-cuver) is about --j "f its length. From this point
tlie body tapers evenly towards the caudal fin, the breadtli (thickness) at the beginning of the first dorsal fin being about equal to or slightly
greater than tlie least depth of tlie tail.

'' Cf., however, the above remarks on tlie variations of colour lielonging to different localities.

■■ In the specimens from Bohuslan behmging to the Royal Museum, between 207 and 416 mm. long, the relative length of the head
decreases witli increasing age from a.^^'l to 22 K of llie length of the body miivi:i the caudal fin, and the length of the head behind the eyes
decreases in tlie same manner from 12'2 to 11'6 °i of the latter length.

'' The greatest depth of tlie body (at the beginning of the first dorsal fin) decreases in the manner just described from 21' ^ to 19' ,
°i of the length of the body (from the tip of the snout to the end of llie middle caudal rays); and the length of tlie liead behind the eyes
thus increases from 51'7 to 54"8 "o of the greatest depth of the body.

'' This distance increases, in the above specimens, from about 44 to about 45''.^ % of the length of the body or from about 69 to
about 7?j \ of the distance between tlie ana! fin and tlie tip of the snout, hut (iroves to be somewhat greater in the males than in the fe-
males. This change of growth is more distinctly shown in comparison with llie length of llie head, which decreases from 48 to 45 K of
llie distance between the first dorsal fin and tlic tip of the snout.

■' The relative length of lliese fins diminishes in the above specimens from IS'S In 11 \ of the length of the body or from about
86' , to about 74 % of tlie length of the pectoral fins.

:' The length of the base of this fin diminishes in tlie above specimens from lO'l to 8-8 ". of the length of the body or from 100
to about 90 \ of the least deptli of tlie tail.

386

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The extei'iial dift'ereiices betAveeii tlie sexes are not
very distinct, but, to judge by the specimens before
us", they seem remarkable enougli. In the males the
pectoral fins are generally longer'', tlie annl tin higher''
and the belly shorter'' than in the t'eniales' ; and in the
former the uppei- lip is ajjparcntly thicker Mnd the lower
jaAV sliorter-^.

The Thick-lipped Grnv Mullet is the only repre-
sentative of its genus that may uin-eservedly be re-
cognised as a stationary fisli in Scandinavia. ( )n the
Norwegian coast, up to the neighbourliood of Bergen,
it is taken so often that it can scarcely be considered
rare, though it does not occur in sufficient quantity
to give rise to an)- special fishery. At some spots,
says CoLLETT, in Fla-kke Fjord for cxinnijle, it has been
taken on a few occasions in no inconsiderable nundier.
On the coast of Bohuslan it is ]-arer, and only solitary
specimens seem to occur there. The Royal Museum
has i-eceived 7 examples of this species from Bohuslan
since 1837, when a specimen .") dcm. hnig was taken
in October by Fries, off Bassholm. During the last
ten years Mr. C. A. Hansson has sent in 4 specimens
from Stromstad, which were taken l)etween May and
July. The Museum of Gothenburg, according to Malm,
received 5 specimens, which had been taken in Bohus-
lan between September and November, from 1851 to
18(jU. We have other specimens from Bohuslan — 6

in all — recorded in Ekstrom" and Cedewstijom''. The
Thick-lipped Gray Mullet is common enough on the
west coast of Denmark, where, according to Winther,
it sometimes enters Liim Fjoi-d and the River Ribe.
On the east coast of Jutland, according to Warming",
it occurs annualh" in Kolding Fjord, wdiere it is taken
during Septcnd)er and (October, oftcnest after storms,
in nets on a sandy bottom. In the Sound, off Lands-
krona, several specimens were found in August, 1828,
liy Scha(;erstrum, who was the first to claim this spe-
cies for the Swedish fauna. According to MOinus and
Heincke solitarv specimens have l)een taken on several
occasions, in September and October, in Heri'ing-seines
in Kiel Bay; 1)ut in tlie iiuier parts of the Baltic it is
still unknown.

However, the Thick-lipped Grav Mullet, like the
otlier Scandinavian species of this genus, has its true
home, where it occurs in shoals, and Avhere a fishery of
great value is carried on for it. farther south. North-
\vard from the Mediterranean and the .\tlantic outside,
it is found in great numbers up to the English Channel,
the Irish coast and the west coast of England and Scot-
land. It is apparently rarer on the east coast of Scot-
land; but is fairly common, accoi'ding to Day, even
among the Orkney and Shetland Islands. (_)n the coast
of Madeira it is common, according to Lowe, and also
among the Canary Islands, according to Steindachner.

" Of the specimens belonging to the Royal Museum three are females and two males, while the specimen described and bequeathed
to tlie Museum by Schagkiisthum is probably a male from wliicli all the viscera have been removed.

'' More than 15 "o of the lengtli of the body {though in one of the males this proportion = 1.')'2) or than 61 % <'f the length of
the belly from the outer point of the insertion of the ventral fins to the beginning fif the anal fin.

<■ The height measuring more than 12 "» of the length of the body. Tlie length of the base of the second dorsal fin is thus less
than 70 % of the height of the anal fin.

'' The distance between the outer point of the insertion of the ventral fins to the beginning of the anal fin is less than 31 "o of the
length of the body, and the length of the head more than 67 % of the former.

' In all three females the length of the pectoral fins is less than 49 "o of tlie length of the belly from tlie outer point of the in-
sertion of the ventral fins to the beginning of the anal fin, the height (longest ray) of the anal fin at most 11 "<. of tlie lengfli of the body,
and the length of the belly, as measured above, between 31 and 32'/3 % of the length of the body.

■^ In the three females the height of the upper lip is from 18 to 18',o % of the length of the head behind the eyes and from 27
to 29 % of the length of the lower jaw, while in the two males the former proportion is from 20 to 20'8 % and the latter from 31 '6 to
33"3. In the third male, however, we find an exception to the ordinary characters of the species, the height of the upper lip measuring only
16'3 % of the length of the head behind the eyes and 25 % of the length of the lower jaw.

'■' Gbgs Vet. Vitt. Samb. Handl. New series, vol. 1, 1850, p. 37.

'' Ufvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 187t5, No. 4, p. 65.

' Tidskr. f. Fiskeri, 2:den Aarg. (1868), p. 122.

<;i!AV Ml I.I.KTS.

Sy,7

THE GOLDEN MULLET.
MUGIL AUHATUS.

Adiiinsr mcmhr(i)ic rainid Ihc. ci/cs oiili/ slifjlitli/ ilcrclojicil. l/iii/lil of the kjijxi I/ji (it most" (il/aiil ,3 {li'--i —
7-1 %) of the total Iviif/tli of the head, 11—1^\\ % of ih- tniiith of thr head t,ch'nal the eyes, about :J4 % {2U-2
—:H':i %) of the louith of the snout, 19' ,—22 % of the breadth of thr mouth or 20—23 % of the lerif/th of the
loirer /(ur. Xo luhcnlrs 011 the surfaee of the upper lip. fj-iif/th of the snout about ' „ (')0—'j2'3 %) of the leufjth
of thr head behind the ei/es, uhicli wr((sures id/out 12 % {1T7 —12'4 %) of the leuf/th of the bodi/, 57 % {'>(J'7 —
r,7 7 %) of the tot(d Irujith of the hi'ud. .">7' .,— 6'.:7' ,, % of Ihr f/rridrsl di'plh of Ihr hod,/ or 27'^ ., % {27-3 —
27'7 %) of tlir d/.-itaiicr behrrri/ thr Jirsl ilorsid fii and thr tip of the snout. Ijiiiilh ol llir lou<-r jair less than

6(! % {54 — Jo'/, %) of the leuf/th of thr head behind the eyes, of u-hi< h Ihr breadth of Ihr luouth measures less
than (!l % {54 — ('>(y2 %). Breadth of Ihr iutrrorbilal space at most (dioul 78 % {72' 2 — //"'■v %) of the lenf/th of
thr head behind Ihr ri/es. Lenf/lh of thr head as a rule distinctli/ Irss than 24 % {22'4 — 2:'/:', %) of the lenyth of
the body minus the eauilal fn or than 4!) % {48 — 48'() %) of the distance betu-een the first dorsal fin and the tip
of the snout. Least depth of thr fail less than 75 % {(18 — 73'G %) of the kuyth of the head behind the eyes and
at most about 54 % {48'1 — 5:r5 %) of the lenylh of the pectoral fns, uhich measures at least }(;' , % (l(r7 —
17'5 %) of the lenylh of the body or '2 {50'3 — 50'6 %) of the distaurr befu-ern the rmtral fns and the lip of
thr snout. Base of the second dorsal fin more than ^■^ {78—10.'j\., %) of the base of the anal fin, than '' - (tit; —
69 %) of the lenylh of the head behind the eyes or than 3(! % {37-5 — 3!r8 %) of the total leuyfh of the head.
Lenyfh of the reutral fins at most about "/g {62\.,—(J8 ?4) of that of the pectoral fins. Middle yroore of the roof
of the pharynx rontinued foru-ard — thouyh less marked, shalloirer and broader than in the precediuy species —
in the roof of thr palate, ulirre, posteriorly at least, it is bounded by a longitudinal, rounded elevation on each
side. Tonyue also (in front at least) less sharply carinafed than in the preeediny species. Hind extremity of the
preorbital bone obliquely truncate, n-ith the lower corner rounded. Hind {lou-er) extremity of the maxdiary bones,
when the mouth is closed, eulirrly hidden or only a small portion of it externally risible, dreatest breadth of
the rhin-space more than half the breadth of either of the branches of the lower 'pur at Ihr hind cvtremity.

Fig. 8'.t. .Magil aitraOi.f from Hclmtslraiid (Cliristinnia Fjord), taken on tlit loth of June, 1880. ' 3 <.f tlie natural size. The original in

the possession of the Museum of Christiania.

R. In: G: />. 4 2 + 7 : A. '■' f,: P. 1 1. 2 + l(; I. 17: I'. ',; j .S'///i. .^fll(Jil aio-atiis, Risso, Mtli. Nice, p. 344; Hist. Xal. Eur.
(J. ,r+12+.r: ^V/h. //». liil. 47— 4'J'': tin. ti: 13 — 14^ .»/<>., toni. 3. p. 300: Bos.\r., F,i. Ital., Pefci. tab. Xo. 02;

" In the specimens hefore ns, which niensiire between 2.j and 45 cm. in length.
* 42 — 45, according to GCntheu.
■■ 14 — 15. according to More.^v.

Scandinavian Fi«hes.

43

338

SCAXDIXAVIAN FISHES.

\ Cuv.. Val., IliM. Xat. Poiss., vol. XI, p. 43, tab. 308;
Regne Anim. illnstr., Poiss., p. 165, tab. 76, tig. 1; Lowe,
Fish. Madeira, p. 163, tab. 23; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus.,
Fish., vol. Ill, p. 442; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien,
Natunv. CI., LVII, i (1868), p. 682; Wixth. Zool. Dan.,
Fiske, p. 17, tab. Ill, fig. 6; Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3,
vol. XII, p. 25: Lu.u., «S'f., JVorj. Fi/k., vol. I, p. 413.
Mugil capita, Hanss., Ufvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1880, No. 4,
p. 21; CoLi,. (p. p.), Nyt Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29
(1884), p. 72.

The Golden Mullet i.s evidently an intermediate
fovni between the othev two species of this genus that
niav he ineluded in the Scandinavian fauna. The upper
lip is most like that of JSEitgil capita: hut the shape
of the roof of the palate, as Lilljebokg has pointed
out, most closely resembles that of Mugil chelo. The
most distinctive character lies in the great length of
the pectoral tins; and it is on tliis account that Couch"
lias conferred up(jn it the name of Longfinned Grej'
]\Iullet. The name of Golden Mullet is derived from the
fact that in this species, it is stated, the golden-j'ellow
colour of the head, especially of a distinctly marked
spot on the gill-cover, in the living tish, is deeper than
in the other European species. In other respects, both
in colour, general appearance and size, it is essentially

like the other two Scandinavian species, though tlic
largest example of this species of which we have in-
formation, is somewhat under 52 cm. long.

The geographical extension of the Golden Mullet
coincides with that of the preceding species, though it
seems to l)e rarer nortli of the English Channel. Day
does not even include it among the fishes of Great
Britain and Ireland, (^nly three Scandinavian speci-
mens are known. The first, "a suiall Grav Mullet taken
on the 8th of November, 1852, in the Cattegat,"' is
mentioned by Wikthek (1. c.); the second, which is
295 nun. in length, measiu'ed to the end of the middle
caudal ravs, M'as taken bv .Mr. C. A. Hansson in a
Salmon-trap, oft" Stromstad, on the 12th of August,
1877; and the third, which measures 455 mm. to the
end of the middle caudal rays and 515 nun. to the
end of the upper lobe of the caudal tin, was caught,
according to Collett, oft" Holmestrand in Christiania
Fjord, on the ]5th of June, 1880. So great, however,
is the likeness that prevails among the Scandinavian
Gray Mullets, that it is quite possible that other in-
stances of the capture of this species may have failed
to attract attention.

« Fish. Brit. Is!., vol. Ill, p. 10.

iMrtilLID.K.

339

THE GRAY MULLET OR THIN-LIPPED GRAY MULLET.

]\IUGIL CAIMTO.
Fig. 90.

Adipose membrane rouiul the ci/cs oit/i/ slif/lifl// developed. /Icif/lit of the upper lip at niof<t" about '/u; (-^'-^ — f>''> %)
of the total leiif/tli of the head, !)—IO\l^ % of the tenffth of the head behind the ei/es, about '/- {l9'2~:J(rf; %)
of the length of the snout, about '/, {17"/,— 20 %) of the breadth of the mouth or also atiout '', (I(r7—2r2%)
of the Icnf/th of the barer jau-. No tubercles on the surface of the upper lip. Lene/th of the snotd about '/,
(•//^ ., — r)(}^ , %) of the leii(/th of the head behind the eyes, ichich measures about 14 % {13 — 14' 2 %) of the length
of the bod II, GO % {rjl-S—tlVo %) of the total length of the head, -/s i'^1'3 — G3'8 %) of the greatest depth of
the l>odii or rlO % {2 '.)'')—'■] 2' C) %) of the distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout. Length
(if the loirer jiiir and lircadfh of the mouth less than 50 % {the former 5/j — 48'5 %, the latter 54^/, — 51^^ %)
of the length of the head behind the ei/es. Breadth of the interorbital space at most 77 % {OO — 70':] %) of the
last measurement. Length of the head usuallg more than 24 % {25'S — 24 %) of tlie length of the l/odg minus
the caudal fin or than hidf {.')0 — '>■'> %) of the distance betireen the first dorsal fin and the tiji of the snout. Least
depth of the tail less than 7'j % {Oo — 72 %) of the length of the head behind the eges, but at least about 57 %
{57^!^ — 71 %) of the length of the pectoral fins, ichicli measures at most about 15 % {L5'3 — 14' H%) of the length
of the bodg or 44 % {44" U — 41 %) of the distance betireen the ventral fins and the tip of the snout. Base of
the second dorsal fin less than '^ ^ {74 — 05 %) of that of the anal fin, than V5 (57'V2 — ^-^ ^) (^.f '^'^ length of
the head behind the ei/es or than 35 % {33' 7 — 3T5 %) of the total length of the head. Length of the ventral
fins at least about 80 % {91 — 8'2'7 %) of that of the pectoral fins. Continuation of the middle groove of the
roof of the pharynx scarcely visible in the anterior part of the roof of the palate, which is evenly concave irifh-
out lateral ridges- Middle carina of the tongue loir. Bind extremity of the pneorbital bone truncate, mth both
corners almost rectangular. Hind {loirer) extremity of the maxillary bones externally visible even irhen the numth
is closed. Greatest breadth of the chin-space as a rule greater than the breadth of either of the branches of the

loirer jair at the hind extremity or at least equal to it.

Fig. 90. Muqil capita from Fla'kke Fjiml (Norway). ' ., the uatural size. Original in ilie possession of the Museum of Christiania.

E. br. (!; D. 4|l + 7 1. 8: A. ^\''\ P. 1 1. 2 + h; 1. 17; \ Si/ii. Mugil, VVir.i.UGHBV, Hist. Pise, ed. Rah, p. 274: Art., Gen.
V. ^;.; C. .r+12 + .r; Sqxi. liii. hit. 44 — 4G; liii. tr. 14 1. 1.5. j Pise, p. 32: Syn. Pise, p. 52; Spec. Pise. p. 71.

" In the specimens before us, wliich measure between 20 and .'50 cm. in length.
' Sometimes ^ o, according to Moreau and Day.

?.40

SCANDIXAVIAX FI.SHES.

Mugil cephahis, p. p.. LlN., iSijst. Nat., ed. X, toiii. I, p. ;')1G.

M'ligil Clip/to, Cuv., li.egii. Aiiim., ed. 2, toin. II, p. 232;
BoNAi'., Fii. It'll. Pcid, fiib. No. !)2; Cuv., Val,, HiH. Nat.
Foiss., vol. XI. p. 3l">. tab. 308; Kroy., iJanm. Fislr, vol. I,
p. 30(1; C4thi:, Cat. Brit. Jfiis.. Fish., vol. III. p. 4311. ■
Steisd., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. AVieii, Math. Naturw. (_']., LVII, i
(1868), p. 680; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Cbrist. 187!), No. 1,
p. 60; Moil., Hist. Nat. Foiss. Fr., toiii. Ill, p. 188; Day,
Fisli. Gt. Brit, Ird., vol. I, p. 230, tab. XLVI; Lill.i..
6'i-., Noi-g. FisI,'., vol. I. p. 408.

This species perhaps attains tlic sainc size as the
Thick-lipped Gray Mullet, and is just as little distin-
guished from it l)y any strikinii' difference in form or
colour, as the preceding species. The most distinct
characteristic of the Gray Mullet is that, among the
Scandinavian species of this genus, it has been arrested
at the lowest stage in tlie common course of develop-
ment. This development, although it does not seem

to have start(-d immediately from the Mediterranean
Mugil cejjlittliis, distinctly points to an original form
that essentially cori-esponded to it, both in the com-
l^aratively great length of the head — more than ^/^
the distance between the first dorsal hn and the tip of
the snout — and in the even, arched palate, not yet
furnished with lateral ridges like the roof of tlie pha-
rynx, l)ut, on the other hand, with papilli*, partly
hardened into teeth, on the lateral parts. We have
endeavoured to show the remaining characteristics of
this original form in the appended table of averages,
ba.sed on four specimens, from 196 to .SGS mm. long,
of Mugil rapifo, three, from 251 to 455 mm. long, of
Mngil iiitratiis, and six, from 2()7 to 452 mm. long, ot
Mugil ehclo. In tliis table arc also inserted the changes
of growth that have appeared in the last-mentioned
species in the respects under considei-ation.

.\ver:ii:e in Iht* <':ise ol"

Mufjil Muf/U
•njiito.

.Muf/ii chfln.

Lenjith of the body expres.ieil itj inilliinelrey ._

Length ot the heail in °,; of thiit of the body

„ ,, ,, ,. i)eliinil the eyes „ ,, ,, .. ,, ,, „ ,,. , _

„ ., , „ „ „ the distanee between the first dorsfil tin .Tud tlie tip of the snout.

,, ,. .. .. Ijeliind I be eyes ,, ., ,, .. .. .. .. .. ., ,. ., .; ., ,, ,, ,,

Breadth of the uioiilb in % of Ihe length of the lieml

Least breadtli of tlie iulerorbital spnee in °h of the Ieni,'th of the head behind the eyes

Length of the suont ,, ,, ,, ., , _

., ., ., lower jaw __, „ ,, „ ., .. .. ..

Least depth of the tall _. ., .. .. ., .. .. .. „ ,, ,, _

Length of the base of the anal tin in 'i of the least depth of the tail

Height of the upper lip in % of the length of the head _

„ ., „ ., ,, ,. „ ., ,. ,, ,, ,, ., behind the eyes

„ ,, ,, ,, ,. ., ,, „ .. ,, ,, ,, snout

,, , ,, ,, .. ,. , lower jaw _ _

,, ., ., ,, ., ,, ., ., ,, l>readth of the mouth

Length of the base of the seeond dorsal tin in % of the length of the head behind the eyes

Length of Ilie peetoral tins in "■!> of the length of tlie ijody

,, ,, ,. ,. ., ,, ,, ,, the distnnee between the ventral tins and the tip of the snout

,, „ ,, ventral .. ,, ,, ,, the length of the peetoral fins _ _

Least depth of the tail ., ,, ,. ,, ,, „ ,, ,, ,, _

267
22, s

13.8
51.9

30.9

31.4

70.8
49.3
53,8
68.8

112.9

5.8
9.9

20.0
18,8

18.7

55.3

14.G
42,9

86.8
63.5

337

21.2

12.1
48.2
27.3
32. G
75,9
51,1
54.5
70,8
106.9

6,7
11.8

23,0

21,6

20,7
67.2
17.0
50. .5
64,5

I .'.0.,5

271
20.9
11.0
46.9
24.9
35.0
62.9
60.5
63.0
88, G
97.9

10.5
19.G

32.5

31,2

29,9

73,8

15.4

45.3

80.0
64.1

363

20.6

10,9

46,3
24,7
35.6
86.8
60.9
64,4
88,9
95,9

9,8
18.6

30.7
29.1
28.0

71.4
15.3

46.1
76.7
63.5

in al

the first ten of the above I'elations the series stafting-point of the common development. The next

I

advances in tlie same direction, ami is followed b}^ the
changes of growth in Mugil c/irhi. A comparison be-
tween the first ;in(l tht

five relations (11 to 15 inclusive) show the mo.st dis-
tinctive character of Mui/il chela: luit it is singular that

third columns, in which the ' here the changes ol' growth in this species — as though

length ot the body is almost the same, shows the dis- ' it underwent a retrograde development — run in the

tinctix'c cliaractcristics of Mugil cnpifo, as well as o])posite direction to the form-sei'ies, which, on the

of the su])po.sed origin wliich may iiave l)ecn the other hand, follows the direction of the changes of

MALACi>rrEI!Vni.\NS.

;ui

in'nwtli ill Miii/il ((i/iilii, tn jikIu'c Ii\ till' spcci iiiciis wliicli li;is liccii kiiiillv Iciil lis tor cNiimiiiiitioii 1)\ I'ro-
licforc us". Ill ilic Kith ri'l;iti<iii we ii^iiiiii find :\ cliii- i fessui' ('oi.uri r, wcliiid ^fvcriil exceptional peculiarities,

r.'iclcr 111' Miif/il ((iji'ilti: luit here the lurni-series toilows e. li'. the iiiiusiiMlly suiall ej'cs'' iiiid the irrcat depth of

(he rhaiiucs nl' i^iMwlli which appM rciilh' affect Mi(f/il ihc ImkIn ', deviations which are prohahly, li<iwcver,

aitnitiis. Ill (he iii'xl ioiir relations ( 1 7 to 'iO iiiciusixe) only iiidix i(hiMl.

is expressed the iikjsI disliiiclivc chnraclei' of (lie last- The <jeo<.M'apirK;il raii;i'e of th<' (iray Mullet, ac-

iiieiitioiied species. cordiiiL;' to Dav, extciiils tis far south in the Atlantic

The <ir,i\ Midh'i is mie of ihe rarest visitors to as the ('ape of (Jood llojie. In the Xcn-th Sea it is
the ScMndin;i\ i;in fauna. Kuovi.i; and I'smakk alone ' said to lie rare, hut .ill the more cdniinon farther south,
have each reeeixcd one sjieciiiien. Ilolli these speoiinens
were oi nhout tlu? same size, measuring' about 4 dcm.
in length to the end of the lohes of the ciiudal tin, ;ind
were cnimht oil' the south const of XorwaA'. The fornun-

In the countries honleriiiL; <ni the Mediterranean, and
e\en on the west cixist of I ranee and the .south eoa.st
of Kniil.-ind, it ]irol)al)l\ enters fresh water more fre-
quenth than ;iii\- other species of the genus. In Al-

writer received his s|iecimen from (Tiristiania i'jord'', [ fliers, according;- to Guicmenot, it a.scends all the rivers,
the latter from I'la-kke fjord. In the latter specimen, it is al.so known in the lakes of Tunis ami in the Nile.

Here end the .\canthopter\u'ian I>leiitliero.L:n:ites
that lielonii' to the Scandin:i\ ian fauna: the followinif
forms are soft-tinned, M((lii(<)ptcri/(/li. generally witiiout
sjiinous ra\s and with onh' articulated rays, both in
the vertical and the ventral tins. As in the preceding
Eleutherognates, we have liere too, to distinguish be-
tween Pilar vngognates and Lysiphar\ngians, and liere,
as there,' wt' set the Pharyngognates first, though in
one of the pcjints most characteristic in other cases the_y
bear traces of the lower stages of dexelojimeut of the
Teleosteous type. In tin- Pharyngoguate Malacoptery-
,irians, though the ventral fins are furnished with the
number of ravs tvpical of the Phv.soelysts (ti), they are
set far back or abdominal, and the ])elvie bones bear,

at the hind outei- corner, an erect ])rocess, the Ganoid
nature of which we can more easily realise by com-
paring it with the analogous sfi-ucture in the Stickle-
backs (ditstcfiistchlif). Furtherniore, on account of the
])osition of the \cntral fins, the Pharyngognate Mala-
co|iter\giiins li;i\e iisiiiilK' been ranged lo\v down in
the sv.stem, beside tiie Pikes an<l other Physo.stoms.
lint ;iparr from their closed air-bl;idder. which gives
them a ])lace among the Phy.socly.sts, they show such
close re.semblance to the (irnv Mullets that for the sake
of this connexion we allow the above-mentioned morpho-
logical reason — the higher degree of metamorphosis
expressed by the coalescence of the lower pharyngeals
— to decide their place in the system.

" We must rcninrl;, liowever, lliiit in eslimaling tlic above avernge we could gain access to no young specimen of Miijil <A(7.>: and
il is by no means unusual lliat tlie relations whicli exist during youtli, are reversed in older specimens.

'• That KaoYEli's specimen really belonged lo this species, is shown by the measurements he has given. According to these the length
of the base of the second dorsal fin was .35 ". of the length of the head and 74 % of the length of the base of the anal fin, which was
11 •', of the length of the body measured to the end of the middle rays of the caud.il tin. The length of the head was 51 % of the distance
between (he tirst dorsal fin and the tip of the snout.

'" Their diameter is only about 12 % .>f the total length of the head and 20 % of the length of the head behind the eyes, while in
other examples of this species, as well as of the other two, these jiroportions respectively decrease with age from about 10 •» to 17 or 16 •.
nn<l fn.m ?,?, or 34 % to 20 or 28 V

'' The greatest ilepth of the body is 32' ., ', of the length thereof, while the highest i>riiportion reached hy this mea>nrenienl in other
specimens of Afiii/il capito, as well as in Miujil auratus, is only 20',, '••

342

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

SINENTOGNATHI.

Malacopieriigian Eleutherognates wifh fJ/c loircr i>li(tri/nf/e<ils itiiitccL Ilodi/ coverciJ iritli a/cloid scales, the lateral
line set low doini and followinn a raised roir of distinct scales alonr/ each side of the hellij. Dorsal fin situated
on the caudal jiart of the hodi/, and the anal Hn analof/ous to if in sltapc and position. Ventral fins cdidiimimd.
Nasal cavities open. Air-hladder, irhen present, gener(dhi large and sometimes internally divided info cells. I'seudo-
hranchire f/la»dnlar and dverr/roirn. Branvhiostegal rags generalhj more tluoi 10. Digestive canal simple, straight,

with scarcehj distingiiishalile stoinacli and n'ifhont piihiric appendages".

Even in Johannes Mllleu'' this series of piscine
forms was essentially defined, in cli;! meters and contents,
as a distinct family, Seomhresoces, or, regarded as a sub-
order, Fhargngognathi malacopterggii. It was an extract
from the older genus Esox of Linx/eus and Cuviee,
which had, however, been previously broken up, first by
Rafinesque'' and afterwards bv Cuviek himself and

Not only are tlie structure and function of the pharyn-
geal apparatus entirely different, the upper pharj'ngeals
being comparatively small, l)ut strong and closely set
with teeth, the lower also furnished with teeth and still
further strengthened by tiieir coalescence; but, in addi-
tion to this, the straight, but fairly ^vide, intestinal canal,
which, however, gradually grows narrower posteriorly, and

BoNAPAKTE. The last ^vriter arranged tliese forms in | is without any distinct stomach, otters the most entire

two subfamilies'', Belonini and Exocoetini, ^vithin the contrast to the winding digestive canal of the Mugiloids.

family of the Pikes. Cote united tliem'" into a distinct (_>ne of the most remarkable characteristics of the

suboi-der among the Physoclysts under the name of Synentognates appears in the smelling-organ. Tlie nost-

Sgncntognathi.

lu the external ap]>earance of the body these fishes
show a distinct resemblance to the Gray Mullets in the
more or less broad and flat dorsal side, especially at
tlie head, the greater part of which is here too, covered
with scales. The high position of the pectoral tins also
suggests this likeness, which is still more strongly ex-
pressed in the structvu'e of the skeleton. Here too, the
skull is broad and flat at the top. with excessively large
frontal bones and witliout ridges, but with the back-
ward jirocesses from the squamosal l)ones (ossa pterotica),
the mastoids {ossa epotica) and the lateral occipitals well-
developed and often elongated, as we ha\ e found them
in Mugil. The spinous processes of the anterior ab-
dominal vertebra' are also longitudinally extended and
contiguous. (_)n tlie under surface of the Imsilar part
of the occipital bone, sometimes in the middle as well
as on the sides, we find downward jjrocesses resemlding
the analogous formations in the Carps.

In the other respects, however, the Synentognates
range themselves in sharji contrast to the Gray Mullets.

" According to Day the genus >Scoitihrcsox possesses pyloric appendages

'' Abli. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1844, Pliys. Abh., p. 170.

' See SwAiNSOX and Bi.eekek, 11. cc. Rai'INESQUE's work lias not been accessible to ns.

■^ Nuov. Anu. Sc. Nat., Anno II, tomo IV (Bologna, 1840), p. 274.

' Trans. Anier. Pliil. Soc, Pliilad., N. ser., vol. XIV, pp. 456 and 457.

/ Cu'v., Vai.., //?>/. Sat. Poiss., vol. XIX, p. .3.

'J L. c, p. 58.

'' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pldlad. 18t;3, p. 27.3.

'■ All. Ichth. I ml. Or. Need., toni. VI, p. Gl.

rils are open cavities, situated just in front of the eyes;
and the olfactory organ itself is set on a transverse
swelling or dermal fold that rises at the bottom of
each cavity.

In some of the species of the genus Hemiramphas
Valenciennes' found the air-bladder internally divided

ft'

into cells, calling to mind the similar formations in the
jjenus Amia : and Glnthek, who ranijed the Svnento-
gnates in close proximity to the Cyprinodonfidee, grounded
his opinion chiefly on the .sexual ditt'ercnce, first re-
marked l)v Valencucnnes", in those species of the genus
Hemiramphus, to a great extent fresh-water fishes, which
have subsequently been assigned bv Gill'' and Bi>eeisEu'
to the genus Zenarchopterus. In these species, which,
like the majority of the Cyprinodontidcc, are viviparous,
and in which the ova must, therefore, be fertilized within
the uterus, the males are distinguished partly by a
papilla ])ehind the xent and ])arth- by the advanced de-
velopment of .'iome of the rays of the anal fin (some-
times of the dorsal fin as well). These rays groxv longer
and thicker than the others, and sometimes ac([uire

Wc have failed to find anv.

SYNEXTOGNATES.

34S

psfiidoi'ins oil tlic liiiul iii.-iraiii, like llic still more pru-
iiiiiiciit Lirowlhs ill llic (i.-moid ii'ciius I'ohijitcniS.

Ill tlic Syneiitogiiiitcs tlic system ol' the latcrnl line
is inosf hiii'liK' (Icxcldjicd in the hitcrnl line ilsclf, wliicli
is sitii.'itcd Idw diiwn, .•nid ucncr.'dlv runs nlong" ii. soiuc-
w lint ('lc\;i.ted cai'iii;i on each side ol the belly t'roiu the

surface of tlie shell (tig. 91). By means of these fila-
ments the eggs ai'e united into c;lusters or attached to
seaweed or otlier objects at tlie liottoni of the sea, the
water in which \\u'\ lie, being thus constantly changed
b\- tiie ebb and f^o^v of the tide.

The Synentognates ai-e active surface fishes, the

)\\<'r anterioi- corner of the cla\ iciilar region to the liase ' great majovity of them being i)ela,gic; but some of them

of the caiulal till, being more or less complete thvough-
out its course. Sometimes, on the tail behind the anal
tin, it cur\('s iipwards on a middle carina along each side
of the liod\ , and ad\ances o\ er the membrane between
the middle viiA's of the caudal tin. However, the lateral
line, as usual, originates in the temporal region, and a
coiinecti\(' branch, which is often \isible e\ternalh% runs
downward liehind the pectoral fin and joins the ventral
branch below this point". The system of the lateral line
on the head generallv opens into a number of scattered,
small, round pores on the |)ostteinporal lione, the tem-
poral region, anteriorh- on the forehead above the eves,
.sometimes out on the interniaxillarA- l)ones, wlieii thev
are elongated, and also on the posterior and inferior
margins of the prcopcrculum, from which jioint the row
is continued on the branches of the lower jaw, when
th(>\- are elongated.

The ova of all these fishes, to the liest of our know-
ledge, ai-e furnished with filaments on the shell\ like
those we ha\e noticed abo\e in (ii)bhfi iiiger, but ar-
ranged in a different manner, being scattered over the

enter the lagoons, or, like several of the Mugiloids,

Fig. 91. Egg of a Garpilce enclosed in the shell, which is furnished
with lentaciilai' threads on the surface. The egg had undergone fer-
tilization 3 h. "23 min. previously. Germinal disk (17) divided into
8 segments. Magn. H'/g diani. After Ryder.

ascend the rivers, or are even statioiiar\' fresh-water or
brackish-water fishes. According to GCnther's Catalogue
about 180 species have been named, defined with more
or less certaintv and distributed among 5 genera. Gill
and Bi.EEKEii have subsequenth' adopted 13 di.stinct
genera for these forms. ^lost writers have included all
the Synentognates in one single farailv,

k AM. S C 0 M K R E S 0 C 1 D M,

the characters of \\hich thus coincide with those already given for the whole group.

On account of the diffei-ence in the jaw-teeth, hoAv-
ever, GiLL^ established two families: Beloiiida, with
sharp, s])arse teeth, and Sroiiibreso(id(P, with small jaw-
teeth or destitute thereof. Bleeker (Afl. Ichth.) adopted
four subfamilies: Scomhrp.soc'i formes, with both jaws
elongated and with finlets behind the dor.sal and anal
fins; Masfacx'Dibeli formes, also with both jaws elongated,
but without finlets; Ilemiramphiformes, with only the
lower jaw elongated like a spear-head, the ujijier jaw
forming a triangle in front of the snout proper; and

" We have not succeeded in finding a trace of the upper lateral line, which according to V.\lenciennes (Cuv., Val., Hist. Kat. Foiss.,
vol. XVIII, p. 406) and Bonaparte (Fii. Ital, torn. Ill, 2 — Pcsci — Belone acus) runs along the upper part of the sides of the body.
Yai.encie.nnes states, however, that ho has been able to trace the lateral nerve throughout the »-hole of its course.

' HvECKEL, MOli.er's Arch. f. Anat. 185.'), y. 23, tail. IV and V; KOi.i.ikkr. Verb. Pliys., Med. Ges. Wiirzh., vol. VIII (1858), p. 80;
UYnEi!, Bull. U. S. Fish. Coram., vol. I, p. 283, pi. XIX— XXl.

' An-. Fam. Fish., Smiths. Misc. Coll., Xo. 247. ]>. 14.

lastly, Exocoetiformes, with neither of the jaws elong-
ated into a l)eak. The first three subfamilies are fur-
ther distinguished from the fourtli l)y the fact that in
their case the maxillary l)ones are more or less firmly
united to the lateral parts of the hind superior margin
of the intermaxillary bones, in a manner which calls
to mind the .structure of the Plectognates, though here
these bones may more easily be distinguished from each
other, while the intermaxillary bones have a thin, but
liroad mar<fin straight across the snout, and articulate

344

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

with the anterior margin of tlie nasal bones. In the
Exocoetifonnes, on the other liand, the maxillary bones
lie free and mobile, in their ordinary position behind the
intermaxillary bones, each of whicli articulates by means
of a very short nasal process with the anterior end of the
ethmoid bone, being thus to a certain extent protrusile,
though generally only slight! j' so. This difference may

also lie expi'essed bv Bonapartk's arrangement of these
forms in two subfamilies, Belm/u/i and Exocoetini, though
he based the deiinitioii of these subfamilies only on the
greater or less elongation of the jjcctoi-al fins, a clia-
racter which is rendered untenable by the intermediate
forms. Like Bonapakte, though on different grounds,
we, therefore, divide these fishes into t^vo subfamilies.

Sl-cfamily KELONINiE.

Tntcnn((.iUl(trji bancs, irl/irJi iirc fiifircli/ ir'ithoiif lijis, ti)iiili/ iiuifcil to caeJt atJicr (uitl to flic uia.rillaii/ //o»c.s, and
iirt/ci(Jaliiif/ hij means of a broad cdi/c iritli the anterior viart/in of flic nasal bones. Lower jair {and often the

upper Jan: as n'efl) clonf/atcil info a ticak or sn'ord.

The Scandinavian fauna contains two species be- i -^^ ^nly one dorsal and one anal iin; no

1 • . .1 • 1 r -1 1 r xi J.- (inlets behind them Genus Rininihistoma.

longing to this subramily, each ot them reijresenting i „ „ ,.,.,-, r- i i i • , , , ,
'^ _^ ■' ^ ° \ B: Several (6—8) finlets behind the dorsal

a distinct genus: I f^n ^g well as the anal Genus Scuinbreso.r.

Genus RAMPHISTOMA.

Botli jairs {the under one most so) eJonqated Into a lon(/, narroir Ijcal; armed n-ifh scattered, larr/c teeth and more
dosehi-set small teeth between the former. Bodi/ lone/, eel-lihe and covered irith smcdl scales. No fnlets behind

the dorsid or the anal tin.

Klein, who in 1744 gave this genus the name of
Mctstacembchis" , which was afterwards adopted by ]5lee-
KEK, Avas indeed the first to define and characterize it.
However, this name is older than the s^'stem of nomen-
clature now in vogue (Klein did not recognise tlie
Linntean binomial nomenclature), and (Ikoxovus and,
after liis time, Cuvier and Valenciennes ha\e given
it an entirel}' different a])plication in ichthyology, a i
circumstance wiiich might easily lead to confusion. As
we arc, therefore, debarred from recognising this generic '\
name, the only course left for us is to ado])t the old-
est binomial name proposed for the genus, \vhich was ;
estal)lished by Rafinesque in 1815, and afterwards 1
adopted by Swainson''. Belone, the name proposed by
CuviEH'', is more widely known, but two years younger;

and may, therefore, with justice reassurae its original
signification as a Liniuean specific name.

Bamphlstoma', the genus of the Garpikes, contains
about .50 species recognised up to the present; and its
geographical range extends all round the world between
the polar circles, some of the species also occurring in
fresh Avater in India, and Brazil. They are well-known
enough, jiartlv on account of their long, narrow beak,
their eel-shaped, but rather quadrangular body, their
winding motions, wliich also remind us of the Eels,
their mackerel-like coloration, and partly on account
of the green colour of their bones, which in many
places has caused them to be suspected of being poi-
sonous''. No grounds, however, have been given for
this suspicion; and in many places these fishes are much

" Hist. PIsc. Miss. 4, p. 21.

' Nat. Hist. FisJi., Ampli., Eept., vol. I, p. 296 .and vol. II. p. 187.

'-' Regne Animal, edit. 1, torn. II, p. 186.

'' QCtf-KpOg:, ficdfc anil tfff'/fft, nunttli.

*■ In his report of the fish and fisheries of New South Wales (p. 83) Tenison-Woohs mentions "one or two doublful cases" of this
poisoning. See also LrrruE and RoniN, Pict. l\fedic. art. Vcne'nenx. Kroyeu also states that in his time the same belief in the poisonous
jiropcrties uf the fiesli of the (jarpike was enirent among the jiopulace at certain spots on tiie west coast of Norway.

(iAHl'lKKS.

345

esteemed as food. At certain times they approach the
coast in shoals; and then they are sometimes taken in
enormous quantities, thus being of gi'eat economical
importance to man. Some of tliem also attain a con-
siderable size. One species, the principal object of
sport for the English garrison in Bermuda, is said to
attain a length of 5 or 6 feet (15 — 18 dm.). They
are pronounced fishes of prey, though they can swallow
only comparatively small objects, such as small fishes,
crustaceans and insects. "I have seen a Needle-fish","
says Steauns*, "of fifteen or twenty inclies length seize
mullet and other fish fully one third of its own size,
which often prove more than it ca,n manage. They are
sometimes washed ashore dead, with some spiny fish
that was a little too large fixed in their throats." Their
voracity, however, renders the Garpikes real pests to
other fishes, especially small fry.

In a systematical respect the Garpikes like the
following genus, are of special interest on account of
tlieir changes of growth. In the harljour of Polperro
(Cornwall), in July, 1818, Couch" found a small fish,
about an inch long, actively swimming about at the
surface, which he took to be Linn^us's Esox brasili-
ensis, i. e., according to the system of modern times,
a representative of Hemirmnphus, a genus common in
the tropic seas, with only the lower jaw elongated, the
upper jaw forming a more or less nearly equilateral
triangle. In August, 1837, on the other side of Eng-
land, oft" the coast of Suftblk, Clarke'' also found a
shoal of this fish, about two inches long, and supposed
them to be the young of the common Garpike. This
was also Behn's" opinion of the large shoals of similar
small fish, between 20 and 36 mm. long, which he
found in Kiel Bay in June, 1842, and specimens of which

were shown in the same j'ear byA'AX der Hoeven at the
Meeting of Scandinavian Naturalists in Stockholm-^ Yar-
rell^ and Hornschuch'', on the other hand, were of
opinion that these young specimens were iriie JTewi-
raniphi, and that the fauna of Europe thus contained
one' or even two-' species of this tropical geiuis. Valenci-
ennes rejected this opinion, and unhesitatingly stated*
that "in early youth the Garpikes Jiave a sliort beak,
and the lower jaw is elongated before the upper ja\\-
has reached its full development. IIufpei.l has made
the same remark witli regard to the Sa>iries {Scomber-
esox)." This was one of the first observations to give
undisputable evidence of the natural development of
these genera from one another. The Hemlrainplil re-
present the earlier stages of the development of the
family; and the forms which occupy the more advanced
stages of this course of development, tlie Garpikes and
Sauries, pass through Hemiramph stages in their youth.
The course of this development has subsequently been
still further elucidated by Malm' and Lutken"'. We
have borrowed from the latter author the instructive
figures which he has appended to his description of
the changes of the head during growth both in Scom-
bresox and Bamphlstoma". In early youth (fig. 92, «),
while the length of the body is still less than 13 mm.,
both jaws are short, like those of the Flying-fish. In
specimens 15 mm. long the loAver jaw projects, \\\i\\
a protuberance, bent downwards, under the tip, while
the upper jaw is still almost truncate or forms a broad
obtuse angle. In specimens 25 mm. long the snout
and lower jaw roughly present the appearance shown
in fig. [■i in the Avoodcut, with the tip of the loAver
jaw bent downwards; and along the middle of the
under surface of the lower jaw there hangs a dermal

"« This is tlie name given to the Garpike or Silver Garfish by the fishermen of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as those of Italy and Spain.

* Bkown-Goode, Fish., Fish. Industr. U. A'., sect. I, p. 459.
■^ Trans. Lin. Soc. Land., vol. XIV, part. I, p. 85.

'' Y.Mii!., Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. I, p. 451.
^Tijdschr. v. Natuurl. Gesch., vol. X (1843), p. 5.
.'' See the Proceedings of the Meeting, p. 648.
'J Brit. Fish., 1. c.

* Tiidschr. Nat. Gesch., 1. c, p. 296.
' Hemiramphus europceus, Yaku.

J Hem. ballicus, Hornscu., a name which V. d. Hoeven, however, proposed to exchange for Hem. Behnii.

* Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XIX, p. 6 — 1846.

' Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samh. Handl., Ny Tidsfoljd, Hiift. 2 (1851), p. 106; Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1852, p. 230, tab. Ill, fig. 2;
Ghgs, Boh. Fn., p. 554.

'" Vid. Selsk. Skr. Kbhvn, 5:te Ra>kke, Naturv., Math. Afd., vol. XII, p. 564.

" The Royal Museum has received an abundant supply of young specimens of Ramphistoma, between 15 and 60 mm. long, partly
taken by Mr. C. A. H.^NSSON in the neighbourhood of Stromstad and Dynekil, in the month of July, and partly from the Skager Rack, where,
in July, 1879, tlie Expedition of the gunboat Gtinhild found the young of this species at the surface in about 330 fathoms of water.

Scandinavian Fishes.

44

346

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

fold, black at the margin, which strongly reminds us
of the corresponding growth in the true HemlrampM'' .
Here this fold disappears during growth, though in
specimens 60 ram. long it is still present, but stunted.
The following changes in the sha]K> of the snout and
the length of the lower ja^v are represented in the
figures. In specimens about 60 mm. long the head is
roughly of the shape shown in fig. / in the woodcut.
It still res(!mbles that of Hemiramplim: the front angle
of the snout has passed from obtuse to right and fi-
nally to acute; but the tip of the snout is now marked
off from the sides by a little sinus on each side: this

Fig. 92. Posterabryonic changes of g'owth in tlie heads of Scombre-
so.v and Ramphistomri. .\fter LOtken. Figs, a — h of Scombresox
satti'us; a — e of Rampliistoma beloiie. a magn. 3 diam.; b '/j more
tlian tlie natural size; c and d '/i mfre than the natnral size; e '/j
more than the natural size. / '/g less than the natural size; g '/j
less than the natnral size; h ';,, less than the natural size, a — d
mngn. ; £ '/^ less than the natural size. For further explanation

see the test.

is the beginning of the elongation of the upper jaw,
and while this proceeds, teeth appear in that part of
the lower jaw that corresponds to the upper. In spe-
cimens about 70 mm. long the head is of the shape
shown in fig. ')' in the woodcut; and in specimens about
150 mm. long tlie snout has assumed the shape typical
of the Garpikes, though the upper jaw is still con-
siderably (about three times the diameter of the eye)

shorter than the lower. In full-grown Garpikes the
difference iii tlie length of the jaws is only ecjual to
or Va IfiS''' tlian the diameter of the eye.

The development of the fins presents the usual
changes, but interests us by a characteristic peculiarity,
the persistency of a part of the embryonic (larval) ver-
tical fin and the late appearance of the ventral fins.
Even in a young Garpike 15 mm. long this vertical
fin is still present at the lower caudal margin, between
the anal and caudal fins: between the dorsal and caudal
fins it has disap]ieared; but at the ventral margin, from
the vent to the end of the first third of the length of
the abdomen, a great pai't of it, measuring more than
half the depth of the body at this point, is still per-
sistent. As yet only the caudal fin, whicii is of a
rounded shape, contains distinct rays. In the anal fin,
the anterior part of the dorsal fin and tlie upper part
of the pectoral fins, which are lobate (furnished with
a semi-elliptical basal part) and round, more or less
distinct rudiments of the true rays now begin to form;
but the remainder of each of these fins is supported
by the primary fibrill;i3 alone. Not a trace of the
ventral fins is externally visible, with the exception of
a light, round spot on each side of the base of the
vertical abdominal fin, the distance between it and the
vent being scarcely ^/g of the length of this fin. This
s])ot forms a scarcely perceptible contrast to the rest
of the surface of the body, which is thickly strewn
with blackish green collections of pigment*. At these
points the ventral fins appear first in the form of small
protuberances, which assume a lobate form. But, even
in specimens 257-. mm. long — w^here the vei'tical ab-
dominal fin is still almost unchanged, and the pigmental
spots on the body still present — the ventral fins appear
almost as microscopical lobes. In specimens 53 mm.
long distinct traces of the vertical abdominal fin are
still pi'escnt, but the pigmental spots on the belly and
the lower part of the sides have begun to disperse,
and to give place to tlie incipient silvery lustre. The
ventral fins are even now scarcely more than Iialf a
millimetre long, while the length of the pectoral fins
is fully 3 mm. or exactly equal to the postorbital
length of the head.

" See Bi.KEKER, Atl. Ichth. lad. Neerl., pp. 53 etc., tab. Scombres. IV, VI — VIII.

On the upper part of the body these spots are set in fairly regular longitudinal and fiblique transverse rows, the former being
especially distinct at the middle of the back. On the lower part of tlie liody they are irregularly arranged in longitudinal rows, and they
are wanting only on the under surface of the head and of the front pari of the belly, as well as on the opercnia.

SCOMRHESOCID.K.

347

THE GARPIKE (sw. NAnnfiADDA).
UAMl'IllSTOMA IJELOXE.

IMalr Will, (ig. 3.

Sefif (11)11 i/l/l-nilxers in an oKfcr roir mi flic frmit of llic Jiisf hntiicliiiil (ink: f/ill-ntkcrs in the inner voir of tliis arcli,
initl also in both roics mi flic three jiosferior liriineliiiil iirrhes verrueose. Dorsiil ainl onal fins falciform, ivifh the
anterior jnirf elongated to a jioiiit mnl firiee or more than firice as hifili as the posterior jnirt of these fins, where
the rails are of iniifonn heir/ht. No lateral carina on the tall, the hrcaillh of ichirh, at the shallowest j)cirt of the
body, (jenerally measures about 7i "'' '/» of the deptli of the body at this point". 'The lateral line runs along the
margin of the belly and ends al the termination of the anal fin. Longitudinal diameter of the eye in full-grotvn
specimens (hetireen (! and .'? dm. long) from ahoiit 85 to SO % of the jwstorbital length of the head, or from 78

to (Id % of the least breadth of the interorbital space.

R. hi: 9 — i:!; D. 2+10 1. 17''; A. 2 + lit 1. 20''
V. 1 + 5; 0. .r+i:!'' + .i'; Vert. 80 84.

r. 1 + 1 2

Syn. Acus, Plin., Gaz., cett. vet. (vide Autedi, 6//». Pise, p. 27);
Afus prima species, Roxdei,., De Pise, hb. VIII, cap. 3; Aciis
viil(/(iris sive Oppiani, WiLi.iiGiiBy, Hist. Pise, p. 231, tab.
P, 2, fig. 4.

Eso.v Bellone, Lin., iSyst. Sat., ed. X, toin. I, p. 314; Esox
Ddone, LiN., Fn. ■Siiec, ed. II, p. 12C; Bl., Fisch. Deutschl.,
pl. I, p. 236, tab. XXXIII; Mull., Zool. Dan. Prodr., p.
40; MOHB, Isl. Natnrh., p. 82; Eisso, Icht. Nice, p. 330;
SwARTZ, «S'«. Zool., torn. II, No. 40; Reuter et Sundm.
{Delone), Fiiil. Fislc., tab. XXI.

Belone acus, Risso, Eur. Mer., turn. Ill, p. 443; Ekstb., Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1831, p. 70; Bon.\p., Icon. Fn. Ital, torn. Ill,
Pesci, tab. 122; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XVIII,
p. 414; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Miis., Fisli., vo). VI, p. 251;
Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Matli. Natiirw. CI., Bd.
LVII, I (1868), p. 732; Mor., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Fr., torn.
Ill, p. 472; LiLU., ^v.. Nor;;. Fish., vol. II. p. 436.

Belone vulgaris, Fleji., Brit. Aniin., ]>. 184; NiLSS., I'rodr.
Ichth. Sctnid., p. 37; Cuv., Val., 1. c., p. 399; Nilss., Stcand.
Fn., Fisk., p. 354; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (disp. Helsiiigf. 1863)
p. 67; LiNDSTR., Gotl. Fisk., Got). Hush. Sallsk. arsber. 1866,
p. 18 (sep.); Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874, Tillaegsh.,
p. 176; Skidl., Fn. Bait., p. 02: Coll., 1. c. 1879, No. 1,
p. 94; VVixTH., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII,
p. 86; Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 356, tab. X; Day, Fisli. Gt.
Brit., Irel., vol. II, p. 147, tab. CXXVII, fig. 1; Mob.,
HcKE, Fiscli. Osts., p. 68; Coll., N. Mag. Niiturv. Christ.,
Bd. 29 (1884) p. 110; B.scke, Handb. Fisclic. Fischer.
(M. v. d. Borne), p. 101.

Belone rostrata, Faber., Fiscli. Isl., p. 152; Norpm., Voy.
Buss. mer. (Dkmidoff), torn. Ill, p. 514, tab. 25, fig. 1;
Kb., IJanm. Fiske, vol. Ill, p. 255; Bxcke, Fisch., Fischer.,
Fischz. 0-. ]Vestpr., p. 101.

Obs. IWiOVYj in Aristotle, as Swartz' and Valenciennes'
have already shown, undoubtedly referred to tlie Pipe-fishes (Syn-
gnathus).

The Garpike, in Sweden known Jis Kdhbgddda
(Beaked Pike) or, more commonly on the west coast,
Horngddda, Horugdll or Hornfisk, attains a length of
nearh^ 94 cm., according to Kroyer. The largest spe-
cimen we have examined, was from the Sound and mea-
sured 82 cm. in length" to the end of the middle rays
of the caudal fin. Nilsson states that in Sweden the
average length of the species is between 64 and 74 cm.
The form of the body varies considerably Avith age:
in specimens between 160 and 200 mm. long the depth
is still only about 5 % of the length, while in .speci-
mens between 700 and 800 mm. long the depth is about
8 or 9 % of the length. The breadth of the body and
its .sectional shape are just as vai-iable: the greatest
breadth (thickness) is generally about Vs of tbe greatest
depth, but in old specimens sometimes rises to at least
72 % thereof. In young specimens the body is often
sharplj' compressed from the broad dorsal side to the
ventral edge, while in the older specimens the abdominal
region is more terete in a quadrangular shape, the lower
part of the head compressed, and the tail more cylin-
drical. The abdominal region is throughout of fairly
uniform depth; but the head anteriorly a.ssuraes the
typical beak-like shape, and the tail tapers from the

" Sometimes, however, the breadth of the body at this point is eipial to the depth.

' Sometinics 2+18, sometimes 2+15.

' Sometimes 2 + 21, sometimes 2+16, 2+17 or 2 + 18.

■* Sometimes 14, according to Day and Lilljeboro.

' Hv. Zool., TI, No. 40, p. 43.

/ Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XVIII, p. 396.

' In this species tlie length of the bodv is measured from the tip of the lower jaw.

348

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

\eiy beginning of the anal fin, tlie least depth of the
body, just in front of the caudal tin, decreasing with
age, in the specimens mentioned al)ove, from 35 to 25
% of the greatest depth thereof.

The length of the head, which during early youth
is increased by the elongation of the jaws more than
tlie other parts of the body, in specimens about 200
mm. long measures Vs of the length, but afterwards
sinks to about 27 % thereof. The greater part of the
lensith of the head is formed, as we have mentioned, by
the jaws. The length of the lower jaw may rise to
about 27 % of that of the body or 87 % of that of the
head, but sinks with age to about 19 % of the former
or 73 % of the latter. The upper jaw is invariably the
shorter, but the difterence, which in specimens about
200 mm. long may be at least 23 % of the length of
the lower jaw, is to a certain extent reduced by age,
and eventually sinks so low that the length of that part
of the under jaw which projects beyond the upper, is
only 7 % of the total length thereof. Botli jaws, to
the end of the upper, are armed with straight, pointed
teeth, consisting partly of large, scattered teeth set in
a row and partly of one or more rows of smaller teeth
outside this row. In the greater part of the upper jaw
and on the hind part of the margin of the lower these
teeth form a perfect card; aiid in the upper jaw the
teeth in the outermost ro^v point straight outwards.
The intermaxillary bones are united throughout their
length, and the branches of the lower jaw in the outer
(anterior) part for about half their length. On the
iinier (upper) side of this coalescent part (in the groove
of the lower jaw) there runs along the mesial line of
the jaw an osseous ridge forming numerous zigzag turns,
which remind us of the enamelled curves in the com-
pound teeth of certain mammals. On the head of the
vomer there occurs a very inconstant and sometimes
entirely absent, oblong card of teeth, narrowing behind
to a point, the presence of which has l)een supposed to
distinguish our Garpike from the Mediterranean form.
We have learnt, however, from Steindachner's obser-
vations that the Mediterranean Garpike of this species
sometimes possesses these vomerine teeth, and Kroyer
had already shown that our Garpike is very often with-
out them". As we have mentioned above, the upper
jaw is without any trace of lips; but on each side of
the lower jaw, starting at the corner of the mouth,

there hangs a narrow dermal fold, \vliich may some-
times, though indistinctly, be traced nearly to the tip
of the jaw. The palatal folds, the inner transverse vela,
are well-developed in both jaws. The tongue is fleshy,
toothless, and obtusely rounded at the tip. In 3^oung
specimens the profile of the snout slopes gradually from
the forehead itself; but in older ones the base of the
upper jaw (the intermaxillary bones) is considerablj'
tumid.

The forehead is flat or only slightly convex, and
the boundary l)etween it and the cheeks, which con-
verge inferiorly, is sharply marked by a somewhat acute
angle. The eyes are set in the same plane as the cheeks
and in front of the perpendicular from the articulation
of the lower jaw. Their diameter is somewhat greater
longitudinall}' than vertically. The sides of the snout
above the lower jaw are formed chiefly by the trian-
gular preorbital bones, ^vhich, when the mouth is closed,
cover the lateral branches of the intermaxillar)' bones
and the maxillary bones, which are respectively united
to the latter. Above the preorbital bone, on each side
of the snout, lies the triangular nostril, the singular
structure of Avdiich we have described above, with the
longest corner pointing in a forward dii-ection. The
white, transverse ridge is parallel to the hind side of
the cavity. The postorbital part of the head, which, at
the end of the singular alterations during youth, mea-
sures about ^/^ of the total length of the latter, sub-
sequently increases to such an extent that it eventuall}'
measures 7* oi" even 27 % thereof. The thin hind
margin of the preoperculum is rectangular or even acute-
angled, with the lower posterior corner rounded. The
operculum, the length of which is about ^/g that of the
postorbital part of the head, in shape resembles "a
quadrant," as Nilsson has happilv observed; and outside
(below and behind) this quadrant comes the falciform
suboperculum, with the point situated at the upper cor-
ner of the gill-opening and the base touching the base
of the interoperculuni, which forms an elongated triangle,
gi'owing narrower in front and united by a ligament
to the angular part of the lo^ver ja-\v. The gill-openings
are large and extend forward lietween the branches of
the lower jaw to a line with the anterior margin of the
eye. The branchiostegal menibranes, which are generally
extended on twelve flat, sword-like rays, are free, but cross
each other in front, when the gill-openings are closed.

" In two of the specimens belonging to the Royal Museum these teeth nre ^vanting.

(JAid'IKE.
Here, as in tlie Mackerels, the pointed sliajic (if'tlie

549

tins indicalcs a cajiacity of s\vif"t indlinn ;iii(l suddrn

c'liunyes \n Its (hrcctuin.

pccloi'al tins arc set hi;!li,

almost vcrtic!ill\ , and (il)lii|iicl\ pointed. Tlicir leii^''th,
which at the end of the sliacll\- invcidh' ehaii;;'os of
growth is ahout e(|ual to the 1ciil;i1i <it' the postorbital
part of the head, snl)sc{|nentl\- shows i-elati\c diminution,
but still measures aliout '.)() '-i, (sometimes 80 %) thereof.
'I'iie distance between the front end of tlie insertion of
these tins and that of the ventral tins is I'rom about 5 to
SVa times the lengtli of the former. They contain 13 rays,
the uppermost of whicli is the longest or equal in length
to the second va\-, undi\i(h'd and compressed like a
sabre. This is also true of tiie tlrst i-ay in the \entral
tins, whicli are also pointed". The length of these tins is
about ecpial to the height of tiic dorsal tin. They are
moved forward dui-ing growth, the distance betw'eeu
them and the lijt oi' the lower jaw decreasing in pro-
])ortion to the length of tlie body, while on the other
hand, the distance between them and the beginning of
the anal fin increases. At the end of the true juvenile
changes of growth the former distance is nearlj' ^ .5
of the length of the body, but in specimens 7 or 8 dm.
lonji- only aliout GO % thereof. The latter distance si-
midtancously increases from about 11 % to 14 or lb?6
of the length of the body. The dorsal and anal tins
are almost alike in shape; but the former is always
somewhat shorter and lower than the latter, and the
distance between its begirming and the vertical line from
the beginning of the anal tin is generally about equal
to that between its termination and the vertical line
from the end of the latter. The distance between the
dorsal fin and the tip of the lower jaw varies, after the
end of the juvenile changes, between 79 and 7.') ?o of
the length of the body. The distance between its end
and the beginning of the caudal tin is somewhat greater
than the length of the pectoral tins, varying between
about 64 and about 52 % of the length of the tin itself.
This is due to the fact that the length of its base un-
(lersoes even relative increase from about 1 1 % to about
IS % of that of the body. The first two rays are un-
divided, the second being about twice as long as the
first, and the longest in the whole fin. The pointed
lobe at the beginning of the fin, the height of which

is generally e(|ual to the length of the ventral fins, is
formed bv the first six rays; the other rays are gener-
all\ ol' miiroiiii lieight, though a slight elongation may
be ol)served in tlie middle ones. This is never so mark-
ed, however, as the posterior elexation of the; dorsal
tin in tlie .Mediterranean Hamphistoma imperiale (Caii-
tifiinii). On accoimt of the changes of growtii in the
dorsal fin the begiiniing of the anal fin may .sometimes lie
vertical h- below that of the dorsal fin, as in our largest
specimen; but the base of the anal fin is always longer
than that (j1 the dorsal, varying between about \2\ .,% inul
about 14 % of the length of the body, and the distance
between it and the caudal tin is less than the length
of the peetoi'al fins. In adult spceimeiis the caudal fin
is dee|il\ forked, with pointed lobes, the length of which
is about ' ,„ OI' '/,j of that of the body. The extreme
end of each lobe is formed by the outermost branched
ray, which in full-grown specimens, however, is hardly
any longer than the longest (hindmost) supporting rav.
We have always found the number of branched rays
in the caudal fin to be 13\ The vent, which is situated
just in front of the anal fin, is noticeable for its some-
what considerable size.

The scales. of the body are very thin and for the
most ]>art deciduous; but on the back and head they
are hard to detach, and extend forward over the nasal
region and the base of the upper surface of the inter-
maxillary bones. Even on the prcorbital bones small
scales may be found, and on the cheeks and opercula
they are distinct. On these parts of the body, however,
all the scales are small; but on the ventral sides, in-
terspersed among the small scales, we find larger ones,
almost thrice the size of the former and serving as a kind
of foundation for them. The vertical diameter of these
large scales is greater than the longitudinal, sometimes
twice as great, and sometimes measures as much as Iialf
the longitudinal diameter of the eye. Their structure
is the same, hoAvever, as that of the small scales: they
are thin and transparent, with distinct, concentric rings
formed during groAvth, but without radiating stria' or
cur\ es. The scales in the rows which coa.st the lateral
line are somewhat thicker and curved, while those of the
lateral line itself are pierced in the usual manner. Where
this line runs on each side along the belly, ri.sing slightly

" Among tlie live branclied rays in these fins the inner ones, in pnrlinilnr, liavc .1 well-developed derinal fold between them; and as n
similar fold also follows the inner side of the innermost ray, we may easily fall into the error sometimes committed, of stating the number
of these rays at 6 instead of 5.

'' According to Lilueborq the number of these rays is 14, according to Day 1.3 or 14, and according to Kroveh 17. Ekstbom gives 13.

350

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

outside and al:)ove the ventral tins, the l)elly tlius ac-
quires a somewhat raised longitudinal margin.

The transparency of the scales displays the Mac-
kerel-like coloration of the l)ody in all its brilliancy.
The back is greenish, with a steel-blue lustre of varying
intensity, darker, nearly black, at the middle, and form-
ing a longitudinal l^and at the boundary between it
and the sides. The sides are silvery, and the under
surface of the belly white. The dorsal and caudal tins
are of the same colour as the back, shading either into
green or lilue, the latter tin, however, with a dash of
gray. The pectoral, ventral and anal tins are of the
same colours as the sides and belly, light gray or yel-
lowisli white. The iris is silvery white, with a more
or less distinct dash of gold.

The true geographical range of the Garpike extends
from the neighbourhood of Trondhjem in Norway south-
wards throughout the Mediterranean: it occurs in the
Black Sea as well as in the Baltic. North of Trondhjem
it is sometimes found, it is true, up to the extreme
north of Norway; but there, as on the coast of Iceland,
it is of I'arer occurrence. In the north of the Baltic
too, it l)ecomes i'arer. On the coast of Scania and off
Kiel it is common, but is found only in small ruimbers
on the Prussian coast (Benecke). Lindstroji assigns it to
Gothland and Ekstrom to the island-belt of Morko, while
LiLLJEBORG obtained specimens of an average size from
Roslag. According to Malmgren and Mela it ascends
the Gulf of Bothnia up to Qvarken and wanders east-
wards half-way up the Gulf of Finland; but in both
these arms of the Baltic it is rare. On the west coast
of Sweden, however, trom the Sound up, as well as on
the Danish coast and off the south and central parts of
Norway, it appears close in shore, in large shoals, every
year. Even in Sweden it sometimes enters the mouths
of rivers or penetrates higher up the stream: Nilsson
states that in the River Hoje it has been taken as far
up as Vilrpinge, near Lund".

No less active than voracious, the Garpike is one
of the few fishes that really make their presence kno^vn
at the surface of the sea, where it appears in large
numbers, whether it l)e in order to spawn, in chase of
its prey, or itself in flight from some enemy. "There

are times also," says Couch', "when the sea is calm and
smooth, that it may be seen engaged in solitary amuse-
ment at the surface, or perhaps many together, by
leaping again and again over some floating object, as
a rod or straw, or it may thrust itself bolt upi'ight out
of the water, to fall back again in an apparently clumsy
manner. It is an amusement with tisherboj's to throw
some slender stick to the Garfish, when it will execute
a variety of evolutions about and over it as it floats."
In pursuit of some little fish at the surface, or when
hunted itself, it may be often seen leaping out of the
water in the chase. "We were fishing yesterday," writes
Cornish'', "oft" Lamorna, in about eight fathoms of water,
and close in sliore, when our attention was attracted
by a noise in the water near us. It was caused by a
large shoal of gerricks scudding very rapidly on the
surface of the ^vater. The appearance was as though
the fish were actually swimming on the surface, with
the larger portion of their bodies in the air, but this
was probably an optical delusion, caused by the constant
succession of fish coming to the surface. They passed
close by us, less than five fathoms from the bows of
our boat, aiid as they passed we saw in chase of them
certainly one, and probably more than one, large Tunny
("albacores, ' as they call them here). The tunnies were
dashing about after their prey, almost on the surface
of tlie water, and removed all doubt as to their identity
by more than once springing clean out of water close
by us." Schagerstrom describes a similar scene in the
Sound'': "It is a really fine sight on a clear day to see
a large shoal of these fishes hunted by Tunnies^ The
Garpike keep to the surface, and often leap a foot or
two out of the water." When the Garpike has taken
the hook (which must be oft'ered it at the surface and
constantly kept in motion), "it does not seek," saj's
Couch, "to escape by darting away, but, as if conscious
only of the annoyance from the restraint of the line,
it will mount to the surface, even before the fisherman
discovers that he has had a bite; and there, with its
body partly out of the watei', it struggles with the line
in a variety of active contortions."

We have every proof that the Garpike leads the
life of a. surtace-fish, and in tliis respect it reminds us

" In Holland the Garpike enters tlie branches of the Rhine; see Tijdschr. Nederl. Dierk. Vereen., Suppl., Deel II, p. 109.
* Fish. Brit, hi., vol. IV, p. 147.
' Zoologist, vol. XXIII, 18C5, p. 9814.
" Phys. Sails. Tidskr. 1838, Haft. Ill, p. 297.

' ScH.\GERSTRUM here writes Delphinus dclphis; but we learn from Kroyer that by sprinfjare the fishermen of the Sound mean
the Tunny.

(iAKl'IKK.

of the Flying-fish. "Sometimes," says Kiioyek", "it even
happens tliat a (Jarpike leaps into a hoat." For a vo-
racious fish, as we iiave stated above, the ott'ensive and
defensive weapons of the Garpike are of singular nature.
Though both jaws are elongated, tlie lower jaw, witli
its soft and somewhat ilcxililc tip, ran scarcel\' serve
un(h'r nrdinarx circiiinstances as a weapon of attack, a
funrlidu which must i-athcr licloiig to the up|icr jaw.
Whether the (iarpikc is ahk' to swallow the large fish,
no smaller than itself, wlii<li it lias sometimes been seen
to attack, is as yet unknown. Tiie fishermen declare
that tiic Garpike sometimi's engage in war among them-
selves, and do not escape easil}', as is shown by the
scars on their bodies. Day states, on Mr. Dunn's
autliorit\-, that the latter once received a Mackerel that
had iieen transfixed, just below the pectoral fin, li\- the
beak of a Garpike. wlii<h had broken ofir' short in the
struggle. A simihii- occurrence is mentioned by Couch*.
Mr. Cl.oGG' tells us of a fisherman who met wdth nuich
difficult v in taking a Salmon-peal from his net. On
searching for the cause he sa^v \\hat lie supposed to be
the ends of a stick protruding on each side of the fish,
but on extracting and examining it he found it to be
tlu' under jaw of a Garpike, known locally as a "long-
nose. " "There can l)e no doubt," he says, "the garfish
attacked the peal, rushing on it with sufficient force to
thrust the lower jaw com])letely tlu'ough the peal, which
must have broken oft" cither ])y the force of the blow
or by the struggles of each fish to free itself. The peal,
which weighed nearly four pounds, was struck behind
and just al)ove the pectoral fin, the jaw of the garfish
thus passing through tlie thickest part of the peal, re-
quiring — if we corajjare the weight of a swordfish to
that of a garfish — even greater velocity of attack in the
latter to cause so great a penetration through a fish than
it would in the fornier to penetrate many inches of
oak-plank.' Just as it has been shoAvn that the Sword-
fish attacks objects that can do it neither good nor harm,
and that it probably does so by mistake, it seems also
likely that these accounts of the Gari)ike may be ex-
plained in the same way. The Garpike, however, attacks

its actual prey in tlie same manner, pierces it with one
of its jaws and then shakes it loose, or seizes it between
its jaws and worries it to death by means of the ])0w-
I'rful nio\(;ments of its head, or carries it for some
time in its beak before devouring it.

The food of the (iarpike is composed chiefly of
young Herrings, Sticklebacks and other small fishes,
eru.staceans and other minute marine animals. Couch
found Herrings in its intestinal canal, Fk.sthom a large
(juantit\ of Three-spined Sticklebacks and, still oftener,
of Ithithva entomon, a Gammarid common in the Baltic.
Lii-iJi;i5oi{(; found the stomach to contain small fishes and
ants, Olsson'' small fishes, among them Sand-eels, and
Gammarids, beetles and flies. The Garpike digests its
food ipnckly, and in spite of the sim])licity of its in-
testinal canal extracts no small amount of nutriment
from till- food. The abdominal cavity is sometimes full
of fat, though the flesh appears somewhat dry.

The Garpike spawns in spring and the early part
of summer, from April to June. The older fishes spawn
first. At this period it approaches the coast'. "In the
middle of May," says Eicstrom, "this fish begins to spawn
in the island-belt of Morko. The males and females then
ascend together in large shoals to spots along the coast
where the \vater is shallow. I have never seen the roe
of this fish in the water; but it is probably deposited
on tlie weeds, for it is always on a weedy bottom that
the Garpike is found during the spawning-season. The
roe I have found on cutting open specimens read\- to
spawn, was fine and greenish yellow in colour." Accord-
ing to Bexecke the eggs are from 3 to 3'/, mm. in
diameter, the surfsice being covered with numerous hair-
like filaments, some of them 1 cm. long, by means of
which they anchor themselves in the manner we have
described above. They develop so quickly, and the fry
grow so fast, that as early as August we may find small
Garpike 150 mm. long (Mal.m), and "during the sum-
mer" of 1837 Fries took a specimen 170 mm. long. In
the Cattegat the Garpike stays close in shore for some
time after the end of the spawning-season, to feast on
Herring-fry and Sand-eels; but those that spawn in the

" The same statcinpiit is made by Fabeii, Fische Islands, p. 156.

Land and Water, 8tli December, 1866.
<■ Zoologist, vol. XXXII, Sept. 1874, p. 4160.
'' Liinds Uiiiv. Arsskr. VIII, Afd. H, Xo. 7. p. 6.

' In most localities tlie Garpike licralds the approach of the Mackerel, whicli soon nfiorwaids appear off the coa.st with the same
object. In England it is locally known by llio name of Mackerel-guide.

.Vccoriling to Nll.sso.v there is a fairly general superstition, in the south of Sweden at least, tliat when many Garpike are caught in
spring, the summer will be very dry — and it is also believed, he says, thiit during the following year prices are always high.

352

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Sound, after depositing their spawn, pass into the Baltic,
whence they return in autumn in splendid condition.
The fishery is carried on in accordance with these
circumstances. Though the flesh of" the Garpike is some-
what dry, as ^ve have mentioned, its flavour, no less
than its colour, resembles that of" the Mackerel; and
tliougli it is disliked by many people on account of its
green bones and the rank smell of new-caught specimens.

Fig. 93, a. Bottom-net (Sw. Botlengani) from the Sound.

it forms an excellent dish, boiled or smoked, and is a
catch ])y no means to be despised. In the open sea it
is often taken in the Mackerel-nets. During the spawn-
ing-seiison it resorts to the fishing-grounds on the coast,
and is then taken in the common seine. In the Sound,
during the greater portion of the autumn, Garpike are taken
in "bottom-nets" (fig. 93, a), stationary tackle, a kind
of stake-net, constructed on the principle of the common
traps, but provided with a grou!id-net for the chamber,

which is lifted up in examining the net. The Garpike
is also taken on the hook, tliough not very often in
Scandinavia. According to Blanchere" this fishery is
carried on on the French coast dui'ing the Mackerel
season, with the same bait and in the same maimer.
NoRDMANN states that in the Black Sea the Circassians
and Aljkhasians catch these fish witli l)right-coloured
balls of raw silk, which they fasten to the lines instead
of bait. The Garpike is attracted bv the colour, en-
tangles its teeth in the threads, and is thus captured.
On the coasts of Germany, according to Bloch, the Gar-
pike in former times was mostly speared by torchlight.
In many countries the Garpike-fishery is very va-
luable. In London, where in spring lai'ge quantities of
Garpike are often brought to market, its cheapness then
renders this fish a common article of food, according to
Yarrell. In Denmark and Scania this is also the ca«e
in spring and autumn''. In the Cattegat the largest
catches are made ott' Laeso". A large proportion of the
Garpike taken here are conveyed to Gothenburg; and in
1856 Malm'' estimated that the supply of Garpike during
the spring and summer, chiefly from this island, num-
bered about 1,188,600, with a value of about =€2050
(37,000 Swedish crowns). In Holland, where the Garpike
is taken in great abundance, but held in low esteem as
an article of food, it is employed principally as bait,
especially during the Cod-fishery.

Genus SCOMBRESOX.

Both jaivs (the under o)ie most so) elongated into a iiorroiv and Ioikj or at least pointed beak, armed irith one or
tiro roirs of extreme! // siiudl teeth. Sereral finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins. Bod ij elongated and compressed.

The genus Scombresox, which, according to Couch,
was probabh' known even to the Greek writers Oppian
and /Elian, who are said to have called it Hiera.x or
Hirax (Sea-hawk), received from Rondelet the name of
Satirus, and in 1803 was introduced into the system
by Lacepbde under the name of Scomberesox. It has
subsequently been known by Rafinesque as Saijris. The
juvenile stage, previous to the elongation of the snout,
was named Grammiconotus by Costa'". Lutken' has

" Nouv. Diet. Gen. d. Peches, p. 565.

' See Scn.AGERSTROji and Kkoyer.

" See Krhyer.
■« (?6</,s Boh. Fn.

* Ann. Mus. Zool. Nap., Anno I, p. 55, tav. I, fig. 4.

f Vid. Selsk. Skr., 5 Rajkke, Naturv. Math. Afd., XII, p. 565.

■' The Royal Museum possesses a specimen 200 mm. long,

liowever, state that the species attains a length of about 350 umi.

rendered it a very doubtful point whether more than
two species of this genus are known. One of these
species, the Pacific Scombresox brevirostris, from Cali-
fornia, has a comparatively short beak, the lower jaw
being of about the same length as the preorbital part
of the head, and the upper jaw exactly like that of
Hemiramphus, and in the adult state^ thus corresponds
to one of the juvenile stages (b or r) in Lutken's figure
(see above, p. 346) of the Scandinavian species,

Peters' type-apeciuicn was of the same length. Jordan and Giluert,

GAHPIKE-FISIIES.

353

THE SAURY PIKE OR SKIPPER (s\v. .makkilgaddan").

SCOMBRESOX SAURUS.

Fig. 93.

Ijotli Jua-s, ill adidt specimens, cldiii/dfed into a beak. Lenfjili of the postorlital part of tin- licad, in specimens

150 mm. lonfi, about 7:) of that of the hirer jair, and in specimens 300—400 mm. lomj, scarcpli/ half or even

only aljoiit 3.5 % thereof. Coloridion like that of the Garpike, hut u-ith a more sharply marked longitudinal hand

of silvery lustre on the sides just heloir the hack, which is of a lustrous yreenisJi blue.

Fig. 93. i>coml>reso.v saurun, -/j of tlie natural size. Taken at Slroiiistad iu 1878, C. CedebstrOm.

/i'. /-/■. 13 1. 14; D. 7 W 1. VI: A.

9 ''—11

1

I VI 1. VII;

11 — 13'

P. 12 1. 13; r. 6; C. ,r+12 I. 13 + .r; Sgii. lin. lat. ca 150;
L. tr. 15 1. 16.

Si/n. •Saurus, Rond., De Fisc, lib. VIII, cap. V; Ray, 6'i/n. Pise,

pp. 109 et 165; Saury Pike, Penn., Brit. ZooL, 1776,

Yol. Ill, p. 284, tab. LXIV.
Esox Saurus, Walb., (ex. Penn.) Art. Iclith:, part. Ill, p. 93;

Gthr (Swmbreso.v), Cat. Brit. Mas. Fish., vol. VI, p. 257;

Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forb. Christ. 1874, Tilhcgsli., p. 176;

ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 95; Malm, GLgs, Boh. Fn., p. 555;

WiNTH., Natiirb. Tidskr. Kblivn, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 46;

MoE., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., torn. Ill, p. 475; Jord., Gilb.,

Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 375; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.,

IreL, vol. 11, p. 151, tab. CXXVII, fig. 2; Petersen-, Vid.

MeM. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1884, p. 159; Coll., N. Mag.

Naturv. Christ., vol. 29, p. 110; Lillj., Sv., Norrj. Fn., Fisl\,

vol. II, p. 456; Nystrom, Bib. Vet.-Akad. Handl., vol. 13,

part. IV, No. 4, p. 44.
Scombresox Camperii, Lacep., Hist. Nat. Poiss., torn. V, p.

345, tab. 6 (p. 235), fig. 3; Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss.,

vol. XVIII, p. 464; Kr., Danm. Fiske, vol. Ill, p. 278;

NiLSS., SIea?id. Fn., Fisk-., p. 358; Id., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad.

Forh. 1863, p. 501.
Scombreso.v scuteUatiiiiiis'pecim. jun.) + .SV'. eqiiirostrum,'L'ESVKVR.,

Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pbilad., vol. II (1821), p. 132.
Scombresox Rondele.tii, Cuv., Val., 1. c, p. 472 — speciin.

sine vesica aerea.
Scombresox storeri. Dekay, A'. York Fn., part. IV, p. 229,

tab. XXXV, fig. Ill; Stor., Mem. Anier. Acad. Arts, Sc,

n. ser., vol. VI, p. 315, tab. XXIV, fig. 4.

Tlie Saury is very like the coninioii (jarpike, in
spite of the di.stinctioii drawn between them, at the
■first glance, by the hiilets behind tlie dorsal and anal
fins. The body, however, is deepei'' and more com-
pressed'', the lateral compression of the belly being
particularlj' strong. The jaws are more slender, some-
what turned up at the tip, and furnished Avith much
weaker teeth of uniform size, which are set in two
rows only in the back half of the lower jaw and a
corresponding, though smaller, portion of tlie ujiper
jaw. With this exception the teeth are set in one row.
The zigzag bony ridge in the IoAV(;r jaw, on the other
hand, is higher and thicker. The preorbital bone does
not cover the lateral parts of the interniaxillaries so
completely as in the Garpike, a fairly broad jiart of
these bones, somewhat widened inferiorly, remaining
vi.sible when the mouth is closed. Tlie nasal orifice
is more compressed and almost T-shaped. The eyes
are more oblong''. The relative length of the head in
full-grown specimens is about the .same as in middle-
sized specimens of the preceding species. The pectoral
tins are somewhat shorter, always distinctly shorter
than the postorbital part of the head, and more con-
cave (falciform) at the inferior margin: sometimes, in

" NiLSSON, Skaiul. Fauna, 1. c.
* Souietiuies 2, according to Ll'tkkn.

"■ in the Saury the greatest depth of the body varies between 9' ., and 12 \ of the length of the body.

'' The greatest breadth (thickness) of the body (across the occiput) varies between about 47 and 53 % (according to Kroyer some-
times 57 %) of the greatest depth thereof.

The longitudinal diameter of the eye in full-grown specimens is between about - ^ and ' ., of the length of the postorbital part

of the bead.

45

Scatitl/nnrinn Fishes.

354

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

old specimens, these fins are no longer thaii the ventral
fins. The doi-sal and the anal fins are both set farther
forward than in the Garpike", and are l)Oth lower and
shorter, being also withont the pointed prolongation in
front. As a rule, the anal fin is somewhat, though
only slightly, tlie longer; l)ut the difference is so small
that we may sometimes reckon the length of each of
these fins as equal to that of the postorbital part of
the head. The difference may sometimes be increased,
however, by the circumstance that the first finlet l)e-
hind either of these fins still preserves the appearance
of a posterior i)art of the fin, not l^eing separated from
it. Just as in the Garpike, the posterior rays of these
fins are rather widely separated from each other; but
the first ray — a difference of no slight importance —
in addition to being the only simple ray in the fin, is
also unarticulated, thus being a true spinous ray. The
caudal fin is deeply forked, and at the middle of its
base the dermal covering extends so far out over the
middle rays that oidy their branches are visible, a re-
sult of this being that the numljer of rays in this fin
has sometimes been stated to be considerably greater
than is really the case. The mxmber of the branched
ravs seems to lie 12' or 13, the latter probably being
tlie normal number in this species as in the Garpike.
The ventral fins occupy about the same position in the
abdominal region' as in the Garpike; but as the relative
length of both the abdominal part'' and the head is
someAvhat less than in the latter species, the ventral
fins, as well as the dorsal and anal fins, assume a more
forward position on the body^ The vent is not so
large or so prominent as in the Garjiike; but here too,
in a ti'iangular cavity Ijehind it, we sometimes find
(in the males?) a small genital papilla. The scales ave
of the same tliin texture as in tlie Garjiike and are
also deciduous, being larger on the lower portion of
the sides than on the upper, but of more uniform size
tlian in the preceding species. As the belly is much more
compressed underneath tlian in tlie Garpike, the two lat-
eral lines are much nearer each otlier: with this ex-
ception the course of these lines is the same, ending

at the second or third of the anal finlets, counting
from behind.

The changes of development undergone by the
Saury are essentially the same as those of the Garpike,
but of much later occurrence. The clearest illustration
of this is given by the above figures borrowed from
LuTKEN. The original of fig. c {Scomhresox, p. 346)
■was about tAvice as long as that of fig. /)' {Bamplii-
stoma), of fig. il {Scomhresox) about ecjual in length to
that of fig. ;' {Ramphistonia). The Hemiramphus stage
is thus persistent for a much longer period in the Saurv
than in the Garpike. On the other hand we find that,
when once the elongation of the jaws has begun, the
difference in their length is never so great as in the
latter species.

The Saury Pike is a more pelagic fish than the
Garpike, and a surface fish of a still more distinct
character. It is at the surface that it spawns and
passes its time, leaping or even fl3'ing still more like
a Flying-fish than the Garpike. In the Tropical and
Temperate Zones its range extends all round the world:
it has long been known in the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic; Lutken has shown that it occurs in the In-
dian Ocean; according to Jordan and Gilbkht it is
fairly common on both sides of North America; Ny-
STROM has found it among the collection of Japanese
fishes in Upsala Museum. Like the Garpike, however,
when it approaches the coast, it sometimes enters the
harbours and the mouths of rivers. It makes annual
visits to the English coast, but probably not for pur-
poses of reproduction, foi' the spawning apparently takes
place in the open sea, where the fry have been found
in large numbers. It arrives off the English coast,
according to Couch, at the beginning of summer, and
departs at about the middle of autumn or even as late
as the end of November. "The Skippers," says Couch,
"are followed and persecuted by the Porpoise, and the
more swift and energetic Tunny and Bonito, wliich
appear to devour many of them; and in their eager-
ness to escape multitudes are seen to mount to the
surface, to Avhich the particular construction of the

" The distance between tljcsc fins and Ihe tip of the lower jaw is between about 70 and 72 °o of the length of the body.

' MoREAU and Day state the number of true rays in the caudal fin at 14, i. e. excluding the two outermost, which are undivided,
12 branched caudal rays. The author, like Lilueuorg, finds the number of the brancljcd rays to be 13.

' Somewhat beliind Ihe end of the second third of the abdominal region.

'' We have found the length of the abdominal region in Ramphistoma beloiie to vary between about 46 and 49 % of that of llie
body, and in Scomhresox saurus between about 40 and 43 % thereof.

•^ The distance between the ventral fins and the tip of the lower jaw, in the specimens we have examined, has never been as much
as 59 % of the length of the body.

SALUV riKE.

;^5o

pectoral fin is wfll iittcd lo ^iiidc thcni, ,-iii(l tlicri- tlic\-
crowd on cmcIi other ;is tlic'\' ])rc'ss foi^wni'd. I iidcf the
inqjulsi' ol' terror tlie\- spi-in^ to the heiiiht of several
feet — leap o\ cr each other in siuLiuiar contusion, and
then ai^ain sink out of sii^lit. ISut tlie pursuers again
sliew tliemseh'es, .-nid lhe\ mount a_i:'ain, and rush along
the surface for more than a hundred feet in a continued
effort, without th<' li((d\ i'n\- a moment heing lost sight
of, and, as it wnuld appear, l>\' the instant hut repeated
toucli on the water of the pectoral tins and those which
lie al(Mig the under part of tlio hodv." It is from the
appearance which it presents at the surface on these
occasions, that the llnglisii sailors have given this fish
the name of Sea-mouse. Often enough it leaps out of
the water into ;i tishing-boat. \\ hen it has entered the
shallows, it often forgets to retire at the eliliing of the
tide; and in the Firth of l-'oi'th hundi'e(ls of specimens
are then ])icked up on dr\' land, with their heaks stuck
in the sludge. During the Pilehard-lishery it is an
unwelcome guest, for the fishermen believe that the
Pilchard has a strong dislike to, or perhaps fear of it.
We also learn from England that in 1825 numbers of
Sauries and Pilchards were together enclosed in a Pil-
chard-seine; and before it was possible to secure the
catch, thousands of the Pilchards had their eyes gouged
out bv the Sauries, and scores of them were transfixed
by their enemies' beaks. These wounds, however, can
scarcely be dealt intentionally, for the Saury, which is
smaller than the Garpike, and lias a still weaker beak,
can hardly prey on fishes as large as the Pilchard.
Its food is com])Osed of small, or even the smallest
crustaceans or Ijilomostraca, the larvtv; of crustaceans
and, in all ]irol>aliilit\-, other minute creatures that live
at the surface oi' among the seaweed. We may also
infer that small fishes form a part of its food, from
the fact that it is .sometimes taken on the hook. The

Saurv itself is good eating. The spawning-season is
as \-et unknown.

Like tiie (iarpike, tlie Siun'v wanders fai' out of
its ordinarv habitat, but pnjbably not in shoals. Solitary
S|)ecimens have l)een taken even in the extreme north
of Norway. One of these, 24') mm. in length, was
caught during the summer of 1883 off Gje.sv;t'r, near
North (Jape, and is now preserved in Trom.s5 Museum,
which also possesses a specimen 'll'iO mm. long, from
Helgeland", where it was found on the beach in Au-
gust, 1877. Previously, about 1850, one or two sjie-
cimens, one of which, an example 380 mm. in length,
is preserved in Christiania Museum, had been taken in
Christiania Fjord. The Museum of Copenhagen po.s-
sesses one specimen, 25.J mm. long, from Iceland, three
from the Sound, one from tiie Great Belt (Nov., 1873)
and two (Oct., 1881)) i'rom .Agger on the west coast of
Jutland. In Bohusliin three specimens have been taken,
one 295 mm. in length, which was forwarded to the
Royal Museum in 1878 l)y Baron Cedekstrom, Ph. I).,
and two obtained by Mr. C. A. H.ax.s.sox, who handed
over one of them, 300 mm. in length, to the Museum
of Ujjsala and the other, 1G5 mm. in length, to the
Royal Museum. Both the last specimens were caught
in November. A fourth Swedish specimen, 222 mm.
long, which was taken in the Sound oft" Raa, in May,
1862, is preserved in the Museum of Malmo.

The Saurv is thus one of the rarest Scandinavian
fishes, and consequently carmot be of any special value
to the fishermen of Scandinavia. The case is the same
along the west coast of the Continent — on the west
coast of France, according to Moreau, this fish is ex-
tremely rare. In England, however, and even on the
Scotch coast, it apparently occurs in lai-ge shoals every
year; and it is found oftener than in Scandinavia among
the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Sini-AMiLv EXOCOETINiE.

ItttermaxUlanj hone^ furnished icith a disiuirt — ihottfih sometimes renj thin — //;', aiid artirulafiiifj hif means of

nasal processes — irliicli are sometimes very s/iorf — iritli the surface of the front cud of the ethmoid cartilage.

Maxillary hones free and irifh movable articulation. Snout short, neither of the jaws being elongated''.

This subfamily contains the fishes which most fins, and the lower lobe of tiie caudal fin considerably
strictly deserve tiie name of Flging-fish, most of them [ longer than the upper. Some fifty species have been
having long and highly expansive pectoral and ventral [ distinguished and distributed among three or four geu-

" The Xorwfgiaii districl, not to be confused witli Heligoland.

'' In some forms (Exocoetus menio and Exoc. aaitus), however, according U' Vai.kmiknnks. the tip of tlie lower jaw is '"elongated
by a little pointed knob."

356

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

era; but the distinction of the species is still extremely
dubious, this being due chiefly to our ignorance of the
changes of growth, especially in the coloration. The
most important characteristic employed in the definition
of the genera, lies in the position of the ventral tins.
Each of the two species of wliich we have the earliest
knowledge, has therefore been chosen as the repre-
sentative of a distinct geiuis, the one" with the ventral
fins situated rather far forward and comparatively small,
the other, Exocoetits, with the ventral fins larger and

set farther l)ack. Swainson also formed a distinct
genus'' to receive tlie species that are furnished with
barbels under the point of the chin; and Bleeker es-
tablished a genus' consisting of tlie species which, on
account of the knob-shaped, i-udimentary elongation of
the lower jaw, seem to form a ti'ansition from this
subfamily to the preceding one.

None of these genera can strictly be included in
the Scandinavian fauna; but in Christiania Fjord a spe-
cimen has once been taken of the

Genus EXOCOETUS.

Ventral fns behind tlie middle point in the distance hetween tlie tip of the snout and the base of the caudal Jin,
and their tip (tvhen folded) extending beyond the beginninf/ of the anal fin. Palate and tongue toothless, or the

palatine bones alone slighthj rough with small teeth.

Thus defined the genus Exocoetus includes the most
typical Flying-fishes and the largest number of described
species within the subfamily. The name of exocoetus''
originally had reference to a fish that the ancients sup-
posed to creep up on a rock to sleep. We do not
know what fish this was — perhaps a Gobioid, as RoN-
DEEET^ supposed; but it was cei-tainly not a Flying-fish,
as Artedi-'' assumed, and Linnaeus subsequently took
for granted. Ho^\'ever, the singular appearance of the

Flying-fishes and their valuable flesh must certainly
have given them prominence at an early period, and
according to Salvianus their Greek name was cheUdon'',
just as the Romans called the genus hirundo. The
geographical extension of the genus is the same as that
of the Sauries, and several species — as clearly defined
as our })i'esent knowledge of them permits — deserve
the name of cosmopolitan in the seas of the Tropical
and Temperate Zones.

" //alocijjisehis, Weinland, Proc. Soc. Nat. Hist. Bost. VI (1859). p. .385.

* Cypsituriis, Nat. Hist. Fi.'ih., Ampli., Rept., vol. I, p. 299, vol. II, pp. 187 tiiid 296. Weinland (1. c.) corrected tliis generic
name to Cypselurus; and Gunthee remarked (Cat. Brit. Mus.^ Fish., vol. VI, p. 278) that, in certain species at least, tlie generic character
.is merely an evanescent character of the young specimens.

'^ Parexocoelus, Esp. Exoc, Ned. T. Dierk., Ill, p. 126, see Atl. Iclitli. Iiid. Or. Necrl.. tome VI, p. 77. Bleeker has also given
the presence of teeth on the vomer, the palatine bones, the pterygoid bones and the tongue as a character of this genus.

'^ E^iuvioiiog, sleeping out.

' De Pis,:, lib. VI, cap. XV.

-' Gen. Pisc, p. 8; iSijn. Pise, p. 18.

■' XEKiduv, swallow.

■SCOMBKKSOCID.V..

357

THE GREAT FLYING-FISH.

KXOCOETI'S VOIJTANS.

FiK. '.'4.

Pectoral Jiiifi (nili/ sli(/lillif {never more fhoii '/-) shorter tluiii the Iriif/tli of lln' frifiil:, flir second roji hranrlieil,
the third raii the lonr/csf. Ve}itrid /Ins inserted in front oj' thr niiddte-jioinl of the trnni: (nearer to the head than
to the hase of the candid Jin)^ and tlirir tip (n-hen Jalded) extendinfi to nl/ont the i-nd af the base of the anal fin.
The dorsal Jin lny/ins somen-hat in front nf the perpenclicutar from tlic n-nt, its hi'ii/ht in front (the leni/th of the
second rail) lirin// ei/nal to that of the jireopercidmn (or the total hri//ht of the ojjer<idain and suboperculum).
Beffinninfi of Ihe amd tin sitnated licloir the ■')lli, (itii or ifh rail of thr ilorsat fin, its base ninrh shorter than that
of the dors(d fn" and t/ie lii-ifilit abont '/^ of I lie base. Leni/th of tin- npju'r lolte of the caudal fin from the base
of the first sujiportinii rai/' about equal to that of the l/i-ad, ami the hurcr lohr half as long again. Coloration
like that of flic lli'rring or draji ^fiiUet, lustrous steel-blue on the back, .silverg o>i the sides and belly; pectoral
fi)is bluish f/rai/, in ijoung specimens darker, more bluish on thr inside, irifh vhite margin and in young specimens
irith a u'hitc transverse band; dorsal fin ivhitish gray, caudal fin broirn, rodial and anid fins uhitish blue.

Fig. 94. /•J.rocoeliis volitaiis, a", •*;. of the natural size. From the Mediterranean.

11 II Sv". J-^.rocoetii.i, Art., Descr. Spec. Pise, i>. 35: E.rocoetiis piiinis

R. br. 10 1. 11: /'. r;^.r r^,-,P-r-. ; F. 6 ; "^ , ,. , . ., ^ -y ,. , /,-..,x ,,c

'" '" ° '"'I'' «' •■•' ventralibus loiigiorilms: . . . Gron. Zoophyl. (1(63) p. 116;

10—12' 8— 10(?) 14—17

C. .r+13+.r.

Exocoetns qnadriremif, Gron. niss. cd. Gr.w, |>. 145.

" In young 8peciincn.s about ^ j of tlie base of the dorsal fin, in older ones about ', thereof.
' According- to STElxnArnxKR.

358

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Exocoetus voUtans, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. XII, toin. I, p. 520

(ex. Gron. Zooph.); Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. XIX,

p. 83, tab. 569; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.

Nsturw. CI., LVII, I, 1868, p. 734; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel.

Xaturh. For. Kbhvn 1876, pp. 393 et 401; Moii., Hist Nat.

Poiss. Fi:, torn. Ill, p. 481; Day, Fisli. Gt. Brit.. Irel,

vol. II, p. 154, tab. CXXVIII.
Exocoetus e.vilicns, Bl., Natiirg. Ausl. Fiscli., part. IX, p. 10^

fab. CCCXCVII; Cuv., Eegn. Anim., ed. 2, torn. II, p. 287;

SwAKs.. Nat. Hist. Fish., Ampli., Rept., vol. II, p. 296;

Couch, Fish. Brit. IsL, vol. IV, p. 128, tab. CCYII; Lii.lj.

(exsiliens), «i'u., Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. II, p. 460.
Exocoetus {volitansr). Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,

Tillaagsli., p. 177; Exoc. sp. n. '?, Ltkn, I. c, p. 403;

Coll., Forh., 1. c., 1879, No. 1, p. 95; Malh, Ghgs, Boh.

Fn., p. 555.

Obs. Tlic iirst to distiuguisli between more than one species of
Flying-fish Avithin tliis family was Gronovius, and the firsi to give
systematic names to the two species which this author had esfablished,
was LiNN.'EUS, who had previously united them both umk-r the name
of volitans. LiNNiEUS made the mistake, in the twelfth edition of
Sijstema Natunr, of allowing his original description (in Balk's thesis:
Mus. Ad. Frid., p. 42 and in Amoen. Acad., vol. I (1749), p. 320)
of Exocoetus {Halocypsehis) evolans with shorter ventral fins (o be in-
cluded in the list of synonyms of Exocoetus volitans instead of Exo-
coetus evolans, to which species according to Lilljeborg wo should
refer the type-specimen in Upsala Museum. However, this cannot
give rise to any ambiguity, for it is evident that Linn.eus grounded
his opinion chiefly on the distinction drawn by Gronovius. It is less
advisable t<i follow Bi.ucH, and adopt for Exocoetus volitans the spe-
cific name of exsiliens from Linn^IUs's Mantissa Plantarum 1771, p.
529, for in this passage Linn.eus describes a young Flying-fish, as
yet of doubtful species, "with the 1st and 2nd rays of the pectoral
fins short," a character which, up to the present at least, we have no
right to regard as evanescent and belonging to young specimens. With
respect to the limitation of the species, it is evident from the above
diagnosis and fin-formula that we regard it as identically the same as
Valenciennes' Exocoetus lineatus (Cuv., Val., Hist. N'at. Poiss., XIX,
p. 92), the chief distinction between which and Exoc. volitans is said
to lie in the somewhat greater number of rays in the anal fin (10
according to Valenciennes; 10 or 11 according to GOnther, Oat., p.
287). LtiTKEN has shown that the white transverse band on the pec-
toral fins may also occur in Exoc. volitans. Whether this species is
distinct from Ranzanis' Exoc. bnhiensis (see Bleekek: Atl. Ichth. Ind.
Or. Neerl., tome VI, p. 71, tab. CCXLIX, fig. 2), is a question that
must be settled by a more minute investigation of the point whether
Exoc. volitans is alwa3's without the small teeth on the palatine bo-
nes, and whether they are constant in Exoc. bahiensis.

The Great Flying-tish may well be regarded as the
most pronounced example of tho.se singular habits which
have given the genus its name. It is no better known

than its kindred species; but it is probably the com-
monest, at least in the Atlantic — and perhaps in the
Mediterranean, where however, according to Giglioli",
Exocoetus Bondeletii, a near relation, is commoner. Most
of the observations of Flying-fishes the species of which
has not been fixed, prol)ably refer either to this species or
to Halocypselus evolans, also a common species. In size
too, it stands first: the Royal Museum possesses speci-
mens taken near St. Helena, Avhich measure between
about 48 and 55 cm. in length to the end of the
inferior lobe of the caudal fin.

Much has been written of tlie fliiiht of the Fhine-
fish; and we have ascertained, chiefly from Mobius'',
that it is quite different from the flight of birds or
insects or the fluttering of a bat, and more closely re-
sembles the leaping movements made through tlie air
by the Flying Squirrels or the Flying Lizards (Dragons).
By the help of the large and strong lateral muscles of
the body the fish attains the speed of an arrow, which
it maintains above the Avater, slackening, of course,
towards the end, and thus traverses a distance of from
100 to 150 metres through tlie air in less than 20 se-
conds'. At the same instant as it leaves the surface
of the water, the pectoral and ventral fins are expanded.
It supports itself principally on the former fins, l^ut
almost passively, the wind and the pressure of the at-
mosphere bearing the flsh along without au}' exertion
on its own part, save that needed to keep these fins
expanded. There is no independent motion of these
fins, according to Mobius; but when the wind blows in
a direction exactly parallel to their plane, the hind
margin flutters, like the sails of a boat in stays. The
Flying-fish cannot steer an independent course'', accord-
ing to Mobius, the direction of its flight being fixed
by the impetus once gained; and when the speed slack-
ens, we may see its course changed by the wind, when
the latter is not dead ahead, for some seconds before
the fish falls back into the waves. According to Mo-
bius the fish is hardly able to rise or descend at will,
and when it is seen moving up and down along the

« Espoz. Intern., I'esca, Berlino 1880, Sez. Ital., Catal., p. 103.

' Zeitschr. f. Wiss. Zool., 30 Bd, Suppl., (1878), p. 343.

' According to Moiiius the flight seldom lasts longer than 10 or 15 seconds.

'' Each ray in the pectoral fins, with the exception of the first two, in the case of which the sinew of the ostensory muscles is coin-
uion, is furnished, as is well known, with a distinct double pair of muscles. L. Agassiz, who during his voyage to Brazil in 1865, devoted
particular attention to the habits of the Flying-fishes in the Atlantic (see A Journey in Brazil, p. 522), denies that the Flying-fish is en-
tirely destitute of the power of altering the plane of the expanded fins by means of these muscles and thus rising or falling during its flight,
or that it is ipiife unable to change the direction of its course by bending its body. Even MObius acknowledges that it often happens that
Flying-fish w'hich are just above the surface, alter their course by means of the inferior lobe of fhe caudal fin, which then hangs down in
the water.

KI.VING-l'I.slI.

359

vviivos, tliis is ]ir()li;il)l\ iiotliiiiL;' iiiorc tli.-iii tlic i-dcct
of the current ol' air that rises i'roin the surl'ace, aiul
is t'oriiUMl ill the troii^^li of the wa\'es {Wi^. 'J.'i) jii^t as
a stream edtlies when il |)asscs a |irniiiiiiil(ir\ , nr truni
the same cause as that tVdiu which ihc llaine of a <'ainlle
is altracte(l (dwai'ds a sui'lacc, it \vc lilow straiirht to-
wards that surlacc thmuLih a tidic. the end ol which
is beside, l>ut lichind liie candle.

Ill order to facilitate its flight the Myiii^-tisli lias
several peculiarities of structure. Thus we tirst observe
the advanced development of the pectoral fins .and the
shape of their rays. The tirst rav, wliicli has to divide
the air. is sharply compressed in the plane of the fin as
in the two preceding f2;enera ; lait the icst of the rays are
compressed in the ojipositc directimi or rather str(Migth-
eiied in their proximal part (the part nearest the insei"-
tion) l)v u downward (when tlie tins are at rest, outer)
edge along the anterior (when the tins are at rest,
superior) margin, tlie section of these rays in tiie pro-

05. Tlie lifting oi Uio Flyiiig-fisih by tin; wind, llie (iirection
of which is shown bv the nrmws. .Vftcr MoBilis.

ximal (inner) part of the tins thus forming an angle
opening backwards (when the fins are at rest, downwards).
The fin-membrane is attached to the posterior (when
the fins are expanded, upper) margin of the rays; and
the base of the pectoral fins, which, when the fins are
at re.st, runs upwards in front and downwards behind,
assumes an almost horizontal direction when the fins are
expanded, as the anterior (upper) rays are dra\\n down- '
wards at the base, the fish thus resting on that side of
the fins which was formerly the exterior. On tlic un-
der surface of the expanded fins a deep groove, opening
posteriorly and interiorly, is thus formed between each
pair of rays; and it is in these grooves that the up-
ward current of air we have just mentioned, plays its
part in lifting the fish.

Tile muscles of tlie pectoral fins serve chiefly to
expand them. They also assist to retain them in the
expanded position; but this oliject is also jiromoted by
the current of air itself, and the rays are kept in po-
sition tiot only by the fin-membrane but also by special

" 0'04 oxygen, 0"94 uitrogcii ntul 0'02 carbonic acid gas; see

ligaiiieiils. wliii-h cross from one ray to anothei- in the
proxiniai p.arl of the fin. Tims any extraordinary
strength — such as would lie necessary if the flight
were a true one, accoiii|Kiiiicil by the fiapping of the
wings — is scarcely needed, and the muscles of the
pectoral lliis arc hardly any thicker than in the gener-
alit\- of Teleosls. These nmscles are also ari'anged in
the usual wa\-, in two layers, a superficial and a deeper,
on each side of the shoulder-blades and coracoid bones.
The common extensory muscle of the two first (upper-
most) rays, however, has a long surface of origin at
the bottom of the clavicular groove, and has its sinew
inserted under a transver.se band like a roller, which
joins the shoulder-blade to the clavicular bone. Still,
the lack of an\ extraordinary degree of thickness in
these muscles is compensated, as in the two preceding
genera, by their extension. Their surface of origin,
the shoulder-girdle proper — the clavicular bone, the
shoulder-blade and the coracoid bone, especially the
last of these three — is also extraordinarily large here
as in llawph'istomn.

The strength required to produce the great speed
is g'i\cn 1)\' the large lateral muscles of the body; and
their surfaces of origin in front — the occijuii and the
anterior vertebra' — are of the type we have attributed
above to all tlie Synentognates. Their points of insertion
on the last caudal vertebr:p are also strengthened. Here,
as in the Garpike — and we have observed similar for-
mations in the majority of the Mackerels — we find on
eaeh side of the last caudal vertebra a strong, project-
ing, osseous knob; and in the Flving-fish the upper
spinous processes of the last six or seven caudal verte-
bra' ai-e also longitudinally extended and contiguous.

In the Great Flying-fish and its kindred species
the ventral fins also help to increase the width of the
fish, .ind thus also increase the size of the column of
air thai supports it. Their first ray is compressed ami
sharp, but repeatedly branched. The second ray re-
sembles the first, but is considerably longer; and the
third rav is the longest of all.

,\s a counterpoise to the weight of the great mass
of niiisc Ics the Flying-fish is furnished with an extra-
ordinarih" large air-bladder, which occupies the greater
portion of the abdominal cavity (fig. 96), and is con-
tinned behind within the closed ha-mal arches of the
caudal vertebra'. In the air-bladder of the Flying-fish
HiMBoLDT found a strikingly small quantity of oxygen",
Reise yEi/ii. Geg., I, p. 309.

3G0

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

whereas in other fishes, we need hardly say, this gas
almost entirely fills the air-bladder.

MoBius also observes that these fishes are assisted
in their flight by the flat shape of the belly, where the
lateral lines, which are raised as in the preceding genus,
follow the ventral margins. The lateral lines thus, to
a certain extent, increase the width of the bearing sur-
face. The Avell-developed palatal curtains or transverse
dermal folds in the mouth behind the margins of the
upper and lower jaAvs, are also of service, for they re-
tain the Avater that is enclosed in the cavity of the
mouth, thus keeping the branchial lamella' moist during
the passage of the fish through the air.

In many cases fear is probably the first cause of
the aerial flight of the Flying-fish: as we have just
observed ^vith respect to the Saury, the Fljdng-fish also
seeks refuge in the air from its pursuers, especially the
Dolphin-fishes (Coryphcena) and Bonitos, or sometimes
springs up in terror before the bow of a vessel under way.

-- /

i

Fig. 96. Transverse section of a Flying-fish : u, vertebra?; c, kidneys;
ves, air-bladder; g, organs of generation; /, lateral lines; i, intestine.

After MoBius.

Often, however, this habit is due to the same instinct
tiiat impels the Gai'pike to leap out of the water as if
ill sport; and like other fishes that are closely packed
in shoals, they often leap in order to escape the crush
or to pass one another. They appear on the wing of-
tener in stormy weather or a steady breeze than in a
(lead calm. They generally keep only a. few feet above
the surface; and when they rise higher, as in the cases
where they have fallen on the deck of a vessel as much
as 5 metres above the water, this is also due, says
MoBiu.s, to the influence of the air-currents (fig. 97).
The Flying-fish always come on boai-d on the windward
side in a fresh breeze and, in most cases, at night,
when in s])ite of their large e\ es they cannot see the
ship and avoid it. On the windward side of vessels
that lia\e sailed during the night througli some ])a.rt of
the ocean where Flying-fish abound, spots of blood and

" Zoologist, 2 ser., vol. VIII (187:!) p. 37.S9.
'' Ibid. 1874, p. 3838.

the scales of Flying-fish are often found in the morning;
and when the sailors swab the decks, they sometimes
come across no small numbers of Flying-fish, a welcome
and agreeable change in the seamen's fare. Some of
the Flying-fish have thus been dashed against the ves-
sel's side in their rajnd flight and killed: but others
have been borne over the buhvarks by the current of
air that rushes up the Avindward side of the vessel,
and have fallen on deck.

The small iaw-teeth of the Flving-fish show that

J ^ CD

its food must consist of small, weak marine animals of
the lower classes. Their pharyngeal apparatus resembles
that of the Garpike, there being two upper pharyngeals
on each side, the posterior (larger) pair closely united
at the mesial line of the palate, and one triangular lo\ver
pharyngeal pointed in front, .all closely set A\ith cylin-
drical, obtusely pointed teeth. The gill-rakers are
also like those of the Garpike, the outer row on the
first branchial arch being thickly set and setiform, and

^^yi.-

Fig. 97. Flyiiig-fisli lifted by the wind and cast on llie deck of a
vessel, wliicb is sliowii in transverse section. After MoBlus.

the inner row verrucose and more scattered, like both
rows on the other bi-anchia] ai'ches. The gill-openings
are large, but close firmly and tightly: the branchio-
stegal membranes are entirely separate, but the left
closelv covers the right in front.

Little is yet known of the |)i'(jpagation of the
Flying-fishes. Their eggs, like those of the Garpikes,
are superficially furnished with filiform appendages.
Mathew" supposed that the spawning took place and
the eggs wei'e developed in the open sea, since he had
found young Flying-fish, less than 3 cm. long, leaping
on the Avater. like grasshoppers on land, thousands of
miles from the nearest coast. Saunders'', on the other
hand, found Flying-fish (he is also silent as to the
species) crowding in to deposit their eggs in rocky
crevices and holes under the water, on the ("liincha
Islands ott' the coast of Peru. This was at the end of

FI.OrNDKK-KIMlKS.

3()1

Miii'fli, tlie season ■which in the Sduthcrn II('mis|ihcrc
corresponds to our autunin: Imt accordinu- to Kisso",
the (ireat Flying-fish of the .Mediterranean has its
ovaries full in s])rin,g.

Kxocdchts ro/ifdi/s is a rai'c s|>eeies even on the
west coast of I'^rance, lhon,i;h e\'cn thert; it has long'
been known, as in liis lime Di iia.mkl'' received a s])e-
cinieu 43 cm. long, from the luiglish Channel. On the
south coast of Ireland and in the l')iastol Chainiel it has
lieen ol)ser\ed .somewhat of'tener, e\cn in shoals, it is
.said to have been taken once in the Irish Sea, north

of the isle of .Man: hut it can scarcely he stated to
occur further north on the coast of (ireat ISritain. Still,
a specimen aliout .")2 <'m. long, accoi'ding to Esm.mik'',
was caught ''in a net off' Moss at the head of C'hristiania.
l-'jord, about 18')0." The specimen is [)i'eserved in
Christiania Museum, but is somewhat (hiniaged. Ll'TKEN,
wild was enabled to make a careful examination of this
specimen, fixes its species as most closely approximating
to Exococtits hdli'ioish, though he is unable to refer it witli
certaint\ to any of the species yet described. f.iLL.JiOBOKG
uidiesitatinglv refers it to ExorodiiH rolifaiis {exsiliens).

HETEROSOMATA .

Maldcoptcrjiii'Kni Eh'iifhcroc/iKifcs in irliirh <if least flic orbital rerfion and the mouth are iivf^ummefrieal in the ailiitt

state, irifh Jiatli ei/cs set an the same side of the liodif.

"Scarcelv auA* other animal form," wrote Suxdevall
in tlie first edition of this work, '"is so sharply defined
by its characters and external a])])earance as the Flat-
fisJies . . . Thev are characterized by their l)i'oad, strongly
compressed body, with the dorsal and anal tins occu-
pying almost its whole lengtli, and especially by the
fact that both eves are set on the same side of the
head. Tlu' skull is so twisted that tlie eye on one side
has been removed to the other. Thus the Flatfishes in
their normal state are of a structure that in all other
animals would be an extremely remarkable monstrosity,
and if thev were unusual, we should undoubtedly re-
gard them as the most wonderfully formed of all crea-
tures; but now that we see this animal form so often,
it generally excites but slight attention. A Flatfish
whose eves were situated like those of other animals,
would be a monster... In sjjite of this deformity of
the head, however, the cranial bones are almost exactly
the same as those of other fishes, being abnormal only
in shape and position. In the other ])arts of the body.

too, there is a certain lack of symmetry, though to a
nuich more restricted extent. The mouth is ahvays
somewhat awry, and the teeth different on each side,
being often wanting on the upper or eye side; the
pectoral fin on the under or blind side is smaller; the
vent is turned towards the same side etc. But the
most striking difference between the sides is that the
eye side is coloured, generally ^vith a dark, brownish
tint, and the blind side wdiite. This jjeculianty, as
well as the position of the e)'es, is very nearly connected
with the singular manner in which these fishes move.
They swim lying fiat on one side, with the blind side
turned towards the bottom, the eyes and the more de-
vclo|ied colour being turned upwards to the light . . .
Sometimes, lajwexer, we meet witli specimens in Avliich
the lilind side is .spotted or partly of the same colour
as the eye side."

This want of symmetry in the Flatfishes has been
a subject of investigation for many naturalists of recent
times. Van Bexeden', Malm', Steexstrup'', TiiAQUAiR*,

l.S.S; Iclitli. Anal. (185G) p. .^54. Order Heterosomatn in Cope, Trans.

" Eur. Mei:, toine 3, p. 446.

* Tr. d. Peches, part. 11, sect. 3, y. 480, t.ib. XXII, fig. 2
' See C'OLLETT. 1. c.

'' Family Heterosomes, Dt'M., Zool. Anal. (1806) pp. 110 am
Ainer. Phil. Soc. Philad., n. ser., vol. XIV (1871), p. 456.

* Bull. Acnd. Roy. Belg. Bniss., tonic XX, part. Ill, p. 206.

/ Ofveis. yet.-.\kad. Forli. 1854, p. 17;-5; Vet.-Akad. Handl., Bd. 7, No. 4, pl. 1 and 2.

? Overs. D. Vid. Selsk. Forli. 1863, p. 145; 1876, p. 174, tab. I— IV.

'' Trans. Linn. Sue, vol. XXV (1866) p. 263, tab. 29 — 32; Proc. Hoy. Pliys. Soc. Edinb. 1864—1865, p. 215.

.Scv/ n tliiwvia n Fi.^li es .

46

362

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

Schiodtk", IJKiciiKirr''. ;ni(l A. AdAssiz' have Inid tlio
luiiiulafioM of niir present kii()\\iedg'e of tlie changes
of (levelopHient through wliich this peculinrity ciHues

to pass.

Diu'ing the early development of the embryo in
the egg and the first part of their independent existence
the Flatfishes are fully symnietvieal, like other verte-
brates, ^lost, if not all, of the Flatfishes leave their

surface, especialh' on calm and clear da\'s. \\'ithin the
island-lielt of I'lohusliin Mai.m found tlu' \i>ung of tlie
Brill swimming in this way in shallow water, in a liay
off Stromstad; and inider similar <ircumstances, near
Kanso off Gothenburg, he found a young specimen, 12
mm. l(jng, of the Sole, that had already undergone a
great portion of its transformations. In the samjway
too, in the harbour of Copenhagen, Mullei; took witii

Fig. 08. Cliiuiges of g-rowtli in the larviu of a Pleuronecteti (.iiiierk-niiiis: n, a larv.-i iilioiit 4 nun. long, a day or two after the liatcliing of
the egg, with fully .syiiinietrioal eyes. Peotoral fins well-developet). Larval vertical tin e.xtemling without a hreak from the occiput lound
the tip of the tail to the venl, the ventral part being somewhat broader than the dorsal. Ii. somewhat older and much less transparent than
the preceding specimen. -Vt the caudal end the notochonl has begun to be elevated (tlie beginning of the heleroi'ercal stage), and (Uie or two
very indistinct caudal rays have appeared in the vertical tin beneath it. c. a larva 5 mm. long, with a far greater rmmber of rays in the
distinctly heterocercal caudal fin, and witli the segmentation of the spinal column more distinct, d, 7 mm. long, with indications of the
separation of the caudal fin from both llie dorsal and the ventral vertical fins, which are both still without rudiments of true rays. f, of
tile same length as the preceding specimen, with the primary tip of the tail forming a distinct lobe above the rudimentary caudal fin, and
with rudiments of true rays in the future dorsal and anal fins. Larva still perfectly symmetrical. After A. Ag.\ssiz.

eggs to develop freelv floating in tlK> sea — the eggs ;i hoop-net the young specimen of the lirill whicli is
of the otliers lie l(;osc on the bottom or are looseh'

iittaehed to seaweeds or otlier objects — and (hiring the
first days of tlieir existence the Aoung are found swim-
ming about, like tlie frv of other fishes, often at the

de.scribed b\- SchiOdte; and the cireumsttinces were the
same when A. Agas.siz found outside the htirbour of
New])ort, (piite near shore, the transparent young of
the liothoid form which he c(jnsidered to beloniz' to the

" Xaturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. :i, vol. V. p. -.267, tab. XI.

'' Arch. Anat., Phys. etc., .Jahrg. 1S74. p. 100; Stzber. Ges. Naturf. Fr. Berlin, 1874, p. 85.

' Development of tlie Flounders, Proc. .\mcr. Acad. .Vrls and. Sc, vol. XIV, 1878, plates III — X.

n.ni Mii;i:-MMii:.s.

?>m

.same ^•(■iius as the ' I'laf/nsia'" that Sri;i:NSTi;rr iiail (il>- '.'S)''. In lli'' ti'iic Flatlislics this shape, which is (h-ej)-

taiiied tVciin different parts of the Alhintic en<'il only hy ihi' confiMiioiis vertical tin, without true

The most reniarkulih' point in the appearance of rays, whii-h extemls ii-oui the occiput i-ouml the tip ol

the larxu' of the Flatfisiu's for the first few (hays ;ifter the tail to the \cnt. may lie retained until the tail has

tlie\ ha\e left the eii-ji', is t he cloiiLiated, ;dniosl l".el-like assumed its licterocci-cal form and developed true lin-

shaiie of the hod\ in the majorilx of the spe<-ies (Iil:-. I'ays, The jiectoi-al tins li;i\e now .-ippi'iired. 'I lieu the

Fig. 90. Continuation of tlie cliangcs of growtli in tlic fry of Pleuroticcte." ,iiiievir(uiiii^. Tlic body of tlie larva- now grows deeper, tlioiigli
cliiefty owing to tlie more and more distinct separation of the dorsal and ventral iius from the caudal fin, </, a larva 8 mm. long, with the
left eye moved slightlv forward, wliicli apprars from its altered position, first with relation to the brain, and second with relation to the
hind (lower^ end of the upper jaw-bone. Rudiments of tiie hypural bones now present under the raised posterior tip of the notochord
//, a rather more advanced larva, with the left eye visible from the right side of the body, raised slightly above the nasal profile, and mov
ed forward to a point about '/, its own length in front of the right eye. Caudal fin rounded, and rudiments of the ventral fins visible
c, a larva 12 mm. long, with more distinct ventral fins and with the left eye moved still farther forward. </, with the greater part of the
left eye visible from the right side, e, a young specimen nearly 18 mm. long, with the left eye at the <lorsal margin of the head, but
almost entirely transferred U> the right side, where it has also moved slightly brick, while the front part of the dorsal fin

has begun to develop to the left of it. .\flcr A. AoASSlz.

" That these small Flatfishes belong to the group of the Sole, is hardly probable. They are most like those larvw which R.aff.xELE
(Mith. Zool. Stat. Neapel, 15d. VIII, p. 51, pi. 3, figs. UJ and 18) referred to the genus Anwijlossus. A true, transparent genus of Sole,
on the other hand, or a larva thereof seems to be described by nftcWN-OooPK (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880. p. 344) under the name of
Tliyris pellucidus, from the deep water oft' Xewjiort.

'■ Sometimes the larvic are furnished with a long occipital Hnray ev.n in this stage: see R.uf.aEI.e. 1. c. pi. .S. fig. 12. .ind perhaps
Emeuy, the same magazine. Vol. VI, pi. 10, fig. 20.

364

SCANDINAVIAN KISHKS.

dorsal and anal fins bepii to develop True i-iys; and
linally the knol)-like rudiments of the ventral tins a|)-
pear. Up to no-\v tiie head has been pert'eetly sym-
metrical. The eyes are ]ierfect, with strong niotory
muscles, and ha\'e already begun to show that marked
mobility whicii ciiai'acterizes the Flatfisiies in general,
one eye lying on each side of the tumid middle bi-ain.
The covei'ing bones of tlie 1)rain-case ai'e as yet mere
membranous rudiments.

As the vertical fins now develop more and more,
the caudal fin assumes its homocei'cal sliape, the dorsal
and anal fins are furnished witii tiaie rays and inter-
spinal l)ones, and the bod^' gi'ows deeper. The young
Flatfish now begins to lie oftener on one side, and
swims in a more and more oblique ])Osition. (^ne of
the eyes begins to ttirn inwards, first moving some-
what forward to\\'ards the snout and inward toAvards
the opposite side of the body (fig. i)9, /y, <: and d),
then up the forehead and over to the op]>osite side
(fig. 99, e), and finally, in most cases, furtlier and
further back on this side, which is now the ei/c side,
while the other side (jf the body has become the l/liiid
■■^ide. Sometimes, e. g. in the genus PInfopliri/s {BJioiii-
boidichtJi/fs), the eye retires so far back that it ap])ar-
ently lies high up on the occiput.

Meanwhile the covering Ixjiies of the skull have
begun to develoj), but they are still cartilaginous and
thin, and of far too soft texture to hinder the move-
ments and the changes in the position of the eye,
whicIi, on the other hand, both ii\ the eventual sliajie
of tiiese bones and leave room for their abnormal, se-
condary development. In the first ))lace the front part
of tlie frontal bones (fig. 100, /' and /') is compressed
between the eyes (o and a'), while the posterior |)a.rt
of these bones (fig. 101, fr. d and fr. s, beneath in
the figure) generally retain their breadth, but grow
more ami more distoi-fed. The lateral ethmoid bones
(the anterior frontal bones, fig. 100, « and r/; fig. 101,
fr. (I. d and fr. ii. s), which are pierced by the olfactoiy
nerves, are also removed and changed in developiiient:
the lateral ethmoid bones of the blind side (fr.d.s)
and the tiaie ethmoid lione (tig. 100, c; in fig. 101 not
specially marked, but King between /'/•. a. .s and /V. ^^(/)
form the usualh- raised, aiitci'ior and antero-cxterior

wall of the oi'bit, which is entirely closed on the outer
(u|)])er) side, this being due to the fact that the frontal
bones of the blind side {fr. ft) outside (al)ove) the eye
grow out anteriorly into a process which meets a C(jr-
responding excrescence in a backward direction of the
lateral ethmoid bones of the blind side. Sometimes,
however, these processes distinctly represent the sub-
orbital bones". They thus form an osseous bridge at
the eventual dorsal edge of the head; and forward above
this bridge, in most cases, grows tlic anteiaor part of
the dorsal fin with its interspinal bones, which are
supported thereon, just as the lateral nuiscles of the
bocU" (the occipitid nuiscular part) extend forward to

Fig. 100. Skull <if a Cod, seen from above and reduced in size.
After Steexs'iTiUP. c, vomer; p, etiimoid bone; a right, a' left lateral
ethmoid bone; o, situation of the light, o' of the left eye; /', right,
/" left frontal bone; /), posterior frontal bone on the right, p' on the
left; t', upper occipital bone.

this jioint. The occipital ridge of the skull is also
continued in most cases on this osseous bridge, which
thus, although secondary, and issuing from the original
later;d |)ai'ts of the skeleton, accjuires the appearance
of a median formation. It is true that the passage of
the eye exercises some influence over the position and
form of the other l)ones of the skull: the parasphenoid
bone anteriorly, from the orbital region, becomes more
or less twisted, or more developed on the one side of
the body (the blind side), and in most cases the vomer
also shares this rotation. Hut the bones of the true
cranium (exce]>t the frontal bones) undergo oid\' slight

" In Pleiironectet! ryiioi/hs.iiis the osseous liridge thus formed is furnished, on the blind side, with a coarse-meshed network c^f bony
ridges, belonging to a nuiciferous duct; and in iSolea {Achini.f) lineata the bridge is double. The only other trace of a true suborbital ring
that occurs, is the frequent presence of a preorbital boue united to the latcial ethmoid bone of the eye side.

i-i.iirNi)i;i;-KiMii;s.

365

iiltei'iition or iinnc .il nil, .iinl the |Piirts (it the liiaiii sni I'm, or ;it ;ill cxciits its predt'ccssor, tli<' oiiibrvonic

rc'tiiiii tlicii- niiijiii.il |"isiti(>n in the skull, while in most vci'tical lln, cxtdmls so lar i'orward on tlic dorsal edge

rases the iialatinc tcctli, and sometimes the jaw-tcetli ' of the head that the eye mnst Ibrce its way under the

as \\c'll, remain almost utiihan'''ed. I)ase ot tiiis lin, aiinarentK' sti-aiLiht tiii"ouL!li the li(!ad.

/,•.".

./'••■

Fig. 101. SUiiU I't l'lciirom:rli:.i iiliitc^nii, l' ., tiiaus (he iiutiinil size.

0, vomer; /;•. a. d. right, />. n. s, k'ft lateral clhiiioid houe; /)'. d, right,

fr. .«, left frontal bone, the anterior parts of these bones being pressed

forward to the right, and marked in tlie same way.

S4U.S.

Squ d

Fig. 102. Sehemalic ligure of the skull of Fleuroiiectes platessa,
borrowed from TuAQUAiu, as an explanation of the position of the
various bones in the preceding figure, e, ethmoid bone; jr. a. d, right,
fr. a. .*, left lateral ethmoid bone, eaeh piereed with a hole to receive
the olfactory nerve; Jr. d, right, j'r. .1, left frontal bone. — The un-
shaded parts of these bones on the left indicate their secondary ex-
crescences.— j'r. p. d, hind frontal bone on the right, j'r.p.s, on the
left; p. d, right, p. s, left parietal bone: o. s, upper occipital bone;
mast, d, right, mast, s, left mastoid bone; sqn. d. right, squ. s, left
squamosal bone. The line oa shows the original dorsal edge of the
skidl, ox the secondary one. w. t/, right, oc. s, left eye.

Fig. lO.S. Young Sole (^'olea ciil;jari.-'). \> mm. long and 4'.^ mm. deep. .U"ter M.m.m. .r — //, that part i.f the fnlure base of the dorsjd
tin under which the left (upper) eye has probably passeil: j, the optic lolies of the brain.

These arc the oi(rniar\- clianges during tiie pa.ssage Tiiis is the fourse of the wanderings of the eye in the

of tlio one eve from one side of tiie body to the otiier; tran.sparent, perfectly clear Flatfishes — i)rol)al)ly ini-

hut there are certain forms of Flatfish (among them , mature forms of species not yet fixed — which Steex-

probahlv the common Sole. fig. lit.'i) in which the dor- .sTi;i r .ind .\. .Ac.vssiz (see above) have figured cand

36(i

SCANDINAVIAN FI8IIK.S.

described. The foi'iiiev .•issiiined that the eye in its These radical nlteratioiis are accoui])aiiied l>v a coii-

wanderiiigs penetrates ;i ])iirt of the still lueinbivin- ' sidera-ble difi'ei'ence in the shape of the body -witliin tlic

ous frontal bones of the blind side, while the latter i various 2renera of this series: I mt the intermediate forms

!
in his tiiiures shows the passage of the eye just j prevent us from shar])lv limiting the groups we should

under the lower ends of the interspinal bones of

the dorsal tin.

like to deiim\ and most Avriters agree in referring all
these forms to one common family.

1am. PLEURONECTIDiE.

liodij hi (idiilf spec'niiiuis deep (did sfroiif/li/ comjircssed, iritli the cije side, in tlir iKitiind jidsifiim, tinned ii/nrards
and the hiiiid side dDinnnirds. Dorsal and anal fins Joni/, occapi/inf/ at least flie i/reater part af the leni/tli af
the fsh. Ih-anr]iii)strf/a] rails ('> — v. Pseiidohrai/eliid' present or irantiiifi. Air-liladder fienendlij irantini/. Pi/Jorie

appe)ida(ies feir or iraidini/.

This fimilv, whirh was established bv Cuvikh
under the nnme of I'aissaiis plats, I'ionoelht's'' Pisces
jdaiii. sjtiiKisi, bore the name of ^ii^TToi-iduQ \n as early
a writer as AiiisToTi.K; but its present svstematic name,
fieiiriineetiihe, is no olch'i' than in BoNAPAiiTKs' time.

The shape of the bodv is no deeper here than in
inanv other tishes, in certain Chietodonts and Caraiigidcc
for example: and in the Rays flatness of body is conjoined
with tlie same hal)its and in great jjart the same co-
loration and maimer of loccnnotioii as tliose of the !• lat-
fishes. The asymmetry of the latter, however, as we
have rera;irked above, is always enougli to distinguish
them. Whether tliis characteristic is immediately con-
nected, as some have assumed, \vith the general ab-
sence of the air-bhidder in the Flatfishes, is a very
doubtful j)oint, for both in Paralirlitlii/s (Psciiddrliniu-
hi(s) dentatiis {melanoi/aster) and in liatJiiis (lilionihus)
macalatiis Ahassiz'' found the air-bladder "well-deve-
loped" in tlie frv e\en before the eve liad begini its
wanderings. Again, the air-bladder is not wanting in
all tlie rest of the members of this family. Costa'
found it [n'esent in several Mediterranean species, even
when full-grown, its size being greatest in Itlioinhnid-
ichthjis jxidas: it is iiardly a functional organ, ho'we\er,
and (luring the course of development it shrinks or

clian"'es into a lilandular or;;an, accordiim' to Costa, a
lymphatic ganglion. The loss of the air-bladder, like
tlie asymmetry, is thus a change of development. This
is also true of the different coloiu'S of the two sides of
tiie body. So long as the frA" are symmetrical, the
pigment is ei|iially distriliuted on each side of the body:
and even . during the wanderings of the e^e, the dif-
ference is slight. During this period dark transverse
bands usually appear on the dorsal and anal tins and
the neiii'hbourinii' i)arts of the sides, as far inwards as
to the end of the interspinal bones; and these trans-
verse bands belong to the blind as ^vell as to the eye
side. During the advancing metamorphosis to asym-
metr\', howe\cr, the liliiid side loses more and more of
its pigment, until at last, in most cases, it is lileached
(|uite white, and the colour of the bod\- collects on the eve
side. In recent times, chiefly thrcnigh the researches of the
Frenchman Pouchet', science has been enabled positively
to refer these changes of colour to the nervous system.
The lively description HeinckI') has given us of
the changes of colour in (johias darescens (see al)o^■e,
p. 252) is a striking example of the power possessed
by fishes in general of adapting their own colour to
that of their surroundings: but the Flatfishes enjoy this
faculty to a still higher degree, esi)eciallv during youth.

" lii'ijii. Anim., ctlit. I (1817), [>. 218.

'' Ik Piscil)H.s- (1554), p. .H09. The Kays wore pisceD plaui, cartilugiael.

'■ Hagij., 18:-?1; .S'//.?/. Irlit. Isis 1833. Rafinesque called (lie f.Tiiiily Plaironectia (1815), and Risso used the Fivnch name Fleiiro-
iiectides (182G).

'' Dcvel. Flovnd., 1. e., p. 11, pi. VI and VII.

*■ Fii, Ref/ii. Nap., Malacott., Sottohr., Pleuron., p. 64.

•' On tlie connection of nerven and clirnmohlast.^, Moiithl. Mier. Jmini., Dec. 1871, p. 285: /'c* clidiKjeiiients dc coloration uVo».« I'ir,-
fliience des nerfs, Joiirn. de I'Atiat., Pliys. 1871!, pji. 1 and li:!. )d. I — IV. Cf. Smitt: I'r dc liOgrc djm'en.-: iiU-ccl:Iiiii/f=liistoriii. p. 271.

i'i,(irM)i;K-risiii;s.

;',r,7

I'xitli PiirciiKr ;iii(l Acassiz (1. c) succeeded l)est in
rlicir e\i)eriineiits on s|)eciiiieii.s of liotliits wliidi \v(!i'e
sliit't(ul from \cssels .iiid liottoins oi' different colours
;ind into dilfei'<'nt liiiiils, ;il\\;i\s with llie I'csull lh;it on
.■I dark l)ot1oni and in dark en\ ironinents llic lisli lurns
dark, while it assumes a liiihtcr liiil when the circum-
stiiiicc'S arc re\'ersed. In this mannei- it conceals itself
in its free state, either to lie in andmsh for some \ictini

l>(!sidestiie iridocytes of Pouchet — pigmental bodies
or cells contiUiiinjLi' ))o\verf"ully refractive, microscopical
disks arranged in i)arallel lines or heaped like the coins
in a roll, to the presence (jf uiiicli bodies the gray
coloui- of ihe skin of the Flounders is due — we here
fnid chromatophon;s" ol black, scllow and rcil. '1 he
black clironiatopliores, whicii are always more or less
ramifii'd \\ hen tlie\' exiiand. but nia\ contrait into a

or to escape the notice of some foe. IJut PoL'ciiET, I tiny ilot, lie nearot tiie surface; and the position ot
whose sid)jecls were Turbots of different sizes, \arving the \cllow and reil varies considei'ably in the ditiereiit
in length lu'twccn l! and 2") cm., i'ound that the\ lost si)ecies. The varying expansion oi- contraction of these
this power of changing colour when he blinded them, cells, is adapted to the colours of liie surroundings ot
and also forgot to cover ihemseho with sand when the tisii, and produces that arrangement of colours on
])laeed on a sandy bottom, an end which thev other- the eye side of the Flounders which sometimes renders
wise attain (piite >kilfnll\' b\' a few sharp strokes with
the hind part of the bod\'. It was thus e\ident that
sight was a uecessai'\' adjunct of the changes of colour.
The \isual sensations pass from the eves to the brain.

them so dilHcidt to di.scover.

'I"liu>. the ner\-ous system and. in p.-irticular. the
sense of si"ht ai-e the determinant factors in the chan«res

)f c(dour: and Poicriirf h;

Iso siiowii that habit exei"-

whei'e the\- are e\changeil for nervous \ibrations that i cises no sniaii influence on this faculty. ( hit of a inim-
start the expansion or contraction of the chromato- ber of 'rurl)ots that wi^re kept alive in ;i \\i-\\, he se-
phores: and these nerxous \ibratious. according to

Piirniiri'. are con\c\-ed partl\- along the Trifacial nerve
(the tifth pair of nerves in the head), ])artly by the
great sympathetic ciiaiu of ganglia, to the spinal nerves.
The sjiinal cord itself, accordii:g to PofCiii-yf's iiivesti-
i^'atioiis, does not pla\" the least part in the transmission
of these \ibrations: but the s\-m|);ithetic ner\ous chain
which lies bi-neath the \i'rtebra' on each side, and is
connected with the cranial nerves, especially with the
Trifacial nerxc, sends out branches to each i)air of the
spinal nerves. If these nerves are destroyed in that
part of their course that contains elements of the sym-

lecied the palest. He then put it in a \essel with a
brown bottom, and five days elapsed Ijefore the fish
c()idd adapt its colour to that ot tlie bottom. He now
moved it to a liglit sand\- bottom, and in two da\'s
the fish had regained its foi-mer liglit colour. Again
he nitncd it to a l)i'own bottom, and now onh' tw(j
hours pro(Iuced the same effect as it had taken five
da\s to gain before. "The facult\- of changing cohnir,"
.says Pot ciiF.r. "is thus intiuencc<l by habit, and this
too, soon enough, for the riirl)ot in (piestion had lived
at nio.st only three months on the light bottom wiiere
we found it. From an anatomical point of \ iew it is
pathetic nervous system, they also lose the power of very ditticnit to explain this Italiit. Perhaps the nerves
transmitting an\- intluence to the clnomatophores. This that start the contraction or expansion of the chromatic
comiexion between tlie action of the brain and that of cells, are in some way paralysed by want of exercise,
the sympathetic nervous system on the chromatophores ' and recpiire s(jnie time to recover from this paralysis,
in the skin, may well serve as an explanation of the < >r ha\c the chromatic cells lost too umch t)f their con-
blending — in many ca.ses quite incom|)reliensible — of tractile mattery Or must we look for the reason of
voluntary and involuntary changes in the colour of the their immobility outside them: perhaps in the surround-
-kin under the intluence of phenomena of light or sen- ing tissues, the resistance of which prevents the ex-
snal impressions, a circumstance which may often be | pun.sion of the cells? All these are i|uestions to which
ol)served even in the higher animals. The development no answer can be given at present. lUit we can easily
of the spawning-dress .seems also to be due chiefly to realise that the fact that habit thus gains influence sn
the intluence exerci.sed by the sMupathetic nervous sy- </i(irklf/, is of some zoological importance. As it can
stem at the time for the higher development of the be .shown that the faculty of changing colour may l)e
irenerative orjrans and their maturation. restricted in so >hort a time, we nuist also acknowledge

" PoucilKT, who proposes to reserve llie name of cliroiiintopliurcs for Uie more developed cliromatic eells — in the ( 'tplialopoiln for
e.xiimple — calls these more protoplasiiiatie tells ehromoblasts.

368

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

tliat under certain circumstances, e. g. if" a species were
never enabled to exercise it for sevei-al generations, it
may entirely disapjjcar. Furthermore, the same stock
may eventually l)e found to have given rise to two
distinct races, the one deeply and the other faintly
coloured, according to the ditt'erent bottom on which
each of them has taken up its abode; and lioth of them,
through want of jjivicticc, may have lost theii' ancestors'
power of changing colour. In this manner we may
explain tiie origin of several varieties recognised by
zoology, as due merely to the influence of habit. It
is even probable that from this point of view we may
be compelled to revise many species tliat have been

selves are generally larger on the blind side. Most
often too, the muciferous ducts of the head are more
developed on this side than on the eye side.

The scales of the body vary considerably in de-
scription, but are generally well-developed, so much so
that in this respect, too, the Flatfishes take the same
place among the Malacopterj'gian Physoclysts as the
Scale-finned fishes (fain. S(jii(niiiji/ji)ics) among the Acan-
thopterygians. Sometimes the scales are middle-sized,
but in that case often deciduous, sometimes small and
firmly embedded in the skin. As a rule the scaly co-
vering of the body ad\ances over the base of the un-
paired fins, either on the rays or on the membrane

sht

Fi>;-. 104: Schematic figure of tlic copljalic system nf tlic lateral line in a Cud: lig. 105: Similar figure of the head el' a Tiirbot. After
Ti'.AQUAU:. .s'rt, suborbital brancli: »/, mandibular brancli; />, frontorostral branch; c, connecting branch between the two frontorostral branches :

fyt, su|iratem]poral branch.

established mereh' on tlie strength of characters of this
description."

Tlie sense of sight being now cxchisiveh' confined
to one side of thc' body, the coloration of the l)ody
follows it, the other side of tlie body becoming albinistic.
At the same time too, the great musculaf mass of the
body is develo])ed more on the eye side than on the
l)lind side. In most cases the paired fins are also re-
duced most and fii'.st on the blind side; but sometimes
not oidy tiie beginning of the dorsal fin. l)ut aiso the
terminations of this tin and of the anal lin cross over
to the blind side. The dental c(|iiipment of the jaws
is also stronger, as a rule, on tlie jaw-lioncs of tliis side
than on those of the eye side, and the jaw-bones tlieni-

between them; and the head, too, is usuallv covered
with scales right out on the snout. In this respect,
too, the blind side is generally inferior to the eye side;
and the scales are often wanting on the lilind side of
the head. Sometimes the scales are cycloid (smooth-
margined), sometimes ctenoid (rough-margined), and
sometimes a portion of them are changed into s])inous
tubercles. In those of the species with ctenoid scales
with whose changes of development we are acquainted,
the scales are cycloid over the whole of the body du-
ring youtii; while in older sjjecimens they are ctenoid
on the entire eye side oi- some part thereof, but on
the blind side may remain cycloid or lie changed to
ctenoid scales there as well.

FLOLNDKli-FISHES.

yG9

Almost the .s;mie rcinnrks jippU- to the system of |
the Intei-Jil line. As a rule it is well-developed, though j
sometimes externally indistinct, in all the Scandinavian
species its extent is normal, tii()ii,i;ii ;i portion of it on
the head is sometimes reduced h\- tlie remo\ ;d of the
e\c. Tims, in the Turljot all tliose branches of the
.system tiiat ;ippenr in ;i. Codfish for exami)le, ;irc vv-
peated, ;is appears from a comparison between fig. 104
and fig. 105. Fi'om the temporal region on each side
of the body an occipital (supratemporal, sj)f) branch
runs up towards the dorsal edge. In the Flounders
this branch runs to each side of the dorsal fin and
coasts it in a forwai'd direction to the beginning of the
tin, or ramifies, in which case it may follow the base

eye passes straight through the liead to the remainder
of the frontorostral branch of the blind side. In several
exotic genera the lateral line of the body is doubled
or even trebled, partly, as we have mentioned above,
by a dorsal branch coasting the base of the dorsal fin,
and partly by a ventral brancli along the base (if the
anal iin. in these cases it may happen either that both
sides of the lindy are alike in this respect, or that the
eye side is furnished with two or three lateral lines
and the blind side with one or none.

All tlie fin-rays are soft (articulated), sometimes
simple and sometimes branched. Sometimes they are
simple in all the fins, sometimes branched in the caudal
fin alone, sometimes in the paired fins as well, and

Fig. 100. Ceplialic system of the lateral line on tlie eye side of a | Fig. 107. Corresponding figure of the blind side of the liead in the
Plaice. After Traquair. spti; dorsal branch of the lateral line. For ' same fish. After Traquair. For the signification of the letters see
the signification of the rest of the letters see the preceding figure. the preceding figure.

of the dorsal fin both forward and back (fig. 106).
Down from the temporal region runs the mandibular
branch {m), along the hind margin of the preoperculum
and on the under surface of tiie lower jaw. In a for-
ward direction the frontorosti'al branch (fr) crosses the
frontal and ethmoid bones to the turbinate bones, with
a connecting liranch (c) between or behind the eyes,
from the branch on one side of the lx)dy to that on
the other. Each frontorostral branch sends out a sub-
orbital branch {so) behind the e\e. In the Plaice (figs.
106 and 107) the frontorostral branch of the blind side
disappears behind the orbital region; l)ut the connecting
branch is persistent, being externallv visible on the eye
side, and at the hind margin of the upper (transferred)

See n tVtit a via n Fish e.< .

sometimes branched in all the fins. The pectoral fins
are usually set fairlj' high, and the ventral fins in front
of, or sometimes exactly in, the perpendicular dropped
from tlie insertion of the former fins. These paired
fins, however, are very often reduced, as we have men-
tioned above; and the ventral fins may be sometimes
united by the fin-membrane to the anal fin. In this
case, when only one of the ventral fins (that of the
eye side) is developed, it presents the external appear-
ance of an anterior lobe of the anal fin.

At the beginning of the latter fin, just behind the
vent, there sometimes projects a strong spine. This is
the lower end of the first interhannal spine of the anal
fin, which spine is also called the ]JOstabdominaI bone,

47

;70

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

iiufl ill the Flatfishes is oxtrMordinarily well-developed
and together Avith the htenial si)iae of the tirst caudal
vertebra-, on the front of \vhicli it is supported at the
top, foriDS the curved hind wall of the abdominal cavity,
which is comparatively narrow in these tishes.

Tlie abdominal cavity is at first comparatively long,
the vent in the larvae when just hatched, sometimes
lying even behind the nuddle of the body, liut during
the course of development the vent is mo\'ed farther
and farther forward, while the abdominal cavity is
relatively shortened until in full-grown specimens it
becomes more or less semicircular in its medinn longi-
tudinal (sagittal) section. The vent thus assumes a very
forward position, and in many forms lies at the middle
of the ventral margin; Init in the most distorted types
it passes over to the l)]ind side. The greater part of
the left side of the abdominal cavity is occupied by
the liver, around \vhit'h, al>ove and behind, lie the
(esophagus and the stomach, which is only slightly
divided from the latter, behind and l)elow, the in-
testine. The intestine usually forms an immediate con-
tinuation of the stomach, being sharply divided from
the latter internally by a very muscular, funnel-shaped

of 186'2 gives the number of species in this family as
229, distributed among 34 genera; while in 1883 .Tor-
dan and Gilbert recognised nearly 400 species". In
his Introduction to the Stiidi/ of Fishes (pp. .3.53 — 559)
GuNTHER gives 42 genera.

The geographical range of tlie familv embraces all
the seas from the Equator to the Polar Regions; and
some of the species even make their way into fresh
watei'. The greatest abundance of forms belongs, it is
true, to the tropical seas; but the largest species belong
to temperate and cold climates. The family is repre-
sented even off Bear Island and Spitzbergen.

On account of the great variety of forms a sub-
division of the family is quite necessary. At the time
when the general signification of the genus corresponded
to the family of modern ichthyologists, a division of
this nature was proposed l)y Quensel', who broke up
the old genus Pleuronectes into two genera: Pleuronectes,
"witli the mouth at tlie tip of the head and furnished
with distinct, movable jaws, the lower being longer or
more prominent than the u])per," and Solea, in which
"the mouth is crescent-shaped, set obliquely at the
sharp edge of the under margin of the head, and furn-

pylorus, below which hang the pyloric ap])endages, | ished M'ith indistinct jaws, the upper being prominent
which are few and, in most cases, small. To the right j and longer than the lower." According to the same
of the abdominal cavity' lie the coils of the intestine, character in all essential respects Bonaparte' distin-

attached to the mesenteriuin, with its numerous and
large, lymphatic vessels. Here too, we find the spleen
and the gall-bladder, which is generally large. The
kidneys are, as usual, situated in the abdominal cavity,
just under the spinal column, and the ureters are united
into a urinary bladder. The organs of generation lie
at the middle of the hind wall of the abdominal cavity;
liut when they are much developed and tumid, the
space allowed for them within the abdominal cavity is
too small, and they force their way back, in a flat,
conical shape, between the large muscles of the body
and the interhajmal bones of the anal fin or tlie h;\?raal
spines of tlie caudal \ertebr8e, on each side of the
latter.

Tlie family of the Flounders is one of those with
the most numerous species. Gunthei! in his Catnlof/iie

guished between the subfamilies Plenroiiecfini, ''in- ciii
la masceJIn pin litnga e l"nifeyi<)ii\' and Soleini, ''in cui
1(1 piii hiiifia e la sKperiore\ Guxtiier'' also di-
vided the family of the Flounders into two groups:
I, Avith tlie jaws and their teeth almost equallj' de-
veloped on each side of the body, and II, with narrow
mouth, in which the teeth are more developed on
the blind side than on the eye side. Thus we al-
ready have a suggested principle on which to arrange
this family in three subfamilies. Furthermore, Gill
soon afterwards^ quoted Cuvier's distinction between
the subgenera. Hippoglossus and Bhomlms, and on the
strength of the structure and position of the ventral
fins in the latter genus established the subfantily Bhoiu-
hince. Thus we now have fixed characters for four
subfamilies:

" The number of tlie species cannot be fixed exactly.
* Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1806, pp. 44 and 203.

'■ [coil. Fit. Jtiil.. tdiii. Ill Pleuronet-te.-i iiuicrolepidolii.i, nnm. p. H. Cf. also Bi.EEKicn. .1//. Ichthijol. lad. Accrl., torn. VI, pp.
4 and IG.

•' nrit. ^flts. Vat. F/.s-//., v(.l. IV, p. 400.
' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pbil. 18G4, p. 215.

ir,<)iNi)i:i;-risiii:s.

1. /fr/eroso)ii(it(i Mileuiu, witli tlic u])])or jaw most prominent;

-. „ pleuroncctina, witli tlic lower jiiw most pro-

minent, the gape small and ()l)li(|ii(', and the
jaw-teeth eonsiderably reduced dii the eye
side ;

3. „ hiiipotjlossinu, witli the lower jaw most pro-

minent, tiie gape midilli -.sized or large, the
jaw-tectii developed almost as much ou tiie
eve side as on the l)lind side, the ventral

fins one on each side of the ventral margin,
and the rays of these lins close together at
the base.
I li'tcrosviiKiUt liotJiina, witli tiie lower jaw most prominent,
the gape middle-sized or large, the jaw-teeth
almost equally developed on both sides of the
body, the ventral (in of tiie eye sifle inserted
just at the ventral ridge, and the rays of the
ventral fins more or less far apart at the base".

SUBF.VMII.Y SOLEINA.

FJlinto'nl iraslrdl) t(irfil(if/c <>f the snoitt ircll-dcrrhipcd. formiii// the framfiroii: of ti ni/irr or Icsm Jiifjii, hiif com-
picsscd ehngutloH of tlic head in a fonrard direction. This elongated part of the head generalh/ curves doun-
irards, in a marc or less hooh'cd shape, in front of or ercn under and hchind the month, which is narrow and
hcnt. .fans {at least the ina.rillari/ hones) more or less cunipletelij hidden hi/ the lips, and the jaw-teeth developed
onlg on the blind side, where the rent has also taken its position. Eyes small or hidden. Psendohranehirr nanf-

ing: gill-rakers also iranting, or onlg few and tnLercuhir.

The most conspictioiis of tho cliaracters given above,
the projection of the snout in tVont of the luoutli, is
valid in most cases and, in piirticulav, in tlic Scandi-
navian fauna. But the coiuic.\ioii between the forms
of the family impairs the universal validity of this cha-
racter, for there arc Soles — c. g. Brachirus zebra of
the Pacific Ocean niul the coa.st of lndi:i — in which
the mouth lies almost exactly at the middle of tlie tip
of the liead, with tlie snout jjrojecting extremely little,
if ;it ,ill, beyond the tip of the lower jaw. In such
cases, iiowever, the members of this subfamilv may be
easily recognised by their small eyes and the alisence !
of teeth on the jaw-bones of the eye side.

Just as we have ranged the Flounder-fislies before
the Codfishes, on nccouiit of their far nioi'c juUanced
metamorphosis of the Anacanthine tvi)e'', we also give
the Soles the first place in the Flounder family, because
the asymmetry has evidently advanced farthest in their
case. It is also within this subfamily that most of the
reductions most frei|uently occur, the pectoral and vent-
ral fins of one side or of both disappearing, or the e\"cs

being hidden by tlie skin. Un the other hand, as we
have mentioned above, the number of the lateral lines is
very often increased in these fishes, and numerous feel-
ers (barbels) are in many cases developed on the head,
especially on the blind side. The peculiarity .so charac-
teristic of the family of the Flounder-fishes that lies in the
great length of tlie dorsal and anal fins (their extension
over the greater jinrt of the edges of the body), also
reaches the highest jioiiit of its develo])meiit in the
Soles. The dorsal fin may not only commence far out
on the snout, but may even extend downwards round
the tip of the snout along its ventral margin, which
in these cases is elongated into a hooked, recm-ved pro-
jection of the upper jaw. This projection sometimes
ciitiri'Jx' surrounds tin' lower jaw''.

This subfamily contains perhaps half the species
included in the \\hole famih'. In tlie subfamilv too,
tlie uRist numerous and most singular forms belong to
the tropical seas; but the most delicious and most valu-
able is a memlier of the Scandinavian fauna.

" In this Inst respect tlie Mediterranean ('ittiants liiiguatiiln is an exception, having tlie ventral fin of (he eye side inserted just at
the ventral ridge. But the ventral rays are close together at the base.

* The name of Anacantliini was unfortunately applied to an order including the Codfishes and Flounders by MCller (Ccrl. AV>h. 1844),
Bo.MAPARTE having already employed it in 1837 (Syu. Vert. Si/st.) for a subfamily of the Rays.

' As we have not been able to find a trace of psoudobranchiic in Solea or in Ci/noglos,ttis, the two extremes of the variations of
form ill the subfamily, we have assumed that this character holds good for the whole subfamily. Kkovkr, too {Damn. Fisk-e, Bd. 2. p. 470),
has remarked that iSo/en vulgaris is without pseudobrancliiic.

372

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Genus SOLEA.

Body elUpfical and, with the exception of the lilind side of the >i)ioi(t, entiielij eorered icith tmuill ctenoid scales,
continued over the vertical fins, ichich are separate from each otlier. Anal fin without the anal spine. Commence-
ment of the dorsal fin on the snout. Ei/es, as a rule, on the right side of the hody, the upper (transferred) eye
heiny situated farther fortvard than the lower. Tip of the snout round and curviuy only sliyhthj over the tip of
the lower jaw (forininy no recurred hook). No vomerine or palatine teeth. Lateral line on each side of the hody

simple and usually straiyht.

With tliis limitation — based on GCnthek's opinion

— the genus Solea comprises about 40 species from tlie
tropical and the north temperate seas, and shows con-
siderable variety of form. The form varies from oblong
(tongue-shaped) to broad elliptical, witli perfect and
well-developed pectoral tins on both sides or with these
tins reduced — either on the blind side or on both

— and with the ventral tins both entirely free from the
anal tin or with the ventral tin of the eye side united
by a membrane to the tirst ray of that fin. It has,
therefore, l)een ])roposed to divide the genus into several
subgenera, which still pass into each other through

intermediate forms, (hie of these proposed subgenera,
in which the Sole, the type of the genus, is included,
is characterized by the oblong body, the depth of which
measures at most "/s o^ the length to the base of the
caudal tin, the well-developed pectoral aiid ventral fins,
of almost e(|ua.l size on both sides of the body and
Avith the raj's covered for at least half their length by
the scales, the entire freedom of the ventral fins from
the anal fin, and the straightness of the lateral line
behind the head. This subgenus would contain only
a feAv species from the east of the Atlantic and the
Mediteri'anean.

THE SOLE (sw. tungan).
SOLEA VULGARIS.

Plate XX, fig. 2.

Depth of the body greatest in the females, least in the males and young specimens, and varyiny betu-een about
SO" and 35 % of the lenyth thereof. Length of the head greatest in the females, and varyiny between about 16
and 19 % of that of the body. Lenyth of the pectorcd fins greatest in the mcdes, only sliyhtly less on the blind
side than on the eye side, and varyiny betu-een about S3 and 40 % of that of the head. T^enyth of the ventral
fins in proportion to that of the body about the same in the males and femcdes, and varyiny betu-een about 26
and 28 % of that of the head. Nostrils of the eye side set close beside each other and near the margin of the
upper lip, the anterior tabular a)i(l the posterior sunk in close to the lower eye. Nostrils of the blind side far
apart, the anterior tumid and conical — witltOKt wide openiny or fimbriic at the openiny — and set at about an
e<pial distance from the tip of the snout, the corner of the mouth or the posterior nostril, which is someu-hat
farther from tJie corner <f the nundh and just behind tlic perpendicular therefrom.

R. br. 7(0 — 8); /). 70 — 84*; A. 54-67'; P. 1 + 6 1. 7 1. 8;
V. 6''; a. .(.•+14+.f; Llii. lot. ca 140'-; VeH. 10 + . Oil.

Syu. BovyXioaaog, Athen., Bmjlossus, Rondel.; >'Sole<i, Oviu., Pi.in.,
cett. viilfi Art. et BoNAi'.

Pleiiroiicctes oblotigiis, maxilla superiore loiigiore, squaniis ulriu-
qiie asperis, Art., Gen., p. 18; Syii., p. 32; iSpec, p. 60;
LiN., Fn. Siiec, ed. I, p. 112, No. 299; It. ]V>jot., p. 178.

Pleuronectea Solea, Lin., Syst. Nat., cd. X, toiii. I, p. 270;
NiLss., Proilr. fcliili. Scand.. p. 60; Sciiagerstr., Physiogr.

" According to LlLLJElsonc, sometimes (in young specimens from the Mediterranean) 26 °i.

'' Sometimes 87, according to Gottsche, or 97, according to Day.

'■ Sometimes 73. according to Lli.i,.!., or 83, according to Day.

'' 4 — 6, according to Kboyer.

' 110 — 142, according to Steindachner; 160, according to GCntheu. Kroyeu counted about 130.

soli;.

Siillek. TillsUr.. I, ].. M-': Kksti:., Shn,,/. /-'hi,-.. .M. K y.
165, Wright, tab. .'JO.

Snlea vulgaris, Qvens., Vol.-Akml. llniidl.. IHOf., p. 230; I
Hoi.i.n., lieskr. Boh. Fisk., part. Ill (Gbgs. Vctt. Vitl. Sumli.
N. Ilandl., V, 1822), p. 59 c. lig.; Gottschk, Arch. Naturg.,
1S:!5, p. 182; Bonai'., Icon. Fn. Hal., loin. III. Pe.H'>, 1,
mini. p. leg. 101; Yaur., Ilixt. Brit. Fhli., ud. 2, vol. II, \
p. .'147; Kii., Damn. I'lsk-e, vul. II, p. 4()7; Nilss.. Skand.
Fit., Fid:, p. 651; Gtiir, (Jut. Brit. Afns., Fish., vol. IV,
p. 463; Stkinp., Stzber. Akad Wiss. Wieii, Matb. Natiirw.
fl., lid. I, VII, 1, 1868, p. 720; Coli.., Vid. Selsk. Forli.
Clirist., 1874, Tilbi-gsli., p. 148; ibid. 1879, Xo. 1, p. 83;
WiNTH., Natiirb. Tidskr. Kbbvii, ser. 3, vol. XII (1879), p.
41; lU'CKi.AND, Nat. /fi.-:t. /hit. Fi.^h., p. 184; Mob., Hist.
A<il. Pois.->. Fr., liiiii. III. p. 304; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.,
/nl., vul. II, p. :i9, tail. CVI; MOli., HCKK, Fisch. Osts.,
p. 100; Lii.i.i., Si\. Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 416.

Solea Linnei, Mai.m, Ohg.-!, Boh. Fn., p. 532.

The ordinary length of the Sok; on the west coast
of Sweck'n is from 30 to o5 cm. Tlie largest specimen
Kkstkom .>*aw, was 5"2 cm. long. Further south the
species attains a greater si/e. Yakkell mentions a
specimen from the English coast off Totness that was
26 in. long and weighed 9 lbs. The largest Soles Buck-
i.AXi) coidd prdcurc for iiis museum, wei'c two from
Ireland, which together weighed nearly 5' ^ kgm. The
body is of an elongated oval form, deepest in front,
and thin. The greatest depth, which occurs at the end
of the first third of the length of the body, measures
between the ba.scs of the dorsal and atial tins, about
*/™ of the length from the ti|) of the snout to the end
of the caudal tin, and \vhen the breadth is taken be-
tween the margins of the dorsal and anal fins when
exjianded, ' . the length to the base of tlie caudal
fin. The lea.st depth, ju.st in front of the base of

th

e caudal

fin.

IS

bout

of the Icncrth of the

body to the end of the caudal fin. The greatest thick-
ness is '',., of the length of the body to the base of
the caudal fin or ',,; of the greatest depth between the
fins. The curves of the dorsal and ventral margins are
.similar. The head is blunt, with rounded, soft and
fleshy snout, which curves downwards towards the gape,
resembling a parrot's beak, but surrounds onh" the tij)
of the lower jaw. The mouth is small, the cleft of the
mouth curved in a crescent shape, but larger, more
curved and with more fiesliy li])s on the blind .side
than on the eye side. On the eve side, however, the
under lip forms a dermal fold, which covers the mar-
gin of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed: on
the blind side the margins of botii jaws are sur-
rounded l>v a round swelling. On the eye side of the
mouth there are no teeth; but on tiie Itlind side Iioth

jaws an- lurnished witli veiy fine, S('tifoi'ni, movalde
teeth, w hicli are set in several irregular rows, so densely
lliat thc\ i'onii broad patches. This structure is not
fully apparent, however, until iIh; mouth is dissected.
Then we tiiid that tlie jaw-bones of the eye side are
considerably reduced. In front of the tip of the vomer
— the head of wliicli is furnished po.steriorlv on each
side with an articular surface for the palatine bones —
lies the ai'ticular knob of the maNillarv bone. This
upper (pri^ximal) ])art of the ma.\illai-\ bone sends out
a process wliieh covers the outside (jf the upright nasal
process of the interniaxillary bone, while the maxillary
bone proper projects downwards in the form of a sorae-
w\\i\t cur\ed osseous body, triangular above and terete
below (distally), and forming the framework of the
upper jaw. The intermaxillary bone of this side, on
the other hand, is so reduced that it consists almost
exclu.sively of the triangular, articular part. The latter,
hoAvever, sends out an upright nasal process, in the
arch tormed by the ilownward curve of the front end
of the etlniioid bone, and is so developed and curved
towards the blind .side that there it meets and articu-
lates with the intermaxillary bone of that .side, thus
forming the true middle part of the margin of the
mouth. On its own side, however, this intermaxillary
bone is merely a pointed .splinter, lying along the an-
terior side of the maxillary bone, and occupj'ing about
half the length of the latter. On the blind .side the
intermaxillary Ijone is the most jjcnverful bone in the
upper jaw, and is shaped like a sharply cur\ed scythe,
the handle of which consists of the articular part of
the bone. This part sends out its nasal process obli-
quely forward, in the direction of the eye side and in
front of the npright nasal jirocess of the latter, in the
shape of a pointed spine. In front, on the 'handle ,
this intermaxillary bone is also quite toothless; but the
under (inner) surface of the bent part of this bone is verv
densely covered with teeth, which strongly remind us of
the dentition of the Clicefodontidce. The niaxillarA' bone
of the blind side essentially resembles that of the eye
side, but is more robust, longer, and curved, and for
the greater part of its length behind the articular
part is entirely hidden bv the interma.xillarv bone.
The structure of the lower jaw is no less singular.
Its two halves are considerably different from each
other: the half on the eye side is not very unlike
the branch of the lower jaw in the generality of fishes,
especially in the Plaice, for example: but it is entirely

374 SCANDINAVIAN FISHES

The l)raiirli of the blind side is oidy slightly

toothless

changed in the articular (posterior) part, but the an-
terior oi- dental |iart is much shortened, deeper than
long, of an irregular quadrilateral shape, toothless in
front, and heliind, in the toothed part, curved out-
wards — somewhat as in Mufjil — and still farther l^ack
raised into a process which meets, and is united by
strong ligaments to, the hind part of the intermaxillary
bone. The brancii of the lower jaw on tlie Itlind side
is thus much deeper, but shorter than that on the eye
side, its depth being about ^/j the least depth of the
tail or t^vice the longitudinal diameter of the eye. There
are on each side three round, upper pharyngeals — the
middle one being considerably larger than the other
two — and one oblong, lower pharyngeal. All of them
are set with mova])le, cardiform teeth, like the jaw-
teeth. The gill-o|)enings are small; the opening on the
blind side extends up to the top of the insertion of
the pectoral fin, liut on the eye side only to the lower
end of this insertion. The opercula have rounded, smooth
margins and are entirely covered ^vith a thick, scaly
skin, Ijut under tlieir rims protrudes the margin of the
smooth, scaleless bi'aiichiostegal membrane. The two
branchiostegal membranes are united underneath, and
surround the anterior lower point of the clavicular bones,
at the point where the latter are united to each other
and to the lower posterior prong of the urohyoid (basi-
branchiostegal) bone. The latter bone is shaped, as in
most of the Flatfishes, like a joiners square, the end
of tlie anterior (longer) prong being attached to the
under surface of the hyoid bone, and tlie posterior prong
pointing in a downward direction and united by a liga-
ment to the to]) of the lower junction of the clavicular
bones. Thus, the two clavicular bones a.nd the uro-
hyoid bone are united in front into a point, which is
generally covered underneath bv the coalescent branchio-
stegal membranes, 'iliere are usually 6 or 7" branchio-
stegal rays on each side, sharply bent, and covered
bv the opercula. The outer (distal) part of the first
branchiostegal I'ay on one side is coalescent with the
corresponding ))art ol the same ray on the other side.
The eyes are oblong, and less prominent tlian in the
rest of the Scandinavian Flatfishes. The upper eye lies
half its own length in frtnit of the lower, \vhich is
situated above and close to the corner of the mouth.
The distance between the eyes is about equal to the
longitudinal diameter of the iris. The pupil is round,

" GoTTSCHE has soinc'times found 8 branchiostegal rays.

without an-^- intruding excrescence from the iris. The
skin of the l)o(l\- may be drawn over the eye in the
form of an eyelid. The nostrils are more or less per-
fectly tubular. The nostrils of the eye side are set
close to eacii otiier and near the anterior margin of the
lower eye, close to the mouth, the anterior being per-
fectly tubular, the posterior larger, with the tube slit
behind. The nostrils of the blind side, on the other liand,
are far apart, the posterior being situated fairly high
above the corner of the mouth and the anterior about
half-way between the posterior and the tip of the snout.

The surface of the body is even, and covered on
both sides with imln-icate, oblong scales, rounded at the
corners and distinctly ciliated behind. The scales cover
the surface of the eye side of the head entirely, but
only two-thirds of the surface of the blind side, the
anterior third of this side of the head (the mouth and
snout), as well as a part of the base of the dorsal fin and
the margins of the operculum of this side, being thickly
strewn with soft tubercles or warts, with a crest of short,
haii'like cirri at the tip. The fin-rays are also covered
with scales, at least for some distance from the base.
The ravs of the vertical fins are each fni-nished -witli
several rows of more or less pointed scales, and on the
eye side this covering extends almost out to the ti[)s
of the rays. The paired fins are covered with scales
only on the outer surface of the rays and for about
half their length. On the blind side too, the covering
of scales does not extend so far out on all the fins,
and the ventral fin of this side (sometimes the pectoi'al
as well) is generally scaleless. Behind the head the
lateral line is distinct and perfectly straight, or slightly
curved in the abdominal region, where it also lies nearer
the dorsal than the ventral margin. But the cephalic
system of the lateral line is indistinct, with the ex-
ception of the dorsal l)ranch, which curves upwards and
forwards in an arch on the occiput. The vent lies very
far forward, between the ventral fins and just in I'ront
of the beginning of the anal fin, entirely on the blind
side, but close to tiie ventral margin. Just behind the
vent lies the genital opening, and between them we find
a dermal flap, which is sometimes erected in the sliape
of an acute-angled triangle.

The dorsal fin is fairly low, somewhat higher in
the males than in tlie females, its longest rays measur-
ing about 20 — 23 % of the greatest de]:)th of the body,
91—92 % of the least depth of the body or 40-45 %

^S()LI•:.

.^7o

i)f tlic Iciiii'lli of the lic'id. 'I'lic I'm hcjriiis in tVoiit nl'

tllC U]l|irr C'3'C', illlllOSf III the tip nf llic Slioill, ■■lllll ox-

Iciids to the hasc oF tlir (•••luil.il liii. Ii iisiuilly cuiitiiins
trdtn 72 to SI rsixs, nil liriiiiclic(| .-hhI rcciirvcil, with
the lips lyinu' within n\- nt\\\ just niitsidc the liii-inciii-
hrjiuc ;in(l ciirNcd towards the liiiiid side 'I'hc ;iii;d tin
is (il the siinic shripc ;is the d(irs;d, licuins hclnw ;iud
sonu'wh.'it in fi'unt t>[ the inscrtidii nl the pi'i'torMl lins,
cuds l)ch)w the trrmin.'ilinu i>l' the (hn'sal lin, ;ind usu-
ally cuiitaiiis iVoiu (iO to (17 fay.s, whifh roseinblc those
of tlic dorsal tin. The pectoral lins arc o\al, narrow
and small, the Icniith of the i)ase being about ' \, — '3
of tiiut of the fin. Thcv contain from 7 to 9 rav.s, the
uppermost v.w bciiii;' simple, the others branihc(l. The
ventral lins are still smaller, and usually contain 5 rays,
all of whicii ai'e itrauched, the first and last very in-
<listiucll\', and close to each other at the base. The
rouiuleil caudal lin, the lenath of which measures about
' ,0 — '9 '•* f''"f "' f'"' IkkIv, is made up of 14 branched
ra^■s atid two or three .sim])le, sup])ortina; rays on
each side.

The coloui' of the eve side is brown, mari)led with
dark grayish brown. The tins are somewhat lighter,
but the outer half of the pectoral tin on this side is
dark, almost black. The scales are black at the margin,
apparently dividing the Ixxh' into s(|uares. The l)lind
side is white, seldom spotted with brown, but almost
always with a large brown spot near the caudal tin.
The white colour reddens, however, after the death of
the Hsh. Iris dark, bra.ssy yellow. Pupil green, but
tinged with blue after death. On the strength of in-
formation gi\cn him b\- the fishermen of Uoluislan, HoLL-
iu;i!(; distinguished l)etween two eoloui'-varieties, the
brown Ifock Sole (hergtungan) and the greenish Sand
Sole {smulii(iigun): but 1-JvSTRom i)ointed out" that the

generation, and |)artly to make room foi- the intestine and
the ki<lncvs. In two females we iind the posterioi- ends
of the ovaries situated at about the begiiuiing of the last
thii'd of the length of the b(jdy. The testes of the males
examined at the same time of year, in Jaruiary, occupy
ihe antfM'ior parr of the seeondaix abdominal cavities,
ami ha\e the iippe;ii-ance of I'ound, llattened glands, of a
longitudinal diameter about e<pial to the length of the
ventral lins. The liver occupies the entii-e left .side of the
abdominal cavity proper, and at the top surrounds the
oe.sophagus and its immediate continuation, the stomach,
even on the rigiit side. The ])ylorus, which is without
appendages, lies to the right of the Inumal spines of the
l,st, 2nd and 3rd caudal vertebra', about half-way up the
abdominal cavity. From this point the intestine forms
an alirupt bend forwards and downwar<is to the left side
of the rectum, just above the vent, and then turns sharply
to the right, upwards and backwards, in a coil that
passes into the .secondary abdominal cavity on the right
side and there extends back for a distance which \n&\
sometimes be no more than ' ^ of the total length of tiie
body, but occasionalh' as much as ' ., thereof. There-
turning part of this coil, in a forward direction, runs
along the lower margin of the secondary al)doniiiial ca-
vity, almost to the beginning of the anal fin. At this
point the intestine again bends sharply upwards and
backwards to form a coil lying on the inner side and to
the right of the former coil, and returning by means of
its upper ])art in a forward direction to the rectum,
which turns down to the \ ent. The gall-bladder, which
is fairly large, lies at the top of the abdominal cavity
proper, on the right side; and just behind and below this
bladder lies the spleen, wliich is of about the same size,
between the liver and the coils of the intestine. The
kidneys lie at the top of the anterior part of the .sccoiid-
ilifterence in colour proljably arises from the nature of ary abdominal cavity on the lilind side, and present the

the sea-bottom. Reversed Soles, with the eves on the
left side, are of frequent occurrence on the English coast
according to V.vifUEi.i. and Day; and the latter writer
makes the .sanie statement with regard to iloiihle Soles,
which are coloured on both sides of the bodw

The abdominal cavity projjcr is extremely short in
the Sole, its length being about '/s tl'at of the head or
about '.) "0 of that of the body. On each .side of the
luumal and iutorhaMnal spines of the anal lin, however,
the abdominal cavity is .secondarily elongated, partly, as
in most of the Flatfishes, to receive tiie long organs of

« Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Hondl., Ny Tidsfoljd, Haftcl I, p. 24.

appearance of a large, thick and oblong, dark-coloured,
glandular body. The peritoneum is black on the eye side.
This is also the case with the whole of the inner side of
the wall of the gill cavity, with the exception of the hind
margin, which is white, at least on the blind side. The
cavity of the mouth and the blind side of the perito-
neum arc white.

The Sole (Sw. tuiiga = tongue) is generally known
in Bohushin as siila (.««/«), a name which in sound and
meaning represents the Latin si>lea. It is fairly common
in the Skager Rack along the coast of Bohusliin, and even

.•!76

.SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

enters the Sound, though there, ;is well ;is in the Belts, it
is one of the rarer Flatfishes (Wintheh). In the south of
the Baltic off' Al)ekas, it is sometimes taken in autumn,

In habits the Sole essentially resembles the rest of
the Flatfishes. It is really a salt-water fish; but like
man-^- other members of its family it often makes its

in Eel-pots, according to Nilsson. On the German side [ wa}- into fresh water, where it is even capable of breed-
it is taken, though also seldom, as far as the coast of ing, according to statements from England. Yarrkll
Mecklenburg (Mob., Hckk). Higher up the Baltic we states, on the authority of a letter from one of his cor-
have no authenticated instance of its occurrence, though respondents, that tlie Sole frequents the river Aruii from

it is bv no means averse to Ijrackisii or fresh Avater. Ac-
cording to CoM.KTT its I'ange on the coast of Norway is
not known to extend further nortli than Stadt, in Lat.
62° N. In Scandinavia, however, oidy individual speci-
mens are takt'ii, and the species never occurs in shoals".
The fishermen too, often confuse it with Brepanopsetfa
platessoides, Avhich in some localities is called fiiuffa. Off
the Skaw it is more common than in Sweden; and most
of file Soles brought to Gothenburg are said t(j come
from the Skaw (Malji). Even there, liowever, the Sole-
fishery is far less important than it is farther south.
Tlie fishermen of Fredrikshavn, in Kuoyer's time, about
1840, used generally to liaiid over their catch of soles to
tlie dealers without payment, as a kind of return for the
spirits and tobacco given them when they came on board
to deliver their fish; and the Sole and some other species
were, therefore, comprised under the name of hrandy-fish.
F.ven in the vicinity of Fredrikshavn, however, the trade
in hsh is now carried oti on far different pi-inciples; and
the Danish fisherv in the Cattegat, inside the Skaw, in
18H.") for example, produced Soles to a value of £4,430
(79,788 crowns)''. This sum is infinitesimally small, how-
ever, in comparison with the results of the Sole fishery
in the North Sea and on the coasts of Great Britain. Ac-
coi'ding to the statistical reports for the year 1888 the
Sole fishery of England and Wales" produced fish to a
weight of 72,826 cwt. and a value of £378,538. The
catch for the same year in Scotland' was 12,664 cwt., of
a value of €l(),.")12, and in Ireland 3,731 cwt., of a
\alue of £l 1,383. Thus, the total value of the Sole-
fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland for the vear 1888
was £406,433. The geograpliical range of the Sole
also extends into the Mediterranean and the Adriatic:
off' Venice it is very connnon, according to Ninni'.

the mouth hve miles upwards, and remains there the
whole vear. "It is evident they breed in great numbers
in the river from the ((uaiititv of small ones about two
inches long that are constantly brought on shore when
drawing the net for Grey Mullet." The Soles that live
in fresh water, are also stated to be thicker (more fleshy)
than those from the sea.

Durinii' summer the Sole lives in water of a moder-
ate depth, on a sandv or stony bottom, l)ut in \\inter
it retires to deeper water, and does so earlier than the
rest of the Scandinavian Flatfishes. "When the winter
season comes on," says Buckland, "the soles in the North
Sea take up their winter quarters (probably for hybern-
ating purposes) in very deep -water. The chief I'esort
of soles in the ^vinter months is the Silver Pits, a very
extensive piece of deep water situated between the Dog-
ger Bank and the Well Bank. The greatest depth is to be
found at the west end, where there is fifty-six fathoms of
water, i. e. 134 feet higher than the Monument. The
soundings brought up from liere resemble biscuit dust.
The Silver Pits (first discovered, I believe, in 1843) are so
called on account of the large quantity offish wliich wei-e
caught when the pits were first discovered. Soles massed
themselves together in these pits in a wondrous way,
and fiibulous stories are told of the sole fishery tiiere'."

According to the statements of the fishermen, the
spawning-season of the Sole occurs during the summer
months, at the end of May or beginning of June. Its
food is composed chiefly of small crustaceans, mollusks
and fishes. It is also said to devour the roe of other
fishes.

In Scandinavia the Sole is generally caught with
other F'latfish in nets shot for Plaice. On rare oc-
casions it is taken on the hook. The larae catches in

" KitOYKii states, liowever, that al lliu lieginniiig of this century three boats frciii Gilleleje, whicli had slict tlieir nets off Hcssclo,
north of Zealand, took 1,C00 Soles at one liavil.

'■ Uansk FiskeriselskabB Medleinsblad, 10:e Juiii, 1880, |i. 82.

'■ Fish Trades Gazette, vol. VI, No. 29r>. p. 8.

'' Ibid., No. 207, p. 8. In this total, however, the Lemon Sole, a closely related, but less valuable species, is included.

<■ Espos. Intern, di I'esca in Berlino 1880, Scz. Ital., Cat., p. 180.

'' Cf. loo IIoijiswoi:iMi, Decp-Sea Fit^lihi;/ and Fishimj lloaU, London 1874, p. 04.

j'L(>rNi)Ei:-i'i.srii:,s.

377

the North Sea ai'e made chiefly in tlie trawl. The flesh
is firm, white, and of good flaNour. In this respect
the Sole ranks beside, in the opinion of many above,

the Turbot; bnt jnst as the Turbot must be boiled, the
Sole, to i-etain its Ijoasted flavour, must be eaten fried.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

Subfamily PLEURONECTINA.

Snout not elongated: the loirer Jair most prominent. Mouth small and oblique, the gape slighthj curved at the

sides. Jaw-teeth fewer and smaller on the eye side than on the blind side. Ventral fins situated one on each

side of the ventral margin, their rays close together at the base. Eyes large or at least middle-sized. Pseudo-

branchia well-developed. Gill-rakers small or middle-sized, and scattered".

The Flatfishes commonest in our waters, grouped
round the Flounders proper, range themselves in this
subfamily. Only three of GOnther's genera (Pleuro-
nectes, Parophrys and Psammodiscus), containing 30
species according to his Catalogue, can ])e referred to
it, all of them, so far as their locality is known, be-
longing to the temperate and cold parts of the oceans
of the Northern Hemisphere, and at least one of them,
the Pole {Plcaronectes cynoglossus), with a range ex-
tending from the littoral zone to a depth of about
700 fathoms. The geographical range of several spe-
cies also embraces the whole of the Northern Hemi-
sphere. When we reflect too that these fishes also make
their way into fresh water, and can thus sustain life
under circumstances of the most opposite nature, we
may reasonably expect here to find the explanation of
the great variabilit}- of the characters which has given
birth to the distinction of species, in cases where we
should probably speak only of local varieties of one

single species. This increase in the number of the spe-
cies has been accompanied by a tendency to establish
more genera in the subfamily. But GCnther remarks*,
not without reason, that "if we were to attribute to
some of the characters the same (generic) value as in
other Pleuronectidce, we should be obliged to establish
a genus for almost every species, and to separate fishes
■which evidenth' form one natural group." We easily
find, however, that the distinctions between some of the
species are of \ery different nature from the distinctions
betAveen others. Even in the Scandinavian fauna, Avhich
contains only five species of this subfamily, we may
distinguish in this manner between at least two differ-
ent groups of species, the one, with its numerous ver-
tebrae and fin-rays and more Sole-like body, indicating
a transition to the preceding subfamily, and the other
containing tlie most typical Flounders, the Swedish
''shdddor." There thus seems to be every reason to
recognise this difference as subgeneric.

Genus PLEURONECTES.

Jair-teefh of moderate size, set in one or two roirs, pointed or broad. Xo palatine or vomerine teeth.

These fishes, which the ancient Greeks called ifJi^rrai, \ genus corresponded to the modern family Pleuronectidce.

and the Romans passeres% were ranged by Artedi in I The limitation which is generally given to the genus

the genus Pleuronectes" . In his writings, however, as at the present day, Avas proposed by GCnther', who

in those of Linnaeus and their immediate sucessors, this ! adopted Bleeker's' suggestion, and separated from the

" In tlie genus Psammodiscus, however, according to Glnther, the gill-rakers are close-set.

'' Cat., 1. c, p. 438.

■■ "A colore passerum avium, nam parte supina albicant, prona f u.'^ei sunt et terrei coloris, instar passerum avium," Rosi'ELET : De Pjsa.,

lib. XI, cap. VIII.

'' TtkevQOV, side; vr/.TYig, swimmer.

' Cat., 1. c.

/ Versl., Mcdedeel. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, l.S Deel. (18G2), p. 429.

48

Scandinavian Fishes.

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

genus those Pacific forms which are distinguished by
the persistence, even in adult specimens, of small and
pointed jaw-teeth, set in several rows. With this de-
finition the genus Fleuronectes contains some twenty
species, several of which, however, must still be re-
garded as imperfectly known.

The five species that belong to the Scandinavian
fauna may be distinguished as follows:

.4; Vertebnc more than 45; rays of
the dorsal fin more than 85, of
the anal fin more than 70: Sub-
genus Glyptocephahts.

Least depth of the tail less

than 8 % of the length of the

body. Length of the lower

jaw at least about -,3 of the

least depth of the tail. Anal

spine present. Kays of the

ventral fins (J Pleuronecfcs ci/no<jlos,<itn.

Least depth of the tail more

than 8 % of the length of the

body. Length of the lower

jaw at most about '/j of the

least depth of the tail. Anal

spine wanting. Rays of the

ventral fins 5 Fleuronectes niicroceplialus.

a:

B: Vertebra; less than 45; rays of
the dorsal fin at most 85, of the
anal less than 70: Subgenus
Fleuronectes.

a: Lateral line of the abdominal
region distinctly arcuate.
Length of the postorbital
part of the head less than

14 %" of that of the body.. Fleuronectes limmvhi.
h: Lateral line of the abdominal
region straight or only slightly
curved. Length of the post-
orbital part of the head more
than 14%'' of that of the body.
ua: Vertebrie more than 40.
Rays of the anal fin more
than 46. Length of the
peduncle of the tail at
the dorsal or the ventral
edge less than V3 of the
postorbital length of the

head - Fleuronectes platessa.

bh: N'ertebrae less than 40.
Rays of the anal fin less
than 4(j. Length of the
peduncle of the tail at the
dorsal or the ventral edge
more than ',3 of the post-
orbital length of the head Fleuronectes flesus.

THE POLE (SW. SKARFLUNDEAN OK .TYDETUNG.iN).

FLEURONECTES CYNOGLOSSUS.
Plate XIX, fig. 3.

Bodij comparativehi elongated, like that of the <SV)/r. the gieatest depth hehifi itsnalh/ from SO % to 36 % of the
length. Dorsal and aval fns with especially nmneroas rays, the former eoiitaiiiiiig about 100 — 112 and the latter
about 90—100 rays. Least depth of the tail less than 8 96 (aboat (>-.5—7%) of the length of the body. Length
of the head less than 18% {about 17—15 %) (f .that of the body, and the distance between the anal fin and the
tip of the snout less than 25% {about 24 — 19%) of the latter. Postabdominal bone {first interhcemal spine of the
anal fin) projecting down/cards and forwards, in the form of a spine, behind the rent. Rays of the ventral fins,
as a rule, (>. Blind side of the head and the preopercular margin of the eye side cavernous, on account of the
large muciferous hollmes beneath the skin. Lateral line almost straight. Vertebra' about 50. Jatv-teeth close-set
incisors, about half as many {9 — 12) on the eye side as on the blind side {22—24); pharyngeal teeth straight and
cylindrical, set in a single row on each of the si.r upper pharyngeals, and in a double row on each of the two
lower ones. Coloration of the eye side grayish russet with grayish blue fins; pectoral fin partly black.

R. br. 7; 1). 100—115'-; A. 87 — 100''; P. 10—12; V. G';
C. x+\A: 1. lO' + .j'; Lin. lat. 128—130; Vert. 56—58.

Syn. Fleuronectes (Cyiwtjlossus, >Scharretoiig), GnoNuv., Mtis. Tchth.,
vol. I, p. 14, No. 30; vol. II, p. 11.

Fleuronectes Cynojjlossus, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, toin. I,
p. 269; Fries, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 166; Nilss.,
,Sk-and. Fn., Fish., p. 623; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish.,
vol. IV, p. -140; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,
Tilliogsh., p. 147; ibid. {Olyptocephaltis) 1878, No. 14, p.

" As a rule less than 13 %.

'' As a rule more than 15 °,i.

' Sometimes 95, nccording to Collett; sometimes 117, according to Gottsche, or 120, according to Goode and Bean.

'^ Sometimes 86, according to Collett, sometimes 102, according to GoTTSCHE.

' Sometimes 5, according to Gottsche.

■'■ In a specimen from llalifa.x (N. S.) tlicre arc 19 l)ranclied rays in Oic candal tin, Ijiil only .'! snpporting rays above and 2 below.

in)LE-FLor.\l)El{.

379

98; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 82; Norsk Nordh. Exp., ZooL,
Fiske, p. 150; Malm (^Pleuronectes), Gbi/s, ISoli. /'n.,p. 527;
WiNTH., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. Xll, p. 40;
GooDE, Bean {Glyptocephalas), Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vol. 1
(1878) p. 19; H.\NSso.N, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1880,
No. 4, p. 52; Mon. (Platessa), Hist. Nat. Foiss. Fr., torn.
Ill, p. 29G; JoRD., GiLB. (Gh/ptocephalus), Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 10, p. 838; Day {Pkuronectes), Fish. Gt. Brit.,
Irel., vol. II, p. 30, tab. GUI; MdB., Hcke, Fiscli. Osts.,
p. 99; LiLLj., Sv., Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. II, p. 38('.; Gthh,
Voy. Chall., Deep-sea Fish., p. 166.

Pleuronectes Saxicola, Faber, Tidskr. f. Natuiv., Bd. 5 (1828),
p. 244; Isis 1828, p. 877; Gottsche (Glyjitoccphaliis),
Wiegm. Arch. Naturg., Bd. I, part. 2, p. 156; Kit. (Ptatessa),
Damn. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 338.

Pleuronectes nigromamts, NiLSs., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 55;
Schagerste., Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr., Heft. 2, p. 312;
Valejjc. apud. Gaim, Voy. Isl., Groenh, J'oiss., tab. 13.

Platessa pola, Jicnyns, Man. Brit. Anim., p. 458, sp. 145;
Yarr., Hist. Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 315; Thomps.,
Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 197; A. Agass. (pole flounder)
Bull. Mus. Conip. ZooL, Harv. Coll., vol. XV, p. 24.

Platessa elongata, Yarr, 1. c, p. 318; Gthr {Pleuronectes),
1. c, p. 450; Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1879, p. 755,
tab. LXI; Gill {Glyptocephabis), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad.
1873, p. 362.

Glyptocephabis acadianus, Gill, 1. c. (vide Goodk et Bean,
1. c).

The elongated (narrow elliptical) and thin shape
of the body, the large nnniber of rays in the dorsal
and anal tins, the cavities in the head (especially on
the blind side), and the black colour of the outer half
of the pectoral tin on the eye side, all combine to
render the Pole easily recognisable and to explain the
name it bears in the island-belt of Gothenburg {Ji/de-
tunga — Jutland Sole). In Scandinavia it attains a
length of at least half a metre, while American speci-
mens about 62 cm. long are on record. The greatest
depth of the body, which undergoes even relative in-
crease with age, in adult specimens measures on an
average '/g of the length of the body, but sometimes"
sinks as low as V4 thereof. The males of this species
are probably, as a rule, no more elongated than the
females'. Behind the head the body grows thinner
and thinner posteriorly. Tlie Danish fishermen, accord-
ing to Gottsche, call this species on account of its
transparency Spin(JelJfi/nder=Sin(\er (Cobweb) Flounder.
The greatest thickness of the head, straight across the

upper articulation of the preoperculum, measures only
about ^/g of its length.

In this species, as well as in the next one, the
head is smaller than in the rest of our Flatfishes; but
in the Pole it is remarkable chiefly for the large ca-
vities which here, as in Acerina cernita, are formed by
the muciferous hollows of the system of the lateral line.
These cavities are most distinct and largest on the blind
side. Here there are four round cavities in a row close
to the dorsal margin and belonging to the occipital
branch of the lateral line on this side; while below
these there generally lie five cavities, belonging to the
frontoparietal and suborbital branches, four of them in
a curved row and the fifth below this row. Four ca-
vities belong to the margin of the preoperculum, one
lying between the latter and the lower jaw, on the
under surface of which the line is continued by three
or four depressions, the two front ones, however, being
small and indistinct. On the eye side the occipital
branch of the lateral line is of normal structure, and
extends upwards and forwards, being distinctly visible
along the base of the dorsal fin to a point almost ver-
tically above the middle of the upper eye; but there
are distinct muciferous cavities, though smaller than on
the blind side, both in tlic in-eopercular margin and the
lower jaw. ( hi the snout too, we generally find three
cavities in front of the eye, the one nearest to the eye
being' the largest and trianoular. At least in one and
sometimes in two of these last cavities the skin is
pierced by a small round pore. Between them and the
lower eye lies the nasal cavity of the eye side with its
two nostrils, the anterior of an obliquely truncate, tu-
bular shape, with the truncate (open) side in front,
and set almost vertically above the front margin of
the loAver eye or a little farther forward, the posterior
an oblique dermal slit just behind this point, about
half-way between the anterior nostril and the front of
the raised and narrow, but obtuse, sharply curved, in-
terorbital margin of the forehead. The nostrils of the
blind side are like those of the eye side, but their
situation is entirely different. On this side the nasal
cavity lies high up, at the dorsal margin of the head,

" GooDE and Bean (1. c.) mention a specimen 114 mm. long in which the greatest depth of the body was no more than 24' ., of
the length. The highest proportion given by these writers is 37'/, %.

* In a male from Bohuslan, 411 ram. long, the greatest depth of the body is 30'6 °o of the length, in a femah' 418 umi. long
32'5 %; but in another male 378 mm. long the greatest depth is 33-6 "« of the length.

•" It was these cavities, which are supported in the cranium by upright, thin, osseous bars and ridges, that suggested to Gottsche
the establishment of the genus Glyptocephabis (yXirfOJ. to holloir).

380

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

ill front of the first niuciferous cavity of the dorsal
margin; and the anterior nostril lies obliquely above
the posterioi', which has the form of a slit, but is so
obliquely set that it is almost parallel to the dorsal
margin of the head. The eyes are fairlj^ large. Tlie
longitudinal diameter of the upper orbit measures nearly
lialf the length of the cranium from the head of the
vomer to the occipital foramen; and the longitudinal
diameter of the eyes themselves (the upper eye is some-
what larger than the lo-\ver), measured within the der-
ma! folds that serve as eyelids, is about ^'^ of the total
length of the head. Half or a third of the upper eye
lies behind the perpendicular from the hind margin of
the lower. The mouth is small, the length of the
maxillary bones varying between about 3 and 3' 2 ^"
of that of the body, and the length of the lower jaw
between about 5 and 6 %'' thereof. The transverse
palatal folds are well-developed, though not large, both
in tlie upper jaw and the lower. The loAver jaw is
furnished with a well-developed chin protuberance under
the symphysis. The lips are fleshy, but not tumid.
The jaw-teeth, which are jjointed in young specimens',
subsequently become chisel-shaped. The gill-rakers are
well-developed but scattered, and set in a single row,
containing about 8 on the first branchial arch. On the
lower phai-yngeals, which are narrow and long (like
liranchial arches), these spines are exchanged for a double
row of conical, obtusely pointed teeth. The roof of the
palate, as usual, is truncate posteriorly, with a deep
])liaryngeal cavity behind it, into which is titted tlie
upper ])haryngeal apparatus, consisting of three jiairs
of iiharyngeals directed outwards and backwards, each
with a row of six or seven conical teeth. The tongue
is small and narrow, but the hyoid surface (copuhir
part) is continuous and fleshy, widening into a triangle
behind. Tlie pseudobranchia} are set just behind the
upper articulation of the hyoraandibular bones, at the
extreme front of the pharyngeal cavity mentioned above.

The preoperculum of the eye side is more obtuse-angled
than that of the blind side, the latter being also fur-
nished with broader margin and much larger muciferous
cavities. The operculum forms an almost equilateral
triangle, as in most of the Flatfishes, with the hind
upper corner rounded and the lower posterior margin
incised. The suboperculum is as usual elongated back-
wards and upwards to a point, which fills this incision,
the suboperculum thus forming the greater part of the
hind margin of the gill-cover, u]) to the obtuse flap of
this margin. The interoperculum is attenuated anteriorly.
The branchiostegal membranes are as usual free, but
inferiorly united to each other in a broad transverse
fold, Avhere the tips of the first two branchiostegal rays
touch. In ordinary cases this transverse fold covers
the point of the clavicular bones; but when the gill-
cavity is strongly expanded, the fold is drawn so tight,
into the angle of the urohyoid bone, that the point of the
clavicular bones is externally visible as a forward process''.
The dorsal fin begins above the middle or the front
of the upper eye, exactly at the dorsal margin or with
the first ray alone slightly drawn over towards ihe blind
side, and extends back to a point the distance between
which and the caudal fin is aliout half the diameter of
the eye. The dorsal fin is evenly rounded, the longest
rays being situated at the middle of its length, and
their length being aliout equal to the vertical height
of the preoperculum. The anal fin, which begins be-
hind the anal spine, a little l)ehind the perpendicular
from the insertion of the pectoral fins and below the
16th, 17th, or 18th ray of the dorsal fin, at a distance
from the tip of the snout that measures about 19 — 24
% of the length of the body, is of the same shape and
height and ends in tlie same manner as the dorsal fin.
All the rays in the dorsal and anal fins are simple',
articulated, and undivided. The pectoral and ventral
fins are pointed, seein generally to be longer in the
males than in the females', and are ahvays somewhat

" On tlie blind side, according to our measurements, at least 3-3 % and at most 3-7 %, on the eye side at least 2'9 % and at most 3-4 %'.

'' On tlie blind side, according to our measurements, at least 5-3 % and at most S'O 'i, On tlie eye side at least 4-7 \ and at most 5'6 %.
On the blind side we have found the Icnglh of the lower jaw (in specimens between 378 and 51(1 mm. in length) to vary between 81 '/o and
84Vo''» of the least depth of tlie tail; on the eye side between 72 and 83 °i thereof. According to Kroyer's measurements, however, the last
proportion may be as low as CC'7 ?».

'■ "Conical and separated:" Goonic and Bean, 1. c.

'' The urohyoid bone is united by a long ligament to the hyoid bone, but is closely joined to the clavicular bones.

'' "Sometimes," says GoTTSCHE, however, "the last rays of the dorsal tin are branched."

•' In three males, between 378 and 516 mm. long, the minimum length of the pectoral fins was 9-2% and the maximum 12-6% of
the length of the body, while in the case of the ventral fins these proportions were respectively 5'5 and 7'2^i. In three females, between
418 and 470 mm. long, the minimum length of the former fins was l-<S'/o and the maximum 8'8 °i of the length of the body, while in the
case of the ventral fins these jiroportions were respectively 5 and 5"1 %.

roLE-FLOUNDKl!.

381

loncfer on llic eve side tliim on tlic blind side. In tlie
pectoral fins the tAvo ov tln-ee uppermost r;iys .miuI tlu;
lowest ray of all are uinlivided; in the ventral fins at
least the first (outeruiost) ray is undivided or otdy in-
distinetly branched. The caudal fin, the length of
wliich, measured at the middle, is from 18 to 16 % of
that (jf the body, is rounded or obtusely pointed at
the hind margin. it contains between 14 and IH"
branched rays and ;ui inconstant number (3 — 5 (jii each
side) of supporting raj'S.

The scaly covering of the body is abundant and
compact, but tiiiii, consisting of imbricated, cycloid'
scales, which are rather small on the forepart of the
body, but fairly large posteriorly and on the caudal
hn''. The scales of the blind side are generally some-
what smaller than those <jf the eye side. The only
scaleless parts are the snout and the under jaAV (at least
the greatei' part thereof), the In'unchiostegal membranes,
the iiuier surface of the paired tins, and the tops of the
ravs in these fins as well as in the dorsnl and anal fins.
Kuoyer's estimate of the scales of tiie lateral line is

which is greater than the width of the stomach and in-
testine, are set behind the pylorus, which lies at the loAver
posterior corner of the abdominal cavity. The intestine is
shar])ly divided from the stomach, and has much thinner
walls than the latter. The liver seems to vary consider-
ably in size''. In this species too, however, it covers the
greater portion of the intestines. On the blind side the
peritoneum is white or clouded with black, on the eye
side black, which latter colour also extends over the
anterior part of the secondary abdominal cavity of the
eye side. This cavity, as well as that of the blind side,
is of a considerable length'' in the females, the length
of each of these cavities, in which the ovaries are con-
tained, being only slightly less than half the length of
the body. The nundier of the eggs is very consider-
able'. The testes of the males probably do not attain
so great a size as the ovai-ies. In two males (one taken
in March, the otiier at an unspecified time of year) the
testes are not even so large as tlie liver, and in shape
only slightly more elongated than an erpiilateral tri-
angle; and it is onlv on the eye side that the secondary

'more than 120;" G()(jnE and Bean counted between abdominal cavity is somewhat elongated, to receive the

109 and 150 transverse rows of scales on the blind side
and between 110 and 140 on the eye side. The lateral
line is sti'aight, and fairly closely follows the middle
of the sides, or sometimes, according to Goode and
Bean, forms a distinct curve on the abdominal part,
above the pectoral tins''.

The abdominal cavity proper is small', but contains
the whole of the intestinal canal with the exception of
one coil, which, together with the elongated spleen, passes
into' the secondary abdominal cavity of the eye side,
where it lies upon the ujjper part of the sexual organs.
Two well-developed pyloric appendages, the length of

coil of the intestine^. The vent is situated at about
the middle of the length of the pectoral fins when
folded, or somewhat further forward.

The coloration of the Pole is variable like that of
the other Flatfishes. The original of our figure, a fe-
male 44.5 mm. long, which was taken by Mr. C. A.
Hansson in Starekil off Stromstad, on the 21st of Ja-
nuary', 1888, was of a light grayish russet on the eye
side, with streaks of a darker colour, when it reached the
Royal Museum. On the right side of the vertical fins
and on the right ventral fin this colour shaded into
grayish violet, but in the anterior part of the dorsal

" In one specimen from. Halifax (N. S.) 19 brancbed rays, 3 supporting rays above and 2 below.

* According to D.\Y tbe scales on the eye side of tbe body are "feebly ctenoid." F.\ber seems also to have met with similar speci-
mens. Cf. GOTTSCHE, 1. c.

•■ In a specimen 470 mm. long the largest scales (on the tail) of the eye side are about 0' ., mm. long, while the scales on the fore-
part of the body (on the back above the pectoral tin of the eye side) are about 2'., mm. lonir. In a specimen 516 mm. in length the
largest scales are T'/o nini. long.

■' This also applies to the specimen from Halifax which the Royal Museum has received from the Smithsonian Institution.

' In a female 470 mm. long its length is 40 mm. and its depth 60 mm.

•' In the female just mentioned the coil of the intestine extends into this secondary abdominal cavity for a distance of 37 mm.

:' Kroyer describes it as rather small; but in the above female the liver occupies 45 mm. of the depth of the abdominal cavity, and
in a male 411 mm. long, in which the abdominal cavity is 38 mm. long and 42 mm. deep, the liver occupies 26 mm. of this depth — in
each case on the left side.

'' In the female just mentioned the left ovary is 198 ram. long, ami its tip extends to a point only 62 mm. distant from the end of
the anal fin; the right ovary is 231 mm. long, and its tip is only 48 mm. distant from the end of the anal fin.

' In ovaries so large the eggs were rather small, tlieir diameter being only ' ■, mm. According to Thompson, however, the eggs of
this species may attain a diameter of 1'/- mm.

' In one of the above males, 411 mm. in length, the secondary abdominal cavity of the eye side is 41 mm. long, and in a male
516 mm. in length (from Halifax) it is 97 mm. long.

382

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

and anal fins, as well as in the outer half of the caudal
fin and in the pectoral fin of the eye side, the fin-
niembrane was black, and the tips of the rays of the
dorsal and anal tins were yellowish white. The hind
part of the brancliiostegal membrane was black, the
juipil blackish Idue, the iris golden. The blind side of
the fish was ^vhite, finely punctated with black dots.
Tlie museum-specimens ])reserved in spirits generally
acquire the darker brown colour shown in Valenciennes'
figure in Gaimaiid (1. c).

The range of the Pole in the Atlantic is extensive.
The species is known from the extreme north of Nor-
^vay and from Iceland to the vicinity of Carolina (N.
America) and the Avest coast of France. In addition
to this Avide geographical range it also has an extensive
bathymetric distribution, for it lives in water of a
deptli varying from about 10 to 730 fathoms". The
advanced development of tiie muciferous cavities in the
head is also, we need hardly say, of ordinary occur-
rence in deep-sea fishes''. It is, therefore, extreme^
proliable that the Pole has its true home in deep water,
and for some reason or other migrates thence to the
higher marine regions. If this is the case, we can easily
understand why the species is comparatively rare in
Scandinavia. Along the whole coast of Bohuslan, how-
ever, it is taken occasionally, generally in Flounder-nets,
at a deptli of from 10 to 20 fathoms. According to
Mal.ai it there prefers a soft, grayish, sandy bottom;
1)ut accoi'ding to Faber it has received the name of
Skjcerisiiifi (cf. the Swedish name Skui-flundra — Rock
Flounder) of the fishermen of Hirsholm and the Skaw,
where it is commoner than in Bohusliln, because it is
generally found on the reefs. Oft" Kullen, too, according
to ScHAGERSTROM, it bears this Danish name among the
fishermen. In the north of tlie Sound and southwards
to the neighbourhood of Landskrona it is sometimes
met ^vith, say both Schagerstkom and Winthek. It
has twice (in 1875 and 1880) been found in the ex-
treme west of the Baltic (MoBius and Heincke), but is
unknown further in. It is also said to be unknown on
tlie shelving west coast of Jutland (Kroyer and Win-
ther). According to Collett it is caught in Christiania

Fjord all the year round, but mostly during the autumn
months, and in Trondhjem Fjord it is stated not to be
rare. The species was found bv the Norwegian Arctic
Expedition in West Fjord at a depth of 150 fathoms,
on a sandy bottom, where the temperature at the bottom
was 41° Fahr., and in Tana Fjord (East Finmark) at a
depth of 1"27 fathoms, on a bottom of mud and clay,
where the bottom temperature was 37° Fahr. According
to GooDE and Bean the corresponding temperature at
which the Pole has been found on the other side of the
Atlantic, is between 34° and 45° Fahr. Further .south
on the European side the Pole occurs, though not fre-
quently, round the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.
In the English Cliannel, according to Moreau, it is
"uncommon" and oft" Arcachon "extremely rare."

The nature of the Pole's food is shown Ijy its teeth:
with the jaw-teeth it cuts or tears away its pre}' from
the bottom, and Avith the blunt, conical pharyngeals it
crushes the thin shell of its victim. Pexxaxt found
small crustaceans and starfish in its stomach, and
Kroyer small shellfish and worms.

The spawning-season of the Pole in England, ac-
cording to Day, occurs in early summer, in ]\]av and
June; in Scandinavia both Kkoyeu and Malm found
females with tlie development of the ovaries so advanced
at the end of June that the spawning-season might be
expected in August.

As the Pole is not caught anywhere in anv con-
siderable quantity, its preference for deep water render-
ing it difficult to reach with nets, while, like the rest
of the true Flounders, it seldom takes a bait, it is,
therefore, of no great economical importance^ Its flesh,
however, is excellent, and thus in many places it bears
local names that range it by the side of the Sole, to
which it is also more closely approximated by the form
of the body than any other of the true Flounders. "It
is without doubt our most delicious Pleuronectoid,"
saj^s Malm, "and is usually very fat, a circumstance
which we should hardly expect from the thinness of its
body at the edges." Lilljeborg was informed by Mr.
C. A. Hansson that, on account of its fine flavour, the
fishermen of Stromstad call it Sockerskddda (Sugar Dab).

" GooDE and Bkax, RiiU. Mus. Coiiip. Zool., Hiirv. Coll., Caiiibr., vol. X, No. 5, p. 19.0.
' GOnther, Rep. ('hall. E.vped., Deep. 6'ca F,.<lu'.% p. XXVI.

•■ In the winter of 1801 — 02 llie Pole was sometimes liroii.alit from Gotlienbiirs'- to tlie fisli-maikt-t at Stockholm. There it was
sold under the name of Sole.

FLOUNDEK-FISIIKS.

383

THE LEMON DAB OR SMEAR DAB (sw. bergskaddan).

PLEURONECTES MICROGEPHALUS.

Plate XX, tig. 1.

JJodi/ h'fs I'loiKjaicd than in flic pn'rediiii) species, the (jreafest dcplli beinfi generuUi] from :i'j to :i8%" of tlie length.
Dorsal and (tn(d fins with numerous rai/s, the former ivith about '.)() — 94, the latter tvith about 72 — 7'). Least
depth of the toil more than 9% {aluiut !r:>—l()\2%) of the length of the Imhj. Length of the head less than 17 %
{about 10^/), — J '}%''} of the length of the \>odg, and tlic distance between the anal fin. and the tip of the snout less
than 24 % {about 22'^ j.^ — l^^i-, %) thereof. Lostabdomlnal bone not projecting in a spine behind the vent. Rays of
the renfnd fins as a rule 5. Head without externally visible muciferous cavities. Lateral line slightly curved
above the pectoral fins, but with this exception straight. Vertebra; about 48. Jatvs furnished tvith close-set incisor-
like teeth, few {at most 2 jxr 3) or none on the eye side, and at most about 17 on the blind side; pharyngecd teeth
comparatirelji n-eaJc and scattered, pointed, and set in a single row on each of the six upper pharyngeals and in
a double row on both of the lower pharyngeals. Coloration of the eye side reddish or yellowish brown;

pectoral fin of the same colour as the body.

R. hi: 7; D. 87"^— 98; A. 72''— 75; P. 10; V. b'\ V.x+U
1. 15 + ,r: /.//(. hit. ca 120/; Vert. 48 1. 49^'.

«S'y/i. T^a i-raie Umandelle, DUH., 2V. d. Pi'cli., part. II, toni. Ill,

sect. IX, p. 2G8, tab. VI, figg. 3 et 4.
Pkuronectes kitt (p. p.) Walb., Ichth. Art., Ill, p. 120.
Pletironeetes microcephalus, Donov., Brit. Fish., vol. II, tab.

42; Fr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 173; Kr. (Platessa),

Damn. Fiske, toI. II, p. 316; Lilu. (Pleitronectes), Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1850, p. 334; NiLss., S'kdiid. Fn., FisL, p.

009: Ekstr., v. Wright, 6'kand. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 217, tab. 56;

Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. IV, p. 447; Coll., Forh.

Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, TilliPgsh., p. 145; Cederstr., Ofvers.

Vet.-Akad. Fcirh. 1876, No. 4, p. G6; Malm, Gbgs, Boh.

Fn., p. 526; W^inth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol.

XII, p. 40; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Na-

turw. CI., Bd. LXXX, I, 1880, p. 165 (p. 47, sep); MOR.

(Platessa), Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toin. Ill, p. 294; Day

(PI/;itroiiectes), Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. II, p. 28, tab. fll ;

Moi!., HcKE, .Fisch. Osts., p. 98; Lilu., ^Sv., Norg. Fn.,

Fisk., vol. II, p. 402.
Pkuronectes Qnenselii, Hollbkrg, Boh. Fisk., Gbgs Wett.,

Witt. Sainh. N. Ilandl., part. IV, p. 69 cnm tab.
Pkuronectes quadridens, Fabr., D. Vid. Selsk. Afh., part. I, p.

39; Faber, Isis, 1828, p. 884; Id., Fisch. IsL, p. 138.
Pkuronectes microstotnus, Faber, Isis 1828, p. 886; Tidskr.

f. Naturv. Kbhvn, Bd. 5 (1828) p. 245; Nilss., Prodr.

Ichth. Scand., p. 53; Scuagebstr., Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr.

1837, H. 3, p. 310.
Pkuronectes Pola, Cuv., Eigne Anim., cd. II (1829), p. 339.
Pkuronectes Cynoglossus, Nilss., Prodr., 1. c.
Microstomus hitidens, Gottsche, Wiegm. Arcli. f. Natiirg..

.Jahrg. I, Bd. 2, p. 150.

Obs. It is scarcely probable that Pennant's Smear-Dab (PI.
Icevis, Shaw) belonged to this species, for the dorsal fin, according to
Pennant (Brit. Zool., 1776, III, p. 202), contained 79 rays, the
greatest depth of the body was 61 "^ of the length, and "the lateral
line was much incurvated for the first two inches from its origin."
That Pennant's fig. 106 (representing a Zeiigopterus punctatus) does
not belong to this species, has already been remarked by Fries.
Jagg's kitt (Ray: Syn. Pise, p. 162, fig. 1) probably belonged to this
species''; and Wahlbaum's PL kitt would thus enjoy the right of
priority as a specific name (cf. Jordan and Goss, Rep. Comni. Fish..
Fisher. 1886, p. 299) if its establishmeiit had not been based as
much on Pennant's authority as on Jagg's.

The average length of the Lemon Dab in Scandi-
navia is about 20 — 25 cm. The largest specimen found
by Ekstrom in Bohuslan was 40 cm. long, and the
largest specimen Lilljeborg had seen, 46 cm. long.
Thus it is usuallv smaller than the preceding species,
whicli it resembles pretty closeh' in the form of the
body and the other characters. However, the absence
of tlie anal spine, the tumid, red lips, the redder and
moi'e spotted coloration, the smaller scales — especially
on the rays of the dorsal and anal tins, where the scales
are set in 7 or 8 rows — and lastly the abundant mucous
secretion of the skin (the origin of the name of Smear Dab),
all combine to render this species easily recognisable.

The body is of an oblong, oval .shape and gene-
rallv deeper than in the preceding species, the greatest

" From 32 to 40 'i, according to Kroykr.

'' Sometimes 14'/,, according to Kroyer, or even 14, according to Gottsche.

'■ Sometimes 85, according to Collett.

■' From 70 — 76, according to Day and Lill.ieboeg.

' Sometimes 6, according to Gottsche.

■' Sometimes 110, according to Kroyer, or 130. according to Day.

'■' From 46 to 48, according to Gottsche.

'■ Cf. Couch, Fish. Brit. IsL. vol. III. p. 187.

384

SfAXDIN'AVIAN FISIIKS.

depth of the body, which occurs at its middle (exclud-
ing the caudal tin), being about "/j of the total length
to the end of the caudal fin". The greatest thickness
of tlie bod}' always lies behind the head (in the ab-
dominal region or the anterior jjart of the tail), and
is more than ',3 of the length of the head''.

The head is small, its length being always some-
what less than that of the caudal fin, and varying in
full-grown specimens betAvcen 1 5 % (according to Gott-
SCHE 14 96) and 1672^ t'f ^l^^ total length of the body,
or between 18 and 20?^ of the length to the base of
the caudal fin. The mouth is small, the gape being
scarcely curved at all; and the jaws are of erjual pro-
jection and furnished \\ith round, thick lips. The length
of the lower jaw varies between 4 and 5 % of the length
of the body or about 40 and 53 % of the least depth
of the tail. The jaw-teeth are even, broad, and close-
set in a single row; they are present in botli jaws, but
oftenest, in the upper jaw at least, only on the blind
side. The eye side of the jaws is toothless or some-
times furnished with 1 — 3 teetli. Sometimes one or
two of the front teeth are longer than the rest. The
upper pharyngeal teeth are comparatively few, 3 or 4
on each of the three upper pharyngeals on each side,
and are imbedded in a thick, loose skin on the roof
of the pharynx. In shape they are flat, curved, trian-
gidar, and sharpl}- pointed, like miniature Squaloid teeth.
(_)n the lower pharyngeals they are more scattered and
narrower, more dagger-like'". The gill-rakers are middle-
sized, setiform, and fairly close-set: we have found their
number on the first branchial arch to be 22. The gill-
openings are uncommonly small, partlv because they
do not extend higher than the top of the base of the
pectoral fins — the entire upper margin of the opereula
is united by the skin to the body — partly because the
branchiostegal membranes are in great part coalescent
inferiorly, forming a fold up-\vards and inwards that
fits into the bend of the urohyoid bone, above the point
of the lower extremity of the clavicular bones. To this
folding of the branchiostegal membranes is due the
peculiarity that the last three of the seven branchio-
stegal rays lie close together under the martrin of the

gill-opening; and as the first branchiostegal ray is small
and almost invisible, the casual observer finds oidv three
branchiostegal rays on each side. On the eye side of
the l)odv the margin of the ijill-cover has a somewhat
thick, orange rim, and a similar rim ap))ears on the
clavicular bone (behind the margin of the gill-opening),
in front of the liase of the pectoral fin. The eyes are
set on the right side, are large and \er\' pi'ominent,
and lie so close together that they are separated only
by a sharp osseous ridge. The longitudinal diameter of
the upi)er orbit is fully half the lengtli of the cranium
from the head of the vomer to tlie large occipital fora-
men; liut the eves themselves are so covered with der--
mal folds that the visible part of the eye is compara-
tively small. During the growth of the fish from 20
to 30 cm. the length of the visible part of the upper
eye diminishes, according to Kiuiyer'.s measurements,
from 28' '3 to 19\/^ % of the length of the head or, ac-
cording to ovu' measurements, from 26''2 to 2IV3 %
thereof. The lower eye, which is somewhat smaller
than the upper, lies only a little further forward. The
nostrils resemljle those of the preceding species. They
lie fairly near each other, on the eye side nearly in a
line with the corner of the nioutli and almost between
the eyes. The nostrils of the blind side lie almost
exactly at the dorsal edge of the snout, in front and
to the right of the beginning of the dorsal fin, nearly
in a line with the anterior margin of the u])per eye.

The scales cover both sides of the body, the head
(excepting the eye side of the snout), the ra}-s of the
vertical fins, the outer side of the base of the pectoral
fins and of half the ventral fins, and sometimes a part
of the inner side of the last pair of fins as well. The}'
are thin, smooth at the raai-gin, oval, and (on the body)
imbricated. On the head they are nearly round, smaller
than on the body, and not imbricated. The lateral line
is straight, with a slight, but distinct, arched curve above
the pectoral fins. This arch seems generally to be higher
on the blind side than on the eye side, but its height
and shape are subject to individual variations.

The dorsal fin begins somewhat behind the anterior
margin of the upper eye, but distinctly on tlie blind

" In this respect Uiis species is nuire variable Uian tlie preceding one. According to (.ur nieasurcnients of 6 specimens between 15
and 31 cm. loni;, from Boliusliin and Norway, (be greatest deptli of the body varies between 35 and 38 % of tbe length to the end of the
caudal tin, or 42' ., and 40 % of the length to the base of the caudal fin, the proporlions being highest in the largest specimens. According
to GOTTSCHE the former proportion varies between 36' ., and 45 "», and according to Kroyeh between 32 and 40 %.

According to our measurements the greatest thickness of the body varies between 34 and 40 % of the length of the bead, accord-
ing to Kuoyer's measurements between 40 and 43 % thereof.

' KltOYER has found them to be set in two rows. In our specimens they are set in a single row.

LEMON DAB.

385

side, and extends in iui arcuate shape nearlj* to the
caudal fin. The distance between these tins is less than
^j^ of the least deptli of the tail. As a rule the dorsal
tin contains from 87 to 98 rays, all sinijjlc, with soft,
bent tijis. The anal tin in shape resembles the dorsal,
begins just behind the vent, at a distance from the tip
of the snout that measures between 19 and 22% of the
length of the body, and ends exactly opposite the ter-
mination of the dorsal tin. Tlie caudal fin is fairly
long — during the growth of the bod}- from 15 to 30
cm., its length at tlie middle varies between 18 and
16 % of the length of the body — and rounded at the
tip. It contains 14 or 1.5 branched rays, and 2 or 3
supporting rays at either margin.

The pectoral fins are almost elliptical. The pectoral
fin of the blind side is only slightly shorter than that
of th(^ eye side or equal in length to the latter, the
length of which is about equal to the least depth of the
tail or the length of the longest rays of the dorsal fin.
One, two or three of the uppermost rays are simple,
the others, usuallv witli the exception of the lowest ray,
branched. The ventral fins are small and contain but
few rays, their number varying, however, between 4
and 6; the outermost ray and, as a rule, the inner-
most are simple, the others branched. No constant
sexual distinction can be drawn from the length of
either the pectoral or the ventral fins.

The coloration of the body in ne^v-caugllt, young
specimens is red, marbled with blackish brown. In very
old specimens, or when the fish is dead, the coloration
grows darker, and generally becomes yellowish gray
marbled with grayish brown. The blind side is always
pure white, in exceptional cases with some grayish
})rown spots at the base of the caudal fin. Only seldom
do \ve find the body adorned here and there ^vith scat-
tered, simple, or large, ocellated spots of a bluish or
greenish colour. The fins always retain the colour of
the body, though the tips of the anterior rays both in
the dorsal fin and the anal are alwa}'S ^vhite. We have
already noticed the carnation lips and the orange rim
of the gill-cover. The iris is brassy yellow, and tlie
pupil greenish blue.

The internal organs almost exactly resemble those
of the preceding species. The peritoneum is more or
less dark on the eye side and on the blind side faint
brassy yellow or white. Only one coil of the intestine
enters the secondary abdominal cavity of the eye side.
There are four pyloric appendages of various sizes. The

Scandinavian Fishes.

length of the intestinal canal is about equal to that of
the l){)dy. Tiie liver is large and divided into four
lobes, the gall-bladder also large, and the spleen, which
is long and triangular, lies as in the preceding species.
The secondary abdominal cavity of the eye side, in a
female 28 cm. long, measures 38 % of the length of the
body, and extends back to the interha?mal spine of the
20th ra}- in the anal fin, counting from behind; while
the length of the abdominal cavity proper is onl)' about
ia*/o % of that of the body.

On the European side of the Atlantic the geogra-
phical range of the Lemon Dab is about the same as
that of the preceding species, extending from the White
Sea to file neighbourhood of Arcachon on the west coast
of France, and to Iceland. On the other hand, to the
best of our knowledge, it does not descend into very
deep water. Like the Pole it has been found once or
twice in the south-west of the Baltic, off Kiel: but it
does not enter the Baltic proper. According to Scha-
GERSTROM it is uot uufrequenth' met with in the Sound.
It is known i)y the fishermen of Kullen, on account of
its thick lips, as pluddeiinun (Babble-mouth), and by the
fishermen of Landskrona as monffundra (Mouth-flounder).
It is also taken frequently, according to Gottsche, by
the fishermen of Zealand, off Gilleleie and Skovshoved,
where it is called stensugare (Stone-sucker). The name
of marcjiimdra (Sea-flounder) is applied b}^ the fishermen
of the Sound to almost all the less known Flatfishes,
according to SchagerstkOji. Furthermore, the nomen-
clature employed bv our fishermen is so wanting in
accuracy that the Lemon Dab also goes by the name of
tioiga (Sole). It prefers a stony and rocky bottom, and
is, therefore, known in the island-belt of TjOrn as herg-
skddda (Rock-dab), and in the north of Bohuslan, ac-
cording to CederstrOm, as hergjiundra (Rock-flounder).
Off Bergen, where it is taken in large numbers, it bears
the name of sandflundra, according to Nilsson. It lives
on mollusks, worms, and crustaceans; and its pharyngeal
teeth seem especially adapted to the last two kinds of
food. Ekstrom found in its stomach some sprigs, about
an inch long, of Fucaceoe (Furcellaria fasfigiata, Hali-
drgs sUiqxosa etc.), but he was probably right in his
assumption that they had been swallowed together
with the food, more than for the sake of any nourish-
ment they might afford. In Bohuslan the spawn-
ing-season of the Lemon Dab occurs in June. It is
generally taken in Flounder-nets together with the
Plaice, but in Scandinavia it is by no means so com-

49

386

SCAXDINAVIAN FISHES.

111(111 as the latter. On rare occasions it is cauglit in
the seine and on the liook. The flesh is flabby and
inferior to that of the Plaice.

In the basin of the Atlantic the last two species,
Pleuronectes ci/hoi/Josshs and PL microccjjJialus, form, as
we have mentioned, a distinct division of the genus, a:
braiicli of the true Flounder-type, advancing in a di-
rection whicli sliows the affinity with tJie subfamily of
the Soles. Bonapaktk proposed" to establish a special
genus, Cynicoglossus, for the Lemon Dab, with its equally
prominent j;iws, thick lips, and without anal spine. In
the Pacific, on the west coast of North America, this
genus and Glyptocephalus are each represented by one
species, which, according to Lockington's descriptions',
has a striking resemblance to its Atlantic congener. In
the market of San Francisco both are sold under the
name of Sole. The Gh/pfocephalits species {GL zaclilrns)
is distinguished, however, from our Lemon Dab by the
large size of the pectoral tins, which on the eye side

may even attain a length equal to ^:\ of that of the
body; and the Cynicoglossus species (C. pacificus) has
an extreme]}' shallow body, the greatest depth being
only about 26 — 30 % of the length. In the Atlantic, as
we have seen, GUfptocephalus is distinguished by shorter
pectoral fins and a relatively shallower body than is
generallv the case in Cynicoglossus. In the Pacific the
relations are reversed. Here we find a substitution of
the charactei's for each other \vhich in a wav shows the
near kinship between these forms. The next species,
however, will show that there is no wide gap between
these two genera and the true genus Pleuronectes, in its
most restricted meaning. But, in spite of the fact that
the series is so nearly unl)roken, it has also been proposed
to establish, for the species Avhich group themselves
round the following species, a distinct genus, Limanda,
characterized by the sharp arcuation of tlie anterior
part of the lateral line.

(Ekstrom, Smitt.)

THE COMMON DAB (sw. .sandflu.ndran).
PLEURONECTES LDL\NDA.

Plate XX, fig. 3.

JJody oral, the yreatcst depth of the l>ody in adult specUncns raryiny between od and 42 %' of the length thereof.
Dorsal fin irith at most about SO (65 — 80) rays, anal ivith at most about GO (50 — fil). Least depth of the tail
yciierally more than S % (betn-een 8 and 0 %) of the length if the body and about 40 % ('-Ul — 44 %) of the length of the
head. Length <f' the head more than 18 % (in full-grown specimens :J2 — 1!> %) of the length of the body, and the
distance between tite anal fin and the tip of the snout more than 25 ?6 (in fnll-yr(nrn specimens from 3o to 27 %) of
fill' lenf/th of the body. Anal sjiine behind the rent present. Pays of the rent ral fins (>. Head without muciferous
carities. Lateral line sharply arcuate in the abdominal region (abore the jiectoral fins). Yertebrce :i9 or 40. Jaw-
teeth close together at th^ base, slightly compressed, conical (the crowns being, therefore, some distance apart), and
bluntly pointed, rdjout half as many on the eye side as on the blind side; pharyngeal teeth almost exactly the same
as in the preceding species: lou-er ph((ryngeals also resembling branchial arches. Coloration of the eye side usucdly
yellowish brown, with lighter sjmts; pectoral fin of the same colour as the body.

R. bi: 7; D. 65—80; A. 51—61''; P. 10 1. ll"; V. C,f-
a. .v+12 1. 13 +.7;; L. lat. ca 90; Vert. 39 1. 4(1.

.s'y;(. Passer asper sive si|uauiosus (qui a Gallis liiaiinde vocatiir):
Rondel., De Pise, lib. XI, cap. IX. Pleuronectes oculis a
doxtra, squaniis a.sppris, spina ad anuiii, dcntilms obtiisis,
AiiT., Gen., p. 17: S>jn., p. 33; Spec, p. 68.
Pleuronectes Limanda, Ltn., Hyst. A'at., ed. X, torn. I, p. 270;
QvENS., Vet.-Akad. llandl. 1806, pp. 54 et 220; Sw.urrz,

Sv. ZooL, No. 16; Faber, Isis 1828, p. 880; Tidskr. f.
Nalurv. Kblivn, V (1828), p. 245; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth.
Scand., p. 56; SUiNDEV., v. Wr., Skand. Fisk., ed. 1, p. 150,
tab. 34; Kr., Danm. Fisk., vol. II, p. 298; Lilu., Vet.-Akad.
Handl. 1850. pp. 309 et 333; NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
G27; Gthb, Cat. Brit. Mas., Fisli., vol. IV, p. 446; Lindstr.,
Gott. Fisk. (Gotl. L. Husb. Sallsk. Arsber. 1866) p. 23; Coll.,
Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilla-gsb., p. 146; Malm, Gbys,
Boh. Fn., p. 525; WiNTH., Naturli. Tidskr. Kblivu, ser. 3, vol.

" Iconoijr. Fn. Ital., torn. Ill (Fesci), No. 98 (d'ordine per la legatnra), Platessa passer.
'' Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 2 (1879), p. 86.

' According to Day sometimes nearly 43, but thi.s in a specimen which he believed to bo a hybrid between this species and one of
the two following species.

'' Snmelimes 50, according to Gottsche; sometimes 62, according to Lilljeborg.

* On the blind side sometimes 9. According to Artedi sometimes 12 on the eye side.

-^ Sometimes 5.

COMMON' DAB.

387

XII, p. 39; Benecke, Fiseh., Fischer., Fiscln. 0. u. W. Preuss.,

p. 95; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., IreL, vol. II, p. 31, tab. CIV;

Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 308, tab. IX; M6r., Hcke, Fisch.

Osts., p. 915; L11.1.J., At'., Nonj. Fn., Fink., vol. II, p. 394.
rieuronecte.^ platessoides, Fabei!, Fisch. IsL, p. 140.
lAmanda vtilgnris, Gottsche, Wiegin. Arcli. f. Natiirg-., vol. I,

Bd. 2, p. 100; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toiu. HI, p. 289.

Limanda ocerniica,
III, p. 328.

V. Bemji., in Herki... Dotur. Fn. NcderL

On the coasts of Soandinavia the usual length of
the Dab is between 24 and 28 cm., and scarcely ever
more than 30 cm." The greatest depth of the body in
full-grown specimens, more than 15 cm. long, varies be-
tween about 45 and 51 % of the length from the tip of
the snout to the base of the caudal fin; while in younger
specimens, even when they have attained a length of

6 cm., this proportion may be as low as ?>1 %. The
length of the head is about ' ,, — the variations run be-
tween 23 and Tl % — of the distance between the tip
of the snout and the base of the caudal fin; and the
length of the caudal fin at the middle is from 17 to
19 ?o of the total length of the body.

The shape of the body is an unbroken o\al, dis-
tinguished from that of the preceding species of this
genus l)y the circumstance that the tail is attenuated
behind the greatest depth of the body rather more
sharply and to a greater length. The body is deepest
a little behind the end of its first third, at about the
28th, 29th or 30th ray of the dorsal fin. The curves
of the upper and lower contours are alike, and even
the profile (jf the head is even, with the exception of
a marked depression at the eyes.

In other respects the head deviates onlj- slightly from
the structure it possesses in the preceding and following
species. Its greatest thickness, which is generally the
greatest thickness of the body as well, measures about

7 or 8 % of the length of the body or about 35— 42 %
of its own length. The eyes are set fairly close to-
gether — the external breadth of the flat ridge between
them, at its narrowest part, measuring about "^ of the
length of the orl)it ■ — -and are of fairly equal size, the
lower |)rojecting slightly in front of the upper, which
is set so high th.at part of it overtops the superior pro-
file of the head. In the skull the length of the upper
orbit measures less than ^'j (about 44%) of the distance

between tlie iiead of the vomer and tin' occipital fora-
men. The eyes themselves measure about 5 %'' of the
length of the body or 23 or 24%' of the length of the
iiead. In youth, as usual, the eyes are comparatively
larger'. The nostrils ai'e of about the same form and
position as in the preceding species; but even the pos-
terior nosti'il of the eye side, Avhere botii nostrils lie
in front of the perpendicular from the anterior margin
of the eyes, has its margin somewhat raised in a tubular
form. The anterior nosti'il of the blind side, with a
fairly large dermal tiaji, lies a little in front of the per-
l)endicular from the anterior mai'gin of the upper eye,
the posterior, without any elevation of the margin, just
behind this perpendicular. The mouth is small, the
maxillary bone of the eye side scarcely extending back
to the perpendicular from the anterior margin of the
pupil. The lower jaAv projects slightl}- in front of the
upper. Its length is about the same as the least depth
of the tail, alxjut 8 or 9 % of the length of the bodj' or
40 — 43 % of the length of the head. The teeth are some-
what conical, in the lower jaw blunt, and in the upper
jaw more j)ointed. They are set in a single row, which
is often irregular, at intervals less than the breadth of a

20-24

tooth. Their number on the blind side is ^
8—11

„ on the

20—23'
eye side y-^ — r^. On the latter side they are set ante-
riorly, in the upper jaw for about Vs of the length of
the mouth, in the lower jaw for about ^/j or sometimes
the whole of the length of the mouth, to a line with its
inner corner. The branchiostegal membrane, as in all
the Scandinavian Flatfishes except the Rough Dab {JDre-
IMnofsetta), is furnished with 6 larger rays on each side
and 2 smaller ones at the middle. The 6 large rays
are distant from the middle and only slightly flattened;
but they are not always distinct or easy to count, this
beino: due to the fact that the membrane does not lie
flat, with the margin behind, as in other fishes, but is
folded back, in this species and most of the others, to half
the breadth of the membrane, which thus lies doul)le''.
The position of the fins is normal, and the rays are
scaly in the ordinary manner. The dorsal fin begins
on the blind side, just behind the perpendicular from
the anterior margin of the pupil of the upper eye, and

« Couch {Hist. Fish. Brit. IsL, p. 185) mentions a specimen 33 cm. long. 1>av (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1885, p. 929) another
38 cm. long. Mubius and Heixcke state that the species may attain a length of 40 cm.
* According to Sun'devai.l and Day sometimes 4.

<■ According to Sundevali. sometimes 22, according to Day sometimes 21.

'' In specimens about 6 cm. long the longitudinal diameter of the eye is about 6 °„ of the length of the body or 27 '<. of the length of the head.
' It is probably this peculiarity that has given rise to the statement that the Fiounders have 4 or 5 branchiostegal rays.

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

almost in a line with the nostrils of the blind side, and
extends back to a point, the distance between which and
the caudal fin is at least more than half the least depth of
tlie tail, and sometimes only slightly less than that depth.
The peduncle of the tail is thus longer than in either
of the preceding species. The longest rays of the dorsal
fin, the 34th, 35th and 36th from the beginning, are
equal in length to tlie postorbital part of the head (about
12 % of the length of the body) or a little shorter. Tlie
anal fin resembles the dorsal fin, and terminates in the
same manner, Ijut begins just behind the perpendicular
from the base of the pectoral fins, at a distance from
the tip of the snout tliat measures 27 — 33 % (in youth
about 26 %) of the length of the body. The anal spine
is sharp and pointed. The caudal fin is rounded at the
hind margin. It contains 12 or 13 branched rays, and
2 or 3 simple rays above and below, the innermost of
the latter rays measuring ^/g of the length of the fin
and the outermost '^j^. The pectoral fin of the eye side
measures "/.. of the lengtli of tlie head or 12 — \\% (in

young specimens at least 10 %) of the length of the body.
It usually contains 10 or 11 rays, the two (seldom three)
uppermost simple, tlie others branched, and the thii'd
and fourth longest. In exceptional cases this fin contains
12 rays". The pectoral fin of the blind side is visibly
shorter, and generally contains 9 — 11 rays*, the fifth
and sixth being the longest. All the rays are often
simple (at least during youth), and this is always the
case with at least the uppermost 6 or 7 rays and the
lowest ray of all. The ventral fins are still shorter than
the left pectoral fin, their length ])eing about 8 % (during
youth about 6 %^ of that of the liody. They generally
contain 6 simple rays, on the blind side sometimes oidy
5, but the penultimate and antepenultimate rays are
sometimes imperfectly branched at the ti]3. The third
or fourth ray is the longest.

The number of rays is thus inconstant in all the
fins. The following table shows how irregularly these
variations appear:

Length of the bodv
in millimetres.

D.

A.

P.

V.

C.

a) 282

69

52

11

6

3 + 12 + 3 =

= 18

b) 2(39

68

52

12|11

6

c) 267

69

51

11

6

d) 244

68

52

12|13

6

3 + 12 + 2 =

= 17

■ e) 243

68

53

10

6

18 (SUNDEVALL.)

f) 229

72

55

10

6|5

g) 222

67

54

10|9

6

18 ( „

h) 210

67

54

10

6

( „

i) 210

76

59

10|9

6

18 ( „

k) 133

80

61

11|10

6

18 (

1) 94

75

55

11

6

IS ( ..

m) 57

71

59

10

6

n) ;i4

74

—

—

—

18 (

)

The rays of the dorsal fin may thus vary between
67 and 80" or to the extent of 14 rays, about Vr, of the
minimum number; but we have no grounds for regarding
these individuals as members of two distinct species.
It is remarkable, howevei', that the maximum number
of rays in this fin, as well as in the anal, apparently
appears in the younger specimens''.

The scales are fairly large and regularly arranged,
being thus easy to count. In the lateral line they are
(l('e])ly imbedded, and number about 80 or 90". At the
middle of the body there are about 30 scales in an
oblique vo\s from the lateral line to the back and 32

in the corresponding row to the anal fin. They are
oblong and so narrow that the}' scarcely overlap each
other at the sides, and the naked (outer) part is almost
round. At the tip they are truncate, with between 8
and 13 (sometimes as many as 20) fine, pointed, uni-
serial spines. On the blind side the scales of the hind
part of the hoAx have fewer spines, and those of the
front part none or only one or t^vo. On the eye side
the body is almost entirely covered with scales, large
and imbricated, as usual, on the hind part; and only
the nasal region and the snout, together with the lips
and the greater part of the jaws, are scaleless, while small

" This is tlie case with tlie two females sent to the Royal Museum from Wisby by Professor Lindste6m.

'' One of the above specimens from Gothland has 18 rays in the pectoral fin of the blind side.

'' Aceoiding to Gottsche the minimum may be as low as 65.

'' Also according to Kroyeh's table, 1. c, p. 299.

' In diiferent individuals we have found 79, 83, and 90 scales in the lateral line. The arched part of tlie line ends between the 24th and 27th scales

COMMON DAB.

389

scales may be found on the liiiul juirt of the upper jaw
and of tlie branches of the lower jaw. Most of the tin-
rays, \vith the exception of llie very first and last rays
of the dorsal and anal tins, and the posterior rays of the
pectoral and ventral fins, are each furnished -with a row
of scales. On the blind side, however, the operculum,
preoperculum and interoperculnm are for the most part
naked, as well as the whole of the jaws, the snout, and
the nasal region up to the begiiming of the dorsal tin.
Most of the fin-rays, too, on this side are without scales,
witli the exception of the caudal fin and the middle part
of the dorsal and anal tins, where there is one row
of scales on the inner (proximal) part of each of the
rays. On this side the ctenoid scales of the body are
set in patches along the dorsal and ventral margins and
on each side of the lateral line.

The coloration of the eye side is yellowish brown,
with small, dark or brownish, sometimes reddish spots.

It may be more or less dark, and fades after death,
when the spots, too, grow indistinct. On the coast of
Bohusliln, according to Mr. C. A. Hansson", the fol-

lowing coJour-varieties occur

"«, the coloured side dark grayish brown, entirely

undiversified ;
("}, the coloured side light brown, with more less nu-
merous, small yellowish spots with a dash of red.
;', the coloured side clay-gray, shading into brown and
marked with small, more or less gi-eenish spots.
"It is stated that variety cc occurs on a hard,
clayey bottom. />' is the commonest, and occurs both
on sandy and muddy bottoms, while /, on the other hand,
seems to keep to a sandy bottom. Intermediate forms
are found, however, between all three varieties."

The changes of growth in this species may serve as
an expression of those of the Flounders in general. The
iTQOst important of them are given in the appended table:

PleuronecUs limanda.

From BohuslSn. Most of the measurements
siven by ScNnF.VAI.r..

From Cim-
brisbamn
(Scania).

From

Wisbv.

Sex

Length of the body to the end of the caudal fin in millimetres .

Length of the head in % of the length of the body to the end of the caudal fin

»» •? ,» ;» - — — 55 J) »• ?. V ;> », 5, !, J) Dase

Greatest depth of the body _. „ ,, „ „ „ „ „ ,, ., „ end

J, i» ?i ?» ** jj i> )i '1 ', 1, M ,» 1* " base

^cast „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ ,, ,, „ „ end ,,

Longitudinal diam. of the eyes ,, ,, „ ,,

Postorbital purt of the head „ „ ,, .,

Length of the ri!;ht pectoral fin ,, ,, ,, .,

,, „ ., ventral ,, , ., ,, ,,

„ ,, M ., Ijranch of the lower jaw ., ,, „ ,, „ ., ,,

.. .. ., .. .. ,, „ „ head

., „ left ., ,, „ ., .. ., „ „ ., ., ,. „ body to the end of the caudal fin

., ., ., ,, ., ., ., , , ,, head

Distance between tlie anal fin and the tip of the snout in f^ of the Icagth of the body to the end of the caudal fin
Length of the ciindal rtn-_ „ „ „ .,

?J !J ),

&

34

57

61

94

133

223

23.9

21. »

20.5

22.3

21.8

19.7

28.C

27.1

24,5

26.3

26.4

24.1

30.8

30.7

31.1

34.6

33.9

37.6

37.3

36.0

37.2

40.0

41.0

46.1

8.8

9.1

8.2

8.6

9.0

8.0

6.0

6.1

—

5.3

5.3

—

13.5

12.3

—

—

12.8

—

—

9.1

—

11.9

11.2

13.4

—

7.0

6.3

6.3

6.4

7.1

—

8.4

—

7.5

7.5

7.1

—

38.4

—

35,0

34.3

86.3

8.8

—

9.1

8.6

8.0

7.1

38.0

—

44.8

40.0

36.5

36.3 j

—

27.2

25.7

30.2

29.3

29.1

16.4

17.2

16.4

18.4

17.3

18.4

243
19.0
23.0
38.7
48.0

8.4

4.1

12.2
12.3

7.7
7.3

38.5
8.0

41.7

27.7
17.0

9
229
20.7
25.2

38.4
46.8

8.3

4.8

12.4
13.5

7.8
7.4

35.9

8.3

40.0
30.6
17.9

9

9

9

267

282

244

21.9

20.9

21.1

26.6

25.8

25.4

38.2

41.5

41.8

46.4

51.2

50.3

8.0

8.3

8.8

5.4

5.1

5.0

12.4

12.2

12.5

13.4

13.3

13.7

8.0

8.0

8.6

8.6

8.0

7.8

39.3

38.1

36.9

9.4

8.3

8.8

42.7

40.0

41.7

32.9

32.8

29.7

17.1!

18.9

17.0

9
269
20.8
26.5

40.9

50.0

9.0

4.9
12.3

13.0

7.0

7.6

86.6

8.3

40.2
30.8

18.2

Ol/s. With regard to the young specimens in this table Sunde-
v.\Li. observes: In the fourth (94 mm. in length) the teeth are in form
and position like those of the largest specimen from Bohuslau. In the
two smallest (34 and 57 mm. in length) the scales are apparently
rather more rounded at the tip, and are furnished with fewer spines,
tlmn in the full-grown specimens. Their coloration is also fainter and
more transparent, with more distinct spots, than that of the others:
and tliey seem to belong to the fry of tlie previous j-ear. Young
specimens less than 25 mm. long are entirely transparent and colour-
less, with the exception of the eyes and the skeleton.

In spite of the fact that these measurements cannot
be absolutely accurate, several of those in the first co-

" By letter.

' According to Kroyer the least deptli of the body is, as
given in out measurements.

lumns being derived from the observations of different
persons, we may still draw from them the following
rules, subject, it is true, to individual variations that are
sometimes considerable. The relative length of the head
decreases with age, the greatest depth of the body in-
creases, while the least relative depth'' remains almost
the .same, the relative size of the eyes diminishes, as
well as the relative length of the postorbital part of the
head, which in older specimens, however, is remarkably
constant, but the length of the fins, on the other hand,

a rule, nearly 10 % of the lengtli thereof, and thus greater than it is

390

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

undergoes even relative increase. The length of the right
branch of the lower jaw shows a remarkable similarity
to that of the ventral fin on the same side of the body,
and the length of the left branch of the lower jaw to
the least depth of the body.

The lengtli of the abdonunal cavity occupies from
V7 to Vg of that of the body; the secondary abdominal
cavities extend, as usual, back to the posterior part of
the base of the anal fin: we have found the termination
of the ovary to lie, on the right side, in a line with tlie
18th — 20th rays of the anal fin, counting from behind,
and on the left side, in a line Mitli the 26th rav. The short
(Esophagus and the stomach extend along the uppei- wall
of the abdominal cavity, round the hind margin of the
liver, to the middle of the hind wall of the abdominal
cavity, where the pylorus is externally divided by a fold
from the intestine, at the beginning of which lie three
pyloric appendages. A little further along the intestine
wo find another, smaller appendage. The first coil of
the intestine passes upwards, to the right, and enters the
right secondary abdominal cavity for a short distance,
scarcely half the length of the albdominal cavity proper.
The second coil lies on the iimer side of the first, but
does not enter the secondary abdominal cavity.

The Dab occurs along the whole Avest coast of Scan-
dinavia and at least from the Murman coast (Russia) to
Iceland. It goes southwards to the Bay of Biscay, and
penetrates the Baltic at least as far as Gothland. On
tlie American side of the Atlantic it is represented by
three very closely allied species", which to a certain
extent combine the characters of the Dab with those of
the preceding species, as well as of the following ones.
A fourth species, which has l)een referred to the genus
Limanda'', inhabits the Pacific Ocean, and is distinguislied
from the Dab essentially by its larger head and longer
pectoral fins alone. A fifth species, Pleuronectes Vegce,
wliicli belongs to the same group — with the lower pha-
ryngeals like branchial arches, and their teeth pointed
and set in t\vo rows — belongs to Japan, and is distin-

guished by the less marked curve of the lateral line and
the extraordinary depth of the base of the caudal fin".

The Dab (Sw. sandflundra =Sand Flounder), as shown
by its Swedish name, generallv keeps to a sandy bottom
and at a depth of 10 fathoms or more'', but not un-
frequently ascends into shallo\\-er water. Its food is
composed of small crustaceans and other marine animals,
such as worms, shellfish, starfisli and sea-urchins. SuN-
DEVALi, found the stomach and the first coil of the in-
testine in one case crammed with small Idoilieidcc (Sie-
nosoma), together with pieces of Annelids and sprigs of
small aJgte {Ceramium, Fucks). In two females from the
vicinity of Cimbrishanin the intestine is distended with
a considerable cjuantity of mussels {MytUus eduUs),
mostly whole and with the soft parts still undigested.
The Dab thus swallows a great portion of its food
without crushing it.

The spawning-season of the Dab occurs in spring
and early summer, probably from the latter j)art of
April to the month of June. The fry grow slowly. Dav
mentions some young specimens, 44 mm. in length, that
were taken at the mouth of the Thames, in November,
1880. As the young specimens mentioned above, between
34 and 133 mm. long, were all taken by Fries in Bo-
husliin, on the 19th of May, 1838, Sundevall concludes
that they cannot possibh* belong to the fry of that year.
"To all appearances," he says^ "the smallest specimens
were born in the previous sunnner, of the roe deposited
at its beginning. The young specimen 94 mm. in length,
which has a far more rol)ust appearance and is of the
same colour as the adidt specimens, is evidently a year
older, and I would regard it as being of exactly the
same age as the lai'ger specimen 133 mm. in length.
Both these specimens seem to be in tlieir third year.
Hence it seems highly probable that this species re-
quires four or five years to attain its ordinary size of
from 20 to 2.5 cm."

In Bohusliln this species is called sandskddda, in
Norway sandfynder, and in the Faroe Islands sfl>i(/^Mwrfrfl.

" Pleuronectei^ (Limanda) fefriigineus ami PL (Limamlu) Beaiiii, botl: with very short pectoral fins, the former also with numerous
rays in the dorsal fin (D. 83 — 85) and the latter witli niiconiinonly short liead, its length, according to Brown-Goode, being only abont la
"o of that of tlie body. The third species of this group — with the lower pharyngeals narrow, like branchial arches — on the east coast of
N. America, Pleuronectes (Psendiiplenrotiectes) americamis has the elliptical shape of the Lemon Dab and the lateral line only slightly curved
in front, and shows traces of the more or less tubercular ridge behind the eyes which is characteristic of the group of the Plaice.

'' Pleuronectes {Liinnnda) asper, with few spines on the scales and with the length of tlie pectoral fin of the eye side about 1 6 "^
of that of the body.

■•■ D. 69—72; A. .'i4— 55. Least depth of the tail about 9' '., — 1 1 '/o % of the length of the body or 28 — 30 '. of the greatest depth of the body.

'' LlNDSTiiUM obtained specimens of this species that had been taken at a depth of 70 fthiiis., off Gothland. Buow.v-Goodk's Pleuro-
nectes Beanii was taken at a depth of 120 — 12() fthms., off Kliode Island.

' Tlie same opinion recurs in Kkoyer, 1. c, pp. 314 — 315.

FLOUNDEK-FISIIES.

391

In Scania it is known as sh'itin ( - smooth, as it feels
smooth wlien the hand is passed over it from the
head to the tail) and (iiif/lrpii/d or (hi(jt'ij)i(/a (Vang,
Thin-girl), in Blekingo, aeeording to Nilsson sldttika
(Smooth Flounder) or fjdUfJundid (Sealy Flounder),
and in Gothland, according to Lindsthom, uladc
{(jhitt ^ smooth). In Svensk Zoolorji Qvkxsel and, after
iiim, SvARTZ called the species futu/lik fiinidni (Sole-
like Flounder) or (hdi/skaddd (llandline Dah). In
Denmark it is known as slaifc (cf. slatfa, above) and
isiiif/.

The Dal) is taken together with other species in
Flounder-nets and seines. It also takes a Ijait. Its fla-
vour is considered tolerably good. It is best during
late autunui and winter, before the spawning-season. In
Dl'HAMEI.'s time", and proljably long before then, the
Dab had already won favour in France, and the inland-
ei's preferred it to the Plaice, as it could be conveyed
longer distances than other Flounders without losing its
flavour. It also bears the [n'ocess of drying and pre-
serving like stock-lish bettei' than tiie Plaice, says

DUHA.MEL. (SUXDEVAI.E. .SmITT.)

Fig-. 108. Lower pliaryngeals in PleiironecU'S ^flesiis, seen from iibovo, ami with tlie anterior end npward. Magn. ?> diani.

In Scandinavia as throughout the north-west ot
Europe, north of the Spanish Peninsula, the two follow-
ing .species are the commonest and, therefore, the best-
known within the genus. They are remarkable, in the
first place, for the unusually great varial)ility of their cha-
racters, a circumstance which approximates them so clo-
sely to each other that Mobius and Heincke have declared,
not without reason, that "it may appear on closer exa-
mination that these two species are links in a common |
form-series with the finest shades of distinction. ' Com-
pared ^vith the preceding species they have one common
character in the larger size of the head in the majority
of cases, a character which, as ^ve have seen, generally
belongs to juvenile forms. In addition to this juvenile
character we tind a greater prevalence in them than in
the other species, of deviations from the generic cha- j
racter -which fixes the right side as the eye side: sini- 1
.stral and double individuals (coloured on both sides) are I
comparatively common in these species.

Throughout the Scandinavian fauna, to the best of
our knowledge, we niav relv upon the validity of the
character, derived from the length of the head, l)y which ;
the Dab is distinguished in the above scheme from the
phdessa-grouy''. But the above-mentioned Pacific form
of the Iimanda-grou\) apparently impairs the validity of
this character, and we must, therefore, have recourse to
an internal character. The first internal character that

presents itself is the structure of the lower pharyngeals
and their teeth. In all the Flounders of which we have
already treated, the lower pharyngeals are narrow, and
more or less resemble branchial arches, while their teeth
are pointed. In the two following species and their nearest
relatives these bones are broader and more or less tri-
angular, and their inner margins are more or less con-
tiguous at the middle of the floor of the pharynx. They
are also furnished with obtuse, broad, molar teeth, some-
times arranged as closely as cobble-stones in a road^vay
(fig. 108). Another character may be derived from the
structure of the .skull — but in this respect we have
e.xamined only three species of the PIatessa-grou\:). Start-
ing from the Pole {PL c/jiioglossus) we have seen the
cranial part of the skull gradually gro-\v longer and
longer in proportion to the facial part thereof. This
relation is shown above by a comparison between the
length of the upper orbit and the total length of the
skull. In the Pole and the Lemon Dab the length of the
upper orljit measures about ' j, in the Common Dab only
^ ,,, of the length of the skull from the tip of the head
of the vomer to the occipital foramen. In adult exam-
ples of the following species, on the other hand, this
proportion is only slightly more than '/g (about 34
or 35 %). The natural relation between the preceding
species and the following ones becomes clearer, how-
ever, after we have studied the latter.

" Tvaite den Peches, sect. IX, ('hnii. I, article V.
*■ The subgenus Platessa of some authors.

392

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE PLAICE (sw. rodsi'ottan).
PLEURONECTES PLATESSA.

Plate XXI, fig. 2.

Body oval, its greatest depth in full-grown specimens varying between 38 and 42 % {sometimes as much as 45 %)
of its length. Dorsal fin with at most about 75 {63 — 76") rays, anal with at most about 55 {48—57''). Least
depth of the tail as a rule less than I) % {7 — (S'a %') of the length of the body or about S3 % {30 — 35 %'') of
the length of the head, which is more than 20 % {in full-grown specimens 21 — 24 %) of the length of the body.
Distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout usually less than 33 % {in adult specimens 28 — 32 %, but
sometimes 34 %) of the length of the body. Anal spine behind the rent present. Bays of the ventral fins 6.
Head without muciferous cavities. Lateral line only slightly curved in the abdominal region {above the pectoral
fins). Vertebrce 43 or 44'. Jaw-teeth in adult specimens close-set, compressed incisors, on the eye side few, and
generally smaller and more scattered than cm the blind side; pharyngeal teeth obtuse molars: the triangular lower
phary}igeals contiguous at the inner margin. Median frontal ridge between the eyes continued backwards by a
raised bar, generally with five distinct protuberances. Sccdes as a rule cycloid. Coloration tf the eye side
grayish greenish-brown, with round, red or flame-yellow, brown-edged spots scattered on the body

and also on the vertical fins.

B. bv. 7; D. 63—76(77); A. (47)52—57(61); P. 10—12;
V. 6; C. .r+13 — 16+.r; Lin. lat., por. 80—90; Vert. 43—44.

Si/n. Platessa, Auson. (vide Gesner: De Aqtiat., p. 675).

Pleuronectes oculis et tuberculis sex a dextra capitis, lateribus
glabris, spina ad aiunn. Art., Gen., p. 17; >'Syn., p. 30;
Spec, p. 57; LiN., Fii. Siiec, ed. I, p. 113; It. Wgot.,
p. 179; Pleuronectes, Slatt-vahr, Lin., It. Scan., p. 326 et
in indice VII.

Pleuronectes Platessa, Lin., St/st. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 269;
Retz., Fn. Saec, Lin., p. 330; Qvens., Vet.-Akad. HandL
1806, p. 211; NiLSS., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 54; Faber,
Tidskr. f. Naturv. Khlivu, Bd. V, p. 245; Id., Ms, 1828,
p. 865; SCHAOERSTR., Pliysiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr., p. 310;
NiLSs., Scand. Fn., F/sk., p. 612; Ekstr., v. Weight, Skand.
Fish., ed. 1, p. 219, tab. 60; Gthe. Vat. Brit. Mhs. Fish.,
vol. IV, p. 440; LiNDSTi!., Gotl. Liins Hush. Sallsk. Arsbcr.
1866, p. 26 (sep.); Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874,
Tilla-gsh., p. 144; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 525; Winth,,
Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 39; Gigl., Espos.
intern. Peso. Berl. 1880, Sez. Ital. Cat., p. 98; Benecke,
Fische, Fischer., Fisch:. West., O.-Preuss., p. 96; Day,
Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel, vol. II, p. 25, tab. CI; Mela, Vert.
Fenn., p. 307, tab. IX; Mob., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 91;
LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 358.

Pleuronectes ijuadrituherculatus, Pall., Zoogr. Ross. As., toni.
Ill, p. 423.

Platessa vulgaris, Flem., Brit. Anim., p. 198; Gottsche,
Wiegra. Arcli. Naturg. Jahrg. 1, Bd. 2, p. 136; Kr., Damn.
Fisk., vol. 2, p. 248; Thomps., Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV,
p. 192; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., torn. Ill, p. 291.

Pleuronectes horealis, Faber, Isis 1828, p. 868; Schagerstr.,
Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr., p. 310.

Pleuronectes Pallasii, Steind., Stzbcr. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.
Naturw. CI., Bd. LXXX, Abth. I, p. 163.

The ordinary length of" the Plaice on the we.st
coast of Sweden is between 25 and 35 cm., though,
even there, it often attains a larger size. Specimens
more than 60 cm. long are, however, rare in Bohuslan.
The length of the Plaice seems nowhere to exceed 80
cm. This size is sufficient, however, to render it the
largest species of the genus.

The body is oval and, in youth especiallj-, i-ather
elongated, the greatest depth, excluding the fins, vary-
ing in young specimens (less than 2 dm. long) between
44 and 49 % of the length to the base of the caudal
fin, and in older specimens between 50 and 57 % of
the latter measurement. The thickness is somewhat
less than '5 of the depth. Both in the depth and
thickness, however, there are many individual varia-
tions. In this species too, we often find that when a
specimen has exceeded the ordinary size of the species,
it reverts, by a kind of reaction, to the juvenile form.

The relative length of the head decreases -with age,
and varies, subject to the same remark with regard to
individual variations, in young specimens between 3172
and 28 % of the length from the tip of the snout to the
base of tlie caudal fin, and in older specimens between

" According to Gottsche 61 — 77: the latter number is also given by Artedi.

' Sometimes 47, according to Kroyer; sometimes 61, according to Gottsche.

' Exceptionally 9.

<* Exceptionally 40.

' The latter number in two of the skeletons in the possession of the Royal Museum

PLAICE.

393

28 and 2() %, sometimes as low as 25*/.. %, of the same
measurement. The form of the head is wedge-shaped,
with the snout rather tumid and with a deep depres-
sion in the dorsal edge at the upper eye. The chief
characteristic of the species consists in the row of osse-
ous protuberances, usually 6 in number and of differ-
ent sizes, that extends for\vard from the beginning of
the lateral line of the bod)' to the eyes. Here thej'
are i-eplaced by a raised, smooth, bony keel, which bends
down Ijetween the eyes, forming a dividing ridge be-
tween them, and anteriorly divides into an angle that
includes the posterior part of the nasal cavity of the
eye side, and ends in front of each eye in a more or
less distinct knob, most developed in front of the upper
corner of the lower eye. The first-mentioned pro-
tuberances do not all belong to the head itself. The
penultimate one, which is generally the largest, is situ-
ated on the pterotic part of the temporal bone of the
skull (as squamosum vel ptcrotkum), but the last of all
belongs to the posttemporal bone (the suspensory bone of
the shouldei'-girdle). The mouth is of about the same
size as in the last species, but the lips are more tumid.
The lower jaAv is somewhat prominent, the length of
the brunch of the lower jaw on the blind side varying
between about 33 and 40 % of the length of the head,
or during j-outh between about 10 and 9 %, and in
older specimens about 8 ?», of the lengtli of the body".
The teeth are small, in young specimens sharp and set
in two rows (at least in the blind side of the lower
jaw), l)ut in adult specimens bluntly pointed, close-set
incisors, set in a single row in both jaws. Their num-
ber varies in different individuals, both in the upper and
the lower jaws. In the upper jaw, on the inter-
maxillary bone of the blind side, we may tind from
19 to 3G'' teeth, and on the intermaxillary bone of the
eye side, from 3 to 14''. In the lower jaw the branch
on the blind side is furnished with from 20 to 45'
teeth, and that on the eye side with from 5 to 14''.
In front, in tlie middle of the jaws, there is a distinct
space between the teeth of either side. The pharyn-
geals, 6 above and 2 ])elow, are armed with broad, con-
vex teeth, set in rows. The gill-rakers are scarcely of
average size, and are also scattered, there being 11 or

10, sometimes only 7, on the first liranchial arch. The
nostrils are situated as in the preceding species, those'
of the blind side Ij'ing in the middle of the deep de-
pression of the dorsal edge at the upper eye. But the
anterior nostril of the eye side is long and perfectly
tubular, while that of the blind side is more distinctly
cut in an oblique direction. The posterior nostrils are
like slits, in most cases with the margin more or less
raised in a tubular form. At tlic margin of the tubes
formed by the anterior nostrils Ave find, in front, a
small, pointed, dermal flap, which is more distinct, how-
ever, in the following species. The tongue is narrow
and pointed, as is generally the case in this genus, and
without teeth. The gill-openings are middle-sized, and
are furnished Avith 7 branchiostegal rays. The eyes are
generally set on the right side, seldom on the left,
their longitudinal diameter, in specimens of average
size (33—34 cm. long), being about V^ (18—21 %) of
the length of the head; and the lower eye is onl)-
slightly in front of the upper.

The body is covered, as a rule, with cycloid scales
alone, which are thin and deeply embedded, contiguous
but not imbricated. The scaly covering extends for-
Avard to the eyes and along the cheek below the lower
eye, to the articulation of the under jaw; but on the
blind side the operculum and the greater portion of
the preoperculum are naked. Imbricated scales occur
on the e}-e side of the larger rays in the dorsal and
anal fins' and on both sides of the caudal tin. The
pectoral and \entral fins of the eye side are also partly
covered with scales, but only at the base. There is
one variety, however, Gottsche's Platessa Pseudoflesus
(1. c, p. 143) and NiLSSOx's varietas halfica, commonest
in the Sound and the south of the Baltic'', and known
at Abekas as horuuge (bastard), "because it is believed
to be a hybrid l)etween the Plaice and the Flounder,"
which is distinguished by ciliated scales, as a rule only
on the eye side, which are imbricated even on the body,
and are most distinct along the lateral line and the
bases of the dorsal and anal fins, and on the head.

The course of the lateral line, which is slighth"
arcuate above the pectoral fins, is straight from this
point, and fairh" closely follows the middle of the sides,

" In very large specimens tliere is sometimes a reversion to the juvenile form.

'' The latter niunber in a female 65 cm. long. In this case the dentition-formuUi was:

'' Very often, however, these scales are wanting.
'' KrOYER fonnil this variety otf Hastholm as well.'

Scandinarian Fishes.

14—36
U— 45'

50

394

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

out over the caudal fin. The occipital branch (supra-
temporal, Traquaik) runs, as usual, upward and for-
ward towards the beginning of the dorsal fin, and is
simple in the great majority of cases, but sometimes
(fig. 106) divides superiorly and sends out a small
l)ranoh {spfr) in a backward direction. Here ^\■e have
a trace of reseiublance to the North American forms,
which are distinguished l)y a- more developed dorsal
l)ranch of the system of tlie lateral line.

The dorsal fin begins on tlie blind side, as in the
preceding species, but a little further forward, the first
ray being inserted, in normal specimens, somewhat to
the left of the ])Osterior nostril of the blind side and
ill a line -with the anterior margin of the pupil of the
upper eye. It ends at a distance from the caudal fin
about equal to ' ,, of the postorbital length of the head,
and its base occupies as a rule about 84 — 86 % (some-
times as mucli as 88 %) of the length of the body to
the base of the caudal fin. Its greatest height, situated
generally between the -SOth and 40th rays from the
l>eginning (on an average at the 36th), is about 12 — 15
% (on an average 14 % and sometimes nearly 16 %) of
the length of the body iiiiiiKS the caudal fin. All the
rays are simple. The anal fin, which is of the same
shape as the dorsal, Ijegins below the insertion of the
pectoral fins, at a- distance from the tip of the snout
that only seldom" attains or exceeds 40 % of the length
of tlie body to tlie base of the caudal fin. Its greatest
lieight, situated on an average at about the 20th ray
from the beginning, is generally about the same as that
of the dorsal fin, and the length of its base is never
less than 60 '-* (sometimes as much as 68 ?6) of the
k'ugth of the body minus the caudal fin. The pectoral
fins, which are inserted just below the hind point of
the operculum, are rather obtuse and o\al, and contain
10 — 12 rays on the eye side, 9 — 11 on the blind side.
On the eye side the uppermost 2 — 4 rays and the low-
est one or two are sim])le, which is generally the case
with all the rays, or at least most of them, the middle
ones excepted, on the blind side. The other rays are
branched. The first ray is not half so long as the se-
cond, and the third or fourth ray is the longest. The
ordinary length of the pectoral fin of the eye side in
the males is between 13 and 15 % of the length of the
body miiuis the caudal fin, in the females between 10

and 12 % thereof: on the blind side this proportion is
about 11 % in tlie males and about 9 % in the females.
The ventral fins are more pointed, almost equal in sjzc,
and fairly alike in both sexes. They contain 6 simple
i-ays, and their length is about 10 or 11 % (sometimes
8 or 12 %) of the length of the body to the base of
the caudal fin. The caudal fin, the median length of
which varies between 20 and 26\/'2 % of that of the
rest of the body, is obtusely rounded and generally
contains 14 branched raj's'', and 3 simple supporting
rays above and beloAv. The vent lies a little to the
blind side. The spine at the beginning of the anal fin
may sometimes lie hidden, especially in large speci-
mens, by the skin.

The internal organs are in all essential points the
same as those of the preceding species. The length of
the abdominal cavity is V.; or '/, of that of the body.
At the boundary between the stomach and the intestine,
at the upper part of the hind wall of the abdominal
cavity, we generally find 2 or 3 short pyloric apjiend-
ages, and further down the intestine is furnished \\'itli
another similar, but somewhat shorter appendage. The
intestine forms only 2 coils, the one within the other,
and enters only a short distance into the secondarj'
abdominal cavity of the eye side. Both the secondary
abdominal cavities seem, however, to attain the same
length as in the preceding species. In the males they
are, as usual, liut little developed.

The coloration, \\ith the red spots, which are half
the size of the eyes or somewhat larger, but have a dark
or sometimes light border, which renders them as large
as the eyes or even larger, is olive-l)rown or chestnut,
but varies as in all the Flounders, being lighter in young
specimens — in very young ones light gray, resembling
the colour of sand or gravel — and in old specimens
usually darker. The arrangement of the spots seems
generally to he irregular; but in most cases they lie
in longitudinal rows. At least one of these rows runs
parallel to the dorsal fin and one to the anal, at their
bases, and in j'oung specimens there are five or six spots
in the row along the base of the dorsal fin, and four or
five along that of the anal. The blind side is white, but
in large specimens generally marked ■with scattered, red
or brown spots. The tips of the rays in the dorsal and
anal fins are also white; and the pectoral and ventral

" To tlie best of our kuowledgc only in yonng and very large (overgrown) spciiinens. .\s a nile this distance measures 34 — 38 °i
(if tlie length mentioned.

'' Sometimes 13, seldom 12 or oven Kj.

PI-AICK

395

at different spots, owing to certain peculiarities in its
ni.inncr of life. It spinvns iit the end of winter or
early in spring, at a, depth of three or four fathoms.
During summer the PL-iiee retire slowly from the s])awn-
ing-places to deeper ^viiter, ;ind during the gi'cater part
of the year they i-emain at a depth of 15 or IG fa-
thoms, where they pass tlie winter. If a piece of water
does not possess sufficiently wide stretches of this depth,
but onl}' contains small holes or consists chicH}' of
patches of sliallower water, here and in the adjoining

fins are without spots. The iris is silvei'\' white, with a
narrow l)rassA' ring round the dark lilue ]>ui)il; hut this
ring usualh' vanishes some time after the death of the fish.

Reversed specimens of the Plaice, as of the other
Flatfishes, occur sometimes, tliough not very often, with
the eyes and tlie colour on tlie left side. We may also
meet with doul)le specimens, with l)oth sides coloured
and sometimes -witli tlie cliaracteristic row oC hony pro-
tuberances repeated on the Idind side of the head, or
albinos, entirely or parth- white or golden like Goldfish,
but with handsome orange s]}ots (MoBius and Hkincke)".

The Plaice occurs along the whole west coast of
Euro])e, from the extreme north down to the south of
France. As a])])ears too, from the list of synonyms,
we can find no specific difference between the Plaice
and the form from Alaska and Kamchatka described
by Pallas under the name of Fleitroiicctes qiiadri-
tifberculatiis and by Steixdachner under that of Pleiiro-
iiecfes Pallasii. A young Plaice from the White Sea
(fig. 109) corresponds, as far as we can judge, exactly
to this form, with the oidy exception that in Stein-
dachxek's figure, and also in a specimen taken by the
Vega Expedition in Port Clarence, the body is narroM^er
behind. Thus, the Plaice seems also to occur in the
basin of the Pacific. South of France we have no re-
corded instance of its occurrence in the Atlantic''; but
according to Giglioli, Professor Trois found two spe-
cimens ill the fisli-market of Venice, a circumstance
which apparenth" shows its occurrence in the Adriatic.
It also enters the Baltic. We have learnt from the lips
of Baron G. C. Cederstrom that it is caught some-
times, though extremely seldom, in the seine, oft" Ingaro
in the island-belt of Stockholm. According to Lixd-
STRUM (1. c.) it is occasionally taken in summer on the
coast of Gothland. According to Seidlitz'' it is in-
eluded by Kawall among the fishes of Courland; but |

tlie statement is con.sidered doubtful, as well as Fischer's shallows the Plaice is always of rare occurrence, as for
account of its occurrence in the Gulf of Finland. In I example in the extensive reach of water along the
the south and west of the Baltic it is not uncommon, ; north coast of Fiinen."

Fig. 109. Young Plaice from Archangel, forwarded to the Royal
Museum by Lieut. H. Sandeberg { = Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus,
Pallas; Pleur. Giersii, Sandebekg). a and b, natural size; c, tlie
mouth, opened and magn. about G diam., to show the pointed jaw-
teeth of young specimens.

and .still less so in the Sound and the Cattegat. "No-
where in Danish waters within the Skaw is the Plaice
entirely wanting," saj's Wixtiier, "but there is a con-
siderable difference in the frequency of its occurrence

In the Cattegat the Plaice is fairly common. Oft"
Anholt, between February and August, 1885, 45,456
kgrm. of Plaice were taken by the fishermen from
Hornba?k (Zealand) alone''. The entire catch of the

" A specimen of this variety, lemon-yellow, clouded with a darker colour at the middle of the body aud on the eye side of the jaws,
was caught on the west coast of Jutland in February, 1890, and sent to the Royal Museum by Mr. 0. Fredebicksen of Copenhagen.

* Benecke (Handbuch d. Fischz. u. Fischer, Max v. d. Borne — p. 113) states, though without giving any authority for his stale
mcnt. that the Plaice occurs as far south as the coast of Portugal.

"■ Fauna baltica, p. 118.

'' Dansk Fiskeriselskabs Medleiusblad, 188G. p. 24.

396

.SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

J);mish Plaice fishei'y within the Skaw, during the
year 1885, was valued at 836,881 crowns (£46,493)".
According to v. Yhlen'' about 2 million Plaice, of a
value of 133,000 crowns (£7,390), were taken in 1879
off the coast of Bohuslan. At the Skaw large quanti-
ties of Plaice are taken and conveyed thence to Gothen-
burg, where they are, therefore, kiujwn as skavskiiddor
or skaboskaddor. According to A. W. Malii the Plaice
is "common along the coast of Bohuslan, where it
generally keeps to a, bottom of tirni sand, at a depth
of 10 — 14 fthms., and prefers spots close in shore or
at the edge of the c/utters between islands and islets,
where there is usually a strong current in some di-
rection or other." The larger specimens, which are
found even in the Sound, are known 1)y the Danish
fishermen as prcesteflyndre (Priest-flounders, i. e. fit for
a- priest's table) or liansingey. Man}' of them are now
sent, togetlier with Plaice of ordinary size, by rail to
Stockholm, where they are known in the market as
kmifisfliDulror (King's Flounders). Faber regarded these
King's Flounders as a distinct species {Pleuronectes
horealis), while Gottsciie took them to be a special
variety of the Plaice. The King's Flouitder is said to
be distinguished by the light ring round the red spots,
most distinct on the dorsal and anal fins, the usually
hidden anal spine, and a number of characters which
we have noticed aljove as retrogressions to the juvenile
tvpe. But the irregularity in the appearance of these
characters, the transitions to the common Plaice, and
finally the fact that no young King's Flounders have
ever been found, induced both Nilsson and Kroyer
to declare that the King's Flounder is nothing more
than an old, overgrown stage of this species.

In the North Sea the Plaice is — or at least has
been — still more common and still more remunerative
to the fislierman than in the Cattegat and Skager Rack.
An imi)ortant fishery for this sj)ecies is also pui'sued
in tlie English Channel and the Irish Sea. After the
great strides that tlie trawl-fishery has made in later
years, complaints may be heard in most places that

the Plaice, like other Flatfishes, has become consider-
ably rarer; but as recently as 1888 the statistical re-
ports sho-^v' that during this year Plaice were imported
into England and Wales to a value of £614,585. On
the coast of Iceland the Plaice is also found and seems
to be by no means rare; but it is unknown in Green-
land and on the east coast of North America.

For the purposes of the table the Plaice is regarded
as one of the best of the Flatfishes. It comes next to the
Sole and tlie Turbot, or, in the opinion of many, a little
lower, next to the Halibut; and its abundance places it
Avithin the reach even of the poor. In London especially
it is consumed in large cjuantities'; but in other large
towns as well, Copenhagen and Hamburg for example,
it is one of the most important fishes in the market.
Its flesh is white and fii-m, and is best when fried.
During the spawning-season — -winter and spring'' —
its flesh is rather flabby; but, as great numbers of
Plaice spawn at different times, specimens fit for table
may be procured even during this period.

Like the rest of the Flatfishes the Plaice generally
leads a sluggish life, hidden in the sand, where it
speedily covers itself with a few strokes of its fins, so
completely that only the head or even only the snout
and the mobile eyes are in sight. However, it is not
at all destitute of the power of motion, and at need
is one of the swiftest of fishes. "In October, 1869,"
says Buckland'^, "I witnessed the drawing of a seine
net opposite our oyster fishery at Reculvers, near Heme
Bay, Kent, when a considerable number of plaice were
caught; but just as the net arrived at the edge of the
waves it "rolled," and nearly all the plaice escaped.
A fisherman cried, "Look out, they'll sand!" a capital
expression, for I found that the fish sunk into the sand
with sucli rapidity that the operation must be seen to
be believed. The plaice lifts up its head and the upper
tliird of its body and then brings it down on the sand
three or four times Avith sharp, quick raps; a^ small
cavity is thus made in the soft, wet sand, which at
once fills with water; the fish then works its fins on

« Ibid., p. 82.

'' Not. ilb. die Scliwed. Fischereien, Supplement to the Catalogue of the Swedish Department, Fisheries Exhibition Berlin, 1880.

"^ Fish. Trades Gazette, vol. VI, No. 295 (12th Jan., 1889), p. 8. The catch of Plaice in Scotland and Ireland is not included
here. It is summed up in the tables with the catch of other fishes.

'' Cf. HOLDSWORTH, Deep Sea Fishing, p. 17.

' Among some Plaice from Gothenburg that were purchased here in Stockholm at the lieginning of May, 1889, some had not yet
begiui to spawn and were of excellent flavour, while others were new-run and hardly tit to eat.

/ Nat. Jfi-'t. Ilrit. Fishes, p. 180.

PLAICE.

397

each side of its body with sucli a rapid motion that
they seem almost to vibi'ate. These combined efforts
enable the fish to conceal itself almost quicker than
the eye can follow, and nothing can be seen but its
eye, which is of a lovely emerald colour." The Plaice
is also capal)le of making speedy migrations; and it is
M'cll known that a Hsliing-ground may one day afford
an abundant catch, and the next be entirely unproduc-
tive. Brehm" also quotes the perhajjs exaggerated state-
ment of a captain who said that for a whole day he
had M'atched the Plaice swimming one after another
over a sandbank, in a slioal so dense that not a glimpse
of the bottom could l)e seen, though the water was
clear and transparent.

The Plaice also inhabits fresh water. Kroyer
found it'', though the specimens were only small, in
Gaarby Lake, at the extreme north of Jutland; and
Feddersen" assigns it to the Laastrup, a stream that
falls into Liim Fjord. Blanchere also states'^ that it
freely ascends the French rivers which have a sandy
bottom, as the Loire, Garonne, Dordogne etc. In the
Dordogne it is even said to deposit its spawn.

The Plaice feeds on all those marine animals which,
like itself, prefer a sandy bottom, small fishes, chiefly
Sand-eels (Ammodytes), and lower organisms, princip-
ally mussels, the shells of which it crushes with its
pharyngeal teeth. In most cases the anterior part of
the intestine is crammed wdth bits of mussel-shells.
Annelids, crustaceans, and Echinoderms (sea-urchins and
starfish) also form an important part of its diet.

In Bohusljln the spawning-season of the Plaice
begins in early spring, in April according to Ekstrom,
or even in February according to Malji". Kroyer ob-
serves that even in December he has found the ovaries
well-developed, and during mild winters has met with
breeding Plaice even in January. In a female nearly
^' , k"rm. in weight Buckland-'^ found the ovaries to
Aveigh nearly ^'j of the weight of the fish, and he
estimated the number of the eggs at 144,600. Hensen
arrived at the following results'':

P 1 a

i c e.

Length of
the body.

Weight of
the body.

Weight of
the ovaries.

Number of
the eggs.

48 cm.
3(i „
31 „

1,050 gr.
457 „
374 „

t)6.0 gr.
132.5 „
113..1 .,

.300,000

80,940

111,300

The average .size of the ripe eggs of the Plaice,
according to the latter writer, is I'T — I'S nun. They
are then transparent, colourless and without oil-globules.
In salt water they float, but in brackish water they
sink to the bottom. The newly-hatched fry, according
to Hensen, are about 5"26 mm. long, with pigmented
eyes, a large vitelline sac, and the vent close to the
latter. According to observations made by Mobius and
Heincke in an aquarium the transference of the eye in
the young specimens is completed in four weeks. During
the summer they are met ^vith in inlets and at shallow
spots with a sandy bottom. At the end of July, ac-
cording to Kroyer, the fry are about 3 in. long; and
Fries forwarded to the Royal Museum )-oung Plaice
between 70 and 83 mm. long, which had been taken
in BohuslUn in July, 1835. It seems doubtful, how-
ever, whether these latter specimens belonged to the
fry of that year*. As late as the end of September,
Sandeberg's Expedition of 1877 obtained young Plaice,
between 29 and 43 mm. long, oft' Waideguba to the
extreme west of Kola Peninsula, that had not yet ac-
quired the characteristic row of protuberances behind
the eyes. Fry of this size are distinguished by the
gray colour of the body, densely mottled with dark
brown and red spots, a colour which they still retain
at a length of 70 — 80 mm., when the row of pro-
tuberances has already appeared. The most trustworthy
character, to distinguish them from tlie fry of the
following species, consists in the number of the fin
rays, the somewhat deeper form of the body, and the
shorter peduncle of the tail. The length of the base
of the anal fin — more than half that of the body —

« Thierlcben, Bd. 8, p. 192.
'' Tidskrift for Fiskeri, l:ste Aarg., p. 44.
'■ Xalurhist. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 70.
"^ Nouv. Diet. Gen. des Feches, p. 03C.

•• As we have remarked above, some of the Bohuslan Plaice purchased in Stockholm in 1889 were evidently ready to spavvn at the
begiiming of JIarch.

/ Nat. Hist. Brit. Fish., p. 180.

«' Vierter Ber. Coram. Wiss. Unters. Deutsch. Meere (1877 — 1881), p. 300.

'' Cf. the remarks on the growth of the preceding species.

398

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

to the liest of our knowledge is also a tnistwortln'
character.

In tlie North Sea the Plaice is taken chiefly in the
tivnvl, a huge pocket-net kept open at the to]) of the
mouth l)y a. bar between 10 and 15 m. long, which
has a heavy frame of iron (the trawl-head) at each
end, and at the bottom fastened along a thick rope
(the ground-rope) which trails along the l)ottom. In
Scandinavian waters it is generally taken in large-
meshed nets, known as Flounder-nets. In Norway, at
suitable spots, it is also speared, according to Lillje-

BORG. In the sea it seldom takes a bait; but in the
French rivei's, according to Blanchere, the Plaice is
taken with hook and line, worms being used as bait.
In Bohusliin the species is known as Bodspofta
(Red-spot). In the south of Sweden it bears the more
Danish name of Rodspdtta or simply Spcitta, or is
sometimes called Skdlla (cf. its German name SchoUe).
At Kullen it is also known as Sldtta (Smooth); and
QvENSEL (1. c.) and EkstrOm" state that in BohusISn
it is also called Mareskddda or Marieskadda.

(Ekstkom, Smitt.)

THE FLOUNDER (sw. skkubbskaddan).

PLEURONECTES FLESUS.

Plate XXI, fig. 1.

Bodji (>r(d, the greatest depth in fidl-groivn specimens varying between 38 and 48 % (sometimes 44 %) of the
length. Dorsal fin with at most ahout 60 (o3 — 0:2) rags, anal irith at most about 40 (37 — 43''). Least depth
of the tad asaaUg Jess than S % (G-SS'S %) of the length of the hodg, or about 33 % [28— 3G %) of the length
of the head, which is more than 22 % (in adult specimens 22^^ — -^Va ^') of the length of the body. Distance
between the anal fin and the tip of the snout as a rule more than 34 % (in adult specimens 34 — 39 %, but some-
times 33'3 %) of the length of the body. I'ostabdominal bone ending in an anal spine projecting forward. Bays
of the rentnd fns (i. Head without muciferous cavities. Lateral line only slightly curved in the abdominal
region. Vertebrce 35 — 37. Jaw-teeth, pharyngeals and piharyngecd teeth like those of the preceding species. The
frontal n-all between the eyes continued backwards by a (more or less distinct) raised bar, rough irith a number
of small tubercles and at the extreme end (above the operculum) somewhat ividened. Scales of the body imrtly
cycloid, hut usually, for the most part changed into spinous warts, the largest of whicli are set in a rou- on the
margin of the body, along the bases of the dorsal and anal fns, there being one spinous nrirt on each side of
these fins in the interval between each ray and the next one to it. Coloration of the eye side grayish brown with
darker, cloudy spots and irregular stripes, and also round, red or yellow, not ocellated, often indistinct, small

s2')ots; ground-colour sometimes blackish blue.

R. hi: 7; D. 53—62'^; A. 37—42''; P. 9^—11; V. 6;
C. x+\i+!C\ L. lat. por. 72— 85 ( + 24 ad 29 in pinn. caud.);
Vert. 35—37.

St/n. Le Fie:, Belon, La nature et diversite des pois.tons, p. 141.
Pleuronectes oculis a dextris, linea laterali aspera, spinulis
siipino ad radices pinDarum, denlilius obtusis, Art., Ge7i.
p. 17; Syn., p. 31; Spec, p. 50.
(?) Pleuronectes oculLs a sinistra, linea laterali utrinque aculeata.
Art., Gen., p. 18; Syn., p. 32; ex Willughby, Hist. Pise,
p. 93 (lilioinbus acideatus. Rondel.) D. 06, A. 50 (vix
flesu.t); liinc vero Pleuronectes passer, Lin., Hyst. Nat., ed.
X, p. 271.

Pleuronectes, 6'krobl/a, Lin., It. Scan., p. 326 et in indice VII.

Pleuronectes flesus, LiN., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 270;
Fn. Suec, ed. II, p. 110; Retz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 331;
QvENS., Vet -Akad. Handl. 1806, p. 214; Swartz, *S'i'. ZooL,
Bd. 2, No. 40; Hollb., Beskr. Boh. Fish., Gbgs Vet., Vitt.
Sarah. N. Handl., IV, p. 38; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. Scand..
p. 55; Ekste., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1834, p. 53; Gottsche
(Platessa), Arch. f. Natnrg. I (1835), Bd. 2, p. 140; Kr.,
Damn. Fisk., Bd. 2, p. 276; Lilu., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1850,
p. 306; Nilss. (Pleuronectes), Skand. Fn., Fisk. p. 018;
Ekstr., v. Wb., Skand. Fi.ik., ed. 1, p. 215, tab. 55; Gtur,
Brit. Mits. Cat., Fish., vol. IV, ]>. 450; Sieb. (Platessa),
SiissH'asserf. Mittelenr., ]>. 77; Mgrn, Finl. Fisk. (disp.

« Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Samh. Handl., Ny tidsfoljd, 1 hiift., p. 3<l.
'' Sometimes 45, according to Gottsche.
"■ Sometimes 63, according to STEiND.\CHNEn.

'' Steindachner gives, as rare exceptions, however, 40 — 48 rays in the anal tin. So large a number has never been found in the
northern I'l. flesus, but probably occurs in a Mediterranean variety, Bonaparte's and Canestrini's PI. passer.
' Sometimes 8; according to Kroyer.

COMMON FI-OlNDKl;.

Helsingf.), p. 24; Blanchakd (Pleuronectes), Poiss. d. eaiix

(louces Fr., p. 267; Lixdsth., Gotl. Fisk. (Gotl. Lans Hush.

Sallsk. Arsber. 186G), p. 22 (sep.); Steind., Stzber. Akad.

Wiss. Wieii, Mnlli.. Nalurw. CI. LVIl (1808), I, p. 719;

Coll., Vid. Selsk. Forli. Christ. 1874, Tilla'gsli., p. 146;

ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 82; Malm, Gbgg, Boh. Fn., p. 530;

Wl.NTH., Natiirb. TidsUr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 41;

Feddeks., ibid., p. 70; Mei.a, Vert. Fenn., p. 300, tab. IX ;

Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. II, p. 33, tab. CV; MCiB.,

HCKE, Fisch. Osts., p. 95; LlLL.1., >Sc., Sorrj. Fisk., vol. II,

p. 376; Mela, Sundm., Finl. Fi.sk., pi. XXIII.
Pleuronectes pa.'>ser, Bl., Naturg. Fisch. iJeutschl., II, p. 57,

tab. 50; Retz, Fn. Stiec. Lin., p. 333; Qvens., Vct.-Akad.

Handl. 1806, p. 218; Hollb., Jieskr. Boh. Fi.^k., 1. c. p.

48; — var. (A. 46—48): Bonap. {Platessa), Fn. Ital., Ill,

Pesci, tav. No. 98, fig. 1 ; Canestrini, Arch. p. I. Zool.

cett., vol. I, fasc. I, p. 8, tab. I, fig. 1 ; Mok. (Flesus),

Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toin. Ill, p. 301; PL italiciis, Gthr,

Vat., 1. c, p. 452.
Pleuronectes stellatus. Pall., Nov. Act. Petrop., I, p. 347, tab.

9, tig. 1, Zoogr. Rosso- Asiat., torn. Ill, p. 416; Rich., Fn.

Bor. Am., Fish., p. 257; (Platessa) Zool. Voy. Herald, p.

164, tab. XXXII, fig. 1 — 3; Gthr (Pleuronectes), Cat., ). c,

p. 443; JOBD., GiLB., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 835;

Br.-Goode, Fisher., Fisli.-Indnstr. U. S., p. 184 (Jordan),

tab. 46 (Todd). — Striato pitmatus (Tiles.), pinn. dors, et

anal, sat altis, pinn. pect. sat longis, spatio interoculari

})kTumqiie sat ir.agno. Varietas forsaii, vix species distincta.
Pleuronectes hiscus, Pall., Zoogr. Ross. As., torn. Ill, p. 427

(adu. A. 46); XonDM. (Platessa), Voy. Euss. Jferid., Demid..

vol. 3, p. 532, tab, 27 et 28.
Flesus vulgaris, 'Moe., 1. c, p. 299.
Pleuronectes Bogdanovii, Sandebeeg, Bull. Soc. Natnr. Moscou,

LIII (1878), No. 3, p. 236.

The usual length of the Flounder in Scandinavian
waters is about 20 — 25 cm., though it sometimes rises
as high as about 37 cm." In other -waters it seems to
attain a much greater size*. The greatest depth, l)e-
tween the tins, is about half the length from the tip of
the snout to the base of the caudal tin'. The least
depth, that of the peduncle of the tail, is between about
\'j^ and ' ,2 of the same length. Greatest breadtli
(thickness) ',5 of the depth. The head is compressed
and heart-shaped, its length being 27 — 31 ?6 (on an
average 28' '2—29'/, %) of the length of the Ijody to
the l)ase of the caudal tin. The row of protuber-
ances on the head whicli is so characteristic of the pre-
ceding species, is not unrepresented here. In this spe-
cies too, we find a raised, bony ridge, at the same spot
and with the same curve liack from the ej^es, behind

.somewhat widened aiid interrupted above the gill-cover,
and continued by a rough oi' smooth knob on the post-
teui])oral bone. Here, however, the surface of the bony
ridge is not broken up into distinct, separate protuber-
ances, l)nt is only rough with small tubercles or some-
times for the most part smooth. In this species too,
the mouth is of moderate .size, with tumid lii)s. The
lower jaw |)r()jects slightly beyond the uppei- and the
lengtli of the l)rancii of tlie lower jaw on the eye side
varies between al)ont 33 and 38 % of the length of the
head or l)etwecn a]:)Out 9 and I'^j^ % of that of the
body. The jaw-teeth resemble those of the preceding
species; Init even in adult specimens of this species we
have sometimes found them set in two rows on tlie
blind side, both in the lower jaw and on the inter-
maxillary l)one. It is also very common — most com-
mon, it woidd appear, in the south — that the pointed
form which the jaw-teetli possess during youth, is to
a certain extent persistent in adult specimens, the jaw-
teeth tlien l)eing Iduntly pointed, less distinctly chisel-
shaped, and .separated from each other at the tip. In
the upper jaw we have counted 14 — 25 teeth on the
intermaxillary bone of the blind side, and 8 — 12 on
that of the eye side. In the lo^\'er jaw these specimens
had 14— 2G" teeth on the blind side and 11—16 on
the eye side. The pharyngeal apparatus is essentially
the same as in the preceding species. In the I'ocjf of
the pharj'nx we tind on each side an oblong, roundish,
fleshy swelling, armed with several transverse ro^vs of
blunt teeth. The osseous framework of this swelling is
formed ])y the three upper phar3ngeals, which are each
furnished witli two (according to Kroyer sometimes as
many as four) i-ows of teeth. The lower pharyngeals
(fig. 108, page 391 above) are broader than in the pre-
ceding species and more abundantly furnished \\\\\\
teeth, whicli in several iri'egular I'ows almost entirely
fill the upper surface of the bones. The hindmost of
the.se teetli, a row on the posterior, concave margin of
the triangle, are much more like the jaw-teeth in shape,
being blunth' pointed, cvlindrical, and curved somewhat
forward. The number of gill-rakers on the first branch-
ial arch varies between 12 and 16.

" MObius and Heixcke say 50 cm. On the French coast, according to Moreau, the species sometimes attains a length of 45 cm.

-' Pleuronectes stellatus, in which we have failed to find any specific diil'crence from our species, attains, according to Jordan, a
length of nearly 3 ft. on the Californian coast.

'■ On an average about 49 or 50 K. but in the males generally less than 47 \, iu the females more, and in the latter sometimes as
much as 53 "». In comparison with the total length of the body, it is a rule that in the males the greatest depth of the body is less than,
in the females more than or equal to, 40 % of the length of the body to the cud of the caudal fin.

'' One specimen has 24 teeth in an miter row and 8 in an inner row, the latter being set at about the middle of the outer row.

400

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

The nostrils resemble those of the Plaice, botli in
torin and position; but the anterior are somewhat more
distinctly incised in an oblique direction at the top,
and their pointed marginal flaps are somewhat longer ,
and more distinct. The eyes are set on the left side,
at least half as often, if not in quite so many cases, as |
on the right. Their position is the same as in the
Plaice, but their size is less. In specimens between
about U) and 2Ci cm. long the longitudinal diameter of
the eve is about l(i or 17 % of the length of the head,
and in specimens between 29 and 3"2 cm. long about
15 or 14 %.

In this species also, the body is furnished \\ith
cvcloid scales, imbricated only at the end of the tail
and on the base of the caudal fin, and these smooth
scales are more or less deeply imbedded in the thick
skin. But their occurrence is confined, in ordinary
cases, to the intervals between the spaces covered by
sharp, spinous scales. Sometimes they are scarce, or
may even be wanting on certain pai-ts of the body.
The spinous scales are either ordinary ctenoid ?;cales,
with spines onlv at the hind (free) margin, or trans-
formed into spinous warts. \\-\\\\ erect spines all round
their surface. These scales or warts occur on both
sides of the lateral line and on the head; but their
number is verv different in different specimens. In
some cases thev are scattered over the ^vhole of the
coloured side of tlie bod^■, tliickest, however, at the
sides of the lateral line. On the blind side they ap-
pear generallv at the lateral line and seldom on the
liellv. The greater portion of the blind side of the
head is alwavs naked. At the base of each fin-ray,
but set in the spaces between the roots of the rays,
both in the dorsal and the anal fins, we find a lar^e
spinous wart. This row of warts seldom extends,
however, to the end of the fin on the tail, and
in most cases it is double on the anterior '^ixvX of
the body. In some cases the body is entirely smooth,
with the exception of the spinous warts at the bases
of the dorsal and anal fin-rays and a few on the
head and at the lateral line. This is the case with

the variety brought home from Archangel bv Lieute-
nant Sandeherg and described under the name of P/('»>o-
nectes Boinhinorii. of which eqnalh- tvpical specimens
may be found in the Baltic. Among the varieties of
tiesHs this form is evidenth- a deviation in the opposite
direction to That taken among the varieties of ^(/rtfessff
by psei(dofle^iis : and thus the two sjjecies approach each
other in their varieties.

The lateral line, which begins at the bent, osseous
ridge on the head, forms a curve that is often scarcely
perceptible, above the pectoral fin, and then runs straight
out to the extreme tip of the middle ray of the caudal
fin. (^)n an a\erage we find 76 pores in this line on
the body, and 26 on the caudal fin.

The dorsal fin begins, as in the preceding species,
above the upper eve, but ends at a distance from tlie
caudal fin tliat uiaA" sometimes be equal to tlie least
depth of the tail, and is at least 80 % thereof or 35 — 4()
% of the postorbital length of the head. Tlie base of
the dorsal fin as a rule occupies about 77 — 8o % (some-
times as nuich as 86 %) of the length of the body to
the base of the caudal fin. Its greatest height, which
generally occurs between the 27th and 33rd rays (on
an averaae at the 30th) from the beoinnino:, is about
13 — 16 "o (on an average 14^ „ %) of the length of the
body m'diks the caudal fin. All the rays arc simple
and scaleless". The anal fin. which is analogous to the
dorsal in shape and structure, begins at a distance from
the tip of the snout which, in our specimens, is never
less than 40 % (in most cases between 41 and 46 %)
of the length of the body to the base of the caudal
fin. Its greatest height. Avhich occurs between the 13th
and 16th ravs (on an average at the 15th), is generally
somewhat greater than that of the dorsal fin''; but the
length of its base is only seldom 60 % (generally be-
tween 51 and 58 %) of the length of the body miuKS
the caudal fin. The pectoral and ventral fins essentially
correspond to those of the Plaice; but in the former
the length of the first rav is more than half, or at
least half, that of the second rav or even of the third,
which is the longest. The caudal fin is of the same

" NoRDMAXX (1. c.) states, however, with regard to the Black Sea form, that of 12 specimens 2 were furnished with "ciliated scales
on the middle rays of the dorsal and anal fins." In two small specimens, respectively 13 and 14 dcm. long, which Hepexborg has sent
home to Stockholm from the Bosphorus. the middle rays of the dorsal and anal fins are also rough with scattered, spiny scales. These spe-
cunens are entirely destitute of ctenoid scales on the body with the exception of the usual row of spinous warts — and these are small —
along the bases of the dorsal and anal fins, and tlie bony tubercles on the cranial osseous ridge between and behind the eyes. This ridge,
by its extraordinary breadth behind, reminds us very much of the Arctic forms which we are just about to describe.

'' In 12 full-grown speciniens the greatest height of the anal fin measures on an average 15'/., fo of the length of the body minus
the caudal fin.

COMMON KLOI XJ)K1!.

4U1

shape as in the Plaice, and its length in our specimens us has <renerally seemed to be better developer] than

varies between 19 and -I?) % of that of the rest of the in the other sjwicies of the genus.

bod\'; but the numljer of the branclied rays has con- In order to account for the external relations be-

stantly proved to be no more than 12. Vent and anal tween thf Plaice and the Flounder, and to give the

spine as in the Plaice. The former, ho\ve\er, is com- most important changes of growth in the two species

]jarati\ ely large, and is furnished on the eye side with a — excluding their earliest stages — we here append the

urogenital papilla, which in the specimens examined by following table of averages:

1 Average in

/v. platet$<i.

PI. fiam.

Lc'DgIb of Ihc bixly exjirtsscd in millimetrcB

257

.•>;5

251

395

1,1-ngth of the head ,Trr

in % of the length of the body

22.9

23.3

23g

2.5.5

^ Greatest depth of the body

,, ,. „ ,, ., ., ,, ,.

39.7

42..;

41.0

41.8

Least „ „ ., „

.. ,, ,, ., ,. „ ,, ..

7.8

8.0

7.7

7.3

Postorbitai length of the besd

in % of the greatest depth of the body

15..?

.57.7

15.9

54.8

15.C
.57.8

lli.8

Length of the head

59.3

Postorbital length of the bead

« « 1» « ?5 tj '.'

:i8.:5

■ n -i:

38.5

40.8

Length of the branch of the lower jaw on the blind side..

in "^ of the length of the body

8.1

><.:,

8.4

8.7

,. ,. .. ,, .. ., .. .. .. ,, eye „ ..

,, ,, ,, ,

7.r,

7.7

7.9

8.1

„ ,. ,. base of the dorsal fin

,, „ „ „

i;;t..;

i;9.r;

•57.3

66.«

.. ,, „ .. ,, anal

„ -, .; „ 55 55 55 ;•

53.2

r>3.3

47.0

45.9

., ., longest ray of the dorsal tin

,. ,, ., ., ,. ., .. ..

11.2

11.5

12.0

12.1

,, .. ., ,. .. anal .,

,. .. .,

11..',

11 «

12.3

12.5

iJistance lietween the anal tin and the tip of the snoot ...

rXi.T

'■'*).?,

.■;5 J

.3<;.6

Length of the pectoral fin of the eye side

10.1

10.;

11.6

11.3

.. ventral .. .,

8.0

18.3

8.3

19.0

7.7

17..;

i .1

middle rays of the caudal fin...

16.8

The internal organs of the Flounder al.so corres-
pond in the most essential respects to those of the
preceding specie.*. The liver is undivided and oblong,
and lies on the left side. The spleen is dark red, round
on one side and flat on the other, and lies by the ven-
tricle, close to the large, round gall-bladder. The in-
testine is about 1' 2 times as long as the whole fish,
and lies in coils, without any regular curves, of almost
uniform diameter, and without anv considerable dis-
tension. It is furnished with two very shoi*t pyloric
ap|)endages. The heart is long and quadrangular. The
milt-sacs of the male arc double and heart-shaped, and
lie at the extreme end of the abdominal cavitA". The
ovaries of the female are also double as usual, very
long and ])ointed; only the broad anterior end lies in
the abdominal cavity, the long tips being furnished, as
in the other Flatfishes, with special cavities, one on
each side of the base of the anal fin. This double
cavitv extends almost to the end of the anal tin.

The coloration is highh' variable. ()n the eye
side it is generalh' grav or yellowish gi'av, in most
cases marked with round, pale orange spots, Avhich also
occur on the fins. The fins are of the .same colour as
the bodv, but somewhat lighter. The blind side is
white, but often spotted Avith brown, esjiecially along
the lateral line. In specimens where half this side is
broAvn, the bi'own colour always belongs to the caudal
part. Sometimes, though extremely seldom, the blind
side is entirely brown. The iris is brassy-yellow, the
pupil blue. Among the numerous colour-varieties of
this species there is one, which the Royal Mu.seura has
received both ft-om the White Sea and the Baltic, with
the eve side of a uniform blackish blue or plum-colour.
Shaw describes a PJeuronectes rosens" "of the most deli-
cate rose-colour, slightly tinged in some parts with
vellowish. and in others with silvery white.' This form
was taken in the Thames, and was without any spinous
warts or ctenoid scales. Bkown" tells us of a flesh-

" Gen. Zoolog., vol. IV, P.sc. p. 302. Cf. Ii.w. 1. c.
'' Edinb. Joiirn. X.it. Geol. 11. p. 99, plate II.

Scandinarinn Fithti.

51

402 SCANDINAVIAN Fl.NUKS.

colouved \arietv {Plafessa caniaii(i), ^vitll irregularly

dispersed, dark spots. Norojiann deseril)es (1. e.) a
PL ^Hesus, var. mannorata, from the Black Sea, in ^\•ili(•ll
the eye side was milk-white, with irregular, verinit'orni
and roundish, brown s])ots, edged with orange.

The Flounder is the coninionest species of the genus,
hotli in the North Sea and tlie lialtic. Even in the
island-belt of .Stockh<ilni and off Aland it is common,
as well as in the west of the (iulf of Finland and in
the south and central parts of the Gnlf of JJothnia.
From Hudiksvall Dr. ^^'lsTI!0^l has forwarded to the
Royal Museum specimt'iis up to a length of -t'l cm.
North of Qvarkeu or, according to Mela, in Lat. 64°N.,
however, it becomes extremely rare, if indeed it occurs
at all in this nortiiei'umost j)art of tiie (julf of liothnia.
in the Atlantic it is ei|uallv common all round Europe,
from the White Sea to the Black Sea. Lieutenant
Saxdebkkc l)i'ought home luimerous specimens from the
Dwina, off' Archangel; and according to his collections,
the Flounder there attains a length of at least 30 cm.
Strangely enough, it is not yet known Avith certainty
ill Iceland" or Grceidaud''; but J'Jciironectcs sfellatiis,
which 1'allas found in Kamchatka, Richahdson at the
mouth t)f the Coppermine River (on tlie Arctic coast of
North America), and Jokdan in California, can scarcely
be regarded as a distinct si)ecies from the Flounder.
If these forn)S are identical, the species must attain a
far more advanced stage of development in the Pacific,
and a far greater \alue in California, than it does here.

Tlie Flounder prefers a. sandy, soft, or weedy bot-
tom. All the sununer it lives in shallow water, and
retires to deeper water oidy in Avinter, when it is sel-
dom to be found near shore. It lives chiefly on mol-
hisks and crustaceans. It surpasses its kindred species
in the capability which it possesses in a high degree,
of thriving in only slightly brackish or even fresh wa-
ter. LiNDSTHoM obtained specimens that had been "pei'-
fectly acclimatised to the fresh water of Alnase Swamp"
in Gothland, and he also received "ccjnclusive evidence
that they live in Ejke Swamp." Into a tributary of the
little Ronne, that falls into Skelder Bay, according to

XiLssoN, it penetrates to a distance of more than 10
kilometres from the sea. According to Malm it goes
moi'e than '25 kilometres up the River Gotha, and is
often taken off' Kongelf. It also ascends the tiny stream
Qyistrum in Bohusliin, above the falls at Qvistrum.
CoLLKTT quotes a inindjcr of places in Norway, up to
the extreme north, where it not only ascends the rivers,
I)ut also makes its way into the lakes, and breeds there.
Khover and I'eddeusen give similar instances from
Jutland, Finien, Laaland, and Zealand. The English
writers t(jo, from Willughby's' time, and the French,
fi'om Belon's'', also make the same statement with re-
gard to the Flounder in their own countries. Siebold
(1. c.) has collected observations on this head from Bel-
gium and (Germany, where this fish goes a long dis-
tance up the Schelde and Maas with theii- tiibutaries,
and also up the Rhine, in the watershed of which it
has l)cen caught in the Moselle oft' Treves, oft" Mayence,
and far u]) the Main.

In the north of the Cattegat Ekstuom found the
Floundei- full of roe at the end of ]\Iarch. In the Bal-
tic it spawns in ]\Iay. It j)refers to spawn on shelving
coasts. The roe is whitish yellow, and the eggs are
somcAvhat smaller tlian those of the Plaice. Collett
estimated the number of eggs in a middle-sized Floun-
der at 4K),000. According to Hexsen the eggs float
freely at the surface, and are from 1'15 to 1"27 nun.
in diameter; while the ucavI)' hatched fry are about
3'G mm. long, without pigment in the eyes, and with
the vent, which lies close to the vitelline sac, united
to the intestine only by a. fine string. Oft' Aspo, out-
side Carlski'ona, we have found Flounder fry between
19 and 32 mm. long at the middle of July. In the
Cattegat, "at midsummer', Khovek found young spe-
cimens between 65 and 78 nun. long, which he as-
sumed to belong to tlu' f'i-\- of the same year". Some
young s])ecimens 130 nun. long tiiat were taken on
the same occasion, he considered to date frcnii the
spawning-season of the previous year.

As an article of food the Flounder is one of those
Flatfishes that are in least request, thougli it is gener-

" FAniiU {Nutiirfj. Fisch. hi., p. 144) included it aninng tlie fishes of Ieel:nid wiUi trreni liesitatidii nnd (nily on the authority of
prior stntenients by Olavius and JMoilii. Ho never met with it himself in Iceland.

'' Couch states (///*■«. Fish. Brit. Isl.. vol. Ill, p. lO.'J) that the Flounder is known in Greenland, hut he gives no authority for his
stalcnient; and it is not iiiclu(h;(l in Li'l'KKN's list of the ii.shes of Greeidand (liev. ('at. 187.0).

'■ I/i.it. Pisciuiii, p. 08.

'' Passer f/iivititil/s, vulgo j/e.<iiis, Bki.cj.n: JJe Aipuit., p. 144.

"■ Cf. the rtinarUs on the growtli of the fry of the preceding species.

COMMON FLdrXDKH.

403

■•ill\ considerecl su|i(M'i(ir to the I);ili. In w inlci' csiiccinl-
ly, till' flesli is fl;il)l)y, ;iih1 coiitivicts a iiiiiddy flavour,
it' the fisli Ji\('s on a hottoiii of this nature. Tiu' I'ioun-
(ler seems also to a((|uirc a belter tlM\-our in tVesii or
brackish water than MJiere the water is reallv salt". The
Flounders of the Loire and Seine are highly esteemed,
neeording to Hlanciiekk. 'l-'resh water," lie says'', "has
the effect of ridding the hdounder oi' thai oozv smell

that it has in the sea." in the Baltic t where the

percentage of salt in the water is coin|iarati\el\ low,
the Flounder enjoys a good reputation, "it is one of
tiie most delicate fishes of tiie island-belt of Morko,"
says EksthOm, "especially when the sunuuer is some-
what advanced. At this season it is \erv fat and dainty
— hence the proverb: Ndr skogen (ii\r/i(hi, dr fiiindran
skon (when green is the wood, the Flounder is good).
Mueh depends, howe\er, on tiie method of dressing it.
Where Flounders are taken in large quantities thev are
usually salted or dried. In llie island-belt of Morko
there is a local method of pre[)aring them in the following
manner. "Tlie fish are gutted, lightly salted, and after
thev have lain a day in the salt, hung up to dr-\". They
are then kept for future emergencies, and when re-
quired for use, are baked on straw in an oven. Pre-
pared in this way they are delicious, provided that they
are not so old or l)adly preserved that the flesh is rank."
Smoked Flounders are also a favourite dish in mau)-
places, especially in Denmark and the north of Ger-
many. The utility of the Flounder, however, does not
save it from being despised where it is taken in too
great abundance. Kiu)YKI! tells us that on the west
coast of Zealand, at the beginning of May, he once
witnessed the taking-up of a bottom-net which was
found to be almost full of Flounders. As many as the
large fishing- boat could hold — about half the catch —
wei'c taken on board, and the rest were released from

the net. When the bctat I'caehed sliore, nine men took one
basketful of Floundei's eacli, while the rest were left to
rot in the boat and on the beach. According to Thomp-
son considerable (piantities of this fish wore brought to
ik'lfast in iiis time', but fiieir \ aiue was so low that
one I'laiee was wm-th as nuich as a hundred Flounders.
According to Pai.i.as his / 'I cinoi/ cif cs sfollafxs was thrown
awa\' on the shore, and left to lie thei'e in lai'ge heaps.
In .\hiska, on the other hand, according to P)Kax'', it
is ol' great economical imiiortance; and in Sail I'ran-
cisco, accorfling to doiiDAx', it is luuch esteemed, though
large S]KH'iniens (between S and :^0 lbs. in weight) are
sold chciip and not considered good eating.

The Floundei' b(>ars man\' names. As it is the
, most common of our Flatlishes, it is known in most
I parts of Sweden by the general name oi fiinidra (Flat-
fish). In the island-belt of Tjorn it is called Skrnhha,
Skrii/)l)skd(J(la. Ihtskeskddda (because it is often taken
t in ri/ssj(ir = traps) and Iiu,ska. .\ccording to Li.nd-
STROM the fishermen of (iothland "'distinguish lietween
two colour-varieties, Sandjiandre, more whitish gray
on the eye side and an inhabitant of sandA- spots, and
Bidlerfluiidre, whicli is blackish gray and lives on a
stony and dark-coloured bottom." According to Gott-
SCHE the Danish fishermen distinguish between Muddcr-
sknibbc (Mud-flounder), generally dextral and with a
great part of the surface of the liodv destitute of spi-
nous scales, and Sandskrubhe, generally sinistral and
with the eye side of the body almost entirely covered
with spinous scales.

The Fhninder is taken chiefly in nets {skciddcr/ain),
and sometimes together with other fishes in the seine
or in fixed engines, such as traps and liottom-nets; but
it also readily takes a hook baited Avith worms, and is
thus often taken on long-lines set for Eels.

(Ekstrom, SiMirr.)

The Plaice and the Flounder have proved to be , Pseudojfesns — with ciliated scales, most distinct in a

extremely variable species, and to be fairly closely
approximated to each other by their varieties. The
variety of the former which Gottsche called Plafessa

row along the bases of the dorsal and anal fins and on
the sides of the lateral line — and the variety of the
Flounder which Saxdeberg called I'leiirfniecfes Bogda-

" LlXDSTRu>r says, however, of tlie Flounders in tlie >s\vninps of GotlilanJ. tliiit tlicir flesh is ''of inferior Havc>nr and nuidily.

* Diet. Gen. d. Peches, p. 319.

"^ Nat. Hist. Irel. (1856) vol. IV. ji. 104.

■' Cat. Collect. Fish.. Gt. Intern. Fisli. E.xhih. Lend. 1883, U. S. Amer. Ca(. /•". pp. ;") and 20.

<• Br. Goode, Fisl(., Fis!,. Ltdtistr. U. &'., .sect. I. \k 184.

404

SCAM) 1 N A V I AN FI Sll KS.

rMk\\\

«Li''1|

miifiimMimi

'//'

Fig. 110.

PJeuvonectes glacialis. Variety named by Pallas Plenronectes cicatricusJis. Nafiiral pize. Forwarded from Arcliangel

by H. Sandebehg.

\\\^'^

\\\\m

Fig. 111. J'leuroiiectcs ylacialis. Variety named by GOntiiei; J'I. fraiilUiiii. Xafiiral size. From Najtschl<aj (N.E. Siberia),

7tb April, 187!), Vega Expedition.

AKCTIC I-LOINDERS.

405

Horii — \vith tlie siirt'ju'e of tlic 1)()(1\- ;iliiu)st entirely
smooth, with the exception of tlie weak spinous warts
at the spots mentioned and thinly scattered on the head
— lead us to the following conclusion. The character
drawn from the covering of scales, which gives us one
of the most important external distinctions, has deve-
loped from an original type common to \n)th species.
We are apparently guided to this original type l)y a
comparison between these two species and a third,
/'IritrtiiH'i-ft's ffluchd'i^, wiiich has a wide geographical
range in the North, and is as variable as either of the
others. This noi'tiiern species lias also borne many
names: I'leuroiiectes (jlacialis" , PI. cicafricosii^'', I'lafessa
fllahra'', Flafessa dvinensis'', I'leitronccfcs fr(iHldmii' and
EKchalamdiis putnami'. The first two names refer to
the two distinct varieties (figs. IIU and 111) wliich
I'allas knew from the European and Siberian coasts
of the Arctic Ocean; the third, the fourth, and the last
names Avere conferred on the species on the Atlantic
coast of North America — where it has Ijeen found as
far south as Salem — and on the Arctic coast of Eu-
rope. The last name but one lias reference to the spe-
cies as it occurs on the Arctic coast of North America.
In Greenland and Iceland, up to the present at least,
the species has not Ijeen found.

Pleuronectes glaciaJis is distinguished l)oth from the
Plaice and the Elounder In- the greater de])th of the tail,
the least depth of which is ahvays more than y % of the
length of the body — a measurement we have found in
the Plaice only exceptionally, and ne\er cpiite exactly,
though very nearly so. This greater depth of the tail
gives to FI. (fJaclaUs the same character as I'J. liiiianda
acquires bv the comparatively small size of the head,
the least depth of the tail being more than 36 % of
the length of the head; while in /'/. jthifrssa and /'/.
r/esns this proportion is ahvays — to the l)est of our
knowk'dge with lOily one single exception — less than
35 %. Another character, which on the other hand
reallv ranges PI. glacudis in immediate systematic prox-
imit\- to I'l. limanda, consists in the scales of the body.
!))■ far the greater part of the eve side, or at least
those pai'ts where the scalv covering is strongest in the

two preceding species, are clothed with ciliated scales,
in type the same as those of PI. limanda, but shorter
(smaller) and scattered, never imbricated, but I'ather set
in a (juincnnx; and as a rule, one row (jf these scales
advances at least over the middle rays of the dorsal
and anal lins. As usual, however, the scales m.ay also
var}- in /'/. /jhicialis; and sometimes the ciliated scales
occur only on the eye side, in a i-ow along the bases
of the dorsal and anal tins, while they are sometimes
close-set and contiguous, but not ind)rieate(l, on the
whole of the eye side. On the blind side they may
be entirely wanting or well-developed and only slightly
more scattered than on the eye side. In the number of
the vertebra?, too, PI. glacialis comes nearest PI. lliiKtinla.
According to our ol)servations the former possesses 3S
or 39 (according to Richardson 40) vertebne, while
J'l. liitKiiida has 39 or 40. In this respect, therefore,
both /'/. f/lacialis and J'l. linxn/dii appear as inter-
mediate forms between PI. y/r.s-«.s', with 35 — 37 vertebra-,
and /'/. pidtcssa, with 43 or 44. By the shajx' of the
lower pharyngeals and the structure of their teeth, how-
ever, I'l. f/lacialis is ranged in the same group as I'l.
ffesiis and I'l. platessa; and in this respect it comes
nearest the Plaice, in which these bones are narrower
than in the Flounder. I'l. f/lacialis also comes nearest
PI. plalessa in the mnnl)er of gill-rakers, which varies
on the first branchial arch between 9 and li'. In the
cephalic characters /'/. f/lacialis is approximated most
nearly to the Flounder by the bony ridge behind the
eyes, which is continuous or broken up into only two
or three oblong and blunt protuberances, and which
widens posteriorly into a clavate form abo\e the gill-
cover (on the OS squamosum), where it is interrupted
to lie again continued by an oblong protuberance, which
is smaller, but just as rough with small osseous warts,
on the posttempoi-al bone. This species also comes
nearest PI. Jlesus in the numl)er of rays in the dorsal
and anal fins (ZA 51 — 64; A. 37—45), though in this
respect, too, one of its varieties distinctly approximates
it to 1*1. plalessa.

Thus we find here a group of two varieties which,
in its entirety as a species, forms a landmark between

'■ Pai.l., Bussische Reise, Theil HI, Anliang, p. TOl!.

'' Pall., Zoographla Bosso-Asiatica, toin. Ill, p. 292.

■' Storer, Proe. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., I (1843), p. l.'iO.

'' LiLLJ., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1850, II. p. :!0G.

' Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus\, Fish., vol. IV. p. 442.

■'■ Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. 1864. p. 222.

406

JSCAXniNAVlAN FISHES.

two other grcjups, l)ut in tlie (litterentiatioii of its forms
is so little advanced tlint Ixitli these varieties luay also
be ranged as interiuediate forms between two species
of one of the otlier groups". The first group must,
tlierefore, stand nearest the presumal)le original type
of all three groups, unless, indeed, it may l)e shown
tliat it is tliat original type.

When LiLLJEBOKG first disco\-ered his Flafessa dri-
i/ei/sis, he suspected tliat it was identical in species with
I'ai.las's Plenronecfes ciaifricosiis: and in this suspicion
lie was undoubtedly right. In another passage'' we have
combined this species with Stouer's Flafessa glabra : but.
the collections of the Vega Expedition prevent us from
following Jordan and Gilberts example', and unre-

servedly uniting into one single species the two species
described I)v Pallas, /'/. i/Iacialis and /'/. cUafiicosus.
Pallas based his distinction between tliese species chiefly
on the deeper form of the body and the closer scaly
covering of I'lcitronccfcs f/lacialis. This ditt'erence re-
appears, even though it is moditied l)^- ditt'erences of
age and sex, Iietween the specimens of /'/. f/hicialls
brought home l)v NordkxskiOld's Expedition of 187")
from Chabarowa and bA- the \ ega Expedition from
Najtschkaj (N.E. Siberia) and the numerous examples
of 7V. cicafricosKS brought lioine bv LieutciLant Sande-
berg from Archangel. According to these collections
the followins" distinctions are valid:

7V. (/laci'ilis
fr. Najtschkaj.

Greatest depth of the body in % of the lenijth of tlie body .' > 41 (Average: 43.9)

Length of the head iii % of the greatest depth of the body < 57'' (Average: 5Lo)

Postorbital length of the head in % of the greatest depth of the body < SS"" (Average: 35.51

Length of the head in % of the greatest distance between the lateral line and the ventral edge < 93'' (Average: 8().3)

I'l. cicntr/f'Oii'fs
fr. Archangel.
< 41 (Average: 39.2^

> 57'' (Average: 01,7)

> 40" (Average: 42.5)

> 93 (Average: 101. (! I

Although these differences are not great, and al-
though, considering the variability of the kindred spe-
cies, they seem rather to belong to varieties, still they
exist, to judge by 9 specimens of PI. gJariaJis and more
than 20 of J'l. ckafricosus: and so long as a character
])roves tenable, we have no right to reject the distinc-
tion l)ased on it, wliethcr we choose to regard tlie latter
as a distinction of species or merely of Aariety. As is
generally the case in the Scandinavian Flatfishes, the
females are in the majority, and this to such an extent
that we have not found a single male among the spe-
cimens of I'L ckatricosiis. However, this does not af-
fect the significance of the differences given here, as
it is by the shallower (narrower) form of the body
that the males are externally distinguished, and in PI.
cicatricosus they \voidd thus oidy liave still further di-
minished the average depth of the bod}-.

Pallas obtained his Plciironerfes cicatricosus from
the basin of the Pacific^ and PI. c/Jacialis from Kara
Sea and the Gulf of Obi'; and it would tlius appear

that the former belonged to the cast, the latter to the
west, of the Arctic Ocean and the ()ld World. But
we have no recorded observation of J'l. glaciaHs west
of Nova Zembla, while PI. cicatricosus, on the other
hand, must be recognised as common in the White Sea.
According to Guntiier's description" of the type-spe-
cimen of Kiciiardsgn's pi. f/Iacia1is, from Batluirst Inlet
(the middle of the Arctic coast of North America) this
specimen really belongs to the form thus entitled by
Pallas. On the other hand, tlie Alaskan species de-
scribed under this name bv Jordan and Gilbert and
figured by Todd'', evidently possesses the characters of
PI. cicatricosus, of the occurrence of which on the Arctic
coast of North America east of Alaska we have no re-
corded observation, though it is common and kno'wn by
the name of Christmas-fish at Salem, on the Atlantic
coast of the United States. The latter species is just
as. little known to the north of Asia, west of Behring
Strait. In its geographical range there thus appear, as
far as we know at present, three great gaps, the first

" LiLLJEBORG also says of his Platessa dcinensis: "It seems td be an intermediate form between Plat, vulgaris and Plat. ^riesiiK. By
the structure of the teeth it is approximated to the former, and by the covering- of tlie body and tlie coloration to the latter."

*• Ur vai' ticls forshning (Retzius), No. 29, p. 59.

' Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, ji. 837.

'' An exceptional case.

' "Specimina e mari inter Camtschatcaiii et Aniericam Iccta milii retulit D. D. Mehk."

■' "In iittoribus vadosis maris glacialis ad Sinuni Carensem et Obi fl. ostia legit Bash, Su.tee." Chabarowa, where Norpekskiulp's Ex-
pedition of 1875 found PL glacialiK, lies off Jugor-scliarr, just at the division between Kara Sea and the Munnan Sea.

f Brit. Mus. Cat., Fish., vol IV, p. 442; Pleuronectes Franklinii.

'• Br. Goope, Fish.. Fi.-<h. Imhtstr. U. S., sect. I, pi. 47.

ARCTIC ir.itUNDEUS.

40^

north of North Aiiieric;i, the second nortli of Asi;i, and
the third straight across tlic Athintii'. The first two
gaps tivv tilled, at least in part, li\- the variet}' /'/.
(jlacialis, -which seems to ha a, purely Arctic form, while
/'/. rirafricnsiis, of the Wiiifc Sea and tiie coast of
Alaska, lives in a comparativel}' milder Arctic climate.
( )n tlie west coast of the United States the geographical
range of the latter species extends much further south,
in common with that of several other Arctic species,
which, on account of the set of tlic ocean-currents, may
there appear in much more southern latitudes than on
the east side of the Atlantic.

Though J'Icuronectes (jladalis has not heen found
within the triu' limits of tlie Scandinavian fauna, in
spite of the fact that it lives in their innnediate vici-
nity, still it is of especial interest from a systematic
point of \iew, as the relations l^etween its two forms
throw a considerable light on those between tlie Floun-
der and the Plaice. As it is also easier for us in this
wav to i;ain a s'encral view of tlie i-elation l)etween
these species and tiic Dali, we lici-e give a table of
averages tor tlie most important characters of these
five forms:

A V f rage in

:2

2 H

§ i

I'leuroneetcs glacialis.

g r

2.3

i|

00 g

?■ 1

cf + 9

<f + Q

o"

9

9

d' + Q

d' + 9

23G
20.7

198
22.. T

204

194

195
24.3

297
23.0

•^(;'i

,, „ ., head

in % of the length of the body

24.0

Greatest depth of the body

., ,, ,, ., ., ,, „

38.9

43.9

41.5"

45.2

39.S

40.8

41.1

Least ,

'' !» V '» ?) !) " ?»

8.5

9.6

—

—

9.4

7.9

7.5

Postorbit.-il length of the head

,. ,, ., .. .. ,, ,,

12.2

ir).5

—

—

1G.7

15.5

1.!.,

Length of the head _ in

"i of the greatest depth of the body

r)o.o

Ol.o

—

—

(;i.7

51). c

58.5

Postorbital length of the head ,,

1» )? •) !» 1) ?' )) I»

31.4

35.5

—

—

42.5

;58.o

39.1

Length of the branch of the lower jaw on the blind side .

in % of the length of the l)ody

S..S

7.8

—

—

8.5

.S.2

S.4

:, ; ■' -^ : •■ .. t'ye ., -

" ■' ■■ ■' n :) )J ))

7.7

T.3

—

—

7.8

7.f>

S.i

„ „ ,, base of the dorsal tin

?5 >• •* ■' ;j »: )) )»

68.0

(i9.7

—

—

09.5

till..-,

ijii.s

, ,, ,, ,, .. ., ., anal

, ,, ., J, ., ,, .,

-.3.!l

50.5

—

—

48.3

53.2

4(;.5

„ ,, „ longest ray in the dorsal tin

„ ., ,, ,, ., ,, ,, .,

11.7

11.4

13.1'

10.3

10.7

11.3

12.1

„ „ „ ; .. V ,. "nal ■, --

,, ,, ,, „ „ „ ,, „

11.7

11.8

13.4'

10.9

10.7

11.6

12.5

Distanee between the anal fin and the tip of the snout

., ., „ ., .. ., ., .,

30.1

34.4

—

—

34.8

30.6

35.8

Lensth of the pectoral fin of the eye side

;» >r •• " !» »i ;) *^

13.0

13.3

15.9 ■'

11.7

12.8

10.1

11.5

ventral ., ,,

„ .. .. .. ., „ „

7..*

9.0

10.1'

8.5

8.3

8.1

7.7

middle rays of the caudal fin

,

17,'.i

IT.i

18. a-'-

i<;.5

KLs

18..

17.2

rilis table, whicli also contains the appreciable i higher than in PI. flesus, and that where it is lower in

sexual differences in var. /'/. r/Iacialis (frankllnil), shows

n the tirst place that in the great majority of cases

where the percentage in J'L glacialis is higher than in

/'/. cicafricosus, the percentage in PL platessa is also

the iirst form tiian in the second, it is also lower in
PL platessa than in PI. Jiesns. Thus, in most cases
the difference of form in the tirst two varieties runs
in the same direction as in the last two species. If

Maxiimiiii percentage in o^ <

Minimum .,

MininiHin .,

Maximum ,,

Minimum ,,

Maximum ,,

Minimum „

Masimum ,,

Minimum ,,

Maximum .,

Minimum ,,

>raximiim „

d" < 43-0

9 >

43-0

o">

12-0

? < 120

cf >

12-0

9 <

120

cf >

15.0

? < 14-0

c^>

9-0

9 <

0-0

a^>

17-2

9 <

17-2

40K

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

we further eoiiip.ire tliis table with tlie table given
nbu^ (■ (|). 401) (if tlie changes of growth in the Plaice
and the Flounder, we easily find that, in all those re-
lations in whicii the changes of growth of these two
species show a distinct and common direction of de-
\elopment, tlie ju\enile stages are represented either

by I'l. VniKuida, I'l. f/lac/alis or PI. cicatricosns, or by
two of these forms in common. This series of forms,
which, as far as we kno^v nt present, culminates in the
Plaice and the Floimder, tluis seems to have originally
started either from one of these three forms or in close
systematic proximity to them.

SuBFAJiii Y H I P P 0 O L 0 S S I N A.

Snout iiiif cloi/f/dfcd, tlie loircr jair most prominent. Mouth middle-sized or laiije atid oiilij sligltthj oblique: Jair-

teetJi (iliuost (IS irelJ-developed on the eije side (is on the hlind side. Yeiitrid fins one on eaeh side of the ventral

inorf/in. and their rai/s close tor/etJier at the Inise. Eyes larf/e or at least middle-sized.

]'sciidot)y(inehi(e and. in most eases, i/ill-rakers irell-devcloped.

This subfamily derives its name from the well-
kiioAvn Halibut, Hippoglossus, and contains about 30
described species, distributed among .5 or, if we please,
.MS many as 9, distinct genera: {I'scttodes + Athe-
restes), {TUppoglossus + Platysomatiehthiis), {Paralielithj/s
+ PseadorIiombiis). (I)repanopsetta + Psettichthijs) and
Tephyitis. The most mnnerous and the largest species
live in the North, but several belong to the tropical
seas, to West Indian, East Indian, Chinese and Ja|)a-
iiese waters.

The ])eculiarity ^vhich we have remarked above as
characteristic of the ju\enile stages of the true Floun-
ders (subg. Platessa, auctt.), the pointed jaw-teeth set
in several rows, in this subfamily as \vell as in the
following one, is the rule even in adult specimens.
The |)rincipal characteristic of these two subfamilies
lies, h()^ve^•er, in the fact that the as^■nlmetrv of the
head has only slightly affected the sti'ucture of the
jaws. Thus, the jaw-teeth of the eye side niav be al-
most or even ([uite as \\ell-developed as those of the
blind side. On the (jther hand, the subfaniilv of the
Halibuts comes nearer the preceding Flattishes in the
position of the ventral tins and the form of the pelvic
bones. In essential res])ects at least, the ventral fins are
symnietrical in jiosition, one on each side of the ventral
margin; and the ])elvic bones are of the normal Hetero-
somatous ibrui, a narnnv triangle, and hang, closely
united to each otliei', backwards and downwai'ds or

straight downwards (ventrallv) from the inner side of
the coalescent clavicular bones, Ijeing suspended within
and somewhat above the loAver end of the cpracoid
bones. To the outer side of the short base of the
triangle are attached, as usual, the rays of the ventral
fins, with their roots (articulations) close to each other.
Anothei' character that seems to be common to the
members of this subfamily lies in the circumstance that
all the caudal vertebrse are entirely without transverse
processes or possess onlv very slight traces thereof.

The Scandinavian fauna contains only two, or, if
we choose, three, genera of this subfamilv. each genus,
in the latter case, with only one species.

A: Jaw-tcctli, in the upper
jaw at least, set in two or
more rows. Scales cycloid.
a : Lower pharyngeal teeth

set in two rows. Lateral

line sharply arcuate in

front, ahove the pec-
toral fins /Ji.jijioolossut< luihnii'is-

li: Lower ]iharyngeal teeth

set in a single row.

Lateral line evenly

slo]:)ing in front Platyt<uinatichtlojs hippoalossoides.

B: -law-teetli set in a single
row". Scales ctenoid.
Lower pharyngeal teeth
set in two irregular rows.
Lateral line evenly sloping ] h-cpuiiopttettn plate.ssoides.

" Does not apply In all exotic species of llie gciuis.

FLOUNDKli-FISllICS.

409

Gkms hippoglossus.

Jiddi/ ((iiiipdrdfircl// chiiif/dlcd, nf d jidiiilcd <ir(tl shape, and sdiiicicIkiI thick (ficshji). The eijes scl an flic lii/ht

side and far apart fniiii each alhcr. Jidrs and jiharyugeah armed ailh painted, mosfli/ fjcnt teeth, set in several

nnrs ar in a card. Na palatine nr ranicrinc teeth- TJic dorsal fin. Ijcrjins (diove the upper eye, which is set hif/h.

Hind niarf/in af the c((adal Hn concave. Anal spine present, thoar/h short. Scales small and ri/cloid.

J.ateral line sharphi arcuate in front.

The solitary species of this genus h;is lionie the [ tuiiate custoin, here as in nuiiiy other cases employed

name of i//jji2>o^?oss».s-, i. c, large tongue", ever since the | tlie Linmean specific name to denote a subgenus, and

time of RoNDELET. LiXN.EUS emploj'ed this name in a • it lias since l)een raised, still more unf<irtunately, by

specific signification; but CrviKu'', following liis unfor- i Fleming'' to the rank of a generic name.

THE HALIBUT (SW. UELGErLUNKUAN).

HIPPOGLOSSUS VULGARIS.

Plate XVII, tigs. 1 and 2.

Greatest depth of the bod// in //ounc/ specimens (ahout % in. Ion//) (dmut 31 % of its lenyth, in sonieirhat older
ones {about \^ m. Ion//) abintt :14 or .'13% thereof, and in still older specimens about SO or 29 % thereof. Greatest
thickness about \'^ — durin/j i/outh nearer '/-, — of the depth (f the bod//. Least deptli of the tail less than 34 %
of the f/reatest depth of the bod//. Lateral line sharpi// arcuate in tite abdominal region. Lcni/fh of the hnrer
jau- less than half that of the head''. Hind extremit// of the upper Jau'-bone extending back cdmosf to the per-
pendicular from the middle of the loirer ege. The dorsal fin begins at the anterior part of the upj>er e//e, its
greatest height {the longest ra//) occurring exactly opposite the greatest height of the anal fin, at about the middle
of the length of the body minus the caudal fin. Coloration of the eye side in old specimens blackish, in younger

ones chocolafc-broirn, marliled uifh a liglder tint: blind side u'hite.

n. f>i: 7; D. 99 — 104'' (= ,r + .'') — 12'): A. 73—79!'
(= ,,■ + 8 — l.?*): P. 2 + 13 1. U: T'. 2 + 4; C. .r + 15 + .;•;
L. lal. l.')9 — 163 (+13 — 15 in i)inn. caud.)): Vert. 51 (=lG + 35).

Syn. Pleuvonecten oculis a dextrn, tutus glaber, Ap.t., Gen. Pise. ji.

17; ^y/i., p. 31; LiN., Fn. Suec, ed, II, p. 113, No. 302.

Pleuronectes Hij)/wylossus, Lin., iSi/st. JVat., ed. X, torn. I, p.

209; Mii,L., Zoof. Dan. Prodi:, p. 44; F abr. , Fn. Groenl.,

p. 161: Bl., Fiscli. DeutscfiL, pt. 2, p. 47, tab. XLVII; Qvex-
SEL, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1806. p. 225; P.-vi-L.. Zoogr. Ross.
Asiat., toni. Ill, p. 421; Nir.ss., Prodr. Ictitti. Hcaiid., p. 57;
ScHAOERSTR., Physlogr. Sallslc. Tidskr. (H. 3), p. 312; Faber.
Fisch. hi., p. 148; Valenc, Voij. Isl., cett. (Gaim.), Poiss.,
pi. 14; LiLU., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1850, p. 333.
Hippogloisus vulgaris, Flmng, Brit. Aniin.. p. 199; Dek.,
A'. Y. Fn., pt. IV, p. 294, pi. XLIX. fig. 157; Thomps.,

" "GrEBc-i eniiii rei uiagnitudiiieni indicant /^Of et Jjttto particulis, ut in \7t7t0aihv0v , iTtTtO/lCXQaif^QOr. Sic hippoglossiun dicimus
a niagnitiidine, non a similitudine cum liippoglosso herba." ROND., lie Pise, lib. XI, cap. X\ I. p. 325.
^ Regne Animal, 1817, tome II, p. 221.
' Brit. Anim., 1828, p. 199.

'' The branch of the lower jaw on the blind side, however, may sometimes be equal in length to lialf the licad.
<■ Sometimes 98, according to Qvensel and Lilljeborg.
,, 107, ,. ,, Bi-OCH and Day.

,, 110, ,, ,, Faber and Mobius and Hei.scke.

■'' According to Lilueboru. In older specimens, however, even the 33rd ray, coimting from behind, may be branched.
^ Sometimes 81, according to Gottsche.

82, „ ,, Bloch and Day.

,, 85, ,, ,, MoBius and Heincke.

'' According to Lilljeborg. In older specimens, however, at least internal ramification may be traced even in tlie 24th ray, counting
from beliiud.

Scandinavian Fishes. * "^

no

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

yat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 199; Gthr, Vat. Brit. Mas.,

Fish., vol. IV, p. 403; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Clirist., 1874,

TilliBgsh., p. 134; ibid. 1870, No. 1, p. 74; Id., N. Mag.

Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 98; Bean, Proc. U. S.

Nat. Mus., vol. II (1879), p. (53; Winth., Natiirli. Tidskr.

Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 3G; MoK., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Fi:,

toni. Ill, p. 287; Jord., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.

16, p. 819: Mela, Vert. Fenn.. p. 303. tab. IX; Day, Fish.

Ot. Brit.. Irel., vol. II, p. 5, pi. XCIV; Mob., Hcke, Fisch.

Osts., p. 87; Br.-Goode, Fisher., Fish.-lndustr. U.S., sect.

I, p. 189, pi. 54; LiLLJ., He, Norg. Fn., Fish:, vol. II,

p. 282.
Hippoglos.iits ina.viituis. Minding, Lehrb. Naturg. Fiscli. (Berlin

1832), sec. GoTTSCHE, Arch. Naturg. (Wiegm.) 1835 (I, 2)

1>. 164; Kr., Damn. Fiske, vol. II, p. 381; NiLSS., Skatid.

Fn., Fisk., p. C31.
Ilippoglossus Liniiei, Mal51, Gligs, Boh. Fn., p. 508.

The Halibut is one of the largest Scandinavian
fishes; and small Halibuts are almost rarer than middle-
sized ones. Still we must regard as an exception, a
marvellous exception — if indeed the statement be un-
reservedly to be relied on — the Halil)ut as long as an
Ottringshaad (a large fishing-boat), or about 18 ft. in
length, whicli is said to have l^een seen in Norwegian
Finniark. (~)i,afsex" mentions that he saw a Halibut
10 Dan. ft. long in Iceland. (.)ff Lofoden Kroyek saw a
specimen slightl}' over 7 Dan. ft. long, which weighed 322
lbs., though it was very lean; while the largest speci-
men NiLSSON obtnined from Bohusliin was 6 ft. long
and weighed only about 187 lbs. The fisherman who
sold this fish to Nilsson in the winter of 1832, stated,
howe\er, that in the previous winter he had T;iken ;i
Halibut ott' tlie Weather Isliiids that weio-hed fi74 11)S.
Instances of similar catches ;ire given by A. ])Re.mi;i!''
from Norwegian Finmark.

The body of the Halibut is more elongated than
th:it of anj' of the preceding species, and shar])h- de-
crea.ses in de])th, especiallv towards the tail. The
clianges of growth, however, involve a considerable
difference in this res])ect. In specimens al)out 350 mm.
long we have found tlie greatest depth of the body to
l)e ;d)oiit 31 % of tiie length, and in specimens between
3()0 and 450 mm. long about 33 or 34 % thereof, while
in still older specimens the jjroportion sinks again to
about 30 or 29 96. In our smallest specimen (a female
337 mm. long) the least depth of the tail was 6"8 %
of the length of the body, and in a- male 455 mm. long

7"2 ?6 thereof; but subseijuently this proportion also
sitd\S at least below 6 %. We have never found this
deptli to exceed 22'/;, % of the greatest depth of the
body". In tlie thickness of the body, however, the
Halibut surpasses the preceding species. In young spe-
cimens, indeed, we may find the greatest thickness of
the l)ody to vary between only 20 and 25 % of the
greatest de])th; but in old specimens it is greater*'.
The thickness is also more symmetrical than in the
preceding species, even the blind side being more fleshv,
though not so much so as in the next species.

Tlie head is distinguislied from that of the pre-
ceding species by its smoother surface, wliich on the
eye side is more evenly rounded, without projecting
osseous ridges. In young specimens less than half a
metre long its length is about 23 — 25 % of that of the
body, while in older specimens this percentage sinks
belo^v 20 or even below 17. The superior and inferior
profiles meet each other in front at fairly ecpial curves,
which are regularly continued back-wards to the dee]j-
est i^art of the body, which lies somewhat behind the
end of the first tliird of its length, further back in old
specimens than in young. In young specimens the lower
jaw projects only slightlv beyond the ujiper when the
inoutli is closed, in old specimens more; liut the cliin-
j)rotuberance is at least visible in voung specimens,
while in older ones it is almo.st obliterated. The eves
are middle-sized and fairly jirominent, their longitudinal
diameter in young sjiecimens measuring 19 or 18 ?6,
in old l(i or 15' ^, %, of tlie length of the head. They
are set almost in a line with each other, the upiier
being only slightly farthei-- back than the lower. In
young specimens about 175 mm. long, according to
CoLLETT, the breadth of the interorbital space is only
half the diameter of the lens, ^vhile in specimens l)e-
tween 300 and 400 mm. long, it is al)out half the
longitudinal diameter of the eye, and in older .speci-
mens may be at least almost equal to the diameter of
the eye. The nostrils of the eye side are set fairly close
to each other, just in front of and almost at the middle
of the line drawn between the anterior margins of the
eyes. The anterior nostril, the hind margin of which
is pi'olonged into a semitubular dermal flap, is set at

" Reise igiennem Island, p. 589.

' (Jin de nordlige Ilivfiskes Fcerd og Vivsen, samt deres Faiigst.

^ In this point Kroyer's measurements agree with ours. In Bean"s specimen from Unalascha. liowever, the least depth of the tail
was nearly 23'/2 °i of the greatest depth of the body.

'' In one of Kuiiykr's specimens tlie greatest thickness of the body (just behind the eye) is .stated to liave been somewhat more than
'/j of its greatest deptli.

IIAMRFT.

411

a distance from the ti|i of tlie snout tliat is ahoiit ('(iumI
to the longitiicliiial diaiiictci' oi' the eyes. The nostrils
of the l)lin(l side are set at the same distance from tlie
ti|) of the snout and in the same relative position to
<';ich other, the anterioi' being also furnished posteriorly
with a more or less nearly semitubulnr (ksrmal flap;
and are situated at the up])er margin of tlie head,
where the coloration of the eye side generally extends
some wa\- oxer tlu' Mind side. The jnw-hones of both
sides of the body are fairly similar to each other in
sha|)e, and show a great likeness to the corresjjonding
bones in the (iadldcc. The greatest asj-mmetry appears
in the intermaxillary bones, the length of the inter-
maxillary bone of the eye side being sometimes only
^/.- of that of the intermaxillary- bone of the blind side.
The nasal processes of these bones project above their
upper margins '/.j (on the blind side) or '/a (on the
eye side) of the length of the bones themselves. Behind,
in their upj)er mai'gin — at t^vo thirds of the distance
along the intermaxillary bone of the eye side and half-
wa^' along that of the blind side — they are raised
into a sharp projection, which evidently corresponds to
the upright, more or less lobate process on the hind
part of the intermaxillary l)ones in several Gadoid spe-
cies. The maxillary bones are furnished with a similar
l)ut more process-like projection at the upper margin,
at the end of the first third of their length. These
bones differ (n\\\ slightly from each other on both sides
of the bod\', and the broadened hind extremity of the
maxillary bone of the eye side extends back to a point
almost vertically below the anterior margin of the pu-
pil of the lower e-\e, or, in older specimens, below the
middle of this eye. The branches of the lower jaw
ai'e also much alike, the length of that of the eye side
beinfj at least i)2 — 97 % of that of the blind side; and
their length, which is about 11 or 12 ?& of the length
of the l)odv, is always somewhat less than half that of
the head. The jaw-teeth resemble the teeth of a snake,
and in old specimens are set in several rows — in the
lower jaAv as many as 4, and on the front of the inter-
maxillar-\- bones 5 — but in young specimens they are
set in a single row in the lower jaw, and in two rows
onh' at the extreme front of the intermaxillary liones.
The pharyngeal teeth are like the jaw-teeth. On the six
upper pharyngeals (three on each side) they are set in
transverse rows, two rows on each bone or, in old spe-
cimens at least, three rows on each of the middle pair.
On each of the lower i)liar\ngeals, which resemble

branchial arches, tlu- teeth are set in two longitudinal
rows, the outer row Ix'iug composed of smaller but
more numerous teeth. The gill-rakers are comparatively
short and scattered, but strong and denticulated. Tliey
arc set in a single row and almost exclusively on the
lower part of the anterior margin of the branchial
arches. On the fii'st arch, however, which is furnished
with from 7 to i) gill-rakers, one of the lattei', more
like a tubercle tiian a spine, is sometimes set on the
upper ])art. Even Kkover I'einarkcd the small, denti-
culated splinters of bone, arranged more or less re-
gularly in sipiares, that lie in the skin beside the
branchial arches themselves, and render the latter i-ough
to the touch. These splinters are usually most distinct
on the outside of the lower pharyngeals. The hind
(lower) i^art of the uroh}oid bone is sharply falciform,
with the ])oint directed foi'ward, as usual; and is almost
as long as the straight anterior (upper) part of this
bone. The entire bone lies free, almost half-way be-
tween the clavicular and the hvoid bones, united bj'
muscles to the front of the lower end of the former
and by a round ligament, as usual, to the under sur-
face of the latter. The distance between its lower end,
which is curved forward, and the lower end of the
clavicular bone is about equal to the distance between
the latter and the first ray of the ventral tin. Within
its rounded angle, open in front, lies the middle part
of the margin of the branchiostegal niend;)rane, which
is united from each side of the body, but ^\•ith this
exception free. The branchiostegal membrane and its
rays — 7 on each side, the two anterior ones being
partly united at the tip — conform to the usual Hete-
rosomatous type. The gill-openings extend upwards to
a level with tiie inferior margin of the upper eye. The
operculum forms an ecjuilateral ti-iangle, with the upper
posterior side convex and the lower posterior concave,
and in this sinus lies the suboperculum, which is
pointed at the top, and juts upwards almost into the der-
mal opercular flap. The preoperculum is rectangular,
but the angular point is evenly rounded, without any
distinct acuteness. The postorbital part of the head
measures between about 14 and 15 '/^ % of the length
of the body.

The dorsal tin begins above the anterior jjart of
the upper eye, usually in a line with the anterior
margin of the pnpil, in other cases somewhat in front
of this point or at a distance from the tip of the snout
that measures 6' ., or 7 % of the length of the body,

41:

SCANPINAYIAS KISHES.

at most '., of the total lengili of the head, or „ of
the jx>storbit;U length of the head, and is always less
than the length of either of the pectoral fins or than ' ^
of the greatest depth of the body'. It extends along the
dorsal evlsre for a distance that, measured in a straight
line, b equal to 72 — 74 * of the length of the body. In
the first third of the fin the rays are of fairly uniform
length, onlv slightly increasing in length posteriorly, and
the longest ravSs the length of which is 9 or 10 * of that
of the body, are set at alK>ut the middle of the fin. All
the anterior ravs ar^ simple: but in the posterior part of
the fin the ra\-s branch, thousrh rerv irreffularlv — from

5 to 20 of these branched rays may be found, often
scattered in the posterior part of the fin'. The anal fin.
which in shape and structure resembles the dors;il minns
its first third, measures from about 52 to 53* j * of the
length of the body. In front of its beginning the post-
abdominal bone projects in an anal spine, which in
voung specimens is distinct and pointed, but in older
ones grows blunt and is hidden bv the skin. The vent
and. just behind it, the urogenital opening lie at the
ventral margin itself, about half-way between the be-
siuninST of the anal .fin and the insertion of the venn-al
fins — thus comparatively far firom the former. The
ventral fins are symmetrical in position, being set just
in front of the perpendicular from the upper (anterior)
end of the insertion of the pectoral fins. They ai-e
almost ei]ual in length, varying in young specimens
between 5' . \ (on the blind side sometimes 5 \) and

6 % of the length of the Kxly. As a rule the first two
ravs are simple, the others branched. The pectoral fins.
on the other hand, are more dissimilar in form and
length, that of the eye ade being obliquely pointed and
that of the blind side more evenlv obtuse, and the fijr-

mer measuring in young females 11— 12^ j % of the
length of the Kxly, in young males about 13 % thei-eof.
while the laner measures about S' < or 9* of the sitme
length. In tlie pei^toi-al fins too, the fii"st (uppermost)
two ravs are simple — on the blind side, in most young
sj>ecimens, the lowest two as well. The median length
of the caudal fin is fairly equal to the length of the
pectoral fin on the eye side — except in the males, where
the pectoral fins are somewhat longer — as weU as to
the distance between the middle of its base and the end
of the dors;U fin. In voung specimens tlie hind mai'gin
of this fin is evenlv concave, while in old specimens it
forms a double curve or an elongated S-shape. The
fin contains 13 multifid rays, and 3 supporting rays at
each margin: but at least in old specimens the two
longest supporting rays, the tips of which extend out
to each corner of the caudal fin, are also branched.

The whole bodv and the head, with the exception
of the fleshy lips and the nasal cavities, are covered
with cvcloid scjtles. some of them ordinary, but still
small, and as usual smaller on the front part of the
bodv than behind, and some of them still more nume-
rous, accessorv scales betAveen the former. These acces-
sorv scales also cover the whole of the caudal fin. the
outer side of the pectoral tin of the eye side, and at
least the base of the venti-:il fin of the same side, as
well as the greater part of the /doi"sal and anal fins.
The lateral line forms a feirly high, but often irregular
arch above the jiectoral fin. behind the point of which
it adopts a straight course Jilmost along the middle of
the sides of the Ixnly. and advances over the caudal
fin. though it branches just in front of the base of this
fin, one branch rumiing straight out between the 7th
and .Sth or 8th and 9th branched ravs'" (counting from

- iu fo«r females ve- kaye foand ihe distance beiTiwii the dorsal fin and the tip of the snoot to be greater than the least depth of
•K? tail, bat ib a male it is less flwa this depth.

* If ve denote the bnached ravs by Bauan figvies, the fonunla for the dotsal and anal fins in fii% specimens is as folloTs:

UmsA at' Ike kodr

ninal tm.

Aaal fm.

oi><

>1 - \X

.v. - -XIX

o57

^ + I - 5 - xni

55 - I H- 3 ^ XVll

dS*

91 ^3a

Tie ^ I ^ 9 i^ Tin

I

aS€

«- V

•n^-xi

455

7;? _ I _ 4 - XVI

:« - 11 ^ 11 - I - 3 -

- XXI

- At the middle of the loigth of these rays it generally brandies again, and follows the lower side of one of the rays and the npper
ade of the ttthtt; bat these branches erentBaHy join earfa other again. See oar figure of the yotn^ Halibat (Hate XVII. fig. IX

IIALIBI'T.

41;^

the dorsal edge), another between the 3rd and 4th rays,
and a third between the 12th and 13th.

In their essential arrangement the internal organs
resemble those of the preceding sf»ecies; but the ab-
dominal cavity is more simple, without secondarv con-
tinuations in a backward direction or with onlv short
secondar}- cavities to receive the ovaries. The length
of the intestinal canal is also less; but a greater part
of it is made up of the oesophagus and stomach, which
are scarcely separated from each other externally. The
stomach not only extends along the whole anterior
margin of the postabdominal bone, but also turrts up-
wards at this fK»int from the bottom to the middle of
the abdominal cavity, where the pvlorus is furnished
\nth four large and long appendages, one of them fol-
lowing the under surface of the stomach in a backward
direction and the other three the small intestine. The
liver, gall-bladder, and spleen are situated as in most
Flatfishes, but they are all comparativelv small. The
urinary bladder, on the other hand, is large, and on
each side of it lie the almost svmmetrical testes or
ovaries, which, a.s well as the urethra, open into the
urogenital aperture mentioned above.

In young Halibuts (Plate XVII. fig. \) the colora-
tion of the eve side is li^ht chocolate-brown, mth wavy
patches of a lighter shade. In some cases, the ground-
colour is broken bv darker, irregular, but larger patches.
The blind side is white. The tins are of the same co-
lour as the body, with waves of a darker tint, but the
dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are light, shading into
yellow, at the margin, and the anterior part of the
dorsal fin is white or at least light, even on the eye
:<ide. In older Halibuts (Plate XVII. fig. 2) the colo-
ration of the eye side grows darker and darker until
it is almost black, the colour which we generally see
in the fish-markets, v. Wright has endeavoured to re-
produce in his figure the slimy coat that gives this fish
"a fairlv bright lustre, as though it were varnished"^
(KrOterI. The pupil is dark blue, and the iris veUow
with a silvery lustre, but furnished, next the pupU, 1
with a ring of a bright golden lustre.

The Halibut has a wide geographical range, and
is strictlv a Sub-arctic (Boreo-arctic) species, the exten-
sion of which coincides pretty closely ^vith that of the
Cod. These two species are found together on most
of the large fishing-grounds in the Arctic Ocean and \

the north of the Atlantic and Pacific. Whether the
Halibut occurs off .Spitzbergen, is not yet known; but
off Bear Island it is common. Even Pall.\s knew that
it ^Kcurred on the coast of Kola Peninsula, and was
sent from there in winter to St. Petersburg in a frozen
condition. He alsfj knew of its fxxurrence in the Pa-
cific, between Kamchatka and America. It is common
off Iceland and is at least not rare on the coast of
Greenland up to Omenak (Lat. 71" X.). According to
Be.vn" it is one of the most important fishes in the
economv of the natives of Ala.ska, up to St. Michaels,
where it attains a weight of 2-50 lbs. Whether it oc-
curs along the whole north coast of America or .\sia.
is not yet known. On the European side of the At-
lantic it seldom goes further south than Ireland and
the Channel. Moreau states, however, that it has once
(in 1874) been taken off Biarritz (the south-west comer
of France). On the American side, like some other
Arctic species, it goes south to Cape Cod, to the end
of the Arctic current: and according to Bbowx-Goode
a few solitary specimens have been found off .Sandv
Hook. In the Pacific it is taken as far south as off
Vancouver Island and conveyed thence to the fish-
market of .San Francisco.

On the west coast of Scandinavia the Halibut is
common, at suitable spots, from the extreme north of
Xorwav to Kullen, and in the deep channel, with from
12 to 1-5 fathoms of water, in the north of the Sound.
Further south, south of Helsingborg. it is rare: bat
WisTHER saw solitary specimens caught on the north
coast of .Saltholm. It is no less rare in the Baltic, but
solitary specimens have been met with even off Kiel.
MoBirs and Heixcke mention two specimens, taken in
this part of the Baltic, one of which weighed 93 lbs.
It has never been met ^rith further up the Baltic.

Malm gives the foUo^ring particulars of the habits
of the Halibut on the coast of Bohuslan:

"The larger specimens generally live at great depths,
and seldom ascend into less than 2-5 fathoms of water.
at which depth they are taken on long-lines all the
vear round, but chiefly from January to April. The
smaller specimens, on the other hand, often occur in
much shallower water, where they are caught not so
verv seldom in Flounder-nets and on Haddock-lines,
at depths varving between 8 and 25 fathoms. I have
seen small specimens taken in the seine in 4 or 5 fa-

« Cat. Fith. U. S. Sat. Mui.. (it. Intern. Fish. Exh.. LoDdon 1883. p. 20.

414

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

thoins of ^vatcl• and (|uite close in shore." According
to CoLLETT most of the Halibuts caught in Norway are
taken on the banks oft" the Government of Bergen, and
oft" Nordland and Fininark. In autumn and winter these
fish are said to ])enetrate far into the Norwegian fjords,
Halibuts 6 ft. long being taken yearly oft" Christiania.
With regard to the migrations of the Halibut in Nor-
way even Strom" stated that "in winter it keeps to the
very deep water oft' the tisliing-bank of Storegg, but
in summer haunts the bank itself or its edges". Oft"
the south and west coasts of Iceland, according to Fa-
BEi!, the Halibut appears togetlier with the Cod at the
beginning of ^larch, is commoner in April, and some-
times stays there the whole summer, long after the
Cod has departed. To tlic north of Iceland it is found
from May to July, and to the east from July to No-
vember. On the coast of Greenland it is taken accord-
ing to Fabricius in autumn and spring, according to
KiN'K in summer and autumn, at a depth of 20 or 30
fathoms. According to Bruwn-Goode observations have
been made on the east coast of the United States of
North America which show that the Halibut comes up
in ^lay and June into comparativelv shallow water, 60
or 70 fathoms dee]), but in July begins to return to
greater depths. In those parts, however, it has l)een
experienced how variable a fishery of this kind may
be. '"At the beginning of the present century"', says
Biiowx-GooDE, "these fish were exceedingly abundant
in Massachusetts Bay. From 1830 to 1850 and even
later, they were very common on George's Bank; since
1850 they have partially disappeared from this region,
and the fishermen have since been following them to
other banks, and .since 1874 out into deeper and deeper
water, and the fisheries are now (1884) carried on al-
most exclusively in the gullies Ijetween the oft"-shore
banks and on the outer edges of the banks in watei-
100 to 300 fathoms in depth." At this depth, accord-
ing to Collins, the Halibut is taken all the year round,
from George's Bank to the Grand Bank.

In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, oft' the coasts of New-
foundland, Anticosti and Labrador, the Halibut has

often been observed in shallow water and close in shore,
or even at the surface, in pursuit of the Capelin {3I(il-
lotus). It is then very active and swift in its move-
ments. Commonly, however, it is described as of slug-
gish temperament, resting at the bottom in wait for
its prey. Gottsche found in its stomach (Jurnard
{Trifila f/iiniardtts), Armed Bullhead {J(/oiiiis cafapJno-
cfns). Whiting {(Jadits merJaiifius), Cod {(utdiis (aJhuias),
and a number of seaweeds. Others have found the
stomach to contain Rays, Flounders, Turbot, Wolf-fish,
Mackerel, Herrings, lobsters, crabs and large clams.
CoLLETT also found among the contents of its stomach
a Black-billed Auk {Alra forda), a bird Avhich dives to
the bottom in fairly deep water in seaix-h of food. The
Halibut is so voracious that it apparonth' rejects no-
thing that comes into its gape, -which as we have men-
tioned, is armed uith sti'ouii' teeth, l^ven the leaden
plummet of a sounding-line has shai'ed the same fate*.
The Halibut also takes a hook freelv; and the fishery
for it is carried on chiefly with this kind of tackle, in
the same manner as the Cod-fishery and usually at the
same time. Most of the Halibuts that are brought to
market are taken on long-lines set in deep \\'ater or
ordinary hand-lines. In NorAvesfian Fiumark, according
to LiLLJEBORG, a kind of standing hook Avitli a float is
employed. The Indians of British Columbia carry on
the Halibut-fishery on the Pacific coast with primitive
tackle, but nunc the less successfully'. For some
reason or other they Avill not use .steel hooks, but make
their Halibut-hooks themselves of bent wood, tipped
M'itli bone. Their lines are made of seaweed, but the
part nearest the hook of sinews or twisted tAvigs. They
use clams or small fishes as bait. The fishing-season
lasts from March to June. The line is trailed slowly
after a canoe, with the hook in deep water. In this
maimer thousands of Haliljuts are taken, some of which
Aveigh more than 200 lbs., and bartered for potatoes,
gammass, rush mats, and other articles''. The best fish-
ing-grounds lie about twelve miles oft" the land; but
the Halibut is also caught near the shore. Hundreds
of canoes, each Avith a crew of two or three men, start

" Sendmors Beskrivehe, I, p. 301.

* "In tlio stomach of the Halibut," says Olafsen {Reise Isl., p. 589), "all sorts of things may be found — pieces of timber from
boats, rvisty iron hooks, and, stranger still, though on good authority, pieces of Cirecnland ice of the size of one's fist. Off Oddbjorn Cliff,
in 1731 at midsummer, on cutting ojieu a large Halibut one of these pieces of ice was found, though at tljat season there was no ice to
be found anywhere near land."

' See BucKLAND, Nat. Hist. Brit. Fish., p. 178.

'' In the same way the Norwegians of Finniark barter their tisli to the Russians in exchange for flour.

HALIBUT.

415

at midnight for tlie lishing-grouiid in order to re;icli
it ill tlic laoTiiiiig. It' tilt' wcatlier is f';i\i)iiral)le, tlic
canoes are qnite laden witli tisli after a lialf-day's iisli-
ing, and return home If the sea grows too rough
during the homeward voyage, tlie Indians fasten large,
inflated sealskins to tlie sides of the canoe in order to
increase its buoj'ancy. The hairy side of these skins
is turned inward, and on the skinny side, which is
turned outward, rude devices are painted, representing
the sinking of a canoe, the capture of a huge fish etc.
To get so large a fish as the Halihut into a canoe out
at sea, is no easy task. Accidents, however, rarely
happen, and it is only seldom tliat the fisli gets away
after being Iiooked. All goes to show that the vora-
city of the Ha]il)ut makes up for the rudeness of the
tackle ".

According to G. v. Yhlen's notes'', during the
year 1879 .58,197 lbs. of Halibut were brought to
Gothenburg Fish-market, and sold at a price varying
between 2'\id. and 4' , d. per 11). Nearly half this
quantity was brought in in January, and the greater
part of the rest in April, May, and March. Prices ^vere
highest in February and lowest in June. This appar-
ently shows that the Halilnit is liest in winter and

these observations, the spawning-season of the Halibut
oil the coast of Bohusliln lasts from ihe end of Fe])ru-
ary to tlie end of April. In Iceland, according to in-
formation gained by Fabek from the fishermen, the
Halibut sjiawns from June to August. This agrees
with most of the reports (Brown-Gooue, 1. c.) of the
spawning-seaisoii on the east coast of North America,
where it seems, however, to last at least to Septeinl)er,
and, according to some, to Ix'gin as early as January,
and thus to occupy the greater part of the year. In
all ])robability the Halibut generally approaches com-
paratively shallow places to spawn, perhaps even the
mouths of rivers; but nothing further is known of its
spawning, nor have we any information of the develop-
ment of tlie eggs.

There is extreme difference of o])iiiioii as to the
qualities of the Halibut as an article of food. It is,
no dcnibt, true tliat large Halibuts, especially after the
spawning-season, are dry and lean; but smaller speci-
mens, between 10 and -30 kgm. in weight, in winter
at least are of delicious flavour, and have the advantage
over man)' other dainties that they keep comparatively
long. A Halibut hung in the open air during winter
will keep fresh long enough to allow a small family to

worst in summer, a conclusion to wliich ^ve are also use it according to their daily requirements. The best

led by our present knowledge of its spawning in Bo-
huslan. On the 26th of April, 1856, Malm saw on
Kilringo a Halibut 131 lbs. in weigiit, \\itli running
roe, the total weight of which was 8' ^ lbs. In the
same season he examined several other Halibuts brought
to the fishing-village, evidently just after they had
finished spawning, and several males, 3" ^ — 6',/2 lbs. in
weight, that were either just spent, or so ready to
spawn that the milt flowed out on slight pressure of
the belly. Another female, which he examined on the
21st of Januarv, 187;-5, 22 dcm. long and 136 kgm. in
weight, had ovaries that weighed 16*'- kgm. — Malm
estimated the number of the eggs at three million and
a lialf' - — and, to all appearances, would not have been
ripe for 4 or 5 weeks to come. Tims, according to

and fattest portions are the head, especially the tongue
and the hyoid region, and the bases of the dorsal and
anal fins with the flesh round the interspinal and iii-
terhajinal bones. In Sweden the Halibut is eaten only
when fresh — boiled or fried — lint in Norway it is
also salted. For many years too, it has been prepared
in NorwaA' in a manner that i-eminds us of the curing
of stockfish. The flesh is cut into slices 2 inches broad,
which are scored lengthways and across, and then hung
U]) to dry. After some days they are ready for eating
without an}' further preparation. The flesli of the
Halibut when preserved in this manner is known as
rav (raff) and rdkUng''.

The Swedish name of the Halibut is written, pro-
nounced, and exjilained in ditt'erent ways. The Ice-

" Cf. also ESCHSCHOLTZ on the ILolihut-fishery in Norfolk Somid, see Richardsox, Fii. Boi: Amei:, part. Ill, p. 256.

'' Internationale Fiscliereiausstellung zii Berlin 1880, Schwed. Cat., I: Notizen iiber die Schwedisclien Fischereien, 2; Tab. 1.

'- Brow.n'-Goode (1. c.) estimates the number of the eggs in a Halibut about 90 kgm. in weight at 2,182,773. This specimen,
in whicli the eggs were partially ripe, was cauglit in September at a depth of 200 fathoms, in water of a temperature of about 36° Fahr.

•' "The broad strips that are cut along the sides next to the back, are called Skaare-Rav or ^ikaare-Qveite, because they are scored
or slit across seveial times in order that they may dry more quickly. The long and narrow strips cut along the sides by the fins, where
the Halibut is fattest, and afterwards dried, are known by the name of RtMinrj. It is strictly the dorsal and anal fins, which are now
left, but are also dried, that are called Rav." Strom, 1. c.

416

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

landers c;ill it Fliidia and HeUag-fiske" (Holy-lisli).
Hence, according to some, are derived both the German
Nciliffhitff and the Swedish Helgeflundra. Others' de-
rive this Swedish name from Hclgelaiid in Norway —
hut the Norwegians tlieinselves generally call the spe-

cies Qveitc or Hell off i/ndre. Others again'" write Hallc-
flundra, and derive the name from hdllar. In Bohuslan,
according to Malm, th(> Halibut is generally called
Hdllefisl:

Genus PLATYSOMATICHTHYS.

/1(h1ii still iiioic clitiHiidvd (tiid fleshi/ than, in the pieceding genus. Eyes set on the right side and far apart from
each other. Jans and pharyngeals armed ivith pointed, for the most part straight teeth, set in two rous, with 4
large canines in the front of the inner roH\ on the intermaxiUary hones, in a single roic in the lower jaw and
tin the lower pharyngeals. No palatine or vomerine teeth. The dorsal fin begins behind the dipper eye, which is
set at the dors(d margin of the head. Jlind margin of the caudal fin concave. No anal sjnne.

Scales small and cycloid. Lateral line almost straight.

This genus also contains only one species; but its
[ilace in the system is justified partly by the nai-row,
single row of teeth on the lower pharyngeals and jjartly
l)y its position as an intermediate form between Hippo-
glossns, Atherestes and Psettodes. whicli by the situation
of the eyes indicates the original form common to
them all. PlafysoDiatichthys is the least asymmetrical

of the Flatfishes, retaining the ujjper eye at the dorsal
margin of the head and even in specimens at least 18
cm. long, only half transferred to the eye side. Both
sides of the body, too, are almost equally fleshy, and
the blind side is only slightlv fainter in colour than
the eye side.

" Olai'sen, Ileise ijieniiem Island, p. 358.

'• QvENSEL, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1806, p. 226.

' NlLSSON, iSlcand. Fn. Fish., p. 634: "It is said especially td haunt those spots in deep water -where springs of fresh water occur.
These spots, which are discovered by the Norwegian fishermen by the common method of taking bearings {tarja iiiet), are known by tlicm as
H(ilb'r (holes), and they believe that it is from its habit of frecpienting these holes that the Halibut has received tlic name of H<iJM>jmhr,
whence the Swedish Halle ftundra."

I'l.orNDEH-FISHKS.

417

THE LESSER HALIBUT (sw. i,ii,i-a iii;i,(;kflundi{Ak).

I'l.A'I'VSOMATICHTHYS lIlIMMKiLOSSOJDES.

Fig. 112.

Greatesf ilcpfh of llir IkxIii in i/ain/f/ s/icciiiicns (((hditt IS (III. hint/) dlidiif :3f>% (if the Iciif/fli (if titc Ixilljl, <lV(f ill
older specimens {af least 40 — 7f) cm. hnif/) (iIkhiI :3(> — 2H^:.^ %" thereof: f/reatest tldckness of tlic liodii alxiut .HI %
of the de})tli. Least depth af the tail (iIkhiI .29 % (if flic i/icafcsf depth of the liodi/. /.aferal line evenly slopiv//
ill the abdominal recfion. Len(/th of the hurcr jair iimrc than hall' that (if the head. Hind exfremiti/ af the npper
jair-h(ine e.r.tending in i/oiinf/ specimens didi/ td a line irilh the jiosteridr part if the Imrer ei/e. Imf in did ."Speci-
mens beijond the perpendicalar fnim the hind inarf/in nf this ei/c The (jreutest depth hdth (f the dorsal and anal
fins almost coincides irith the middle of the lenc/th of the hodi/. iiirludiufj the caudal fin. Distance hetveen the
dorsal fin and the tip (f the snaut i/reater than the lenpth of the pectoral fins, them Vio of the lem/th of the hodi/'\
than \/,, of the greatest depth of the Inidi/', than "'. (if the lene/th af the head", or than '^/„ of the length (f the
head behind the eijes". Length (if the base af the dorsal fin did// (didiit (!7 — 68^;„ % af the length o/ thf bdd//.
Coloration of both sides i/elldirish brdirn\ paler (in the blind side than (in the ege side.

R. t»: 7: D. 94—90"; A. 71—76; P. 2 + 12''; V. 6;
C. .T+ 16+.r; L. lat. por. perfor. 105 (+ 20 in pinn. caud.).

aS'//h. Et usemeent Slags af Helk'Hyndrf r, Leem, Besli-v. Fimii. Lapp.,
p. 315'.

J-'leuronectes ci/itoglosi:ii,'^, F.^di;., Fii. Groenl., p. 163; Kink,
Ge6ni,., vol. I, ).. 145..

Pleuronectes Hippocjlossoides, Wai.h., Art. Gen. Pise, p. 115:
Gill (Rein/iardfiun), Pruc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliikd. 1861, App.,
p. 50: 1864, p. 218; Bk. G. el Bean (Plati/soniaticlitliijs),
Bull. Ess. Inst., \o\. XI, p. 7 ; Coll., Norsk. Nordh. Exped.,
ZooL, Fiske, p. 142; Jokil, Gii.b., Bidl. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 16, p. 819; Coll., N. Mag. Naliirv. Clirisl., Bd 29,
p. 98; Lillj. (Hippoglossus), >Sl-., Norg. Fv., Fi.il-., vol. 2,
p. 295: C0LLIN.S {Plati/.iumaticlitht/,"), Bull. U. S. Fish. Comui.,
vol. V (1885), p. 256.

Pleiironecies phiguis, Fabh., Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Naturv., Math.
Afh.. vol. I (1824). p. 45; Reinh. (Hjppoylossiis), ibid.,
vol. VII. p. 116; Kr.. Voy. -S'caiid., cell. (Gaim.), tab. 22;
Blku {Plati/somaticlitlii/i<), Versl., Mededecl. Akad. Weten.,
Afd. Natnrk., 1862, p. 426; Steensth., Overs. D. Vid. Selsk.
Forh. 1863, p. 186: E.sm. (Hippnglossus), Forh. Skand.
Natiirf. M. Christ., 1868, p. 526; Coll., P\.rh. Vid. Selsk.
Cliri.'^l. 1874, Tilliegsh., p. 135; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 74;
Ltkn, Fisli. Groenl., Arct. Man. 1875 (Comm. Roy. Soc),
II. 120.

Ifippoglossus gr/cnhindicun. Gthl. Brit. AI((s. V((t., Fisli.. vol.
IV, p. 404.

The Lesser Halibut has been known witliiu tlie
limits of the Scandinfivian fauna for more than a cen-
tury' (since ITiiT), lint it is still one of the rarities in
our museums. It is also a dee]»-sea tisli for which no
special fishery is carried on in Scandinavia, thougii in
recent yeai's it has been caught so often on the coast
of Nor^vegiaii Finmark, that Collett declares that in
those ])ai-ts it "is not particularly rare.'' It is far moi'e
common on the coast of Greenland, where it has been
for many years the object of an important fishery. It
never attains so large a size as the ])receding .species:
according to Fabricius its length on the coast of Green-
land scarcely exceeds 26^4 in. (68 cm.). The largest
specimen Collett ever sa^v, was caught ott' \ ardo, and
measured 92 cm. in length. Collins, who (1. c.) has
published Captain Johnson's notes of a fishing-voyage
in 1885 to the edges of the deep-water pocket on tli<-
eastern side of the Grand Banks (44° 3' N. lat.), states

" According to Lilljebokg about 31,

'' About 11',, — 10' .) % tliereof. according to the specimens before us.

' About 44'/.,— 36Vo % thereof.

'' About 46V2— 42 % thereof.

' About 83-68 % thereof.

■'' According to Fabkicius (Fit. Groenl.) brfiwnish gray (fiis-cocinerci(s) or (1824, 1. c.) light gray.

" D. 92 — 102, according to Collett.

''P. 14 — 15, according to Collett.

'■ "Juxtn iusulam Bug-Ocn, iti Finuiarcbia oriontali, Passeres occurrunt. in eo a ceteris sui generis discrepantes, quod non per dorsum
dumtaxat, sed etiaiu sub ventre, adeoque toti, nigri sint, et tam pinguedine. quam sajiore illis multum prsestent."

■' Nearer 200 years, according to Collett, who gives a reference to "Lillienskiold's great work Speculum boreale, published in 1698,"
where the same remark is said to occur as that just quoted from Leeji. The work is unknown to us.

53

418

SfANDIXAVlAN FlSllKS.

Tliiit there tlie ;vvev;tge wciLilu of rlic Lesser ILililiur is senttered, sng^'est tlmt tlie Lesser ]I;ilil)tir is still more

between .'> ;inil 10 lbs., hut that nii this voy;i_g'e some \ iiivicious than its near relative; uiid to this is due, in

exti-aordiiKirih' lai'ge specimens wcm'c^ taken, wei^'hinL;' all |irol)aliilit\', its reputation for fatness,

(in an a\-eraL;c more than 'iO lbs. This siijipusition is hnrnr <iut liy the deseriptitins

In all the cliaractci'-, rxeept those uiven above — of both Fabkichs and K'lXK. '"The Lesser Halibut,

almosr all of which may b<' intei'preted as expressions ^ h'/illrrdijllk" says tlie latter, '"is disTingiiished by its

v#

■^«

m^^^

/'-^M^,.

%'/.^

i>^-

$^"

CS-'

^•^^^^^^^^s§^^^~-

Kiy. \V1. I'liitiisiiiantii'litliii.t /li/ijiiu/loggoides frnm ( int'iiliUKl. a (cyo side) :uu\ li (l.liml siilc) ' ., tlic ii:(tiirMl size, ilrawii fi'diii .1 spuciiiicii
in lli(^ Z(iol(ii;ii"il Mnsciuii of Ci)peiilias'cii l_'iii\iTsil y : >■ (i'3'o side uf 1lic lii:ul) ami d (blind siil<' cil' llic li.'ad) natural si/e.

drawn from a s|icL'inicn taken at (indliavn liy IJaptain A^IUNDSKN.

ot a low<'r degree of dc\elopmenl ;iiid less advanced occurreiiec in deep-waler, and is taken almost exclii-

asymmetry — the Lesser Halibut is so like the preceding 1 si\('I\- in the ice-fjords, or at spots where large icebergs

species tliat no detailed description is necessarw as we drift past or where thev contiiiuallv run agrotuid.

arc enabled to refer to our ca.rt^fnlK -drawn ligures. Furthermore it is caught onh' during tla^ coldest months

The larger size of the moutli and the comparatively | of the \-ear. This s])ecies has been observed in many

greati'r strength <if the jaw-teeth, though the\- are more places widel\- remo\-e(l from each other, on occasions

i.i>si;i; iiALiiii'i'.

411)

when 8()lit;n'\' .sjH'ciinciis li;i\c liccii taken, dv when llicx
lia\c liccn seen at the siirlacc in Hiiiiit IVoni the < ii'ccii-
land seal, in ihc stdniadi (jT which s|iccinicn,-- ha\c hccii
tnnnil. iir trcmi the white whah' { /)cl/i/iii/<i/iliTiis Icikhs).
llowexer, the l,esser llalihnt i> nnw (IS.")7) taken alnm^t
('Xrhisi\el\- in twd |)kaees, the iee-ljord 111' .lakiihsha\ n
and ( hnenak IJoimL and in each nl these inh'ls on eer-
tain hanks ahme. In .lakiihsha\ ii l"j<jnl 1 iiese lianks lie
within the ii|)enini; and wilhin lhe shall()\\s whieli are
eoiitinnalh neen|iied \)\ the \ci-\ k-ir,i;'esl ieelieriis; liuT
there is another tishin,i;-liaid<. which i^. hnwcxcr. in h'»
re|Mire, ontside the o|ieiiinL;'. In tlie nionth ni'.lannai'x
the l-^S(|ninianx ent hoh's al certain s|iiil> in the ice.
and fish \\'ith hook and line at a (h'pth of .").")(). or even,
it is asserted. ."iSO fathoms. The fnie is L^-ein.M'alh- nia(h'
of thin twine or, still helter. of whalehone. for with
a line of this niatei'ial it is easier to feel ihe hite. and
thns ninch time is sjiarcd \\hich wonid he lost it the
tishernnin were donhtfnl whethei' he had a hitt' or no.
The most important point on which the sueeess of this
fishery depends, lies in the different positions taken li\'
the ieelier^s lief'ore theA' are ice-hound and the fjord
freezes. Sometimes larffe iceherii's collect on the l)anks
or round tlieui, and thns render the fisher\ (|nite im-
possible Of very dangerous, as the iceheriis •'cdlii' (split
into smaller i)ieces)", and the fisherman is compelled to
stay close to them lor lonu |ieriods dui'iuL;' flu' tishei'^".
The I'xpiimaux are ineredilih' skilful in makin^L:' tlieir
wa\' along this treaehei'ous fjord, the opening of which.
on a<'eount of the large hank co\ ci'ed with icelii'i'gs. is
of the same chai'actev as the innermost parts of other
ice-fjords, at the yerge of the solid land-ice. Thus, in
18"il. a most iuif"a\ ourahle year to the Halihat-fishery,
the Es(piimaux might be seen, surrounded half In' o]ien
water and half b^' icebeig-s. on ice that was partly
broken up b\- the ■cahing of the icebergs and partly
worn awa^• ii)' the current, and at spots which it se<'med
ph\'sicall\ impossible tor a human foot to reach. In
addition to the difficulties thrown in the way of the
Halibut-fishery by the icebergs, it is also su]i]iosed that
the Halibuts are dri\cn :iwa\- b\ white wli.ales ( />c/^y///-

iKi/ilrriis Ifififis). and it is not nuich use h>hing a> long
as these dolphins ro\e in the open water oni>ldc the
opening of the tjoi-d. When the circumstances are
la\ ouivdile. one person ma\ catcii JH Halibuts a da\'
on an a\erage or. in exeeptionalK fortunate case>. IS,
anil the tisher\' max begin in danuarx anil go on to
lhe middle ol' Mai'ch: hut in oth<'r \cars it liardK lasts
a week, and its average duralioii i^ prob.abK liardK'
more than a month. In unfa\oin'a lile seasons liardK
more than '2 — 4 fish are taken dailx on each line. < 'n
the olher side ol' the ice-fjoi-d. off < 'lau^lia\ n, the fi^herx
is carried on in exactlx the same xva\ : but scareeK
more than lM) fishermen are engaged at the sanu' time.
The Halibuts weigh on an axcrage hetween a and Ii
kgm. and seldom more than |tt kgm. The\ are \er\
fat and .are uuich liked b\ the l-,s(|uiniaux. The\ are
also \crA' well adapted {'uy purposes o| cui'ing when lait
into slices and drietl. (_)n account ol their great latness
the\ \ iejd excellent train-oil. \\ hen the catch of seaK
is seantx. the Halibut can thus sup]il\ not oid\ food but
also the most necessar\' :irticle for purposes of domestic
warming and lighting. In < hnenak f joi'd the species is
found on lunnerous banks. scattere(l about at some
distance from each other. 1*^\ er\ inhabited place iias
one or more ljaid<s at a distance of less than •'! miles
if we except the outermost ]iart of the fjiu'd. off Xiak-
ornak. where the baid^s are \"ei'\' few. In ( )menak
I'joi'd the de]ith of the ^vater fished is oidv slightly
more than 2tM) fathouis: anil here the fisherman is less
exposed to the danger of tlie baid<s' being coveved l)y
icebergs. lint in this fjorrl the Ha]ibut> are smaller
and less plentiful than in the ice-fjord of .lakob^-
ha\ n."

(hi the Aniei-ican side of the Atlantic the range
of tlie Lesser Halibut thus extends, as far as we know,
from Omenak to ('ape ("od (between Lats. 71"^ and
4"2° X.): on the east side of the .Atlantic is seems to
go farther north, at least to about the Tord degree of
latitude', lint not so far south. ]ierhaps not much south
of the Tilth degree of latitude. Its batlninetric exten-
sion i> hetxveen about liM and 4.")n fathmiis.

" Cf. tlie expression lo "cave in."

'' Tlie Ki.iwegimi Arrlic E.xi.erlilieii feimd il at ;i dejitli of 447 fatlioiiis. in l.-it. Ii '.7' X.. lonj;- 14' ?>i' E. Tlit- liotton: was
(■(imiioseil of ar.TV el.iv. .■mil tlic Ipniporaliiri- at tlie iMidom \vai= :il)".5t>' Falir.

4-20

SCANDINAVIAN KISHKS.

Genus DREPANOPSETTA.

Bodii of the oidiudi-ji Platessokl foni/. T\i/es set iistudlii <>ii. the rii/lif s/V/c, (unl erm in adult specimens fairly
dose to rack other. Jan-teeth pointed and ffencralli/ set in a sin(/le roir in lioth Jans". Lnn-er pharyngeal teeth
also pointed, set in tiro rons or" one. No palatine or romerine teeth. The dorsal fn begins above or a little in
front of the upper I'lp-. Hind margin of the eainhd fn conre.r. Anal spine present. Seales middle-sized and

ctenoid. Lider(d line almost straight.

Tliis genus is very eloselj' related to another, ]
Paralichthgs {Pseudorhombus), which contains more nu-
nu'r(nis species, and tVoni which it is distinguished |
chietiy by its straighter lateral line and by the eyes' }
being usually set on the right side. Its geogra])hical
extension is Subarctic, chietiy confined to the Pacific,
where four species are known. Only one species, of |
which tw(j distinct varieties occur, belongs to the basin
of the Atlantic.

With reaard to the generic name it is true that
most i-ecent writei's have accepted Hippoglossoides, the
name ])r(>i)(ise(l in 1835' by GcrrxsCHE. But besides
the fact that the formation of this name, as Malmgren
has already observed'', is contrary to the Linnanin rule
that "nomina generica in aides desinentia e foro histo-
ri(e naturaUs releganda sunt"", it is pi-oposcd by Gott-

SCHE merely to denote a division of (Juviek's subgenus
Hippoglossus. If we should insist, however, upon the
retention of this name, and also strictly follow the
current rules of nomenclature, the family of the Hali-
buts, as it is represented in the Scandinavian fauna,
would appear as follows:

Hippoglossus hippoglossus, Linn.,

Hippoglossus {riatgsomatichthgs) Itippoglossoides,
Walb.,

Hippoglossoides platessoides., Fabr.,
an arrangement no less tautological than confusing.
In this case, therefore, we are fully justified in reject-
ing the generic name of Hippoglossoides and adopting
Drepanopsetta., the name proposed by Gill^ although
(.TILL himself subsequently'' withdrew this proposal.

" Or :ilso, in certain uxotie species, sm inner mw of small teetli on (lie intermaxillary bones.

'' According- to the observations of others.

' Wiegni. Arch. f. Naturg.. 1 .Jahrg., 2 Bd., p. Ii54.

'I (ifvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 18fi4, p. 256.

' LiNN^us, Philos. botan., p. 161, § 226.

■' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Phil. 1861, App., p. .50.

" Ibid., 1864, p. 217.

KLOrNlJKR-FISIlES,

421

THE ROUGH DAB (sw. i,kkk]a;ni)ha.\).

1>1;KI'.\N()1'SRTTA I'LATESSOIDES.

I'latc XVII, tig. :;.

Jaw-teeth set in h sim/lf ymr liatli in flic iijiprr nml tlic loircr j((n\ liiitncMostegal rai/s S. (Ull-rdkcis on the
fir-ft hrmicliidl arrli at iii(»'t 15. Leuf/fli of flic Iniiuvli of flic loircr jnir on flic. hJinil siilc more, on flic ci/e side
ttsuallij less, flinn linlf flic Icni/fli of flic licml. Scales of fin: Ixnli/ fnnli/ iitfiirliexh on flic cije side extendinf/ over
(ill flic fiii-rin/s mill in front, at least /nirfli/, orcr the jnic-honcs. Lnteral Vine without dorsal branch in n back-
ward direction. Tofiil Icni/tli of the head rai'i/ini/ fietween 20 and 2r} %" of the leufjfh of the bod if, its //osforbitid
length Itetirccn altonf 1:> and 14 "J' thereof. Coloration, of the eije side graijish firoirn irith a dash of red. sjnitted

iritli darl,- liroini: blind side bluish irhite-

R. In: «: 1). 7(5-
C. x + XI 1. 14 +,('.; Liu.
Vert. 45 1. 40.

-93-^^; .4. (54 — 73''; F. 10 — 13'': V. i5;

Int. 85 — 102( + '2() — 25 in pimi. ciinclali);

./; Viitimx platessoides, niiiei-icaua: altitud. max. corporis > '''^ ,,)(,
kiiigit. ejusdeni; altitud. minim, corporis > '' 4 loDgit. mandib.
in l.ilerc (iciilari. Num. rad. piuu. pector. 12 I. 13.
•Syn. Plenionecles plutessoide.-i, Fabr., Fit. Groenl., p. 1(54; D. Vid.
Selsk. Naturv., Math. Afh., vol. I, p. 50; Reinh. (Vitliarits;
110111. gen. antea usurp.), ibid., vul. VII, p. 130; Kr... Voi/.
Scaii'L, celt. (Gaim.), tab. 21; Gu.l (Drepnnopi^Hta), Proc.
Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1861, App., p. 50; {Hi ppof/lossoides),
ibid. 1864, p. 217; Bk. Goode, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol.
3 (1880), p. 471; Jord., Gii.b., Bnll. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.
16, p. 82(5.

Hippocflo.'isoiile.i liiiiandoide.i, Goode et Bean, .Vmcr. Jnuiu. Sc,
Arts., vol. XVII (1879), p. 39.

li: Forma limandoides, palicarctica; altitud. max. corporis <C '", kio
longit. ejnsdeiii; altitud. minim, corporis < '"1011 longit.
inandib. in latere oculari. Num. rad. pinii. pector. <C 12.
iSyn. Fteuroneetes liiiguntnla, Pontopp., Daitst,- All. I, p. 649, tab.
27; .Mull., Zoof. Dan. Prodi:, p. 45, No. 377; Rktz., Fh.
Suec, Lin., p. 332; — nee PI. linij'iatula LlNN^l, qiue spe-
cies ex Aisr. et Willl'giib. = Citharus liiiijtiatida auctt., in
mari .Mcditerraneu; vide Fries, Ve(.-Akad. Haiidl. 1838,
p. 179.

Pleuronecte-i limain/oides, Bl., AusL Fisch., part. Ill, p. 24,
tab. CLXXXVI: (^vens., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1806, ])p. 54 et
222; F.4B., Tidskr. Naturv., V (1828), p. 244 et Isis, 1828,
p. 878; NiLSS., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 57; Schaoerstr.,
Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr.. p. 312; Parn. (Platessa), Wern.
Mem., v<il. VII, p. 368. tab. XXXVIII; SuND. et v. Wright
(Pleuronecte.'i), -Skimd. Fi.^k., ed. I, p, 117, tab. 27; Kr.
(Platessa), Danm. Fiske, vol. II, p. 358 el vol. I, p. 611;
NiLSs. (Plciirojiectes), Skaiid. Fn., Fid:, p. 629; Gthr
{Hippoglossoide.<i), Cat. Brit. Mus.. Fisli., vol. IV, ]). 405;
Cull., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilliegsli., p. 136;

:\Ialm, Ohys, Boh. Fn., p. 509; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr.

Kbhvn, ser. 3. vol. XII, p. 37; Day, Fish. Gt. Hrit., Irel.,

vol. II. p. 9, tab. XCV; MOb., Hoke, Fisch. Cits., p. 88.
Hippoijlossiis {Hippoglossoides) Limanda, Gottsche, Arch.

Naturg., Jahrg. I, Bd. 2 (1835), p. 168.
Drepanopsetta platessoides, Malmgr., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh.

1864, p. 526; Coll. {Hippoglossoides), Forh. Vid. Selsk.

Christ. 1878. No. 14, p. 92; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 74;

Norsk. Nordh. Exped., Zool., Fiske, p. 114; Lill.1., Hv.,

Xorg. Fn., F/.d:, vol. II, p. 299.

Obs. In recent times it has lieen the general practice to follow
Collett's example and identify the Greenland and North American Dre-
j'lanopsetta platessoide.i with the European Drepi. limandoides; and it
cannot be disputed that the difference between them is only slight. Even
in liis (kitaloyue (1. c.) Gijnther suspected tluit these two species
were identical. However, he could not defend his opinion by person-
ally comparing American and European sjiecimens. Now, on making
such a comparison — though we liave had only three American speci-
mens, one male and two females — we find the differences between
them far too important to admit of our unhesitating assent to the
identification of the two species. It is true, as Collett has pointed
out, that in the European form the number of rays in the dorsal and
anal fins is so inconstant that, as a rule, the specimens that live in
the far uorfli have more rays in these fins than the inhabitants of
more southern regions. Whether this rule also applies to the Ameri-
can form, is as yet unknown; but in the specimens of the Royal
Museum wc find at least one exception. In a specimen (9) taken at
IvigtuI by the Sofia Expedition in 1883 the formula is D. 93. A. 73,
while in a specimen ($) taken oft' Holsteinboig by Dr. ()berg it is
D. 80, A. 67. Hence we see that, even within the limits of the
Arctic fauna, tlie variation may be considerable. Collett has also
given sufficient evidence to show that the number of these rays is
untenable as a specific character. Gn the other hand, to judge by
many other species, it seems probable that the difference shown by
the specimens of the Royal JIuseum in the number of rays in the
pectoral fins, is more constant. To this we may add the deeper form

" Between 20"3 and 230 '« in the specimens which we have examined, and which were between 228 and 396 mm. in length. Ac-
cording to Collett this proportion sometimes exceeds 24 or even 25 »«, a character which otherwise belongs to the fry.
'' Between 11 "9 and 141 in the specimens which we have examined.
■' Sometimes as many as 101, according to CoLLETT.
'' Sometimes as many as 79, according to Collett.
' (In tlic blind side sometimes 9.

•)->

SCAN 1 )I N" AVIAN FISHES.

of tlje bo(l\- wliicli is charat-lcristic of tlir Aiinrican form, ami \\liirli.
in spite of the variations that accompany tlie usual cliangcs of growtli ,
and the difference of eex, cannot be regarded as entirely wanting in :
significance. As a rule, in JJn'/'iinojiscttd pliiteKSoidcs. the grealest ,
depth of tlie body is more, in Prep. lirnandoideK less, than ?ih % of 1
tlie lengtli I'f tlie liody ; and in consecjiiencc, the length of Ihe head
in the former is less than (i.'j "., in the latter more llian 114 %", the
postorbital lenglli of (hi- head in the former less, in tlie latter more,
than 37','., "i, and the hngtli of the branch of the lower jaw (.n the
eve side in the former less than '28 ''„, in the latter more than :i() %
— all in proportion to the greatest depth of the body. The same
relation is also expressed by the fact that the least depth of the boily
(across the peduncle of the tail) in J>rep. platesfioidef: is more than
70 »o, in Drep. limandoides less than 72 "o. of the length of the
branch of tlie lower jaw on the eye side. .-\notlier eharaeter which ■
also seems to lie constant in adnlt specimens, lies in the fact that
the greatest thickness of llie body in Drep. platessoide.': is more, in
f'rrp. liiiicniiloide.' less, than - ., of the length of this branch of the

hiwer jaw. \\"c have here to consider the same ipiestitin as we have
just discussed witli reference to the distinction between Pleuroiiecte.<
(/l(ii-i(di.-< and J'l. c/i-atru-o.^iis. It may indeed be true that during
youth these forms i.-annot be distinguished — in any ease we have not
sufficient knowledge of their early stages to decide, lint (hiring the
latter ]iail of their development they are distinctly separated, and,
strange to say. the diti'erenee between J>rc-p. pdatessoide.'' and Ih-rp.
liiiiiiiidoide.^ runs ]iarallel to that between I'leiir. </hiduli.i and Pleiir.
ciciitriro.-'ii.-^, jusi as the latter difference has proved above to be parallel
to that between /'leiir. yi/'(^wi( and J'leiir. /[(■.•<ii.'<. In all three eases
the differentiation of form has taken the same course. In the Plaice
and the Flounder it has indeed advanced further, but not even these
species have escaped the sus]iieion of being 'dinks in a common series
of forms, made up of the finest sliades of difference."

The ffillowing- table shows partly the most important changes
of growth in 1 >rcpa)iopsettii Jiiiiinidoidi'x as it increases in length from
'i2S to 315 mm., and partly the relation of this form (on an average)
to /'/Y';i. phite.'iKoide.i while between 310 and SOli mm. in length:

ftrej'itni'i'stttn /iiniui'lniftt-..--.

Lenjitli 1)1' ilic iiml}, e\|ire.ssiil in aiilliinctrt'
Tiitiil U-ie.;lli of llii' lic:i(l

Pd.sUiiiiiliil IcliL'lli III llir liciid

3 specimens

3 specimens

(QQ9)-

.1 S]K'L'l)lieilS

of Ih'ep. pla-
tessoides.

Ab'iisiirellirllts

of !i "^" spcei-

nicn of Ih-eji.

phite.'isnhlcs

from Halifax

ill '. of the Iciiu-lli of tlic l)ocl\

Grealesl ilciilli iif tlic liod^ _

I.cn^'tli nl Hie liriiiieli nf I lii' Iuvmt jiiw on Ilii- blind side.

I Disliiiice liclHcin Ilic dorsiil tin and Ilic lip of tlic snout.

Len<;tli (hiiscl of llii' doi-siil lin - -.

1 HciKlit (lomiest riivl of llu- dor-;il lin

I Uistillice liel"ccii Ilic iiniil lin :ind Ilic liji of (lie snniil...

Lcnirtli (liasc) of (he iiniil (in -

.Height (louijesl rii_\ ) of Ilic iinal lin

bcn^lli of Ilic |irct<ir:il tin on (he c\c side

hlind

M'lilnil .. .. .. eye ,.

hiiiid

.. cniidril .. Ill Ihc middle

■I'ntiil lenitlh .il (he heud

I'ostorhidil leii'.:(h ol ihc head

Least de]i(li of (he body in ". of the Icnirlh oldie lii-aiiih o( Ihe loucrjavv mi (lie eye side

CrcalesI thiekncss of the bodv

in % of (lie ..'icalesl dcplli >d' (be body

■JI-J-
21 7

12.11

32.1

7.1

11. s

10.3

O.ii

70. s

11.1

2!i.(i

52. s
il.r,

lO.s
8,1

7,R

S.d

li-.L'

C.T.i;

-10. L'

I ill. 7
(il.7

'.11

22.0

i:!..-i

31. (i

7.3

12.7

lOli

(in

70. r.

9.0

53.0
'.1.1
11. 1

S.4
1(5.8

I lit a
4 2. a

i;(;.7
I'lifii

:U1.7

21.1
12.7

.'!7.ii
s.o

11.11

;i.!i

5.7

7.3.1

'.1.4

2;t.o

57. :i

;t.2

10.7

s.o

7.8''
8.5'

15. 1

57.1
34.0
SO.i;
70.1

31'.)

22.0

Ij"^-

1 V

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sen .

13.1

IjllV.

\ 9

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35.4

9

>

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7.5

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11.1.

Ijnv.
1 V

<

seu-

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11.11

jnv.

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(l.ii

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72.11

9

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10.11

jin.

>

sen

(jnv.

.sen

\ V

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5(1.7

9

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10.9

juv.

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12.1'

jnv.

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!t.7

jnv.

>

sen

Ijnv.

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\ V

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1^1.4

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15.7

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1 9

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The table shows distinctly that in hardly a single one of Ihe males; while in others the scries diies indeed run in the same di-

average relations does llrepatiopnelta ptatt-ssoidcn lit exactly into (he \ rection. rising or falling in all three of the first colnmiis. but is ir-

series of the changes of growth. In some eases the series is broljen regular, with loo wide or loo narrow a gaji between the second and

by the average measurement of this form, which in these res]iec(s I third columns, this being due to the fact that the characters ot a

represents the characters holh of the young speciim ns and the fe- 1 male specimen have been iniluded in the third column of averages.

" The nnnimum proportion in (his res]ieit in all the s|ieeiniens exaniined by Coi.i.ktt was fi6 %.

* In its capacity of a change of gTOulh (his nlation is less than would have been the resull of .i uniform course of divelopnient.

Knii.ll DAIi.

4-2;^.

wliilr uiily female (.•luira(;lcrs aru niveii in tin.- oilier Iwn. If wu
iliiiiiiKiti' llii.s (lislurbiiig iiilliieiioe from the Cduiiiurison, Ur' rcsull
becomes still ekvirer: Drepiuwp.ieUa jilntessoide.f represeiilK the liigliest
stiigv of ilevelopiiK'iit (if tlie femali' rliararterK.

If we now compare this table «i(li tliat ^iveii above (p. 407),
wliirh shows the rehitioii between the fuiir forms of the I'laiec f^froiip,
we liiul that, ill \'l of llii' III relations there i;'i\en, as soon as the
percentage is greater in I'leiiv. ijluviali.-f than in Pleiir. cicatrii:osiis,
or when the percentage is greater in Flenr. jdatensa (ban in Pleitr.
jitsiis, the |ierceiitage in l>n:piiiioii.t':tt(i jildte.'t.ioiile.i is also grenler
than ill Ih-i-jxiii. limaiidoiiles, while, when the percentages run in the
miposiie direction, the case is reverscil. Again, just as I'teiironectes
ijlat'ialis is a more strictly .\rctic form llian I'lciw. cii-ntn'i.-fl.tn.f, so
also Dvcpdnopnetta platcf'Soidcs, as being a (jrcenlaiul form the soiith-
waril range of which is boinuled by the soutliern tcrmiuatioii of tin-
Arctic current that folluws the cast coast of Nortli Aiiirrica. may be
regarileil as a more Arctic form than Drepaiiopiif'tta limiiuitoi<li!S, which,
it is true, goes as far north as Spitzliergcn, but is also found at least
as far soiilli as the south-west point of Knglaiid, where no ciirrcnl
can explain the occurrence of Arctic forms. Thus, the original form
of this group, too, has probably belonged to the Arctic fauna.

With these reservations, and until a more e\lensi\e supp|ily of
materials for e.\aniiiiation may perhaps put this ([iiestion in another
light, we adopt the opinion first hazarded by lii'NTilKii and snbse-
ipieiilly more deliberately weighed by tJoi.i,i;'rr, that holli these forms
may be included under a common specific name. Among tlie syn-
onyms of the species Brown-Goopk and Ukan also give Stohkr's
Flfile.<.t,( ilciitatii, though lie stales (Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts., Sci.,
u. ser.. vol. V'lII, part. II, p. .'!'.) 1) that in its case the dorsal fin
bea'iiis jiii<t ocer the middle of the e//e, an expression which, if we
ailopt the synonym, must not be taken too liler.-illy.

( )ii the cuast uf Sc;iii(liii;i\ i;i the .-iv cftige length of
flic Koiigli Dal) is 22 — 25 cui., tlidiioii it is sometimes
29 — ?>'! Ill' t'\"eii .")") cm." long. .\|i;irt tVom its Ini'ge
iiioiitli, llic species shows ;i general fcsctiililancc to the
l>al) ( /'/. l/iixti/iht): nnd it is tVom this that the name
of Ihiiiiiiiliiides is deviveil. in the torni which occiifs in
.Se;inilina\ian watei's the gi-catcst ilcjitli of the IkhIv is
ahotit ' .; of the total length, and the greate.st tiiickness
ahotit ' I of the greatest tleptli. 'I'lie length of the head
measiifcs ahotit ' , (2() "'.) of the length of the liody
lo the base of the caudal tin. TIk' dorsal ftl'^r of the
head slopes evenh' downwai'ds fi-oin the heginning ot
the hack. The eves ai'e e\actl\" the same in fofiii and
.stfiictiifc as ill most of the I'doiinders; they ai'c almost
ei|iial in size and afe set on the i-iglit side, the nppei-
seafcei\- ', - of its length hehind the lower, 'i'lie length
of the lattei' is in \onng specimens somewhat gTeater
than, in old ahoiit eipial to, the distance between it
and the 1i]i of the snoiit: and its hind margin lies at
idtoiit the end of the second fifth of the head. The
inner side of etich eve (the side nearest the othef eye)
is .soniewhat mofe raised than in most flat fishes, the

" On the English coast, according to I).\v, a specimen :'.8 cm.
'' For the function of these folds, see above, p. -jri:!.

pMsiiioii III' the iris being thus moi-e ncai'K' \(,Ttical, and

llie pupils beiliL!- Ilinied ill o|ipi)^ile (li n -el i( ills. Tills i.s

it similaf .■in'angement to that which en.-ibies the hlat-
fishes in general to see botli to the right side and the left
without an\' special (;.\ertion, when tlie\' are King with
ihe liliiid side oil the iiottoiii, and which is supple-
mented h\' the great iiiobilit\- of the e\cs. in tills
species the iiiterorbitMJ space forms a narrow cariiiii,
soniewhat higher than usual, which, in spile of this,
disappears as we follow if back\\ards. The nostrils of
each pair are distincth' separated from each other. On
the e\e side the anterior nostril, which is obliipieh'
raised into a tubular foian, lies just at the eilge nf the
cheek-fold (the lower margin of the pr(.'ori)ital bijiie)
abo\e the nia\illar\ bone, while the posterior, wliieli
is without raised margin, is situated somi-wliat higher
up tliiin the anterior, almost in the line drawn between
the anterior margins of the e\es, but nearer to the
lower e\-e tliaii to the u|ii)er. The nostriK of the blind
side, wiiicli in other respects resemble those of the eve
side, lie somewliat nearer each other, in a .stniight line
with the base of the dorsal tin, tlie anterior beiuff situ-
ated about half-wa\" between the lower margin of the
preorbital fild aii<l the beginning of the dorsal fin, or
somewhat nearer tlie former. The mouth is fairly large,
this heing the most striking ditt'erence between this
species ;ind the true Flounders: and the upper jaw -bone
is so long tliat, if bent upwards abo\e the lower eye,
it would extend to the hind margin of the latter. The
teeth are conical and pointed, especially on the iiiter-
maxillarx Iioik-s: small, but in front, espeeially on the
interma\illar\ bone of the eye side, larger; and ar-
ranged in a single, rather irregular row, at intervals
about ei|ual to the breadth of ;i tooth. < )n the eve side
the\- are recurved ami behind smaller, but are present
aloiio' both jaws, except in the hindinosl jiart of the
lower jaw. Ill this species as in most of the hlatti^hes,
the twd transver.se dermal folds ([)alatal curtains) within
the rows of teeth, both in the ii|iper jaw and the lower.
,ire broad and resemble true vela''. The gill-cover is
free, its usual, above the pectoral tin ami across the
posterior opercidar corner. Tlie margin of tlie hrau-
chiostegal meiiibrane is not folded back so far as in most
of the .'Scandinavian Flattishes. This i- the only .'^candi-
mniaii species of the I'hiiinder-series tliat has s braii-
chiostegal ra\s, 7 lari;e and somewhat flattened rays on

long lias been foinid.

424

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

eacli silk' and ,-i |i;iir oi' smaller ones, set close togethei
.■it tlie luiddlc.

Ill the Kiir()]ieaii fonii tiie dors;il tin generally con
tains iietweeii 7<S and <S7 or 88 rays. It i

lighest

at tlic middle ('/j to ' ., of the greatest dei)tli of the
body) and gradually decreases in height towards the
ends, all the rays being simple. It begins somewhat
over on the blind side, some distance at least in front
of flic middle of the eves. Its rays curve, when de-
pressed, towards the l)lind side, and as in the preced-
ing species with the exceptitjn of the Sole the ])ost.erior
ra^s show a decided tendency to lie in a forward di-
rection. The anal fin begins a little behind the vent,
just behnv' the hind (lowc)') end of the base of the
pectoral tin, and is as usual analogous to the dorsal
fin in shape and in its l)ackward e.xtension. In the
European form it contains 64 — 6fi (exceptionally 60 or
68) simple ravs. The hind margin of the caudal tin
forms an obtuse but distinct, projecting angle at the
middle. This tin conta'ins 18 ravs, ;! or 2 simple ones
above and beUnv", and the lattei- ra^•s are alwa^-s con-
siderably shorter than the others. The remaining 1'2
(oi- 14) rays are onlv once braTiched, and as in all the
Scandinavian Flatfishes exce])t the Halibut, are not ca-
pa!)le of an\- considerable expansion. In the European
form the pectoral fin of the eye side contains Id or
11 rays, all, or at least the outer ones, simple. In the
latter case the middle rays are oid"\' very indistinctly
br;inched at the tip. The pectoral tin of the blind side
contains 9 or 10 rays, also simple, or still more in-
distinctly liranched than the ravs of the corresponding
tin on the eye side. We mav find I'itlier 10 rays on
biith sides or 11 on one side and 10 or 8 on the other.
On the eye side tlie length of the tin is about ecpial
to, or in old females slight!)' less than, half the length
of the liead, and the 2nd or the 3rd ray is the longest;
on the blind side the fin is considerably shorter, and
the bth and 6th rays are the longest. The ventral tin
of the l)lind side is generally somewhat, though only
slightly, longer than that of the eye side. In form the
two ventral fins are alike, being rounded and contain-
ing 6 simple rays, the 4th and 5th rays being the
longest. They are inserted just in front of the per-
])endicular from the anterior end of the base of the
pectoi-al fins. The tips extend to the beginning of the
anal fin or a little further back. The vent lies about

half-way between the insertions of the \entral fins and
the beginning of the ;uial tin, exacth* at the \entral
edge, but with a small anal papilla, curved obliquely
backward towards the eye side. The anal S]>ine projects
forwai'd, as usual, from the beginning of the anal fin.

The scaly covei-ing of the bodv is abundant, most
closely resembling that of the Dab. In this species,
hmve\"er, the scales are more uniform in size — though
they are, as usual, somewliat larger on the hind part
of the body and smallest on the head — and, therefore,
arranged in moi'e regular ro\\s. At the middle of the
body ;ibout oO scales may be counted in an oblique
ro^w from the lateral line to the dorsal fin and about
o2- — 40 in a similar mw to the anal fin. The scales
are almost circular. The free (hind) margin is marked
with t^vo small notches, which leave a rounded, obtuse
])rojection l)etween them, and is .set along the whole
breadth of the scale with from 12 to 20 or more, fine,
subulate spines, which diverge slightly from each other,
and ]'cnder the scales rather rough to the touch A\hen
.stroked the wrong way. On the blind .side, howevei',
most of tlie scales are smooth, ctenoid scales occurring
onlv on the hind ]iart of the bod^- and at the bases
of the fins. ( >n the eye side of the head only the nasal
cavity, the tip of the snout, and the intennaxillary bones
(and, of coui'se, the eyes) are naked; but the carina
between the eyes, as well as its ciMitinuation in front
of them, the broad hind part of the u)axillarv bone,
and at least the hind part of the branch of the lower
jaw are furnished Avith small, spiny scales. ( >n the
blind side of the head, however, the maxillary bone,
the lower jaw, and the preoperculum are also scaleless.
All the hns on the eye side, as well as the blind side
of the caudal fin, are generally furnished with two rows
of scales on each i-av; Init in this respect there is con-
sideralile variation, the rule applying onlv to the middle
parts of the fins. The lateral line is more tlian usually
distinct and tliroughout the greater part of its course
quite straight, though its first quarter forms a slight
upward curve on the abdominal region. The lateral
line advances over the caudal fin along the lower mar-
gin of the sixth branched ray, or the ninth, if we
reckon the upper sui)])orting rays as well.

The coloration of the right or eye side of the
Rough Dal) is an almost uniform grayish brown, more
or less dark, and generally strewn with scattered, in-

" In (ill o\ir specimens (if the Kiir(i|ie;ni form the niinibcr of tliese siiii|ilc rays is ',i above and 3 liclow; in a speciiiieu of tin- Ame-
rican form \vc tin<l only 4 of lliesc sniijiorliny rays, as llie inner (liindmosf) of tliem, above and below, is brnnelied like tlie trne caudal rays.

I''LnrN])KR-FISllES.

425

distinct, darker s|)(its. When tlie tisli has Ix'cii sdiiu'
time out (if the water, the colour fades, and in the fisli-
inarl^ets we generally find this species of a li^ht larax.
The Idiud side is, as usual, wliite or liluish white.

The Rough Dal) is l;iirl\- cDunnon thnniglKuit the
Oattegat, hut is not taken iu large uund)ers. It often
enters the Sound, and, according to Mobius and Heincke,
is of animal occurrence off Kiel, though it has never yet
been iouml in the Baltic |iro|iei' or e\en on tlie south
coast of Scania. From the lun-tli of the Sound and the
vicinity of Kullen it is l)rought everv spring with other
Flattishes and exposed for sale in the market-place of
Lund. On the coast of Jutland, according to Faber", it
is more common, but in the island-belt of Bohuslan it
is not taken verA' often. At Landskrona, according to
ScHAGERSTUOM, it is Called HorntiDiga; at Kullen, accord-
ing to NiLSSoN, JudepUid (Jutland-maid), or StoiDiuii
(Big-mouth); on the coast of Jutland, according to Faber,
Haa-iAnifi (Sea-flounder) or Skjcer-ising (Kock-flounder),
and in other parts of Demnark, according to Gottsciie,
Jlaieflymler (Sea-flounder), Tnngens liocr-inif/e (Bastard
Sole), UfCffte funge (=the preceding name), Jgdef tinge
(Jutland Sole) and Jgdekjfcrlhtg (Jutland-hag). In Bohus-
lan it is often called SaJa (Sole) or, according to Malji,
Storgnp (Big-mouth), Glib and GJlhskudda, or is con-
fused w'xih. rienronectes limanda under the name of Saiid-
skdddfi. Near Christiania Lili.jeborg heard it called
Engelsman (Englishman). The geographical range of the
species also embraces the whole of the North Sea and the
north of the Atlantic u|) to the Arctic Ocean. It has
never lieen found in the White Sea or further eastwards.
To tlie south it gro\\'s rare even on the south coasts of
Ireland and England, though, accoi'ding to Day, numerous
specimens are sometimes met w'ith, as for instance in the
summer of 1880, oft' Brixham. On the French coast it
has never been found.

Like the Dab, the Rough Dab is said generally to
inliabit deepei' water than the most common Scandina-
vian Flatfishes (the Plaice and the Flounder), l)ut scarcely
anything more is known of its habits. In Bohuslan, ac-
cording to Malm, it is taken "at a de])th of from 12 to
20 fathoms and generally on a clean sand\ bottom"
(though Kuoyer states that oft" Hirsholni it prefers a
muddy bottom) or sometimes "in seines, which are sliot
at a de])th of 5 or (J fathoms and hauled up on shore."
In winter, according t(j Sundkvai.l, it I'etires to a depth
of 30 fathoms.

The spawning-sccison of tlie Rough Dab was sup-
posed by Suxdevall, and subsequently by Couch, to
take place at the beginning of summer (May or June),
an hypothesis which agrees with Nilsson's more recent
statement that at Kullen it is best in April and up to the
middle of May. Kroveh, on the other hand, found Rough
Dabs in September ^vith the ovaries so well-developed
that he assumed the spawning-season to occui- in the
middle of winter, while Malm quotes a statement (jf the
fishermen of Bohuslan to the eft'ect that "the roe runs in
February and is spent by the month of March." We
have no more trustAvorthy obserA'ations to rely on.

The food of the Rough Dab is composed of crusta-
ceans, shellfish, starfish and small fishes. In its stomach
and intestine Kroyer often found Gohiiis minufus, Sunde-
VALL shrimps (Palcemon and Mysls), Couch'' TurriteUa
ferehra and Hermit-crabs {Pagurus), and Gottsche Oj)Jn-
III (e. The intestine, abdominal cavity, and liver of the
Rough Dab are very often infested Avith entozoa; and
parasitic crustaceans are often found on its branchio-
stegal membrane and branchial arches.

In Scandinavia the Rough Dab is taken only oc-
casionally, together Avith other Flatfishes and Avith the
same tackle'. As an article of food it is the least esteemed
of all the Flatfishes. (Suxdevall, Smitt.)

Subfamily BOTH IN A.

Snout not elongated, loirer Jair most prominent. Mouth middle-sized or large, onlij sligliflg or almost iinperceptihhj
iinsginmetrical; jaiv-teeth almost as weU-derehped on the cge side as on the blind side. Ventral _fin of the eye side
set more or less e.raetlg at the ventral margin, often in a straight line irith the base of the anal fin. Rays of the
central fins more or less separated at the base and attached to a forirard process of the pelvic bones, irhose shaft
is directed doirnwards. Eyes large or middle-sized. I'seiidobranchice and gill-rakers ivell-devcloped.

point, the most unsymmetrical forms, the Soles, to the

U]> to this point we have traced one of the c(jurses
of development of the family back from its culminating

Halibuts, which have adhered more closely to the sym-

« Isis, 18-28, p. 880.

'' See Couch, Fifh. Brit. IsL.

Scttndinavitin Fishes.

Ill,

153.

54

42 6

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

iiietry shown ])\- other fishes than the retiiaiiiing mem-
bers of tlie family. The present subfamily shows the
least degree of asymmetry in the structure of the mouth,
but, on the other hand, has advanced furthest in the
asvmmetr)- of the tins. The ventral fins, in the first
l)lace, ai-e I'cnioved towards the blind side so far tliat
the ventral fin of the eye side acquires the appearance
of an anterior anal fin, a peculiarity Avhich also occurs
in some of the members of the subfamily of the Soles.
But, in addition to this, the posterior parts of the dorsal
and anal fins are generally drawn over towards the
lilind side so far that their terminations on this side
are closelv ajiproximated to each other in front of the
caudal fin. In the position of the eyes too, some of
these forms (a pai-t of tiie genus Plaf(ipl/r//s) attain the
highest degree of asymmetry, the -wandering eye finally
taking its place so far back and so higii up that it
seems externally to belong to the occipital region. The
direction of the asymmetiy in this subfamily may thus
l)e said to be opposite to the direction of fliat which
determines the structure of the Soles.

Among the peculiarities of the skeleton the struc-
ture of the pelvic bones first calls for attention. These
bones are partly — in Bothus yhomhiis for example —
of the same shape and position as in the symmetrical
fishes, Avitii tlie exception of the circumstance that they
liang downwards from tlieir point of suspension from
the clavicular bones. Thev are stiletto-like, of an ol)-
long triangular shape, at the superior (originally the
anterioi') end cui'ved and tubular, with the narrow side
(the base) set transversely across the liody; and in the
species mentioned the outer exterior corner forms a
spinous process. But eacli of these bones sends out, in
a forward direction, from the lower part of the outer
side, a, thin, narrow, triangular, osseous disk (pointed
in front), which is set verticallv in the longitudinal
direction of tlie body (horizontally when the bod)- is
in its usual position), and whicli follows the ventral
margin, under the posterior (lower), for\\ard prong of
tlie urohyoid (basibranchiostegal) bone, but is united
to tliis bone solely by ligaments. The outer surface of
this osseous disk represents the upper (posterior or
inner) surface, and its anterior point the hind (lower),
exterior corner, of tiie jxdvic bones of ordinary fishes.

The six ventral rays, ^\■hich are more or less apart from
each other, articulate with the under surface of this
disk, their outer side tims corresponding to the upper
(inner) side of the rays of the ventral fins in ordinary
fishes. Another peculiarity wiiicii distinguishes the ske-
leton of these fishes from that of the preceding sub-
family, is that the caudal vertebra;' are furnished with
comparatively well-developed transverse processes.

A characteristic of most of these forms — though
it also occurs in the preceding subfamily, in the genus
Pseudorliomhus for example — lies in the shape of the
pupil. On its inner side (in the lower eye the upper
side, in the upper eye the lower) the iris forms a semi-
circular or (piadrangular process, which tluis hides a
part of the [tupil.

Almost all tliese forms — the genera Mai/copsrtfa
(from the Indian Ocean off Prince Edward Island),
CifJianis (from the Mediterranean), Cifliayichflu/s" (from
the tropical parts of the Atlantic, Australia, and the
west coast of North America), Platophrijs'' (from the
Temperate and Tropical seas all round the world).
Bothiis, Lepldoihombus, and Scopthahnus (from the At-
lantic and the Mediterranean), as well as Zeugopterus
(from the Atlantic coast of north-western Europe) - —
are sinistral. Onlv the ('hinese genus Saniaris, which
is I'emarkable in many other respects, has the eyes on
the right side of the body'. The vent usually lies on
the blind side, but tiie anal papilla in most cases on
the eve side, and often even aljove the ventral fin of
this side. In all tliese forms the dorsal fin begins in
front of the eves, on the bridge of the snout or the
blind side thereof.

The forms of this subfamily that belong to the
Scandinavian fauna ma^- lie distinguished as follows:

A: Jaw-teetli set in !i single or

double row. fjrancliiostcgal

membranes united inferiorh'

in n straigiit line witfi each

otlicr.

(jenus Plalophri/t<: Jaw-teeth
of uniform size (no ca-
nines); vomer toothless.

Subo-enus Arnoglossut:: Sea-
les middle-sized and do-

ciduon s _ Platophri/s ( A rn ofilossiis) la ternn.

B: Jaw-teeth set in several rows,

cardiform. Branchiostogal

" -|- //ciiiirliomljiifs -t- Anticitliarns.
'' -I- Ariior/lnsitiis.

"^ According to GCntheh's descriiilioii the eyes are sol, on (lie left side of tiie liody in Loii/ionectcs, from Port Jackson: but according
tci Ids fio-urc (liis 2:pnns is dextral.

FLOUNDKlt-FIsilKS.

427

mcmbniues inf'eriorly iiidopcudcnt
or meeting eacli otlicr iu diflcrent
planes, the one covering tlic other
to a greater or less extent.
a: \'entrnl lins I'rce from the aniilfiu.
an: Scales, when present, cy-
cloid. .Median wall of tlie
liranchinl cavity unbroken
under tlie lower pliaryn-
geals.
Genus Bothus:

a: Rays in tlie anal lin at

most 50.... Botlms nia.iiinus.

li: Kays in the anal iin more

than 50... Bolhiift ritoiithitg.

lib: .Scales, on the eye side at
least, ciliated. ^Median %\all
of the branchial cavity
broken between tlie lower

pharyngeals and the uro-
hyoid bone.

a: Head of the vomer I'ur-
nished with teeth. Scales
of the blind side cycloid.

(ienus LepiJorliombuis Lepidorliomhas u-hiff.

(i: Vomer toothless or with
indistinct tectli. Scales
of the blind side also
ciliated.

Genus Scuplit/ialinii.i Scojththaliiuis norveyicus.

b: \'entral fins united by the fin-
membrane to the beginnina: of
the anal fm. Median wall of
the branchial cavity broken be-
tween the lower pharyngeals and
tlie iirohyoid bone. Head of the
vomer furnished witli teeth.
Genus Zeugopterus ZewjopUrns piindatus.

Genus PLATOPHRYS.

■lair-tevtli of nit'iforin size, sdkiII mid po'nilcd, set in a singJe or i/oiihlr nur mi the iiitrniKirilliiri/ Ijoiies (ual in
line or several roics in the loicer Jiiir- Loirer pliariiniieal teeth set in a single ron-. All the _fii/-rai/s, except the
cinidal raifs proper, simple. Branchioster/al mcinhraiies inferiorJi/ iiniteil into a hroail, free fghl: hranchiostegal
riii/s 7. Merliiin irall of the hrinichial cctvitg inibroken under the tmrer phari/ngcals. Xo teeth (in the vomer,

palatine ttones, or tongue. Ventral fins free frinu tlie anal fin.

This geiiu.s was established by Swainsox" expressly
tu iiH'lude tlie tonus that are distinguished by the -wide
separation of the eyes, and belong chiefly to the tropical
seas. Bleeker' and subsequently Gunther' called the
same group RhomhoidiiJithi/s: but the former soon'' re-
stored Swainson's name, and in his great work on the
fishes of the Dutch East Indies he combined \vith this
genus, though with the rank of a subgenus, another,
Arnoglossus, Avhich lie had formerly' iielicved to require
an independent place in the .system. This union had
been iJrevioush' foreshadowed, however, liy GCnthkk, who
in his Catalogue, referred to the genus lUioml/aidichthgs
a .species {Rh. mogki) with fairh' narrow, though con-
cave, interorbital space. In this manner the genus

riatophri/s is made to embrace the Bothoid forms which
are most \\idely separated by the dift'erent position (jf
the eyes, l)ut even in this respect connected by inter-
mediate forms, and which fall undei- the characters
given above. Most of these species, in which the eves
are more or less far apart, are further characterized Ijy
small and firmly attached scales — at lea.st 80 in a row
along the sides of the body — and, generally speaking,
by the great depth of the body. These small-scaled
species, which belong to the tropical seas all round the
glol)e and also to the Mediterranean and the Sea of
Japan, form the subgenus for which Bleekek retained
the name of Platophrgs.

" Xat. Ilisl. Fish., Amphib. and Ecpt., vol. II, pp. 187 :\nd 302.

'' Ael. Sor. Scicnt. Indc-Necrl., I (1850), lieschr. Visclis. u. Manado rn Makassar, v. 67.

' Cat. Bril. Mii.-\, FisI,., vol. IV, p. 431.

■' Vers], en Meded. Akad. Wetenseli. Amstcrd.. XIII (l.SG-2). p. 420.

'• L. c. 1.. 427.

428

SCAXDIXAVIAX FISHES.

Subgenus ARNOGLOSSUS.

iScalcb dcddmnm, at most nhoiii (id in tlic lateral line. Form of the liody more or less eloseli/ resemhliiif/

that of the Sole.

Arnoglossus'' , i. e. lamb's tongue', was the name
applied by Rondelet to a ^vell-kno^vn Mediterranean
species, supposed by Willughby'' and Ray'' to b(> also
known to the Cornish fishermen under the name of
Lantern. The deciduousness of the scales and the thinness
and transparency of the body Avere given as the main
characters. As we now propose to show, it is as yet

impossible to decide with entire certainty ^vhether more
than one species of this subgenus is known in Europe;
and we find the same difficulty with regard to the
non-European species. Bleeker, however, has described
5 species from the East Indies, one of which, Arno-
glossus tapetnosoma,\xii& taken off Hong Kong by the Vega
Expedition, on a clayey bottom in 22 fathoms of water".

THE MEGRIM OR SMOOTH SOLE (s\v. kadflackiga tungehvarften')-

Pi.ATOPHKYS LATEKXA.
Plate XIX, tig. 4.

Greatcs^t deptii of the Jwdy rarijing heticeeii 27 and 3(1 %, and the postorhltaJ length of the head {from the hack
margin of the lower eye) betircen 10^ j^ and 14 %, of the length of the hody. Lotver posterior corner of the pelvic
l)ones ending in preanal spines directed backwards. Body transjyarent, on the eye side grayish carnation or hroniiish
gray, irithoid sj)ofs or marked with brown spots along the lateral line and the bases of tJie dorsal and anal fins:

eye side of the fns dotted with broaii.

R. In: 7"; D. 83-03; A. 59—71; P. sin. 10 I. 11; dextr.
!) 1. 8''; V. 6\ C. .v+ll+.v\ L. lat. 52—55'; L. ti: ca 20.

'Si/ii.

Arnofflossiis Icevis, Rondel., 1. c; Arnoglossiis sen Solea IcKvis,

Will., RaV, 11. cc; Smooth Sole et Lantern Fish, Penn.,

Brit. Zool. (1786), vol. Ill, p. 204.
Pleuronectes Laterita, Walb., Ichth. Art., pari. Ill, p. 121.
Pleuronectes diaphanus, Shaw., Gen. Zool., vol. IV, p. 309.
Pleuronectes casurus, Hanmer apud Penn., lirit. Zool. (1812),

vol. Ill, p. 325, tab. LIII.
Pleuronectes leotardi, Risso, Iclith. Nice, p. 318 = Rhomlms

nudus., Id., Exir. Mer., toni. Ill, p. 251.
Pleuronectes Arnoglossus, Bl., Syst. Iclith., cd. Schn., p. 157;

Flmng, Brit. Anim., p. 197.
A: Forma inacrocephala, huiiiilis: longitudiiie capitis circa •'Vjoo

longitudinis totius corporis, altitudine maxima corporis circa

'"'/loo ejusdeiu longitudinis, cujus partem miiiimani *"/ioq
longitude nuindibulaj superat. Color corporis translucidi in
latere oculari cinereo-carneus, immaculatus.

Pleuronectes arnoylossus, Bp., Icon. Fn. Itnl.. torn. Ill (Pesci),
tab. No. 97, fig. 3; Canestr., Arch. Zool., Anat., Fisiol.,
vol. I, fasc. I, p. 14, tab. I, lig. 4: MoR. Hist. Nat. Poiss.
Fr., torn. Ill, p. 328.

Arnoglossus Laterna, Gthr, Brit. Mits. Cat., Fish., vi.l. IV,
p. 415; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturw.
CL, LVII, 1 (1868), p. 716; Gigl. Espos. Intern. Pesc.
Berl. 1880. Sez. Ital., Catal. p. 98.

iq '2;j

B: Forma microcephala, altior: longitudine capitis cirea -tjj-
longitudinis totius corporis, altitudine maxima corporis circa

33 — 35 ., ,.,.. . , . I',

cjusdem longitudinis, cujus partem iiiaximam '- |g(,

" oQvog and yXcZaaa.

'' "Agninie linguie -nomen", Rondelet, De Pise, lib. XI, cap. XIV, p. 324.

' Hist. Pise, p. 102.

'' Synops. Pise, p. 34.

'■ The same species is probably described from Hong Kong by GONTHEn (Challenger Report, Shorepshes. p. 58) under the name of
Arnoglossus tenuis, though GiIntiieu's specimen is stated to have been without pelvic spines.

■'' Malm, 1. c.

•' According to Collett and Lilljeborg only 6.

'' Sometimes 10, according to Lilljeboiig.

' Sometimes 47, according to GtlNTHEK. As a greater or less number of the scales have fallen off, however, in the great majority
of cases, mistakes may easily be made in counting them.

MEGRIM.

429

longiliulo iiiaiiilibiihc iiMiniit. t'ulur roriioris fraushicidi in

la(ore ocuJari cinoreus", niaeiilis ct punctiK fuscis conspersus.
R/10111//11S arnoglossus, Yarr., Hist. LSril. Fi.tli., ed. 2, vol. II,

p. 345.
Pleiirotiectes con.ipersus, Canksth., Arcli. 1. c, p. 10, tab. I,

lig. 2; Gthr, 1. c, p. 416; Stkinii., 1. (•. ; Mmi., 1. c,

p. 32!); GiGi,., 1. c.
Megrim, Couch, Fish. Brit. IsL, vol. Ill, p. 177, tab. CLVIII.
Hliombus solecnformis. Malm, Forh. Skaiid. Naturf. M. Stockh.

18C3, p. 413; Ghgs, lloh. Fa. (Arnoglossus) y. b\':\ ■ Gbgs,

Naturh. Mus. Arsskr. Ill (1881), p. 24.
Arnoglossus laternn, C'oi.L., Forh. \'iii. Selsk. Christ. 1874,

TilliBgsh., p. 140; ibid. 187!), No. 1, p. 77; Day, Fish.

G:t Brit.. Irel.. vol. 2, p. 22, tab. XCIX, fig. 2; CoLt..,

N. Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29, p. 101; h\iA.:i., Sv., Korg.

Fish:, vol. II, p. 329.

Obs. AnioDg the fishes of the Mediterranean Canestrini in
1801 distinguished between two species within the limits fixed by
his predecessors for Pleuronectes arnoglossiis. The first, which was
adopted by Gunther under the name of Arnoglossiis luternii, without
spots on the fins and with tlie length of the lower jaw at least ' j,
of that of the body, was stated by Canestrini to be common in the
Gulf of Genoa during winter, but rare during summer, from the
montli of April. The second, Pleuronectes (Anioglossns) conspersus,
with the vertical fins punctated with brown and with tlic length of
the lower jaw less than '/n (sometimes */j,) of that of the body, he
stated to be a common summer-fish in the same vicinity, but rare in
winter. The Royal Museum has acquired from the Mediterranean one
specimen of the first form, 97 mm. in length, which was taken in
March, 1874, off Salerno by Professor C. Love.v, and two specimens
of the latter, respectively 97 and 111 mm. long, wliich were taken
in October, 1856, off Venice by Professor 0. SantiAHL. On comparing
these forms with each other and with two Scandinavian specimens —
the first 114 mm. in length and taken off Torrboskar (the Skaw) in
July, 1878, during the expedition of the gunboat Giinhitd, the second
116 mm. long and taken during the summer of 1879 at the zoo-
logical station of Kristineberg in Bohuslan — we find the same ques-
tion before us as that we have had to deal with in our treatment of
the relation between Pleuronectes glacialis and PL cicatricosus or
between Drepanopsetta pilatessoides and Drcp. limandoides''. The
one form has a deeper body and a shorter head, thus representing
partly tlie female characters and partly a more advanced stage of
development. That the two forms of the European Megrim are also
geographically distinct, at least to a certain extent, appears not only
from Canestrini's observation that they repair to the fishing-grounds
at different seasons of the year — a fact which may indicate that they
must be regarded, generally speaking, as inhabitants of distinct locali-
ties — but also from the circumstance that the one form, Bonaparte's
and Canestrini's PL arnoglossiis, has probably never been found in
Scandinavia, perhaps not even in Great Britain — at least to judge
by Yarrell, Couch, and Day — though Moreau states that he ob-
tained it olf Havre. As in the case of the Rougli Dab, however, we
here. too. allow the older specific name to do duty for hotli forms,

especially as this name was adopted by Walrauji witli references to
the works of both Rondelet and Ray, and thus may he applied in
all probability to both forms.

The Euvopcnii Megriin attains a- length of from
17 to 19 oni., the depth of the hotly, ■\vhicli is greatest
at ahoiit the cud of its iir.st third, being at most 36 %
of the total length or 45 % of the lengtli from the
snout to the ha.se of the eaudal tin. In tlie Scandi-
navian form tlie greatest depth is, as a rule, more than
82 %' of the former length or 38 % of the latter. Thus,
the form of the Ijody, as well as the close proximity
to each other of the vertical fins on the tail, most re-
minds us of the Soles, a circumstance which led Malm
to call the species soleceformis. But the body is thin-
ner than that of the Scandinavian Solea, the thickness
of the head across the opercula, in spite of the fact
that this is the thickest pai-t of tlie body, measuring
only about 5 96 of the length of the body or between
14 and IS'/o % of its gi-eatest depth. The chief sin-
gularity in the appearance of the fisli is also its trans-
parency. The body being so thin, ^ve can easily under-
stand one of the circumstances pointed out by Rox-
delet'' as characteristic of the Megrim, namely that
it requires no more boiling than nonnat". Its trans-
parency is further enhanced by the texture of the scalv
covering. Most of the scales of the body, especially
on the trunk and the hind part of the head, are com-
paratively large, thin, and deciduous. On the eye side
they are ciliated at the hind margin, on the blind side
smooth-margined. The lateral line is distinct only on
the eye side, and forms a sharply marked arch above
the abdominal region. More firmly attached, small
scales, ciliated at the outer margin, cover the dorsal
and anal fins, the ventral fin of the eye side and the eye
side of the snout. The caudal fin, on the other hand.
is covered with small scales, on the eye side ciliated,
but on the blind side smooth-margined. On the first
three fins the scales are set in a single row on eacli
ray, while the branched rays of the caudal fin are
furnished with a row for each branch. On the eye
side the maxillarv bone and the liranch of the lower

" Fusco-argijlaceus, sec. Mai.m.

'' Cf. also the relation between Beri/x decadactylus and B. splendens (p. 68, above) or between Brama longipinnis and Br. luiii
(p. 80, Obs., above). In the present case too, strange to say, we find parallels between very closely related Atlantic and Pacific forms.

'■ In Coi.lett's smallest specimen, 79 mm. long, the greatest depth of tlie body according to his measurements was STO \ of the
length of the body.

'' Statim atque ignem vidit coctus est, quemadmodum apliya.

' Cf. above, p. 264.

4;^o

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

jaw ;ive also covereil with scales, l^ut the iiiterinaxillary
bones, as Avell as the lips, are naked. These small
scales on the head and fins are often the only ones
that are left after the fish is caught; but the scales of
tlie lateral line are at least nioi-e firmly attached than
the scales of the rest of the body itself. As a rule,
liowever, the dermal folds in which tlie st-ales liave
l>een set, are so distinct that the immber of the scales
may be ascertained. In the Scandinavian form ^\e have
found the number of scales in an oblique, transverse
vow at the beginning of the straight part of the lateral
line, just behind the arch (where the body is deepest),
to lie 13 above and 13 below the lateral line.

In the form k^o^vn as Fl(doi)hrys coiispersus the
length of the head measures 19 — 22^/,, %" of the total
length of the body, 23—27 %'' of the length from tlie
snout to the base of the caudal fin, or 56 — 66 %' of
the greatest depth of the body. The snout is com-
paratively blunt, its upper and lower profiles meeting
almost at a right angle; and the mouth, with tiie lower
uiaigin of the under jaw straight, rises, when closed,
at an ano-le of about 45 degrees. The length of the
lo\\er jaw, which is some^vhat less on the eve side
tlian on the blind side, and in most cases relatively
less in old specimens than in young, measures 10 — 12 %
of the length of the body''. The chin is furnished
with a distinct, though small knob; and the anterioi-
margin (symi)hysis) of the lo\ver ja^v is straight and
together with the lower margin forms an obtuse angle.
The dorsal contour of the snout seems somewhat tumid
behind the intermaxillary bones, but farther back is
depressed. Tiiis is due to the comparatively advanced
development of the articular pai-t of the maxillary bones,
which in other species of the genus, e. g. in Fkttophnjs
hinatus from the tropical part of the Atlantic, sends
out a robust, spinous, bony knol) in a forward direc-
tion. In 1)i>th forms of /'/. Jdfcniii we have found the
Icngtii of the maxillarv bones to hv exactly the same
on the eye side as on tlie blind side'', and to measure,
ill the form known as /'/. loufpersH!^, 7 — 9 % of the

length of the l)od_y', being relatively greater in young
specimens than in old. Behind (underneatli) the max-
illary bone is slightly extended in lireadth, and at the
posterior (lower) end obliquely truncate and slightly
concave, more so on the eye side than on the blind
side. The eyes are of moderate size, measuring 18 to
20 % of the length of tiie head, and are, as usual,
relatively larger in young specimens than in old. Their
position with regard to each other seems also to vary,
the variation being to a certain extent individual, Imt
chiefly according to age. In the young specimens be-
fore us they are set almost in a straight line with each
other, while in the oldest specimen lialf the upper e3-e
is behind the lower, the distance between the latter
and the tip of the snout being somewhat more than
its own length. The nasal cavity of the eye side is
naked, l)ut surrounded w\i\\ small scales, and is situated
in front of the eyes, almost exactly in a straight line
with the narrow interorliital ridge. The position of
the nasal cavity of the lilind side is similar, lint higher,
its longitudinal diameter, when produced, passing through
tlie middle of the ujiper eye, which is visible through
the bodv on this side. The anterior nostril is raised
on both sides of the body into an obliquely-truncate
tube, or elongated at the hind margin in a lobate sliape.
The posterior nostril is smaller, and only slightly raised
at the margin. The interorbital space, which in other
species of the genus I'latopJui/s is remarkable for its
great width and distinct concavit)', here consists of an
extremely narro\v ridge, the \\idth of \\hicli is only
about "o of the longitudinal diameter of the eye. In
old specimens the preoperculum is nearly rectangular,
but rounded at the corner, and with the upper, vertical
branch ' g or V* longer than the louver, horizontal
branch: in young specimens it is more obtuse-angled,
aiid the two branches are more equal in size. The
operculum, suboperculum, and interoperculum, are thin
and transparent, and together form an arch of almost
uniform width, until the last of the three grows nar-
rower in front, below the preoperculum. At the hind

" In Scandinavian specimens at most 21' ^ '». in (me of our two Meiliterranean specimens 22'/o %. In our specimen of PI. arno
l/lossiis 24"7 "o.

'' In Scandinavian specimens at most 26 %; in one of oiir two Mediterranean specimens 27'5 "■>. In our specimen of PL ariioglossus 29'2 "».

'' In the smallest of Collett's specimens, however, this proportion is 08 "o. In the Royal Museum specimen of PI. aniofflossus it is 88'9 ",.

■' In the Uoyul Museum specimen of PL arnoijlossiia the length of the branch of the lower jaw on the blind side is 14'1 "<. of the
length of the body.

' The asymmetry of the mouth and the greater shortness of the head, especially of the postorbital part, and of the pectoral fins are
the only perceptible differences we Iimvc succeeded in discovering between the Cliineso Platopliri/s tapeinosoma and Platophrys conspersus.

■' In our specimen of I'lnto/ihri/.-- arnoi/lossn.'i the length of the maxillary liones is lO'/o "o of that of the body.

Mr.(ii;ni.

431

margin, lio\\p\('r, nt the (li\ isioii licT\\c<'ii the <i|)crciiliiiii
and subopevciiliiiu, this ai'ch is (listiiictlx iiotclicd. The
l)raiichiosteg;il uicniI)r;iiH's nve antcrini'h (iiif'<'i'ii)rl\)
uiiiti'd into M l)road, transverse fold, which tits into
the bend of tiie nrohyoid l)one, and extends to the
l)ottoni of tiiis hend. This transverse fold is nuirkcd
oft" 1)\' a dcej) fold ironi the lateral parts of the bran-
chiostegal membranes, and contains only the foremost
(lowest) pair of rays, which, as in the preceding genus,
are exteriorly (distally) coalesccnt. The other six rays
on each side are tine, long, and sabre-shaped, the two
anterior, as weW as the three posterior, ]\ing (dose to
eaeli other.

The dorsal fin begins on the blind side of the
head, close to and just above the anterior nostril, the
first interspinal bone being situated nt the u])per margin
of the nasal cavitv. The length of the tin measures
77 or 78 %, and its heiglit (the longest rav) 9 or 10 %,
of the length of the body. It terminates exactly at
the dorsal edge, and sometimes almost touches the
uppermost supporting ray of the caudal tin, though it
is sometimes separated from the latter by t^\■o or three
scales" breadth. It is of fairlv uniform height, the
anterior rays growing uniforndy and gradually longer,
and the posterior shorter. The anal fin resembles the
dorsal in shape, is of almost the same height, and its
length is about 59 — 63 ?6 of that of the l)ody. The
distance between it and the tip of the snout is 2-i or
'25 % of the length of the bod\-, and it terminates
l)osteriorly in the same manner as the dorsal fin. The
caudal fin, the length of which is about 16 — 18 %" of
that of the bodv, is evetd\' rounded at the hind margin
or somewhat pointed in the middle, and is made up
of 11 branched rays, and 3 supporting rays above and
below''. The pectoral fins are narrow and pointed. In
the pectoral tin of the eve side, the length of which
is about 13 — 16 % of that of the body, the third ray
is the longest. The length of the pectoral hu of the
blind side is onl\- 8 or 9 % of that of the body. The
ventral fins are especialh remarkable for their great
different'e from each other, the base of the one (on
the eve side) beina' more than twice as lonii^ as that

of the other', and extending from the anterior end of
the lower extremity of the urohyoid bone to the !>(■-
ginning of tlu' anal lin. In height, however (the lengtli
of the longest — the 4th or 5th — I'ay'') they are
more alike. Between their posterior rays and the
membranes that unite these rays to the belly, the
preanal spines of the peh ic liones appear, the one (that
of the eye side) just in front of and close to the other.
The vent lies on the blind side, either just at the end
of the ventral tin of this side, where the posterior fin-
mend)rane terminates, or within (below) the end of
this ni( inlirane, and in a line w ith the first ray of the
anal tin. Exactly opposite, on the eye side, lies the
small, but distinct urethral papilla.

The coloured side of the body is described by
Malm iis "brownish clay-gra\ , with a row of puncti-
form, lilackish brown spots along the lateral line, and
a ro\\ of similar, smaller spots a little distance from
the liases of the dorsal and anal tins. These tins, as
well as the others, have blackisli dots and streaks on
the rays, the markings being most distinct in a line
with the dark spots on the body, and thus suggesting
that thev may perhaps be I'egarded as traces of e\an-
escent transverse bands on the a\ hole bod)-. The mem-
branes of the left pectoral fin are black between the
last thi-ee rays for Vs of their length, at the tips of
the ravs. Iris yellowish green and, with the exce])tioii
of the })art Ixjrdering on the pupil, spotted with grayish
brown. In tlie specimens preserved in spirits in the
Royal ^luseum the whole body is orange, with almost
invisible traces of the markings described by Mal.m.
excepting the spots on the dorsal and anal fins, but a
dark brown colour has left very distinct traces on
the tips of the ventral tins. As we have failed to
procure any fresh specimen, \\e have taken advantage
of Dr. A. II. Malm's kind permission, and borrowed

I for this work the tigure coloured l)y Mr. Tiiorxam for
I)r. Malm:s father.

I The Megrim can scarcely be considered rare on

the Avest coast of Scandinavia, as it has often been met
with in Christiania Fjord. Gullmar Fjord and the island-
belt of Gothenburg. Collktt mentions 17 specimens

" 15o — 18-5, accordiiia- lo our nieasureiiieiits; 1(V4 — 20-2, according to Ciii.i.Kns.

*■ In tlie Royal Museum specimen, wliich is 98 rain, long, of tlie very nearly related species, Plalopltri/s tapeinomosa from Hong Kong,
there are only H branched rays in the caudal tin, but 4 siipiiorting r.-iys on each side. However, it is very comnnon among the Teleosts that
young specimens difEer in this respect from older ones.

'■ The lengtli of the base of the former is about 7 or S \. of tlw latter about 3' ., \. of the length of tlie body.

'' .\bout tj or 7 % of the lengtli of the bodv.

432

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

from the first locality, and Malm 14 from Gullmar
and the neighbouring waters and '2 from the island-

The spawning-season of the Megrim occurs appa-
rently in the summer-months, between May and August.

belt of Gothenburg. The Royal Museum possesses two j At the end of June Collett took a female 162 mm.
Scandinavian specimens, one, as we have mentioned, j long that seemed to have already deposited its spawn,
from Gullmar, and the other from the Skaw, where it ! The two specimens tliat Esmark took in Christiania
was taken in 22 fathoms of water, on a clayey bottom, i Fjord in May and at the beginning of June, 1863,
On other occasions the species has been found in shall- j w^ere both gravid females. In one of these two speci-
ower water, sometimes no more than 5 fathoms deep, j mens, according to CoLLicrr, the ovaries extended back
and on a bottom of pure sand or sand mixed with : to a point, the distance between wjiich and the base of
clav. In Scandinavia the Megrim is usually taken in ! the caudal tin was onh' slightly more than the length
the seine, while fishing for Herrings and Sprats. A 1 of the head; and the number of the eggs was about
specimen was once received by Malm that "had been 50,000. Malm found specimens ready to spawn be-
taken in a Flounder-net at a depth of 17 fathoms."' tween the 9th and 21st of August, 1861, off Kristine-
The food of the Megrim is prol)ablv of the same berg; but he remarked tliat it was only towards the

nature as that of the other small Flatfishes: crustaceans,
mollusks, and iish. In the stomach of a Megrim 165
mm. in length Collett found a (johius minuhis about
63 mm. long. In the stomach of a female 138 mm.
long Malm found two specimens of Aphya inimita, the
larger 44 mm. in length. These circumstances indicate

end of this period that tlie roe began to ripen and
"run."

As the Megrim is so small and thin, it can scar-
cely l3C employed as human food in any other form
than noititnt. In Venice, according to Ninni", it is
sold among other tish under tlie name of menuaggia.

no little voracity. Again, the Megrim itself constantly j It might certainly be of some importance as bait; but
falls a prey to all kinds of deep-sea fishes, and has j in Scandinavia it is found far too seldom to be of any
been found in the stomach of the Cod and the Conger. | economical importance even in this respect.

Genus BOTHUS.

J(ur-fccfli of iniifon)! si^e (iriflinut cnnmes), pointed, recurred, snudl, and set in a card idi tlie iidermaxillari/
Ijones ((S iceJl as in the Joircr Jair. Head of the romer also furnished icith small teeth; but the ])alatine bones
and tongue smooth. Lnirer ])hariingeal teeth set in several lows. Most of the fin-rays usually branched. Branchio-
stegal membranes inferiorhj free, at least in part, from each other, but meeting in different planes and crossing
each other. Branchiostegal rays '/'. Median irall of the branchial cavity unbroken below the lower pharyngeals.
Ventral fins free from the anal fin. Scales, when present, cycloid. Anal and prcanal spines wanting.

The name of Bothus — which, according to Ra-
i"iNKS(iUE, occurs even in Aristotle, but also reminds
ns of the Fi'ench tnrhnf, the (.ierman Butte and the
Swedish Butta'' — was applied by Rafinesquf/ to a
genus meant to represent Klein's Bhombus and to be
typified l)y Linn^eus"s I'lenronectes rJiombus. As Klein's
Ilhomhus, however, is an ante-Linmeaii nanie which
Lacepede has transferred to another genus'', the name

given the genus l)y Rafinesque claims precedence,
though it must be regarded as partly synonymous with
the jjreceding genus, for which it ^vas employed by
Bonaparte.

Only three species of Bothus are known, which
belong to the north of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean,
and the Black Sea. One of these species, the North
American Bothus maculatus, is so thin and transparent

" Espos. Int. ili Pesca in Bcrliuu 1880, Sez. IlaL, Cat., p. 180.

'' Agassiz {Nomenclator) endeavoured to explain this name by tlic Greek (iulioL;, di'pth.

'■ (,'araUeri di alcuni iiiiovi generi etc. (1810), p. 2.3.

'' .'Vrtelji's atromateus.

TlIiBOT AND liltll.L.

433

— tlioii^Ii, accordiiio- to Stoueh, it attains a length of
from 12 to 1<S dm. — as to i-cmiiul us very strongly
of tlie Megrim. The two othi'rs, however, are among
our better Flatfishes — one of them aniono: the best and
fattest. They are also charaeterized by the exception-
ally deep (shoi-t) form of the bodv, \\lii( li is relatively
shorti'i- than in any of tlie other flatfishes. The mouth
is turned up sharply. The eyes are well separated,
most so among the Scandinavian forms of the sub-
family, though not nearly so fiir apart as in some
members of the preceding genus.

Few as are the species of this genus, their rela-
tions to each other, especialh- in the case of the two
that belong to the European fauna, are in the highest
degree interesting. Not only is their geographical range
so extensive as to admit of the form's being influenced
by very dissimilar environments"; but in addition to
this a large number of intermediate forms are known,
which can obviously be explained only on the assump-
tion that they are hybrids''. ^Ialm has described one
of tliese forms under the name of nhonihus hijhridus.
Both his specimens Avere females, and most closely
resembled Bofhus maximus. The Royal Museum has
received from StrQmstad, through Mr. ('. A. Hanssox,
two males, one of which is more like ISothtis rliomhiis.
Thus it is very difficult to find fixed, constant charac-
ters for the two species — for many different combina-
tions \\v,\\ probably be found. However, the forms
known in Scandinavia may be distinguished as follows:

I: Xuinbcr of rays in the anal liii
lit most 50. J.fust flcpth of tlic
tail less than 20 % of the greatest
depth of till' hofly. Abdominal
curve of the lateral line higli and
short, its heiglit being about half
its lengtli, wliieli is about •' 4 of
the lentrtli of the middle caudal
rays.
.'1: Length of the head behind

the lower eye more tiian 1 7 %.

and of the left maxillary bone

more tlian 12 ?i, of the length

of the body Bothus maximus.

JJ: Postorbital length of the head

less than 17 K, and of the

left maxillary bone less than

12 %, of the length of tiic

body Bothiis maximus hybridus.

W: Number of rays in the anal iin
more than 50. Least depth of the
tail more than 20 % of the great-
est depth of the body. Abdominal
curve of the lateral line low and
long, its height being about '/j
of its lentrth, which is about
equal to that of the middle cau-
dal rays.

A: Postorbital length of the head
more than 16 K, and the great-
est depth of the body more
than 50 %, of the length of

the bodv Botlius ritombui hybridus.

B: Postorl'ital length of the head
less than Iti '., and the great-
est depth of the body less
than 50 %. of the length of
the body Botlius rhombus.

" If we coniijare, for example, Canestkini's descriptions of Bothus majcimus and Bothus rhomhus from the Mediterranean with speci-
mens of tliese species from Scandinavian waters, we find tl.at, tlioiigli the differences are parallel — the former having a larger head, fewer
rays in the dorsal and anal fins etc. — still the bonndaries between the species are entirely different in the Mediterranean and in our fauna.

'' We are still without the necessary experimental evidence to show that this is the case; and that this is the only operating influence
is scarcely probable, for these intermediate forms occur in localities, in the Baltic for example, where only one of these species is found in
its typical form.

Scandinavian Fishes,

434

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE TURBOT (sw. PiGGnvAiirvEn).
BOTH US MAXIMUS.

Plate XVIII, fig. 1.

Greatest depth of the hod// more than 50 %, length of the head more than 28 %, postorhital length of the head
more than 17 %, length of the maxillary hones more than 12 %., length of the right branch of the hirer jaw more
than 15 %, distance between the anal fin and the tij) of the snout more than 30 %, length of the hasc of the left
ventrcd fin more tlian 10 %, of the right ventral fin more than 8 %, and greatest thickness of tlie body more than
8 %, of the lengtli of the body. First rays of the dorsal fin simple or only indistinctly branched. Number of rays
in the dorsal fin less fJian 70, in the anal fin less than 50. Least depth of tJte tail less than 20 %, and the length
of the caudal fin at the middle less than 30 %, of the greatest depth of the body. Body furnished on both sides
or at least on the eye side with, scattered, pointed, spinous tubercles, hut otherwise naked, though furnished with

soft, verrucose, closed scale-sacs mosaiccdly arranged in the sJcin.

E.br. 7; D. 57— 04"; .4. 42—47*; P. 12^; V. 6 ; V. 2 + 13 + 2;
Lin. lat. por. ca 70 — 80 ad. piiiii. caud; Vert. 30 — 31.

Syn. Rliombus aculeatas, Rondel., De Pise, lib. XI, cap. II, ji.
310 (i/'rjfr«)' Aristotelis credit; liaud lamen liquet, quain
familia? speciem sub lioc nomine menioraverit Aristoteles);
ScHONEV., IchUi., NomencL, Slesv. Hoht., p. GO; Gottsche,
Wiegui. Arch. Naturg., I, 2 (1835), p. 172.
Rhombus ma.rimtis, WiLi,., Hist. Pise, lib. 4, cap. II, p. 94,
tab. F, 2; Ll.v. (Pleuronectes), Fit. Stiec, ed. I, p. 112 (ex
Pill, gotl.). No. 298; ,Si/st. Xat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 271;
QvENS.. Vet.-Akad. Handl. 180C, pp. 54 et 203; NiLSS.
Prodr. Ichth. ScaiuL. p. 58; Eksti!., Yet.-.\kad. Handl. 1834,
p. 56 (var.): Sohagerste., Pliy.siogr. Siillsk. Tidskr., p. 312;
Kr. (Phoiiibu.?), Daiun. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 424; Sunpe\. (I'leu-
roiieftcs), Stockh. L. Hiisli. Sallsk. Handl., H. G (1855),
pp. 82 et 1G5; NiLSS. (Rliombus), Chanel. Fit., Fisk., p. G3G;
Canestr., .\rch. Zool., Anat., Fisiol., vol. I, fasc. I (Genua
18G1), p. 25, tav. Ill, fig. 1; Gtiir, Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish.,
vol. IV, p. 407; Mout;, Finl. Fiskar (disp.). -p. 24; Llnilstr.,
Gotl. L. Hush. Sallsk. Arsber. 18G6, p. 24 (sep.); Stei.N'D.,
Slzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturw. CI. LVII, I, (1868),
p. 714; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilla-gsh.,
p. 137; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 7G; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn.,
p. 510; Wjnth., Naturh. Tidsk. Kbhvn, ser. Ill, vol. XII,
p. 37; Ben., Fisch., Fischer., Fischz. O. a. IF. Preuss.,
p. 93; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toni. Ill, p. 338; Mela,
Vert. Feiiii., p. 305, tab. IX; MuB., Hcke, Fisch., Osts.,
p. 89; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. II, p. 11, tab.
XCVI; Coll. (Bothn.?), N. Mag. Naturv. Clirist., Bd. 29
(1884), p. 100; LiLLJ., -bu., Nor,j. Fisk., vol. II, p. 305;
Sl-ndm., Mela, Fml. Fisk., tab. XXII.

In size tlie Tiirbot comes second nniong the Scan-
dinavian Flatfishes. Specimens 5 or 6 dm. loii.ii' are not

rare on the ^vest coast. Nilsson states that a Turbot
was once brought by the fishermen of Rfia to the market
of Lund, which was 68 cm. long and weighed 7 kgm.,
and tliat oft' Kullen Turl)ots weighing 16 kgm. are
sometimes taken. In the North Sea and the Irish Sea.
still larger specimens occur: Thomp.son'' mentions one
that weighed 'JO kgni. According to Days observations
the Turbot when ^'/j years old may have attained a
weight of 10 lbs., and in 2 j'ears more 20 lbs. About
three feet or perhaps one metre is the maximum lengtli
that may ^vith certainty be assigned to the Turljot; but
RoNDELET states that he saw a Turbot from the At-
lantic 5 ells long, 4 ells broad and 1 foot tliick, ac-
cording to the measures then in use. Tt) this statement
we may trace the origin of the a,ssertion which occurs
in later writers, that the Turliot may attain a length
of 7'/ 2 ft.'' These statements, it is true, are apparently
borne out V)y others-'^; but they are leased merely on
hearsay.

The body is of a rounded rhomboid form. In
typical females the greatest depth of the body is about
60 %, and in males about 56 %, of the length of the
body. To this we may add the greatest height of the
dor.sal and anal fins, which is comparatively less in old
.specimens than in young, but fairl}' alike in the case
of both fins, varying in tlie former specimens between

In the inter-

" Here, ns in the case of the following fins, we confine ourselves to the numbers we have found in typical Turbot.'
mediate forms the rays of the dorsal fin may be as many as 70 or, according to Moreau, 72.

'' According to Moreau sometimes 56.

"^ Sometimes 11.

'' ym. Hist. Irel, vol. IV, p. 200.

' Olsen, Piscatorial Atlas, pi. 41.

■' Couch (Fish. Brit. Isl., vol. III. p. 157) says that he "possesscil a note of an example of which the weight was seventy pounds;"
and Parnell (Mem. Wcrn. Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. VII, p. 375) quotes an account of a .specimen "that weighed one hundred and ninety pounds
measuring G feet across."

TURBOT.

435

:il)(mt l/}',2 ;ur1 11^ ^ %, ami in the luttiT hctwec-n abuut
14 aiul 11' J %, of the leii^tli of the body. The total
tleptli of the l)<)dy with tlir liiis at its deepest part is then
ixhoiit e(|iial to the length of tin- Ixxlv ;»/«</s the caudal
fin. The least depth of the b(jdv, wliich is less in the
males, varies between about 10 and 1 1' j % of the li-ngth
of the body. The body is thickest in the aiitn-ior part
of tiie al)doiinnal region, tlie greatest thieUness being
even relatively greater in old specimens than in young,
and measuring from 8 to 1 1 % of the length of the body.
The length of the head is about 28Va— 29'/, % of
the total U'ligth of tlu^ In.dy, ,^5— 36' .% of the length
of the l)odv minus the caudal tin, or 48 — -31 '^ ''" 'J^
the greatest depth. Its shape, apart from the dorsal
tin, fairly tdosely resembles that of the body, exclusive
of the caudal fin, but inclusive of the dorsal and anal
fins, the greatest deptii of the head, minus the dorsal
fin, being almost equal to its length. The straight pro-
files of the snout form a somewhat obtuse angle, and
are continued hx the anterior parts of the dorsal and
ventral margins, which are only slighth' curved, so
evenh" that the front half of the l)odv is of a broad,
cuneiform shape, while the posterior half, minus the
caudal tin, is more like a semicircle. The mouth rises
at an angle of about 45 degrees from the longitudinal
transverse section of the body. In young specimens
the tip of the snout is on a level with the lower margin
of the upper eye and almost half-way up the body;
but in older ones" it is on a level with the middle of
the interorbital space and distinctly above the middle
of the body, being set about '', g of the way up the
body. The maxillary bones grow broader behind (down-
Avards). Their breadth at the hind (lower) extremity
is about ' 4 of their length, and in young specimens
about '" .; of the diameter of the eye, in older ones
equal to the latter. On the eye side this extremity is
somewhat oblique, on the blind side almost straight the inner row are developed, while on the tin-ee pcs-
and truncate. The iiiternuixillarv bones taper to a terior branchial arches they are set in two rows, but
point behind (downwards), extending about '3 of the in the rows are coalescent by pairs. The largest rakers
way along the upper jaw, and their curve, which fits j among the 15 or Iti which we find on the first bran-
into the curved anterior mar-rin of the maxillary bones, 1 chial arch, are about equal in length, in adult specimens.

lioth the inlcrmaxil]ar\- and the maxillar\' bones — the
former at about the middle, the latter considerably
nearer their articulation — are furnished at the ui)per
margin with an cicct, lobate process (see above, on
these bones in the Halibut). The lower margin of the
undei' jaw is slightly concave, and the ciiin-knob not
very distinct, the symjihyseal margin rising at an angle
of about my and l)eing of a height that in old .spe-
cimens is ordy slightly less than the diameter of the
eye. All the.se bones are almost symmetrical, with the
single exception that in old specimens the length of the
lower jaw is jjerceptibly greater on the l)lind side than
on the eye side, or that we may even find the maxil-
lary bone of the eye side a little longer than that of
the blind side. We have found the length of the lower
jaw to vary on the left side between about 14' ^ and
1 6 ^ of the length of the body, and on the right side,
where it is usually a little longer than on the left,
between a little more than 15 and Itj *; of the length
of the body. The length of the maxillarA" bones varies
on the left side between somewhat over 12 and 13Vs
% of the length of the body, on the right side between
11' J and l;>' 3 % thereof. The teeth are of uniform
size, set as usual in cards and turned obliquely inward,
witli the cards on the branches of the lower jaw and
on the intermaxillary bones broadest in front and grow-
ing narrower at the sides and behind. The li])s are
Heshj^ and on the inside thickly set with papilhe. Of
the transverse palatal folds within the jaws the upper
is especially well-developed. On the head of the vomer
we find a little, transverse card of small teeth. The
I'est of the palate is smooth. The tongue is smooth
and fleshy, but flat, with the tip free and rounded.
The gill-rakers are denticulated, and as in most of the
Flatfishes, set in a single row on the first l)ranchial
arch, though one or two of the rakers which belong to

similar curve to the mouth. The nasal pro-
cesses of the intermaxillary l)ones are well-developed,
the distance from their top to the margin of the jaw
being about half the length of the bones themselves,
and the mouth is thus capable of some protrusion.

to the diameter of the eye. The u])per pharyngeal
teeth are set, as usual, in three, obliquely transverse
cards. The lower pharyngeal teeth form two oblong
cards, pointed at eacii end and with the teeth in the
innermost row sli;;htly larger than in the other rows.

" Wc have not examined nnv old iiinles.

436

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The nostrils are set on the eve side in the niesial line
of the nasal region in front of the eyes, the posterior
nostril in a line with the anterior margin of the eyes,
the anterior about the diameter of the pupil further for-
Avard. On the blind side they are set somewhat higher,
but otherwise opposite to those of the eye side. The
margin of all four is sometimes membranous and pro-
longed, in the case of the two posterior nostrils, how-
ever, onlj' slightly and sometimes almost imperceptibly.
In the two anterior nostrils this membranous prolong-
ation of the margin is so marked behind that it may
tall forward like a lid and cover the whole nostril.
At the anterior margin a small, narroAv flap may be
found. In young sjiecimens, even at a length of 50
mm., the eyes are still in a line with each other, or the
upper eye may even lie somewhat further forwai'd than
the lower. This is a trace of the eai-lier stages of de-
velopment, when the wandering eye tirst passed some
way forward and then, when it had crossed the bridge
of the snout, retired backwards on the eye side. In
older specimens, on the other hand, at a length of 53
cm. for example, the upper eye has sometimes moved
so far Ijack that its anterior mai-gin is in a line with
the middle of the lower eye. The eyes are fairly ecjual
in size, their relative size decreasing as usual Avith age.
In Turbots 50 mm. long the longitudinal diameter of
tlie lower eye is 37 or 38 94 of the length of the head
behind it, while in Turbots 53 cm. long this proportion
has sunk to about 14 %. The breadth of the inter-
orbital space on the wliole also undergoes relative de-
crease, l)ut to a much slighter extent; while until the
fish has attained a length of 20 or 25 cm., this breadth
increases not only absolutely, by growth, but in the
above relation as well. In specimens 20 cm. long it
measures about 19 or 20 % of the postorbital part of
the head, but in specimens 53 cm. in length only about
16 % thereof. In s]jecimens 50 nun. long the breadth
of the interorbital space is only about '/a the longi-
tudinal diameter of the lower eye, while in specimens
53 cm. long it is "/j of this dia-meter. The length of
the snout, measured from the anterior margin of the
loAver eye, is about ' '^ of that of the head. The pre-
operculum is rectangular, rounded at the angle, and
with the vertical prong about \',^ longer than the hori-
zontal. The operculum is triangular, like that of the
Codfishes, with the hind lower side concave. Into this
concavity the upper, narrower part of the suboperculum,
the rest of which is of uniform breadtli, is fitted, ex-

tending so far that it penetrates the posterior dermal
flap which forms the end of the gill-cover, just above
the axil of the pectoral fin. The interoperculum is of
fairlj' uniform breadth, but as usual grows narrower in
front, its breadth behind l^eing about \, ,j of the length
of the upper jaw-bone. The branchiostegal memliranes
lie, as in most of the Flatfishes, in a deep fold below,
Avhere they meet and cross each other, most distinctlj^
in old specimens. The innermost (foremost) of the seven
branchiostegal ravs in each membrane is not united
at all to the corresponding ray on the other side, as
we have found it in the preceding Flatfishes, but lies
parallel to the other rays.

The dorsal fin is furnished with a thick skin, and
begins on the blind side, just above and in front of
the anterior margin of the anterior nostril, exactl}' fol-
lowing the dorsal edge throughout its length, Avithout
bending at all towards the blind side at its termination.
As a rule the 30th — 35th ray from the beginning is
the longest, its length being about 12',., or ll'/, of
that of the body. Measured in a straight line, the base
of the dorsal fin occupies from about Tl'/o to 74'; ^ %
of the length of the body. The fin contains 57 — 64
rays, those in the anterior haJf of the fin being gener-
ally simple or only indistinctly branched, while those
in the posterior half are branched, sometimes with a
simple ray inserted here and there. In 3'ouiig specimens
the posterior rays are also simple or indistinctly branch-
ed. The distance between the anal fin and the tip
of the snout is at least (in the males) 30 ?4 and at most
(in the females) 35 or 36 ?^ of the length of the body.
The 17th or 18th (sometimes even the 21st) rav from
the beginning of the fin is the longest, being generally
equal in length to the longest ray of the dorsal fin;
and to the structure of the rays the same remark ap-
plies as in the case of the dorsal fin, with the addition
that in this fin all the rays are still more frequently
simple. Measured in a straight line, the base of the
anal fin occupies about 58 — 59 '/^ % of the length of
the body. There is no projecting spine at the begin-
ning of the anal fin, which in young specimens and the
males is included between the posterior parts of the
insertions of the ventral fins, and has the vent close
beside it on the blind side, just behind the end of the
ventral fin. The genital opening lies just behind or on
the outer side of the vent, and in the males is furnished
with a small, pointed papilla at the anterior margin.
The urethral opening, with its more or less distinct

TinBcjT.

437

papillii, lies on the eye side, just opiiositc tlie vent.
Tlic vciitriil liiis arc csiiccialK' rciiinrkiililc lor the leii^tli
ol' their base, in wliirli ivspect the ventral fin of the
eye side far surpasses tliat of the lilinil side. The lenytii

of the l)o<ly Ol- arran^red in iri'eguhii', longitudinal rows.
Tiie tuliercles of the eye side seem generally to be
stronger and denser lliati those of the l)rmd side, whieh
is sometimes entirei\ without them. They are most

of the liase of the former, which as a rule increases | closely set but smallest on the head, especially round
even relatively with age, \iiries l)et\veen about 10',, and the eyes, on the interorbital space, in a band-shaped
12 "o of the length of the body, while in the ca.se of the patch from this point to the upper corner of the
latter tin, in the specimens we have examined, thi.s gill-openings, an the margin of the jjreoperculum —
proportion is oidy 8 — 10 %. The height (longest ray) I sometimes on the oy)ercu]um, subojterculum and inter-
ol tliese tins (the Ith or .")th) is almost the same in each 1 operculum alscj — and <in tiw broad part of the ma-
case, relatively diminishing during the gr(nvtli of tlie ! xillar\- bones. Tiie spines on the branches of the
tisii from about 8 "„ to about (J'/j % of the length of lower jaw are also small but rather more scattered.

the body. The first ray, which is the shortest, is simple,
the others, up to tiie 4th or r)th inclusive, gradually
iiicreu.se in length, as well as in the distinctness of the
ramiiieation, and the hindmost ray, which is somewhat
shorter than the 5th, is also branched to about half its
length". In young specimens and in the males we have
examined, the ventral tin of the eye side thus occupies
the whole space at the ventral margin between the lie-
ginning of the anal tin and the lower anterior end of
the urohyoid bone — which in its natural position lies
just ])ehind the articulations of the lower jaw. In the
older females we have examined, on the other hand, the
beginning of the anal tin has retired somewhat further
back, simultaneously with the increase in the depth of
the body. The jiectoral tins are inserted in an obliquely
vertical position, just below the middle of tlie depth of
the body. The pectoral tin of the eye side is obliquely
rounded, the 4th ray lieing the longest; while that of
the blind side is more evenly brought to a blunt point,
the 5th and (ith rays being the longest. The first ray
is simple, the other 11 (or .sometimes 10) are more or
less distinctly and deeply branched. The length of the
pectoral fin of the eye .side varies between about 12' „
or (in the males) 13 % and 11 % of the length of the
body; while the pectoral fin of the blind side is somewhat
.shorter, its length varying between 11 or 12% and 9%
of the length of the body. The caudal fin is of a
rounded, truncate shape. Its length at the middle is
about 20 — 17 % of that of the body. In all the spe-
cimens we have examined the number of rays in this
fin has been 2 + 13 + 2.

In this species the scales are in great part trans-
formed into spinous tubercles scattered over the surface

Kven on thi' lower (]iroximal) parts of the rays of the
dorsal tin and the upper (proximal) parts of tho.se of
the ana! fin similar spinous tubercles may be found;
and on the rays of the caudal fin they often extend out
beyond the middle. The variability in their occurrence
is, however, considerable. We have found them largest
and densest in a female 32 cm. long from the island-
belt of Stockholm, most scattered in a female 53 cm.
long from Bohusliin, though from this no rule can be
deduced. In t\pica] Turbots they are never so large
as the eyes, l)ut Pali-Vs' and Xoudmaxn" describe a
lilack Sea variet\- of this species, Bothus mceoticus, with
S])inous tubercles as broad at the base as the eyes or
even broader. In form the spinous tubercles are more
or less angular or round disks, with the spine at their
middle. On the disk we find partly radiating grooves
and fissures and partly concentric striae, just as on or-
dinary scales. In the skin between these spinous tu-
bercles we find shallow and, in most cases, di.stinctly
boimded scale-sacs (follicles); but these sacs never con-
tain any distinct .scaly formation in typical Turbots.
The s\stem of the lateral line generally resembles
that of the rest of the Flatfi.shes in its extension over
the head and body. The lateral line proper forms a
sharp curve above the pectoral fiii, but from this point
runs .straight back at the middle of the sides. In the
curved ))art wi' have found from 28 to 33 opening-
ducts, in the straight jjart from 48 — 52. Sometimes,
however, on the blind side, we meet with a singular
duplication of the lateral line. On this side, at the
division between the curved and straight parts, it may
either run ujiwards in an acute angle towards the back,
and be continued from tlu' apex of the angle by a

" According to Kruyer down to the very base.
' Zoographia Eofso-Asiatica, part. Ill, p. 419.
'• Vol/. R'ls/'. -lAV., Dkmipoff, Poiss.. p. .5;U. tab. 28, tig. -2, tab. 29 et 30.

438

SCANDINAVIAN FISIIKS.

small, ascending, dorsal branch, or the curved part, in
addition to its straight continuation, may send out a
\entral branch which descends behind and below the
pectoral fin, but at once bends up again in a curve
towards the hind (lower) angle of the pectoral iin. In
the latter case three distinct ventral branches of the
lateral line may descend from the bottom of this curve,
but they bend so sharply forward that when they unite
below, this takes place close to the vent".

The internal organs in essential respects are the
same as in most of the Flatfishes, but the intestinal
canal is comparatively short. In accordance with the
form of the body the abdominal cavity is also deep and
short, its length being about \g, but its depth about
^/^, of the length of the body. The liver is compara-
tively small and scarcely fills the upper half of the left
side of the abdominal cavity. Neither externally nor
internallj' is there any marked division between the
tesophagus and the stomach. The former runs straight
back along the dorsal margin of the abdominal cavity
to the point where the stomach bends straight do^vn,
almost at right angles to it. In this angle, however,
the larjje longitudinal folds of the mucous membrane
on the inner ■wall of the stomach reach their highest
point of development, being even longitudinally divided
in two, and thus giving us reason to assume the ]jre-
sence of a kind of cardia. At its lower end the sto-
mach resembles a blind sac and is somewhat enlarged,
but from this wider part it sends out in front, straight
upwards, a narrower pyloric part which is sharply di-
vided trom the intestine, to Avhich are attached two
short but thick appendages, which fall Ijack in a more
or less sharp curve over the pylorus. A double coil
of the intestine lies in front of the stomach, and the
thick rectum coasts the front side of the pyloric part
and the bottom of the stomach. Secondary abdominal
cavities occur only in the females; l)ut tliey extend far
back, along the interluemal spines of the anal fin. In
a female 53 cm. long the two ovaries are almost equallv
long, their length from the genital opening being about
24 cm., and 14 cm. of this length lying behind the
extreme end of the abdominal cavity. At the bottom

of the abdominal cavity the ovaries are united to each
other; and the urinary bladder lies between and behind
their upper parts in the abdominal cavity.

The coloration of the eye side is extremely variable.
Not onh- are the fry known for tlieir great power of
adapting their colour M'ith comparative rapidity to the
general colour and light of their environments; but
even older specimens occur of lighter or darker shades,
spotted or of uniform colour. The ground-colour is
grav: Init in the dnrker specimens this shades into
brown or blackisli brown, in the lighter ones to yellow
or olive-green. Thus, we now find grayish brown Tur-
bots -with darker markings on the body, or specimens
of a more unvaried, blackish brown colour, and \\'ith
spots on the fins, as shown in v. Weight's figure, now
grayish, greenish yellow ones, as we see them in the
figures of Couch'' and Sundman'". The blind side is,
as usual, white or sometimes marked Avith irregular
spots except in the double specimens, which also occur
in this species, and in the fry, wliere the blind side is
more or less nearly of the same colour as the eye side.

The Turbot in all probability occurs in fairly high
northern latitudes. It is taken even among the Lofoden
Islands, though only seldom. Its true habitat, where
it is of more frequent occurrence, extends from the
vicinit-s' of Bergen to tlie Mediterranean; and as we
have mentioned, it also enters the Black Sea, as well
as the Baltic, where it is met with up to the district
of Bjorneborg, though onlv seldom north of Alands
Haf. It is not common off Stockholm, but fairly large
specimens are taken now and then in the island-belt,
where Baron Cederstrom saw a specimen 2'/2 kgm. in
weight off Holo outside Vermdo, in August, 1852 ''.
In the island-belt of Morko, according to Ekstrom, tlie
Turbot sometimes attains a weight of 'I'^l^ or 3 kgm.,
though it is not common there either. According to
Seidlitz" it occurs along the whole coast of the Baltic
Provinces of Russia. According to Benecke' tlie Tur-
bot is apparenth' not rare on the Prussian coast, where
it is said to prefer S})Ots near tlie mouths of I'ivers,
and sometimes to enter the rivers as Avell as the
lagoons or Hajf's- On the east coast of Scania it is

" Another, less intricate ramification of tlie lateral line at this point is described by KiioYElt, Damn. Fiskc, vol. 2, p. 436.

* Fish. Brit, hi., pi. CLXI.

<■ Fiiil. Fislur, pi. XXII.

'' SUNDEVALL, 1. C, p. 165.

' Fauna balticn, ji. 117.

■^ Fish., Fischer., Fisrh:. II'. v. 0. Freass., p. 95.

TLKBOT.

439

fairly I'aru", ;i.s well as in Kid P,;iy, wiicrc according
to ^loBirs and Hki.nckk, howcvci-, Turhofs wei'diin"-
10 kij;ni. lire .sonictinies I'onnd. Ott' F)oridiohn accordin"-
ti) KiioYKK, it is nuitc connnnn. l-'roui tlic Catte"-at it
SDUictinu's penetrates intu Liini I'joid, and lil<c most of
tli(! I'datfishes, tinds more cungeniMl liannts on tlic Da-
nish coMst lli;ni on the Swedish, tliougli it occurs all
tlic way from the Sound along the coasts of Ilalland
.-ind liohusliui. According to v. Yiir.Kx'' 3,900 Turhot
were hrouglit t(j (iotheuhurg market (hiring tiic ve;ir
1879; but a large jjortion of them probably came from
tlic Skiiw. In the North Sea tlie Turbot-fishery is still
more ini]i()rt;uit. "Turliot are found," says Holdsworth',
"uKM-e or less on ;dl pints of the coast; the Xortli Sea
has long been famous for these fish, especially along the
Dutch shore, wlierc, tluriug warm weathei", they are
caught in very siiallow water. Large sujjplies of Turl)ot
were formerly sent l)v the Dutch fishermen to the Lon-
don market long before our own trawlers liad established
themselves on our enstern coast, or had found out how
nuich was to be (hjiie in the North Sea. There are many
of these tish ;dso c;iut!:ht in the Channel, wlierever there

In the Mediterranean too, the Turbot is common
find ill ^n-eat rcf|uest', and is s;iid there to be largest
in the Adrialic Seii.

Tlie Turbot, at least at certain seasons, prefers a
sandy Itoitom, |)ure <jr mixed witli mud. Those spots
in the English Channel and the North Sea where it is
most abundant, are of this nature, in from 40 (;r .JO
to 10 fathoms of water. lint according to Coi:cH it
seems to be a migratory tish which moves very swiftly
in sm;ili shonls and is sometimes to be found at the
surfatc. we learn fr(;m France' that the best Turbot
are taken witli liook and line on a rocky bottom. The
nature of the bottom preferred by tiie Turbot may
thus \ary considerably. Like most other large fishes,
the Turbot retires in winter to deeper water and ascends
in sjiriiiL'^ to shallower spots. From the Dutch fishery
it also appears that in the North Sea, during spring
and summer, the Turbot moves from the south in a
northward direction. The Dutch fishei-men begin^ their
Turl)ot-tishery aliout tiie end of March, just south of
Scheveningen, I)Ut gradually move northwards, reaching
Heligoland at the beginning of June, and tishing there

is trawling ground, and no dcjubt they arc uiuuerous j to the middle of August, when the fishery generally
in many places where, on account cithci- of tlie depth
of water oi- the; nature of the bottom, no trawl lias
ever been worked. We have heard of cxti-aordinary

catches of turliot having been made in the neigh-
bourhood of W olf Rock, near the Lands End; but the
depth of the water there and the frequent heavy sea
make it difficult to trawl successfully on that ground. "
From the latest statistics in "Tlu' Fish Trades Gazette"
for 1889, Jan. 12th and 26th, we learn that the (juaii-
tities of Turbot caught In' English fishermen oi- brought
to Eno;lisii hai-bours during the years 1887 and 1888 was:

1887

1888

Cwts

1

£

c«t«

1

£

Kngland

63.166
5.285

184.662
14.4-25

55.020
54-22
1.211

1

175.101

16.311

4.-260

Scotland

IrclancV

Tclnl

{)] .(j5.')

1!I5(;72

closes for the sca.son. KiaiVKK (piotes an observation
of the Danish fishermen off' MOen to the effect that in
spring the Turbot comes close in shore. With regard
to the fisheiy in Bohuslan Malm makes almo.st the
same remark, with the addition that "small specimens
about I.jO mm. long are not unfrequently taken in the
seine at a depth of from 3 to 6 fathoms, at the head
of the f^jords, in places where the Ijottom is of a suit-
alijc nature."

The food of the Turbot is composed principally of
tish. crustaceans, and mollusks. (X-ssox'' found in the
stomacli of a full-grown Turbot a large Haddock, and
in a young s[iecimen a small Plaice, Sand-eels, Pipe-
fishes {Sijn(])iathi) and examples of the Freckled Goby
{Gohius minuttis). Day states that he found a mixture
of crabs, shrimps, and stai-fish in the stomach of a Tur-
bot. Thus the Turbot seems to lie no dainty eater;
l)ut it is very particular as to the (juality of the bait

" See LiLf-jEBORG, 1. c, p. .^17.

'• lutern. Fischerciausstell. Berl. 1880, Scliwe.l. Catal.. I. 2. tab. 1.

" Deep-Sea-Fish; p. 00.

'' Complete reports from Ireland for tlie year 1887 are wanting.

' Espos. intern, di Pesca in Berlino 1880, Scz. Ital. Catal., p. 98 (GlGLlOLl) and p. 180 (XlN.si).

•'' Bi.ANCHEBR, Xoiii). Diet. Gill. d. Pi'i:hes, p. 807.

■J YAnn, Bi-ii. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 325.

'' luktt. skand. fisk: joda, Lunds Univ. Arsskrift, tom. VIII (1871), p. 10 (sep.).

440

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

used for it. Tliis must be perfectly fresh, and consist
of a bit of Herring, Sand-eel, or Mackerel, or, still better,
a Lamprey. The Turbot is often taken on bulters or
hand-lines with bait of this description or, at a pinch,
with the flesh of a shellfish or an Annelid. In Scandinavia,
however, it is caught chiefly in Flounder-nets; and the
great fishery in the North Sea is carried on with the trawl.

In Sweden, according to Nilsson and Malm, the
Turbot spawns in May and June. Mr. C. A. Hansson
has forwarded to the Royal Museum from Strorastad a
young specimen 18 mm. long, with the wandering eye
exactly at the bridge of the snout, that was taken on
the 20th of June, 1882. This specimen was probably
at least a month old. Day mentions a specimen taken
on the 20th of August, about 38 mm. long, but at the
same point in the course of development, the age of
which he supi)oses to have been two raontlis. The
Turbot is enormously prolific. Buckland" estimated
the number of the eggs in a female 23 lbs. in weight
and with ovaries weighing 5 lbs. 9 oz., at 14,311,200.
CoLLETT computed their number to be 1,056,000 in a
female 775 mm. long, whose ovaries weighed 0'52 kgm.
This fecundity is well needed if the species is to sur-
vive the war of extermination with which it is threat-
ened by the trawl. The Turbot too, has always been
sought after more than most other fishes that do not
occur in immense shoals, on account of its great value
as human food.

The flesh of the Turbot is white, firm (flaky) and
of good flavour. In flavour it is perhaps inferior to
the Sole — "de giistibiis noii lUspiiffoidmn" — but the large
quantity of flesh which it yields, gives it a much
greater value. Its proper place is beside the Salmon,
if we may compare these two species -when proi)erlv
prepared and eaten with suitable sauces. Like the Sal-
mon and the Halibut, the Turbot is best when boiled.
In -France, according to Moreau, it is still called Sea-
pheasant {faisan d'eaii); and in 1770, according to Day,
it was known by this name in Dublin. Even the an-
cient Romnns had conceded to the Turbot the same
high rank among fish as that occupied by the pheasant
among fowl, and this comparison has endured to our
time. The Romans, however, set large Turbot highest,
wliile we prefer those of average size. Juvenal tells
us that the Emperor Domitian called together the Sen-

ate to deliberate how a Turl)ot of wonderful size
should be boiled.

As appeal's from the statistics given above of the
amount and value of the Turbot taken by English
fishermen during the year 1888, the average Avholesale
price of Turbot per lb. in England is 6^, ^ d. Accord-
ing to NiNNi (Catalogue of the Italian Exhibition, Bei'-
lin 1880, p. 180), the Turbot in Venice commands a
price of al)out l^^ francs per kgrni. (about 6' g d. per
II).) for small fish, and as much as 4 francs per kgrm.
(17d. per 11).) for large ones. "In Gothenburg," says
jMalm, 'it is much in demand among the Avealthy, and
during the thirty years I have lived there, the price
of a large Turbot, about 2 ft. long'', has gradually
risen from 3 — 5 to 18 — 25 crowns (3s. 4d. — 5s. 7d. to
4'1 — t'l 8s.)." The value of the Turbot is consider-
ably enhanced b-\- the circumstance that it can be kept
fresh comparatively long. It is also fairly tenacious of
life. Kroyei! states that \vhen tlie Danish fishermen of
the Cattegat take a large Tiu'ljot and cannot imme-
diately find a purchaser for the valuable catch, they
tie a line round its tail or pass one tln-ough its mouth
and gill-openings, and fasten it to a stone or stake on
the beach. Tims prevented from escaping, the Turbot
can live some time in rather shallow water, if the
weather is not too warm. "The manner," adds Kkover,
"in which tlie Turbot is kept alive in the well-boats,
puts its tenacity of life, in n\\ opinion, ro a still harder
test. With a cord passed through the mouth and gill-
openings it is hung straight up and down in the well-
stowage, fiistened to the deck-beams. This is done
because it is impossible to let the Turbot lie among
the other Flatfishes, for it ^\'ould then damage its com-
panions Avitli its sharp spinous tubercles, especially
when the boat is beating up against the wind or is
in a heavy sea."

In Scandinavia the Turljot is taken principally in
April and ^lay and from August to October inclusive.
During the spawning-season itself (Ma-s' and June) most
of these fish are of course lean and flabby; but the
Turbot is voracious enough soon to regain its former
condition. It is considered best from September to
April inclusive. According- to Yarkell the English
actor QuiN, of epicurean notoriety, Avas the first to
discover that the flesh of the Turbot is best on the

" Nat. Hist. Bi-it. Fish., p 18H.
'' About G kirrin. in wcisriit.

lilill.I,.

441

eye side, where it is also thickest. For this reason
English coMsiiniers set most value on "doulilc" Turhots,
i. e. those which arc coloured on hotli sides.

In Sweden the Turlxil is known \>\ nian\ names.
The ISciinians say pif/f/rarr or pifrnic (ef. the Danish
piffvarr); on (iotldand aud in the isIand-liclt of .Stock-

holm it is called Butta, Botfn or Potta (cf. the German
linttc). Just as the Germans also call the Turbot Stein-
huff, in SiVlermanland, according to Ekstrom, it is
known as Stcnjiuiidra, and in Stockholm, according to
Mal.m, as Stenpotla. Vigghvarf or Pigghrurfrel (Spiny
Fluke) is the name given it in l>ohuslan.

THE BRILL {sw. slatiivaufven.)
BOTIIUS RHOMBUS.

I'lale XVIII, tig. 2.

Greatest depth of the body less than 50 %", length of the head h-ss than 27 %, postorhital length of the head
less than IG %, length of the maxillarg bone of the eye side less fhim 12 %, length of the hraneh of the lower
jaw on the blind side less than 15 %, distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout less than 27 %, base
of the left ventral fin less than 10 %, base of the right ventral fin and the greatest thickness of the body less
than 8 %, of the length of the body. First rays of the dorsal fin repeatedly divided into lobate branches. Number
of rays in the dorsal fin more than 70, in the anal fin more than 50. Least depth of the tail more than 20 %,
and the length of the caudal fin at the middle at least :u; %, of the greatest depth of the body. Body covered

irifh small, haf firmly attached scales-

R. br. 7; D. 73—80''; A. 54— 61'-; P. 11
.r+13 1. 14+.r; Lin. lat. ca 120''; Vert. 35—36.

12; V. G; C.

iHpi. Rhombus la'vis, Kondk.l., I>e /'/.«;., lib. XI, cap. Ill; Lix.
(Pleuronectes), It. Wijot., p. 178 (num. a Linn.T-o ante Syst.
Nat. X. datnui. postea rejectuni): Gottschb (Rlioinbus),
Wiegni. Arch. Naturg. I, 2 (1835), p. 175; Bo.n'ap., Fn.
ItaL, III, Pesc, tab. No. 99, fig. 2; NiLSS., iil^and. Fn.,
Fisk., p. 638; Gthe, Cat. Brit. Mus., Fisfi., vol. IV, p.
410; Steind., Stzber. .\kad. Wi.ss. Wion, Math. Naturw. CI.,
LVII, I (1868) p. 714; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ.
1874, TiUnogsh., p. 137; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 37; NiNNi, Espo.s. Intern. Pesc. Berl.
1880, Sez. ItaL, Cat., p. 180; MoR., ///.</. Nat. Poiss. Fr.,
torn. Ill, p. 340; Day, F(sh. G:t Brit., Iret., vol. II. p. 14.
tab. XCVII; McJB.. HcKE, Fish. Osts., p. 90.
Pleuronecles Rhombus, Lin., Sijst. Xat., cd. X, toni. 1, p. 271;
Retz., Fn. ^uec. Lin., p. 332; gvE.NS., Vet.-Akad. Handl.
1806, p. 54 et 207; Nilss., Prodr. Ichlh. ^caml., p. 59;
ScHAGERSTR., Physiog. SSUsk. Tidsk., 1837, p. 312; Ekstr.,
Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Sandi. Handl.. X. T.. H. 1 (1850) p. 40:

THOirs., Xat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 201; Jord., Gilb.
(Bothus), Proc. U. S. Nat. Miis. 1882, p. 577; hu.u., Sv.,
Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 319.
Plettronectes passer, Gronov.; PI. cristatus, Licht.; PI. Ho-
derma, Nardo; Bothus rumolo, Rafin., Rliombus barbatus,
Risso; Pleuronectes pavonina, Costa : — vide Gthr et Day. 11. cc.

The Brill and the Turbot are as closelv related to
each other as the Plaice and the Flounder — to choose
one of the most prominent examples among the nianv
that wo might select from the preceding part of this
work. In tlie great majority of the chai*acters, too, tin-
differences are parallel, so that in the following table
we constantly find tlie percentage higher or lower in
the IJrill than in the Turbor. in exactly those characters
in wliieli we tiiid a similar difference between the Plaice
and tlie Flounder (ef. the above table, p. 407.)

" In very old (large) specimens, however, the percentage may be greater.

* According to Gottsche 67 — 83.

<■ According to GoTTSCHE and Day 50 — 63.

'' In two specimens 118 and 126 respectively, the former with ahont 30 additional scales on the caudal tin, the latter with about 20.

Scandinavian Finhes.

56

442

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

\ V (. 1

nee in

Bothus rhombus
;') specimens.

Buthus iiKixwius
4 speeiinens.

151

ICS

„ „ ,, head

in %

of

the

length

of the body

■2G.0

28.9

Greatest depth of the body -

?) T»

)»

»)

?)

i) »» »»

4(J.2

5S.4

10.6

10.4

Postorbital leutrth of the hcjid

H 1»

i»

)T

„

„ „ „

15.4

17.7

Leniith of the lower jaw ou the eye side

■>•> J»

>»

„

)»

V H )i

14.U

15.3

,, „ ,, ., „ ,, .. l)lind „

14 1

lo H

„ „ ,, base of the dorsal tin

„

M

•5 *» M

70.3

72.8

.) » aual

H )1

5)

'5

?)

?» i) H

60.5

5.S.6

„ „ „ lonijest ray in the dorsal lin

11 0

12.9

11 4

13 1

Distance between the anal fin and the tip of the

snout

)) )»

„

„

„

7» 7) •)

25.,;

34.4

Length of the pectoral fin of the eye side

»J )•

»J

„

»)

»? » »)

11.8

12.4

It is t)nly in the length (height) of the ventral tin
of the eye side and the length of the middle rays of
the caudal tin that tiie averages in the Scandinavian
Brill and Turbot ran in the opposite direction to the
difference ^\•hicll tlie table on p. 407 shows between the
Plaice and the Flounder. The average length of the
longest ray in the ventral tin of the eye side, expressed
in percent of the length of the body, has proved in
the Scandinavian IJrill to be. I'b, in the Scandinavian
Turbot 7"7, wjiile the corresponding average length
of the middle rays of the caudal tin is 17'5 in the
Brill and 19 in tlie Turbot. The ventral tins are also
smaller in all respects in the Brill than in the Turbot,
the average length of the base of the ventral tin, ex-
pi'essed in percent of the length of the body, in the
specimens of the Brill included in tlie above table,
being 9'1 on the eye side and 7"4 on the l)lind side,
while the corresponding percentages in the specimens
of the Turbot included in the above table are respect-
ively in and 8-9.

To this comparison we may also add that, just as
the Plaice has more vertebra; and more rays in the
dorsal and anal tins than the Flounder, the Brill also
surpasses the Turbot in these respects. And just as
the Plaice generally has ordy cycloid scales, while the
Flounder is distinguished by its spinous warts, the Brill
is furnished with cycloid scales, thin, small and im-
bricated on both sides of the body, on the rays of the
vertical tins, and on part of the ra}s of the left pec-
toral tin, while the Turbot, as we have mentioned, is
without these scales, but lias its spinous tubercles.

In other respects, hoA\'ever, these two species are
so like each other that no detailed description of the
Brill can be necessary. Still, the Brill is much thinner
and of a more elliptical form. The greatest thickness
of the body, which occurs in tlie anterior part of the
abdominal region, seems never to exceed 8 % of the
length of the body; in young specimens, between 9 and
1 1 cm. long, we have found this percentage to vary
between 7"8 and 7'2, while in more adult specimens,
u}) to a length of 22 cm., it has varied between 6"6
and 6'4. Another, more important characteristic appears
in the anterior rays of the dorsal tin, the anal tin, and
the ventral fin of the eye side. The first rays of the
dorsal fin, in full-grown specimens back to the fifth ray,
are deepl-v and repeated!}- branched, the first and second
rays being also usually longer than those immediately
following them, which graduallv diminish in length until
at the fifth or sixth rav — in old specimens at the
seventh rav — they again begin h\ little and little to
increase in length". The first, nudtifid rays also project
beyond the true fin-membrane, sometimes to half their
length, but ai'c themselves furnished with a small, mem-
branous fiap along the anterior and posterior margins,
thus acquiring a flat, lobate appeai'ance. The remainder
of the dorsal fin'' is composed of more or less distinctly
bifid rays, their tips above the fin-membrane growing
gradually shorter behind. The greatest height (longest
ray) of the dorsal fin occurs bet^\•een the 35th and 50th
rays. Its lieginning lies further forward on the snout
than in the Turl^ot, a |)oint that is best illustrated by
the circumstance that the anterior nostril of the Idind

" The anterior pnrt of tlu; dorsal fin is very frequently elevated in the preceding genus.

The anterior rays of the (hirsal fin, in adult specimens back to at least the 25th ray (as in tlie preceding species), are furnished
on the hlind side of the body with a thin, raised, niembratious margin.

BRILI..

443

side, which in tlie Tuvbot is in ;i liiu; with the first ray
of this fin, liere lies in a line with the tliird ray. The
structure of tlie anal tin is, as usual, essentially tlie
same as that of the dorsal tin; hat the above remarks
as to the ramification of the raAS are \alid here only
in exceptional cases and even then apply only to the
very first ray, Avhich is also not elongated. The anal
fin is highest between the 21st and 29th rays. Both
the dorsal and tiie anal fins kee]) to the dorsal edge
posteriorh', but end distinctly nearer the blind side.

The coloration of the eye side is also very variable
in the Brill. It is generally grayish brown or greenish,
with dark, undefined spots on a lighter or darker ground,
and with dark, smaller spots and dots or ocellated spots
or plain, lighter, whitish yellow ones, arranged as in
most specimens of the Plaice, in one row along the
base of the dorsal hn, in another along that of the anal
fin, and scattered over tlie body and fins, especially
the caudal. Sometimes the eye side is entirely black,
witli a few white spots on the anal fin (Couch). The
spots on the fin-rays are especially distinct on the
anterior rays of the dorsal fin. There they form hand-
some, narrow, transverse bands on the rays, giving
them the appearance of fine, small blades of seaweed,

111 Scandinavia at least, the Brill never attains even
the ordinary size of the Turbot. A Brill 60 cm. long
is exceptionally large. According to Kroyee, however,
it is sometimes about 30 Danish inches (78 cm.) in
length. Bearing in mind that a Brill 575 mm. long
weighs 8 Danish pounds (4 kgin.), we must conclude
that this species attains a much larger size in the
Mediterranean, whei-e, according to Risso", specimens
8 kgm. in weight are taken.

In its manner of life and geographical range the
Brill resembles the preceding species, but probably
does not go so far north'' and also does not penetrate
so far into the Baltic, being hardly found east of Scania
and Mecklenliurg. Off Bornholm it is unknown'"; Benecke
does not include it among the fishes of the Prussian
coast, nor Seidlitz among those of the Baltic Provinces

of Russia; and a statement made long ago by Fischer
(1777), to the effect that it occurs in the Gulf of Fin-
land, thus seems very dubious. In the south of the
Sound it is fairly rare, but further nortli, in the Catte-
gat and Skagcr Rack, it is about as common as the
Turbot. Ill the North Sea and further south in the
Atlantic it is still more common'', as well as in the
Mediterranean and the Adriatic; Init tlu-re is no record
of its occurrence in the Black Sea. It is no less vora-
cious than tlic Turbot, and lives chiefly on fish and
crustaceans, Init does not take a hook so readily. In
Scandinavia it is taken principally in Flounder-nets, and
in the Nortli Sea by trawling. On the coast of Bo-
huslan, on the 20tii of May, 1857, Malm found a
female \vith running roe. Hence it seems that it spawns
at the same time of year as the Turbot. It should
thus hi' best for table in winter, but then it is gener-
ally scarcer, probable because at this season it seeks
deeper water; and in summer, when it is most plentiful,
the flesh is naturally more flabby after the spawning,
and often infested with worms. This is the cause of
its ill-repute, and not even in its best condition can it
rank with the Turbot; but it is by no means to be
despised, being at least as good as the Plaice. On his
travels in Spain and Portugal Steindachner observed
that on the Spanish Peninsula the Brill is not inferior
to the Turbot either in size or in delicacy of flavour.
In England, on the other hand, it is so little esteemed
that its price is not separately Cjuotcd in the London
fish-market, an honour of which both the Plaice and
the Dory are considered Avorthy.

Sldfhrarf or Slathvarfvel (Smooth Fluke) is the
ordiiiarv name of the Brill in Bohuslan, though on
Sydkoster, according to Malm, it is called Sandhvarf.
"At Abekas," says Nilsson, "it is believed to be a
hybrid between the Turbot, \vhicli it resembles in shape,
and the Plaice, from which it is supposed to derive
its smooth skin. Hence it is usually called Horunge
(Bastard), and is known to every fisherman by this
name. Some call it Sidffrar."

" Ichthyoloyie de Nice, p. ,S16.

* Kroyer assumes that tlie iiorlhem limit of the range of the Brill lies between Lat. 61' ami 62% i. e. in the neighbourhood of Bergen.
'' See WiNTHER, I. c.

'' The Brill, like many other FlatBshes, sometimes ascends rivers. "Because it enters the Elbe more often than other Flatfishes," says
Block (Fische Deutschlands, II, p. 38), "the inhabitants of Hamburg have conferred upon it the name of Elbbutt."

444

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The relation between the Turbot and the Brill is
further illustrated by the form which lias received of
Malm the specific name of hyhridus. \^\' have already
remarked the existence of hybrids of the Turbot and
Brill. QuELCH states" that such specimens are taken
in spring on the Dutch coast, but that they are fairly
rare. "They resemble the turbot in shape, but tlie
head is like the brill. They have neither the spiny
protuberances of the turbot nor the scales of the brill,
but are thickly covered with small horny plates, a sort
of compromise between the two." Moreau's variety
of the Brill from the Mediterranean (1. c, p. 342) is

also an intermediate form, which may most naturally
be explained on the assumption of hybridism. In this
form not only are the anterior rays of the dorsal fin
less ramified than in the typical Brill, but the length
of the upper jaw, according to Moreau's measurements,
is also more than 12 % of the length of the body, a
character which we liavc invariably found to belong
to the Turbot''. A number of intermediate forms,
varying in their degrees of resemblance, one more like
the Turbot and another more like the Brill, may thus
be assumed to exist; and at least two have been met
with Avithin the limits of the Scandinavian fauna.

THE BRILL-LIKE TURBOT. BOTHUS MAXIMUS HYBRIDUS.

Fis?. 113.

1^4

\i '

•%

Fig. 113. Bothus ma.riiinis Injbridus, 0^, -,3 of the natural size. Taken at a depth of 20 fathoms in Strijnistad Fjord,

on the 21st of May, 1887, by C. A. Hansson.

" Proc. Zool. Soo. Lond. 1869, p. 473.

' EkstRom's description of the Baltic Turbot Avitli 60 rays in the dorsal tin and 49 in tlie anal can liardly be explained in this manner,
for the Brill has never been n)et with so far up the Baltic.

HYBHII) TIIRBOT AND BHII.L.

445

Tliis form is described at length hy Malm ((tlx/s,
Ihili. Fn., p. ")ll). He possessed two specimens, l)otli
females and hotli taken off tlie Skaw, tlie one, 56 cm.
long, in April, 1871, and the other, H2 cm. long, in
Nov(>mber, 1<S80. A tliird specin)en, a male 38 cm.
long, was cangiit by Mr. ('. A. Uanssson in Str5rastad
Fjord, on the 21st of May, 1887, and forwarded by
him to the Royal Mnsenm.

Relatively to tlie length of the body the greatest
depth is more than 50 %, the total length of the head
less than 27 %, the postorbital length of the head less than
17 %, the lenii'th of the maxillary bones less than 12 %,
the length of the right brancli of the lower jaw less than
15 %, the distance between tlie anal fin and the tip of
the snout less than 30 %, the base of the left ventral
tin more than 10 %;, that of the i-ight ventral fin more
than 8 %, and tlu' greatest thickness of the body less
than 8 %. First ray of the dorsal fin deeply and
repeatedh- liranched. Xumbei- of i-ays in the dorsal
fin less than 70, in the anal fin less than 50. Least
depth of the tail less than 20 %, median length of the
caudal fin less than 36 % of the greatest depth of the
body. Body furnished with fairly dense, thickened,
oval, tubercular scales, more or less covered by skin,
each with a Iom' and blunt protuberance behind, and

with a groove I'unning forward from this protuberance.
Curved (abdominal) part of the lateral line high and
short, the height of the curve being about half its
length, which measures about % ff ^'k' length of the
middle rays of the caudal fin. Length of the base of
the dorsal fin, measured in a straight line, more than
75 %, of the anal fin, measured in the same manner,
more than ()0 %, of the length of the body. Each of
the rays of the vertical fins furnished with a double
row of si'ales, the posterior row containing almost typical
cycloid scales, like those of the Brill, excepting that
the nucleus in the <juter (posterior) part of the scale
is slightly raised into a buckle.

The fin-formula in the specimens on record is:
B. 63—65; A. 47—48; P. 12"; V. 6'; C. 2'+ 13'' + 2".

The lateral line of the eye side contains 34' — 36
scales in the arch and 51^ — 60 in the straight part,
or 85 — 96 scales in all. On the blind side we have
found 37 scales in the arch and 71 in tlie straight
part of the lateral line.

Malm's specimens were brownish, with a slight
dash of olive-gray, on the eye side; Hansson's specimen,
when it reached the Museum, Avas of an almost plain
blackish brown. The blind side is white.

THE TURBOT-LIKE BRILL — BOTHUS RHOMBUS HYBRIDUS.

Fiir. lU.

Mr. Haxsson has forwarded to the Royal Museum
a male specimen of this form, 33 cm. long, that was
taken in Stromstad Fjord on the 10th of May, 1889.

In this specimen the fin-formula is:
D. 68; A. 52; P. 12; V. 6; C. 2 + 13 + 2.

The scales of the lateral line are so indistinct that
they can scarcely be counted with certainty. I believe
there were 106 opening ]iores liack to the base of the
caudal fin on the eye side, and 118 on the blind side,
of these 44 in the arch on tlie former side and -18 on
the latter.

As in the preceding form the body resembles that
of the Turbot in one respect: the greatest depth of the
body is more than half the length. But the least rlepth
of the body (tail) is somewhat more than '/, (nearly
22 %) of the greatest depth, a character which gives
this form a resemblance to the Brill. Furthermore,
the first rays in the dorsal fin branch still more like
those of the Brill: the anal fin contains more than 50
rays; the liase of the ventral fin of the ej'e side mea-
sures less than ' ^ of the length of the body; the
scales are still more nearly of the typical cycloid form.

" According to Malm 10.

' Thtse rays (the two outermost at the upper and lower margins of tlie caudal fin) do not extend to the hind margin of the fin,
and the inner one on each i^ide is branched (bifid). This is also true of the following form.
"' According to Malm 1-1.
' Accor<ling to Malm.

446

- SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

liciug only slightly thickened, entirely covered with
skin, and with a scarcely perceptible buckle, which
externally appears like a small tubercle, and from whic'h
the groove in the scale runs in a forward direction.
The anterior bend of the lateral line is comparatively
low and long, as in the Brill, its height above the line

as characteristic of the Brill, this form resembles the
preceding one; but as in the Turbot and the preceding
form the base of the ventral fin on the blind side is
more than 8 % of the length of the body.

The coloration of the Turbot-like Brill is olive-
gray, with Ijlackish brown, ocellated or simple spots

Fi2-. 114.

Fig. 114. Bothus vhombus hybridus, cf,

af tlie natural size. Talien in Stromstad Fjord, on the lOtli of May, 1889,
by C. A. Hansson.

from tlie beginning of the lateral line l)ehind the tem-
poral region to the beginning of the straight part, is
about a third of the length of this line, wliich in this
form as in the Brill is equal to, or even greater than,
the length of the middle rays of the caudal fin. In the
other points that we remarked in the preceding form

on the body and the vertical fins, almost as in
V. Weight's figure of tlie Brill, though tlie large
clouded spots are more indistinct. Tlie white spots
at the bases of the dorsal and anal fins, as 'well as on
the lateral line and the operculum, are also jn'eserved
in this form.

In whatever way we choose to explain these two
forms — whether as hybrids, which seems most likely,

they show such

or as varieties of another signification

an intermingling of the characters of the Turbot with
those of the Brill that we c-aii hardly regard these two
chief species of the genus as widely separate.

FLUKES.

447

GuNus LEPIDORHOMBUS.

Jair-teeth of nHiform she (no canines), po'iutcd, recurred, siihiII. m/d set in a card on the front part of the inter-
maxiUanj tiones and af tin' loirer jair. Head of the roiiier also furnished ivith small teeth, liat the imlatine hones
and tongue smooth. Loirer phariingeal teeth set in several rows {cardiform). Most of the fn-raijs branched.
Dranehiostegal membranes partiall// united below, but further back meeting in different planes, the one crossing
the other. Branchiostegal rays 7. Middle a-nll of the branehiostegal cavity pierced above the nrohyoid bone by
a large hole. Ventral fins free from the anal fin. Scales on the eye side of the body ciliated at the hind margin,
on the blind side smooth-margined. Anal sp'nie and jireajud spines n-a)iting. Distance between the anal fin and
the tip of the snout greater than the length aj' the head or only slightly less than it.

Tlie following three genera, which were long coni-
l)inecl, not unnaturally, witli the preceding genus — so
close is the connexion lietween them — are characteriz-
ed in the first place by the peculiarity pointed out
first by Steenstrup", that the median wall between
the two branchial cavities is bfoken below the branchial
arches and the lower pharyngeals. But they also de-
viate more than any other of tlie Bothoids from the
symmetrical piscine type, in tlie transference of the
posterior parts of the dorsal and anal fins to the blind
side. We have already observed a slight tendency in
this direction in the case of the Brill; but here this
asymmetry is more and more developed till it culminates
in the termination of these fins l)y a distinct lobe on
the blind side.

The genus Lepidorhombus'' resembles Bofhus in
the dentition of the head of the vomer and the separa-
tion of the ventral fins from the anal fin; but, apart
from the division of the wall of the branchial cavitj',
is of an entirely different form of liody. The body is
more elongated, narrow, and thin, the greatest height
of the dorsal and anal fins being situated further back.
The scales, too, are more plentiful and larger, but thin
and, on the eye side, ciliated at the hind margin. Like
the following genera, too, but in a still higher degree,
Lepidorhombus is distinguished from Both us by the
shallower peduncle of the tail, the least depth of the
body, which in Both us is at least about 10 % of the

length of tlic body, being at most about 7 % thereof
in L^ejjidorhombus. This genus dift'ei'S from the two
following genera, apart from the characters given above,
chiefly in the large size of the gape. Even the branch
of the lower jaw on the blind side, which is somewhat
shorter than that on the eye side, measures distinctly
more than half the length of the head, in adult speci-
mens at least about 55 % thereof; while in the follow-
ing genera this proportion is at most a little less than
50 %.

The genus L^epidorhombus has been divided into
three species, all belonging to European waters: Lepi-
dorh. Boscii'', l^elonging to the Mediterranean, with
elongated bod}' and large, deciduous scales, and with
fewei- rays in the dorsal fin (75 — 82) and the anal
(62 — 66); Lepidorh. u-hiff {megastoma), belonging to
the Mediterranean, where it is known bv the name of
Cardine, and the Atlantic outside, up to the soutii of
Great Britain and Ireland, where it bears the names
of Whiff' and Carter, ^vith elongated body, the greatest
depth being less than ' ^ of the length, and more nu-
merous and more firmly attached scales; and the more
northern L^epidorh. vclivolans, with deeper body than
the latter. Gigijoli, however, proposed, according to
Day, to unite these forms into one single species; and
the opinion most generally current at present, and pro-
bably the correct one, is that at least the la.st two
forms should be regarded as one species.

'■ Overs. Dske Vid. Selsk. Forh. 18G5, p. 100.

'' GOnther, subgenus. Cat. Brit. Mm., Fish., vol. IV, p. -107.

' Fleuronectes Boscii, Risso, Iclith. Nice, p. 319, pi. VIL fig. 33; Bon.\p. F>i. Ital., Ill, tav. Xo. 97, fig. 2.

448

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE WHIFF (sw. glashvarfven").

LEPIDORHOMBUS WHIFF.

Fig. 115.

Greatest depth of the hodij less than 40 %, total length of the head less than 25 %, length of the head heh'ind
the lower eye less than 14 %, vw.rillari/ hone of the eye side more than 10 %, maxillary hone of the hlind side
more than 9 %, hranches of the lower jaw more than 13 %, jyecforal fn of tlie hlind side less than 7 %, hase of
the dorsal fin {measured in a straight line) less than 75 %, its greatest height (longest ray — ahoat the 54th or
55th) less than 9 %, hase of the anal fin less than 60 %, its greatest height (ahoat the 42nd ray) less than 9 %,
distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout more than 25 %, length of the middle caudal rays mea-
sured from the Jiind limit of the scales of tJie body less than 14^ \, %, greatest thickness (f the hody less than
6 %, of the length of the body. Length of the pectoral fin of the blind side less than \\ that of the lower jaw,
and the length of the middle caudal rays less than that of the lou:er jaw, but more than ' 2 tliaf of the liead.
Least deptli of the tail more than 17 % of the greatest depth of the body.

R. br. 7; /). 85 — 01; A. 67—75; P. sin. 11 1. 12, dextr.
9 1. 10; r. 6; C. 2 + 13 + 2; Lin. lal. 110—125; Vert. 41.

Sijn. Whitf, Penn., Brit. Zool. (1776), III, p. 209; Pleuronectes
whiff, Wai.b., Ichth. Art., Ill, p. 120; Jouv., Go&& {Lepido-
rhombus). Rep. Coinm. Fish., Fisher. 1886, p. 252.

Pleuronectes megastoma, Donovan, Brit. Fi.ift.. vol. Ill, pi. 51;
YaRR. (Rhombus), Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 342; DuB.,
KOR., Vet.-Akad. Handl., 1844, p. 102; t^lhss. , SkanJ. Fn.,
Fisk., p. 641; GthR) Uat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. IV, p.
411; Couch, Fish, Brit. IsL, vol. Ill, p. 167, tab. CLXIV;
Coll. {Zeuyopterus), Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, TilL-egsh.,
p. 138; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 76; (Lepidorhombus), N. Mag.
Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884). p. 100; M.\lm (Rhombus).
Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 516; More.\l- (Pleuronectes), Hist. Xat.
Poiss. Fr., torn. Ill, p. 332; Day (Arnoglossn.'^), Fish. Gt.
Brit., Irel., vol. II, p. 21, tab. XCVIII; Lill.i. (Zeugopterus),
Sv., Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. II, p. 341.

Zeugopterus ? velivolans, Richard.s. in Y.^rr., Brit. Fish., ed.
2, vol. II, suppl. 2, p. 1; Couch, 1. c, p. 163, tab. CLXIII.

The Whitt' attains a length of at least about 6
dm.'' The body is as elongated as that of the Pole,
but far thinner, being so thin and transparent, accord-
ing to V. DuBEN and Koren, that "when a fresh spe-
cimen is held towards the light, the bones and viscera
are distinctly visible." The bodv is deepest somewhat
behind the middle point of the distance between the
tip of the snout and the beginning of the peduncle
(finless part) of the tail on tlie eye side, and in old
specimens, more than 5 dm. long, measures rather less
than half this distance, or about half the base of the
dorsal tin, measured in a straight line. In younger
specimens, up to a length of about 4 dm., this depth

is even relatively less, being not even equal to the di-
stance between the tip of the snout and the end of the
curved anterior part of the lateral line. This species
is also recognisable at the first glance by the very pro-
jecting tip of tlie lower jaw Avitli its well-developed
chin-knob, and I)}- the comparatively long snout. The
distance betAveen the tip of the snout and the anterior
margin of the lower orbit is equal to the longitudinal
diameter of this orbit, which is by no means incon-
siderable, or to the distance from the posterior margin
thereof to the hind margin of the preoperculum. The
length of the lower jaw is greater than that of the
head behind the lower eye. The sides of the ti]) of
the snout are remarkalile for their unevenness, whicli
is caused partly l)y the anterior (upper) end of the
maxillary bone, and partly (on the eye side) by the
outer (upper anterior) articular process of the palatine
bone. Just behind the articulation of the maxillary
bone, and protruding still more than in the true Bo-
thoids, rises the lobate process of this bone that we
have noticed above in the Turbot. When the mouth
is closed, the tips of the nasal jtrocesses of the inter-
maxillary bones form a swelling that gives tlie ujiper
edge of the snout a depressed (concave) shai^e at the
begimiing of the dorsal tin. On the other hand, when
the UKJuth is open, and the intermaxillary l)ones pro-
truded, tlie profile of the snout is almost straight and
runs in a straight line with the even slope (only slightly

" Malm, 1. c.

' Couch assuines that it attains a lengtli of 23 or 24 in. (58 or 61 cm.). Thompson's largest specimen from Ireland was 23' ._,

n. long.

WIIIKF.

449

(■lined) of tlic iiiitiM-ioi- part <ii' the ilorsal cd^i' ol the (liiniictcr. The ii]icnMiluiii and suboix'rculuin are like

l)()(Iv. The eyes, though tlic\ ih< not ciiliivK fill ilic those of tiie preceding forms. The sinus in the hind

<)rl)its, are fairlv large, tlieii' longitudinal diaimler in margin is shallow and fdled ])y the hranchiostegal raem-

full-growM specimens, more than 'A') cm. long, measur- I hranc The gill-opening scarcely extends up to a level

ing from ■ », to ' ,, of the ])ostorliital length of the head. with tlic middle of tiie upper eye, though tiie upper arti-

..^ ^.-,>-v^-^-.-<- X*":,'

,.^?;

. • -^

■y0e>''

^S^?^f^\^:\^

XV

'T

f

g0

Mm

Fig. 115. Lepiilorlwmbus tvlrijf, seen from Uie eye side and from tlie Ijlind side, ','3 of tl.e natural size. Specimen taken by

Fislierman Olsson on tlie fishing-bank of Jaderen in 1874.

The dividing wall between them (the narrow frontal culation of tiie i)reoperculum occurs here. Tiie pre-

bones), a rounded, longitudinal carina, measures at the oi)erculum is obtuse-angled, with rounded corner. The

narrowest spot, in old specimens, between 4 and 5' , dm. interoperculum is long, a little shorter than the inaxil-

in length, only ',5 or scarcely * 4 of their longitudinal lary bones, and of uniform breadth. The mouth is

Scandinavian Fishes.

450

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

obliquely set, being turned upwards at an angle of
about forty-five degrees. The teeth arc small, pointed,
and set in a fairly dense card on the front of the lower
jaw — beyond the tip of the snout ^vhen the mouth is
closed — and on tlic intcrmaxilluvy bones. Eacli of
these cards narro^vs posteriorly into twt) rows and fi-
nallv into one single row. ( )n the liead of the vomer
the teeth are (juite as strong, but fewer, sometimes only
3 — 6. 'flu' inner transverse folds (vela) differ in de-
velopment in different individuals, but ai-e sometimes
fairh' broad botli in the up})er ja-\v and the lower. The
nostrils are of the same form as in the preceding genus,
the anterior round, the posterior oblong and set longi-
tudinally. A small process-like Hap is set at tlie iVont
margin of the anterior nostril, which is marked in this
species by an extraordinarily large, foliate, rounded
flap Jaehind. The position of the nostrils is also es-
sentially the same as in Bothies, tliough the}' lie farther
out on the snout, on the eye side at about its middle;
on the l)lind side the anterior nostril lies vertically
below the first ray of the dorsal fin.

Here, too, the anterior rays of the dorsal fin liave
a broad, membranous margin, but ai-e pointed at the
ti]) and not so deeply branched as in the Brill, the
two lateral halves, in the fii'st ray at least, l)eing
separated within the obliquelj' transverse, membranous
flap. At least the first four rays may be free from
each other for the greater part of their length and
united by the fin-membrane only at the base. Most
of the other rays, except the last 40, are simple or only
indistinctly branched. The posterior rays, with the ex-
ception of the last two or three, are multifid at the
tip. The pcjsterior ends of the dorsal and anal fins pass
()\er to tlie blind side, though without forming any
distinct lobes there and witli tlie distance between them
e(|ual to 80 % of the least de])th of the long peduncle
of tlie tail. In the anal fin the structure of the dorsal
fin is repeated, only that most of the rays are distinctly
branched and multifid at the tip. The distance between
the anal fin and the tip of the snout, in old specimens,
measures about 3(3 % of the length of the body. The
distance between this fin, as Avell as the dorsal, and
the middle of the base of the caudal fin is almost equal
to the length of the maxillary bones. The convex hind
margin of the caudal fin forms a broad ol)tuse angle
at the middle. The ventral fins resemble those of the
preceding genus in th(>ir relative position to each other
and to the beginning of tlie anal fin; but they are less

unlike each other in the length of the base. In younger
specimens they do not overlap the beginning of the
anal fin, but in older ones they extend along the sides
thereof. On account of the elongated form of the body
their relative size is less, the length of the base of the
left ventral fin being in old specimens about 1"^!^ % of
the length of the bodA-, of the right ventral fin about
G^/g % thereof: the height of each of them is about
4^/2 % of the length of the body. The pectoral fins
are distinguished from those of the preceding genus
by their greater dissimilarity. The pectoral fin of the
eye side is of an oblique and rounded, truncate form,
the 4th — 6th rays being the longest, the 3rd only
slightlv shorter than they, and the 2nd oidy ' „ shorter
than the 3rd; the length of the 1st ray is only '/g or
Vj of that of the 2nd. The first and second rays are
simple, the first also unarticulated, but the other 9 or
10 are multifid, with the exception of the last ray,
which is bifid. The pectoral fin of the blind side is
of a pointed, oval form, the 6th ray being the longest,
the 1st half as long as the 2nd, which is about equal
in length to the last, the 9th or 10th. The first ray
of this fin is also simple and unarticulated, the second
and sometimes the third articulated, but simple, the
others, except the last, bifid. This fin is furnished with
thicker skin, l)ut much shorter than tlie pectoral fin of
the eye side, the relative length of both fins diminish-
ing slightly with age, and that of the former measur-
ing about 6'/., or 6 % of the length of the body, that
of the latter about 12 % thereof. The length of the
latter fin is also only slightly less than that of the head
behind the lower eye.

The scales are thin, l)ut well-imliricated and rather
firmly attached. Those of tlie lilind side are sniootli-
margined, those of the eye side densely ciliated on the
little patch behind the nucleus, which is surrounded by
dense and fine, circular stria% with eccentric extensions
in a forward direction, while numerous grooves radiate
forward from the same point. The whole body, except
the snout, is covei'ed with scales. The intermaxillary
bones and the greater part (sometimes the whole) of
the lower jaw are naked, but on the hind })art of the
latter, just in front of the articulation, ^\■e sometimes
find a few small scales. The greater (lower) part of
the maxillary bone of the eye side, which is slightly
dilated downwards, is also covered with scales. On
the blind side the jaw-bones are naked, as well as an
oblong longitudinal patch behind the nostrils. All the

wiiirF,

451

iiii-i';i\s fire covered with scales for ;i lircnter or less
pM.rt (if theii' len^'tli mi the eye side of the hodx ; Imt
this covering grows gradiuilly uurrowcr in front, the
caudal ra)'S niLil the posterior rnys of the dorsal and
anal fins being seal}- to tiic very tip, but the anterior
rays of the last tAvo iins, as well as the pectoral and
ventral rays, oidy half-way up, or only at the base, or
even, in front, entireh- naked. The same rule applies
to the blind side, but here the scales disappear still
more rapidly, the pectoral and ventral fins of this side
being naked.

The lateral line proper runs upwards from the
temporal region (the posttemporal bone), but soon takes
a slightly curved, horizontal dii'ection for a distance
about e(pial to the postorbital length of the head, and
then bends down rather suddenly to the middle of the
side, running straight back from this point along the
middle of the side out over the caudal tin. In the
coui'se of the lateral line the Whiff is thus most like
the Brill, though the bend is still more elongated, with
more marked steps. The change which is caused by
growth in the pectoral fins, and which we have men-
tioned al)ove, here gives rise to the character by which
Couch proposed to distinguish between Lepidoyliomhus
megastoma ■ — somewhat }'ounger, with relatively longer
pectoral fins, the tip of the pectoral fin of the eye side
extending to the end of the curved part of the lateral
line — and L. relivolans — the largest specimens, in
which the length of the pectoral fin, even on the eye
side of the body, is less than that of the curved part
of the lateral line.

The internal organs are like those of Bothus; but
the stomach is still more saccate, and at the end of
the pyloric part, which rises along the front side of
its bottom, are attached t^vo middle-sized appendages,
curved in a doAvn\vard direction.

Malm, who had seen fresh specimens of the Whift",
describes the coloration as follows: "The left side of
the l)ody is throughout of a light reddish, clayey gray",
with 9 blackish shadings on the dorsal fin and 6 on
the anal, the posterior ones being darkest. The caudal
fin has two similar markings at the end of its first
third, and three, one above another, at the middle of
its length, these two series forming as it were trans-

verse bands. Here and thei-e on the body, especially
behind the middle, we find blackish collections of streaks,
these being caused by tlie brownish black colour of the
hind margins of the scales at these spots. The pectoral
fin is of the same colour as the body, with the excep-
tion of the last ray, which is white and opalescent.
The (!\es ai-e yellowish brown above, yellowish white
l)elow. The pupil is bluish black. The iris is marked
with a small, lemon-coloured ring next the pupil. At
the top the iris forms a broad, rounded lobe, which
encroaches upon the pupil, and is twice as large in the
right eye as in the left. The right side of the body
is entirely white."

The true habitat of the Whift" seems to lie round
the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland and further
south; it is said to be i-are in the Mediterranean. Still,
it is of frequent occurrence on the Norwegian coast up
to Trondhjem Fjord, and has once, on the 20th of
April, 1868, been found within the Skaw (Malm). It
has long been known: even Jago sent to Ray'' an easih'
recognisable figure of a Wli'if, and Duhamel" figured
it under the name of limandelle on grande calimande.
Owing to the thinness of its body, however, it has never
excited the fisherman's interest, and we thus know but
little of its manner of life. It is also strictly a deep-
sea fish, as indicated by the large eyes. One of the
specimens in the Royal Museum was taken N.N.W. of
Bergen, at a depth of between 100 and 200 fathoms.
Like man}' other fishes of this nature, however, it is
occasionally borne to the surface in a helpless condi-
tion. Its appearance on these occasions has given it
the name of Sail Fluke, conferred upon it by the fisher-
men of the Orkneys, who believe that in winter the
Whift" ascends in calm weather to the surface, and by
elevating the caudal fin turns it into a kind of sail.
Frequently, however, it drifts ashore, and then hastens
to hide itself in the sand, unless some keen-eyed gull
seizes it at once, tears out the liver, which seems to
be a delicacy, and then bears off the fish to some loneh'
cliff to be eaten at leisure''. It is said to be most
common on the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall,
where it ascends so near shore on a sandy bottom that
it is taken both in the trawl and with hook and line.
The specimen obtained from the Skaw by Malm was

" V. DCben and Koeen write, ''light yellowish brown, with a slight violet Inslre.'

'' Synopsis Piscium, fig. 2.

' Traite des Peches, part. 2 (toiii. Ill), sect. IX, tab. yi, fig. 6.

'' Richardson and Couch, 11. cc.

452

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

taken in a seine, at a deptli of G or 7 fathoms. On I a female that had just finished spawning, a few ripe
the coasts of France, according to Moreaij, it is rare, ' eggs being still left in the ovaries. The Whiff is a

thoiigli it is sometimes exposed for sale. v. DCuen and
KoKEN assume that the spawning-season occurs in the
spring, as on tlie 4th of April they took a female "with
well-developed ovaries, though the roe did not seem
quite ripe for depositing." ()n the Irisli coast, on the
other hiind, Thompson found on the "ilst of October

voracious fish-of-prey, as is shown by its large gape,
and lives on other fishes and crustaceans. As food it
is of very little importance in Scandinavia, thin as it
is and of so rare occurrence; Imt its flesh, according
to Duguid", is of exquisite flavour, though it will not
keep a single day.

Genus SCOPHTHALMUS.

Jaiv-teeth of uniform size (no canines), ^winted, recurved, small, and set in a card on the fro)it part of the inter-
maxillary bones and of the lower Jair- Head of the vomer toothless or'' furnished with small, indistinct teeth.
Palatine hones and tongue smooth. Loirer jjhari/iigeal teeth set in several roivs {cardiform). Most of the fin-rays
{except in the pectoral fin of the eye side) branched. Branchiostegal membranes united belon- fir a little way and
behind this point (also for a narrow strip) crossing each other. Branchiostegal rays 7. Median n-all of the branchial
cavity pierced abore the urohyoid bone by an oval hole. Ventral fins free from the ancd fin. Scales ciliated on
both sides of the body. Anal spine and preanal spines wanting. Distance between the anal fin and the tip of

the snout less than the length of the head.

In 1810'' Kafinesque coined a generic name, Scoph-
thalmns, but this was probal)ly merely a synonym of
BotJiiis'\ which just precedes it in his work. Bonaparte
adopted this name'', however, for a group of Bothoids (in
liis \vritings the genus Bhombns) which he characterized
hx the deep cleft of the mouth, the close approximation
of the ej^es, the situation of the vent exactly at the
ventral edge, and the ciliated scales. The last char-
acter, which aj)plies to both sides of the l)ody, unites
Scoplithalmus Knimaculatus of the Mediteri-anean and
the Atlantic up to the Shetland Islands with Scoph-

thalmus norvegicus of the Scandinavian fauna. Both
these species too — as far as I could find in 8 speci-
mens of Scoplithalmus norvegicus — are without teeth
on the palate. It is thus evident that they must be-
long to the same genus for which Gunther has more
recently' proposed the name of Phrynorhombus.

The genus Scophthalmtis thus contains two species
from Kui'opcan Avaters, the soutliern form with its deeper
body, forming a sort of transition to the following genus,
while the Scandinavian species is more akin to the pre-
ceding genus.

" See Richardson, 1. c.

'' In the Scandinavian species, according lo Steenstrup.
■■ Ind. Ittol. Sic, p. 53.

'' See Jordan and Giliskut, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1882, p. 57 C.

'' Icon. Fit. Ital., torn. Ill (Pesci), p. No. 23 (sub Rhombus rhomboides) and tab. 103 (sub Rhombus uiiimaculatus). Here, it is true,
he speaks of Scophthalmtis merely as a subgenus ; but in the index (Noineiiclatura nioderna) lie lias included Scoplitlialmus imimacidatus.
/ Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., Vol. IV, p. 414.

i-'i.ri\i;s.

453

EKSTROM's TOPKNOT (sw. smaiivakfven).
SCOl'HTIIALMUS NUKVEGICUS.

Plate XIX, fig. 1.

Greatest depth of the l)ody less than 40 %, total length of the head less than 25 %, length of the head behind
the loirer eye less than 14 %, niaxillari/ hone of the eye side less than 10 %, maxillary hone of the hlind side less
than 9 %. branches of the loirer j((tr less than 12 %, pcctor(d Jin of the hlind side more than 8 %, hase of the
dorsal fin {measured in a straight line) less than 75 %, its yreatest height {longest ray — 5Gth — 59th) less than
11 %, base of the anal fin less than 05 %, its greatest height {about the 43rd or 44th ray) less than 11 %, the
distance between it and the tip of the snout less than 23 %, length of the middle rays of the caudal fin more
than 14\^ %, greatest thickness of the body more than 7 % — in each case relatively to the length of the body.
Length of the pectoral fin of the blind side more than ''/r, of that of the lower jaw on the same side, and the
length of the middle caudal rays more than Vs greater than that of the lower jaw and also more than 'A, the
length of the head. Least depth of the fail more than 17 % of the greatest depth of the body.

R. hr. 7; D. 74—83; A. 63—68; P. sin. 10, dextr. 7 1. 8;
V. 6; ('. 2 + 12 + 2 1. 3 + 10 + 3; Lin. lat. 50 1. 51.

,%/!. Pleuronectes Cardina, Fr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1838, p. 184
(excl. synon.) nee Cuv. ; Sundev., Skaiid. Fisk., ed. I, p. 200,
tab. 50; NiLSS. (Rhombus), 6'kand. Fn., Fisk., p. 643.

Rhombus norcegkus, Gthr, Cat. Brit. Afiis., Fish., vol. IV,
p. 412; Coll. {Zeugoplevns), Porli. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,
Tillsegsh., p. 139; ibid. (Lepidorhombus) 1879, No. 1, p. 77;
N. Mag. Natiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 100; M.4lm
(Rhombus), Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 518; Lillj. (Zengopterus),
Sv., Norg. Fiskar, II, p. 336.

Ekstrom's Topknot, Couch, Fish. Brit. Isl., vol. Ill, p. 175,
tab. CLXVII.

Ob.<. Cl'VIEr's Pleuronectes (Rhombus) Cardina is clearly a
couibiiiation of Scophthahnus, to which he refers in his quotation of
DUH.4MEL (Tr. Peches, sect. IX, pi. VI, fig. 5), and Lepidorhombus
xvliiff, as Bhown by his quotation of Ray (iSijn. Pise, p. 163, pi. 1,
No. 2). Fries, too, regarded Scophthalmus norvegicus as identical
with Sc. nnimacitlatus (Bloch's Topknot).

EkstrOm's Topknot fully deserves tlie Swedish name
(= Small Fluke) gi\en it by Fkies and Sundevall. Its
maxinuini length is apparently about 12 cm. The
largest specimen ever found in Scandinavia was 117
mm. long. Thus, to the best of our knowledge at
present, it is the smallest Scandinavian Flatfish. The
body is of a regular oblong shape, elliptical but elon-
gated and narrow at the head and tail. The greatest
depth, which increases even relatively with age, varies
between 31 '/a and 37 V ^ % of the total length of the
body, or between 37 and 45 % of the length of the
body minus the caudal tin. Tiie snout forms a slightly
rounded angle of somewhat less than 90°. At the

upper eye there is a slight depression in the profile
of the head (see the preceding species), but the lower
jaw, with its feel)ly marked chin, projects beyond the
ellipse in a rectilinear, obtuse angle. Behind the ter-
minations of the dorsal and anal fins the tail forms a
section of uniform depth, measuring about '/j (18 — 23 %)
of the greatest depth of the body, and almost as long-
as it is deej), this Ijeing one of the most prominent
distinctions between this species and the Whift".

The length of the head is between 23'/2 and 22^/2 %
of the total length of the bodv, or between 28*/, and
26'/, ^* of ^he length of the body to the base of the caudal
fin. Its external form we have just described. The
eyes are set close together on the left side. They are
oblong and very prominent, the upper being somewhat
larger tlian the lower, and situated a little l)ehind it,
close to the depression in the upper profile of the head.
The lower eye is set close to the mai'gin of the jaw.
Tlie iris and ))iipil are simple, of normal shape, and
without any intruding lobe from the former into the
latter. The narrow and terete interorbital space (the
projecting ridge between the eyes) forms a carina, ^vhich
follows the curve of the margin of the lower eye from
the middle of the side of the upper jaw, and then
coasts the margin of the upper eye, vanishing behind
tliis point. The nostrils resemble those of the rest of
the Bothoids: the openings are small, a little way apart,
with high, soft margin, wliicli in the anterior nostril
is tubular and obliquely truncate, and behind elongated

454

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

into a flap that may be depressed, and close the opening
like a lid. On the eye side they are set just in front
of the interorbital carina, and on the blind side in a
straight line with the beginning of the doi-sal fin. The
mouth is large. The lower jaw ascends at an juigle
of rather more than forty-five degrees, and projects
onlj' slightl}- in front of the uppei-. The upper maxil-
lary bone, which broadens slightly behind, extends be-
low the anterior margin of the pupil of the lower eye,
the margin of the jaw being formed by the inter-
maxillary bone alone, which, like the lower jaw, is
clothed with a tumid, labial skin. The jaw-teeth are
numerous, fine, sharp, somewhat curved, and cardiform;
in front they are set in several rows, laterally almost
in a simple row, and they are finer on the eye side
than on the l)lind side. The pharyngeal teeth resemble
the jaw-teeth. The lower pharyngeals are armed witli
a fairly broad patch of teeth, of an elongated crescent-
shape and containing several rows. The palatal fold of
the upper jaw is fairly large. The intermaxillary bones
are fairly mobile. The branchiostegal membrane is fur-
nished on each side with 6 rather long, somewhat com-
pressed rays and one smaller ray, the latter set near the
median line. As in all the other Bothoids no part of the
margin of the opercular apparatus extends to the lower
edge of the body, but this margin curves upwards,
forming an angle with the lower jaw. The gill-opening
is large, extending from this angle some \vay above
the base of the pectoral fin, where the operculum and
siuboperculum form a blunt, projecting, free point.

The lateral line starts from the temporal region,
on about a level with the middle of the upper eye, in
a slightly upward direction, but soon forms a regular
arch, extending over 12 — 14 scales, above the pectoral
fin, then an angle somewhat above the middle of the
body, and finally advances in a straight line to the
middle of the caudal fin. This straight i)art of the
lateral line is covered by 38 or 39 scales, ^vhich are
more obtuse in shape than the others, and are each
furnished with a muciferous canal. In an oblique row
backwards, we find about 20 — 22 scales between the
angle and the anal fin, and 15 or 16 betAveen it and
the dorsal fin. The scales are thus comparatively large,
though smaller than in PJatophrys (Arnoglossus) laterna,
in \\hich the scales are relatively larger than in any
of the Scandinavian Flatfishes. At the middle of the
body, above the lateral line, in a specimen 117 mm.
long, the scales are 2 mm. broad (high) and somewhat

longer than broad, hexagonal, with regular, straight
sides and almost rectilinear angles, the base alone (the
inserted, anterior margin) being as usual sinuous and
irregular. The hindmost angle is rather more acute
than the others. As this angle is included by two
straight lines equal to each other, the visible part of
the scale forms a regular rhombus, ^vhich takes its
colour from the highly adhesive epidermis. The free
(hind) margin is bent somewhat, though only slightly,
out^vard, and with about 30 (somewhat feA\er on the
blind side), small, fine, straight spines, which are almost
recumbent but not depressed. In these scales, as is
generally the ease with ctenoid scales, the nucleus lies
near or at the tip. From this point the radiating lines
diverge to the whole extent of the base, and the con-
centric lines are not concentric \vith the liind margin,
but end therein parallel to each other. The scales
cover the whole body and iiead, except the mouth,
and all the fin-rays.

The dorsal fin ]:)egins near the dorsal margin, on
the blind side. The first 4 — 6 rays are equal in length
and nearly half free, but there is no very prominent
ray. From this point the I'ays gradually increase in
length, the 55th — 6()th being longest, rather more tlian
half as long again as the first ray, and measuring
10 or 11 % of the length of the body. The remaining
rays decrease in length, and the last foui" or three are
rather short, l)ut, as in the species next to be described,
form a small, rounded lobe, which is inserted distinctly
on the blind side, though not so depressed as in the
next species. All the rays are free to some extent at
the tip, and branched, but this is not distinct in front
until the middle of the fin is reached. The last, small
rays are deeply branched, the last of all down to tlie
base. The anal fin begins verticalh' lielow the hind
margin of the preoperculum. It is throughout analogous
to the corresponding part of the dorsal fin, generally
equal to it in height, and ends opposite the termina-
tion thereof, with a similar lobe on the blind side.
The distance between the terminations of the dorsal
and anal fins is about 73 — 83 % of the least depth of the
tail. The pectoral fin of the eye side contains 10 rays,
all perfectly simple, a characteristic which is peculiar
to this species and Brepanopsetta platessoides. The
first ray is small and lies still closer to the second
than in the Whiff; the length of the second ray is '/j
of that of the fin. The fourth ray is the longest, its
length in young specimens being only slightly less

EKSTKOM « TOPKNOT.

455

tliim that of till' head. The last ray is ahout liall' as
long as the iiii. 'I'hc Idtal length of the fin in \ cnuig
specimens is as nuieh as ' . of the length of ihc IxxU-,
in old about 13 % thereof. The pectoral fin (jf the
blind side is considerablv siiorter, measuring somewhat
more than ' ,, (in young speeiniens '^ «) of the length
of the head, and more rounded, witli the middle rays
branched. The ventral iins, as in most of the Hothoids,
are set luider the h<'a(l, just behind the lower jaw,
look like the vertical Iins, and a]iiiarently form an
immediate, re(luplicated eontinuation of the anal lin,
though they are separated from the lattei-, not b\- any
inter\al or l)y shorter rays, but only by the absence
of tiie tin-membrane lietween their last rays and the
tirst ray of the anal tin. Their relative length decreases
with age, the base of the left ventral fin varying be-
tween about S and 6'^'., %, that of the right ventral
tin between about 7 and 5'/„ %, of the length of the
body. Their Jieight is about 5 or 4 % of the length
of the ))ody. Tlie right fin is thus rather smaller than
the left; I)oth are concave in the plane of the blind
side. The caudal fin generally has two supporting rays
on each side; the other rays are trebly bifid, and fairly
e(jual in length, giving the fin a rounded shape when
it is expanded.

The anal spine is wanting. The vent lies far for-
ward, vertically under the opereula and between the
ventral fins. The viscera are exactly like those of the
preceding species, but the intestine is still shorter, and
we have failed to discover any pyloric appendages. Tiie
largest two specimens we have examined, the ty|)e-
specimens of Fkies, are females, the one with extremely
small eggs, the other with some of the eggs of a larger
size, though tiie largest is only about ^, g mm. in diameter.

The coloration of the eye side is yellowisli brown,
witli numerous, dark brown clouds along the dorsal
edge and the ventral margin. A large, more distinct,
almost band-sha|)ed spot crosses the lateral line, through
the angle, at the end of the first third of the body,
and another, wliicii is ratlier indistinct, at the end of
the second third. All these spots are arranged in such
a manner that they seem to be traces of 8 bnjad, trans-

verse bands, namely, one indistinct band in front
of the eyes, a second across a gill-cover, a third
aci'oss tlie angle of the lateral line, three on the body
behind this point, a seventh, fairly distinct and con-
timious, across the nai-row ])art of the tail, between
the end of the dorsal lin and that of the anal fin, and
an eighth across the base of the caudal fin. The fin-
rays are also spotted. The blind side is white throughout.

We are not in a position to give the sexual diffe-
rences, as L'oth the larger specimens we have seen were
females, and the smaller ones of uncertain sex.

This species was first discovered and eiitei-ed in
the system by Fhiks, whose type-specimens are still
preserved in the Hoyal Museum, and were taken in a
dredge at the entrance cjf Gullmar Fjord near Fiske-
bjlckskil, in the island-belt of Bohuslan, on the 6th of
April, 1838. It was subsequently found off Bergen,
according to Nii.sson", in the winter of 1844 by v. Dubex
and KoREX, who referred the specimens, however, to
Lepidorhomhus irh'itf'. Coucn described and figured a
specimen that "was taken early in the year 1863, in
the Bristol Channel." Collett found the s]:)ecies fairly
common in Christiania Fjord. G. (). S.\HS met with
it off Bodo and Stavanger, Stoum in Trondhjem Fjord'.
In recent years the Royal Museum has received three
small specimens, between 40 and 65 mm. long, fnjiu
the Zoological Station of Kristineberg — the locality
from which Fkies also obtained his specimens — and
another, 74 mm. long, from the Weather Is. in Bohus-
lan. The geographical range of Ekstrom's Topknot
thus extends at least from the Bristol Channel to the
Lofoden Islands. It is prcjbably not rare on the coasts
of Scandinavia, though it has been found comparatively
seldom, partly on account of its small size, and partly
as it probably passes the greater part of its existence
in water deeper than that usually fished with the seine.
FiUES obtained his specimens "in deep water," v. DCben
and KoREX took theirs at a depth of 15 or 20 fathoms.
Collett, how'ever, found one specimen in 6 fathoms
of water. Nothing more is known of the haljits of
Ekstrom's Topknot.

(SUXDEVALL, SmITT.)

" Skand. Fnniict, Fiskarnc. p. 643, \o(e 2. mid |>. (!45.

' "With a dredge small specimens may lie taken prettj' often on a rocky bottom, even in the innermost parts of the fjord:" Norsk.
Vid. Selsk. Skr.. Trondhj. 1883, p. 40.

456

SC'AN])INAVIAN FISHES.

Genus ZEUGOPTERUS.

Jair-teeth of uniform size (no canines), j)ointed, recurved, small, and set in a card on the front part of the inter-
maxillary hones and of the lower jaw. Head of the vomer also furnished with small teeth, hut the pcdatine hones
and tongue smooth. Lower pharyngeal teeth set in several rows {cardlform). Most of the fn-rays hranched. Bran-
chiostegal memhranes partiaUy united helow, hut furtlier hack meeting in different planes, the one crossing the otlier.
Branchiostegal rays 7 . Median wall of the hranchial cavity pierced ahove the urohyoid hone hy a hole. Ventral
fins united hy the fn-memhrane to the first ray of the anal fin. Scales on the eye side of the hody ciliated at the
hind margin, on the hlind side smooth-margined- Anal spine and preanal spines wanting. Distance hetween the

anal fin and the tip of the snout less than the length of the head.

Only one species of this <ienus is known, the sy-
stematic significance of which in relation to tlie \)ve-
ceding genera we have already touched upon. The
characters on which the genus is Ijased, nre, however,
of only secondar)- rank. In a young specimen, 12' .,
mm. long, whicli the writer took in n hoop-net at the
surface, at about tlie middle of the west entrance of
the English Channel, where there were 55 fathoms of
water, and in which specimen the right eye had only
just begun its passage under the free, projecting front
part of the dorsal fin, the ventral fins are separated
from the anal fin l)y an interval equal in length to

their own bases, and both tlie dorsal and the anal fins
terminate [josteriorly at the middle of the edges of the
body. The independence of the genus has tluis no more
significance than thnt of a distinct stage — the most
advanced of all — in the course of development that
has started from an ancestral Bothoid type common to
this genus and the preceding one.

The genus was established in 1835 by Gottsche,
but gained no further recognition until Steensthup, who
included in it the two preceding genera as well, thirty
years after pointed out the characteristic breach in the
wall between the two branchitd cavities.

MULLER'S TOPKNOT (sw. ludna hvarfyen" or nnRGHVARrvEN'').
ZEUGOPTERUS PUNCTATUS.

Plate XIX, fig. 2, and fig. Ili5.

Greatest depth of tlie hody more than 46 %, total length of the head more than 26 %, length of the head hehind
the lower eye more than 14 %, maxillary hones of hoth sides more than 10 %, hranches of the lower jaw more
than 12 %, pectoral fin nf the hlind side more than S %, hase of the dorsal fin (measured in a straight line) more
than 84 %, its greatest depth (longest ray — ahout the 60th — 70th) more than 11 %, hase of the anal fin more than
73 %, its greatest height {longest ray — about the 40th — 47th) more than 11 %, distance hetween the anal fin and the
tip of the snout less than 23 %, length of the middle rays of the caudcd fin less than 13 %, greatest thickness of
the hody more tha)i 7 % — in each case relatively to the length of the hody. Length of the pectoral fin of the
hlind side less than 77 %, hut more than 66 %, of that of tlie lower jan- on the same side, and the length of the
middle caudal rays less than either the length of the lon-er jaw or half the length of tlie head.
Least dex)th of the tail less than 16 ?6 of the greatest depth of the body.

R. hr. 7; D. 87 — 99'^; A. 61— li''; P. sin. 11 1. 12, dextr.
10 1. 11 (12); V. 6; V. 2 + 12 + 2''; Liu. lat. ca 200; Vert. 3G 1. .37.

/Hi/n. Pleuronectes piiacUttus, Bl., Natury. Ausl. Fische, part. Ill,
p. 31, tab. CLXXXIX; Walb., Ichth. Art.. i)art. Ill, p.

116; Gthr {Rhombm), Cat. Brit. Mas., Fish., \v\. IV, p.
413; Coll. (Zeugopieriis), Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,
Tilla?gsh., p. 139; Mai.m, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 518: Winth.,
Natiirh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 38; Day, Fish.
Ot. Brit., Irel.. vol. II, p. 18. tab. C; Coll., N. Mag.

" NiLSSON, 1. C.

* Malm, 1. c.

■■ Soraetinics 101, according to Day.

** Sometimes 80 or even 89, according to Gottsche.

' Or 1 + 14 + 1, or 2 + 13 + 1.

Mi-LLEIi's TOPKNOT.

457

Fig. 110. ZeugopUrus punctatus, ..atural si.e, frcn Bolui.lan, 1837.
Scandinavian Fishes.

Forwarded (o the Royal Museum hv I

llPRIKSON.

58

458

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Nalnrv. Christ., Bd. 2!) (1884), p. 101: Lili,i., Sv., Nnrg.
Fn., Fish:, vol. 2, p. ?,50.

Pleuronectes hirtiis, Abilik;. apiul MCll., Zool. Dan., vol. Ill,
p. 36, tab CIII; Retz., Fn. Stiec. Lin., p. 333; Nilss.,
Prodr. Ichth. Sca?uL, p. 59; Gottsohe (Zeugoptenis), Wiegni.
Arch. Natiirg., I, 2, (1835), ji. 178; Friks {Pleuronectes),
Vet.-Akad. Haiidl. 1838, p. 184; Y auk (Ehoiabiis), Brit. Fish.,
ed. 1, vol. If, p. 243; Parn., Mem. Wern. Soc, vol. VII,
p. 370; Kr., Danm. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 445; Nll.ss., i>l-and.
Fn.. Fi.-<1\. p. 04 G; MoK., Hist. Ant. Poi.9S. Fr., toio. Ill,
p. 321.

.^^ll!lel■•.■^ Topknot, CnUCH, F?W/. Brit, hi., vol. Ill, p. 170,
tab. CLXV.

Mollev's Topknot nttains ;i length of about 25 cm.
Tlie body is elliptical and of more uniform dejjth than
in the preceding genus, the greatest depth of the body
remaining almost unchanged for some distance, about
half-way between the tip of the snout and the caudal
Hn. The depth at this spot varies, at least after the
tish has attained a length of 90 mm., between 46 and
51 % oi the total length of the body, the proportion
i"i.sing fairly regularly with age. In front the body is
almost semicircular, behind more elongated, the least
depth (across the peduncle of the tail) varjang between
(j'/g and 8 % of the total length of the body, and
also increasing, even relatively, with age. The form
of the body is most affected, however, by the dorsal
and anal hns, which increase in height posteriori}', while
the depth of the body itself diminishes. When these
tins are taken into account, the I)ody is deepest at about
the l)eginiiing of the fourtli (piarter of the distance be-
tween the tip of the snout and the base of the caudal
tin. This depth is about 66 or 68 % of the total length
(if tlie body. The greatest thickness of the bodv in
old specimens is distinctly greater than in the pre-
ceding genus, increasing with age from about 8 to 9 %
of tlie lengtli of the body.

The most remarkable |»oint in the form of the head
is tlie sharp ascension of the cleft of the mouth. When
tlie mouth is closed, the jaw-bones, at least the maxil-
laries, assume an almost perpendicular position; but the
nioutli is also highly protrusile, much more so than in
tlie ])receding genus. The intermaxillar^• bones may
be shot forward for a distance equal to the length of
the snout proper; the lower jaw is then horizontal, the
branches of the intermaxillary bones ])lace them.selves
at right angles to it, and the lower end of the maxillary
bones is directed obliquely forward. The jaw-bones are
fairly symmetrical, those of the eye side being only
slightly longer than those of the blind side, or etpial
to them in Icngtli. Just as the head as a whole is

comparatively larger than in the preceding species — its
length undergoes even relative increase, during the
growth of the tish, from 26'/., % to rather more than
28 % of the length of tiie bodv — the jaws are also
even relatively longer than in Ekstrom's Topknot. The
length of the liranch of the lower jaw on the blind side
increases with age from about 12 to nearly 14 %, that
on tlie eye .side from 13 to a little more than 14 %, of
the length of the body; and the corresponding alterations
in the maxillary bones are from about lO'o to 12Vo %
(sometimes nearly 13 %) of the length of the l)ody.
The length of the lower jaw, ho^\•evel•, is always less
than that of the head ])ehind the lower e}'e, which in-
creases with age from about 14' 2 to 16' ^ % of the
length of the body. The eyes are fairly large, their
longitudinal diameter relatively decreasing during growth,
from about 38 '/^ to 25 72 ^ of ^'^^ postorbital length
of the head; but they are comparatively smaller than
in either of the two preceding genera. Their position
in relation to each other continues to change at a late
period in the growth of the tish: when the tish is 17
cm. long, we inav find the eyes still almo.st abreast of
each other, while in specimens 2 dm. long the wander-
ing (originally the right) eye ma}' have retired half its
diameter behind the lower eve. There is no intruding
lolie from the iris into the pupil: l)ut the rough skin
that covers the inner (in the lower e^•e the upper, in
the upper eye the lower) part of the eye, projects in
a more or less arcuate form out over the pupil. The
interorbital space is not remarkably broad in comparison
witli its breadth in other BofhiiKE, but it is broader
than in the two preceding genera, its least breadth va-
rying in this species between 30 and 45 % of the lon-
gitudinal diameter of the eye. It is only on the eye
side that the nostrils are always distinct, or at least the
anterior, with its foliate dermal flap. On this side they
are set close to each other, on about a level with the
middle of the iiit(n-orbital ridge, and the posterior just
in front of the perpendicular from the anterior margin
of the lo^ver e}'e. On the blind side the}- are extremely
small — where they are present at all — as fine as the
poi'es of the lateral line, and in most of our specimens
they are inipos.sible to detect in the loose skin that
covers the nasal cavity, just liehind the articulation of
the maxillary bone, below the second and third rays
of the dorsal fin. In one oi our specimens they are
present in the form of open, but extremely small holes,
in another thev are somewhat larger, but covered by

Ml LLKR S TliPKNO'l'.

459

skin. The uiierculum and snbopercnluni rcscnil)]^ those
of tlie preceding;' species; l)ut the interopercnliini is still
nioi'e tajieriiiii" in front tlian in I'^kstrotn's Topknot, with
a distinct sinus in the lower margin, and also more
distant from the Io\\er ja.\\'. to the angular part of which
it is united l)y ligaments and I'ough skin. riie pre-
operculum is obtuse-angled, with a sinus in the iiind
margin just aliove the angle. The jaw-teeth in front
form a dense and tine card, 'i'lie palatal folds are \voll-
developed, l)ut in the upper jaw no broader than the
<ard of teeth, in the lower jaw still narrower. The gill-
rakers are set in a single row on the tirst branchial
arch, as in most of the liothhuc, I)ut are rather numer-
ous, about 2?) on this arch. The lower pharyngeals
are distincth' narrower tiian in Mkstrom s To|)knot and
without any marked ex])ausion for the patch of teeth:
they are furnished witli oid\- four or five rows of teeth,
pointed like tiie jaw-teeth but straight.

The margin of the l)od\- is eutireh' surrounded
with tins, with the exception of the small sections oc-
cupied b^• tlie lower jaw, the intermaxillary bones, and
the extremely short peduncle of the tail. The dorsal
tin begins so far forward that its commencement, which
forms a lobe on the blind side, covers even the up])er
end of the maxillary bone; while the ventral tins, which
are united to the anal tin, begin just behind the lo^ver
jaw. Both the dorsal and the anal fins cross over be-
hind to the blind side, Avhere their last rays form lobes
\vhich converge so sharph' that the distance between
the bases of the fins at this end is less than '/g (some-
times less than ' j) of the least depth of the tail. On
the blind side these posterior rays extend beyond the
base of the caudal fin; but on the eve side this arrange-
ment produces a small, fitdess peduncle, the length of
wiiich is no more than about ' j of its depth. All the
rays of the dorsal and anal tins are l)i'anched; but the
ramification grows more pronounced posteriorly, the
longest rays being most repeatedh' branched, the last
rays most deeply, the hindmost four or five right down
to the base. The caudal fin is comparatively short, and
sharply rounded at the hind margin. Both the ventral
tins are united by a perfect tin-membrane to the tirst
ra^■ of the anal fin, and thus form an elongated, or
ratiier, channel-like cup, open in front. In the hind
part of the bottom of this cup. just in front of the anal
tin and almost at the middle of the ventral margin, Ave
find the anal and genital openings, while tlie urethral
papilla, as in most of these forms, lies on the eye side.

beside the tirst ray of the anal tin. All tlie rays of the
\-entral tins are branched, the last rays most deeply,
and e\en more than the first ray of the anal fin. The
dift'erence in size between the two ventral fins is in-
considerable, that of the blind side being inserted only
slight h, if at all, behind that of the eye side. Th<f
lengtli of their base as well as their height varies be-
tween al)out (i % (on the blind side sometimes 5*2 %)
and 7 % of the length of the body. The pectoral fin
of tlie eve side is obliquely rounded, the fourtli i-:iy
being tlu; longest, but only slightly longer than tlie third.
The two highest and the two lowest rays — sometimes
onl\- one on each side — are simple, the first ray very
small, generally only '3 of the second, and closely
united to the latter, and the eight middle rays are
branched. The pectoral tin of the blind side is of al-
most the same shape and structure, the only differences
being that the fifth and sixth rays are the longest and
generally equal in length, and that the rays are usually
fewer, to which we may add that though the tin as a
whole is shorter than the pectoral fin of the eye side,
the first ray is as long as in the latter tin. The length
of the pectoral tin of the eye side varies between about
13 and \A % of the length of the body, of the blind
side between about 8V2 and 10\'2 % thereof.

The Swedish name of Miiller's Topknot {luddhvarf =
Hairy Fluke) is liascd on the name given the species by
ABii-DGAAiii) {PJnironecfes huiiis), and is derived from
the singular structure of the scales. It is scarce!}^ pos-
sible for a fish to be more thoroughly covered with
scales than Miiller's Topknot is on the eye side. The
Avhole body and head, the jaws and even the inter-
maxillary bones, as far as they are exposed when the
mouth is shut, and all the tin-rays are clothed on this
side of the body with small but tirmly attached, ctenoid
scales. These scales are thin, in form seini-t'lliptical,
with numerous, undulating grooves radiating towards
the round, inserted end, and fine, circulai- stri;e eccen-
trically arranged round the nucleus, which lies close to
the truncate, posterior end. Only a narrow strip of the
truncate part is left bare by the scale immediately in
front, and this strip bears at the margin a transverse
row of denticles, generally 8 or 9 (together with an
inconstant number of extremely small ones). The den-
ticles are set at right angles to the plane of the scale,
conical, and pointed, and here and there on the body
one of the middle ones is developed into a spine visible
even to the naked eye. The surfiice of the eve side of

460

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The body is, therefore, rough in whatever direction the
liand is passed over it, though roughest when stroked
tVom behind, and feels like hard velvet. The blind side
(»f the body, on the other hand, is smooth, the scales
being cycloid, somewhat more elongated, and overlapping
each other only to the usual extent. On this side, too,
the scales are wanting on the head and all the fin-rays,
except in the caudal tin. The lateral line of the body,
which l)egins in the temporal I'cgion, on a level with
the middle of the posterior eye or some^vhat higher —
liere, as in the other Flukes, considerably above the
upper angle of the gill-openings — forms a rather low
and elongated, sinuous curve over the pectoral fin, until,
iust behind the tip of the left pectoral lin and sonie-
wliat above the middle of the sides, it resumes its
straight course l>ack to the middle of the caudal tin.

The intestinal canal reminds us in its course of the
Soles. The a'sophagus with its continuation, the stomach,
runs almost straight along the roof of the abdominal
cavity into the left secondai-y cavity, somewhat beyond
the middle of the length of the body, where the sto-
mach ends in the form of a lilind sac. From the lower
side, just in front of its bottom, it sends out a short
pyloric part, externally separated by contractions both
frfiiu the stomach and the small intestine, which latter
runs forward in a curve con\ex tVom l)el<:)w to tlie front
wall of the abdominal cavity, where it l)ends sharply
upwards to return in a circular coil on the right side
of the liver to the rectum, which leads to the vent.
The liver, which lies as usual to the left, is compara-
tively small, and the pyloric appendages are wanting.
The left ovary extends Avhen ripe back to tlie beginning
of the last quarter of the body, ^vhile tlie right ovary
at the same period extends only a little ])eyond the
middle of the liody.

The coloration of the eye side, though extremely
variable, renders Midler's Topknot one of the most hand-
some of the Scandinavian Flatfishes, v. Wright's figure
(PI. XIX, fig. 2) represents a young specimen '27 mm.
long. This specimen is of a violet-gray ground-colour,
with an ash-gray lustre, strongest on the jaws and the
caudal fin, and brown and pale yellow spots and streaks.
The most prominent marking on the body is a sharply
defined, I)rownish l)lack spot, as large as one of the
eyes, situated just in front of the middle of tlie bod}-,
at the end of the curve of the lateral line. Xext come
the bi'own spots on the gill -covers; two of these are
especially distinct, in the form of o]jli(|ue stripes, one

running upwards in an oblique posterior direction from
the upper eve, and (me downwards in an oblique pos-
terior direction from the lower eye. Even in front of
the eyes we find traces of a transverse stripe. Along
the bases of the dorsal and anal fins runs a row of
alternate, ])rown and pale yellow spots, the former, in
accordance witli SundevaijAs explanation of the colour-
ing of the preceding species, being traces of transverse
bands across the body and fins, the latter a common
marking of the Flatfishes, especially tlie fry. Similar
pale yellow spots also occur on the gill-covers, and in-
distinct, scattered ones on the body. In old specimens
the ground-colour is yellowish brown, ^vitll numerous,
brown or nearly black, transverse spots or bands on
the body and fins. Three of these bands generally start
from the anterior part of the superior margin of the
upper eye, diverging out over the dorsal fin. A fourth,
broader band runs from the hind margin of this eye
obliquely upwards to the dorsal fin, and in most cases
may be traced between the eyes, and is continued down-
wards, obliquely backwards across the cheek and iiiter-
operculum, out over the first rays of the anal fin. From
the anterior part of tiie lower eye we may generally
find traces of divergent brown bands, one forward along
the snout, another do^\•nwal•d, across the middle of the
lower ja\v, and a third obliquely liac'k\vard, over the
left ventral fin. (}n the Ijody itself the brown bands
are usually broken up more thoroughly into oblong or
I'ound spots; but on the operculum and sul)operculum
the an-angeiiient of these spots still shows traces of a
band, running parallel to the interrupted angular Ijand
of the eye, and this arrangement may sometimes be traced
all the way along the bodA*. About 15 or 16 transverse
bands seem to have crossed the dorsal fin, and about
12 the anal. The most prominent of the spots are the
round one which we liave mentioned above, at the end
of the curve of the lateral line, another, which is not
so distinct, further back along this line, and a third on
the upper part of the operculum. The blind side is white.
Midler's Topknot occurs at least from the neigh-
bourhood of Trondhjem south to the Bay of Biscay on
the south-west of France; but in the extreme north as
well as in the extreme south of its range it is rare,
or at all events of infrequent occurrence, so that it is
strictly a British fish. It does not enter the Baltic, but
is taken ])retty often on the coast of Bohusliln and in
the comparatively deep channel along the west coast of
Sweden, as well as in the east of the Sound, down to

ML'LLKRS TDl'KNor.

461

the iieifrhboiivli()(i<l of Landskroiia. Accordiiiii- lo Sciiager-
STKOm", li()wc\c'r, its iisiinl Icn^Lilli in llic Somul is no more
tliiiii 12 — 1") cm., though m siicciincii '2'2 cm. long li;is
Ik'cu taken off l>;nulski-ona. According to Malm it is i'ound
"along th(^ whole coast of Uohusliin, where it geuei'ally
keeps to a vocky bottom, ;it a (h'lilii oi' tVom 7 to 9 fa-
thoms, and is taken prett^• (jften, parth' in I'lounder-nets
and parth' in lohster-])ots." Fries found the species in
IX.'Ui and IHo? at the entrance of Gullmar Fjord; and in
recent years the Koval Museum has received specimens
of Mi'dlei's 'ro|)knot tliat liad heen taken together \\ith
other fishes in tiie Cattegat, "12 miles off Halmstad."
The food of Midler's Tojjknot is composed of fish
and crustaceans. In the i)iiarvnx of a s])ecimen 20 era.
long, from Dynekil, I found a Black (iohy, of a total
lengtli of about 8' o cm., but witii the forepart already
digested, while the hind part and the caudal fin had stuck
fast in tlie ])haryiix. In the stomacli of Fiedler's Topknot

GoTTSCHK found shrimps (l'alcei)ioii and Mijsis), Kr0YER
"a half digested tish, perhaps a young Herring," and
Ol.sso.n'' Sand-eels (Aiinnodiifcfi).

The s|)a\vning-season occurs in spring and summer.
The above; specimen from Dynekil is a female with al-
most I'ipe roe, and was taken on the 12th of May, 1887;
and on the Uth of June, 18.).3, Malm received a female
that had been taken off Inholmar'', and "was on the very
poinr of depositing its I'oe." In September the fry have
attained a length of al)0ut 2o mm. "As the ovaries are
b\- no means small, and the eggs extremely tine and eon-
se(juently very numerous, it is difficult to explain," .says
Kroyiok, "why this specie.s is so rare in our waters."

Still, Fiedler's Topknot is not a rare species, lint it
is despised. Fishermen generally pay no attention to it:
its handsome appearance has no charms for them. In
Scandinavia there is no demand for it, tliough its flesh''
is said t(j Ije of excellent flavovu'.

OXOMOKPHI.

S'l/iiinietrical Jfalacopfeii/c/iait I'lnjsodijsts" iritli the Joircr jtli<iri/ii(/eals free from each other, ("audal tin diphy-

ceiral (isooercal). Ventral tins, where present, jugular.

The Codfishes, the t}'pe of this series, were known
b\- the Greeks as anas-', by the Romans as asellus, both
these names referring to the coloration of the body in
these fishes, gray above and white below, which appar-
ently had some fancied resemblance to the colour of the
ass. The series is particularly rich in forms, and in-
cludes the greater part of Mullek's Anacuiifhini". In
GCnther's writings it is termed Anacanthinl gadoiclei.

From the rest of the ^lalaeopterygian Physoclysts
the series is sixfficientlv distinguished by its symmetrical
structure, which is not disturbed, as in the preceding
series by any shifting of the e3-e, and b^• the free lower
pharj-ngeals, which are not luiited to eacii other, as in
the next preceding sei'ies. In addition to these charac-

ters, however, it has one which separates it from most
of the preceding osseous fishes in general, and which lies
in the structure of the caudal iin. In the Onomorphous
fishes this part of the body apparently remains persist-
ently at a stage of development that is proper to the em-
bryo in most fishes, the termination of the spinal column
being straight at tlie end, and occupying the middle of
the l)ase of the c-audal tin. In most of the Onomorphs
the caudal part retains this structure throughout the life
of the tish; or tlie caudal tin may even be absolutely re-
duced, in which case the tail ends like a whip-lash. I'mt
in the true Cods and their kindred species, M-ith well-
developed (secondary) caudal fin, the last two hivmal
arches are transformed into true hypural bones — not so

» Physiogr. Sallsk Tidskr., p. 312.

* Lunds Univ. Arsskr. 1871, [.. 10 (sep.).

' North of Vinga, in the ishmd-bolt of Gothenburg.

<* Cornish, in Day.

' According to Guntiiei; {Report On the .S/iore Fislies. Zool. ClialL Exp., Purl. VI, p. 1^) Murcenolepis — fam. Ophidiida; but with
the first ray of the dorsal tin filamentous and separated from the others — is furnished with a pneumatic duct from the air-bladder. Tlius,
this genus, within the above family, has the characters of the Eels (Ajwdes) as well as of the Onion-fishes {Macntrida:).

f ovog or ovlayiog; also -/.ccXkaqictg or yaXXaqiai;. The largest Cods, however, according to Plisy (lib. 9, cap. 17), were known by
the Greeks as bacchus. Gadits is a younger Greek name, which is said to occur first in AtheN'.eus (about 150 A. D.), in a ((notation from
Dorio.n: ""Orot; 6V y.aXioval Tiieg yddof."

v Cope (Trans. Araer. Philos. Soc, Pliilad., vol. XIV, n. ser., p. 458) and Gll-i. (Smitlis. Misc. Coll., No. 247, p. ?>) also confine the
name of Anacanthini to tliis series exclusively.

462

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

higli, liowevev, as those of tlic honiocercal fislies proper
— to support the middle rays of the caudal fin or even
the greater part of these rays. In these fishes the caudal
end of the spinal column is also bent upwards, at least
to sucli an extent that it lies, in the ordinary urostyloid
form, more or less clo.sely along the upper margin of the
hindmost (uppermost) hypural hone (fig. 117). The
diphycercal appearance of the Hn is also increased by
the marked development of tlie numerous suppoi-ting
rays, which are of similar fonu above and l)elo\v. The
character drawn fi'om the diphycercal caudal fin is thus
not absolutely valid, but is not entirely destitute of
significance, especially in comparison with the preceding
series, Avhere the hyj)ural bones are extraordinarily well-
developed, and the caudal end of the notochord is bent
sharply ujjwards for so long a. distance that the ori-
ginal caudal end of tlie body, with its end)i'y()nic (di-

Fig. 117. Hind terininatioii of 1)ie spinal column in n Cod (Gadtts
callai'ia.i). 1','., times of llio natural size.

pliycercal) caudal fin (fig. 1)8, e and fig. 99, ti, pp. 362
and 363, above), even in young Flatfishes 8 — 12 mm.
in length, still ]n'qjects above the ti'ue caudal fin, and
reminds us how this fin has devel()])ed from the strictly
hetei'ocercal caudal fin".

This primitive, imperfectly specialized type of the
form of the caudal fin in the Onomorphous fishes is fre-
(juently accompanied by a no less imperfect specializa-
tion in the structtn-e of the other unpaired fins. Here,
as in several of the Blennomoi'phs and (jlobiomorphs,
we find these fins, especially in the deep-sea forms —
which also show several other embryonic characters'" —
continuous (united to the caudal fin) or separate. The
specialization is so far advanced, however, that in the
most typical Onomor[)hs the dorsal and anal fins are
more varial)le in form and nundier than is generally
the case in the other series.

The jugular position of the ventral fins indicates
an advanced specialization, just as, in the preceding
part of this work, we ha\e repeatedlv seen the pro-
gressive development of the osseous fishes accompanied
by the removal in a forward direction of tliese fins. In
this respect too, the development sometimes advances so
far that it leads to degeneration, for the ventral fins dis-
appear in several forms, especially among deep-sea fishes.

Another degeneration, which shows how the Ono-
morphous tv))e has succeeded in adapting itself to tlie
most unfavourable environments, is the reduction of the
organs of sight Avhich occurs in those fresh-water fishes
of the genus Lucifucja that inhabit the subterranean
caves and rivers of Cuba, and in Aplnioiiiis. which dwells
in tJie abyssal zone, in from 900 to 1,400 fathoms of
Avater, and which very closely resembles Liicifuf/a in
the form of tlie body as well as in this degeneration''.
Equally singular are the conditions of life to which the
genera Ficrasfer and EncheUo2)his have bound themselves,
a commensalism, in which they inhabit Mcdiisce, Holo-
fJnirifP, or shellfish. In these last forms the degenera-
tion mav involve not only the loss of the ventral fins,
but also of the pectoral, the vent assuming a jugular
position.

During all these vai'\ing conditions of life, from
salt water to fresh, from the surface to the abyssal
depths of the ocean, from independent existence to a
sort of parasitism, the t^•lle of the series has undergone
so manifold modifications, and the degenerations speci-
fied above have exercised so many disturbing influences
on the regular course of development, that the char-
acters of the families are in many respects inconstant
and melt into each other. The validity of the follow-
ing division is, therefore, only general, though without
exception in the Scandinavian fauna.

^.•raudal liu more or less distiuctly iude-

pendcnt of und separated iVoni the dorsal

and anal fins. Hind jiart of the body

more or less terete.

a: Jaws furnished with teeth Fam. (Jtuliilw.

b: Jaws toothless.. Fam. A)innoJt/tid(v.

U: Caudal (in not distinct, but, where pre-
sent, united cither to the dorsal iin. or

to the anal fin, or to both. Hind part

of the body Anguilliform or compressed,

like a whip-hisli.

" Cf. A. Ag,\ssiz, Proc. Amer. Acad. A., Sc, ii. ser., vol. V, p. 117 etc. (Boston, 1877).

'' One of the remarkable instances of this we find in Apliyonus (G'rilli, Ecp. Deep-Sea Fisli., Ciiull. Kxp., part. LVIl, p.
XX\'I, lig. A), in which tlir eniliryonic notochord is persistent, sliowing merely external traces of vertebral segmentation.
'■ GLNTiiEii, liitriidiiction to the StuJij of Fis/ic.i, jip. 547 and 548; Hdiulh. /clitli., pp. 3'.10 and 'MH.

1-20, pi.

• iNdMdUI'llolS FISHES.

46.^

<;ill-openings large; bruncliiostegal
membranes united to each otlier to
a greater or less extent anil free from
tlie istlimus.

«; Anterior part of tlic 'lorsal lln-
system separated into a distinct

(in, or at least with the anterior

rays elongated. Fani. Maa-uvulw.

(i: No distinct anterior dorsal fin Fam. Opltidiidfj;.

/'.- ( iili-openings small; brancliiostegal
membranes united by the skin of the
body into a broad isthmus Fam. Lijcodidw.

Fam GADID^.

rSodi/ cldiK/atrd, ciDiipresscd, daratc or fitsifonn, and ctni'icd trill/ thin cycloid sccdes. Ctiudul Jin distinct from
flic other rcrticdl tins", ./airs fiiniislicd iritli tciili. dill-opi'tiiiif/s lari/c: Jiraiicliiostegal mcnil/raiics more or less
complefeli/ free from the isthmus. I'seiidoliraiichio' traiitintj, or i/laiidiilar. Air-hladder and jn/loric aj)))endages

f/encralli/ ireU-dcvclopeci.

The Cocl-f;imily contains numerous forms: about
80 species, distributed among 25 genera, are known at
present*. Almost all these forms are marine fishes, but
the well-known Bnrbot-geuus lives in fresh or brackish
water. A great part of the mai-ine fishes are deep-sea
forms, properly so called, some of them descending to
de])ths of about "2,000 fathoms, and all of them, like
other forms of this nature, probably having a wide geo-
graphical range, even between the Tropics. The rest
of the family, which frequent water of less depth, from
the surface down to a depth of about 300 fathoms —
though some of them have been found in 600 fathoms
of water — are, almost all, inhalaitants of the Frigid
and Temperate Zones, only one genus belonging to the
surface regions of the Tropics'. The development of
the family is incomparably more diversified in the north-
ern seas than elsewhere, and there the Cod-fishery has
long been one of the most lucrative to the fishermen
of many nations.

( )f tlie peculiarities of the skeleton we have already
remarked, in a com]jarison between this family and the
preceding one, the lobate process on the upper (poste-
rior) side of the intermaxillary bones, ^vhich in the
Codfishes is especially well-developed, and generally
renders these bones so easily recognisable (fig. 118, /).
The nasal process {ii) of these bones, on the other hand,
is short, the snout being only slightly, if at all pro-
trusile. The cephalic system of the lateral Hue is fur-
nished with well-developed ducts and cavities in the

region we are ])artieularly struck by the wide expansion
of the styloid bone (opisthoticum), the lionc with which
the anterior end of the lower branch of tlie posttem-
poral I)one articulates or coalesces, and which in this
series is generally larger than the petrosal bone (jiro-
oticum) in front of it, or at least equal in size to tlie
latter. The ventral fins are suspended from the inner
surface of the anterior part of the clavicle by the an-
terior end of the pelvic bones. The vertebra; of the

Fig. 118. Intermaxillary bones of the Polar Cod (Gadus saida),
niagn. 2 diain. 1, 3, 5, and 7 from a specimen 20.5 mm. long, from
the White Sea; 2, 4, 6, and 8 from the Glacial clay at Lomma
(Scania). 1 and 2 seen from the outside, 3 and 4 from the inside,
5 and () from above, 7 and 8 from below. /, the lobate process;
/(, tlic nasal process; ai; the articular process.

*

body are characterized by the marked and often singular
development of their transverse processes. The first two
vertebrae are generally without ribs; the first of all is
often firmly united by its body and neural arch to the
occipital bone. The following (2 — .5, generally 4) ver-
tebra? are furnished with terete, wand-like ribs, curved
as in the Cod, or straight as in the Hake, and articul-
bones belonging to the dermo-skeleton. In the occipital j ating in distinct articular cavities with the bodies of

" Striiisia tinea, an imperfectly known Mediterranean tish, described and figured by Bonaparte as having confluent vertical fins, is
generally included among tlie Gadidte. hut is referred by tlie characters mentioned above to the family Macrurida, if it does not indeed
turn out to be identical with Uralcptus Maraldi, a Gadoid tish with distinct caudal fin.

'' In .JonriAN and GiiiiKirr's statement of 35 genera with about 90 species GuNrnEB's subfamily Brotulina of the family Optiidiidce
is included.

■-" Bregmaceros, willi two .species from India, New Zealand, the Philippine Islands, and China, as well as from the depths of the Gulf
of Mexico.

464

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the vertebrae. On the bodies of the vertebra? I^ehincl
this point, transverse processes are developed, in front
of or above the spot occui)ied by the articular cavity of
the ribs, and tlie points of insertion for the ribs (where
they are present) are transferred to these processes;
while to the ribs or to the processes (in tlie latter case
only behind) epiplenral bones are attached. In the anterior
part of the body the transverse processes gradually in-
crease backwards, both in length and breadth; in the
posterior part of the abdominal region they diminish
backwards, until they finally curve downwards towards
each other, and form the hsemal canal of the caudal
region. Below these processes in the abdominal region,
and united to their under surface, lies the large air-
bladder, the protection of which is the purpose of their
advanced development. Underneath tliey ai'e more or
less concave; or their margins may be l)ent downA\ards,
as in the Arctic GcuIks navafia, and united into a tube,
closed on the outside. In this case a cucullate process
of the air-bladder forces its waj- into each of the tubes,
"foreshowing, as it were," says Owen", "the pneumatic
bones of the birds." Another osteological characteristic
of the Codtishes lies in the circumstance that in the
first abdominal vertebrji?, tlie foremost of ^\■hich is often
closely united to the occipital part of the head, the
neural spines are longer than in the following vertebra?,
while in most fishes they are shorter. The Codfishes
have another remarkable characteristic — the first rays
of the anal fin (sometimes the whole of the first anal
fin) are set under the abdominal cavity, their inter-

ha'mal spines lying loose among the ventral muscles, in-
stead of joining the hu>mal spines of the caudal vertebra'.
The Scandinavian fauna comprises the following
genera of the Gadoid family:

I: Three dorsal fins and two anal fins Ticniis Gculni<.

II: Two dorsal fins and one anal fin:

A : Anterior dorsal fin fully developed :
a: Posterior doisal fin and anal fin
incised at the margin, and thus
divided into an anterior, arcuate
or rather straight part and a pos-
terior, more lobate division. No

barbels under the chin. (ienus Merlucius.

h: Posterior dorsal fin and anal fin of
more uniform height throughout,
without incision at the margin.
Chin furnished with a barbel:
«: Ventral fins normal, with se-
veral rays:

act: Canine teeth interspersed
among the jaw-teeth and

the vomerine teeth Genus Molua.

(ifi: -Taw-teeth and vomerine
teeth of uniform size and

small Genus Lotta.

fl: Ventral fins apparently one-
rayed, filamentous, and branched

at tlie tip Genus

B: Anterior dorsal fin broken up into

free, filamentous rays.. Genus

C: Anterior dorsal fin rudimentary, with

only 3 rays Genus

III: One dorsal fin and one anal fin Genus

Pliycis.

Onos.

Raniceps.
Brosmius.

Note. Divisions I, a, a, (i, D, U, and III are regarded by
some writers as distinct subfamilies: Gadina, Merluciituv, Lotince,
J'hi/cince, MotelUnw, Ranicipitincv, and Brosmiince, corresponding to
the genera recognised by Fries in the 1st edition of this worl\.

Genus GADUS.

Three dorsal fins, all fidhi rleveJoped, (lud tiro anal fits. Fedmuic {finless part) of the tail distinctly marked off.
Ventral fins nonnal, irifJi fl rai/s. J((ir-teeth and vomerine teeth present. BrancJiioster/al rays 7.

Klein', who gave the genus the name of Callarias,
\vas the first to characterize it with the limitations ad-
opted above; but this was prior to the introduction of
the Linniiian nomenclature. Artedi'' had previously
used the name which is now current, but with a wider

application, comprising all the species of the Cod-family
then known.

Fifteen or sixteen existing species of this genus
are indubitably known'', all of them belonging to the
Northern Hemisphere. Though distinctly marine fishes,

" Aiiat. of Vevtebmtes, vol. I, \<. 38.

"Ad Vallariax iinlhini alium, com jirobatissimis antoribns, adniittinuis pisceni, nisi qui dort'iim habct tripterygium.^^ Hist. Fisc.
Miss. V, p. 5.

" Gen. Pise, p. 19.

'' GOnthku adopts and characterizes 18 species in bis Catalogue; but of this number Gadus macrocephalus ^= G. callarias, G. eiuri-
nus = G. merlniigus, (1. fabricii = G. saida, and G. 2>i'odiicttts = a species of Merlucius. Gadus ogak, from Greenland, on the other hand,
seems easy to distinguish from (?. callarias, while Gadicidus argenteus, from the Mediterranean, the Bay of Biscay, and the Faroe Islands,
has recentlv been shown to bo a trui- Gadus.

CODS.

4g:)

tliey soinetiiiics cIkjoso to cuter fresh water". Striclly
speaking, we can hanlK call tliciii deeiJ-sea fishes; hut
some species descend to a depth of at h'ast ')•)() or (iOO
metres. Tlieir ]iroiiouiiced gregarious habits and their
voracity make them an easy prey; and as the flesh of
most of them is well-i<nown lor its wholesome (pialities
and good flavour, main- of them are the ol)jects of most
productive fisheries.

The difference between the species of the genus is
so slight that to divide it into subgenera, for which end
several systems h-.wc been suggested, has hitherto proved
almost impracticable. Still, the species compose sevei'al
form-series, \\hicli, when we take into account the clian-
ges of growth, apjjear to be stages of development, more
or less advanced in difterent respects, and issuing from
a starting-point that has probably been common to this
genus and the following one. The first series contains
one species in the Scandinavian fauna, Gadiis pontassoK,
which is without pyloric appendages, anfl tims comes
nearest the Hake {Mcrlurius mcrluccius), which has oidy
one appendage to the intestine. The Poutassou is also
remarkable for the gi-eat length of tlie base of the fii'st
anal fin; and the historv of development brings to light
in the true Cods the general rule that the relative length
of this fin decreases during the growth of the iish. In
some of the species, however, the Coalfishes and Whithigs
for example, the length of the first anal fin is persist-
ently at least more than half the distance between this
fin and the tip of the snout; -wliile in others the first
anal fin invariably measures less than half tiiis distance,
this last group containing the true Coch. In two re-
spects, which are indicated bv different changes of groAvth
of fair constancy, the Coalfishes and Whitings differ so
greatly from each other that they may well be regarded
as representatives of distinct gi'oups in the system. The
relative length of the snout increases wdth age, but that
of the lower jaw decreases. In these respects the Coal-
fishes occupy a lower rank in the scale of development
than the Whitings. Again, the Coalfishes and their allies
arc distinguished from the true Cods \)\ tiie greater
length of the lower ja\v (a relatively shorter snout) in
the former; and tlie Haddock, which in this respect
(with the relatively longest snout) stands highest in

ment, thus claims a group for it-

the generic develop
self in our fauna.

These series of forms mu\\ be arranged according
to the following characlci's:

I: Ijcngth of tlio liase of the iiist anal I'm

less than hull' the distance between tliis

fin and the tip of tlie snout:

A: Least depth of the tail at least about

half (iriore than 411 %) of the length of

the lower jaw Gadus a'c/lejinus.

B: Least dc])th of the tail distinctly less
tliiui half (less than 4(> %) of the length
of the lower jaw:

a: Jjcast depth of the tail move than
' ^ I if the length of the pectoral fins
or than 30 % of the lengtli of the
lower jaw:

a; Lengtli of the head more than
V4 of that of the body:
aa: Least breadth of the inter-
orbital space more than :^S 'i
of the length of the head.. GcuUts oi/uc.
(i(i: Least breadth of the inter-
orbital space less than 2>S %
of the Icnjrth of the head.. OcuIuk callaria.f.
fi: Length of the head less than
24 % of that of the body:
aa: Length of the snout less
than -, .J of the postorbital
length of the head; least
depth of the tail more than
41 % of the lengtli of the

lower jaw. Gadus gracilis.

/V;S; Length of the snout more
than (58 ', of the postorbital
length of the head; least
depth of the tail less than
40 "o of the length of the

lower jaw Gadus lutvaga.

b: Least depth of the tail less than
23 °o of the length of the pectoral
tins or than 29 % of the length of

the lower jaw Gadus saidu.

Lenffth of the base of the first anal fin
more than half the distance between this
fin and the tip of the snout:
1 : Length of the base of the first dorsal
fin more than 30 % of that of the base
of the first anal fin, and the length of
the base of tlie second dorsal fin more
than 5(1 \ of the latter:
A: L pper jaw projecting beyond the
lower jaw (length of the snout and
the upper jaw-bone — distance be-
tween the tip of the snout and the

II:

" III Bi:ouN-GtiODE {Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, sect. I. pp. 202 and 223) we find instances given of the
presence in North American rivers both of the Cod and the Tonicod ; ftnd according to Malm the Cod makes its wiiy up tlie River Gotlia as
far as Rising Bridge, and is laisen not so seldom off the Public Iron Stores of Gothenburg, where it keeps to the salt water at the bottom
of the river. In Uav (1. c, p. 271) the Earl cf DLClli gives some personal observations on this point from Norway. He says that the
Pollack occurs in Midluiigen and, tojrctlier with the Cod and Green Cod, in Siirejde Fjord — like Midhingen a salt-water tarn with fresh water
at the surface — and that at k'usl the I'l.llack ventured up into the fresh water to bite.

Scanttinttfinti Fishts. 5"'

466

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

hind extremity of either maxillary
hone — more than S4 % of the
length of the lower jaw):
a: Length of the snout more than

8 % of the length of the body

or than 7') '„ of the postorbital

leno-th of tlie head Gadn.'i meihiiinns.

b: Length of the snout less than

S K of the length of the body

or than 70 "i of the postorbital

length of the head:

a: Least depth of the tail more
than 40 "o of the length of
the third dorsal fin GaJnn ln.<:ciis.

li: Least depth of the tail less
than '.i'A % of the lengtli of

the third dorsal fin. Gcdiix initiutux.

B: Tip of the lower jaw projecting
in front of the tip of the snout
(length of the snout and upper
jaw-bone less than H2 % of that of
the lower jaw):
a: Least depth of the tail more

than half the distance between

the tip of the snout and the

hind extremity of the maxillary

bones or than '/j of the length

of the third dorsal fin :

((: Length of the lower jaw less

than \?} °„ of that of the body;

length of the base of the first

dorsal fin more than 75{Sb?)%

of the length of the lower jaw Gadus virens.

fi: Length of the lower jaw more

than 13 (14?) % of that of the

body; length of the base of

the first dorsal fin less than

73(70?) % of the length of

the lower jaw... Gadux pollarhiuK.

h: Least depth of the tail less than
half (43 %?) of the distance be-
tween the tip of the snout and
the hind extremity of the maxil-
lary bones or than '/* of the
length of the third dorsal fin.. Gadus Enmarkii.
Length of the base of the first dorsal
fin less than •/4 of that of the base of
the first anal fin, and the length of
the base of the second dorsal fin less
than '/3 of the latter Gadus poutassou.

THE HADDOCK (sw. koljan).
GADUS ^GLBFLXUS.

Plate XXII, tig. 1 and Plate XXIII, fig. 2.

/j-iifjfh of flip hase of the frst oi/aJ fin less than half the (lisffnice hetirecn tJi'ts fin aixJ the tip of the snout. Upper

Jaw most promhieiif. Ln/f/fh of the 1oin-r Jan- 35 — 40 % of tliat of the head. Least depth of the tail 50 — (>0 %

of the lenfjth of the Jon-er Ja>r". One, short tmrliel ander the chin. One, targe, lilaekish spot on each side of

tlie forepart of the hodi/, Jasf Jieloir tlie lateral line, which is dark or even, black.

R. hr. 7; D. 14 — 17,20 — 24 10— 22''; A. 21— 25'-|20-
P. 19-21; V. 6; C. .f + 20— 24 -f .p; Vert. 53—54.

24'';

»S'^;(. Aiijrefin 1. Aiglefiu, Bei.ox., Xat., Divcrii. Poiss., p. 118; Gadus,
No. 7, Art., Syn., p. .SO; Anon, Duham., Tr. Pecltes, part.
II, sect. 1, p. 13.3, tab. XXIII, fig. 1; Isa, Olaksen, Reiie
Isl., I, p. 357, tab. XXVI.
Gadus Aeglefinus, Lin., 6';jst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 251;
MonR, Jsl. Natiivh., p. 64; Cuv. (subg. Les Morues), Regn.
Aniiu., ed. 1, tnin. II, p. 212; Flmng (Morrliiia), Brit. Anvn.,
p. 191; NiLSS. (snbg. Jlerlangiis), Prodr. Ichth. 6'cand., p. 42;
Fii., Ekstr., v. VVninnT (Gadus), Shrind. Fisk., ed. I, p. 8C,
tab. 19; Stohf.r (Morrhua), Post. .Jourii. Nat. Hist., vol. II
(1839), p. 454; Kr. (Gadus), Damn. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 42;
NiLSs., iSkand. Fn., Fisk., p. 550; Gill (Melanogrammus),
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philiul. 1802, p. 280 et 1863, p. 237;
Gthr (Gadus), Cat. Bnt. Afiis., Fisti.. vol. IV, p. 332;

Morn, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1864, p. 529; Coll., Vid.
Selsk. Forb. Christ. 1874, Tilbi-gsb., p. 108; ibid., 1879, No.
1, p. 66; WiNTH., Naturb. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII
(1879), p. 28; MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., torn. HI, p.
237; D.\Y, Fish. Gt. Brit., Ivel, vol. I, p. 283; JoRn., Gilb.,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 803; MOb., Hcke, Fiscli.
Osts., p. 75; LiLL.1., Sv., Aorg. Fisk.. vol. II, p. 54; Br.
GooDE (Melanograimnns), Fislier., Fislier.-Industr. U. *S'.,
Sect. I, p. 223, pi. 59, A; Hansen (Gadus), Zool. Dan.,
Fiske, p. 67, tab. IX, fig. 4.
Aeglefinus Liiinei, Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 481.

Olis. Owing to its short lower jaw the Haddock, as we bave
mentioned above, ranks as a type quite distinct from tbe rest of the
Scandinavian Codfishes, but in this respect perhaps coincides with tbe
American Tomcod in the west of the Atlantic. In Ibis case the latter
species, with its wiilely separated dorsal .and anal fins, bears tlie same

" In Haddock fry from Spitzbergen, taken in Ice Fjord in September, 1861, 35 mm. long, I fiml the lengtli nf the lower jaw to mea-
sure 45 °o of that of the head, and tbe least depth of the tail 46'/., K of the former. The latter percentage might indeed, to the best of
our knowledge, be of some use as a specific character; but the corresponding percentage in old specimens of Gadus navaga comes too near
it. Thus the above given character based on these two points must be used with precaution.

* Sometimes 23, according to Kroyer.
26, „ „ „

d i) r

HADDOCK.

4G7

systematic relation to tlie former as tlie I'i'Iar ('o<l aud Gadus nuvaga
to the Common Cod. Gill gave the Hachlock the generic name of
Melanograminus, with reference to the black, lateral spot — cf. above,
p. 308, on the Dory. But the division represented by tlie Haddock has
no more right to a special generic name than any of the other groups
of the genus Gadus, as it was denned by FuiKS (1. c). The elonga-
tion of the snout and the reduction of the lower jaw ar<' results of

changes of development common to tlie Haddock and the other species
of the genus; but the Haddock has advanced furthest in this course
of development; and we, therefore, place it first in the scries. How
the changes of growth in this respect express a common direction of
development, appears from the following table, in which we have
summarized the results of our measurements of specimens belonging
to the Roval Jluseuin :

Haddock Group .

Cod Group,

Whiting Group..

Coalfish Group .

Gadus ogttc

Gadus cailarlas"

Gadus gracilis.,.
Gadus navaga

I Gadus saida.

Gadus merlaugus .

Gadus pyoximus^-

Gadus lusctis

'.Gadus winutus^

Gadus I'irens

Gadus poliachius .

Gadus Esmai-kii ..

Poutassou Group .

Gadus poutassou .

{avera
in 1

erage in i5 specimens..

specimen

in 1 specimen

,. 1

„ 1

average in 4 specimens.

average in 3 specimens .

..4
averaec in '^ specimens.

I :: :: : :: ;

fin 1 speoii
(average in

men

specimens.

(in 1 specimen...

[average in 2 specimens.

{average in 2 specimens.

average in -' specimens.
\ ,. „ 3 ., .

I average in 3 specimens.
I .. ^ .. 3 ,. .

average in 'i specimens.
.. .1 3 „

in 1 specimen

,. 1

.. 1

, ., J. LcnKlIi of the,
Length ot . ■ ..

,, r 1 ■ snout in ^

the body in ^^ ,^^j ^^ ,^^l

millimetres. , ,^^^^.^ .^„. ^

414
7-'
490
388
294

•2m

17G
34(3
19-.'
•210
130
409
32G
139
178
104
319
298
189
143
■298
10.-)
3G2
204
180
127
395
3.'i9
115

1U3.8
77.5

73.7
GS.4
G7..T

73.5
64.9

ti.'j
76. s

00. 1

54.0

73.fi

58.8
5G.2

51.2

71.4

G9.0

62.. 5

G3.0

58.3

59.7

.57.(5

G9.3

G5.1

58.9

56.0

55.0

50.3

It is evident from this table, first that in the same species the
percentage is generally lower in young specimens than in older ones,
and second, that in the species that occupy the lowest rank in each
<'f the above groups of the genus, the percentage is also lower than
in the others. The former species are also distinguished by their
smaller size. However, the intermediate forms between the groups are
so numerous, especially in the character given here, that even though
we are able to distinguish between different series of development,
these series are still best included in the same genus, especially as

the most important specific characters lose a great portion of their
validity when young specimens are in question.

The Mvei-age length attained liy tlie Haddock in
Scandinavia is lietween 80 and 50 cm. The largest
specimen from Bohusliin that came under Malm'.s ob-
servation, was 79 cm. long. Fries was informed, how-

" In auother specimen, 730 mm. long, we find a reversion to the juvenile characters, this percentage being 68"8, while in another,
abnormal (macrocephalic) specimen, 212 mm. long, it is STl.

* A Pacific species (with range extending from California to .Alaska) wliicli combines the characters of G. luscns with those of G.
minuttis — distinguished from both by the base of the second dorsal fin measuring less than half the distance between the tip of the snout
and the first anal tin — but more nearly related than either to G. merlaugus.

' In anotlicr specimen, 210 mm. long, we find a reversion to the juvenile characters, the percentage in question being 53-0.

468

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

ever, by the iishenneii uf Bohuslaii th;iT tlie}- had seen
Haddocks 89 cm. or more in length".

The body is of the normal Gadoid form, being
usually somewhat deeper than that of the Common Cod.
The greatest depth varies between 21 or (generally in
the males) 20 and 2;! % of the length. The least depth
of the body is also, in most specimens, somewhat greater
than in the Cod, varying between 5 and 5' g % of the
length. On the other hand, the body is generally rather
more compressed, the greatest thickness varying l)etween
55 (sometimes 54) and 61 ?^ of the greatest depth. The
dorsal proiile slopes from the first dorsal iin to the
occiput, and joins the forehead, which bends slightly
down towards the snout, in a regular, gradual curve.

The head is of a singular form, characteristic of
this species'. The vuider surface is perfectly flat when
the mouth is closed, the lower jaw, the projecting margin
of the ujjper jaw, and the inferior margin of the still
more prominent snout lying in the same plane, and the
slightly curved frontal profile sloping in a wedge-shape
towards the snout. The snout is somewhat pointed',
but broader than higli, and quite thin, and projects as
far in front of the tip of tlie upper jaw as the latter
beyond the lower ja-w. With the exception of the ex-
treme margin, wliicli is visible, the whole of the upper
jaw lies in a deep dermal fold under the snout''. The
upper ja\v is comparatively short, its iiiiid extremity
falling short of the perpendicular from the anterior
margin of the eye, or, at all events, extending only
just behind it. The distance from the tip of the snout
to the end of the maxillary bones is about 9 or 10 %
of the length of the l)ody, 1)ut to the Ijest of our know-
ledge does not exceed the latter proportion. The eyes
are comparatively large, their length in full-grown spe-
cimens being very nearly V4 of that of the liead. They
are set high, their inferior margin lying somewhat above
the line from the point of the operculum to the margin
of the upper jaw, and their upper margin almost in the
same plane as the forehead. The distance between them

is about equal to their diameter; and the centre of the
eye almost coincides Avith the middle point of the length
of the head. The nostrils lie in a small depression
somewhat behind the middle of the snout, one on each
side just in front of and u little above the other. The
posterior opening on each side is large, oval, and open,
with only the upper anterioi' part of tlie margin raised
in a lobate form; the anterior is smaller, with a more
tubular oriiice, the lower posterior part of the margin
being furnished witli an upright, triangular flap. The
lips are fairly thick, and envelop the margins of both
jaws. The gape is small, its length being about '/^ of
that of the head; it is turned obliquely downAvards
when the mouth is opened and the ujiper jaw protruded.
In both jaws and on the head of the vomer we find
I'ather small and sliort, pointed, recurved teeth, in the
upper jaw (on the intermaxillary bones) set in several,
close roAvs, but in the loAver. strictly speaking, in only
two, of Avhich the inner one is often hardly perceptible.
The tongue is somewhat pointed, Avith free tip. The
gill-openings are middle-sized. The branchiostegal mem-
branes are inferiorly united to each other in the form
of a collar. The branchiostegal rays are, as usual, 7.
Under the chin Ave find a small, conical barbel, Avith
fine tip. Its length is less than the diameter of the eye.
The Avhole body, out to the very snout, is covered
Avith small, thin scales, Avhich are generally invisible
during the life of the fish, being then coated Avith slime.
These scales also cover a great portion of the caudal
fin and the bases of the dorsal fins, especially in front,
and of the pectoral fins. Some traces of scales also
appear on the front parts of both anal fins. The lateral
line starts from the temporal region, on a level with
the upper margin of the eye and in a scarcely percep-
tible curve, and ])eloAv tlie second dorsal fin descends
evenly, thus occupying tlie middle of the side vertically
beloAv the beginning of the third dorsal fin, from \vhich
})oint its course is straight. It is strikingly l;)road and
depressed, with the margins of the groove SAvollen, as

" Statements from England and North America show that the Haddock may attain a much greater size. Ol-SEN (riscatorial Atlaf,
pi. 17) gives 16 lbs. as the maximum weight of the Haddock. Daa' mentions a specimen that was caught in Dublin Bay, and was 37 in.
in length and 24' ^ lbs. in weight. Stoeeh (Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, Sc, vol. VI, p. 357) states tlie inaximinn weight of the Haddock at
17 lbs., and E.MiLL (see Brown-Goode, 1. c.) found the weight of a gravid female SS'/, inches long to be 9 lbs. 0 oz.

'' In full-grown specimens tlie length of the licad is about ' 4 of that of the body. In fry between 35 and 70 mm. long we have
found the length of the head to be 27 or 28 % of tlie length of the body.

' Its relative length, on the other hand, is the same as in the Common Cod, varying between about S'/^ and 10 % of the length of the body.

'' GESNEit (HM. Anim., lib. IV, p. 86 — Frankfort, 1620) describes the form of the snout as rostrum aijnilvitniu and suggests the
latter word as the derivation of the name of ciiglejhi. At Dieppe, however, the Maigre (iSchtiki) is also known as rii</le, and ai(jlejin may
perhaps be due to some fancied likeness between this lish and the Haddock. Bei.on liad already declared that it was im])ossible to discover
any satisfactory etymology of aiglejin.

IIADIXHK.

4(J1

it were. Tlic \ciit is situiitcd soiiifwlint in tVont of the
inidfllc til' till' li(i(i\', licluw ilic liciiimiinu <il thr sccoihI
dors.'il liii, tlic dist.-nicc liclwccii it ;iii(l tlir tip of the
snout lii'iiiu' ;d)(iut .')S — 41 % 111' till' Icnutli of the liodw
The |i('ctoi';d tins roiilnin 2 siniplc iind 17 — 19
hr.-inclicd r;iys. Tlic Itli iind .")tli r;i\s ;ii-c t Ik- longest,
the following ones gnidu.ilh deci'easing in Icngtli, ;ind
the last fays \('it small and diHicult to distinguish.
The length of the tins is sihotit HI '—17' .."-v of that of
the bod\, and tlieii- tips extend to a Xww witli the vent.
The ventral tins are |)oint('<I, and in old specimens co-
ver slightly more than hall' the distance between their
bases and the licginning of the tii'st anal fin. In young
speeiini'ns the\- are coinparaliNclv larger, their length

beinjl sonictinies as much as SI

if this distance.

They are made up of li ra\s, the lii'sT two simple, with
long, free tips, and tiu> second the longest.

The first dorsal tin begins above the base of the
pectoral lins, at a distance from the tip of the snout
equal to 28 — 30 % of the length of the body; and its
base measures aliout 1.'! % of tiie length of the body.
It is triangular in shape, with a fairlv acute angle, and
is higlier than eitiier of the other two dorsal tins. It
contains from 14 to 17 rays, the first two simple, the
second the longest, measuring between about 15'/.j and
ISV'o % of the length of the body, and the remaining
ones decreasing rapidly in length. The anterior margin
of the second dorsal tin, which has the longest base —
measuring about 21 — 22' \, % of the length of the body,
leans backwards, forming a somewhat obtuse angle with
the straight, sloping, superior margin. This tin is made
up of from l'O to 24 ravs, the tifth and sixth being
the longest and comparatively longer in young speci-
mens than in old, and of a length varying between 14
and alM)Ut \^ "o of that of the body, or about equal
to that of the ventral tins. Tiie third dorsal fin is of
almost the same shape as the second, but shorter, its
length being about 14' \, — I.")" ._, % of that of the body,

d<irsal fin, is as |0 to '.)"S or \y'.\\ and the anterior
corm 1- is nnich more i-oiindcd. It <'ontains fnjm 21 to
2") ia\s, ilic first fi\c or six simple at the lip, and the
third gcneralh' the longest. The i-e>cnililance is still
greater between the second anal fin and the third dorsal.
The fornici- consists of tietween 20 and 24 rays, the
first two sin)|ili', and the third the longest.

The caudal fin is normal in form, somewhat in-
cised at tlu^ tip, but not far from truncate when ex-
panded. The length of its middle rays diminishes
during growth from about S' ., to ti'', % of that of
the l)ody.

The difl'erencc! in colour between a live (I'late
XXII, tig. 1) and a d.'ad lladdo.-k (Plate XXIII, hg. 2)
is considerable. The latter is of a plain, dii'ty gray
aljove and white l)elo\\', with black lateral tine. In the
living fish, <in the other hand, the upper part of the
head and the back are of a dark grav, \iolet colour,
which as it passes into the lighter, silver-gray colour
of the sides assumes a handsome, light, coppery lustre
of marked brilliancy. The bellv, the lower ]jortion of
the head, and the tail are milk-white. The sides are
silver-gray, shading into vellow at the to[i and below
thickly strewn with tine, blackish ilots. The lateral line
is yellowish black, hut darker at one moment and
lighter at another. The iris is blackish grav, with a
dark shading of yellowish tinge ab(n-e and below the
pupil. A marking especially characteristic of the Had-
dock is the large, blackish spot that lies just below the
lateral line in the neighbourhood of the lirst dorsal tin.
It is constantly present, in all sjiecimens of all ages,
but may lie more or less distinctly prominent. The
shape of this spot is vcrv irregular and variable. The
superior fins, as well as the jiectoral tins and the caudal
fin, are of the general colour of the back, with lighter,
yellowish bases. The anal tins are silver-gray, with
milk-white base, strewn with numbers of black ilots,
and lighter margin. The ventral tins are milk-white,

and somewhat more pointed at the anterior corner. It the membrane between the branched rays punctated

consists of from 19 to 22 rays, the fourth or tifth ; with black.

being the longest, and measuring about 10 — 8 % of The structure of the internal organs is essentially

length of the body. the same as in most of the Codfishes: and as it is our

The first anal fin differs but slightly from the se- intention to give a more miiuite descrii)tion of these

eond dorsal. It begins sotnewhat further back, the \ organs in the Whiting, we need oidy point out for the

distance between it and the tip of the snout, compared present that the abdominal cavity extends back to about

with the corresponding distance in the case of the second the middle of the bod\-. or to a distance beyond the

" Sometimes 13, according to Kroyer.

470

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

VL'iit eiiual to the length of the ventral fins. The
second (hind) coil of the intestine (the first coil is
not half so long) and the long, left lobe of the liver
extend to the bottom of tlie cavity. The perito-
nenni is ashy gnw. The air-bladder is large, broad
behind, and furnished with large, tirni lateral bands,
projecting from it like the teeth of a saw. The Yivev
has numerous small lobes, but as usual only two prin-
cipal ones, the left being the longer, and one, shorter,
middle lobe. The gall-bladder is ol)long, \\itli iK)inted
liottom and verv tiiin mend)r,-nie. The pylorie appen-
dages are naiTower and longer than in the ^^ hiting.
Their numbei* may rise to about '200.

Tlie chief singularity in the skeleton of the Had-
dock is that the clavicular bones are terete, swollen, as
it were, in their anterior (horizontal) part, but pointed
as usual- — as (_>laf.sex descri])es them: ''thick, oblong,
round, white, and ver-s" easih" worked, but nuich softer
and looser than ivory. The Icelanders make various
trifles out of them, mostlv chess-men, which thev dye
green with oxide of copper' . The posterior (angular)
part of the posttemporal bone is also swollen.

The Haddock is an Atlantic species, but seems to
prefer the eastern parts of tliis ocean. Still, it is by
no means rare on the east coast of North America —
Ijetween lats 38° and 53° N., according to Buowx-
GoODE — and is taken there, occasionally at least, in
greater numbers even than the Cod. But on that side
of the .\tlantic its range, as far as we know it, is be-
Aond comparison more confined than on this, where it
occurs from about lat. 78° to 44° N. Kkoyek observed
it "about 13 miles off Spitzbergen, in about lat. 77° N.";
and the Swedish Expedition of 18(il took a small young
Haddock (see above) in a trailnet in Ice Fjord. The
Spitzbergen Expedition of 18fi8 paid a visit of some
days to Bear Island; and at the anchorage of the .S'o/?f/
on the east side of the island the crew cauglit nund)ers
of Haddocks with handlines. Mela" states that the
Haddock is common on the Mui'nian coast, and thinks
it probable that the species occurs in the White Sea.
In Iceland, according to Faber'', it is verv valuable to
the inhabitants. On tlie coast of Greenland it is un-
known. The Haddock-fisliery is pursued along the ^hole
Atlantic coast of Europe, down to central France; but

in the Bay of Biscay, according to Mokeau, the Had-
dock is rare, and further south, as well as in the Me-
diterranean, it is unknown. Along the whole coast of
Norwav and tiie west coast of Sweden down to the
Sound the Haddock is conuuon, but south of Hveen it
is rare, and, as NiLSSox points out, has never been
caught on the Baltic coast of Sweden. On the German
coast it has never been found east of the coast of
Mecklenburg; l)ut it is sometimes found in Kiel Bay,
where, according to MOiuis and Heixcke, specimens
(iO cm. lonii' have been taken.

The Haddock likes fairly deep water — according
to Malm, from 12 to 50 fathoms in depth — with a
clayey or soft sandy bottom, wliich it ahvays hugs
closely. Though always a shore-fish, it is bv no means
stationary, Init keeps roving about in large or small
companies along the deep channels among the island-
belt, the vounger specimens in large shoals, the older
in smaller ones. Thus, one can never be sure of finding
this fish at spots where it has formerh' been plentiful,
nor, though one has made a good catch on one day,
of taking a single specimen on the morro^v. The Had-
dock is never seen quite close in shore, not even the
fry; and the seasons seem to influence it but little in
the choice of its haunts. Khovee has already remarked
tliat off several parts of tlie Danish coasts the Haddock
has disappeared for vears, and then returned. Nilssok
makes the same remark of Kullen, where it is said to
be plentiful periodicall}', every eighth or tenth }'ear.
Numbers of similar observations have been made in
America''. The causes of these migrations may be va-
rious; but one of the most probable explanations of the
periodical abundance or scarcity of the Haddock seems
to lie in the needed supply of food. Like its kindred
species, the Haddock is a fish-of-prev that lives on other
fishes; but it is also \erv fond of lower organisms,
shellfish, worms, and Opliiincc, which induce it to make
its home on soft bottoms. Its comparati\ely small
mouth naturally restricts its voracity; but -wlien the
young Herrings enter the shallo^\■er inlets among the
islands, the Haddock joins their pursuers, and is thus
enticed into shallower water than it usually frequents.
On these occasions a few Haddocks are taken in the
Herring-seines.

" Vert. Fcnn., p. '2!10. tab. IX.

'' Xatin-ij. d. Fische IslaiKh. \\. 103.

'■ See rUiowN-GooriE, 1. c.

one 72 cm. long and

4^/3 kgm. in woigiit aljout 1,839,(!00. In September,

Tlie lladdork spawns in spring, tVoiii l"cl)rnar\' or
March to Ma\' or .liiiu'". The ripe; eggfi, wliicli are
developed floating aI)out in tiie sea, are '/,, oi' an inch
(■2'82 nun.) in diameter, according to F.ai!LL, and in-
crease in ninuhei- according to the age of tlic parent-
fish, a female 4!) cm. long and 1 '08 kgm. in weight
containing about 170,000, aiu

off Spitzbergen, tlie frv are about l'>!) nun. long, if anv
conclusion may be drawn from our observation on one
single occasion; but even on tlie 14th of June Collhtt
found Haddock-fry 40 — 50 mm. long in Christiania
Fjord, and Yarrell' states tliat on the coasts of Eng-
land "the young are six inches long by the beginning
of September." In October and November, saA's Fiues,
some small Haddocks between 100 and 150 mm. in
length may oceasionally be taken on the coast of Bo-
huslan; but with this exception tlie fi'y are never seen.
Like the young of several other fishes, of the Horse
Mackerel (see above, p. 87) and tlie ( "od for example,
tile Haddock-frv, according to S.\iis and Collett, seek
shelter and food under the Iiodies of McdiiSfC, together
witli which thev drift alioiit, until they are more than
50 mm. long: and then they probably join their parents
in deeper water. Off TromsO, however, Lilljeborg
saw fairly large shoals of young Haddocks keep near
shore in from 4 to G fathoms of Avater.

The flesh of the Haddock is excellent, though its
reputation varies verv greatly in different localities and
at different seasons. In England and in Scandinavia
middle-sized specimens, between '^ an<l 1 kgm. in
weight, are considered best. In Ireland the largest spe-
cimens are most highly esteemed. During the spawning-
season the Haddock, like other fishes, is not so good
eating. It is consumed fresh — a boiled Haddock is a
dish of good flavour and easy of digestion — or also
salted or dried. In England it generally makes its
apiiearaiice on the table of the well-to-do at breakfast,
smoked and broiled. The Scotch "Haddies" of Findon,

HADDOCK.

near .Vbi^rdecn

471

enjoy a great reputation, .\fter the
tish is gutted, it is soaked for about three houi'S in
brine and then hung in the smoke of burning peat
and sawdust, but only until it acquires the proper,
\<'llo\v colour. It is, thus, very lightly smoked, but
has a iieculiar and not at all unpleasant flavour. Next
to the Herring, too, the Haddock is the most important
salt-water flsh to the English fisherman. In 1888, in
England, Scotland, and Ireland, no less than 2,369,012
cwt. of Haddock were taken, of a value of i.'943,258".
In I>ohusliin, to judge by the average prices at Gothen-
burg', tlu! Haddock sells best from September to April
inclusive, when it fetches about 1"60 to 2'30 crowns
(19 — 2/0) a score. In 1879 nearh' two million Had-
docks were brought to Gothenburg, most of thera in
November and April. In Bohusliin the Haddock is of
more importance to the fisherman than nierelv as an
article of food. It is chieflv this fish that is used as
bait ill the storfiske (gi'eat-fishery) for large Cod and
Ling.

The most productive method of fishing for Had-
docks ])ractised in .Sweden is with siinibdckor (small
long-lines) or, as thev are also called. Haddock-lines,
about 125 metres long, with 100 hooks attached to
snoods about 45 cm. long". These lines are set in
a continuous line ("link ) one after another in deep
water near shore, at spots where the Haddocks come
roving in large shoals. They generally lie only a very
short time, for when the fisherman has paid out the
last bit of the link, he proceeds to take up the other
end. A bait of mussels {MijfUtis edidis) is usually
employed. During the whole summer this fishery is
carried on, in order to provide bait for the large long-
lines set for Cod and Ling. But even after the latter
fisheiy is over, Haddock-l.ines are set on the west coast
of Sweden all the autumn and far into the winter, and
repay 1)V the abundant catch the toil and difliculties
which the fishermen must brave to set them. The
spots chosen at this season are generallv in about 30

" Earu, (see Biiovvx-Goode, 1. 0.) foiiiul a feuialo tlifit liatl not yet spawiicil, as late as the middle of July. Olsex {Pi\<cat. Atl.)
states that in England the spawning-season extends over Febrnary, March, and April. EwaRT describes (Xalure. 1889, May 2nd, p. 13)
how Scott met with a large shoal of Haddocks spawning at the bottom in about 30 fathoms of water, about 15 miles off the coast of
Banff. Tlie surface teemed with floating eggs of almost every stage of development, both of the Haddock and the Cod. At a single sweep
with his tow-net he secured half a million eggs, while llio trawlers brought hundreds of spawning fish from deep water.

' Hist. Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 234.

'-• See The Fish trades Gazette for the 12lh and 2Gth of January, 1889.

'' V. YiiLEX, Die Seefischerei an der Westkiiste Sclnvedens. Appendix to the catalogue of the Swedish department of the Berlin Ex-
hibition, 1880.

' A description of this fishery, as it is pursued in tlie North Sea, on the German coast and off Heligoland, is given by Dalmeb in
Max v. 1). Borne's Handbuch der Fischcttcht and Fisrhevei, p. 494.

47l>

NCAXDIX AVIAN KI8HES.

fathoms of wnter. Ixtweeii 10 ■•uid 15 kilometres from
shore, and the liooks are l)aited with small Herrings
or Sprats, which the Haddock likes best of all, until
FebruarA-, when a bait of shellfish is again adopted.
When the weather permits, the lines are taken up as
soon as thev are set, but thev often lie longer if the
risherman is driven by storm or hard Aveather suddenl}'
to make for land. This always lessens the catch. The
Myxine {Myxkic f/li(t/)i(>sa) no-w seizes its opportunity,
creeps into the hocjked Haddock eitlier through the
mouth or the vent, and devours the flesh down to the
hones without touching or damaging the skin.

The Haddock is also taken on hand-lines (dorj)
all the year round, in the same way and at the same
time as Whiting, if one only chooses the deep channels.
The best bait is invariably the flesh of the mussel,
but it sometimes happens that the Haddock bites, though

I'ar from readih", at a piece of \Miiting. The bait should
1 lie on the bottom, while for Cod and Whiting the line
should be held so as to keej) the bait a little way from
i the bottom. More experience is re(juired, however, in
fishing for Haddocks with a hand-line, for this fish
makes sudden and ^•iolent struggles to free itself from
the hook, and its mouth is looser and more easily torn
than th;it of the Whiting. In this way the fisherman
loses a great part of his fish -while drawing them up.
Most of the Haddocks caught in the North Sea are
taken in the trawl; but the flesh of the Haddock is
soft enough before, and after it has been tossed about
in the trawl among other fish and stones, it can
never lie so good as that of the Haddocks taken on
the hook.

(Fkies, S.mitt.)

THE COMMON COD (sw. toiisken).

GADUS CALLARIAS.

Plate XXII, figs. 2 and H ; Plate XXIII, iig. I.

Lenflth of flic hasc of the first aiial fin less than half flic distance lietireen this fin and the tip of the snout.
Upper Jair most prominent. Leui/fh of the Joirer Jair at least alioat 4(> % of that of the head. Least depth of
the tad at most alioat 4:^ % of the lenfjlh of the loirer jair, hat at Irast about SO % of the length of the pectoral

f the interorhital space
truncate. Coloration
^}Qt on the sides.

the tad at most ahout 4:^ % of the leiifith of the loirer j'air, hat at least about SO % of the I

fins. Lem/th of the head at least about 2'> % of that of the bodi/, and the least breadth of

at most about ■^■j % of the lenc/th of the head. Lateral line irhifish and ciirred. Caudal fin

c/raif, green or red. more or less spotted but without anii especiallif prominent, black Sjx

R. bt: 7: /'. 12 — 15 16—20 10 — 20; .-1. 17— 20 IG— 19;
P. 18—21; V. ti; C. ,c + 2.3 — 27 +.r: Vert. 51 — 54".

Sijn. Asellns major (p. IS) + Aselltis varius vel str/atiis (p. 10) +
Asellus nanus (p. 20): ScHONEV., Iclitliyol. 'Sle.w., Holsat. =
Asellus major vulgaris (p. 165) + Asellns varius vel striatus
SCHONFliLDII (|i. 172); ^VII.I,UGB., Hist. Fisc. ^ Gudiis, No.
4 et (), Ani'., .^'yn. Pise, p. .35 = Lix., Fn. Siiec, ed. I,
No. 293 et 295.

Torsk, LiN., /(. OL, p. 87; Kiibhelja + Torsk, It. Westr.,
p. 176 et 177; Tarslien, It. .Scan., p. 220.

Gadits Callaria", Lin., Si/$t. Nat., ed. X, toiu. I, p. 252;
Eetz., Fi>. .Succ. Lin., p. 318; Cuv., R'egu. .{nnn., ed. 2,
torn. II, p. 332; Pall., Zoogr. Ross. Asiat., toiu. Ill, p. 182;
NiLss.. Pi-otlr. Iclithyol. 6'cand., p. 40; Ek!<ti;., Vet.-Akad.
Handl. 1834, p. 38; Schagerstr., Physiogr. SJillsU. Tidskr.,
p. 297; Ekstr. et v. ^yRlGHT, .Sk-and. Fi\4:, ed. I, p. 101,

tab. 47; Sundev., Stockb. L. Hiisli. SiiUsk. Hand!., II. l! (1855)
jip. 82, 04, 166; Nilss., SIcand. Fn., FisI,:, p. 537; Jord.,
GiLB., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 804; Lillj., Sc,
Kori/. Fisk:., vol. 2, p. 31; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiskr,
p. 67, tab. IX, fig. 1.
Gadns Aforhua, Lin., Sijst. Xat., 1. c.; Petz. {G. morrliaa),
1. c; Cuv., 1. c., p. 331; Pai.l., 1. c., p. 181; Nu.ss., Prodr.,
p. 39; Fr., Skatid. Fisk., ed. I, p. 78; Kr., (G. Morliua)
Danm. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 1: Nu.ss. (G. Morrhiia) Fn., I. e.;
Gthr, Cat. Brit, Mus., Fisli., vol. IV, p. 328; Morn, F,nl.
Fisk. (disp. Helsiiigf.) p. 27: Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forli. 1864,
p. 528; LiNDSTR., Gotl. L. Hush. Sallsk. Arsbcr. 1866, p. 21
(sep.); Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874. Tilla?gsh.. p. 103;
ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 65; N. M.ig. Naturv., Bd. 29 (1884),
p. 81 ; Malm, Gbffs, Boh. Fn., p. 480; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr.
Kbhvii, ser. 3, vol. XII (1879), p. ^7; Bncke, Fisctt., Fischer.,
Fisch:. 0.. ir. Pretiss., p. 87; Mon., Hist. Xat. Poiss. Fr..

" The latter imiubc-r according to Mai.m.

COD.

473

1..111. Ill, p. 235: Mki.a, Vert. Fenn., p. 298, lab. IX;

Day, /7.s-/(. G:t Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 275, tab. LXXVIII ;

Mob., Hcke, Fiscli. Osts., p. 72; Bit. Goode, Fisher., Fischer.

Industr. U. St., sect. I, p. 200, fnb. 58, A.
Gadtts barbatus (p. p.) Lin., 6'i/st. Nat., 1. c.
Gadiis ruber, Lacep., Hist. IVat. Poi.'is., vol. V, p. 671; Hollb.,

Bohusl. Fisk:, H. II, p. 31 c. fab.
Gadiis iiiacrocepltalits, Tn,., Mem. Acad. Iiriii. Sc. Petersb.,

toiu. II (1807 et 1808), p. 350, tab. XVI ct XVII.
Aforrhua Americana, Stoker, Host. Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. II

(1838 — 1839), p. 448; Mem. Amer. Acad. Art.«, Sc, ii. ser.,

vol. VI (1859) p. 343, tab. XXVII, Hg. 4.

Obs. As we see liy (lie above list of synonyms Willugiiby
and, after bis time, AitTEDl adopted only two of tlie three species
that ScilONEVKi.DE imagined be could distingnisb in onr Common Cod.
In his description of the first of them, Aselliis major, WiLLLTtHliY
writes: Cauda plana fere et mininie forcipata: primus radius prima'
ah ano pinncB brevis est et spinosus. This appeared in Artedi as:
Gadus .... Cauda wquali fere cum radio prima spinoso, which Linn^us
corrected to: cauda suboequali, radio primo aiiali spinoso. This con-
fusion between a simple but articulated (soft) ray and a spinous ray
was long accepted, on Linn.el'ss authority", in combination with
changes of growth, as a distinction between the Great Cod (Sw.
kabiljo — morhua, morue in Belon) and the Lesser (young Cod and
Baltic Cod — callarias). The name of Gadus morrhua is thus to be
rejected as based on an error; and that of G. callarias nmst there-
fore be recognised as the only right one. especially as it is of class-
ical origin, though the ancient Greeks could not possibly have applied
it to the Cod, which is not a Mediterranean fish. The first to reject
the above character was Faber'; but, like NlLSSON'^, who avoided
making any reference to this character, he accepted the species as
distinct. It was Fries, in the former edition of this work'', who first
joined these hypothetical species into one, which he called ^''Torsken,
G. Aforrhtta^^ in the system.-itic distribution of this genus. He had
been led to tliis conclusion in 1838 by his observations in the island-
belt of Bohnslan, observations which were subsequently pursued and
verified by EkstrOm. The latter summed up his results as follows:

the form previ(jusly called Gadus morrhua really consists only of
older specimens, and the Gadvs callarias of former writers of young
specimens of the same species, which in shallower and not so salt
water, however, as in the Baltic, never attain a size that fpiite
matches that of a full-grown Cod from the Ncjrth Sea. A short time
before Ekstrum suggested this explanation, Kroyer in Danmarks Fiske
had discussed this question at length and come to the same result.

Tlie u.sunl size of the Common Cod taken within
the island-belts on the coa.st of Scandinavia is about
6 dm. 'i'hose which are caught on banks in the open
sea ;irc- larirer, and pretty fVequentlv attain a length
of \i dm. and a weight of about 17 kgm. Specimen.s
of this size enter the Sound, according to Schaoerstrom,
and the south-west of the Baltic, according to MoBUS
and Heincke. The largest specimen from Kiel Bay
that the latter writers had seen, weighed 19 kgm.
Much larger Cod are, however, on record, and Brown-
GooDE gives instances from America in which the
weight was as much as 72' , kgm. The Cod may
attain this size on the brink of the ocean depths, but
in Scandinavia it probabh' never grows so large. The
largest specimen Kroyer had seen on the Lofoden Is-
lands, was nearly "25 kgm. in weight and about 140
cm. long^ Like other true marine fishes it is .some-
what stunted in growth in tlie Baltic; but even in the
south of the Gulf of Bothnia, off Usthammar, Lillje-
BOUG found Cod 675 mm. long and .3' j kgm. in weight.
In Baggen Fjord, in the inner island-belt of Stockholm,
the species attains a length of at least 600 mm.''

" Schagerstr6si has also fallen into this mistake. He saw, however, that in both the ''species" the anal fins were exactly alike in this respect.
' Naturg. Fisch. Islands, p. 105.
<^ Frodr., 1. c.

'' Skand. Fiskar, 1st Ed., p. 78.

' According to Eakll (Rep. U. S. Fish. Comm. 1878, pp.733 — 4) the following proportions exist in the Cod between the length and the weight:
n) in the males

length varying between 42 and 80 cm., average length 694 mm., average weight 3-2 kgm.
84 „ 90 ., „ „ 867 „ „ „ 5-9 „

91 „ 117 „ „ „ 1.010 „ ,. „ 9-7 .,

b) in the females

length varying between 47 and 80 cm., average length 674 mm., average weight 24 kgm.

81 „ 93 ,. „ „ 868 61 ..

94 „ 113 „ .. ,. 1.031 9-46 .,

„ 114 „ 146 „ ,. ., 1,280 ., .. ., 19-22 ..

The smallest male was 42 cm. long and weighed 0'57 kgm.; the largest female 146 cm. long and 24-5 kgm. in weight.
/ In his •'Gotlands Fiskar" (1. c, pji. 26, scq.) Professor Linustrum directs attention to the so-called Doomsday Fish which has hung
for several centuries in Wisby Cathedral, and the history of which, as told by BraV.vius (end of the 16th century), Bertius (1616), and
Strei.ow (1633), was summed up by Haquin Spegel (Rudera Gotlundica. Mss.) at the end of the 17th century as follows: "In the year
1289 a large and rare fish was caught off Wisby, in the belly of which a new-born, living child was found that cried and screamed loudly.
The fish was hung up in St. Mary's Church, and a portion of it seems still to be preserved. " Lixn.eus mentions it in his "Glands och Got-
lanJs Ee.?a" (p. 165): "The fish that was hung in the some church over the picture of St. George, was a Piscis malacopterygius, cauda
bifurca, pinnis dorsi duabus, ani unica, cum altera intra banc et caudain, e regiutie posterioris pinna dorsalis; the ignorant folk said that of
this fish it was prophesied that the Day of Judgment should come when it had rotted away, and therefore could not be far off." By tlie
kind permission of the Chapter of the Cathedral we have been enabled to examine the existing remains of this fish, consisting of eighteen
caudal vertebiiP, a few rays from the posterior dorsal or anal fins, some of the interspinal bones, and a piece of dried flesh, all of which —

Scandinavian Fishes. • "^

174

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Tlie body is only slightly compressed, deepest and
broadest at the beginning of the first dorsal fin, from
which point it tapers sharply towards the caudal fin.
The back is almost straight and terete, the belly also
terete, but more or less pendent, especially in the
female. The greatest depth of the body is generally
even relatively greater in old specimens than in young,
and varies Ijetween about 16 and 21 "o of the length.
In the quite common, macrocephalic, deformed speci-
mens ■ — with the length of the head sometimes as much
as .38 % of that of the body — the depth is also ex-
cessively great, in some cases about ^ '., of the length
of the body. The greatest Ijreadth is about " 3 (60 —
7.T %) of the depth".

The head is comi)arative])- large and wedge-shaped.
Its I'elative lengtli generally increases witli age from
al)out '4 to nearly ''3 of the length of the l)ody''; and
it is only during the first [lart of its growtli, till it
attains a length of alxiut 100 mm., that the Cod follows
the general rule that the relative length of the head
decreases. The forehead is fiat. A deep groove in
the occiput, deepest in fat and robust specimens, ex-
tends almost to the l>eginiiing of the first dorsal fin.
The eyes are i-ound, with oval orbits, and large, but
their relative size diminishes considerably during growth,
sinking from 8 to 4 % of the length of the body or
from about 33 to 13 ?» of the length of the head, while
the fish grows from .5 to 73 cm. Their jiosition is
such that tiie straigiit line from the tiji of the snout
to the ui)iK'r point of the gill-cover touches the inferior
miirgin of the pupil, and tlie length of the snout is
generally about ' ,, of the. postorbital length of the head,
but in young specimens may measure 80 or 90 % there-
of, and in old, on the other hand, sometimes only ^/g.
The breadth of the interorbital space, which also under-
goes relative diminution, though not so considerable,
measures about V'4 (usually 22 — 2.5 %) of the length of
the head. The nostrils, with their sliglitK- raised, lobate
margins, lie nearer to the eyes than to the ti|) of the
snout. The mouth is large, but not much cleft, the
corner of the mouth lying at least at some distance in

front of the eye; and the uppei- jaw ])rojects more or
less beyond the lower. As in most <jf the Codfishes,
the transverse dermal folds in the mouth behind the
jaAvs are Avanting. Tlie length of the lower jaw follows
the head in its changes of growth, varying between about
12'/2 and IS'/^ %'' of the length of the body. The hind
extremities of the maxillary bones are broad and trun-
cate, their breadth at tliis ])oint being about 18 — 20%
of the length of the lower jaw. The distance between
the tip of tlie snout and this point als(-) increases with
the head, varying between 11 and 14 %'' of the length
of the body or 80 and 92 % of the length of the lower
jaw. The snout is formed liy a thick pad, projecting
beyond the upper jaw, and in old s]>ecimens is gener-
ally lilunt, in younger ones more pointed. We find an
exception to this in very young fish, under 50 mm. in
length, in whose case the upper jaw i)rojects only slightly,
if at all, in front of the lower. Under the point of the
chin there hangs a barbel, generally wavy, and varying
in length between about 50 and 80 % of the longitu-
dinal diameter of the eye. (,)n the intermaxillary bones,
as well as in the lower jaw, we find pointed, subulate
teeth of various sizes, in the lower jaw set in two or
three rows, and on the intermaxillary bones in patches,
Avhicli in front are broad and separated from each other.
The teeth are largest in the outermost row in the
' upper jaw, and the innermost row in the lower, being
I here recurved and increasing in size towards the cor-
ners of tlie mouth, though the hindmost ones are some-
what smaller. In young specimens, however, only the
row of coarser teeth in the lower jaw is visible, the
smaller teeth that lie in front of this row appearing
later. Similar, cardiform teeth are set on the anterior,
angular part of the vomer. The pharyngeals are also
armed in the same way. Of tlie three upper pha-
ryngeals on each side the middle ones are the largest
and triangular in shape, the other two more elongated.
The two lower phai-yngeals are rather like branchial
arches and elongated, the lancet-shaped patch of teeth
being about four times as long as it is broad. The
branchial arches are furnished as usual with two rows

so far as one (.oulcl ilecide — sec-incil to have bc-lcingod lu a Couiuion Cod about 12 dciii. long. That the Cod lias altaiiied .such a size oft'
(Jothlaiid, is very improbable; and as it is the greater iiiunber of just those bones which are left behind in (he curing of stockfish, and no others,
lliat still leniain in the Duowsday Fish, the suspicion readily suggests itself that the fish has been a large stockfish, brought by some Gotli-
land seaman from Norway, and deposited in the church, where in olden times everything remarkable and rare was preserved.

" We must hero remark that our measurements of this species only comprise specimens up to a length of about 7'., dm.

' In the so-called (jwlii.^ inacroceiihrdiis the length of tlic head is said even to exceed -j of that of the body.

' In <1. iii(irriicei>lii(tn.'! somclimea at least as much as 18 %.

•' In a. i/Kicroreji/i'ilns Bomctiriics at least as much as K'l'., %.

1

COD.

475

of gill-rakers, the anterior (outer) row on tln' first Mreli
i'oiitrtiiiiiiii' long, pectinate s))iiies, the otiier .spines sliort
and denticulated. The Iirauchiostegiil iiieuil)rane is
furnished with 7 rays, is deeply incised and continuous
under the isthmus, Avithout being attached at the mar-
gin to tlie latter. The margins of the gill-covers are
surrounded ])\ a narrow rim, and the operculum, which
is comparativeh' small and triangular, is d(>epl\' notched
on the liind inferior side, thus projecting in a ]ioint
both above (behind) and lielow.

The bod's- is covered with tine, thin, and imbricated
scales, wliieh, though here of smaller size, ahso clothe
the head and the Itases of most of the fins, especially
the caudal. The lateral line is broad, but narrower
in front, and lies much nearer to the back than to the
belly, highest l:)elow the first dorsal fin and straight
from the middle or end of the first anal tin to the
caudal tin. It has a chain-like or articulated appear-
ance, as though it were composed of low, oblong pro-
jections. The anal aperture lies below the beginning
of the second dorsal fin, in voung specimens somewhat
in front of, in old somewhat behind, the middle of the
body, the distance between it and the tip of the snout
varying between about 42 and b2 % of the length of
the body.

The first of the three dorsal fins is the highest, with
rounded apex, and begins somewhat behind the perpen-
dicular from the upper angle of the pectoral fin, at a
distance from tlie tip of the snout that measures about
30—33 %" of the length of the body. It contains from 12
to 15 rays, the first two simple, the rest, with the excep-
tion of the last or the last two, branched, the third, fourth,
or fifth the longest, measuring about 12 — W %'' of the
length of the body. The length of its base is about
10 Vs — I3V2 ^ of that of the body. The second dorsal
fin, varvinij in lenifth between 17' and 20 %, and in
heisjht between 12 and 9 %, of the lenoth of the body,
in old Cod is about twice as long as high, in younger
ones comparatively longer. It begins at a distance
from the tip of the snout equal to about 43 — 47 %''
of the length of the body, is highest in front, with the
upper margin even and sloping backwards, and is made
up of 16 — 20 I'ays, the first two, and sometimes the
first four, as well as in most cases the last two, simple,

tlie others liranclicd, and the third, f'ourtii or fifth the
longest. Tlie thii'd doi'sal fin begins at a distance from
file tip of the snout that measures (52 — 68 % of the length
of the boiK . In height and shape it resembles the second,
but is shorter, its length varying between about 16\\,
and 13 % of tiiat of the body. It generally contains
17 — I'.l ra\s, tlie first three rays and sometimes the last
WW simple, the others branclied at the tip. In this
fin too, the thiril, fourth, or tif'tli ray is the longest.

The two anal fins ai'e analogous to the two j>os-
terior dorsal fins in shape and position, ihougii in \diing
specimens less than al)Out H)() mm. long, the distance
between the first anal fin and the ti]> of the snout is
.somewhat less than that lietween the second dorsal fin
and the same point, but in older specimens increases
more and more even in this relation, the latter distance
sometimes sinking at least to 86 % of the former. The fir.st
anal fin, tlie length of which measures about 20 — ITVa ^
of that of the body, generally contains 19 rays, the
first two, three, or four, as well as in many cases the
last ray, simple, the re.st In-anched at the tip, and the
sixth ray the longest, measuring 10', , — 12 % of the
length of the body. The second anal fin varies in
length lietween al)out I5V2 ^i^d 12", 2 % of the length
of the body, and is generally composed of 17 or 18
rays, similar in structure to those of the j)receding tin,
the third ray being the longest, and measuring 10— 8 %
of the length of the body.

The caudal fin is truncate, with 24 or 26 (.some-
times 23 or 27) divided ravs; and the length of the
middle rays varies between 7 and 9 % of that of the body.

The pectoral and ventral fins are about equal in
length in \oung and middle-sized Cod, while in old
specimens the latter are somewhat shorter than the for-
mer. The pectoral fins are rounded at the tip. Their
length varies between 15 and 12\'j % of tiiat of the
body. They usually contain 19 or 20 rays, the first
more than half as long as the second and. like the latter,
simple, the third and fourth the longest and, like the
rest, branched at the tip. The ventral fins are set in
front of the pectoral, their tips extending to the middle
of the latter, Avhen depressed along the body. They
contain 6 rays, the second ending in a long, filament-
ous tij).

" In Gadus macrocephahis up t(> at least 38 %.

'' In G. macrocephalus up In at least 15 ",.

' Exceptionally IG.

'' E.xcejiUonally 42, in Gadti.9 iiHicrocepliahti! at least 51.

476

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The cavitj' of the abdomen extends back to a line
with the 6tli — 9th rays in the first anal fin, or about
half-way along the body behind the eyes, or almost
twice the length of the head from the tip of the snout.
To this point in the hind part of the bottom of the
cavity the left lobe of the liver extends on the left
side, and on the right side the posterior p;irt of the
intestinal coil, which is double only in front. The
intestine runs up\\ards from the pylorus, with its nu-
mer(jus appendages", under the anterior part of the
stomach to the right, above the rounded middle lobe
of the liver, wliere it curves backwards, ;ind then runs
straio^ht to the end of the abdominal cavitv and for-
ward to the antei'ior corner of the latter, in about a
line with the insertion of the pectoral fins. At this
point it again bends sharply backwards, to the right
of the stomach and finally under this organ, to the
anal aperture, which has the bottom of the stomach
just in front of it. Between the first bend of the in-
testine and the anterior part of the stomacli lies tlie
gall-bladder, and behind the latter, between the coil of
the intestine and the hind part of the stomach, the
spleen. Botli are oblong, the former with rounded ends,
the latter more pointed at the extremities. In a female
445 nun. long we find the length of the gall-bladder
to Ije 25 mm., and of the spleen 24 mm.; in a male
453 mm. long the length of the former is 24 mm.,
and of the latter 34 mm. The ovaries of the females
{"h [1. 1(1 lit a' [breeches] as they are called Ijy the fishermen)
together form an X-shaped cross, with the tumid point
of union situated in the anal region, and the anterior
ends considerably elongated during the spawning-season.
The testes of the males {"kruset" [ci'ape]) are long and
lobate at the spawning-season, like bands arranged in
folds as in a frill. The air-bladder is white, but like
tlie mothcr-of-peai'l iicritoneuni, covered with ])lack
])igment, ainl has its tliin r(jof firmly attached to the
transvei'se jtrocesses of the spine almost throughout the
length of the abdominal cavity. Its broad, convex,
anterior end lies just behind the diaphragm, and sends
out on each side a tubular process which runs forward
to the diaphragm and rises like a vermiform blind sac
by the side of the anterior portion of the kidnej^ The

urinary l^ladder is fairl)- large and saccate, and is
furnished on each side, or on oidy one side of^he
urethra with a smaller, ])ut also saccate, secondary
bladder. It opens in common with the sexual organs
behind the vent, in the females just in front of a little,
conical papilla, and in the males at the point of a
similar papilla.

Hermaphrodites of the Cod are sometimes met with.
J. A. Smith descinbes two*, the first with both ovaries
fully developed, the second with tlie left ovary larger
than the right. In both specimens the testes were de-
veloped in front of and beside the right ovary, united
by ligaments to the latter, and, in part at least, with
tubular canals opening into it.

The colour of this species is highly variable; but
the general coloration, which applies to almost all the
varieties, is as follows. The upper parts of the bodj''
are in general dark ash-gray or olive-gra}', with dense,
yellow or brownish, I'ound spots, which are ^vanting on
the anterior part of the head and more scattered down
the sides. The lower parts of the body are whitish,
Avithout spots. All the vertical fins are gray, with more
or less distinct, dark spots, which sometimes form trans-
verse bands. The pectoral and ventral fins are lighter
and plain, the latter being often of the same colour as
the belly. In old and large Cod the iris is silvery, in
younger ones yellowish, and in the dai-k olive-green or
red variety more or less reddish.

The different colour-varieties — due to the different
phases of light and colour in different localities, to the
different nature of the bottom or of their food — have
received separate names, and may be distributed among
three groups:

1. The Great Cod {Stortorsk) or Skrej (PI. XXIII,
fig. 1) also called Kabiljo'', VdlffUd forsk, and,
when young. Small Cod (Smdtorsk) Avith claj^ey
ground-colour, gray or l)lackish, with dark
grayish bi'own or blackish spots al)ove and
lighter, brown or yellow spots at and Ijelow
the lateral line.

2. The Grass Cod {Grdsforsk, PI. XXII, fig. 2), olive
or greenish gray, thickl}' strcAvn with grayish
l)rown or brownish spots. When this variety

" KiioYKH couiitfil 207 pyloric appendages, all closely uiiileil by connective tissue into larger and smaller bunches.

'' Journ. of Anat. and Pliys., vol. IV (1869 — 70) p. 250.

' Kabiljo (Kabelj(iauw) or Backdjo (Backeljauue) is an old Dutch name for the Cod, wliich is perhaps connected with (lie Latin
hacnhnii. Cf. bacclius, above. Another ancient name of the- Cod is the Dutch doffge, which is the origin of the name of the Dogger Bank
in the Nortli Sea.

COD.

477

is iiiorc3 than usiuilly dai'k, as often occurs in
- ■ the Baltic, it is cnlled IMack (^od (S'varttprsk).
?j. The Rock Cod {Borcitorsh) or Ked Cod {Rod-
forsk) (Tl. XXII, H,u-. ;'.), the Xorweo-ian Tang
Cod' {'JVircfdrsk), I'cd, with dense, fine spots
nnd red fins, or with ,t;l■;l^•ish lirown tins and
hack, and red iris.
The Cod is one of the most cornnion fishes in the
north of tlie Atlantic, at least nbout 300,000,000 or
400,000,000 being taken annually in this ocean, and it
is also of frecjuent occurrence in the north of the Pa-
cific, though it has not yet been ascertained whether
the i-ange of the species is equally extensive there".
In the Atlantic tlie species goes south from Spitzbergen
and Greenland, on the east side to the Pmy of Biscay,
and on the west to Cape Hatteras. (,)ii the Scandina-
vian coast it is common both to the west and in the
Baltic, where it penetrates, as we have mentioned above,
into the Gulfs of Bothnia, and Finland, though according
to ^Iela it is extremely rare in their imnost parts''.
According to Browx-Goode it prefers water of an average
temperature of from ?,5° to 4'2° Fahr. ( + 1"/,° to + 5'//
Cels.), and according to Juel'' the limits of the varia-
tions of the temperature of the water in which the Cod
will thrive, may be fixed between at least + 2° and
+ 7° Cels. The species is most plentiful and attains
its maximum size on the brinks of the great ocean-
depths, to judge by the largest catches, which are made
off Newfoundland and the Lofoden Is. We have no
complete statistical reports of the Cod-fishery in the
Baltic, but its annual value in each Swedish province
cannot be more than 10,000 cl■o^\■ns (£550). In Halland
the aiuuial value of the Cod-fishery is about 40,000
crowns (£2,200). In Bohusliin the statistics are more
complete, and give an annual value of about 650,000
— 6S0,000 crowns (£35,750— £37,400). In 1888, on
the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, 729,217 cwt.
of Cod were taken, of a value of £339,090''. The
average yearly catch in Norway, for tiie years 1866 — 81,
was about 15' „ million fish of a value of about 13
million crowns (£715,000). The animal catch on the

coast <jf Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada, and the United
States is estimated by Hind at 162,500,000 fish.

The Cod likes deep water, and comes into the
shallows, in about 15 — 30 fathoms of water, oidy dur-
ing the s])awning-season and while it is young. The
largest si)ccimens are always found in very deep water,
as mueli as lUO fathoms or even more in depth. Some
of the larger specimens, howe^■er, repair in late autumn,
in November, to rocky and precipitous coasts, appar-
ently to feast on ci'abs and small fishes before retiring
to their winter-cjuarters. From the deep water where
it passes the winter, the Cod ascends in order to spawn
very early in the year in the east of the Atlantic, in
January and February on the seaward side of the is-
land-belts and in northern regions, generalh- latei- further
in among the islands, where most of tlie spawning fish
are small, and in the Baltic. In the island-belt of Bo-
husltln the spawning-season rarely begins before May,
earlier or later according to the early or late arrival of
the spi'ing. This is also the case in the Scotch firths,
according to Parnell; and oft' Gothland, according to
LiNDSTROM, the Cod spawns in April. Probably, how-
ever, the spawning-season is of lengthy duration, for
all Cod do not spa^\•n simultaneously — the older gener-
ally spawn earlier than the younger — and each Cod
requires several weeks — according to Eahll sometimes
two months — to deposit its spawn, as the whole roe
does not ripen at once, but only partially and gradually.
The eggs are extremely numerous, though their number
varies with the size of the fish. In a female 3 ft. 3 in.
long and 21 lbs. in weight Earll estimated the number
of the eggs at 2,732,237, and in another 75 lbs. in
weight, whose ovaries weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz., at 9.100,000.
Earll assumes that only about ' ^ of these eggs could
grow ripe for depositing each week during the spawning-
season. During his investigations of the Cod-fishery
oft" Cape Ann (^lass.) in 1878 — 79, he found the first
spawning female on the 2nd of September, and at the
beginning of December half the specimens taken were
in spawning condition. In this localitv, too, the spawn-
ing was at its height in February and ^larch, but even

" Of the fishery on tlio coast of Alaska Bean writes {Vat. Coll. Fish. U. S. Nat. Mm., Gt. Intern. Fisli. Exhib. London 1883, p. 6):
"The most important species, commercinlly, is the Comnum Cod {Gadus morrhiia), whicli is exceedingly plentiful on certain banks in the
Gulf of Alaska and in tlie vicinity of llic islands of tlie Aleutian chain. This fish will some day be as valuable in the Pacific as it is now
in the Atlantic." The range of the Cod also extends, according to Bean (Fish. Comm. Rep. 1882, p. 1039). from Puget Sound north to
the Arctic boundary of Behring Sea and west to Okhotsk.

* According to Gbimm {Fisliimj mid Iluntimj on Russian Water/!, p. 11) the C'od goes quite up to Kronstadt.

' Norsk Fiskeritidende, 8:de Aarg. (1889), p. 301.

•^ Fish Trades Gazette, 12th and 26th Jan., 1889.

478

SCANDIXAVIAX FISHES.

oil the KJtli of May half tlio females caught hnd not
linislicrl spawning, and in .June, when the fish deserted
the eoast, a few females, though with ripe roe, had not
vet quite emptied their ovaries. The size as well as
the innnl)er of the eggs varies Avith the size of the fish.
In Cod 2*., — 3" 3 kgm. in weight Eahll found eggs
whieli after imjn-egnation were 2'8 nun. in diameter,
while in other females, 11' 3 kgm. in weight, the iin-
jiregnated ova measured 3'2 — o'6 mm.

During tlie spawning season the females kee]) near
the bottom, the males ])rol)al)ly joining them there,
1)ut seeming generally to swim higher in the Avater.
The greatest number of breeding females, according to
Eai!ll, are caught on long-lines with the bait lying on
the ground, while the males ai-e taken at this season
on long-lines and hand-lines with the bait held free,
away from the bottom. The roe is also fertilized wliile

floating in the water, and rises higher and higher to-
wards the surface, where tlie first stages of the develop-
ment are passed. Tliis discovery was made by Saks
in 1864, and has subse({uently given rise to manv other
similar observations. When the young fish leaves the
egg, it still retains tlie original (fcetal) curvature of
the body, says EaTiLL, liut it soon straightens out, and
is then about five-sixteenths of an inch in length, with
large, but liigiih' transparent j^olk-sac, which is ab-
sorbed in from 10 to 15 days. The fry now seek
shelter under Medusa' and other floating objects, witli
whieli it drifts about and approaches land. During
tlie course of the summer Cod-fry are found in shoals
at the surface of inlets and channels. The growth is
rapid, but as usual irregular, these shoals consisting of
young specimens of very different sizes. Eart.l esti-
mates the avera.ofe ";roAvth as follows:

Cod fry 2' n — 3 in. (38 — 7G mm.) in length arc '/., year old

10 — 11 ,

, (254—279

„ ) ,.

n

r

1 ','2 years ,,

and weigl

7 — 8 oz.

17 — 18

, (432—457

„ ) V

n

n

01/

11 V

2— 2 ','4 lbs.

22 „ (559

„ ) ,.

11

.,

S'/o .. "

V )?

4-5

In autumn, according to Sai!S, when they have
attained a length of about 1 dm., the fry begin to
descend to the bottom in some fathoms of water, and
in November and December he found young specimens,
between 15^2 and 18',, cm. long, at a depth of 8 — 12
fathoms, generally on the edge of deep Avater. At mid-
summer he took Cod at a depth of 100 — 150 fathoms
between 20 and 30 Norwegian miles off shore.

The smallest ripe male Eakll met with, weighed
3'/ 2 lbs. (about I'/j kgm.), and the smallest ripe female
5 lbs. (2' J kgm.) Hence he concludes that the males
are ripe in their third year, the females not until their
fourth. After this period they seem to spaivn regularly
everj' yeai', for at the beginning of the fishing-season
he did not nu^et with a single adult Cod whose sexual
organs showed any sign of .sterility.

The Cod is one of the most voracious fishes. Its
food is probably composed strictly of small fishes, crusta-
ceans, and worms, but in its fierce hunger, especially
after the spawning-season, it swallows everything that
attracts its attention in the least. Even stones are some-
times found in its stomach, and the fishermen then say
that the Cod has taken in ballast to sink into deep
water. The probal)le ex])lanation of this, however, as
Kroveh has already suggested, is that the stones have
been swallowed, not for their own sake, but for that

of the small marine animals with which they have been
covered. In temperament the Cod seems to be very
sluggish, and its movements in the water are anything
but active. Most methods of catching it are, therefore,
based on its voracity. In deep water it is generally
taken on hand-lines (handsnore or sforsiu'ire) or long-
lines {liiior or hackor). The hand-Jiiie is a strong,
three-.stranded cord, about 170 or 180 m. long, with
a somewhat finer snood, 1 metre long, to which are
attached the hook and a heavy plummet of lead. The
long-line is a three-stranded, tarred line, about 5 cm.
in circumference and about 225 m. in length. To a
line of this size 50 hooks are attached, each with a
snood a metre and a half long, and all the snoods, with
the exception of every fifth one, are furnished w\i\\ a.
float to keep the hook and bait from the bottom. C)n
the snoods that have no float. Skate are taken. Each
fishing-boat that sails from Bohusliin in spring, takes
with it 30 or 40 of these long-lines to the fishing-banks
west of Jutland and Norway. Within the island-belt
of Bohuslan the Cod is taken with the shulorj, a finer
hand-line, generally made of horsehair and with two
hooks. A bait of mussels, or, still better, of pieces of
fish, especially fresh Herring and Mackerel, is used.
Another method of taking Cod, less common in Sweden,
l)ut more so in Norway", is Avith gill-nets, both at the

" Cf. also Collins, Bnll. l". S. Fish. Commission 1881, p. 1.

(JOI).

479

spawiiiiig-places and in the fjords, soinctiines in 50 — 90
fathoms of watci'. 'I'hcsc nets have; incslu'S 86 — 98
imn. i^quare, and arc from 15 to 20 meshes dec]). They
are shot partly al(in^ the liottom {hoften-giwn, liundgavn
at Lofodcn) and partly nearer the surface {/fijt/jarii,
/loif-'^avn at Lofoden =^ tloatini;' nets).

The tlesli of the Cod is firm, white, and (jf <^'ood
flavour, best when fresh, but only a very small pro-
portion is consumed in this form. It is generally salted,
and appears in the market under the name of Haherdiiie
or Labcrddii {Kabtljo). The curing takes place, brief!}',
as follows: Immediately after the capture of the Ush it
is killed l)y a deep slit across the throat (isthmus), so
that the blood nia\' drain away. Then it is opened
along the belly, the head is cut off, and the backbone
removed to the third vertebra l)ehind the vent; the dark
j)eritoneum and the entrails should also he removed at
the same time. Finally it is washed, and laid on twigs
or in baskets for the water to run off. The actual salting
takes place, as soon as possible, either on board the vessel
or in the factory on shore. It is performed in one of
two Avays: in Ijins or layers, when it is called dry-salting,
or in watertight casks, when it is called pickling.

When the fish are salted on shipboard, a bottom
layer of salt is laid for the purpose in chests or l)ins.
In these the fish are arranged, well strewn with and
imbedded in salt, with the broad end downwards and
the tail upwards, though not quite straight up and
down, in rows across the bin, until the whole Ijottom
layer is full and compact. Then enough salt is strewn
on the top to cover the tails almost entirely. The other
layers, which are arranged one above another, are pre-
pared in the same way.

In from 5 to 10 days, acctn-ding to the warmth
or coldness of the weather, the tish has absorbed the
necessary amount of salt. It is then taken out of the
l)in, dried in the o])en air, and laid in a stack, with
weights up(jn it, to be pressed. It is then ready
for use.

I)ri/-s(iUiiH/ (111 laml is performed in the same
manner. Tlie most inqioi'tant p(jint to be observed, if
an article that will iiear keeping is requii'ed, is that
the fish shall be laid out to drv in sucli a position
that the wind may have free passage above and below
it. The spot chosen should be shady, but free from
damp.

Pickling is cai-ried out in watertight casks. The
fish is killed and cleaned as in the process of dry-
salting, and then salted in casks, tlie split fish l)eing
placed in a layer on the flat side, inside to inside and
outside to outside, with enough salt between the layers
to prevent (jiie layer from touching the next. In fi-om
5 to 8 days the fish is sufficientlv salted. It is then
taken out of the cask and laid in a stack, that the brine
may drain away, before it is dried and pressed as de-
scribed above.

When the salt tish is discharged from the vessel,
it should ])e rinsed in fresh Ijrine and pressed in heaps,
the tails being always turned outwards. In a few days
it should I)e taken out of the press and dried in a
breezy spot, but not in the sunshine.

The most necessary condition is that the tish shall
Ije bled and entirely cleaned as soon as possible; and
a good salt article can be manufactured only of fresh
fish, not more than a dav or two after its capture.

(Ekstkom, Smitt.)

The Arctic seas possess three Cod-species, each of
which has its interest in the Scandinavian fauna, though
none of them has yet been found within its limits.

The nearest approach to our Common Cod Ave find
in tlie species which Fabricius" described from Green-
land under the name of (iadus barbntus, and which the
Esciuimaux call ogak, orak, or oitak (PI. XXII, ^-1, fig. 1:
Gadus ague, d^, V'o of the natural size; Claushavn, Dr.
P. Oberg). Fabricius, according to the Liiuuean me-

" Fauna Groenlandica, p. 1-16.

' Fauna Boreali-Americana, Fishes, p. 246.

' D. Vid. Selsk. Naturv. og Matem. Afh., Deel 7, p. 127, No.

'' G.\iM., Voy. en ^Scandinavie et Laponie. p). 19.

thod described above, distinguished between the Cod
{Gadus eallaiias) and the Kabiljo {(radus ))t(nrhita) on
the coast of Greenland, and also thought that in the
Linna?an name of Gadus haibatus, which really belongs
to the Bib, tliough Lixx.>;us also ap|)Iied it to the Com-
mon Cod, he had a suitable title for tlie Esquimaux ogak.
RiCHARDSOx'' saw the fault in the name and changed it
to Gadus ogac, \vl)ich Kkimiardt" soon afterwards wrote
Gadus orak. while KiiovKR'', probably by a slip of the

35.

480

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

pen, changed it to Gadus or/af. So close is the con-
nexion Ijetween this species and Gadus calhirius tliat
most recent writers have identified it with the latter.
Dressel", however, refers us to his measurements of four
specimens of G. ognc and the same number of G. cal-
Jdrias, and gives the following specific chai-acters: in
G. ogac the peduncle of the tail is shallower, the eyes
and the interorbital space larger, the barbel longer, the
ventral fins set farther forward, and the pectoral fins
longer, than in G. caUarias.

The Dicksonian expeditions to Greenland have pat
the Royal Museum in possession of four specimens of
Gadus ngac, between 294 and 566 mm. long, which
show that most of the characters given I)y Dhessel lose
their validity when compared with the numerous changes
of growth in Gadus callar'uis. One of these characters,
however, that which is drawn from the relative breadth
of the interorbital space, and is adopted in our table
for the distinction of the species within this genus, has
proved universally true. This chai'acter, as well as the
difference that appears in the average position of the

ventral fins, is of great interest in our fauna, for, though
the Baltic Cod never attains (juite the same point as
ogac in this respect, still it comes much nearer the
latter, on an average, than tlie oceanic Cod does.

In the Cod the breadth of the interorbital space
increases even relatively during growth, rising in pro-
portion to the length of the body, according to our
measurements of Cod from the Cattegat and Skager
Rack, from 5'9 % in specimens on an average 142 mm.
long to 6'9 % in specimens on an average 462 mm.
long. In the Baltic Cod tliat we liave measured, the
latter percentage appears in specimens of an average
length of 422 mm., and in our specimens of G. ogac,
of an average length of 435 mm., this proportion is on
an average 8'4 %. In this relation, however, the charac-
ter is not constant, for in inacrocephalic Cod the per-
centage may rise to at least 9; but it becomes constant
if we compare the breadtli of the interorbital space with
the length of the head, when we obtain the following
average results:

In Cod from the Cattegat

., ,. ., „ Baltic
„ Gadus ogac

Avcni!<e Icnttth

of tiiL' bndv

in mm.

Averaj^e least

biTadth of the

interoi-liital space

in % of the length

uf the head.

101.5

203.5
265.5
4(!1.(;
422.0
434.5

21.8

22.4
22. i<
23.3
24.«
30.1

•

In accordance with the general rule for the changes
of growth of the Teleosts, that the ventral fins move
more and more forward, the distance between the fore-
most (outermost) point of the insertions of these fins
and the beginning of the first anal fin shows a per-
sistent increase during growth in the Cods, when com-

pai-ed with the length of the body. The length of the
base of the first anal fin also persistently decreases in
comparison witli the distance between this fin and the
ventral fins. In these respects too, Gadus ogac is most
advanced in development, though the Baltic Cod show
a distinct tendency towards the same point.

In Cod from the Cattegat and Skager Rack .

Bultie

„ Gadus ogac

Average length

of the body

in mm.

89.4
l'J2.o
408.3
422.0
434.5

Average length of
the base of the first
anal fin in ?^ of the

distanec from the

insertions of the

... „ . ... ventral tins to the

anal nn in % ol the ... „ ,,

1 .u /• .1 u J ' l)e!;inning ot the
length of the bodv. ^ . ^ , ^
first anal hn.

Average distance
between the inser-
tions of the ventral

fins and the be-
i;Inning of the first
anal fin in °i of the

19.2
21.2

24.1
2(j.i
29,7

93.9
91.1
74.8
74.2
G2.3

" Pnic. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. VII, p. 246.

AKCTIC CODS.

481

As wc ni'c still i^'iKiranl of the changes of (lc\e-
lo|)iuent of (Iddiis (H/ac in itfs younger stages, we niu.st
indeed confess the possibility that the limits of the va-
riations niaA' cross e\ en in the character derixcd from
the hreadlli of the interorhital space; and in this case
(lidliis of/dc nuist be regarded simph' as a forin-\arie(\'
of the same species as the; ("omnion ('od. In whatever
way this point \\\;\\ be decided b\- a more comjilete in-

changes of growth, Gacha^ callarias is less removed froin
this origin, and G. oyac seems to be a more ])nrely
Arctic branch of this stock. The tlieorv propoiuided
b\- S. L(>\'EN to explain the pecnliai-il ies of the Baltic
fauna, \\i\\\ its innnerons coiniexions with Arctic forms,
on the hxpolhesis that tliere ancicnth' existeil an imnu'-
diatc comnnniieation between tiie ^\■aters whci'e these two
fauna- now lixc apart, finds another support here: a form

vestigation of (1. lujav, it is (piirc certain that this form i of (i. (hjuc may once have inhabited the Baltic, though

comes so near the Common Cod in its entire structure ' its cliaractei's, if this be tiaie, have gi'own moi-c in-

that these two forms must have had a common origin distinct, while the\- lia\ e been persistent in the Arctic

at no distant period. To judge by the tendency of the i Ocean itself, on tiie coast of Greenland".

Fig. 110. Cadtis imcar/a, o^i "3 "jf t''^' niitural size. Archangel. 1878: Lieut. H. S.vxdeberi;.

The other two Arctic species — or probablv varie-
ties of the same species — ^vhich come remarkably near
the Cod, are the Russian iianuia or iiovaga, as it has
sometimes been called, (fig. 119) and iruchiija'' (Plate
XXII, A, fig. 3: Gadiis gracilis, ' ^, the natural size.
Pitlekaj, 21st Oct., 1878; Vega Expedition). The for-
mer*^ has long been known in Russia, where it is canght
in large (piantities in the White Sea, and conveyed in
winter, in a frozen condition, to St. Petersburg and
Moscow, wdiere it ranks as a delicacy. The latter'', on
the other hand, was .stigmatized by Steller as neither

of good flavour nor nourishing, being therefore thrown
to the dogs. Turner gives iraclnija the same character;
and it was long rejected by the crew of the Vega, ac-
cording to NoRDEXsivioLD, on acconnt of the grayish
green colonr of the bones. Both are distinguished from
the Cod by the comparatively smaller size of the head
and more elongated form of the body; and both are
remarkable for the singular lateral processes from the
air-l)ladder, which fit into the above-mentioned cavities
in the transverse processes of most of the posterior al)-
dominal vertebra?'. On this ground Fischei; proposed

" The fin-foriinila in Gadiis ogac according I0 our investigations is: D. 14 — 15J9 — 2018 — 20; .-!. 20—23 18 — 19; J'. 18 — lit;
V. 0; C. ,i'+20 — 25+,c.

'' Tlic name of iraclnija, according to Stelleb, is a Russian corruption of the Kanichatlcan uakal. According (o NoRDQVlST (Vega-exp.
Vet. laktt., l:sta Bd. p. 39G) tlie Chukchecs call tlie Cod urokacllin and the Polar Cod {saida) itukcin. The Esquimaux, according to Captain
J.\KOl!SE.v, pronounce ogak almost ns oouk. The root of all these words seems to be the same.

■^ K6LREUTEii (Nov. Comment. Acad. Sc. I'ctrop., vol. XH', toin. I (1770), p. 484, tab. XII) is generally quoted as tlie inventor of
the specific name of Gadns navaga, though, like TiLESius (Mem. Acad. Petersb. torn. II (1810), p. 352), he expressly identifies navaga with
LixN.EUs's G. callarias. Leiechin declared the form to be a distinct species (Nov. Comni. Petrop., toni. XVIII (1773). p. 512, not.), but gave
it no systematic name. Pali..\s (Zool. liosso-As-iat.., Ill, p. 196) was the first to give it a full binomial designation.

•' Gadtts gracilis, Til., 1. c, p, 354, tab. XVIII, XIX, XX; Johd., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nnt. Mus.. Xo, 16, p. 804. Gadus irachna,
P.\L!,., I. c, p. 182. Gudiis navaga, Xohdexski., Vegas fard Iring Asien ocli Eiiropa, l:sta delen, p. 465; SJirrr, Gt. Intern. Fish. Exh.
London 1883, Sii-ed. Cat., p. 170. Ttlesia gracilis. Tuhneu, Nat. Hist. Ala.tka, p. 90, 1>1. 3.

<■ Cf. Fischer, Mem. Soc. Natural. Moscou, lom. IV (1812 — 13. ri'imiirimes en 1830) pp. 257 et 259, tab. VII. figi.-. 2—4; B.\er,
Bull. Scient. Acad. Sc. Petersb., torn. Ill, p. 359.

Scandinavian Fidhes. "^

482

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

to establish the genus Eleglnus, while Bean proposed
for the same reason" to restore Swainson's genus Tilesia.
15ut the singulai'ity in point is only a more advanced
development of the connexion between the air-bladder
and these transverse processes that occurs in other spe-
cies of the genus Gadiis. The two vermifoi-m processes,
from the front of the air-bladder, which we have just
descril)ed in the Common Cod, occur in exactly the same
form here; and a remnant of the pneumatic duct may
occur in some specimens, as in the case of tlie Common
Cod, though 1 have sometimes failed to find a trace of it.
These two forms are so closely connected that the
relationship between them must be regarded as even
more intimate than that between Gadus callarias and
G. (>(jav: and the only constant distinction between
tliem that has hitherto been suggested, is derived from
the coloration — in naraqa the dorsal side, above the
transverse processes, wliicli are externally perceptible to
the touch, is grayish green ^\■ith darker, brown spots,
reminding us of the common Baltic Cod, Mhile in
irachuja the dorsal side is plain yellow or reddish gray*;
l)Ut the ventral side in both forms is silvery white,
finely punctated with lilackish brown. Their habitats,
however, are distinct, as far as we can decide from our

present acquaintance with them; and even if the above
character is the oidy valid one, they must, therefore,
be regarded at least as distinct local vai'ieties. G. naraga
lives in the immediate neighbourhood of the Scandina-
vian fauna, from the Murman coast nnd the White Sea
at least as tar east as the River Obi. G. gracilis was
first discovered by Stellek and Tilesius in Kamchatka
Sea, and, according to Pallas, is known by the Japa-
nese as fara. Nordenskiold bought it in quantities
of the Ciiukchees at PitlekaJ ; and we have a description
b^' Tuhneh, from Alaska-, as well as a drawing from
Noudenskiolu's winter-quarters, of the manner in which
the Chukchees and Esquimaux catch this species during
their winter-fishing in holes made in the ice^ How far
west irachnja goes, or how far east navaga, is a point
on which we have no further information. If the forms
are really distinct in their geographical range, they
give us an excellent example of systematic separation
in spite of the closest kinship, an example \vhich is given
as briefly as possible in the ajjpended tables. First we
give a table of averages of the most important ex-
ternal relations in four specimens of navaga, varying
between 171 and 2-lU mm. in length, and three of
irachnja, between 345 and 382 mm. long.

A V e r ft g

e i 11

4 specimens
of navaga

from
Archnngel.

3 specimens

of wachnja

from

Pitlelcaj.

Lcnijth of the Ixjtly expressed iu uiilliineti-cs
„ ,, ,, lower jaw..

■204
10.1 ■'

3r)S

in % of the length of the body

9.5'

IJistanee between the tip of the snout and the

lied extieinity

cif Ibe mamillary

bones „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ „

S.s--"

8.3 »

Length of the base of the third dorsal tin..

„ JJ !J ,» H „ iJ !)

15.5"

14.7'

Greatest depth of the body

„ „ ?, ,, ., „ !) ),

13.8 J

16.9'

,, breadth ,, ,, „

,, ,, ., ,, ,, „ „ „

10. s '

12.0 ■"

Letisl depth ., „ „

', ?, 5, )) M ;, ,» 51

a. 7"

4.3"

Lciiirth iif the head

•, J, „ ;, !, ,1 )) Ji

•22.2

22.2

behind tlie eve.s

»j ', „ „ n „ »» ,)

11,1

ll.G

See Joiin., Gilb., 1. c.

According to TuuNKl: tlie fisli is griiyisli l)rci\vii iiliove, when frcsli; and in some speciuieiis siiinll, dark .spots appear on llie bides.

In siininipr, according to Tukn'KK, it is taken in Alaska liy tisliing with long rods from jotting rocks.

Mininuini in these specimens :^ 9'7.

Maxiiiuini
Miiiiniiiin
MaNiniuui
Miniininii
Jlaxiiniini

Mininuini
JIa\iiiiniii
Mininitini
Ma.\inuiin

Mininiiiiii

= 9-5.
= 8-7.
= 8-4.
= 15.2.
= 15-0.
= 113-2.
= 16-7.
= 11-1.
= 113.
= 3-9.
= 4-1.

NAVACiA AND WACIIXJA.

483

A V (' r a i^ c in

Longituiilnal (liniiictri- of the I'vcs

Least brcnilth of tlii' intcrorbitiil s|.;icc

Length of the suout

Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout

„ „ „ second ,. ., „ „ „ „ „ ,, ,

.. third „ ,. „ „ „ „ „ „

,. „ first aiinl „ „ „ „ „ „ ,,

Length (if tlic base of the first dursiil liii

,, .. ,, ,, ,, „ second „ ,,

!! ». „ „ „ „ (irat anal ,,

., ., ,. ,, „ „ second ,,

,, „ ,, longest ray in the first dorsal fin

„ ,« ,, V »' V M second .. „

1- .• V V ., „ „ third „ .,

>i ;. I. „ „ ,. ,, first anal ,,

" ■• .1 „ „ „ „ second „ „ __ _

pectoral fins

., ., ,, ventral ,,

Distance l)etvveen the ventral fins and Ihc beiiinuini; of the anal fin

Length of the niiildle caudal ravs

4 specimens
of nnvatja

from
Archangel.

3 specimens

of v'ochnjn

from

Pitlekai.

in % of the length of the l)odv

»T '» »»

T» t? J»
T) )) )>

)» 5» »1

;i.5

5.7

7.7
2il.7

4-2.2
04.8
43.5

10.0

17.2
1SI.9
14.7
lU.:t

!t.2

a I

8.2

13.1

11.4

25.4

(i.4

3.6

7.4

30. «
43.3
Go. 2
43.1

l(i..f
Ki.ii

18.7
14.:.
11.0

il.li
it.l

SU

8.1.

13.7
11.4

23.n

().8

\\ e tliii.s fiiul on ;m average that in iracJniJa the \ difference of charactei
In-eadth of tlie forehead is comparatively greater than
in itavnga, just as it is greater in Gadus o</ar than in
the Common Cod; -while, on the other hand, the distance
between the ventral tins and the beginning of the anal
tin, contrary to the tendency of the changes of deve-
lopment and in contradistinction to the relation between
Gadiis Of/ac and tlie Cod, is on an average less in
irarhiiju than in iiavaga. Only tlie first six of the re-
lations given in this table, however, shoM- any constant

riie maximum and minimum
proportions also show that these differences, with the
exception perhaps of the sixth, are difficidt to en)])lov
in the limitation of the species. Better results are
obtained in tlie following table, which is also calculated
to give an expression for the tendencv of the changes
of growth. This table is based on an examination of
twelve specimens, six of Gadus navdf/a, between 171
and 240 mm. long, and six of G. gracilis, between

about" 208 and 382 mm. in length.

Average in

Navnf/a.

Vachnja

3 specimens. 3 specimens. I 3 specimens. ' 3 specimens.

Length of tlie body expressed in millimetres _

„ ,, ., head ., ,, „

Length of the snont in % of the length of the head behind the eyes''

Least depth of the tail in 'i of the length of the lower jaw '

,, ,, „ ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, snonf'

„ breadth of the interorbital space in % of the length of the snout'.

,, „ „ head'..

J» )5 )»

19-2.3
42.8
68.7
35.8
47.0
75.1
25.7

-227 r
.50.3
70.7
38.7
49.6
73.7
25. .^

" The body is so distorted in the siiinllest specimens that its lengtl; cannot be fixed exactly.
iiavaya = 68'2 %, niaxiinuin = 72' 1 °i.
iradinja^ 65'5 %, iniiiinuun = 01.8 "<,.
navaga = 39" 1 %, miniiumn = 34-3 %.
u-achnja=: 41-1 %, niaxiniiini = 45-4 %.
navaga = 50 %, iiiiiiiiiuini = 46'1 %.

* Mitiinnnn in

Maxiniuiii .,

■^ Maximuni .,

Miniiniini ,.

'' Maxiniiiiii .,

Minimum ,,

' Maximum ,,

Minimum ,,

■'' Maximum ,,

Minimum ,.

irachiija = o2'6 °a, maximum = GO °i.
navaga = 78"1 fj, minimum = 69-4 %.

vachnja ■
navaga ■
rrarhnja -

80 ?», maximum = 88-8 f,.
26'4 K, minimum = 24 %.
2G.7 "o, maximum ^= 289 "L

•242?
53.7
64.8
42.3
.56.8
86.3
27.9

358
79.6
63. 0
43.3
56.9
82.7
27.S

4S4

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Ill tlie fii'st relation, the length of the snout in
|)roportion to the postorbit;il length of the liead, the
direction of development difters in the two forms, and
thus indicates a true specitic distinction. In the other
i-elations the direction of development is the same, but
the difference between the percentages in both forms is
considerable enough — in c and d at least - — to be em-
ploj-ed as a specific distinction. For all this, the forms
are so like each other that one may well be tempted,

remembering the dubious value in the Cods of the
characters drawn from the coloration, to explain trdclmja
as a short-nosed form, which is, however, more ad-
vanced in development, of the same species as navaga,
which is apparently always inferior in size to ivachnja".
The fin-formula may be I'egarded as identical in both
forms, though here, as in several other Gadoid species,
we find the peculiarity that in many cases the larger
specimens have fe^ver rays in one or more of the fins''.

Fio-. 120.

Oail'.is saida, •';^ oi tlie natural size. Arcliangel Fisli Market, 187G; II. S.\ndeberg.

Another Arctic species, Gadiis sa'ula'', the Polar
Cod {Gad 11)^ poJaris) of later authors, comes verv near
narafid, but is one of the species that have best claim
t(j the Y-Awk of a distinct subgenus''. It has never been
found ali\e on tlie coasts of Scandinavia, but occurs
pretty often in our Glacial clays, and has thus at no
very distant period, geologically speaking, jjclonged to
the fauna of Sweden and Norway (fig. 121).

Tlie most distinctive characters of the Polar Cod
lie ill the rapid attenuation of the hind part of the
body; the rather forked shape of the caudal fin; the
cninparalively great distance (as in Gadiis navaga) be-
tween all the vertical fins, the length of the base of
the third dorsal fin being at least equal to that of the
second dorsal fin; the long paired fins, of which the

pectoral fins have the middle ravs longest or only
slightly shorter than those immediately above them,
the great length of the ventral fins being due, as usual,
to the filamentous elongation of the second ray; the
large eyes; and the prominence (though sometimes only
slight) of the lower jaw. ]\Iost writers have l)een in-
duced by the last character to range the Polar Cod next
to the Coalfish-group; but the character is present,
though only slightly appreciable, in the voungest stages
of the Common Cod, and the resemblance between the
Polar Cod and navaga is too great to admit of any
remote separation of these tAvo forms. Again, by the
comparatively small number of rays in the first dorsal
fin the Pohir Cod is incontestably referred to the group
of the true Cods'. The followiiiii- table is calculated

" According to Pat.las navtii/n is generally nlioiit 7',.^ in. long (■■'jiithamalis), wachiija \o in. (bispilliainalis). TUf specimen oi iiavat/a
measured by KuLliEUTErx was. however, 283 iiiiu. (ITS in.) long.

'■' Gfidus uavctf/a: D. 13| 17 — 20,2 1 — 24 ; ,1. 21— 24|21— 22 ; P. 10 — 20; T'. li; C. x + 2b + x.

„ <jrijciUs: „ 12 — 1 3 1 0 — 1<);20— 21 ; ,, 21— 23|20— 21; „ 19 ; „ G; „ ,r + 23— 27+;s.

' Gudds gaiila, Lepechin, JV. Comm. Acad. Petropol., toni. XVIII (1773), p. 512, tab. V; Pall., Zooijr. 11. Asiat., toni. Ill, \k 19!);
(Jmll., N. Nordli.-exped., Zool., Fiskc, p. 120. pi. IV, tig. 33; Bean (Boreojaihis, ex Gtiiu), Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. IV (1881), p. 243;
JoiiP., GiLR., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 10, p. 807: Turner, Nut. Hist. Alaska, p. 89, pi. II; Lill.i. (Gadtis), ^u., Nonj. Fii., Fisk., vol.
2, p. 103. (Indm cetjlefinus, Faur., Fii. Groeiil.. \i. 142. Merhuiyns j^otaris, Sab,, jSiijipl. App. Parry's Fii'-H Voi/., p. 211 ; Kichakds.,
Fn. Bor. Arnci-., part. Ill, p. 247; NiLSS., ;Sk(tnd. Fii., Fisk., p. 969; Gill. (Boreogadiis), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. 1863, p. 233;
Mors, Ofvers. Vct.-Akad. Fori). 1864, p. 531. Gadns Fabricii, PiCHARns., 1. c, p. 245. Gadiis agilis, Rhpt, D. Vid. Selsk. Math. Naturv.
Afii., Deel 7, pp. 115 ot 126; NiLss., 1. c, p. 568. Gadas glacialis, Peters, Za\ Th-ulsche Aordjwlarfahrt, lid. 2, p. 172.

■' Bort'ogniliis, G-riiR, Vat. Ih-it. Mns., Fish., vol. IV, p. 336.

■■ In Gadii.'i saida the lin-forinula according to our investigations is: D. 12 — 13|14 — 1 8, 18— 22 ; .1. 15 — 19,19—22; /'. 18 — 19;
V. 6; C. ,i> + 20—22 +.r.

I'OLAIi COD.

4X.j

4 C

Fig. 121. Coinpai-isou between the jaw-bones of a h'adus saida, 205 mm. long, from tlif White .Se.'i (sliaded in tlie tjo-ure) ami of a specimen

of equal size whose remains have been fcdunl in the Glacial clay at Lomma, near Liiiid (drawn in outline). Twice the natural size.

Cf. O. ToRicLi.. Undersokniuijar nfver istiden. Ill, (»fvers. Vet.-Aknd. Forli. 1887, No. 0. p. 429.

,1; right intermaxillary bone, B: right maxillary bone. V: right braricli of the lower jaw.

1 and 2 seen from the outside, 3 and 4 from the inside, .5 and G from above, 7 and 8 from below.

very ln-icHy to show the extevnal [inniortious of the ing proportions in the case of ii((raija which have just
Polar Cod, with especial reference to th<jse correspond- , been given.

A V t' y a li' e i n

Gadus saida

3 specimens. 4 sperinieus.

Length of the body e\pi'essid iu iiiiUiiuetrts _ _

Length of the heiul .._ in % of the length of the hody

Longitndiuid di;imeter of the eyes ._ .__ „ ., „ „

Least breiidth of the interorbital sp;u-e _

Length of the snout ___ _ _ , ., „

Distance between the tip of the snout ;ind the hind extrcuiily of tlie ni!i\ill;iry bones , , „ ,

Length of the lower jaw , _ _ _._ „ ,, „ ,, ,,

., .. .. liead ])ehiud the eyes „ ., ., ,, ., „ ,, .,

Distance Ijctwcen the tirst dors:d fin and tlie tip of the snout. _ ,,

„ .. .. sei-ond .. ., .. .. ,. .. ..

„ ,, ., third ,, ., ,, ., ., ._ , .. ,, ,, ,,

„ ., „ tirst anid .. ,, „ „ „ ,, ,, .__ _ _ __ „ „ ., „ ,

Length of llie base of the tirst doi>al tin ,

„ ,, „ „ ,, ,, second .. .,

., ,, „ ,, .. third ,, ., .__ .. ., .. ..

,, ,, first anal ,, ,

., ., ,, „ ., second , ., .,

„ ,, ,, longest ray of tlie tirst dorsal fin _ ,, ,. ,, .\ ..

•• second ., ., „ „ ,, .. .. „ „ ,,

,, ,, ,, ., , third ., ,, ,, ,, ., ..

„ „ „ ,, ., ,, .. tirst anal ,,

, sei'oud .. .. ,, .. ., ..

., „ „ pectoral fins ,, ., ,, „ „

,, ,, ,, ventral ,, - -- , ,, „ ,, ., ,,

,. ,. ., njiddle r.ays of the eandal tin , .. ..

Distance between the insertion of the ventral fins and the beginning of the tirst anal fin , ,, ., „ ., ..

Greatest deptli of tlie body

Least ., .. ., tail

Greatest breadth of the bodv

120

197

2(3.1

24. c

7.2

•j.i

i;.4

li.O

7.4

7.1

11.5

11.3

13 (J

13.1

11.6

11.7

.30.9

30.0

45.9

45.7

(!4.c

(tfl. 0

45.7

47.3

•7 r? ?? ?»

i» )» •» •»

ll3
HJ.O
Hi. 3

ii;.!i

17.3
13.5
12.2

10.1
lO.s
10.1

IS. 4

17.5

(j.4

22.4

n;..;

3.2

12..-!

11.5
15.4
15.9

17.S

15.4

13.9

11.3

9.8

10.0
8.9

18.0

17.7

i:.i

27.1

14.7

3.3

10.7

486

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

Obi. The first colimin iiicliKlcs specimens respectively 82, 126,
nnd 153 mm. in length. The lenj;th of tlie specimens in the second
column varies between 150 and '210 nini. The earliest stages of
development thus do not appear in the talOc.

Among the otliei* chanicteristics of the Polar Cod
both Peteus and Colle'I'T ha\-e remarked the mimerous
mucifei'0U8 pore.s on the head, which are set in rows, most
distinctly in the frontorostral ln-anches of the system of
the latei'nl line, between the eyes and on tlie snout, in
tlie anterior portion of the suborbital Ijranches, and in
the mandibular branches, both on the under j;iw and at
the hind margin of the preoperculum. The lateral line
projjer on the body runs fairly straight, at the top of
the abdominal region, but descends at the beginning of
the first dorsal tin. It is not very distinct, is made up
of elongated ducts, and often lireaks up, especially on tlie
hind part of the body, into irregularly scattered ducts ap-
pearing on the sides of the tail. The scales are small, ex-
tremely thin, and not imbricated'on any ))art of the body.

In coloration the Polar Cod is one of the ])urest and
handsomest members of the genus, above light red, on
the l)ack itself and the snout brownish, below white or
silvery, and everywhere, though most densely on the
back, finely punctated Avith brownish red. The true
ventral side alone is sometimes without these small
spots. The dark, l)r()wnish pigment sometimes collects
into nearly l)lack bars and clouds on the vertical fins;
and a dark, irregular spot sometimes occurs on the
sides, above and ])ehind the insertion of the pectoral
fin, though it is apparently very rare, and never so
distinctly marked as in the Haddock. The pectoral
and ventral fins are also punctated.

The geographical range of the Polar Cod fully
justifies its name. Pauhv found it amongst the drift ice

in lat. 82'^ ^° N., and it occurs almost everywhere in the
strictly Arctic seas round tlie pole. The least Arctic
regions to which it penetrates, are tlie White .Sea, where
it lives in company with vardf/d, and Iceland, whence spe-
cimens were obtained by Steenstrit and described by
NiLSSox. (Jff Spitzbergen tlie Polar Cod has been taken
by all file Swedish expeditions in the sledge-net (little
trawl) and common dredge, at a depth of from 2 to .30
or 40 fathoms, on a stonj- bottom, among seaweed oi'
zoophytes. On the 17tli of August, 1878, in Magdalena.
Bay, the Norwegian Arctic Expedition took 72 specim(?ns
at a single liaul of the tra^vl in wvx deep \vater. At
the same time tlie Vega l-lx])editioii met with Polar Cod
in .'> — 10 fathoms of water in Taimyr Sound, and, soon
after the expedition had taken up its winter-quarters, off
Pitlekaj, the species was also fuund there. At St. Mi-
chaels's (Alaska) Tuhxer saw the Esiiuimaux catch Polar
Cod by angling at holes in the ice, in about 3' ^, fathoms
of water. GCntiiek" mentions a specimen that was taken
oft' Cape Hayes in Grinnell Land. According to Fabhi-
cius the Polar Cod is fairly common in winter, espe-
cially on the north coast of Greeidand, along the shore
and in the inlets. He states tliat it niay be easily
allured to the surface, especiallv at dusk, by splashing
in the water; and that even the Polar fox has learnt
this method of catching Polar Cod. In the White Sea
this form is often taken together with i/firat/d : but its
flesh, according to Paelas, is poorer than that of the
latter, and it is, therefore, not sent to St. Petersburg.
The Polar Cod lives principallv on fish-ova and
small crustaceans, especially Calaiu, and as they very
often accompany the drift ice, it follows their example.
In tills manner it mav very proliably wander on occa-
sion south of its strict geographical range.

Up to tliis point none of the Gadoid species that
we have described, has been Avitliout a barbel under the
chin. In navar/a and saida the barbel is indeed small,
but is still present. In tlie tvpe of the following group,
the ^\'hiting, the l)arl)el, on tiie other hand, is gener-
ally wanting. This group possesses the prominent

snout of the true Cods, l)ut is distinguislied from them
by the considerably greater length of the base of the
first anal fin, which, contrary to the general rule in
their case, here seems to undergo even relative in-
crease Avith age, as appears from the following aver-
ages :

Aver !i g c i n

Gad lis iiierlangug

Oadas miiiuftis

3 spe'-iinens.

3 speeiniens. * apeci'ncns.

3 specimens.

2 ppcoimens.

Length ot the boilv expressed in iiiilhiiietrea

Length of the base of the lirsl luml I'm in »,, of the len>rtli ct the liodv

177

3(1. ;i

3i.i 1 33.9

I."i0

iii.s

" Account of the Fishes collt-rted by Capt. Fiki.den between 78' and 83' N. Int.. dnring- tlie Arctii F.xpidition 1875 — Ij (I'roe. Zuol.
Sue. London 1877, p. 2'.I3).

CoDllMIKS.

487

THE WHITING (.-u. mmtlinokn;.

<:AI )rs MKHLAMiUS.

I'lale XXIV, lig. 1.

JjCiifft/i (if fill' lidsi; (if till' first (lual tin iiKirc IIkih IkiIJ' llic distance hetiveeu this fin (tnd the ti/i (if the snout.
Upper jaw most prominent. Length 0/ titc loircr jair at least ahont 47 % of that of the head. Least depth of
the tail at most ahaat 4:J % of the Icnf/fh of the loircr jair. Length of the I/cod al least nliont ^.-5 % of th(d of
the hodg. Distance lietiveen the lip of the snoitl and Ihc Itind e.rtremitg oj' llii; nuuillarg Ijones more than 84 %
of the length of the lon-er jair and also greater than the length of the ventral fins. Length of the snout more
than S % of that of the hodg. Ilion 7 ■'> % of llie }iostorhital length oJ' Ihc head, or than (17 % of the length of
the lower jaw. (Joloralion light, shading into gcllow, violel. and green. Inoirnish on the hack, milk-white on the
ventral sides: lateral line dark: a Idaekish s/ml in the iijipcr /kiiI of Ihc a.iil of Die j)eel(iral fins.

F. t>i: 7; D. 13 — l.'V •20''— 25 19— 22 ; .1. .il'
P. 19—20; V. (!; ('. ,f + 23— 25 + .r; Vcvt. 54 — 55.

38 20—24;

Sijn. Le lueiliiii, Rki.on, .Vo^, Dicers. Poiss. (1555), y. 120; Diham.,
Ti: P,\li.. part. II, sect. I, p. 12«, tal.. XXII.

(jiuliis -Vi). /, Anr., Gen., p. 19; .Syn.. p. 34; Dencv. ->/).,
p. t)2. LlN'., Fn. Siiec. ed. I, p. 110; /I. Westrog., p. 170;
It. ^can., p. 326, tab. 2, Hg. 2.

Gndun mevlanijus, Lin., i>ijst. Nut., cd. X, torn. I, p. 253;
Fabeb, yatiirij. Fiscli. Isl., p. 93; Nilss., Prodr. L-hth.
iScaild., p. 42; ScHAGERSTR., Pliysiogr. Sallsk. TidsUrift, 1837,
p. 300; Fit. et v. Wright, Skand. Fisk:, ed. I, p. 81, tab. 18;
N11.SS.. Scand. Fn.. FM:, p. 553; Gtiih, Cat. Brit. Mas.,
Fisli., v(d. IV, p. 334; LiNDsrii., Gotl. Fisk:, (Gotl. L.
Hush. Sallsk. Arsber. 1866), p. 26, sep.; Morn, ("ifvers.
Vet;-Akad. Forli. 1867, p. 263; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss.
Wien, Math. Natiirw. CI.. LVII, i (1868), p. 703; Coll.,
Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Tilla'gsh., p. 108; Winth,,
Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 29; Be.necke,
Fisch. Fisclier., Fiscli:. 0., W. Prenss., p. 88; Day, Fish.
Gt. Brit., Irei, vol. I, p. 290, pi. LXXXII; Mob., Hcke,
Fiscli. Osts., p. 76; Lii.l.i., fSv., Norg. Fisk-., vol. II, p. 61;
Hansen, ZooI. Dan., Fiske, p. 69, tab. IX, tig. 5.

.Mcrloiujus vuhjaris, Flem., Brit. Aniin.. p. 195; Kr., Danni.
Fiske, vol. 2, p. 83; Thomps., Xat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV.
p. 182; Mor., Hist. Xal. Poiss. Fr., toiii. Ill, p. 239.

Gadiis ciiriiins, XoRPM. in Demid., Voy. Puss. Me'r., \i. 526,
Poiss.. pi. 26. tig. 2 (vide STElNDACllNEli, I. c).

Merlangus Liniu'i. Mai.m, Gdr/s, Bull. Fn.. p. 485.

Tlic Whiting is one of the sninllci' (i.-idciid species.
Most ot" the Scandinavian specimens are between 20
and 35 cm. in leii;.'th, thongh now and then a speci-
men hh cm. or more in lono-tli is taken, bnt only on
rare occasions.

The form of the l)od\" is handsome and well-pro-
portioned. The greatest de])th, wliich measures about

IS or 19 '•'./' of Ihc Iciiuth of thi- Ijody, occurs at tli<-
first dorsal (in. From this point thr body tapers gra-
dually and regularly towards the caudal liii, with oidv
a slight distension at the bases of the unpaired fins.
The greatest lircadth is alxjut lialf tlic dc|ith or ratlicr
more, from about 9'\, to 11 % oi' the liMigth <if the
body, 'flic least deptli of the bod\ yaries, according
to our measurements, in different indiyiduals between
4'7 % and .V8 % of the length of the body or between
38 and 41' . "o of tiie length of the lower jaw.

The head, the length of which is from "25 to •>! %
of tiiat of the I)o(ly, is wedge-shaped, with straight and
fairl\ liroad, somewhat conyex forehead. The .snout is
somewhat pointed, though l)lunt, and projects only a
little wa\ in tVoiit of the margin of tlie upper jaw, its
Icngtii in front of the eyes measuring about 9 — 9'6 %
of the length of the body or 35 — 37 % of that of the
head. The .sides of the head are rather flat and smooth,
being coycred with a thick skin, which entirely coyers
and conceals the bones of the gill-covers, and, as in
most of the Cods, grows out beyond them witli age,
the postorbital length of the head (including this flap)
increasing from aliout lU' j, to ]2'/j % of that of the
body or from ;d)out 83 to 96 % of tiiat of the hjwer
jaw. Tlie eyes are middle-sized, their longitudinal dia-
meter varying between about G and 4' ^ % of the length
of tiie body or from about 23' j % to about 167. ^
of the length of the head in Whitings between 13 and
41 em. long. Tiiev are round and naked, and are set

"" SoiuetiiiK-s 16, according to Moreac.

<• „ 18

30,
'' Occasionally, in llie nialeii, only 16' .^ 'i.

488

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

SO high that the line fi'om t!ie tip of tlip gill-cover to
ihe mai-gin of the ujiper j;iw touelies the lower edge
of the pupil. Tlie least hreadth of the interorbital space
alters with iiidix idiial variations between about 25" and
and 27 % of the length of the head. The nostrils lie
somewliat nearer to the e}-e than to tlie snout, just
below the outer margin of the forehead. The anterior
opening on each side is small and round, witli the upper
])Osterior part of the mai-gin raised into a canaliculate
flap which rises backwards. The posterior opening is
larger, oval, and open, witliout any elevation of the
margin. The mouth is set almost horizontallv, with
the upper jaw longer tlr.m the lower. The gape is
large, and admits of consideral)le expansion, partly by
means of the tensile ligaments that unite the apparatus
of the jaws to the corners of the mouth, and partly by
means of the movable gill-co^■ers and the free branchio-
stegal membrane. The margin of the upper jaw is
i'ormed, as in most of the Physoclysts, l)y the inter-
maxillarv bones alone, which are shorter than the maxil-
lary bones behind them. The hind extremity of the
latter bones is truncate, with a Ijreadth aliout equal
to V(; of ^he lengtli of the lower jaw or, in adult spe-
cimens, somewhat less than half the longitudinal dia-
meter of the eye. ^^'hen the mouth is closed, the en-
tire upper jaw falls into a deep fold formed by a straight,
labiate flap which extends on both sides from the snout
to a point vertically below the front corner of the eye,
to a distance from tlic ti]) of the snout only slightlj-
less than the postorl)ital length of the liead or some-
times equal to it. The up]3er jaw itself surrounds the
lower. When the moutli is oj^en, the upi)er jaw pro-
jects a little beyond the tip of the snout. The lower
jaw, the length of which is about 12 V, or 13 % of the
length of the bod}- or half' that of tlie head, is gener-
ally Avithout an)- distinct liarbel; but under the chin
we tind a small pointed protuberance or a rudiment
thereof, and in a fe-\\- young specimens a very small
and short barbel, Avhich generall)- escapes observation.
Pointed, subulate teeth are pi-esent in both jaws
and on the head of the vomer; but l)oth the tongue
and the ])alatine bones are smooth. Tlie teetli are set
in each jaw in only one regular row, but in the front
part of tlie month, in the upper jaw within this i-ow,
in the lower jaw outside it, we find numerous smaller
and finer teeth in irregular rows. The teeth are some-

what larger in the lower jaw than in the upper, and
in the foi-mer they are larger at the sides than in front.
The tongue is fairly long, cartilaginous, and thick, with
narrow, triangular tij).

The hindmost of the four branchial arches is united
throughout its whole length to the pectoral wall, the
last branchial slit being thus closed on each side. Each
arch is furnished in front with two rows of bouA- tu-
bercles, covered by the mucous membrane, but tlie
outer ro\v on the tirst arch is made uji of true gill-
rakers, like narrow lamelhe, which are three times as
narrow and long as the other tubercles. The branchio-
stegal membrane, with its seven rays, is tirndv iniited
underneath to tlie membrane of the other side, but
deeplj' incised; and the margin itself is not united to
the isthmus. The gill-cover ends in a point, but this
is hidden by the broad flap (a continuation of the
liranchiostegal membrane) which, as Ave have mentioned
above, forms a margin round the whole of the gill-
cover.

The body is covered with small, thin, imbricate
scales, set in ratlier irregular roAvs. These scales are
scarcely visible in living specimens, especially while tlie
surface of the body is moist and covered Avith mucus;
but they grow fairly distinct in large specimens and Avhen
the skin has had some time to dry. They also cover
the Avhole head, Avith the exception of the upper jaAv
and the extreme upper margin of the lower jaAv. (^)n
close examinati(jn Ave find that they advance a good
Avay over the caudal fin and impei'ce[)tiljly disappear
toAvards its end, and also clotlie the l)ase of the first
anal fin and the branchiostegal membrane, extending a
little Avay along the rays of the latter. Distinct traces
of scales may also be found at the front jjart of the
base and the anterior margin of all the other fins.

The course of the lateral line is S-shaped, as in
most of the Codfishes, being curved lieloAV the second
dorsal fin. It forms a continuous, narrow groove, wliich
has, as it Avere, an articulated appearance, partly on
account of the small, short, lateral grooves that jut
out at fixed intervals, and partly on account of its
being filled u]) here and there on the tail, and thus to
a certain extent effaced.

The vent lies at the end of the first third of the
length of tlie liodv and a little in front of the |)er-
pendicular from the middle of the first dorsal fin.

" Occasionally 24Vo %.

'' Sonietiiiies only 48 %.

WHITINCi

489

The pectoral fins lie, when at rest, in a longi-
tuclinal direction. Their length is between 11^ and 15 %
of that of the body, and their rounded tips extend a
good way beliind the vent. They contain 19 or 20
rays; the up])erinost ray is simple, the others branched
at the tip, and tlie fourth and fifth are the longest.
The ventral fins, which are set somewhat in front of
the pectoral fins, and extend with their tips to the vent,
are small and pointed, with the second ray produced
to a long, filamentous, free tip, which gives these fins
;i length of from 9" to 10' /^ % of that of the body.
They are made up of two simple and four repeatedly
Ijranched rays.

The first dorsal fin begins just behind the perpen-
dicular from the insertion of either pectoral fin and at
a distance from the tip of the snout equal to about
28 — 31 ?a of the length of the body. It most gener-
ally contains 13 or 14 rays, the first two of which are
simple and the fourth the longest, its length being
about 10 — 12\/2 % of that of the body. The succeeding
rays gradually decrease in length, the last ray being
very small. The length of the base of this fin is about
13 ','2— 11 % of that of the body. The second dorsal
fin is composed of about 23 rays, t^vo of which are
simple. The fourtli and fifth rays are the longest, their
length being about 8 — 10 % (sometimes 11 %) oi that
of the body; and the other rays grow gradually shorter,
the last ray being very short and lying flat along the
sivin. The distance between this fin and the tip of the
snout is about 44 or 45 % of the length of the body,
and the length of its base varies between IS'/^ and
nearly 23 % of that of the body. The third dorsal fin
begins at a distance from the tip of the snout ecjual
to about 65 — 69 % of the length of the body, just be-
liind the end of the preceding fin, to which it is gener-
ally united by a narrow flap of fin-membrane. It gener-
ally contains 4 simple and 17 branched rays, the first
of the simple ones being scarcely perceptible. The fifth
and sixth rays are tlie longest, their length being from
6'/2 to 8 % (in }'oung specimens sometimes 9 %) of
that of the l)ody; and the length of the base of the fin
varies betAveen I5V2 '-^^^^ ^^^h ^ o^ ^'I'l^ t)^ the body.

The first anal fin begins at a distance from the
tip of the snout equal to about 35 "^ — 39 % of the
length of the Ixnly — thus always considerably in front

of the beo;innins: of the second dorsal fin.

It is Ion"-

" Sometimes 8' n f'-
Scaiidiiiacian Fishes.

Mnd has an arcuate margin. The length of its base
is about 30 — 34 % of that of the body. It is gener-
ally composed of from 33 to 35 rays, eight or nine of
wliich ai-e simple. The 12th — 2()th rays inclusive are
of fairly uniform lengtli and tlic longest, measuring
about 9 — 7 % of the length of the body; and the suc-
ceeding rays grow shorter and shorter. The second anal
fin, which is almost exactly opposite the third dorsal,
contains 4 simple and (generally) 18 or 19 branched
rays, the fifth and sixth rays being the longest.

The caudal fin, as in all the Gadoid species, con-
tains numerous rays, which lie close to each other and
radiate from the pointed base of the fin. The middle
23 — 25 rays are branched, and the middle ray measures
8 — 7 % of the length of the body. The fin is chisel-
shaped, with truncate extremity and rather sharj) cor-
ners; but when much expanded, the liiiid margin be-
comes rounded.

After death the Ijody of the Whiting is nearly
plain, grayish brown above and white below; but liv-
ing specimens and Whitings just di'awn out of the water
show a play of shifting colours, in spots and stripes. The
colour of a middle-aged, live Whiting is fairly accu-
rately shown in our figure (Plate XXIV, fig. 1), and we
liave nothing more to add than that t\vo specimens are
seldom exactly alike in the depth of the colours and
the extent of the stripes. In younger specimens the
body is more transparent, with the upper part of the
sides shading strongly into violet and with fainter
traces of the yellowish stripes, which are of a brighter
colour, and are woven into a network above the lateral
line. The fins are lighter, and all the dorsal and anal
fins are silvery white at the very tip. A very large
specimen, on the other hand, presents the following
appearance: the back and the upper part of the head
plain yellowish brown with a handsome, grajash violet
lustre; the sides yellowish gray Avith a dash of violet,
with the lateral line and the caudal region just above
it of a bright brassy lustre, and with a number of
large, distinct, brass-yellow spots along and below the
lateral line, which are partly united into a network
and partly form irregular, zigzag rows; the entire under
surface of the head and tail and the whole belly milky
white, with a sharply-marked limit extending to the
insertion of the pectoral fins. The iris white, with a
lustrous, 3^ellowish ling ni'xt tlie pupil and a broad

62

490

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

dark l)aiKl above and below the latter. The fins plain
and of the same colour as the body, the upper ones
dark, the loAver very pale, with the extreme tij) or the
uiargin pure, lustrous white; the pectoral fins yellowish,
with the insertion itself Avhite and a blackish spot at
the upper part of the axil. This spot, though it
varies in distinctness, is always present, and is thus
a characteristic of Whitings of all ages. The ventral
fins are milky white.

The abdominal cavity extends a good distance
beiiind the vent, almost to the end of the first anal fin.
It is lined with a silver-gray membrane of a yellow
lustre and thickl}- strewn with small black dots. The
intestinal canal is long, with the stomach produced into
a long blind sac and, when empty, of almost the same
diameter as the (L'sophagus, and extending to a line with
the vent. The pylorus lies fairlj^ far forward, the pyloric
part of the stomach being somewhat compressed and
elongated, and the origin of the intestine is furnished
with numerous appendages of different lengths, the gall
duct opening just in front of them. The intestine
subsequently forms four bends before it terminates.
The liver is large, of a whitish yellow colour, and is
made up of three lobes, the longest of which is of
almost uniform breadth and triangular, and extends to
the end of the abdominal cavity on the left side. The
middle lobe is short and the broadest of the three.

with thin edges.

The right lobe is somewhat longer

than the middle one, Init narrow and sharply pointed.
Under the base of the last lobe lies the gall-bladder,
Avhich in a specimen 50 cm. long is of the size of an
acorn, transparent, thin, and filled with a clear, light
greenish fluid. The spleen is of a dark chestnut-brown,
triangular, and oblong with pointed corners. The ovaries
are united at the middle into one single chamber, and
the oviduct, wliich is rather wide, and opens just be-
hind the rectum, issues from the lower Avall of this
chamber. The testes, as in most of the Cods, are lobate
and laid in folds resembling the cerebral convolutions
in the Mammals. From the kidnevs, which lie along
the spine and are supported b}- the air-bladder, the
urethra passes through a fine aperture, and entci's the
abdominal cavity about half-way between the vent and
the end of the cavity. It widens suddenly into an
oblong, vesicular duct, which runs for^vard, again con-
tracts, and opens into a small papilla just behind the

genital opening. The air-l)ladder is very large and
extends along the whole dorsal side of the abdominal
cavit}- from beginning to end, being attached on each
side by transverse ligaments and covered by the peri-
toneum. In front, on the inside of the bottom of the
air-bladder, Ave find a large, glandular SAvelling (vaso-
ganglion) furnished with capillary vessels. The air-
bladder also sends out in front two long, curved ducts
that ascend toAvards the head.

The geographical range of the Whiting extends at
least from North Cape along the \vest coast of Eurojje
to Spain; and if Steindachner is right, as seems quite
probable, in his identification of the species with Gck^iis
euxinus, the Whiting is also common in the Adriatic
and the Black Sea. Heuglin" states that he took a
specimen of the Whiting off Waigatz (between Nova
Zenibla and Russia); but up to the present no other
instance has been recorded of the occurrence of the
species in the Arctic Ocean east of Norway, even in
Varanger Fjord, or in the White Sea. Throughout
the west coast of Scandinavia the Whiting is plentiful,
especially among the islands. It is also common all
round Denmark and by no means rare in the south
of the Baltic, in certain years at least, as far north as
Blekinge. On the coast of Gothland, though there it
may be merely an occasional visitor, one specimen was
taken off Wisby in the spring of 1 865, according to
LiNDSTROiNi. According to Fabek it occurs, though
only seldom, on the south coast of Iceland and oft" the
Faroe Islands, but is wanting on the north coast of
Iceland. Nor has it been met with off Greenland or
on the North American coast. In the Pacific its place
is taken by a near relation, Gachts jit'OTmus.

In the island-belt of Bohuslan the Whiting is one
of the commonest species of the genus, and is taken
in quantities all the year round. When other fish fail
him, the fisherman of Bohuslan can always procure
enough Whiting for his daily Avants. This fish, espe-
cially Avhen the Herring is scarce, thus gives the poor
man an unfailing supply of food to fiill back upon;
and in this capacity the Whiting is of no small ser-
vice, though its inconsiderable size is a drawback which
deprives it, to a considerable extent, of value from a
commercial point of view. On the west coast of Scan-
dinavia the Whiting is also an object of sport; and on
a fine sununer or autumn night one maj' often see

" Heiscii nath rleni Niirdix.lnrnipor 1870 iiiul 1871, Th. 3, [i. 21',).

WHITIXG.

491

])ei'sons row out to fish for Whiting whose nicnns ren-
der it a (juestion more of pleasure than of profit.

The Whiting, like all its near relatives, is a fish-
of-prey, and may well be regarded as the boldest and
most voracious of them all, especiall}' if we take its
smaller size into consideration. It lives exclusively by
prey, attacking not onh' feeble victims, such as crusta-
ceans and worms, but pi'incipally small fishes. The
Herring especially attracts its attention. When large
shoals of Herrings enter the island-belts, the Whiting
collect and continually annoy this weak and defenceless
fish. The movements of tiie Whiting are fairly quick
when in the act of seizing its prey, but at other times
it swims slowly, seldom lying still on the watch for
some victim, but roving steadily about, letting nothing
escape its notice that may serve as food. Though
several specimens may often be seen in company, the
Whiting does not lead a sociable life, and does not
assemble in large shoals even during the spa^vning-
season. It is no great Avanderer, but stays all the year
round in the neighbourhood of its birthplace and the
places that it knows. It prefers fairly deep Avater with
a soft, sandy Ijottom, and is seldom caught on a rocky
bottom, except where small patches of sand occur. The
ordinary depth at which the Whiting may be found
during the whole summer, is between 12 and 1(3 fa-
thoms. Towards autumn it ascends into shallower
\\'ater, and in the month of October the fry and the
smaller specimens haunt the shore and the piers at a
depth of no more than a foot. Like the Cod it some-
times enters large rivers, at least where there is a
layer of salt or brackish water at the bottom; and Malm
states that in the River Gotha the Whiting goes up to
Rising Bridge, and is often caught by boys fishing at
Stora Bommen Bridge in Gothenburg.

About Christmas the ovaries and milt-sacs begin
to develop, and in February they have generally reached
tiieir full size; but the spawning takes place later in
the year, though the season varies considerablj'. In
April one may find some fish that have spawned, others
that are ready to spawn, and others still with hard roe.
The Whiting does not spawn in so large companies as
many other species, especially most fresh-water fishes,
but i-etires quietly out of sight into deep water, so
that we have no trustworthy information on tliis point.
However, what we have now learnt of the sjiaAvning
of the Cod and of the development of its eggs floating
in the sea, pi-obablv applies on the whole to the spawn-

ing and tlie early stages of the Whiting as well. Earlv
in tile summer the eggs are hatched, and tlie fry may
then be seen assembled in fairly great miniber under
the large jelly-fish (Ci/anea caplllata), in which the sea
abounds. Thus the fry of the Whiting, like those of
the Cod and other fishes, fl}' for shelter to these crea-
tures, and feed upon the crustaceans which live as
parasites in the body of the jelly-fish or adhere to its
long, filiform, and slimy tentacles. During the sum-
mer it is useless to look for the fry' close in shore,
and small Whiting from 10 to 12 cm. long may often
be seen keeping close to a jelly-fish for hours, follow-
ing its sluggish movements in a manrKM- that seems to
indicate a certain intimacy and mutual confidence be-
tween these strangely-assorted companions. From this
fact ignorant fishermen draw the false conclusion that
the Wliiting "is generated" in tiie jelly-fish and reared
by them.

At first the fry grow pretty ra])idly, being between
10 and 12 cm. long when they make their way to the
shallows in October. Some fishermen are of the opi-
nion that the Whiting is capable of reproducing its
species in its second year; but no decisive proof of
this is procurable, and the assertion is positively con-
tradicted in other (juarters.

During the whole winter the Whiting keeps to its
autumn haunts, and does not return to deep water
before the spring.

Among all the Gadoid species the Whiting, when
cooked fresh, has the finest and most palatable flesh,
and is, therefore, in high i-e])ute for the pui'poses of
the table. When salted or dried it loses a great por-
tion of its good flavour, and is nmch inferior to most
of the larger species. In Scandinavia it is only seldom
cured in the latter manner, and never for sale; but if
a fisherman takes a larger quantity of Whiting than he
can dispose of fresh or consume himself, he is obliged
to have recourse to one of these methods of preserving
the remainder for his own use. When dried, the Whit-
ing grows as hard as dry glue, and is therefore knoAvn
in England as buckhoni.

The Whiting-fisher-v gives emploA'ment to most of
the island fishermen at the periods when no more im-
portant and lucrative fishei'V occupies their time and
attention; and is j)ursued all the year round by the
old and weak, as well as by children, Avho are inca-
pable of taking part in the more important fisheries,
and whose presence is not required there.

492

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The Whiting is taken principally b}- the liand-line
or, as it is called in Bohuslan, the dorj. Though only
one or at most two fish can be caught at the same
time by this method, still this fishery is very produc-
tive at spots \vhere the Whiting is plentiful. A few
hours iire often enough to procure sufficient food for
the day's requirements. With hand-lines the Whiting
is taken all the year round, the only conditions of
success being that the fisherman knows how to choose
the fishing-ground according to the time of year and
is acquainted with the nature of the bottom. The lines
may be used at all hours of the day, but to the best
purpose from daAvn well into the forenoon and in the
evening towards dusk. In summer the lines are plied
from a boat which is kept stationary either by putting
out a grapnel or liy measured strokes of the oars. The
latter method of counteracting the wind and current
is known in Bohuslan as "andofva"." In autumn and
winter the fishing is carried on at the landing-places
with an ordinary rod, either a "sink-rod" {sdnks2)d) or
a float-rod {flotspo). Sometimes the fisherman fastens
his boat to the pier, and uses a hand -line from
the boat. The flesh of a live mussel (Mi/tilns edulis)
is the best bait, but it must not be taken out of
tlie shell until required for use. If the mussel is
large, it is cut in two. However, as this bait is
often difficult to procure or too dear for the fisher-
man, he has recourse to the expedient of using it
oidy until he catches a fish, and then employing a
bait of fresh Whiting cut into slices of suitable length,
at which the Whiting bites readily. At a pinch one
may begin witli other shell-fish, shrimps, worms, or

small fishes, for the Whiting is by no means hard to
please.

In the seine, especiall}' the large Herring-seine,
the Whiting is taken in considerable quantities; but
the greater part of the catch is made up of fry or
Whiting of small size, and at the seine-fishery no spe-
cial attention is paid to this fish. In Bohuslan, how-
ever, very small seines {solrader, kassevader) are also
used to procure all sorts of small fish for the fisher-
man's daily -wants; and this method has been found at
tlie same time less troublesome and more productive
than the hand-line. Whiting form the principal part
of the catch in these small seines, which can only be
used, however, at certain spots, where the bottom is
so even that the seine can be drawn ashore without
becoming entangled. It is also difficult to employ these
seines in summer, on account of the multitude of jelly-
fish with which the sea then swarms, and which en-
tirely fill the seine ^vhen it is hauled up. In autumn
again, the long seaweed gives great trouble by twist-
ing and entangling the whole seine.

The Whiting-fishery is of no inconsiderable value.
The home-consumption of Whiting among the fishermen
themselves can hardly be estimated with any exactness;
but the supply of fresh Whiting brought to Gothen-
burg Fish Market in the year 1879 is put down by
V. Yhlen* at 1,607,400 fish of a total value of about
45,000 crowns (£2,500), taking about 2* 5 5re (^/gd.) as
the average price of each Whiting. On the Scotch coast
during each of the years 1887 and 1888 nearl}- 4 million
Whiting- were taken, of an estimated value of between
£26,000 and £27,000^ (Fries, Smitt.)

The next two species are so closel}' related to each ' the relations of development between them are intimate
other that several writers, not without reason, have in the highest degree,
united them into one species. We shall also find that

" Old Norwegian aiiduca, used in tlie same signification, from and, against, and pie/a, to press. Tr.
*• Intern. Fiscli. Ansst. Berlin 1880, Swedish Catal., Append. I.
"^ Fish Trades Gazette, vol. VI, No. 297 (2Glh Jan.. 188!)), p. 8.

CODKI.SHES.

493

THE BIB (sw. skaggtorsken).
GADUS LUSCUS.

Plate XXII, A, lig. 2.

Lciigtli of the hase of the first anal fin more than half the distance hetiveen this fin and the tip of the snout.
Upper jair most prominent. Lenf/th of the lower jaw at least about 44 % of that of the head, ivhich {at least
in adult specimens) is more than :24 % of the length of the hodij. Least depth of the tail {at least in adult
specimens) more than 5 % of the length of the hody, than 49 % of the length of the lower jaw, than 51 % of the
distance hetween the tip of the snout and the hind extremitg of the maxillary hones, or than 44 % of the length
of the hase of the third dorsal fin. Distance between the tiji of the snout and the hind extremity of the maxillary
bones more than 84 % of the length of the lower jaw, but less than the length of the ventral fins. Length of the
snout less than 8 % of that of the body, tluni (!(>' % of the postorbital length of the head, or than 64 % of the
length of the lower jaw. Greatest depth of the body more than '/, of ds length, and the greatest thickness, which
is about equal to the postorbital length of the head, more than 11 % of the length of the Imly. Coloration above
yellou-ish brou-n or red. belly white; lateral line only slightly, if at all, darker" than the colour of the body: a

blackish spot at the upper part of the base of the pectoral fin.

R. bi: 7; D. 12— 14|22''— 26|18— 20; A. 27— 30^:i8''— 21 ;
P. 19''— 20; V. G; C. ^ + 20— 22 + .r; Vert. 48.

Sijn. Aselius luscits, Willughby, Hist. Pise, p. 169. Tacaud,
DuHAM. Tr. Pech., part II, sect. I, p. 136, tab. 23, fig. 2.

Gadiis, No. 6, Art., Gen., p. 21; No. 5 et 12, Syn., p. 35
et 37 ; No. 6, Spec, p. 65.

Gadus lusctis, LiN., Si/st. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 252; Mus.
Ad. Frid., torn. II prodr., p. 69; (?) Faber, Tidskr. Naturv.,
Kbhvn, vol. V (1828), p. 219; Jenyns, Man. Brit. Vert.
Anim., p. 442; Fries, Skand. Fisk., ed. I, p. 78; (?) Kb.,
Damn. Fiske, vol. II, p. 77; NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
545; Gthr, Vat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. IV, p. 335; Malm,
(Gaduhis), Gbf/s, Boh. Fn., p. 482; Mor. (Gadus), Hist.
Nat. Poiss. Fr., toin. Ill, p. 233; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.,
Irel., vol. I, p. 286, tab. LXXX; Petersen, Vid. Meddel.
Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1884, p. 157; Lill.t., Sv., Norg. Fn.,
Fisk., vol. II, p. 68; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 65,
tab. IX, fig. 2.

Gadits barhatus, LiN., (p. p.) Syst. Nat., 1. c. ; Block (Der
breite Schellfisch), Naturg. Ausl. Fisch., part. 2, p. 105,
tab. CLXVI; Esm., Skand. Naturf. 4:de Miide, Christ. 1844,
Forh., p. 230; Malm, Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Sanih. Handl., N.
Tidsf., H. 2, p. 107 c. tab.

Gadus minutus, Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.
Naturw. CI., LVII, i (1868), p. 704; Winth., Natiirh.
Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 29; MoR., 1. c, p. 231.

The Bearded Cod {Skaggtorsken) or Broad Cod
{Bredtorsken), as Nilsson called it, has been Avell-known,
ever since the times of Willl'Ghby and Dihamel. to

Engli.sh zoologists by the trivial names of Bib, Blinds,
and Whiting Pout, and in France by that of Tacaud.
Among the Cods it has the deepest and (in proportion
to the depth) most compressed body, as well as the
relatively longest jjarlsel. The name of luscus is derived
from the loose membrane over the eyes, which gener-
ally s^vells and groAvs more and more opaque after the
death of the fish. The skin of the fins too, especially
at their bases, is sometimes much swollen, loose, and
slippery.

According to Mal.m, who had the opportunitv of
examining the fish during life and just after its cap-
ture, the colour of the upper half of the bodv is red-
dish brown with a faint dash of yellow, that of the
lower half lighter, Avith a bluish gray tinge, but pass-
ing towards the belly into whitish. The whole bodv,
except the extreme ventral margin, is finelv strewn
with small, blackish brown dots. The sides of the
body have a lustre of gold or silver, sometimes with
a greenish tinge. The lateral line is golden velloAv,
but for the first half of its length brownish. The fins,
according to Day, are bluish black and darke.st at the
margins. This coloration is sometimes diversified, how-
evei-, bv transverse bands across the bodv, traces of

" In specimens preserved in spirits lighter.
* Sometimes 20, according to Gunther.
' „ 35, ,, ,, Je.nyks.

^ „ 17, „ ,, MOREAU.

494

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

which may 1)e fuuiid in one of the specimens sent bj'
Mr. Hanssox from StrSmstad to the Royal Museum.
I)ay speaks of five or six of these dark, broad bands,
but MoREAU of three broad, whitish gray ones. The
iris, according to Malm, is brown witli a golden lusti-e,
but has a narrow, brassy ring next the pupil.

The Bil:) is one of the rarest fishes in Scandinavia,
and has only been met with a few times, in most in-
stances on the coast of Bohusliin. In May, 1827, it is
true, Faber (1. c.) took a Cod off the Skaw that was
determined at the Museum of Copenhagen as a (jadus
Insriis: but the specimen is missing, and Fabeh's de-
scription is not enough to decide tlie question whether
the specimen belonged to this species or to the follow-
ing one". FliiES, in the first edition of tliis work, was
the first to include the liil) with certainty in the Scan-
dinavian fauna, on the strength of a specimen that he
received at Fiskebackskil (Bohusliin) in November, 1836.
This specimen was 32 cm. long, and is still preserved
in the Royal Museum. At a more recent period, be-
tween 1849 and 1874, ^Ialm I'eceived 6 specimens, all
solitary, from the southern island-belt of Bohuslan,
which were between 20 and 33 cm. long. "Sir. C. A.
Hansson has fui-nished the Royal Museum witli t^vo
specimens, a female from Siicke Fjord, taken in August,
1880, in 40 or 50 fathoms of water, and a male, taken
in Strftmstad Fjord, in August, 1882. Both these spe-
cimens are 30 cm. long. The Bib is no less rare in
Denmark, though, according to Petersen, it has been
found in recent years once (in 1880) off the Skaw,
and once (1884) off Agger. On the Norwegian coast
it lias not yet l^een observed. All round Great Britain
and Ireland, on the other hand, it is connnon, and
still commoner further south, in the Channel and on

the west coasts of France and the Spanish Peninsula.
On the Mediterranean coast of France, according to
Moreau, it is rare, and is only occasionall}' met with,
according to Giglioli'', on the coast of Italy.

"It adheres," says Day, "pertinaciously to one spot,
according to ^Ir. Dunn, who observes that it is largest
and in the best condition when residing among I'ocks
upon precipitous coasts as Cornwall. Here it seeks a
secluded crevice or gully w-here it conceals itself dur-
ing the day time, sometimes thousands seeking the
same spot. At twilight it sallies out, as it usually
feeds only at night time, extending its excui'sions over
the hish grounds and on to the lo^v rocks and sands
beyond, l)ut not going very far. Assemblages of these
fish are known as "chains of bibs," two or more of
which mav l)e found so close together as to be merely
divided by a ledge of rock of a fe\v feet in width; one
chain of bibs may l)e light coloured and the contigu-
ous one banded with dark. In mild winters it re-
mains in these haunts, buc if cold and stormy it retires
to the deep sea, returning again in spring. It also
appears partial to living inside wrecked vessels. It
prefers rough ground or shelving rocks arising from
a sandy soil. The knowledge of the exact localities
where these fish reside has been kept in some fisher-
men's families for generations. It thrives pretty w^ell
in an aquarium, but after a time becomes of a lighter
colour." It lives on small fishes, crustaceans, and mol-
lusks. The spawning-season occurs in spring. It is
taken in the same wny as the other species of this
family; and large Bibs — Yarrell'' saw a specimen 16
in. long, and Blake'' states that they attain a weight
of 4 lbs. — are excellent eating.

" "The second dorsal lin of the same shape as tlie tirst anal and set opposite it." Tlie greatest depth of the body (24"1 % of its
icnsth) also points to Gadns miimlus; but the depth of the tail in front of the caudal tin (5'5 \ of the length of the body) refers the spe-
' inien to Gadits tii.s'rn.'i.

'' Espos. Intern. Pesca, Berlino 1880, Sez. Ital., Cat., p. 'Jlj.

<■ HI.H. Brit. Fi.'ih., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 2.39.

'' Zoologist, 1800, p. 507.

CODFISriES.

495

THE POOR, OR POWER COD (sw. glyskoljan).

GADUS MINUTUS.

Plait- XXIV, fig-. 2.

Length of the Jiase of the first <ni(il fin more than half the distance between this Jin and the tip of the sjioiit.
Upper Jair most prominent. Lenf/fh of the lower Jan- at least almtt 48 % of the length of the head, which is
less than 24 % of the length of the hodij. Least depth of the tail less than fi % of the length of the body, than
48 % of the length of the lower jaii\ than 46 % of the distance between the tip of the snout and the hind e.r-
tremltji of the maxilla rg hones, or than 81 % of the length of the base of the third dorsal fin. Distance between
the tip of the snoaf and the hind ertremitg of the maxillarg bones, more than <S8 % of the length of the lower
jaw, but less than the length of the ventral fins. Length of the snout less than 8 % of that of the bodg, than
70 % of the postorbital length of the head, or than (12 % of tlie length of the lower jaw. Greatest depth of the
bodg generally less than V4 of its length, and the greatest thickness, which is about ecpial to tJie postorbital length
of the head, less than 11 % of the length of the bodg. Coloration like that of the Whiting, but without the black
spot at the base of the pectoral fin, or with only a faint trace thereof.

R. In: 7; D. 12 -15|19— 25!l9''— 24 ; A. 25—31120"-
P. 17 — 19; V. (5; ('. ,!•+ 19— 23 + .r: Vert. 50.

_9 2''

«S'y(/. Aselliis mollis minor I. omnium minimus, Willughby, Hist. Pise,

p. 171 (e mari Mediferraneo); Jago apnd Raium, Syn. Metli.

Pise, p. 1G3 (e littore cornubiensi).
Gadus No. 7, Art., Gen., p. 21: No. 8, «S'////. p. 36 (ex

Wii.L. et Jag.).
Gadus minutus, Lin., iSyst. Nat., erl. X, torn. I, p. 253 (ex

Akt.); Jenyns, Man. Brit. Vert. Anim., p. 444; Fries,

Skand. Fisk., ed. I, p. 78, v. Weight, tab. 17; Ki;., Danm.

Fiske, vol. IT, p. 61; Nilss., Shand. Fn., Fish., p. 547;

Thomps., Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 181: Gthr, Cat.

Brit. Mvs., Fish., vol. IV, p. 335; Steind., Sizber. Akad.

Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturw. Cl., LVII, i (1868), p. 704;

Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Till«gsh., p. 109;

ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 66; Malm {Gadulns), Gbc/s, Boh.

Fn., p. 484; Winth. (Gadus), Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser.

Ill, vol. XII, p. 29; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel.. vol. I,

p. 288, tab. LXXXI, Mob., Hckk, Fisch. Osts., p. 77;

Storm, Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skr. (Trondhj.) 1883, p. 33;

Pktersen, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. Foren. Kbhvn 1884, p. 157;

Lillj., So., Norff. Fi.'<k., vol. II, p. 76; Hansen, Zool. Dan.,

Fiske, p. 66, tab. IX, fig. 3.
Gadus tusciis, Bl., Syst. Ichtli., posth. ed. Scuneiper, p. 8,

tab. 2; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. iScand., p. 41; Schagep.str.,

Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr. (1838), p. 298.

Ohs. Like the Bib tlie Poor, or Power Cod of the English fislier-
inen and the capelan of the French has been best known and easiest
to determine, from remote times, by these names, given it originally
by fishermen and in trade. Willughby and Ray did not know the
English form, and on their authority Linn^US clung to the opinion
that Gadus minutus occurred only in the Mediterranean. Jago had,
however, referred both forms to the same species: and Artedi ap-

proved of this identification, but suffered the species to retain an in-
correct character (ano in medio corjjoris) which was one of the causes
that betrayed Bloch (Fische Deutsclilands, II, p. 167, tab. LXVII,
fig. 1) into confounding Gadus minutus with a young Gadus catlarias.
In this way Gadus minutus -was introduced into the Swedish fauna
in Retzius's edition of the Fauna suecica of Linn.eus (p. 319); and
wlien NiLSSON in his Prodromus undertook to correct the mistake, he
consulted Bloch's posthumous work, where a Poor Cod is evidently
figured under the name of Gadus luscus.

The Poor Cod is one of the two smallest species
of this genus that still inhabit Scandinavian waters.
Its length is usually between 15 and 20 cm., and sel-
dom exceeds 23 cm." That which distinguishes the
Poor Cod at the first glance from most of the other
species, is the deeper and more compressed form of the
body, the eminently large eyes, the large and distinct
scales, and the ])lain colour of the body.

The greatest deptli of the body, which in this
species occurs Ix'tween the beginning of the .second
dorstil tin and the vent, is in young specimens about
equal to the length of the head, but in old somewhat
greater, thus varying between 19', and 24^ ^, % of the
lenfftli of the body. The greatest breadth (thickness)
is aliout etpial to half the greatest depth or somewhat
less, and \\e liave never found it to be tjuite so much as
1 1 ?o of the length of the body, though very nearly so.

The forehead is slightly convex, and curves down-
ward towards the short, blunt, and sloping snout. The

" Sometimes 17, according to Lilljeborg.

'' Sometimes 23, according to Keoyer.

' NlLSSON, according to his own statement, however, had seen a specimen 26 cm. in length.

496

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

length of the head is between about 22' ^ and 23' ^ %
of that of the body. The length of the snout, as in
the Bib, measures about 28 — 30 % of that of the head,
but is ahvavs at least somewhat less than the longi-
tudinal diameter of tlie eyes, though these two mea-
surements may approach each other so closely as to
represent respectively 6'6 and 6*7 % of the length of
the body or 29-6 and 30-1 % of that of the head. The
eves are very large, theii* longitudinal diameter varying
between about 34 and 30 % of the length of the head.
Their position is the same as in the Whiting: but the
distance between them is much less than their dia-
meter. The nasal cavities lie just in fi-ont of the eyes,
and the anterior nostrils are, as it were. cucuUate. The
mouth is turned obliquelv upward, but in other re-
spects resembles that of the Whiting, though the upper
ja^v is not so long in proportion to the lower. The
intermaxillarv teeth form a card, Avhich grows narrower
behind, and contains teeth of uniform size; but in the
outer row we find a few (4 — 6), large, scattered ca-
nines, smaller and more scattered than in the Bib. In
the under jaw, as in the case of the Bib, there are
only two rows of teeth, those in the inner ro^v b(dng
larger and more scattered. On the head of the vomer
the teeth are set in a curve, or a broad angle, open
behind. The tongue is small, sharply rounded, spatu-
late. and free onlv at the extreme margin. Under the
chin we find a fairly long barbel, which is, hoAvever,
shorter than in the Bib. and measures less than the
diameter of the eye. The branchiostegal membrane
is interiorly rather broad and only slightly incised;
the ravs are sometimes 8 in number, but generally, as
in most of the Cods, onlv 7. The branchiostegal mem-
brane is more rounded on the sides of the head than
in the Whiting, with a pointed corner at the top, in
which lies the tip of the gill-cover, here almost imper-
ceptible, but in the Bib more distinct and pungent.

The scales are larger than those of the Whiting.
Tiiey are imbricate, and set in fairly regular rows, but
are looselv attached and deciduous. Thev are thin and
-how regular striations. If we begin to count at the
\ent, and follow an arcuate row of scales to the lateral
line, this row proves to contain about 39 scales. The
scales cover half the caudal fin; and very small ones
may be found covering the bases of the other vertical
fins and the outer surface of the base of the pectoral
fins. The lateral line curves distinctly upwards, as in
the Whiting, and is of similar structure.

The vent lies about opposite the beginning of the
second dorsal fin, and generally a little behind the end
of the first third of the length of the bodj"

The pectoral fins are pointed, of a lancet shape, and
extend a good wav behind the vent, their length being
about 15 — 17 % of that of the bodv. They contain
2 simple ravs and 15 — 17 branched at the tip. The
third and fourth ravs are the longest, the folloAving
ones gradually decreasing in length. The ventral fins
are set just in front of the perpendicular from the base
of the pectoral, are narrow, long, and very pointed,
their length being about 11' ^ — 14' ., % of that of the
body, and extend behind the vent. They are composed
of t) rays, the first two long and simple, with fi-ee tip,
the second longest, and the others gradually diminishing
in length and branched at the tip.

The first dorsal fin begins almost vertically above
the insertion of the pectoral tins, rises into a triangle
Anth rounded apex, and is higher than the second
dorsal, its height being greater than its length at the
base, and measuring about 14' ^ — 1(3 % of the length
of the body, while its length is only 10' ^ — 12 % thereof.
It contains 2 or 3 simple, and fi'om 10 to 12 branched
rays. The third ray is the longest, the others gradu-
ally decreasing in length. The second dorsal fin rises
straight up in front and slopes evenly behind. Its
length is about 25 — 27 % of the length of the body, and
its height about 11^13 % of the latter length. It is
made up of 2 simple, and (generally) 1 9 or 20 branched
ravs, A\-ith the second ray longest. The third dorsal
fin is of the same shape as the second, but much
shorter, though sometimes of the same height. It con-
tains 3 or 4 simple rays and (generally) 16 or 18
branched ones, the first of the latter being the longest
ray in the fin.

The first anal fin is almost exactly analogous to
the second dorsal, but is of somewhat greater extent,
and in young specimens of somewhat greater, in old
of equal or somewhat less height. Its length is about
27 — 31 ?», and its height about 13 — 11 % of the length
of the body. The anterior corner is also much more
rounded, the sixth ray being usually the longest. It
is composed of 5 or 6 simple, and (generally) 20 — 23
branched rays. The second anal fin is of about the
same shape as the third dorsal, which it also resembles
almost exactly in other respects. Its length is about
18—15' 3 % of that of the body, its height about 8—12 %
of the latter length. It contains 3 simple, and (generally)

I'lioH COD.

497

18 or 19 branched rays. The fourth or fifth i-ay is
the longest.

The caudal tin is slightly forked, but when it is
expanded to its full size, the hind margin is quite
straight.

The internal organs show no essential differences
from those of the Whiting, except that the peritoneum
is more densely mottled Avith black, and that the py-
loric appendages are somewhat fewer in number.

During life the Poor Cod is a handsome fish enough,
though its colour is more monotonous than that of most
of its relatives. As is the case with most fishes, the
colour fades soon after death, its brilliancy is lost, and
tlie appearance of the fish is entirely changed. Our
figure (Plate XX1\', fig. 2) is a fairly accurate repre-
sentation of the true colour of the Poor Cod during
life, with all its phases, and we need, therefore, do
little beyond referring the reader to the figure. The
^vho]e of the upper part of the body, above the lateral
line, is of a peculiar, yellowish broAvn colour, which
gradually grows lighter down the sides, with a marked
coppery lustre. The beUy is of a somewhat dark, sil-
vei'v gray, shading distinctly into brassy yellow up the
sides. The fins are rather dark, of the general colour
of the body but lighter at the margin, and like the
body are thickly sti*ewn with fine, black dots.

The Poor Cod (Sw. ghjskoljan or ghjsan, Xorw.
kolje) occurs rather sparingly, though it is not rare,
on the coasts of Scandinavia. Its range is reallv con-
fined to the western islands, from Trondhjem Fjord
south along the coasts of Norway and Bohuslan. In
the Cattegat is goes as far as Kullen and along the
Swedish side of the Sound. Mobius and Heincke state i
that on one occasion, in Xovembei", 1874, three speci- .
mens between 18 and 23 cm. long were taken off
Kiel. On the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland it is
more common, and probably on the north-west coast
of France, though Moreau remarks that he never suc-
ceeded in procuring a specimen thence. S TErsDACHXER
found the species both on the west and east coasts of
the Spanish Peninsula; and, as we shall soon see, there
is scarcely any reason for establishing a specific distinc-
tion between the Poor Cod and the ''capelan^' Avhich

sometimes occurs in enormous numbers on the Medi-
terranean coast of France, and according to Gig.moli
and XiNXi" is common on both sides of Italy.

As the Poor Cod frequents fixed and rather cir-
cumscribed localities, where it collects in companies
and has its true home, our success in finding it de-
pends on our previous knowledge of these localities,
unless we hit upon them by accident. These haunts
of the Poor Cod lie in deep water, at a depth of about
12 — 2t) fathoms, and on a sandy bottom, close to pre-
cipitous shelves of rock. According to the fishermen
it stays here all the year round, and undertakes no
long journeys.

The Poor Cod is said to spawn in the first days
of spring, as in Febniary and March the ovaries are
full. Risso* gives April and May as the months in
which the Mediterranean capelan is full of roe. Though
we have as yet no further trustworthy information of
the manner in which the spawning is performed, we
may assume that the Poor Cod differs only slightlv
in this respect from the other species of the genus.

Neither this fish nor its fry are ever seen close in
shore; and that it does not frequent the littoral region,
under ordinary circumstances at least, is shown by the
fact that it is never taken in the seine. It lives on
small victims, consisting chiefly of ci'ustaceans and
moUusks. Its flesh is fine and of good flavour, and is
consumed in the same way as that of the Whiting.
The insignificant size of the fish renders it better
adapted, however, to be used as bait for the larger Cods.

The only tackle used in Scandinavia in fishing for
the Poor Cod is the hand-line or dorj. By using quite
small hooks and a bait of common mussel, the Poor
Cod may be taken freely, for it both bites readily and
is easily hooked. To ensure success, however, one must
have an accurate knowledge of the haunts of the fish,
and the hook must be held close to the bottom. On
the English and Irish coasts the Poor Cod is taken
pretty frequently in the trawl or in crab and lobster
pots. In the Mediterranean it is caught principally in
the gangui, an engine which in construction and man-
ner of employment is a compromise between the seine
and the trawl. (Fries, S>nTT.)

" See the Italian Catalogue of the Fisheries Exhibition at Berlin in 1880.
* Fad-. Meril.. tome III, p. 226.

5c ant/in aria 11 Fishes.

63

498

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The question still remains whether the Bib and the
Poor Cod are really distinct species. Up to this point
we have followed the o])inion maintained l)y Fkies in
the tbriner edition of this work and the generall}' ac-
cepted one. In most cases too, the characters given in
the above diagnoses should be sufficient to prove the
specific distinction. Steindachner has remarked, how-
ever, that tlie difference in the depth of the body is
merely a character of age". He has also referred to the
same categoi')- the character given by More A u and
GuNTHEK and derived from the distinct separation of
the anal fins in Gadus minutus and their union in G.
Juscus. The length of the snout in proportion to that
of the body affords no constant difference, though it
follows the rule of the changes of gi'owth and is greater
in the larger Bib; and the size of the eyes has been
long since ascertained to undergo a relative diminution
with increasing age. We are further met by the in-

dividual variations. Thus, in the lareest Poor Cod
measured by Kroyer the greatest depth of the bodv,
contrary to the general rule, is at least somewhat greater
than the length of the head; and this variation goes
still further in one of Fries's type-specimens of this spe-
cies which is still preserved in the Royal Museum. In
this specimen, which is 163 mm. long, the greatest
depth of the body is 24 % of its length, while the length
of the head is only 22'/2 % thereof. In the largest spe-
cimen from Christiania Fjord examined by Collett, the
length of the head was somewhat less than 22 % of the
length of the body, but the greatest depth very nearly 26%.
The natural connexion between the forms is best
illustrated, ho^vever, by a reference to the average
changes of gro^vth in the relations Avhich apparently
show constant differences. Partly on this account, and
partly instead of a fuller description of the Bib, we
here give the following table.

in % of tlie length of the I)ody

1' M 5)
U V 5?
)1 )) Tl

,1 )1 ,J

Length of the body expressed in millimetres, ._

,, „ ,, head

Distance Ijetween the first dorsal tin and the tip of the snout
,, „ „ second „ „ ,. „ „ ,, „ „

„ ,, ,, third ,, ., ,, „ „ ,, „ „

Length of the base of the third dorsal fiu _

,, ,, „ „ ,. „ first anal „

„ „ ,, pectoral tins

„ „ „ ventral ,,

Longitudinal diameter of the eves

Breadth of the hind extremity of the maxillary bones

„ ,. „ lower jaw

„ in % of the longitudinal diam. of the eye

Breadth of the interorbital space iu % of the base of the third dorsal fiu

Length of the snout in % of that of the base of the first anal fin

Distance between the ventral fins and the beginning of the first anal fin in % of the length of the body

,, ,, ,, ,, ,, „ „ pectoral fin
„ ,, ,, ,, base of the first anal fin

Base of the first anal fin in % of the distance between this lin and the tip of the snout

,. ,, ., second ,, ,, „ „ ., ., base of the first

Least depth of the tail in % of the length of the body _

„ „ „ ,, „ ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ., „ middle rays of ihc caudal fin

snout _

H 1) )1 H ,5 ,» 5, ,,

1? T5 75 „ „ ,1 J, ,)

,• )» T» ?1 ', ,) )? ,)

T» »; }* TJ t) ») •) ,5

'5 )t ,) )5 ,, 7' )1 ,J

,) ,, », T> ,1 V

Average in

Gadus minutus

Sspeciuiens,

)j ») ») >»

»» )> 5» " 1) ), „ „

15 »5 f» >' T1 IT )? 1,

'J f? »' ??

,, „ „ „ distance from the tip of the snout to the hind extremity of the
niaxillarv bones

T) H 11

,, ,, ,, „ length of the lower jaw

„ ,. ,, ,, base of the first dorsal fin .
II V " I! 11 11 •, „ „ ,, ,, ,, third „ „ .
Greatest thickness of the body in % of its leuijth

153

22.9
27.1
37.8
m.h
IG.i)
27.7

15.7

12.1

7.4

2.0

IS.2

28.4

31.3

23.9

15.5

9S.7
55.9
75.1
(51. 3

4.4

51.1
GG.3

40.3

3S..r,

37.2

2(5.0

1(J.6

.specimens

207
23.0
27.5
38.9
63.5
16.1
2i).8

16.2

14.2

7.2

2.4

20.6
33.7
34.4
22.3

15.2

;i5.3

51.9

83.2
53.2

4.7

56.0

71.5

43.3
40.4
43.2
29.6
10. (;

G. luscus

•J specimens

305
24.7
29.6
43.3
66.8
13.0
35.6
18.0

15.G
6.5

2.7

22.7
40.7
43.9

10.9
11.7

65.2
32.8
99.2
44.2
6.U
60.3
84.7

5(1.5

.52.3
51.1
48.2

12.2

Maximum or minimun
in these specimens

G. minntiis

<24

<40

■>15
<32
<17
<15

<2.;
<21
.^35
<.35

>84
>46
<85
>49
<5
<57
<77

<45
<42
<45
<30
<11

G. luscus

>24

>42

<14
>33
>17
>J5

>2.6

>21
>38
;-42

<76
<38
>86
<47
>5
>57
>77

>51
>49
>48
>44
>11

" P>-en KROYtCR's measurements show tlie following re.KiiK in Gadus mhmUis:

Length of the body expressed in millimetres

Greatest depth of the body in % of the length of tLe body .

173
21.4

190
22.3

222

23.:

l'(j()li COD.

499

Throughout this table, whore the nverages in (lU-
(las minutus increase with age, the averages are greater
ill (iadus htsctis than in the former species; and where
tlie averages decrease with age in Gadtis minuftifi, they
are also less in (Iddus Iiisck.s. 'I'hus the two species,
if one chooses to call thcni so, stand in a very intimate
developmental relation to each other; and the gaps be-
tween the maximum and minimum proportions given
al)o\e Avould no doubt liavc l)een tilled in most cases,
if not in all, if we had been enalded to examine
^■ou^lger specimens of Gadus luscus. Between the largest
specimen of Gadus minutus (210 mm. long) in the
possession of the Royal Museum and the smallest
specimen of Gadus luscus (297 mm. long) the gap
is sufficiently wide to admit of considerable changes
of growth.

We have just seen how Gadus naraf/n and G. ffra-
rilis afford the same example of almost identical forms

whose right to the position of independent species may
well be questioned, the resemblance between them being
so close that the existing differences may well be re-
garded as the expression of local variations. The case
is the same here. The true home of the l»ib evidently
lies round the British coasts, for to the north and south
it becomes rarer and rarer, the further we go fi-om this
centre; but in Scandinavian waters and, still more fre-
quently, in the Meditei'ranean its juvenile stages occur
with a certain degree of independence in form and
colour. That these younger forms, even in English
waters, should keep apart from the older ones, at dif-
ferent depths and, in most cases, on different bottoms,
coincides with our knowledge of tlie otlicr Codtishes
at different ages. Finally, to judge by the observations
made up to the present, the Mediterranean capelan is
distinguished from the Scandinavian Pooi' C"od only by
its still closer affinity to the Bib.

The following group in the Scandinavian fauna
contains three species, one of which, Gadus Esniarkii,
never attains the same size as the others, and retains
several characteristics in common with their juvenile
stages. Still, it is distinguished from them in several
respects by the distinct direction of its development,
and also by the persistency of the barbel under the chin

even in its adult state. Gadus Esniarkii thus ranges
itself nearer the common origin of all the Cods; and
of the true Coalfishes, the Pollack and the Coalfish, the
latter is the further advanced in those respects in which
all three species show a common direction of development.
This appears most distinctly, according to our investi-
gations, in the following respects:

Average in

Gadus Esmarkii.

Gadus pollachius.

2
ecimens.

speontens. | specimens.

speeii

Gadus virens

.8 I 2
specimens. ! specimens.

Length of the body expressed in millimetres Ill

Least depth of the tail in % of the length of the lower jaw .._ ] 30.1

Length of the snout ,, ., ., ,, ,, ,, ,. ., „ 1 jO-3

173
33.2
53.3

'-'(.14
40. s
56.0

41.1
58.9

1(1.-.
43.7
65.1

300
44.9
G9..1

500

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE COALFISH (sw. grasejen).
GADUS VIRENS.
Plate XXIV, fig. 4.

Lerifjtli of the base of the first anal fin more than half the distance between this fin and the tip of the snout.
Loicer jaw most prominent {though sometimes only slightly), its length being at least ahout 46 % of that of the
head, but less than 13 % of that of the body. Distance between the tip of the snout and the hind extremity of the
maxillary bones at most about 77 %, but at least about 72 %, of the length of the lower jatv, and greater than
the length of the ventral fins, which is less than twice the least depth of the fail, this depth being more flian 36 %
of the length of the loiver jaw, than 35 % of the base of the third dorsal fin or of the length of the pectoral fins,
but less than 80 {76?) % of the least breadth of the interorbital space. Distance between the first dorsal fin and
the tip of the snout at least about 30 % of the length of the body. Length of the snout more than 62 % of that
of the lower jaw, but less than 70 % of the postorbital length of the head. Length of the middle rays of the
caudal fin less than 6^i.^ % of the length of the body. Lateral line only slightly and gradually curved

and of a liqlit colour.

R. hr. 7; Z). 12— 14"! 10— 24ll9— 22; A. 23— 27 ''|20'-— 23;
P. 19—20''; V. G; C. ,r + 23— 28 + .c; Vevt. 54—55.

S]in. Colfisch, Belon, Nat., Div. Poiss. (1555) p. 128.

Asellus niger, Carbonarius (p. 19) et Asellus viresvens (p. 20),
SCHONEV., Jchth. Slesv. Hols. (1624).

Gadus dorso tripterygio, ore imberbi, maxilla inferiore longiore
et linea laterali recta, Art., Gen., p. 20; Spi., p. 34.

Gadus dorso tripterygio, ore imberbi, dorso virescente, Lin.,
Fn. Suec, ed. I, p. Ill; Gron., Act Ups. 1742, p. 90.

Gadus virens, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 253 ; Asc,
Icon. Rer. Nat., cab. Ill, tab. XXIII; MiJLL., Zool. Dan.
Prodr., p. 42; Faber, Fische Isl., p. 99; Nilss., Prodr.
Iclitli. Scand., p. 43; Schagerstr., Physiogr. Siillsk. Tidskr.,
p. 301; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 559; Gthr, Vat. Brit.
Mvs., Fish., vol. IV, p. 339; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Cbrist.
1874, Till.Tgsb., p. Ill; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 66; N. Mag.
Naturv. Clirist., Bd. 29, p. 82; Malm (Pollachius), Gbgs,
Boh. Fn., p. 488; Winth. (Gadus), Naturb. Tidskr. Kbbvu,
ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 31; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. I,
p. 293, tab. LXXXIV; Joed., Gilb., Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 16, p. 806; Mob., Hckk, Fisch. Osts., p. 79; Lillj.,
&v., Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. II, p. 83.

Gadus carbonarius, Lin., iS)/si. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 254;
MCll., 1. c, p. 43; Faber, 1. c, p. 96; Nilss., Prodr.,
p. 44; Schaqerstr., 1. c. Dek. (Mcrlangus), N. York Fn.,
part. IV, p. 287, lab. XLV, fig. 144; Kr., Damn. Fisk.,
vol. II, p. 102; Ekstr., v. Wright, (Gadus), Skand. Fisk.,
ed. I, p. 195, tab. 48; Thomps. (Merlangus), Nat. Hist.
Irel, vol. IV, p. 183; Mor., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., torn. Ill,
p. 243 ; Br. Goode (Pollachius), Fisher.^ Fishery Indnstr.
U. &:, Sect. I, p. 228, tab. 60.

Uoliu, Duham., Tr. Pe'ch., part. II, sect. I, p. 125, tab. XXI,

fig. 1.
Gadus purpureus, Mitch., Trans. Lit., Pliil. Soc. N. York,
vol. I, p. 370; (?) Dek., 1. c, p. 286, tab. XLV, fig. 147;
Storer (Merlangus). Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, Sc, n. ser.,
vol. VI, p. 358, tab. XXVIII, fig. 3.
Gadus leptocephaltis, Dek., 1. c. p. 288, tab. XLV, fig. 14(>.
Obs. Even Fabee (1. c.) suspected that tbe Linna?an species
Gadus virens and G. carbonarius, distinguislied originally by Schone-
velde (1. c), were merely different stage.s of growtli of the same
species, the younger Green Cod (^virens) ligliter in colour than tbe
older Coalfish (carbouaritis). Fries, however, to the best of our know-
ledge, was the first (see the 1st Ed. of this work, p. 77) positively
to maintain the correctness of this opinion. Kroyer (1. c.) has since
given the fullest possible elucidation of this question.

The Coalfish (Sw. Sej, or, as it is most frequently
called, Grdsej, to distinguish it from the next species,)
even in Scandinavia attains a length of more than a
metre'"; but the smaller specimens which are most com-
mon in the island-belt of Bohuslfln, are between 20 and
30 cm. long.

The body is of a handsome form, tapering at both
ends, plump, somewhat compressed, and .so deep that
the greatest depth, which occurs at the end of the first
dorsal fin, is between ^/g and V4 of the total length of
the body. The thickness, measured at the same point,
is aljout half the depth. The least depth of the body,
just in front of the caudal fin, is on an average only

" Sometimes 15, according to Kroyer.

' ,, 29, ,, ,, LlLLJEBORG.

' „ 18, ,, ,, Ekstr6m.

'' ., 21, „ „ Keoyer.

' The largest specimen Malm obtained on tlic coast of Bohuslan was ll'.^ dm. long. The largest specimen that Kroyer ever saw,
vas of tlie same length (44 Dan. inches).

COAI.FISU.

501

slightly more than 5 % of its length. Tlie hack as well
as the belly is ratlier thick and convex throvighont its
length.

The head is of" a pointed, cuneit'orni shape and
middle-sized, its length being in young Coaltish about
26 %, in adult ones 24— '23\'2 %, of the length of the
body. In young specimens the eyes are fairly large,
measuring nearly '4 of the length of the head, Ijut in
older ones this proportion sinks almost to \. They
are set so high that the line di"awn from the tip of tlie
snout to the middle of the caudal tin cuts the eye into
two equal parts. The distance between the eyes, which
is about 7 % of the length of the body, may be equal
in young specimens to the length of the snout; but in
older specimens the distance between the eye and the
tip of the snout grows distinctly longer, though it never
exceeds ^ ^ of the least breadth of the interorbital
space. The nasal cavities — each Avith its pair of round
nostrils set close to each other, the posterior larger than
the anterior, which is slightly cucullate — lie in young
Coalfish twice, in older ones nearly three times, as far
from the tip of the snout as from the eye. The mouth
is only slightly cleft. The jaws are of almost the same
length in young Coallish, but during growth the tip of
the loAver jaw advances more and more. In full-grown
Coaltish there is generally no barbel under the chin,
but in young specimens, and sometimes in old, hei'e as
in the Whiting, a small barbel is present (see Day's
figure for example). The teeth in the maxillary cards
are small and of almost uniform size, those in the outer-
most roAv being slightly larger than the rest. In the
lo\ver jaw they are set in two rows in front and in one
behind. On the head of the vomer there are two rows,
set in an obtuse angle open behind. The gill-covers
are sm(3oth, \\\\\\ the several bones so closely united
that they apparently form a single whole: t!ie margin
is rounded and smooth. The operculum has a l)lunt
tip, set high above the l)ase of the pectoral tin. The
gill-openings are large. A broad strip of the bran-
chiostegal membrane of one side of the body is united
to that of the other side, Iving across the isthmus, but
not attached to the latter. The gill-rakers are pectinal
in the outer roAv on the first branchial arch, in the
other rows more tubercular and scattered, though rather
high. The tongue is smooth and white, with dark
edges and broad tip.

The body, cheeks, and face, and the bases of the
fin-ravs are covered with fine, imbricated scales. The

lateral line is almost straight, begins at the upper mar-
gin of the gill-ojjening, slopes slightly downward along
the bod}-, and advances along the middle of the sides
of the tail.

The vent lies at a distance from the tip of the
snout equal to about 36 — 39 % of the length of the body.

The first dorsal fin is, as usual, short and in front
high \\\\\\ rounded corner. Its base measures about lO'/g
— 13 % of the length of the ])ody, and its height about
9 '4 — 12 % thereof. It begins about half-way between
the perpendiculars from the insertion of the ventral fins
and from the anal apertui-e, at a distance fi-om the tip
of the snout measuring between about 32 % (sometimes
30"2 %) and 33 % of the length of the body. It usually
contains 12 or 13 rays, the first two simple, the others
branclied at the tip. The second and longest dorsal fin,
the base of which measures about 19 — 21' 2 % of the
length of the body, is highest in front, sometimes even
iiigher than the preceding fin, and veiy sloping. It begins
in young Coalfish almost vertically above the beginning
of the first anal fin, in older specimens a little farther
back. It is usually made up of 20 rays, the first two
simple, the others branched. The third dorsal fin re-
sembles the second in shape, but is much shorter, its
base measuring about 13 or 14 % of the length of the
body, and much lower, its height being about 6 or 7 %
of the length of the body. It is also composed in most
cases of 20 ra}s, the first three of which are sim])le.

The first anal fin resembles the second dorsal, and
the distance bet-\\'een it and the tip of the snout is
about 42 — 44 % of the length of the body. The length
of its base, which relatively decreases during growth,
measures about 32 — 27 % of that of the body. It
usually contains 25 — 27 rays, the first five simple and
shorter than the sixth, which is the longest and, like
the following rays, branched at the tip. The second
anal fin is analogous to the third dorsal, and is gener-
ally composed of 21 or 22 rays, the first three
simple and shorter than the fourth, which is longest
and, like the rest, branched at the tip.

The caudal fin is deeply forked, with pointed lobes.
The length of its middle rays is only slightly more
than, or even equal to. the least depth of the tail.

The pectoral fins, the length of which is about
14 — 13 % of that of the body, are set high and obli-
quely pointed, but rounded at the tip. They are made
up of about 20 rays, the uppermost two simple. The
ventral fins are very small, their length being about

502

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

7 ' ., or 7 % of that of tlie body, and pointed, with tlie
second ray hiiigest l)ut onlj' slightly longer than the
first and thii'd. Their insertion, which moves forward
during growtli, to a point about 16 or 19 % of the
length of the body distant from the beginning of the
tirst anal fin, thus lies eventually in front of the per-
jiendicular from the tip of the gill-covei'. Tlie first
rwo rays are simple.

The internal organs, of which Schageijstkom" has
given a minute description, are almost like those of its
congeners. The only differences are that, as in the next
species, tlie right lobe of the liver is oidy slightly
shorter than the left, and the pyloric appendages are
also extremely numerous.

The coloration, which alters to some extent witli
age, is darker in old Coalfish than in young. As a
rule the back and the upper part of the head are dark
olive-green. This colour grows lighter downwards, the
sides a little below the lateral line', which is white and
in front almost moniliform, being yellowish gray. Still
lower down the sides turn white, the belly and the
under surface of the head being silver-gray or, at the
very bottom, milk}' white. All the fins are of a plain,
(lark olive-gray, except the anal fins, which are white
at the base, and the ventral, which are reddish white.
The forehead, the snout, and the lips are black, the
inside of the mouth in old specimens black, in young
gray, and the tongue always ^vhite with black edges'.
The iris is silvery, with a dark or reddish tinge.

The Coalfish is a North Atlantic species, whose
true geographical range essentially coincides with that
of the Cod, but must probably be regarded as of a
rather more southern character. It is ti-ue that, accord-
ing to Day, this fish ^vas the only one found by Lord
MuLGRAVE on the shores of Spitzbergen, that Captain
SiMONSEN is said in 1872 to have obsei'ved enormous
numbers of Coalfish there in Green Harbour'', and that
Captain LindstkOm stated to Maemgken that he had
taken both Haddocks and Coalfish oft' the south point

of Spitzbergen. But none of the numerous Swedish
Expeditions to Spitzbergen or the Norwegian Arctic
Expedition found a single Coalfish there. The species
is probal)ly ver}' rare on tlie coast of Greenland as
well, for Fabkicius never observed it in person. More
recently, however, it has been forwarded thence, ac-
cording to Reinhahdt'', to Copenhagen Museum; and
during Parry's first voyage the fry of the Coalfish
were found, it is stated, on the west coast of Davis'
Strait. ( )n the other hand, the Coalfish is common
from the Murman coast and Finmark, Iceland and
Newfoundland, on the American coast south to Massa-
chusetts, and on the European coast to France. There,
ho^vever, according to Moreau, it grows rare south of
the Loire (47° N. lat.) and is only occasionally met
with in the Bay of Biscay, wliile on the other side of
the Atlantic, according to Dekay, the extreme southern
limit of its geographical range is oft' New York (40°
N. lat.). Caxestrixi-'^ includes the Coalfish among the
Mediterranean forms on the south coast of Italj^; but
GiGLiOLi' states that he had never seen an Italian spe-
cimen, and neither Duiiamel nor Morkau give it among
the ^lediterranean fishes of France, nor did Steindach-
NER find it on the coasts of the Spanish Peninsula. In
Scandinavian waters the Coalfish is largest and most
common on the Norwegian coast all the Avay to Fin-
mark. In the north of the Cattegat the older speci-
mens become rarer, though young Coalfish are found,
in certain years at least, in fairly large numbers. Oft'
Kullen the species is common all the year round, but
only sometimes enters the Sound, according to l)oth
NiLSsON and Schagerstrom. Schonevelde describes it
from the east coast of Schleswig-Holstein, and Walbaum
furnished Bloch'' ^vith specimens from Liibeck; but in
recent times it has not been found there'. Farther up
the Baltic it has never been met with.

The Coalfish is less voracious tlian the Cod, if we
may judge by the fact that its food seems to consist
chiefly of small fishes and crustaceans. The Capelin

" Vet.-Akad. Hantll. 1831, p. 149.

' V. Wright's figure apparently shows Ihat in tlie living iish the lateral line may be of the same colonr as the body, in young spe-
cimens at least.

"^ According to Collett (N. Mng. f. Naturv., 1. c.) SpAniiE-ScHNElDER received on behalf of Tromso Museum a Coalfish that was quite
red, like a Hehastes.

'' Pelerni. Gcogr. Milth. 1872, p. 463; Heuglin Reisen n. d. Nordpolarmccr 1870—71, vol. 3, p. 221.

" D. Vid. Selsk. Naturv. og Math. Afh., 7:de Decl, pp. 115 and 128.

■'' Fauna d'ltnlia, Pesci, p. 155.

'J Espos. intern, di Pesca in Bcrlino 1880, Sez. Ital. Cat., p. 96.

'' Fische Deutsddands, II, p. 166.

' See MGbius and Heixckk, 1. c.

COAI.KISII.

503

{Mallofiis rlliiisiis) Miirl Ilerriiii:', the fry of the Cod,
and a siii;dl crustacean {Thysavopoda ivcrmis), which
according to Saks (Indl)eretning for Aaret 1874) also
forms the food of tlie blue whale {Bakrnoptera Sihiuihlii)
on the coast of Fininark, seem to guide the wanderings
of the Coalfish in search for food. In April it ap-
proaches the const of Finmark, and arrives there, saj's
CoLLETT, in Mil extremely lean condition, probably after
the spawning, but soon puts on tiesh wlien it has
feasted a short time on Capelin. There is tumult and
disturbance at the surface of the sea wlien tiic shoals
of Coalfish chase their prey, witli a S])lashing and lash-
ing in the water like the noise of the sharpest hail-
storm. In summer the shoals assemble at the spots
where the "kril" {Tliysunopoda wermis) are collected
hx the ciuTcnts. Sars" describes from eyesight how
tlie Coalfish prey upon the Cod fry. '"It was a regular
battue, the hunt almost seeming to be pursued in
common and on jireconcerted lines. So far as I could
judge, the plan was as follows. The Coalfish sur-
rounded the fVv on all sides, and by drawing the circle
closer and closer drove them together in a dense mass,
wliich thcv then proceeded by a sudden manoeuvre to
chase uj) to^\•ards the surface. The wretched victims
thus found themselves attacked on both sides: under-
neath the}- had the voracious Coalfish, which in the
excitement of the chase often leapt high out of the
water, and above them hovered hundreds of sci'eaming
gulls, which with marvellous swiftness and unerring
aim watched their time and swooped down at the spots
where the Coaltish appeared, to seize their share of the
prey. ' The Ccmlfish is just as eager in its pursuit of
the Herring; and during the Herring-fishery in Bohus-
liin it has been known in its rapacity to rush up on
dry land.

The difference between old and young Coaltish
is not confined to the coloration, but also extends to
tlieir habits, and the fishermen of all nations have,
therefore, given them a number of different names''.
Ill Bohusliin the old Coalfish are known as Sej, Grdsej
((iray Coalfish), or Grdsik. At this age they prefer
deep water Avith a rockv bottom, and hardly ever come
close in shore. The young, which are called SmdspJ

(Small Coalfisli) and Kdller, choose their haunts in tlie
fjords and in shallow \\ater. The whole life of this
fish, however, as well as the form of its bodv, is a
blending of the characters of the Cod and the Mackerel.
Both large and small Coalfish, esjiecially the latter,
show traces of the activity of the Mackerel. In sum-
mer, among the islands, the j'oung specimens are seldom
seen at the bottom, but generally swim in mid-water,
roving along the shores in large shoals, especially
where there is a current, in wliich case they keep to
the surface and often leap high above it.

In the Cattegat, according to Ekstrom, the Coal-
fish spawns in spring, at the end of March or begin-
ning of April. In Massachusetts Bay Eakll found the
spawning-season to be in November and December. In
a female 3 ft. 3 in. long and 23'/, lbs. in weight he
estimated the number of the eggs at about 4 million,
and in another female '2 ft. 8', 2 in. long and 13 lbs.
in weight, at about 2*2 million. In BohuslJin the frv,
aliout 60 mm. long, appear along the shores in July;
and in May Malm saw a large shoal of Coalfish of the
second year, about 2 dm. in length, taken oft' Hellevik-
strand. In the stomach of one of these young speci-
mens, which was 22 cm. long, he found 77 Herring-fry,
each about 40 mm. in length. At the approach of
winter the young Coalfish rejiair to deep water.

The old Coalfish are taken, like the Cod, with
hand-lines (dorj) and long-lines and in gill-nets. The
young specimens are caught in the seine and, in Nor-
way, in the sack-net (Syckenot). a square seine which
is allowed to sink, and is drawn straight up by four
boats, each wh\\ a line attached to one of the four
corners of the net, as soon as the shoal of Coalfish
which has been observed, is over it.

The Coalfish is sometimes salted in the same way
as the Cod. but is of less value when cured in this
manner. It is generally dried. Tlie voung specimens
are eaten fresh, or salted and consumed by the poor.
The dried Coalfish which is sold under the name of
Stockfish (i. e. dried on poles, stock = stick), is known
in the north of Scandinavia as Bofskar, and is prei)ared
as follows. The fish is killed and gutted, and then
split along the back and belly, so far down towards

" ludberetiiins: for 1866 og 1867.

*■ Hardly any fish has borne so many different names according to age and locality. Brown-Goode (1. c.) enumerates 52 different
names for tlie Coalfish in various parts of England. In Norway, according to NlLSSO.N, the Coalfish is called Mort until it is 15 cm. long.
Pale, while its length is between about 22 and 44 cm. (i. e. in its second and third years); and does not bear the name of Sfj until its
fourth year.

504

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

rhe tail tliat only one or t\vo vertebi'i\3 of the spine
;ire left, at the base of the caudal tin, where the skin
keeps the two halves together. It is tlien hung up on
poles, and left there till perfectly dry, when the stock-
tisli is ready.

To the Norwegian fisherman the Coalfish is of no
small importance. According to Collett 2 or 3 mil-

lion kgm. of dried Coalfish are annually exported from
Norway, chiefly to Sweden and Finland; and in Fin-
mark .30 or 40 thousand barrels (100 or 140 thousand
bushels) of fresh Coalfish are bought up for the Rus-
sian market.

(Ekstkom, Smitt.)

THE POLLACK (sw. lyrtorsken).
GADUS POLLACHIUS.

Plate XXIV, fig. 3.

Lenfitli of the base of the first anal fin more than half the distance betireeu this fin a)id the tip of the snout.
Lotrer Jan' most prominent, its length heinc] at least about 55 % of that of the head and, as a ride, more than
14 % of that of the body. Distance between the tip of the snout and the hind extremity of the maxillary bones
at most ((bout 70 % of the length of the loicer jaw, but f/re(der than the lenytJi of the rentrcd fins, which, is at
most "/j (f the least depth of the tail or even less than it. Least depth of the tail more than 86 % of the length
of the lower jaiv, than 40 % of the base of the third dorsal fin or of the length of the pectorcd fins, or than 85 %
of the least breadth of the interorbital space. Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout at
lc((st about SO % of the length of tJie body. Length of the snout less thcin (12 % of tlwd of tJie loirer jaw, but
at least about 70 %" of the postorbitcd length of the head. Length of the middle rays of the caudal fin more
than 6'V2 % of that of the body. Lateral line arcuate in front and of a dark colour.

R. br. 7; D. 11 — IS'll?"^— '21|16'' — 20; .4. 27*— ;-5l|l8/— 20;
P. 17!'— 10; V. 6; V. ,!• + 25— 29 + .r; Vert. 53 1. 54.

^yi- Aselltts jiacescens, Schonev., Ichth. Slesv. Hols., p. 20, No. 9,
.^sellus Hiiitiiigo Pollachius, Wjllughby, Hist. Pise, p. 167;
Gadus No. 3, Art. Ichth., Gen. p. 20; Syn., p. 35; Lyr-
bleck, Lin., It. Westrog, p. 177; Lyr, Strum, iSdndm. Beskr.,
part. I, p. 294; Lieu, Duh., Tr. Peek., part. II, sect. I,
p. 121, tab. XX.
Gadus Pollachius, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 254;
Fii. Suec, ed. II, p. 112, OsB. (Lerhleking), Vet.-Akad.
Handl. 1707; p. 245, tab. VII: Retz., Fii. Suec. Lin.,
p. 321; NiLSS., Pi'odr. Ichthyol. Scand., p. 43; Fb. et v. Wr.,
Skand. Fi.ik., ed. I, p. 89, tab. 20; Kii. {Merlancjus),
Danm. Fiskc, vol. II, p. 123; NiLss. (Gadus), Skand. Fn.,
Fisk. p. 662; Thomps., Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 183;
Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mus. Fish., vol. IV, p. 338; Steixd.,
Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wieu, Math. Naturw. CL, Bd. LVII, i
(1868), p. 706; Coll. Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., 1874, Til-
lii'gsh., p. Ill; N. Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884)
p. 82; WiNTH., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. Ill, vol. XII,
1>. 30; MoR. (Merlangus), Hist. Nat, Poiss. Fr.. torn. Ill,
p. 241; Day, (Gadus), Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 296,

tab. LXXXIII, fig. 2; MoB., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 80; Stoem,

Nor.sk. Vid. Selsk. Skr. (Trondhj.) 1883, p. 34; Lillj., .Su.,

Norg. Fn., Fisk., vol. 11, p. 92.
Gadus lycostomus, Faeer, Tidskr. Naturv. Kbhvn, vol. 5 (1828),

pp. 215 et 251 (vide Kroyer, 1. c).
Pollachius Linnei, Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 487.

The Pollack, according to Moreau, sometimes
attains a length of as much as 13 dm.; but it is ge-
nerally smaller than the preceding species, and the
largest Pollacks taken in Scandinavian Avaiers are sel-
dom more than between 45 and 60 cm. long. The
bod}', which is deepest at the vent, tapers from this
point both forward and backward. The back is mo-
derately convex, and is furnished in old Pollacks with
a small longitudinal depression or groove just in front
of the first dorsal fin. The bell}' is rounded in front
of the vent, but somewhat carinated behind it. The
sides are moderately convex, the greatest breadth (thick-

" Usually 72—78 %.

* Sometimes 14, according to Kroyer.

II 15, ,, ,, ,,

'' „ 15, „ ,, Day.

23.
■' 16

'J „ 16, ,, ,, Kroyer.

I'OLI.AfK.

505

iiess) being about half tho doptli. la old Pollacks the
greatest depth of the body is '22 — 25 % of its length,
in young ones about 19 or 20 %. The head, the length
of which is about 25 or 2(5 % of that of the body, is
of a handsome, cuneiform sha])e, with depressed fore-
head, sloping quite evenly to the lii'oad, rounded tip
of the snout, which is quite thin and low. The sides
of the head are flat, and almost parallel right out to
the snout.

The louver jaw is always distinctly longer than
the upper, somewhat pointed, and is the extreme tip
of the wedge formed by the head \vhen the jaws are
closed. The length of each lirauch of the lower jaw
is between about \\ % (in Aoung specimens sometimes
slightly less) and ISVa ^'' of the length of the l)ody or
about 57 — 60 % of that of the head. The upper jaw
is not protruded when the mouth is opened; and when
the mouth is closed, the maxillary bones are almost
entirely concealed by the labial fold that unites the
margin of the snout to the suborbital ring. The hind
extremity of the maxillary bones extends to the per-
pendicular from the anterior margin of the eye, and
lies at a distance from the tip of the snout equal to
about 10 .1/ of the length of the body or 65—70 % of
that of the lower jaw.

Fine, pointed teeth of uniform size are set in a
card on the intermaxillary bones and in a simple or
(in front) double row in the lower jaw and on the
head of the vomer. The tongue is of an oblong, tri-
angular shape, rather soft, and with long, free tip.
The branchiostegal membranes of both sides of the body
are united inferiorly into a free fold, so broad that the
margin at the middle extends almost to a line with'
the hind extremity of the lower jaw.

The eyes are round, and measure ^'j — ','5 of the
length of the head, according to the age of the speci-
men. Their position is such that the line drawn along
the middle of the body to the tip of the upper jaw
passes somewhat above the centre of the pupil, which
lies a little in front of the middle of the head. The
length of the snout is Ijetween about 75 % (sometimes
70 %) and 78 % of the postorbital length of the head.
The distance between the eyes is about 65 — 75 % of
the length of the snout, and in young Pollacks is less,
in old greater, than the longitudinal diameter of the eyes.
The nostrils are set in the last third of the length of
the snout. The hind margin of the anterior nostril on
each side is raised into a cucullate dermal flap, which

Scandinavian Fishes.

may be dropped forward like a lid over the small
aperture. The posterior nostril is larger, but without
any elevation of the margin.

The whole head, with the exception ot the jaws,
is covered with scales, though these scales are smaller
than those of the body. In old and middle-aged Pol-
lacks the length of the head is about 25 or 26 % of
that of the body, in very small specimens .somewhat
greater.

The body is entirely covered with small, thin, and
imbricated scales, set very densely and firmly attached
to the skin. These scales are, however, indistinct until
the skin is partly dry, or the slime has been removed.
The lateral line is of exactly the same structure as in
the Whiting, and forms the same upward curve from
behind, below the second dorsal fin.

The anal aperture is situated a little behind the
end of the first third of the length of the body, below
the last third of the pectoral fins, or somewhat behind the
perpendicular from the beginning of the first dorsal fin.

The top of the insertion of the pectoral fins lies
half-wav up the body. These fins are rounded at the
tip and contain 2 simple and (generally) 17 Ijranched
rays. The -whole base is covered with scales. The
ventral fins are still smaller than in the Coalfish, their
length being about 672 ^ of that of the body, and
varying to such an extent that in young Pollacks it is
about half, in old considerably less than halt, of the
distance between their insertion and the beginning of
the anal fin, a distance which increases Avith age from
about 13 or 12 % to nearly 16 :?5 of the length of the
body. They are set somewhat in front of the pectoi'al
fins, and are made up, as usual, of 6 rays, the first
two simple or the second indistinctly cleft, the others
branched at the tip. None of these rays has a long,
free tip, and the third ray is the longest.

The three dorsal fins are of normal structure,
rather thick, and covered with scales. The first begins
at a distance from the tip of the snout measuring 33
or 34 ?o of the length of the body, and the length of
its base is about 9 — 11 % of the same length. The
first two or three rays are simple, but soft at the tip,
and the third or fourth ray is the longest, its length
in young Pollacks being usually rather more, in old
rather less, than the postorbital length of the head.
The fin-membrane is entirely covered with rather fine
scales out to the margin. The second dorsal fin be-
^ns at a distance from the tip of the snout equal to

64

506

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

about 42 — 47 % of the length of the bod_y, and its
base measures about 17\,,^ — 20V'2 of the same length.
It is generally somewhat lower than the first dorsal
fin, and only the first ray is simple. The second and
tliird i-ays are tlie longest. The distance between the
beginning of the third dorsal fin and the tip of the
snout is about 66 — 69 % of the length of the body,
and the length of its base about 13 or 14 % thereof.
The first three or four rays are simple, and the third,
fourth, and fifth the longest, measuring about 10 — 7 %
of the lengtli of the body.

The membrane of the anal fins is also covered
\vith scales. The first anal fin begins at a distance

traces of it are visible, and after death it disappears
altogether. All the fins, except the venti'al, are of the
broAvn colour of the Ijack, and the dorsal fins are
adorned with more or less distinct flame-yellow stripes
or spots. The ventral fins, especialh* in young Pol-
lacks, are of a bright j'ellowish colour. The lateral line
is greenish. The iris is silvery, with a fairly broad,
yellowish-ljrown ring surrounding a very narrow, lighter
ring which l)ounds the pupil.

The vent lies at about the middle of the alido-
minal cavity. The peritoneum is silverv. The aii--
bladder is very long, longer tlian the abdominal cavity,
its hind extremity penetrating into tiie passage formed

from the tip of tiie snout of between about 36 and by the do^\•nward processes (haemal arches) of the caudal

nearly 40 % of the length of the body, and its base
measures about 30 — 31 ^/^ % thereof. The first six rays
are simple, the seventh and eighth the longest, in young-
Pollacks about equal in length to the distance between
this fin and the ventral fins, in old much less, some-
times no more than 11\/., % of the length of the body.
The second anal fin is as usual analogous to the third
dorsal both in length and in height. Its first four rays
are simple, and the fifth rav is the longest.

The caudal fin is perfectly truncate at the margin
when exjjanded, l)ut at other times slightly forked.

The lenath of its middle ravs is about 7 or 7

1/

of

that of the body, and always greater than the least
deptli of the tail, which measures about 78 — 90 % of
the former length. This fin is also entirely covered
with fine scales.

Thouii'h the coloration of the Pollack is highlv
variable, it is still to some extent characteristic. The
liack is of a dark, olive-brown colour, which is sharply
set off by a distinct line of demarcation from the silver-
gra-v or !dnminium colour of the belly and sides. This
line runs quite straight, as though it were dra^vn with
a ruler, from the upper corner of the gill-opening to
the bottom of the upper third of the Itase of the caudal
fin. The ground-coloiu- is di\ersified by a coarse-
UH'shcd, irregular network of a dark, flame-yellow co-
lour, which varies in dift'erent specimens, being faint
or distinct, continuous or re])laced by spots. As a-
rule this network appears in middle-aged specimens as
shown in the figure. In young specimens it is much
lighter and more distinct, while in older ones only

vertebra?. With these exceptions there is no difference
^vorthy of mention between the internal oi'gans of this
species and those of the preceding one.

The geographical range of the Pollack is still more
restricted than that of the Coalfish. It belongs to the
north-east of the Atlantic, and hardly penetrates into
the Arctic (_)cean, though solitarv specimens ai-e some-
times taken even in \'aranger Fjord and Ox Fjord in
the north of Fiiunark. ("ollett places the northern
boundary of its true habitat in the neighbourhood of
Trondhjem. To the South, hoAvever, there is better
evidence of its occurrence than of that of the Coalfish
on the coast of the Spanish Peninsula, where Stein-
DACHNER found it to be common off Galicia, but rarer
on the coast of Portugal. ( )n the Fnglish coast, ac-
cording to Buckland", the Pollack is "one of the com-
monest fish, and is found on all our coasts where the
nature of the ground is suitable to its habits. Its
haunts are upon rocky ground, and at no great distance
from the land." This statement also apj)lies to every
rockv part of the west coast of France; but the Pollack
has been observed even on the sandy coast of Holland,
though, like the Coalfish, only on rare occasions''.

On the west coast of Sweden the Pollack is known by
several names, e. g. Blaiiksej, SeJIi/ra, Plank, Li/rhkcky
Leihleking etc., and in Norway it is called Liji- and
Li/rtorsk. It is fairly common on the south coast of
Norwav as well as in Bohuslan, in ])art of Halland,
and off Kullen. It is taken there plentifully, especially
during the summei- months. It is "spread over all the
Danish waters," according to Winthek; and is sold in

« .Xiit. llisl. Di-it. Finh., p. H»0.

'■ See Van Bemmelen in Hrrklots, Bouustoffen voor ecne Fwtiia i:aii NcderlKtid, Peel. Ill, p. 352.

rOLLACK.

507

tlic iiiarket-])lace of Kiel under tlie name of "Spanish
Salmon, ' according to MuBirs and IIeincke, who place
the bound:ir\' of its extensi(jn in the Baltic off the
coast of Mecklenburg. A solitaiy specimen of the
I'ollack, '2'.) cm. in length, is stated by NiLSSON to have
been taken in the Baltic off Esperod, nortii of Cimris-
liamn, near Kivik". This specimen was taken in an
Eel-pot, on the 2.5tli of September. With this excep-
tion tlie Pollack is mdcnown on the Baltic coast of
Sweden and off Bornholm.

Tlie largest specimens are taken in summer, when
the Pollack enters the island-belt of Bohuslan in shoals,
and ])ursues tlie fry of other fishes, especially of the
Herring {s/Uiiuir). Among these it makes great havoc,
ascending right up to the surface to seize them. Du-
ring these assaults of the Pollack one may continually
see whole bodies of Herring-fr-\- thi-ow themselves out
of the ^\•ater to escape their enemy, who in his turn
follows their example to make sure of his prey. From
the disturbance and the noise thus caused at the sur-
face, the fisherman easily remarks the approach of the
Pollack, and is never disappointed of a good haul when
the seine is shot on these occasions.

As long as the Herring-fry remain on the coast,
tlie Pollack stays there too; but ^vhen they depart, it
speedily retires into deeper water. Young Pollacks
are, however, found along tlie shores periodically, at
longer or shorter intervals, all the autumn and even
at the beginning of winter: Imt these specimens are
never taken in so large numliers as the older ones
during tlie summer months.

The Pollack seems to lie the least \"oracious of its
congeners. Its food is composed of small marine ani-

mals and especially of Herring-fry. In the island-belt
of Boluisliln it is at least exceptional that a Pollack
should be taken on an}' of the lines there in use. It
has long Ijeen known, however, that the Pollack is not
always deficient in the voracity that characterizes the
Cods in general, but sometimes freely takes a liook.
Thus, tlie Pollack is taken at certain spots and in cer-
tain seasons, both on the French'' an<l f^nglish' coasts,
witli a kind of running-line from a row-boat or a sail-
ing boat. A bait of Sand-eels is best, though artificial
bait may also be used.

The spawning-season of the Pollack is said, like
that of the Whiting, to occur in winter.

Among all the common species of the genus the
Pollack is the least esteemed in Scandinavia, no great
value being set upon its flesh, \\liich is undeniably
rather dry and, like that of the Coalfish, requires care-
ful preparation to render it palatable. Still it is eaten
everywhere where this fish occurs, parti}- fresh, and
partly salted or dried.

The only engine in which Pollacks are taken in
any quantity on the coast of Bohuslan, is the seine.
The fishery is not equally productive every year, how-
ever, this depending on the greater number of Pollacks
that enter the inlets in certain years, from the causes
described above. Instances are known of the catch of
a hundred large Pollacks at a single haul of a very
small seine, and half a boat-load has often been taken
in a ]\Iackerel-seine. Only slight attention is paid,
however, to this fishery, and it is pursued onl}' when
time admits.

(Fries, S.mitt.)

" Esperod is a coiumon place-name in Scania. One place of this name lies near Hiiganas. NlLSSON evidently refers to the one adopted
in the text, but a confusion is perhaps not impossible.
'' See DuHAMEL. 1. c, p. 120, pi. XXI, tig. 3.
"" Day, 1. c. p. 298.

508

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

NORWEGIAN WHITING POLLACK (sw. hvitlinglyka.)

GADUS ESMARKII.

PI. XXVII, A, fig. 1, and Fig. 122.

Lewjth of the base of the first anal fin more than half the distance between this fin and the tip of the snout.
Lower jaw most prominent, its length beinf/ at trast about 52 % of tliat of tlie head, bat Jess than 14 % of that
of the bod[). Distance between the tip of the snout and the hind extremitij of the maxillary bones at most about
82 %" of tlic length' of the lower Jaw, and in adult specimens less than the length of the ventral fins, which is
at least twice the least depth of the tail. Least depth of the tail less than 35 % of the length of the lower jaWy
than 25 % of the base of the third dorsal fin, or than 27 % of the length of the pectorcd fins. Distance betiveen
the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout at most about 28 % of the length of the body. Length of the snout
less than ()2 {50?) % of that of the lower Ja/r. Length of the middle rays of the caudal fin more than 6^2 ^
of that of the body. Lateral line durii {though not very distinct) and anteriorly slightly curved.

Fig. 122. Gadus Esmarkii, natural size. From Stronistad Fjorrl, Sept., 1888. C. A. H.\SSSON.

R. hi: 7; D. U — 16123''— 26i24''— 27; .1. 26— 30|24— 38;
P. 10; V. 6; V. ,r + 20— 24 + .r ; VeH. 52.

t'Sijn. Gadus iiiinutus, Esm. (nee Lin.), Forli. Skand. Naturf. M. Christ.
1844, p. 231; Malm (Boreogadus), Gbgs, Boh. Fii, p. 486.
Gadus Esmarkii, Nii.ss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 565; Gthh,
Uat. Brit. Mus., Fisli., vol. IV, p. 337; Coll., Forh. Vid.
Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilla^gsh., p. 109; N. Mag. Natiirv.
Christ, Bd 29 (1884), p. 81; Cedehstr., 6fvers. Vet.-Akad.
Fiirh. 1876, No. 4, p. 66; Storm, Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skr.
(Trondhj.) 1883, p. 34; Lill.i., Sv., Norg. Fn., Fisk.,
vol. 2, p. 98.

Gadus Esmarkii (Sw. h villi ngly ra'' = Whiting Pol-
lack), like the Poor Cod, is one of the smallest Scan-
dinavian species of this genus, and hardly attains the

same size as the lattci'. Our largest specimen from
Bohuslan is a little under 19 cm. in length, but Collett
gives 240 mm. as the maximum length of this species
witliin liis experience. Tlie form of the body is more
elongated and thinner than in the Pollack or the Coal-
fish, the greatest depth varying between about 17 and
19' 4 % of the length of the body, and the greatest thick-
ness between 9 and 10 % of the latter. The least depth
of the body, just in front of the caudal fin, is hardly
more than 4 % (at most 47^ ^^) of its length. The
dorsal and ventral profiles are fairly regular, but tlie
latter is more arched in front, and at the beginning

" Never quite so iniitli, according to our investigations.
*■ Sometimes 22, according to Lilljecorg.
'■ Cederstrom, 1. c.

NORWECilAN WHITING POLLACK.

509

of the third dorsal and second anal tins there is a
l)reak, behind which, though it may l)e indistinct, tlie
depth of the tail decreases more ra])idiy.

The head is comparatively smaller than in either
of the two preceding species, and its relative length,
contrary to the general rule in most of the species of
this germs, seems to decrease with age, varying between
about 24'/. and 22^;^ % of that of the l)od}-. The eyes,
on the other liand, are large; and their longitudinal
diameter, as in tlie Poor Cod, is distinctly greater in
young specimens than the length of tlie snout, and in
old specimens at least equal to it. Tlieir size varies
consideraldy in different individuals. Their diameter
varies with age between about 8\ A, and 6V., % of the
length of th(! body, while the length of the snout varies
still more individuallv bet\\'een about (i and 7 % thereof.
The nostrils are situated as in the Pollack, but are
somewhat larger. Tlie mouth is also larger, the hind
extremity of the maxillary bones extending farther
back belo\v the eyes, for about a third of the length of
the latter, while the length of the lower jaw is greater
than in the Coalfish, hut less than in the Pollack".
This is due to the fact that the lower jaw does not
project so far as in the latter species. A small barbel
is suspended from the chin. The mouth is turned
upwards at an angle of about 30^. The jaw-teeth are
set, as in all the small Cods, in a very narrow card
(2 — 4 rows) in front, and in a single row behind; and
are small and of fairly uniform size, as in the other
species of the Coaltish-group. On the head of the
vomer they are set in a curved, obtuse-angled, trans-
verse row. The hind margin of the gill-cover is some-
what elongated just above the insertion of the pectoral
tin, but the postorbital part of the head as a whole is
shorter than in either of the two preceding species, its
length varying ^vith age between about 10 and 9 %
of that of the body*". The branchiostegal membranes
are united underneath into a free, continuous, dermal
fold, which at the middle extends a little behind the
posterior extremities of the branches of the lower jaw.

The paired tins are pointed and longer than in
the two preceding species of this group. The two
uppermost rajs of the pectoral fins are simple, the fii'st
being about ■'.. as long as the second, which does not

quite extend to the tip of the tin. The 3rd — 6th rays
are the longest. The tip of these tins always extends
behind the vent, their length varying with age between
about 16 and nearly 19 % of that cjf the body. The
first two rays of the ventral fins are also simple, and
the second raj' is the longest in tiie whole fin, though
oidy slightly longer than the first. The length of these
fins varies with age between about 1 1 and 13 % of
that of the bodv, and their insertions lie distinctly in
front of those of the pectoral fins.

The unpaired fins are well separated, and are
distinguished from those of the other species of this
group jjartly by the more forward position of the
dorsal fins, and partly by the greater length of the
third dorsal and the second anal fins.

The first dorsal fin is the highest, and when erected
almost resembles a right-angled triangle, the base of
which is about 10' ^ — llV. % of the length of the body,
and which begins at a distance from the tip of the
snout of aljout 28 — 27 % (sometimes 26 %) thereof.
The first two rays are simple, the others (with the
exception, according to the general rule, of the last of
all) finel}^ branched at the tip. The third ray is the
longest, its length being aljout 13 — 15 % of that of
the body. The second dorsal fin is more elongated,
and its first two rays are also simple, the tliird ray
being generally tlie longest, though only slightly longer
than the second or fourth, and slightly shorter than
the longest ray of the preceding fin. The distance
between this tin and the tip of the snout is about
38V'2 — 41 %, and the length of its base about 20 —
22\2 %, of the length of the body. The third dorsal
fin begins at a distance from the tip of the snout
measuring about 62 — 66 % of the length of the body,
and the length of its base is between 18 and about
M % of the same length. The first three rays are
simple, and the fourth, fifth, or sixth the longest, its
length being about 10— 10' ., % of that of the body.

The distance between the beginning of the first
anal fin and the tip of the snout is between about 38
(sometimes 36',) and 41 % of the length of the body,
and its base measures about 27*/2 — 22V2 ^ of the latter.
The first three (in young specimens the first four or
five) rays are simple, and the fifth ray the longest, its

" The distance between the tip of the snout and tlie liinil extremity of the maxillary bones varies with age between about 11 and
0' ., \ of tlie length of the body, and the length of the lower jaw between abont 13' .^ and 12 '. of the latter.

'' In the two preceding species we have never found the postorbital length of the head less than lO'/, % of the length of the body.

510

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

length being about 13 — ll^o % of that of the body.
The second anal fin is shorter in young specimens than
the tliird dorsal, but in older ones the only differences
betAveen them are that the former is soinewliat lower
and situated rather farther back. The first three or
four rays are simple.

Tlie caudal fin is more forked than in the Pollack,
the hind margin being concave even when the fin is
expanded to its full breadth. The middle rays are,
however, comparatively of the same length as in the
Pollack, tlicir length being at least Vc greater than
the least breadth of the interorbital space, and the
least depth of the tail never rising as high as ^'3 of
the length of these rays.

The scales are thin and small as in most of the
Cods, but somewhat larger than in the Pollack, im-
bricated and striated. They cover the -whole body, and
small scales occur even on the snout and far out over
the caudal fin. Tlie lateral line forms a slight upward
curve from behind at about the tip of the pectoral fins.

The abdominal cavity extends behind the begin-
ning of the first anal fin for about a third of the length
of this fin. The stomach does not extend back to the
vent. The pyloric appendages are Avell-developed, but
comparatively few. The liver consists of one lobe,
the right and — so far as we could discover in rather
decomposed specimens — the left lobes are wantii^;.
The peritoneum is of a lustrous black.

In specimens preserved in spirits the colour of this
species is the same as that of young specimens of the
Pollack in the same condition, though a little darker
olive brown on the Ijack and lighter aluminium colour
on the sides and the belly. The dorsal and caudal fins
are dark In-ownisli at the margin. A black spot marks

the root of the pectoral fins and the upper part of the axil.
We have never seen the s})ecies alive, but our coloured
figure (PI. XXVII, A, fig. 1) will give a pretty good
idea of a fi-esh siiecimen, as it appeared on its arrival
at the Roval Museum, thi-ee days after its capture by
Mr. C. A. Hansson, off Stroinstad, on the 9th of De-
cember, 1890.

Gadus Esmarkii was first discovered in Chi-istiania
Fjord and seems to find a favourite haunt in this fjord,
where, according to Collett, it is plentiful and taken
dailv in large numbers during the autumn and winter
months, in deep \\'ater with a clayey bottom. It ge-
nerally occurs in shoals, together with the Whiting.
In January and February Collett found gravid females
of this species. In autumn he found young specimens
at least 40 mm. long in quantities among the netted
Sprats. In the stomach of these specimens as well as
in older ones he often found nothing but White Gobies
{Aphya minuta), which thus seem to be the chief food-
of Gadus Esmarkii. Stokm found this species spai--
ingly represented among other small Cods in Trond-
hjem Fjord. Farther north it has never been found.
Lutken" received specimens from the Faroe Islands,
but in the Shetland Islands and on the shores of Great
Britain it is as yet unknown.

The Royal Museum has received through Mr. C. A.
Hansson several specimens, taken at a depth of about
30 fathoms, from Bohusliin, but only from the imme-
diate neighbourhood of Christiania Fjord, or from Strom-
stad Fjord, Dynekil, and Siicke Fjord.

Gadus Esmarkii is thus no rare species in Scan-
dinavia, but seems to lie confined to certain localities;
and its insignificant size debars it from possessing any
considerable value in an economical respect.

" Vid. Meddel. NaUirli. For. Kblivi,, 1881, p. 253.

fOPFISHES.

oil

THE POUTASSOU (sw. kolmulen).

GADUS POUTASSOU.

Fig. 12,3.

Length of the huse of fJic first anal fin onhj f^lif/litJif less or even greater than the distance hettveen this fin and
the tip of the snout. Length of the base of flie first dorsal fin less than 25 (23?) %, and that of the base of the
second dorsal fin less than 33 (30?) %, of thr length of the base of the first anal fin. Lower jaw most j^rominent,
its length lieiug at least .54 % of that of the head, but less than 14 % of that of the body. Distance between the
tip of the snout and the hind e.rtremitg of the maxillarg bones at most aliout 81 %" of the length of the lower jatv,
but greater than the length of the rentrol fins, wJiich is less flian twice the least depth of the tail. Least depth-
of the tail more than 25 (29?) % of the base of the third dorsal fin, or than 27 (28?) % of the length if the
pectoral fins. Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout at least aliout 33 % of the lengtJt of
the bodg. Length of the snout less than (iO % of that of tlic lower jaw. Course of the lateral line parallel to

the dorsal profile, irithout aug percepdible break.

-^

Fig. 123. Gftdus poutassou, ' ., of the natural

il (Struinstad), tlje lOtli of February, 1890, C. A. Haksso.v.

R. br. 7; D. 12— 13 12— U 21 — 24; A. 34— 39''j23— 25'';
P. 20: V. 6; C. ,7 + 24— 2G +,r; Vert. 58.

Syn. (rddiis merlaiii/us, Eisso, Idithi/ol. Nice, p. 115.

Merlangus poutassou, Risso, Eur. Me'r., torn. Ill, p. 227; Dub.,
KoB., (potasson), Vet.-Akad. Hand). 1844, p. 88; NiLSS.
(Gadiis poutassou^, Skand. Fn.. Fisk., p. 556; Gthr, Cat.
Brit. Mus., Fifh., vol. IV, p. 338; CovcB, Hist. Fish. Brit.
IsL, vol. Ill, p. 77, tab. CXLI; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss.
Wien, Math. Naturu-. Ch LVII, i, (1868). p. 705; Coll., Forh.
Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tillsegsh., p. 110; N. Mag. Naturv.
Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 82; Malm (Boreogadiis), Gigs,
Boh. Fit., p. 486: Gigl. (Gadiis), Espoz. Intern. Pesc. Ber-
lino 1880, Sez. Ital., Cat., p. 96; Mor. {Merlangus\ Hist.
Nat. Poiss. Fr., toni. Ill, p. 245; Day (Gadiis), Fish. Gt.
Brit., Irel., vol. I, p. 292, tab. LXXXIII, fig. 1 ; Afostolides
(Merlangus), Peche en Grece (Athen 1883), p. 29: Vi.N'n-

GtJERKA, Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Geneva, vol. XVIII (1882
— 83), p. 550, tav. II, figg. 1—2; Storm ((?«/!«), N. Vid.
Selsk. Skr. 1883 (Trondhj.), p. 33; Lillj., .SV., Norg. Fn.,
Fisk., vol. II, p. 112.
Merlangus vernalis, Risso, Eur. Mc'r., Ill, p. 228 (vide Mob.,

ViNCIG., APOSTOL.).

Merlangus albus, Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. 2. vol. II. p. 247;

DL'ii., Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1844. p. Ill: Forh. Skand.

Natnrf. Mode, Christ. 1844, p. 224.
Merlangus cormnunis, Costa, Fn. Regn. Nap., Pesc, Malacott.

Sottobr., p. 7.
Gadus 7nelanosiomus Nilss., 1. c; Olss., Lunds Univ. Arsskr.,

torn. VIII (1871), p. 8.

The Poutassou is known in Scandinavia a.s hol-
mulen, kolmulehvitlingen (Nilsson), holmunnen (Lillje-
borg), in Ciiristiania Fjord as Spcer or. on account of its

" Never more than 81' , in the specimens we have examined.
'' Sometime-; 41, according to Lillikborg.

30.

., Risso and Moreau.

512

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

large eyes, like the j>receding species, Oiot-pauJ, and in
Trondhjem Fjord Bldgunnar. Even externally, in the
shortness of the anterior dorsal fins, the great distance
of these fins from each otlier and from the third dorsal
liii, and the great length of the first anal fin, it differs
so considerably from the other species of the genus tliat
it seems worthv of the rank of a distinct subgenus. In
the internal organs ^ve have abo\'e remai'ked the pecu-
liarity that tlie Poutassou has no pyloric appendages,
to which we may add that, like the preceding species,
it has only one lobe in the liver. Still, the external
differences are not so great as to find expression in
rhe formula of the fin-rays; and as to the comparative
■-iornificance of the internal differences, Gadiis Esmarhii
forms a distinct link between the Poutassou and the
other species of the genus, at least in the reduction
of the liver.

The body of the Poutassou is rather elongated, the
iireatest depth of the body in }oung specimens about
1 dm. long being sometimes only l.S or 14 % of its
length, while in gravid females aliout 4 dm. long it may
be as much as 19 ?o thereof. The greatest thickness of
the body is al)out 9 or 10 % of its length. The l)ack
is almost abruptly rounded at the top. The sides of
the liod}' are flat, and converge towards the ventral
margin, which however is flat. The least depth of the
body increases with age from about 4^3 to 5V3 ?& of
its length. The relation of the anterior parts of the
dorsal and ventral profiles to each other varies accord-
ing to the degree of tension of the dorsal muscles, in this
species as in the {jreceding one. Sometimes, when the
<lorsal muscles are strongly contracted, the dorsal pro-
file in front of the first dorsal fin runs almost straight
out to the tip of the snout, while the ventral })rofile is
arched upwards, and the cleft of the mouth also turned
more sharply upwards than at other times. Sometimes,
on the other hand, the dorsal profile curves slowly, but
uniformly, downwards to the very tip of the snout.

The length of the head varies between about 24
and 23 % of that of tlie body, and the longitudinal
diameter of the eyes, which are rather large, is about
'/^ (26 — 24 %) of the former length. The position of
the eyes is such that tiie length of the snout, which
increases even relatively with age, measui-es about 29 —
33 % of that of tlie head, while the postorbital length
of the head, which relatively decreases during growth,
measures about 46 — 40 % of the total length thereof.
The nostrils lie as in the preceding species. The max-

illary bones resemble tliose of (iadus Esmarkii, ex-
tending back below the eyes in this species, too, for
about a third of the lengtli of the latter; and the di-
stance l)etween the tip of the snout and the hind ex-
tremity of the maxillary l)ones varies between about 11
and lO'/j % of the length of the body, 80 (sometimes
76) and HI' ^ 96 of the length of the lower jaw, or
(individualh) aliout 41 and 46 % of the length of the
head. The lower jaw projects only slightly, and rises at
an angle of about 30°. Its length is about 137,-13%
of that of the body or 57 — 56 % (sometimes 54 %) of
that of the head. On the intermaxillary bones we find
an outer row of large teeth and an inner row of ex-
tremelv small ones. The under-jaw contains only one
row, answering to tiie larger row on the intermaxillary
bones. ( hi each side of the crescent-shaped head of the
vomer there are 1 — 3 teeth, equal in size to the teeth
of the lower jaw; and sometimes, it is said, ^ve may
find one or two teeth between these teeth or groups of
teeth. All the teeth are sharply pointed and recurved.
The opercula are elongated into a short flap that ends
just above the insertion of the pectoral fins. The bran-
chiostegal membranes are as usual united to each other.
The tongue is fleshv and pointed, ivith free tip.

The pectoral fins ;ire obliquely pointed, and longer
than in the Coalfish and Pollack, Init shorter than in
Gadifs Esmarkii, their length ])eing about 14 or 15 %
of that of the body. The uppermost two raj's are simple,
the fourth ray the longest. The ventral fins are slightly
longer than in the Coalfish, their length being about
8 % of that of the body, liut the first t^vo, simple rays
are elongated into free, though not very long tips.
The second rav is the lono'est. These fins are set iust
in front of the perpendicular from the insertion of the
pectoral fins, at a distance from the lieginning of the
anal fin which increases with age from about 10 to
13 % of the length of the body. The distance l)etween
these fins and the tip of the snout, even in young
specimens, is slightly less than the length of the head.

The first and second dorsal fins are more or less
nearly right-angled triangles with the shortest side as
base. The first ];)egins at a distance from the tip of
the snout measuring about 33 or 34 ?a of the length
of the body, and the length of its base is about 7 —
8' ., % of the latter. The fii-st two or three rays are
simple, and the second ray, sometimes the first, is the
longest, its length being about 12'/,,— lO',,, % of that
of the l)ody. The distance between the beginning of

I

POUTASSOU.

513

the socoiid dorsal tin and the U\t of the snout is ab(jut
4.3' ,,—50 % of tlio length of the body, and the base
(if this tin nieasuves about 9' ., ov '.) % of the same
length. In most cases ouh' the tirst rav is sinipk', but
sometimes tlie secund rav as well, and the latter is the
longest ray in the iin, its length l)eing about ll'A, %
of that of the bod\-. The third dorsal tin, whieh be-
gins at a distance from the tip of the snout measuring
between 66 and 74 % of the length of the body, re-
sendjles an obtuse-angled triangle with the longest side
at the base, the length of this side being about 15 —
lr> % of that of the body. The tirst three or four rays,
in young specimens the first eight, are simple, and the
fourtli is the longest, measuring about 8\'jj — 7'/^ % of
the length of the liod-w

The tirst anal tin begins at a distance from the
ti|) of the snout eipial to about 33 — 35 % of the length
of the body, thus almost in a line with the first dorsal
tin or even a little in front of it, and extends very
neaidy back to the beginning of the second anal fin,
its length being about 31 — 36 ^/o % of that of the body.
The first four or five rays are simple, and the fifth
ray is generally the longest, though its length is only
about 7^ — 10 % of that of the body. The fin is also
of fairly uniform height, becoming only gradually lower
Ijehind. The second anal fin almost exactly corresponds
in position and form to the third dorsal, but is some-
what longer, its length being about I7V2 — ^^^U "^ of
tliat of the body.

The caudal fin is deeply forked. The length of
its middle rays is about 7 — 572 ^ of that of the bodj-.

The most important characteristics of the internal
oi'gans have already been noticed above. The abdo-
minal cavity extends back to a line with the end of
the second dorsal fin or even with that of the first
anal fin. The peritoneum is of a lustrous black.

The covering of scales resembles that of Gadus
Esmarkii. The scales of the body are fairly large,
especially below the lateral line. Above this line about
12 scales may be counted in an oblique roM' from the
anterior dorsal fins and from the beginning of the third
dorsal fin. The head is also thickly covered with scales,
and small scales clothe the snout out to the very tip.
All the vertical fins are also covered with scales, at the
base at least; l)ut how far this scaly covering extends,
is as yet unknown. The Poutassou has some of the

bod}' and the looseness of the skin. The fins are co-
vered with a, thick skin at the base, but on their outer
parts, as v. DC'iiKN and KouhN have alreadv remarked,
the membrane is "more fragile than in the kindred
species, which acc(junts for the fact that the fins are
seldom found perfect and entire."

The coloration reminds us of that of the Herring.
From the bluish gray back it grows lighter and lighter
down the sides, becoming silvery and finally milk-white
on the belly. The skin is finely ]nmctated everywhere
with small, round, Iilackish brown spots of pigment,
thickest in the region of the pectoi-al fins, -wheie, in
the axil of the fin, they leave a trace of the black spot
which we have seen in several of the jtreccding species.
It is the black colour of the phar^•nx, the i-oot of the
tongue, and the inner surface of the opercula that has
given the Poutassou its Swedish name {kolmuhn =
Coal-mouth).

The Poutassou, like Gadus Esmarkii, is one of
Esmark's discoveries in the Scandinavian fauna; but
almost simultaneously with his discovery of it in Chri-
stiania Fjord (1843) it Avas also found by v. Dubex
and KoREN off Bergen, where it had long been knoAvn
to the fishermen. It was originally described, however,
though but little knoAvn to science, as a Mediterranean
species. In this locality it was taken in quantities off
Nice, and in spring the fry were seen in large shoals
at the surface of the sea. It has sometimes appeared
in the same way on the English coast. "In June,
1861," says Dunn as quoted by Day, "our bays were
full of the young of this species. In 1871, if possible,
they were in greater quantities, some shoals covering
acres of sea-water, these leaping over each other in
hungry haste to devour the young herrings, which were
plentiful in the sea." Steindachner found the Pou-
tassou oft' Barcelona, Giglioli includes it, as a rare
sjjecies, among the fishes of Italy, and, according to
AvosTOLiDES, it is common on the coast of Greece. The
geographical range of the Poutassou thus seems essen-
tially to coincide with that of the Blue-mouth (Scor-
2)(ena dactyloptera); and this similarity also extends to
their bathymetric ranges.

On the coast of Scandinavia the Poutassou goes as
far north as Norwegian Finmark. From this region
the Royal Museum received from Mr. F. Bull in 1850
a specimen '2 dm. long, and according to Collett the
characters of the true deep-sea fishes, not only in the Museum of Christiania also possesses young specimens

large size of the eves but also in the softness of the

from Ox Fjord, a little south of Hamraerfest (70° 13' N.).

Scandiaavlttn Fishes.

65

514

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

So far iioi'th, however, the Poutassou does not seem to
he common, tliough it is so in Trondhjem Fjord, ac-
cording to Storm, as well as in the south of Xorway.
According to v. Dlben and Koren it is taken with hook
and line all the year round off Bergen, in 80 — 100
fathoms of water. In Christiania it is daily exposed for
sale, according to Collett, in October and November.
On the coast of Bohuslan it is again rare, though, ac-
cording to Malm, young specimens in pursuit of Herring-
frv and Sprats sometimes come -within reach of the
seine in shoals. The first Swedish specimen preserved
for scientific purposes was obtained by S. I^oven in
18(51 in central Bohuslan. This specimen is about ?>
dm. long. In more recent years, according to Malm,
three solitary specimens between 3 and 4 dm. long have
l)een taken on hand-lines and Haddock-lines in 16 — 20
fathoms of water off Domso, Vinga, and Paternoster
Rock. During the winter of 1866 a larger number of

specimens, 15 — 17 cm. long, were taken off Fjelllmcka
in a seine during the Sprat-fishery. In 1881 the Koyal
^Museum received from Mr. C. A. Hanssox a specimen
36 cm. long that had l)cen taken in Mav on a long-
line shot at a depth of between 50 and 70 fathoms,
between the Koster and Tister Islands. Two more spe-
cimens have since been taken in the north of Bohusliln
by the same indefatigable collector, in 1890 and 1892
respectively.

It is very probable that the Poutassou is moi'e
frequently taken in Sweden, for the fishermen in ge-
neral set no value upon it, and therefore do not take
the trouble to preserve it. Still the flesh, according to
Day, is of good flavour, but soft, and rapidly decom-
poses. The spawning-season occurs probably at the be-
ginning of the year. In July Couch found multitudes
of young specimens a])out 5 in. long, on the English
coast and not far from land.

Genus MERLUCIUS.

Tivo falhi developed dorsal fins, the posterio)-, as irell as the single anal fin, heiitfj, Jioirerer, liiore or less incised
at the margin hehind the middle, sometimes so deejili/ that the fin seems to he divided in tiro. Caudal fin in adult
specimens truncate or fiorked. Peduncle (finless part) of the tail distinct. Ventral fins normal, hut with 7 rai/s.

Jans and vomer furnished ivitli teetli. Branchiostegal rays '}'.

This genus comes so near the preceding one {Gadus)
that it is only for the sake of systematical consistency
that we keep tliem apart, as we are in any case com-
pelled, for the pi'esent at least, to employ the different
degrees of differentiation shown by the vertical fins as
the most important generic characters of the Gadoid
family. The number of rays in the ventral fins seems,
however, to give ns a constant character, if we except
Faber's" description of 3Ierlucius argentatus, ii species
whicli, to the best of our knowledge, has never reap-
[leared. In the |)yloric appendages this genus corre-
sponds most nc:irly, as we have mentioned aliove, to
the last species of the preceding genus, there being only
one appendage at the pylorus. But in this genus the
two lobes of tile liver are developed to such an extent
that, in some eases at least, the liver is large and broad,
ot'Cup)ing the whole breadth of the abdominal cavity
below and behind almost to a line with the vent, where
in some Hakes it is continued, in the posterior pro-
longation of the cavit}-, by a lobe on the right side,
the left lobe being wanting beliind. Still thi're is con-

siderable variation in this respect, for in one specimen
of our Hake we find oidy a narrow lobe of the liver
and this on the left side of the stomach, which extends
nearly to the vent. In the form of the body, however,
which is terete and elongated, the genus Merlucius
comes nearer the small Gadoids, especially saida, and
in this respect forms a transition from the Ling-type.
This state of transition also appears in the form of the
caudal fin, which in young Hakes, as in the Ling, is
rounded, but in older specimens becomes truncate or
even forked. In the structure of the skeleton the Hake
is most nearly approximated to navaga, by the large,
In-oad, and inferiorly concave, transverse processes of
most of the abdominal vertebra^; but the structure of
the skull is characteristic of the genus, the two frontal
bones proper being distinctly separated from each other
by a suture, and the occipital ridge, which in the genus
Gadus advances without a division and with sharp edge,
forward over the forehead to the middle or at least to
the hind part of the orbits, being here divided, and
I'unning in an oblique, forward and outward direction

" Fischc Islands, p. 90.

HAKE.

515

ovi'V the entire upper surface of each of tlie frontal
hones. At the middle of its length each of the frontal
ridges is met iiy a similar i-idge, running forward and
inward from the upper surface of each of the squamosal
l)ones; and thus a W-shaj)ed figure of osseous ridges
is formed, more or less distinct even externall\- on the
forehead and occiput. In all the forms of this genus
the lower jaw pnijects be\ond the tip of the snout;
the I)ranchiostegal membranes ai'e not coalescent, but
pnrtially cross each other at the point of their attach-
ment to the isthmus; and the jaw-teeth as well as the
teeth on the laterally extended head of the vomer are
set in two rows, scattered and pointed like canine teeth
but of uniform size in each row, larger and capable of
lieing bent inwards in the inner row. The point of
the chin is without anv I)arbel.

Tlie variety of form witliin tiic gemis is not great.
The number of known species would ])e five, if two of
them" were described with sufKcient accuracy to have a
claim to scientific recognition. The three species of
which there is no doubt, belong to the north of the
Atlantic .-ind Pacific ( )ceans.

Tlie genus receiv<;d its mime of Melius or Mer-
luciiis at the hands of tiie contemporar}' writers (1554),
Belon* and Rondelet'', but was known even to the
ancient Greeks, according to Aristotle and AthexyEUS,
by the name of o;'o>. Lixx.i:us, however, in the tenth
edition of iSi/sfema Xatara:, liaving given our Hake the
name of Gadus merhiccius, Rafine.sque'' raised this
specific name to a generic rank. The original spelling
was restored by Risso", and has subsequently won
Avider and wider recognition. It also enables us without
complete tautology to retain the I.innajan specific name for

THE HAKE (.sw. lysing or kujijiei,).

:\IERLUC1US MERLUCCIUS.

Plate XXV, fig. 1.

Bo(Jj/ elongated and terete, the (/reatest depth heinei about IS — i^'Vg %■' of the length, and the greatest thickness
ahoat 70 — 90 % of the former. Length of tlie head about 28 — 24^!^ % of that of the hodij. Bend in the margin
of the dorsal and anal fins onJg slightly marked, and their posterior lobes rounded. Length of the pectoral fins
(dtoiif 12 — 16^ i % of that of the body, and equal to or only slightly greater than the postorbital length of the head,
n-hicli measures more than 12 % of the length of the body. Ventral fins as a rule in young specimens longer, in
old slightly shorter tJian the pectoral fins. Number of rays in tlie first dorsal fin at most 11. I^east breadth of
the interorhital space more than 70 % of the length of the base of the first dorsal fin.

,B7— 39'': P. 13 — 14''

R. br. 7: D. 9 — 1 1 37 — 39-",- A.
; C. ,r+18— 20 + .r; Vert. 50 — 52.

Syn. Gadiis dorso dipterygio, maxilla inferiore knigiore, .\iiT., Gen.,
p. 22; Si/ii., p. 30. Lysing, Strom, Sondm., Beskr., part.
1, p. 295.
Gadtis Merhiccius, Lin., Si/st. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p. 254;
Fn. iSuec., ed. 2, p. 113; (Merlucixs), 2Ius. Ad. Frid.,
torn. 2:di prodr., p. 60; Mull., Zool. Dan. Prodr., p. 41;
Retz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 321; Hollb., Gbgs Wett., Witt.
Samh. N. Handl., V (1822), p. 38 cum fig.; Nilss., Prodr.
Iclttli. )Scaiid., p. 44; ScHAGERSTR., Pliysiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr.,
p. 302.

Grand Merlus, Duham., 2>. Peclies, part. II. sect. I, p. 141,

tab. XXIV.
.Verlucciiis smiridtis, Rafin., Caratt., p. 25; Jord., Gilb. (Mer-

luciiis), Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.. Xo. 16, p. 809; Coll., N.

Mag. Natiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 83; LiLLJ., Sv.,

Xorg. Fn., Fisl., vol. 2, p. 120; Hansen, Zool. Dan.,

Fiske, p. 76, tab. IX, fig. 9.
Merbicius esctdentiis, Risso, Etir. Me'rid., torn. Ill, p. 220.
Merluccius vulgaris, Flem., Brit. Anim., p. 195; Sund., v.

Wright, Skand. Fisk., ed. I, p. 145, tab. 33; Kr., Danm.

Fiske, vol. 2, p. 140; Nilss., 6'kand. Fn., Fisk., p. 570;

Thomi'S., Nat. Hist. Irel, vol. IV, p. 184; Gthr, Cat. Brit.

Mus., FisJi., vol. IV, p. 344; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ.

" Merlucius argentatus from Iceland and M. Gaiji from Cliili.

* Im nature et dicersite dcs poissons, p. 110.
" Be pisribus, lib. IX, p. 273.

** Caralteri di alcuni miovi Generi etc. (1810), p. 25. Rafinesque here mentions two species, Linn.ei's's <jad«s »n<c/«t'en<« and his own
Merluccius smiridus, both from the Mediterranean and belonging to bis genus Merhiccius. In the same year, however, he included the Hake
in Lidice d' Ittiologia Sicilana, p. 12, under the name of Onus riali, a generic name which was unquestionably used here in its right place,
and wliicli we should have adopted, if Risso had not given it a different application which has gained fairly general recognition in recent times.

' Europe Meridionale (1826), torn. Ill, p. 220.

■' In gravid females as much ns 20 "i,.

' 36 — 40, according to Moreav. *

* Sometimes 36, according to Moreau.

1 1 0

516

1874, TilKTgsli., p. 114: Wi.nth., Naliirli. Tidskr. Kblivn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 31; Gior-., Espos. Intern. Peso. Berlino
1880, Sez. Ital. Cat.., p. 96; Mor. (Merlucuts), Hist. Xat.
Poiss. Fr., toin. Ill, p. 251; Day (Merlucdus), Fish. Gt.
Brit, Irel., vol. I, p. 300, tab. LXXXV, fig. 1; Apostoi,.

• (Merluoius), Peche en Grece, p. 29; M6b., Hoke (Merhtc-
citts), Fisch. Osts., p. 80; Olsen, Piscat. Atl., tab. 19;
Sturm, N. Vid. Selsk. Skr. Trondhj. 1883, p. 34; Bncke,
Handb. Fischi. Fischer. (M. v. d. BonNE), p. 105.

Merlucius sinuatus, Swains., Fish.. Amphih.. Jiepi.. vol. I, p.
319, fig. 73, vol. II, p. 390.

Merliiccitis Linnei, M.-iUi, Gliys, Boh. Fn., p. 489.

The Hake often attnins :\ length of 12 dm., l)ut
in Scandinavian waters it is generally of a sraallev size.
The following description is based on eight specimens
preserved in s|)irits, from the Sound, Bohusliln, and tlie
Mediterranean, the largest specimen (54 cm. long, the
smallest 1() cm., and on a note left by Fries, which
contains the dimensions of a new-caught specimen 6
dm. long.

Our Hake is most easily distinguished from its
recognised congeners" b)- its shorter pectoral fins and
broader forehead, ))v the smaller number of rays in the
first dorsal fin, and by the generally shorter base of
this fin.

The middle rays of the caudal fin measure Vn''

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

>art 1)^' KiioYKU. In the o'enus Gadits in ""eneral

11- 1" ' — e- ■•"""" - ^^

both the concentric and the radiating stritv are fairlv

distinct and almost equally defined, the thin and trans-
]jarent scale presenting under the microscope a. chequered
appearance, with oblong, square patches raised al)o-\e
the surface. In the Hake, on the other hand, at least
in ^'oung specimens between 2 and 8 dm. long, only
the concentric, raised striie are quite distinct Avhen only
moderately magnified. Beneath a powerful microscope,
however, a netM'ork of finer striae between the concentric
ones appears on the hind (free) and more rounded part
of each scale; and on the anterior (concealed) part of
the scale, winch is rather more pointed, the spaces be-
tween the concentric stria' are irregularly broken up
into elongated markings (lacuna^'), as it were notched
at the margin.

The head is conical and anteriorly depressed, the
circumference, seen from above, being parabolic''. The
upper surface is fairly l)road, convex or more nearly
fiat, the profile being straight without any depressions
or ridges in fresh specimens. The W-shaped figure is
thus rather indistinct. A uniform covering of small
scales extends forward to the up])er lip, which is how-
ever naked. The least breadth of the interorbital space

and the length of the head to the tip of the operculum varies between 7 and 8 % of the length of the body,
slightly more than \'/, of the total length of the Ijody, 25 and 30 % of the total length of the head, about 50
including the caudal fin. The greatest depth of the (sometimes 49) and 60 % of the postorbital length of
body is '/^ of the total length', and the greatest breadth the head, or 72 and 85 % of the base of the first dorsal
or thickness at least about "/s <jf the former. ' fin. The opercula and the sides of the head are scaly.

The scales are firmh* attached and large in com- The eye is round, closely surrounded by the well-defined
parisou with those of the other Codfishes, though the margin of the rather oblong orbit. The hind margin
largest scales of a Hake 245 mm. long are not more of the latter generally lies nearly at the middle of the
than about 2 mm. in length, and in a .specimen 42 era.
long not more than about 3 mm. broad. On an aver-
age we find 145 scales in a row along the sides of the
body Ixilow the lateral line, the variations apparently
running between 138 and 154. Tliey are regularly
arranged, rounded, and distinctly imbricated. One pe-
culiarity of thcii- structure has already been remarked

length of the head, though the postorbital length of the
head varies between 46 '/a ^"d 53 % of its total length.
The length of the eye itself varies between about 18' o
% of the length of the head (in specimens 16 cm. long)
and about 14 % thereof (in specimens 64 cm. long),
Ijeing in young specimens generally rather more, in
old distinctly less, than half the length of the snout.

" The North American Merlucius bilinearis, from the Atlantic, and Merl. prodiictiis from the Pacific.

'' Varying, according to our measurements, between 9 (sometimes 8) and 10 %.

'^ Varying, according to our measurements, between about 28 and 25 % (sometimes 24'/., %).

'' Varying, according to our me.isurements, between about 13 and 16-/3 °^°- ^" ^'- Wright's figure, however, which is certainly true
to nature, tlie depth of the body is still greater.

'■ Cf. Baudelot, Kcailles cles poissoiis osseu.r. Arch Zool. Exper., tome 2 (1873), pi. \'I1, tig. 4.

/ The head is very like that of the Pike, and this resemblance is still further enhanced by the n])pcarancc of the teeth. Hence tin-
name of Merhiciu.i, a shorter form of maris lucius (Sea-Pi ke). The derivation suggested by Fader, from maris lux has nothing to recommend
it, for this tish is by no means one of (he brightest in tlie regions where the name has originated, though in northern latitudes the rather
lustrous surface of its Imily has given rise to tho name of Li/simj (Shiner). '

HAKIC.

517

Tlie nostrils lie near the eye, being separated from it
bv ;i distance which is ' ., of that between the eye
and the tip of the upper jaw. The anterior nostril is
round, the posterior crescent-shaped. 'Plie maxillary
bones extend hack to a line with the nuddle of the
eyes, the distance between the tip of the snout and
their hind extremity being often exactl^• half 1 he length
of tile head". The lower ja\\' projects considerably
beyond the upper, its length being about (il %'' of
that of the head. Some of the teeth are iai-ge (."} mm.
long in a specimen 42 cm. in length), tirmlv set,
pointed, slightlj' recurved, and sparsely set in a single
row, containing about 1 5 teeth on each side of the upper
jaw. Besides these we iind small teeth in both jaws, in
the upper jaw between and within the large ones, and in
the lower jaw a row of fairly large teeth outside the for-
mer row. The vomerine teeth form a transverse semi-
circle in the roof of the palate, being set in an irre-
gular, double row. The pharj-nx is also furnished, as
usual, with three dentated, upper pharyngeals. The
tongue is fleshy, large, and flat. The gill-opening is
fairly large, the upper margin of the operculum being
free up to the lateral line near the occipital bones.
The branchiostegal membrane is large, with exposed
margin and 7 large, only slightly flattened rays. Un-
derneath it is divided forward to the middle of the
lower jaw. There is no trace of a barbel. The bran-
chial arches are, as usual, 4 in number, and the hind-
most gill-slit is rather narrow. The gill-rakers in the
outer row on the first branchial arch are pectinal,
but scattered, only 7 — 9 on each side; in the other
ro^vs they are tubercular.

The body is elongated, only slightly compressed,
and broadly rounded at the dorsal and ventral mar-
gins, each of these margins being furnished with a
deep groove in which the dorsal and anal flns are set,
and into which they may l)e almost entirely depressed.
As we noticed in the last forms of the preceding ge-
nus, here too we find, in the hind parts of the dorsal
and ventral profiles, at the spots which correspond to
the beginnings of the third dorsal and second anal fins
in the preceding genus, a break from which these pro-
files converge more sharply towards the base of the
caudal fin. The least depth of the tail is about 4 —

4V'2 % of the length of the Ixjdy or about 1>5' ,, — 17 %
of the length of the head.

The lateral line begins at the sides of the occiput
and runs almost straight, in a direction sloping slightly
downward from the back, to the middle of the caudal
iin. It is dccph' depressed, shar]»ly defined, and per-
fectly naked. Along its whole length we Iind rather
fine tul)ercles or projections, with the ordinary apertures
for the passage of water to the sensory organs and for
the discharge of mucus, set at intervals about equal in
length to three of the neighbouring .scales. The first in
or 11 apertures are double, the rest simple, and the
posterior ones rather indistinct.

The vent is situated just in i'ront of the begiiming
of the anal fin, which lies far in front of the middle
of the bod'V', at about the beginning of the third fifth
of its length', a little behind or in front of the per-
pendicular from the tip of the pectoral fin.

The pectoral fin of each side is inserted below the
tip of the operculum. Its length is between about 14
(sometimes only 12) and 16' ^ % of that of the body.
It contains 13 or 14 rays, the first of Avhich is rather
small, the second ''/, of the fin in length, and both simple.
The other rays are doubly bifid, the sixth ray is the long-
est, and the length of the last ray is ", 3 of that of the fin.

The ventral fins are firm and elastic, in young
specimens longer than or ecjual in length to the pectoral
fins, in old ones shorter than the latter. They contain
7 rays, the first simple and measuring ^ 3 of the fifth,
which is the longest. The length of the last ray is '' -
of that of the fifth. Thus, as appears from the relati^"e
length of the ravs, these fins are obtusely rounded,
with even margin and without any perceptible elonga-
tion of any f)f the rays.

The first dorsal fin begins close behind the perpen-
dicular from the base of the pectoral fins, at a distance
from the tip of the snout of between about 27 (sometimes
2(i) and 29 % of the length of the body. It is almost
triangular, and is generally composed of lU or 11 rays,
the fii-st simple and in length ' 4 of the second, which is
the longest ray in the fin, measuring about 12 — 10' , %
of the length of the body, and, like the other rays, bifid.
The last rays are small. The base of the fin measures
9 — 9' . % (sometimes 10 %) of the length of the body.

" yarvins; however, according to our nieasurements, between about 4 7 and .t1 '■,.

'' VaryinS' liowever, between about 58 and Gl^, %.

"■ At a distance from tlie tip of (be sinout tliat varies between about 40 and 42' o % of the length of the body.

518

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

The second dorsal lin is separated from the first
by an interval equal to the space occupied l)y t^vo
rays, and Ijegins at a distance from the tij) of the
snout equal to aliout ;)9\'2— 38 % of the length of the
body, or slightly less than the base of tlic hn, wliich
measures about 41 — 44V2 % of the length of the body.
It is made u]) of 3,7 — 39 raj^s, most of which are
doubly bifid. The first 22 or 21 form a fin of nearly
uniform height, slightly lower l)ehind, the tip of each
ray projecting in the shape of a small, flat lobe beyond
the fin-membrane. The following 17 or 18 rays do not
extend Ijeyond tlie membrane, ^vhich forms an evenly
riiunded and distinctl}' higher part of the fin. The first
of these ra^■s is almost simple, being only indistinctly
In-anched at the tip, and the second and third only
slightly surpass it in tliis respect. These tliree rays
gradually increase in height, the next six are of almost

in In'ightness bv the [Mediterranean fishes in general.
This name is still preserved in Nasello, the Sardinian title
of this fish. In the rest of modern Italy it is known as
Merluzzo. The iris is also silver-gray, but in tlie living
fish has a dash of golden colour above. A small blackish
spot appears at tlie l)ase of the pectoral fin. The mouth
and the walls of the l)ranchial arches are blackisli.

The rather sh(jrt and wide oesophagus passes into
a large, saccate, thick-walled stomach. When this is
empty, it shrinks together, with the inner surface in
creases and ^vitil one or two external transverse folds
at the l)lind end. The intestine, wliich issues from the
side of the anterior end of the stomach, is narrow and
short and forms oid^' two bends. Just at tlie begin-
ning it is furnished with one single appendage, which
is rather short and resembles a small round pouch of
the same -width ns the intestine, furnislied within with

equal length, and the following ones grow rapidly I transverse folds. As we have mentioned above, the

liver may be large, tliough its development, here as in
most of the Codfishes, is subject to considerable varia-
tion. In specimens preserved in spirits it is reddish
j^ellow, in fresh ones, according to Duiiamel and Holl-
BEUG, whitish gray. The gall-bladder is green. The
two ovaries have a common opening into the cloaca,
liehind the orifice of the intestine. Hollberg estimates
the number of the eggs in a large female at two million,
(Dlsen at seven million. The air-bladder is large, rather
firm, and hard. It is united by ligaments to the trans-
verse processes of the abdominal vertebra?, to the ribs
above the intestinal canal etc., and thus separates these
parts from the kidneys, which lie uppermost, under the
spinal column. The peritoneum is Ijlack throughout.
The Hake is a true marine fish, which seldom
enters the island-belts. Still, in the island-belt of Bo-
husliin for example, young specimens are found, though
in small numbers, all the year round. The Hake al-
waj's hugs the bottom, except when it chases its prey.
During the greater part of the year it lives alone, or
follows the Herring and Mackerel shoals in companies;
l)ut in the spawning-season it collects in fairly large
shoals at the spawning-places.

In the Cattegat the spawning-season occurs at the
middle of July; but farther south the Hake spawns
earlier in the year, at the end of winter or in spring,
though even there the season may be later, as Avas the
case, according to Couch", on the English coast in

shorter. At the end of the fii'st part of tlie fin the
membrane becomes thin and fragile; in the posterior
])art it is niucli stronger. Everything sliows that the
fin \\\i\\ lie regarded as consisting strictly of two fins,
which are of <lifferent structure and begin, as in most
of the Cods, with shorter, more nearly simple rays,
liut have not separated from each other.

The anal fin is of exactly the same structure —
sometimes of exactly the same extent — as the second
dorsal, generallv containing 22 rays in the first part
and 1.5 or Ki in the second. The first ray is rather
short, the second and third rays gradually longer.

In adult sjieciinens the two middle rays of the
caudal fin are so much shorter than the outer ones
that, when tlie fin is expanded, the hind margin be-
comes (juite straigiit. Pietween the t^vo corners \ve find
18 — 20 thick, doulily bifid rays, and outside these rays,
on either side, 6 — 8 others, which grow gradually
shorter in front and are closely united, the outermost
ones being indistinct. The number of the rays may
thus rise to 36, perhaps more. In one specimen, liow-
ever, Sundevall found only 29 (6 + 17 + 6).

The colour is silver-gray, on the back lilackish
gray. During life the fish has a bright lustre, which
is perhaps the origin of the NorAvegian name of Lysing.
The Greeks and Romans -were of quite another opinion,
for they gave the Hake the name of ass (Gr. o/'Og,
Lat. AseJlus) from its gray colour, which is far eclipsed

" Fiy/ies of the Britisli Islands, vol. Ill, p. 100.

HAKK.

519

1837, ill -wliich yt'.-ir the Hake had not finished spawn-
ing liefore August. According to the lunarying asser-
tion of tlie fisheriucn of IJoluislan there is only one
single bank iu the whole of tlie Cattegat where the
Hake assembles in numbers to spawn. Tiiis spot is
known as Kii))i)iicUi((ii}x-cii or KininiU'l(/ii(ii(/ (Hake liunk
or Hake Shoal), and lies W'.S.W. of (iothenburg, in the
middle of the Cattegat, near the Sor Is. It is rather
small, consists of sand and shingle, and lies in l(i — 22
fiithoms of water. On this l)ank Hakes collect in large
shoals to spawn, from the middle of fluly to the middle
of August. After this period they disperse again. Ac-
cording to some of the fishermen they reappear at the
same spot iu spring, when they sometimes come near
the land. From this we might perhaps conclude that
it sometimes spawns as early here as in the south.

According to Schagekstrom the Hake is rare in
tlie Sound, but is known to the fishermen by the name
of Lnbh. The Royal Museum has received from Trybom
a female, about 5 dm. long and with only slightly
developed ovaries, which was taken oft" Raa, near Hel-
singborg, in the latter half of October, 1882. Mubius
and Heincke give two instances, in November, 1872
and December, 187.3, of the occurrence of the Hake in
Kiel Bay. In the Great Belt, according to Hansen, it
has been taken oft" Corsoer. It seems never to have
penetrated farther into the Baltic. The i)Opular name
of the Hake in Bohuslan and at Kullen, kummel, seems
to be a coiTuption of the Norwegian kidmund (Coal-
mouth), from the black colour of the mouth. Lijsing
is the ordinary name of the species in Norwav, where,
according to Collett, it is not rare, but occurs only
sparingly up to Trondhjem Fjord. North of this lo-
cality only solitary specimens have been met with, as
for instance in ]\Iarch, 188o, when a specimen IS'/o dm.
long was caught oft' Lodingen in the Lofoden Islands.

The Hake occurs throughout the North Sea. It
is extremely plentiful at a few spots on the coast of
Brittany and the south-west coast of England and all
round Ireland, but is said to be rare to the north-west
of Scotland. Oft' the Faroe Islands it is not known,
and the Lysi of Iceland is undoubtedly a dift"crent
species, unless, as seems more probable, Fabers de-
scription of it is due to a confusion between two spe-
cies. On the coast of the Spanish Peninsula the Hake
is found at several spots, and in the Mediterranean,
where it is caught in large quantities, it takes the place
of the Cod, which does not occur there.

Kxc'cpt during the days occupied bv the spawning
the Hake is extremely voracious and, therefore, easily
taken on the hook. It lives chiefly on fish. Herrings,
Mackerel etc., and is said to destroy more than it can
devour. It eagerly follows the Herring and Pilchard
shoals. It drags the Pilchards out of the net, though
it often entangles itself in the meshes, and thus pavs
the penalty of its voracit\-. Dui'ing the seine-fi.sherv
for Herrings Hakes have been found in the seine that
have glutted themselves quite helpless on the catch.
It is aLso stated that the Hake, when drawn out of the
water, evacuates the contents of its stomach. A spe-
cimen opened by Sundevall, however, contained three
young Herrings, and a Hake aliout 6\'„ dm. long which
was forwarded to the Royal Museum from StrQmstad
by Baron CederstkOm, had two well-preserved Sprats
in its stomach. It is probably the voracity of the Hake
that has given rise to the incredible tale told by StrO.m,
on the authority of the Norwegian fishermen, that three
fish were once caught on the same hook, the hook
having pierced through the belly of the first, and hav-
ing been at once swallowed bv the second and in its
turn b}- the third.

This fish is apparently periodic. In the Cattegat,
according to Holeberg, it was extremely plentiful
during the Herring-fishery for some years about 1780,
more Hakes being taken than could be made use of.
Then it became rare, but was again caught in fairlv
large quantities from 1801 to 180;^. when several hun-
dred barrels were salted. After this period, when the
Herring disappeared, it again became so rare that it
was not until 1821, after several years' enquiry, that
HoLLBERG succeeded in obtaining a specimen from the
Cattegat for purposes of description. About 1830 it
was again abundant in Bohuslan, but about 1840 the
numbers again decreased. At the present time, now
that the Herring is plentiful, the Hake is not rare, at
least on the north coast of Bohuslan, according to
Cederstrom. This fluctuation of the supply has much
that reminds us of the periodicitv of the Herring, and
may probablv be explained in the same Avay. Apart
from the fai't that the roving expeditions of a fish-of-
pre\ arc determined l)y the abundance of its food,
thcA' are also undertaken for purposes of reproduction.
In the Cattegat the Hake has liut few spawning-places,
perhaps, as hinted above, only one; and, like many
other species, probably keeps persistently to its accus-
tomed haunt. But when it is disturbed while spawning,

520

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

and owing to its voracity is caught freely before and
after the spawning-season — even during this period,
tor all Hakes do not spawn at the same time — it soon
results that an adequate inuuber of adult individuals
is not forthcoming. In this case the fish must become
rare, until the fishermen have had time to desert the
station as unproductive, and a new stock of adult fish
lias assembled or grown to maturity, and been per-
mitted to breed in peace for a generation or t^vo.

When fresh the Hake is regarded as an inferior
fish, especially when it is caught on a muddy bottom.
On a stony and hard Ijottom it is said to be of better
(juality. Salted and dried, like the other Codfishes,
in the foi'm of stockfish, rotkitvrs etc., the Hake is
said to be nearly as good as Cod prepared in the
same manner. In this form considerable quantities are
exported to Roman Catholic countries, and consumed
during Lent, when meat is forl^idden.

In the Cattegat the Hake is caught partly with
long-lines and partly -with liand-lines used for other
fish. On the fishing-bank described above the fishery
is carried on during the spaAvning-season, at the end
of July and beginning of August, with hand-lines and
Haddock-lines. The bait consists of Heri-ing or, still
better, of Mackerel, and sometimes of a bit of the fish
taken from the belly of the Hakes already caught.
Hundreds of boats, usuallj' with a crew of three men,
assemble there, and if the fishery is successful, a single
forenoon ^\•\\\ suffice to give them a full load. On the
coast of Brittany the Hake is the object of a fairly
important fishery, pursued in the open sea, jjartly A\ith
nets and partly with lines, in large boats, each with
a crew of nine men. This fishery is carried on only
at night, and affords employment to a large number
of persons.

(SUNDEVALL, SmITT.)

Genus MOLUA.

Tiro fttUji developed dorsal fins <(iid one aiud fn. Vertical fins well separated, in adult specimens with a distinct,

finless peduncle of the tail. Ventral fins n-ith six rai/s. Caudal fin more or less rounded. Intermaxillary teeth of

fairli; uniform size, hut the teeth in the lower jaw and on the head of the vomer interspersed

with lar/je canines. Branehiostef/al rni/s 7 .

This genus, which was combined by CuviEii with the
t'olldwing one, was first separated from it by Nilsson",
though, like FLKiriNo'', he had previously'' employed the
same generic name for the grou]) which Cuvier and Risso
(•ailed Lotta. The name of Molua, as well as Morrhua
(Morhua), is a Latinized form of the French morue, and
was applied by Rondelet'' to the Cod, but altered by
Aldrovande to Molva and employed by Charleton'" for
both the Ling and the Cod. As in the case of the pre-
ceding genus, we restore thci original name, Iiy which
course we are enabled without absolute tautology to re-
tain the Linniean specific name of the type of the genus.

The genus possesses its principal systematic im-
portance in the capacity of an intermediate stage be-
tween the preceding genus and the following one. This
appears most distinctly in the structure of the second

dorsal and the anal fins, which in one species, our
common Ling, are almost entirely Avithout that trace
of division Avhich we have observed in the preceding
genus, but in the second species, Molua dipterygia, do
not indeed shoAv these traces as distinctly as Merlucius,
but still plainly enough. In Molua dipterygia the caudal
fin is much more abruptly rounded — thus coming
nearer Merlucius — than in our common Ling, Avhich
in this respect also more nearly resembles the Burbot.
The number of rays in the ventral fins (less than 7), a
number which may, however, occur in Lotta, and the can-
ine teeth in the lower jaw and on the vomer are, there-
fore, the most trustworthy characters of the genus Molua.
Molua is furtlier distinguished from Lotta by the smaller
breadth of the interorbital space'', the shorter ventral
fins^, the narrower (less terete) form of the body*, and

" Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 573 (1865).

'■ Brit. Anhn., p. 192.

' Prodi: Irhth. Sciiid.. p. 45 (18.S2).

'' De Pise, lib. IX, cap. XIV.

* Oiiomast. Zoic, p. 121. Molva viajor (tlie Ling) and Molva -minor (llie Coil).

•' As a rule less than ' '. of the length of the head.

'■' Less than 12 % of the length of the body.

'' Greatest breadth of the body as a rule less than 45 °o of the length of the head.

LINGS.

521

the more forward position of the first dorsal fin". In
the Southern llcniispliere Molaa is reijlaeed by the
genus Lotdln, whieii should perhaps he united with it.
The body is eo\'ered in this genus with small,
thin, oblong, elliptical scales, with a more or less (some-
times considerably) eccentric nucleus, and with the
striations arranged according to the same type as in
the Cods but denser. The concentric stria' are so pre-
dominant that the radiating ones form OId^• narrow
connecting lines, very often incomplete, between the
concentric striae; but the radiating lines are far from
always opposed to or in continuation of each other on
each side of a concentric striation. In this manner,
however, a network is formed, as in the Cods, with

quadrangular meshes; and in every mesh the scale-
substance is thickened or raised, at least on the hind
(free) part of the scale''. Where the radiating lines
are interru[>te(l, these thickened ])arts assume a con-
tinuous, moniliform appearance, witli one row of beads
for each of the concentric stria\

Only two or perhaps three species of the genus
Molua arc known. Tlioy belong to the Mediterranean
and tlie Nortii Atlantic. The two species wliicli occur
within the limits of the Scandinavian fauna may l)e

distinguished as follows:

A: Leust depth of the tail less tlian ', „ of

the length of the head Molua dipteri/gia.

B: Least depth of the tail more than "- of

the length of the head Molua molca.

THE LESSER LING (s\v. mnKELANGAN).
MOLUA DIPTERYGIA.

Plato XXVI, fig. 3.

Bodn elongated, almost Eel-shaped, its greatest depth being ahoiit ^|■^^, — ^i^„ of its length. Least depth of the
hodg {ahout ^' „ % of its length) less than 15 % of the length of the head or than half the length of the middle
caudal rai/s. Total length of the head (in adttlf specimens) less than Vs, Us postorhital length less than \;,,, of
the length of flie hodg. Base of the first dorsal fin less than Vio ^/ ^^"? length of the body or than V5 <>f the
base of the second dorsal fin, and less than or at most ^/j greater than its own height. The second dorsal fin
begins at a distance from the tip of the snout less than 35 % of the lengtli of the body, and its base occupies at
least half of the Icngfl/ of tlie body. Base of the anal fin also greater titan the distance bettveen this fin and
the tip of the snout, and measuring at least 45 % of the length of the body. Coloration above reddish or brown,
beloM- white or grayish: outer part of the pectoral fins, hind lobes of the second dorsal and the anal fins, and

outer parts of tlie caudal fin, above and below, blaclish. Iris orange.

R. hi: 7; I>. II — 14;74-

V. .?,-+24 — .30 + .c: Vei't. 78.

A. 70 — 81; P. 18—20; V. 6;

Syn. Bijrkelaiige, Strom, Sondm. Beskriv., pt. I, p. 275; Id.,

Trondhj. Selsk. Skr., pt. Ill, p. 446, tab. 8; Gadus lii-

pterygiiis, cirratus, max. infer, longiore, p. anal. LXX, Mt'LL.,

Zool. Bail. Prodv., p. 42.
Gadus dijplerigius, Pen'n., Introd. Arct. Zool., ed. II, vol. I,

p. CXXIV.
Gadus Byrkelanije, Walb.. Iclitli. Art., pt. Ill (Gen. Pise),

p. 135; Coll. (3foli;a), Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874,

Tilla;gsl)., p. IIG; Malm, Gb;js, Boh. Fn., p. 492; Mela,

Vert. Feiiii., p. 302, tab. IX; Storm (Lota), Norsk. Vid.

Selsk. Skr. (Trondhj.) 1883, p. 35; Coll. (il/oZfa), N. Mag.

Natiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 84; Lillj., Sv., Norg.

Fid:, pi. 2, p. 139; Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 83,

tab. X, fig. 3, a.
Gadus abyssorum, Nilss., Prodi: Icht/i. Scand., p. 4; Kr.,

(Lota), Damn. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 167; Nilss. (Molva), Skand.

Fn., Fisk., p. 577.

Ol/s. The question whelher the Mediterranean Molua macro-
phthalma {Phycis macroplitl/almus, Rafls'., Caralteri etc., p. 2C, tab.
IX, fig. 3; Lotta elongata, Risso, Eur. Mir., torn. Ill, p. 217, fig. 47)
is a distinct species from Molua dipterygia, seems to require further
elucidation. Both Nilsson {8kand. Fn.) and Lilljeborg have pointed
out the great similarity between them, the latter writer with the
reservation that a difEerence exists in the texture of the scales. This
difference seems to consist in the fact that in tlie Mediterranean form
the radiating strias are entirely wanting, and that the moniliform
appearance of the concentric rings has thus disappeared. To judge
by the measurements givep by Lilljeborg, the Mediterranean form
has also ff still shallower peduncle of the tail (least deptli of the tail
only 1 1 ' 3 :'= of the length of the head) and a shorter first dorsal fin
(its base only 11 fo of that of the second dorsal fin), this form being
thus still further removed from the common Ling than Molua di-
pterygia. To judge by Costa's figure (Fauna del regno di Napoli,
Pesci, parte prima, JIalacotterigii Sottobranchiali, p. 15, tav. XXXX'III)
Molua macrophthalma seems also to be of a peculiar coloration, with
transverse spots, perhaps traces of the earlier stages of its develop-
ment, on tlic sides of the body. Still these differences cannot be of

" Distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout less than 30 % of the length of the body.

* Cf. the scales of the Eel.s — see Baudelot, Arvli. Zool. Exper.. torn. 2 (1873), p. 198, pi. VIII, fig. 1—4.

Scandinavian Fishes.

m

522

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

any especial significance; and in the coloration in particular, in the
distribution of the black colour on the vertical fins, we find an emin-
ently characteristic resemblance between the two forms. Thus, whether
we choose to regard these forms as distinct species or merely as
local varieties, we have here, as for example in the case of 6'corpcena
dacti/loptera (see above, p. 155), an evident connexion between the
deep-sea faunaj of the Mediterranean and of Scandinavia.

The Lesser Ling seldom attains a length of more
than 1 metre, though, according to NiLSSON, specimens
at least 5 feet (15 dm.) long are sometimes met with.
Its external form and external characters liave already
Iieen compared by Stro^i to those of the Hake, with
which genus it is closely connected in sevei"al respects.
The body is, however, still more elongated, the greatest
depth being at most about Vs (sometimes only slightly
more than W^) of the length, and the least depth less
than 3 % (2"7 — 2'5 %) of the latter. In front the body
is terete, the breadth being about ^/-^ — "/jo of the depth;
behind the lateral compression becomes more and more
pronounced, the breadth (thickness) of the body at the
point where the depth is least, being not even V2 of
the depth. The curves of tlie dorsal and ventral pro-
hies are equal and much more elongated behind than
in front. At the point \vliich corresponds to the inci-
sion in the margins of the dorsal and anal tins in the
Hake (here almost imperceptible), at the base of about
the fiftieth ray of the second dorsal fin, we find a
slight trace of a break, the dorsal profile sinking and
tlie ventral rising rather more sharply back towards
the ba.se of the caudal tin.

The form of the head is a uniform transition from
tliat of the terete forepart of the bo(h-. The snout is
horizontally elliptical, vertically slightly depressed, with
large, only slightly ascending mouth. The top of the
head is smooth or furnished with oidy slightly distinct
carina' (longitudinal osseous ridges), and a little con-
cave l)etween the eyes. The length of the head is
distinctly less than \'.^ (about 19 %) of that of the
body, or than *,'„ (at most about 42 %) of that of the
base of tlie anal fin. The eyes are large. Their longi-
tudinal diameter measures in adult sjjecimens 24 — 22'/2 %
of the length of the head or about twice the breadth
of the interorbital space, and is more than ^/^ of the
length of the snout, which occupies about ^/\^ — Va of
that of the head. Their upper margin lies on the same
plane as the forehead; but as the fish is generally caught
in very deep water, they project considerably in most

cases. The nostrils are situated in the hindmost third
of the length of the snout and fairly high, somewhat
above the middle of the eyes. The anterior nostril is
round, with the margin raised into a lobate projection
behind, the posterior larger, obliquely-set, oblong or
crescent-shaped, with the posterior (upper) pai't ex-
tended. The gape is comj^aratively large, and the jaws
are thus fairly long, the distance between the hind
extremity of the maxillary bones and the tip of the
snout being about 46 or 47 % of the length of the
head, and the length of the lower jaw, wliich in adult
specimens measures 58 — 52 % of the total length of
the head, greater than the postorbital length of the
same. In all our specimens the tip of the snout pro-
jects distinctly in front of that of the lower jaw",
which is furnished underneath with a comparatively
small barbel, measuring less than half the longitudinal
diameter of the eyes. The intermaxillary bones are
terete, tapering gradually to a point behind, and ex-
ternally passing im|)erceptiljly into the ligamentous
membrane that forms the labial margin between these
bones and the hind extremity of the maxillaries, which
is flat and somewhat extended, but arched downwards,
and from which a similar membrane runs forward to
the anterior part of the lower jaAV, forming an under-
lip, more fleshy in front than behind. The inter-
maxillary 1)ones are furnished throughout their length
with a card of rather small teeth of uniform size. The
card is of fairh" uniform lireadth, but as usual some-
what broader in front and growing narrower behind.
The lower jaw, on the other hand, contains two kinds
of teeth, an outer row of small teeth, which is some-
times double, corresponding to the intermaxillary teeth,
and an inner row of scattered, but large, straight, and
pointed canines, about 15 in number on each branch
of the lower jaw, and just at their tips more or less
distinctlv barbed. The head of the vomer is also fur-
nished with similar canine teeth, set in a horse-shoe
or semi-elliptical row, al)out 6 in number on each side.
Only a trace of the transverse palatine folds is present.
The tongue is toothless, flesliy, and free, flat and tri-
angular at the tip. The gill-rakers are short and den-
ticulated. The pharyngeal teeth are like the inter-
maxillary teeth. On each of the lower pharyngeals
they form an oblong card, while the upper pharyngeals
are united on each side into a round, convex projec-

" The case may also be the contrary, according to NiLSSON and Lili.jeborg.

LESSER LING.

tion, covered tlirougliout the surface with cardiforin
teeth of uniform size. At the side of these projections,
on tlie uppermost part (the epibranchial bone) of the
tliird branchial arch a small, separate patch of teeth
may Ijc felt". The gill-openings are large and admit
of considerable expansion, but tlie l)ranchiostegal raem-
liranes are united underneath into a broad dermal fold,
free from the isthmus and extending almost to the
tops of the first branchiostegal rays. The preoper-
culum is crescent-shaped, the interoperculum rather
broad l^ehind, the operculum rather small and deeply
concave at the hind margin, and the suboperculum
comparatively large. The cephalic system of the lateral
line is well-developed, with distinct and sometimes open
pores along the long preorbital bone as well as at the
margin of the preoperculum and on the branches of
the lower jaw. Straight in front (jf each of the nasal
cavities, aJiout half-way bet^veen it and the tip of the
snout, lies a large muciferous groove, with a nostril-
like and sometimes open pore.

The tirst dorsal fin resembles that of the Hake,
and liere too its height (the length of the longest ray)
is generally greater than the length of the base, but
subject to considerable variation, thus rendering it al-
most im})ossibIe to formulate any rule for this relation.
The fin begins at a distance from the tip of the snout
equal to about '/^ (26 — 25 ?^) of the length of the
body, the length of its base varies between about Vis
and '/u' of the length of the body, and the length of
its longest ray between ^^j and '/jj" thereof. The
shape of the tin also varies, being either triangular or
rounded. All the rays, except the first and the last,
may be bilid at the tip, tliough only indistinctly. The
second dorsal tin begins just behind the end of the
tii'st or at only a slight distance from it, and is sepa-
rated from the tip of the snout by a distance equal
to about "'3 (61 — 67 %) of the length of the fin itself.
It is always lo^ver than the first dorsal fin, and in the
middle third of the fin the rays are generally distinctly
shorter, but at the 40th — 50th ray the height again
begins to increase, about the 60th ray being the longest
and measuring about 6 or 7 % of the length of the

body. The first three rays as Avell as the last are
generally undivided, the others more or less indistinctly
divided. The division is most distinct in the rays in
the hindmost part of the fin.

The anal fin reproduces the; form and structure
of the second dorsal, l>ut is lower and shorter. It be-
gins a little behind the vent, the distance between its
beginning and the tip of the snout being about 40 —
42 % of the length of the body, and ends a little way
from the first lower supporting ray of the caudal fin,
usually a little behind the perpendicular from the end
of the second dorsal fin, but sometimes in a line with
this latter fin, or even a little further forward.

The caudal fin is also invariably separated b\' a
distinct interval both from the second dorsal and the
anal fin. The middle of its base (the tip of the tail)
lies at a distance from the ends of these fins measuring
about 8 or 9 % of the length of the body. Its shape
is cuneiform, witli the hind margin somewhat convex
or nearly straight.

The pectoral fins resemble those of the Hake,
being of an oval, obliquely pointed shape. Their length
— \'g or * JO of that of the body — is greater than
the postorbital length of the head, and more than iialf
as much again as the length of the snout.

The narrow ventral fins, on the other hand, differ
widely from those of the Hake. As a rule they are
longer than the pectoral fins, this being due to the
great elongation of the tips of the rays, esi^ecially of
the second one. Still, in this species too, the ventral
fins become comparatively shorter during growth.

The scales are thin and small, but close-set and
imbricated, extending over the whole body forward
along the snout and over the gi'eater part of the thick
membrane of the vertical fins. They are largest, as
usual, on the sides of the hind part of the body; but
among the larger scales Ave find small accessory scales,
the nucleus of which is sometimes extremely eccentric.
The scales on the anterior part of the head and on
the fins are equally small, but we have never found
their nuclei to be so eccentric. In all the scales the
nucleus is round and ratlier small. It always lies in

" Kroter has remarked as a clinracterislic of tl.e common Ling that in the pharynx we find on each side four, denfated upper phar-
yngeals, three of tliem united, as usual, into an oval patch furnished with teeth, and a "fourth, small, isolated bone." The true state of
"the case is, however, that here, as in many of the Teleosts, especially in this species and the Burbot as well as in the Hake and the larger
species of the genus Gadus — with the exception of the Haddock — the epibranchial bones of the third branchial arch are furni.shed with teeth.

i> 6-8 — 9-3 fi, according to our measurements of 4 specimens between 56 and 85 cm. long.

' 7'2 — 8"! ?o, according to our measurements.

524

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the anterior, inserted part of the scale. The scales
are either oblong or linguiform, with the anterior part
broader in the ordinary scales, narrower in the acces-
sory ones. The bead-shaped markings of their stria-
tion have already been noticed.

The lateral line, which, as in most of the Cod-
fishes, is scaleless, at the hind part of the tail runs
fairly straight along the middle of the sides, gradually
rises in front, and in the abdominal region forms a
slight, but distinct arch above the pectoral fin.

The aJKlominal cavity with its blue-black peri-
toneum, is remarkabljf long. In a male 65 cm. in
length it extends, gradually diminishing in width, be-
hind the vent to a line with the 30th ray of the anal
fin. This prolongation, however, does not contain any
portion of the intestine, but is occupied by the greater
part of the testes, which are divided, as in the Cods,
into wavy lobes. The stomach is long, hardly marked
off at all from the oesophagus, and pointed behind.
The pylorus is situated at the middle of the lower
(ventral) side of the stomach". The pyloric appen-
dages are long and luimerous, being at least about 20
in nunil^er. The intestine first bends slightly forward
from the pylorus, and then straight back to the anal
I'egioii, tlien forward again to the pyloric region, and
finally straight to the vent.

The coloration seems to be subject to considerable
variation. The specimens preserved in spirits in the
Royal Museum are dark or light brown on the back,
the sides gradually passing into the grayish white or
light liluish gray colour of the belly, which is finely
punctated throughout with reddish brown. Our figure
gives the coloration of a fresh specimen which was
sent, packed in ice, t(j the Koyal Museum from Gothen-
burg in January, 1875, l)y Professor ]\Ialji. The most
cluiractei'istic touch is the black colour of the outer
(posterioi') part of the pectoral fins and the hind parts
of the second dorsal, the anal, and the caudal fins.
All these fins are edged with white. The bases of
the pectoral fins and the caudal fin are ashy blue, but
at the middle of the caudal fin we find a lighter,
whitish patch between the black portions, and in the
fresh specimen the sides of the base of the caudal fin
were yellowish. According to Malm "the rest of the

fins are blackish bro\vn; but on the anterior dorsal fin
we find an oblicjue, whitish stripe from the tip of the
first ray to the hind ])art of the base."

The Lesser Ling — apart from its near relation-
ship to the above-mentioned Mediterranean form — is
strictly known only as a Norwegian species; but has
long been reno\\'ned and more esteemed than the com-
mon Ling. It lives oidy in deep watei generally

at a depth of from 100 to 300 fathoms — and is com-
mon only north of Bergen up to Finmark. Thei'e is
no record of its occurrence in the Arctic Ocean east
of Varanger Fjord''. It is also found, however, south
of Bergen, and now and then enters the Skager Rack,
where it has been taken in 35 fathoms of water on a
bank 23 miles S.W. of Vinga. Since 1860 Malm has
recorded the capture of 8 specimens off Bohuslan, and
Mr. C. A. Hansson has forw^arded to the Royal Mu-
seum two specimens, both females, the first taken in
October, 1888, at a depth of 80 fathoms between Nor-
way and Koster, and the second in April, 1889, in
Sacke Fjord.

Two of our jn-edecessors, Strom and Nilsson,
state that on the coast of Norway Molua dipterygia
is taken,' not, as the common Ling, in the open sea,
but always in the deep fjords, "where it is taken with
special tackle, known as deep-sea long-lines, principally
in autumn." Collett tells us, however, that "at se-
veral spots, especiallj' on the oft'-shoi'e fishing-banks,
it is taken in so great ninnbers that this fishery —
together with the catch of the common Ling and the
larger Cods — is of importance in the manufacture of
stockfish intended for exportation." It is considered
better than the common Ling, at least when fresh. The
Swedish name of the species {Jnrkelmga = Trade Ling)
denotes, according to Nilsson, that it commands a
better price than the common Ling. (.)f its habits
nothing more is kiunvn; but, to judge by its structure,
they cannot differ in any essential point from those of
the common Ling. In one of the males belonging to
the Royal Museum the testes Mere so developed at the
beginning of April that in this case the spawning-season
might be assumed to occur in the spring or summer.

Faher {Fischc Islands, p. 88) believed that the
J^esser Ling was the young ot the following species.

" In the specimens before ns we find the peculiarity — which often exists, however, in the common Ling too, when <lrawn up from
great deptli — that the hind part of the stomach, np to the pyhirus, is forced bodily into the anterior part.
'' According to Mkla it is rare in this fjord.

LESSKU LING.

525

This opinion is untenable, for the two species are di-
stinguished by constant characters; but the manner in
wliich most of these characters develop in Molua dip-
tei'i/fjin, as far as we can decide from an examination
of four adult specimens and without any knowledge
of the earlier stages, shows that, from a systematic
and genetic point of view, Molua dipteryrjla must be

regarded essentially as a predecessor of the common
Ling, though the former has evidently adopted in cer-
tain respects a distinct direction of development fi'om
the common original type which we are entitled to
assume. This appears from the following talde of
averages; which may besides serve to supplement the
preceding description.

A V e r a 1? e s.

Molua dipterygia".

spccimeDB.

2
spc'ciinens.

Molua molva''.

specimens.

specimens.

Length 111' the body esprcssed in millimetres _.

,, ., .. bfise of the fir.st dor.sal fin , in % of the length of the hodv

Distiince helwceu the second dorsal Hu and the tip of the snout „ ,, ,, „ ,, „ ,, .,

,, insertion of the ventral tins and the l)egiuning of the anal tin
., ,. ., tip of the snout ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, „ ,,

Length of the base of the aniil fin _

,, ,. .. head in % of the length of the base of the anal tin

Longitudinal diameter of the eyes in % of the length of the snout

7, ,. ;» ,,

ij ?T )» J»

Breadth of the interorbital spaee in '/« of the distance between the tip of the snout and the tjind extremity of
the mamillaries _ ._

Postorbital length of the head in % of the length of the base of the second dorsal tin _

Distance between the second dorsal tin and the tip of the snout iu % of the length of the liase of this tin

Length of the pectoral tins in fo of the distance between the insertion of the ventral tins and the beginning of
the anal fin _. .__ _

Height of the first dorsal fiu in °» of the length of its base _ _

Length of the snout in % of the length of the body _

„ „ ., base of the second dorsal fin ,, „ ,, „ „ ,, ,, ,,

Length of the snout in % of the length of the pectoral fins

Least depth of the peduncle of the tail in % of the length of the middle caudal rays -

Height of the first dorsal fin in % of the length of the body

Least depth of the peduncle of the tail in % of the length of the body ._

,, ., ,, ,, ., ., .. ,, ,, ,, ., ,, „ ,, ., head

Distance between the tip of the snout and the hind extremity of the maxillary bones in J^ of the length of the head

7.1
33.2
24.2
41.. 5
4G..5
40.3

71). 2

24.0
l(j.5
63.5

42.7
102.9

.").8

52. G
56. 7

42.2
7.2

2 7
14.2

46. 3

IS24
8.1
33.5
25.3

41.7

45.1
42.0
67.7

26.0
16.9
65.3

41.8

101.4

6.2

51.3

59.0

39.H

8.1

2.5
13.4

46.7

319

10.6

39.3
27.7
46.7
38.1
56.6

61.9

32.3
23.2

86.4

33.1
48.7
7.0
45.5
76.4

71.5
5.2
4.8

22.3

42.7

892
11.6
40.0
29.5
48.9
37.9
56.8
47.3

39.1
25.2

87.6

31.6

48.9

6.8

45.9
73.8

78.3

5.7

4.6

21.7

43.8

In the first 11 points of the comparison drawn
in this table the averages run in the same direction,
from a. lower percentage to a higher or vice versa, and
thus form an uninterrupted developmental series, the
direction of development being the same in both species.
In the next five points (12 — 16) the directions of de-
velopment are different, Jloliia dipterygia seeming in

these respects to have followed a distinct course'" and
to have had a special origin for its development. In
the last four points (1 7 — 20) the direction of develop-
ment is again the same, but at the origin of its course
of development Molua dipterygia seems to be already
further advanced than Molua molva.

MiriimiHii length of tlie body in these 4 specimens 562

1 2=!1

iiia.xiniiini 828 iiiin.
1,640 „

' The difference is to be exi:)lained to some extent, liowever, in points 13 and 14, by the fact that one of the specimens of Molua
iiiolca is 1,640 mm. long, and in several respects is an example of the not unusual circumstance that old age involves a reversion to the
characters of yoiitli.

526

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE LING (sw. langan).
MOLUA IVrOLVA.
Plate XXVI, fig. 2.

Body elongated, almost Eel-sliaped, the greatest depth heivg about ' u — \g of the length. Least depth of the
body {about 4^;^ — 5 % of the length) more than 19 % of the length of the head or than ' 5 of the length of the
middle rays of the caudal fn. Total lengtli of the head more than '/., its postorbital length more than ^^q, of
the length of the body. Base of the frst dorsal fn more than ^;\a of the lengtJi of the body" or than '/- of the'
base of the second dorsal fin, and at least aboat \ 3 greater than the heigltt of the frst dorsal fn. Distance be-
tween the beginning of the second dorsal fn and the tip of the snout more than 38 % of the length of the body,
and the length (f the base of this fn less than ^., that of the body. Base of the aned fin less than the distance
between this fin and the tip of the snout., and at most aboat 40 or 41 "o of the length of the body. Coloration
above grayish broirn in old specimens and broirnish red in young, beloir irhite or grayish: outer part of the pec-
toral fins yellow: the two dorsal fins and the anal fin witlt a black spot on the posterior p)art.
Iris yellow, with a reddish goldoi ring )ie.rt the pupil.

E. hi: 7: D. l-i*-— 16:60 — 68^ ; A. 57—65''; P. 18— 19^
V. C; C. a.'+24— 30/ + .r; Vert. 64—65.

•Syn. Asellus lonyus, Schonev., Ichthyol. Slesv. Hoist., p. 18; Molva
major, Ciiarleto.n, Oiiom. Zoic, p. 121; Gadiis 'So. 9, .\riT.,
Gen., p. 22; Si/n., p. .36; Lin.. It. \V<joth., p. 177; Limjue,
DUH., Peek., part. II, sect. I, p. 145, tab. XXV, fig. 1.

Gadus Molva, LiN., Sijst. Nat., ed. X, torn I, p. 254; Fn.
Suec, ed. II, p. 11.B; Eetz., Fn. 6'uec. Lin., p. 322; F.\ber,
Fisch. JsL, p. 86; Nilss. (Molca), Prodr. Ichth. Scand.,
p. 45; ScH.\GEESTR. {Gudus), Physiogr. Sallsk. TidsUr., p.
302; Parn. {Lota), Mem. Weru. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. VII,
p. 352; Kr., Dunm. Fiske, vol. 2, p. 153; Mgrx, Finl.
Fish. (disp. Helsingfors), p. 30; Mor., Hist. Xat. Poiss.
Fr., torn. Ill, p. 258; M6b., Hcke, Fisch. Osts.. p. 82.

Molva vulgaris, Flmng, Brit. Anim., p. 192; Nilss., Skand.
Fn., Fish., p. 573; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Mas., Fish., vol. IV,
p. 361; Coll., Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, TillEegsh., p.
115; N. Mag. Natnrv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 84;
WiNTH., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvii, ser. Ill, vol. XII, p. 32;
Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel, vol. I, p. 305. tab. LXXXVI;
Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 302, tab. IX; Storm {Lota), Norsk.
Vid. Selsk. Skr. Trondhj. 1883, p. 35; Lillj. {Molca), Sv.,
Nor<j. Fisk., vol. 2, p. 131: Hansen, Zool. Van., Fiske,
p. 81, tab. X, fig. 2.

Gadus raptor, Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 46; Schagerstr.,
1. c.

Molva Linne'i, Malm, Gb(/s, Boh. Fn., p. 491.

The common Ling, as hinted above, comes so near
the preceding species that a minute description of it is

hardly necessary. However, il attains a much more
considerable size. Even on the coast of Bohuslan and
in Christiania Fjord specimens 16 or 17 dm. long may
be found. We cannot sa^" whether it Grows inucli
larger in other localities; but Pennant's .statement'' that
he had been told of a specimen 7 feet (21 dm.) long,
has been adopted in literature, and Couch'' had heard
of a Ling from the Scilly Islands 124 lbs. (56 kgm.)
in Aveight, and thus con.sideral)]y aljove the ordinarv
size, a Ling 5' ., ft. long Aveighing only about 70 lbs.
(32 kgm.). As a rule too, the body is someAvhat deeper
than that of Jlolua dipterygia. a fact which appears
most distinctly in the least depth of the tail. But in
all other respects the two species are so similar in
form that here too we tind the In-eak in the regular
backward convergence of the dorsal and ventral lines
which coincides with the origin of the last dorsal and
anal fins in the Cods, and Avhich we thus have traced
from the Hake, with its indication of a division in the
posterior dorsal and anal tins, to the Ling, where this
indication seems to be entirely wanting.

The head is distinguished from that of 2Iolua
dipterygia partlj- by its somewhat greater length —

" In young specimens, however, sometimes
' Sometimes 13.
70.
■* ,, 66.

' ' „ 20 or 21.

^ 38 — 39, according to Lilljeboro.
9 Brit. Zool. (1776), tom. Ill, p. 174.
* Hist. Fish. Brit. Isl, vol. Ill, p. 92.

of tlio length of the bodv.

COMMON LING.

527

20 — -23 % of the length uf the bod) partly by the

greater breadth of the interorbital space — more than
30 %, sometimes, in very large Ling, as much as 46 %,
(if the distance between the tip of the snout and the
liind extremity of the maxillary bones — partly by the
smaller eyes — with a longitudinal diameter of about
22—11 % of the length of the head or G.") — 33 % of
the length of the snout in specimens between 23 and
164 cm. long — and partly liy the longer barbel under
the chin, measuring more than the longitudinal diameter
of the eyes. The occiput and the forehead are flatter
than in the preceding species. The length of the lower
jaw is as a rule somewhat less than the postorbital
length of the head, which is about lOV, — 13 % of the
length of the body. The tip of the snout generally
projects beyond the lower jaw, but, as in the preceding
species, the case is sometimes reversed, and a form \\\x\\
this characteristic is described bv Xilssox under the
name of Mohia raptoy. The teeth and gill-covers are
like those of Molua diptenjgia, but in old Ling the
sinus in the lower posterior margin of the operculum
is to a great extent filled up.

The first dorsal fin is distinguished from that of
Molua diptenjgia not only by the number of the rays,
which is generally greater, but also by its more elongated
form, the upper margin in young specimens being di-
stincth' rounded and highest in the last third of its
length, but in old specimens fairly straight (of uniform
height). In adult specimens the rule holds good that
the base of the fin is more than twice its height. The
distance between the fin and the tip of the snout varies
l:)etween 27 and 30 %, the length of its base between
10 and 13 %, and its height between 5 and 6 %, of
the length of the bodv. In young Ling only the pos-
terior ravs (with the exception of the last one) are
branched, but in most old specimens, on the other hand,
onh" the first three raA's and the last ray are simple.
The second dorsal fin is considerably longer and
contains a greater number of rays, but is of a similar
structure. It begins just behind the first dorsal fin,
the distance between it and the tip of the snout vary-
ing l:)etween about 38 and 43 % of the length of the
body. Its length varies between 4.5 (sometimes 43) and
47' 2 %> and its greatest height (in the posterior part)
between 6' ^ (sometimes 7) and 5 %, of the length of i

the body. Behind the middle of its length there is
only a slight diminution in its height.

In this species too, the anal fin repeats the forin
and structure of the second dorsal, though it is shorter
and lower. The distance between it and the tip of the
snout, Avhich varies between al)out A^^^l^ and .53 % of
the length of tlie Ixidy, is always greater than its length,
which varies between about 40 and 34 % of the lengtii
of the body. It ends a little in front of the perpen-
dicular from the termination of the second dorsal fin.
Its greatest height is about 6 — 5 % of the length of
the body.

The caudal fin is mucli more I'ounded than in
3Iolua dipteri/ffia, but in specimens of equal size its
length is about the same.

The pectoral and ventral fins are of essentially the
same form and structure as in Molua dipterygia, but
are usuallv sliorter. The length of the former is always
less than the postorbital length of the head; and the
length of the latter, which in young specimens is much
greater, diminishes so rapidly during growth that in
specimens about 4 dm. long it is somewhat less than
the postorbital length of the head, and in specimens
16 dm. long not even half of this length. The position
of the ventral fins also varies considerably with age,
in accordance with the general rule among the Teleosts,
moving farther and farther forAvard during the normal
period of growth. In Ling about 23 cm. long the
distance between these fins and the tip of the snout is
about 19\ ?■& of the length of the body, in specimens
between 40 and .50 cm. long about 18'/o %, and in
specimens 5.5 cm. long about 17\ %. In very old
specimens, however, of a length of 164 cm. for example,
we may find a reversion to the juvenile characters,
this percentage having again risen to 21 or 22 ?6.

The scales resemble those of Molua dipterygta, but
are relativelv still smaller and, together with the nu-
cleus, more oblong and of more uniform breadth. They
are rectangular and twice or three times as long as
broad, with very gradually rounded corners.

M'Intosh has investigated and described" the chan-
ges of growth during the embryonic stages of the Ling,
as well as during its larval and postlarval stages. The
systematic interest of the last of these periods of growth
is especially great. At the age of 3 or 4 months, at

« Tlie Life-histor,/ of a Marine Food-fsh, Roy. Inst. Gt. Brit.. Febr. 1, 1889. On the decelopment and life histories of the teleostean
food and other fshr.,. By W. C. M'Intosh md E. E. Prince, Trans. Roy. Soc. E-linbureli. vol. XXXV. part. III. p. 827.

528

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the end of August, wlien tlie Lirva is between S'/j and
9 mm. long, the embryonic vertical tin is still almost
continuous (fig. 124), only the hind extremity of the
notochord projecting obliquely upwards in the form of
a boundary between the eventual upper and lower parts
of the fin. The most remarkable peculiarity lies, how-
ever, in the situation and form of the ventral fins.

ll V

Fig. 124. Larva of Molua mohui, about 5 times the natural size.

After M'Intosh and Prince, p, the pectoral fin; v, the ventral fin;

d, the dorso-caudal fin; c, the ano-caudal fin.

These fins are inserted behind the perpendicular from
the insertion of the minute pectoral fins, and their
length is nearly half that of the body, but they con-
tain only four rays. No barbel can be detected under
the chin. The irregular transverse spots, formed by
scattered pigment-cells, remind us of the more distinct

in a line with the middle of the eye straight back round
to the base of the caudal fin-rays. The pale ventral
surface bounds it inferiorly, while dorsally a stripe with
a beautiful opaline lustre runs from the tip of the snout
over the eye backward to the liase of the caudal rays.
The latter band is opa(jue white on the tail, and it
gives the fish a charactei-istic appearance. The dorsal
line from the brain backward is distinguished by a

Fig. 127. Young specimen of Moliia molva. Natural size.
After M'Into.sh.

narrow edge of dull orange or pale olive, and this brings
out in relief the colours formerly mentioned." Both
the dorsal fins display the black spot at the end. At
a length of from 19 to 23 cm. at wliich period the fish
is met with on rocky shores, its appearance is entirely
changed (fig. 127). It is then marked with transverse
spots of brown, both on the sides and on the back,

Fig. 125. Older larva of Molua molva, about 5 times the natural size. After M'Intosh and Prince, p, the pectoral fin; v, the ventral fin.

transverse bands in the larva3 of the Cod. In a spe-
cimen 20 mm. long (fig. 125), taken at the same time
of }'ear, the barbel has begun to develop, and all the
vertical fins are separated from each other; but the
relative length of the ventral fins has only slightly de-
creased, and their insertion is still behind that of the

Fig. 12G. Young specimen of Molua laolva. Natural size.
After M'Intosh.

pectoral fins. These changes of growtln proceed from
this point according to the i-ules laid down above, but
a greater interest is attached to the sub-sequent changes
of colour in the young Ling. At a length of 9 cm.
(fig. 126) the body is marked with longitudinal stripes:
"an olive-brown l)and passes from the tip of the snout

the latter spots extending out over the basal part of
the second dorsal fin; and the opalescent stripe of the
preceding stage appears as a dentated band l^etween
the two rows of spots. The coloration was entirely
different in two fresh specimens, respectively 40 and
50 cm. in length, which in November, 1889, were for-
warded to the Royal Museum from Stromstad by Mr.
C. A. Hansson. The smaller of these two specimens
is the original of our figure (Plate XXVI, fig. 2). The
ground-colour of the body is now I'eddi.sh brown above
and milk-white below. The orange or pale olive colour
of the dorsal line in the fry has now extended over
both the dorsal fins, which are edged with yellowish
white, and each furnished with a Ijlack spot lx4iind.
This s])ot is more or less distinctl}' continued in a for-
ward direction along the margin of the fin, below the
white edge, b)' a dark band, Aviiich is either uninter-

COMMON IJNG.

nipted or hrokc'ii up into .small spots. The markings
of tlie anal (in arc like those of the sectjiul dorsal, but

529

the grounil-colour resembles that of the belly, though
with a stronger tinge of gray. The caudal iiii is of
the ground-colour of the dorsal side, wilh a border
broken up into spots, like that of the fins already
described. (.)n this tin as well as on the sides of the
body and on the dorsal fins appear traces of the above-
mentioned opalescent strij)e of the juvenile stages, in
the form of vermiform, violet and light blue transverse
stripes, spots, and longitudinal bands. The pectoral
fins are ash}- I due on the inner part (the base), on the
outer (distal) part orange-yellow. The ventral fins
are of the same colon i- as the ventral sides. The barbel
and the tip of the lower jaw are darker. In old spe-
cimens the ordinary coloration is uiucli plainer, the
upper jjarts of the bod)^ being grayish brown (chocolate
gra}) or greenish, the belly white and more or less
grayish. The spots and bands of the younger specimens
grow fainter and fainter, only the white margin of the
vertical fins becoming still more distinct; but in old
specimens we sometimes find large black spots irregu-
larly distributed over the body and the vertical fins,
twice, three times, or four times as large as the eyes.
NiLSSON mentions a variety "strewn witJi scattered,
round, black spots, of the size of large peas."

The internal organs resemble those of Molua di~
pteiiigia, but the abdominal cavity is somewhat shorter,
extending back onlv to a line with the base of about
the I'ith oi- 13th ray of the anal fin, and the perito-
neum is wliite. The pylorus is also situated further
back, nearer the bottom of the stomach.

The Ling is one of the most important Scandi-
navian fishes. It is apparently most common on the coast
of NorAvay, from the neighbourhood of Bergen north to
Finmark; but to the south it is also the object of an
important fishery. Its geographical range extends along
the coast of Europe from the Murman coast — where,
according to Mela, it is common — to the Bay of Bis-
cay, where it is extremely rare. Moreau records the
capture of one specimen oft' Arcachon and of another
in the neighbourhood of the Spanish frontier. In tlie
English Channel and round the shores of Ireland it is
common. (.)ft" Iceland it is also fairly plentiful; but

whether it occurs on the Atlantic coast of America, is
as yet a doubtful question. P^vbkicius, it is true, in-
cludes it in his Fauna groenlandica (p. 148), and gives
an Esquimaux name for it, but he had never personally
seen it in fii'eeidand. Di hamkl states that the Cod-
fishers on the coast of Nortii America sometimes catch
nothing but Ling; but as he adds that the Ling is
fished for off' Spitzbergen in particular, his authority
for both statements seems to be far from ti-ustworthy.
On the coast of Spitzbergen there is no recorded in-
stance of the occurrence of the Ling. In the official
statistics of Newfoundland" and Canada' small catches
of Ling appear; but neither Jordan and Gilbert nor
Brown-Goode and his collaborators include this species
among the fishes of America.

In the Baltic propei- the Ling is wanting, but at
its south-west corner, oft" Kiel, the species has been
met with twice, according to Mobius and IIeixcke. In
the Sound it is rare, but, according to Wixtfier, has
once been taken just north of Copenhagen. (_)ft' Kullen
it is somewhat commoner, but its true habitat begins
in the north of the Cattegat and the Skager Rack.

The Ling is really a deep-.sea fish. The most nu-
merous and the lai'gest Ling are taken in more than
100 fathoms of water. There they lead, without doubt,
a life of plunder, so greedy that under ordinary cir-
cumstances they do not even associate with each other.
The strong teeth of the Ling are an unmistakable sign
of this: and in its stomach proofs have been found of
the greatest voracit}'. Fishes of all kinds — Sharks and
Chima^rfe, Cod and Whitings, Halibut and Dragonets,
etc. — form the chief portion of its food, and tiiat it
chases and seizes them in their flight, appears from the
fact that they are frequently found in its stomach with
the heads turned forward. About 8 miles oft' Wick',
in March, 1872. a Ling about 6 feet in length was
taken which had in its stomach a Salmon 27 in. long.
But crustaceans and starfish are also devoured by the
Ling, which probably keeps to the bottom of the sea
during the greater part of its existence. As in the case
of the Cod, we have the most singular evidence of the
voracity of the Ling. Oft" Brandon Head on the south-
west coast of Ireland a Ling was once'' caught that had
in its stomach a pewter flask containing '"tAvo glasses

" See, for example. Bull. U. S. Fish. Coiiiui., \i<\.
>> L. c, vol. VI, p. 54.

« See BucKLANi), Xat. Hist. Brit. Fish., p. 129.
<' Bull. U. S. Fish. Coinni., vol. V (1885), p. 78

V (1885), p. 71.

Scandinavian Fishes.

67

530

SCANDIXAVIAN FISHES.

of an ardent spirit." In another specimen a three-gill
bottle, some Herrings, and a small Cod were found",
together with several bits of parchment and sealing-wax.
These last substances might suggest the conclusion that
the fish had swallowed one of the bottles which are set
adrift to ascertain the set of the ocean-currents, or
jjerhaps one of those sad farewell letters written in the
bitter hours of distress at sea.

Its voracity rendei'S the Ling an easy capture. The
true Ling-fishery is carried on at the same time as the
Cod-fishery and in the same manner (see above, p. 478).
For this purpose the fishermen of Bohusliln betake
themselves to the Jutland Reef or the Norwegian fishing-
baidvs of Jajderen and Storeggen. The Scotch Ling-fishery
is pursued on the largest scale oft" the Shetland Islands;
l)ut all I'ound (Treat Britain and Ireland' this fishery
is of no small importance. Buckland estimated the
annual value of the Ling-fishery oft' Stornoway at
£16,000. According to statistical reports' in 1888
129,766 cwts. of Ling of a value of £47,646 were
taken on the coast of Scotland, 66,785 cwts. of a value
of £47,135 on the coasts of England and Wales, but
on the coast of Ireland only 10,130 cwts. of a. value
of £4,863. One may compare these figures with the
statement'' of Mr. v. Yhi.en, Inspector of Fisheries, that
in 1879 19,620 Ling of a value of about 20,000 crowns
(£1,100) were brought to Gothenburg Fish Market.
However, the greater part of the catch in Bohuslan is
comprised in the statistical reports under the head of
storsjojiskef (Great Sea-fishery; Cod etc.). Tliis fishery
has been extended since 1884 to the Shetland Banks,
and in 1888, according to Dr. A. H. Malm, the value
of the catch at first hand was 658,763 crowns (£36,230).
How great a proportion of this catch consisted of Ling,

is uncertain, but it can scarcely have been more than
V4. In the Cattegat the true Ling-fishery (with great
long-lines) is of still less importance, the catch being
only some hundred kilogrammes per annum. Small
Ling, known by the fishermen as Ldngelxnn (Ling-
child)'', are, however, taken pretty often in shallower
^\■ater ^vith the seine. During the winter months, ac-
cording to Ekstrom, a few large Ling ascend into shal-
lower water and are taken on Haddock-lines.

The Ling spawns in spring and early summer,
from April to June inclusive. It spawns in the open
sea, and the eggs float about in the water. Like the
family in general it is extraoi'dinarily prolific. Olsex
estimates the number of its eggs at five millions. The
ripe eggs are stated by M'Intosh to be nearly ^/j,, of
an inch in diameter.

During and immediately after the spawning-season
tlie Ling, like other fishes, is hardly fit for food. The
liver in particular, which at other times is of a hand-
some reddish white, during the spawning-season is red
and worthless. Durino: tlie rest of the year the flesh
of the Ling is excellent and more liighly esteemed than
that of the Cod. It is cured in the same way as the
latter for home use and exportation; l)ut Skewered-Ling
{spilldnga = split and dried Ling) is prepared in a spe-
cial maimer. The split fish is stretched as hard as
possible on skewers {spilor) at several parts of the body,
and then hung up to dry. Ling is dressed for the
table in the same way as otlier stockfish; but Ekstrom
mentions another dish which the fishermen of Bohusliin
call Stamp, and which is prepared as follows: the flesh
of the Ling together with the liver is thoroughly boiled
in salt Avater and then pounded {stampad) to a pulp,
which is eaten with avidity.

Genus LOTTA.

Two fuUij dcrdopcd dorsal fins, one anal fin; the vertical fins separated, hut the peduncle {finless part) of the

tail in most cases rerif smcdl, if not imperceptihle. Ventral fins irith 6 — 8 rai/s. Caudal fin rounded. Teeth

in the loiver jaw and on the head of the vomer, as well as on the intermaxillary hones, small and of

uniform size, nithout canines. Brcmchiostegal rays 7.

This genus, which comes extremely near the pre-
ceding one, contains, as far as we know at present,

" Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., IreL, vol. I, p. .306.

' See Oi-SEN, Piscatorial Atlas, tab. 22.

' Fish. Trades Gazelle, 12tli and 26tli Jan., 1889.

■* Appendix lo the Swedish Catalogue, Berlin Exhibition 1880.

' Cf., however, p. 230 above.

only one species, but is spread over the fresh water of
the northern parts both of the Old World and of the

liLHIioT.

531

New. Ill the suutlicni heiuisphcre it lias an extremely
near relation among the marine fishes — from the Straits
of Magellan and the neighhouriiig waters — in the genus
Salihifd, wliieh ))y the deeper form of the body and
the larger scales forms a transiticjn to the following
genus {I'hjjcis). Nils.son" was the first to distinguish
Lotta from Jloltta: but like Jenyns'' before him, he
adopted the Linnanin specific name of Lota" as a ge-
neric name, instead of the older name of Lotto'', which
was introduced into the system by Ris.so'".

The most striking external difference from the
jn-eceding genus lies in the close approximation of tlie
vertical fins, it being scarcely possible to detect any
finless part of the tail even in middle-sized specimens
of Jjitta, as the caudal tin can hardly be described as
distinctly divided from the second dorsal or the anal fin.

The connexifjii is closest Ijetweeu the caudal fin and
the second dorsal, and is so intimate that the last rays
of the latter are generally set in the membrane that
unites the two fins. This cliaracter also belongs, iiow-
ever, to the primary stages in the development of the
Ling (cf. above, figs. 124 and 12.")), and in this capa-
city is an e\i(lent expression <jf the near relationship
of the two genera, pointing to the common original
forms in which the vertical fins were never differentiated.
How near iMta and Jloliia stand to each other in this
respect, also appears from the fact that the distance
lietween the tip of the tail (the middle of the liase of
the caudal fin) and the tcnuinatiitii cither of the second
dorsal or of the anal fin is remarkably alike in l)0tli
genera, ^•arying between about 7 and 9 % of the length
of the body, with the following averages:

Average i n

,. ^ . Molua molva
dtpterttaw r
/- j:f hf specimcns-
4 sppciincns. '

Lotta lota

5 pppcimens.

Distance between the tip of the (ail and the end of the second dorsal tin in ;i of the length of the body...
)j i) Tj ?) ?j )? )i 5) !' »» ?T 1' anal „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ „ ...

S.l
8.3

8.1

8.9

7.9
8.3

Thus we find from this table that the character
in point — the absence in Lotta of the peduncle
of the tail — is essentially due to the greater exten-
sion in a forward direction of the caudal fin with its
supporting rays at the upper and lower margins of
the tail.

In common ^vitll the preceding genus, on the other
hand, and in contradistinction to Merlucius, Lotta is
furnislied with the pendulous barbel under the chin.

Dui"ing life this Ijarbel projects more or less distinctly
forwai'd.

The covering of the body consist in IMta of re-
markably small, thin, round or roundish quadrangular
scales, with almost central nucleus, and Avith the stria-
tion especially dense, but consisting almost exclusively
of concentric strite, the radiating striaj being present
only in the form of short, small, dentiform processes
on the outer side of the concentric strite.

" Slcaud. Fn., Fish-., p. 579.

>> Man. Brit. Vert. Anim. (1835), p. 448.

' The name is taken from Rondelet (De Pise, laciistr., p. 164).

'' The name occurs in Belon, and is a Latinized form of the Freneli Lotfe, whicli was applied to a suligcuus by CcviER in 1817,
and was not snppleniented by the Latin Lota until 1829, or later tlian tlie appearance of Risso's work. In CfviEn, however, tlie species is
always called Gadns lota.

« Enr. Mi'r., torn. Ill (1826), p. 217.

532

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE BURBOT (sw. laken).

LOTTA LOTA.

Plate XXVI, fig. 1.

Body someu-hat like that of SihirKs; head compressed in front, anterior' part of the Jjodij terete^ kind part com-
pressed. Distance hettreeii the tip of the snout and the herjinning of the frst dorsal fiv more than 31 % of the
length of the body, length of the head less than 68 % of this distance. Breadth of the inferorhital space more
than 21 % of the total leugtli of the head or than 40 % of the postorhital length thereof. Greatest breadth (thick-
ness) of the body more than 48 % of the length of the head or than 22 % of the distance betireen the anal fin
and tl/e tip of the snout. Coloration made up of black spots or mottled uifJi black {dark broivn) and in most

cases confluent sjwts, on a yellon-ish green ground.

E. br. 7; D. 13"— 16(16) 74''— 79(85); A. 65' — 75(78);
P. 18 — 21''; V. 6 — 8; V. .r + 20— 39 +.r; Vert. 58—62.

/l.-foriii.a vulgaris, pinnis pectoralibus lineaiii verticaleni ex initio

pinna' dorsalis prima? attingentibus vel transientibus, longitudine

" 100 loiigitudinis corporis totius superantibus.

Syii. Gadus dorso dipterygio, ore cirrato, inaxilli.s a^qnalibns, Art.,

Gen. Pise, p. 22; Sijn. Pise, p. 38; Sihiriis, Id., Spec,

p. 107; Lin., Fii. Siiec, ed. I, p. 109.

Gadus Lota, Lin.. Syst. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 255; Retz.,
Fn. iStiec. Lin., p. 322; Pali,., Zoo/jr. R. Asiat., torn. Ill,
p. 201; Cuv., Begne Anim., ed. 2, torn. 11, p. 333; Nilss.,
Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 47 ; Bdt, Rzbg, Medic. Zool., Bd.
2, p. 52, tab. VII, fig. 2, tab. VIII, fig. 3; Ekstr., Vet.-
Akad. Handl. 1834, p. 43; Reuter, Sundman (Lota), Finl.
Fisk., fig. X.

Lota vulgaris, Jen., Man. Brit. Vert. Anim., p. 448; Norpm.,
Voy. Eziss. Me'r. (Demiuoff), p. 630; Kr., Damn. Fiske,
vol. 2, p. 169; SuNDEV., Wrigh'I', Skand. Fisk., ed. I, p.
170 (1846), tab. 41 (1842); Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p.
580; HcKL., Kn., Siisswasserf. Ostreicli. Mon., p. 313; Gthr,
Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. IV, p. 359; Sieb., Siisswasserf.
Mitteleiir., p. 73; Lindstr., Gotl. Fisk., Gotl. L. Hush.
Sallsk. Arsber. 1866, p, 21 (sep.); Moen, Finl. Fiskar (disp.
Heisingt'or.s), p. 31; BlaNchard, Poi.$s. d. eau.v douces Fr.,
p. 272; Coll., Forli. Vid. Selsk. Cbrist. 1874, Tillajgsb.,
p. 115; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 67; Gigl., Espos. Intern.
Pesca, Berlino 1880, Sez. Ital., Cat., p. 97; Bncke, Fisch.,
Fischer., Fischz. 0., W. Preuss., p. 89; Mor., Hist. Nat.
Poiss. Fr., toni. HI, p. 256; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., L'el.,
vol. I, p. 308, tab. LXXXVII; Grimm, Fish., Hunt, on
Russian Waters, Intern. Fish. Exhib. London 1883, p. 11;
NohdAck, Handl. Fiskevard, Fiskafvel, p. 369, bild 109;
LiLLJ., Sv., Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 147.

Lota communis, Rapp, Fisch. Bodeus., p. 36.

Lota Linne'i, Malm, GOgs, Boh. Fn., p. 491.

Lota macidosa, Mela, Vert. Fenn., p. 301, tab. IX.
B: forma maculosa, americana, pinn. pect. lin. vertical, ex init. p.
dors. l:ma; baud attingentibus, longit. "/,,|„ longitudinis totius
corporis baud superantibus.

Gadus Lota, Penn., Litrod. Arct. Zool., ed. II, vol. I, p

CCXCVII.
Gadus viaculosus, Lesueur, Journ. Acad. Nat. So., vol. I, p

83; Id. (Jfolva), Mem. Mus., vol. V, p. 159, tab. 16; Rich.

Fn. Bor. Amer., Fish., p. 248; Bean (Lola), Fisher., Fish

Lulustr. U. S. (Br. Goude), sect. I, p. 235, tab. 61.
Gadus compressus, Lesueur, ibid., p. 84; Storer (Loia), Mem

Amer. Acad. Arts., So., n. ser., vol. VI, p. 360, tab. XXVIII

fig. 4.
Gadus lacustris, Mitch., Amer. Monthl. Magaz., vol. 2, p. 244

Ltkn (Lota), Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn, 1881, p. 256
Molva huntia, Lesueur, Mem. Mus., vol. V, p. 161.
Lota inornata, De Kay, N. York Fn., Fish., p. 283, tab

XLV, fig. 145.
Lota brosmiana. Stoker, Journ. Soc. Nat. Hist. Boston, vol

IV, p. 58, tab. V, fig. 1.

Obs. The numerous specific names which the Burbot has borne
in the system, are an expression of its variableness. In recent times,
however, even the American writers have not only united all the as-
sumed American species into one, but also adopted Gunther's opinion
and united tliis species to the European and Asiatic form. LOtken
proposed, however, to restore the distinction between the two forms,
on the grounds that in a specimen of the American Burbot examined
by him the tips of the pectoral fins did not extend to a line with
the beginning of the first dorsal fin, a character which also appears
in the best figure of this form, Todd's figure in Bean and Brown-
Goode (1. c). Whether this character is constant in the American
Burbot, can hardly be decided from so few observations; but it may
also occur in the Burbot of the Old World, as shown by a specimen
9 dm. long, which was taken in the River Yenisei by NordenskiOld's
expedition on the 16tli of September, 1875. In this specimen the
tips of the pectoral fins fall far short of the perpendicular from the
beginning of the first dorsal fin, this being due to the fact that the
latter fin is situated extraordinarily far back, at a distance from the
tip of the snout equal to 37 Vo % of the length of the body and more
than 5 times the length of the base of this fin. This specimen dif-
fers, however, both from the drawing mentioned above and from the
measurements of the ."Vnierican Burbot given by Richardson (1. c),
in the fact that the pectoral fins are of the average lengtli normal in

" Sometimes 10 — 12, according to Kroyer and Gi'nther.

' V 07-69,

*■ ,, 60, ,, „ Moreau.

'' „ 17 or 22, ,, ,, Keoyek and Sundevall.

BURBOT.

533

tin' Burbot of Uic- Old World. Tliougli the longlli of the pectoral fins is
extremely variable — tlie variations extending in our Burbot between
13 and 21 % oi the length of the body — but in the Old World we
have never found it to be less than 13 %. On the other hand, the
removal in a backward direction of the- dorsal tins and a relative de-
crease in their length seem to be changes of growth that might well
explain the difference maintained by Lt'TKEN, or at least impair its
validity. Tliis is tlic reason wliy we has'e not considered it necessary
either to refer the specimen from the Yenisei to the American form,
or even to regard the two forms of the Burbot as entirely distinct
from each other", though there is a possible chance that tlie purely
Arctic Burbot of the Old World are allied in form to the American
Burbot, for, according to Coi.lett, there is a wide gap in the range
of the Burbot in Norway. Our collections are not extensive enough
to enable lis to decide this question.

In central Sweden the ordinaiy length of the Bur-
l)ot is al)oiit two feet (60(J mm.). In the south of
Sweden it seldom attains this length. A Burbot 57
cm. long has been found to weigh 1,487 grammes, one
5 dm. long nearly 850 grammes, and a specimen 4 dm.
long 425 grammes. Thus in these cases the weight
increased in direct proportion to the cube of the length.
The largest Burbot Sundevall ever saw, was taken
about 1840 in Lake Bafven in Sodermanland, and
weighed 12% lbs. ((i,375 grammes). A Burbot 13 lbs.
(G,4G0 grammes) in weight was caught in a trap (ri/ssja)
in Kyrkviken off Lidingo, on the 7th of January, 1887.
It is, liowever, only exceptionally that Burbot more
than two kilogrammes in weight are found in Sweden.
The species attains a much larger size in the Arctic
regions. As we have mentioned above, the Royal Mu-
seum possesses a specimen 9 dm. long from the Ye-
nisei; and Dall states, according to Bean (1. c), that
in Alaska the Burbot attains a weight of (30 lbs. (27 '/j
kgm.), which according to the proportion assumed above
presupposes a length of 13 or 14 dm. Thus the Bur-
bot in size rivals the Ling.

The skin is rather thick and uncommonly strong,
almost like that of the Eel; and there are many points
of resemblance between these two fishes. The scales
are very small, as in the other species known by the
fishermen as 'skin-fisJies' : but they are distinctly visible
through the slimy epidermis, in which they lie flat and
close together, each scale entirely enclosed in a follicle.
They do not seem to be firmlv attached, and may be
easily extracted witli a penknife or the point of a
needle. In a ii.sh G dm. long the largest .scales are
hardly V,\ mm. in breadth. They cover the skin en-

tirely, out over the snout and the tins, where ihcy are,
however, very small.

The head is suiall. In a middle-sized Burbot its
length, including the whole gill-cover, is only about
Vj (21 to 19', %) of the length of tlie body. Its length
seems to be more subject to iiidi\i(liial variations than
to changes of growth. Seen from above its appearance
is parabolical, rounded in front. The u])])er surface is
strongly depressed, flat, and smooth. Tlie head may be
expanded to a breadth much greater than that of the
body, but when the jaAvs and the gill-covers are clo.sed,
it is much narrower tlian the forepart of the trunk.
The eye is round and deeply imbedded in a rather
oblong socket without distinct margin. In specimens
betAveen 22 and 90 cm. long the longitudinal diameter
of the eye varies between about 18' ^ and II '/g % of
the length of the head, between about 62 and 37 %
(sometimes 35'., %) of the length of the snout, or be-
tween 85 and 3G ?o of the breadth of the interorbital
space. Its centre lies at about the end of the first
third of the length of the whole head. The iris is dark
bro^\■n with sihery inner margin and roinid pupil. The
tip of the snout projects a little beyond the anterior
margin of the upper jaw. Tlie two nostrils on each
side are rather small, at least the anterior ones, which
lie about half-wa^- between the eye and the tip of the
snout, and have the prominent hind margin elongated
into a soft, flat filament, about half as Ions as the eve
or a little longer. The posterior nostril is generally
distinctly larger, and lies half-way between the eye and
the anterior nostril or nearer the former. Its margin
is not raised, but the upiicr (inner) part thereof gener-
nll\- projects in a rounded shape over the opening,
which thus becomes kidney-shaped. The barbel under
the chin is longer than the eye. The cleft of the moutli
extends below the anterior margin of the eye. The
margin of the upper jaw is formed hj the intermaxil-
lary bones alone, which are not protrusile, but have
their front margin set below and, as we have men-
tioned, a little behind the tip of the snout. The niaxil-
lar^■ bones extend far behind the intermaxillaries, below
the middle of the eye, to a distance from the tip of
the snout of between 8 and nearly 10 ^ of the length
of the body or 41 and 45 % of that of the head. The
lower jaw is flat; its articulation lies somewhat behind

" From Bkan's (1. c.) comparison between European and American Burbot it appeared that liie number of the vertebra; was the only
constant distinction between these forms; but Kroyer states that the number of vertebra^ in the European form i.-; 21+37, and M.\lm found
22 + 40. In a skeleton in the Koyal Museum we find 23 + 39.

534

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

the eve, and its length nieasuves from D^A, to a little
more than 11 % of that of tlie body or from 47 to
54 % of that of the head. In front it is a little shorter
than the upper ja\\'. Tlie teeth are rather close-set,
tine, and pointed, and form a broad, cardiform vow on
the intermaxillary bones and in the lower ja^v, ^vhile
on tiie head of the vomer they are set in a semicircular
l)an(l. The palatine bones are toothless. There are no
transverse folds (vela) within the mouth. Tiie four jjairs
of branchial arches are furnished on the inside (in front)
with a double row of tubercular, ])nt onh- few gill-
rakers, 5 — 7 on the first arch. The cards of pharyngeal
teetli, the upper ones united into a roundish patch on
each side, are composed of densely set, small teeth, and,
here as in the preceding genus, we find a small patch
of teeth on the third pair of cpibranchial bones. The
branchiostegal membrane is extended by seven large
and thick, but only slightly flattened ravs. It lies bare,
is rather large and onlv slightlv, if at all, incised at
the middle (under the isthmus), where it forms a broad,
free fold right across to the opposite side. The gill-
openings ai-e fairly large. The tongue is large and
fleshy.

In front of the vent the body is terete, and the
lielly more or less pendent; behind it strongly com-
pressed laterally and shallower. The hind part of the
anal aperture is situated at the middle of the length
of the body, excluding the caudal fin, and the usual
depth of the body at this point is about ^ ,; of the
length to the tip of the tail. The least depth of the
l)odv, at the base of the caudal fin, is l)et\veen about

(sometimes 4) and 5'

of the total lensfth of

have soft, l)i'auched, ^vell-se})arated ravs, clothed -witli
a firm, thick skin, ^vhich is furnished with fine scales.

The first dorsal fin generally begins at tlie end of
the first third of the total length of the l)ody, and
above the tip of the pectoral fins when laid l)ack. The
distance between it and the tip of the snout, ^\•hich
usually varies between 31' ^ '"i^^ 34 '/^ % of the length
of the body, may sometimes be as much as 37 V2 ^
thereof (cf. above, Ohs)). It contains generally 13,
seldom 10 or 11 or even 15 or 16 rays, most of which,
at the middle of the fin, are of equal height, measur-
ing in most cases about \,j or 'A, of the greatest depth
of the body, but sometimes even more than ' ., thereof.
The anterior and posterior rays are variously shortened,
the latter sometimes missing. The incision which se-
parates the two dorsal fins, usually goes right down to
the back, and ^vhen the number of rays in the first
fin is extraordinarily small, this is due to the absence
of one or two ravs at its termination. The length of
the base of the first dorsal fin is about 8 or 9 % of
that of the bodv, though it may sometimes siidv to
about 6 % thereof. The second dorsal fin is of uni-
form height and generally somewhat higher than the
first. In most cases it contains about 75 rays, the first
2, 3, or 4 and the last 4 or 5 diminished in length.
The distance between the fin and the tip of the snout
varies between about 40 and 43 % (sometimes 46 %) of
tlie length of the body, and the length of its base be-
tween about 45 and 47 % (sometimes 42 or even 41 %)
of that of the body.

The caudal fin is divided from the dorsal and anal
fins bv an incision in the membrane, but in j'oung and

the body or about 22 (sometimes 20) and 28 % of the middle-sized Burbot the notch never extends down to
length of the head. The sharper convergence of the | the body, and in these specimens no distinct finless

dorsal and ventral profiles, which proved in the Hake
to coincide with the beofinnino: of the hindmost sections
of the dorsal and anal fins, in the Burbot does not ap-
peal- until we reach the Itegiuning of the peduncle of
the tail, and is sometimes almost imperceptible. The
hiteral line, which is broad and distinct, but onlv sHghtly
depressed and often interrupted, I'uns from the sides of
the occiput, in a slight curve, near the back, approaches
the middle of the sides behind the vent, and advances
in a straight line to the tip of the tail. All the fins

space (peduncle of the tail), at the dorsal margin at
least, is ever to be detected. It is first in a Burbot
of unusual size (age), 9 dm. in length, that we have
found the peduncle of the tail distinctly marked above
and below. When the fin is strongly expanded (as in
the figure), it is perfectly round; but it is generally
seen in a somewhat folded position, and is then oblong
and rather pointed, as in the Eel. It contains about
41 rays, of which 5 or 6 above and below are shortened
(supporting ra}s), Ijut not so transformed as in most

" One (if the Royal Museum specimens from Lake Wetter, with comparatively large head, is further distinguished by the extraordinary
development of the fins: the height of the first dorsal fin is 9-7 °i, the height of the second dorsal fin 9-3 %, the height of the anal fiu 6.2 %,
the length of the pectoral fins 21-4 K. the length of the ventral fins 18'2 '/>, and the length of the middle rays of the caudal fin 9-1 % —
in each case, of the length of the bndy (483 mm.).

BUKBOT.

535

other fishes that have ;i distinct caudal fin. ()]\. iic-
coiint of the thick intcguniciit they are difficult to count.
The length of the middle rays varies between about 0
and 7 % (sonjetiines 8 or 9 %) of that of the body.

The annl fin bcsiins nt a distiince from the tip of
the snout equal to about 4') — 48 % (sometimes 49 or
even nearly 50 ?») of the length of the body, and the
length of its base measures about 45 — 47 % (sometimes
42 or even 41 %) of that of the l)ody. Its rays, gener-
allv al)out 70" in numljer, are of the same structure
as those of the second dorsal fin, Init their height is
only ^/4 of that of the latter.

The pectoral fin is large and rounded. It usually
measures ' . of the length of the head, but in one spe-
cimen we ha\e found it almost as long as the whole
licad. It is generally made up of 18 — "20 rays. Often,
however, according to Sun'devall, there are 22 rays on
one side or on botli, and sometimes, according to Kroyer,
ordy 17. At about the 7th or 8th ray we find 3 or 4
of the same length. The anterior and posterior rays
grow gradually shorter. The first is simple, and gener-
ally half the length of the fin.

The insertion of the ventral fin lies entirely in front
of the base of the pectoral fin. The raAS are G or 7
in young Burbot, but in old ones quite as often 8. The
second ray is soft and thick, ' '^ longer than the others,
and somewhat separated from them. In young speci-
mens it is almost as long as the pectoral fin, in old
ones distinctly (as much as ^'^) shorter. The first ray
is as long as the third and free at the tip.

The coloration, which is densely variegated with
yellow and black, intensifies in a high degree the re-
pulsive, Amphibian-like appearance of this fish. It is
extremely variable, however: sometimes plain, dark
blackish gray, sometimes lighter witli only small spots
of black on the upper part of the body. The relation-
ship to the Ling is expressed by the collection of the
black pigment into a more or less continuous band along
the margins of the vertical fins. In spite of all the
irregularity in the distribution and confluence of the
spots we can generally trace a longitudinal band on the
cheeks and snout. The inner (hind) surface of the pec-
toral fins is bluish. The belly and the ventral fins are
generally pale and wliitisli, Imt sometimes only slightly

lighter tlian ihe sides of the body. Tlie fry seem al-
ways to be of a plain, dark colour.

Of the internal organs we may give the following
particuhirs. The liver is rather large, reddish white,
set on the left side, and undivided. A rather small lobe
projects on the right side and covers the gall-bladder''.
The peritoneiini is \vliite. The stomadi, which foi-nis
an inimediate contiiutation of the a-sophagus, extends
along only slightly more than ' 3 of the abdominal ca-
vity, and is furnished internally with 7 large longi-
tudinal folds, whicli disappear when it is distended.
Only one side, the side from which the pyloric part
starts, is smooth and contains small, dense, digitate
glandules, hardly a millimetre in breadth. The pyloric
part originates on the under side of the stomach, in a
line witli tlie tip of tlie liver, not far from the bottom
of the stomacli. It is small and narrow, but thick-
walled and firm. It is continued in a forward direction
by the intestine, which at the very beginning has two
bunches, one on each side, of 20 — 24 appendages, ir-
regularly united at the base into a smaller luunber of
ducts. The intestine soon bends back to the anal region,
whence it returns forAvard, again to bend back to the
vent. It is of uniform thickness, only tlie last portion
(the rectum) being somewhat wider, closed by a valve
(like a ralntJa coll), and furnished internally with five
or six, not very distinct, longitudinal folds. The spleen
lies at the hind pai't of the middle coil of the intestine.
The ovaries are coalescent behind, with a common ori-
fice, which opens behind the vent. They are hung in
a distinct mesenterium or fold of the peritoneum. The
ripe eggs are flame-yellow and rather small, 0'8 — 1 mm.
in diameter, Imt exceedingl)- numerous, forming a mass
of considerable size. Hermaphrodites are not so very
rare; one specimen of this kind was described as early
as 1800 by Professor Pipping of Abo^ The air-bladder
is fairh- large and firm, lying close to the spinal column.
It is somewhat compressed at the middle, grows wider
anteriorly, and ends in front in two lobes, or with two
obtuse corners or short ramifications, which occupy the
anterior elongations of the abdominal cavity beside the
dorsal column and the occiput. The kidneys form a
fairly large, roundish, gray-brown reddish mass behind
the air-bladder and the vent. They have only small.

" In one young specimen, however, we have connfed 89.

* According to Beax (1. c), Dall found in male Burbot from Alaska two or even three, distinct gall-bladders, opening into a com-
mon gall-duct.

<• Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1800, p. 33. tab. I. tig. 1.

.')?.6

SCANDINAVIAX FISHES.

not very distinct prolongations in front below the spinal
■ohunii. To the left side of this mass we find the
ui'inary bladder, which is large and saccate, and is dis-
charged behind the genital apertui'e.

The liurliot is the only iish of this family that
lives in fresh water; but in its entire structure, as ^ve
have seen, it conies extremelj' near the Ling and other
true marine fishes. It is spread over a fairly wide
portion of the globe, namely almost the whole of Eui'ope,
the north of Asia, and North America. From its range
we see that it is really a northern fish; and it seems to
attain the highest point of its development in the lakes
and rivers tiiat dischai'ge themselves into tlic Arctic
( 'cean. In America, however, it goes as far south as
the 37th degree of latitude, l)ut in Eurojje scarcely be-
\()nd tlie 4r)t]i. Even in the lari^e lakes of Lombardv
it is common, according to Giglioli. In Russia, ac-
t'ording to GRiivni, the Burbot is found (;verywhere in
fresh water, with the exception of tlie rivers tliat flow
into the south of the Caspian Sea. In central Europe
it grows less and less plentiful furtlier west, until in
(jreat Britain it may be described as rare, \vhile in Ire-
land it is never found. In Scandinavia too, it is prin-
cipally an eastern and northern tisli, which in Norway,
according to Collett, is entirely wanting in the diocese
of Bergen and along the greater part of the west coast.
Throughout the fresh water of Finmark, on the other
hand, it is common. Tliis is also the case in Swedish
Lapland, at Karesuando, Juckasjiirvi, and Quickjock for
example". In Jeratland the Burbot is one of the fishes
that go highest up the fells''. In central S\veden it seems
to l)e more [>lentiful than further south, and it is one
of the species brought to Stockhdlm in the greatest
quantity during the greater part of the year. It is said
occasionally to descend from Lake Wener, where it is
t'ommon, into the River Gotha when the locks are open-
ed". According to the reports sent in to the Fisheries
Connnission of 1881'' the Burbot occurs throughout the
whole of Sweden", and in the District of Orebro attains
a length of 3.j in. (89 cm.) and a weight of 2fi' j lbs.
(11 '9 kgm.). In the rivers and lakes of the Scanian

plain and the Danish islands it is rare. Feddersex'^
gives several instances of the occurrence of the Burbot
in Jutland, and in the Elbe it is common''; but in Laa-
land and Falster, according to this authoi', as well as
on Bornholm, it is wanting. Kkoyer, however, once
sa^v a very large specimen in Bornholm, and the species
occurs in several of the lakes and streams of Gothland'',
as well as in the brackish water of the Baltic. It attains
its maximum size in the regions where it is most plenti-
ful, exceeding the average size at the northern limit of
its range, but in Scania apparently smaller in every case.

Its favourite haunts are the lakes with clear water
and a- stony bottom, l)ut it is also found often on a
clayey bottom and in the larger, more sluggish streams
and rivers. Though it does not live in the sea, it is
met with at several spots in the Baltic island-belts where
the water is only slightly salt and therefore al)ounds
chiefly in fresh-water fishes.

During the greater part of the year tlie Burbot
frequents deep spots. It is only towards the beginning
of winter and during the spawning-season that it joins
in a general migration to shallo^ver \v'ater. It is rather
sluggish, never collects in shoals, and never appears at
the surface, but alwa3'S hugs the bottom, hiding itself
among stones, sunken logs, the roots of trees etc., where
it lies still, i^referring to await its prey than to seek it.
Its capacity of speedy motion is shown, however, by its
power of seizing other fishes. According to a statement
made by Mr. Gjobel, a Burbot in Lake Wener is known
to have swum 13 miles (2IV3 km.) in a night. It was
recognised by a. fish-hook in its mouth. Few other
fishes have so sui)ple a body and, in consequence thereof,
such Eel-like or serpentine movements, and not many
are so tenacious of life. The Burbot lives long after
it is taken out of the water, without the surface of the
body drying, this being apparently due to the copious
secretion of mucus. The fishermen tear off the isthmus
to kill the fish, an operation which is known as 'slaugh-
tering the Burljot.' This is done on account of their
strange lielief that the fish would (jtherwise eat its own
liver, which is considered the best part of it.

" Cf. too WlUEGKii.N, Handl. 0. Upphjsn. rvr. iSrerifjes Fiskerier, I, p. 41 (Aflr. ur H:mdl. riir. Laiidtbr., 24:ile delen).
'' See Olsson, Ofvers. VeL-Akad. Fiirli. 1876, No. 3, p. 138 and 1882. No. 10, p. 51.
' Malm, 1. c.

'' I'liderdaiiigl Betiiiikande ined Forslag till ny Fiskerisladga iii. in., Stockh. 1883, Uil. Ill, p. 150.

' In thesu reports it does not appear as an inhabitant of Gotldand or of Blekinge; but its occnrrence in the former locality is re-
iirded by Lindstkum (1. c.) and in the latter by Gosselm.\.n {ZooL, Bot. laittag. inoiii Blel:, disp. Lund 18G4. p. 5).
•'■ Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 75.
■' Khoveh, 1. c.

'' Ll.\D.STIlUM, 1. C.

nriinoT.

537

The I^urbot is one of the most vorafious fishes. It
devours almost everything that coincs in its wav, live
or even decomposed. It seems to live chiefly on small
fishes, insects, worms, and the like, and in particular
on fish-roe. It haunts the spawning-places of other fishes,
and does great damage there by devouring the roe after
its deposition. It can also swallow comparativeU' large
fishes. A Burbot 22V2 in. (57 cm.) long which Sunde-
VALL exanuncd in tlie month of December, was found
to liave swallowed a Pike 11^ 5 in. (30 cm.) in length.
The head of the latter, which lay bent in the strongly
distended stomach of the Bui'bot, at the extreme end
of the abdominal cavity, was, with the exception of the

t() hatch, but the period of hatching, strictly speaking,
begins appai'cntly at tlie end of four weeks*. The new-
hatched fry, scarcely 3 mm. long, are always sharply
curved in front; 1)ut many specimens are found which
seem to be prematurely hatched and lie quite in a ring.
The latter move but seldom, and only in a circle; some
of them are further developed after some time, but others
die soon. The sitecimens uliicli ai-e straight at the tail
(fig. 128), are feirly active. They swim with a quivering
movement of the body, generall}- up towards the sur-
face, whence they sink iiKjtionless towards the bottom.
While swimming they move the pectoral fins rapidly.
Even after 30 days fry only slightly more than 3 mm.

teeth, almost digested, while the caudal fin projected \ long are found. The subsequent development also pro

in a crushed condition between the teeth of the Burbot.
In central Sweden the spawning-season of the Bur-
bot begins in January and apparently proceeds during
the whole of Februarv. The fishermen state that the
young Burbot S})awn earlier than the older ones. To
the north of Lapland the spawning-season is said to be-
gin later. The spawning-place is chosen in shallow water
with a bottom of sand or clay. These spots are known
by the fishermen as 'Burbot-ridges' (lakdsar). In Lake
Wetter, where according to Widegijen the spawning com-
mences at the beginning of February, but according to
others not until March, the Burbot is stated not to ascend
towards the shore or to the shallowest parts of the lake to
spawn, but to remain in deep ^vater, generally at a depth
of 30 fathoms". The roe is deposited separately and lies
loose at the bottom. There are two kinds, one yellow,
the other clear and almost colourless, but artificial fer-
tilization has succeeded in both cases. The great fe-
cundity of this fish is shown by the fact that Cedekstrom
computed the number of eggs in a female to be about
1(50,000, SuxDEVALL about 180,000. Bexecke states the
number at about a million, Norback at about five mil-
lions. The segmentation of the yolk begins in about 24
hours; after 15 or 16 days the eyes begin to appear in
the egg, and a day or two after small stai'-like pigmental
spots may be seen on the surface of the embryo. At the
same period the pulsation of the heart (15 — 50 beats
per minute) is distinctly visible. The i-evolutions of the
embrjo within the egg become also distinct. After the
lapse of three weeks from the impregnation the roe begins

ceeds slowly. At the age of one year the Burbot is only
90 — 120 mm. long, according to Norback, and is not
capable of reproducing its species until four years old.
Throughout Sweden this fish is called lake. The
names of stenlake (Stone Burbot) and Jerlake (Clay Bur-

Fig. 128. New-hatched young specimen of Lotta lota (taken at the
beginning of April, 1855), hardly 3 mm. long. After Sundevaij,.

bot) refer merely to the nature of the bottom on which
the fish is taken. On the Baltic coast, however, the former
name is also applied to the Mviparous Blenny {Enchely-
opus), to which the Burbot has some resemblance. The
small Burbot too, a few years old, which are generally of
dark colour, and may often be found on the shore under
the stones in a foot of water, are often called steiilakar.
The Burbot ranks among the most delicious fishes,
though the elaborate method in wliich it is pi'epared for
table, where it appears as a kind of ragoiit (Sw. stufvad
lake = Lotte a la Villeroi), no doubt contributes to its
reputation. The flesh is Avhite and firm. The liver is
considered an especial delicacy. The older writers state
that the roe is unwholesome", but in Sweden it is eaten
freely without any evil results. In many places it is made
into a palatable kind of caviare. The Burbot caught in
Lake Siljan has long** been most highly praised for its
excellence. As the Swedish proverb says:

" See Landtbr. Akad. Tidskrift 1863, p. 212.

* According to Norback not until afler two or three months.

' Cf. Kboyer, 1. c, p. 183 and Day, 1. c, p. 310.

'' 0. SiljerstrSm-Larsson (sub pries. A. Gruswai.i.), 'Siljon (disp. Upsaliiv 1730), p. 3."

Scandinavian Fishes.

68

538

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

"Hialmare Giadda, Siljaus Laka, Ulo Lax.
Aro bland bilsta fiskar iiti sjogar tags.""

Several parts of the lUirbot are used Ijy the Swe-
dish peasants, and ;dso, according to Pallas, by the
Ostiacs', as medicinal remedies. The oil which flows
spontaneously from the liver, is employed as eye-salve;
and the pyloric appendages, which are known l)y the
peasants as lakehln (Burbot-claws), are dried and pow-
dered, the powder being taken in doses of a teaspoonful
as a preventative of ague. The skin is wrapped, as soon
as it has been flayed, round cracked glass vessels. When
dry it adheres firmly to the glass, keeping the pieces to-
gether and rendering the vessel watertight. The Ostiacs
make it into clothes. When rubl)ed with fat or oil it
becomes semi-transparent, and is said to be used by the
Russian peasants to glaze their windows. The air-bladder
may be employed, in the form of isinglass, as glue.

The methods of catching Burbot are various but
simple, as this fish is by no means cautious or cunning.
It is taken most generally and in the greatest quantitj'-
in traps, either of the ordinary description (see p. .33,
tig. 7), or hanu'inn-traps, which are sunk in a hole in
the ice and hung there vertically (with the top upmost).
Sometimes too, single traps {mjdyday, see p. 32, tig. 6)
are set at the l)ottom. In spring, as soon as the ice has
broken up, the Burbot is also taken with long-lines,
which are generally baited with Pope {Accrina cernua),
the most temi^ting bait and that most easily procurable

at this season. In summer it is caught on standing-
hooks, in wliich case the bait should also be sunk to the
bottom. During winter the so-called lakskifva (Burbot-
disk) is used, a plate of lead in the sliape of a fish and
fui-nished with several hooks, with which the Burbot is
struck. This disk also appears in another form — called
rot (rat) or lakekdx, and common on the shores of Lake
Wetter and in Verndand — which consists of a spike
with four hooks projecting in opposite directions (in a
cross), and is not unlike a grapnel. On the shaft just
above the hooks or a little further up, the fisherman
fastens a bit of Burbot-roe wrapped in a piece of muslin,
or a small fish. This tackle is let down through a hole
in the ice. The fisherman keeps plucking the hook up-
wards as soon as it reaches the bottom, and two or three
Burbot, allured by the bait on the hook, may often be
struck and drawn up together. When the Burbot makes
its way to the shores, a hal)it we have mentioned above,
it is stunned (ddfvad). This is done in the following
manner: the fisherman, armed with nothing but an axe,
walks slowly and cautiously on the clear, new ice near
shore, and when he sights the Burbot, which keeps close
under the ice, he brings down the axe-head heavily just
above the head of the fish. The latter is thus stunned,
and lies helpless at the same spot, while the fisherman
quickly breaks a hole in the ice and secures his catch.
Of course, this last method is feasible only on very
shelving shores.

(SUNDEVALL, S:\IITT.)

Genus PHYCIS.

Two fuUij developed dorsal fins, one anal fin: the vertical fins distinctly separated {a distinct peduncle of the tail).
Ventral fins ivith, three rai/s, tjut apparenthj irltli unli/ one, filamentous, and branched. Caudal fin truncate or
rounded. Carcliforin teeth of uniform size {without canines) on the intermaxillary hones, in the louder Jaw, and

on the head of the corner. Branchiostegal rays 7.

The great inconstancy in the numl)er of rays in
file ventral fins of the preceding genus contrasts it most
shai'ply with the genus Phycis, in which these rays have
suffered considerable reduction in number, but in adult
specimens have attained a length in nujst cases even
relatively greater than that wliich otherwise characterizes
the larvie of these fishes. In comparison with the three
preceding genera, which Phycis resembles in the arrange-
ment of the vertical fins, this genus is distinguished by

the deeper, more compressed form of the body in aclult
specimens. During youth, however, the types are in
this i-espect similar, or at least very nearly so.

The genus Phycis, itself one of the deep-sea fishes,
is the centre of a group consisting of several other
forms that belong to the abyssal zone, and compose
series of forms with dift'erent directions of development,
but so continuous that the limitation of the genera is
extremely difficult, if it be even possible to suggest a

" "Pike of Hialinnre, Burbot of Siljan, Salmon of Ulea, Are amnng Uie l)est fishes cauglil in lakes." Hialmare is a lake in central

Sweden, Siljan a lake in Dalecarlia, anfl Uleil a river in Finland. Tn.

'' The Ostiacs arc a people of Finnish extraction that inhaliit the conntry between the Ural Mountains and the River Obi and the
neighbtiurhood of the Yenisei. Tr.

CODFISHES.

539

natural s}'stera for this piir[j()se. From Cuba, ISt. Fle-
lena, Madeira, and New Zealand we have Physicidns,
witiiout vomerine teeth and with more numerous rays
ill the ventral lins than J'/h/cIs, thouyii tlieir number
varies between 7 and 3. Uraleptits, from the Medi-
teri'anean and Madeira, is a Physiculus with canine teeth
set in a. row outside the smaller jaw-teeth. Ifcdopor-
pJii/nis, which occurs in the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic, from Portugal down to the Southern Hemi-
sphere, is a I'Jii/cis with reduced number of rays in
the first dorsal fin. Ant mora, from the Southern Hemi-
sphere and the Atlantic south of Newfoundland, is a
Halo^xDjiJii/nis with elongated snout, a character which
it possesses iiT common with the majority of the Ma-
crurid(e, and with the anal fin almost divided into two
sections, a ])oint ^vhich reminds us of Merlucius. Thus
the Phi/cis type is extremely variable.

The history of the fry approximates Phycis to the
following genus". Young specimens about 30 — 35 mm.
long (fig. 129) are of a silvery. Mackerel-like colour,
resembling the fry of the Rocklings. The four or three
rays of the long ventral fins are united by a broad,
black-pigraented membrane, as in the fry of the Ling.

Fig. 12it. YouDg specimen of Phycis blennoides, natural size.
After Facciol.4. II Naturalista Siciliano, Anno II (1882), p. 27.

The scaly covering of Phycis is variable, but al-
•\vays better developed than in the preceding genera of
this family. The concentric stria^ (raised ridges) of the
scales are finelv but unevenlv crenulated, and for the

Round the latter we also find either an irregular net-
work of fine stria' at the hind part of the scale, or a
trace of this network in the form of fine transverse
.stria3 between the concentric ones. In Phycis the lateral
line also runs over true scales, not, as in the preceding
genera of this family, witli its jiores opening in the
bare skin. The fine gi'ooves radiating towai-ds the
anterior margin are more distinct and more numerous
in the scales of the lateral line than in the others.

In one species of this germs {Phycis rer/ins) Alex-
ander Agassiz, according to Buown-Goode and Bean'',
has observed a faculty of giving electric shocks, though
according to these writers this poAver is possessed by the
species onlj' when it lives in very deep water. Special
electric organs, however, have not been detected, and
the electric sensation mav probably be explained by
the vibration caused in tlie entire body of the fish b}'
the violent contraction of the large muscles.

DelaroChe'' and Sokexsex'' have described the
air-bladder of Phycis mediteyraneus. It is divided by
two transverse contractions into three parts, internally
communicating with each other, the fir.st of A\hich
projects at the top into a pair of lateral horns attached
to the upper end of each of the clavicular bones, and
is furnished with a pair of transverse muscles at the
anterior part of its wall, one on each side. From this
structure Sop.exsex concludes that in Phycis mediter-
raneus the air-bladder is an organ of sound.

Roxdelet" was the first to give this genus its name,
for in Aristotle' (pvAg: was certainly some other fish:
"the only marine fish of which it is stated that it makes
a bed in Avhich to give birth to its young." The name
was introduced into the modern nomenclature of science

most part run parallel to each other, most of them (the

outer ones) extending to the margin of the scale both , by Aktedi'' and Bloch-Schxeider*. The Swedish name

in front and behind, which is the case in front with of Bartelfish (Beard-fish) was bestowed upon the genus

all of them. The nucleus, which lies near the hind
extremity of the scale, is extremely narroAV and elong-
ated, and is continued forward in a groove to the ex-
treme front margin of the scale, only the inner con-
centric stria' being thus continuous behind the nucleus.

by Fries in the first edition of this work (p. 77).

The genus contains seven species', five of which
belong to the ^Mediterranean and the European side of
the Atlantic. The Scandinavian fauna contains only
one of them.

" LiiTKEN, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. Forli. Kbhvn 1881, p. 252; Agassiz, Yoting Osseous Fishes. Proe. Ainer. Acad. Arts, Sc. voL XVII.
p. 296, tab. VIII, figs. 2 and 3; Facciola, II Naturalista Siciliano, Anno II (1882), p. 25; Emery, Mittli. Zool. Stat. Neapel. Bd. 6, p. 159.
. * Bull. Mus. CVuip. Zool., Harv. Coll., vol. X. p. 204.

' Ann. Mus. D'Hist. Nat. Paris, XIV (1809), pp. 193 and 190.

'' Om Lydorijaner has Fiske, p. 156, tab. IV, fig. 59.

« De Pise, Lib. VI, cap. X. p. 186.

/ De Anim. Lib. VIII, cap. XXX.

!' Gen. Pise, p. 84; Syn. Pise. p. 111. Hence tbe Blennivs Phi/cis of Liss.eus, Syst. Xat.. ed. XII. torn. 1, p. 442.

* S>/st. Ichlh., [I. 56.

' 11, if we include Lamonema.

540

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE GREAT FORKED BEARD (8w. barteln or kumrillen).
PHYCIS BLENXOIDES.

Plate XXV, fig. 2.

First dorsal fin in adult specimens much hir/lier than the second, the third or the fourth raij being elongated like
a filament. Scales of the hodij so large that a transverse row from the first dorsal fin to the lateral line contains
only 4 — (j scales. Length of the loiver jaw greater than the postorhital length of the head and more than half
the total length thereof. Breadth of the interorhital space less than ^/,, least depth of the fail at most about Vs
(34 %), of the length of the lower jaw. Length of the base of the anal fin less than the distance between this fin
and the tip of the snout, and the distance between the insertion of the ventral fins and the beginning of the anal
fin at least about '5 of the length of the base of the latter fin. Coloration above of a more or less light choco-
late colour, below whitish iritli a dash of violet and on the belly nearly tvhite. Vertical fins blachish at the margin,
as well as nearly the whole surface of the pectoral fins. Ventral fins red. Branchial cavity and the posterior

part of the pharynx, as ivell as the peritoneum, hlachish.

R. hr. 7; D. 8 — lOjoT"— 63; A. 63 — 57''; P. 15—19; V. 3;
C. .(■+ 15 — 18+.r; Lin. lat. 105—108'-; Vert. 5Q''.

Syn. Barbtis major (Great forked Beard) Jago apiul Ray, Syii.
Meth. Pise, p. 163, fig. 7; Penn. (Forked Hake), Brit. ZnoL,
torn. Ill, p. 170 (ed. 1776), tab. XXXI. Merlu barbii,
Duu., Peches, part. II, sect. I, p. 147, tab. XXV, fig. 4.

Gadus Blennoides, BrOnn, Ichth. Alarsil., p. 24; Bl.-Schneid.
(Phycis), 1. c.; Cuv., Eegn. Anim., ed. I, torn. II, p. 217;
NiLSS., Prodr. Ichthyol. Scand., p. 49; Gthr, Cat. Brit. Miis.,
vol. IV, p. 351; Steind., Stzber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.
Naturw. CI., LVII i (1868), p. 708; Coll., Forh. Vid. Seli^k.
Christ. 1874, Tillregsh., p. 114; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 67;
N. Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 83; M.\LM,
Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 490; Winth., Naturh. Tidskr. Kbhvn,
ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 32; Mor., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., torn.
Ill, p. 264; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.. IreL, vol. I, p. 303,
tab. LXXXV, fig. 2; Storm, N. Vid. Selsk. Skr. (Troiidhj.)
1883, p. 35; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fish., vol. II, p. 156;
Hansen, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 78, tab. IX, fig. 10.

Gadus bifurcus, Walb. (ex Penn.), Iclith. Art., pt. Ill, p. 137.

Gadus albidtis, G.MEL., (ex BrOnn.) Syst. Nat. Lin., ed. XIII,
p. 1171.

Blennius yadoides, Lacep., Hist. Nat. Poiss., toin. II, p. 484.

Physcis fiircatiis, Flmng, Brit. Anim., p. 193; Kr. (Pliyris),
Damn. Fiske, vol. I, p. 609, vol. II, p. 214; Malsi, Gbgs
Vet., Vitt. Sanih. Handl., H. 2 (1851), p. Ill; Nilss., Skand.
Fn., Fisk., p. 584; Thomps., Nat. Hist. IreL, vol. IV, p. 187.

The iiiaxiinuiu length of the Great Forked Beard
is apparently between about 6 and 7 dm." The body
is comparatively deep and compressed — reminding us
someAvhat of Gadus liiscus, though more elongated —
especially in its hind i>nrt, where the depth is also

seemingly increased by the loose skin which covers the
bases of the dorsal and anal fins. In adult specimens
the greatest breadth (thickness) of the body is only
"/j — ^/j of its depth at the beginning of the anal fin,
and the thickness at the middle of the body, vertically
above the middle of the base of the anal fin, is only
about "4 of the depth at the same point. In young
specimens, however, we meet with different proportions,
more resembling those which we have observed in the
form of the bod}^ of the genera immediately preceding
the present one. In specimens 18 cm. long (from the
Mediterranean) the body is almost terete in front, and
at the perpendicular from the middle of the base ot
the anal fin — \vhere in young examples of this species
we find a round Ijhick s])ot on the dorsal fin — the
thickness is about '/g of the depth. In general (except
in gravid females) the curves of the dorsal and ventral
contoui's are the same, but at the occiput we often find
a perceptible depression, which may perhaps be ascribed
to the violent contraction at death of the dorsal muscles.
In adult specimens — witli the exception of gravid fe-
males — the greatest depth of the body occurs at the
beginning of the first dorsal fin, and measures about
21 % of the length of the body or a little more than
(sometimes equal to, and in young specimens even less
than) the de|)t]i at the beginning of tlie anal fin; and

" Sometimes 54, according to Day.

* ,, 51, ,, ,, LiLLJEBORG.

„ 58, „ ,, Day.

' 112, according to Day.
'' 15 + 35, according to Malm.

* In Trondhjem Fjord, according to Colle'I't, Storm obtained a specimen 665 mm. long. Thompson mentions an Irish specimen 25
in. (635 mm.) in length.

CUKAT I'UKKHIJ IJEAIJU.

')41

the least depth of the Ixidy (tail) varies between ^'/a %
(in youth) niul I % (in old s])ocinieiis) of the length
of the body or between 27 ;uid ?i\ % of the length
of the lower jaw.

In full-grown specimens tlu- lieiid p.'irt.'ikcs of the
general coni])ression of the body. Above it is fl;it or
slightly convex, and its Hat sides, the cheeks, are al-
most parallel to each other, 'flir length of the head
varies with age" between about 22 and 23 % of that
of the body. The eyes arc rather oblong and fairly
large, the longitudinal diameter of the orI)its varying
with age between about 6"„ and 5 % of the length of
the body or 30 and 22 % of that of the head. They
are set in the second third of the head, though the
length of the snout varies between about 2S and 33 %
of that of the liead, and the postorliital length of the
Iicad between aliout 42 and .50 % of the total length
thereof. The nostrils are set in the last third of the
snout, on about a level with the centre of the eye, the
distance between them being about the same as that
between the posterior one and the margin of the orbit.
The anterior nostril, which is a small, round (opening,
is marked liv a lobate elevation of the hind superior
part of tlie margin; the posterior is t^vice as large and
oblong, without any elevation of the margin. Tlie tip
of the snout jjrojeets beyond the margin of the upper
jaw, and the latter in its turn beyond the tip of the
lower jaw. The whole snout is soft and of a loose
structure, this being due to the extensive development ,
within it of the muciferous ducts of the system of the j
lateral line. The opercular apparatus is most like that
of the Hake, with triangular, almost forked operculum. |
The suboperculum is thin l)ut broad, and pointed at
the top (l)ehind): it lies under and tills the deep inci-
sion in the hind posterior margin of the operculum,
while the iinier part of its truncate, anterior (lower) end
touches the interoperculum, which is thicker but nar- |
rower. Thus the margin of the entire opercular appa- !
ratus is somewhat incised at this point. The preoper-
culuni, with its broad margin (to receive the muciferous
duct) is rectangular lint rounded at tlie angle. The
branchiostegal membranes are united into a collar under-
neath, but this collar terminates posteriorly almost ver-
tically below the centre of the eye. The jaws resemble
those of the Cod. The maxillary bones extend back
to the perpendicular from the hind margin of the pupil,

the intermaxillaries being a little shorter and reaching
oidy to the per])endicular from the interior margin of
the jtupil. The distance between the tip of the snout
anil the hind extremity of the maxillary liones is greater
than the postorbital length of the head and more than
h.ilf the totrd length of the head, but less than the
length of the lower jaw, which varies between 60 and
537g % of the length of the head or between 33 and
28 % of that of tlie ba.se of the anal fin. Tiie post-
orbital length of the head is thus always less than the
length of the lower jaw, but increases with age even
in this relation, from about 70 to 90 or 91 %. The
length of the barbi-l under the chin is somewhat less
than that of the eye. The teeth are most like those
of the Burbot, being small ;ind of uniform size, but
set in a dense card in the lower jaw and on the inter-
maxillary bones and in a curve, somewhat pointed in
front, on the head of the vomer. Tlie palatal folds
behind the jaw-bones arc narrow Imt distinct, at least
in the lower jaw. The tongue is flat and broad, with
a narrow, free tip and margin. The gill-rakers, 14 or
15 in number on the first branchial arch, are well-
developed, but not of any great length. The phar-
yngeal teeth resemble the jaw-teeth.

The first dorsal tin begins at a distance from the
tip of the snout that varies with age between ab<nit
25 and about 29 % of the length of the body, and it
terminates close to, but quite distinct from the begin-
ning of the second dorsal fin. When erected it has the
form of an almost right-angled triangle with the riglit
angle at tlie hind corner and with the shortest side
(the base) measuring about 6 or 7 % of the length of
the bodv. As a rule the first three ra)'s are simple,
and the third rav is elongated into a filament abput
twice as long as the fourth ray, which, like the others,
is branched. The first ray is about half as long as the
second, which is somewhat shorter than the fourth.
The variations in this respect are, however, considerable,
and the elongated rav sometimes projects only slightly
above the others, its length varying, even in adult spe-
cimens, between about 10 and 17 % of that of the body.
The second dorsal fin begins at a distance fi'om the tip
of the snout of 32 — 36 % of the length of the body,
and its base, taking into account the individual varia-
tions, measures lietween 51 and 53 % of this length.
Its height is fairly uniform, but greatest (9 or 10 %

" Here and in Uic following relations the changes of growth are given as we have found Ihein ia specimens between 18 and 57 cm. long.

A2

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

of the length of the body) in tlie posterioi- part of the
tin, and the margin is incised just behind the middle
of its length. All the rays — except the tirst, tlie tirst
two, or the first three — are branched in full-grown
specimens, though onl}' indistinctly in the anterior part
of the fin, and the ramification is scarcely' perceptible
in the thick, loose fin-membrane. The length of the
peduncle (finless part) of the tail is about equal to its
depth. The caudal fin is rather narrow, and sharply
rounded at the hind margin, its median length varying
between 13 and 10 % of that of the l)odv. The anal fin is
analogous to the second dorsal in form and structure, but
is not so distincth' liigher in the posterior part. It begins
just behind the vent, the distance between its beginning
and the tip of the snout being in young specimens about
43 %, in old as much as 50 %, of the length of the l)ody.
The length of the fin varies in different individuals be-
tween 43 and 40 % of that of the body, and its longest
ray measures about S^,- — G' o % of the latter length.

The pectoral fins are obliquely pointed, and their
length measures about 15 Vs — 14?^ of that of the body.
The uppermost two or tlu-ee rays are simple and the
others branched. The fifth ray is the longest, l)ut only
slightl}' longer tiian the fourth, which in its turn is
slightly longer than the third. The first ray is about
half as long as the second, and the latter measures
about ^3 of the third ray.

In the ventral fins, which until Malm's time (1851)
were universally believed to consist of only one ray,
the second ray is the longest, measuring in specimens
of different ag-es from about 43 to 31 % of the length
of tile l)ody, but varying in length to such an extent
that it sometimes extends behind the beginning of the
anal fin, and sometimes falls short of this point". The
length of the first raj' is about '^'j of that of the second,
and its tip — for almost half the length of the ray —
is free from the latter. The third ray is united through-
out its length to the second, the tip alone forming a
small, indistinct break on the inner side of the fin, at a
distance from the liase of tlie fin ecpial to about Vj — *^
of the length of the second ray. The position of the
\entral fins is remarkably jugular, the fins being inserted
almost in a line with the hind margin of the preoper-
culum and far apart from each other, on either side
of the abdomen, ^vhich is rather fiat at this point. The
distance between the insertion of the ventral fins and

the beginning of the anal fin increases with age from
25 to 32 % of the length of the body.

The covering of scales is dense, and clothes the
whole body and the head to the snout, extending also
over the vertical fins and the outside of the base of the
pectoral fins. The scales are large, but imbricated to
such an extent that onlj' a. narrow strip of the surface
of each scale is externally visible behind the scale in front
of it. In form they are rectangular, more or less oblong,
and behind and in front more or less convex. In a spe-
cimen 57 em. long the largest scales at the middle of
the body and half-way up the sides are about 14 mm.
long and 10' ^, mm. deep, while the free part of each
scale measures al)out 2 mm. Nearer the dorsal fin each
scale is about 12 mm. long and 7 nun. deep, and pro-
jects about 3 mm. behind the scale in front of it.

The upper part of the bodj' is light chocolate-
coloured or reddish brown with a dash of gray, the lower
part paler and shading into whitish. The cheeks and
lower jaw are coated with a silvery colour, and the hind
part of the body is tinged Avith violet, whicli becomes
deeper back toAvards tlie base of the caudal fin and down
over the greater part of the anal fin. The l^elly grows
whiter and whitei', and is finely punctated with dark-
brown, which colour also extends over the margins and
outer parts of the vertical and pectoral fins, though the
latter, like the first dorsal fin, are violet at the base.
In young specimens a large, round spot of dark brown
appears at about the middle of the second dorsal fin.
The ventral fins are red Avith a dash of yelloAv and with
the free tips of the rays Avhite. The iris is pale yellow.

The internal organs are like those of the other Cod-
fishes. The abdominal cavity is black, and extends to
a line with the fourth or fifth rav of the anal fin. The
pylorus originates near the hind extremity of the sto-
mach. The pyloric appendages are numerous and long.
The liver is large, and tlie two principal lobes are irre-
gularly subdivided. The intestine first runs forward to
a line with the insertion of the pectoral fins, then back
to the anal region, again forward for the same distance as
before, and finally back to the vent. In a female caught
at the beginning of March, eacli of the ovaries is of about
file same thickness as the stomach, and extends forward
for about ^/^ of the length of the abdominal cavity.

On the coast of SAveden the Great Forked Beard is
extremely rare. Only three or four specimens are known

" In the original of our figure tlie second ray of the risjht ventral fin measures 180 mm., of the left 152 mui

(iliEAT FORKED HKAliD.

543

to h;ive l)eeii taken in HoluisUVn. Two of these are pre-
served in Gothenburg Museum, and the Royal Museum
has acquired through Mr. 0. A. Hansson a specimen 57
cm. long which was caught on a long-line at a dei)th
of l.')() fatiioms, nortii of Helso near Stronistad, on the
li'th of March, 1887. The lisherman who handed over
tiie specimen, stated, however, tliat the species was known
and called KitmrUI. it is more common to the south of
Norway, up to the neighbourhood of Ti'ondhjem, where
it is called Sfenhrosnie (Stone Torsk) or Skjcelbrosme
(Scaly Torsk). Young specimens, however, have never
been found on the Swedish coasts, and are at least ex-
tremeh' I'are in Norway, if they occur there at all, for
"all tiu^ specimens hitherto examined," says Collett,
'"have been full-grown oi- nearly so." Thus the true

habitat of the Great Forked Beard does not lie in Scan-
dinavia, and scarcely in 15ritish waters", but further
south, in the Mediterranean. There it lives, says Risso*,
"collected in large shoals, and seems to prefer very deep
spots with a soft bottom, where it is taken in consider-
able numbers all tlic year round, on long-lines." Tlie
young specimens, whirli h'lsso regarded as a distinct
species {Phijcis Gmelini), are said t(j lead a solitary
life among the seaweed in shallower water (in the liltoral
zone). The food of the species consists of crustaceans
and tish. The females, according to Risso, are full of
roe towards the end of spring and during summei-. "The
flesh," he says, "is wholesome, juicy, and of good flavour
all the year round: it is one of the foods recommended
by physicians for W(';d< and impaired digestions."

Genus ONOS.

Tiro dorsal fins, thonfjli fli.e anterior one is broken tip into a row of free, Jilamentous raijs; one anal Jin: the
vertieal Jins distinctly separated (« distinct, fvnless peduncle of the tail). Ventrid fins irith (y — 8 rays. Cardi-
forin teeth on the intermaxillary hones, in the lon-er jaw, a)id on the head of the vomer. Branckiostegal rays 7'^.

Risso ^ was the first to give this genus a special
name, and he selected for this purpose the name which
the Greeks applied to the Codfishes in general. The
genus has long been known, however, by the name of
Motella, which was given it somewhat later'^ by Cuvier,
liut which he expressly declared to be merely a divi-
sion of his subgenus Lota of the genus Gadus. In form
these fishes come nearest to the Burbot and the Lings,
and are therefore known in Swedish as skdrldngor (Rock
Lings), in Danish as havkvabber (Sea Burbots).

Tlie chief character of the genus lies in the singular
structure of the first dorsal fin, which is broken up into
a number of free, filamentous rays, united by the fin-
membrane only at the base — which lies hidden in a
deep groove in the dorsal margin. The fin-membrane,
however, is generally comparatively thick and skin-like.
The rays are usually of uniform height and short, with
the exception of the first, ■which is more or less elongated,
sometimes considerably so. Another striking character-
istic of these fishes is the equipment of the snout ^vith
barbels. Not only is the lower jaw, like that of so many

" Though it undoubtedly spawns there, for DaV gives a figure,

' Eur. .1/>'V. T. Ill, ji. 224.

'■ Exceptionally 5.

'' Exceptionally 6.

* Eur. MerkL, tome III, p. 21-t — Oiios.

■' Regne Animal, cd. 2, foni. 11, p. 3.S4.

other Codfishes, furnished with a Imrbel under the cliin,
and the hind margin of the anterior nostrils raised and
elongated into a similar filament; but in this genus tlie
tij) of the snout may also be furnished with one or two
similar barbels. In one species we find on each side of the
snout, on a level with the last-mentioned barbels, a row
of three shorter, rudimentary excrescences of this nature,
grooving on the dermal margin in Avhich the free lower
margin of the preorbital bones is continued forward.

The scales are small and thin, in texture almost
exactly like those of the Burbot, with fairly central
nucleus and dense (but during youth fewer and more
scattered), concentric stria^, denticulated at the margin.
The whole surface on each side of the nucleus is longi-
tudinally cut off, however, by a middle groove, which
grows somewhat broader towards the ends of the scale,
and is broadest at the anterior (inserted) end, which is also
notched. The lateral line opens into scattered (compara-
tively few) ducts, ^v•hich do not entireh' pierce the scales.

The fry of these fishes (Plate XX\TI, fig. 2) are
quite ditt'erent from the old site<'imens, especially in

in the natural size, of a young specimen .^* , in. long.

544

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

coloration (though also in form) and habits. Their ap-
pearance resembles that of the Mackerel or Sand-eel,
■with a silvery lustre on the sides. The tii'st dorsal fin,
like the barbels, develops comparative!}- late; but the
ventral fins are long, though -with few i-ays and with
the outer part l)lack, in the early stages. The forepart
of the body and the head are laterally compressed, and
sometimes, according to LOtken, each of the temples is
furnished with t\vo spines. The eyes are as usual com-
parativelv lai'ge in these young specimens, which, how-
ever, possess the characteristics of the genus. During
the summer-months they live in companies or shoals
at the surface, and are often cast ashore or into the
fishing-boats by the Avaves. They are also eagerly de-
voured by sea-birds and fishes-of-prey. The older spe-
cimens keep to the bottom, leading a more solitary life
and hiding themselves under rocks, stones, and seaweed,
or roving about on the clayey bottom. The older spe-
cimens are remarkably tenacious of life, while the fry
die almost as soon as they are taken out of the water.
All these ditt'erences, which also vary in their duration,
one example of a species retaining a, juvenile character
longer than another, gave rise to the establishment of
a distinct genus, Couchia", to receive the young forms.

an error which was first corrected by Malm* and sub-
sequently by Lutken".

The genus Onos contains 10 known species'', one
from Japan, one from the south of the Indian Ocean,
seven from the Atlantic, the Arctic Ocean, and the
Mediteri'anean, and one from the ]\Iediterranean alone.
The species which belong to the Scandinavian fauna
may be distinguished as follows:

A: Lono-itudinal diameter of the eves more
thau oO % of the postorbital length of
the head. A sino-le barbel at the verv

tip of the snout < hios cimhrius.

B: Longitudinal diameter of the eyes loss
than 30 "» of the postorbital length of
the head.

a: Length of the head, even after the
Coucliia-stage, more than 23 > of that
of the body'. Margin of the snout

furnished with several pairs of barbels Onos septentrionalis.

b: Length of the head, after the Coucliia-

stage,less than 23% of that of the body.

a: Ijcngth of the lower jaw more

than half that of the head. Tip

and margin of the snout witliout

barbels Onos tricirratus.

(i: Length of the lower jaw less than
half that of the head. Tip of the
snout furnished with a pair of
barbels Onos niustela.

THE FOUR-BEARDED ROCKLING (sw. fyrtommade skaklangan).

ONOS CIMBRIUS.

Plate XXVII, fig. 1.

Four barbels: one at each of the anterior nostrils, one on the tip of the snout, and one on the chin. Length of

the head in fuU-groirn specimens {after the Couchia-stage) less than 20 % {about 17 — 19 %) of that of the body.

Longitudinal diameter of the eyes more than 30 % {about 32 — 40 %) of the postorbital length of the head, which

is less than the distance between the tip of the snout and the hind extremity of the maxillary bones.

Length of the h>u-er Jan- at least Vs {oO—(ll %>) of that of the head.

R. hi: 7; D. 45 — 51^ A. 39—43!'; /'. 15 — 17; T'. 5— C;
a. 30—31; Vert. 52(67 '')•
S'l/n. Gadiis cimbrins, Lin., Syst. Nat., ed. XII, tom. I, p. 440;

Stkussenfelt, Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1773, p. 22, tab. 2, fig. A;

Bl. Schn. (Enchelyojnis cimhricus), Syst. Ichth., p. 50, tab.

9; Retz. (Gadiis), Fii. Suec. Lin., p. 323; Nilss. (Motetla),
Frodr. Ichth. Sccnid., p. 48; ScHAGEnsTR., Physiogr. Sallsk.
Tidskr., p. 302; Parn., Mem. Wein. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. VII,
p. 449, tab. XLIV; Kr., Daiiiii. Fiske, vol. II, p. 198;
Ekstr., Gbgg, Vet., Vitt. S.imh. Handl., Ny Tidsf., H. I, p.

" Called Ciliata by Couch (Loud. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. V, p. 16), and subsequently altered to Coiichia by TFiOMrsoN {A'at. Hist. Irel.,
vol. IV, p. 190).

'■ Skand. Naturf. M. Kblivn 1873, Der., p. 384; Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 495.

<■ Vid. Meddel. Naturli. For. Kbhvn 1881, p. 239.

<* Besides these GCnthek has described Onos macrophthaJmus (from 80 — 90 fathoms, off the Hebrides) and Onos Carpenteri (from 180
fathoms, between the Shetland and Faroe Islands), young, three-bearded Roeklings, of each of which only one single specimen is known.

' III the Mediterranean, according to Moheau, Onos tricirratus may also possess this character.

•' 53, according to Storer.

0 48

'' According to Malm.

I"()Il!-I!K.\RIir.l) lidCKI.lNd.

545

30; Nir.ss., ^Shand. Fii., Fish:, p. 587; Gtiir, Vat. Brit.

Mils., Fish., vol. IV, p. 3U7; Li.vdstr., Goll. Fish:, Goll.

L. Hush. Sallsks. Arubcr. I8G(j, p. 21 (sop.); MoiiN, Ofvers.

Vet.-Akad. Forli. 18(17, p. 2t!3; Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsk.

Christ. 1874, TilhegBli., p. IIG; ibid. 1879, No. 1, p. 07;

MAL.M, Gbfjs, lioh. Fn., p. 498; Wintii., Naturli. Tidskr. Kl.livn,

sir. .'!, v(.l. \II, p. 33; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Nalurli. For.

Kblivii 1881, p. 235; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., frcl., vol. I. p.

310, lab. LXXXIX, iig. 1; Joiin., Gilb. (Onos), Bull. U.S.

Nat. Mu8., No. IG, p. 797; MOn., Hckk (.UoU'lla). Fi.irh.

Osts., p. 83; Stokm, Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skr. Tmiidbj. 1883,

p. 3G; LiLL.i. (Onos), 6'v., Norg. Fish., vv\. II, p. 175;

Hanskn, Zool. Dan., Fiskc, p. 85, tab. X, (ig. 5.
Gadus Mustela, Si'russenk., 1. c, p. 24, tab. II, Iig. li.
Motella caudacuta, Stor., I'roc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. Ill,

p. 5; Mem. Aiiier. Acad. Artr., So., ii. ser., vol. VI, p. 361,

tab. XXIX, fig. 1; Gill (Rhinoiiemus), Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc.

Phihul. 18G3, p. 241. Cf. GooDK et Bean, Proc. U. S.

Nat. Mils. vol. 3 (1878), p. 348.
Couchia Edwardii, Couch, Joiirii. Lin. Soc, Loud., Zool., vol.

IX, p. 38.

Ill Scandinavia, according to Lill.ikboijc, the Four-
Bearded Rocklin"' .sometimes attains a lenii'th of al)oiit
41 cm."; hut its usual Icnizth varies l)et\veen 20 and
38 cm. Tlie largest specimen ever talvcn on the coast
of Great Britain was 35 cm. long, according to Day.
In adult specimens the form of the body is compara-
tively elongated, this species being generalh- the most
slender of our Rocklings, and the depth at tlie begin-
ning of the anal fin measuring on an average only about
12 ?o of the leiigtli of the body. According to the rule
of the generic changes of growth, however, this pro-
l)ortion increases with age, after the Coiichia-stage, and
may sometimes be nearly as much as 14 ?o. The least
depth of the body, in front of the base of the caudal
tin, varies between 3',., and 4V2 %, or eventually nearlj'
5 %, of its length. Even in front too, the body is only
slightly terete. Tlie head is generally somewhat de-
pressed — all these remarks apply to adult specimens —
but its section is .sometimes nearly scpiare. At the ])e-
ginning of the second dorsal fin the thickness is about
V4 or ^5 of the depth; and posteriorly the thickness
decreases more and more, measuring at the beginning
of the anal firi al)out "3 or ' ., of the depth. The extreme
end of the tail is almost ribbon-shaped. The elongated
form of the bodv is further enhanced liy the comparatively
great Icnsth of the caudal fin, tiie middle rays of which
measure more than the poslorliital length of the head.

The points in the form of the head that arc cha-
racteristic of this species, are the depth nf tlie snout,
the size of the eyes, and the comparative narrowness of

the hc.id itself. With its tumid cheeks (thick mastica-
tory muscles) ;ind when the gill-covers are expanded,
tlic hiiid is broad anrl may be called depre.ssed; but,
until tiie fi.sh has attained a length of about 3 dm., the
breadth of the head is less than half its lenffth. The
(piadrilateral, more or less square form of the tran.sver.se
section of the head is persistent in the snout, at least
fill- a lengthy pei'iod, thuugh in old sjx'eiinens it iinall\-
becomes more depres.sed. Siniultaneou.slv with this
change of growth the position (jf tlic eyes is also altered.
Originally they are quite lateral, set vertically and pa-
rallel to (-ach other, but they eventually acquire a .somcv
what upturned position and diverge backwards. The tip
of the snout projects be>t)nd the upper lip and the still
shorter lower jaw, and the length of the snout is on an
average '/^ of that of the head. The eyes are oblong,
their longitudinal diameter measuring on an average
19V, ''i of the lenglh of the head. The nostrils are set
on the sides of the snout, on about a level with the
centre of the eye, the anterior pair rather near the be-
ginning of the sharply rounded ti]) of the .snout, the
posterior half-way between the tip of the snout and the
eyes. The barbel projecting behind each of the anterior
nostrils extends, when laid back, at least to the centre
of the eye and sometimes even a little behind the eve.
The unpaired barbel is the shortest, measuring oidv
about half the longitudinal diameter of the e\c. The
l)arbel under the chin is somewhat longer, but measures
less than the length of the eye. We must remember,
however, that during life these barbels, as well as the
fleshy lijis, are ver>" mobile, and the unpaired barbel is
said to be capable of elongation and retraction, like the
tentacles of a nmllusk. Tlie mouth is rather large, its
corners Iving in old specimens vertically below the hind
margin of the eves, ,iiid the maxillary bones extending
back to a distance from the tip of the snout that is
always more than half (about 53' » — G2 %) of the lengtii
of the head. The length of the lower jaw is always
less than this distance, and varies with age between 50
and about 59 % of the length of the head. Tiie ]>o.st-
orbital part of the head is generally longer than tiic
lower jaw. bur siiorter than the distance between the
tip of the snout ■•ind the hind extremity of the max-
illary bones. Its length seems to be more subject to
individual variations, and measures between 52' . and
57' J % of the length of the head. The gill-ojienings

" WiNTllER mentions a specimen from Liim Fjord of a length of G3 cm. This statement is not contirmed, liowever, either by LCtke.n
or by Hansen, and is probably due to a slip of the pen or an error of the press.

Scandinacian Fishes. *^'

546

.SCAN]>1XAVIAN FISHES.

are wide, fov the (lennnl fold fovnied by the inferior
union of the branchiostegal membranes is free from the
isthmus forward to the anterior end of the hyoid lione,
and tlie upper corners of the gill- openings lie far up
the sides, on about a level Avith the upper margin of the
('\o>i. The tongue is broad and thick, with the free
margin and tip thin. The pointed and curved jaw-teeth
form a card in most cases distinct, on the front part of
the intermaxillary bones; but this card grows consider-
ably narrower behind, and sometimes, in old specimens,
even at the very front of the maxillaries, we find only
two or three rows within the outermost row, which is
made u\) of larger but more scattered teeth. In the
lower jaw tlie innermost row is composed of larger teeth,
and in fi'ont of this row we generally find only one row
of smaller teeth. The card of teeth on the head of the
vomer contains small teeth, which gradually disappear
with age. In young specimens this card is crescent-
shaped, convex in front, or triangular, with several rows
of teeth, but in old specimens there are only one or t\vo
rows of vomerine teeth. The l)readth of the card is at
most about ^Z,, and eventually no more than Vj, of the
longitudinal diameter of the eye. The pointed, conical,
]jharyngeal teeth together form a l)road, oval card on
the upper pharyngeals on each side; and the lower
pharyngeals, which are scaphoid in shape, and somewhat
curved at the middle, the breadth being '/^ of the length,
are furnished Avith 5 or 6 rows of similar teeth. The
gill-rakers ai'e short and scattered, like tubercles, the
first bi'aiichial arch being furnished with 8 — 10 pairs.
During life tlie wliole of the l)ranrhial cavity and the
cavity of the mouth with the tongue ai'e bluish black.
The first dorsal fin — which in this germs consists
of about 50 free, filamentous rays, which vibrate during
life, and are without interspinal bones — is distinguished
in the Four-Bearded Rockling by the remarkable length
of the first ray, which in the females measures about
'., of the length of the head, in the males up to at
least 87 % thereof. In tlie males its tip, when laid back,
may thus extend some way behind the beginning of the
second dorsal fin. The distance between the liegiiniing
of tlie first dorsal tin and the tip of the snout is 15 —
1 7 % of the length of the body, and the length of its
1)ase measures about 8' ^ — 10 % of this length or ■ii)\'^
— 55 % of that of tlie head. Tliis tin is always se])a-
rated by a distinct interval fVoin the second dorsal fin,
which begins at a distance from the tip of the snout
that measures about •id' ., — 21) % of the length of the

body. The base of the latter fin extends nearly to the
caudal tin, and measures about 57\', — 59% of the len<>t]i
of the body. All the rays of this fin, except the first
one, are branched at the tip, the first 4 — 6 gradually,
increasing in length and the last 4 or 5 growing gra-
dually shorter. The other rays are of fairly uniform
length, l^ut somewhat longer in the posterior part of the
fin, the length of the longest ray varying between about
7^/2 and 9 ?fv of that of the bod}'. The caudal fin is
sharply rounded when expanded, lanceolate when folded.
The anal fin resembles the second dorsal, l)ut is much
shorter and distinctly lower. It begins at a distance from
the tip of the snout of about 41 % (-38 — 43 %), its base
measures about 45 % (43\'2— 49 %), and its longest ray
about 6 '/a ?6 (6 — 7 %) of the length of the body.

The pectoral fins are oval and obtusely pointed,
with the middle rays longest and the first two simple.
They are fairly long, measuring about 13 % (H^s — 16
%) of the length of the body. The ventral fins are set
far apart, almost below the beginning of the first dorsal
fin or a little further forward, at a distance from the
beginning of the anal fin that measures about 2IV2 —
26 ?6 of the length of the body. The first two rays,
sometimes the first three, are free at the tip. Tlie length
of these fins is about 8 % (7 — 10 %) of that of the body.

The anal aperture, with a small anal papilla behind
it, lies just in front of the beginning of the anal fin.

The scales are small, but densely imbricated, and
extend — growing smaller and smaller forAvards and out-'
wards — over the whole of the head, leaving oiih' the
branchiostegal meml)rane and the li|)S naked, and over
the entire membi'ane of the second dorsal and the caudal
fins, as well as over the hind part of the memlirane of
the anal fin. The outer surface of the pectoral fins is
also clothed with scales to an extent of about one-third;
but the ventral fins are naked. The lateral line is some-
times scarcely distinguishable: in the original of our
figure, a female, no lateral line could be traced while
the specimen was fresh. It runs from the upper corner
of tlie gill-opening, parallel to the dorsal edge, until it
reaches the perpendicular from about the vent. At
this point it descends, at first not (|uite to the middle
of the sides of the tail, but afterwards coming nearer
and nearer this position, and advances straight to the
middle of the base of the caudal fin. Its scattered
pores, about 30 in nuniher, are either simple or some-
times, in its anterior part, ramified in the form of a
cross or a rosette.

Forii-BKAIJDEI) l;iKKLIX(;.

547

The coloi-atioii on tln' hiick is ;i more ov lu.s.s dark,
reddish hrown (bhickish hrowii, iKTOrdiiiij to LlLLJKliORO;
brownish ^'ray, accordingly- to Kkovki!), growing- lighter
and lighter down the sides towards the white belh',
which is tinely punctated wiili brown. As shown in
our tigure, irregular clouded spots of brown also occur
on the sides of the tail. On the sides, and still more
distinctly on the snout, the head shades into blue, more
and more closely approximating to the colour of the
ca\ity of the mouth. The tirst I'ay of the tirst dorsal
fin is blackish blue. The other vertical fins are for the
most [lart grayish blue or ash-gray, the margin of the
second dorsal tin, the hind margin of tlie caudal fin.
and the anterior jjart of the margin of the anal iin
shading into yellow or red. All these tins are marked
with bluish lilack, in a mainiei- that strongly reminds
us of the coloration oi the corresponding parts of the
body in Mohta dipteiijgia. This is the case -with the
black s])ot at the ends of the second dorsal and the anal
fins — the most persistent chromatic character in spe-
cimens preserved in spirits — and the l)lack colour of
the upper and lower margins of the caudal fin also call
to mind Moliia dipterygta. The coloration of the pec-
toral fins, consisting principally of bluish black, suggests
the same comparison, though these fins are grayish blue
at the base. The ventral fins are also grayish blue.
The iris is silvery -white, with a brassy lustre.

The abdominal cavity is short in comparison with
that of the Cods. It terminates posteriorly in a line
with the beginning of the anal fin. The peritoneum is
black. The liver lies almost entirely on the left side,
and does not extend further back than to about the
middle of the abdominal cavity or to the beginning of
the last third thei-eof, while the bottom of the stomach
lies at about the middle of the cavity. The pyloric part
is almost cylindrical, and runs in a forward direction,
a little in front of the bottom of the stomach, on the
lower side of the latter. It is sharply contracted in front
and furnished there, at its termination, ^\•ith 7 — 9 com-
jiaratively large appendages. The intestine runs first
forward almost to the diaphragm, then back to the hind
extremity of the abdominal cavity, again forward within
the first coil, and finally back to the anal aperture.
The spleen is of a three-sided, prismatic form, and is
situated behind the bottom of the stomach. The urinary
bladder is long and often lies in angular curves. The
testes are divided into lobes, as in the Cods, and the

" Kroveu had met uitli examples df this species witli n

ovaries of normjil structure. The air-bladder is pointed
in front, and extends along the posterior two-thirds"
of the u[)])er wall of the abdominal cavity.

Such is the appearance of the Four-Bearded Rock-
ling in its adult state. Its earlier {Conchia) stage was
first observed by Tuomas h>nwAHi) ott" Banff', and de-
scrilK'd l)y Corcii (1. o. The specimen was 41 mm.
long, more elongated than the young of other species
of the same size, and had longer and more pointed
pectoral and venti'al fins. The unpaired barbel was
considerably longer than the nasal ones. The dor.sal .side
was of a handsome, deep green colour, or the back itself
}-ellow, with a narrow stripe of pni-plish blue bountling
it from the lustrous, silvery white coloui- of the sides.
These young specimens have subsetiucntly been lonnd at
the surface of the sea by MoBirs ami Hkincki-; off
Heligoland.

The Four-Bearded Rockling was originally known
only as a Swedish species and from the Sound. ScnxEi-
DEK gives as its geographical range the Atlantic and
(rarely) the Baltic. Kkoyek obtained it from Lyngen
Fjord in Norwegian Finmark, Maemgrex from Ox Fjord.
Pakxell found it in the Firth of Forth. Since then it
has l)een observed at several .spots, though rarely, on
the coast of Great Britain down to Cornwall. It seems
to be commonest in Norway, where it has been met
■with in nearl)- all the fjords, in Christiania Fjord in
particular. Uere, according to Collett, it is taken on
long-lines shot for Cod, and during the autumn months
is almost daily brought to the fish-market of Christiania.
On the coast of BohuslSn it is compai-atively rare, and
occurs principalh- in spring. Wixtiiek considers the
Four-Bearded Rockling to be the commonest Danish
species of the genus, and gives two instances of its en-
tering Liim Fiord from the North Sea. In the Sound
it does not penetrate south of Saltholm, to the best of
our knowledge; but its range extends through the Great
Belt, where it is taken generally in spring, to the
west of the Baltic, Avhere it has been found now and
then off Flensburg, Kiel, and Travemiinde. These are
tlie only localities in the Baltic where the species is
known, with the exception of Gothland, where, accord-
ing to LiNDSTiioM, it lives at a depth of 50 — 70 fathoms,
and is occasionally caught \n winter. Here it attains
a size of at least ob cm. In the west of the Atlantic
the Four-Bearded Rockling- was discovered in 1848 in
Massachusetts Bay by Stoker, and again met with by

smaller air-bladder.

548

SCANDINAVIAN^ FISHES.

the Fisheries Commission of the United States in the
s;ime resion "outside the 100-fathonis line."

That the Four-Bearded Kockling is reallj' a deep-
sea iish, appears from the comparatively large size of
its eyes; but it is now and then caught on Cod-lines
and in shallow water, sometimes no more than 8 or 10
fathoms deep. Its stomach and intestine have been
found to contain crustaceans (Cuma, Idothea, Ponto-

with rather more developed ovaries. To judge by these
two specimens, the spawning-season occurs during sum-
mer or at the beginning of autumn.

The habits of the older specimens are but little
known; but Edwaud kept five specimens of the fry in
the Couchia-stage alive in an aquarium for a- week. At
first they were peaceably disposed among themselves,
but joined in fiercely attacking a Goby that was their

porcla, CraHfjon, Palcemoii), Annelids {Polynoe), and mol- I fellow-prisoner; and when it was dead, they turned upon

lusks {XKCula). Its food thus shows that it keeps to
the bottom and among seaweed. Its spawning-season
is not known with certainty; but the female, 312 mm.
long, which has been the original of our figure, was
taken by Mr. C. A. Hansson off StrOmstad in July,
1889, and was full of roe, though this was still firm.
I^arnell's specimen was a female caught in June, and

each other. Edward also observed that they never
raised the first ray of the first dorsal fin, l)ut that,
when the other fins were at rest, the filamentous rays
of this fin kept uji a continual vil)ration, which in-
stantly ceased when the fish Avas frightened. The rostral
barbel evidently served as a special organ of touch, and
could be lengthened or shortened at will.

THE NORTHERN ROCKLING (sw. nohdiska SKAELANGA^).
ONOS SEPTENTKIONALIS.

Fig. 130.

At least 11 harhels: one at each anterior nostril, a pair on the tip of the snout, three, short, lohate ones, the hind-
most only taherculate, on each side behind this pair, in the dermal fold that runs forward from the loiver pre-
(irbital marfjiit, and one under the chin. Length of tlie Itcad in adult specimens nearly 25 % of that of the body.
Longitudinal diameter of the eyes in full-grown specimens less than 30 % of the postorbital length of the head,
this lengtJi being about equal to the distance from tlte tip of the snout to the hind extremity of the maxillary
bones, but less than the lengtli of the loirer j((w, which is more than half tliat <f tlte head. Least depth of the
tail less than SO % of the depth of the body at the beginning (f the anal fin.

liT^ ^"^ " -. I.

>

■^ar

--i;v£:;i^KSfe33iK^i <S'v^>-J--- '

Fig. 130. Oiio.s septentn'oiialis frcmi Florij (Xoiway). Natural size. Sfieciiucn beloni;iiig' lo tbt Miisoiuii cf Clirisliaiiia University.

7?. bi: 7: J}. 40—53: A. 41—43: F. 1.1 — 10; V. 7; U.
•28—30.

'Si/ii. Motella seplentrionaJis, Coi.i.., Atm., Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. IV,
vol. XV, p. 82: Forh. ViJ. Solsk. Cliri.'st. 1874, Tilhcgsli.,
].. 117. tab. II: ibi,l. 1878, N... 4, p. 20: ibid. 1879, No.
1, p. (58; Id. {Olios), X. Nordh. E-vped., Z<wl., Fisk-e, p.
138, tab. IV, fi-rg. 35 et 3i;; Ltkn {Motella), Vid. Meddcd.
Natinb. For. Kbbvn 1881, ji. 234; Stoum, N. Vid. Selsk.

Skr. Trondlij. 1883, p. 30; Coi.i,. (Onos), N. Mag. Natiirv.
Cbrist., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 80; Lii.u., Sc. A'orff. Fisk.,
vol. II, p. 172.

The Xorthcru Kockling is known almost exclusively
through Collett's researches, iuul, up to the present
at least, milv comparalively small specimens have been
foiuid. The largest specimen known is only 174 mm.

NOIiTHEUX HOCKLING.

549

long. TIk' species is disliugnislicd in tlic tirst place l)^•
its large liead and deeply-cleft ukjuIIi. The furnier is
a cliaracter of age, whicli in this genus as in others
Ix'longs t(i the fry, hut the latter is of entirely opposite
signiii cation, tht' gajic heiiig as a rule even I'clatively
larger and inore deeply cleft in old Kocklings than in
young. Tiie development of the iuinKM(jus liarhcis is
strictly to be regarded as a variation of the character
of the Five-Bearded Kocklings, for we tind tAvo nasal
harliels, two rostral ones, and one barbel under the chin,
all ol which in tliis species, too, are regularly set at
llieir tixed places. Besides these, ho\\ever, we tind a
row of more or less rudinientary barbels, more or less
pointed, small dermal flaps or small, l)hint dermal pro-
tul)erances, situated like the rostral barbels in the der-
mal fold at the loAver mai'gin of the preorbital bones,
which partly conceals the ui)per jaw and runs forward
under tlie tip of the snout or a little above it. In
Collett's type-specimen thei-e are three of these rudi-
mentary barbels on each side behind the rostral ones,
but in another specimen he remarked one more barbel,
situated "straight l)eliind' (above the space bet>veen)
these two barbels.

The head is distinctly depressed (broader than high:
tlie greatest breadth equal to the lengtli of the lower
jaw). The body is fairly deep in front — in the type-
specimen the depth at the beginning of the anal tin is
IG % of the length of the body; but l)ehind the depth
decreases more rapidly than is usual in tlie genus, the
depth of the peduncle of the tail in the type-specimen
being no more than 28'/., % of the depth of the body
at the beginning of the anal tin. In all the specimens
of the other Kocklings that we have been enabled to
examine, this percentage lias been more than 30.

The eyes are small, their longitudinal diameter
being about 11' ^ % of the length of the head and only
slightly more than half the breadth of the flat inter-
or1)ital s])ace". On account of the depression of the
head they are turned (jl)li([uely up\vards (at an angle
of about 45°), and they lie almost vertically above the
middle of the length of the upper jaw. The posterior
nostrils lie somewhat farther from the eyes than from
the anterior nostrils. The jaw-teeth form cai'ds in the
ordinary manner, but tlie teeth in the outermost row

on the intei-maxillary bones and in the innermost roAv
in the lower jaw are more scattered and only slightly
larger than tiie others. The breadth of the card of
teeth on the head of tlie vomer is somewhat greater
than the longitudinal diameter of the e3e, and these
teeth form an angle ratlier acute in IVont.

In Collett's type-specimen the distance between
the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout is nearl}-
2?> %, and the base of this fin nearly 9 %, of the length
of tiie bod_y. The length of the first ray' is about
equal to the breadth of the interorbital space" or to the
least depth of the tail '. The distance between the se-
cond dorsal fin and the tip of the snout is 33',., % of
the length of the body, and its base measures about
'rl % of the same length. 'I'he middle rays of the
rounded caudal fin do not measure (juite ' jy of the
length of the body. The distance between the anal fin
and the tip of the snout is 40 %, the distance between
it and the base of the ventral fins 23 %, and the length
of its base 40 %, of the lengtli of the bodw The length
of the pectoral fins is ' \ of that of the body. The length
of the ventral fins is contained about 7' ., times in that
of the body.

The covering of scales leaves the greater portion of
the snout naked, but extends forward on the forehead
to a line with the posterior nostrils. The lateral line
follows the same course as in the preceding species
and contains about 20 pores.

The coloration, according to Tollett, is plain
grayish brown, without spots, slightly lighter on the
ventral side than on the back. The specimen preserved
in spirits is reddish brown, with the ventral side shad-
ing into gray. The inside of the mouth white. The
iris blackish lilue.

In his last account of the fishes of Norway Collett
tells us that 9 specimens of this species are known at
present, from the north and west parts of the Norwegian
coast, from ()x Fjord in Finmark down to FlorO off
Stadt Proniontoi-y. The Museum of Copenhagen pos-
sesses a specimen from Greenland. The species was
first discovered in 1<S73 during Professor Sars's dredg-
ing-operations; and of its habits nothing more is known
than that it is met with in deep water, sometimes at
least 50 fathoms in depth.

" In a younger spcciiiuMi Coi.i.ett foiiiid llie longitudinal dianieU-r of the eyes to be IG'*., K of the lengtli of the liead, and their
lerlieal diameter equal to the breadth of the interorbital space.
* 19-.5 % of the length of the heail.

' 200 % , .,

'' 18-6 '^ „ ., ., „ .,

5oO

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE THREE-BEARDED ROCKLING (.sw. tketomhaue .skaklangan).

O.XOS TRICIREATUS.
Fig. 131.

Ouhi three harlieh: one at eaeli aiiterior nostril and one under the chin. Lenf/th of the head in adult specimens
20 — 22'^:.-, % of that of tlie bodif. Lo)ir/itiidinat diameter of the eyes in fidl-f/roirn specimens Jess than 30 % of
the ])ostorhital length of the ]iead, tliis length heing greater than tlie distance between the tip of the snout and tlie
hind extremitii of the maxillary bones, and also (as a rale) than the length of the lower jaw, which is more than
half the length of the head. Least deptth of the tail more than (! % of the length of the body, than V- '^"' ^c^(^
of the frst dorsal fin, than I'J % of the distance between tlie second dorsal fin and tlie tip of the snout, or than
4.5 % of the depth of the hodji at the beginning of the ancd fin. Base of the first dorsal fin less than "/g, its
first ray less than ^1^, of the distance between it and the tip of tlie snout.

X '""°-^"'«*i»!aBi«a4iaiiA.^.ia-'3^«--^'^^

131. Olios trivivfi.it IIS from tlie islaiul-btlt of Giitlieiiburg, 22iiil Nov., 1880.

of Gotlionburg Miiseiun.

tlif natural size. Spefiiiieii in tliu possession

R. l,r. 7; />. (55) 58— GO (04)"; A. (45) 47 — 4'J (54)'';
P. 19-21'-; V. 7''; U. 30; Vert. 48— 49^

iSyii. jViistelie varietas, Willughky, Hist. Fisc, p. 121; Rocklirifj,
Mnstela marina vulgaris (1), Jago apud Raium, iSynops. Pise,
p. 1(54, fig. 9; r/iree Bearded Cod, Penn.. Brit. Zoiil (177C).
toil). Ill, p. 17G, tab. XXXIII, No. 87.
Gadiis tricirratus (p. p.), Brlnn.. /rlitlii/al. Afussil., p. 22;
Donovan, Nat. Hist. Brit. Fisli., vol. I, tab. II; Flmng,
Brit. Aiiim., p. 193; Nilss. {Motella), Prodr. Iclith. Scand.,
p. 48; Sicand. Fn., Fistc., 586; Gthr (p. \). + M. maciilaln.
p. p.), Uat. Brit. Miis., Fish., vol. IV, j.p. 3G5 et 366;
Oi.ssuN, Ofvers. Vet.-Akad. Forh. 1HG7, p. G50: Coll., A'id.
Sebk. Forh. Christ. 1874, Tillfegsh., p. 121; Mor., Hist.
Nat. Poiss. Fr., toni. HI, p. 268: Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.,
Irel., vol. I, p. 317, tal>. LXXXVIII, fig. 1.

" 55 — 57, according td

62-64,

50 — 60, „ „

'' 51—54,

45—50,
' 21—22,

16—18,

Day.

LCtkex.

Moeeau.

LCtken.

Mop.eau.

Li'TKEN.

Day.

Gadiis argenteohis, Montagu, Mem. Weru. Soc, vol. II, p. 449;
Yaru. (Motella), Brit. Fish., ed. 2, vol. II, p. 283; Gtiir
(Concilia arijeiitata), Cat. Brit. Miis., Fish., vol. IV, p. 363;
Day (1. c), tab. LXXXIX, fig. 3.

Gailus MiisteUa, Risso, Iclith. Nice, p. 120; Ii>. {Onos), Fur.
Me'r., torn. Ill, p. 215.

Motella vulgaris, Yare., Brit. Fish., cd. 1, vol. II, p. 186:
ed. 2, vol. II, p. 270; Steind. (p. p.), Stzber. Aknd. Wiss^
Wicn, Math. Naturw. CI. LVII, i (1868), p. 710: LCtk..
Vid. Meddel. Natuth. For. Kbhvn 1881, p. 235; Coll. (Onos),
N. Mag. Naturv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 87.

Motella quadricornis, Kr. nipt., Lt)TK., 1. c, pp. 245 — 246.

Onos viaculatiis, Lill.i., Sc, Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 1G4.

Ohs. Brunnich, it is true, has not given a description of this
species definite enongh to enable ns to decide witb any certainty

'' Sometimes 8, according to Lltken.
*■ According to Gi'NTHER.

TlUtlCE-UKAliDKIJ UOCKLING.

551

wliotlier he really distingiiislied between it and Linn.kus's Gailus iiiedi-
ferranetis, and he was evidently doubtful himself on this point. Still,
wlieii he says that it is more eoniinim in (lie Atlantic on the eoasl of
(.'(■rnwall than in Un; Jlediterranean and the Adriatic, he undoubtedly
refers [irincipally to our species. Bi.ocil's description and li<;nre (Aiist.
Fi.wlie, Th. II, p. 100; pi. CLXV) are no less obscure; but the
names of I'hree bearded cod in Pknnant and Gadus tn'rirrnlns in
Donovan (1808) defend Nii.sson's Molella ti-idrrata.

Risso {I'Air. Mer.) distinguished between lliroe Mediterranean
species of this genus (0/(06' mustella, On. mactdntus, and On. /».w«.s),
but liased tin's distinction on the chromatic characters alone. Costa
(Fii. lieijn. X(ij)., Fesci, Malavott., tSottol/r., \t\>. 17 and 39, tav.
XXXVIII, bis) recognised only two, one {Motella communi.t) corre-
sponding to Risso's Onos fitscus, the other to the Onos mnculatns of
the latter and coinciding with LiNN/>;us's Gadus meditervaneus (6'i/st.
Nat., X, tom. 1, p. 25.5; J///s. Ad. Frid., toni. II:di prodr., p. 00).
The latter species was described by Canesthini (Arch. Zool., Anat.,
Fisiol., vol. II, p. :i69, tav. XV— XVI, fig. 2) from the Gulf of Genoa,
under the erroneous name of Motella commnins. Collett, Lt)TKEN,
and LiLUEBORG give true form-characters to distinguish between two
Mediterranean species, the one identical with the Three-Bearded Rock-
ling, the other with LiNN.liUs's Gadus meditevfuneus. Moreau, like
Risso, hut on better grounds, distinguislied between three Mediterranean
species: Motella tricirrata (Risso's Onos mustelhi), Motella maculata
{Onos maculatus, Risso), and Motella fnsca (Onos fuscns, Kisso). On
the chronuitic character we can hardly ])ass any opinion, for the only
specimens we have been enabled to examine were preserved in spirits".
The form-characters, on the other hand, show an extremely close con-
nexion between the three species. In most characteristics Onos fuscus
is an intermediate form between Onos mediterraneus and Onos tri-
cifratus, thus impairing the validity and usefulness of these charac-
teristics. This is the case for example with the difference pointed
out by Moreau in the length of the upper jaw from the tip of the
snout to the hind extremity of the maxillary bones. In our speci-
mens of Onos mediterrantus this length is exactly '/o, in the speci-
mens of Onos fuscus .51','., — 52 "o, and in those of Onos tricirratus
5.S — nearly 58 K, of the length of the head. Again, as far as we
can judge from our materials for examination, the breadth of the inter-
orbital space in Onos mediterraneus is less than 30 %, in On. fusctis
more than 30 bnt less than 33 %, and in 0)i. tricirratus more than
35 °i, of the posforbital length of the head. The length of the upper

jaw in On. mediterraneus is less than 30 %, in On. fuscus more than
30 but less than 34 %, and in On. tricirratus more than 34 %, of
tlic distance between the second dorsal tin and the tip of the snout.
The lengtli of the lower jaw in On. mediterraneus is less than 33 %,
in 0)1. fuscus more than 33 hut less than 3G %, and in On. tricir-
ratus nior(^ tlian 38 %, of tlie distance just mentioned. The length
of the base of the first dorsal tin in On. mediterraneus is more than
74 %, in On. fuscus less than 70 but more than l36 %, and in On.
tricirratus less than 113 %, of the distance between the first dorsal
fin and the tip of the snout. Onos fuscus occupies this intermediate
position in spite of the fact that, according to Moreau, it never at-
tains tlie same size as the two other species, a circumstance which
is especially worthy of remembrance in the case of the specimens we
have examined, among which the specimens of Onos fuscus are almost
exactly equal in size to tlie youngest specimens (jf Onos tricirratus.
In the characters winch sliow distinct changes of growth connnon to
all tliree species (rising or falling percentages as expressions of the
relative proportions of form), this intermediate position shonhl thus
be explained as the expression of a more advanced development at a
smaller size in the case of On. fuscus. Hut in some respects the
iidermediate position does not hold good, and On. fuscus ranks beside
the younger specimens of On. tricirratus, or takes a lower place in
the scale of development than they. This is the case for example
in tlie relation between the breadth of the interorbital space and the
least depth of the tail, a relation which, though it does not afford
any constant characteristic difference, still shows di.stinct changes of
growth. In other relations again, as for example in the least depth
of the tail expressed in proportion to the distance between the second
dorsal fin and the tip of the snout, where we have a constant di-
stinction between Ou. tricirratus and tlie other two species, On. fuscus
stands nearer On. mediterraneus. Finally, in other relations, in which
the direction of development is different in On. mediterraneus and
On. tricirratus, On. fuscus, like the early stages of these two spe-
cies, points still more distinctly to the original starting-point common
to the development of the other two species. As an example of
this we may take the relation between the posforbital length of the
head and the distance between the second dorsal fin and the tip of
the snout. This length, expressed in percent of the said distance,
relatively decreases with increasing age in On. mediterraneus, but
increases in On. t?'icirratus, according to the following results of our
measurements:

S J) e r i III (■ n

^ , , ,,, ,. ., Least depth of tlie tail
Least lireiidtli of tlie . ., ,',, ,. .
. , , ., , . I in ?< of the distance

interorbital space in , . ., ,

„.„.,, i. 1 ^i , lietween the second
% of the least depth , , ^ , .,

„.,..., ^ dorsal tin and the tip
of the tail. ,. ,, , '

of the snout.

11

Pnstorbital length of
the head in % of the
distance between the
second dorsal fin and
the tip of the snout.

Island-belt of (iotlicnbiiri;, through .\. Stlxhekg _

Kergen, through the Museum of Upsala University, cf --

Nice, through T. Thokei.i., s|u'ciiiicn in possession ut the ^luseuiii of Upsala University..

Locality unknown, from the 1*aykl'LL Collection in the Itoyal Museum

Algiers, the property of the .Museum of Upsali University

Mediterranean, LiNN.-EUs's type-specimen, I'roui l)rottiiini:hnlni Museum -

Naples, through the Zoological .Station, cf -

Nice, through T. Thokeli

Naples, through the Zonlogical Station, 9

Xiee, through T. Thorell

430

—

—

ii.5.r.

-

—

mo

—

—

70.0

—

—

•293

—

—

77.7

—

246

60.0

—

—

15.tf

—

232

64.0

—

—

16.2

—

189

66.0

—

—

14.7

—

I7(i

—

76.1

—

—

17.S

171

—

—

7<).2

—

—

164

—

81.2

—

—

15.5

160

—

—

71.4

23.9
22.7
19.1

19.1

20.0

34.9
36.3
37.7

" It is a known fact, however, that young Three-bearded Rocklings at the termination of the foHi7(/a-period are of a
lirowu colour, darker or lighter, and do not show any traces of spots until fliey have attained a more advanced age.

42.1
41.8
41.5

40.2

41.4

39.4

39.4

plain reddish

552

SCANDINAVIAN FISHKS.

To judge by these materials, Onos fttsciis iiiust, therefore, be | that imist bo more aufl more pronoiiiiccd, the nearer the forms which
rec^arded as the type of the lowest stage of development among the | have the same origin, approach to tlie common original form. As this
Three-Bearded Rocklings, from which stage each of the otlier species

has adopted a distinct direction; and the intermediate position men-
tioned above finds a natural explanation in the community of characters

development of form helps us considerably to a correct understanding of
the characters incident to our Three-Bearded Rockling, we here give, in-
stead of a more lengthy description, the following table of measurements:

55 V ?! 55

ength of the body cxprcsseil in millimetres _

ength of the head - in % of the

ongitudiual diameter of the eves ._- „ ,, ,,

enst breadth of the iuterovbitiil spare

ength of the upper jaw - - -.-

., ,, louer ,,

ostorbital leuirth of the head

listanec between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout

„ ,. second ,. ,, ,, ,, ,. ,, ., „

;o8c of the first dorsal fin

„ ., second ,. „

.ength of the first ray of the first dorsal fin

„ ,, longest „ ,, ,. second „ „

„ „ pectoral fins

„ ., ventral -

)istonce between the ventral fins and the beginning of the anal fin.

„ anal fin „ ,. tip of the snout

Jase of the anal fin

jongest ray of the anal fin _

!^east deptli of the tail

jength of the middle rays of the caudal fin

Depth of the body at the beginning of the anal fin

5reatest breadth of the head

S'umber of rays in the pectoral fins

„ „ 5- •• ventral .,

length of the bodv

»» H J> J)

j» ji )j

)) )) ?»

jj )» »

») ^ )? J5

)» >»

55 55 55

55 55 55

55 55 55

Onoif fuscits

164

20.1
3.0
4.0

10.4
11.3
12.4
17.!.
31.4

12.1

02.4
4.9

9.1

lO.G
ll.G

30.. 5
46.3
38.1

6,6

4.9

10.4

12.8

11.6

15
(■)

Q.

Onos medlterrauens.

Onos tricirratus.

c" ■ o

— . OS.,
d OS -

2= n

<\

d Q0_,

176

189

232

246

208

3G0

18.7

18.5

19.0

19,5

20.9

20.8

2.S

2.7

2.1

3,0

2,s

2.5

4.0

3.2

3.4

3.1

4.6

4.7

9.8

9.2

9.5

9.7

11.2

11.1

10.8

10.6

10.8

11.0

12.2

11.9

12.1

12.2

12.0

11.8

12.9

12.8

17.5

17.0

17.6

18,3

19.7

20.3

30.1

32.3

33.8

33.7

31,6

30.6

12.2

13.2

1.3.1

14,0

11.3

10.0

5,"1.7

5:i.o

55.2

52.4

.56,4

55.8

5.7

5.3

4.7

4.9

3,6

2.1

8.5

9.0

7.3

8,3

8.0

8.0

11.9

11.1

11.0

10,8

12.0

11.9

13.G

14.5

12.9

13,3

18.3

13.3

25.0

29.6

30.0

30.5

30.3

26.7

42.0

44.4

44.4

45.9

46.5

44.2 1

42.6

42.3

39.2

41.0

40.1

43.5

6.8

8.4

—

7.0

6.6

6.4

5.2

4.7

5.2

5.4

6.1

6.9

10.2

10.6

9.9

9.8

10.7

10.1

14.5

13.2

12.5

14,4

12.5

14.0

11.4

9.5

10.8

9,7

lO.a

12.2

14

15

15

16

20

21

6

G

7

6

7

7

430
22.5

2.3

,5.1
13.0

13.2
13.7

21.1
32.5

10.5

,55.1

2.8

14.9
15.3

26.7
44.2
40.7

7.S
10.5
16.3

19

The Three-Bearded Rockling is the largest Scandi-
navian species of this genus, and attains a length of
about half-a-metre. Like the preceding species, it is
also one of the most typicid species of the genus, with
low and broad snout, the tip of which is naked, as the
scales of the head do not extend further fonvard than
to the line between the anterior nostrils. The posterior
nostrils are set nearer to the anterior ones than Id the
eyes — sometimes rather near the former — and are
Avithout any dermal flap, or have the margin evenly
raised into a short tube. Tlie cards of teeth in tlie
jaws and on the head of the vomer are broad and com-
plete. In young specimens the jaw-teeth are of uni-
form .size, but in older ones fairly large canines aj)-
pear, especially in front in the outermost row of the
intermaxillar}- teeth, and at the middle of the inner-
most row in the lower j;iw. Tiie card of teeth on the

head of the vomer forms a more or less acute angle,
the sides of wliich run parallel to the interma.xillarv
bones, and occupies a space in the palate the breadth
of which is greater than the longitudinal diameter of
the eyes. The lower margin of the preorbital bones is
without barbels, but, especially in old specimens, we
often find this margin undulating in a manner that
reminds us of the most rudimentary lateral b;ir1>els in
the preceding species. The lateral line runs in a hori-
zontal direction rather near the dorsal maigin back to
the l)th or 10th pore, below the anterior part (if the
second dorsal tin, at which point it descends, reaching
the middle of the sides at about the 14th pore, and
then running straight back, but disappearing on the
hind i);\rt of the tail. Altogether we And 26 or 27
distinct pores in the lateral line on each side of the
body. Among the internal organs the air-ljladder is

TIIKKK-IJKARDEI) IK KKI.IX(i.

553

wauling. Tlic pylorus is I'ui'uislicd with 12 — 1 (> cu'cal
ajjpendapes. The iicritoueuui is black, but the inside
of the mouth and the walls of the branchial cavity
are wliite.

The coloration is of a more or less light reddish
brown (ehestuut-eolour) or even grayish yellow, darkest
on the back and fading d(jwn the sides into the red,
yellow, or sometimes white colour of llie belly. The

ing to LuTKK.v, by two short, erect spines on each
temple, a characteristic which led Kkoyeu to label the
specimens in Copenhagen Museum with the name of
MoteJla quadricornis. In specimens 27 mm. long, how-
ever, these spines have already disappeared.

The Three-Bearded Rockling was added to the
Scandinavian fauna in 18;^)2 by Professor S. Xii.ssoN,
who f((und it within tin- island-belt in the neiichbour-

the sides of the bo(l\-, ihe caudal tin, and the hood of Bergen; and in this di.strict, according to Pro-

hea

pectoral tins are mai'ked with irregularly scattered,
^roundish spots of darker brown or even of black, and
at the toj) of the back we tind a row of numerous,
dark, selliform transverse sjjots, which extend out over
the dorsal fin. The upper (outer) |)art (jf this tin may

fessor CoLLETT, it now and tlien appears during sum-
mer in the market. In l.sii? Dr. P. Ols.sox saw it
taken off Aalesund; but even on the coast of Norway
it nmst be regarded as fairly rare. ( hi the coast of
Sweden there is only one recorded instance of its oc-

also be marked with a row of I'oundish spots of the currence". On the 22nd of November, 1886, Dr. Stl"X-

same dai'k colour. The rest of the tins are of a more | berg received a specimen that had been caught in the

or less deep red or cjrange, at least at the margin. ! island-lielt of Gothenburg. The species has its ti"ue

The whole of this marking of spots is generally want- I home on the coasts of England and South-Avestern Eu-

ing, however, in young Rocklings, which are of a plain , rope and in the Mediterranean.' It generally lives in

reddish brown or marked with lighter (yellow) spots, , shallow water, even between the tide-marks, where the

the lielly being lighter, sometimes white.

The fry of the Three-Bearded Rockling {(Jouchla

bottom is rocky and thickly overgrown with seaweed.
Here "it threads its way with great ease and rapidity"

argenteola) resendile the other CoHchhc, but are distin- j (Buckland), or hides itself among the seaweed or under
guished from them liy the luimber of the barbels. The I stones. It is also found, however, on a weedy bottom

Swedish Eugenie I'^xpedition found these fry in the At-
lantic north of Madeira, and Captain Werxgren brought
home specimens from the Mediterranean. All these spe-
cimens, between 27 and 33 mm. long, have only 16 — 18
rays in the ]iectoral tins, and thus, according to LOt-
KEx's remarks, should be assigned either to Onos fuscns
or to Onos mcditenatiens, provided that the number of
rays in the pectoi'al tins be constant even in the fry.
The very earliest stages, before the tirst dorsal tin is
distinctly developed, but still some time after the ap-
pearance of the nasal barbels, are distinguished, accord-

of ooze and in from 30 to 40 fathoms of water. Its
food is composed of crustaceans, small fishes. Annelids,
and mollusks. It takes a hook readily; and in some
parts of England, according to Couch, it is regarded
as a delicacy; but it is generally eaten, says Day, only
by the poor*, as it acquires a far from pleasant smell
soon after death. Its spawning-season seems to occur
during winter and in spring. In October Thomp.sox
met with a male with well-developed testes, while
Couch found the species ready to spawn at the end
of April.

" X statement (hiit tlie species had once before been acquired by Gotlienburg Jliiseum, is due, according to Dr. Stixberg, to some

mistake.

'■ Tliis is also tlie case in Italy, according to XiN.Ni {Esp. intern. Ji Pesca, Berl. 1880, Sez. Ital., Catal.. i>. 180).

Scfindinaviati yiahes.

554

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

THE FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLING (sw. FEUTOMJiArE skarlangan or rEiBiucKEN).

ONOS MUSTELA.
Fig. 132 and Plate XXVII, figs. 2 and 3.

Five barbels: one at each of the anterior nostrils, a pair at the tip of the snout, and one under the chin. Length
of the head in adult specimens 1!) — Kl^j^ ^ 'f that of the body". Longitudinal diameter of the ege in full-grown
specimens less than SO % of the postorbital length of the head, this length being greater than either the distance
between the tip of the snout and the hind extremity of the maxillary bnnes or tlie lengtJi. of the loicer jaa\ u-hich
is less than half that of the head. Least depth of the tall more than 40 but less than 4fJ % of tlie depth of the

body at the beginning of the anal fn.

"'"'"'"^•^'m^^^s^^S^m^^^XMi^

Fig. 132. Oiw.f mustfla, (f\ natural size; from Stronistad Fjord, 12tli Nov., 1882. C. A. H.\XSS0N.

B. Ac. 6—7; D. 45—50''; A. 40—43'-; P. 15-16''; V. 7 — 8;
('. 28—32; Vert. 47—48.

K>ijn. Gudus muitelaris, Lin., Mas. Ad. Frid., I, p. 75.

Gadus Mustela, Lin., iSijst. Nat., ed. X, toni. I, p. 265; Penn.,
Brit. Zool. (1776), toni. Ill, p. 177; Gmel., iiyst. Nat. Lin.,
toni. I, pt. Ill, p. 1173; Hou.berg, Gbgs Wett., Witt. Sainh.
N. Handl., vol. IV (1821), p. 52; Fabeu, Fish, hi., p. 81;
NiLSS. {Motella), Prodr. Ichtlit/ol. iScand., p. 49; Schagerstr.,
Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr., p. 305; Kh., Damn. Fisk., vol. 1\,
p. 185 (add. vol. I, p. 609); Ekstr., Gbgs Vet., Vitt. Sarah.
Handl., N. Tidsf., H. I (1850), p. 39; Nilss., Stand. Fn.,
Fisk., p. 589; Gthr, Vat. Brit. Mtis., Fisli., vol. IV, p. 364;
Coll., Forh. Vid. Selsl;. Clirisl. 1874, Tillregsh., p. 117; Malm,
Gb(is, Boh. Fn., p. 495; Winth., Natnrh. Tidskr. Kblivu, scr. 3,
vol. XII, p. 33: MoR., Hist. Nat. Poiss. Fr., toni. Ill, p. 273;
Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturli. For. Kbhvn, 1881, p. 234;
Day, Fish. Gt. Brit., Irel, vol. I, p. 314, tab. LXXXVIII,
fig. 2; Coll. (Onos), N. Mag. Matiirv. Christ., Bd. 29 (1884),
p. 85; LiLi.j., jSv., Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 185; Hansen,
Zool. Dan., Fishe, p. 84, tab. X, fig. 4.
Gadns quinquerirrlialns, Cuv. (ex Penn.) R. Aniiii., cd. I, torn.
II, p. 216; Yaur. (Motella), Brit. Fish., ed. I, vol. U, p. 190;
Parn., Mem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc, vol. VII, \<. 355.

Ciliata glauca, Couch, Lond. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. V, pp. 15
et 741; Jenyns {Motella), Man. Brit. Vert. Anim., p. 451;
Thomi'S. (Couchia), Nat. Hist. Irel., vol. IV, p. 188
( + Umichia minor); Coll. (Motella), Forli. Vid. Selsk. Christ.
1874, TilliEgsh., p. 121.

Motella argenteola, v. DiJD., Kor. (nee Montagu) Vet.-Akad.
Handl. 1844, p. 92; NiLSS., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 590.

According to Pennant and Fleming", it is true, tlie
Five-I3earded Rockling attains a length of about 4^4
dm. (18 in.); but specimens of this size are otherwise
urlkno^vn. The largest specimens in the Roj'al Museum
are 2\i., dm. long, and Malm never found the length of
this species to exceed 28 cm. on the coast of Bohuslau.

The head is comparatively small, with small eyes
and flat Imt comparatively broad interorbital space.
The tip of the snout is naked for a greater distance
than in tiie Three-Bearded Rockling, the boundary of
the scales running between the posterior nostril.s or
even in a line with the front part of the eyes. The

" In yonng speeiniens, even after the C'onchia-siaga, this proportion may be 22',., °e.

' Sometimes 55, according to Day.
' 46

'' ,, 14, ,, ,, MOREAU.

„ 17, „ „ Krovkr.

,, 18, „ ,, Fai'.ei;.
•■■ Brit. Anim., p. 193.

l<'IVK-I!K.\I!I)i;ii iiucklint;

posterior nostrils are set nearer to the ej-es or at least
li;ilf-wny hetAvecn the latter and the nasal barbels, and
their aiitcrii)r margin is nsually raised into a seniicir-
eiilar dermal flaj). The mouth is compaTatively small,
and tlie teeth are blunter than in the preceding species
and of more unilorm size, tlie iinier row in the lower
jaw being generally the only one distinguished by some-
what larger teeth. The lircadth in the palate of the
vomerine card of teeth is always less than the longi-
tudinal diameter of the eyes. The two rostral barbels,
which this s])ecies possesses in common with the North-
ern Rockling, are well separated from each other, but
the distance between them is less than their length.
At the lower margin of the snout (the lower preorbital
margin), on each side of these barbels, we find here,
as in many specimens of the preceding species, sinuous
contractions, the spaces between which remind us of the

rudimentary 1)arl)els in the Northern Rockling. The
scales are small but dense, and extend, as in the pre-
ceding forms, out over the pectoral fins and the ver-
tical fins, especiall}' the caudal. The light-coloured
pores of the lateral line are in most cases rather in-
distinct, as. in the rest of the g-c-ims, and tlie lateral
line (jften seems 1o be interiaiptcd in its curved part,
below the anterior part of the second dorsal fin. Where
we have found this line most nearly perfect, it has
contained 22 pores, arranged thus:

1st

7tl

8th

9th— 22nd

Tlie relation between this species and tlie preced-
ing ones is shown most clearly, howevei', in the fol-
lowinnf table of measurements:

0 n o

u s t e I a.

Average in

A young spe-

5 specimens

elmcn from

from liohus-

liohusliin,

liin, between

Dec, 1830.

111 !.n<l 24B

mm. long.

80

191

22.5

17.8

2.9

2 5

4.3

5.0

11.3

7.4

9.3

a a

13.8

ll.i

20.4

i(;.7

32.0

30.4

9.5

11.1

.'J2.8

54.8

5.0

4.8

—

7.4

12.4

1].«

13.7

11.0

24.5

27.4

41.5

41.1

40.8

43.8

S.S

6.0

5.4

6.«

10.0

10. 0

12. c

14.7

11.3

10.4

Length of the l)oily expressed in millimetres

Length of the head in % of the length of the body

Longitudinal diameter of the eyes _. „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ „

Least breadth of the iiiterorbital space _ __ ._ „ ,, „ „ ,, ,, ,, ,,

Length of the upper jaw _ „ „ „ ,, ,, ,, „ .,

„ „ ,, lower „ „ „

Postorbital length of the head ,, ,, „ ,, ■ ,, ., ,, „

Distance between the lirst dorsal (iu and the tip of the snout „ ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, „

,, second ., ,, .. ., ., „ „ ,, ,.

Base of the first dorsal tin ,, „ „ ,, „ „ „ „

„ ,, „ second ,, „ „ „ „ „ ,, „ „

Length of the lirst ray of the first dorsal fin ,, „ „ „

„ „ ,, longest „ „ „ second ,, , - „ „ ,, „ „ „ „ ,,

„ ,, „ pectoral fins ,, „ ,, ,, ., „ ,, ,,

,, ,, ., ventral _ - --- „ „

Distance lietwecn the ventral fius and the beginning of the anal fin ., „ „ ,, ,, „ „ ,,

,, ,, „ anal tin ,. „ tip of the snoBt „ ,, „ ,, „ „ „ „

Base of the anal fin - ., „ ,, „ „ i, „ „

Longest ray of the anal fin „ „ „ >, v „ „ »

Least depth of tlic tail »? ?? .• •• ?' »> >» n

Length of the middle rays of the caudal tin. „ ■■ » » n

Depth of the body at the beginning of the anal fin „ „ ,, ,, „ „ „ „

Greatest breadth of the head „ ir n " " n ii »

Thus, in the Five-Bearded Rockling the length of the young specimen, however, the length of the lower

the lower jaw and (as a rule) of the upper is less than
half that of the head; and in all the older specimens
(more than 1 dm. long) the former is less than 9 %,
the latter less than 8 %, of the length of the body.
In these respects the Five-Bearded Rockling differs from
all the other Scandinavian species of the genus. In

jaw in proportion to that of the body falls within the
limits of individual variation in the Four-Bearded Rock-
ling; and the length of the upper jaw (from the tip
of the snout to the hind extremity of the maxillary
bones) corresponds in this relation to the averages both
in the three-bearded and the four-bearded species. In

5.)(i

SCAN! ) I.N" A VI AN FISHES.

all tlu' older qicciinens the I);ise of the anal tin is greater
Than the distance between this tin and the tip of the
snout. This is also the case in the ln)ur-l)earded Roek-
liiii;': lint in the voung specimen of the Fi\e-bearded
Koekling, as well as in the Three-bearded and the
Xorthern IJocklings. the base of this tin is less than
the said distance. The almost uniform size of the jaw-
teeth in the Rve-bearded Koekling is a persistent ju-
venile character, which this species possesses in common
with voung specimens of the Three-bearded Rockling;
but the card of teetli on the head of the vomer is
never so broad in the tormer as in the latter, although
it does not undergo so great reduction as in the Four-
bearded Koekling.

Die Five-Bearded Koekling thus ranks as an inter-
mediate form between the preceding ones, as we have
al)ove found to be the case with Onos fusciis in its
relations to On. mediferranciis and On. tricirratus. That
the original form of the whole genus was three-bearded
seems highly probalile, as the difference between the
unpaired and the paired arrangements of the rostral
barbels, presupposes a stage of develo})ment in which
this difference did not exist. In other respects, how-
ever, Onos niustela forms a connecting link between
tlie two directions of development, and mav, therefore,
in all probability be regarded, to the best of our know-
ledge, of the genus in its present arrangement, or at
least of the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean spe-
cies, as the least differentiated (most nearly original)
type witiiin the genus.

In the Five-Bearded Rockling the coloration is of
a more or less dark reddish brown or even olive-green
on the dorsal side, liaht ^ravish, white, vellowish, oi*
sometimes reddish on the bellv, witliout any sharp line
of demarcation and without true spots. Sometimes,
however, we tind indistinct, clouded spots on the sides,
caused by the denser agglomeration of the fine, dark
In-oAvn dots that are scattered over the whole body.
The sides of the body show a metallic — or silvery —
lustre. The second dorsal tin ar the base is of the
same colour as the back, the anal tin as the belh', but
the outer and esi)ecially the posterior parts of these fins
are blackish. The pectoral tins are also blackish, but
of a more or less distinct orange at the base. At the
extreme margin all these tins are usually edged with
red. The nasal and rostral barbels are of the same
colour as the dorsal side or still darker, the barbel
under the chin of the same colour as the bellv.

During life the ventral tins are reddish (Hollbehg),
or ha^■e "orange ravs, with w hitish-^■ello^\• membrane"
(ScHAGEUSTROJi). The "small iilack dots which are
set in oliliiiue rows across the sides' (Hollbehg), are
the pigmented dermal coverings of the several scales,
an ordinary characteristic of the Avhole of this genus,
which statement also applies to the tine, dark brown
dots that are scattered over the bodv. In a live vounif
specimen 78 nnn. long Collett found the pupil to be
of a handsome emerald-green, and thi; iris red, with a
metallic lustre.

In tlu' fry {Courhia ulaiua ~Yh\\e XXVII, fig. 3),
which have lieen most fullv described, under the name

Fig. 133. Young Onos. 0 nnn. lung, with projecting lower jaw.

After M'lsTO.SH and Prince, p, pectoral tin; c. ventral tin; (/ and c,

the still continent dorsal and ano-caudal fins.

of Mofelki (irf/ri/fcdld. l)v v. Dubex and Korex, the
back is bluish green do\vn to a level with the upper
corners of the gill-o])enings, and forms a sharp contrast
to the Avhite, silverv lustre of the sides. All the fins
are transparent and white, except the ventrals (tig. 134),
the black tip of which grows more and more indistinct,

S^a?:5^-x

^j3jT3;;~^gS^y-^

Fig. 134. Yonng Onos. 10 mm. long, with black tip to the ventral

fins. After M'Intosh and Pkince. p, pectoral fin: c, ventral fin;

rl, dorsal fin; c, caudal fin.

however, as the tins are shortened during growth, and
their insertion removed further and further forward,
until in specimens about 'Ih mm. long these tins are
also iHire white. The development is subject to extreme
variations; but the scales do not appear until the tish
is about 38 nun. long, while the strong, silverv lustre
is still persistent, until the rish has attained a length
of 40 — 4."i mm., and even then, as we have remarked
above, does not disappear entirely, (^n the other hand,
the dermal carina t]iat runs on each side of the l)ack
from the end of the first dorsal tin along the base of
the second dorsal, as well as the similar carina on each

KIVK-BKAIiDKI) HOrKMNO. 5',7

!-i(l<; of the hfiso of tlio iiiutl fin, is an ev;inc-><<-iil foi-- (jno^ tiiK.vtela is nn i:la.st Atiantii- wpecios, witJi range

matioii. In fuU-^'rown specimens we now and then find extcnditi;^.' from the extreme north of Norwaj where

these carinii- replaced })y longitudinal grooves. They it has been found, according to (jtU.KTi; in (")x Fjord

seem to be most ncjirly represent(,(l in the family J ?k- | — and from Iceland (Fabeu) southwards at least to the

inodi/iida; of whicii fishes we are also strongly reminded north-west of Spain (Stkixijaciixek) and Portugal (Lowe,

by the coloration and the silvery white, naked skin. in the IJi-itish Museuin). Great Britain thus seerns to

'llif truncate or even somewhat, though only slightly, be the centre of its range; and to ;i]i appearances it

conca\ e (raudal fin, contrasted with its shaq^ly rounded is on the British coasts that the Five-Bearded Rockling

form in adult specimens, also reminds us of the Am- | is commonest. The secluded haunts frequented by the

modytoids. Even in young specimens.41 nun. in length, adult specimens render this species, like the other spe-

liowever, we raaj' find the coloration of the adult spe- cies of the genus, hard to find, except when it is left

cimens almost perfectly represented, though a steel-blue behind in pools, under stones etc., by the ebb-tide, and

longitudinal band is still present as a trace of the ori-
ginal boundary between the colours of the back and of
the sides. A specimen of this kind, which is preserved

it is caught only by accident when the fishennan is
engaged in fishing for other species. It is, therefore,
difficult to decide how rare or common the species is;

in the Koyal Museum, was taken, together with a but, while English naturalists state that it is common

number of others between 25 and 42 mm. long, all on the British coast, the information on this point from

in CoKchia-dress, by Fisherman Tobias Axueksson, on [ Scandinavia is less definite. Even in Strom's time the

the fishing-bank X.W. of Bergen, where the depth of ' species was known off .SOndmfir", but Coi.lett does not

water was about 1.50 fathoms. In this specimen the regard it as plentiful on the coast of Norway, though

length of the head is 20'5 %, the longitudinal diameter he points out that the large numbers in which the fry

of the eyes 4"6 %, the breadth of the interorbital space sometimes appear at the surface, seem to show the

.')"1 %, the length of the u])per jaw 9'7 %, of the lower contrary. In Bohusliin the species has received a spe-

jaw Itj %, the postorbital length of the head ITS %, \ cial name (I'ennuck), and is, therefore, well-known to

the depth of the body at the beginning of the anal fin ! the fishermen — EkstrOm, Nilssox, and Mat^.m state

14'6 ?6, and the least depth of the tail 4'9 %, of the that it is common there — but HorxBERG described it

length of the body. The specimen can hardly be re- j as rather rare, and in recent times the Koyal Museum

ferred, therefore, to Onos septeutrionaUs, though three has had ver}^ great difficulty in procuring specimens

tubercular swellings appear at the lower preorbital thence. According to Kroyer it is also ■extremely

margin on each side of the slightly more developed
rostral barbels. Amoncf the barbels the rostral ones

rare" in the north of the Cattegat. Schaoei'^trom found
it rare in the Sound. In the Baltic it has never been

are developed last, though the length of the body at met with.

this period varies considerably, but generally measures In its adult state the Five-Bearded Rockling seems

about 21 mm., at which time the breadth of the inter- to prefer a rocky bottom, but is also found on sandy

orbital space may already be greater than the longi- ground, when this is firm and studded with tufts
tudinal diameter of the eyes, though as a rule it is ; of seaweed. It belongs to the littoral fishes, and, so

less. Not until the rostral barbels are developed, though far as is known, does not descend into deep water,

they may still have the form of small, terete protuber- beyond the limits to which the green ^^gm extend,

ances, can we distinguish this species vrith certainty Thus it is often met with between the tide-marks; and

from the preceding one. on the coast of Iceland, after the storms of winter,

The internal organs of the Five-Bearded Rockling F.vber saw hundreds of specimens that had been cast

resemble those of the preceding forms in all essential ashore by the waves to furnish a dainty meal to the

respects; but the few (8 — 10) pyloric appendages are ravens and seagulls. Malm assumes that on the coast

still longer, and their tips lie rather near the vent. The of Bohuslan this species is commonest at a depth of

air-bladder is wanting. The peritoneum, the inside of 8 — 12 fathoms; while the Koyal Museum ]rx>«sesses se-

the mouth, and the walls of the pharynx arc white. veral specimens taken at less depths, but one from a

" Bei>kr. Sondm.. pt. I. p. 314: Dit andet Slags T'lng-Brofme.

558

SCANDINAVIAN FISIIKS.

depth of 20 — 30 fathoms iu Gulhnaren. It feeds on
small fishes, mollusks, and. crustaceans; one of the Royal
Museum specimens has its stomach distended by a
shrimp that it has swallowed. The spawninp;'-scason

in their aquarium the females spawned in April. It
is at the middle of May too, according to Coucii, that
the fry first appear at the surface, staying there until
the end of autumn. During this season they live in

proper seems to occur in winter and spring, though it . the same manner as the other Couchlce, being lively
may begin as early as August, foi- at the end of this and, for their size, voracious, ])ut cautious and always

month CoRXiSH found a gravid female with partially
ripe eggs. According to Couch" tlie Five-Bearded Rock-
linof builds a kind of nest with the common coralline
{Corallina officinalis) for its eggs. The eggs and the
sprigs of seaweed are packed one after another in a
hole or rocky crevice at low-water mark. Bkook' has
alread)^ remarked, however, that this account of tlie
laying of tlie eggs may be due to a confusion ^vith
some other species, for he found the eggs floating about
in the water of his aquarium, where he had some fe-
males of this species ^\•hich spawned in May and June.
M'Intosh and Prince'', on tiie other hand, found the
eggs floating in the sea lietween Mai'ch and May, and

ready to take shelter under an)- floating object, often
among the tentacles under tlie disk of a jell\--fish.
Birds and fishes chase them eagerl)', and as food for
lai'irer fishes thev are not without importance. The
full-grown Rocklings also contribute to the support of
the large bottom-fishes; but on account of its small
size, in Scandinavia at least, the Five-Bearded Rockling
is of little importance as human food. Parnell tells
us, however, that at midsuinmer it is pretty often taken
on the hook in the Firtli of Forth and brought to Edin-
burgli for sale, being exposed in tlie mai'ket with Cod-
lings and Whiting, and forming a very palatable dish
^\•hcn fried.

Genus RANICEPS.

Ta-o dorsal fins, the anterior beiiir/, however, riidimentarii and hardly distinguishahle, irith onli/ three rai/s: one
anal fin. Ventral fins with 6 rays, the first tiro ending in long, free, curved tips. (Jardiform teeth on the inter-
maxillary hones, in the lower jan\ and on the head of the vomer. BrancJtiostegal rays 7.

This genus contains only one species, which is
further distinguished by a large, broad, depressed head,
brachiate pectoral fins (with long base, set, as it were,
on a short shaft), a short barbel under the chin, and
the absence of ciecal ajjpendages (thougli we find rudi-
mentary traces thereof) round the pylorus. It also
differs, though with individual variations, from the

other genera of the Gadoid family in the ciliation of
the scales at the margin.

The name of Raniceps was given the genus by
CuviER (1817). Two years after, in 1819, Hollberg
bestowed upon it a name of Greek derivation (Batraco-
cephalns), but of the same meaning (Frogs-head).

THE LESSER FORKED BEARD OR TADPOLE FISH (sw. jiatfaeen or rADDTORSKEN).

RANICEPS RANINUS.

Plate XXV, iig. 3.

Coloration hroicnish hlack, with wl/ite edges to the second dorsal fin, at tlie top of the caudcd fin, and in front of
the anal fin; the free tips of the ventral rays also ivhite. Walls of the month and of the pharyngeal cavity white.

■ R. hr. 7; TJ. 3,61—07; A. 55 — Gl ; P. 21—23; V. 6; C.
31—35; Vert. 44—45.

Syn. Lesser forhed-beard {Barbus minor Cornubiensis), Jago apud
Raium, ^pt. Metli. Fisc, p. 1G4, fig. 8; Bleiinitis fusciis,

" Fhh. Brit, /.v/., vol. Ill, p. 109.

' Journ. Lin. Soc. London, Zool., vol. XVIII (1885), p. 298.

' Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb., vol. XXXV, part. Ill, p. 832.

TADPOLE riSII.

559

ore drrato, piniiis ouuii/jiis setaceis, Sihum, Soiulni. [ieskr.
part. I, ji. 323; Trifurcated Hake, Pknn., /;,/(. Zool. (1776),
toiii. Ill, p. 172, Inb. XXXII.

Blennius raiiimis, Lin. (p. p.), Syst. Nat., ed. X, torn. I, p.
258; Fn. Utiec, ed. II, p. 113; Mull., Zool. JJnn. Prodi:,
p. 43; BiiOnn {Gadii.i), Vid. Sel.sk. Skr. Kblivn. purl. XII
(1777), p. 291 (cum 2 tab.); MCll., Zool. Dan., vol. II
(1788), p. G, tab. XLV; Cuv. (Rantceps), Reijn. Aiiiin., ed. I,
torn. II, p. 217; Coll., Forli. Vid. Solsk. Christ., 1874,
Tilhfgsh.. p. 125; M.alm, Gbijs, Boh. Fn., p. 408; Winth.,
Natiirli. Tidsi^r. Kbbvii, wr. 3, \«\. XII, p. 34; Day, Fish.
Gt. Brit., Irel., v.d. I, p. 320, tab. XC, fig. 1; Mun., IIcKE,
Fiscli. Of^ts., ji. 84; L1LL.J., So., Norg. Fisk., vol. II, p. 195;
H.\NSEN, Zool. Dan., Fiske, p. 87, tab. X, fig. 6.

Blennius /iisctis, MOll., Zool. Dan. Prodr., p. 43 (ex StrOm);
Ki!. (Raniceps), Damn. Fi.ike, vol. II, p. 231.

Gadns fuliginosns, Walb., Sclir. Ges. Nat Fr. Bcrl., vol. V
(1784), p. 107.

Gadns raninus, var. a, tri/urciis, Wau;., Ivhllnjol. Art., part.
Ill, p. 139 (ex Penn.); Blennius trifurcatus, Shaw., Gen.
Zool., vol. IV, part. I, p. 1 74 (ex Penn.); Gran {Raniceps),
Cat. Brit. 3Ius., Fish., vol. IV, p. 3G7; Mon., Hist. Nat.
Poiss. Fr., toil). Ill, p. 275.

Gadus minimus, Walii., /chthijol. .-irt., part. Ill, p. 143 (ex
Jagon'e).

Batracocephahis blennioides, Hollb., Gbgs. Wett., Wilt. Sanih.
II. Handl., part. Ill (1819), p. 39 cum tab.

Raniceps niger, NiLSS., Prodr. Ichthi/ol. Scand., p. 50 : Scha-
oerstk., Physiogr. Sallsk. Tidskr., p. 310; Fr., Ekstr., Skand.
Fisk., ed. I, p. 92, tab. 21 ; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 594.

Ohs. LiNN.EUs's diagnosis evidently refers to this species; but
by some mistake or otlier he stated that the fish was a fresh-water
species that lived in the lakes of southern Sweden, and was there
known by names which show that he confused it with the Burbot.
Strum suspected and BrDnnicii corrected this mistake.

The Tadpole Fish (Sw. Faddtor.^k -= Toad Cod)
does not attain any considerable size;, being generally
betMeen 20 and '25 cm., and at most 30 cm. long.
Wlien seen from al)ove the body is of a marked wedge-
shape, tapering in the hind part, which tliiis forms a
sharp contrast to the roundisli, broad, depressed head.
The body is deepest across the belly at the beginning
of the second dorsal tin, from which point it tapers
more rapidlv, though only gradually, towards the tail,
and more imperceptil)ly towards the head. However,
as the width of the lielly depends, as usual, to a great
e.\teiit on the quantity of food it contains, or the tu-
midity of the organs of generation, it is usually safer
to measure tlie depth of the body at the beginning of
the anal fin, tliough tliis is not the deepest point. We
have found the latter dcptli to measure in young spe-
cimens (l)etwccn 6 and (^' ,, cm. long) about 14 % of
the length ut the body, and in older specimens (be-
tween ir , and 28*3 cm. long) about 18—21 % of
this leiigtii. The depth of the tail at the ends of the
second dorsal and the anal fins — where scarcely any

Unless space is lu he found in most specimens — mea-
sures about 4 — 4'/„ % of the length of fiie body, and
is always less llian th(! longitudinal diameter of the
eyes. During the life-time of the fisii the l)ack and
the to]) of the liead form a slight and regular convexity,
overtopped by the eyes, which are rather prominent.
The Iiead is bi'oadcr than the body, its greatest
breadlli in young specimens being aljout ^,'3, in old
ones alnjut ' ,, of its own length, whicli in the former
measures about 2fi or 27 %, in the latter 28 — 'M) % of
the total length of tlic Ixuly, or respectively 29 — 31 %
and 32 — 33 % of the lengtli of tlic Itody excluding the
rauihd lin. 'I'hc eyes are fairly i-ound, their lengtli
being only slightly greater than their depth, and tlii-ir
longitudinal diameter measuring '/i — ','r, ('t tli'* length
of the head. They are turned upwards and set far
apart, their longitudinal diameter being only from '/'.
to "/j of the least distance between them, which mea-
sures between about 9 and 10 % of the length of the
body or '/a of tliat of tlie head. They are also set so
far forward that the length of the snout varies between
about "/a and ', ,, of that of the head l)ehind them.
The snout is rounded and very broad, and projects
some way beyond the margin of the upper jaw. The
nostrils are set obliquely in front of the eyes and nearer
to them than to the snout; the posterior is simply a
round hole, the anterior raised at the margin into a
tube open in front, or with a triangular flap at the
hind margin. The lower jaw falls short of the upper
in trout, and is furnished with a very short barbel
under the chin. The length of the branches of the
lower jaw is aI)out 15' ^ — 16'/, % of that of the body.
The gape is large and almost circular. When the mouth
is open, the wiiole of the branchial arches and of the
])haryngeals is visible. The upper jaw is then protruded
only very slightl}-, but the corners of the mouth all
the more distinctlv. When the month is clo.sed, both
tlie maxillarv Ixmes retire below the labiate dermal
fold formed by the lower margin of the snont, and the
thick labial skin that forms the corners of the mouth
falls into a deep groove above and behind the niaxil-
laries. The length of the upper jaw (from the tip of
the snout to the hind extremity of the maxillary bones)
increases with age from about 14 to nearly 17 * of
that of the body. The tongue is thick, but short, carti-
laginous, with truncate, rounded tip, the free ])art of
which is sonietinu's hardly distinguishable. Both jaws
arc furnished with pointed, cardiform teeth in dense.

)60

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

irrep'uliir rows, the outermost row coutaiiiiiig the largest
teeth both in the uiijx'r jaw and the lower. A similar
.eard of teeth, set across the palate and eurved, occupies
the head of the ^•olner. The upper pharyngeals on each
side form two disks, crowded -with fine, rather blunt
teeth. The anterior disk is nai-row and of uniform
breadth, tlic posterior (on the two hind pharyngeals,
which are coalescent) large and (juadrangular 'with-
rounded corners or cresceiit-shai)ed. The cards of teeth
on the lower pharyngeals are oblong. Th.e four bran-
chial arches are furnished with short, spiny protuber-
ances instead of gill-rakers. The gill-openings ai-e
large. The brancliiostegal membrane is nioderatclv in-
cised underneath, with a narrow, fi'ce, dermal margin
across the isthmus. The whole head is clotlied -with a
thick, mobile skin, loosely attached to tiie body, and
entirely coyering and concealing the opercidnr bones.
In structure the scales of the Tadpole Fish very
closely resend)le those of the ])receding geiuis. Tliev are
furnished ex'clusiyely with concentric, denticulated stria;
(ridges). (hi the other haml, the nucleus is usually
yerv large — though sometimes reduced in the extreme
— and oidA' the Aounger (smaller) scales haye continuous
striie, following the elliptical or oblong outlines of the
scale. In other cases tliev are more or less interrupted
at l)oth ends of the scale, in the anterior (inserted)
part to ]('n\G room for a longitudinal, smooth patch at
the middle, as a continuation of the nucleus, and in
(he posterior (free) part of the most developed scales
to <'Oi-i'espoMd to the configuration of the truncate mar-
gin of the .scale. This margin is furnisiied with a
greater or less niunlu'r of teeth — KnnYEii has counted
as many as 18 — and here the said stria' partly i-un
straight out to the margin, and partly scattei- into small,
irregulai', yei'miform, transverse stria". We must re-
nuunber, howeyer, that these ciliate teeth at the hind
margin of the scales are often wanting: in some speci-
mens we haye failed to discover any of these ciliated,
truncate scales, while in others they apparently occur

slime, wliich entirely conceals the scales, and renders
the Avhole surface of the skin smooth and shiny. The
lateral line, which is only slightly marked, and forms
a small curve in front, is hardly distinguishable during
the life of tlie fish, but in specimens that have long-
been preseryed in s])irits, this curve ap])ears as a row
of light-coloured protuberances".

The vent is large and thick-lip|)ed. with an anal
papilla behind it, and is situated just in front of the
beginning- of the anal fin.

The pectorrd tins are fairly large, their length being
about 15'' — 17 % of that of the body, and arc I'ounded
at the tip. Their basal part is somewhat elongated
(brachiate), and their rays, of which the middle ones
are longest, an' thick at the base and at the tip very
regularly divided into 8 branches, running ])arallel to
each other.

The yentral tins are set farther forward than the
pectoral, at a distance from the beginning of the anal
fin of about 18\'2 — 22 % of the length of the body.
They contain t! ravs, the first two being nuich longer
than the others and furnished Avith long, free, fila-
mentous ti])S, arched in a forward direction. The se-
cond ray is the longest, sometimes measuring as much
as IS',', % of the length of the body. The four inner
rays ai-e small, closely united, and branched, but witli
the tips themselves as it were coalescent.

The first dorsal fin, wliich begins at a distance
from the tip of the snout measuring in young speci-
mens 26—28 %, in old 29—33 %, of the length of the
body, is only rudimentary. It is set in a deep groove
formed b^- the dorsal edge, and is composed of one
large, distinct, simple ray, which is, however, short, its
length being always less than the longitudinal diameter
of the eye, and behind which we find two extremeh'
small and indistinct ra-\s. The latter rays can often
be distinguished only with the help of scalpel and mag-
nifying-glass. The second dorsal fin begins just Ijehind
the ]ierj)endicular from the base of the pectoral fins.

oi

dy on the hind part of the body. The scales on that at a distance from tiie tip of the snout of about 31

part of tiie body which lies behind the vent, are also
more regulai'ly arranged and flat, but on the for('])art
of the body as well as on the head the^■ are more
irregular, rathei' more depressed, and as it were concaye.
During life the fish is coated with a thick layer of

36 % of the length of the body. It is of almost uni-
form height, and I'uns along the back for a distance
equal to about 49 — 54 % of the length of the body,
to the yery base of the caudal tin, the space between
these fins being extremely small or hardly perceptible.

" "Above fill- pcct(jrnl tins, on eticli t^ide, was ii row of tulicrrlps from wliicli coiuineiioi'd tlie lateral liitf. wliicli was (iniilw.iy) iii-
curvatod": Pennan'I', 1. c.

'' In our largest spoeiinen 14.

TADI'dLK I'lSII.

561

Its depth (the length of the Kjiiyest rays) is alxnit 9
or 10 % of the length of tlie hody.

Tlic anal tin is of tlie same form ;iii(l the same
extent in a hackward dircclidn as the second dorsal;
l>ut the interval between this lin and the caudal fni is
sometimes more distinct, though only inconsideraljje,
and the tin is shorter. The distance between the tip
of the snout and the beginning of this fin is 37 — 38 % of
the length of the body in young specimens, 40 — 43 %
in old, and its base usually measures about 45 % of
the lengtli of the body.

The caudal tin is comparatively small, with narrow
base and expanded, rounded hind margin. In young
specimens the length of its middle rays is about Yl %,
in older ones 10 — g'/g %, of the length of the bodj'.

The entire coloration of this fish is very monoto-
nous, of a deep broAvnish black with a bright and
handsome, l)lue lustre, which thi'ows brilliant lights on
the smooth surface of the body. The skin of the
mouth and the grooves which receive the upper jaw
and the labial skin, are whitish. The iris is yellowish,
and tlie pupil has a blue lustre. The fins are of the
general colour of the bod)', but the free tips of the
ventral rays, the extreme margin of the whole of the
second dorsal fin, of the beginning of the anal tin, and
of the top of the caudal fin are whitish. After the
death of the fish, the colours fade and turn reddish,
and the lustre disappears. A young specimen 13 mm.
long which Malm caught on the 23rd of July, 1875,
in Lunnevik (Gaso, BohusliVn), was entirely whitish,
with the exception of tlie ventral fins, which were deep
black, while a blackish brown pigment also appeared
on the head, the front part of the sides, and across
the occipital region. Still, the typical form of the species
Avas already developed.

In its internal structure the Tadpole Fish essentially
resembles the Cods, and the abdominal cavity extends
some A\'i)y, though not very far, behind the beginning
of the anal fin. But the character that sharply separ-
ates this fish from most of the preceding genera, is
that the numerous pyloric appendages of the other ge-
nera are here Avanting. The Tadpole Fish is furnished
merely with two (sometimes only one) short projections
or expansions of the intestine, rudimentary traces of
these appendages, and occupying the same position.
The air-bladder is divided into two parts, the anterior
larger and more expanded in a lateral direction than
the posterior.

Scandinavian Fishes.

r)ii account lA its black colovu' tlic Tad|)ole Fish is
known at some spots in the island-belt of BolmslSn as
Siiied (Blacksmith) and Bldckfisk (Ink-lisli). It is also
called Maffar (l>readwiuner), I'mUlnl (Toad FeJ), and
lliilcktilju (Cave Haddock). In the Sound, according to
Sc'iiAGKUsTKOM, it bcars the name oi Ha fpadda (Se-dToad).

The geographical range of the Tadpole Fish ex-
tends from the neighbourhood of Trondhjem to England,
Ireland, and the coasts of the Channel, but on tiie north-
west coast of France, according to Moueau, it is ex-
tremely rare. It is no common fish on the English
coast either, and seems, thei-efore, to be really Scandi-
navian. It occurs Ixitli on the Norwegian coast and on
the coast of Bohushln as well as throughout the Catte-
gat. Fi-om the last locality it occasionally enters the
Sound and Ise Fjord, and passes through the Belts
down to the neighbourhood of Kiel and the coast of
Mecklenburg. On the Baltic coast of Scania, however,
this species has not been found.

Its habits probably resemble those of the preceding
genus, and it is usually found in solitarj' specimens at
rather shallow spots (in 5 — 12 fatlioms of water, ac-
cording to Malm), among the seaAveed at the bottom. Off
Kullen, however, according to NiLSSox, it sometimes
happens, in late autumn, that three or four specimens
are taken in one and the same Cod-net. Otherwise it
is caught only by accident in every kind of fishing-
tackle, such as lobster or crab pots etc., but on the
coast of Bohusliin, according to FiUES, oftenest on
Haddock-lines, when these are set during autumn at
shallow, Aveedy spots for the so-called Grass Cod. That
it also descends to greater depths is shoAvn by a large
specimen Avhich Mr. C. A. Haxssox has forwarded to
the Royal Museum, and Avhich Avas taken at a de])th
of 40 or 50 fathoms in Stromstad Fjoi-d.

Its food is composed of all kinds of loAvcr marine
animals, such as crustaceans, raollusks, Avorms, and
especially Echinoderms (sea-urchins and star-fish), frag-
ments of Avhich have been found in its stomacli and
intestine. But it is by no means averse to fish, for in
tAvo of the specimens Ave have examined we found the
stomach in each case to contain the head of a small
Herring.

NiLSSON Avas told at Kullen that the Tadp(jle Fish
spawns betAveen Martinmas and Christmas, but this is
probably an exception to the general rule. In tlie month
of July Fkies obsei'ved on the coast of l)oluislan
tAvo Tadpole Fish that kept close to each other, and.

71

562

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

caressing each other in everyp ossible manner, came right
up to a landing-place in 3 dm. of water, where they
finally hid themselves under the frame of the pier. It
was at the end of July too, that Malm took the above-
mentioned young specimen 13 nmi. in length, close to
the land and 3 dm. from the surface in 6 dm. of water.
In October, 1882, Mr. Trybom, Assistant Inspector of
Fisheries, received from the fishermen of Rati two young
Tadpole Fish between 6 and 6 '/a cm. long. All these

circumstances go to show that the spawning-season
occurs in summer or spring.

As the Tadpole P^ish is caught only in small num-
bers and has a slimy and repulsive appearance and an
unpleasant odour, it is despised by the fishermen and
seldom used as food. Most of the specimens taken are
thrown away at once. Still, the flesh is white and firm,
and, no doubt, of as good flavour as that of several
other Codfishes. (Fries, Smitt.)

Genus BROSMIUS.

(htlji one dorsal fin and one anal. Ventral fins irith 6 rays of falrJij aniforni letuftli, the anterior ones wifJi
short, free fij). Cardiforin feefli on tlic intermaxillary hones, in the lower jau\ and on the head of tlie vomer.

Branchiostegal rays 7.

Tliis genus also contains only one species, which
is of true northern nature, belonging to the Arctic
Ocean and the North Atlantic.

The genus stands alone among the Codfishes in its
possession of only one dorsal fin; but in other respects
it comes near the Lings and the Burbot, and especially
to the Rocklings. The single species has long been

known and has long passed in the trade in Norway"
by the name of Brosme, in Iceland'' by that of Keila,
and in England'' by those of Torsk, Tusk, and lirismak.
For all tliis it was unknown to Ahtedi and Linnaeus.
CuviEK estal)lished'' a Gadoid subgenus which he called
Les Brosmes; and FlejiinC adopted Brosmus as a
distinct fjenus.

THE TORSK OR TUSK (sw. lubhen).
BROSMIUS BROSME.

Plate XXV, fig. 4.

Coloration Vujlit gray, more or less mixed a-itli yellow, <ni the helly grayish white; the vertical fins edged n-itJi

white and with a black hand within this margin.

R. hr. 7; D. 90'— 105; A. Tl^'— 76; P. 22''— 24; V. 5;
C. 2 + 42 + 2; Vert. 63—06.

•Sijn. (iadus bromne, Ascan., Ic. Rer. Nat., Fasc. II, p. 7, tab. XVII;
Fabu., Fd. Groenl., p. 149; Walb., Ichtli. Art., Gen. Pise.,
p. 142; Retz., Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 323; Faber, Fiscli. Id.,
p. 84; NiLss., Prodr. Iclttli. Scand., p. 47; Val., Votj. IsL,
Groenl., Gaim., Atl., Poiss., tab. 5; Ekstr., Gbgs. Vet., Vitt.
Samh. Handl., Ny Tidsf., Haft. I (1850), p. 39; Gthr {Bros-
mius), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. IV, p. 369; Coll., Forh.
Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tilltegsh., p. 125; ibid. 1879, No.
1, p. 69; Malm, Ghrjs, Boh. Fn., p. 499; Goode, Bean, Proc.
U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. I (1878), p. 362; Day, Fish. Gt. Brit.,

Irel., vol. I, p. 323, tab. XC, fig. 2; Jurd., Gilb., Bull. U.

S. Nat. Mus., No. 16, p. 802; Storm, Vid. Selsk. Skr. Throndhj.

1883, p. 37; Lillj., 6'v., Norg. Fish., vol.11, p. 202.
Gadus Luhb, Euphrasen, Vet. Akad. Hand!. 1794, p. 223,

tab. VIII.
Brosmus vuhjaris, Flmng, 1. c; Storer, (Brosmius), Rep. Ichtli.,

Herpet. Mass., p. 136; Kr., Damn. Fisk., vol. 2, p. 215;

NiLSS., Slcand. Fn., Fisk., p. 597; Mgbn, Finl. Fiskfn.

(disp. Helsingf.), p. 31; Olsbn, Piscatorial Atlas, No. 21.
Brosmius flavescens, LeSueur., Afem. Mas., torn. V, p. 158,

tab. 16, fig. 2; Gthr, Cat., 1. c.
Brosmius americamis, Gill., Proc. .4cad. Nat. So. Pliilad. 1863,

p. 242.

" Leem, Lapp., p. 327; Str(jm, Sendm., vol. I, p. 272, tab. I, fig. 19.
'' Olafsen, Reise IsL, vol. I, p. 358, No. 6.
' Pennant, Brit. Zool, toni. Ill (1776), p. 178.

'' Regne Anim., ed. I, toin. II, p. 216. In the second edition of this work (1829), torn. II, p. 334, the name of Brosjuius occurs.
This name is indeed two years younger than Fleming's Brosmus, but it has come into general use.
^ Brit. Anim., p. 194.
/ Sometimes 85, according to Kroyer.
'J 62

h in

)) * ^1 ij )i It

TUKMv.

According to Storm tlic Torsk .-ittMins a l(.;ii"tli of
a metre or more. Low says that tlic largest s]jeciineii
he ever heard of, was ^'/a t't. (UHu luiii. long). The
tish is capable, however, of reprdduciiig its species at
M length of 3 dm., and it is only cxccptioiwillv that
specimens more tliaii (S or i) dm. long are found.

In the form of the body the Torsk is most like a
Hockliiig, being less elongated than the Common Liii<r,
fairly terete in front, but strongly compressed at the
tail. The depth of the body at the begiiming of the
anal lin in young specimens {2 — ?> dm. long) is about
15 %, in older ones (4 — G'/., dm. hmg) about IT'/o %,
of the length of the body. The depth (if the tail across
the base of the tii'st caudal rays in young specimens
measures about S'/g % of the length of the body, in
older ones about G — 6' ^ % thereof. The body js l)road-
est as a rule across the gill-covers, its greatest bi-eadth
in voung specimens being about 14 %, in the oldest
about 12 %, of its own length.

The head is of about the same size as in the Coal-
tish, larger than in the Rocklings, but considerably
smaller than in the Tadpole Fish. Its length in young
specimens is about 25 % of that of the body, in old
about 24 — 23V2 ?» thereof. It is of a wedge-shaped
(four-sided pi'ismatic) form, the upper contour sloping
more evenly and less sharply than the lower. The
foi'ehead is fiat, the occiput and snout are slightly more
convex, and the sides almost vertical, though they di-
verge slightly in a downward direction. The snout is
moderately broad, its anterior margin rounded (hori-
zontally) and projecting slightly beyond the upper or
the lower jaw. The eyes are set fairly high, their
upper margin being nearly on the same plane as the
forehead, and turned slightly upwards, on the same
plane as the cheeks. Their size is moderate for a Cod-
tish, their longitudinal diameter in young specimens
measuring about 5V2 %> i" the oldest about SVs % of
the length of the body, or respectively about 2l'/2 and
14'/3 % of the length of the head. Their position is
such that the length of the snout varies between about
7'/, and 7 % of that of the body or about 30 % (29-2
— 3r3 %) of the length of the head, and the post-
orbital length of the head between about 12 and 13%
of the length of the body or about 50 and 55 % of the
total length of the head. The interorbital space is flat
and rather broad. Its breadth in young specimens is

somewhat less, in old considerably UKjre, than llic lon-
gitudinal diameter uf ihc eyes. This breadth al.so varir's
in dift'erent individuals between 5 and (i % of llie l(n>rth
of the body or 20 and iMI % of the Icnglli of Hie head.
Th(! nostrils are ratlici' sniidl. The anterior nostril,
with its hind margin raised into a canaliridate lid, is
set somewhat behind the middle of the snout, the pos-
terior, which is somewhat larger and ol)long, about
half-way between the anterior nostril and llie eye, and
both on about a level with the middle of the eve. The
mouth is turned slightly upwards and middle-sized for
a Codfish. The length of the upjjer jaw from the lip
of the snout to the hind extreinitx' of the maxillary
bones measures about 12 — 11 % (1C8— 10"9 %) of the
length ol' tlie body or 48 - 4G % (48'3 — 45"7 %) <if that
of the head; and the length of the snout is less than
"/a (62 — 65 %) of that of the ujjper jaw. The length
of the lower jaw is somewhat greater than either the
jjostorbital length or the greatest breadth of the head,
though in young specimens it is equal to the latter.
It measures about 14 — 13' , % of the length of the
body or 61 — 56 % of the length of the head. The lips
ai'e fleshy and mobile. The upper jaw-bone may be
concealed to a great extent, when the mouth is closed,
under the dermal fold that hangs down from the mar-
gin of the suborbital bones. About half-way along the
upper jaw, somewhat in front of the end of the inter-
maxillary bones, we find a protuberance, which is chiefly
composed, however, of cartilage, on the upper jaw-
bone. The teeth are pointed and curved, and in the
jaws form well-developed cards, broadest in front, grow-
ing narrower behind (in the lower jaw to such an
extent that the card ends in a single row), the inter-
maxillary teeth being of fairly uniform size, those of
the lower jaw largest in the innermost (hindmost) row.
On the head of the vomer they form a semicircular or
anjrular band, narrow, but in the transverse direction
of the palate long, and consisting of two or three rows,
the last (innermost) row with tlie largest teeth. Tiie
tongue is fleshv, bluntly pointed, and, like the palatine
bones, toothless. The pharyngeal teeth are of the same
form as the jaw-teeth, and form above, on each side,
two transversely .set cards (the two hind pharyngeals
are united), the anterior narrow, the i)osterior almost
semicircular. The lower pharyngeal cards, one on each
side, are oblong and lanceolate, growing narrower, as

" Faun. Oread., p. 200.

564

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

usual, behind (outwards). The gill-rakers are short and
scattered — about 13 in number on the first branchial
arch, l)ut the foremost (lowest) and uppermost ones
liardly distinguishable — tubercular and spiny. The
branchial arches ai-e complete, but the fourth (hindmost)
is united throughout the greater part of its length to
the hind wall of the branchial cavity, the last gill-slit
thus being rather small. The mouth is without trans-
verse folds (vela). The barbel under tlie chin is equal
in length to tlie longitudinal diameter of the eye or
even longer". The Ijranchiostegal membranes are united
lielow for a great part of their Ijreadth. Tlieir hind
margin forms a fairly regular curve, ^vithout distinct
opercular flap. The whole gill-cover is imbedded in
the skin; and the gill-opening does not extend to its
superior margin, the upper corner of the gill-opening
Iving on about a level with the middle of the eye.

The dorsal tin begins at a distance from the tip
of the snout equal to about 27 '/^ — '2b'% % of the length
of tlie liody, and thus moves forward with age, while
the length of its base sho>vs even relative increase from
al)out 61 '4 % to rather more than 65 % of the length
of the body. The number of the rays seems also to
increase at the same time, from about 90 to 105, which
latter number we have found in a fish 64 cm. long.
The fin rises in a very elongated arch, its greatest
height (where the length of the rays is about 9^/2 — 8
% of that of the body) lying about Vs of the ■way along
the tin; Imt the last rays sharply diminish in length,
and the Hn ends in a bluntly pointed lobe, with half
its hind margin coalescent with the upper margin of
tlie caudal fin. The division lietween these two fins
may, however, l)e traced internally as well, for the last
ray in the dorsal fin is nmltifid, the uppermost raj' in j
the caudal fin simple, as Avell as the first two or three
rays of tlie dorsal hn. The anal fin is of the same
structure and form as tiie dorsal, but not ([uite "/g
{()1 — 64'/2 %) as long. It is also lower, and its union
to the caudal hn shorter. It Ijegins at a distance from
ilie tip of the snout tliat measures between 52 or 53
and 51 % of the length of the bod}', and the length of
its base seems to vary individually between 37 Vg ;ind
41' '2 % of the same length. At the ends of the dorsal
and anal fins the tail tapers to a point from above and
below, thus forming a triangular base for the caudal
hn. This fin is broadly rounded, almost as in the

Burbot, and its length at the middle is in young spe-
cimens more, in old less, than the depth of the tail at
the beginning of the fin. In our largest specimen,
which is 64 cm. long, the caudal fin contains 46 rays,
the uppermost two and the lowest two simple.

The pectoral fins are rounded and of average size
or smaller, their length varj'ing in different individuals
between 12 and 10 % (sometimes 9V2 %) of that of the
liody. In tlie specimen just mentioned they are made
up of 24 rays, only the uppermost ray being simple.

The ventral hns are of a more characteristic form.
They are rather long, sometimes (in young specimens)
longer than the pectoral fins, Init narrow and of uni-
form breadth, this being due to the fact that the last
(hindmost) ray is only slightly shorter than the first,
which in its turn is a little shorter than the three
middle rays, and like them projects a little way beyond
the common membrane. All the rays are simple and
^vith extremely numerous articulations, but may be
easily divided in two halves throughout their length
from the very base. The fins are set in about a line
with the upper corners of the gill-openings, but move
forward, as usual, with age, the distance between them
and the beginning of the anal fin rising in adult spe-
cimens from about 28 to 31 % of the lenijth of the
body. The distance between the anterior ends of their
insertions is half the length of the lower jaw.

All the hns are covered with skin, thick at the
base, but growing thinner towards the margin, which
renders the counting of the rays without dissection
difficult and uncertain.

The scales extend over the whole body and head,
except the very tip of the snout and the lips, out over
all the fins, right to the thin margins, which are naked.
They are linguiform, thin, and small — extremely small
on the head and fins — largest, as usual, on the caudal
part of the body, and everywhere densely imbricated.
The largest scales in a specimen 64 cm. in length are
about 5 mm. long and 2 mm. broad at their broadest
point, which lies where they project from their follicles
in the skin, in which they are imbedded for the greater
part (about ''/j) of their length. Their structure is
essentially the same as that of the scales in the genus
Molua, and they are furnished Avith a moniliform mark-
ing produced in the same way (see above, p. 521 and
note h), but still more closely resemble the scales of

" In our ytiungesl siieciiiK-n inncli slidrtoi-.

TORSK.

565

the Eels. The nucleus is very eccentric, sometimes | which was caught in August, in Trondhjem Fjord, the

ovnries were thin, iilmost rihhon-shaped, and about half
as long as the abdominal cavity, and contMinod almost
microscopically small eggs.

In the cranium we remark the tlat forehead
and occiput, with tlie occipital ridge as it were flat-
tcticfl ;it tlic upper mai'giii ;iiid extended on the same
plane as the top of the head, wliieli behind (at the
occipital surface) is as it were suddenly cut short at
i-ight angles, the squamosal bones (ossa pferotmi) pro-
jecting oidy slightly further back than the mastoid
l)ones (ussa cjiofica). Tlie former bones send out, for-
wards and inwards, converging towards tlie middle of
the fdi-ehead, up to the Suture between tlie closely
united IVont.iI bones, two broad, flattened, osseous ridges
wjiieli evidently correspond to tlie thin osseous canals

extremely small, but sometimes, even in the largest
scales, very large. In the Torsk, as in tlie Eels, we
liiid the body marked with vermiform grooves, as it
were, at tiie spots wliere small scales are set in rows,
I'oi' the greater part concealeil in the skin, e. g. on the
occiput and the IVont pai-t of tiie back. The lateral
line does not pierce any scales; but most of the scales
that lie under or nearest its pores are more or less
irregular and oblique. Still, it is fairlv distinct, with
its ramified pores, espeeiall\- in front, whei'e, on the
a1)dominal part of tlu' body, it runs in a \ery long
arch fi'om the |)osttemporal region, above the gill-cover,
to a jHiint some way behind the perpendicular from
tlie beginning of the anal fin. It then I'uns fairly
straight or with a number of angular sinuations, along

the middle of the side to the tip of the base of the \ that lam forward at the same spot in the Tadpole Fish,

caudal hii. I .-nid which probal)Iy contain, like the latter, a muciferous

The coloration in old specimens is light gray with duet. In other respects the structure of the cranium

a dash of chocolate colour, growing paler downwards is Gadoid, but the surface of the top of the head and

and shading into the grayish white colour of the lielly.
The tins at the base are of the same colour as the body,
but out towards the margin on all the vertical tins this
colour is interrupted bj- a black band, which at the
extreme margin is exchanged for white, pure or \\ith
a slight yelloAvish tinge. These black and white bands
are broadest on the dorsal and caudal tins and on the
hindmost part of the anal tin, narrowest on the rest of
the anal fin. The pectoral fins are to a greater or less
extent yellowish, the ventral blackish at the top. The
iris is bronze-coloured on a silver)- white ground. In
young specimens the yellowish colour also extends to

the occipital ridge are finely punctated in a charac-
teristic manner with pores. The intermaxillary bones
most closely resemble those of the Hake and the Tad-
pole Fish, but are shorter (about '/.i 3S long as the
maxillaries), the lobate jirocess, which has the same
form and lies in the same backward direction as in
these two species, rising above the posterior third of
the bone, and extending almost as far back as the bone
itself. In the gill-cover apparatus the operculum is of
the Gadoid t^•|)e, with an angular incision at the hind
margin; but the lower corner is the more elongated
and the stronger, in which respect the Torsk is the

the body and th6 bases of the vertical tins, on each direct opposite of the Tadpole Fish, where the upper

side of the bodv in the form of hve or six broad, more
oi" less sharply defined, transverse liands, one of which
lies under the pectoral fin. In this coloration we find
a distinct resemblance to the Lings, though the juvenile
characters are here much more persistent, just as in the
structure of its fins the Torsk proves to be a far less

corner f»f the operculum (\vhich is itself remarkably
long) is greatly elongated and pointed. The pelvic bones
are composed chiefly of the two terete prongs, which
meet at a somewhat obtuse angle, behind which lies the
thin, osseous lamina with articular surface for the raj's.
The Torsk (Sw. Luhhen ^^ Lubber) has long been

taken with long-lines on the coast of Norway together

differentiated (more original) form than the Lings.

In the internal organs there is no essential dif- , with Halibut and Ling. Thus it probably leads e.s
ference from the other Codfishes. The abdominal ca- sentialh' the same life and lives generallv at the same
vity extends back to a line with about the seventh ray

of the anal fin. The air-bladder is long and thick-
walled, firmly united to the transverse processes of the
abdominal vertebra^. The pyloric appendages are rather
few: Lill.jeborCt gives their number as 8, while in a
specimen 64 cm. long we found 15. In this female,

Scandinavian Fishes.

spots as these fishes. It occurs in the same manner
off Iceland and on the north-ea.st coast of North Amer-
ica, according to BRowx-GoonE, from lat. 65° to 42° N.
The Swedish Royal Museum po.s.sesses a' specimen from
Greenland, |)robably from Clanshavn. Whether the spe-
cies t)ccurs off Spitzbergen — as has been stated and as

71 *

)fir,

SCANDINAVIAN FISHES.

seems highly probable — is a point on which we can
offer no evidence: it has not been found tliere by any
of the Swedish expeditions. In the I'^ast Atlantic it is
common south to the Shetlaiid Islands, a little less so
off the Orkneys, and occurs at least on the coast of
^'orksliire, according to Day; but wliether it has really
been I'ouiid on the Irish coast, is doubtful. Thus tlie
limits of its range lie here, as Bkown-Goodf, lias re-
marked, between about 80° and 5.5° N. hit. On the
coast of Sweden it has been met witii off RohusIiVn
alone, to which locality it was assigned by Eitpiirasen,
but oidy as rare. Mr. C. A. Hansson has forwarded
to the Rova-1 Museum a specimen 5 dm. long that was
taken off HokO in August, 18<SS. During thirty years
Mai-.m obtained oidy tlu'ee specimens on the coast of
Bohusliln. One of these, a specimen ?>6 cm. in length,
was taken al)out 6 miles west of Vinga, tlie most
southern latitude at which this tish has y(>t been found
in Sweden. Kuoyer records an observation made by
1)(»IE according to which the species has been taken oft"
Ferringso on the west coast of Jutland.

The Torsk is, therefore, a iiortliei'n deep-sea fish,
tiiough it cannot I'ank as one of the most jirominent
of these forms. According to Malm it is found on the
coast of Bohuslan oidy "on a firm bottom in deep water,
lietween 30 and 80 fathoms in depth." The most pro-
ductive fishing-baidvs on the Norwegian coast lie in
aliout 100 — 200 fathoms of water, and here the Torsk
li\cs in the coral-groves (Gorgonife). The English A'wvV//?/
Ernnil Ex])edition found the species in Faroe Channel
at a depth of 580 fathoins. After violent storms the
Toi'sk is often cast ashoi-e or seen drifting helplessly
al)out at the surface, like so many othei' deep-sea fishes,
when from some cause or other they have ascended
higher than the level to which they are accustomed,
and been carried up with too great velocity to permit
of tiieii' adaptitig their specific gravity to the new ccni-
ditions. Stkom wi-ites on this point: "Besides it is known
ihat the Toi-sk has a nuicli weaker head than other
fishes, and is, tiierefore, easily thrown into a, swoon.
Thus, during a violent storm oi- a so-called (/iokikI-

sicel! it may be often seen lying in a stupor at the
surface, and on this account such weather is known
here as Brosmc-For (Torsk fare, i. e. \veathei')."

In Scandinavian waters the Torsk is never taken
in sufficient quantitv to rank l)eside the large catches
of Cod. But that this s])ecies is also gregarious appears
from BR()WX-(io()i)E's statement, foi- example, that one
single P. )vincet.own-firm has taken al)out (10,000 lbs.
of Torsk in one 3^ear.

This fish is cauglit ■with long-lines and h.and-lines.
When it feels that it is a. prisoner, it is said, like the
Eel, to coil itself round any object within its i-each,
and is sometimes extremely difficult to draw up. The
hook is liaited witli Herring, or mussel and other shell-
fish. Tlie stomacli of the Torsk, howe\-er, most often
contains crusta.c(>ans, which tlnis seem to lie its jji'in-
cipal food. In most cases, liowever, the stomach, einjity
and turned inside out, hangs from the mouth like a
red bladder, in tliose specimens which are suddenly
drawn up from great depths.

Early in the year, says Faber, the Torsk makes
its wav towards tlie land, off Iccdand even in .Tanuary,
and stays tlu're in company with tlie Five-Bearded
liockling. Late in summer it returns out to sea. The
spawning-season occurs in April and May, according
to Faber and Kkoyer as well. This statement is
also borne out- l)y the fact we have noticed above,
that in the antunui an adult female had rather small
ovaries.

Its qualities as an article of food are disputed, but
are at least not much inferior to those; of the Cod.
"Its flesh is firm, white, and of good flavour," writes
Eupiirases, "but I'ather fat" (others find it too hard)
"and has some similarity in taste to lobster or crab,
wliich aiumals undoubtedly form the chief portion of
its food." In Noi-way it is not only consumed fresh,
but also cured in the form of stockfish, and round fish,
among which it is exported to other parts of the world.
The roe is good; and the liver j'ields a fine oil, which,
according to Faber, is an efficacious reined)' {ov bui-ns
and rheumatism.

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