MARINE VERTEBRATES 



335 



A brightly coloured fish known as the Dragonet (Callionymus 

 lyra) is sometimes classed with the Gobies, though its pelvic fins 

 are not united. It is not a well-known species, and is seldom 

 obtained except with the dredge, as it inhabits deep water. 



FIG. 241. THE BLACK GOBT 



A peculiar little fish called the Pogge or Hook-nose (Agonus 

 cataphractus), also known as the Armed Bull-head, is commonly 

 taken in shrimpers' nets on the south and east coasts. Its head 

 and body are very angular, and are covered with an armour of 

 keeled scales. It seldom exceeds six inches in length, and is 

 classed with the Flying Gurnards in the family Dactylopteridce. 



The true Gurnards and the Sea Bullheads form the family 

 Cottidce. Several species of the former are included among our 

 food-fishes, and are therefore more or less familiar to our readers. 

 They are characterised by their large, square, bony heads, and by 

 the finger-Like rays of the pectoral fins which are used as organs of 

 touch and for creeping along the bottom of the sea. The Bullheads 

 are represented by the peculiar 

 Father Lasher or Sting Fish 

 (Cottus bubalis), which is very 

 common on our rocky coasts and 

 is frequently captured in shrimp 

 nets, its head and cheeks are 

 armed with sharp spines which 

 constitute formidable weapons of 

 offence. When taken out of the 



water it distends its gills enormously ; and, unless very cautiously 

 handled, its sharp spines may be thrust deeply into the flesh. Young 

 specimens, with imperfectly developed spines, may be seen in almost 

 every rock pool, and the full-grown fish is easily taken with rod 

 and line by fishing in the deep gulleys between the rocks. 



FIG. 242. THE FATHER LASHEK 



