GADID^E. 309 



Lota inornata, De Kay, 1. c. p. 283, pi. xlv, f. 145. 

 Lota brosmiana, Storer, Boston Journal, iv, pi. v, t. 1. 



B. vii-viii, D. 12-14/67-76, P. 19-21, V. 7, A. 65-71, C. 30, Cooc. pyl. 25-30, 



Vert. 21/38. 



Length of head 5j to h\, of caudal fin 12.j, height of body 5| to 71 in the 

 total length. Eye diameters 8 to 9 in the length of the head, 2^ diameters 

 from the end of the snout, and 2| apart. Body subcylindrical anteriorly, 

 becoming compressed in its posterior half. Head broad, its greatest width 

 equalling its length excluding the snout. Gape of mouth wide : jaws of equal 

 length anteriorly : the posterior extremity of the maxilla reaches to beneath the 

 middle of the eyes. A single barbel beneath the sympliysis of the lower jaw. 

 Teeth cardiform, and of equal size in the jaws and on the vomer, none on the 

 tongue. Fins first dorsal somewhat lower than the second : caudal rather 

 wedge-shaped, its lower portion commencing somewhat anterior to its upper : 

 second ventral ray the longest in the fin. Air-bladder destitute of a pervious 

 pneumatic duct, equalling one-third of the entire length of the fish, narrow, and 

 terminating anteriorly in two rounded, horn-like processes : superiorly it is 

 closely attached to the vertebral column in its entire length. Gcecal appendages 

 from 25 to 30, and of moderate length. Scales small, mostly concealed in a 

 thick mucus which covers the body. Lateral-line at first slightly descends, and 

 then continues direct to the centre of the base of the caudal fin. Colours body 

 of a dull yellow or brown, variegated or banded with darker bands or blotches, 

 sometimes studded with pale or else black spots : fins marked similarly to the 

 body. Iris golden, pupils bluish. The colours vary with the waters these fish 

 inhabit : a white variety has been recorded by Baldner. 



Names. Pliny alludes to the Mustela, or " Weasel Fish," of Lake Constance, 

 which he considered as food rivalled marine forms. In England its local names 

 are various : Burbot, or Burbotte, which has been considered to be a corruption of 

 its French designation Barbotte, " a bearded fish," but it is likewise termed bird- 

 bolt, which, according to Nares, designates a thick arrow having a broad flat 

 head, employed to kill birds without piercing the skin. Also blob-kite (Buckland). 

 Eel-pout, according to Gesner, is derived from its Dutch name ael-putt, or putael, 

 a compound word, signifying ael, " an eel," and purt or pud, " a frog,"* but 

 Schlegel observes that the name he alludes to belongs to Zoarces viviparus. 

 Coney-fish appears to be derived from its habit of lurking in holes of river 

 banks, as a coney or " rabbit " does on land. Its Anglo-Saxon name was Aeleputa. 

 Kwabaal, Dutch. Le lote commune ou barbotte, French. 



Habits. The Burbot prefers clear and still rivers and lakes, at the bottom or 

 sides of which it lurks in holes or crevices among the stones, or even skulks in 

 rat-holes and cavities under banks. One was kept alive some months last year in 

 one of the tanks in the Royal Westminster Aquarium ; it selected the darkest 

 corners, and appeared very unwilling to be seen ; when compelled to change its 

 situation, it did so with great deliberation, and never hurried itself. While 

 moving, its ventral fins appeared to be used to a considerable extent as feelers ; 

 in fact outwardly it much resembled some American fresh- water Siluroids, which 

 had previously resided in the same tank. This fish lives for a considerable period 

 after its removal from the water, and, being very tenacious of life, can be kept 

 alive for some time in cold and damp situations by feeding it on small fishes and 

 pieces of raw meat. In some places it is kept in stews, where it fattens well and 

 will eat almost any animal substance. It is reputed to grow rapidly when well 

 fed, is very voracious, feeding at night, when it consumes a great quantity of 

 small fish, worms, and aquatic insects. Although it has been stated to agitate 

 its barbel in order to decoy little fish to its vicinity, this would appear to be 

 improbable, as that appendage is situated beneath its chin. In suitable localities 

 the burbot is said to attain to a good old age. Its greatest enemy is perhaps the 

 perch, which seems invariably to attack it : the pike likewise esteems it as food. 



* Mr. Houghton would derive the term Eel-gout from the fact of the fish resembling an eel, 

 but being more fall-bellied or jiouting. 



