254 PISCES. 



second disk by means of the membrane which unites the pectorals. 

 Several species inhabit the seas of Europe. 



In some, the dorsal and anal are separated from the caudal, with 

 which, however, their membrane is sometimes continuous, but be- 

 comes narrower.(l) 



In others, the three fins are united. (2) In the 



GoBiEsox, Lacep. 



There are none of these double borders, and consequently the in- 

 terval between the pectorals and ventrals is not divided into a dou- 

 ble disk, forming but a single large one cleft on the two sides, and 

 extending itself there by membranes. The dorsal and anal are short 

 and separate from the caudal, and the branchial openings much 

 larger. (3) 



Cyclopterus, Lin. 



This genus is well marked by the ventrals, whose rays, suspended 

 round the pelvis, and united by a single membrane, form an oval 

 and concave disk, used by the fish as a sucker to attach itself to 

 rocks. The mouth is wide, and its jaws and pharyngeals furnished 

 with small and pointed teeth; opercula smallj branchiae closed be- 

 low, and provided with six rays; pectorals very large, and uniting 

 almost beneath the throat, as if to embrace the disk of the ventrals. 

 The skeleton hardens but little, and the skin is viscous, without 

 scales, but studded with indurated granules. There is a large sto- 

 mach with numerous cseca, a long intestine and a moderate natatory 

 bladder. We divide it into two subgenera. 



LuMPUs, Cuv. 



The first dorsal more or less visible, although very low, and with 

 simple rays; a second with branched rays opposite to the analj the 

 body is thicker. 



Cydopterus himpus, L. ; Bl., 90. (The Lumpsucker.) The 

 first dorsal so enveloped in a thick and tubercular skin, that it 



(1) Lepadog. gouan, Lacep., I, xxiii, 3, 4, or Lep. rostratus, Schn. ; Lep. balbis, 

 liisso, pi. iv, f. 9, probably the same as the Cyclopt. comubicus, Sh., or Jura sucker, 

 Penn. Brit. Zool., No. 59; Lep. JDecandolle, Ilisso, p. 76. 



(2) Lepadogaster TVildenow, Risso, p. 76. 



(3) Lepadogaster deutex, Schn., Pall., Spic, VIII, 1, the same as the Cydopte- 

 rus nudus, Lin., Mus. Ad. Fred., XXVII, 1, and as the Gobiesoce testar, Lacep., 

 II, XIX, 1; Cydopterus bimaculatus, Penn., Brit. Zool., pi. xxii, f. 1; Cydopterus 

 littoreus, Schn., 199. 



<V 



