108 



FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLING. 



Five-bearded Rockling, WILLOUGHBY; p, 121. 



Gadus mustela, LINNAEUS. FLEMING; Br. Animals, p. 193. 



" DONOVAN; pi. 14. 



Motella mustela, JENYNS; Manual, p. 450. 



" quinquecirrata, YARRELL; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 278. 



" GUNTHER; Cat. Br. Museum, vol. iv, p. 364. 



THIS species bears so near a resemblance to the fish last 

 described, as well in shape as colour, at least in the earlier 

 stages of growth of the latter, as also in its general habits, 

 that it appears unnecessary to enter on a detail of anything 

 concerning it more than the particulars in which they are 

 found to differ; and the only exception we have to make to 

 this is in the account we shall give of the way in which the 

 spawn is deposited, of which it remains a matter of doubt 

 whether what has been observed belongs to one or the other 

 of them, or whether both of them pursue the same habit. 



On our shores in the earlier condition of the Three-bearded 

 Rockling, and until it reaches to about the length of six or 

 eight inches, they are found in the same places, in like 

 abundance, and bearing the same appearance; but I have 

 never obtained an example from such a depth of water as 

 the larger individuals of the three-bearded species, or, as Dr. 

 Gunther describes it, the Spotted Rockling, M. maculata, is 

 known to inhabit; nor has it happened that larger specimens 

 have been met with than of the length given above. It is 

 enumerated among the fishes of Scandinavia by Nilsson, and 

 as existing in the Mediterranean by Risso, who indeed regards 

 it as only a slight variation of the kindred species; but it is 

 not mentioned among the fishes of Madeira by Mr. Lowe. 



The following observations as regards the care which this fish 

 bestows on the safety of its spawn, were made by my now 



