BERGYLT. 5 



appears to be the same of which some of the habits, as well 

 as the description^ are contained in the work of Lacepede, who 

 says it attains to two yards in length,) may on examination 

 prove to be a distinct species. The fish here referred to is 

 known by the name of Hav Uez, and is twice as large as the 

 more common Bergylt. They are believed to live together in 

 considerable numbers, on stony ground, at the enormous depth 

 of from one hundred to a hundred and fifty fathoms. Professor 

 Nilsson, the eminent Swedish naturalist, informs us that not 

 unfrequently very large numbers of them are found floating 

 on the surface, dead or in a dying condition, with their eyes 

 protruding from their head, and their entrails from their mouths; 

 their violent death being ascribed to the circumstance of their 

 having fallen in the way of some of those sudden whirlpools 

 that occur at the bottom of the sea in these districts, of which 

 the well-known maelstrom is not the only example. The great 

 difference of pressure to which they are exposed, by being 

 thrust from the great depth of their ordinary residence to a 

 much higher stratum of water, will account for the particular 

 appearances attending their death. The young are produced 

 in June; and it is confidently believed by the fishermen that 

 they continue to accompany the mother for a considerable time. 

 It is even supposed on good evidence that they proceed from 

 the mother alive. 



Fin rays dorsal fifteen spinous and thirteen soft, pectoral 

 seventeen, ventral one spinous and five soft, and three spinous 

 and seven soft, caudal fifteen. 



