110 FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLINO. 



of one or other of these species of Rocklings, although the 

 parents themselves were not seen in attendance. These 

 observations were made in the spring; but it must happen that 

 these nests are formed at different times, or that the young 

 ones come to life in long succession, for at the middle of July- 

 some of them are barely an inch in length, while others are at 

 least three times as long. Both these Ilocklings will take a 

 bait. 



With regard to description this species is readily distinguished 

 by the presence of four barbs in front on the upper jaw, and 

 one below. Two of these barbs above proceed from the 

 borders of the nostrils; but in some examples from the north 

 of Somersetshire, with which I was favoured by E. T. Higgins, 

 Esq., a low membrane proceeded from each pair of the upper 

 barbs, and united them together, which is not the case with 

 these fishes as found on the south coast; yet I cannot on 

 this account as yet regard them as separate species. In one 

 instance which fell under observation the barbs on one side 

 w^ere united into one, Avhile on the other side they remained 

 separate. This fish is too small to be regarded as an article of 

 food, but it might be employed by way of bait for other fish 

 if the numbers were more abundant, or the fishermen could 

 be persuaded to use them. 



