250 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



reality the same with the one here described. This natu- 

 ralist failed in endeavouring 1 to give his C. Lineatus such 

 characteristics as would distinguish it from the liparis. And, 

 on comparing Lepechin's description, we find them both, or 

 very nearly alike. Mr. Donovan has observed the liparis 

 to differ very considerably in its growth at various seasons 

 of the year, and also in colour. Small specimens have oc- 

 curred in which the sides and belly are white, in some a 

 pale yellow, and in others rosy, the sides of the head 

 usually partaking of the same tints as those of the body. 



These fish resort in multitudes, during the spring, to the 

 coast of Sutherland, near the Ord of Cathness. The seals, 

 which swim beneath, prey greatly on them, leaving the 

 skins; numbers of which, when thus emptied, float at that 

 season ashore. It is easy to distinguish the place where 

 seals are devouring this or any other unctuous fish, by a 

 smoothness of the water immediately above the spot : this 

 fact is now established, it being a tried property of oil, to 

 still the agitation of the waves and render them smooth.* 

 Great numbers of these fish, as also another species, the C. 

 Lumpus or common lump-sucker, are found in the Green- 

 land seas during the months of April and May, when they 

 resort near to the shore for the purpose of spawning. Two 

 of these were captured by Captain Phipps, during his 

 voyage to the North Pole, to the northward of the Island 

 of Spitzbergen. 



The name of sea-snail is sometimes given to this fish, 

 from the soft and unctuous texture of it resembling that of 

 the land snail. It is almost transparent, and soon dissolves 

 and melts away.f It is also found in the sea near the 

 mouths of great rivers ; Mr. Pennant states that he has 

 seen it in January full of spawn. 



* Philosophical Transactions, vol. lxiv. 1774, p. 445; and the London 

 Mechanic's Register, vol. ii. 1826. 



t Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 180. Donovan's British 

 Fishes, vol. ii. 



