SCIENTIFIC SURVEY. JQl 



Sttb-class Teleostei. Blennioid^. 



SUB-FAMLY ZOARCEINiE, GUI. GeNUS ZoABCES, CuV. 



Gen. Char. Body elongated, and covered with a mucus secretion, in which are 

 imbedded small scales. Dorsal, anal, and caudal united ; no spinous rays in the 

 dorsal, except on its posterior part. Ventrals are jugular and small. Vent with a 

 tubercle. Teeth conical, in two or three rows in front, in a single row on the sides; 

 none on the palate, or tongue. Branchial rays six. 



Zoarces ayiguillaris, Storer. 

 Eel-shaped Blenny, Thick lipped Eel pout. Ling, Conger Eel. 



Early in the spring and first of summer, the fishermen sometimes 

 take, in company with cod, this fish to which, from its general 

 resemblance to the Conger Eel, they frequently give the name of 

 Conger Eel, and, Ling. It is also caught at other seasons of the 

 year, but not so often. It is much prized by some people as a 

 savory fish. Its common length is from one foot and a half to two 

 feet. Occasionally one is caught from three to four feet long, but 

 those of that size are rare. Weight from 1 to 100 lbs. 



Characteristics. " Dark olive brown, varied with dusky blotches. 

 Dorsal and anal fin margined with rufous. DeKay: 



The living fish is of a bright salmon color, mottled with irregular 

 olive blotches, darker towards the head. The front and top of the 

 head are of light brown ; two indistinct oblique bands upon the 

 operculum, one back, the other in front of the eye and each side of 

 the head. Body beneath white ; neck flesh colored. Dorsal almost 

 white, salmon colored at the edge. Pectorals of a true salmon 

 color lighter at their origin. Ventrals salmon colored. Anal flesh 

 colored at its base, salmon colored at its edge, with seven distinct 

 white blotches in its length. Dorsal, pectoral and anal fins per- 

 fectly transparent. In the dead specimen the colors change essen- 

 tially." Storer. 



Specific Description, Body much elongated, compressed and 

 tapering to a point, and covered with minute cup like depressions, 

 slimy. The head, though large, is compressed on its sides, flat to 

 the angle of the eyes with a convex forehead. Cheeks full and 

 protuberant. Upper lip very large and fleshy and projected over 

 the under one at the angles. Nostrils somewhat tubular and placed 

 about half way between the snout and the eyes. Its teeth are 

 conical and large, the hindmost ones are sharpest, and there is a 

 slight circular furrow around the base, also some longitudinal fur- 

 rows. 



