FORKED BEARDS. 



Ill 



lower part of the head, as well as by the sharp tri- 

 angular fin on the back, which precedes a second, 

 resembling that of the torsk. Its length is from 



GREAT FORKED HAKE {Phijsis furcatus, Ble7inius pJiTjsis). 



eighteen inches to two feet. It is known among fisher- 

 men by the name of •* Hake's Dame." 



The Lesser Forked Beard, called the Tadpole Fish 

 (Baniceps jago, RanicejJS trifurcatus, Barhus minor). Its 



TADPOLE FISH. 



singular appearance is well expressed by its name, which 

 refers to the broad, depressed, fi'og-like head, which, 

 being attached to a rapidly-tapering and compressed 

 body, gives its general form much resemblance to a tad- 

 pole. The likeness is still further increased by the colour, 

 which is either very dark brown or black, the folding of 

 the lips only being snow-white. It is one of the rarest 

 British species, and previously known only as an inhabi- 

 tant of the shores of Cornwall. 



