204 MALACOP. SUB-BRACH. COD FAMILY. 



regular series of teeth in M. sinuatus and only one 

 in M. vulgaris, it would be an anomalous discre- 

 pancy between two fishes in other respects so closely 

 related. The only other circumstance of sufficient 

 importance to be noticed, is, that the ventrals in the 

 Mediterranean fish are said to be rounded. If there 

 is no mistake in this, it would be a deviation from 

 the family character, and all analogy is against it; 

 we are unable, however, to say what importance 

 ought to be attached to it. In one of Mr. Yarrell's 

 figures of the Common Hake, the fin in question is 

 pointed, in the other (the amended one) it is scarcely 

 or not at all so. Every thing considered, we can- 

 not, at present, admit the specific distinction Mr. 

 Swainson contends for, and must therefore con- 

 sider the range of the British Hake as extending to 

 the Mediterranean. 



Gen. LXXVI. Lota. — This and the preceding 

 genus are rather of subordinate value, and it would 

 perhaps be more correct to consider them merely as 

 sub-genera. The principal distinctions in Lota are, 

 that the dorsal fins are two in number, and the 

 chin with one or more barbules. The body is elon- 

 gated, narrow, and rather compressed behind ; the 

 hinder dorsal and anal nearly as in Merluccitis ; 

 tail convex at the extremity. "We have only two 

 British species, one of which is an inhabitant of 

 fresh water. 



(Sp. 158.) L. molva. The Ling. In point of 

 size, as well as commercial value, this common fish 

 can only be compared with the Cod, and perhaps 



