270 ACANTHOPTERYGII. FAMILY OF GOBIES. 



unusually tough, it is always taken off, as in Eels, 

 before cooking. In northern countries its fishing is 

 ardently pursued, and it is salted and preserved. 

 Use, in these regions, is also made of its skin, in the 

 manufacture of isinglass, leathern cords, bags, and 

 pockets, &c., and as a kind of chagrin. 



GOBIOIDiE. 



We now proceed to the Second Section of this 

 great family, the Gobioidje (Cuv. & Val.), or Sea- 

 Gudgeons, as numerous in species as the preceding, 

 and arranged somewhat differently, in the work 

 just quoted, from that which prevails in the Regne 

 Animal. Its members are readily recognized by the 

 union of their ventrals, which are thoracic, united 

 either throughout their whole length, or at their 

 bases, into a single hollow disc, more or less funnel- 

 shaped. Their gills have five rays only. The dorsal 

 rays are mostly flexible ; and their gill-opening being 

 small, they can, like the Blennies, live for some time 

 out of the water. In the Regne Animal^ it is 

 affirmed that some of the species are viviparous, 

 but more recent investigations, we believe, rather 

 impugn than confirm this statement. 



Gen. XLIY. Gobius. — The Gobies Proper have 

 their ventrals united throughout the whole of their 

 length, and have also a transverse membrane joining 

 their bases in front, so as to form a concave disc : 

 their body is prolonged ; their head of moderate 

 size, and roundish, and their cheeks projecting. 



