270 



PECTORAL FINS FEET-LIKE. 



relation to the species of tlie genus Callionj/mus, last de- 

 scribed, particularly C. Ij/ra, Avill be manifest in the very 

 flattened form of the under surface of the body, by which 

 they are enabled to couch close to the ground, in the large 

 branchial pouches Avith small apertures, and in the elongated 

 dorsal filaments. 



This fish, which is not uncommon in all the seas of 

 Europe, and was in consequence called Lophius Europmis 

 by Shaw, has also been called Frog and Frogfish firom the 

 earliest time, from its resemblance to a frog in the tadpole 

 state. Its habits appeared to the fishermen of former days 

 so exact a representation of the art they themselves practised, 

 that they by common consent called it the Fisher. Aristotle 

 calls it a sort of Frog, which he says is also called a Fisher ; 

 and he adds, that this fish owes its name to the tact and 

 industry it exercises to procure food. 



This fish has been taken on the coast of Londonderry, 

 Antrim, Dublin, Waterford, and Cork, in Ireland ; in 

 England, on the coasts of Cornwall, Devonshire, Norfolk, 

 and Yorkshire ; in Scotland, in the Forth and among the 

 Northern Islands. It is also named by authors as common 

 on the shores of the Baltic and Norway. 



In its appetite this fish is most voracious ; and as it is not 

 a rapid swimmer, possessing but little power in its pectoral 

 fins, it is supposed to be obliged to have recourse to art 

 in order to satisfy its appetite. Upon the head, as will be 

 seen in the figure, arc two slender elongated appendages, 

 the first of them broad and flattened towards the end, and 

 having at this dilated part a shining silvery appearance. 

 These elongated filaments are curiously articulated at the 

 base with the upper surface of the head. They have great 

 freedom of motion in any direction, the first filament more 

 especially, produced by numerous muscles, amounting, ac- 



