CYCLOPTERUS. 219 



first place on the table. The turbot fishery is 

 exceedingly profitable in that country, but at- 

 tended with heavy expenses. Sometimes the 

 line is a mile in length, from which short lines 

 drop into the water, supported by buoys. When 

 the fishermen perceive that a sufficient number of 

 fish are fast, to compensate for drawing the warp, 

 the two extremities of the rope are carried by 

 strongly rowed boats to the shore, where, inch by 

 inch, the multitude are brought to land. This fish 

 is taken occasionally on the holibut fishing-ground, 

 near the Cape. 



FAMILY III. DISCOBOLI. 



GEN. CYCLOPTERUS. 



Lump-Fish, — Cyclopterus Lumpus. A mark- 

 ed character of the fishes of this genus, is the ar- 

 rangement of the- ventral fins, the rays of which 

 surrounding the pelvis and connected by a curious 

 membrane, form an oval and concave organ, by 

 which they are able to fix themselves firmly when- 

 ever they choose. 



Mr Pennant relates that, " on throwing one into 

 a pail of water, it adhered so firmly to the bottom, 

 that on taking the fish by the tail the whole was 

 lifted, though it contained some gallons." 



