NATURAL HISTORY. li 



exceeds fourteen inches in length, but some specimens were obtained nearly a foot and 

 a half long, from which the following dimensions are given : 



Length from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail . 17.3 inches 



of the head to the posterior part of the gill covers . 4.5 



of the tail (centre rays) . . . . , L2 



from the tip of the snout to the vent . . . 8.6 



Fin Rays : B 7. P 19. V 6. A 22, 22. D 12, 19, 23. C 40 to 44. 



Alimentary canal, fourteen inches. Caecal appendages forty-two, varying from an 

 inch and a half to half an inch in length. Cirrhus on the lower jaw 0.7 of an inch long. 



7.— MERLANGUS POLARIS. 



MERLANGUS POLARIS.— 5«6 ; Supp.to Parry's Ut Voyage— p. ccxl 



Ross, App. to Parry's Polar Voyage— p. 199. 



This little fish inhabits the northern seas as far as we have hitherto been able 

 to penetrate towards the pole; having been found in lat. 821° N, swimming near the 

 surface of the sea, amongst the broken fragments of ice, and atlbrding to the gulls 

 and other seafovvl their chief source of siibsistence. 



During our late voyage we found them wherever we went; great numbers were taken 

 by us from between the cracks in the ice, which covered the harbour of Batty Bay, in 

 July, 1833, and contributed greatly to support the strength of our party, when on a 

 very small allowance of provisions. 



At that period of the year it is much infested with the LerncBa gadina, which 

 attaches itself to the gills of the fish. 



It does not quit the Arctic Seas during the winter, several having been taken in a net 

 at Felix Harbour during that season. 



It seldom exceeds ten inches in length. 



