THE ARMED BULLHEAD. 189 



and terminating beliind the last ray of the anal ; anal fin placed under 

 the second dorsal^ with its last rays the longest ; pectorals rather 

 large ; ventrals commencing under the base of the pectorals^, and ex- 

 tending to a little behind the vent, which is situated under the middle 

 of the pectorals ; chin and branchiostegous membrane furnished with 

 a number of thread-like appendages. Number of fin rays — 



1st D. 5 ; 2d D. 6 ; P. 16 ; V. 3 ; A. 7 ; C. 11 ; Branchiostegous 

 rays 6. 



This species is readily distinguished from its congeners, 

 by the body being covered with osseous plates, and the chin 

 fringed with thread-like appendages. 



Mr Yarrell says, on the authority of Mr Couch, that 

 " this species is not very common in Cornwall, and that, 

 when found, it is most frequently near the mouths of rivers, 

 but occasionally taken far out at sea." In the county of 

 Devon, in the sandy bays of Exmouth, I have frequently 

 met with it, although Colonel Montagu considers it rare 

 on the south coast of Devon. Mr Yarrell states that it is 

 well known along the line of our southern coast ; and the 

 young of small size are frequently taken by the shrimpers 

 in most of the sandy bays in the mouth of the Thames, and 

 of other rivers. In the Firth of Forth it is very common- 

 ly taken in the oyster dredges off Newhaven, as well as in 

 the cruives at Kincardine. It occurs on the coast of Nor- 

 way, and in all the northern seas as far as Greenland. Mr 

 Jenyns states that it conceals itself in the sand, and feeds on 

 small Crustacea and marine insects. According to Bloch, 

 it spawns in May : its flesh is said to be firm and good. 

 Average length about four inches. 



Genus GASTEROSTEUS.—Dovsal fin one, with from 

 three to fifteen spines in front ; teeth in both jaws ; none 

 on the vomer or palatines. 



