250 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



unfrequent. At one haul of a sean I procured five speci- 

 mens, and have often seen them taken in shrimping-nets, 

 though of small size. It has been obtained at Weymouth 

 and Hastings, and Pennant says it is not unfrequent on 

 the Scarborough coast, where it is taken by the hook in 

 thirty or forty fathoms of water. Dr Neill records it as 

 common in the Firth of Forth, and often found on Had- 

 dock lines. In this latter locality I find them not so plen- 

 tiful as they formerly appear to have been ; they are 

 principally confined to the mouth of the Firth, in deep 

 water, especially near the Isle of May ; seldom found high 

 up the Firth, although one or two solitary instances have 

 occurred in which specimens were taken at Alloa and Kin- 

 cardine, after strong easterly winds. This fish is said to 

 grow to the length of a foot. Its food, according to Mr 

 Yarrell, is testaceous animals, which are swallowed whole, 

 molluscous animals, and worms. The flesh is said to be 

 white, firm, and of good flavour. Cod, it is recorded, oc- 

 casionally feed on the young. 



Callionymus dracunculus.* — The Sordid Dragonet. 



Specific Characters. — First ray of the first dorsal fin moderate ; not 

 extending beyond the sixtli ray of the second dorsal. 



Description. — From a specimen seven inches and a half in length. 

 Body rather elongated^ depressed, sides rounded ; head triangular, 

 broader than the bodj', rather more tlian one-fourth of the whole 

 length, caudal excepted ; snout protractile. Operculum rounded, 

 covered by a membrane which nearly closes the branchial oj^ening, 

 leaving only a small hole, on each side of the nape, close by the 

 origin of the lateral line ; preoperculum greatly prolonged behind, 

 terminating in four strong, short, spines, which are said to be capa- 

 ble of inflicting a severe wound ; two of the spines are directed up- 

 wards, the third towards the base of the pectorals, and the fourth 

 placed below pointing towards the snout. Colour of the back and 



• Callionymus dracunculux Litm., Jen., Yarr., reiin., Cuv. Sordid Drarjo- 

 nct, Fox, Skulpin. 



