380 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



pounds, is recorded to have been seen at Totness in 1826. 

 Along the Devonshire coast these fish are taken in great 

 abundance, particularly off Brixham and Torbay, where 

 trawl-nets are principally used, and the numbers thus cap- 

 tured are found sufficient to supply the different mar- 

 kets within a distance of fifty miles. Soles have been found 

 to live and thrive well in fresh-water ponds, and to grow 

 thicker in proportion than those at sea. They shed their 

 spawn in March, when they remain unfit for the table till 

 the end of May, after which they increase in quality with 

 the advance of the season. Those about a foot in length 

 are considered better food than the larger ones. The dried 

 skin of the Sole is much used for fining coffee, and is, for 

 that purpose, a good substitute for isinglass. 



Family VII. DISCOBOLI.— Eyes placed one on each 

 side of the head ; ventral fins united in a disk-like form ; 

 skin without scales. 



Genus CYCLOPTERUS.—Bodiy deep; rough with 

 osseous tubercles. 



Cycloptercs lumpus.* — The Lump-Fish. 



Specific Characters. — Back elevated, with a row of large, conical, 

 osseous tubercles, arranged along the summit, in front of the dorsal 

 fin. 



Description. — From a female specimen nineteen inches in length ; 

 greatest depth ten inches. Colour of the back dusky blue ; belly 

 yellowish- white, approaching to red ; dorsal and caudal dusky; 

 irides pale yellow. Body remarkably deep and thick ; back elevat- 

 ed, and rather compressed, more so towards the dorsal ridge, along 

 which, in front of the dorsal fin, is placed a row of conical, osseous 

 tubercles, slightly granulated, about seven or eight in number. Dor- 

 sal fin commencing very remote from the head ; the first and second 



* Cyclopteriis lumpus, Ciiv., Yarr., .Jen., Penn., Don., Flem. Lump- 

 sucker, Sea-owl, Hen Padle ({ema\c). Cock Padle (male). 



