GEN. TRACHYPTERUS. THE DEAL-FISH. 2S5 



inches, tapering towards the tail; colour silvery, 

 with minute scales ; the dorsal fin was of an orange 

 colour occupying the whole range from head to tail, 

 with the rays of unequal size ; vent immediately 

 beneath the pectoral. Both jaws were armed with 

 small teeth ; the lateral line was rough, and towards 

 the tail armed with minute spines pointed forwards, 

 which were the only spines on the body. The 

 length of those stranded varied from one to six 

 feet. 



This we believe is all the information collected of 

 this fish in Britain ; but it is better known in Ice- 

 land. The Danish seamen tell us that its flesh is 

 gelatinous ; that it penetrates the creeks of Iceland 

 at full tide, and prefers a sandy bottom where there 

 is little water. It sometimes remains stranded on 

 the sand or mud when the water retires, and lives 

 lono- in these circumstances. In these regions it is 

 regarded venemous, because the ravens will not eat 

 it. On being handled, the silvery-coloured pigment 

 comes off, and remains attached to the fingers. Its 

 name Vaagmaer, when translated, reads, Maid of the 

 Caves ; and its Orkney one is said to be derived 

 from a common deal-board. From M. Fabers 

 History of the Fishes of Iceland, we find it was 

 noticed by John Gudmunsen, a native, who wrote 

 a Natural History of Iceland and died in 1658; 

 Olafsen and Briinnich have also described it ; it is 

 occasionally found on the north coast of Norway ; 

 but is scarcely ever taken in the nets. 



Mr. Yarrell, in his last edition, informs us that he 



