240 



MILLERS THUMB. 



and the sharp points of their fins. On the rocky shore* 

 of our island they are frequently to be found lurking 

 under stones, amongst sea-weed. The Greenlanders an 

 very partial to these fish as food ; and it is said thai 

 they may be made into a very nutritive and wholesome 

 soup. 



Their length is not often more than nine or ten inches 

 The head is large, and armed with many spines; and the 

 mouth is very wide. The upper jaw is a little the long 

 est. The first dorsal fin consists of eight spiny rays 

 The colour of the body is brown, or dusky, and mar 

 bled with white or red. The belly is of a silvery white 

 colour. 



Miller's Thumb, or River Bull-head. These little fist 

 are found in most of the rivers and brooks throughou 

 Europe, where the water is clear, and the bottom sandj 

 or gravelly. I have known them caught even in places 

 where the water was salt from the influx of the tide 

 They conceal themselves amongst stones, from whenc< 

 they suddenly dart upon and seize their prey, and when 

 they are themselves secure from the attack of their ene 

 mies. It, however, frequently happens, that they fall i 

 sacrifice to the voracity of eels, perch, and pike. S( 

 great is their eagerness for prey, that, during the summei 

 time, they may be caught bj^the most inexperienced 

 angler, with a line and hook baited with a red worm 

 They deposit their spawn generally in March and ApriL 

 Although of small size, they are considered to be excel-! 

 lent eating. 



Their form and colour are disgusting and unpleasant,! 

 In length they do not often exceed three inches and a half.' 

 On each gill-cover there is a crooked spine, which turns 

 inward. The head and the body are in other respects 



