208 MALACOP. SUB-BRACH. COD FAMILY. 



dorsal commences more in advance of the anal, and 

 both approach very near the root of the tail, so as 

 to form with it almost a continuous fringe round 

 the hinder part of the body. The structure of the 

 first dorsal is very singular, and apparently unique 

 among fishes. It has quite a rudimentary appear- 

 ance, being composed of numerous very fine, short, 

 fleshy filaments, preceded by a longer and thicker 

 one than the rest, the whole united at their base by 

 a thin membrane. These rays are destitute of any 

 internal bony support, so that when the fish is taken 

 out of the water, the fin falls to the side and is 

 scarcely perceptible. Another peculiarity is, that 

 the snout is provided with barbules as well as the 

 chin ; the latter always single, the others varying 

 in number according to the species. 



(Sp. 160.) M. trlcirrata. Three-bearded Rock- 

 ling. In the cirrated mouth, and general appearance, 

 this fish bears a remote resemblance to the common 

 fresh- water loach or beardie, and is therefore some- 

 times called the Sea Loach. It is a much larger 

 fish, however, averaging a length of between a foot 

 and eighteen inches. The colour in young indivi- 

 duals is a uniform brown, but as it approaches 

 maturity it becomes of a rich yellowish brown, 

 spotted on the upper parts of the body with deep 

 chestnut-brown. The snout has two barbules, and 

 there is another pendant from the lower jaw. It 

 frequents shallow water, where the bottom is co- 

 vered with sea-weed, and feeds upon the small 

 Crustacea found abundantly in such places, As its 



