THE LITEN KTJNGS-FISK. 471 



adapted, whereby all the gases in its body are greatly 

 compressed. When now it chances to meet with one of 

 those strong oceanic under-currents that periodically, after 

 the ebb and flow of the sea, cause the water at the 

 bottom to rush upwards, thereby forming great eddies, 

 it is rapidly borne to the surface, and the pressure being 

 taken off, the air in the swimming-bladder and other parts 

 of the body consequently forces the eyes from their sockets 

 and the stomach through its mouth." 



The 8. viciparus, Kroyer (Liten Kungs-Fisk, i. e. little 

 king-fish, Sw.), is more common than the foregoing in the 

 Bohus Skargiird, but only occasionally visits the Sound. 

 Its limits to the northward seem not at present ascer- 

 tained. Its usual length in the Cattegat is said to be from 

 eight to ten inches. Little is at present known of its 

 manner of living ; but that it is a voracious fish is to be 

 inferred from the eagerness with which it seizes bait. 

 As with some other fishes, there is reason to believe 

 that intimate connection takes place between the sexes. 

 Although Kroyer assumes the S. mmparus to be a 

 distinct species, and is supported in this view by Ekstrom, 

 Kilsson, I should remark, does not agree with them, 

 stating that after careful examination and comparison he 

 has come to the conclusion that it is no other than the 

 young of the S. Norvegiciis, or a smaller form of it, 

 which, from inhabiting bays and less deep water, has, 

 like the herring, become stunted in its growth. This 

 matter, however, the learned must settle amongst 

 themselves. 



The S. dactylopterus, Delaroche ; S. imperialis, Cuv. 

 (Sld-mtmt Kungs-Fisk, or, blue-mouthed king-fish, Sw. ; 

 Skjdr-Uert Norw. [Bergen]). This species, which is com- 

 mon in the Mediterranean, has not hitherto been identified, 

 so far as known, in the Bohus Skiirgard or elsewhere on 

 the Swedish coast ; but on that of Norway, as high up as 



