VERTEBRATA 



255 



to the same family as the blennies. Its popular name, 

 " Butter-fish," is given it on account of its slipperiness, 

 for it is more difficult to hold than even the proverbially 

 slippery eel. It is also sometimes called the " Nine 

 Eyes," from the number of spots on its back. It is less 





.Fig. 108. Centronotus yunellu*. f Natural size 



common than any of the preceding, but is not rare, by any 

 means. It is shown on Fig. 108. 



Motella quinquicerrata. The five-bearded rockling (or 

 " Little Sea-loach ") is common under stones, in weedy and 

 gravelly places. It belongs to the Gadidce or cod family. 

 It is about five inches long, of a red brown colour. It has 

 five barbules on the snout, by which it is distinguished from 

 its larger relative, the three bearded rockling (M. tricirrata). 

 This last is not often taken on the littoral. It is shown in 

 the photo (Fig. 109). 



