34 Guide to tJic British FrcsJi-Watcr Fishes 



The fish exhibited was captured in the Kenuet at Xewbuiy by the 

 donor, A. P. Zerfass, Esq. ; weight, 2 lbs. 12 oz. 



6o. Ruffe ur Pope, Acerina ccrnua (fig. 23). — In this species 

 the dorsal fins are united, and it differs from the Perch in several 

 other characters, including the spotted or marljled coloration. It 

 inhabits Eui-ope north of the P\ieuees and Alps, Russian 

 Turkestan and Siberia ; in our islands it is absent from Scotland 

 and Ii-eland, and in England and Wales from the counties north 

 of Lancashire and Yorkshire and from the south-western counties. 

 It is a small fish, reaching a length of S inches. The shoals keep 

 near the bottom in quiet waters, and do not roam about so actively 

 as the Perch. 



SEER AX ID AE. 



The Sea Perches differ from the Perch family in that the anal 

 fin is preceded by three spines instead of two. The majority are 

 marine, but some species ascend rivers. 



Bass, Morvne lahrax. — The Bass is distinguished from the 

 Perch by the silvery coloration. In the summer months this fish 

 may ascend some of our southern livers for considerable distances, 

 but these occasional incursions hardly give it a place among our 

 fresh-water fishes. One is exhibited in the Fish Gallery (Case 13, 

 No. 511). 



MUGILIDAE. 



In the Grey Mullets the spinous dorsal fin is formed of only 

 four sharp spines and is Avidely separated from the soft dorsal; 

 the mouth is small and the teeth are minute. There are three 

 British species, the Thick=lipped Grey Mullet (MikjH chcio). the 

 Golden Grey Mullet (3/. auratus), and the Thin = lipped Grey 

 Mullet (J/, capitd). These marine fishes frequent estuaiies, and 

 at times ascend beyond tidal hmits. An example of Miujil capito 

 is shown in the Fish Galler}^ (Case 11, No. 457). 



COTTIDAE. 



This family includes a large number of marine species, mostly 

 from northern seas, and a comparatively small number of fresh- 

 water species from Europe, Noithern Asia and North America. 



6i. Bullhead or Miller's Thumb (Co//«s //o6/a).— This httle 

 fish has. a bcaleless iDody and a Ijroad head, from each side of 



