114 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



in the ventrals 6. The dorsals are of the same height ; the first is 

 rounded, the second long and rather higher behind ; both it and 

 the anal almost join the caudal, which is spatulate. The fins are 

 narrow and flexible. The lateral line curves downwards to the 

 second dorsal and then becomes straight. The upper jaw is the 

 longer. The teeth are not so conspicuous as in the Hake. In 

 colour the Ling is greenish grey, with white underparts, the ver- 

 tical fins becoming dark towards their edges, which are bordered 

 with white. In length it reaches 7 feet, but the usual size is about 

 3 feet. It is a night-feeding fish, keeping to the bottom, and rarely 

 found where the ground is not rocky. 



Motella. Plate xviii. GADID&. 



137. mustela, FIVE-BEARDED ROCKLING. Barbules 5. 



138. cimbria, FOUR-BEARDED ROCKLING. Barbules 4. 



139. tricirrata, THREE-BEARDED ROCKLING. Barbules 3 ; body 



spotted. 



140. macrophthalma, Barbules 3 ; body unspotted. 



In the Five-bearded Rockling the first dorsal has a spine and 20 

 low rays, the second dorsal has from 47 to 55 rays, the anal from 

 40 to 47, the saudal 20 or 21, the pectorals 15, and the ventrals 

 7 or 8. The first dorsal is a sort of fringe, headed by a spine which 

 is the same height as the rays of the second dorsal ; the dorsals are 

 continuous. The second dorsal is curved, and ends close to the 

 caudal ; the anal ends in a similar manner, but is not so high ; the 

 caudal is rounded. The mouth extends to the middle or back of the 

 eye. In colour this species is brownish with brown fins. It is 18 

 inches long, and feeds on molluscs and crustaceans in rocky and 

 sandy localities, 



The Four-bearded Rockling has also a spine and 20 rays in its 

 fringe-like dorsal, the second dorsal having 50 rays ; the anal has 

 44 rays, the caudal 31, the pectorals 15, and the ventrals 6. There 

 is one barbule on the upper lip instead of two, one on each side of 

 the snout and one on the chin. The anal begins further back than 

 in the foregoing species. In colour it is chestnut on the back, lighter 

 below. In length it reaches 14 inches, and, like the others, it is 

 found in rocky, sandy places abounding in molluscs and small 

 crustaceans. 



The Three-bearded Rockling has a spine and 20 rays in its first 

 dorsal, and from 55 to 57 rays in the other ; in the anal are from 

 48 to 50 rays, in the caudal 21, in the pectorals 16 to 18, in the 

 ventrals 6 or 7. There are two barbules on the upper lip, and one 

 on the chin. The upper jaw is the longer ; the mouth extends 

 behind the eye. The colour above is black or brown, with round 

 spots and blotches, and white below. This Rockling is 20 inches 

 long, and is a ground feeder, living among seaweeds on rocky shores. 



The fourth species of Rockling is small and but little known. It 

 has a spine and 20 rays in its first dorsal, 55 rays in its second dor- 



