140 GENERA AND SPECIES. 



trals. The first dorsal is not unlike a quadrant in shape, the second 

 is lower and parallel to the back for the greater part of its length ; 

 both dorsals are in a groove ; the anal is lorrger than the second 

 dorsal. The lateral line runs along the upper half of the body and 

 has 78 scales ; the scales are cycloid and in oblique lines. The mouth 

 is oblique, and extends to behind the eye< In shape the body is 

 long and slender. There are 2 small spines over the eye, 4 on the 

 praeoperculum, and a long one on the operculum, with loose skin 

 extending nearly to its point. The colour is greyish or yellowish, 

 the head being spotted or streaked. The length is as much as 17 

 inches. It is found on sandy ground, occasionally between the tide 

 marks, and can give a painful wound with its long spine, which it 

 seems always anxious to use. 



The Viper Weever is even more active and venomous. It has 

 6 spines in its first dorsal, and from 21 to 24 rays in the second ; in 

 the anal it has 25 or 26 rays, in the caudal 12, in the pectorals 14, in 

 the ventrals a spine and 5 rays. The fins are similar in shape to 

 those of the larger species. The mouth extends beyond the eye, 

 and there is a row of papillae along the upper edge of the lower lip. 

 There are no spines over the eye, but there are two below the angle 

 of the praeoperculum, and a long, straight spine on the operculum. The 

 colour is brownish with grey streaks along the back and yellowish 

 underparts ; the first dorsal is black, with thin white lines. In length 

 it does not exceed 6 inches. Like the other, it feeds on small fry 

 and almost anything animal, and it is of the same habits and 

 disposition. 



Trachypterus. Plate xiii. TRACHYPTERID&. 



102. arcticus, DEAL-FISH. Caudal fin at a sharp angle as if dis- 

 located. 



The Deal-fish is known by its tail, which looks as though it had 

 been broken off and stuck on again in the wrong position. In the 

 long dorsal there are from 158 to 172 rays ; there is no anal ; the 

 caudal has 7 or 8 rays; the pectorals have from 5 to n, and the 

 ventrals 6. The lateral line consists of spiny, oval plates, increasing 

 in size towards the tail ; it is nearly straight. The back and abdo- 

 men are almost parallel, curving towards each other just at the ends, 

 and in shape the fish resembles the deal board from which it 

 received its name. It is silvery in colour, has red fins, swims on the 

 slant, is 7 feet or more in length, and is an Arctic species of rare 

 occurrence in British waters. 



Trichiurus. Plate iii. TRICH1 U RID IE. 



22. Upturns, HAIRTAIL. No fins beyond a long dorsal and small 

 pectorals. 



The Hairtail has 135 or 136 rays in its dorsal fin, and n in its 

 pectorals. It is a long, thin, ribbon-like fish, tapering to a point, 

 the dorsal beginning over the gill-covers and extending to the very 

 tip of the finless tail. The lateral line runs along the lower third of 



