104 CHECK LIST OF THE 



(hi) Burbot. Ling. 



(Lota maculosa.) 



Body elongate, somewhat eel-shaped, slightly compressed posteriorly. 

 Eye small. The upper jaw reaches slightly beyond the hind margin of the 

 eye ; the lower jaw included in the upper, and has a stout barbel which is 

 nearly one-fifth as long as the head. The ventral is longer than the pec- 

 toral, but does not reach half way to vent ; the dorsal fins are separated 

 by a narrow interspace, second dorsal higher than first ; caudal rounded ; 

 the scales are deeply embedded in the skin, not imbricated. 



D., 13, 68 to 76; A., 67. 



Colour, dark olivaceous, reticulated with blackish, the lower parts 

 yellowish or dusky; the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with a narrow, dark 

 edge. 



The average length of this species in our waters is about two feet. 

 It is found in all the larger lakes and rivers of the Province, usually in 

 deep water, except during the spawning season in the spring, when it runs 

 into streams or on to rocky shallows. 



In this Province it is considered worthless as a food or game fish, 

 but in the Yukon and some parts of the far north its flesh is eaten and its 

 liver is considered a delicacy. 



