74 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



of the head, ii diameters from the end of the snout, 

 and -I- diameter apart. Interorbital space concave. Pro- 

 file from eye to snout descends abruptly. Two or three 

 small spines at the anterior superior angle of the orbit. 

 Bones of the head with stellated ridges. Opercle with a 

 well-developed spine. Angle of preopercle armed with a 

 spine. The maxilla reaches to beneath the front of the eye. 

 Teeth. Fine in the jaws and vomer, none on the palatines 

 or tongue. Fins. Second dorsal spine longest, being two- 

 thirds that of the head. Pectoral reaching to above the 

 third or fourth anal ray. Scales. Those along the lateral- 

 line unarmed, but forming lineated plates, very much 

 deeper than wide, occasioning the lateral-line to appear as 

 if crossed by about 72 vertical folds of skin. Ridge along 

 the bases of the dorsal fins having about 27 spines. Air- 

 bladder. Anteriorly with two short and rounded prolong- 

 ations. Colours. Rosy, dashed with orange, which is 

 most developed on the head, abdomen whitish. Pectoral 

 fins yellowish, with irregular greenish bars. 



Habits. Keeps near the bottom in moderately deep 

 water. Feeds on small fishes, molluscs, and Crustacea. 



Means of capture. Largely captured by the beam-trawl, 

 but also readily takes a bait. 



Breeding. Spring months up to about June. 



As food. Large quantities are consumed in England, 

 but it is not held in so much estimation in Scotland. 



Habitat. From Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, 

 also the American shores of the North Atlantic. It is 

 common around the British coasts, especially on the south 

 and west ; it is also found, but not so abundantly, along the 

 Scottish coasts. Common in Ireland, especially along the 

 south and east coasts. It attains to at least 18 inches in 

 length. 



