GREA T BRIT A IN. 1 49 



lower surface, meeting those from the opposite side. A 

 black spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Fins bluish- 

 black, darkest at their outer edges. 



Habits. It adheres pertinaciously to one locality, espe- 

 cially the vicinity of precipitous rocks, as off the coast of 

 Cornwall. Here it seeks a secluded crevice or gully, where 

 it conceals itself during the daytime, sometimes thousands 

 seeking the same spot. It usually feeds at night-time, ex- 

 tending its excursions over the high grounds and on to the 

 low rocks and sands in the vicinity. Assemblages of these 

 ish are known as " chains of bibs," two or more of which 

 lay be found so close together as to be merely divided by 



ledge of rock of a few feet in width ; one chain of bibs 

 may be light coloured, and the contiguous one banded 

 with dark. In cold and stormy winters it retires to the 

 deep sea, returning again in spring. The knowledge of the 

 exact localities where these fish reside has been kept in 

 some fishermen's families for generations. It thrives pretty 

 well in an aquarium, but after a time becomes of a 

 lighter colour. Thompson mentions finding small crabs 

 (Brachyuri) and a Trochus tumidus in the stomach of one 

 which he opened, while another contained fish remains ; it 

 also eats worms. 



Means of capture. Line-fishing ; they are very voracious, 

 and the exact spot they reside in has to be chosen, and the 

 line must be near the bottom, while on it three or four 

 hooks may be used. 



Breeding. Spawns towards the end of the winter in 

 Cornwall. 



As food. Good eating when 2 Ibs. in weight and up- 

 wards, but its numerous bones deteriorate from its use. 

 It rapidly decomposes after death, which likewise detracts 

 from its value. 





