164 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



soundings in charts of the sea ; they consist mostly of a 

 species of Dentalium^ a shell having the popular name of 

 " dog's teeth," and do not pertain to any fish. 



B. vii., D. 10 | 36-40, V. 7, A. 36-38, Csec. pyl. i, Vert. 



2 5 



W 



Length of head 3| to 44- ; height of body 6| to 8 in the 

 total length. ^.Diameter 54. to 7 in the length of 

 the head, 2. to 2\ diameters from the end of the snout, and 

 li to 2 apart. The lower jaw slightly the longer ; the 

 posterior extremity of the maxilla reaches to beneath the 

 middle or hind edge of the orbit. No barbel below the 

 chin. Teeth. Large, acicular, in two rows, the inner of 

 which is the larger, while the anterior ones are more 

 movable than the posterior ones. In a V-shaped band on 

 the vomer ; none on the palatines or tongue. Fins. The 

 first dorsal, commencing above the base of the pectoral ; a 

 slight interspace between it and the base of the second 

 dorsal, which reaches almost to the base of the caudal. 

 Ventral, inserted a short distance in front of the pectoral : 

 anal commences on a vertical line beneath the third or 

 fourth ray of the second dorsal, and terminates below the 

 end of the base of that fin. The vent is situated on a 

 vertical line beneath the anterior rays of the second dorsal 

 fin. Lateral-line. Nearly straight. Colours. Grayish 

 along the back, becoming lighter on the sides and beneath, 

 a purplish tint over the head and along the back. Fins 

 dusky; base of pectoral, inner ventral rays, and anal, 

 straw-coloured. A small black spot often present at the 

 upper part of the base of the pectoral. Inner surface of 

 mouth and gill cavities, black. 



Varieties. Merluccius argentatus, from Iceland, is said to 

 have the inside of its mouth white, instead of black, and 

 the second dorsal and anal fins notched about their 

 centres. 





