GREA T BRIT A IN. 205 



dorsal commences above the middle of the eye, and ceases 

 a little before the base of the caudal fin, the distance being 

 less than the depth of the free portion of the tail below it ; 

 caudal rounded. A spine, directed forwards, is situated 

 just before the base of the anal fin. Scales. From 90 to 

 100 rows, cycloid ; some on cheeks, none between the eyes. 

 None along bases of dorsal and anal fins. Lateral-line 

 Slightly curved above the pectoral fin, the extent of the 

 depth of which is less than the width of the base of the 

 pectoral fin ; the greatest depth between its straight portion 

 and the anal fin is less than the length of the head. 

 Colours. Of a chestnut or rich brown on the right side, 

 covered with large orange and sometime^ black-edged 

 spots. 



Varieties. Buckland mentions a variety destitute of 

 spots. Reversed examples are not rare, piebald ones 

 common. These fish rapidly assume the colour of the 

 ground on which they are residing. 



Habits. In the Orkneys it keeps much to sand-banks 

 and muddy ground. During the summer months on the 

 east coast of Scotland it appears to frequent rocky locali- 

 ties, but in February and March seeks sandy places where 

 it can deposit its spawn. In Cornwall it has been observed 

 to select water of a moderate depth, and in May to arrive 

 inshore ; also in the autumn it is found in shoals in the 

 quiet bays, but when the frost sets in it retires to the deep. 

 When disturbed it will shoot away suddenly for a short 

 distance, and can work itself rapidly into the sand, where 

 it lies concealed with only its eyes being apparent. Has 

 great tenacity of life ; one 10 inches long taken in January 

 lived thirty hours after removal from the water ; it was 

 kept ten hours in a very warm room, where it lay all the 

 time on a dry plate. 



