214 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



ones on the blind side. Fins. The dorsal commences 

 above the middle of the upper eye ; the rays gradually 

 increase in length to about the centre, when they com- 

 mence decreasing in height. The fin does not reach the 

 base of the caudal. Ventral not joined to anal. A small 

 spine, directed forwards, at the commencement of the anal 

 fin. Caudal slightly rounded. Scales. On coloured side 

 with ctenoid margins, those between the eyes and ,on the 

 cheeks smaller than those on the body. A row along 

 each dorsal and anal ray. Lateral-line. Smooth. At its 

 commencement it has a semicircular curve above the 

 pectoral fin, while it sends a branch over the occiput 

 Colours. Brownish, with some cloudy markings and spots ; 

 dorsal and anal fin, with whitish margins. Occasionally 

 white or yellow spots are seen on the coloured side of the 

 body, which appear to denote the fish being a female. 



Varieties. Thompson observed, in some examples he 

 took at Ballyhome Bay (co. Down), in September, that 

 they had a few black spots and markings over the body 

 and fins ; also, at the base of the dorsal fin, about six 

 round white spots, at regular distances, and about four 

 similar white spots regularly disposed at the base of the 

 anal fin. 



Habits. Frequents most sandy localities around the 

 coasts, and Parnell found it in shallow water. It feeds on 

 marine worms and small Crustacea. Thompson found in 

 the stomach of one, captured in March at Belfast, " frag- 

 ments of one of the bivalve shells, solen (neither of the two 

 smaller species) and of corallines, among which Sertularia 

 dichotoma was apparent." Johnston remarked that off 

 Berwickshire its favourite food appeared to be the pretty 

 Pecten obsoletus. 



Means of capture. Beam-trawl, seine (Montagu), hand- 



