THREE-BEARDED ROCKLING. 189 



The fin-rays in number are 



2nd D. 55. P. 20 : V. 7 : A. 49. : C. 18. 



The head is depressed ; the mouth wide : the jaws nearly 

 equal, but when separated the lower jaw is the longest, with 

 one barbule at the chin ; a mixture of small and large teeth 

 in each jaw ; the upper jaw with one barbule on each side 

 the middle, between the lip and the nostril ; inner part of 

 the upper lip crenate : the irides golden yellow ; the anterior 

 portion of the body of the fish cylindrical, or slightly de- 

 pressed ; the tail compressed : the general colour of the body 

 and head is a rich yellow brown, spotted on the top of the 

 head, along the back, the pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins, 

 with rich chesnut brown ; the lower part of the sides, the 

 ventral and anal fins, pale yellow brown, approaching to 

 white, and without spots. 



Young fish of this species are of a uniform brown colour 

 until they have acquired six or seven inches in length ; in 

 this condition they are the Mustela alia of Ray. 



