112 VERTEBRATA. PISCES. 



yellow, striped and spotted on the head, with azure 

 blue ; the eyes are orange, with blue pupils. It is 

 remarkable for the long arched spine of the first 

 dorsal, which reaches to the tail. It is eaten, but is 

 rare on our shores. 



FAM. XIII. LOPHIAD^E. 



In this section are contained two or three genera 

 of very singular form and habits, having the bones of 

 the pectorals so lengthened, as to cause them to 

 assume the form of jointed feet, and actually en- 

 abling them to crawl on land. Their position, how- 

 ever, far behind on the body, causes them to act as 

 the hind feet, the ventrals, which are considered as 

 representing the hind limbs, being placed near the 

 throat; and they being palmated in form, have the 

 use of fore-feet. 



Lophius,* the Fishing Frog. 



The gills in this singular genus are concealed from 

 view, being covered with the common skin, but their 

 situation is very perceptible during life ; they do com- 

 municate with the water, however, by a small hole 

 behind the foot-like pectorals. The head is enor- 

 mously large and flattened ; body, without scales, 

 slender ; gill-rays six. From the great size and 

 shape of the head, as well as from their colours, which 

 frequently take the form of spots, these fishes have 



* AoQos, lopJios, a crest. 



