DRAGONETS. 



197 



minently fixed on the head. The head is usually 

 striped with blue, on a yellow ground. The dusky 

 dragonet is the female, and was formerly called 

 Callionymus dracunculus. It is a much commoner, 

 and less beautiful, British fish, having, as its popular 



Fig. 130. 



Yellow Skulpin, or Gemmeous Dragonet (Callionyinus fyra), male. 



name imports, a dingy hue. The long dorsal fin is 

 absent in the female. Its colour is usually a reddish- 

 brown, and therefore it goes by the name of the 

 " fox." 



The "angler fish" (Lophius piscatorius) is a creature 

 possessing such a singular structure and habits that 

 we cannot wonder it is a favourite object in our public 

 aquaria. Sailors and fishermen are never at a loss in 

 drawing comparisons, and every animal which has 

 attracted their attention usually rejoices in several 

 names. This is the case with the angler fish, also 

 called "toad fish," "sea-devil," and " fishing frog." 

 In shape it is not unlike a huge tadpole, and one of 



