THE COD-FISH FAMILY. 373 



CHAPTER XI. 



Series I. BONY FISHES. Family GADIVJE |. 



Order III. MALACOPTEEYGII SUB-BRACHIATI *. Genus LOTA J. 



THE BURBOT OR EEL-POUT. 



(Lota vulgaris .) 



CJiaracteristics common to all the species of the Cod-fish Family. 

 Body more or less elongated, covered with small soft scales. Ventral 

 fins placed under the pectorals, or sub-brachial *. 1, 2, or 3 back-fins. 

 Anal fins 1 or 2. Jaws, front of vomer or central bone in roof of 

 mouth, and bones of palate armed with card-like patches of teeth. 

 Gill-rays 7. Air-bladder large. 



IN all the fish of this genus (Lota) the form of the body 

 is very narrow and slender or elongated. They have two 

 back-fins and one anal fin, and one or more barbels or 

 beards on the chin. 



Of the numerous and valuable family of the Cod, only 

 one British species, the Burbot sometimes also called 



* " Soft-finned Fish having lower arms." (See p. 37.) 

 t The Cod Family. 



{ Lota, generic name for this and several allied species; vul- 

 rjaris, common, Lat. 



