THE BURBOT 219 



to the clavicles. In this order the true caudal 

 fin, corresponding to the caudal fin of other fishes, 

 is either absent or else greatly reduced and united 

 with the dorsal and anal ; the so-called caudal fin 

 of the Burbot and other members of the Cod 

 family is mainly formed of dorsal and anal rays. 



The Burbot has the body elongate, subcylin- 

 drical anteriorly and compressed posteriorly, with 

 the abdomen rather prominent ; the head is broad 

 and depressed, with the eyes placed well forward 

 and far apart. The mouth is wide, with bands of 

 small pointed teeth in the jaws and a crescentic 

 band of similar teeth on the vomer; a barbel 

 depends from the middle of the lower jaw, whilst 

 the edge of each anterior nostril is produced into 

 a small barbel. The dorsal fin is composed of 

 numerous rays and is divided into a short anterior 

 and a long posterior part, the latter opposite to the 

 anal and, like it, continuous with the rounded 

 terminal fin. The pelvic fins are six-rayed, are 

 widely separated, and are placed in advance of the 

 pectorals. The scales are very small and the 

 thick skin is covered with a slimy mucous secretion. 

 The coloration is yellowish, greyish, brownish, or 

 greenish, spotted or marbled with dark brown or 

 black on the back and sides, and shading below 

 into white or pale yellow. 



The Burbot is found in the fresh waters of Europe, 

 except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece ; it ranges 

 throughout Siberia, and in North America occurs 

 in the region of the Great Lakes and northwards. 

 In Britain it appears to be confined to rivers 

 flowing into the North Sea, from Durham to 

 Norfolk. 



