40 CATECHISM OF 



and, 4. Trigla Hirundo, the Sapphirine Gur- 

 nard, are the most common in the European 

 seas ; but, Trigla Volans, or the Flying Gur- 

 nard, is the most remarkable species of this genus 

 with which we are acquainted. 

 Q. Describe Trigla Volans. 

 A. Trigla Volans, or the Flying Gurnard, is 

 about twelve inches long, and of a beautiful crim- 

 son colour above and whitish beneath : the head is 

 armed on each side with two strong and large 

 spines pointing backwards ; the pectoral fins are 

 extremely large, which enables the animal to fly 

 out of the water to a considerable distance. It is 

 a native of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and 

 Indian seas, where it swims in shoals. 

 Q. Is the Cottus an important genus ? 

 A. No ; the fish of this genus are small, and it 

 contains only six species, of which we shall select 

 Cottus Gobio and Cottus Scorpius for description. 

 Q. What is Cottus Gobio ? 

 A. Cottus Gobio, or the river Bull Head, is very 

 common in the clear brooks of this country, where 

 it lies at the bottom, either on the gravel or under 

 a stone ; it seldom exceeds three inches and a half 

 in length, but its head is disproportionably large, 

 and the general colour of the fish, dusky, mixed 



