FATHER LASHER. 205 



Father Lajher *. 



This fingular animal is about half a foot in length, and 

 in fhape refembling the goby ; the head and anterior parts 

 being difproportionably large, the poilerior flender as 

 they approach the tail. It has no fcales ; but the fides 

 are divided each by a rough lateral line. The head is 

 blackifti; the back variegated with pale and black 

 patches, placed tranfverfely ; Below the lateral lines, the 

 fides are yellovvr, and whiten as they approach the belly. 

 The coverts of the gills and the crown of the head are 

 befet with formidable fpines, by the flrokc of which 

 this fmall fifh can infiift a painful wound f . 



The whole afpe£t of this fifli is threatening ; and as it 

 knows the ufe of its defenfive weapons, it can increafc 

 the terror of its enemies, by fwelling the opercula of 

 the gills and the cheeks to an enormous fize. It feems 

 to have been long well known in the Mediterranean^ 

 though not for its peaceable and innoxious habits 5 for it 

 3S thus charadlerifed by the poet : 



Et capitis dure nociturus fcorpius I£lu. 



The fcorpion threatening wounds with its bony head. 



The 



* Cottus Scorpius, Lin. Syft, Father Lalhrr, Will, 

 t Wilbunh. p. TiS. 



