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THE SHORT-SPINED COTTUS, OR SEA SCORPION. 



Family Triglidae — the Gurnards. This group has about forty species, included in five 

 genera. They are singular-looking fishes, resembling the Cottidoe, their allies. The Sea 

 Robins are among them, and the curious Flying Gurnards. 



The Sculpins — ^family Cottid<e. The genera are very numerous, being forty in num- 

 ber, and the species about one hundred and fifty. They are mostly confined to the rock 

 pools and shores of northern regions. Many are found in fresh waters. Most are of 

 small size and singular aspect, and none are valued as food. The Sea Ravens are included 

 in this family. Several species called Sculpin are familiar to the fishermen and anglers 

 of our northei'n coast ; more particularly the tyro, who allows his line to lie loosely, and 

 the bait to drag over the sea-weeds near bottom, where lurk these exceedingly odd-looking 

 creatures. 



BULL-HEAD. — C'ott«S(70*io. (Natural size.) 



We now come to a very familiar and not very prepossessing fish — the weU-kno^vn Bull- 

 head, or Miller's Thumb, sometimes called by the name of Tommy Logge. 



This large-headed and odd-looking fish is very common in European brooks and streams, 

 where it is generally found under loose stones, and afl'ords great sport to the Juvenile 

 fisherman. 



The name of Miller's Thumb is derived from the peculiarly wide and flattened head, 

 which is thought to bear some resemblance to the object whence its name is taken. A miller 

 judges of the quality of the meal by rvabbing it with his thumb over his fingers as it is shot 

 from the spout, and by the continual use of this custom, the thumb becomes gradually ■nddened 

 and flattened at its extremity. The name of Bull-liead also alludes to the same width and flat- 

 ness of the skull. It is but a small fish, averaging four, and seldom exceeding five inches 

 in length. 



Several other species of this genus inhabit Europe. There is the Short-spined Cottus, 

 or Sea Scorpion (Cottus scorpius), which, as its name denotes, is one of the marine species. 

 It is a very common fish, being found plentifully under heavy sea-weeds and stones, in the 

 pools that are left above low- water mark by the retreating tide. The name of Scoi-pion is 



