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THE SHORT-SPINED COTTUS, OR SEA SCORPION. 



Family Triglidae — the Gurnards. This group has about forty species, included iu iive 

 genera. They are singular-looking hshes, resembling the Cottidos, their allies. The Sea 

 Robins are among them, and the curious Flying Gurnards. 



The Sculpins — family Cottidce. 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 northern 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. 



BULLHEAD.— Coitus gobio, (Natural sizu.) 



We now come to a very familiar and not very prepossessing fish — the well-known Bull- 

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



Tins large-headed and odd-looking tish is very common in European brooks and streams, 

 where it is generally found under loose stones, and affords 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 rubbing 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 widened 

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

 ness of tlie 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 Siiort-splwed Coitus, 

 or Sea scorpion (Coitus scorpms), 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 Scorpion is 



