274 TRIFURCATED TADPOLE FISH. Class IV. 



from thence continues straight to the tail. The 

 tail and pectoral fins are rounded. 



It seems rather extraordinary that the Count 

 de Cepede should have placed this fish in the 

 genus Blennius, as it is so very nearly allied 

 to both his species of Batrachoides; from 

 Batr. Tau it differs not much in the general 

 form, but greatly in wanting the fringe of beards 

 on the lower jaw, and the spines on the gill- 

 covers. From Batr. blmnioides it differs still 

 less, as we may judge by Midlers figure, Zool. 

 Dan. f. 45. but the single cirrus on the lower 

 jaw distinguishes it from Batr. Tau, and the 

 rudiment of a first dorsal fin placed in a sulcus, 

 and a series of tubercles on each side of it, 

 distinguish it perfectly from Batr. blennioides, 

 as well as from Batr. fuliginosus* of Wal- 

 baum, who, exclusive of the last mentioned par- 

 ticulars, seems inclined to suppose it a variety 

 only of his G. fuUginosus, but those proving 

 constant, which has been found to be the case, 

 he does not hesitate to pronounce it a distinct 

 species. Indeed, the series of tubercles, and 

 the arrangement of them, seem to constitute a 

 particular specific distinction between Batr. 



* See Gent. Magaz. June I8O9, and Tours in Wales, vol. iii. 

 421. 



