186 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



in front of each orbit a small sharp spine, and on the upper and pos- 

 terior margin a small tubercle, whence proceeds an elevated ridge 

 passing backwards, terminating in a sharp point. Operculum with 

 a strong granulated spine directing over the base of the pectorals, 

 and inclining a little upwards ; suboperculum with two spines, one 

 pointing backwards, and the other downwards towards the base of 

 the ventrals. Preoperculum with four spines, the first the longest, 

 directing backwards, over the base of the pectorals and inclining a 

 little upwards ; the second very short, about one-fifth the length of 

 the first, commencing at its base, directing backwards and outwards ; 

 the third similar to the last ; the fourth pointing downwards to the 

 base of the lower jaw. First dorsal fin commencing over the base 

 of the pectorals, and terminating in a line over the anterior part of 

 the vent ; all its rays spinous and slender, the middle ones the longest, 

 the last shortest ; second dorsal fin commencing at a short distance 

 from the termination of the first, and ending a little behind the last 

 ray of the anal, its middle rays rather the longest. Tail rounded ; 

 anal fin corresponding with the second dorsal, but shorter ; pectorals 

 broad and rounded, extending rather under the throat ; sixth, seventh, 

 and eighth rays the longest, the remainder on the lower border gra- 

 dually decreasing ; ventrals short, commencing under the base of 

 the lower part of the pectorals. Teeth small and fine in both jaws 

 and in front of the vomer, lower jaw shortest ; scapular spine direct- 

 ing backwards and inclining a little upwards. Number of fin rays — 

 1st D. 8 ; 2d D. 12 ; P. 16 ; V. 4 ; A. 9 ; C. 10 ; Branchiostegous 

 rays 6. 



This species is distinguished from Cottus scorpius in the 

 lateral line being rough, the spine of the operculum gra- 

 nulated ; preoperculum with Jour spines, the longest reach- 

 ing 1 to the base of the pectorals. Whereas the lateral line 

 and spine of the operculum in C. scorpius are smooth, pre- 

 operculum with three spines, the longest not reaching to the 

 base of the pectorals. 



It was not until after the appearance of Mr Yarrell's 

 valuable work on the British Fishes, that naturalists in this 

 country could distinguish the difference between this and 

 the last species, being constantly confounded under one 

 synonym, the Father Lasher. 



It is now well known that two species, equally common, 



