360 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



the middle of which is the longest, being about half the length of the 

 pectorals. Second dorsal commencing over the middle of the pec- 

 torals, and running down the back to within a short interval of the 

 tail. Anal fin begins in a line under the termination of the pectoral 

 rays, and ends at a point not quite so far as that at which the dorsal 

 terminates. Ventrals arise under the throat ; the two first rays the 

 longest, and extend a little beyond the origin of the anal fin, of a 

 bluish- white colour; the remainder of the rays about one third the 

 length of the first, of a dull black appearance ; caudal and pectorals 

 nearly of equal size and shape, slightly rounded at the extremity ; the 

 latter of a sooty-black colour with a broad light-coloured band run- 

 ning across the middle. Scales small and adherent, scarcely percep- 

 tible when fresh ; air-bladder large ; coats of the stomach strong ; 

 caecal appendages wanting. Jaws furnished with a number of small, 

 sharp teeth, with a few long ones projecting beyond the rest, parti- 

 cularly on the lower jaw, and on front of the upper ; anterior part of 

 the roof of the mouth also furnished with teeth set close together, and 

 arranged in a lateral direction ; four cartilaginous prominences at the 

 commencement of the oesophagus, covered with a number of very 

 small sharp teeth, rendering each rough to the touch ; tongue broad, 

 smooth, without teeth ; under jaw shortest, with a conical barbule 

 placed on the chin ; eyes situated a little in advance of the angle of 

 the mouth, of a pale yellow colour. Lateral line commencing over 

 the pectorals, and after running a straight course half-way down the 

 side, takes a sudden bend, from thence straight to the base of the 

 caudal fin. Number of fin rays — 



lstD.3; 2dD. 67; C. 20 ; A. 57 ; P. 17; V. 6. 



At the origin of the lateral line, are from nine to ten 

 small tubercles, which are not perceptible when the fish is 

 recently taken ; but when the skin is somewhat shrunk by 

 exposure to the sun or open air, these gland-like bodies be- 

 come very evident. In appearance this animal little resembles 

 any of our British fishes as to shape or colour, and may 

 well be compared, from its form, to a frog in the tadpole 

 state, from which circumstance it appears to have derived 

 the name of " Tadpole fish." It does not appear to be so 

 rare a fish as was formerly imagined. It has been taken on 

 the coast of Cornwall, on the Northumberland and Ber- 

 wickshire coasts, on the west coast of Scotland, and in the 



