THE LUMP-FISH. 381 



rays simple, the rest branched, the fourth the longest, equalling the 

 length of the base of the fin, the last about half the length of the 

 third. Caudal fin rounded at the end, the middle ray as long as the 

 fourth ray of the dorsal, all branched except the two first on each 

 side ; base of the pectorals very broad, passing downwards and for- 

 wards beneath the throat, where it partly conceals the disk of the 

 ventrals ; the first ray longest, equalling the length of the base of 

 the anal fin, the rest gradually diminishing, the last very short ; anal 

 fin commencing under the fourth ray of the dorsal and ending at a 

 distance of half the length of the fin from the caudal ; in other re- 

 spects it answers to the dorsal ; ventrals united, forming together a 

 circular disk, with a funnel-shaped cavity in the middle, placed im- 

 mediately under the base of the pectorals ; the rays of the dorsal, 

 caudal, anal, and pectoral fins, furnished with a number of small, 

 rough, osseous tubercles, diminishing in size as they approach the 

 summits. Mouth broad ; under jaw rather the longest ; teeth small 

 and fine, placed in three or four rows in front of each jaw ; eyes si- 

 tuated behind the angle of the mouth, and in a line with the upper 

 corner of the operculum ; gill-opening extending half-way down the 

 base of the pectorals ; skin covered with a number of granulated, os- 

 seous tubercles of various sizes, giving a roughness to the surface 

 when the hand is passed in either direction. Immediately over the 

 eye a row of large tubercles commences, which runs down the sides 

 to the base of the caudal fin ; over the base of the pectorals another 

 row commences, which terminates at the same point as the first ; on 

 the side of the abdomen a third row is placed, which does not extend 

 beyond the commencement of the anal fin. A little in front of the dor- 

 sal fin, across the back, is placed a deep, ragged looking notch j in a 

 vertical line under which is situated the vent. Number of fin rays — 

 D. 10; P. 20; A. 10; C. 11. 



The male fish is much smaller than the female, and when 

 in spawning condition, the whole under surface is of a bright 

 red, particularly the ventral disk to which the fishermen 

 give the name of the Rose, in consequence of a supposed re- 

 semblance to that flower. In the northern seas the Lump- 

 Fish is said to be a very common species, when, in the 

 months of April and May, considerable numbers are taken 

 and made use of as food. It is sometimes, in this country, 

 eaten in the salted state ; but, by the Greenlanders, it 

 is held in higher estimation when perfectly fresh. They 



