388 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



Genus CONGER. — Dorsal fin commencing over the end 

 of the pectorals ; and forming with the anal a pointed cau- 

 dal ; lower jaw not projecting beyond the upper. 



Conger vulgaris.* — The Conger-Eel. 



Specific Character. — Dorsal and anal fins margined with black. 



Description. — From a specimen twenty-one inches in length. Co- 

 lour of the back and sides a pale yellowish-grey ; dorsal and anal 

 fins margined with deep black, which is very conspicuously seen in 

 young specimens ; lateral line spotted with white, frequently very 

 obscure. Dorsal fin commencing immediately over the end of the 

 pectorals, all the rays short, nearly of equal length throughout, ex- 

 cept where they terminate to unite with the anal, to form the acute 

 pointed caudal. Anal fin commencing close behind the vent, in a 

 line under the seventieth ray of the dorsal, and answering in other re- 

 spects to that fin ; ventrals wanting ; pectorals rounded, the middle 

 ray about the length of the lower jaw, as far as the angle of the 

 mouth. Eyes large ; head depressed ; snout narrow towards the ex- 

 tremity ; lips fleshy ; lower jaw rather the shortest ; gape wide ; 

 angle of the mouth in a line under the posterior margin of the iris ; 

 teeth blunt, irregular, small, and numerous, placed in one or two 

 rows on the sides of each jaw, and in many rows in front, especially 

 on the upper jaw, when the teeth are rather longer and larger ; those 

 on the vomer extending but a short way back. Lateral line straight 

 throughout its course, from the point of the upper jaw to the base 

 of the pectorals, about one-seventh of the whole length of the fish ; 

 skin thick and firm, covered with a mucous secretion; gill- opening 

 small, situated in front of the lower part of the base of the pectorals. 

 Number of fin rays — 



P. 17 ; D., A., and C. 646. " Vert. 152." 



The Conger is a common fish on many of the rocky parts 

 of the British coast. It is found in the Shetland and Ork- 

 ney Isles, and along the east and western shores of Scot- 

 land, but in no great plenty. It abounds on the coast of 

 Cornwall, where " it is not uncommon for a boat with three 

 men to bring on shore from five hundredweight to two tons," 

 the fishing being performed during the night. " They are 



• Conger vulgaris, Yarr., Cuv. Murana Conger, Linn., Penn., Don. 

 Anguilla Conger, Jen. 



