THE COD-FISH FAMILY. 



373 



CHAPTER XI. 



Series I. BONT FISBSS. 



Order III. MALACOFTMMYBII SUS-SRACBIATI *. 



Family QABIIIJS t. 

 GenuB LOTA I. 



THE BURBOT or EEL-POUT. 



{Lota vulgaris §.) 



Characteristics common to all the species of the Cod-Jish Family. — 

 Body more or less elongated, covered with small soft scales. Ventral 

 fins placed under tlie pectorals, or sub-braohial *. 1, 2, or 3 back-fins. 

 Anal fins 1 or 2. Jaws, front of vomer or central bone in roof of 

 mouth, and bones of palate armed with card-like patches of teeth. 

 GUI-rays 7. Air-bladder large. 



In all the fish of this genus [Lota) the form of the body 

 is very narrow and slender or elongated. They have two 

 back-fins and one anal fin, and one or more barbels or 

 beards on the chin. 



Of the numerous and valuable family of the Cod, only 

 one British species, the Burbot — sometimes also called 



* "Soft-finned Fish having lower arms." (See p. 37.) 

 t The Cod Family. 



f Lota, generic name for this and several allied species; — § vul- 

 garis, common, Lat. 



