48 



from this on each side a line running forward, approximating, 

 and then receding at right angles, thus resembling the Greek 

 Q, (omega,) but with a square instead of circular summit. The 

 specific name I have given is from this mark. The difference 

 between this Species and the common Lumpfish, is seen in 

 the entire absence of tubercles, which in the latter give a gro- 

 tesque appearance to the back ; in the want of the flat space 

 between the termination of the ridge and the (only) dorsal 

 fin ; and more especially in the moderately elongated first 

 dorsal fin, which bore no resemblance to the vestige of fin des- 

 cribed as possessed by the painted Lumpfish. 



This Specimen was found in a Crab Boat, in the month of June. Supposing 

 it to be a distinct Species, I have named it as above. 



MONTAGU'S SUCKER. C. Montagui. Jenyns, p. 473. 

 Yarrell's Br. F , vol. 2, p. 277. Not uncommon. 



THE EEL TRIBE. 



SHARPNOSED EEL. Anguilla Acutirostris. Jenyns, p. 

 474. Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 284. Common. 



BROADNOSED EEL. A. Latirostris. Jenyns, p. 47G. 

 Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 299. Less common than the last. 



SNIG EEL. A. Mediorostris. Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 

 301. It is only of late that three or four Species of Eels 

 have been enumerated among British Fishes : though as 

 early as the time of Gesner, and even perhaps of Aristotle, 

 more than one Species was suspected to exist. In Corn- 

 wall the Sharpnosed seems to be the most common, and 

 next to it the Snig, which is of much smaller size. Most of 

 the young Eels in Cornwall, are bred in the Sea, from which 

 they begin to ascend our rivers in the early part of March, 

 the stream of emigration continuing until the beginning of 

 autumn. 



CONGER. A. Conger. Jenyns, p. 478. Yarrell's Br. F., 

 vol. 2, p. 304. Selya, the ancient Cornish name of this 

 Fish, offers a more probable derivation of the name of the 

 Scilly Islands, and other places so called on our Coast, than 

 any other with which I am acquainted. 



A monstrosity is sometimes observed, in which the dorsal 

 fin commences about opposite the vent, the greater part of the 

 back being naked ; and in one Specimen which I examined, 

 the fin at its beginning was rolled up, in the manner of a rib- 

 bon, round its centre. The Colour varies also, from Black 

 through every degree of shade, to a dull White :— and this so 

 constantly according to the nature of the ground, that fisher- 

 men are able, from an inspection of the Fish, to know the 

 place at which they have been taken. 



In the memory of persons now living a trade was carried 



with Spain and Portugal, in Conger douce or sweet Con- 



so called from their being dried without the application 



