160 CHIMJERA. Class IV. 



extremely strong and sharp spine in front 

 of it ; the second and third shallow, the last 

 extends to the tail, which is filiform and of 

 the same length as the rest of the body; the 

 body rather compressed diminishes rapidly 

 from the anterior part; the pectoral fins 

 are of a disproportionate size; the ventral 

 rather smaller ; the lateral line white, and 

 strongly defined with a brown edge. The Nor- 

 wegians give this fish the name of gold or silver 

 fish, from the resplendent color which forms 

 the ground of the body, and which is set off 

 by the dark spots above and below the lateral 

 line ; the fins are of a deep brown ; it is also 

 called by them sea rat, from the form of the 

 tail, and king Jish, from a filament terminating 

 in a tuft, which is found on the head of the 

 male. They obtain an oil from the liver by 

 filtration, which is esteemed useful in com- 

 plaints of the eyes, and is also applied to 

 wounds. Ed. 



