392 RIVER BULL HEAD. Class IV. 



TION. 



Descrip- Xhis fish seldom exceeds the length of three 

 inches and an half; the head large, broad, flat, 

 and thin at its circumference, being well adapted 

 for insinuating itself under stones ; on the mid- 

 dle part of the covers of the gills is a small 

 crooked spine turning inwards. The eyes are 

 very small; the irides yellow; the teeth very 

 minute, placed in the jaws and the roof of the 

 mouth ; the body grows slender towards the 

 tail, and is very smooth. The first dorsal fin 

 consists of six rays, the second seventeen ; the 

 pectoral fins are round, and prettily scalloped 

 at their edges, and are composed of thirteen 

 rays ; the ventral of only four ; the anal of thir- 

 teen ; the tail of twelve, and is rounded at the 

 end. The color of this fish is as disagreeable as 

 its form, being dusky, mixed with a dirty yel- 

 low ; the belly whitish. 



