104 LUMP FISH.  Cieume 
On the lower part of the back is a thick knob, 
improperly called a fin, being deftitute of fpines 5 
beneath that is the dorfal fin, of a brownifh hue, 
reaching within an inch of the tail : on the belly, 
juit oppofite, is another of the fame form. The 
belly is of a bright crimfon color : the pectoral fins 
are large and broad, almoft uniting at their bafe. 
Beneath thefe is the part by which it adheres to the 
rocks, &c. It confifts of an oval aperture, fur- 
rounded with a flefhy mufcular and obtufe foft fub- 
ftance, edged with fmall threaded appendages, which 
concur as fo many clafpers: tail and vent fins purple. 
By means of this part it adheres with vaft force 
to any thing it pleafes. As a proof of its tenacity 
we have known, that on flinging a fith of this fpe- 
cies juft caught, into a pail of water, it fixed itfelf 
fo firmly to the bottom, that on taking the fith by 
the tail, the whole pail by that means was lifted, tho’ 
it held fome gallons, and that without removing the 
fifh from its hold. 
Great numbers of thefe fifh are found in the 
Greenland feas during the months of April and May, 
when they refort near the fhore tofpawn. Their roe 
is remarkably large, which the Greenlanders boil 
toa pulp, and eat. They are extremely fat, which 
recommends them the more to the natives, who ad- 
mire all oily food: they call them Nzpi/ets, or Cas- 
jie, and take quantities of them during the feafon*. 
This fifh is fometimes eaten in England, being 
ftewed like carp, but is both flabby and infipid. 
* Crantz’s Hift. Greenland, \. 96. 
II. The 
