54 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



of the snout, connect this genus with Scorpcena, from which, however, it is dis- 

 tinguished by its five branchiostegous rays, and its high dorsal divided into three 

 unequal lobes, as in Hemitripterus ; whilst the compressed head prevents it from 

 entering the latter genus. The detailed description of the species in the Histoire 

 des Poissons is founded on the examination of two individuals which were taken 

 on the north-west coast of America by Merk. Steller observed the same species 

 at the entrance of the sea of Ochotsk. The general aspect of the fish recalls that 

 of some Blennies with which it was associated by Steller. The skin is destitute of 

 scales, but is rough, with fine grains, which appear to be disposed in three longitu- 

 dinal stripes, separated by very narrow intervals. The specimens were five inches 

 long. 



Fins.— Br. 5; D. 7/24; A. 20; C. II ; P. 11 .; V. 1/3. {Hist, des Poiss.) 



Another species (B. bilobiis, Cuv. et Val.) occurs in Awatska Bay, Kamt- 

 schatka. It has been described and figured as the type of a new genus by Mr. 

 Bennett, in the Natural History (Appendix) to Captain Beechey's Voyage, under 

 the name of Peropus bilobiis, on account of the form of its dorsal, indicated by its 

 specific name, and its six branchiostegous rays ; in other particulars Peropus 

 coincides almost exactly with Blepsias. In P. bilobiis there is a short spine over 

 the nostril, and there are six fleshy appendages to the lower jaw, and two to the 

 upper. The skin is hispid with short rigid bristles without any smooth stripes. 

 Its Fins contain Br. 6; D. 7 — 21 ; A. 19; C. 13; P. 14; V. 1/3. The fol- 

 lowing anatomical particulars are from Mr. Collie's notes. Air bladder wanting. 

 Stomach a large membraneous sac. Cceca several, ventricose. Intestinal canal 

 short. Liver light clay colour. (App. Beech. Voy., p. 59, pi. 16, f. 3.) 



[28.] 1. Gasterosteus. Burnstickle. 



Gasterosteus aculeatus. Fabricius, Faun. GrcenL, p. 169. 

 Kakilisak. Greenlandeks. 



This genus wants the family aspect of the Cottoidese, for the sub-orbitars being 

 smooth, and not distinguishable through the integuments, the cheek-mail is not 

 apparent, neither is the head armed with tubercles or spines. The dorsal spines 

 are detached, each having a separate membrane, and the pelvic bones are united to 

 the more than ordinarily large numerals, so as to form a kind of breast-plate- The 

 ventrals, situated posterior to the pectorals, are almost entirely formed of their 



