WEESLE GADUS. 157 



haps, Sexual differences, have been considered by 

 some authors as distinct species. Of this opinion is 

 Mr. Pennant, whose description of both is so ac- 

 curate as to require no additions. 



Three-Bearded Cod. 



" This species commonly frequents the rocky 

 shores of these islands, and is sometimes taken with 

 a bait. It grows to the length of nineteen inches ; 

 the weight two pounds two ounces : the head is 

 large and flat : the eyes not remote from the end 

 of the nose : the body is long, slender, and com- 

 pressed sideways, especially towards the tail : at the 

 end of the upper jaw are two beards ; on the chin 

 one : the teeth are numerous and small, disposed 

 along the jaws in form of a broad plate : in the 

 roof of the mouth is a set of small teeth, disposed 

 in a triangular form : the number of branchiostegous 

 rays is seven : the first dorsal fin is lodged in a deep 

 furrow just beyond the head, and consists of a num- 

 ber of short, unconnected rays: the second rises 

 just behind it, and reaches very near the tail : the 

 pectoral fins are broad and round : the ventral fins 

 small ' y the second ray the longest : the anal fin 

 reaches almost to the tail : the tail rounded at the 

 end : the scales are very small : the colour of the 

 body and head a reddish yellow, marked above the 

 lateral line with large black spots : the back fin and 

 tail are darker; the vent fin of a brighter red, but 

 all are spotted : the lateral line bends in the middle, 

 then passes strait to the tail." 



