208 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
THE BEARDED COTTUS (sw. sicaggsimpan ok bottenmusen.) 
AGON [IS CATAPHRACTUS. 
Plate V, fig. 1 . 
Body elongated , but less so than in the preceding species: number of paired and unpaired plates in a roiv on the 
bach from the occiput to the caudal fin less than 37 a ; least depth of the tail more than ,27 2 % of the length of 
the body and at least 13 % of the length of the head; breadth of the body across the base of the pectoral fins more 
than 16 % of the length of the body or than 75 % of the length of the head. Bidges of the head ( with the 
exception of those of the cheek and the preoperculum) and the plates of the, body , in adult specimens , obtuse , not 
raised in a spinous form. The two dorsal fins only a slight distance apart or even contiguous. Distance betiveen 
the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout about 33 % b of the length of the body; and the length of the head 
less than 70 % of this distance. Longitudinal diameter of the eye , in full-grown specimens , less than the least 
breadth of the interorbital space and also less than 5 % of the length of the body ; and the least depth of the tail 
more than 60 % of this diameter. Two pairs of nasal spines. One or two pairs of barbels on the lower side of 
the snout; in most cases three barbels at each corner of the mouth and three on the posterior part of the cheek; 
numerous barbels throughout the branchiostegal membrane on the lower side of the head. 
E. br. 6; D. 5 1. 6|6 — 8; A. c 6 1. 7; P. d 16; V. V 2 ; 
C. e x+l+x-, L. lat. porP 37 — 40. 
Syn. Cataphractus, Schonev., Ichtli. Slesv., Hols. (Hamburgi 1624), 
p. 30; Cottus cirris plurimis , cor pore octagono, Art., Gen., 
p. 49; Syn., p. 77; Spec., p. 87. 
Cottus cataphractus, Lin., Mas. Ad. Fried., I, p. 70; Syst. 
Nat., ed. X, tom. I, p. 264; Fn. Suec., ed. II, p. 115; Retz., 
Fn. Suec. Lin., p. 327; Faber, Fische Isl., p. 117; Nilss., 
(. Agonus ) Prodr. Ichtli. Scand., p. 95; Pall., ( Phalangistes ) 
Zoogr. Ross. As., vol. Ill, p. 113; Ke., ( Aspidophorus ) 
Damn. Fiske, vol. I, p. 143; Ekste. et Weight, SJcand. 
Fisk., ed. I, p. 167, tab. 40; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 
86; Gthr {Agonus), Cat. Brit. Mas., Fisli., vol. II, p. 211; 
Strp., Ltkn, {Aspidophorus), Vid. Medd. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 
1861, p. 277 ; Coll. {Agonus), Vid. Selsk. Forh. Chr. 1874, 
Tillseg'sh. p. 38; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 
1876, p. 27; Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fn., p. 406; Winth. , Zool. 
Dan., Fiske, p. 10, tab. II, fig. 6; Id., Naturh. Tidskr. 
Kbhvn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 11; Day, Fish. G:t Brit., Irel., 
vol. I, p. 67, tab. XXVIII, fig. 1 ; Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fisk., 
vol. I, p. 187; Mob., Hcke, Fisch. Osts., p. 51. 
Aspidophorus armatus, Lacep., Ilist. Nat. Poiss., tom. Ill, 
p. 222. 
Aspidophorus europceus, Cuv., Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. IV, 
p. 201. 
The Bearded Cottus attains about the same length 
as the preceding species, but the form of the body is 
both deeper and broader. The anterior part of the body 
is so strongly depressed that the breadth, measured 
across the insertion of the pectoral tins is 125 % of the 
depth 9 , which, at the same point, is somewhat less than 
1 / 7 of the length of the body. The dorsal line, which 
is highest at the occiput, slopes almost in a straight 
line from this point to the caudal tin. The ventral 
line is almost straight. The head is depressed, broader 
than the body, angularly rounded at the top and flat 
underneath; and in length measures somewhat more 
than V 5 of the length of the body. The breadth of 
the head across the gill-cover is about equal to its 
length. The forehead is flat and slopes evenly towards 
the snout, which is divided at the point, projects far 
in front of the mouth and, at the extreme point, is 
furnished with four spines or horns, the two anterior 
pointing forwards and the two posterior curved back- 
wards. In some specimens one or more of these spines 
are branched at the tip. The gape is small, semicir- 
cular or crescent-shaped, is situated on the lower side 
of the head, and is not directed upwards. The corner 
of the mouth ends below the anterior margin of the 
a From 31 to 33 iu the specimens of the Royal Museum. 
6 At least 32'2 % in the specimens of the Royal Museum. 
c Sometimes 5, according to LCtken. 
d 1 o 
?? x ^ 1 ?? n 
e All the rays simple, 3 or 4 supporting rays above, and 2 or 3 below the 7 middle rays. 
I According to Lilljeborg. In the specimens of the Royal Museum we have found 35 in one young specimen and from 37 to 39 
in older specimens. 
g In the preceding species (see the table) we have found the greatest depth of the body to be from 84 to 89 % of the greatest 
.breadth; in this species, on the other hand, this ratio varies between 67 and 74 /. 
