33 
The Streaked Gurnard was called by the older Naturalists 
Mullus Imborbis ; and no small reproach has been poured 
upon them on account of a name that is supposed to bear 
very little reference to the nature of the fish rcfercd to. But 
those laborious, and usually accurate observers may be more 
easily excused than a Naturalist of the closet might suppose. 
The Streaked Gurnard and Surmullet frequent the same 
haunts — feed on the same food — are taken in the same almost 
peculiar sort of Net, during the same limited season of the 
year; and when first drawn front the Sea the distinction 
between them is not very obvious, the longitudinal yellow 
lines of the Surmullet being concealed in the general bright 
and glowing colours, that fade as the creature dies ; and the 
barbs at the mouth lie concealed in a depression fitted to 
receive them : — we need not wonder therefore, taking also 
into consideration their general similarity of form, that one of 
these fishes was termed the Bearded, and the other the 
Unbearded Mullet. The Streaked Gurnard approaches to 
the nature of a foreign Speeies (T. Volitans) in its habit of 
making considerable springs out of the water. The generality 
of these Fishes spawn in Winter or early in the Spring; but I 
have known this function delayed until near Midsummer, and 
believe that sometimes they breed at both seasons, though not 
perhaps the same individual Fishes. 
BULLHEAD. Cottus Golm >. Jenyns, p. 343. Yarrell’s 
Br. F., vol. 1, p. 56. Miller’s Thumb. In brooks, com- 
mon. 
SEA SCORPION. C. Scorpius. Jenyns, p. 344. Yarrell’s 
Br. F., vol. 1, p. 60. Slingfisk. Common, chiefly in har- 
bours. 
STINGFISH. C. liubalis. Jenyns, p. 345. Yarrell’s Br. 
F., vol. V, p. 63. Common, but not usually distinguished 
from the last Species. It goes, however, into deeper water, 
and is more apt to vary in colour, being sometimes found of 
a bright scarlet. 
UOGGE. Aspidophnrus Catapliractus. Jenyns, p. 346. 
Yarn ll’s Br. F., vol. 1, p. 70. Black Stingfish. Not un- 
common. 
STICKLEBACKS. 
three spined stickleback, Gasterosteus A cu- 
featus. Jenyns, p. 348. Yarrell’s Br. F., vol. I, p. 76. 
Not uncommon, though not in abundance. It ascends our 
rivers in May. 
HALF ARMED STICKLEBACK. G. Semiarmatus. Yar- 
rell’s Br. F., vol. 1, p. 80. 
SMOOTH TAILED STICKLEBACK. G. Leiount .. 
Yarrell’s Iir, F., vol. 1, p. 81. 
