PLATE Xril. 
cf the North and Baltic seas, and according to Ginelin of the Pacific 
Ocean also. 
In different stages of growth the colours of this fish vary so ex- 
ceedingly as to be often mistaken for distinct species, and hence they 
have been called Pans, Billets and Coal fish. ^Vhen young there is 
a certain duskiness of colour about this fish, which becomes darker 
as they grow older, and when very large tlie back, nose, dorsal fins 
and tail sometimes become of a deep black. Under the pectoral fin 
is a black spot: the mouth also is of the same colour, and the tongue 
silvery. 
The young fry, according to Mr. Pennant, swarm about the 
Orkneys, and are the great support of the poor. They begin to 
appear on the Yorkshire coasts in vast shoals in the early part of July* 
and are then about an inch and an half in length. In August they 
are from three to five inches in length ; are then very abundant, and 
esteemed a delicacy. They grow very coarse after that time, and 
when from eight to fifteen inches in length few people will eat 
them ; at that time they arc about a twelvemonth old, and appear 
dusky about the back and gills. They are sometimes salted and 
dried for sale when taken of a larger size. 
The Linnsean charafter is perhaps too concise, though it may be 
correct ; Block thinks the blackness of the mouth and ftraight whits 
lateral line is sufficient to descriminate the species. 
This fifh is covered with very small oblong scales. It has three 
dorsal fins, in the first are fourteen rays, in the second eighteenf 
and in the third twenty ; in the pectoral fin eighteen: ventral five- 
