15 
FOUR-HORNED COTTUS. 
Oottus quad/ricornia, Liknjsus. Cuvier. Bloch; pi. 108. 
" '* Jenyns; Manual, p. 346. 
Yarebll; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 83. 
Cotta quatrecornis, Lacepede. Gunther ; Catalogue of 
Br. Museum, vol. ii, p. 166. 
This species is au inhabitant of the Baltic, and the Northern 
Ocean as far as Greenland; hut it is only of late that it is 
known to be a native of our own country. It was first observed 
as British by Dr. John Edward Grey, of the British Museum, 
who communicated the circumstance to Mr. Yarrell; and it has 
since been noticed on the coast of Scotland, where probably it 
is not raic. It appears to be an active fish, eager after prey, 
for which it lies in wait under the shelter of the sea-weeds; 
but its peculiar habits have been little studied. Lacepede 
says it enters rivers, but it does not appear to be abundant 
anywhere. 
In size it exceeds the Common Father-lasher and Bubalis, 
and is easily distinguished from either of them. The head is 
wide, flat, and, notwithstanding the tubercles or horns, smoother 
than m either of the above-named species. Jaws equal, and 
the gape not wide; teeth fine. Eyes moderately large, close 
to the top of the head, but with a flat space between them; 
the pair of nostrils on each side separate from each other. In 
front above the upper lip three tubercles placed triangularly. 
Behind the eyes two elevated tubercles, recurved, and a 
corresponding pair at the back of the head, having granulated 
tops. On the hinder portion of the gill-cover a sharp but not 
very prominent spine, pointing obliquely upward, and below 
it a shorter one directed backward; a third still lower, pointing 
downward. Body very wide over the back; belly much 
distended; behind the vent more slender, and especially so 
