104 
MOTELLA. 
The definition of tliis genus by Cuvier is, — the anterior dorsal fin 
so low as to bo scarcely perceptible, which, standing alone, is at least 
as applicable to the very diffitrent genus Raniceps as to this. But the 
organ often represented as the first dorsal fin, iu this genus has no 
nearer title to the name of a fin than what arises from its situation 
at the anterior portion of the back, where its seat is in a chink, 
from whence it projects when the fish is in the water, but it lies 
almost hidden when the fish is dead. It does not possess rays, as do 
all the true fins of these fishes; but it is formed ot membrane, from 
the edge of which rises a thickly placed row of threads, the foremost 
of which is the stoutest and most prominent. When these fishes are 
alive in their native element, and resting, as they familiarly do, on 
the ground, with all their true fins at rest, this organ is in continued 
and rapid action; and its intimate structure shews that while it is 
destitute of any power of propulsion, or of regulating motion, it is 
well furnished with nerves which render it acutely sensible to impressions. 
This dorsal membrane is in fact supplied with a special nerve, which 
roaches it directly from the brain, and which also passes onward to 
the true dorsal flu. A branch of this nerve also goes to the pectoral 
and ventral fins, which are thus endued with particular powers of 
sensation, in addition to those of action, the last-named faculty being 
influenced into energy by branches of the intercostal nerves. The 
facial nerve also divides into four branches, one ol which passes to 
the back of the head and upper portion of the outside of the orbit; 
a second branch passes through the lower portion of the orbit, and 
also supplies the director muscles of the e3'e itself, whilst the other 
two are distributed- to what may be spoken o^' as the face. These 
observations have been obtained from examination of the Three-hearded 
Eockling, Motella vulparis or tricirrata, but it is probable that they are 
equally applicable to the other species of this family; and they tend 
to shew the exquisite provision which is made for the supply of organic 
sensibility to a family of small fishes, the lives of which arc for the 
most part passed in places where feeling is more important even than 
sight, as well for their safety as subsistence. The essential character 
of tlie genus Motella is, that with the other portions of structure of 
the gadoid family, they possess barbs on the upper and lower jaws, 
together with a ciliated membrane, which is seated iu a chink between 
the head and dorsal fin. 
