348 
LEPTOCEPHALTJS. 
The head small, without barbs at the jaws; body lengthened, very 
tiiin, and so transparent that the inward parts may be easily distinguished. 
Gill openings a little cleft, not a mere aperture Vent not before 
the middle of the body; dorsal and anal fins joined to the tail, so 
as to form one iin. 
MORRIS. 
Leptoccpliahts Morrisii, Jenyns; Manual, p. 840. 
“ “ Yakkell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 409. 
This fish has obtained its name from the gentleman who 
was the first to make it known, and in part also as the 
Anglesea Morris, from the neighbourhood where the example 
was taken; but the earliest description and figures were so 
imperfect that they cannot be referred to as authority. Since, 
however, that special notice has been directed towards it by 
the repeated instances of its having been met with, it has 
been found to be scarcely rare round the whole extent of the 
British coasts, even to Caithness, where an example was 
obtained by Mr. Peach. Many have been found in Ireland 
and the south roast of England; and it is mentioned among 
the fish of the Cape of Good Hope by Dr. Paape; if indeed 
the species be the same; for Cuvier remarks that there are other 
sjiecies of this genus in more southern climates. On the coasts 
of France and the Mediterranean it is not uncommon; and 
with us is sometimes left by the tide in a pool on the shore. 
There is no doubt that its usual residence is in shallow water 
and rocky ground, but it also inhabits the deeper water, up 
through which it mounts, Avith no little danger to itself from 
the proAvling Avandcrers of the ocean, to AA'hich it seems a 
tempting morsel, and often falls a prey. An instance has been 
knoAA'n where the fish had already seized the hook, and when 
drawn on board, a Morri'A Avas found, loose and alive, in the 
