Zoarces (zoarsez)

[NL. (Cuvier, 1829), also Zoarcæus, Zoarchus, and Zoarcus, compre ed body, tapering behind, heavy oblong head, a large mouth, strong conic teeth in several series, a long low dorsal fin some of the hinder rays of which are developed as sharp spines, broad pectoral fins, and jugular ventrals of three or four soft rays; the scales are small, not imbricated, but embedded in the skin. Another species, with an increased number of fin-rays and vertebræ, is Z. ( Mac rozoarces) anguillaris, known as mutton - fish and mother of eels, found from Labrador to the Middle States, 20 inches long, of a reddish-brown color mottled with olive, with a dark streak acro the cheek.