COTTUS, or BULL-HEAD, in ichthyology, a genus belonging to the order of thoracici. The head is broader than the body, and the gill-membrane has six rays. There are six species; the most remarkable are,
1. The gobio, or river-bull head, is very common in all our clear brooks: it lies almost always at the bottom, either on the gravel or under a stone: it deposits its spawn in a hole which it forms among the gravel, and quits it with great reluctance. It feeds on water insects. This fish seldom exceeds the length of three inches and an half: the head is large, broad, flat, and thin at its circumference, being well adapted for insinuating itself under stones: on the middle part of the covers of the gills is a small crooked spine turning inwards. The eyes are very small: the irides yellow: the body grows slender towards the tail, and is very smooth. The colour of this fish is as disagreeable as its form, being dusky, mixed with a dirty yellow; the belly is whitish. The taste, however, is excellent.
2. The cataphractus, armed bull-head, or pogge, is very common on most of the British coasts. It seldom exceeds five inches and an half in length; and even seldom arrives at that size. The head is large, bony, and very rugged: the end of the nose is armed with four short upright spines: on the throat are a number of short white beards: the body is octogonal, and co-
vered with a number of strong bony crusts, divided into several compartments, the ends of which project into a sharp point, and form several echinated lines along the back and sides from the head to the tail.
3. The scorpis, or father-lather, is not uncommon on the rocky coasts of this island; it lurks under stones, and will take a bait. It seldom exceeds 8 or 9 inches in length. The head is large, and has a most formidable appearance, being armed with vast spines, which it can oppose to any enemy that attacks it, by swelling out its cheeks and gill-covers to a large size. The nose and space contiguous to the eyes are furnished with short sharp spines; the covers of the gills are terminated by exceeding long ones, which are both strong and very sharp pointed. The mouth is large; the jaws covered with very small teeth; the roof of the mouth is furnished with a triangular spot of very minute teeth. This species is very frequent in the Newfoundland seas, where it is called scolding: it is also as common on the coast of Greenland, in deep water near the shore. It is a principal food of the natives, and the soup made of it is said to be agreeable as well as wholesome.