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 infusing 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 octagonal, and covered 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 scorpius, 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. The back is more elevated than that of the others of this genus; the belly is prominent; the side line rough, the rest of the body very smooth, and grows slender towards the tail. The colour of the body is brown, or dusky and white marbled, and sometimes is found also stained with red; the fins and tail are transparent, sometimes clouded, but the rays barred regularly with brown; the belly is of a silvery white. This species is very frequent in the Newfoundland seas, where it is called scuping; it is also as common on the coast of Greenland, in deep water near the flores. It is a principal food of the natives, and the soup made of it is said to be agreeable as well as wholesome.