HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

LIBRARY

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY

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Library of
SAMUEL GARMAN

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A HISTORY

OF

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA.

BY

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE, M.A.

BEITISH CHAPLAIN.

ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF
ALL THE SPECIES.

BY

THE HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M. YOUNG.

1424 LOWE (R. T.). A History of the Fishes of Madeira.* 5 pts. in 1 vol.,
4to., all published, Large Paper, with 28 plates, nos. 1-16, 20, and 25
being coloured ; half morocco, gilt top, uncut ; very scarce 1843-60 4 4 0

Plates 17-19, 21-24, 26 and 27, were never issued in the coloured state, the
original drawings having been lost.

LONDON:
BERNARD QUARITCH, 15 PICCADILLY

1843-60. s
c

CONTENTS.

PLATE PAGE

INTRODUCTION v

ANATOMICAL PLA.TE xvi

I. JULIS TURCICA 1

II. HIPPOCAMPUS RAMULOSUS 5

III. CALLANTHIAS PAIIADTS^US 13

IV. ANTHIAS SACER 19

V. LAMPRLS LAUTA 2/

VI. ACANTHIDIUM PUSILLUM 37

VII. PHYCIS YARRELLII 43

VIII. BERYX SPLE.NDENS 47

IX. TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS 55

X. CORYPH^ENA EQUISETIS 67

XI. ECHENEIS VITTATA 77

XII. ZYG.ENA MALLEUS ?3

XIII. DIODON RETICUL.\TUS 87

XIV. PRISTIURUS MELANOSTOMUS 93

XV. MYLIOBATIS AQUILA 99

XVI. SCORP^NA SCROFA 105

XVII. SEBASTES KUHLII 115

XVIII. APLURUS SIMPLEX 121

XIX. TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS Wd

XX. PROMETHEUS ATLANTICUS 141

XXI. APOGON REX 149

XXII. MUGIL CORRUGATUS .. .. 155

XXIII. MUGIL AURATUS 1C3

XXIV. SEBASTES IMPERIALIS 1/1

XXV. SEBASTES MADERENSTS 177

XXVI. POLYPRION CERNIER 183

XXVII. PHYCIS .VIEDITERR.\NEUS 191

FISHES OF MADEIRA.

INTRODUCTION.

In the present state of systematic Ichthyology, and particularly in a
work which undertakes, for the first time, to register at intervals the na-
tural productions of a coast and ocean unexplored, it has appeared a re-
quisite precaution against the alterations or displacements likely to be
caused by fresh discoveries, to postpone, during the course of publication,
all attempts at method or arrangement to the end.

In most undertakings of this kind, the probability of such disturbance
is diminished by the more advanced state of knowledge generally on the
subject, or by the local observations and experience of others. Their
author either has immediate opportunities of appealing to the records of
his predecessors, and to the judgment of contemporaries ; or, by removal
from the field of his researches, he is effectually debarred all access to ad-
ditional materials derived from the spot.

The circumstances in the present case are different. Ichthyology,
viewed whether in its systematical arrangements, or as a simple register of
forms, is so comparatively iu its infancy, that almost every month produces
some addition to its lists, demanding fresh modifications of its groups and
families. The author has to pioneer his way alone, not only through a
region altogether new and unexplored in this department, but through
one which, peculiarly rich as it has proved already, he is confident is yet
far from exhausted, and which he is likely to continue to explore. He
will not therefore lay down the ground-work of his chart, or trace his line
of route definitively, so long as any opportunity remains for correcting its
bearings, or improving its direction.

There are, however, doubtless many persons whom this plan, without
some accompanying corrective to its disadvantages, would exclude from any
interest in the following pages ; and who might decline to step into a
labyrinth of forms and names, without some clue to guide them through
its seeming intricacies. For such, the following sketch of the present
state of systematic Ichthyology is offered ; which, if deficient or super-

VOL. I. B

VI INTRODUCTION.

fluous in the eyes of tlie experienced naturalist, Avill serve to give the
creneral ideas intended for the use of others, and to facilitate the reference
of the Madeiran fishes to their respective families or groups.

Be it assumed then, and merely on the quite sufficient principle, " Si
non rogas, intelligo,"'"' that it is known with somewhat more than popular,
though not with scientific accuracy, what constitutes distinctively a fish.
I mean, that although a person may not be able to give technically a
precise or abstract verbal definition of the tribe, he yet, by reference to
their vertical instead of horizontal tail, — their breathing water, instead
of air immediately, by means of gills, not lungs, — and to their generally
laying spawai or eggs, which they desert, instead of always bringing forth
their young alive and subsequently suckling them, — shall be able to dis-
tinguish any of the families of fishes from the mammiferous, phocaceous,
or cetaceous tribes of Seals, Whales, Dolphin, Grampus, Porpesse, Dugong,
Manati, &C. One door to error is thus closed. Again, and on the other
hand, he is supposed to knoAv that the presence of a vertebral or spinal
column, excludes a vast mass of other co-inhabitants of the water ; which
are primarily distinguished by the absence of this bone, and therefore
called the Invertehraia. Such are all Shell-fish, Lobsters, Crabs, Shrimps,
Mollusks, Cuttle-fish, Jelly-fish, Star-fish, AVorms, Polypi, &c.

There still remains a large residue of well-known striking animals, con-
sisting of the Sharks, the Skates or Rays, the Sturgeons, Lampreys, Sun-
fishes or Globe-fishes, and Pipe-fishes, blended with the true fishes ; of
which they form collateral and aberrant, or more or less anormal groups :
being externally, by form and habits, and internally, by structure and
organization, more nearly related to these, than to any other tribe of
animals. It must, however, be remembered, that they form of these, in
general, co-ordinate or collateral, not subordinate or essentially inferior
groups : the organization of some, e. g. the Sharks and Rays, tending
evidently towards the structure of the higher animals, through the class
of Reptiles ; whilst that of the Lampreys, on the other hand, approaches
downwards towards the Worms, i. e. towards the higher JNIollusks, or
Cephalopoda.

These groups then constitute, in scientific phraseology, the families
Sj/ngnathida, Pipe-fishes and Hippocampuses; Diodontido' and Balistida,
Sun-fishes, and File-fishes ; Sturionidtt, Sturgeons ; Sqiialidtr, Sharks ;
Raiid.T, Skates and Rays ; and Petromijzidfe, Lampreys. They are placed
by Cuvier at the end of the more obvious or true fishes. The two former
compose, respectively, the last two orders of the six into which he divides
his first series, or " Poissons ordinaires." The four latter arc united
together, under the name of Chondropterygiantt!, in allusion to their
common character of cartilaginous (/ovSpoc) instead of fibrous bones or

INTRODUCTION.

fin-rays ; forming what he considers as a secondary branch or scries closing
the great class of fishes.

The large majority remaining, cleared as it now is of most of its more
puzzling, ambiguous, or aberrant forms, may for convenience, and without
disturbing any very close affinities, as by the illustrious Cuvier, after Ray
and Artedi, be first divided into two great series : viz. the Acanthoptery-
gian and Malacopterygian fishes ; the first having pungent, or, at least,
inarticulated bony rays (uKavdai, spines,') at the fore part of the back
(dorsal) and belly (atial) fins, such as the Perch, Garoupa, John Dory,
Mackerel, Tunny, Red and Grey Mullet, &c. ; and the second or soft-
finned fishes, (/laXaKai, soft, and Trrepuyec, wings or Jins,) comprising
those in which all the rays are soft or flexible, and jointed or barred ;
such as the Cod, Haddock, Herring, Turbot, Flounder, Sole, &c. in-
habiting salt water ; and most fresh-water fishes, as the Carp, Gold-fish,
Salmon, Gudgeon, Trout, Pike, Eel, &c.

The principal subordinate groups, or families as they are called, into
which the first of these two main divisions has been next resolved, are
the following :

I. ACANTHOPTERYGIANS,

or, Spiny-Jinned Fishes.

Percido' : — The Perch tribe or family. AlloM'ing for all the dismem-
berments which seem requisite, this group will probably remain the most
extensive of the series, excepting the Scombridee. It is characterized bv
a greater or less degree of armour about the head, caused by the presence
of teeth or spines on the cheeks, and opercles (gill-covers) or their edges ;
and by two narrow bands of numerous close- set teeth on the sides (pa-
latines), and a heart-shaped plate of the same in front (on the vomer)
of the roof of the large mouth within, besides the ordinary ones on the
edges of both jaws, which are also generally numerous. If there are no
spines on the opercle, the pre-opercle is toothed at the edge ; or, vice
versa : if the pre-opercle is not toothed, there are spines on the opercle.

The shape of these fishes is usually oblong, compressed, neither very
deep nor much elongated ; their scales are generally harsh and rough to
the feel, or ciliate ; their colours brilliant ; red, brown, orange, and yellow
being the predominant tints. A few inhabit fresh water, but most the
sea. Their flesh is generally excellent, free from fat or oily qualities.

Examples : — Perch, Basse, Weever or Sting-fish of England ; Cherne,
Garoupa, &c. of Madeira.

MullidcE .-—The Red Mullet tribe.

A small well-marked group, which assuredly ought to be separated
from the Percidae ; from which they may be easily distinguished by their

B 2

VIH INTRODUCTION.

rounded thickened form, short cubic liead, and large deciduous smootli
scales covering the head, cheeks, and operclcs, which are all unarmed and
even. This latter character will prevent their being confounded with the
Triglidee ; to some of which,' viz. the true Gurnards (Trigla), they
bear in shape considerable resemblance. The mouth is feebly armed with
teeth on the Percidous plan. The branchial opening is very large.
There are two separate triangular, short, dorsal fins. Internally, their
cceca are numerous.

Examples : — The striped and plain Red Mullet ; the " Salmonete" of
Madeira ; and here, I think, also belongs a rare fish of hitherto doubtful
affinity, placed at the beginning of Percidce, near Apogon, by Cuvier and
Valenciennes, but to which genus its relation seems to be one rather of
analogy than of affinity, — the Ribaldo of Madeira, Pomalomus telescopus,
Risso. Its anatomy agrees perfectly with that of the Red Mullets, except
that it has a large, anteriorly emarginate, or bilobed air-bladder.

Berycida : — The Beryx or Alfbnsin tribe.

This is another small group, by Cuvier included amongst the Percidce^
which may be advantageously detached. They are characterized by an ex-
tremely short muzzle, large eyes, enormous mouth, well armed with broad
bands of minute teeth, the bones of the head prominent and rough, scales
very rough. The dorsal fin is single, high in front, and with only a
few striate, generally crowded spines. The ventral fins are anormal in the
number of their rays. Internally, the ceecal appendages are excessively
numerous, forming a dense bundle.

Examples: — The Alfonsins of Madeira {Beryx decadactylus, Cuv. and
B. splendens, nob.) ; Trachichthi/s pretiosus, nob. {Hoplostdhus mediter-
raneus, Val.) ; and Salmonete do alto {Polyviixia nobilis, nob.).

Sphyrayiida : — The Spet, Sea-pike, or Ban-acuda tribe.

This is another small group, requiring separation from the Percidtv ;
amongst which they are, however, much better placed by Cuvier than by
some of the older naturalists, who, mistaking certain resemblances of
analogy for real affinity, had formerly arranged these fishes near the common
Pike (Esox lucius^ L.). Their elongated slender form, and narrow
pointed muzzle, and long and formidable teeth, which led to this erroneous
association, will serve at once to distinguish them from most of their less
apparently near, but really close allies, the Perci'da;. A not less striking
character is the abdominal position of their ventral fins, considerably behind
the pectoral fins ; but this, perhaps, ought not to be considered of primary
importance, in order to admit Percophis, Cuv. The two dorsal fins are, in
at least the normal species, triangular and separate, as in the MuUidfr ;
the rays of the first being truly spinous. I'he scales are smooth and rather
soft. The pylortia is surrounded by numerous Cftca. The general tints

INTRODUCTION. IX

are silvery-lead. The head and opercles are plain ; not armed with spines
or teeth, as in Percida.

Examples : — The Spet of Languedoc, Luzzo or Lucio di mare of
the Italians ; Barracuda of the West Indies ; Bicuda of Madeira {Esox
sphi/raua, L.).

7Viglidt^: — The Gurnard tribe (Les Jones cuirassees, Cuv.) : latterl}^, by
Cuvier, separated from the Perches, with which they have most characters
in common, on account of the cuirass-like expansion of the bony plates
about their cheeks and head, giving them a peculiar physiognomy.

Examples : — The Gurnards, Piper, River Bullheads, Sticklebacks of
England ; and the Cabra, Carneiro, Requeime, &c. of Madeira.

Scicenidte: — The Maigre or Umbrina tribe.

This group, as at present constituted, is rather a subordinate series
of PercidfE than a truly distinct family ; differing in no respect but in
the absence of palatal teeth, and offering also, in parallel order, precisely
the same combinations of other characters. Even the cavernous structure
of the head-bones is neither universal nor peculiaro It is wanting in a
number of genera ; whilst it is present in other fishes placed in other
families : e. g. in Trachichthys, placed amongst Percidte, and Monocentris
in Triglida;, by Cuvier himself. The absence of palatal teeth is even less
to be relied on ; as is proved by the same illustrious ichthyologist having
been compelled to place amongst Percidfe, not Trachicht/iT/s only, in
which they are feeble or evanescent, but several other genera, in which
they are as completely wanting as in any of his Sciantda. These teeth
are also wanting in Sj/nanceia, placed amongst Triglida, in which they
are generally present.

But the great objection against keeping up this family in its present
form as hitherto defined, is, that it causes the separation of genera so
closely allied in other respects that they are scarcely distinguishable ; and
this, in deference only to a single artificial character, which is itself most
variable, and of very little value, either in itself, or as indicative of more
important differences of habit, food, or structure : a fact which might be
proved by instances innumerable. Thus Hamulon, Pristipoma, &c. are
separated far from their natural Percidous allies, Centropristis or Dules,
Therapo7i, Datnia, Pelates, and Helotes : whilst, as if to stamp more
strikingly the perfect futility of such a separation, founded on the presence
or absence of palatal teeth alone, the three latter genera of Percida have
absolutely none ; and in Therapon they are actually present or absent in
different individuals of the same species.

Several genera of small fishes, (Amphtprion, Premnas, Pomacentrus,
Dascyllus, Glyphisodon, Etroploji, and Heliastes,) placed by Cuvier at
the end of his Scianidce, and characterized by their short oval shape, scaly

X INTRODUCTION.

fins, and lateral line terminating at tlie end of the dorsal fin, in any case
belong rather to the Chtetodojitida.

Hence it is plain the Scianidae require entire re-modelling, both as to
characters and limits. And then it may be possible, as it is perhaps
desirable, to retain under a distinct family name at least some part of its
constituents ; such as its more genuine typical forms, Sciana, Otolithus,
Anci/lodon, Corvina, Umbrina, Pogonias, &c. which have the air-bladder
so curiously furnished with appendages, in addition to the cavernous struc-
ture of the head-bones, and the absence of palatal teeth : exemplified by
the Maigre and Umbrina of England. Of this restricted group, however,
there is no Madeiran example. The only three Madeiran fishes which are
referred to Scianida in its wider sense by Cuvier and Valenciennes, will
in the following pages be removed, one (Roncador) to Percida, the other
two (Castanheta baia and Ferreiro) to Chatodo7itida.

Sparid(E : — The Spare or Sea-bream tribe.

Once seen, not easily to be confounded afterwards with others, from their
peculiar physiognomy and habit. The form is considerably compressed, and
generally deep; the mouth small, often furnished with teeth in front
resembling the human, and round-headed grinders on the sides ; there are
none, however, on the palate; and both the opercles are unarmed, and with
entire edges. The lips are fleshy, and the suborbitaries form a plain broad
plate before the eyes. Their colours are generally silvery, with often
richly iridescent rosy tints. Most of them inhabit the more temperate
regions of the globe ; and their flesh, though not of first-rate excellence, is
generally good.

Examples: — The Gilthead, Braize, Sea- bream, in England; and Sargo,
Goraz, Pargo, Salema, &c. in Madeira.

Mcenidit : — The Picarel or Smaris tribe.

A small group of fishes, included formerly amongst the Sparidie, but
distinguished by the curiously protractile mouth, which, when opening,
suddenly extends into a tube ; as in the John Dory. Their form is more
slender and elongated, or less deep, than in most of the Sparidte ; and
their colours are still more brilliantly and richly iridescent.

Example: — Bocairao or Boqueirao of Madeira.

ChtEtodontida : — The Chsetodon or Flag-fish tribe.

An extensive group of chiefly tropical fishes, small in size, but remark-
able for the brilliancy, variety, and singular regularity of distribution of
their colouring. Their shape is oval, short, and generally deep ; always
considerably compressed. The mouth is small, the whole head scaly, usu-
ally unarmed. Their principal characteristic iy, however, the continuation
of the scales over tlie base of, at least, the soft part of the dorsal and
the anal fins, concealing more or less of the lower portions of tlieir rays.

INTRODUCTfON. XI

Hence the Ciivieran appellation of this family, " Les Squammipennos.''''
In many of these fishes, even in certain species of the genus Chatodon
itself, the lateral line, as in Glyphisodon and Heliastes, cannot be traced
beyond the termination of the dorsal fin.

Examples : — No English species. " Castanheta baia," and " C. ferreira"
of Madeira, placed by Cuvier and Valenciennes at the end of Scifenidce.

Passing over the nearly allied exotic family of Osphromenida,'^ we arrive
at a group rivalling, if not exceeding in extent, that even of the Perches : viz.

Scombrid/s : — The Mackerel tribe.

A well-known, and, within its proper limits, well-marked group, al-
though not easily defined, because dependent upon a combination of cha-
racters in various proportions ; not one of which, perhaps, but is occa-
sionally liable to aberration. The principal of these, however, are the
following. One of the most striking to the eye, and tolerably general, is a
peculiar smoothness or apparent nakedness of body, owing to the small ness
of the scales. The form is more or less elongated ; the caudal fin is gene-
rally furnished with a keel or cuirassed ridge on each side of its base ; it is
strong and well forked, ensuring vigour or rapidity of movement ; to which
the absence of all protuberances, spines, or teeth about the head and edges
of the opercles, joined with a peculiar compactness, simplicity, and closeness
of packing observable about the latter, much contributes. The second dorsal
fin is almost always elongated, generally high in front, and often separated
into detached portions (called spurious fins or finlets) behind. The first
dorsal fin is either short, or merely represented by a few short isolated
spines without connecting web ; sometimes it is entirely wanting. The
anal fin corresponds with the second dorsal, and, like it, either has two or
three detached free spines in front, or is separated into finlets behind.

The prevailing colour of these fishes is silvery-blue or steely, varied
with different iridescent tints. Their flesh is much employed for food, but
is generally somewhat dry and fibrous. Many of the species are gregarious ;
and almost all are endowed with great locomotive energies.

Examples : — Mackerel, Tunny, Sword-fish, Scabbard-fish, Pilot-fish,
Scad or Horse-mackerel, &c. of England ; Cavalla, Atum, Agulha, Espada,
Tronbeta, Anchova, Chicharro, &c. of Madeira.

From these, the genus Zeus (John Dory) may be separated ; typifying
a family, Zenida, of which one striking character is a tendency to the
developement of dermal bony plates, analogously to the mailed Silurida,

* The celebrated Goramy tribe (" Pharyngiens Labyrinthiformes," Cuv.) ; in form and outward
characters closely resembling the ChcBtodonlida, but differing in a curious internal apparatus con-
nected with the gills ; which is supposed, by fulfilling the office of a reservoir to these organs, to
account for some remarkable peculiarities of habit in certain of these fishes ; enabling them to leave
the water, and to stray so far sometimes from its vicinity, that in India, as Cuvier relates, they are
imagined to have fallen from the sky.

B 4

INTRODUCTION.

to tlic Sturgeons, and to certain Sharks and Rays, The singular genus
Oreosoma, Cuv. seems also truly of this family. But of the other genera
which have been commonly associated with Zeus, Capros, Lac. (the Boar-
fish or Tem-te-em-pe of Madeira), is far more properly related, through
E7wplosus, Lac. to the Percidct ; if it be not, indeed, ratlier the type of
another distinct family, Caprida: and Equula, Cuv. should certainly be
placed in MxnidcE, next to Gerres^ Cuv. ; whilst Lampris, Retz. and
Mene, Lac. belong to the Cori/phanida, another group, which ought to be
detached from the Scombrida, and of which the Dolphin or Dorado of
sailors {Coryphana, L.) is the type. These differ from the genuine Scom-
bridte in their greater or more conspicuous scaliness of body, and single
elongated dorsal fin ; the spines of whicli are either flexible and feeble,
though not jointed as in the true Malacopterygians, or else are short and
inconspicuous. The front or profile is peculiarly short, abrupt, and steep ;
the eye placed low, giving a certain obliquity of aspect. The sides of the
tail are generally neither keeled nor cuirassed ; there are no spurious finlets
at the hinder end, and generally no free spines at the front of the dorsal
or the anal fin. The genera wdiich may be thus associated are Cori/phaiia,
Lampiigiis, Pompilus, {Centrolophus, Lac.) Seserinus, Stromateus, Pe-
prilus, Cuv. {Rhombus, Lac. and Val.) Lampris, Mene, Brama, Bl. (a
genus of long doubtful and perplexed aflnnity, placed by Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes at the end of Chatodontid^), Pteraclis, Asteroderma {Diana,
Risso), Luvarus (Ausoma, Risso) ; and perhaps Apolectus and Ktirtus.

Examples : — The Black-fish and Ray's Bream of England ; the Dou-
rados, Delfim, Leiro or Liro,* and Freira,-]- of Madeira,

Passing again over the tribe of the Riband-shaped fishes, {Tanioida;)
of which there is no genuine Madeiran representative, and the equally ex-
otic fimiily of " Les Theutyes" (Teuthida) of Cuvier, we come to the

Mugilidee : — The Grey Mullet tribe ;

Characterized by their thick, almost cylindric form, large scales, ventral
fins placed somewhat behind the pectoral, and very peculiar mouth or lips.
They are fishes of remarkably active powers, and their flesh is universally
esteemed. The Grey Mullet of England, and Tainha of Madeira, are ex-
amples. The species are all extremely alike, requiring much attention for
their discrimination.

The Atherinc or Sand-smelt of Southampton, Guelro of Madeira, " Le
Pretre" of the French, and other species of the genus Atherina, may
probably be regarded as the types of a distinct family, Atherinida, rather
than associated with the true Mugilidee.

Blennida : — The Blcnny or Goby tribe {Leis Gobioides, Cuv.).

A rather extensive family of small fishes, inhabiting generally rocky shores,
or pools left by the tide amongst the rocks ; characterized by their usually

* Pompilus or Leirus Bennettii, nob. {Centroloplms ovatus .and crassus, Cuv. and Val.)

t Brama Bait, Cuv. and Val. This seems to be its proper place ; near Pompilus or Centruhiphus.

INTRODUCTION.

smooth naked slimy bodies, and tlie Aveakness of tlieir dorsal-fin spines.
JMost of tliem have various small appendages about the head, in the shape
of little feelers, filaments, or crests ; and are of dark or dull colours. Some
have the ventral fins curiously united, so as to form a hollow cup resem-
bling a limpet-shell (Patella) ; and more have them reduced to two or
three thick fleshy rays, scarcely connected by a web.

Examples : — The Blennies, Gobies, Dragonets, in England ; Cabozes,
and Peixe Frades, in Madeira.

Of the very singular Lophidae (Pectorales pediculees, Cuv.) or Fishing-
frog tribe, at once distinguished by their pedicellate or stalked pectoral
fins resembling hands, a single example only has occurred in Madeira, which
constitutes a new species in the tropical genus Chironectes. In the market
in Lisbon I have seen the curious fish (Lophius piscatorius, L.) in the
greatest abundance of all sizes ; but it is not known in Madeira.

Lahrida : — The Wrasse or Labrid tribe.

Another very distinct and tolerably extensive group in species, of gene-
rally small-sized shore or rock fishes ; characterized by the singular variety
and beauty of their colouring, small mouth, thick lips, projecting canine or
tusklike teeth, oblong scaly body, and lengthened dorsal fin, which runs
evenly along the back, and has the spines strong, and furnished with short
fleshy filaments or appendages at their tips.

Examples : — The Wrasses or Old Wives ; Peixe Verdes, Trutas, Peixe
Cao, Bodiao, Papagayo, &c. of Madeira.

Fistularid(B : — The Trumpet-fish or Sea-snipe tribe.

This small but very distinct family terminates the series of Acantho-
pterygian or Spine-finned fishes. It is at once known by the prolongation
of its jaws or snout into a long straight slender bony tube, like a snipe's
beak, but with an orifice at the end.

Examples : — The Trumpet-fish, Sea-snipe or Bellows-fish ; Becasses de
mer of the French ; Soffietta of Italy.

II. MALACOPTERYGIANS.

The second series of the true fishes, called Malacopterygians or Soft-finned,
are distributed by Cuvier into three groups or orders. Abdominal, Pectoral,
and Apodal, from the position or the absence of the ventral fins.

1. In the first of these, the Abdominal, the ventral fins are placed conspi-
cuously behind the pectoral fins ; as in the Carp, Gold-fish, Trout, Salmon,
Pike, Herring, &c. Arenque, Sardinha, Lagarto of Madeira. It contains
five principal families, embracing most of the fresh-water well-known fishes
of Europe.

Cyprinida : — The Carp tribe or family.

This well-known tribe can scarcely require definition. The mouth is

INTKODUCTION.

small, jaws feeble, generally entirely without teetli ; the branchial rays not
numerous. Their body is scaly, generally somewhat slimy. They all in-
habit fresh water, and feed chiefly upon vegetable substances or small mud
insects, worms, &c.

Examples : — Carp, Gold-fish, Tench, Gudgeon, Barbel, Bream, Roach,
Dace, Chub, Blealc, Minnow, Loach, &c. No Madeiran species, except
the half-naturalized Gold-fish.

Esocidtz : — The Pike tribe.

Mouth or at least gape very large and long, well armed with often long
and formidable teeth. Their body elongated, generally slender, covered
with scales. Voracious fishes, fierce in their habits, and swift of motion,
inhabiting the sea and fresh w^ater.

Examples: — The Pike, Garfish or Sea-pike, Saury, Flying-fish, &c.
Aculha and Avoador of Madeira.

Omitting the Silurida;, a family of naked eel-like or curiously cuirassed
fresh-water fishes, of which the Saluth of Switzerland, Wels or Scheid of
Germany, a doubtful native of Britain, is an example, we arrive at the well-
known family of the

Salmonida; : — The Salmon tribe.

According to Cuvier, neatly or concisely characterized by the small rudi-
mentary rayless fatty (adipose) second dorsal fin. The body is elongated
and scaly ; the mouth is large, well armed with teeth, which are found even
on the tongue. They inhabit both the sea and fresh water ; many of the
species living indifferently in either for a portion of the year.

Examples: — Salmon, Trout, Char, Smelt, &c. and the Lagartos of
Madeira.

Clupeida : — The Herring tribe.

Distinguished from the Salmonida somewhat artificially by Cuvier, on
account merely of the absence of an adipose second dorsal fin. This cha-
racter ought probably to be employed less absolutely in regard to both these
families, which seem to require considerable remodelling. The edge of the
belly is generally keeled, and serrate like a saw. The mouth is small, and
feebly armed with minute teeth.

Examples: — Herring, Pilchard, Sprat, Whitebait, Shad, Anchovy, &c.
and Arenque, Sardinha, of Madeira.

2. The second order of the Malacopterygious or Soft-finned fishes is
characterized by the forward position of the ventral fins upon the throat,
before or beneath the pectoral fins or branchial (gill) openings ; hence
called Subbracliian or Pectoral Malacopterygians. It contains the large
and important family of the

Gadidre : — The Cod-fish tribe.

The bodv is elongated, and covered Avith rather soft small scales, the

INTRODUCTION. XV

head being large and naked ; the fins peculiarly soft and fatty, generally
two or three in number, or one extending all along the back. The mouth
or gape is large and wide ; the teeth small. Their flesh is tender, white,
and delicate, affording an abundant aliment to man. Except the Burbot
or Birdbolt {Lota vulgaris^ Cuv. Gadus Lota, L.), all are inhabitants
of the sea, and chiefly abound in the cold or temperate regions of the
globe.

Examples : — Cod, Haddock, Whiting, Hake, Ling, Burbot, Torsk, &c.
and in Madeira the Abrotea, Pescada, Praga, &c.

Pleuronectida : — The Sole or Flat-fish tribe.

Universally known by their singular flattening on one side ; by which
the eye, and bones of the mouth and head, are, as it were, squeezed up
or over to the other side. Hence the tail or caudal fin is not really, but
only apparently horizontal, from the habitual posture of the fish on one
side, (^Xgy^a, the side, and vrjKr^g, a swimmer,) which is the plain un-
coloured one ; forming no real exception to its characteristic vertical con-
dition in the fishes.

Examples : — Flounder, Plaice, Sole, Turbot, Holibut, &c. Sola of
Madeira.

CyclopteridfE : — The Sucking-fish tribe.

A small family of singular fishes, analogous* to the spiny-finned Go-
bida: ; having the same naked sliniy skin, and the ventral fins united into
a curious disk or sucker underneath the belly, by which they adhere
strongly to other bodies.

Examples : — The Lump-sucker or Cock-paddle of Scotland ; Chupa-
saugue of Madeira.

Echeneidee : — The Remora tribe.

This family consists, at present, only of a single genus, which refuses to
be classed with any other, and is characterized by the disk affixed to the
top of the head, by wdiich these curious fishes adhere to others for the most
part of considerable size and locomotive energies. To these their pa-
rasitic habits they are indebted chiefly for their own transference fi-om
place to place ; being themselves endowed with feeble or awkward swim-
ming powers.

The body is elongated, clothed with minute or inconspicuous scales, and
slimy. The head is flattened ; mouth large, well-armed with copious but
small teeth. The colours are dark, and generally uniform.

Examples : — The supposed Remora of the ancients ; the Pegadores
of Madeira.

* Perliaps the relation is one of affinity, and much closer. At least, Lqmdogaster might well be
united with the Gobidce.

XVI INTRODUCTION.

(3.) The third and last order of the soft-finned fishes, which also closes
the whole series, is characterized by the absence altogether of the ventral
fins. Hence it is called Apodal (from a, without^ and 'jrovg, Tfohog,
a foot). It scarcely contains more than a single family, the

MuranidtE : — or Eel tribe.

Well known by their elongated snake-like form, ; smooth, slippery, and
slimy skin, in which the minute scales are so imbedded as to be imper-
ceptible till dried.

Examples : — Eel, Conger-eel, Mursena, Morris, Sand-eel, and Sand-
launce of England ; Eiro, Congro, Moreia, &c. of Madeira.

• Funchal, Madeira, April 25th, 1839.

Explanation of the Plate illustrative of the Anatomy and Osteology of Fishes. N. B. — The
figures I. and II. are of the common Perch, after MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes : figures IV. and V.
are taken from an individual of Beryx decadacii/lus, Cuv. The numbers and letters of reference,
for the most part, correspond with those used by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes in the first
volume of the Histoire des Poissons, and in their accompanying anatomical plates.

No. Fig. I.

17. Intermaxillary.

18. Maxillary.

19. First suborbitary.
30. Pre-opercle.

33. Inter-opercle.
28. Opercle.
32. Sub- opercle.

46. Superscapulary.

47. Scapulary.

48. Humeral.

51. Cubital.

52. Radial.

53. Carpal.

43. Branchial or branchiostegous rays.

67. Last abdominal vertebra.

68. First two caudal vertebrae.*
74. Interspinals.

Figs. II. and V.

A. jEsophagus.

B. Stomach.

C. Pylorus.

D. Caica.

E. Intestine.

F. Branchial arches.
N. Gall-bladder.

Fig. III.

No.

61. Vomer.

22. Palatines.

d. Dorsal fin.
a. Anal — .
p. Pectoral -^.
V. Ventral — .
c. Caudal — .

Fig. IV.

No.

56. Lower pharyngeal plates.

62. Upper .

* In the common Perch, according to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, there are forty-two ver-
tebra;, viz. twenty-one abdominal, and twenty-one caudal.

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A CA NTHOPTER YGII. LA BlilD.E.

TAB. I.

JULIS TURCICA, Risso, Var. a. Nob.

Peixe verde.

Blue-collared Green-fish or Swallow-tailed Wrasse.

Char. Gen.

Corpus oblongiim ; capite operculisque integris inermibus, nudis. Linea lateralis postice abrupte
defleja.

Ohs. — Pisces parvi, littorales s. nipestres, coloribus pulcherrimis variantes, vix edules.

Char. Spec.

J. ovali-oblonga : corpore viridi, lituris rufis creberrimis perpendiculate seriatis torqueque humerali
ccenilea viridive rubro fere margiiiata distincto : capite lateritio, fasciis ccenileis rivulosis anastomo-
santibus picto : pinnis pectoralibus apice nigricantibus ; dorsali antice miniato notata analiqiie
purpureo fasciatis, basi vaginato-squamatis ; caudali forcipata, lobis productis, purpurco vittatis :
operculo postice biangulato ; squamis magnis.

2 y. 3 4. VI.
D. 8 + 13 ; A. 3 + 11 ; p. 2 + 13 ; V. I + 5 ; C- ^

2 V. 3 + VI.

M. B. 6 ; Squamaj lineae lateralis 28 ; VertebrcE 9 abdominales -\- \6 caudales =^ 25.
J. turcica (Risso), Cuv. R. Anim. Ed. 2''^. ii. 258.

J. pavo, Cuv. et Val. {Labrus pavo, Hasselq. ; L. syriacus, Bl. ; L. lichrmus, Risso, Ichthycl.) Hist.
XIII. 377, partim.*

LahrusjMvo, Linn. Syst. Ed. 12'°^ I. 474. n". 8, partim.
Var. a. torqiiata : corpora efasciato, s. toto rufo liturato.

J. turcica, Risso, Hist. Nat. iii. 312. n". 212. f. 21.

J. pavo, Cuv. et Val. 1. c. t. 386.

Lahrus lunaris vel Peixe verde, Sol. MSS. cum icone : (excl. var.)

Tab. nost. 1.

Vulgaris.
Var. /3. Icmniscata : lateribus viridi fasciatis ; fasciis perpendiculatis, angustis.

Rariss.

Longitudo, G-7 pollicaris, a;quat altitudini quater multiplicatai ^ 4 X alt.
Tempus, per totum annum.
Locus, littoralis, rupestris.

* This species is here understood in a narrower sense than by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, who
appear to have included in it one distinct fish at least, J. uniniaculata, nob. ; and have not clearly
separated the varieties. The name Julis pavo must, at any rate, give way before the prior claim of
that affixed by Risso, and adopted by Cuvier in tlie Regne Animal, for the commonest or tj-pical
variety. The synonyms of Hasselquist and others are excluded from all competition ; the fish not
being now included in the genus Lubrus, and the question of precedence being limited by the generic
name. Lahrus pavo, L. is a mixture of the present fish with the already confused "" Labnis pulchre
varius," &c. of Artedi : itself become a medley in his Synonymia, of Willugliby's " Turdus perbelle
pictus" ( Lahrus miitus, Cuv. et Val.), and of Salviani's "Pavo" (Crenilahrus pavo, Cuv. et Val.).
Solander's " Vmietiis : cum macula nigra in medio prope basin pinnse dorsalis" is Julis unimacukita,
nob.

,.^r . * B 7

2 LABRID.E.

The Labricl tribe, or family, forms a conspicuous and well-marked
group of fishes. The points which constitute their family resemblance
are a generally oblong, not deep, form of body, furnished with rather large,
but smooth and slimy scales; thick fleshy lips; teeth generally conical,
projecting, tusk-like ; small, unarmed head ; and a single, long and even,
dorsal and anal fin, the spines of which are generally tipped with a fleshy
filament. Internally, the pylorus is usually unfurnished with caeca, or
has only two very small ones ; and the air-bladder, although large, is
simple. To these distinctions may be added a brilliancy and variety of
colouring almost unrivalled.

The species of this family, indeed, might not be inaptly styled, the Hum-
ming-Birds of ocean. A general uniformity of habit, form, and structure,
is compensated by an endless diversity and brilliancy of colour; vying in
richness, harmony, and brightness with those "jewels of the air,'"" as the
members of the feathered tribe just mentioned have been poetically called;
and combining the dazzling brilliancy of the sapphire or turquoise, ruby or
coral, topaz, amethyst and emerald, with the pure harmony and blending
softness of the rainbow.

These remote analogies between collective tribes, or individual species
of one department of the organized creation and another, are highly
curious and interesting. They are not mere flights of fancy or imagina-
tion ; but, like those mysterious harmonic sympathies in music or acous-
tics, which engage the soul whilst they enchant the sense, hint to us, as it
were, from every side, the master-chord of one Great Centre of creative
influence, which stirs, and sways, and rules, like consentaneous vibrations
through the whole range of nature ; and speak, as from one part of the
creation to another, of Him who worketh all in all.

The present species, striking as it is in beauty, seems to have been unknown to
all the older ichthyologists : though it may possibly be alluded to collectively
with others, in the following line, taken from the elegant little fragment usually
attributed to Ovid,

" Turn viridis squamis parvo Saxatilis ore."

Halieut. 109.

It is, indeed, a native generally of the Mediten-anean in one or other of its
forms ; though Risso is the only modern writer who has given a distinct original
description of the precise variety here figured, from individuals inhabiting the sea
of Nice. In this its normal state it is, however, in Madeira only less common
than a very similar and cognate species, liable to be confounded with it (/. uni-
maculata, nob.*) which absolutely swamis in shoals, close off the rocky shores

* J. unimaculaia, nob.

J. subgrdcilis, elliptica, utrinque subattenuata : corporc fulvo-castanco, virescente, lituris rufis cre-
bt'iTimis peipendiciilate seiiatis, fasciaque loiigitudiiiali media diffusa obscura ab ocubs utrinque ducta ;
(U)rso ad mediaui liasin pinuiu dorsabs uniniaiulato : tapitc lateritio, fasciis cocruleis rividosis ana-
htimiosaiitibus picto : piiinis pi-etoralibuis apite nigiitantilius ; dorsali aiian(iin' piirpiircn-l'asiiatis, basi

JULIS TURCICA. 3

and headlands of the southern coast. It does not owe its peculiarity of colour to
the seasons ; for I have notes of individuals taken during all, both in association
with the other variety and with /. unimaculata.

The food of all these fishes seems to be the smaller Shell-fish, Crustacea, and
Mollusks. Like their associate, J. unimaculata^ they are captured with the
greatest ease ; biting as quickly and as greedily as Perch or Gudgeons at a hook,
which their narrow mouth or gape requires to be small, baited with a crushed
periwinkle (^Littorina vulgaris, Fer; Trochus edulis, nob. or Tr. maderensis, nob.)
They are not usually themselves employed as food : but their beauty and variety
of colouring render their capture an amusement of some interest.

The general form of J. turcica is compressed, more oblong than elliptic, and
deeper than usual in the genus ; the depth, which is greatest in the middle, being
one-fourth of the entire length to the tips of the forks of the caudal fin : in this
particular it approaches the Crenilabri. The greatest breadth or thickness is less
than half the depth. The head is pointed; the curvature of the profile down-
wards, from the origin of the dorsal fin, is regular and gradual ; and it is equal
and symmetric with that of the throat upwards, from the base of the ventral fins.
The length of the head, from the tip of the closed jaws to the extreme hinder angle
of the opercle, is equal to the gi'eatest depth of the body : its height, in a vertical
line passing through the centre of the pupil, is equal to three-fifths of its length.
The eye is round and rather small ; its diameter is contained five and a half times
in the length of the head. It is placed high up the cheeks, at the distance of half
its own diameter from the top of the head, and that of two diameters from the
outline of the throat below : whilst the distance from its anterior canthus to the
tip of the muzzle is something less than twice its own diameter. The nostrils are
two small simple holes, placed one before the other, in a line from the upper edge
of the eye to the tip of the muzzle : the foremost being halfway. There are no
prominent bones, ridges, or sculpture of any sort, about the head or cheeks, which
are quite plain and flat ; and the line of the pre-opercle itself is scarcely visible ;
the whole being covered with a perfectly smooth and even skin, free both from
scales and pores. The opercle ends posteriorly in two salient membranous flat
points or angles, separated by a sinus : the lower is the most prominent, con'e-
sponding with the upper axil of the pectoral fin.

The mouth and gape are small, the latter reaching only halfway backwards
towards the eye. The lips are fleshy and distinct.

In either jaw is an outer row of from eighteen to twenty conic pointed teeth,
increasing in size forwards ; the front pair largest and approximate : all pointing
forwards, but more and more projecting towards the front, where they are also
doubled by an internal row of five or six smaller ones. There is no large tooth, or
tusk, at the corners of the mouth behind, in this species. The teeth are often
very irregular, from loss or accident, in old or adult individuals.

The whole body is extremely viscous or slimy, and covered with large smooth
scales, overlapping or sheathhig the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and running
up between the outer rays only of the caudal fin. When dry, their exposed part
appears finely and regularly striate longitudinally in parallel lines. The lateral

vaginato-squamatis ; caiidali lunata, lobis abbreviatis, purpureo vittatis : operculo postice biangulato :
squamis magiiis.

D. 8 -f- 1 3, &c. ut in J. turcica.

a. tceniata : lateribus viridi-fasciatis : f'asciis perpendiculatis, angustis.

Vulgatiss.

jS. litieolula : f'asciis nullis.

Rariss.

4 LABRID^.

line follows at first the curvature of the back ; rising a little at its origin, and
keeping near the dorsal line, high up the sides. After descending again at the end
of the dorsal fin, it makes an abrupt flexure or elbow, and is continued from this
angle in a straight line along the middle. It is rather obscure throughout its
whole course ; appearing formed by raised adpressed spine-like points upon the
scales.

The dorsal fin begins in a vertical line above the upper axil of the pectoral fins
or point of the opercle, and continues, gradually and regularly becoming rather
broader, to within a short distance of the base of the caudal fin. Its whole extent
equals about half the length of the entire fish ; and its height is about one quarter
of the depth of the body.

The anal fin commences about the middle point of the body, not reckoning the
caudal fin ; or opposite the end of the first third part of the length of the dorsal
fin ; to which in shape and breadth and termination it exactly corresponds. The
last ray of each is also forked to the base.

Pectoral fins ovate, rather large and broad, obtuse. Ventral fins ovate, sub-
triangular ; placed beneath, but a little before the pectoral fins ; small, free, and
without any pointed scale either at their upper (outer) or inferior (inner) axil.

Caudal fin with the outer rays both above and beneath produced into two
slender, almost filamentous points : the intermediate portion slightly convex in the
middle. The upper fork is the longest.

The general colour of the body in a fine-conditioned state of this variety, such
as that here figured, of Peixe verde, is the brightest grass-green, resplendent as it
were with gold and emeralds ; and each of the scales, except upon the collar, which
is plain, is marked with a vertical oblong spot, dash, or stain, of dull red, forming
regular and close-set rows or lines from the back down to the belly, which is
bluish, or occasionally deep blue, and unspotted. A broad obliquely disposed
collar of the richest turquoise-blue surrounds the shoulders just behind the pectoral
fins ; bordered, especially behind, with a secondary band or collar of most brilliant
coral-red, the hinder edge of which in finely coloured individuals, melts through
the richest hues of orange, yellow, and citron, into the prevailing golden-green tint
of the body. Another plain but always narrow stripe of brilliant blue or green
rises from the fore-axil of the pectoral fins ; I'unning immediately behind the edge
or border of the opercle, and ascending towards, but not attaining the nape, which
is of a fuller and plainer gi-een than the rest of the body : the spots upon its scales
becoming, like the stripe just mentioned upwards, more or less evanescent. The
head is most beautifully banded with deep turquoise-blue, waved or zigzag, naiTow
stripes, which cross or interlace in different directions, on a dull red ground of
varying intensity suffused with brighter pink. The same deep blue colours the
base and edges of the dorsal and anal fins, tinges the iris, lips, throat, belly, and
ventral fins ; and is the prevailing colour of the caudal fin : but sometimes all
these parts except the caudal fin are emerald-green ; and, indeed, generally the
first ray and edge of the fore part of the dorsal fin in front of its red stain or patch
are green. The dull red ground-colour of the head is heightened on its sides into a
deeper suffused patch or band, extending from the eye over the opercle to the fore-
axil of the pectoral fins, but not perceptible beyond. The iris is either green or
blue, with the inner and sometimes outer edges orange, red, or golden. A broad
band of rich violet or dark purple runs along the middle of the dorsal, anal, and
forks of the caudal fins : beginning in front of the dorsal in a clear bright coral-red
stain, spot, or patch, not very well defined, and spreading more or less over the web
of its two or three first rays ; but not extending backwarder than the blue })art
of the collar, al>ovc which, rather than over the red part of the same, it principally
lies. This patch is always of a full and brilliant tint. The outer edges, and the

JULIS TURCICA. 4*

whole middle of the caudal fin, both rays and web, are blue. The pectoral fins
are pellucid, black at the tip, not as described by Risso, at the base ; which has a
transverse stain or ill-defined band of blue or green, above a somewhat more dis-
tinct one on its fleshy part or pedicle of orange or dull red.

In other and more ordinary individuals, the red band behind the blue collar on
the shoulders is dull or lateritious red, like the ground-colour of the head ; and
unaccompanied by any yellow on its hinder edge : and the bands of the dorsal,
anal, and forks of the caudal fin are lateritious also. The collar varies much in
breadth, and is even sometimes green ; but still becoming bluish towards the
belly. Other slight differences occur, especially in the brightness of the tints : but
in no case can the pencil give a proper notion of their brilliancy and splendour.

The variety j3 is taken very rarely, but in association indiscriminately with o :
from which it only differs in having the sides banded vertically, more or less dis-
tinctly, with four or five narrow distant plain green stripes, caused by the absence
of the dashes on the scales. The first of these bands, when there are five, is
close behind the blue or green and red collar ; in front of which is also the usual
narrow blue or green stripe rising towards the nape from the axil of the pectoral
fins, and forming in this case with the collar, which is generally not wider than
the bands behind it, a seventh vertical stripe or band. The last of these is at
the hinder end of the dorsal fin.

A single individual has occurred of both varieties, in which the collar was
entirely wanting : yet had they all the other proper characteristic marks of
/. turcica ; viz. the more oblong shape, the more produced lobes of the caudal fin,
and the bright red spot at the origin of the dorsal fin ; being also without the
dusky spot in the middle of the dorsal fin : whilst with /. nnimaculata they
agreed only in this absence of a collar ; one of them alone indicating a nearer
approximation to the same in the barely traceable approach, by a heightening of
the tile-red dashes on the scales, to a darker longitudinal stripe along the middle
of the sides ; the five vertical bands of which, however, were but faintly percepti-
ble. In the other there was neither stripe nor bands. Here, therefore, is no
more of ambiguity than might reasonably be expected to occur between two closely
allied species, similar in size and habits, and mingling promiscuously in shoals ;
amongst which accidental hybrids must continually arise. I do not think that the
rare and occasional existence of such individuals at all invalidates the specific
difference of J. turcica and /. unimacidata ; but the contrary.

It may be worth remarking, that whilst, as it is well known, in the rain-
bow or prismatic spectrum, the sequence of the three pure or unmixed
colours is Blue, Yellow, Red, their order in the collar of this fish is Blue,
Red, Yellow.

The fissure is the size of life.

t^

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h

LOPHOBRANCHIJE. SYNGNATHIDJE.

TAB. II.

HIPPOCAMPUS RAMULOSUS, Leach.

Cavallo marinho.

The Stag-Horned Horse-fish or Hippocampus.

Char. Gen.

Corpus compressum, cauda abrupte altius, catapliractum, scutato-areolatum, costato-cancellatum ;
angulis tuberculatis. Cavda distincta, incurva ; apice simplici, nuda. Caput abrupte deflexum.
Pinna veutrolis cattdalisque nulla.

Obs. — Pisces minores, aspectu monstroso, mirifico ; capite cum corpore caput cum cervice equinum
referente ; indole pigriore, tardi ; segre libere natantes, sed ima petentes, cauda prehensili capiteque
inter algas zoophytasque rupesque scandentes.

Char. Spec.

H. livido-cameus, scaber : nucha dorsoque caudaque duplici serie frondoso-jubatis : corporis angulis
jateralibus palmato-frondiferis : capite frondibus magnis, distinctis ornato ; duobus superciliaribus,
occipitalibusque duobus ; uno frontali, unoque temporali utrinque : rostro brevi, utrinque frondoso-
ciliato.

D.-17; A. 4; P. 15.

H. ramulostis. Leach, Zool. Misc. I. 105. t. 47. — Syn. Mad. Fishes, in Trans. Zool. Soc. p. 192.

H. rosaceus, Risso, Hist. iii. 184. no. 68 ?

Longit. (exempli unici)=5 poll.=5xlongit. capitis.
Tempiis, autumno (Augusto).
Locus, prope littus, saxosis. rariss.

The singular little animals wliicli constitute the genus Hippocampus
have long attracted the attention of the curious. In the Mediterranean
they seem not to he uncommon ; and, retaining by simple drying all the
character and form of life, most Neapolitan collections include an individual
of one or other of the species, resembling more some artificial whim of inge-
nuity or trick than a real natural production. Indeed, even in the eyes of
the experienced ichthyologist, they bear little external likeness to the tribe
of fishes ; with which, by internal anatomy and real structure, they are,
however, properly associated.

A modern discovery has proved the Si/ngnathidce to be no less anoma-
lous in certain of their habits than in their form. It had long been known
to naturalists* that the eggs, after extrusion, were carried about by the

* Aristotle and both his copyists, ^lian and Pliny, of the ancients ; see M\mn, lib. ix. cap. 60,
and XV. 16 : and for modern authorities, see Rondel. "229, and Schneider's Exturs. 3, " De acu ma-
rina seu /SsXom," in MMan. p. 575.

VOL. I. C

O SYNGNATHID.E.

animal witliin a lengthened cleft or groove, formed in a ridge or prominence
along the tail beneath ; and it had naturally been assumed that this was the
office of the female fish.* It has, however, been clearly ascertained, in
certain species of the closely allied genus Syngnathus, the Pipe-fishes of
our English coasts, that the male fish is the careful egg-bearer and the hatcher
of his future progeny. This curious fact was first, in Britain, noticed by the
late John Walcott, Esq. author of several works on natural history ; but
remained unknown in his unpublished MSS. till recently brought forward
and confirmed by Mr. Yarrell.-f* On the Continent it seems in like manner
to have escaped general attention, though said to have been noticed by
Eckstrom, Retzius, and Marcklin ; and more lately by Agassiz.J Positive
observations are indeed still wanting to connect these curious habits with the
Hippocavipi ; but their close alliance with the Pipe-fishes in structure
makes agreement more than probable, it being actually ascertained in certain
Hippocampi that the ventral pouch is only present in the male.§

Little has been hitherto recorded of the other habits of the Hippocampi.
The observations of Mr. Lukis in " The British Fishes," regarding those of
movement in H. brevirostris, Cuv. confirmed by those hereafter to be men-
tioned of the subject of this Chapter, show a considerable deviation from the
usually abrupt and rapid motions of the ordinary fishes. This peculiarity
may be connected with the absence of a caudal fin ; and it would be inter-
esting to inquire whether a similar sluggishness of motion prevails amongst
that tail-less section or subgenus of Sy^ignathus, termed by Risso Sci/phius ;
to which belong the British species Sj/ttgnathus aquoreus, L. S. ophidian,
Bl. and S. lumhriciformis, Jen. in contrast with the true Syngnathi {^S.
Acus, Typhle, L. &c.) which are provided with a caudal fin.

Not only in some points of structure, form, and colour, therefore, but
in habits, do the Syngiiathidoc seem to bear a remarkable analogy among
the fishes to the terrestrial reptiles ; the Syngnathi are the more active
kinds of Snake or Lizard ; the Hippocampi, and perhaps the Scyphii,
represent the tardigrade Chamseleon, or the sluggish Blindworm {Anguis
fragilis, L.) : whilst in all these fishes there is an evident approximation
to the more directly viviparous habits which prevail in certain reptiles.

The chief distinctive characters of the family consist in the loricate or
cuirassed structure of the skin ; which is smooth, but divided into four-
sided compartments, like a coat of mail, and in the nature of the branchise ;
which, instead of exhibiting the usual pectinated structure, are collected
into little distinct crests {XoCpoi) or tufts, arranged in pairs along the
branchial arches. These fishes have no ccBca, but a large air-bladder.

* See Linn. Ed. 12. i. 417, note.

t See British Fishes, ii. 327— 3-2,9 ; and Proc. Zool. Soc. iii. 1835, p. 183.

t See Proceed. Zool. Soc. ii. 1834, p. 118. § Sec Yarr. Brit. Fishes, ii. 345.

HIPPOCAMPUS RAMULOSUS. T

Their form is generally slender, with an elongated tail ; which, in the
Hippocampi, is inflexed, curled inwards, and prehensile.

They are generally of small size, and they have scarcely any fleshy
muscle : whence they are nowhere used for food. From the tubular form
of the mouth, their own nourishment is probably much of the same kind
in all the species ; such as in certain SyngnatJii it has been discovered
to be, small marine animals, mollusca, worms, and eggs of fishes. These
are drawn up into the throat by suction, probably by dilatation of the
gullet.

The anomalous structure of the branchiae and outer integument indicates
a departure from the true fishes ; such as their general form and aspect •
forcibly suggest. The bony fibrous skeleton retains, however, like the
rest of the internal anatomy, all the essential characters of the true fishes.
The tribe of Lophobraiichice, or Crest-gilled fishes, therefore, is well
placed by Cuvier as an aberrant group, by which he passes from the true
fishes to the still more anomalous Diodons, Balistse, Ostracions, &c. to
which, in the nature of their skin and singularity of form, they bear a near
affinity.

The Hippocampi in these points, and in the produced muzzle, also bear
a sort of miniature resemblance to the Sturgeon ; of which they might be
conceived, if seen only when preserved, to be some dried distorted form.
It is. however, an error to attribute either the curled -up tail, or head bent
downwards so abruptly with the body, to contraction after death. The
tail is constantly incurved, and usually employed in a prehensile manner
for an anchor during life ; while the head is used in climbing as a stay or
hook to raise the body, and is quite immoveably bent down.

In point of rarity, no less than elegance, H. ramulosus. Leach, is the
most interesting of its genus. An individual of unknown origin, existing
in the British Museum, has been long since imperfectly described and
figured by Leach, — from a discoloured and probably dried specimen. By
Willughby this species appears also earlier to have been observed ;
though he does not separate it from the common sort described by him,
H. brevirostris, Cuv. The following passage cannot but refer to H. ra-
mulosus, Leach, rather than to the former : —

" Vidimus Venetiis hujus generis jubatum, nescimus an specie diversum, an
setate aut sexu tantum. Plerique enim juba carent, quantumvis RonJeletius
pilos in capitis vertice erectos omnibus tribuere videatur. Erat autem jubatus ille
quern Venetiis nacti sumus non jubatis quadruple fere major. In medio ventris
pinnulam seu membranam nigricantem observavimus ; ab omnibus in summo
capita et cervice majoribus eminentiis angularibus seu aculeis villi seu setee longse
dependebant jubse instar, non adeo tenues, (ut scribit Rondeletius,) ut non in
mortuis et exsiccatis sed in viventibus tantum appareant, verum crassiusculse et
facile conspicuae." — Will. Hist. Pise. p. 158.

O SYNGNATHID.E.

Whatever doubt may therefore be attached to Risso*'s synonym, the
present species may be assumed, Avith tolerable certainty, to exist also in
the jNIediterranean. In Madeira it is of excessive rarity ; a single female
individual only having occurred, which was brought alive and in full vigour
by a fisherman, as a great curiosity, on the 17th of August 1836. It
had been taken entangled in his net or lines, about five hundred yards off
the Loo Rock, or Ilheo ; and lived in a glass of sea-water, after its capture,
more than twelve hours, affording ample opportunity for the accompany-
ing record of its form and habits.

The shape or contour of the head, and comparative proportion of the snout,
differ in no respect from H. breoirostris, Cuv. ; the main characteristics of the
species consisting in the size, number, and position of the crowded, much-branched,
bush-like tufts of cilice, or filaments ; which give the animal the appearance of
being enveloped in a mass of some dehcate gelatinous sea- weed, or conferva
(Tiraparnaldia or Ceramium), These float freely and loosely while the animal
remains immersed in water, but collapse into a shapeless jelly-like mass when
it is taken out of it. They are largest on the head, and thickest-set all down the
dorsal ridges ; along which they form a sort of upright mane, continued from the
head almost to the tip of the tail, with the exception of a short interruption from
the dorsal fin. The branches are short, thick, and blunt at their tips.

The head is compressed, equalling one fifth of the entire length, measuring
from the tip of the snout to that of the tail, or one fourth of that of the body
without the head. It is bent down at an acute angle with the short neck,
which is itself abruptly curved nearly at right angles with the rest of the body.
The snout is short, measuring from the fore-comer, or anterior canthus of the eye,
about two fifths of the length of the head. It is fringed on each side with a row
of three or four short branched cilia?, and has two shorter triangular compressed
ones, placed one behind the other at its base, in the front or middle, just before
the eyes. Of these the hinder is the largest, and is placed upon a bony tubercle.
Eyes very prominent, perfectly circular, their diameter equal to one third the
length of the snout, measured as above ; each, as in the Chamaeleon, moving
fi^eely or independently of the other.* Close over each eye is a prominent bony
tubercle, out of which grows, concealing its existence to the eye, a single, large,
tree-like antler, with a distinct thick stem, directed vertically upwards, and in
length or height exceeding the distance from the tip of the snout to its base. Its
branches are somewhat blunt, and thick and short ; divaricate, or dividing at
wide open angles ; the pair resembling much in size, direction, and proportion, the
antlers of a stag, except in being of a fleshy, soft, or flaccid substance, and quite
flexible. Front or forehead flat, high, and narrow : in its middle, halfway above
the superciliary pair and the top of the head, or occipital crest, stands another
solitary antler, of equal size, and otherwise resembling the former, but directed
straight forwards, like the horn in the common representations of a Unicorn ,• so
that its branches fall between those of the pair above the eyes. On each temple,
and in a line with this single frontal antler, but on the sides of the head, is
another solitary antler of equal size, like shape and substance, with the former,

* Mr. Couch has observed the same curious fact in a very different fish, Pliolis Icei'^is, Flem. See
Cuv. and Val. xi. p. 274. Mr. Lukis has oljservcd it also in the common Hippocampus hrevirostris,
Cuv. See Yarr. Brit. Fishes, ii. 344.

HIPPOCAMPUS RAMULOSUS. \)

standing straight out at right angles with the sides of the head. Again, on the
complicated bony occipital crest, or pair of tubercles, is placed another pair of
antlers, precisely like the former ; their stems forked or divaricating laterally
upwards, but adnate and confluent at the base : their branches erect, and blended
or confused to the eye into a single tuft by the presence of smaller shorter ones
placed on the other tubercles or bony prominences behind them on the nape
or neck. Opercle plain, even, or not, at least whilst recent, obviously striate ;
furnished with one or two small tufts or cilice, and sprinkled with white granules.
The branchial openings are two round holes or orifices, placed close together high
up, almost on the nape.

Neck compressed, short, arched. Body compressed, heptangular, narrow up-
w^ards ; the belly downwards very prominent ; from the nape to the origin of the
tail banded by eleven circular or transverse ridges, crossing at right angles the
seven more distinct and prominent longitudinal ones, which rise into bony tubercles
at their intersection with the former. Of these seven, two are dorsal, two on each
side lateral, and one ventral, forming the outline of the belly. The two dorsal
ridges are most prominent, approximate, with the space between them hollowed into
a naiTow groove or channel ; and on each intersection with the transverse ridges,
stands a branched tuft or cilia, smaller, but otherwise resembling those on the
head, and forming a thick mane all the way from the head, or occiput, to the dor-
sal fin. The two side ridges are similarly furnished ; but the tufts are much
smaller, irregularly palmate, and quite distinct or separate from each other, the
ridges themselves being remote ; the uppermost is nearest the back. The seventh
abdominal or ventral ridge is naked.

Tail abruptly contracted to half the depth only of the body, quadrangular, sub-
compressed; the sides slightly convex, and deeper than the dorsal, or even the ventral
faces, which are both channelled or hollow; the dorsal channel being close and nar-
row ; the ventral wide and open : its tip curled in, obtuse ; with about thirty-five
transverse rings or ridges, each giving off at its angle of intersection with the
two dorsal angles, a palmate rather than tufted cilia, on a stout, thick, fleshy
stalk or pedicle, forming a thick fringe or mane, in continuation of that of the body,
reaching from its origin nearly to the tip ; the cilice becoming gradually shorter or
smaller towards the latter. A few of the anterior rings or angles only of the two
ventral ridges are produced into irregular, abortive, small, palmate cilice, for a little
way from nearly the base of the tail ; the two first rings being naked.

The whole surface of the head, body, and sides of the tail, is rough, with minute
raised points or gi-anulations, approaching to the form of short simple cilice.

Dorsal fin curvilineally oblong, about twice and a-half as long as high, even, of
equal breadth or height, placed just at the hinder end of the body, on a sort
of raised hump or ridge at the bottom of the back. Anal fin minute, fan or
rather wedge-shaped, placed just at the lower angle of the belly, at the origin or
base of the tail. Pectoral fins oblong, seated at the origin of the neck, close behind
the hinder edge of the opercle ; the line of their base is vertical or transverse to the
neck, as in most fishes, and longer than the fin is broad or deep : it is thickened or
raised, forming a kind of pedestal to the fin.

The general tint is a dull flesh-colour ; the cheeks or opercles, tip of the snout,
space just before the eyes, and under parts, are paler and brighter than the rest, or
w^hitish ; the sides of the body mottled, or varied here and there with lilac or livid-
blue. The tail and all the branched cilice are brighter, clearer, and more vmiform
flesh-colour. Through the lens, the sides appear most beautifully speckled thickly
with minute miniaceous or orange dots on a livid-blue ground; and the whole sur-
face of the head and body, especially that of the snout and opercles, is spangled

10

SYNGNATHID.E.

with pure opaque-white scattered dots or points, like spinules or incipient cilice.
The eyes are like some brilliant jewel set in mosaic. The iris, as in the Chamse-
leon, is most beautifully painted with alternate rays or tesselated bars of glittering
garnet-red and dazzling white on the inner edge next the pupil ; the circumference
being thickly studded with the brightest pure white dots, which to the eye re-
semble most distinctly raised granules or short cilice, like those which are sprink-
led on the snout and elsewhere. The pupil is black ; but reflects in rapidly suc-
ceeding variation, as it moves, most brilliant topaz, straw-coloiu*, or brassy tints^ in
different lights.

The dorsal fin is like the rest pellucid, and pale olive ; reddish at the base, and
there speckled with white : it has a deep black patch in front, upon the two or
three first rays ; not reaching to their tip, but leaving a border, about one third of
the fin deep, which is traced out by a black or dusky line, continued backwards
to the end from the front spot, and stained in front with bright clear yellow. The
other fins are pellucid, nearly colourless, immaculate.

The branched tufts or cilice, and even the surface of the body, were thickly
clothed with a short, brown, filamentous, down-like substance, which was, per-
haps, some parasitic Infusoria or Conferva.

Placed in a basin of sea-water, the depth of which did not allow it to at-
tain a vertical position, it showed evident symptoms of uneasiness. It was
continually swinging its body slowly round, as if to seek support ; using
the tail merely as a vague unsteady sort of fulcrum, and making all the
time of each sweep a rapid fluttering or vibratory motion with the pectoral
and dorsal fins. Removed into sufficient depth of water in a tumbler, it
assumed at once a vertical position ; but appeared unable to maintain it, ex-
cept by slowly moving round continually, and quivering the fins ; sinking
down horizontally when not so occupied. A piece of stick being placed up-
right in the water, it instantly coiled the end of its tail round the lower
part, and appeared much relieved, remaining now quite motionless in an ob-
lique position, as if resting ; the fins remaining quiet, and collapsed. It
never left the stick, grasping it firmly and closely in a prehensile manner ;
and at times, but only occasionally, and without uncoiling the tail, it
swung itself slowly round as far as it could reach, making the same quick
fluttering motion with the fins as before, which set the branched filaments
about them also in motion, by the impulse of the little currents of the water
driven in a direction contrary to that in which the animal was at the mo-
ment moving. It breathed rather fast, but very regularly; the water
rushing out vertically in two very strong little jets at each closing of the
opercle, at the two branchial openings or spout-holes on the nape of the
neck.

When deprived of anything to coil round, the tail, always remaining
curled, was waved or twisted about vaguely, as if in search of something to
grasp, rather than to assist in progression ; its motion being far too slow
and feeble for the latter purpose. The head appeared incapable of any

HIlTOCAMrUS RAMULOSUS. 11

motion distinct from the trunk ; but was used sometimes as a stay or hook
wherewith to raise the body, after the manner of a parrot in climbing.

It lived in this state for about twelve hours ; never voluntarily quitting
its hold of the stick.

It was before mentioned that the Hippocampi are not known to be em-
ployed as food : and -^lian relates, on the report of certain fishermen, that
one part of them is poisonous ; which, if true, might probably be only owing,
as he says, to some noxious acrid substance eaten by the fish. Willughby
refers to the same ^lian for their use as a remedy in hydrophobia ; and
Risso at this very day says that, first dried in the sun, then gently roasted,
and steeped in wine, they are esteemed, at least by sailors, serviceable for
assuaging colics ; whilst Dioscorides again had mentioned long before their
use made into an ointment for a specific against baldness ! The whole
account in ^lian is so amusing, that I cannot forbear adding a translation
of the chapter :— r

" There are experienced fishermen who say, that if the paunch of the
Hippocavipus be boiled down in wine and given for a drink, this potion is
a poison of a strange unusual kind, compared with every other poison. For
he who drinks it is first seized with violent hiccup ; then with a dry spas-
modic cough, without expectoration ; the epigastric region swells and is
distended ; an access of warm humours floats up into and loads the head,
and passes down the nostrils in the form of a thin discharge, diflfusing a
kind of fishy smell ; the eyes become bloodshot and fiery ; the eyelids
swell ; an inclination to vomit is excited, but nothing is brought up. If
nature get the better, and the patient escape death, he gradually loses his
memory and sinks into a state of mental aberration ; but, if the poison have
crept lower than the stomach, it is a lost case, — he must die. Those wdio
survive, but become insane, are possessed with a strong passion for water,
and have a thirsty longing to behold it and to hear it flow, and this com-
poses them and lulls them to sleep. And they delight to spend their time
by everflowing streams, or near the sea-shore, or by lakes and fountains ; and,
whilst devoid of all desire to drink, they love to swim, and bathe their feet
or wash their hands. Some say, however, that it is not the paunch itself of
the Hippocampus which is the cause of this; but that the animal feeds on
some extremely bitter (noxious, virulent, or acrid) seaweed {^vk'iov, fucus)
which imparts to it this quality. Nay, the Hippocampus has been found,
by the sagacity of an old fisherman well skilled in sea-matters, even to be
an efficacious remedy. The old man was a Cretan ; and his sons, young
men, were, like their father, fishermen. Well then, it had happened that
this old man having caught some Hippocampuses amongst other fishes, the
young men, one after another rendering assistance to the first attacked, were
bitten by a mad dog. They were then lying near the shore of Methymna

12 SYNGNATHID.E.

in Crete (a village, they say). Tlie bystanders were pitying tliem, and di-
recting tliat the dog should be killed, and his liver given to the young men
to eat as a cure for the disease ; others were recommending to take them
to the temple of the Roccsean Diana so called, and supplicate the goddess for
a cure. The old man, however, praising them for their good advice, took
no further notice, but proceeded very fearlessly and boldly to cleanse the
paunches of the Hippocampuses of their contents ; and then some of these
paunches he roasted, and gave them to his sons to take and eat : others he
bruised with vinegar and honey, and applying them as a plaster on the
wounds caused by the bites, so got the better of the canine madness in the
young men, by the longing after water, which you will understand the
Hippocampuses excited in them. And in this way he cured the boys,
though he was a long time about it."

^•Elian. de Nat. Anim. lib. xiv. cap. xx.

The poet Epimenides, as quoted by authority from which lies no ap-
peal (Tit. i. 12), has left recorded of his countrymen of Crete no favourable
character for credibility :

KpTJTes ae\ ■^evaTai, KaKa 6r]pia, yacrrepes apyai.

However, it is but fair to our old fisherman to mention, that his designation
as a Cretan rests upon a merely conjectural, though certainly most probable,
emendation of the text of ^Elian by Gyllius.

No person who has once seen a Hippocampus can doubt the derivation
of its Greek names iTTTroKOif/j'r}] and i'jr'^OKOi^'Trog from iTTTog, a horse, and
fcccf/jTT^, a caterpillar.

The figures in Tab. II. represent the Hippocampus ramulosus of the
size, and in two of the attitudes, of life.

%~.\\'-XJ

r?K^ :-

"o

^

K

.:^'

w

^

ACANTHOPTERYGII. PERCIDM

TAB. III.

CALLANTHIAS PARADISJiUS, Nob.

Castanhita s. Imperador do alto s. da moda.

Bird of Paradise-fish.

Chae. Gen.

Caput squamosum : rosiro brevissimo, utrinque ante oculos s. sitborbiiarium extremo antico tantum,
nudo ; maxilla utraque squamosa ; dentibus minutis, scobinato-fasciatis ; quibusdam anticis majoribus,
caninis, instructa. PrcB-operculum integerrimum. Operculum bispinosum. Lima lateralis dorso
proxima, ad extremum pinnce dorsalis continuae evanescens. Membrana hrancliiostega sexradiata.

Oculi magiii. Pinna dorsalis analisque nudae, spinis exappendiculatis : caudalis squamosa, lunato-
forcipata, lobis in fila productis. Squamae asperae, limbo echinulato, ciliato.

Obs. — Genus AnthicB, Bl. simillimum, affine. Species adhuc unica, Maderensi- Atlantica, parva, roseo
luteoque laete colorata.

C. paradisceus, nob., Suppl. Syn. Mad. Fish in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 76.

2 V. 3 + VIII.

2—4 + VII.
M. B. 6 ; Squamte lin. lat. 2-2—24 ; Vert?e. 11 abd. + 13 caud. = 24.

D. n + 10 ; A. 3 + 10 ; P. 20 V. 21 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C.

Longit. = 6 — -11 poll. = 5 — 7 X alt. fere.

Tempus, vere, aestate.

Locus, in rupibus minus profundis ; rariss.

The new generic name affixed to this no less rare and interesting than
elegant little fish, is meant to indicate its most obvious relation of affinity
to Anthias sacer, Bl. ; whilst the specific appellation will recall a curious
analogical resemblance which it bears in its bright hues of rose and yellow,
and in the lengthened filaments of its tail, to certain of a very different race,
the Birds of Paradise, Paradisira, L.

A less remote or fanciful analogy remains to be assigned amongst its
own legitimate and proximate allies, the fishes. Callanthias and Anthias
in the Percido' bear so precise an analogy of parallelism to the Labrid genera
of Lahrus and Crenilabrus, that, except by the common characters which
mark respectively the family of each pair, they would scarcely be distin-
guished. And this explains why several Percido-Serranidous fishes have
been, like Anthias sacer, Bl. itself, by some naturalists actually referred to
the Linnsean genus Labrus.

Indeed, wherever this last-mentioned fish be placed by systematic writers,
Callanthias might reasonably be sought for in its near vicinity. By Bloch
himself, it must, however, have been included, had he been disposed to

14 PERCID/E.

follow strictly out liis own definitions, either in his genus Bodianus or
Cephalopholis, on account of the entire pre-opercle. The six-rayed bran-
chiostegous membrane would probably have induced MM. Cuvier and Val-
enciennes to place it rather in or near Dules, Cuv. than in the same group
with its apparently more natural ally, viz. Anthias sacer, Bl. {Serramis
anlhias, Cuv. and Val.) Convinced, however, that the group including
Anthias sacer, Bl. should be again detached from the true Serrajii, it
becomes still more imperative to separate from both, Callanthias : a mea-
sure strongly sanctioned by the peculiar ending and situation of the lateral
line, which serves to distinguish it at once from all these genera, and
forms another most curious and unexpected link with Chcetodontidce
through Glyphisodoji and Heliastes, Cuv. and Val. ; the entire pre-
opercle, and the six-rayed branchial membrane, confirming at the same
time this relation, and the other analogy above remarked with Lahms.

The present fish has actually the character assigned by Bloch to
Bodianus, of a perfectly entire pre-opercle ; which none, however, of the
truly Percidous* species, placed by him therein, perhaps actually possess-
ed.-f- Nor is the value of this mark, as a distinctive character for Callan-
thias, really affected by Serranus oculatus, Cuv. and Val. of which it is
remarked, " La dentelure du pre-opercule est presque imperceptible."
(Cuv. and Val. ii. 268.):}: And though in this particular respect, and in
the scaly head or muzzle, Callanthias technically disagrees still less
with Cephalopholis, Bl. than with his Bodianus, yet it appears to differ far
more widely from the former than from the latter in its natural affinity :
the genus Cephalopholis, or at least its principal representative, Ceph.
argus, Bl. being by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes absorbed into Serra-
nus, amongst the group Merous. (See Serranus argus, Cuv. and Val. ii. p.
860.) At all events, if Cephalopholis a7'gus, Bl. agree with Callanthias in
the really entire pre-opercle and the scaly lower jaw, it diflPers in the lateral
line, and in the number of the branchiostegous rays ; which, in the absence
of all positive remark, may be supposed, in a fish referred by MM.
Cuvier and Valenciennes to Serranus, not to differ from the rest of its con-
geners.

From Anthias and Mesoprion again, Callanthias differs, whilst in teeth

* His Bodiamis hodiamis is a Crenilubrus. See Cuv. R. Anim. 2nd edit. ii. p. itiO, note (2.)

f See Cuv. R. An. ii. 141, notes ; Cuv. and Val. Hist. ii. pp. 211, 280.

X This fish may surely be considered as the type of a distinct generic group {Hcqx-ranthias, nob.) ;
of which the following appear to be the leading characters : —

Caput subnudum : maxillarum superiorum extremitatibus squaraosis ; rostro, suborbitario omnino,
maxillaque inferiore nudis. Dentes fere A7itldtB s. CallanthicB, Prse-operculum tenuissimc denticula-
tum. Operculum bispinosum. Linea lateralis continua, sequalis. Pinna dorsalis subbipartita s.
profunde emarginata : caudalis furcata. Membrana branchiostega (ut videtur) septemradiata.

Obs. — Oculi magni. Colorcs la!ti. Forma gracilis, elongata.

Si)ecies, Ilcvperuuthiaa (icuhUa, adhuc unica ; (Serranus oculatus, Cuv. and Val. Hist. ii. 2()(). t. 32.)

CALLANTHIAS PARADIS^US. 15

agreeing, in the sharply two-spined opercle ; and conversely, agreeing -with
Centropristis in this last particular, it differs in the teeth ; equally dis-
agreeing with all three in the six-rayed instead of seven-rayed branchioste-
gous membrane.

From Dules, Therapon, Datnia, Pelates, and Helotes, the only re-
maining genera with which it possibly might be confounded, on ac-
count of agreement in this last-named point, Callanthias may be dis-
tinguished thus : it differs principally from the first, which seems however
after Jnthias to contain its nearest natural allies, in the teeth ; from the
second, in the even, not notched or interrupted dorsal fin ; from the third,
in having teeth on the palatal bones ; from the fourth and fifth, both in •
the teeth and in the even dorsal fin. Whilst from the whole of these eight
genera it is at once distinguished by the truly entire pre-opercle, and the
peculiar lateral line.

Its place in the system of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes would be next
Dules ; and ranging in that series of Percidce, which have the branchial
membrane six- rayed, it bears to Anihias, in the parallel seven-rayed series,
the same relation which the genus Dules bears to Centropristis.

This little fish, so complicated in its affinities, analogies, and characters,
must be accounted of considerable rarity; though, doubtless, from its ge-
neral resemblance in colour, size, and shape, often escaping notice amongst the
multitudes of the common Cast'anheta (Anthias sacer, Bl.) brought almost
daily to the market. The fishermen, however, recognize its difference ;
and say, that although taken usually in company with the common sort,
and at an equal depth, it is a more wary fish, and only caught occasionally,
or, as it were, by accident.

Some years ago a single specimen occurred; but the notes and sketch
then taken were deficient in detail, and, remaining so long unsupported by
the discovery of other individuals, seemed insufficient to warrant the inser-
tion of Callanthias in the Synopsis of Madeiran Fishes, last year pub-
lished in the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Five in-
dividuals have again this year (1838), by the unwearied vigilance and kind-
ness of G. B. Leacock, Esq. of this island, been obtained ; and these,
agreeing perfectly with the first, have furnished the materials for the fol-
lowing description : —

Shape oblong, compressed, slender, somewhat elongated ; the outlines of the back
and belly nearly straight and parallel ; the former, especially, not high and arched
like Anthias sacer, Bl. ; hence the comparative shallowness and slenderness of
form.

The depth is nearly equal from the hinder edge of the opercle to the origin of the
anal fin, and is from one fifth to one sixth of the whole length, or from one third to
one fourth of the length from the tip of the muzzle to the middle of the fork of the
caudal fin. The thickness is greatest on the head just behind the eyes, and is

16 PERCID.E.

rather more than half the depth. The belly is a little flattened, or even channelled
underneath, for the reception of the ventral fins.

The front is low, descending very slightly and continuously from the origin of
the dorsal fin nearly to the extremity of the muzzle at the front of the eye, where
it at once falls suddenly and almost vertically.

The head in length equals, or rather exceeds, the greatest depth of the fish.
Except the two opercular spines, it is entirely unarmed and plain. The whole is
covered with conspicuous scales, like those upon the body, except a smooth and
naked triangular space on each side of the very short and abrupt muzzle in front of
the eyes, comprehending the anterior ends of the suborbitaries, of which the hinder
halves under the eyes are scaled. The top of the head between the eyes is broad,
plain, convex, scaled down to the lip; the scales becoming gradually smaller.
The nostrils are two simple orifices, more than usually remote from one another ;
the hinder or upper one is situate high up, and nearly on a level with the top of
the eyes, within the scaly part, but close upon the orbit ; the anterior is placed
lower and considerably forwarder, upon the confines of the same ; it is small and
indistinct. The orbits are quite plain. The eye is large and very beautiful ; its
diameter equals, or a little exceeds, one third part of the length of the head. The
maxillaries are very slender or narrow, their exposed dilated ends being distinctly
scaled : the space between them and the eye, or the middle part of the suborbitaries,
also is extremely narrow ; the scales extending forwards on these last bones as far
as to their narrowest middle part, before the lower corner of each eye.

Mouth or gape moderate, whitish or pale inside : when closed, its commissure
ascends obliquely ; somewhat as in Priacmitlnts. The upper jaw is very short,
abrupt, and truncate, with a wide notch in the middle ; reminding one strongly of
Beri/x, Poli/mixia, or Brama. The lower jaw is slender, and when open ap-
pears longer than the upper ; but fits when closed within it. A narrow band of
scales extends from the canthus of the jaw along its branches forwards to the tip.
Lips in both jaws distinct, smooth, naked. In the upper jaw, the smooth edge
of the muzzle forms a kind of secondary lip.

The teeth are as in Authius. In the upper jaw the intermaxillaries are
furnished with a narrow band of chiefly minute brush-like teeth, of which the
outer ones are larger and recurved, with one or two still larger towards the front ;
and generally quite in front, one on each side the notch, there is a pair of more
distinct and larger conical canines, directed vertically downwards, and placed
outside the band, or, as it were, upon the outside of the gum or lip. Sometimes,
instead of one, there are two or three of these on either side the notch. The
vomer is but feebly armed with two or three pretty distinct teeth. The palatines
are also ill provided with a few teeth only, towards the front, and in a single
row.

In the lower jaw the teeth are reduced almost to a single row at the sides,
becoming a narrow band only in front, with two or three larger, conical, but still
recurved ones, close together on each side near the tip ; and at the tip itself,
outside the others, just as in the upper jaw, there is a pair of straight and co-
nical canines pointing forwards, larger and more conspicuous than the rest. The
tongue is free, small, narrow, pointed, smootii, and white. No pores are visible
about the head.

The cheeks and pre-opercles are covered entirely with scales. The hinder edge
of the latter is straight and nearly vertical ; the lower horizontal, with the angle
rounded. Both edges are completely hid and overwrapped by scales ; on the
removal of which they are found to be perfectly entire, plain, and smooth, with-
out trace of teeth or even of striae. The inter-opercle is broad, triangidar, scaled.

CALLANTIIIAS PARADISEUS. 17

entire. The opercle and sub-opercle are also scaled to the edge, and entire. On
the prominent and somewhat abrupt angle of the opercle, just above the axil of
the pectoral fins, are two adpressed straight spines, parallel to each other. They
are small but distinct ; and, though slender, are pretty strong and pungent.
The gill-opening is rather large, extending forwards halfway under the eye.
The branchiostegous membrane is supported by six strong and broad rays. Its
fore part, under the throat, is scaled.

The shoulders and axils of the pectoral fins are quite plain, and scaled : the
superscapulary, scapulary, and humeral bones not being perceptible externally.

The scales are large, arranged in horizontal straight lines; not following, at
least along the middle of the sides, the curvature of the lateral line or back.
They are very rough to the touch, when the finger is drawn forwards towards the
head, owing to a border of thick-set adpressed prickles on their outer edge. The
centre of each is smooth: the fore part is radiato- striate, like a fan, with about .,
twelve ribs. Their shape is vertically oblong, higher than long.

The lateral line ascends abruptly and steeply at its origin, till it approaches
quite close to the line of the back, at about the fifth or sixth spine of the dorsal
fin. It continues close along the base of the same to the root of the last soft
ray ; where all trace of it disappears. Its scales are longitudinally oval or
elliptic, marked by a raised tube ; their hinder or outer edge is not muricate like
the others, but smooth.

Above the lateral line, beyond the fifth or sixth spines of the dorsal fin, there
is only a single row of narrow, irregular, dimidiate, pointed scales; appearing as
if formed of others cut in half.

On the pre- opercle there are about five or six semicircular rows of scales, like
those on the body ; increasing in size towards the edge.
On the opercle there are about five rows.

On the lateral line, to the end of the dorsal fin, there are from twenty-two to
twenty-four marked scales ; thence to the caudal fin along the ridge of the back,
about ten or twelve of the ordinary unmarked sort.

From the first marked scale of the lateral line, in a straight horizontal line to
the caudal fin, there are about thirty-eight scales in a row ; not reckoning the
minute ones on the caudal fin itself.

Between the edge of the opercle and the vent, there are about twelve scales
in a row ; reckoning obliquely downwards from the lateral line.

The dorsal fin commences in a vertical line with the upper axil of the pectoral
fins, and extends along three-fourths of the remainder of the back. It is lowest in
front, the spines becoming gradually longer; the four or five last are, however,
nearly equal. All the spines are rather weak and slender, and without any trace
of filamentous appendages to their points. The hinder soft-rayed part joins on
continuously, without notch or interruption, with the first ; its rays gradually
lengthening to the fourth or fifth, which, with the preceding and following rays
in less degree, is produced into a slender filamentous point, reaching to the base of
the caudal fin.

The anal fin begins opposite the ninth or tenth spine of the dorsal fin, and
ends at the point corresponding with the termination of the same.

The spines are rather stronger and broader than in the dorsal fin. The hinder
soft-rayed part is somewhat pointed or acuminate ; but all its rays, or, at least,
the last eight or nine, are of nearly equal length.

The whole of both the dorsal and the anal fins is perfectly naked or fi-ee from
scales ; their base is seated in a shallow gi'oove ; and the last ray of each is forked
or divided to the base, appearing double.

18

rERCID.E.

The pectoral fins are short, broad, remarkably obtuse, or even truncate.
The first two rays are simple ; the second is barred ; the third both branched and
barred ; the nine or ten next are the longest and equal ; the two last are short
and simple, but barred.

The ventral fins originate just beneath the lower axil of the pectoral ; their
tips reaching just to the base of the first or second spine of the anal fin. They
are ovato-triangular, rather large ; but not produced, like those of AntJnas sacer,
Bl. Their first spine is about three fifths of the length of their first branched
ray ; the second soft or branched ray is the longest ; and their last ray is free, not
webbed to the body. They are placed quite close together, Avith a long, pointed,
scaly appendage between them, underneath the belly ; and each fits under a
slight ridge on the sides of the belly, having also a rather larger but not very
distinct or pointed scale at its outer or upper axil.

Both pectoral and ventral fins are perfectly free from scales.

Caudal fin strongly lunate ; the two or three outermost branched rays at the
top and bottom are produced into long, slender, flexible, and hair-like filaments,
of which that of the uppermost fork or lobe is (contrary to Anthias sacer, Bl.) the
longest. The outer rays are much crowded. The web or membrane between
all the rays is scaled in imbricated lines up nearly to their tips.

The general colour of the body is a delicate lilac-rose, becoming on the ridge
of the back a full deep rose, and passing into paler tints towards the belly. The
throat and fore part of the belly are a delicate pearly white. A broad suffused
tint of yellow extends from the eye just beneath the ridge of the back to the end
of the dorsal fin.

Top of the head deep rose, with lilac tints. Upper lip yellow ; scarlet in the
middle. Tip of the lower lip also scarlet ; the sides pale or whitish. Naked
space before each eye scarlet. Both the opercles, and a patch before the pectoral
fins, richly pearly, or iridescent white. Eye most beautifully coloured. The
gi'ound of the iris is pearly ; its lower part varied with stains or clouds of yellow,
and richly iridescent. The upper part with a permanent bright violet stain
passing into lilac, leaving the inner edge clear. Pupil black.

The dorsal and anal fins are bright yellow ; the soft rays tipped and stained
with red or rose. The base of all the rays is rosy.

The pectoral fins are pale scarlet or flesh-colour, and pellucid. The rays are
paler than the web.

Ventral fins whitish ; more or less stained with yellow, and tipped or streaked
with red.

Caudal fin scarlet or reddish orange in the middle; the borders and forks
yellow.

Of the anatomy, I have only to observe, that there are three very large and
distinct, but short cceca sun'ounding the pylorus. The liver is small.

The largest individvial which has hitherto occurred, measured seven
inches from the tip of the muzzle to the middle of the forks of the caudal
fin ; or eleven inches to the end of the upper filament of the same. It
was taken early in the month of August.

It is remarkable in this fish, that some time after death, when it is
beginning to grow dry or stale, the red colour of the sides collects, as it
were, into a large, round, suffused, scarlet patch, on the flanks or middle
of each side, at the end of the dorsal or anal fins.

The fiijure is the size of life.

\

1.

1"

v^M f J0M

\v .

/y

~C;

f^ >»

-^&*«,-^

5^ -**•

ACANTHOPTERYGII. PERCIDJE.

TAB. IV.

ANTHIAS SACER, Bl.

Castanheta s. Imperador.

The Barber.

Char. Gen.

Capvi squamosum : rostro brevi, utrinque ante oculos s. suborUtarium extreme antico tantura
nudo : maodUa utraque squamosa ; dentibus minutis, scobinato-fasciatis, quibusdam anticis majoribus,
caninis, instracta, PrtE-ojxrculum dentatum. Operculum subtrispiuosum. Lima lateralis postice
deflexa, deinde recta, continua. Pinna dorsalis continua. Alemhrami hrancJdostega septemradiata.

Oculi magni. Pinnae dorsalis analisque spinas appendiculatae ; parte posteriore subsquamosa.
Pinna caudalis squamosa, lunato-forcipata, lobis in fila productis. Squamae asperae, limbo echinulato,
ciliato.

Obs. — Pisces niarini, parvi, roseo flavoque plerumque laetissime colorati ; regionum calidionim
incolae, sublittorales.

-Char, Spec.

A. roseus ; capite utrinque flavo trifasciato ; dorso flavo-olivaceo vel asreo-fuscescente nebuloso,
seriatim submaculoso : pinna dorsali analique roseis, flavo marginatis ; illius spina tertia producta ;
ventralibus maximis, productis, dimidium longitudinis subaequantibus ; caudalis lobo s. filamento
inferiore longiore.

D. 10 V. 11 + 15 ; A. 3 + r ; P. 2 + 16 ; V. I + 5 ; C. ! t t t vt^'

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. kit. 41 ; Verta=. 10 abd. + 16 caud. = 26.
Anthias sacer, " Bl. pi. 315 ;" Cuv. R. Anim. ed. 2. ii. 140,
Serranus antkias, Cuv. and Val. ii. 250. t. 31,
Ailopon anthias, Risso, Hist, Nat. iii. 378.
" Lutjan anthias, Lacep, t. IV, p. 197 ;" Cuv. and Val. 1. c.
Labrus anthias, Linn. Sy^st. ed. 12, I. 174, 3,
Labrus totus rubescens, catula hifurca, Arted. Synon, 54, 3.
Attthias, primug Bonddetii, Will. Hist. Pise. 325. t. X 5, f, 5,
Antkics prima species. Rondel, (ed. Lugdun. 1554) 188.

Jjmgit. = 6 — 8 poll. = 3|— 4| X alt,

Temptis, per totum annum.

Locus, in rupibus minus profundis ; vulgatiss.

No less than four fishes are designated in Madeira by the common
name of " Castanheta ;" viz. Anthias sneer, Bl. ; Callanthias paradisceus,
nob,; Heliastes limbatus, Val.; and Gli/phisodon luridus, Cuv. The sim-
ple name is used indifferently for the first and third : but, if distinction be

20 PERCID.E.

the object, the first is called " Castanheta amarella ,•" and the third still
more frequently " Castanheta baia." The second and fourth are scarcely
ever mentioned without their respective adjuncts of " do alto''' or " da
moda,'''' and " Ferreira." Occasionally the first and second are also
called " Imperador :" and if the two last are named together, which from
their obvious affinity they often are, they are always distinguished as
Castanheta baia, and Castanheta Ferreira.

In the Regne Animal, the illustrious Cuvier has subdivided the Serrani
into three groups, under distinctive names : viz. " Les SeiTans propres
ou Perches de mer," " Les Barbiers (Anthias, Bl. en partie)," and
" Les Merous." The more complete reunion of these under a single
name Serranus, in the Histoire des Poissons, is surely no improvement ;
at least in regard to " Les Barbiers" or " Anthias, Bl. in part :" the
principal species of which group, abundant in Madeira, though apparently
a rare fish in the Mediterranean sea, is the subject of the accompanying
plate. The main reason for tliis later combination, made by MM. Cuvier
and Valenciennes, seems to have been the ijradual blending of certain of
the characters of Anthias, in supposed defect of others, with those of the
true Serrani.* But this is a position which, if carried out into consistent
practice, Avould go far to abolish most established genera. For illustration
of a sounder rule, I need but quote, from the same volume, Cuvier's own
genus, Plectropoma ; which he has separated from Sen-anus, though
confessing, " Nous ne les en separons que pour donner plus de facilite a
la nomenclature •."•\- whilst a striking case, in abrogation of the former
proposition, might be drawn from a very brief comparative examination of
his genera Labrns and Crenilabrus. I am acquainted with a fish,:|: which,
in its principal character, varies permanently, and not by age, from one of
these groups to the other.

In adopting, however, Bloch's generic name, it is needful to observe
that it is confined here to perhaps only a single species of the fishes to
which he applied it ;§ answering, with one exception (^Hesperanthias ocu-
latus, nob.), to " Les Barbiers" of Cuv. and Val. Hist. iii. 249—270.
His error also, derived indeed from Rondelet, is not to be followed in
supposing the fish here figured to be the av0iag of Aristotle, Pliny,
^lian, and others, to which such marvellous instincts are ascribed in the

* See Cuv. and V.al. Hist. ii. pp. 249. 280.

t Ibid. ii. p. 387.

^ Crenilabrus caninus, nob. Synopsis in Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. ii. p. 1 86.

$ " La plupart de nos Merous sont encore des Anthias pour Bloch, raais nous restreignons ce
genre aux especes auxquelles notre definition convient. Bloch a ete si pen exact, que son Anthias
sacer n'a pas meme le caractere attribue au genre Anthias d'un opercule sans epine.''^ — Cuv. R. An.
ed. 2. ii. p. 140, note (1).

ANTHIAS SACER. 21

following lines of the elegant little fragment on the defensive instincts
of fishes, attributed by Pliny to Ovid ; but which some later critics have
supposed to be the composition of Gratius Faliscus. The style, however,
is certainly O vidian.

" Anthias his, tergo quae non videt,* utitur armis ;
Vim spinse novitque suae, versoque supinus
Corpora Una secat, fixumque intercipit hamum."

Halieut. 45 — 47. Ovid. Op.

The greatest difficulty indeed encumbers the attempt to ascertain this
Anthias'f in modern nomenclature ; for although it may safely be affirmed
that not one of the ancient Greek and Roman authors intended by this
name to designate the subject of the present chapter, there can be little
doubt that they confounded several other fishes under it. The Aulopias
of that omnivorous compiler, ^lian (Lib. xiii. cap. 17), a gregarious fish,
attaining a size less only than the largest Tunny, to which it is in strength
and force superior, with large round eyes, and of the deepest blue (kvccvov)
on the back, with the belly white, and a golden stripe from the head to the
tail, ending in a circle, might well, as Cuvier conjectures (Hist. ii. 261), be
the Thi/nnus alalonga Cuv. and Val., the Atum Avoador of Madeira.
And that this Aulopias was at least a kind of Anthias, though ^lian was
ignorant of this, may be inferred from his subjoining to this description an
account of its capture very similar to that which Oppian (' AX. y. 205 — 280)
gives 0^ i\\?ii oi Anthias : and more precisely still from Oppian's line, re-
lating to one sort of his Anthias.

AXXovs 8' evanrovs re xal avXamovs KoXeovcriu.

'AX. a. 256.

But this identity is rendered nearly certain by Aristotle's direct statement
long before, that the Aulopias is also called Anthias {ocvkwTricig ov jccckov-
aiv ccv&idv. Hist. Z. 25. 3). Again, the large toothless Anthias of Op-

* The frequent reading " tergo quae concutit," adopted by the Elzevirs, Burman, Maittaire, &c.
rests merely on a conjectural emendation of Heinsius.

+ " Where an Anthias is seen," says Aristotle, " there is no fierce beast : of which sign the sponge-
divers avail themselves, and call these fishes sacred. And this seems something of the nature of a
symptom : as where there is a snail-shell, there is neither swine nor partridge ; for they eat up every
snail-shell." Arist. Hist. (Schn.) I. xt. 3. See also Athenagus, (Dindorf.) vii. 17 ; Plutarch de Solertia
Animal. (Reiske, Lips.) Vol. x. p. 84 ; and Eustathius in Horn. II. •r. 407. — Pliny (ix. cap. 47)
attributes the epithet of sacred on the same ground to the " flat-fishes " (pianos pisces) • perhaps
misunderstanding Aristotle to include these, of some of which he has indeed immediately before been
speaking, in the passage above-quoted, under the expression, "these fishes" {ix^"i rovr'ovi). Yet
many different fishes doubtless were so designated : and Athenaeus has a chapter (vii. 18) beginning
with the inquiry, " What is the fish called sacred ?" However, Bloch's application of this title
after Rondeletius, to the subject of the present chapter, is clearly founded upon its supposed identity
with Aristotle's Anthias.

22 PERCID^.

plan ('Ax. a. 253, and y. 328), of which he says* there are four kinds,
three being distinguished by their yellow, white, and dark blood-red co-
lours, and the fourth (called also Euopus and Aulopus) by its dusky eye-
brow or eye-circlet, seems at least to be compounded of a Lampris : the
sharp fore-edge of whose dorsal fin was very likely to suggest the story
('Ax. y. 33) embodied somewhat previously by Plutarch in liis treatise De
Solertia (Reiske, x. p, 68), and considerably earlier by the Roman poet in
the foregoing extract from his Halieutics ; and the gay florid colouring of
which agrees well with the hint afforded by the etymon of av0iug, viz.
avdog, a flower.

The Madeiran Anthias rarely exceeds eight or ten inches in length. Its form Is
oblong, and compressed ; the greatest depth, at the origin of the pectoral or ven-
tral fins, is about one fourth of the entire length, or one third of the length to the
root or base of the middle rays of the caudal fin. The back is rather high and
arched ; but its degree of elevation varies in different individuals, some being
considerably more hump-backed than others. Line of the belly nearly straight
and horizontal ; a little prominent only at the throat, just before or underneath
the pectoral fins. The thickness, greatest on the shoulders, is contained about
two and a half times in the depth.

The length of the head is less than the depth of the body. The profile descends
gradually and evenly, but rather steeply, from the first ray of the dorsal fin or
a little before it ; rising into a slight prominence before the eye, and thus giving
the muzzle a somewhat swollen appearance : this part, though short, is rather pointed
and projecting. Whole head scaled, except an ill-defined and narrow space before the
eye on each side of the muzzle, the lips, and the edge or border of the front, above
the upper lip. Maxillaries scaled completely over their exposed parts. Subor-
bitaries scaled, except their fore ends, which are traversed by the smooth band
or space before the lower fore corner of each eye. Cheeks and opercles also scaled
all over. A narrow ill-defined band of minute scales, extends forwards from the
corners of the mouth along the branches of the lower jaw, becoming narrow and
evanescent towards its tip. The top of the head is slightly convex and scaly.
Nostrils remote : the hinder a distinct round orifice close to the edge of the orbit,
above the fore part of the eye, within the scaly part ; the anterior is smaller, in-
distinct, and placed both considerably forwarder and lower, near the tip of the
muzzle, in the naked part. The eye is large and beautiful ; its diameter nearly
equals one third of the length of the head. The orbits are quite plain and un-
armed.

The mouth is of moderate size ; the commissure, w^hen closed, is considerably
oblique ; the lower jaw somewhat slender, and longer than the upper. The ends
of the maxillaries are broad and strong. In the upper jaw, the intermaxillary
teeth form a very narrow band, the outer row of which is larger ; on the sides
they are hooked forwards, straighter towards the front ; with one or two in front
on each side considerably larger, straighter, and a little inclining forwards. Pa-
latines and vomer not copiously scobinate.

^av^oi T , apyivvoi t£, to oi rp'trov a,\f/,a, KiXccivoi'

aXkous Sivuxau; n xai aiXu-rov; xccXiouiriv,

avviKtx. Toli Ka.6u'7tlohi ikiiTiTo/u,-iV>i xara xvKkev

iippu; nipiiffira TtipiSpo/^o; IffTUpdveorai. 'AX. a. 254 — 258.

ANTHIAS SACER. 23

The sides of the lower jaw are furnished, like the upper, with teeth hooking
forwards, straighter to wards the front ; and on each side, fitting, when the mouth
is closed, behind the larger teeth of the upper jaw, there is a pair of much larger
and stronger teeth, or sometimes only one, hooked strongly backwards, in an op-
posite direction to the rest. On each side just in front, and growing, as it were,
out of the gum, below the line or level of the rest, stands a single, strong, conic,
canine tooth pointing forwards.

The tongue is»free, narrow, thin in front, and quite smooth.

Edge of the preopercle nearly vertical and straight ; its teeth fine, regularly
enlarging downwards, till at the rounded angle there is one abruptly larger than
all the rest. Below this they are more irregular and distant, but larger than
above the angle. The edge of the interopercle is usually entire ; that of the
subopercle is sparingly and irregularly serrulate.*

The 'opercle is rather narrow, furnished with three distinct angles near the
top at its hinder edge, the two lower of which are produced into strong, sharp,
flattened spines ; but the third or uppermost can scarcely be called more than a
bony point or angle. Of the two spines, the uppemiost is larger, more conspicu-
ous, and produced ; the lower less distinct and shorter. The whole is covered
with five or six rows of scales, quite up to the base of the spines ; behind which
there is a skinny border, covered with very minute scales, and produced into
angles, corresponding with the two upper spines or angles only.

The lateral line rises obliquely at its origin, following the curve of the back, not
far below the base of the dorsal fin, to its end ; it then descends to the middle of
the body, where it makes an abrupt bend, and continues in a straight line to
the base of the caudal fin, along the middle of the fleshy part of the tail. Each of
its scales is marked by a prominent, broad, single tube.

The ordinary scales are large, with a rough echinulate border, and the edge
ciliate.

The dorsal fin begins quite on the nape ; and although its hinder soft portion is
more produced backwards than the rest, it is even and continuous. The first spine
is rather short ; the second twice as long ; the third is as once produced to twice,
or twice and a- half the length of the second; the fourth, and following ones, again,
are only a little longer than the second, and all are of nearly equal length. All the
spines are rather strong, and furnished with a skinny filament, like a ship's pen-
non, attached just below their point. The soft-rayed hinder portion of the fin ap-
pears, from the prolongation of its hinder rays, when collapsed, to be produced into
a filament like the caudal fin ; but when expanded, it is scarcely pointed. Its
rays are close and crowded. A single row of minute imbricated scales extends
some distance up the web between each ray. The front axils of some of the first
and hinder spines are also similarly, but more slightly, scaly, the scales rising
with the spine. Still, though the web of the spiny part is, generally speaking,
"naked," the base of the soft-rayed hinder portion is distinctly "^ scaled." The
spiny fore part only of this fin is seated in a groove.

The anal fin commences opposite the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin, with which
it corresponds. It is short, pointed behind, the anterior three or four soft rays,

* In MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes's figure^ both the interopercle and subopercle are represented
Bernilate. In their description, the latter only is expressly said to be so : " II y a aussi quelques
dentelures au bord inferieur de son subopercule." Cuv. and Val. Hist. ii. 251.

The fact is, that in the Madeiran fish at least, the interopercle varies, sometimes on different sides
of the same individual, from quite entire to subserrulate, or with two or three teeth crowded at its
upper comer ; though it is generally on both sides peifectly entire. The subopercle is, however,
almost always more or less serrulate.

D -2

24 PERCID.E.

except the first, being a little produced or drawn out into filaments. Its spines
are very strong, without distinct appendages or filaments. The web of the soft-
rayed part is scaled a little way up between the rays, but less distinctly than in
the corresponding part of the dorsal fin.

The pectoral fins are ovate, scarcely so long as the head, with lines of scales run-
ning a considerable distance up between the rays ; of which, the two first, though
barred or articulated, are simple or unbranched. The web of these fins is pellucid,
and extremely delicate and fragile ; so that the ends of the rays are generally
partly free. The lower rays are also somewhat fleshy in the middle, and very
thickly barred or ringed : presenting some analogy with the ScorpoenidcB.

The ventral fins, placed just beneath the pectoral, are very long ; their tip
reaching considerably beyond the end of the base of the anal fin, and some-
times quite to the base of the caudal fin. Varying a little in this respect, they
may be said, generally, to equal half the length from the tip of the muzzle,
to the middle of the fork of the caudal fin. When collapsed, as when the fish is
out of the water, these fins appear finely acuminate : but when expanded care-
fully in M^ater, their tips are found to be really more or less obtuse or rounded ;
varying o^ten in degree on the two sides of the same individual ; and with the
web between the extremities of the branches of the rays generally torn. The
outline traced out, however, by the projecting tips of these is always rounded.
The branches of the first, second, and third soft rays, are nearly equally produced ;
but the second is a little the longest. Their web is perfectly naked.

Caudal fin between forked and lunate ; the lobes conspicuously produced into
filaments by the prolongation of their four first branched rays, chiefly of the second
and third; the lower fork, or filament, contrary to Callanthias, being consider-
ably longer than the upper. The web between the rays is thickly scaled a long
way up, in imbricated lines of fine, small, oblong scales, almost concealing the
rays, which are much crowded, and difficult to reckon towards the outside of the
forks.

Colour fine pink or rosy, with a lilac tint ; mottled along the ridge of the back
with indistinct spots of dusky olive-yellow, which extend a little way down the
sides, but grow paler, and presently blend into a yellow tint. Towards the belly
pearly-whitish, iridescent.

Sides of the head rosy, with three yellow or olive-yellow horizontal bands ; one
close above, another through the middle of the eye, ending between the two lower
spines of the opercle ; the third under the eye, and ending in a yellow spot or
patch at the base of the pectoral fins. The lips are rosy. The iris chiefly pale-
violet or lilac, on a silver ground. The dorsal and anal fins are rosy along their
base, bordered with yellow ; the lacinice of the formel" yellow. The pectoral fins
are pale scarlet rather than rosy. The produced fore-part of the ventral fins is
bright yellow, orange towards the tip : their spine or fore-edge pink or rosy ; their
hind-part white, beautifully spotted with yellow. The caudal fin is yellow, with
the outer edges pink ; the filaments and middle often orange.

I have been tlius circumstantial in the description of this common
species, not merely for the sake of contrast with Callanthias; but be-
cause it is precisely in these " common species" of a place that similarity
is most frequently mistaken for identity. - The Atlantic fish appears,'
however, not to differ from MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes's description
of the rarer Mediterranean, except in the rather longer ventral fins, and
in the scaliness of the soft-rayed portions of the dorsal and anal fins ;

ANTHIAS SACKK. 25

points insufficient in tliemselves to establish any permanent specific dis-
tinction.

The Madeiran fish is most abundant at all seasons. That of the Medi-
terranean, however general, appears not to be common ; and Willughby
expressly mentions, that he had never seen it. It has not yet been taken
in the British seas. Pennant long since appears to have sent Bloch a
drawing, taken from a Gibraltar specimen. Cuvier says, " Toute la Me-
diterranee parait le produire; nous I'avons de Nice, de Naples, et de
Sicile." At Nice, Risso informs us it is called " Sarpanansar Its
French name of " le Barhier,'' by winch Rondelet originally mentions it
is called at Montpellier, may have been given it, in fanciful allusion to the
produced spine of the dorsal fin resembling, with its pennon-like ap-
pendage towards its point, a barbers pole.

The flesh is delicate enough when fried. Yet are the large bones and
spines so troublesome, that its chief consumption is amongst the poorer
classes, to whom it offers an abundant and continual supply.

The figure is the size of life.

%

■ ..^v?*^-

^p'^/

^

^

^

-^

/

>'

ACANTHOPTERYGII. ZENIDJE.

TAB. V.

LAMPRIS LAUTA, Nob.

Peixe Cravo.

Madeiran Opah.

Char. Gen.

Os subprotractilis, edentiilus. Corpus squamis membranaceis, deciduis, paiTis. Pinna dorsalis
analisque unica, continua ; dorsali antice alta, acuminata. Pinnae pectorales ventralesque elongatse,
basi horizontali ; ventralibus pluriradiatis. Pinna caudalis lunata vel furcata. Pinnarum omnium
radii cartOagineo-comei.

Obs. — Pisces grandes, coloribus pulcherrime picti. Pinnarum radii flexiles ; nee spinosi, nee dis-
tinctius articulati.

Char. Spec.

L. lingua lasvi : membrana branchiostega sex-radiata : cauda ecarinata.

6 + 1 -4- IX
D. 1 + 5-2 — 54; A. 1 + 39 — 41;R 1 + 23 — 25; V. 16 V. 17 ;C.

6 + I + VIII
M. B. 6 ; Vertebra; 23 abd. + 22 caud. = 45.

L- laida, Syn. Mad. Fish. in. Trans. Zool. See. p. 183.

Longit. = 3 — 4 - pedalis = 2 X alt.

Tempus, Vere.

Locus, in mediis profundis : rarior.

MM. CuviER and Valenciennes, in the tenth volume of their in-
valuable Histoire, justly remark, that it is singular so large and beautiful
a fish as Lampris guttatus Retz, the Opah, or King-fish of Pennant,
Yarrell, and others, should have escaped the observation of the older Na-
turalists. It seems still more extraordinary that, in these days of active
physical research, a second equally magnificent, and even more abundant
species locally, should have remained to be detected in Madeira.

The affinity between the European and Madeiran fish assuredly is
very close. It is, however, a strong argument in favour of their specific
difference, independent of all others, that Lampris guttata* appears to be
properly a northern fish. It seems to be in the Mediterranean a mere
strawcrler : whilst facts are wantins: to enable us to trace it further south
in the Atlantic, than the Gulf of Gascony. The Madeiran fish, if not

* To avoid confusion with the Entomological genus Lampyris, it seems inexpedient to restore the
orthography of the generic name, derived from Xa/^Tru^U a glovv-wonn or fire-fly : but it should as-
suredly retain its proper gender.
VOL. I.

28 ZENID.E.

abundant, is at least a perfectly well-known and regular frequenter of the
coast, caught always yearly in its proper season, and sold habitually in
the market. It were difficult to account for its re-appearance under these
circumstances, after such an interval, on the hypothesis of its specific
identity with the European fish.

The existence of a Lampris guttata again still further south, rests
merely on the vague impressions of a Negro Prince. — See Yarr. Brit.
Fishes i. 174; and Cuv. and Val. 10. 47.

In regard to the Madeiran fish, the following description with the ac-
companying figure, is taken from an individual which measured three feet
four inches and a half in length, and which was said to weigh upwards of
sixty pounds —

Shape subrhombic rather than oval, deep and short, deepest forwards in a line
through the base of the pectoral or commencement of the dorsal fin, the depth
here beingr contained only one thirteenth instead of one quarter more than twice in
the whole length : hence it is rather a deeper fish than Lampris giittutus Retz,
according to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes's measurements of that fish, taken
from a rather smaller individual of only three feet long. The whole body is
compressed ; yet of considerable thickness forwards at the nape, above the base
of the pectoral fins ; diminishing, from a thickness there nearly equal to one
seventh of the whole length, to one of one twenty-seventh at the root of the tail;
which is short, distinct, abruptly contracted behind the ends of the dorsal and
anal fins to between one seventh and one eighth of the greatest depth forwards.
The thickness at the root of the tail, is to the height at the same, as four to seven.
At the origin of the fin, above and beneath, is a curved or lunate transverse cut
or dimple, similar to that which exists in many Sharks ; and indicating much
play or freedom of motion in the caudal fin.

Head small and somewhat pointed ; short, but rather longer than in MM.
Cuvier and Valenciennes's fish, being one third and five sevenths, instead of one
fourth part of the whole length. The whole is remarkaldy plain and even ; re-
minding one, in the neat packing and arrangement of the maxillaries and opercles,
of the Tunny. The profile descends gradually, and in a perfectly straight and
even line from the commencement of the dorsal fin to the tip of the rather short
and moderately protractile muzzle. This is conspicuously different from the
rounded convex general outline, and depression at the origin of the back in the
European fish. From the )>eginning of the dorsal fin down to the nape, the ridge
is almost keeled ; and from the throat to the ventral fins beneath it is conspicu-
ously so, as if by an internal strong and prominent breast-bone, the edge of which
is slightly grooved or channeled. The outline of the throat and breast is rounded,
convex (not straight -as above) ; descending as far back as beneath the pectoral
fins : it then begins to ascend towards the tail. The top of the head behind the
eyes is very broad, but altogether plain, and Avithout sculpture.

The eyes are large, but obviously smaller than in the European fish ; their
diameter equalling one fifth part only of the length of the head, instead of more
than one third part ("plus du tiers" Cuv. and Val.): they are placed above
the middle of its height : their orbits are quite plain and flat : all the opercles
are the same ; unarmed, entire. The outline of the pre-oporcle is obliquely para-
bolic. The opercle, subopercle, and interopercle form together a large segment of
a circle. The nostrils are two small, oblong, simple orifices, placed rather high,

LAMPRIS LAUTA. 29

upon a level with the top of the eye, half way between it and the tip of the
muzzle.

The mouth and gape are small. The maxillaries are short, not much dilated
at their ends, which play within a groove, opening into several cracks or sinuses
behind the corners of the mouth, which give more extensibility and freedom to
the jaws. Lower jaw longer, and lower lip larger and thicker than the upper ;
tied down to the jawbone towards the comers of the mouth where it is also
broadest, by a single strong cartilage. Both jaws, as well as the palate and whole
mouth, are entirely without teeth, and smooth.

Tongue rather narrow, free, distinct, perfectly smooth and even ; the pharyngeal
plates in the oesophagus only, on dissection, proving to be armed with short, white,
recurved conic spines or points : the oesophagus was filled with half-decomposed re-
mains of the softer-coated isopodous Crustacese (Sea Woodlice). This smoothness
of the whole tongue has since been verified in several more specimens. It seems
to afford an obvious distinction from the British fish described by Mr. Harrison in
Pennant as having " the tongue thick, resembling that of a man, but rough and
thick-set with beards or prickles, pointing backwards, so that anything might
easily pass down, but could not easily return back, therefore these might serve
instead of teeth to retain its prey."* By Fleming, the tongue is described to be
" thick and rough, with reflected prickles :"f and Yarrell says that it is " thick
with rough papillte pointing backwards, and well calculated to assist in conveying
food towards the phari/nx" X In the Madeiran fish, the pharynx only is thus
armed : not only the tongue, but the whole mouth, as far back as can be seen or
felt without dissection, being perfectly smooth.

MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes do not describe either the tongue, or the oeso-
phagus, of their fish. They found,, however, in the stomach, a great quantity of
the remains of the eight-armed Cuttle-fish (Octopus) ; and quote M. Faber as
repoiling, on the information of the Iceland fishermen, that the Lampris pursues
trouts. If this difference of food were constant, it might account, perhaps, for a
corresponding difference in the tongue, none existing as to teeth. To retain the
strong and active Trout or Octopus, the reversed prickles or papillae might be ne-
cessary, which were not required to secure the small crustaceae found in the Ma-
deiran smooth-tongued fish ; yet it is plain from the kind of bait employed for
its capture, that this last also preys sometimes on other fishes.

Both in the present, and in other individuals, the branchial membrane had
assuredly only six rays on each side. The European fish is, both by MM. Cu-
vier and Valenciennes, and Mr. Yavrell, described as having seven branchial rays ;
yet Retzius, Faber, and Nilsson, agree in attributing to it only six.

The shoulders and axils of the pectoral fins are plain and even, the humeral
and superscapulary bones not being visible externally to the eye.

The dorsal fin begins rather forwarder than it is either figured or described to
do by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes : i. e. about opposite the middle of the base of
the pectoral fins, instead of " a little behind their hinder edge." It rises at once
into a high and falcate point in front, which scarcely equals one-fifth of the whole
length of the fish. It descends again almost as abruptly ; and then continues in
an even line, of nearly equal height, and very low or nan'ow, scarcely appearing
out of the fleshy groove in which it is concealed when collapsed, till just before its
end, close to the tail ; where it becomes again broader and rounded. The sides of
its groove rise gradually higher backwards, and are scaly ; the fin itself is al-
together naked. The first ray is a very short, thick, indistinct, triangular bone

* Penn. Brit. Zool. ed. 1776. iii. 224. f Flem. Brit. Anim. i. 220.

X Yarr. Brit. Fish. i. 175.

30 ZENID.E.

rather than spine, concealed completely within the skin at the base in front.
The second ray is the longest of all, broad, unbranched ; the two next rays are
forked ; the fifth, sixth, and seventh branched ; from the seventh to the fifteenth
the rays are less and less branched ; the twelve next are altogether simple, neither
branched nor barred, but still weak and cartilaginous like the rest, and in no
degree spiny; the twenty-eight remaining rays again are branched, becoming
gradually more and more so towards the end ; the last six or eight being
double or bifid to the base, and so close together, and confusedly and copiously
branched, that it is quite impossible to reckon them coiTectly without dissection.
The lowest even part of the fin, extends from about the fifteenth, to the thirtieth
ray ; and the height of its broader hinder end is about one sixth of that of the
produced part in front.

The anal fin is seated in a similar groove, and corresponds with the hinder
low half of the dorsal ; beginning opposite its twenty-second or twenty-third
ray. It is not produced or elevated at all in front ; but is gradually broader
backwards, and rounded like the hinder end of the dorsal fin. Its first ray is
a short, thick, obscure, triangular bone rather than spine, completely hid and
buried in the thick loose skin. The second ray is flexible and slightly branched,
but very little longer than the six or seven following ones, which are also
scarcely branched. The hinder rays are gradually more branched ; the last six
or eight being very copiously and confusedly so, and bifid to the base, so as to be
with difficulty reckoned. Mr. Yarrell speaks of " a triangular scale pointing back-
wards," which in the British fish precedes the anal fin. I can find no trace of
this, unless it be what I have called above the first ray of the fin.

Pectoral fins placed high up, rather above the middle of the sides ; their base,
which is a singular peculiarity, being completely horizontal. This is caused, ac-
cording to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes (vol. x. p. 56,) by the enormous deve-
lopement of the cubital bone. When turned down, the upper side of their base is
discovered to be peculiarly tumid, smooth, and naked, covered with a fine, soft,
wrinkled, flaccid skin of a metallic lustre, affording them great play in a vertical di-
rection. On dissection, they are found to be curiously articulated to the four carpal
bones, by means of four prominent oval knobs or knuckles on their edge, like four
small bird's eggs in a row, diminishing in size backwards. The whole is enclosed
in a stronw capsular ligament ; and connecting weaker ligaments, pass also from the
interstices of the knuckles to the opposite dissepiments of the cells or cups at the
base of the fin, into which they fit. The fin itself is large and falcate, measuring
one fourth and a quarter of the entire length of the fish. The first ray is a very
short spine ; the second is the longest of all, but unbranched and very broad at
the base; the third and fourth are bifid halfway down ; the rest much branched.

The ventral fins resemble the pectorals ; they are only a very little shorter, and
have no short spine in front, the first ray, answering to the second of the pectoral
fins as above described, being simple, and the longest of all. The hinder rays be-
come gradually more and more branched. These fins are articulated to a plain,
rounded, even edge of bone ; but the skin at their base is soft and finely wrinkled
as in the pectorals, forming a curious raised sort of fleshy cushion, contrasting
with the rest of the skin, which is remarkably hard and thick, especially towards
the head, and keel of the breast, where it is half an inch thick. Their position
is apparently abdominal ; though on dissection they are found to be really tho-
racic, or connected with the shoulder-bones, instead of free, as in the truly ab-
dominal fishes. They are inserted close together on the belly, behind its most
prominent or deepest part. The base of tlieir first ray falls a little behind a verti-
cal line through the root of the last ray of the pectoral fins ; and the distance from
the base of their last ray to the origin of tlie anal fin, scarcely exceeds the

LAM PR IS LAUTA.

31

breadth of their base. The anormal number of their rays, sixteen or seventeen,
and want of a true spine, are very peculiar characters.

The caudal fin is simply forked, not lunate, large and powerful. Its forks are
broad, but considerably shorter than in MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes's fish ;
being only about one fifth, instead of one third, of the entire length of the fish.
They are furnished outside with a number of short accessory simple rays, enclosing
a broad, rounded, fleshy space. The longest of these reaches to the tip of each fork.
The seventeen rays within are copiously branched.

The rays of all the fins are of a substance between cartilaginous and horny ; and
are curiously compressed, or as it were, planed flat, on each side ; the first long
unbranched ray of all the fins, except the anal, has the front edge sharp, the
hinder edge flat or grooved, and the sides very broad : the whole resembling a
scimitar. The other rays of the pectoral, ventral, and caudal fins, and the hinder
ones of the dorsal and anal, are branched dichotomously in a peculiarly gi-aceful
feathery manner : and so copiously towards the hinder ends of the two first and
last, and in the middle of the caudal fin, that the web is quite obliterated.

The scales are small, and soft, or membranous and satiny ; extremely decidu-
ous, or rubbing off almost with a touch : hence the more prominent parts, espe-
cially the throat, breast-keel, and corresponding ridge of the back are smooth and
naked. The head, cheeks, and all the opercles are, however, scaled all over.

The muzzle, lips, and maxillaries, the dorsal, anal, pectoral, and ventral fins are
smooth and naked ; the caudal fin alone has rows of very bright silver scales,
running a considerable way up between the rays.

The lateral line rises at once steeply at its origin ; forming an abrupt high arch,
under the high fore-part of the dorsal fin, approaching near to the ridge of the back.
It then descends, at first abruptly, afterwards more gradually ; attaining the mid-
dle of the body at about the middle of the dorsal, or beginning of the anal fin ,• and
thence continues in a straight line to its termination. Though sufficiently dis-
tinct throughout, it is in no part keeled ; and not more elevated towards the tail
than forwarder, being formed by short raised lines or marks upon the skin, which
are more obvious when the scales are removed.

The coloLU's are truly splendid. When quite fresh and uninjured, the whole
body appears covered with a rich brocade of silver and rose or lilac, formed by the
scales, reflecting on the middle of the sides golden tints ; but pure silver and rose-
lilac on the back, silver and more rose than lilac on the belly. The whole sides,
cheeks, and opercles, are spotted with round and oval pale or silvery whitish spots,
shining through the scales ; becoming towards the throat and sides of the breast
or belly, irregular and confluent, forming waved mosaic marks or bands. The
raised sides of the groove embracing the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and the
rows of imbricated scales running up between the rays of the caudal fin, are
bright pure silver. The head, opercles, and back reflect bright iridescent ultrama-
rine tints.

On removing the scales, or where they have been worn away by rubbing, the
skin is in general of a very dark rusty grey, approaching to black, with a dark
bottle-green tinge on the top of the head, shoulders, and forepart of the back, the
white spots appearing clearer and brighter silver than before. The naked keel of
the breast and throat is dark rose-colour mottled with brownish-black.

The naked muzzle before the eyes, the lips, and lower jaw are rich vermilion.
The upper lip and top of the muzzle are tinged with olive-brown ; the lower lip
and jaw beneath blend into white. The tongue is white, tinged with vermilion.
The ends of the maxillaries are silvery.

The iris is clouded with gold and vermilion on a silver ground ; the pupil is a
bluish-black. The edges of the orbits are dusky brownish.

3% ZENID.E.

The fins are the brightest vermilion, as if varnished with red sealing-wax ; a
little paler and transparent towards the edges. The dorsal, pectoral, and ventral
fins are brighter or fuller coloured than the rest ; the middle part of the dorsal is
shaded with dark olive brown between the rays : and the base of its high fore part
and of the pectoral and ventral fins, is coated with a fine smooth bright vermilion
skin, obliterating the roots of the rays.

Unfortunately, nothing was noticed of the viscera except the presence of an air-
bladder. The vertebrae were short, and their whole number, including as usual
that from which originate the caudal rays, was noted down erroneously as it now
appears, at forty-nine, which is six more than in MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes's
fish. The flesh was red like beef or Tunny, and full of blood, but fine in grain.

The individual above described, was taken off Camera de Lobos, a vil-
lage three or four miles to the west of Funchal, on the 20th of February
1835. Its fin formula was

6 + 1 + 1X.

D. 1 + 54 ; A. 1 -1-39 ; P. 1 + 25 ; V. 16 ; C.

6 -f- I -j- VIII
B. M. 6 ; Vertebrffi 49 ?

In two others taken respectively May 13th, 1836, and March J^6th,
1 838, the latter of which was said to weigh about one hundred pounds,
the fin-formula was

D. I + 54 ; A. 1 -f- 41 ; P. 1 -f- 24 ; V. 17 ; and

6 -I- I -I- IX
D. 1 -h 54; A. 1 -f 40; P. 1 -I- 23; V. 17; C. ^ — ~

6 -I- I -I- VIII
B. M. 6 on both sides.

The tongue of both these fishes was quite smooth. The rays of the tail
and branchial membrane in the former were not noted. In both there
was nothing like a " scale"" before the anal fin ; and in colours and other ge-
neral particulars they agreed with the foregoing description. The numbers
of the rays were in each case ascertained by maceration and dissection.

The smoothness of the tongue has since been verified in several other in-
dividuals.

Since writing the above description, I have had an opportunity of testing
it by comparison with another individual, a female, measuring three feet five
inches in length: and from which are derived the following particulars : —

The greatest depth of this example was two feet ; a quantity contained rather
above one quarter less than twice, instead of one- thirteenth more in the whole
length of the fish. The head was one foot long, or half the depth exactly ; being
not quite one third and a half, instead of one third and five sevenths of the whole
length. Thus the fish was at once deeper, and had a longer head tliau the one
above described ; both characters removing it still further from the European fish

LAMPRIS LAUTA. 33

described by MM. Cuvler and Valenciennes. Tlie diameter of the eye was one-
fifth of the length of the head. The pectoral fins were rather longer than before ;
measuring something less than one fourth part, instead of a quarter more than one
fourth part of the whole length. The ventral fins were one fourth part, and the
high front part of the dorsal fin was scarcely one fifth part of the whole length of
the fish. The anal fin was neither raised in front, nor had any trace of " a tri-
angular scale" before it. Not only was the tongue perfectly smooth all the way
down, as far back as the pharyngeal plates, but all the bases of the branchial arches
are less aculeate than in most fishes, and merely scabrous. The pharyngeal plates
at the entrance of the oesophagus or gullet, are six above, and two beneath, furnish-
ed with strong, sharp, white, recurved teeth, directed down the throat, which it
were scarcely possible to mistake and describe as pertaining to the tongue.

On opening the fish, the small extent, and great apparent height of situation in
the body of the abdominal cavity, owing to the enormous depth below it of the
breast-bone (cubital), are remarkable. The viscera are altogether small in propor-
tion. The air-bladder appeared small and inconspicuous ; but having been unfor-
tunately ruptured, its shape could not be ascertained ; the liver was rather small,
and of a very pale fawn-colour. The stomach was of a most peculiar columnar
shape, perfectly cylindric, and of the same diameter with the long oesophagus,
elongate, and very obscurely bilobed at the hinder end, one of the lobes being the
pylorus, which is thus subterminal, and from the neck of which originates an enor-
mous mass of ca^ca, forming a dense compact or fleshy gland, of an oblong shape,
and as long as the stomach, with which it is connected closely all its length by cel-
lular tissue ; lying parallel to it, and reaching forward to the liver or oesophagus.
In colour and consistence it resembles a mass of lung. The intestine is short and
simple, issuing from the middle of the mass of cceca, and proceeding thence without
volution to the vent. The ovaria were small and empty.

In this union of the oBca into a single fleshy gland, more completely than in
the Tunny, there is a curious and unexpected analogy with the Sharks and Stur-
geons. In Lampris, this organ appears to be completely in an intermediate or
transitional state from Cceca to Pancreas or spleen ; just as it does in the Stur-
geons or Stiirionidce.*

The fin formula, &c. in this example was

6 -f 1 + IX

D. 1 -I- 52 ; A. 1 -I- 4 ; P. 1 -|- 24 ; V. 16 ; C. -

6 -f I -f VII

M. B. 6 ; Vert. 24 abd. + 21 caud. == 45 ; weight eighty-five pounds. It was captured April
25th, 1839.

In another female, taken March the 30th, full of roe, and measuring
three feet and half an inch in length,

The depth was exactly half the length : the head ten inches long, or rather
more than half the depth, and one-tliird and three-fifths of the whole length.
Thus it was intermediate in these proportions between the first and last examples
above described. The eye was a little larger than in either ; its diameter being
contained only four times and four-ninths in the length of the head, though this
last was also rather longer than in the first-described example. The pectoral fins
were contained four times, and the ventral fins three and three-fifths in the whole

* See Cuv. R. An. 1^ ed. ii. 379, 381, and 384.— Cuv. and Val. Hist. i. 502, 503.

34 ZENID-E.

length ; the latter being thus a little longer than the pectoral. The high front
part of the dorsal fin was also longer than before ; being nearer one-fourth than
one-fifth part of the whole length. In all other points, external and internal, it
agreed with the previous descriptions, with the following exceptions or additions :
the ventral fins were not only rather longer, but less falcate or more oblong and
obtuse at the tips than usual : the breast-keel was clianneled only close before the
root of the ventral fins : the sides were of a fuller pink than usual, with the white
spots more distinct, and extending over the opercles and cheeks, but not becoming
confluent on the sides of the breast. The lateral line made a slight loop down-
wards immediately before the beginning of its straight part in the middle of the
flesliy fore-part of the tail. The air-bladder was elongated, oblong, but not large,
with its coats extremely fragile. The liver was large, its lobes narrow, and nearly
as long as the stomach which was a foot long, and an inch and half in diameter.
Both the oesophagus and stomach were filled with various small soft-coated Crus-
tacece, and traces of remains of fish. The ovaries were two cylindric masses, nearly
as long as the stomach, and turgid with half- formed eggs. The flesh only upon the
enormous cubitals was red like beef: the rest was white, and looking delicate
enough when boiled ; but it was rather dry and insipid to the taste ; resembling
that of the Dourado {Cori/phcena equisetis, Linn). The fin-formula, &c. was

6 4- 1 -h IX
D. 1 -I- 52 ; A. 1 -f- 40 ; P. 1 -H 24 ; V. 17 ; C.

ti -I- I + VIII

M. B. 6 ; Vertae 23 abd. -f 22 caud. = 45.

The six last dorsal and the four last anal fin-rays were attached to a single
interspinal only, which was spatulate or much dilated at its apex. The hinder
ribs are extremely long and crowded ; the last two or three being soldered to-
gether in their middle, forming a back to the abdominal vault ; from the end of
which, here as elsewhere, and not from the still more variable position of the first
anal interspinal, I reckon the commencement of the caudal vertebrae. In this
particular fish, however, from the approximation and variable degree of cohesion
of the lower hinder apophysis or ribs, it is not easy to determine which is the
first free single apophyses indicating the first true caudal vertebrae. The enormous
cubitus on each side was a foot high and half as wide : resembling in size a blade-
bone of mutton, but extremely thin and laminar. Its lower edge comes down
quite to the ventral keel, where it is soldered to the edge of that of the other side.
The first regular interspinal of the dorsal fin is attached to the superior apophysis
of the first vertebra, which is scarcely shorter than the others : all being re-
markably short and equal. The first short ray of the anal fin is attached im-
mediately to the points of the two inferior apophyses or ribs of the fifteenth ab-
dominal vertebra. In front of the dorsal fin there is an interspinal belonging to
its first short buried spine, which is unconnected with any process from the ver-
tebra, and free within the flesh upon the nape.

Thus then, besides the points exposed in the specific character, the
Madeiran Lampris is a deeper fish, with the head longer and the eye
smaller, than the European.

There is something about this fish winch commands the admiration of
the most incurious and unobservant. It is not usual to see great size,
and richness without gaudiness of colour, in such combination. The very

LAMPRIS LAUTA. 35

fishermen are eloquent in commendation of its splendour in tlie water ;
and by their name, intend to note it as " the pink" of beauty.*

Though not a common fish, it is by no means rarely brought into
the market during spring ; and is perfectly well known to all the fisher-
men. Its flesh is considered superior to that of the Tunny ; selling in
the market at a somewhat higher price for the pound. Formerly, I am in-
formed, it Avas held in such esteem, that every fish taken was obliged by
law to be carried to the governor of the Island, without whose licence it
could not be sold in the market.

This fish is taken with an ordinary bait, a whole Ca valla (iNIackerel),
or Chicharro (Madeiran Horse-Mackerel), at no great distance from the
shore, but at a depth of from fifty to one hundred fathoms. It is taken
only in the early Tunny-season.

The accompanying figure is reduced from a full-sized drawing of the
adult individual first above described, measuring three feet four inches and
a half in length.

The nature of the fin-rays in Lampris^ amongst others, considerably
affects the verbal precision of the names employed for the two great divi-
sions of the Fishes into Acanthopterygians and Malacopterygians. This
fish is, strictly speaking, soft-rayed ; whilst its affinities are unequivocally
Acanthopterygious.

* The Pink or Carnation (" Crave,") is, with the Portuguese florilinguists, the emblem of gentility
or beauty.

%

kr^??:r^i

'«>^ ©^'

>^

'X

.-" U/ . '

CHONDROPTERYGII. SQUALID.'E.

TAB. VI.

ACANTHIDIUM PUSILLUM, Nob.

Raimudo pequeno, ou Gata negra.

Little Black Spine-Shark.

Char. Gen.

Corpus gracile, elongatum. Spiracula magna. Caput fomicatum, subinflatum. Rostrum de-
pressum, obtusum, crassura, subtrilobum ; naribus terminalibus. Dentes utriusque maxilki:; dispares,
parvi ; superioris ut in Sajliis laniarii s. conico-acuminati, tenues, recti ; basi utrinque dcnticulis
aucti ; antice triseriati, lateribus biseriati : maxillae inferioris incisorii, acumine utrinque a medio
oblique deflexo, uniseriati. Fissurse branchiales quinque omnes ante pinnas pectorales. Membrana
nictitans nulla.

Pinnae dorsales duse, antice spiniferae, spiiiis recurvis ; pinna secunda majore, postica, caudae ap-
proximata. Pinnae ventrales subposticaj s. secunda dorsali subanteriores. Pinna caudalis lobo su-
periore majore, producto, oblique oblongo, truncato ; gelasino basali nuUo. Pinna analis nulla.

Obs. — Squali regionis temperatae parvi, nigrescentes, subtus fere nigriores. Genus inter Spinacein
Cuv. et Centrinam Cuv, intermedium.

Char. Spec.

A. atrum, scabro-granidatum ; ore fissurisque branchialibus spiracidisque intus albis : pinnae pec-
torales ventralibus majores.

A. pusillum, Suppl. Syn. Mad. Fish, in Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 91.

Centrina? nigra. Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1833, p. 144. — Syn. Mad. Fish, in Trans. Zool. Soc. p. 194.

Lotiffii. = 10 — 12 poll.
Tempus, per totum annum.
Locus, in mediis profiuidis : rariss.

The tribe or family of Sharks is part of one of those aberrant groups,
"which, in the general form and habits of the species, retain many charac-
ters of the true fishes ; but begin in certain other points of structure to
lead off, sometimes to the higher, sometimes to the lower forms or types
of animal organisation. The Sharks, speaking restrictively, retain the
shape, the gills, the fins of fishes ; and are but as it were occasionally,
or by accident, like the Reptilia, viviparous. Yet even in their outward
aspect is there something, which inclines the most cursory observer to
hesitate regarding the propriety of classing them amongst the Fishes ;
a difficulty which, in almost every language, has been indicated by the de-
signation of the tribe by a particular name.

VOL. 1. H

88 SQUALID.E.

The correctness of this popular view is amply confirmed by the re-
searches of the anatomist and physiologist. Aristotle was the first of these
to fix this idea scientifically ; and to establish the tribe of ra aikajri upon
the cartilaginous nature of the bones, and the supposed universal vivi-
parous production of the young.*

The Sharks in common with the Skates or Rays (Raiid^), the Stur-
geons (Sturionida:), and the Lampreys (Petiomi/zida), forming together
the series termed by Cuvier Chondropterygianse (from %ov^^o?, cartilage),
are in fact distinguished from the generality of the true fishes by the cartila-
ginous instead of bony structure of their skeleton ; the parts of which are
not composed of bony fibres, but of an aggregate of granular calcareous par-
ticles, effacing more or less the joints, divisions of the bones, and more
especially the sutures of the skull. Considering the class, with Cuvier, rather
in the light of a series parallel with the true fishes, than as either of a sub-
ordinate, or of a higher rank ; for if on one side they degenerate towards the
Invertebrata, on the other they approximate in certain points of structure to
the Reptilia ; a curious analogy in outward form and certain characters
may be traced out between the families or groups of each respective line.
Thus in the Chondropterygian Series, or their confines,

Sharks = Scombridas.

Skates and Rays = Pleuronectidae.

Lampreys = Mursenidre or GobidjE, or Cyclopteridae.

Sturgeons = Syngnathidse, or Balistidffi.

Balistidse and Diodontidje = Lophidte, in the series of the true fishes.

The Sturgeons and the Lampreys agree in this — that they deposit eggs
or spawn like the true fishes : but the Sturgeons have the gills or branchise
free, opening by a single orifice, and covered by an opercle : whilst in the
Lampreys the respiratory organs are a row of mere cells, each opening
either directly by a distinct orifice on the sides of the neck externally, or
into an internal common tube or channel ; and the spine is reduced to the
lowest state of developement, marking the passage from one great division of
the animal kingdom (Verttbrata), to the other (Invertebrata or Mol-
lusca). But in the Sharks and Rays, the spine, though cartilaginous, is
perfectly continuous and distinct ; the branchite, as in the sturgeon or the
ordinary fishes, are composed of pectinated laminae, which are not however
free, and opening by a single orifice, but fixed or adherent by their outer
edge to the integument or skin, and opening on both sides of the neck
by as many separate external orifices as there are intervals between each
pair ; the rays of the fins are indistinguishable : and lastly, many of the
species are, as Aristotle thought of all, viviparous ; although others, and

* Confer Anst. Hist. (Schneideri) A. S, r. «. 13, ?. (i, and n.

ACANTHTDIUM PUSILLUM. 39

especially the Rays and Skates, deposit those curious yellow horny cases,
like a handbarrow or butcher's tray, often called, on the English coasts.
Sea-purses, or Skates"'-eggs.

Most of the Selachidee (Sharks and Rays), observed cursorily, appear to
the naked eye to be merely granular or rough, and devoid of true imbri-
cated scales. But, when examined with a lens, the roughness of the skin
is found with few exceptions to be caused by minute and elegantly formed
scales ; anomalous in form and structure, but disposed quincuncially like
those of ordinary fishes. Many of the Rays, and some few Sharks, are
furnished also with large bony scattered dermal tubercles or plates. The
substance called Shagreen, or by the French Chagrin,* is prepared from
the coarse-grained skins of certain species of the Shark or Ray : and the
rough skins of other sorts are used by cabinet-makers and other artisans for
polishing their manufactures.

The Sharks were by Linneeus all united in a single genus Squalus ;
which the accession of new species, and the application of a stricter critical
analysis, have obliged later naturalists to raise into the rank of a tribe
or family Squalidfe, distinguished from the Rays or Skates (Raiidtt),
by the elongated, more or less cylindric form of body, by the fins in figure,
size, position, and proportion, corresponding with the ordinary fishes, by
the arrangement of the branchial openings on the sides of the neck, and by
the lateral position of the eyes. The two families agree with the Sturgeons
{Sturionido') anatomically in having the c^eca united into one mass, form-
ing a sort of pancreas or sweetbread, -f* and the intestine furnished with
a curious internal, generally spiral :j: appendage, like the worm of a female
or hollow screw : and they accord with each other in the distinction of the
sexes by the presence of a pointed cartilaginous appendage, called a clasper,
attached to the inner margin of each ventral fin, characterising the male fish
fi-om its earliest stage ; and in the frequent presence in both sexes of a
temporal orifice or breathing hole (spiracle, or in French eveyit) behind each
eye, destined, perhaps, in certain positions of the fish, in which the mouth
is closed, to admit the water to the branchiae, or to allow of its expulsion
from the mouth, when occupied in holding or in masticating food.

* These words seem to be derived from the Italian. Willughby says, that Sagree (Ital. Sagri)
is the common name for Spinax niger, Cuv. with the Ligurians or Genevese : and hence its application
under different forms of orthography to the skins of other Sharks.

■f See under Lampris luuta, supra p. 33.

X In one of tlie Hammer-fishes {Zygesna fades, Val.) and in another Shark of doubtful genus
{Galeus? thalassinus, Val.), M. Duvernoy has observed this internal appendage to be a membrane at-
tached longitudiually, instead of spirally, and rolled up cylindrically on itself. He considers it as
constituting in these instances a kind of internal mesentery. An analogous structure exists also in
the Lampreys. See Ann. des Sciences Nat. 2d Serie, iii. 274. tt. 10, II A.

In the common Hammer-fish, the German naturalist Meckel had previously made the same dis-
covery.

40 SQUALID.E.

The family Squalidet is now composed of a greater mass of genera than
the Linneean genus Sqnalus formerly contained of species. They are cha-
racterised by the nature of the teeth, the presence, absence, or position
of the spiracles, of one or other of the dorsal or the anal fins, &c. &c.; and
appear as well established on these grounds as any of the older genera
in other tribes.

Of these new groups, the little Shark exhibited in the accompanying
plate represents one of the best marked examples. The characters, however,
of this genus have but very recently been recognised ; and its claims to
such distinction are connected with a maze of singular confusion. Thus,
although possessing nothing of the elegance of a Callanthias, or of the
splendour of a Lampris^ this Acanthidium has become an interesting sub-
ject to the selachologist.

The genus Spinax of Cuvier Avas established by its illustrious author
on the Squahis Jcaiithias, L. ; and in a note he proposes to add to it, with
some others, the Sq. Spinax, L.

The genus Acanthias of Risso is exactly identical in type, extent, and
characters with Spinax, Cuv.

The Sq. Spinax, L. proving, however, to differ generically from the
type and characters of Spinax, Cuv. (Acanthias, Risso), the Prince of
Musignano has more lately broken up the Cuvieran genus Spinax into
two, Acanthias and Spinax : the former differing only in extent, and not
in type or characters, from Spinax, Cuv. ; the latter founded on the Sq.
Spinax, L., and identical with Acanthidium, Lowe.

The name of Spinax must, however, remain fixed to the type and
characters to which it was originally assigned by Cuvier, viz. the Sq.
Acanthias, L. and its true allies : for which Acanthias is, moreover,
an inconvenient designation, having been previously employed by Risso in
a different or wider sense, in which it is a mere synonym of Spinax, Cuv.

For the Sq. Spinax, L. (Spinax niger, Buon.), and its allies, there
remains no alternative but to retain the name of Acanthidium, proposed
in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1889.

The group thus named and constituted, is well represented by the Shark*
here figured : and there is not, perhaps, amongst the Selachidee one which
possesses better claims to such distinction. It forms, in fact, a genus of
transition between the older groups of Spinax, Cuv., and Centrina, Cuv. ;
possessing, as I long ago remarked, -j- the elongated form of body of the
one, and teeth resembling rather — though it appears not to the extent
suggested by Cuvier''s account of them in Centrina — those of the latter

* Judging from the descriptions, this Acant/iidium appears to be suffitiontly distinct specifically
from S(/. Spii/a.r, L. {Acanthidium >Spiuu,r, nob.) ; which differs chiefly in its paler colour, liairy skiu,
the dark-coloured inside of the mouth and breathing apertures, and the smaller pectoral fins.

t Proceed. Zonl. Soc. 1833, i. 144.

ACANTHIDIUM PUSILLUM. 41

genus. The position of the second dorsal fin is, speaking strictly, interme-
diate between that which obtains in either of these genera. It is backwarder
than in Spinax, Cuv., but rather forwarder than in Centrina, Cuv., whilst,
in its large size compared with the first dorsal fin, it disagrees with both.
The caudal fin resembles that of Sjjinax rather than Centrina.

The constancy of these distinctions has now been verified repeatedly
in several individuals of this little Shark : and their value in a gene-
ric point of view may be considered incidentally and independently con-
firmed by the proposal of the genus Spinax, Buon., upon similar if not the
self-same characters, and by its adoption by two authors, who have devoted
so much labour and talent to the study of this branch of Ichthyology as
MM. Muller and Henle.

The little Shark here figured is very imperfectly known to the fisher-
men, and must be accounted of excessive rarity. Five or six individuals
only have occurred, of which all but one were females. In size, these
exhibited a remarkable uniformity : and the fishermen affirm positively,
that this Shark does not exceed a foot in length.

The general form is elongated and slender, especially towards the tail : the
muzzle, head, and nape are flattened above, but have a swollen, vaulted, or inflated
appearance : the body is subprismatic, depressed forwards, slightly convex along
the top of the back as far as to the second dorsal fin, the belly forming the broad
side of the prism : behind the second dorsal fin the back is faintly channeled :
muzzle broad and thick, subtrilobed or triangular, contracting suddenly imme-
diately before the nostrils, just behind which it is broadest, and produced into
an intermediate narrower, obtuse, short, thick, terminal lobe : the nostrils being at
the anterior face, or partly on the under side, of the two much less distinct and
shorter side lobes, and situated rather less than half-way from the tip of the middle
lobe to the eye ; they are large, distinct, and double or bilobed. Their upper
valve is narrow and acuminate ; their lower or hinder shorter and triangular. The
breadth of the muzzle just behind the nostrils exceeds considerably its length from
the fore-comer of the eyes. Eyes very large, oval, with the orbits extending both
forwards and backwards into corners considerably beyond the eyeball ; the hinder
canthus is in a vertical line with the mouth, which is situated quite underneath.
They have no nictitating membrane. The spiracles are large and conspicuous,
semilunar, or half oval ; and with an internal, dark-coloured, valvular dissepiment;
they are placed on the upper side of the neck or nape, about half the longitudinal
diameter of their orbit behind the inner canthus of the eyes, and half-way between
the tip of the muzzle and the anterior base or origin of the pectoral fins. Branchial
slits or openings five : the first is about as far behind the spiracles as these are
behind the eye ; the last is close before the front base of the pectoral fin, partly
below and partly above its level. Mouth semilunar, strongly plaited or wrinkled
at the comers, with a smooth sort of narrow underlip. Teeth different in the two
jaws ; in the upper are three rows in front, two on the sides, of small, sharp-pointed^
straight, triangular-acuminate or thorn-shaped teeth ; their points directed back-
wards, and having at their base a small equal toothlet or two on each side ; they are
placed behind each other, not quincuncially : in the lower jaw there is only a
single compact and even row of about forty incisorial somewhat square teeth, the
short points of which are abruptly deflexed horizontally, diverging from the centre

42 SQUALID.E.

or middle tooth towards each comer of the mouth. The tongue is broad and short,
quite smooth, pale bluish -grey.

The top of the head is slightly convex, quite plain, but with a small, pale,
oblong, smooth spot in the middle between the eyes ; which, though observed in
two individuals, may perhaps be only the effect of injury or friction. No pores at
all are visible about the head, or elsewhere, whilst the individual is fresh ; but,
after being kept twenty-four hours, the whole head and muzzle, both above and
beneath, appear pretty thickly sprinkled with pores, which form, however, no re-
gular figures or pattern, and are very inconspicuous.

Lateral line very indistinct, but straight and simple. A kind of false secondary
lateral line extends below it from the upper axil of the pectoral to the ventral fins,
where it disappears ; and here sometimes begins, a little higher up, on the flanks,
another waved line, or rather the dark edge of a deeper-coloured cloud or patch,
extending to the caudal fin : but these are merely superficial variable marks or
stains.

The skin is all over coarsely granulate or shagreened like sand-paper, and more
coarsely on the belly than elsewhere : but it is in no part hispid or hairy. Through
the lens the granulations are found to be caused by close-pressed or almost imbedded
tricuspidate or dagger-shaped scales ; the middle point of which is produced or acu-
minate, and the side-denticle, or short toothlet at its base, set on at nearly right
angles, forming a sort of cross, like the obelus, or dagger, used in printing for a
mark of reference. The elongated middle point is not in any way produced into
a hair or filament.* Thus there is no appreciable difference between these scales and
those of a Scylimn as figured by MM. Miiller and Henle in their plate of S.
Edicardsii, except that they are somewhat narrower or more slender and acuminate
in proportion to their depth or breadth at the base.

The first dorsal fin is placed half-way between the tip of the muzzle and the
origin of the caudal fin ; i. e. considerably forwarder than half the whole length of
the body and tail together, and nearer to the pectoral than to the ventral fins. It
is low, and rather small and narrow, sublunate or oblongo-arcuate, reclining back-
wards ; its front edge furnished with a short, triangular, recumbent, horny spine,
about half the height of the fin itself, and grooved on each side.

Half-way between the first dorsal and the origin of the caudal fins, but on the
opposite part of the body beneath, are the ventral fins ; these are rather small and
low, narrow-trapeziform, acuminate behind, and connected by a web both to each
other and to the body at their inner edge. Their clasper or appendage in the
male is without a spine.

The second dorsal fin begins just opposite the hind tips of the ventral fins, still
leaving a considerable space behind it and the beginning of the caudal fin, to which,
however, its produced acuminate and slender hinder end nearly reaches. It is much
larger than the first dorsal fin ; its shape trapeziform and appendiculato-caudate,
or with the hinder point produced into a slender sort of tail, and with the outer
margin sinuate or with a wide notch. The spine at its anterior edge is long and
slender, subpellucid, whitish towards the point, recurved, and shaped as in the first
dorsal fin, but twice as long, and reaching nearly to the rounded fore-point of the
fin. It is grooved more strongly than the spine of the first dorsal fin, especially at
the back ; resembling the nail or claw of a bird.

The pectoral fins are broad and truncate, subquadrangular, scarcely twice as long
as broad, placed far back from the tip of the muzzle, so that they reach nearly to a
line through the commencement of the first dorsal fin. The upper axil of their

* In his Spinax niycr, the Prince of Musignano remarks " I tubercoli della pelle sono tcrminati
da una ])unta filifomic, ondc il pesce acquista iin apparenza lanosa." — Fauna Ilalica.

ACANTHIDIUM PUSILLUM. 43

base is immediately behind and just below the top of the last branchial slit, so that
the hinder canthus of the mouth is half-way between it and the tip of the muzzle.
They are larger than the ventral fins, and about the size of the second dorsal fin
without its tail.

The caudal fin is shaped much as in Galeus vulgaris, or Mustelus Icavis, Cuv. ;
the upper lobe is obliquely oblong, with a projecting border towards the pointed tip
behind, and is much longer than the lower lobe, which is triangular and short.
There is no dimple at the root of either lobe.

The whole fish is of an uniform coal-black, except the tips and edges of the
spines and fins, which are pellucid, pale, or whitish ; especially the pectoral fins,
the hinder halves of which are nearly colom-less. The whole under side and belly
are as black as, or even blacker than, the upper side or back. The iris is of a beautiful
golden-green dotted with black : the pupil is of an opaline sea-green, reflecting blue
in certain lights. The ball of the eye outside the iris, and the inside edges of the
orbits, are of a bluish- white, like the interior of the spiracles, and the smooth cor-
ners of the mouth.

The length of the pectoral fins equals that of the first dorsal fin, or of the ventral
fins ; a little exceeding that of the spine of the second dorsal fin ; and is from one
eleventh to one twelfth of the whole length. The distance from the tip of the
snout or muzzle to the last branchial slit or base of the pectorals is one fourth of
the same. The greatest breadth is at the anterior base of the pectorals, and is
from one ninth to one tenth of the whole length : it equals or exceeds the greatest
height, which is backwarder, at the origin of the first dorsal fin. The longitudinal
diameter of the orbits equals or exceeds twice the vertical, and is one nineteenth
or one twentieth of the whole length of the fish. The first dorsal fin begins at
three eighths, the second dorsal at two thirds the distance from the tip of the muz-
zle to the tip of the caudal fin. The distance from the tip of the snout or muzzle
to the spiracles is about one seventh of the whole length. The breadth of the top
of the head between the eyes, or of the muzzle, exceeds the length of the latter be-
fore the eyes, and is about one twelfth of the whole length. The upper lobe of the
tail is one fifth of the same, and twice the length of the lower lobe.

Nothing is known of the habits of this curious little Shark : but, except
as limited by size, there is no reason to suppose they disagree with those of
others of the tribe. It is captured with a common bait and hook, without
confinement to any particular season, though of extremely rare occurrence
during any. The individual figured was taken in July, and measured
eleven inches and three quarters of an inch in length. Its sex was not
particularly noted at the time : but, from tlie figure, it seems to have been
a male. It was deposited, with another individual, a female, in the Collec-
tion of the Zoological Society of London.

DESCRIPTION OF TAB. VI.

Upper right-hand figure. — Teeth of upper and lower jaws in situ.
Lower right-hand figure. — Under side of the head.
Middle lower figure. — Upper side of the head.

Left-hand lower figure. — Shows the mode in which the ventral fins are united to the body by their
- inner (hinder) margins. This, and the upper right-hand figure, have
been taken from a female example.

All the figures, except that of the teeth, are more or less reduced.

V *

'A

H

^A---

MALACOPTERYGir. GADIDJE

SUBBRACHIALES.

TAB. VII.

PHYCIS YARRELLII, Nob.
Abrotea do alto.
Yarrell's Phycis, or Forked Hake.
Char. Gen.

Corpus elongatum, postice compressum. Caput depressiusculum ; mento unicirrato. Pinnae dor-
sales duiB ; prima brevi, triangulari ; secunda elongata, ad caudalem fere protensa : ventrales unira-
diatse, radio furcato.

Obs. — Genus inter Gadidas subaustrale ; e paucis speciebus, iisque regionis temperatioris, extra-
tropicae, coloribus tristioribus, simplicibus, cinereis, fuscis, &c. magnitudinisque mediocris, adhuc
constans.

Char. Spec.

P. capita depresso : corpora graciliore, elongato, angusto, pallida lilacino-cinereo ; pinnis dorsalibus
analique caudaliqua nigris, albo fimbriatis : dorsalis prima quinquaradiata, acuminata, dorsali secunda
postica latiore, angulata, duple altior ; analis rfiedio depressa, antice altior, postice angulata : ventra-
libus capite subbrevioribus.

l"""- D. 5 ; 2^^ D. 59 V. 60 ; A. 60 ; P. 22 v. 23 ; V. 1 ; C. 20 fere ; M. B. 7.
P. Yarrellii, Syn. Mad. Fish. 190.

Longit, —7^ — 8| poll. = 5 X alt.

Tempus, vara.

Locus, in profundis, e littore procul : rariss.

In point of general utility, and application to the wants and the ne-
cessities of man, the Cod-fish tribe assumes a rank and an importance in
the eyes of the economist which is scarcely paralleled by any other.
Yielding a wholesome and abundant aliment, whether fresh or cured,
the Cod, Ling, Coal-fish, Haddock, Whiting, Hake, and Tusk or Torsk
of Shetland, afford, directly in the way of food, or through the various
channels of employment or of commerce opened by their means, support
or wealth to millions. A bounteous Providence has contributed to this
their destination, by endowing them with prodigious powers of fecundity ; *
and has further brought them within the sphere of human art and industry
by implanting in the greater number of the species a voracity of appetite
which much facilitates their capture. Their general confinement to the

* " Nine millions of ova have bean found in the roe of one female " of the common Cod, {Morrkua
vulgaris, Cuv.) Yarr. Brit. Fish. ii. 148.
VOL. T.

44 GADID.E.

temperate regions of the globe is anotlier part of this beneficent arrange-
ment. Had the rich stream of life, which pours its countless myriads
around the Dogger-bank, or on the coasts of Northern Europe and
America, been diffused among the coral-reefs and islets of the tropics,
man"'s labour had been unavailing to divert any considerable portion of
the boon into the lap of industry and wealth.

In this tribe of Malacopterygious, or Soft-finned fishes, the ventral
fins are placed, as in the greater number of the Acanthopteri/giiy just
beneath or before the pectoral ; the bones to which they are internally
attached being connected with the shoulder. This disposition, however
general amongst the Spiny-finned fishes, serves to distinguish the Gadidte
from all the other families of the Malacopterygii^ except the Flat-fishes
{Pleuronectidte), and Sucking-fishes (Ci/clopterida and Echene'ida) ; the
characters of which, however, are so peculiar that there is no risk of con-
fusion. The order which contains these families is termed by Cuvier
Suhhrachial ; in allusion to the attachment of the ventrals forward un-
derneath the arms (brachia) or pectoral fins, instead of backward on
the belly (abdominal), as in the Carp, Pike, Salmon, and Herring tribes.

The GadidfE have always two, and often three dorsal fins ; and fre-
quently two anal fins. Their mouth or gape is large, but feebly armed
with teeth. Their cceca are numerous. They are furnished with a large
air-bladder, which in the common Cod is well known by the name of
Sound or Zounds, and is often separately cured and packed in small casks
as a delicacy for the table. The flesh of nearly all the species is white,
flaky, free from toughness, easily digestible, and of excellent flavour. It
possesses these qualities most eminently in the colder seasons of the
year.

The subject of the present chapter possesses none of these claims to
attention. It is both insignificant in size, and of excessive rarity ; two
examples only having hitherto occurred. It is, however, a most interest-
ing addition, ichthyologically speaking, to a genus of at present few known
species, and which, geographically, seems to take the place or mark
the boundary which terminates the southern range of the Gadida : for
whilst this family has in the Mediterranean dwindled down to a few,
and in Madeira to still fewer representatives, the genus Phycis abounds
in one or other of its species ; of which only one (P. furcatus, Flem.) is
but occasionally seen in Britain. The common " Abrotea" of Madeira
{Phycis Mediterranens, Lar.) is one of the most abundant fishes in the
market at all seasons.

The addition, therefore, of a second species to the list of the Madeiran
fishes, independent of its novelty and rarity, has been a valuable con-
firmation to these views ; and it was peculiarly gratifying to be enabled,
by my friend Mr. YarrelPs examination and discovery of its specific

PHYOIS YARRELLII. 45

novelty, to dedicate so elegant and interesting a species to the excellent
and able author of the " British Fishes."

Compared with the common " Abrotea" of Madeira (P. Medlterraiiciis Lar.)
it is not only a much smaller fish, but is considerably shallower in proportion to
its length ; the greatest depth, which is from the beginning of the dorsal to that
of the anal fin, being only one fifth part, instead of one fourth, of the whole length.
The length of the head equals or is very little less than the greatest depth. The
greatest thickness, which is on the head and shoulders, or from the eye to the root
of the pectoral fins, equals only half the depth : towards the tail the body becomes
much more attenuated, slender, and compressed.

Although the mouth and gape are very large, the head is small, considerably
depressed below the dorsal line, with a remarkably strong hollow or depression on
the nape ; rising again, however, into a protuberance over the extremely large eye,
which in diameter is one third the length of the head, and is surrounded by a
faintly-defined bony ring or ridge. Muzzle prominent : the upper jaw a little
longer than the lower, which is furnished with a single short beard or barbule at
the tip beneath. Teeth scobinate, or brush-like in both jaws, small and recurved :
the outer row in the upper longer and more pointed than the inner, which are
blunt and short ; none exist upon the ethmoid or vomer. The tongue is short and
broad ; white at the tip ; the rest of the mouth inside and gullet being dark. The
whole body is covered with small and inconspicuous scales, which easily rub off,
leaving it naked and smooth.

The lateral line is straight and channeled, appearing like an inlaid narrow sort
of chain. Its scales are slightly notched or cloven at the tip, with the appearance
when in situ of a little tubercle or wart rising through the notch at about every
fourth scale.

The first dorsal fin is placed very forward, nearly on the nape, just behind its
depression. Its height equals or rather exceeds that of the body, and is double
that of the second dorsal fin immediately behind it. It is composed of five soft
rays ; the first of which is the longest, and simple : the foiu" others are gradually
shorter and forked ; the last is connected to the body behind by a web. Its
breadth or rather length at the base equals the diameter of the eye.

The second dorsal fin commences close behind the first, in a vertical line with
the upper or anterior axil of the pectoral fins, and extends continuously nearly to
the origin of the caudal fin. Its edge is even, but it is slightly depressed or nar-
rower at about two thirds its length from its origin than forwarder ; and its hinder
end again is broader, ending abruptly in a point or angle caused by the production
of the hinder rays, and by the sudden diminution in length of the five or six last
of all. The front or fore part is also very slightly higher than the rest.

The anal fin begins opposite the twelfth or fifteenth ray of the second dorsal,
ending a little before the termination of the same, and resembling it precisely in
shape, but having its peculiarities exhibited in a much stronger manner. It is
much higher in front, more depressed in the middle, and with the hinder end more
distinctly angular and pointed. Its first ray is very short ; the following in-
creasing gradually to the sixth or seventh.

The pectoral fins are narrow, lanceolate, acuminate, placed about one third up
the side. They are about the length of the ventral fins, and their tips reach to
the origin of the anal fin.

The ventral fins are placed close together quite underneath the throat, con-
siderably in advance of the pectoral fins. They consist each of a single flexible
forked ray or filament, without web or membrane, rather shorter than the head,
and reaching only to the vent, or not quite to the origin of the anal fin.

46 GADID.E.

The caudal fin is small, entire, and rounded. The colour of the body is a light
greyish brown or ash, a little darker towards the back, and paler towards the
belly ; with lilac tints, especially along the base of the anal fiji. The iris is pale
whitish or pearly gi"ey. The lips are dusky. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins
are black, edged with clear white ; and the two foi-mer also paler at their base.
The pectoral fins are purplish brown ; the ventral white, or pale ash-colour.

Two individuals only of this pretty species have occurred. The first,
from which the accompanying figure was taken, measured eight inches
and five eighths in length ; the second only seven and five eighths. Both
were deposited in the collection of the Zoological Society of London.

The nearest described ally of the species is the forked Hake, P. fur-
catus Flem. (Yarr. Brit. Fish. ii. 201, and Penn. Brit. Zool. ed. 1™% iii.
193, t. 81, No. 82.) From this it is distinguished by its greater slender-
ness of body and depression of head, by the shape and colour of its vertical
fins, and by the short ventral fins. Agreeing in this last point with
P. Mediterraneus Lar. it differs in the others, and in the elevation of the
first dorsal fin compared with the second.

?v

^ r

/

w

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If /:^/^;<^>.

Iv

ACANTHOPTERYGII. BERYCID^E.

TAB. VIII.

BERYX SPLENDENS, Nob.

Alfonsin.

The Oblong Alfonsin, or Beryx.

Char. Gen.

Caput osseum, annatum, nudum, genis operculoque squamosis, hoc bispinoso, spinis inconspicuis,
adpressis : praeoperculi nudi interoperculique margine eroso-denticulato. Suborbitaria circulatim
cristatp-carinata ; cristis eroso-denticulatis. Vomer scobinato-dentatus.

Oculi maximi. Pinnae dorsalis unicaj triangularis analisque spinse pauca confertas. Pinnse ven-
trales multiradiatre, Membrana branchiostega octo-radiata. Caeca numerosissima, tenuia, in fasci-
culum praegrandem densissime aggregata.

Obs. — Pisces pulchriores, regionis extratropica, calidioris, temperatae ; coloribus laetissimis, e rubro
roseis lauti.

Char. Spec.

B. corpora oblongo, altitudine longitudinem capitis baud superante : dorso recto : pinnae dorsalis
abbreviatae basi pinnis pectoralibus brevnore : capita utrinque pone oculos gibboso : operculi lati carina
conspicua, distincta : ossis humeralis dilatati margine posteriore arcuato, obliquo.

D. 4 + 13 — 15 ; V. 1 + 10 — 13 (1 + 11 fere) ; A. 4 + 26 — 29 (4 + 29 fere) ;

5 + I + IX
P. 2 + 15 V. 16 ; C.

5 + I + VIII

M. B. 8 ; Sq. lin, lat. 71 — 76 v. 78 ; Vert« 10 abd. + 14 caud. = 24.

D. splendens, nob. ; Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1833. i. 142. — Cam. Phil. Trans, vi. 1, 197 excl. icon. —
Syn. Mad. Fish. 174.

Lonyit. = 1 — \\ vix 2 - pedalis = 3 — 4 X corporis alt. capitisve longit.

Tempvs, vera, aestate.

Locus, in mediis profundis : vulg.

The Btri/cidd' are a small group of genera, which it is convenient to
detach from the true Percida ; whose discriminative features they disturb
and render vague, whilst they possess amongst themselves a strong re-
semblance in common, both of characters or habit, and of geographic dis-
tribution. They are distinguished by a somewhat short, deep form of
body ; large head, eyes, gape, and branchial opening ; an extremely short
blunt muzzle ; and by the anormal number of the rays in the ventral fins
and branchial membrane. The structure of the head is rather Scitenidal
than Pcrcidal or Triglidal ; cavernous rather than armed ; yet Avith its
bones and ridges crested, prominent, and rough. The dorsal fin seems

VOL. I.

48 BERYCID^.

normally to be triangular, or high in front, and solitary ; its fore, or spiny
portion, being much reduced either in its extent, or in the number of
its rays, proportionally with the hinder soft-rayed part. The outer edges
of the large forked caudal fin are furnished at the base with more distinct
and stronger spines than visual ; and these, like those belonging to the
other fins, are striated or grooved. The scales are very rough or
ciliated ; and the colours brilliant, yet not varied. Internally the pylorus
is surrounded by a large thick bunch of generally many ceeca. The re-
maining characters are properly Percidal ; but it may be Avorth remarking,
that, as far as hitherto appears, the focus of their geographic range seems to
lie between the twenty-eighth and thirty-fifth degrees of north or south
latitude.

The genera associated thus are, in the first place, Beryx^ Cuv. ; Track-
ichthi/s, Shaw {Trachichthys and Hoplostethus, Cuv. and Val.); and Poly-
mixia, nob. : of which the first presents most perfectly the typical and
normal characters. Other aberrant and more tropical genera are Holoctn-
Irum, Cuv.; Myripristis, Cuv.; and Monocentris, Bl. (Lepisacanthe, Lac.) :
in which the spiny portion of the dorsal fin reaches the maximum of that
developement which it begins to exhibit in Trachichthys ; although the
other characters remain purely Berycidal. Or the family may be conceived
as resolving itself into two parallel series : in one of which the dorsal fin
is single ; in the other double, or at least deeply notched. This division
also nearly corresponds with the geographic range of the species ; all the
tropical kinds belonging to the latter section, and but few of this claim-
ing geographically enumeration in the former.

The proper and distinctive characters of Berycidae, expressed in techni-
cal form and language, will stand thus :

FAM. BERYCIDJE.

Corpus abbreviatum, altum.

Caput magnum, subcavernosum : ossibus prominulis, nudis, scabris vel serrulatis : hiatu branchial!,
ore, oculisque magnis : rostro simo, brevissimo, obtuso : intermaxillaribus palatinisque scobinato-
dentatis.

Membranae branchiostegae pinnarumque ventralium radii abnomies.

Pinna caudalis radiis primordialibus extemis spinosis.

Spinse pinnarum ssepissime striatae.

Squamae asperae, ciliatas.

Caeca pluria, fasciculata.

Ohs. — Pisces magnitudine mediocri, capite monstroso, carioso ;' coloribus pukliris, srcpissime rubes-
centibus ; in marium profundioribus regionum calidiorum extra- vel intra-tropicarum degentes.

SS. 1. Pinna dorsalis unica, antice alta.

Gen. Beryoc, TracliicMliys, Polymixia.

Ohs. — Species extra-tropicae.

SS. 2. Pinna dorsalis duplex vel emarginata.

Gen. Ilolocentrum, Mi/ripristis, Mnnocentris,

Ohs. — Species intra- et extra-tropictE.

BERYX SPLENDENS. 49

In demonstration of the difficulty which has hitherto attended the proper
systematic collocation of these fishes, it may be mentioned, that whilst
the greater number of the genera, and one species of Trachiclit/it/s, have
been enumerated by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes amongst Percida ;
Monocentris, and a second species of Trachichthys [Hoplostethus Medi-
terraneus, Cuv. and Val.), are included in the family of the Triglida.

No fishes are perhaps more characteristic of Madeiran ichthyology
than the two common species which belong to the typical and central
genus, Beryx, of this group. Remarkable and striking in appearance,
from their enormous opal eyes, and brilliant red or rosy tints, and abun-
dant principally in the spring and summer, though scarcely absent from
the iiiarket long at any season, they fail not early to attract the notice of
the most incurious visitor. The two sorts diflfer not in season, taste, or
quality. They are generally esteemed good table-fishes ; their flesh being
white, moderately firm, flaky, and well-tasted, though possessing no
peculiar delicacy of flavour. They are in highest season in the autumn :
their usual size is from twelve to eighteen inches long, weighing from two
to five pounds. They are captured only at enormous depths ; and though
I have been unsuccessful hitherto in obtaining one of either sort in spawn,
yet I have reason to believe, from certain observations, that their breeding-
season is the autumn.

It is remarkable that fishes so common in a locality so little remote from
Europe should not earlier have engaged the ichthyologist's attention.
The first notice of one of the species {B. decadactyliis^ is afforded by the
illustrious Cuvier ; whose acquaintance with it was, it appears, derived from
a dried example taken from the Cabinet of Lisbon, to which it may with
probability be supposed to have been conveyed from Madeira -MM. Cu-
vier and Valenciennes remark so lately as the year 1829, in the third vo-
lume of their Histoire, regarding this example, " II n'existe a notre dis-
position aucune note sur son origine ; nous ne connaissons ni ses habitudes
ni les parages qu'il habite, et nous ne pouvons les esperer que de quelquc
navigateur assez heureux pour le rencontrer. Son anatomie sera aussi un
objet interessant de recherche." Cuv. et Val. iii. 226.

When, in the years 1833 and 1836, I published B. splendens in the
Proceedings of the Zoological Society, and Cambridge Philosophical Trans-
actions, I had not discovered the existence of another species in these seas :
but by a singular coincidence, which can be scarcely called unfortunate,
since it led subsequently to afresh discovery, the individual selected by Miss
Young for a representation in the Cambridge Transactions of B. splendens,
happened to be one of a sort at that time unknown to me, but which has
subsequently proved scarcely less common than the other, and identical
with B. decadactylus of Cuvier. In colouring and general aspect there is
indeed a very strong resemblance between the two Madeiran species ; and

50 BERYCIDE.

although tlic number of tlic ventral fin-rays proves inconstant in at least
one of the species, so as to afford no ground for its discrimination,
other differential characters have been elicited, which I have verified in a
vast number of examples of both hinds to be both permanent and easily
appreciable, and alike independent of age, sex, or season.

The foiTTi of B. sj)lendens is oblong, moderately compressed, deepest forvv^ards
from the nape to the dorsal fin, contracting considerably at tlie origin of the
caudal ; the dorsal line but slightly arched or convex, and descending very little
from the origin of the dorsal fin to the tip of the remarkably short muzzle. The
ventral line possesses a considerably greater curvature; rising steeply from the
breast to the tip of the lower jaw, and again from the origin of the anal to that of
the caudal fin ; the space between these two points being nearly straight. The
greatest height of the body, at the origin of the dorsal fin, varies from one third to
one fourth of the entire length from the tip of the closed lower jaw to that of the
caudal fin forks ; not quite reaching either of these limits. The greatest thickness
just behind the eye equals, or very nearly equcils, half the greatest height.

The length of the head equals the greatest height of the body, measuring as
before. The enormous eye is placed high up, leaving a space below it equal to its
own diameter, and a very narrow border above, between it and the outline of the
profile of the head. Its diameter is contained about twice and a half in the
length of the head.

The muzzle is extremely short and abrupt, not reaching more than half its
diameter before the eye. The nostrils are close together, one l^efore the other ; the
anterior, but scarcely lower one, is round and small ; the hinder larger, and more
elongated or oval. A strong and prominent short spine or tooth, directed back-
wards on each side of the muzzle, is given off by the anterior suborliitary just
below the lower nostril. The upper jaw is thick and notched in the middle ; the
intermaxillaries are thin and slender at the sides, and furnished with a rather
naiTOw band of brush-like, very fine and minute, teeth. The palatines and
vomer are feebly armed respectively with a very narrow band and small patch of
similar teeth.

The lower jaw is thickened and clumsy at the tip, which projects considerably
beyond the upper, and is received into its notch. Its edges are furnished with
a band of teeth like those of the upper jaw, but much narrower. The branches
which compose it are closely approximate, and conceal entirely the branchial mem-
branes. The tongue is free and rather broad, its surface smooth.

Maxillaries broad, and dilated at the ends, which are overlapped by a curious
rough and rugged, elongated, moveable, supernumerary plate or bone, the lower
edge of which projects abruptly into a roughened angle, which plays into a corre-
sponding hollow on the surface of the maxillary bone, behind a rough projection on
the same. Below this loose bone the ends of the maxillaries are quite smooth,
with a triangular depression.

The gape, like that of Urcmoscopus or Priacanthus, is singularly oblique ; as-
cending steeply at an angle of more than forty-five degi'ees ; scarcely extending
backwards beyond the anterior edge of the eye, but, by its vertical direction, giving
an uncouth and strange appearance to the mouth when closed. The ends of
the maxillaries reach, however, when the mouth is closed, to about the middle
of the eye beneath. Eye surrounded by a naked, punctate, narrow space or bor-
der; the upper edge of which, commencing from the spine under the fore nostril,
is raised, and, like the lower, finely but irregularly toothed or serrulate. This
border is composed of the series of suborbitary bones. Behind the eye it becomes

BERYX SPLENDENS. 51

wider, with similarly toothed, but more waved or indented, crest-like edges ; the
interior of which passes above the eye forwards to the top of the hind nostril,
•fomiing a superciliary crest. The space between this inner crest or ridge and the
eye-ball is filled with a peculiarly smooth, and jelly-like skin. Another crest
or ridge, commencing on the top of the head, in a line with the fore corner of the
eye, runs parallel with and above this superciliary ridge, and descends behind the
eye obliquely towards the superscapulary, which is a large, plain, smooth, and simple
oblong scale, half covered by the opercle, wdth an entire central keel, and its edge
finely toothed and membranous. Thus the space between the eyes, which equals
about a semi-diameter of the eye, and is nearly flat, presents four crests or ridges,
viz, one superciliary and one temporal on each side, diverging from the top of
the muzzle before the eyes, and inclosing on the middle of the skull an oblong or
elliptic space.

Preopercle very broad and naked, punctate, irregularly and minutely toothed at
the edge, and with two conspicuous little ridges or crests upon its surface at
its lower angle : its hinder edge is also faintly striated, and straight ; its lower
margin curvilinear and convex. A triangular patch of large scales covers the
cheek beneath the eye and immediately behind the broad ends of the maxilla-
ries ; this patch is bordered behind, or separated from the naked preopercle, by a
faintly-toothed slight crest or ridge. The opercle is only twice as high as wide or
long, scaled all over, and very gibbous or prominent at its upper part or articula-
tion with the temporal bone close behind the eye ; whence also there runs a dis-
tinct horizontal or longitudinal bony keel, conspicuous to the eye, though partly
overlapped by scales, and so not prominent to the touch, ending in a marginal flat
tooth or spine; and below this a second smaller tooth, or angle at the edge, is
traceable ; the rest of the margin being thin and membranous, with its edge
entire. The interopercle is quite naked; its edge convexo-arcuate, striate, and
irregularly and minutely toothed. It is short and broad, but nearly concealed by
the lower border of the preopercle ; leaving scarcely more than the edge of it
exposed.

Whole head and lower jaw, except the cheeks and opercle, perfectly naked, or
free from scales. The space between the branches of the lower jaw is divided into
compartments by three longitudinal bony ridges of unequal length ; and these
are rough, like the ridges of the bones themselves.

Branchial opening extremely large and wide, extending forwards to the fore edge
of the eye. The membrane normally has eight distinct strong rays, and very
rarely, and but accidentally, nine, — as in the example originally described in the
Proceedings of the Zoological Society.

The humeral bone forms in the axil of the pectoral fins a broad, dilated, trian-
gular, conspicuous, smooth and naked space, the hinder edge of which is arcuate or
rounded.

The scales are large, and their whole exposed surface is echinulate, with short
reflexed points or prickles, giving a general roughness to the touch. The lateral
line, which is nearly straight, following the curvature of the back, at about one
quarter of the greatest depth below the dorsal line, is not very conspicuous, and
composed of from seventy-one to seventy-six or seventy-eight marked scales.
These are continued beyond the others into a curious imbricated point reaching
to the tip of the middle short caudal rays. The other scales are all arranged
in straight, perfectly parallel lines, visible to the eye; which, from their contrast
with the curvature of the belly, give a very peculiar character to the fish, and
confuse the lateral line to the eye. There are about eight rows above, and twenty
below, the lateral line.

Pectoral fin placed about one third of the height up the side, long, lanceolate.

52 BERYCID.E.

acuminate ; equalling one fifth of the whole length of the fish. The rays are regu-
lar and slender ; the two first unbranched; the third, or first branched ray, the
longest.

Ventral fins placed a little behind the pectoral, their first ray being on a line
with the hinder end of their base. They are ovate, triangular, large and broad,
but shorter and less pointed than the pectoral ; their length only equalling one
sixth of the entire length. Reclined, their tips reach scarcely to, or not beyond,
the first rays of the anal fin. Their first ray or spine is strong, pungent, and
strongly ribbed or grooved longitudinally ; it is from half to three fourths the
length of the first branched or soft ray, which also is the longest ray. These soft
rays vary in number from ten to thirteen ; but eleven is the number in the great
majority of individuals. Sometimes they vary in the two ventral fins of the same
fish : one example had twelve soft rays in the right fin, and thirteen in the left ;
another, eleven in the right, and twelve in the left. Individuals with only ten soft
rays are the most uncommon ; and I have not yet met with any example having
thirteen soft rays in both the ventral fins. Three or four elongated narrow scales
fonn a slight imbricated ridge, or appendage, at their anterior axil. Their last or
hinder soft ray is free ; and often the last two or three are simple or unbranched.

The dorsal fin is single, placed on the middle or most convex part of the back,
at about an equal distance from the tip of the muzzle and the base of the caudal
fin, and occupying the space opposite that which lies between the end of the base
of the ventral, and the beginning of the anal fin. It is triangular, and high in
front ; its greatest height equalling half the depth of the body beneath. The
length of its base is always less than the length of the pectoral fins, and varies
from one eighth to one sixth of the entire length. Its anterior rays are thickly
crowded ; the hinder gradually more remote. The four first rays are spiny,
strong, and longitudinally grooved or striated. The first soft ray, which also is the
longest of all, is generally simple or unbranched : the last is forked to the base,
or double. The base is hidden in a groove, the scales of which become more
pointed, and extend a little beyond the base at the hinder end ; but the fin itself
is altogether bare of scales, or naked.

The anal fin begins opposite the termination of the base of the dorsal ; and
except in being considerably longer in extent, though lower in front, resembles per-
fectly the dorsal fin in structure. It reaches nearly to the base of the caudal fin,
which the point of its last double ray actually attains. Its spines are strong and
striated ; and twenty-nine appears to be the normal number of its soft rays.

The web in front of both the dorsal and the anal fins is curiously wrinkled lon-
gitudinally, or across the intervals between the spines, or rays towards their base ;
in the manner figured by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes in Plectropoma puella,
Cuv. and Val. t. 37.

The caudal fin is deeply forked ; the forks long, narrow, nearly equal, pointed ;
each furnished at its outer base with a number of accessory, short, adpressed
spines, which are strong and pungent, and are grooved or striate longitudinally,
like those of the other fins. The middle rays between the forks are very short ;
and the intervals between all the rays are covered by a single row of fine, membra-
nous, imbricated scales, running up nearly to their tips ; but very different from
those upon the body, which end abruptly in a triangle or semicircle, at the base of
the caudal fin.

The colour of the back, fins, head, except the cheeks, of the lips, tongue, inside
of mouth, and throat or gullet, is an uniform deep rich scarlet, passing on the
sides through iridescent tints of rose-colour and lilac into delicate pale silvery rose.
The scaled opercle and the cheeks are iridescent rose and scarlet ; the suborbitaries,
the preopercle, the interopercle, the compartments of the lower jaw, and the hume-

BEKYX SPLENDENS.

53

ral plate, are silvery and scarlet, punctate with red dots. The upper part of the
eyeball is stained of a deep rich indigo or violet hue, foi-ming a conspicuous dark
sort of narrow eyebrow. The iris is scarlet and silvery iridescent. The pupil pale
opal, with a brassy or pale golden lustre.

The dorsal and the caudal fins are deeper scarlet than the others, particularly
towards the tips of the rays ; which in all the fins are deeper-coloured than their
subpellucid web.

The usual size of this species is from ten to sixteen or eighteen inches ;
and large individuals are less common than in B. decadactj/lus, Cuv. One,
however, measured twenty-three inches in length, weighing five pounds and
three quarters.

One singular distinction which exists between this fish and B. decadac-
tylu^, Cuv. is the comparatively rapid decomposition of the viscera. I
have repeatedly had individuals of both sorts brought for examination,
which had been caught together ; and whilst the whole contents of the ab-
domen in B. decadac tylus have been in the most perfect preservation, those
of B. splende?is, though in other respects the fishes were quite fresh, have
proved entirely decomposed. And I have only been able to overcome
this difficulty by going out in the fishing-boats, and being present at the
actual capture of this latter species, the " Alfonsin a casta cumprida" of
the fishermen ; which begins to be met with of small size at the depth of
one hundred and fifty or two hundred fathoms, but is scarcely taken in full
size and plenty except with its congener, B. decadactj/liis, Cuv., the " Al-
fonsin a casta larga," at the enormous depth of from three to four hun-
dred fathoms, and from one to two leagues from shore.

On opening the abdomen, the mass of viscera is small compared with its
cavity ; the peritoneal lining of which is dark or black. The liver is pale, and
small, with the lobes short : the gall-bladder is rather large, distinct, elliptic, with
a short duct, not reaching beyond the lobes of the liver. The stomach is small
or of moderate size, white, and oblong; with its ascending branch large in dia-
meter, and originating exactly from its middle. Cceca from twenty-five to thirty,
slender, free, distinct, forming two flat palmate fascicles, but set in a single row
round the pi/lorus, with a pair sometimes lower down. They are white or pale,
unequal in length, some reaching nearly to the vent, but in general of moderate
length. The intestine is pale, and of moderate diameter and length, making only
one rather short volution or two bends, and then going straight to the vent. The
air-bladder is of moderate size, oblong-oval, and attached all its length to the
spinal column, from which it is not separable without rupture. In several female
individuals, examined anatomically thus in August, the ovaries were rather large,
distinct, short, and pear-shaped ; but yet empty, and with little or no appearance
of vascularity. Within five or six hours after death, the ccsca by decomposition
become confused and indeterminable.

The first of the abdominal vertebrae next the head is very short, — reduced to a
mere ring ; the five last are furnished with remarkably large and strong, trigonal,
broad, distinct, and widely divergent aj)opJiyses beneath.

54 BERYCID^.

At tlie moment of capture, whilst this fish is yet alive, the whole body
beneath the lateral line is of a pure, resplendent, silvery white : the fins
alone, and merely the ridge of the back and head, the inside of the mouth,
the lower jaw, and parts beneath the eye, being of the brightest scarlet,
contrasting strongly with the pure silver of the whole sides and belly,
which only after death turn iridescent-rosy, or sometimes rich golden-
scarlet. The hind parts of the dorsal and the ventral fins are transparent :
the iris is pale scarlet. There is a watery transparency about the scarlet
of the back in this state, perfectly inimitable by art.

The fishermen affirm correctly, that this superior degree of whiteness
when first captured, is constant in this species, their " Alfonsin a casta
cumprida," as compared with B. decadactylus , Cuv., their " Alfonsin a
casta larga," which is from the first more generally scarlet or high-coloured.
It is also remarkable that the pale-coloured mouth is characteristic of the
outwardly richer- coloured species ; whilst in the paler, B. splendens, the
mouth internally is full bright red. This character is constant, and should
not have been left out in the specific character.

The accompanying figure is reduced from a drawing of an individual
which measured seventeen inches in length, and had only ten soft rays in
each ventral fin.

V,

M

%

I

ACANTHOPTERYGIL BERYCWJE.

TAB. IX.

TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS, Nob.

Alfonsin, ou Pargo, do alto.

Black-mouthed Alfonsin or Rough-fish.

Char. Gen.

Caput osseiim, cariosmn, celluloso-cavemosum, nudum ; operculum inerme ; spina scapularis
magna. Praeoperculum basi in spinam validam productum. Suborbitaria radiato-costata ; costis sca-
bris. Abdomen scutellis serrato-carinatuni.

Oculi magiii. Pinna; dorsalis unicEe subtriangidaris spinse paucse, remotiuscula; ; membrana dis-
tincta interjecta. Pinnae ventrales hetero-(l + 6)-radiat8e. "Membrana brancliiostcga octo-ra-
diata.

Obs, — Pisces regionis calidioris temperatse extratropicae, Berydhus simillimi ; coloribus mcEstion-
bus ; spina baseos praeoperculi pinnaeque dorsalis forma ad Holocentrum tendentes. Linea lateralis
squamis majoribus subpulvinatis distincta. Carinse abdominalis capitisque structura vere mirifica.

Char. Spec.

T. scaber ; carinae abdominalis squamis integerrimis, pinnarumque spinis striatis inemiibus, laevi-

gatis : dentium fasciis angustis ; vomere inermi.

8 + I -f IX.
D.6 + 13;A.3 + 9; V.1+6; P. 2 + 13 v. 14 ; C. g— — ==^

M.B. 8 ; Sq. Un. lat. 28 v. 29 ; Sq. carina abdom. 11 v. 13 ; Vert®. 11 abd. + 15 caud. = 26.
T. jyretiosus, Suppl. Fish. Mad. in Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1839. p. 77.
Hoplostetlius Mcditerraneus, Cuv. and Val. iv. 469, t. 97 bis.

Longit. rr 7^ — 8 poll. = 2^ — 3 X corporis alt.
Tempus, vere, autumno.
Locus, in alto : rariss.

The first notice of this curious and interesting genus is found in a
description by Shaw, towards the end of the last century, of a fish procured
by White, the author of a Voyage to New South Wales, in that country.
This appeared, accompanied with a good characteristic figure, under the
head of Trachichthys australis, in the Naturalist's Miscellany, t. 378 ;
and was afterwards republished in the same author's General Zoology, vol.
iv. part 2, p. 631, t. 92. By Schneider the fish had previously been
taken up from the original figure and description, and inserted in his edi-
tion of Bloch's Systema Ichthyologise, as a species of Amphiprion, under
the name of A. carinatus. It also had appeared meantime again, under its
original name, in Turton's Translation of Gmelin's Systema, vol. i. p. 820.

VOL. I. F 2

56

BERYCID.E.

And lastly, in the year 1829, it was included by MM. Ciivier and Valen-
ciennes in tlio third volume of their Histoire, p. 229, under the name im-
posed, and with an exact and faithful abstract of the characters assigned, by
its original describer in his text and figure ; whilst its proper place as to
affinity is no less accurately for the first time indicated, by its collocation
next to Beryx, in the Cuvieran family Percida.

It is to be regretted that on the discovery of a second species of this ge-
nus at Nice, in the summer of the same year 1829, these last-named au-
thors should not at once have admitted its congeneric affinity with Trach-
ichthys australis, Shaw ; instead of placing it under a new generic appel-
lation (Hoplostcthus), in another family, Triglida. The mere presence or
absence of teeth upon the vomer, were in either fish, considering their affini-
ties, a very unimportant character ; and the cheek assuredly is not more
cuirassed in one of these fishes than in the other. Nor is it again more so
in either, or in Monocentris, although this is also placed by MM. Cuvier
and Valenciennes amongst Triglidee, than in many other genera placed
by these authors notwithstanding, like Trachichthi/s, in Pei-cidse.

In fact, these ichthyologists have not only themselves remarked the
resemblance of their Hoplostethus Mediterraneus with the Percidal genus
Mi/ripristis, but proceed to say, " An reste, tout nous porte a croire main-
tenant qu,e le Trachichte de la Nouvellc-Hollande, dont nous avons parle
cFapres Shaw dans notre troisieme volume (p. 229), est du meme genre
que notre Hoplostethe ; il en a la forme, les epines scapulaire ct preoper-
culaire, les nombres de rayons aux ouies et aux ventrales, la carene dentee
sous le ventre ; seulement cette carene est plus forte, et la dorsale et Tanale
sont plus courtes, plus hautes, et plus pointues. Si, ce que nous avons tout
lieu de le penser, sa joue est cuirassec et son vomer depourvu de dents,* il
devra etre reuni a notre Hoplostethe, et alors nous supprimerons ce nom
generique, et nous appellerons Fespece actuelle Trachichthi/s Mediter-
raneus.''''— Cuv. et Val. Hist. iv. 470.

These observations are most just; and it is. only the conclusion from
them which appears objectionable. The fish to wliich they refer might
have been called at once Trachichthys Mediterraneus : but now, the disco-
very of three individuals of the same species in these Atlantic seas requires
also that, for which the suppression of the needless new generic name
Hoplostcthus has afforded a proper opportunity, — namely, the abandonment
of the inappropriate proposed specific name of Mediterraneus. The species
never has been actually called Trachichlhys Mediterraneus; a proposal
cannot claim the paramount authority of a precedent ; and it may safely be
affirmed that MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes would never have declared
even their intention so to designate their fish, had they been aware of
its occurrence as an oceanic species.

* The vomer proves to be toothed : but this is altogether imiuuterial to the point in (luostion.

TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS. 57

In the preceding history of Betyx splendens, t. 8, there will be found
sufficient to clear up the above-noticed inconsistencies of system, and to ex-
plain the true affinities of Trachichthys in respect to other genera and fa-
milies. If allied on one hand to Triglidfe, it seems much more closely so
with the PercidfB through Diploprioyi and Apogoji. With Holocentrum,
in the second subdivision of its own family Ber-j/cid^, it assimilates in the
basal spine of its preopercle; a character in which it also shows an analogy
with the Percidal genus Priacanthus. With Sciamido', as reformed,* its
natural connexion is but slender ; depending chiefly on the trifling, artificial
character of a sometimes unarmed vomer, and the still less discriminative
one of the cavernous head-bones. But of the three families, Percidce,
THgUdtf, and ScifEvida, as defined by Cuvier, it may be confessed that,
apart from its affinity to Beryx, it were not easy to discover on what prin-
ciple it should be placed in one, in preference to the others. Hence is it
that, in fact, two species of the genus have been actually placed by MM.
Cuvier and Valenciennes in two of these families. It may be hoped
that the formation of the family Berycidee will dispel this ambiguity.

In Trachichlhys, as in Beryx, we have a curious instance of apparent li-
mitation of the species to the same parallels of latitude, although on differ-
ent sides of the eijuator, and separated by enormous intervals of distance on
the surface of the globe. Even within these limits, these fishes must be
considered of the greatest rarity. The researches of later naturalists have
never yet recovered, in Australia, the kind described by Shaw ; and even in
the comparatively well-explored Mediterranean, only a single example of the
other has been taken. And although in Madeira, through the assiduous
vigilance of Mr. Leacock, I have succeeded in obtaining three examples, the
fishermen are generally unacquainted with it ; and its Portuguese name, like
that of several others of like rarity, is merely that applied to it by its parti-
cular captor, and of no general authority. I have derived its English name
directly from its scientific (rpay^vg rough, and l')(Pvg a fish), combined with
an obvious peculiarity, likely to assist subsequent collectors in its acquisi-
tion. I obtained my second example by directing the fishermen to look
out carefully for a black-mouthed Alfonsin : " um Alfonsin com a boca
preta."

I have proceeded all along on the assumption that T.pretiosus is dis-
tinct specifically from T. australis, Shaw : but Ichthyologists will be
better satisfied with the assurance afforded on this point by the high au-
thority of Mr. Gray ; who, at my instance, has re-examined Dr. Shaw's
original specimen, fortunately still existent in the British Museum,
kindly transmitting to me the results. These perfectly confirm the dif-
ferences previously made out from Shaw's figure and description ; with

* See Introduction, p. ix.

68

BERYCID^E.

wliicli tliey will be brought together at the end of the folio-wing descrip-
tion of T. pretiosus^ composed from the three Madeiran individuals above
mentioned, which were of nearly equal size, and differed only in the
greater depth and more oval form of body in the smaller individual, from
which the figure has been taken.

The general aspect of this fish in form and colouring resembles strongly that of
Ber7/x ; though the sen-ate keel of the abdomen, and the internally black mouth
and tongue, serve instantly for its discrimination ; whilst the general tone of
colouring is far less brilliant, and the body of a dirtier, duller, paler red. The
shape, without the tail, is oval, more or less inclined to oblong ; but deep propor-
tionately to its length, and moderately compressed. The individual figured was so
much deeper, more compact, and rounded in its form of body than that represented
by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, t. 97 his, that I was inclined to doubt for
some time its specific identity. The second and third larger individuals exhibit,
however, a foi-m of body, and degree of curvature of the belly, precisely inteiTnediate
between the two. The back in either case is arched, high, and convex, of equal
curvature throughout, ascending equally and regularly from the tip of the muzzle
to the origin of the dorsal fin, and thence again descending in like manner, and for
an equal distance, to the termination of the same. The belly either offers, as in
the figure, a corresponding curvature, or is more straight and flattened from the
breast to the origin of the anal fin. The fleshy part of the tail, behind the ends
of the dorsal and the anal fins, is considerably produced and elongated.

The greatest height of the body at the commencement of the dorsal fin varies
accordingly from the proportion of one to two and a half, to that of one to nearly
three, in reference to the whole length of the fish. The greatest thickness from the
eyes to the shoulders, is to the greatest depth as one to two and a half or three :
but in the smaller and more oval fish, as one to seven and a half; and in the others,
as one to seven, in proportion to the whole length. The length of the head,
which is nearly the same as its height vertically through the middle of the eye, is
not equal to the greatest depth of the body ; being from one to three and two-
thirds, to one to three and one third, in proportion to the whole length. The eye
is very large ; equalling or even a little exceeding* one third of the length of the
head. It is placed high up ; the space below it equalling once and a half its own
diameter, and that above it half its diameter. The space between the eyes is
convex, and scarcely equals their diameter.

The muzzle is very short, abrupt, and convex, extending only about a semidia-
meter of the eyes before them ; it is retuse or notched in front, for the reception of
the tip of the lower jaw. The nostrils are two rather large, but simple, oval
orifices, placed close together, and separated merely by a dissepiment, just at the
fore-corner of the eyes. The fore-nostril is only half the size of the hinder.
Although the mouth seems rather small, the gape is very large and subprotractile ;
and is directed upwards still more steeply than in Beryx. The maxillaries reach
backwards, when the mouth is closed, to a line drawn vertically through the hinder
edges of the eyes. Their ends are broad, dilated, and triangular ; incapable of
passing, even partly, under the suborbitary ; and provided with a superimposed,
striated, and moveable plate or bone, as in Beryx, covering their upper side, and
leaving bare the lower corner, which is plain and even, except the raised rim or
border along its front edge.

* In two examples the diameter of the eye is contained exactly three times ; in tlie third and
hirgest, only twice and four sevenths, in the length of the head.

TRACHICHTHYS niETIOSUS. 59

The lower jaw is furnished at the tip with a prominent hard tubercle, and
so projects a little beyond the upper. Both are roughened round the edges with
narrow bands of fine, small, brush-like teeth, narrowest in the upper jaw : the
vomer, like the ethmoid, is perfectly unarmed and smooth ; but the palatines are
furnished with a narrow, but distinct band of minute teeth. The gullet is rough :
the tongue quite smooth, distinct, large, thick, blunt, free ; and, like the whole in-
side of the mouth and gullet, black.

The eye, for at least two thirds of its circumference, proceeding from its fore-cor-
ner underneath, is surrounded by a series of five or six flattened, winged or
dilated, crest-like ribs or ridges, radiating from the edges of the orbit like the
spokes of a wheel. They are of variable length, but all of equal height, appearing
just as if they had been ground down to the same level; and dividing the suborbi-
tary region into cellular compartments.

The branchial opening is large and wide ; its membrane is supported by eight
distinct rays, which are finely rough or serrulate. At its lower angle is a prominent
flat tooth, formed by the termination of the ends or branches of the lower jaw,
and in a line below the ends of the maxillaries.

The opercle is small and narrow, twice as high as broad, with a short, trans-
verse, serrate keel or ridge towards the top, assuredly not ending in a spine, but in
a mere point or angle. From the same point from which originates this ridge,
there also radiates a number of strong, oblique, descending, scabrous ribs or striae,
roughening the whole. The edge is sinuous, and minutely seiTulate.

The subopercle is distinct, and large comparatively with the opercle, form-
ing below the keel or ridge of the latter the whole hinder edge of the branchial
opening. Its edge descends obliquely, rapidly, from just above the pectoral fins,
forming a sinus just before their base. It is faintly striated towards its upper
broader part or edge ; the striae radiating or diverging upwards from a point below.
Its whole edge is membranaceous, thin, and perfectly entire.

The interopercle forms a convex quadrant of a circle, joining on to the subopercle,
on a level with the base of the pectoral fins, and reaching to the prominent tooth
or angle which terminates the branches of the lower jaw. It is remarkably
broad and short ; but in great part concealed by the overlaying spine and lower
angle of the preopercle, leaving exposed only a narrow border, which is striated
transversely, having the edge minutely, feebly, and irregularly denticulate. I
find no trace of its being " singulierement echancre dans son milieu," Cuv. and
Val. : but this expression has arisen, probably, from not distinguishing it from the
subopercle. Considered as forming one piece with that bone, there is indeed a
remarkable sinus " dans son milieu :" but this is formed by the contraction of the
subopercle and interopercle at their junction, close before the base of the pectoral
fin.

The preopercle terminates below in a strong, conspicuous, flattened, horizon-
tal spine ; the lower edge of which is straight, and finely serrulate. Its border is
nearly vertical and straight, formed by two parallel raised ribs or ridges, like
Apogon; of which the hinder, which is its true edge, is minutely sen'ulate towards
the bottom. This border is divided equally into four oblong cells, by as many
transverse dissepiments ; the two middle ones of which appear like continua-
tions of two of the hinder suborbital bony ridges, but are spurious or merely
membranous : the two extreme ones are true bony partitions.

The whole head, and the opercles, lower jaw, and maxillaries, are completely
free from scales, or naked, except a small and narrow, oblong, inconspicuous patch
vmder the cheeks, just behind the dilated ends of the maxillaries.

The whole structure of the head is highly curious ; being excavated, as it were,
into cellular compartments, separated by rough bony crests or ridges, radiating

60

BERYCID.E.

like the spokes of a wheel from the eye on the suborbitaries^ crossing at right
angles the double limb or border of the preopercle, and forming on the top of the
head three elongated, lozenge-shaped compartments, placed in a triangle ; two in
front and temporal, and each divided across in the middle by a spmious or mem-
branous dissepiment ; the third behind, and on the middle of the skull between
the eyes. Also upon the lower jaw there are two elongated cells, placed one
before the other, on each side ; the first is small and short, the hinder long.
These cells are hollow, and covered by a perfectly pellucid, glassy mem-
brane, like goldbeater's-skin, stretched tight and flat, as in a drum, over each,
on a level with their bony walls ; through this transparent skin is seen their
bottom, coated, especially in the suborbitaries and the border of the preopercle,
with a bright, silvery, and iridescent lining, contrasting beautifully, whilst the
fish IS fresh, with the reddish bony ridges or prominent divisions of the cells ;
which are all of the same level, and round the eye are irregularly or unequally
dilated or expanded at their top, as if winged ; appearing exactly as if they had
been artificially ground down to an uniform height or level with the skin. They
are also very rough or granulate. The whole head has a decomposed or carious
appearance, even when quite fresh.

The crests or ridges on the top of the head are thus distributed. High up at the
top of the nape originate two, which first a little diverge, and then again converge,
forming the central lozenge above mentioned. From their point of meeting, which
is on a line with the anterior edge of the orbit, they advance a little way conjoin-
ed, and, then separating, terminate each in a distinct prominent point or tooth in
the middle of the muzzle ; from which a branch turns backwards on each side to
meet another bony point or tooth at the upper anterior canthus of the orbit, placed
just at the upper corner, and behind the hinder nostril. From this point again, pro-
ceeding backwards, spring two branches ; one forming the upper part of the orbit,
the other rising higher, and completing the temporal lozenges above mentioned, by
nearly meeting the ridge of the central lozenge at its widest part. From this
point this upper branch forks into two branches, which, first diverging, again unite,
so as to inclose an elliptic cell, and terminate in a rough, subulate, flattened spine,
a little above the considerably longer sujjerscapidari/ spine. The upper of these
two spines, by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes considered as belonging to the
mastoid, forms the central crest of the large, elliptic, pellucid, superscapulary cell
upon the shoulder, just above the origin of the lateral line. The superscapulary
spine lies along the lower edge of this cell, exactly over the commencement of the
lateral line. It is similarly rough and serrulate, but more conspicuous and strong ;
though again weaker than the basal preopercular spine.

The Immeral is a distinct, triangular, rough plate in the upper axil of the pecto-
ral fins; its hinder angle is very blunt and rounded.

The pectoral fins are large, and placed at about one fourth of its height up the
side. Instead of being lanceolate and acuminate, as in Beryx, they are spa-
thulate or wedge-shaped, and peculiarly blunt and rounded, or even truncate
at the tips. Their length is contained four and a half times in that of the whole
fish ; and they reach backwards a little beyond the origin of the anal fin. Their
first ray is short and simple ; weak, and not pungent, yet spinose : the second
longer and articulate, or barred, but simple. The next ten or eleven are of nearly
equal length, and branched and barred as usual ; the second and third last only
being abruptly shorter.

The ventral fins are just beneath, and shorter than the pectoral, being about one
sixth of the whole length, obovate, and rounded at the tip. Their spine or first
ray is remarkably strong, broad, thick, nearly as long as the soft rays, and stri-
ated or strongly grooved in a longitudinal direction. The six branched rays are

TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS. 61

also very strong and distinct, with a broad web between each ; the last is free, or
not connected to the body by a web behind.

The dorsal fin begins a little behind a line with the base of the pectorals, just
on the highest part or middle of the back ; and extends back to the end of the oval
part of the body, or commencement of the fleshy root of the tail. The length of its
base is nearly double its greatest height or breadth at the commencement of the
soft-rayed part, and is from one third to one fourth of the whole length of the fish.
The spinous fore-part is shorter than the hinder soft-rayed portion ; but its spines,
though few, and striate longitudinally, are not crowded, as in Bert/x, but suffi-
ciently remote as usual, and separated by a distinct connecting web, which is
deeply notched* between them. They gradually increase in length, proceeding
backwards ; and owing to the sublateral attachment of the web, so frequent in
the Sparidce, one or two of the spines, which are six in number, appear much
stronger on alternate sides than the rest, viz. the third and fifth on the left
side, and fourth and sixth on the right. The soft part is composed of thirteen
rays, and is abruptly higher in front ; the four first rays being the longest, and
of nearly equal length. The following rays are gradually shorter ; the two last
again a little longer than those immediately preceding ; the last of all, or thir-
teenth, being free behind, and deeply forked or double.

The anal fin is short, and rather broad, or about twice as long as deep, con-e-
sponding in extent with the soft-rayed portion of the dorsal fin, and ending at the
opposite point. The three spines are strong, and longitudinally striated or groov-
ed : the first is very short ; the third is three or four times the length of the second.
The nine soft rays are of nearly equal length, and about one quarter longer than
the third spine ; the last is free behind, and double, or deeply forked to the base.

The caudal fin is very large and deeply forked ; its forks are nearly equal, long
and broad, more rounded at the tips than usual, and furnished at the base out-
side, like Beryx, with six or eight short, stout, striate, glassy spines. The next
two rays inside these are simple, but articulated and not pungent ; the innermost
of them reaches to the tips of the forks. The scales terminate abruptly at the
base of the fin ; not running up between the rays.

The spines of all the other fins are also glassy towards their tips.

The whole of the fins, like the head with the slight exception before mentioned,
are entirely naked or free from scales. The base of the dorsal and anal fins is
seated in a shallow gi'oove. The soft rays of all the fins are finely echinulate or
rough ; but the spines are smooth, and unarmed with spinules or prickles.

The whole body is covered up to the point of the throat with remarkably rough
and scabrous, deep but short, and close-set scales : those of the lateral line are
very large and conspicuous, scutellate, and raised or bossed in their middle. The
lateral line itself is raised and prominent throughout, but not more so on the flanks,
or sides of the tail, than forwarder. It begins at the superscapulary spine, at
about one fourth part of the whole depth below the back ; and, following the cur-
vature of the back, descends gradually to the middle of the body at the end of
the dorsal or anal fins, whence it continues straight to its end. It is composed of
twenty-eight or twenty-nine scales.

One of these scales of the lateral line, taken below the origin of the dorsal ,fin,
is found when removed from the body, to be narrow, but excessively produced
upwards and downwards into two long obtuse wings. The middle part is lobed,
or prominent at the front and hinder margins ; and has a curious superimposed
miniature model of the whole scale itself, similarly winged, fonning the upper
vault of a wide bullate. tube, which perforates the scale obliquely in its middle,

* The accompanying figure errs in this respect.

62

BERYCID.E.

and opens upon the anterior lobe on the upper, and beneath the hinder lobe on the
under surface. The exposed part of the whole is thickly retro-echinulate ; and
the hinder edges, both of the superimposed and principal subjacent lamina, are
pectinato-ciliate. The covered parts, about two thirds of the whole, are quite
smooth, and finely sinuato-striate. The depth of one of these scales is equal to
two or three times its length or width.

The ordinary scales, above and below the lateral line at the same point, are
not half so large, and are simple or not winged, but irregularly oblong vertically ;
with both the front and hinder edges straight, not lobed ; the latter being pecti-
nato-ciliate. Their exposed part, which is from a half to one third of the whole,
is retro-echinulate ; and the length or width of the scale is about three fifths of its
height. Those on the flanks and towards the belly are less echinulate or rough
than those above and near the lateral line.

The scaled part terminates forwards, on the top of the head or nape, in a pair
of scales placed a little apart, and in advance of the rest ; each furnished with a
rough, central, longitudinal crest or keel joining on to, and continuing backwards
the two central crests or ridges of the skull.

There remains only to be described the curious ventral keel. This commences
between the root of the ventral fins, whence it extends to, and terminates at, the
vent. It is a prominent, simple, serrate keel, composed in two examples of eleven,
and in the third of thirteen scales of a peculiar structure, resembling those of the
abdominal keel in the Herring ; having two lateral wings embracing the edge of
the abdomen, and a strong, sharp, middle glassy point or short spine directed
backward, and lying in an imbricated manner. These points and scales are
nearly quite smooth and entire, or only here and there echinulate, or armed with
small lateral teeth or spinules on their surfaces and edges ; not regularly rough
and serrulate, as figured in Trachichthys australis, Shaw.

All the prominent bones, spines, crests, ridges, or angles about the head are
either striated, or rough and scabrous. The cells on the shoulders, nape, and top
of the head are punctate.

The general colour varies from pale claret, with the flanks and belly blackish,
to a dull, muddy scarlet, fuller and more rosy above the lateral line, with
brighter tints of pink or crimson about the top of the head and nape, especially
above the eyes; paler and somewhat silvery towards the belly. The whole
body is suffused and obscured with a gi-eyish muddy or dirty tint, particularly
on the sides of the breast and belly ; where it is caused, apparently, by the shining
through of a black or dark peritoneum. The ridge of the back, along the base of
the dorsal fin, is also darker-muddy than the rest. The crests and ridges about
the head are, on the contrary, clearer red ; the bottom of the cells on the cheeks
or sides of the head, and border of the preopercle, of the brightest pearly -silver.
The iris is, while fresh, greenish-iridescent and opaline, with dusky-brown clouds ;
presently becoming uniform pearly-silver. The whole inside of the opercles or
branchial opening, like the mouth, the tongue, and gullet, deep mulberry-black.

The fins are brighter or clearer scarlet than the body ; paler and transparent to-
wards the edges, and the rays deeper coloured generally than the web, especially
in the dorsal and caudal fins.

The following observations were made on the anatomy and osteology of
a female individual, taken on the 29th of October 1839; wliich altliougli
in spawn, and larger than the others, was the dullest in its colouring ;
being rather vinous or claret-brown than scarlet, except the fins.

TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS. 63

On opening the abdomen^ the sides or parietes of which are, as in Beryx, pe-
cuharly thin, and tending rapidly to decomposition, the whole peritonetim and
stomach, like the tongue and inside of the gullet, mouth, and branchial opening,
are found to be deep shining black. The liver is of middle size ; the gall-bladder
large ; the stomach small ; and the intestine small and short. The cceca are
numerous, but slender, short, and inconspicuous ; and like the intestine, pale or
yellowish. The air-bladder was large, simple, ovoid, blunt at both ends, without
any communication with the oesoj)hagus, and pearly-white. MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes speak of it as small. In this example, however, measuring only
eight inches and three eighths in length, it was an inch long or more. The
ovaria were distinct and rather large or turgid, but the eggs were very small and
imperfect. The abdominal cavity is very large ; but, as in Beryx, the mass of
viscera is small.

These characters, it may be observed, corroborate completely the affi-
nity with Beryx of Trachichthys.

On clearing away the membranes or integuments about the head, there is found
to be externally no fleshy muscle, except at the small scaly patch behind the
ends of the maxillaries ; i. e. below the suborbitary : and the two middle trans-
verse dissepiments of the preopercular border, like those of the two elliptic cells
over the eyes, are found to be spurious or merely membranous. The uppermost
and lowest dissepiments, however, of the preopercular border are bony ; and the
lowest, especially, is much dilated or broadly winged, and granulato-striate ver-
tically.

The radiating stride of the opercle are very strong, and rather elevated ribs
than striae. They are beautifully and finely pectinato-denticulate, like all the
crests and ridges on the top of the head.

The superscapulary is of the usvial structure, viz. a large elliptic plate, with the
hinder edge finely toothed ; forming the base of the large elliptic cell before
described close above the origin of the lateral line, and bordered along its lower
edge by a strong rough ridge ending in a sharp spine, directed a little obliquely
downwards, or along the lateral line. Over the middle of this superscapulary cell
lies the dilated ridge or spine which MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes have called
mastoidal ; but which belongs rather to the system designated by these authors,
(Hist. i. 338), after M. Bakker supertemporal. It is loose and moveable, as if
merely dermal ; and is quite distinct from the true mastoid, although joining on to
it behind, outside the junction of the superscapulary with the same.*

* Since the above was printed, I have been favoured by Professor Owen with the following
confirmation of this view : accompanied with such profound and original observations on the
whole subjest of these long misunderstood external ossicles in Fishes, that I must solicit his indul-
gence for the liberty of enriching these pages by their transcription. In a letter dated " Royal
College of Surgeons, April 8th 1840," he observes, " After a careful comparison of your skeleton of
the TracJiichihi/s with those of other fishes in the Hunterian Collection, I have come to your con-
clusion, viz. that the bone in question represents the supplemental series constituting the supra-
temporal chain. It undoubtedly intervenes between the Siiprascajmlar of Cuvier and the mastoid,
as correctly marked by you. It is a part of the same system of bones with the suborbital chain ;
and like them supports the vertical ridge with the expanded granular peripheral plate.

" The skeleton of fishes includes two sj^stems of ossified parts : one peripheral or dermal ; the
otlier central. The latter is the tj-pical skeleton of the Vertebrates ; the former a part of the pre-
vailing skeleton of the Invertebrates : and it is the intercalation of a remnant of the dermo-skeleton
with the true vertebrate endo-skeleton that gives rise to such apparent complexity in the osseous

64

BERYCID.E.

There are twenty-six vertebrae, of which fifteen are caudal, with imperfect
approaches towards the formation of a sixteenth. Though all the vertebrae are
very short, the first of the eleven abdominal is not peculiarly so. The six last
abdominal are fumished with apophyses beneath ; those of the four last being
united at the base into a thick stalk, forked at the apex. The first interspinal
of the anal fin is applied to the inferior apophysis of the first caudal vertebra.
The two first interspinals belonging to the dorsal fin, are both received between
the superior apophyses of the second and third cervical or abdominal vertebrae :
but the rest behind alternate regularly with the superior apophyses : and there
are two interspinals before the dorsal fin without rays or external indications ;
the first applied to the front point of the superior apophysis of the first vertebrae ;
the second inserted between the points of the first and second.

A most curious analogy, to say the least, exists between Trachichthys
and the extraordinary Azorian Sternoptyx Olfersn, Cuv. R. Anim. ii.
316, t. 13. f . 2 ; a fish which has been evidently placed improperly in
the same genus with the tropical West Indian Sternoptyx Hermarmii,
and which might be appropriately called Pleurothyris^ Olfersii. The
shape, large eye, peculiar tooth at the hinder end of the branches of
the lower jaw, the double border of the preopercle, the thinness and
partial transparency of the flanks and belly, j- in Avhich it approximates
to the true Sternoptyx Hermaimii, and the form lastly of the fins,
all correspond. But above all, the peculiar plates of the abdominal keel
in Trachichthys have their perfect counterpart or representation, even
in number, in the plaits or pits which suggested first the name Sterno-

system of Fishes, and which at the same time, before the principle was recognised, led to so many
forced analogies on the part of those Anatomists, who imagined that every bone in the skeleton of
a fish had its homologue in the endo-skeleton of the higher Vertebrates. It was the skeleton of the
Sturgeon which opened my eyes to the nature of the difficulties of ichthjac osteology : and which
clearly indicates the limits between the dermal and the central or vertebral system of bones. All
the true vertebrate skeleton in that fish is in its embryonic state of cartilage : all the dermal parts
are well ossified. Here you have the opercular system of bones, the suprascapular of Cuvier, and
the suborbitals, in their true character of expanded and ossified scales — a part of the same system
which is continued along the lateral line — and above the peripheral extremities of the true spinous
elements of the vertebrae. Cuvier's liumeral is, according to this view, the true scapular ; his
scapular, the suprascapular ; and his suprascapular, one of the anterior scales of the lateral line,
to which the opercular system belongs. The suborbital and supratemporal chains of ossicles belong
to the same uncertain and variable system.

" I have taught this doctrine, in opposition to the Geoifroyan views of the opercular bones being
the expanded ossicles of the ear, &c. (necessarily flowing from the idea of the whole skeleton of the fish
belonging to the true vertebral system) for the last eight years : and I find that Agassiz maintains
similar views in one of his recent Numbers of the Poissons Fossilcs. It is the only clue to the
intelligibility of the fish's skeleton : and it demoiistrates the soundness of Cuvier's judgment and
comparison, that though he had not clearly apprehended the idea, he was not seduced to consider
the dermal bones as analogous to parts of the skeleton of the higher Vertebrates (with one or two
exceptions) ; but indicated them as peculiar ichthyic dcvelopements."

* nxiu^k the side, and Sygi; a window.

i" This is also common to Dcryx ; and, indeed, a thinness of the abdominal p;u"ietcs seems a
character of most deep-sea fishes.

TRACHICHTHYS PRETIOSUS. 65

ptyx. Indeed the whole resemblance is most marvellous ; and its complete
investigation may lead, perhaps, to more correct ideas of the affinities of
these singular little fishes than can be gathered from their present forced
and artificial place amongst the SalmonidfZ. They may prove merely
aberrant forms of Berycidce.

Trachichthys australis, Shaw, appears, from the figure and descrip-
tion, to have the eye proportionately larger (its diameter equalling half,
instead of one-third the length of the head) ; the superscapulary spine is
stronger than the basal preopercular ; and the pointed scales forming the
abdominal keel are only eight in number, and are represented serrated
instead of entire. The fin formula, so far as can be ascertained, is
D. 4-HlO; A. 8-1-9; V. 1+6; M. B. about 8. In other points it
more resembles the Madeiran, than even the Mediterranean fish, figured
by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes.

The prompt kindness, however, of Mr. Gray, of the British Museum,
enables me to add the following decisive particulars : — " I have the plea-
sure to inform you," writes this zealous naturalist, in a letter dated 3rd
of September 1839, " that we have Dr. Shaw's specimen of Trachichthys
australis in the Museum Collection. It is not in a very perfect state,
the end of the vertical fins and one of the lobes of the tail having been
destroyed. It is very like Hoplostethus Mediterraneus of Cuvier, but
is quite distinct from it. It is much shorter compared with its height ;
and the scales of the whole body, the ridges of the head, and the whole of
the rays of the fins, spinous as Avell as soft, are covered with small spines ;
giving it a very rough appearance. It is the roughness of the keel of the
ventral plates Avhich gives them the appearance of being serrulated. There
are only three, or four at most, spines in front of the dorsal ; and the
dorsal and anal fins are shorter than in the Nice species. The (super)
scapulary spine is much longer, rough, and subdivided. Our specimen has
a broad band of velvet-like teeth on the intermaxillaries ; and a similar,
but not quite so broad a band parallel to these within them, which are
separated from each other by a small triangular group of teeth in the
centre (in front) between their ends."

By a subjoined sketch, these inner bands of teeth are evidently ^^a/a-
izwa/, and the triangular group vomerine. This latter fact docs not
indeed correspond with the anticipations of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes
(see p. 56 supra) ; but it cannot disturb the generic relation of the Au-
stralian, and Mediterranean or Madeiran fishes. It is only another in-
stance, like that of Therapon, and many others, of the little generic value
due to the character of an armed or unarmed vomer.

It may be well to specify, that MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes' description
of the Mediterranean fish, is at variance with the Madeiran, mainly in the
following points: — In Hoplostethus Mediterraneus., the keel or ridge at the

66 BERYCID.E.

top of the opercle ended in a spine, there was no true tongue (?), the
interopercle was remarkably notched, the pectoral fins were proportionably
longer, and the soft part of the dorsal fin was not higher than the rest in
front.

The accompanying figure is taken from the deeper or more ovate, and
smallest, of the three individuals above described, measuring seven inches
and a half in length. The second, measuring seven inches and seven
eighths of an inch in length, was exactly intermediate in form between
this figure and that of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, having the ven-
tral line less prominent than the former. The third, or female individual
above noticed, was eight inches and three eighths of an inch long, in shape
agreeing with the second. The three were captured respectively on the
80th of August, the 1st of February, and the 29th of October.

rN

<^ IV.,

=*>K

\

^

S

-S
^

^'

A CANTHOPTER YGII. CORYPHJENIDjE,

TAB. X.

CORYPH^NA EQUISETIS, Cuv. and Val.

Dourada/emea.

Small Specked Dolphin, or Dorado.

Char. Gen.

Corpus elongatum, sqiiammulosum. Caput froiite abrapte elevata, declivi : oculis demissis, obli-
quis, ad canthos oris approximatis : lingua, vomere, et palatinis scobinato-dentatis. Pinna dorsalis
antice altior, a nucha ad caudam fere continua, rivuloso-venosa.

Obs. — Pisces majores, subtropici, pelagici, navium sequaces, chalybeio-plumbei, flavo loti, mori-
bundi pulchre citoque versicolores.

Char. Spec.

C. linea frontali semi-perpendiculata : pinnis pectoralibus brevissimis, falcatis : lateribus sparsim
arenulis minimis atris raris aspersis, csetera immaculatis.

7 V. 8 + VIII.
D. 53 — 58 ; A. 2 V. 3 + 23 V. 24 ; P. 2 + 18 V. 19 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. ^ ^ ^^^

M. B. 7 ; VertJB. 13 v. 14 abd. + 20 v. 19 caud. = 33.

C. eqtiisetis, Cuv. and Val. ix. 297. t. 267. — Suppl. Sjm. Fish. Mad. p. 81.

C Equiselis, Linn. Syst. i. 447, (excl. syn, Marcgr.).

C. LessoniU Cuv. and Val. IX. 307 ?

Longit. 1^ — bipedalis = 44 — 5 X alt.
Tempus, sestate, autumno.
Locus, in alto : vulg.

The Cortjpheenida, or Dorados, form a well-marked group or family.
They are, by Cuvier, vmited with the Mackerels, or Scombrida; ; but their
separation now appears desirable, both on account of the present overgrown
extent of that enormous family, and the disturbance which their compre-
hension in it causes to a clear expression of its characters. Their own pecu-
liarities, moreover, admit of a sufficiently precise distinctive definition, and
are in accordance with certain obvious points of natural resemblance, of
geographic range, and habit. Their close alliance with the true Scom-
bridfc, and the gradual blending of their lines of demarcation at the points
of contact, are at once admitted. But this last is not allowed to be a
valid argument in favour of their union ; for it would equally apply to
sanction a proposal for mixing up into one mass, as each becomes more
studied and extended, almost every group, division, family, or genus,
which has been established by the naturalist in organized creation.

It may be once for all affirmed, that good arguments against the

VOL. I.

68 CORYPH.ENID.E.

establisliment of any group or genus in particular are not to be sought
out in the aberrant or transitional outskirts of that group ; but in the
paucity, the indistinctness, or the insufficiency of the characters exhibited
by its normal type or centre. It is an error in reasoning to do so, similar
to that which would confound in language the words " land*" and " sea," be-
cause it is not possible, upon a flat, indented shore, to mark by any straight
fixed line the limits of the oscillating tides. It is strange that, even at
this day, naturalists should often seem forgetful of so palpable a truth ;
and merge so frequently, what they admit in theory, — the mere practical
use and nature of their systems.

The genera which it is proposed to associate under the name of Cory-
phanidce, or the Dolphin-tribe, are Coryphana, L. Cuv. ; Lampugns,
Cuv. ; Pompilus, Rond. (Ceiitroloplms, Lac. ; Leirus, nob.) ; Seserinus,
Cuv.; Apolectus, Cuv, and Val. ; Kurtus, Bloch.^*; Stromateus, L. ;
Pepriliis, Cuv. (^Rhombiis, Lac. Val.) ; Lampris, Retz ; 3Iene, hacf ;
Brama, Bl. j ; Pteraclis, Gron, ; Asteroderma, Bon. (Diana, Risso) ;
and Luvarus, Raf. (Ausonia, Risso) ; which brings the series round again
to Coryphana. The group, thus constituted circularly, touches, and at
the point of contact blends through Scorpis into the Chfclodontidtr : whilst
it affords precisely analogous phases of form, from elongated to deep and
short, observable in the true ScomhridfE.

The Dorados or Dolphins, as they have been called in modern times,
which are the typical fishes of this group, have, for the Iqst two centuries,
been celebrated amongst voyagers and sailors for the beauty of the
changing iridescent tints, which pass in rapid alternation over the body
of the animal in its expiring convulsions. The name of Dolphin ap-
pears to have been first applied to these fishes by the Dutch ; very erro-
neously, if intended to indicate their identity with the Dolphin (hi\(p]g)
of the ancients ; which is clearly described by Aristotle § as a cetace-
ous animal, and is undoubtedly the Delphinus deljjhis, L. ; distin-
guished from the Porpess, the " Bouto," or, when young, " Tunina"
of Madeira (D. phocana, L.), by its long, pointed, beak-like muz-
zle. By naturalists they have more accurately been supposed to repre-

* This genus, so remarkable for the structure of the ribs, and externally for the short dorsal fin,
appears analogous to the genus Pemplwris, placed by Cuvier in Ckwtodotitu/a, but which is rather a
Percidous genus, near Pomatomus, Risso, and at least nearer allied to Beryddm than to C'lusiodon-
tidcB ; although I conceive more so in the way of analogy than of true affinity.

+ I cannot any longer follow Cuvier in associating these two genera (Lampris and Mcnc) with
Zeus. X Placed by Cuvier in Ckaiodontidce.

§ Aristotle's AsXipij was cetaceous and viviparous (Hist. A. §. 1 ; ^. 2 ; Z. /a. 1) ; mammiferous
and lactiferous, or giving suck (B. ^. 1) ; all four mentioned together (r. is. 1) : vocal, pulmonife-
rous, and tracheiferous (A. ^. 4), has a breathing hole or tube (avXos), sleeps with it above the surface
of the water, and snores (A. i. .5) ; all the preceding comi)rehcnsively (Z. la. 1, 2) ; difters from
(puKDiitiit, the Porpess (Z. ta. 1) ; breatlies air (©. /5. 3) ; has the mouth beneath (6. S. 4) ; its gen-
tleness and habits (I. Xs). — (Arist. Hist. Schneid.)

CORYPH.'ENA EQUISETIS. 69

sent the Hippuri of Pliny and Ovid, the IWoy^o/ of Aristotle, Athc-
nreus,* and Oppian. These, Ovid says, were swift, pelagic fishcs.j" By
Oppian they are not, as Cuvier asserts, " ranges parmi les Cctaces," but
enumerated with the Tunny, the Sword-fish (Xiphias), the Orcynus, &c.
and others, which inhabit the unfathomable depths of the sea, far from the
dry land ( 'AXiiur. a. 179 — 184) ; and he relates that they follow closely,
in shoals, floating bodies, especially timbers of wrecks ; that they delight
in the shade thus afforded ; and that, advantage being taken of this' pro-
pensity, they are caught easily and in great numbers ( 'AX. ^- 404 — 438).
Aristotle, that patriarch at once of the natural and dialectic sciences, says
merely that the 'I'^'Trovgog spawns in spring, and that the fry are of ex-
tremely rapid gi-owth (Hist. E. 0. 4); which Rondelet, in later times,
writing of some species of Dorado, confirms, on the authority of the
Spanish fishermen. In another place he mentions that it hides itself in
winter (Hist. 0. /^. 1), and is only caught at certain regular seasons, and
those always the same.

I cannot think with Cuvier these traits to be " peu distinctifs ;" and
when to them is added the consideration of the etymological appropriate-
ness, whether of the name iWoy^oj, horse-tail, so aptly referring to the
form and elongation of the dorsal fin, or to the nature of its rays ; or
KOgv(pa,ivcc, in allusion to the resemblance to an ancient casque or helmet
with its crest {zo^v<P'^) of the head and fore-part of the dorsal fin ; I am of
opinion that no identity can be less justly doubted than that of some
species of the modern genera, Cori/phana, or Lampugus, or PompiluSy
with the 'iTrorovgog, or zo§v(pcciv(x,, or a^vsvT^g, of the ancients. Inhabit-
ants of the open sea or ocean in the warmer or tropical latitudes, they
scarcely approach the shores except for spawning, towards the sunmier or
the autumn ; and in Madeira they are never taken but during these seasons.
They possess amazing swiftness and unwearied activity ; often following
vessels, in their shade rather than in their track, hundreds of miles
without rest or intermission ; and from their voracity become an easy
prey to sailors in such circumstances. In the month of June 1828, the

* Cuvier reverses the fact in saying that the names CoryphcBna and Hipptirus are derived " le
premier d'Aristote, et le second d'Athenee." (Hist. ix. 275.) The first (xajuipa/va), as far as I can
find, does not occur at all in Aristotle. Athenseus mentions both : quotes Dorion and Epoenetus, say-
ing that the "trfrai/goj is called the xoju(pa/v« : Numenius, stating in his Halieutics that it is also
called oc^nurris, from its continual leaping ; and Archestratus, affirming those of Carystus (in Euboea)
to be the best. He also quotes from Aristotle the traits marked in the text above, but adds no new
ones of his own. See Athen. (Dindorf) VII. 68. Vol. ii. p. 661.

t Cuvier (Hist. ix. 275), without noticing the latter character, has, by an evident misprint,
" sapide" for the former " rapide." Ovid's words are

Nam gaudent pelai/o, quales Scombrique Bovesque,
Hippuri celeres, et nigro tergore Milvi.

Hal. 94, 95 (e textu Elzev. Burmann, and Maittaire).

VOL. I. G

70 CORYPH^NID^.

vessel in which I was a passenger to England, — the Jane, commanded by
the late enterprising and excellent though unfortunate James Weddell,
author of a Voyage in the South Polar Regions, during which he dis-
covered the Sea-Leopard Seal, or Slenorrhyncus Weddellit, F. Cuvier, —
was accompanied from the back of Porto Santo, nearly into the mouth of the
British Channel, by a shoal of Bonitos (some sort of Tunny) mixed with
some large species of the genus Coryphana, which the sailors called
Dolphins. It was for a day or two the amusement of the crew to catch
these fishes ; for which nothing more was requisite than a hook baited with
a piece of fat, or even with white paper. They generally darted with the
greatest swiftness at the hook the moment it reached the water ; and in a
few minutes the decks were covered with their blood, and beaten by their
dying struggles : till the zest of capture was blunted by its facility, and
gave way to compassion. The flesh of the Dolphins was rather dry and
insipid, with a subacid flavour, and soon palling on the taste ; so that, after
the first day or two, no one on board would touch them, and they followed
us afterwards quite unmolested. After three or four days the Dolphins
were observed no longer, but the Bonitos still attended us ; till one morn-
ing, in the entrance of the Channel, we observed that our companions, as
we now acknowledged them, had all deserted us. This was about ten days
after their first appearance. I should add, that they kept generally on the
shady side of the vessel, and not more in her wake than at her prow. I
did not ascertain the species, being inattentive then to this branch of
Zoology : but it struck me that the beauty of the change of colour in the
Coryphtena had been much exaggerated ; and it was certainly not universal.
Most of them changed, however, almost at once under the eye, from a
fine silvery blue to greenish yellow, varied with some spots and patches of
the original blue. Some did not undergo this change at all ; and others, in
the water, appeared yellow naturally ; but these might be of a different
species. These fishes were about three feet long. In the stomach of one
I found a fine Hyaleea tridentata. Lam. and a few Crustacece ; but most of
them were empty.

In Madeira I have since obtained three or four different sorts of Cory-
phczna : but the subject of the accompanying plate, which is the commonest
of these, and abounds occasionally in the market during the summer and
autumnal months, is not the common Dolphin or Dorado of sailors, the
C. hippurus, L., of the Mediterranean ; which is here comparatively
rare.

The common Dorado of Madeira, C. eqtnsetis, Cuvier,* is a deeper
and smaller fish, never exceeding, or indeed scarcely equalling, two feet in

* I perfectly s\ibscribe to Cuvier's correction, after Ilardoiiin, of the probably more transcrip-
tional error, adopted by Artedi and Linnaeus from Gaza and the earlier editions of Pliny, of Equi-
Belis for Equisetis. — See Cuv. and Val. ix. 294, note.

CORYPH^NA EQUISETIS. 71

length ; and, besides the smaller number of rays in the dorsal fin, is
at once distinguished from C. hippuriis, L., by its very small pectoral
fins, by the absence of diffused pale dusky spots, and presence of minute
black specks upon the flanks and sides. The fishermen believe it to
be the female either of that or of another species, and distinguish it
from others by its smaller size and less degree of yellowness. Although
this last may be a characteristic in the fresh-caught fish, it certainly is one
of an uncertain nature ; and the former idea is quite false. I have re-
peatedly dissected male as well as female individuals, which differed in no
point whatever of external characters.

The name Dorado, or Dourado, probably was given in allusion to the '
yellow wash with which the species of this genus are more or less gilded.
C. equisetis makes its first appearance here in June ; and is brought
in abundance, from time to time, into the market throughout the four
succeeding months : after October it entirely disappears. I have found
the female full of well-formed eggs, in two large prismatic masses, of a
bright orange-colour, in June and July ; and the male with the milt
enlarged and milky in October. The flesh is tolerably firm and juicy,
but has a kind of mawkish taste ; and, though considered the best of the
Dourados, is but rarely brought to English tables. The best mode of
preparation is to cut the fish acrpss into pieces, and then fry them.

Shape, much compressed, oblong, narrowing chiefly by the ascent of the ventral
line from the origin of the anal fin backwards ; and forw^ards for a very short dis-
tance, from the commencement of the dorsal fin to the tip of the muzzle : the
middle space, between the edge of the opercle and beginning of the anal fin,
is an almost perfect oblong, with the dorsal and ventral lines nearly straight and
parallel, giving a peculiar regularity of form to the fish, characteristic of the species.
The line of the back is slightly convex from the origin to the end of the dorsal fin.
The greatest depth of the body, halfway between the nape and the beginning of
the anal fin, is from one fourth and a half to one fifl;h of the whole length ; and
the depth at the end of the dorsal and anal fins is about one fourth of this.
The thickness from the eye to the anal fin is about one third of the depth.

Head small and short ; its depth at the origin of the dorsal fin scarcely less than
its length, which is one sixth of the whole length of the fish. The profile rises at
an angle of forty-five degrees from the tip of the muzzle for about half the length
from that point to the origin of the dorsal fin ; and then ascends more gradually.
This lower steeper half is blmit, and broad or rounded ; forming a sort of obtuse
or flattened triangle in front, the breadth of which at the base is half its height :
the upper half is keeled. The nostrils are placed halfway between the eye and
tip of the muzzle : the hinder nostril is an open, oval orifice ; the anterior an in-
conspicuous, vertical, short slit, not easily discovered, placed close before the other,
and only separated from it by a thin dissepiment. The eye is roundish-oval,
placed remarkably low down, just above the hinder comer of the mouth, having
a peculiar oblique or sinister expression. It is a little below the centre of the
head vertically, and somewhat before it longitudinally. Its anterior canthus is
produced into a sort of sinus; and its longitudinal diameter equals about one
fifth of the length of the head.

G 2

72 COHVPII.EN'ID.E.

Although the mouth when closed seems small, the crape is laro;o, the commis-
sm'e remarkably oblique, and with a crooked or distorted appearance. The max-
illaries are narrow and slender, reaching to a point below the middle of the eye.
The lower jaw is longer than the upper : both are furnished, in front, with a
broad band of rather strong and sharp, but brush-like teeth, reaching to tlie
corners in the lower jaw, and growing nan'ower backwards ; but reduced almost to
a single row on the sides of the upper jaw ; which has also a round patch on the
vomer, and a short and narrow band of similar teeth upon each palatine. The
tongue is free, broad, rounded, with a large square patch of brush-like teeth in the
middle, and the edges or border in front and on the sides remarkably thin and
smooth.

The preopercle is peculiarly plain and flat, of a naiTOW parabolic shape,
directed obliquely downwards. The opercle forms with the interopercle, which
is rather broad, a wider parabolic curve outside the former : it has a slight notch
or sinus near the top. A few diverging striae radiate from the articulation of the
opercle with the frontal bone, partly over its upper end. Otherwise the whole
three are smooth, unarmed, and even ; with entire edges.

The branchial opening is large, its membrane prominent, with the edge broadly
scalloped. Its six upper rays are flat, and very strong and broad : the first or
lowest weak, and difficult to find ; being not flattened like the rest, and concealed
l>eneath the second.

The whole head, muzzle, lower jaw and opercles, with the exception of a scaly
patch upon the cheeks beneath and behind the eye, are perfectly naked, and covered
with a smooth and even skin. The whole has a remarkably plain compact ap-
pearance, such as indeed is usual in the swift pelagic fishes. There is no pecu-
liarity observable externally about the superscapulary and humeral bones, on the
shoulders, or at the axils of the pectoral fins.

The lateral line forms generally an abrupt festoon above the middle of the
pectoral fins ; beyond which, after a little irregular waving, it continues straight,
and in the middle of the body, to the end.

The scales, beginning on the nape at the origin of the dorsal fin, are extremely
small and inconspicuous, oblong or trapeziform, somewhat cuneate or bi'oader at
the outer or hinder end, finely striate concentrically like the lines at the ends of
the fingers, but otherwise smooth and almost membranous. They extend far up
between the rays of the caudal fin ; but all the other fins are smooth and naked.

The dorsal fin begins very forward on the nape ; a vertical line from the base
of its first ray falling, however, perfectly clear of the hinder edge of the orbit. It
is highest in front, in a line with the edge of the opercle, or base of the pectoral
fins ; and from a little behind this point it gradually lowers off', rising again a
little towards the end. The first rays are very short and crowded, and so buried
in the thick leathery elastic skin or web that they are difficult to count ; but they
gradually increase in length to the eighth ray, to which the following ten or
twelve are nearly equal. The anterior rays are simple ; the hinder become
gradually more branched, as well as more remote, and their tips protrude beyond
the web : but all are of the same flexible elastic substance, like whalebone ;
differing equally from the spines, as from the branched articulated rays of most
fishes. Its greatest height in front scarcely equals half the depth of the body
below it, and is one sixth or seventh part of the length of its own base ; at the
hinder end it is scarcely half this height in front.

The anal fin begins opposite the thirty-fourth ray of the dorsal, which it re-
sembles in shape ; in structure corresponding with its hinder half The elevated
part in front, however, is not so much rounded oft", but more abrupt or angular,
and scarcely equals the height of the hinder end of the dorsal fin. The first ray

CORYPHENA E(iUISETlS. 73

is very short, the third or fourth the longest ; the fifth or sixth abruptly shorter.
The tips of all its rays, except the two or three first simple rays, are also still
more free and branched than any in the dorsal fin. It is lowest at about two
thirds of its length, opposite the corresponding lowest part of the dorsal fin.

The last ray of both the dorsal and the anal fins is connected to the body
partly by a web. It is very rarely double.

The pectoral fins are remarkably small, short, and ovato-falcate ; their length is
only about one tenth of the whole length. They are placed nearly halfway up
the sides, and have a peculiarly neat compact appearance, from the closeness and
flatness of their rays ; which seem as if they had been planed on each side.

The ventral fins are very large, broad, ovate, with the edges irregularly jagged,
and the three or four hinder rays much branched and strong. They are considerably
longer as well as larger than the pectoral fins, reaching halfway to the origin of
the anal fin, and being one eighth of the whole length of the fish. Their first ray
is weak and flexible though simple, and nearly as long as the first branched ray :
the second of this last sort is the longest ; the last is webbed to the body. Each
of the branched rays is also curiously webbed to the preceding at the base, by a
short lateral membrane, as in the Tunny.

The caudal fin is deeply forked : its forks are equal, narrow, long, acuminate,
and furnished at their outer base with several short accessory rays. The longest
outer ray of each fork is also simple.

Colour light silvery-lead, darker and steelly on the back ; dead white, washed
more or less with citron-yellow on the flanks, beneath the lateral line, and on the
belly ; immaculate, but the sides here and there, chiefly beneath the lateral line,
sprinkled with minute, angular, distinct, remote, jet-black specks, like grains of
sand, of different sizes. The dorsal fin is very dark, approaching to black, with-
out spots or patches, but with rich blue iridescent tints, and a sort of pruinose
bloom ; the whole most curiously marked with darkei-, rivulose, anastomosing,
forked and wavy veins or lines, running across the rays obliquely backwards.
The anal fin is white at the base, blackish towards the edge, fimbriated with
white ; and the produced tips of the rays in both the dorsal and tlie anal fins are
white or colourless. The pectoral fins are pale bluish-slate, with the tips and first
ray blackish. Ventral fins blackish inside or above, especially towards the tips ;
white outside or beneath. Caudal fin pale bluish-silver ; brownish or olive towards
the tips of the forks. The mouth inside and tongue are white ; except the plates
of teeth, which are brownish flesh-colour. Iris silvery-glaucous or pearly apple-
green.

The yellow wash upon the under-parts of the body and base of the anal fin
is very evanescent, and removes by slight rubbing, coming off upon the fingers.

In a single female individual, taken full of spawn, and brought to me in fine
condition at the end of June, was observed a row of seven or eight faint dusky
spots, about the size of peas, extending forwards from the end of the dorsal fin
along the ridge of the back. The flanks and sides were specked as usual, but
otlierwise immaculate. The base of the dorsal fin itself was of a bright blue
colour, with a faint dusky mark or spot behind each ray : the blue reached up
about one third of the fin's height ; the remaining two thirds being inky-black.
The sides and belly in this fish were less washed with yellow than usual.

In the dissection of another individual, a male, in the month of October, the
stomach was found to be very large and long ; extending to the vent, and dis-
tended with food : it contained a Chicharro {Caranx Cuvieri, nob.) seven and a
half inches long, or one third the length of its devourer ; and many horny orbits
and crystalline lenses of other fishes. The cfem were capillary, very fine and
numerous, uniting the lower end of the liver into one uniform bunch or mass with

74 CORYPH^NID.E.

the stomach all round ; the whole resembling a mass of cellular tissue filled with
small Flukes {FasciolcE) or other parasitic worms. The liver was rather small.
The spleen, external to the mass of viscera, and placed below the cteca, was small,
and, as usual, dark atro-purpureous. The milt was soft, large, elongated, and
milky-white. The intestine is extremely fragile, large but short, and wholly
adnate to the gland-like mass of ca-ca ; making two bends or one complete volu-
tion in its course. There is no air-bladder. In a female individual, examined
in July, no difference was found, except in the presence of eggs or roe in place
of milt.

The vertebrae are very short, and thirty-three in number ; which is two more
than in two other Madeiran species (C. hippuriis, L. and C. Nortoniana, nob.),
the excess being in the caudal vertebrae. They are united to each other on the
upper side by Httle longitudinal crests, which incline forwards. The abdominal
vertebrEe vary from thirteen to fourteen ; and are all, except the first, furnished
beneath with short irregular, unequal, descending apophi/ses, not uniting into
rings or arches. The lower prolonged spiny apophi/ses of the caudal vertebrce
are given off from the points of apophysal arches, the branches of which originate
just before (as those of the upper side the vertebral column do just behind) the
constricted middle point of each vertebra. The first of these apophi/ses is ensiform,
and elevated on a kind of stalk.

The vertebrae and bones in this and other Coryphcence are brown and flesh-
coloured, and of a somewhat coarse or carious texture ; very different from those
of the generality of fishes, and more like those of young quadrupeds.

Tills is entirely a surface fish at the time of its appearance on these
shores. Fishing off Magdalena, a village five leagues to the west of
Funchal, about a league and half from shore, I have several times on
calm days in August and September, fallen in with shoals of them,
generally accompanying floating planks or timber covered with Barnacles
{Pentelasmis lavis. Leach) ; in the neighbourhood of which Avere also
often many individuals of Pompilus Bennettii, nob., and of Naucrates
ductor, Risso ; whilst on the plank itself was sometimes resting a fine
Turtle (La Caouane, Cuv., Testudo Caretta, Gm.), haunted with its
usual parasite, Grapsus testudinum, Roux. The Douradas bite eagerly
at a hook baited with a piece of Mackerel, splashed and played about the
surface of the water with a rod : and ten or fifteen are in half as many
minutes generally captured ; upon which the rest make oflT. They are
remarkably bold, strong, and vigorous, crowding and rushing after the
bait, and leaping sometimes quite out of the water ; and when first pulled
into the boat, they skip about incessantly from one end of it to the
other in the most astonishingly active manner for a few minutes ; and
then, with a sudden gush of blood from the gills and mouth, die all at once.
In the water, or whilst yet alive, some of them are of the most pure daz-
zling white, like burnished silver, with merely a light watery azure tinge
along the back : much resembling Lichia glaycos upon its first capture,
but still whiter ; and in such, no specks or yellow wash appear. After
death, the blue of the back becomes darker, and spreads somewhat lower
down : and in some of these examples there came out presently a row of

CORYPH.'ENA EQUISETIS. 75

dusky iridescent greenish spots, the size of peas, on the ridge of the bach,
on each side, at the base of the dorsal fin, proceeding some way forwards
from its end ; but still no yellow wash : and the black specks upon the
sides were so few and rare, if not sometimes entirely wanting, that they
might easily be overlooked. Others appeared quite yellow in the water,
which the fishermen attributed to their eagerness to seize the bait : and
many were more or less washed with yellow at their capture on the sides
and flanks, which proved, however, very evanescent, disappearing almost
wholly after death. Some few had, besides the scattered black specks, a
few bright evanescent azure spots, or gutta, about the cheeks and breast,
and the dorsal fin paler or more azure than usual. These various examples
were, for the most part, twenty or twenty-one inches long, proving on dis-
section both male and female fishes ; some of the latter being in roe.

I cannot feel entirely assured of the identity of this Madeiran Cory-
j)h(jena with the C. equisetis of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes ; which,
besides being a somewhat larger fish (twenty-five to thirty inches long),
is said to have the head higher than long, the dorsal fin high in front (the
height of its anterior rays being half-way between one fourth and one fifth
of the length of its own base), and lowest at, instead of before, its last ray,
with the profile rising vertically at its origin for about one third of its
length ; though in their figure it is represented rising at an angle of little
more than 45*^. I am also much inclined to believe that their C. Lessonii
(Hist. IX. 307), briefly indicated from a drawing made by M. Lesson,
owes its origin to an observation of a fresh captured individual, such as
those described first in the preceding paragraph, of the Madeiran fish :
for which, should it eventually prove distinct from both these Cuvieran
species, I would propose the name of Cor. arenulala.

The uniformity of size in this fish is remarkable. I have never yet
seen one below sixteen or above twenty- four inches in length, and only
one or two which had attained the latter size. The individual figured in
the accompanying plate measured twenty-one inches and three quarters,
which is about the average size, and had fifty- three rays in the dorsal fin.
In fifteen examples, including this,

3 had 53

4 — 54
4 — 55
3 — 56

and 1 — 58 rays in the dorsal fin.

f

n;

MALA COPTERVail ECIIENEIDJE.

SUBBRACHIALES.

TAB. XL

ECHENEIS VITTATA, Nob.

Pogador i. e. Pegador, ou Peixe Piolho.

Striped Remora.

Char, Fam. ac Gen.

Corpus elongatum, nudiiisculum s. minutissime squammulosum. Caput supra disco transverse la-
minifero. Maxillae, vomer, et palatini, scobinati.

Ohs. — Pisces mensurse mediocris, vix edules, pelagici, parasitici, capitis clypeo corporibus alienis
affixi, vagabundi, suljtropici, subunicolores, nigrescentes. Caput depressum : os magnimi plagiopla-
teum, rictu horizontali, maxilla inferiore longiore. Pinna dorsalis unica, subpostica, anali opposita ;
utraque antice alta : ventrales subpectorales. Caeca baud permulta. Vesica aeris nulla. Membrana
branchiostega (5 — 9-radiaia.

Genus adhuc unicum ; ideoque character idem ac familise. Sectiones generis duae : Cauda nempe
1) truncata ; 2) lunata. Species plurimaelatentes, vix adhuc notse.

Char. Spec.

E. vinoso-nigrescens, pallido variegata et bivittata, fascia intermedia laterali nigra : pinnse dorsalis

analisque caudalisquc apicibus extremis albis ; pectoralibus nigris, ovatis, acutiusculis, integris: cor-

poro postice attenuato, gracillimo : oculis majusculis : lingua scabra : clypei laminis xxiii. ; cauda

trancata.

1 + VIII.
D. 39 ; A. .39 ; P. 22 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. ^ , yjj

E. vittafa, Suppl. Mad. Fish, in Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1839. p. 89.

Lomjit. pedalis rr 14 — 15 X alt.

Tempus, aestatc s. Augusio.

Locus, in pelago, Squall assecla : rariss.

The identity of any species of the modern genus Echene'is, with the fa-
mous ''Y.XiVTiig, or Remora, of the ancients, has been far too hastily as-
sumed. The later Greek and Latin naturalists have, indeed, preserved
accounts, which they relate were current in their days, of certain marvellous
etiects produced in stopping or retarding vessels, by the adhesion to them
of a fish, which, in allusion to these popular stories, they have called
'E^gvjj'/f, or Remora, the Ship-stayer. Two different fishes are, however,
plainly mixed up in these histories. Aristotle's, which is, he says, a small
rock-fish, not used for food, but philtres, and with feet-like fins,* seems to

* Arist. Hist. B. /. 3.
vol,. I.

78 ECHENEID^.

have been some sort of Goby or Blenny.* Of its adhering or retarding
powers he says nothing farther than may be supposed to be conveyed
by the name itself. Oppian's 'E^gi-^jiV ( 'AX. A. 212 — 243), as Rondelet
has long ago observed, is evidently the common Lamprey {Pelromyzon
marinusy L.) ; and this remark of course applies to the 'E)^gv;;/V of Oppian's
copyist ^lian (Hist. i. 36, and ii. 17). Pliny's Remora, " like a great
slug" (limax), which stopped the ship of Caius Csesar (Caligula), or that
which he mentions, after Trebius Niger, of a foot and a half long and five
fingers thick, might well be the same ; but in another place (lib. ix. cap.
25), his account of it is a transcript of Aristotle's above cited, with his own
additions of its powers ; and this last remark again applies to Ovid's :

" Parva Echenei's . . . mora puppibus ingens."

Halieut. 99.

The account of the 'Y^x^i/riig, also given by Suidas the Greek lexicogra-
pher, that it is a little fish, not used for food, the size of a Goby, with
four fins, agrees with Aristotle's fish. Another very different sort of Re-
mora is that which Pliny speaks of, after Mutian, as illustrious, and conse-
crated to the Gnidian Venus, for stopping the messengers despatched by Pe-
riander, the Corinthian tyrant, on a barbarous embassy. This was by Mu-
tian's description a shell, belonging, probably, to the modern genus Cypreea.

Failing, however, to discover any traits of the modern Echenei's or Re-
mora of ichthyologists in the fishes so called by the ancient Greek and
Latin writers, a more probable identity may be suggested between some
species of the genus, and the fish by Aristotle, and his copyist ^lian, call-
ed (p&ii^Ut the Louse. After speaking of the true crustaceous parasitic ani-
mals infesting fishes, he proceeds, " and in the sea between Cyrene and
Egypt, there is a fish (lyjvg) about the Dolphin {Delphinus delphis, L.)
which they call the Louse ; this becomes the fattest of all fishes, because it
partakes of the plentiful supply of food captured by the Dolphin." (Aris-
totle's Hist. E. KS. 3. See also iElian, ix. 7.) The different species of
the modern genus Echeneis are occasionally called by the Portuguese
Piolho, or Peixe piolho ; meaning the same thing. And Schneider, whose
opinion upon this subject I find, on turning to the passage in -^lian,
agreeing with my own, relates, after Forskal, that in Arabic the Echeneis
naucrates, L. is called the Shark's Louse.-|-

In the stories which some of these writers have related of the powers of
the ancient Remora in stopping vessels under the impulse of full sails
or oars, there is much doubtless of mere fiction or exaggerated fancy ;

* I should have said of Cficirotwctcs, Cuv. ; but, hitlierto, inodoni naturalists have discovered no
species of this genus in the Mediterranean.

+ " Keid or laml d kvruli, Ariib It is mentioned by Forskal as seen at Gidda, and by Has-

selquist at Alexandria." — Harris, Diet. Nat. Hist. Bibl. voce Fish.

ECHENEIS VITTATA. 79

yet, on the otlier hand, it would be rash altogether to deny their truth.
Like most such popular accounts or vulgar errors, they may probably be
founded on some real circumstance, or natural occurrence, distorted by ex-
aggeration into the wonderful. There would be nothing marvellous, that a
Lamprey, of even ordinary size, fixed to the keel or rudder of a boat, sus-
pended by one end and struggling in the water, should, as related by
Rondelet upon his own experience,* greatly retard such vessel's progress,
render its course unsteady, and baffle the exertions of its rowers.

Again, it is remarkable that the Dalmatians at this day, as Schneider in
his note on -iElian, ii. 17, mentions upon the authority of the Abbe Fortis,
possess the same idea regarding a fish they call Packlara, which the
ancients held regarding their Echeneis or Remora. So strange a notion is
not likely to have originated from communication with others amongst a
wild and illiterate population ; or, again, to have sprung up spontaneously
and independently without some real ground. Without recourse, there-
fore, to the marvellous or extraordinary on one hand, or to mere fiction on
the other, it does not seem unreasonable to suppose, that the accidental at-
tachment to the rudder of a small-sized vessel of some fish like Rondelet's
Lamprey may have originated ati impression, which has subsequently been
generalized, and transferred to other sucking-fishes, in themselves incapable
of producing like effects. -j-

The modem genus Echeneis seems to have obtained little attention
from the later ichthyologists, who have not added more than three or four
species to the two enumerated by Linnseus. Rare, and occurring only acci-
dentally, or at remote intervals of time and place, it has been difficult to in-

* " His omnibus quae nulli alii melius quam lampetrse nostrae competere possunt, accedit ex-
perientia ipsa, cujus primum me admonuit Gulielmus Pelicerius episcopus Monspeliensis singulari
eruditione prseditus, ex qua experientia constat lampetram navibus iis prsesertim quae recens pice illitae
sunt oreadhaerere, picis, ut aiunt, exugendae gratia. Quod si triremis clavo os affixerit, ejus impetum re-
tardari certum est. Id nobis evenit Romam proficiscentibus cum clarissimo Cardinali Tunionio. Vi-
dimus enim optimae triremis, cujus citissimo cursu vehebamur, impetum inhibitum, cujus incertam cau-
sam cum vectores perquirerent, tandem compertum fuit lampetrae ore clavo affixEe \-i id effici ; quae capta,
et convivio apposita, morae allatae poenas dependit. Cujus rei locupletissimos testes habeo nobiles et
graves viros, qui eadem navi vehebantur." — Rond. de Pise. 402.

+ Rondelet seems to have taken a similar view of the matter. After transcribing from Aristotle a
dissertation on the reason of the use and power of the rudder, he proceeds : " Quare si recta et celerrime
currat navis, et echeneis, ore clavo vel puppi afRxo, caudam vel se totam, modo in dextrum, modo in
sinistrum moveat, necesse est etiam in prora motionem hanc percipi, et ad echenei'dis motum ambi-
guum, ambigue quoque moveri, ac proinde impetum ejus inhiberi, cum ab Aristotele demonstratum sit,
et experientia comprobatum, ad exiguam unius extremi motionem, extremum alteram, atque adeo to-
tam molem continuam nutare. Lampetra igitur verbi gratia, vel quavis alia remora, non in ipsa nave
neque ipsius lateribus sed puppi vel gubemaculo adhaerente, et caudam vel reliquum corpus motitante
fluctuat navis, nee progreditur, nee ultra fertur, non aliter quam si tranquiUo mari in prospero et celeri
navis cursu gubemator imperitiorem ad gubemandum admittat, qui clavum recte tenere non possit :
firmissime enim in cursu tenendus est, ne fluctuet navis, alioqui mox retardabitur mpetus." — Rond.
de Pise. 439, 440.

80 ECHENEID.E.

stitiite tliosc close comparisons of individuals, wliicli arc essential to the
clear establishment of species. These fishes bear, indeed, to one another a
strong general resemblance ; yet I believe that the species will prove nu-
merous, and that the two originally mentioned by Linnasus, which have too
long appeared to serve for general receptacles, constitute, in fact, the types
of two divisions of a genus rich in species. Of seven or eight individuals
examined in Madeira, three only could be considered specifically the same.

A single example only of the fish here figured and described has yet oc-
curred ; but it is a species possessing such decided characters, that no scru-
ple can be felt in giving it as new.

Shape generally thin and elongated, yet round and thick forwards at the shoul-
ders ; very slender and much attenuated towards the tail. Head, as far back as
the shoulders, broad, depressed ; thence the body is nearly round and taper to the
root of the caudal fin, where it is subcompressed. The belly is not channelled, but
simply rounded. The dorsal and the ventral lines are parallel from the origin of
the pectoral or ventral to that of the dorsal or anal fins; behind this point they
gradually converge, again diverging slightly at the root of the tail. Thus the
depth, from the base of the pectoral to the origin of the dorsal fin, is nearly equal,
and between one fourteenth and one fifteenth of the whole length ; but at the
hinder end of the dorsal or anal fins, it is only between one third and one fourth
as much as at their commencement. The greatest breadth or thickness at the
base of the pectoral fins greatly exceeds the depth ; being about one ninth of the
whole length : but at the origin of the dorsal or anal fins, it is one eighth less than
the depth at the same point ; and at their termination, it is equal to the same.

The head, seen in profile, tapers forwards from the throat to a sharp thin point ;
viewed from above, it is broad and flattened, furnished with an oval sucking-disk,
containing twenty-three* transverse laminae, serrated as usual, and extending
backwards to about the middle of the pectoral fins. The length of this disk is
twice and a half its breadth, and is contained four times and a half In the whole
length of the fish. It reaches forward for about a quarter of its length before
the eye, nearly to the tip of the upper jaw, which is greatly shorter than the
lower, exposing both its broad bands of maxillary brush-like teeth. Palatines and
vomer with similar bands of teeth. Tongue scabrous, very thin. Nostrils two
minute, oval, simple orifices, close together in a line from tlie eye to the tip of the
upper jaw ; the hinder largest. Eye rather large comparatively with some other
species ; it is between one seventh and one eighth of the length of the sucker. The
outlines of the opercle and preopercle are completely concealed by the skin ; so that,
at least whilst recent, or without dissection, the comparative length of the head
cannot be ascertained. The cheeks and sides of the head are quite plain, compact,
and even. Being unwilling to injure the specimen, I did not count the branchial
rays.

The skin all over appears to the eye finely scabrous or shagreened, but is
smooth to the touch. It is not particularly slimy ; but the smell of the fish is very
disagreeable, like mucus.

The lateral line begins high up the shoulder, and is flexuose or wavy at its
origin, Ijut straight beyond the pectoral fins, running along tlie middle of eacli side,
just within the upper edge of the dark-coloured band, and continuing uj) tlie cau-

* Not twL'iity-lour, as by a slip of the pen in Suiipl. M;al. Fisiios.

ECHENEIS VITTATA. 81

dal fin between the eighth and ninth rays. It is formed by a series of small
dots.

The pectoral fins are rather large, and situated on the middle of the sides a
little before the end of the sucking-disk. They are ovate, pointed or subacute,
and quite entire ; their length equals the breadth of the body at their base.

The ventral fins are placed exactly underneath the pectoral ; they are as large
and long as these, but more obtuse or fan-shaped. Their first simple ray is two
thirds the length of the first and longest branched ray. The last is connected half-
way up by a web to the body. These fins fit in under a slight ridge on the side of
the belly.

The dorsal and anal fins correspond exactly in position, and in general shape and
structure. They begin at the middle of the body, not reckoning the caudal fin ; are
high and raised in front, and then gradually narrow off backwards, ending a little
short of the commencement of the caudal fin, and having their last ray partly web-
bed to the body. The anal fin is more distinctly pointed in front, and narrower
behind than the dorsal.

Caudal fin large, fan-shaped, convexo-truncate, with the edge slightly uneven.

The rays of all the fins are obscure, and concealed by a thickish leathery mem-
brane. They can scarcely be counted accurately whilst the specimen is fresh.

Colour generally blackish, with a warm purplish tint, mottled or varied with
paler or whitish, and with two light bands along the sides, inclosing a dark conspi-
cuous central one, which runs immediately below the lateral line, spreading out
upon the caudal fin so as to leave only the two outer tips and edges pure white.
The two pale bands become towards the shoulders clearer, more decided white ;
and the lower is produced forwards, beneath the eye, to the corners of the mouth.
The throat is mottled black and white ; the belly dark and mottled ; the back
uniform black. The sucker is also black ; especially its smooth, raised, fleshy bor-
der. The pectoral fins are uniform black ; the ventral paler, but black towards
their tips ; the dorsal and anal black, but with their front raised-part bordered,
and the tips of all the rays just touched with pure white. Caudal fin black, bor-
dered at the upper and lower tips and edges with pure white. The iris is coppery.
The mouth inside pale whitish.

The length of the example figured, the only one which has occurred,
and which was captured in the month of August, is twelve inches and
three quarters.

I cannot find this fish anywhere distinctly specified ; though it may
perhaps have sometimes passed for E. naucralcs^ L.* It is at once dis-
tinguished from E. Hneata^ Menzies, in Linn. Trans, i. 187, t. 17, f. 1, in
the Gfreater number of laminre with which the suckinar-disk is furnished, &c.:
and from E. lunata, Bancroft, in Zool. Journ. v. 413, t. 18, in the entire
caudal fin. The number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins is also con-
siderably greater than in these, or in other Madeiran species.

* Sec Dr. Bancroft's remark, in the Znol. Journ. v. 413, on the E. naucratcs, " pinnis posteriori-
bus albo marginatis," of Dr. Patrick Browne ; to whose work I regret I have not access.

^4 k

CHONDROPTERYGII. SQUALIDJE.

TAB. XII.

ZYG^.NA MALLEUS, Val.

Cormida.

The Common Hammer-fish, or Hammer-shark.

Char. Gen.

Caput transverse dilatatum ; oculis ad latera extrema utrinque. Dentes in utraque maxilla con-
formes, laniarii, triangulares, semilati, recurvi. Pinnae dorsales duse, remotas : secunda anali fere
opposita. Spiracula nulla. Fissur;e branchiales quinque ; posterioribus supra basin pinnarum pec-
toralium. Oculi menibrana nictitantc distincta.

OJs.— Squali majores, ferociores, regioniun calidiorum incolae, subtropici ; aspectu capitis deformi,

Char. Spec.

Z. capite malleiformi, triple quadniplove latiore quam longo, aiitice subsinuato, convexiusculo :
naribus oculis contiguis.

Z. malkus " Val. Mem. Mus. ix. 222." Cuv. R. An. ii. 393.— Risso, iii. 125.— Yarr. Brit. Fish,
ii. 406 (vignette), and Suppl. ii. 61.

Sph,yr7ia Zyyana (Raf.), Mull, und Henl, Flag. p. 51,

Squaliis Zygmta, Linn. i. 399.

Squalus capite latissimo transverse mallei instar, Art. Syn. 96, Gen. 67.

Zygcena, Rondel. 389.— Salv. 129, t. 40.— Will. 55, t. B 1 (copied from Salviani),

Longit. ■=■ 2 — 10 v. 12 pedes.

Tempus, aestate, autumno, hieme ; sed per totum fere annum. ,

Locus, in profundioribus, a littore longule : vulg.

The hideous aspect of this Shark well justifies the character and place
assigned it by Schiller, when, in his exquisite ballad of " the Diver," he
is peopling his Charybdis with the " monsters of the hoary deep."

©d^wars wimmelten ta^ in graufem ©emifdt)/ '

3u fdieu^Udfjcn jltumpen gebatlt,
S5ei- ftad}licl)c JRod'c, beu ^Uppenfifc^/

®c§ >§amnierg 9i:dulid)c Ungcjtalt;
Unb bcauenb me6 mir bie gvimmigcn '^h.\)xit
®er entfe^lid^e S^oXj, beg SJieeveg ^i)Sne.

S>et Soud^c.t/ £tonj. 20.

Dark welter'd there, in hideous coil

Of loathsome ball entwined,
The prickly Ray, the slimy Lump,

The grisly Hammer's monster kind ;
And, threatful champing, fiercely grinn'd at me
The horrid Shark, Hysena of the sea.
VOL. I.

84 SQUALID.E.

Indeed, tlie wildest fancy of the poet, or tlic pencil of a Fuseli, could
scarcely conjure up a monster more disgusting, frightful, and repulsive
than a Hammer-fish of any considerable size. The strange position of the
large and goggle eyes adds much to the deformed appearance of the head ;
and its strength is, by the fishermen, reported to be quite in correspondence
with its frightfulness of aspect and its large and formidable teeth ; so that
alive, and in its native element, it were not easy to conceive a more ter-
rific monster. Fortunately it does not appear to quit its native depths or
to approach very near the shore ; for, although by no means uncommon
either in Madeira or elsewhere, I find no records of its fatally attacking man.

Aristotle mentions the l^yaiva, only once ; and then so briefly and in
such company, that it is very doubtful whether he intends the fish so
called by the more recent writers. Speaking of fishes which have the gall-
bladder {yjiKri) adnate to the liver, he cites as examples certain Sharks
and Rays, " and of the long fishes, the Eel, the Pipe-fish (Si/ngnathus,
L.), and Zygsena" (zui rajv ^az^ajv 'iy/jiXvg %.cci ^ikovri za) ^yya/va).*
Had he meant our Hammer-fish, it would have been included rather in the
former member of the sentence.

This fish appears to be, however, the Zyyaiva, of Oppian (Hal. A. 367,
and E. 37), and of his copyist ^Elian. The former terms it ^Xogupt^
and piyeboii/y] : and enumerates it amongst other fierce, strong, and large
sea-monsters, inhabiting the deep and rarely approaching the shores,
-^lian, in a passage (lib. ix. cap. 49) borrowed from this of Oppian''s,
calls it f/jiyiarcc. The etymology of the name (from Zvyog a yoke or
balance, or sometimes a plumb-rule, whence, in Latin, this fish has been
called Libella, and by Willughby the Balance-fish) has been thought to
favour this identity, alluding to the form or transverse setting-on of the head.

The later ichthyologists and voyagers have long been well acquainted
with this fish or others of the genus. In the Mediterranean, as in Ma-
deira, it appears not to be uncommon. Salviani and Rondelet relate that
it is called at Rome Ciambetta ; in other parts of Italy, Pesce Martello
and Balista ; at Marseilles, Peis Jouzioti, or the Jew-fish, from the re-
semblance of its head to a head-dress worn formerly by the Jews of
Provence ; and by the Spanish, Peis Limo, Limada^ and Toilandolo.
At Nice, Risso affirms that it is called Marteou. In Britain it appears to
be a mere straggler, of very rare occurrence ; a single individual only
having recently been captured on the Norfolk coast. All are agreed
in speaking of its flesh as hard, and disagreeable in smell and flavour, so
that it is only eaten by the lowest poor.

In Madeira it is in summer one of the more common Sharks ; but is
not eaten, except when now and then imposed upon an ignorant or un-
wary customer. Oil is extracted, however, from the liver. The fishermen

* Arist. Hist. B. /a. 7.

ZYG^NA MALLEUS. 85

describe it as extremely fierce and strong, often breaking tlieir hooks or
lines. It is taken about a league off shore, in from sixty to one hundred
fathoms water.

There are four or five more species of this genus known to ichthyologists,
which are all characterised by the form and width of their heads compared
with their length. Mr. Yarrell, in his Supplement to the British Fishes,
(Part II. p. 65,) has furnished the naturalist with a valuable series of
sketches illustrating these forms. One of the most singular of these is a
new species (Z. laticeps, Cant.) recently discovered in the Eastern seas by
Dr. Cantor. In this, the head in width equals one half the length of the
whole fish, and appears to be five or six times as broad as long. In
Z. tudes, Val. (le Squale Pantouflier, Lacep.), which comes the nearest
to Z. malleus, the head is more convex in front, and comparatively much
less produced side-ways in proportion to its length ; measuring, in a straight
line from eye to eye, only twice instead of three or four times its length
(capita so. duplo latiore quam longo). Having been occasionally taken
in the Mediterranean,* this South American as well as Eastern species
may perhaps be met with also in Madeira by some future naturalist ; in
which case it may be recognised by attention to this point. *[• Of the re-
maining species, Z. Tiburo, Val. {Squalus Tiburo, L. Will. t. B 9, f. 3),
and Z. Blochii, Val. Bloeh. t. 117, have the nostrils remote from the
eyes, and the head vastly more convex in front ; whilst in the former
Brazilian species, it is also still less produced transversely, in proportion to
its length, than in Z. tudes, Val. ; and, in the latter, the side lobes are
remarkably recurved. Z. Mokarran, Rupp. on the other hand, is said to
have the fore-margin of the head nearly straight or rectilinear, and not con-
vex before the eyes.

The following description is derived principally from two small female
individuals of Z. malleus, which measured about two feet in length.

Shape of the body slender, elongate, more ventricose than usual in most Sharks
just behind the pectoral or behind the first dorsal fins, and attenuated forwards into
a sort of neck, as weW as backw^ards towards the root of the caudal fin ; this character,
however, has been exaggerated in the greater number of the published figures.

Head transversely oblong, much depressed and flattened, set on the body rather
like the head of a pick-axe on its handle, than of a hammer, which is at right
angles with it ; the two side lobes turning slightly backwards, and the front edge,
which is thin, being convex, like the segment of a circle, and faintly waved
or festooned : its middle lobe is broadest and most prominent, very obtuse or even
slightly retuse in the middle ; and on each side can just be traced a smaller lobe,
between it and the nostrils, which are seated in a shallow sinus close before or
rather within the extreme and somewhat prominent angles of the front margin.
Just beyond these angles, on the outer margin, are the large and prominent pro-

* Risso Hist. iii. 126.

+ It should, however, be observed, that MM. MUller and Henle throw doubts on its distinctnesa
as a species from Z. malleus.

VOL. r. H

86 SQUALID^.

truded eyes ; which often look as if they had been partly forced out of their
sockets. The hinder margin of the side lobes of the head are quite thin and
membranous. Along the front margin, from the nostrils for some distance in-
wards, runs a curious deep narrow groove or channel. The whole surface of the
head, above and beneath, is sprinkled with mucous pores, emitting, when pressed,
a clear transparent jelly, and arranged in regular groups or figures.

The mouth is placed quite underneath, just at the junction of the head and
body : it is considerably arched, but rather naiTOwer than usual ; so that the gape
is small. It is, however, formidably armed, even in individuals of two feet long,
Avith three rows in each jaw of large triangular sharp teeth * bent backwards to-
wards the corners of the mouth : those of the upper jaw are larger than in the
lower. The tongue is large, broad, fleshy, and resembling the human ; it is
white, like the whole inside of the mouth, and slightly rough towards the middle.

The branchial openings are five in number, short, and altogether placed above
the level of the fore-axil of the pectoral fins : the last falling also behind a vertical
line through the same. There is no trace of spiracles.

The pectoral fins are rather small, short, and triangular ; they are placed at
about one third the distance from the tip of the muzzle to the base of the
caudal fin.

The first dorsal fin is placed a little before the middle of the same distance, be-
ginning just behind the base of the pectoral fins. It is remarkably large, both
high and broad, triangular ; its tip obtuse, its hinder end short but pointed.

The second dorsal fin is far behind, nearly at the root of the tail. It is rather
small, subquadrangular, with the hind end produced into a lengthened acuminate
point.

The ventral fins are opposite the halfway point between the first and second
dorsal fins. They are trapeziform, and of moderate size.

The anal fin corresponds in shape and position with the second dorsal ; it is
only a little larger.

Tail very large and powerful, with a deep forked or >. -like cut or impression
above at its junction with the dorsal line of the body, and a faint dimple below
at the root of its lower lobe. The upper fork is nearly half the length of the
head and body together, and has the hinder margin near its tip abruptly pro-
duced into a lobe. The lower fork is short, only one third the length of the
upper, simple, acute. Both forks spring from the body at an angle little less
than forty -five degrees, as usual in the true Sharks, instead of falling, as erro-
neously represented in the figures, into the same line with it.

The skin of this Shark, though rough, is of a much finer grain than usual, and
has a peculiar glossiness or silkiness of lustre quite characteristic.

Colour dull slate, inclining to brown in large examples ; darker above, paler on
the sides : the belly white. The under side of the head is bluish white ; the
iris beneath the same ; above dusky or blackish. The pupil is inky-black : the
very distinct nictitating membrane pale brown or ash, and finely scabrous like the
skin. The whole cornea of the eye is very hard and bony.

Fins dusky ; the first and second dorsal, with the upper side of the pectoral
fins, dark ; the under side of the latter, with the ventral fins^ pale.

The accompanying figure was taken from a female individual which
measured two feet two inches and a half from the tip of the muzzle to that
of the tail ; the upper fork of which was eight inches long. The width of
the head in a straight line from eye to eye was seven inches and a half.

* — " With smootli cutting edges when the Shark is young, but serrated afterwards." — Yarr.
Suppl. 2. p. 63.

*^%'

/-?^

I'LECTOGNA THl. DIODONTIDJE.

TAB. XIII.

DIODON RETICULATUS, L.

Sapo grande.
Great Toad-fish.

Char. Gen.

■ Corpus physetico-globosum, spinis cuticularibus undique echinatum. Maxillas, dentium vice, osse
niido indiviso instructs. Vesica aerea magna, antice biloba.

Obs. — Pisces regionum calidioram, subtropici, igna\'i, lenti, voraces, vix edules, malae famae, torvi
visu. Aere absorpto tument inflati, et supini super aquam inertes vage feruntur.

Char. Spec.

D. ovatus, ventricosus, dorso planatus, supeme pinnisque nigro-punctatns : spinis rariusculis,
brevissimis, crassis, triquetro-pyramidatis, inconspicuis, hebetatis, vix extantibus ; radicibus tripar-
titis, reticulato-intertextis.

D. 12 ; A. 11 — 13 ; P. 20 v. 21 ; C. ^ + X ; Vertee. 22.

D. rcticidatitf!, Linn. Syst. Ed. lO"""^. .334. n". 2. — Syn. Fish. Mad. p. 1.93 (omissis synon'. Lac.
et Cuv.).

D. Atinga, (i. Ejusd. Ed. 12™*. I. 413.

D. tigrinus var. Cuv. Mem. Mus. IV. — R. Anim. ii. 367, note.

Ostradon siihrotundus ; aculeis undique brevibus triquetris raris. Art. Syn. 86. n". 1,0 ; Gen. .59.
no. 16.

Orliis niuricatus et reticulatus, Will. 1 hr>. t. I. n. 7. opt. ^

Longit. = 1 ^ — 2 - — pedalis.
Tempus, sestate, autunino.
Locus, prope littus : rarior.

The DiodontidfE or Toad-fishes, " les Gymnodontes'* of Cuvier,
consisting chiefly of the genera of Diodon and Tetrodoti, compose a group
or family remarkable alike for singularity of aspect, and complexity of
structure and relation. Together with the Balistid^ they compose an
aberrant order leading from the true fishes towards the Sharks, called
by Cuvier Plectognathi : a word* devised to indicate their principal
distinctive character ; which consists in the union of the maxillarv with
the intermaxillary bones, and in the immoveable articulation by suture of
the palatal system with the skull. This order is externally distinguished

* nxiKToyva^oi, jaws knit together or connected : from vktxros nexus, and yva.§os maxilla.
VOL. I.

88 DIODONTID.E.

further from the true fislies by the conceahnent of the opercles, and
the branchial rays and gills, by the integuments ; and from the Sharks,
to which, in the imperfection of the jaws and ribs, and in the softness
of the bones, they indicate an approximation, by the single branchial
cleft, and general structure, which is that, with the above exceptions,
of the true fishes ; the bones, though soft, yet being in their structure
truly fibrous. Internally they have no ctEca, but in general a large air-
bladder ; and externally the order is marked further by the want of re-
gular or ordinary scales, and ventral fins. By this last character they
may be instantly distinguished from the Acanthopterygian Lop h idee ; to
which, at various points, they seem at first sight closely linked. That
this relation is, however, one of parallelism or analogy rather than of
affinity, I am convinced with Cuvier ; in opposition to the opinion of
my late friend, Mr. Bennett,* and the stream of former systematic-
writers. Though the voracity, the capability of inflation, the softened
skeleton, the small branchial slit, the concealment of the gills and
opercles, the button-shaped nasal pedicle, the pedicellate fins, the form
of body, and the skin-armour of certain Plectognathi, find their antitype
in some or other of the Lophida ; yet the general structure of these last, the
distinct formation of the palatal arches and the jaws in all, and the nature
and position of the teeth in some, together with the impossibility of se-
parating the more anomalous Cheironectes from the less doubtful Lophius,
using these epithets in allusion to their natural affinities, — all these con-
siderations show sufficiently that the general bias of the Lophidte is away
from the Chondropterygian series of fishes, whilst that of the Plectognathi
is towards it ; and that the degree and kind of their relation finds its
correct expression by the arrangement of each at qorresponding points of
two parallel series, rather than by placing both consecutively in one.

The two families which compose this order Plectognathi are easily
distinguished from each other by the structure of their teeth and skin.
The former in the Balistida are few in number, but distinct and of the
ordinary sort ; and the skin is divided into hard bony or rough compart-
ments, rather than scales. The teeth in the Diodontida are united into
one or two large bony masses in each jaw ; and the skin, though generally
armed more or less with spines, is itself even, soft, and naked.

The fishes which compose this latter family are all remarkable for their
oddness of form and general grotesqueness of appearance. The Sun-fishes
(^Orthagoriscus) resemble rather mutilated halves of some deep sort of
fish than perfect animals : and the Diodons and Tetrodons or Globe-
fishes remind one in their prickly armour of the Porcupine and Hedgehog ;
or, when inflated, take the form of a balloon or globe. In reference to this
peculiarity. Dr. Roget, in the first volume of the fifth Bridgewater Trea-

* See Zool. Joiirn. iii. 372, 373.

DIODON RETICULATUS. 89

tise, has observed, after Cuvier in the Regne Animal, vol. ii. p. 366,
" Diodons and Tetrodons are remarkable for being provided with the
means of suddenly assuming a globular form by swallowing air, which
passing into the crop, or first stomach,* blows up the whole animal like
a balloon. The abdominal region being thus rendered the lightest, the
body turns over, the stomach becoming the uppermost part ; and the
fish floats upon its back, without having the power of directing itself
during this state of forced distension. But it is while lying thus bloated
and passive at the mercy of the waves, that this animal is really most
secure ; for the numerous spines, with which the surface of the body is
universally beset, are raised and erected by the stretching out of the
skin : thus presenting an armed front to the enemy, on whatever side
he may venture to begin the attack." — Fifth Bridgew. Treat, i. 433.

In the month of July 1836, passing in a boat along the shore about
one hundred yards oflp the beach of Caniso, a village to the eastward of
Funchal, I observed one of these fishes, of the sort here figured, floating
helplessly on the surface, but in a state of partial inflation, and so re-
taining the usual position in the water, and not lying belly-upwards.
When seized by the hand, it made scarce any effort to escape, though
slipping once or twice away from its mere sliminess. It lived for about
half an hour after being taken into the boat.

This fish, though far from common, is tolerably well known to the Ma-
deiran fishermen, by whom it is occasionally captured, either floating as
above described, or in their shore-nets, or still more rarely with a hook.
They regard it with dislike, affirming it to be a great " ladrao" or thief,
robbing their lines in fishing of the bait : but this accusation is probably
transferred, Avithout much positive authority, from the more common
little " Sapo " of the shore, Tetrodon marmoratus, Nob, in which this
habit is notorious. Its weight and -unwieldiness are very great in propor-
tion to its bulk : and its power with the jaws appears commensurate with
its voracity ; their large bony plates, and the general strength and firm-
built structure of the head, enabling it to crush with ease any kind of
food received into its wide and capacious mouth. The size and transverse
shape of this, its thick and blubbery lips, the clumsy form, the breadth

* It does not appear, however, that this crop is capable of receiving even temporarily the food, as
in those birds (the Turkey for example) in which it is equally inflatable by absorption of air.
Cuvier calls it first incorrectly " leiu- estomac ;" but adds immediately, " ou plutot une sorte de
jabot tres mince et tres extensible qui occupe toute la longueur de I'abdomen en adherant intimement
au peritoine, ce qui I'a fait prendre tantot pour le peritoine meme, tantot pour une espece d'epiploon.
Lorsqu'ils sont ainsi gonfles, ils culbutent ; leur ventre prend le dessus, et ils flottent a la surface
sans pouvoir se diriger ; mais c'est pour eux un moyen de defense, parceque les epines qui gamissent
leur peau se relevent ainsi de toute part." — Cuv. R. An. ii. 366. — The passage to this sac is by a
sphinctral orifice at the entrance of the gullet. It has no communication with the gills except by
way of the mouth through this orifice. It should be called " the air-crop."

90 DIODONTID.E.

and thickness of tlie head and shoulders, stern impending eyebrows,
and dark gloomy colours, combine in giving to this fish a most repulsive
aspect. I cannot find that it is ever eaten even by the poorest classes :
and the name of " Sapo," or the Toad, expresses something of its ugliness
of aspect, alluding more particularly to the flatness or depression of the
head and back, and width of mouth.

Though long well-known to virtuosos and collectors, and admirably
figured long ago from a stuffed specimen by Willughby, this species of
Diodon seems to have been ill-understood by modern ichthyologists ;
owing principally to Linnseus, who, having characterised it properly in his
tenth edition, was induced, unfortunately, by Gronovius in his twelfth
to reduce it, and another probably distinct species, the D. echinaius
of his tenth edition, to the varieties |3. and y. of his D. Atinga, a
much smaller species, " of the size of a rather large goose-egg," says
Artedi ; and which is figured by Willughby t. I. 8, f. 1, and proba-
bly f. 2.* Artedi mentions that he saw the specimen which he describes
" in the Green Dragon at Stepney :" and few astrologers or Sidrophels
of former times were, like such places of resort for mariners, unfurnished
with at least some species of the tribe ; forming a pendant to the stuffed
Alligator, which fills so conspicuous a place amongst the mysterious ap-
paratus of a conjurer''s penetralia.-^ This might indeed be rather owing
to the ease with which the skins of these fishes are removed from their
Ijodies and preserved, than to the local abundance of the species any-
where. Yet it is singular that, of the country of a species so long ago
well known and figured as the subject of this chapter, I can find no more
certain record than Linnseus' vague " Habitat in India." Unless indeed
quite recently, it has not been detected in the Mediterranean, or on any
of the coasts of Europe ; and in any case it can scarcely be a common
species elsewhere, or this uncertainty would not exist. Madeira, therefore,
for the present seems its proper native country.

^lian \ alone, amongst the old Greek writers, mentions by the name

* Cuvier (Mem. Mus. IV.) refers to both these figiires of Willughby for his D. rkmlatus. His
D. tiffrinus with unspotted fins, is better for the present kept distinct from the subject of this chap-
ter, although he blends their synonyms : quoting under it, Will. t. I. n°. 7. with the remark, " II
ne differe guere du tigre que par ses nageoires, qui sont mouchetees comme le reste de son dos."
Meantime the older synonyms of Artedi and Linnaeus are quite safe for the present fish ; being
both founded on Willughby's excellent figure t. I. n. 7. with spotted fins.

i* The association between wonder at uncouth or strange forms, and awe, arresting first, and
chaining the attention by the sense, and so rendering the mind an easy and obedient captive to the
purpose, has not been lost on these sagacious practisers. Another fonn of the self-same selfish
charlatanism has evinced itself by an affected or loose-reasoning contempt for all outward accesso-
rifs, in a diluted age, characterized by its shallow, mere materialistic modes of argimicnt and
thought.

X Lib. xii. cap. 25. — " The Toxotcs, which is in the same (Red) Sea, resembles an Echinus ; for
it has solid long spines."

DIODON RETICULATUS. 91

of Toi,orrig, the Archer, some Red-Sea species of the genus ; but his de-
scription will not allow us to identify it with the particular kind here
figured, and which I now proceed to describe.

Shape unwieldy, heavy-looking, ovate or pear-shaped ; large and thick at the
shoulders, pointed towards the tail ; the back flat, and straight from above the
eyes to the dorsal fin, whence it descends a little to the root of the caudal fin :
the breast and belly very convex and protuberant, even when not inflated.
Front descending rather steeply before the eyes. Mouth very slightly prominent,
wide and transverse like a Toad's, with thick and flabby or blubbery lips, wrinkled
or rough with small papillae ; furnished within with a large thick and strong bony
plate, of a single undivided piece, in front of each jaw : the outer edge of this
bone in both jaws is raised into a sort of lip or margin; behind which is a
roughened carious-looking groove or channel which separates this raised bony
edge from a flat-topped gibbous rude sort of disk, divided into two compartments
by a sufficiently distinct but perfectly inseparable suture, reminding one of Tetrodon,
to which there is here an evident approach. This disk and the raised outer border
are of a whiter more compact bone, more approaching to enamel, than the rest.

The eyes are large, oval, prominent, but with bony projecting brows, giving
them a peculiarly gloomy stem expression. They are placed laterally, not far
behind, but considerably above the corners of the mouth. The nostril is a sort of
shallow cup-shaped fleshy wart, or flat -topped caruncle, resembling a Peziza or
Phacidkim. The disk of this caruncle is of a loose flabby cellular texture ; and
a vertical section shows its pedicle to pass through a hollow cavity immediately
beneath the cuticle, and to be footed on the bottom of this cavity : but I failed in
discovering either in the disk or pedicle of the caruncle itself any perforation ; or
in the large cavity among the bones, beneath and around, but chiefly behind it,
the usual plaited pituitary membrane. Notwithstanding, we have evidently here
another highly curious, and, as far as I know, unobserved analogy developed
between these fishes* and Lophius piscatorius, L., in which, as M. Cuvier re-
marks, " Les narines, par une singularite remarquable, sont portees, comme des
champignons, chacune par un petit pedicule : la tete de cette espece de cham-
pignon contient la cavite de la narine, qui s'ouvre, comme a I'ordinaire, par deux
petits orifices."f

The situation of this caruncle is in the usual place of the nostrils, about one
quarter of the distance from the fore comer of the eye to the tip of the upper
lip.

Whole surface uneven with hard prominences and depressions or compartments
caused by its spines ; these forming, with their roots, a complete sort of bony
case or armour underneath the cuticle, which is itself thin, soft and perfectly
naked, smooth and even. The spines are distant, strong, short, thick, blunt,
conic or triangular, bony knobs ; their points directed backw^ards ; nowhere above
an eighth of an inch long, and scarcely, except from injury, protruding through
the cuticle, though sufficiently apparent to the touch ; reduced upon the nape,
cheeks, throat, breast, and belly, to mere tubercles. They spring from the
centre of generally three strong and broad grooved and ribbed bony roots, spread-
ing pyramidally under the cuticle, like three props placed to support a weight,
but at a very lov/ elevation, being nearly altogether in one plane. These roots

* I have observed the same thing in Tetrodon ; but in Balistes or Capriscus the nostrils are as
usual.

t Cuv. and Val. Hist. i. 472. — See also vol. xii. 347.

92 DIODONTID.E.

or rays Interlace and cross each other in a curious reticulated manner. On the
sides and back the root extending forwards is the longest ; but on the breast and
belly they are all three equal. On the nape some of the spines have four or even
five-rayed roots; and the last upon the back, behind the dorsal fin, has only tv^ro,
placed astride over the fleshy root of the tail. The lips and muzzle before the
eyes, and the fleshy base of the caudal fin, are the only parts unfurnished with
this armour.

The branchial opening is a single semi-lunar vertical cleft, furnished with a
loose valvular skin or border within, close before the base of the pectoral fin,
which is very large and broad or rather vertically oblong, deeper than long, and
placed high up the side on a level with the eye at about one third of the distance
from the muzzle to the root of the caudal fin. When expanded, its outer edge
foiTns a segment of a circle, and is quite even and entire.

Dorsal fin seated on a sort of hump or pedicle near the hinder extremity of the
body ; subtriangular, and middle-sized.

The anal fin nearly corresponds in position with the dorsal ; but is a little
backwarder, smaller, and more inclined to oblong.

The caudal fin is small, trapeziform, simple, and truncate.

The angles of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are rounded ; and the rays of
all are strong and broad, much branched and barred ; but buried and concealed
in a thick leathery skin. Their outer rays are more or less crooked or dis-
torted.

It is almost needless to remark that all the rays are soft and flexible ; not
spinous. Yet both the first and last or outer rays in all the fins are simple or un-
branched.

Upper half of the body with the whole head and fins, dusky, approaching to black
on the top of the head and back, and freckled or mottled with numerous distinct
small round black spots. Sides paler, greyish, with the spots larger and more
distant. Under lip, throat, breast, and belly, of a dead milky white, except a
dusky band extending across the throat like a cap-string : quite free from spots.
The iris is pale brassy, clouded with dusky brown. The whole inside of the
mouth is white.

On dissection, the mass of the intestines and size of the whole fish appear
enormous when compared with the smallness of the fleshy part or muscle of the
body. The intestine is very voluminous and large. The air-bladder is large,
placed in the fore-part of the belly, with the parietes excessively strong and thick,
or almost cartilaginous, opaque, and of a pearly or satiny white : deeply bilobed for-
wards, or like two pears joined together sideways in their thick broad pails ; with
a singular round convex or lid-like protuberance at the broad hinder end. I could
not discover any communication or canal between it and the gixUet. It is tied to
the backbone by strong fibrous sinews proceeding from the fork of its two ovate ob-
tuse lobes on the upper side. The membrane which lines the air-crop above-men-
tioned becomes, when dried, of a fibrous cottony consistence. The vertebrae were
twenty-two, including, as usual, that from which originate the caudal fin-rays :
all had large, broad, foliated apophyses beneath. Their substance, though soft, is
truly fibrous ; and they are remarkably white.

The weight of this fish, notwithstanding its paucity of flesh, is very
great in proportion to its bulk or length. The example here figured,
which was also the largest I have seen, and measured twenty-five inches in
length, weighed sixteen pounds and a half. The air-bladder is figured
proportionally reduced.

i/ ■■ /.'

■4i

^

J

'40-'

CHONDROPTERYGII. SqUALlDJE.

TAB. XIV.

PRISTIURUS MELANOSTOMUS, Buonap.

Leitao do Mar.

The Black-mouthed Dog-fish.

Char. Gen.

Rostrum productum, elongatum. Pinna caudalis simplex, elongata ; margine superiore cum

dorso continua, bifariam squamoso-serrata. Pinnae dorsales duae, subposticae ; prima pinnis ven-

tralibus, secunda pinna anali subposteriore. Denies in utraque maxilla conformes, laniarii, tenues,

basi utrinque denticulis aucti. Narium lobi simplices, parvi, triangulares. Fissurae branchiales

■ posteriores supra basin pinnanim pectoralium. Spiracula post oculos distincta.

Obs. — Omnia Scylii, praster rostrum angustius, magis elongatum, caudaeque marginem superiorem
serratam. Species unica, cum Scyliis veris diu confusa, minor, extra-tropica, subocellatim maculata,
maculis seriatis s. catenatis. Narium lobi ab ore et inter sese distinct!. Pinna caudalis apice sub-
deflexa. ' ,

P. melanostomus (Buonap.), Ml'iller et Henle, Plag. p. 15.

" Scylliimi meIu7iostomu7)i, Buonap. Faun. Ital. ; Scylliorhinus melastomus et DelarocJiianus, Blainv.
Faun. Franc. ; Sq. (Sq/llium) anmdatus, Nilss. Prodr. ; Sq. prionurus. Otto, Consp. ; Galeus mela-
stomus, Raf. Caratt. ; Sq. caiulus, Gunn. Dronth." — Miill. et Hen. 1. c.

Sajllmm Artedi, Risso, Hist. iii. 117. f. 5 ; Cuv. R. Anim. ii. 386, note.

The Black-mouthed Dog-fish, Yarr. ii, 375.

Longit. r^ 2 — 2^ pedes.
Tempus, primo vere (Febr. Mart.)
Locus, in mediis profundis: rara.

The genus Sci/lium, of wliicli Pristiurus is a late dismemberment,
is remarkable amongst the Sharks for the spots or markings of the spe-
cies; most of these fishes being altogether plain or uniform in colour.
From Carcharias and Lamna, the only genera with which, from the
want of spiracles, it is in danger of confusion, it may be summarily dis-
tinguished by the simple instead of forked tail.

Two species of this genus, besides the proper subject of this chapter,
have been long well-known, though ill-defined by European ichthyologists ;
and inhabit both the Mediterranean and British seas. Of these, the Small-
spotted Dog-fish (Sc. canicula, Cuv.), Yarrell, ii. 867, is, Mr. Yan-ell
says, " one of the most common species on our shores, particularly along
the southern coast." The ventral fins in this are pointed behind, or " cut

VOL. I.

94 SQUALID.E.

obliquely,'" just as in Pristiurus melanostomus ; but the lobes of the
nostrils are large, and united across into a sort of flap or curtain before
the mouth, which they partly overhang. The other species, the Large-
spotted Dog-fish {Sc. caiulus, Cuv.), Yarrell, ii. 373, has the lobes of
the nostrils distinct or separate, like Pristiurus melanostomus ; but the
ventral fins are truncate or " cut nearly square behind ;" the body is more
bulky, and the spots less numerous and larger than in Sc. canicula. By
these characters the species will be easily recognized, should either of them,
which is not improbable, occur hereafter in Madeira.

The ffzvXiov of Aristotle (Z. ;. 3, 4, 9) appears to be sufficiently iden-
tified Avith the modern genus Scylium^ by what he says of their anatomy in
relation to their horny egg-cases, and by his remark that they are also
called vz^^ioti yoCh&o] ; the former word being derived from fsS^oV a fawn,
or vgjS^/V its hide, and conveying plainly an allusion to their dappled skin.
I cannot find in ^lian or Oppian, however, either of these names ; or any
clear allusion to these Sharks under any other, unless, perhaps, by Op-
pian, where he mentions

yaXewz/ 8' ireporpoTra (f)vKa
'Skvixvoi Koi XeToi Koi aKavdiaf iv S' cipa to'kti
'Plvai, a\(07T€Kiai,, Koi ttoiklXoi'

0pp. Hal, A. 379—381.*

this last word appearing no inappropriate designation in reference to their
varied markings.

I would restore from Aristotle the correct orthography of Scylium,
the principal genus of this group, which has been neglected by Cuvier and
others ; and, following a hint afforded by a remark of Schneider, "|" I ven-
ture to suggest that Aristotle's czvXiov is a much more probable etymology
for the Latin Squalus of Pliny, which in pronunciation of the first syllable
at least it would nearly resemble, than the common derivation of the word
from squalor^ filthiness ; founded on the wholly false position, that " this
fish is found to delight in impure and dirty places." I

The more common species of ScT/litim, above referred to, are called by
the French Roussettes, in allusion to their russet-brown or reddish colour.

* A very similar enuraerative passage occurs in Atlienseus, VII. 43 (Dindorf. ii. p. 639).
' AffiiTTOTiXfis Ss £»'§») auray (riwv yaXiaiv^ ipniriv ihai •rXiiia, a,Kav6ia.v, Xuov, <!roix.iXov^ ffxufcvov, ccXwriKictv,
piviiv. It is difficult to conceive the Cilician poet not to have had this sentence in his eye when
writing the verses above quoted in the text : for I cannot find it extant, nor indeed does it profess to
be taken seriatim from the writings of the Stagyrite, though it may well be collected from them.
And on the other hand, had Athenaeus copied Oppian, he would scarcely have referred simply and
directly thus to Aristotle.

+ "GrsBcis hodie squalus stellaris audit Squilo-psaro, teste Sonuini, T. ii. p. '212." — Schn. Arist.
Hist. Index, i. 541, voce y,x,uXioy.

J Rees' Cyclop, voce Sqiudus.

' PRISTIURUS MELANOSTOMUS. 95

The subject of this chapter, lately separated from these as a genus by the
Prince of Musignano, on account only of its longer snout or muzzle, and
the distichously serrate upper edge of the tail, is, according to Risso, called
at Nice Lamharda ; and, if I am right in the foregoing synonymes, " is
well known," Mr. Yarrell says, "in the Mediterranean." In Britain a
single individual only seems at present to have been observed ; and in
Madeira it is certainly one of our rarest Sharks, although well-known to
the fishermen.

Mr. Yarreirs history and drawing of this species having been taken by
Mr. Couch from a male, the accompanying figure with the followino- de-
scription are derived from a female individual, which was captured in the
month of February, and measured two feet and a half exactly in length.

Muzzle much depressed and thin, and with the head as far back as the nape,
quite flat above; obtuse, yet more pointed than usual; plentifully pored above
and beneath ; the pores arranged in symmetric figures ; above, before the eyes,
there is a single large suboval central group, divided by a narrow plain space down
its middle, and behind this three smaller groups on each side placed in pairs ; one
close behind the first large patch ; the second further back upon the nape, the
pores of which are arranged in a double row; and the third lower down, behind the
spiracles on each side. Beneath the head, the arrangement of the groups is best
seen in the figure. Nostrils large, or obliquely elongated by a fissure, with the
edges lobed or flap-like in the middle between the two orifices of each, and closing
over each other ; but the nostrils of one side have no connection whatever either
with those of the other, or with the mouth; and, though placed rather nearer the
latter than the tip of the muzzle, are quite separate and remote from both. Mouth
and gape large, wide, triangular. Tongue smooth, broad and fleshy, like the
human. Teeth in both jaws alike, small, sharp, acuminate, with one or two short
denticles or toothlets on each side their base ; arranged quincuncially, seven in a
transverse oblique row, on a rather narrow band in each jaw.

Eyes remarkably elongated, elliptic-oblong ; their sockets extend considerably
beyond the eyebaUs, which are longitudinally oval, like the pupils. The longitudi-
nal axis of the sockets is four or five times greater than the vertical, and is one
twenty-fourth part of the whole length of the fish.

Spiracles rather large, conspicuous ; close behind the hinder canthus, and about
the size of the pupils of each eye.

Shape of the body elongated, slender, no-where cylindric, but even close behind
the pectoral fins deeper than broad, and at the ventral fins decidedly compressed,'
becoming gradually more so towards the tail. Back plain and rounded, neither
keeled nor grooved in any part ; and there is no dimple or depression, either above
or beneath, at the root of the tail. The last of the five branchial slits is short and
small, and altogether above, not before, the base of the pectoral fins.

The fore-edge of these last, which, as usual in the Sharks, are set on hori-
zontally, originates at the bottom of the last branchial slit but one. They are
large, very broad, or square-shaped, and truncate.

The ventral fins begin a little way behind the ends or outer edges of the pecto-
ral ; they are oblong, rounded in front, acuminate or pointed behind, with the outer
edge oblique, as in Sc. canicula, Cuv. (Yarr. ii. 372, vignette, right-hand figure),
instead of truncate, as in Sc. catulus, Cuv. (Yarr. ii. 374, vignette, right-hand
figm'e.) The hinder edge of each behind the vent is connected with the body nearly

96 SQUALID.E.

half-way up by a skin or web ; but not to the other. The example being a fe-
male, the ventral fins are unprovided with the elongated cylindrical appendage or
clasper on their inner edge, exhibited in Mr, Yarrell's figure, ii. 375.

The first dorsal fin begins opposite the end of the ventral fins, and occupies the
space which corresponds with that between their termination and the beginning of
the anal fin ; being also placed exactly at the middle of the distance from the tip
of the muzzle to that of the tail. It is small, short, oblong, with the fore and hind
edges parallel, and the top obliquely truncate.

The anal fin begins nearly opposite, or a little behind the end of the first dorsal,
extending thence quite to the root of the lower part of the caudal fin. It is broad,
or rather high, and rounded in front, thence gradually narrowing to a short point at
the end. Its length equals that of the head to the first branchial slit, or rather
more than half that of the tail.

The second dorsal fin resembles the first in size and shape. It is placed quite at
the end of the back, just opposite the termination of the anal fin : both fins ending
at exactly opposite points.

The front, as well as hinder edges of all these fins are thin and sharp, not broad
and flattened, except the hinder edges of the two dorsal fins just at the base ;
where they are a little thickened, smooth, and polished.

Tail contained about three times and a half in the whole length, narrow-oblong,
truncate, and a little deflexed at the tip; its upper edge straight, and continuous in
the same line with the back ; its lower, which is thin and membranous, expanding
into a lobe or angle immediately beyond its origin at the tip of the anal fin, and
again into another, after having contracted first into a deep notch or sinus, just at
the tip. Above, immediately behind a point opposite the origin of its lower por-
tion, begins, along its broad and thickened upper edge, a most curious and elegant
doubly serrate scaly ridge, resembling some pattern in embroidery, and continuing
for two thirds of its length, when it becomes narrow, faint, and disappears ; leav-
ing the rest of the upper edge of the tail above, plain, sharp, and simple. This
keel or border is composed of a double row of imbricated, ovate, short, obtuse,
harsh, prickly scales ; diverging laterally, and placed alternately, like the leaves of
a laurel-crown in antiques. They lie flat backwards, and their hinder edges are
irregularly toothed. The space between the two rows is flat, shining as if varnish-
ed, and covered with similar, but vastly smaller, imbricated, prickly scales or
points, iiTegularly placed, but all directed backwards.

The lateral line is straight as far as the end of the second dorsal or root of the
caudal fin, where it disappears ; recommencing lower down and further back, and
continuing straight to the tip of the tail.

The skin of this Shark is somewhat rougher than usual, but is not used for
polishing, nor is its flesh eaten. The only part used is the liver, from which they
extract the oil.

Colour grey, with a ferruginous or purplish-brown tint, becoming darker or
more dusky towards the back ; the sides, from the head to the end of the first dorsal
fin, mottled with two not very distinct rows of darker spots, intermingled and
confused by smaller ones irregularly placed. The larger spots forming the rows
are faintly ocellate or bordered with a pale ring, forming a chain. Behind the first
dorsal fin they grow faint and altogether disappear ; the rest of the body behind
being nearly uniform in colour. Belly, throat, and muzzle underneath, except
just round the tip of the latter, dirty white. Fins and tail uniform dusky
brown ; darker at the fore, and paler at the hinder edge. Iris a metallic greenish-
blue or glaucous. Pupil brassy-opaline. Whole inside of the mouth and the
tongue livid-bluish, or mottled dark-grey and white.

The smell of this Shark was excessively and nauseously fetid.

PRISTIURUS MELANOSTOMUS. 97

Alonsr with the individual here described and fiafured, there were brouarht
two eggs, which had been found in the bottom of the boat, in which it had
lain mixed with other fishes ; none of which, however, I was told, were
Sharks. These eggs were oblong, compressed, and of the usual form and
coriaceous substance of "Sharks^ eggs;" but, instead of tendrils, had
merely two very short and sharp points, one on each side, at the top.
They were an inch and a half long, and half an inch broad ; of a smooth
shining surface, and deep tawny yellow-brown or horn-colour. Although,
upon dissection, the individual which they accompanied did not prove to
contain any others ; I cannot doubt from the above circumstances, and
other external local appearances of recent vascular action or excitement, that
they had been deposited by it in its dying struggles in the boat : and since
this conclusion is confirmed by their exact agreement with Risso's descrip-
tion (Hist. iii. 118) of the eggs of his Sc. Artedi, an outline sketch of one
of them is added to the plate.

DESCRIPTION OF TAB. XIV.

Prisiiurus tnelanostomus, Buonap. from a female measuring ■2-i feet in lengtli.
/. 1. Profile of head of ditto, shovving real depth of muzzle.
/. 2. Teeth of ditto, magnified.
/'. 3. Part of ridge of upper edge of tail,- magnified.
/. 4. Egg of ditto, natural size.

CHONDROPTERYGIl. JRAIIDJE.

TAB. XV.

MYLIOBATIS AQUILA, Risso.

Dormideiro : vulgo Dromideiro vel Drnmedario.

The Eagle Rav.

Char. Gen.

Caput distinctum, exsertum ; rostro simplici, ante pinnas pectorales alseformes, latissime expansar.,
apice acutas, porrecto. Dentes utriusque maxillse in pavimentum centrale, osseum, coadunati, ton-
strati : mediis tranversis latis uniseriatis ; lateralibus rliomboideis triseriato-tessellatis. Cauda Ion-
gissima, gracilis ; basi supra pinna dorsali unica parva, spinaque serrata instructa,

Obs. — Pisces Raiiformes, cauda dempta latiores quam longi, maxirai, regionum calidiorum incola;,
rarius edules : spinse caudalis ictu gravius sauciantes.

Char. Spec.

M. supra olivaceo-fusca s. hepatina, inimaculata : pinnis pectoralibus equilaterali-triangiilanbus,
antice convexis : rostro obtuso : cauda corpore subduplo longiore.

M. aquila, Risso, iii. 162. — Mull, und Henle., 176. — UAiyle do mer, Cuv. R. An. ii. 401. T/m

Eagle Rat/, Yarr. ii. 445.

Whip Ray, Penn. iii. 88.

Raia Aquila, Linn. i. 396, n''. 6.

Raia corpore glabro, aculeo longo anterius serrato in cauda apterygia. Art. Syn. 100, Gen. 72.

Aquila, Salv. 147. t. 50. — Will. 64. t. C. 2. (copied from Salviani). — Secunda Paniinaca species,
Rondel. 338.

AliTo;, Arist. Hist. E. §. 2.— 0pp. Hal. A. 642.

Longit. corporis = f — 15 ped. = ^ X latit. corporis = ^ X longit. caudse.

Tempus, vera.

Locus, in mediis prof Olid is: rara.

This singular fish is very briefly mentioned by Aristotle and the elder
naturalists ; yet the mere name of ahrog or Eagle, occurring in such associ-
ation as we find it in their writings, seems quite sufficient for the purpose of
identification.

Aristotle enumerates it with the Ray or Skate, the Trygon, the Monk
or Angel-fish (ptvrj or Squatina, Dum.), the Ox-fish (^ovg, Cephaloptera,
Dum.) ; the Lamia (Lamna, Cuv.), the Torpedo, the Fishing-frog (Lo-
phius, L.), and the Sharks especially belonging to the modern genera
Galeus and Mustelus, Cuv. ; which compose his tribe of ra cs'Aoc'Y/j.^'

* Arist. Hist. E. S. 1, 2.
VOL. I.

100 RAIID.E.

Oppian speaks of it with the " voracious Dog-fish," the Shark-tribe, the
Dolphin {Delphinus, L.), and the Seal, as being viviparous.

'AXX' ocra fiiv jiakaKeia (jiaTL^erai, ....

raS' d)o(f)6poi(nv Sums wSttri fieXovrai.
'Ek Se Kvvos Xd^poio Kal 'AIETOY, oaa re (f)v\a
KKfi^ovTai creXap^eta, (cat l^dwofiav ^acrtXrjcov
Af\(f>iva)v, (})a)KT}s re /3oa)7rtSos avTiKa TratSe?
'E/c yeveTrjs avexovaiv ioiKores oiai roKevcriv.

0pp. Hal. A. 638—645.

When it is considered further, that in the Mediterranean the Eagle-
ray is a well-known fish, at Rome and Naples actually called " the Eagle""
at this very day, and that, except the rare Trygon Altavela, there is no
other fish in those seas to which the name would be appropriate, — the mo-
dern Cephaloptera, with its horn-like protuberances, finding a more probable
appellation in the BovgotOx of Aristotle and Oppian,* — it will appear that
Rondelet's objections to Salviani's determination on this point, chiefly be-
cause he found the flesh soft, whilst Galen, after Philotimus, affirms that
of the Aquila to be hard like the Lamia and Conger, are, pace tanti viri,
very futile. Indeed, the French naturalist seems to have been altogether
in a bad humour whilst he wrote his history of this fish. He attacks his
rival Salviani's figure on a point in which, like every other, it is assuredly
far better and more accurate than his own ; indicating by the greater sharp-
ness of the muzzle, that it was taken from a fresh unshriveled young ex-
ample: whilst he agrees with him in comparing its head to a Toad's ; to
which, were his criticism and his figure just, it would have much less
resemblance than it actually has. Fabius Columna has not ill compared its
head to a Swift's (Cypselus murarius, Tem. ; Hirundo Apus, L.) : Belon
less happily to a Kite's or Eagle's. But Rondelet's and Salviani's reference
is upon the whole the best ; and by the Genoese, say Rondelet and Wil-
lughby, it is called Pesce Rospo, the Toad-fish, from its head, as well as
Pesce Ratto, the Rat-fish, in allusion to its tail. It is occasionally called
by this last name also in Madeira; though the appellation belongs rightly
to the Trygon Pastinaca. Its French names are, according to Cuvier,
L'Aigle de mer, Mourine, Rate-penade, Boeuf ; and Rondelet adds those
of Glorieuse, in supposed allusion to its pompous, stately motions in the
water, Tarefrauke, Falco, Erango, and Ferraza : this last being the name
by which Risso relates that it is known at Nice.

* Arist. Hist. E. 2. 2, above quoted; and 0pp. Hal. a. 103, /3. 141-166, y. 139.— Rondelet
(Hist. Pise. 348), and after him Pennant (Brit. Zool. iii. 84), have suggested that Oppian's fish
might be some enormous Skate or Ray {Rata Batis, L. or i?. oan/rrhyncus^ Mont.) But, although this
might consist with the first of the passages referred to, it is negatived by the words ih^vraro; •jca.t-
Tiffffi ft.ir ]yjuiityi, from the second.

MYLIOBATIS AQUILA. 101

This fish has only very recently been fully ascertain ed to be a native of
the British shores. Mr. Yarrell writes me word that " a specimen occur-
red in Berwick Bay on the 11th of September last (18o9), and was secured
by Dr. George Johnston, who most kindly sent it to me, I exhibited this
fish at the Zoological Society''s meeting on Tuesday evening last, and had
your (Madeiran) specimen on the table, to show their exact accordance,"*
Before this discovery, its right of admission into the British catalogues
rested merely upon Pennant's account of the tail of a Ray, brought to Mr.
Travis of Scarborough, in the summer of 1769, " by a fisherman of that
town, who had taken it in the sea off the coast, but flung away the body."
This tail " was above three feet long, extremely slender and taper, and
destitute of a fin at the end :" and from the subsequent express mention of
tubercles in reference to the tail of a Sicilian fish possessed by Pennant, it
is also plain that in this respect the Scarborough fish agreed with M.
Aquila ; in which this part is perfectly free from tubercles, and merely
rough or scabrous, chiefly towards the end.

On the other hand, the tail which Pennant had received from the
Sicilian seas, " corresponding with the description Mr. Travis gave," but
" entirely covered with hard obtuse tubercles,"'!' belonged doubtless to a
Cephaloplera ; a genus, in which the tail is not only long and slender,
but also more or less tubercled-. It appears from Mr. Thompson's re-
marks in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1885, vol, iii. p. 78
(quoted in Brit. Fish, ii. p, 446), that an example also of this latter genus
has occurred upon the southern coast of Ireland.

The Eagle-ray is very imperfectly known to the fishermen, and by no means
common in Madeira. It occurs occasionally to the westward of Funchal
along the southern coast, and is taken in the months of March and April.
On the sandy shore of Porto Santo these fishes are said to be more com-
mon. Oil is extracted from their liver, but the fish is not eaten ; and
from its worthlessness, no less than from their apprehension of the severe
wounds inflicted by its tail-spine, the fishermen are never eager, even when
captured, to receive this fish into their boats or carry it ashore.

Shape transversely rhombic, like a bird with the wings expanded, twice as
broad as long, flat, but with the back very thick and convex in the middle, like
the nape and head ; thinner towards the root of the tail and sides. Wings (pec-
toral fins) narrow and pointed at the tips ; thick, especially tow^ards the head, yet
sharp-edged in front, falling backw^ards in an even convex curve from the sides of
the head or neck behind the eyes, and becoming gradually thinner-edged towards
their tips, which are slightly recurved ; their hinder margin concave just within
the tips, then curving outwards with a gradual sweep towards the middle, thin,
membranous, and irregularly notched or jagged throughout. Their base equals in

* See Proceed. Zool, Soc. 1839, vii. 145.

t Penn. iii. 88 : Flem. Brit. An. i. 170 : Yarr. ii. 446. By an oversight in the last-named work,
this character is transferred from the Sicilian to the Scarborough specimen.

VOL. I. I

102 RAIID.E.

length their fore or hinder margins ; each wing being thus very nearly equilaterally
triangular.

Head and nape raised high and convex above the general level ; the former with
the sides, in which are situate the eyes and spiracles, steep or vertical, with the
fore margin of the wings originating in its middle just behind and below the eye ;
and again in front descending rapidly between and before the eyes to the tip of the
much depressed, yet thick and greatly prominent muzzle.

Eyes large and prominent, just before and above the base of the wings, placed
laterally at the fore end of a prominent ridge, which forms over and before them a
gibbous protuberant eyebrow, on each side of the head, which is a little hollow at the
top between the eyes. Muzzle greatly depressed below the level of the head, yet
thick ; flat underneath, sharp-edged, somewhat flaccid, soft or fleshy : though gene-
rally speaking, broad and rounded, it inclines, especially in young or smaller indivi-
duals, and whilst the fish continues fresh and moist, rather to a point or angle
at the tip ; as well expressed by Salviani in his figure. In larger or in less
recently captured examples, it is blunter and more rounded ; but in all states and
stages the muzzle projects conspicuously and prominently before the general out-
line of the fore margin.

Spiracles very large ; each within an oblong elongated ear-like cavity imme-
diately behind the eye, on the sides of the head or neck.

Branchial openings as usual in the Rays, five short transverse slits behind each
other, quite underneath the body ; in a row on each side behind the mouth.

Mouth opening transversely quite beneath at the base of the muzzle in a line
with the base of the fore margin of the wings ; closing very compactly, and then
resembling a cross bar between two longitudinal ones, as in the letter H ; the
large nostrils being at the fore-end of the two longitudinal lines, on a level with
the eyes. The fore or upper lip is fleshy and flaccid ; slightly bilobed or retuse
in the middle, with the edge thin and ciliate. Lower lip entire-edged, but notched
slightly in the middle ; within, thickly marked with slightly waved diverging
strise. There are no teeth on the edges of the jaws : but far back, in the middle
of the upper, is a single bony plate, nearly flat and smooth, of which the visible
part is broader than long, and marked with pale transverse lines^ tvu'ning back-
wards at the sides. In the lower jaw is a single similar antagonist plate, but
flatter and longer than broad. At the front of the plate in the upper jaw, and
lying backwards, is a fleshy flap-like veil or skin, semi-circular or tongue-shaped,
and with the edge strongly ciliate ; and behind the plate in the lower jaw at the
entrance of the gullet are six short fleshy cilia, in a transverse row or curve.

Removed from their fleshy integuments, both these bony plates are found to
be alike longer than broad, and composed of flattened teeth, arranged in three
longitudinal bands, and close-set like a pavement.

Those of the broad middle band or compartment are in a single row, trans-
versely oblong, like the steps of a stair-case, and slightly arcuated in front. They
are from four to six times broader than deep or long. The side-compartments are
greatly nan-ower, and composed of three rows of small lozenge-shaped teeth,
set in a tesselated manner in oblique lines ; the outer ones the largest. In the
accompanying plate, these parts are represented as they appear in situ in the
recent fish, looking into the mouth. Their structure is illustrated by Mr. Yarrell.
They act upon each other somewhat like two mill-stones, and are generally more
or less worn or hollowed towards their front. From this resemblance has originated
the Provencal name of " Movriues" for these fishes ; as well as their generic one
from fivXr] or fjivXoc, a millstone, and /3artc, a Ray or Skate ; and which would be
more correctly written Mylobatis, though it may still pass in its present form,
deriving it immediately from /jivXiag, molaris.

MYLIOEATIS AQUILA. 103

Tail flexible, very long and slender, subcompressed and slightly keeled beneath,
somewhat square towards the tip, which, when peifect, ends in a fine almost
hair-Hke point, but is usually from injury more or less oljtuse. The whole
resembles the thong of a coachman's whip. It originates a little within the
hinder margin of the wings, and its length is about twice the length of the body
from the tip of the muzzle to the hinder margin ; rather exceeding the width from
tip to tip of the wings. Quite at its base, on the upper or dorsal side, is placed
the small triangular dorsal fin, which is rounded at the tip, ti-uncate behind,
nearly twice as long as high, and does not reach quite so far as the end or tip of
the ventral fins, or much beyond the general outline of the hinder margin of the
wings. Close behind it on the tail are one or sometimes two flattened two-edged
straight acuminate spines, from half an inch to an inch long, with their edges
barbed, or retro-serrate from the point, lying flat backwards along the upper side '
of the, tail ; and, though proportionately small in this fish, capable of inflicting
severe lacerated wounds, and rendering the fish an object of some terror to the
fishermen. When captured, it lashes and writhes the tail backwards and forwards ;
endeavouring to strike and tear with these its formidable weapons.

The ventral fins are on each side the root of the tail, oblong, rounded or trun-
cate behind, and extending a little beyond the general outline of the hinder mar-
gin. In the males, such as the example figured, they are furnished at their inner
edge with a small obtuse flattened clasper, scarcely so long as themselves ; and
these appendages are connected with each other at the base by a skinny fold or
flap passing under the root of the tail.

There are no tubercles or prickles on the tail or elsewhere in this fish ; but the
top of the head, with a certain space all down the middle of the back, is generally
in both sexes slightly rough or scabrous : the roughness, which is formed of remark-
ably distinct or subremote raised points, spreads a little over the base of the wings,
breaking irregularly into patches. The remainder of the upper surface, like the
whole of the under, is quite smooth. The tail is rough all round towards the
tip : but only so on one side or the other, above or beneath, forwarder ; becoming
quite smooth towards its base.

Young male individuals are sometimes altogether smooth ; even with the tail
so throughout.

Colour above an uniform greenish or olive liver-brown ; with here and there
some bronze or coppery tints : beneath, pure white, except towards the hinder
margin, which is brown. Tail dark brown. Iris rich glaucous green, clouded with
dark brown, forming a ring on the gi-een ground.

The individual figured was a male, measuring two feet eight or nine
inches from tip to tip of the wings, and four feet five or six inches from
the tip of the muzzle to that of the outstretched tail : of this last quantity
the tail measured nearly three feet. The body was four inches thick, or
rather deep, just behind the head, in a line from tip to tip of the wings.

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ACANTHOPTERYGIl. SCORPMNIDJE.

TAB. XVI.

SCORPiENA SCROFA, L.

Carneiro.

Great Red Scorpion-fish.

Char. Gen.

Coq)us scjuamosum ; caput exsquameum, magnum, deforme, horrens, tetre aculeatum, cavernosum,
compressum ; iitroque lacinioso. Oculi approximati. Operculum bispinosum. Prseoperculum quin-
quedentatum. Os rictusque ampla : maxillis vomereque palatiuisque scobinato-dentatis. Pinnse
nudfe, exsquameae : dorsali unica ; caudali truncata ; pectoralium radiis inferioribus simplicibus.
Membrana branchiostega septem-radiata.

Ohs. — Pisces magnitudine mediocri, regiomun calidiorum, subtropici, fonna praesertim capitis cute
nuda laciniosa obducti spinisque obvallati, oreque rictuque latissimis monstrosi : colore Isetissimo rubro
insignes ; edules. Caro albissima ; sed durior, minusque sapida. Vesica aeris nulla. Cccca pau-
ciora. Anus pinnae anali solito magis distat.

Char. Spec.

S. major, valde laciniosa, rubra, variegata s. lentiginosa ; capite rivuloso-marmorato : pinnis pecto-

ralibus dorsalique postice caudalique superne fusco notatis s. punctatis ; dorsalis, medio fere bima-

culatas, spinis primoribus valde insequalibus : capite subelongato : suborbitario anteriore quadriden-

tato, dentibus productis, binis, duobus intemiediis minoribus : squamis majusculis, Iseviusculis.

8 + VI.
D. 12 + 9 ; A. 3 + 5 ; P. 1 + VIII. + 10 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. „ ^, , ,,

o V. 7 4" » •

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. 24 ; Vert*. 9 abd. -f 15 caud. = 24.

;S. Scrofa, Linn. I. 453. n". 2.— Cut. R. An. ii. 166.— Cuv. et Val. iv. 288.

aS". Scrofa et S. lutea, Risso iii. 370, 371.

S. iota rubens, cirris plurimis ad os, Art. Gen. 47, Syn. 76.

Scorpius major Rondeletii, Will. 331. Scorpms Salviani, t. X. 12 (copied from Salviani).

Scorpius et Scorpcena, Rondel. 201.

Scorpius s. Scrofano, Sal v. 199. PI. 73.

2x«gT/aj -TtiXaym, Hicesius apud Athen. Lib. vii. 115. (Ed. Dindorf. ii. p. 699.)

Longit. rz 1 — \\ ped. =3 — 4 X alt. = 3 X longit. capitis.
Tempus, vera, sestate : sed per totum fere annum.
Locus, in rupibus submarinis ; vulgatiss.

Var. a. obesa ; major, miniacea, pallidior, maculis obsoletioribus ; corpore altiore s. obeso ; oculis
fere majoribus.
S. Scrofa, " variete d'un beau rouge de laque," Risso, loc. cit. p. 371.
Icon, Tab. nost. 16.

Carneiro dc Fora, Maderensi-Lusitanice.
Longit. = 1| — H ped. = 3 — 3-i X alt. = 3 X longit. capitis.

Hab. in profundioribus, a littore procul.
Obs. — S. lulea, Risso iii. p. 371. n". 286 status videtur magis lutescens.

VOL. I.

106 ■ SCORP-ENIB.E.

\a.Y. p). Idsirio ; minor, sanguinea, coloratior, distinctius maculata ; corpore subgraciliore ; oculis
fere minoribus.
S. Scrofa, Risso, loc. cit. p. 370. n°. 285.
S. Histrio, Jenyns, loc. cit. icone optima.
Icon, Salv. et Will. loc. cit. tt. 73 et X. 12.
Carneiro de Rolo, Maderensi-Lusitanice.
Longit. usque ad li ped. = 3| — 4 X alt. n^ 3 X longit. capitis.
Hab. in vadis, prope littus.

The Carneiro of Madeira is a common market fish, which from its
uncouth form and brilliancy of colour fails not early to attract the ob-
servation of a stranger. It is, moreover, altogether unknown to the Bri-
tish shores ; and standing at the head of a peculiar group, rec[uiring sepa-
ration from the Cuvieran Gurnards or Triglidfe, of which these seas con-
tain some kinds known yet imperfectly even to the Ichthyologist, it will
not be perhaps less interesting than expedient to describe it first.

The naturalists, however, of the Mediterranean shores have long been
well acquainted with this fish, which is apparently a common species also
in that sea. For although Aristotle says too little of his GKO^Triog* to
serve for its identification, this deficiency is well supplied by Athenseus :
who first quotes Hicesius, distinguishing two kinds of (TKO^TTiog in terms
well corresponding Avith the two {Sc. Scrofa, L., and Sc. porcus, L.),
at this day known to Ichthyologists, and both inhabiting the Mediter-
ranean ; one a pelagic fish and rufous {'^vf>f>og), the other blackish, dusky,
or dark-coloured ([MXaviZfov), and inhabiting the shallows : and then pro-
duces, from Numenius, a passage in which the azo^Triog is called red
i^z^v6^og). He further says, from Aristotle, though I cannot find the
passage in his extant works, that it was armed offensively with spines
(•^XT^zrizog) "f ; and cites Epicharmus applying to it the epithet of varied
{proiyJ'Kog) ; adding, himself, that it was a solitary fish and feeds on sea-
weed (^jOV7j^'/jg Kou (pVKO(pdyog) . Hence, when he introduces, afterwards,
the word ax.o^'xaiva, in conjunction with that , of dKOp'Triog, saying that
every one knows they differ both in taste and colour, he appears to
mean particularly by the former word, Hicesius's blackish kind of

* He, however, enumerates it (B. /^S. 13) in a list of fishes having many ccBca {a'7ro(pva.'Sa.;) next
after the Perch, and immediately before the xiSa^os, (which I take to be some species of Tri</la, L.,
and quite distinct from Galen's fish so called,) and the T^lyXv or Red MuUet ; from which asso-
ciation something of its true affinity might be inferred. He elsewhere says (E. 9-. 2) that it breeds
twice a year ; and again (0. n. 1) speaks of it as being both a pelagic and shore fish. His a-xo^'ri;,
or rather erxo^rrih;, (E. 9. 5,) is, I think, merely a f;Jse reading, though of as old a date as Atlienwus,
whom it puzzled, for irxo^f^/Ss; : — which word is actually extant in some IMSS., and is a much more
likely fish to occur in the context than even the pelagic irxo^'rios. Salviani thinks, however, that
this trxo^'^is was a female aKo^Ttlou

+ So Ovid : —

" Et capitis duro notitunis Scorpios ictii." — Halieut. 110".

SCORP.ENA SCROFA. 107

aKOP'TTiog {S. porais, L.), as by the latter lie undoubtedly denotes the
red or rufous kind (Sc. Scrofa^ L.), the Carneiro of Madeira.

Oppian, in like manner, alludes both to its spines and twofold race :

SKopnios diKTTjp, 8i8vnov yevos — 'AX. a. 1/1.

and again to its prolific nature,

2Kopnios av reTopecra-i (pfpei jSeXos a)StVe(rcri. — Ibid. 591.*

And its identity with the fish Scorpius, of the Romans, is established
by the line from Ovid in the note at the foot of the last page.

Salviani says that, by the modern Greeks, this fish is called Scorpidi ;
and that its common name at Rome was, when he wrote, Scorfano {Scro- '
fano) ; at Marseilles, Scorpena. Rondelet mentions more particularly,
that the yellow sort, as he terms it, was called Scorpena at Marseilles ;
the black {Sc. porcus, L.), which Salviani says was called at Rome Scro-
fanello, Scorpeno. A more usual French, or, at least, Proven^-al name,
appears to be Rascasse : though Risso gives that of Capoun, as used at
Nice to designate Sc. scrofa, L., applying that of Rascassa to Sc.
porcus, L. ; and in this latter point he is confirmed by MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes. It is remarkable that this last named species, which, upon
MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes"' authority, exists not only in the Me-
diterranean and on the other, side of the Atlantic at New York, but
also at TenerifFe, has not at present been detected in Madeira.

Before describing the Carneiro, which, though very far from being
first, either in point of excellence or systematic order, is yet one of
the most striking, and the earliest noticed in this work of the fishes
usually admitted to the better furnished tables of Madeira, — some ob-
servations on the circumstances here affecting the condition of such fishes,
gastronomically, may be opportunely introduced.

Generally speaking, then, the influence of the seasons on the flavour,
juiciness, or firmness of Madeiran fishes, is much less than in Britain.
This is indeed merely the natural result from the little change -j* com-
paratively in the seasons themselves, causing less variation in the tempe-
rature of the water and the supply of food. The cause being diminished,
the effect, of course, will be decreased proportionally. Hence it is that
so many of the fishes in Madeira, e. g. the Cavalla (Mackerel), Chi-
charro (Horse Mackerel), Tainha (Grey Mullet), Carneiro, Requeime,
Alfonsins, Garoupa, Cherne, Pargo, Goraz, and even Red Mullet vary
so little perceptibly in quality throughout the year.

* And again to its spines, B. 457 — 459.

+ The late Dr. Heineken, on the accuracy of whose meteorological obsen-ations complete reliance
may be placed, gives 84" F. for the maximimi, and 50° for the minimum of four years' observations
on the atmospheric temperature of Funchal. See Edin. Journ. Sci, New Series, I. 39. — In Britain
the mean annual range is more than twice as great.

108

SCORP.ENID^.

The general rule, however, here as elsewhere holds ; though, for the
reason stated, in a modified degree ; viz. that all the Madeiran fishes are
in best condition for the table, and also in their richest colouring, in the
breeding season, or when, as technically called, in milt or roe : and, on
the contrary, are the poorest both in tint and flavour just after depositing
the spawn. They sooner, than in England, nevertheless, recover their
condition afterwards : and I have reason to suspect that some breed twice,
and consequently are in proper season twice a year. This period, when-
ever it is accurately ascertained, will be recorded under each particular
species. That of the Carneiro is in the summer. I have had the female
in the month of August full of roe, and in great brilliancy of colouring.

But another point to be attended to, so far as the climate will permit,
and of importance secondary only to the season, is the time when, after
capture, the fish should be prepared for the table. And generally speak-
ing, this will be dependent on the depth at which the various kinds may
be habitually caught. " It may be considered as a law," says Mr. Yar-
rell in the British Fishes, " that those fish that swim near the surface
of the water have a high standard of respiration, a low degree of muscular
irritability, great necessity for oxygen, die soon — almost immediately,
when taken out of the water, and have flesh prone to rapid decompo-
sition. On the contrary, those fish that live near the bottom of the water
have a low standard of respiration, a high degree of muscular irritability,
and less necessity for oxygen; they sustain life long after they are taken
out of the water, and their flesh remains good for several days. The
Carp, the Tench, the various Flat-fish, and the Eel, are seen gaping
(gasping ?) and writhing on the stalls of the Fishmongers for hours in
succession ; but no one sees any symptoms of motion in the Mackerel,
the Salmon, the Trout, or the Herring, unless present at the capture.
These four last named, and many others of the same habits, to be eaten
in the greatest perfection, should be prepared for table the same day
they are caught ; but the Turbot, delicate as it is, may be kept till the
second day with advantage, and even longer without injury ; and fish-
mongers generally are well aware of the circumstance, that fish from deep
water have the muscle more dense in structure — in their language, more
firm to the touch, — that they are of finer flavour, and will keep longer
than fish drawn from shallow water." — Yarr. Brit. Fish. i. 22, 23.

Allowance must be made, of course, in these remarks for differences
of temperature and greater general warmth of climate. But it will as-
suredly be found that whilst the delicate Red Mullet (Salmonete), the
little Atherine or Sandsmelt (Guelro), and Sardinha, with a multitude
of other fishes of a soft and tender fibre in Madeira, require to be cooked
as soon as possible after their capture ; on the other hand, the firm or
hard-fleshed kinds, such as the Chernc, the Badcijo, the Ribaldo {Povia-

SCORPENA SCROFA, 109

tomics), and perhaps the Carneiro, -will be brought to the table in greatest
perfection after being kept some hours, when the heat or season will permit.*
For the Carneiro in particular, Rondelet further recommends boiling
as the best mode of preparation for the table. Except when small, it is
indeed a fish of too fibrous, hard, and dry a muscle for frying or broil-
ing. The flesh is delicately white and flaky ; but still, prepared in any
way, it is in general an inferior, tough, insipid kind of fish.

The Carneiro is in shape thick, short, and clumsy ; with the head and shoulders
enormously and disproportionately large and thick, but with the body small com-
paratively, and compressed. The back is moderately arched : the belly either is
quite straight from the throat to the commencement of the anal fin, or fre-
quently, as when gorged with food, and especially in female fishes when in spawn,
swollen and prominent ; the ventral line ascending rather steeply or rapidly from
the ventral fins to the root of the caudal fin. The greatest depth is at the
shoulders, and equals from one fourth to nearly one third of the whole length.
The greatest thickness at the same part is about one fifth of the whole length, not
equalling the depth.

Head very large and clumsy, of a heavy massive, rounded, or subcubic form,
being nearly as thick as deep, and its length exceeding the greatest depth of the
body : its upper outline very uneven and irregular ; the eyes, which are approxi-
mate, projecting high above it in a singular manner : the whole armed with pro-
minent strong spines and bony ridges, and of a deformed and monstrous aspect.
Muzzle rather short, thick, and oljtuse, extending twice the diameter of the eye
before it, to the tip of the lower jaw, when the mouth is closed : with a trans-
verse hollow immediately before the eyes, and a prominent strong hump or
protuberance forwarder. The nostrils are two plain, round, or oval orifices, of
which the anterior is nearly half way from the eye to the tip of the muzzle ; the
hinder close before the eye.

The mouth and gape are, like the branchial opening, very large ; yet the gape
scarcely reaches to the eyes : the lower jaw is rather longer than the upper, with
a callous bony tubercle beneath the tip. Both jaws round the edges, and the
palatines, are armed with bands ; the vomer with a patch of brushlike teeth.
The large and prominent tongue is smooth : the maxlllaries are plain, broad, and
even at the ends ; which when the mouth is closed, reach back to a level with the
hinder edge of the orbit.

Eyes oval, rather small, about one sixth the length of the head, placed about
half way between the nape and tip of the muzzle, but nearer to the latter than to
the point of the opercle. The space between them at the top of the head is
deeply hollow, grooved, and not quite equal in width to their own diameter.
The orbits project considerably above the profile, and are anned with three un-
equal strong recurved bony prickles above, and with two little groups, one below
the other, behind, descending towards the cheeks ; each of the latter consisting of
from two to four or five minute erect short conic points rather than spines,
scarcely penetrating the skin, and placed close together. The uppermost of
these two groups is firmly fixed, belonging to the lower end of the posterior frontal
bone : the lower group is moveable, and loose in the skin, or merely cutaneous ;

* When earned up into the country in hot weather, immersion for some hours, before cooking,
in one of the cool fresh springs or streams which are the boast and luxury of Madeira, will be found
greatly to restore the flavour and consistence of all fishes. Some of the more firm-fleshed kinds
may be thus kept with great advantage till the next day after capture and transport.

110 SCORP-ENID.E.

being of that dermal system to which Cuvier, after Bakker^, assigns the name of
Supertemporals. Of the three supraorbitary prickles, the first and third, at the
fore and hind corners of the eye respectively, are strong and more or less re-
curved : the second or middle one is obsolete. Between the orbits run two faint
bony even ridges ; which after giving oft' a little behind, but on a line within,
the third supraorbitary spine, another single slightly recurved prickle, diverge, and
terminate upon the nape in a conspicuous pair of firm-fixed recurved spines, placed
one before the other ; the hinder being very large and strong. A solitary, nearly
erect, or conic spine, stands over or within the inner edge of each fore-nostril.
The anterior suborbitary is strongly ribbed ; the ribs from four to six in num-
ber, diverghig obliquely two and two in pairs, upwards and downwards, from
its base or articulation behind with the next suborbitary underneath the fore
corner of the eye. The points or extremities of the two uppermost ribs are
rendered obsolete or inconspicuous by the junction with the nasal bone ; al-
though the second of them, reckoning downwards, is the longest and most pro-
minent forwards of them all, running out to the upper fore-angle of the subor-
bitary : but the two to four below this are produced beyond the suborbitary plate
itself, into a corresponding variable number of large and strong conspicuous mar-
ginal teeth or spines, lying over the maxillary, and for the most part in the
same plane with it ; but in this they vary, as in number, often on the two sides
of the same fish ; though normally there are four of them, growing two and two,
in pairs. They are also, like the ribs, liable to be confused by accessory spines or
prickles, given off upon their back. The uppermost and lowest of these four mar-
ginal teeth are the strongest : and it is one or both of the two between these
which is often wanting.

Extending backwards from the root or point of divergence of these suborbitary ribs,
there runs across the cheeks, a little below each eye, descending backwards obliquely,
a strongly but irregularly armed bony keel or ridge, aculeate throughout, and ter-
minating in a strong spine, which has a smaller on its back or base, and is the
highest and much the largest of the five subremote marginal spines of the preopercle,
of which the two lowest are obsolete or inconspicuous, and the two above them
nearly equal. The opercle is produced high up obliquely tov/ards the nape, into a
flat or membranous parabola-shaped point, and is furnished with two diverging
even ridges, each ending within its edge in a strong sharp flattened adpressed
spine. Above the middle of the uppermost of these, at the junction or axil of the
opercle with the body, is a group of three moveable hooked spines, placed near
together in a triangle ; the two smaller ones in front belonging to the superscapu-
lary bone; and the third, much longer one, behind, which forms the apex of the
triangle, and is at the origin of the lateral line, being the upper edge and point of
the scapulars/. Half way between the two superscapulary spines and the eye,
ranging in a line with the lower of them, and the upper group of little fixed ones
on the lower end of the posterior frontal bone, there is a single large, distinct,
hooked, recurved spine, fixed firmly, and belonging to the scull : and again, behind
this, a little higher up, but in the interval between it and the two superscapulary
spines, and so immediately below the larger, hindmost nuchal spine, there is
another smaller prickle ; which is moveable, and belongs to a dermal plate, like
that of the two superscapulary prickles, over the base of which it partly imbricates.
The two nuchal spines above it, both project above the outline of the nape, and
terminate the armour of the head or scull behind, on either side.

The humeral bone immediately above the axil of the pectoral fins, ends in a
strong flat adpressed spine or point, directed upwards, and sufficiently conspicuous
externally.

The branchial membrane is large and conspicuous, with seven strong rays.

SCORF.ENA SCROFA. Ill

The pectoral fins are extremely large, ear-shaped, or subparabolic, rounded at the
tips, strong and fleshy, with the margin scalloped. Their first ray is simple, but
not pungent : the eight next branched and barred as visual : the ten lowest forked
or simple, thick, and fleshy, and curiously barred with close-set rings or joints,
like a fibre of an OsclUatoria. None of the rays project beyond the web.
Their length, measured as usual from the upper axil or base of the first ray,
varies from one fourth to one fourth and a half of the whole length : but measured
from their lower axil, or base of the last ray, it is about one third and a half
of the same, or nearly corresponding with the greatest depth of the body. When
fully expanded, they are twice as high as broad, covering something more than
the whole depth of the side. Their lower rays advance considerably forwards
underneath the throat ; giving them their ear-like form ; and bringing their lower
axil considerably before their upper. Their tips reach to or beyond the middle
point of the whole length of the fish.

The ventral fins are rather small, placed a little behind the lower axil of the
pectoral, on the most prominent part of the belly. They are but little shorter
than the pectoral fins, and yet their tips in general do not reach nearly so far
back. In shape they are suboval, often irregularly truncate. Their last ray is
connected to the body by a web.

The dorsal fin begins forward on the nape, above the superscapulary spines, and
extends nearly to the root of the caudal fin ; its spiny portion fomiing two thirds
of its whole length. The bases of the two first spines are approximate ; of the
others remote : the three first spines increase rapidly in length ; the second being
considerably longer than the first, and the third longer than the second, and equal
to one half, or even to two thirds of the depth of the body below it. The follow-
ing decrease very gradually and regularly till the eleventh, which is the length of
the first, and considerably shorter than the twelfth or last. The web behind each
spine is deeply notched. The soft rayed portion is about twice as high as the
hinder end of the spiny part, and rounded behind. Its last ray is double as
usual, and webbed down to the back.

The anal fin begins opposite the commencement of the soft part of the dorsal,
and con'esponds with the anterior half of the same. It is remarkably small, re-
sembling in size and shape the ventral fins ; but is more produced and pointed.
Its last ray is webbed to the body merely in the axil at its base behind : and a
considerable space, fully twice as great as behind the dorsal fin, intervenes between
it and the base of the caudal fin. Another peculiarity is the distance before it of
the vent ; which is one third or one fourth the distance from the base of its first
ray to the ventral fins, instead of being close before it as in most fishes. The
three spines are strong, appearing broader alternately on different sides of the fish,
owing to the sublateral attachment of the web ; the second being broadest on the
right side, and the third upon the left. The second and third spines are of nearly
equal length.

Caudal fin simple, truncate, or rather rounded and fan-shaped, twice as long as
broad, or rather deep, at the base : but, when spread out, its depth at the extremity
equals its length ; which is between one fourth and one fifth of the whole length
of the fish.

The whole head, cheeks, opercles, maxillaries, throat, breast, and belly even be-
hind the ventral fins, the fleshy base of the pectoral, and the whole of all the fins
are entirely naked or bare of scales. Those of the body are, however, large in
comparison with the other fishes of this tribe, which are its more immediate allies
(e. g. the Requeiyne, Boca negra, and Rocaz) ; and, as Artedi after Rondelet ob-
serves, have more resemblance to those of snakes than fishes. Their direction is
obliquely upwards, instead of as usual horizontal ; and though offering a slight re-

112 SCORP.ENID.E.

sistance to the finger when drawn in a contrary direction, they are nearly smooth
at the edges.

The lateral line, commencing at the hinder strong scapulary spine, descends a
little at first, and then continues straight and even to its end. It is composed of
twenty-four scales, each marked by a raised line or tube, and alternating pretty
regularly with the ordinary scales ; of which there are consequently about forty-
five rows between the edge of the opercle and the base of the caudal fin.

The whole head and body of this fish are furnished with numerous fleshy, or
rather skinny, pinnatifid, or jagged and toothed laciniae. The largest or most con-
spicuous of these are upon the head, and along the lateral line : but others are dis-
persed elsewhere. There is a pair of large ones in front of the muzzle ; another
rising from the inner and upper or hinder edge of each fore-nostril, at the outer base
of its spine ; and another overhanging the maxillary at the lower spine of the
anterior suborbitary. A row of five or six short ones fringes the eyeball above,
growing on the cornea itself; and a larger one originates from each of the three
superorbital spines, which it nearly conceals ; the middle one being frequently enor-
mously developed, especially in young fishes. A broad one also grows from the base
of each of the five preopercular spines, which it also nearly hides. The lower jaw is
also copiously fringed. Almost every one of the scales, which mark the lateral
line, is provided with a large one : and, besides these more distinct pedunculate
lacinia?, a number of much shorter sessile, simple or entire skinny triangle-shaped
flaps or points project from underneath the scales, especially upon the flanks.
Behind the tip of each spine of the dorsal fin, except perhaps the last, there is a
small lacinia, like a short pennon : but those of the anal spines are very obsolete.
All these laciniiie are compressed or flattened, thin and membranous ; and the
larger ragged ones float loosely in the water. They are proportionally more con-
spicuous and larger in younger individuals of middle size than in adult full-sized
fishes : but their size and copiousness are ahvays characteristic, and give a very pe-
culiar aspect to the fish, increasing the grotesqueness of its general appearance.

The colour of the whole fish varies from a full vermilion or cherry-red, to a more
or less deep scarlet ; pale pm'e rosy towards the throat, breast, and belly ; the
head and cheeks marbled, mottled, or variegated, like tortoiseshell, with dusky,
and with brighter scarlet or orange on a pale rosy ground ; the under jaw clear
spotted on a rosy-white ground ; the body for the most part plain, and always
without distinct dark blotches, bands, or spots : but specked or freckled, rather
than spotted or mottled, with bright orange, yellow, white, pale red or rosy, and a
little brown or dusky on a red or scarlet ground. The soft part of the dorsal, the
pectoral, and the caudal fins, are marked, however, with, numerous distinct atro-
sanguineous, or dark-brown spots, chiefly arranged along the rays like bars : and
on the web between the seventh and ninth spines of the dorsal fin, are generally
two more or less conspicuous, large blackish or olive-dusky confluent spots or
patches, characteristic of the species : though often one, as in the example figured,
and sometimes both of these spots cannot be discerned. The anal, ventral,
and lower portion of the caudal fins are generally immaculate or plain. The
spinose fore-part of the dorsal fin is marbled wdth orange and scarlet, flecked wqth
brown and paler clouds, and the spines are mottled or almost barred with brown.
All the fins are more or less varied with yellowish or white. The iris is brilliant
red and golden yellow. The inside of the mouth is pale.

Two states or varieties, depending chiefly upon age or size, may be
distinguished of tins fish, and are, in fact, admitted by the Madeiran
fisherman : but they run so much into each other in respect to sex,
locality, and season, as well as characters, that it had scarcely been do-

SCORP.ENA SCROFA. 113

sirable separately to define them, might not the observation of isolated in-
dividuals lead possibly to their erroneous distinction into species. That
which may be called the normal sort, since it comprehends the largest
full-sized fishes from fifteen to twenty inches long, and which, there-
fore, constitutes the variety a, is deeper in proportion to its length than
the var. |3 : with the belly somewhat prominent or corpulent. The head,
in consequence, seems shorter ; and the eyes, though varying in this re-
spect, are generally somewhat larger. The colours are altogether lighter
or paler, often as if faded or deteriorated : the red approaches more to
scarlet or orange, and the dark spots or bars of the fin-rays are faint or
few, and even sometimes wanting. Such fishes are in general, but not uni-
formly females ; and full-sized old or aged fishes of eighteen or twenty
inches long, almost invariably present these characters. They are said
to be caught in deeper water and further from the shore than the darker
coloured, ruddy, or vermilion sort to be presently described, and hence
are called Carneiro de Fora by the fishermen. ^S*. lutea of Risso seems
to have been founded on some extreme state of this variety.

The other sort, var. j3, is a more slender or shallow fish : Avith the
ventral line straight from the throat to the anal fin. The eye again
varies in size, but is generally smaller. The head appears much thicker
and longer, in consequence of its length greatly exceeding the depth ;
but it is not actually longer or thicker in proportion to the whole length
of the fish. The colours are altogether darker : the red is a deep ruddy,
cherry, or vermilion tint ; and the orange and brown spots and mark-
ings are more clear and distinct. Such fishes are sometimes called by
the fishermen Carneiro de Rolo, being caught nearer the shore or over
sunken rocks, in shallower water than the others, which may account
partly for their greater intensity of colour. I have seen them of both
sexes and at all seasons : but of never more than fifteen inches in length,
and they are more generally male fishes. In some respects they approach
S. porcus, L., but are not to be confounded with that species ; and if
any ichthyologist feel tempted to consider them as equally distinct from
the S. Scrofa a, I can only add, that after long investigation, my
own observations and opinions perfectly accord with the following re-
marks of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes. After describing accurately
the colours of the var. a from a Sicilian example brought by M.
Biberon, these authors have remarked : — " il parait qu'a un certain
age et en certaines saisons cette scorpene a des teintes plus jaunes ou
plus brunes. Plus les individus sont jeunes, plus les marbrures et les
rivulations qui varient le fond de leurs couleurs sont nombreuses, fines,
et di verses ; plus aussi leurs lambeaux charnus" — (and I may add their
spines or prickles in appearance also) — " sont a proportion grands et de-
chiquetes." — Cuv. et Val. iv. 2.94.

114 SCORP/ENID.E.

In a female individual sixteen inches long and full of roe, of brilliant colours,
and in high season, taken in the month of August, I found the liver small, the
ceeca nine in numbei-, rather large but short, the intestine making only two volu-
tions, the ovaria highly vascular, large and full of just formed eggs. There was
no trace of air-bladder, and the peritoneum, like the whole of the viscera, and
especially the liver, was pale or whitish.

Of the nine al)dominal vertebrae, the four last only have apophyses beneath, of
which those of the three last unite into a single strong bone, notched only at the
tip, and winged behind. The first of the fifteen caudal vertebrae is indicated by
its inferior apophyses being quite simple, or entire at the tip.

The individual figured was a male in milt, of the pale-coloured deep-
shaped sort, captured at Machico in July ; and measured seventeen inches
in length, weighing three pounds and a half. The largest fish I ever
saw of this kind was twenty inches long, and weighed five pounds and
a quarter. In another taken in February of the same kind and weight,
but only nineteen inches long, though proving when boiled quite an old
fish, the stomach was enormously distended with a freshly swallowed
Cuttle-fish (Octopus vulgaris, Lam.) of at least half a pound weight.
This rendered the belly so prominent, that before dissection I supposed
the fish, notwithstanding the season, to be in spa^vn : but it proved to
be a male. Individuals, however, of only fifteen inches long have some-
times proved on boiling quite old fishes, and as tasteless, hard, and tough,
as leather. Thus their goodness is dependent on their age : but their age
cannot always be inferred with certainty from their incheso

MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes after relating on the authority of Brun-
nich, that this fish attains the length of two feet, and a weight of three or
four pounds, and mentioning that M. de Martens, in his " Voyage a
Venise," says, it sometimes weighs six pounds, give an amusing instance of
the exaggerations and mistakes of copyists. Pontoppidan, the Norwegian
Naturalist, says of his Marulke (Sebastes Norvegicus, Cuv.), that it was
four feet long. Bloch, confounding the Marulke with the Mediterranean
Scorpana Scrofa, copies this ; substituting, however, for four feet, three
or four ells. And lastly, Lacepede, putting for these German or Prus-
sian ells of two feet each, French metres of three feet, and using the ex-
pression " more than four," completes the extension of a fish rarely ex-
ceeding eighteen inches, to a length of twelve or thirteen feet.

At Machico, the Carneiro is called frequently Rocaz or Roqueime. The
example figured was unanimously pronounced to be a Rocaz by the fisher-
men of that place ; and I suspect that their Requeime or Roqueime is pro-
perly the var. |3, or Carneiro de Rolo.

The two sinistral suborbitaries of the example figured, cleared of their
inteo-uments, arc represented of the natural size in the accompanying plate,
below the fish itself.

^

.^^.

;;"— «s=«-

ACANTHOPTERYGII. SCORPJENIDJE.

TAB. XVII.

SEBASTES KUHLII, Nob.
Reqvieime.

The Soldier-fish or Hog-fish.
Char. Gen.

Corpus squamosum : caput squameum, magnum, aculeatum, subcavemosum, compressum, parcius
laciniatum. Oculi approximati. Operculum bispinosum. Prseoperculum quinquedentatum. Os
rictusque ampla : maxillis vomereque palatinisque scobinato-dentatis. PinuEe basi sjepius squam-
mulosae : dorsali unica ; caudali truncata ; pectoralium radiis inferioribus sKpissime simplicibus
(excepto S. Bougainvillii, Cut. et Val.), apice liberis. Membrana branchiostega septem-radiata.

Ohs. — Omnia Scorpanw, praeter caput (sc. genas operculaque nuchamque) squamosum ; lacinias
pauciores, aliquando nuUas ; suborbitaria paucidentata ; pinnas basi plerumque squamraulosas ; dor-
sum antice fere gibbosum ; aspectumque minus horridum, monstrosum ; squamasque coi-poris minores.
Vesica aerea ssepius adest : in nonnuUis {S. imperiaU, Cuv., incwulato, Cuv. et Val., et Bougainvillii,
Cuv. et Val.) deest. Species plerseque extpatropicse, Isete coloratse, rubidee, edules.

Char. Spec.

S. subovalis, parce laclniatus ; ruber, corpore maculis, capita strigis flavis fulvisve picto : ore
intus pallido, gula supeme macula rubra : rostro subproducto, acuto : suborbitario antice bispinoso :
carina subocularia aculeata : prajoperculi spinis insequalibus : pinnarum pectoralium axilla unispinosa,
radiis omnibus simplicibus ; dorsalis spina secunda tertiaque productis, apice appendiculatis ; parte
posteriore maxillaribusque nudis, alepidotis.

D. 12 -f 9 ; A. 3 + 5 ; P. 17 ; V. 1 -f 5 ; C. \'\\'

M. B. 7 ; Sq. Hn. lat. 25 ; Vertfe. 9 abd. -f 15 caud. - 24.
S. KuUii, Syn. Fish. Mad. p. 176.
Scorpcena Kulilii, Bowd. Exc, in Mad. p. 123.

Longit. subpedalis = 3 — 3^ X alt.
Tcmpus, per totum fere annum.
Locus, in mediis profundis ; vidgatiss.

The Requeime, though a no less common market species in Madeira
than the Carneiro, of not inferior brilliancy of colour, taken moreover
in abundance at all seasons, and still more frequently admitted to the
table, has hitherto almost escaped the observation of the naturalist : the
only extant notice of it, previous to my own, being that above referred
to in the work of the late Mr. Bowdich; in which it is mentioned as
" a new species of the Scorpana of Schneider,*" with a few brief notes
of character and colouring. These were, however, insufficient to establish

116 SCORP.'ENID.E.

it as a species : especially after the separation from Scorptrna by Cuvier,
of the genus Sebastes, in which Bowdich's erroneous observation, of the
Requeime "■ having no fleshy appendices to the head or dorsal (lateral ?)
line," might, even in the absence of all notice of its scaly head or cheeks,
have caused it to be placed. Failing, accordingly, to recognise it in
any of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes^ descriptions of the species either
of Scorpcena or Sebastes, I some time ago proposed it as a new Se-
bastes, to which genus it belongs ; retaining the specific name applied
by Bowdich to it as a species of Scorpana, which denotes its dedication
to the memory of Herr Kuhl, a zealous naturalist, too early lost to
science.

In general aspect and colouring the Requeime much resembles the
Carneiro. It is, however, a considerably smaller fish, rarely exceeding
a foot in length ; and is of a less grotesque appearance, a more shapely
form, with a more pointed muzzle, and a smaller head. The small yellow
spots upon the fins and body, and the stripes of the same colour about
the head, are also obvious characters. The paucity of membranous la-
ciniae, and the scaliness of the head, that is of tlie cheeks and the
opercles, serve no less for its scientific than for its popular discrimination.

It will, however, be described best by continual comparison with the
Carneiro.

Shape deeper in the middle, but more slender and pointed at both ends ; and
thus oval or elliptic, cutting off the caudal fin ; not oblong. Back higher, gibbous
arched and convex close behind the nape, like a hog's. Breast and belly straight,
not corpulent or prominent. Head long rather than large, the muzzle before the
eyes being considerably produced and pointed ; bony, and armed with spines and
ridges. Mouth and gape large, the latter reaching back nearly to the middle of
the eyes ; the lower jaw a little longer than the upper, which is strongly notched,
whilst the lower has a tubercle at the tip beneath. Teeth and tongue as in the
Carneiro.

The greatest depth is behind the nape at the tip of the opercle, or in a line with
the base of the pectoral or ventral fins : it is contained three times, or in smaller in-
dividuals three times and a half in the lengtli. The greatest thickness is nearly
half the greatest depth : and the length of the head a little exceeds the whole of
the same. The diameter of the eyes is about one fifth the lengtli of the head.
They are larger than in the Carneiro, and approximate, with a rather plain and
shallow or flattened yet grooved hollow between them on the top of the head ;
but are not at all, as in the Carneiro, prominent above its profile. The interval
between them does not exceed their half diameter : but the muzzle extends before
them fully a diameter and half.

The general disposition of the spines and ridges of the head is precisely as in the
Carneiro : but they are generally more straight and slender. The front suborbitary
has only two strong distinct conspicuous fiat spines or teeth, pointing obliquely
downwards, and lying over the maxillary ; the lower being very broad and large.
The suborbitary ridge or keel, runnhig below the eye, and ending in the upper-
most of the five preopercular spines, is more distinctly raised and aculeate
throughout. The marginal spines of the prcopercle are unequal ; the one below

SEBASTES KUHLir. 117

the strong uppermost which terminates the suborbital ridge, being Uke the lowest
of all, small and inconspicuous ; whilst the third and fourth again are stronger,
broad, and flattened. The uppermost of the two superscapulary spines is very-
small and inconspicuous ; and the third posterior or scapulary spine, forming the
apex of the triangle in this group, is much more remote from the anterior pair.
The little groups immediately behind the eye, on and below the posterior frontal
bone, are either indiscernible or wanting : but the large spine half way between
the eye and the lower of the two superscapulary spines is present and distinct,
though straighter and more slender and adpressed than in the Carneiro : and the
humeral bone ends also in a more distinct and slender spine in the upper axil of
the pectoral fins.

The nostrils, with the spine above the first, and the protuberance before it, are
the same as in the Carneiro : but this hump or protuberance is much more obso- .
lete ; and when the fish becomes dry, several pores become apparent on the muzzle,
which without caution are easily mistaken for one or other of the true nostrils, and
which I have not observed in the Carneiro.

Of the spines from the eye to the nape, there is a very strong one at the fore
corner of the orbit ; and three close together, one behind the other, at its upper
hinder corner : then a little backwarder, after an interval, a pair like those in the
Carneiro, terminating the armour of the head behind.

The pectoral fins are very large, and when expanded, broadly rounded, and
nearly as deep as long. Tlie extremities of all the rays except the two or three
first are free : and from seven to ten of the last are considerably produced beyond
the web : but what is a still more remarkable character of this fish, and very
anomalous, is that thej^ are all perfectly simple or unbranched. They are also
thickly annulate or barred.

The ventral fins are larger and more pointed than in the Carneiro. They are
shorter, however, than the pectoral fins ; their length being about three-fifths that
of the head, or something more than one-fifth that of the whole fish.

The dorsal fin begins forward on the nape, over the scapulary spine. In ex-
tent and form it resembles that of the Carneiro. Adult or full-grown examples
have the second and third spines, or sometimes only one of these, abruptly and
enormously produced to a length from three to four or even five times greater than
the first, or half as long again or twice as long as those immediately behind them :
and these elongated spines are furnished with laciniae at their tips, like the Earlier
(Anlhias sacer, Bl.) : but in small or younger individuals the second and third
spines are not produced disproportionately to the first ; the third or longest being
scarcely longer than the five or six succeeding spines behind it ; which are in all
cases of nearly equal length.

The anal fin in shape and position resembles exactly that of the Carneiro ; but
it is smaller and shorter than the ventral fins. The vent is also situate consider-
ably ]:iefore it. Its last ray is double or forked to the base, like the last soft ray
of the dorsal fin : but it is free or not connected to the body by a web ; which the
last ray of the dorsal and ventral fins is, for a great part of its length.

The caudal fin is simple, truncate, slightly convex.

The whole head, with the exception of the muzzle before the eyes, the maxilla-
ries, and the lower jaw, which are naked, is in this fish quite distinctly scaled.
This is the case also with the belly, the base of the pectoral fins and breast quite
up to the point of the throat : which parts, with the whole head in the Carneiro,
it must be remembered, are wholly smooth or naked. The scales on the opercles
and the cheeks advance no further forwards than the front of the eyes ; and
although small, are quite distinct and rough. Those on the body are also much
smaller and rougher than in the Carneiro : and they terminate less abruptly at the

VOL. I. K

118 SCORP.ENID.E.

base of the caudal fin, though not extending up between the rays. In their
arrangement they resemble those of the Cameiro.

The dorsal and anal fins, both in their soft and spiny parts, are wholly free from
scales. But the pectoral fins are scaled up a little way in a semilunar manner at
their base.

This fish is very sparingly and variably furnished with laciniaj. Sometimes a
few are visible about the head, over the eyes and nostrils, and along the suborbitary
ridge, whilst none can be discovered on the body : in other individuals none are
discernible about the head, whilst some are distributed sparingly either along the
whole course of the lateral line, or only towards its termination, at or near the root
of the caudal fin. But in all cases they are inconspicuous.

The whole fish is of the brightest scarlet : and with the fins, especially the
caudal, the soft part of the dorsal, and the anal, is spotted all over with distinct
small yellow or olive-yellow, sometimes brownish, spots : the head is rather
streaked or mottled than spotted with the same : the throat and under jaw are
pale, and like the ventral fins, immaculate. The iris is golden, with patches of
brilliant orange-red. The inside of the mouth is white, with a large red patch
above and behind, quite at its back or at the entrance of the gullet.

The mass of viscera is small : the stomach of moderate size, but with its coats
extremely thick and muscular. The pylorus has fom* large palmate cceca, of equal
size and length. The liver is large, with one lobe more especially elongated : the
gall-bladder is free, distinct, and large. The intestine is of considerable diameter,
and makes two bends, or one volution. The air-bladder is rather large, quite
simple, and globose, or short and oval : it has no communication with the oeso-
phagus, but is fastened to the fore part of the stomach, and attached firmly all its
length to the spine, from which, however, owing to the strength and toughness of
its coats, it can be separated without rupture. The stomach is white : the liver,
ccuca^ and intestine pale. The air-bladder in a fish nine inches long was one inch
in diameter.

The first of the nine abdominal vertebrse is partially ossified and bent at an
angle with the sphenoid bone of the skull : the two next vertebrae are very short :
the four last are furnished with dilated or broadly winged apophyses beneath,
which in the three last vertebrae become successively more connate, uniting in the
last (ninth) vertebra into a single strong bone, notched merely at the tip, yet
giving off two slender ribs, attached each to one of the two points of the tip. The
first of the fifteen caudal vertebrae is known by its perfectly simple apophysis,
without notch at the tip.

Tlie usual average of size in the Requeime is not more than eight or
ten inches : and tlie largest I have seen were only from twelve to fifteen
inches long. One measuring in length twelve inches and three-quarters,
weighed one pound and a quarter.

This is a somewhat better fish for eating than the Carneiro ; and is
more delicate, not only in consistence, but in flavour. The best method
of preparing it for the table is by frying. It does not vary much through-
out the year, but is, perhaps, most in season for the table in the month
of January. Yet, under any circumstances, it is but a secondary sort
of fish, held by the Portuguese in little estimation, and considered in-
ferior to the Carneiro. It is said to live in deeper water than the Car-
neiro {Scorpanu Scrofa, L.) : being caught with lines of from one

SEBASTES KUHLir. 119

hundred to two Imndred and fifty fathoms, i. e. in a depth of from three
or four to ten linhas, instead of from fifty to one hundred flxthoms.

The Maehico fishermen call the Requeime, Cantareiro or Galhudo, and
apply the names Requeime or Rocaz to the Carneiro ; not distinguishing
by name the true Rocaz, Sebastes Maderensis.

The armed head and colour have suggested one of the English names ;
and the hog-like elevated back and lengthened snout explain the other.

A representation of the two sinistral suborbitaries, taken from an
individual which measured eleven inches in length, will be found at
t. XXV. f. 2.

K 2

Mt'-W

^^' o

■ f-'k

"^' v';^" '

. %

A C'A NTHOPTER YGH. SCOMBR TD.T..

TAB. XVIII.

APLURUS SIMPLEX, Nob.

Escolar ou Chicolar.

The Oil-fish, Scour-fish, or Plain-tail.

Char. Gen.

Corpus subelongatum, compressum, capiteque cute coriacea, retrorsum echinato-scabra aspenim,
posticu utrinque simplex s. ecarinatum : abdomine carinato.

Caput magnum, simplex, iuerrae. Rostrum subproductiun, maxilla inferiore longiore, apertura
brauchiali rictuque vastissimis. Operculum et prseoperculum inermia, plana, integerrima. Denies
compressi, ancipites acuti ; exteriii in utraque maxilla uniseriati subaequales ; in superiore internis
quibusdam anticis ad apicem prcelongis ; posterioribus vomerinis paucis, palatinisque uniseriatis
minoribus.

Pinnae dorsales duse, numero radiorum subasquali ; antica angusta, continua, sequali, longiore ;
secunda breviore triangulari, antice elevata, postice in pinnulas spurias secedente: pinna anali se-
cundce dorsali simillima. Pinnae ventrale's parvas, nomiales. Pinna caudalis furcata. Membrana
branchiostega septem-radiata.

Obs. — Omnia Thyrsitis, Cuv., prseter cutis muriculato-asperae structuram, et abdomen carinatum.
Cutis coriacea, dura, squammuloso-furfuracea, spinellisque adpressis retrorsis radicatis echinulata.
Species unica, notabilis : piscis oceanicus, regionis temperatse, major, unicolor, vorax, edulis ; came
oleo scatente, colliquaute.

Char. Spec, idem ac generis.

A. simplex, Syn. Mad. Fish. p. 180. (March, 1837.)

ima D. 14 V. 15 ; 2d* D. 3 V. 4 + 13 — 15 + II. ; A. 2 v. 3 + 14 v. 15 -f II. ;

M. B. 7 ; Vertffi. 16 abd. + 16 caud. = 32.

Thyrsiies acantltoderma, Siippl. Mad. Fish, in Proceed. Z. Soc. 1839, p. 78.

Teiracjonurusi simj^kx, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1. p. 143. (December, 1833.)

Longit. = 3 — 5 ped. = 6 X alt.

Tempus, ajstate, autumno : sed per totum fere annum.

Locus, in alto, a littore procul : vulg.

It Avas a true perception of affinity, which occasioned, on its first
discovery, the reference of this curious fish, though with a mark of doubt,
to Teiragonurus, Risso ; only that, owing in great measure to the po-
sition of this genus among the Grey Mullet^ (Miigilida:) in the Regne
Animal, far from its natural allies, the nature or degree of this affinity was
not correctly estimated, or positively ascertained not to be generic, but

VOL. I.

122 SCOMBRID.E,

to consist in certain characters possessed in common with Tctragoniiriis,
and which are truly, as, indeed, it was remarked at tlie time, Scom bridal.
This led, however, to a recognition subsequently of the proper situation
of both fishes near Thyrsites, Cuv., and of their relative generic dif-
ferences : for the peculiar structure of the shin seemed to demand the
proposal of a third genus, Aplurus, distinct from both Thyrsites and
Tetragonurus, for the reception of my former Tetragomirtis f simplex.
And though more recently, through inattention to the carinate abdomen,
I was led to abandon this view, and to propose its union with Thyrsites,
Cuv., by the name of Thyrsites acanthoderma^ fuller consideration of
the value of this character in its combination here with that of the peculiar
structure of the shin, makes me revert to my earlier opinion, and retain
Aplurus as a genus properly distinguished from Thyrsites, Cuv.

The Prince of Musignano, taking the same view, has in the mean-
time, I am informed by Miss Young, published an admirable figure of the
fish in his Fauna Italica, under the name of Ruvettus pretiosus : which,
although unaccompanied with the descriptive characters, she recognised
immediately. I regret my inability to refer with more precision to this
valuable and important Avork. This would appear also to be the fish
from Teneriffe, alluded to by M. Valenciennes in the Preface to the
Tenth Volume of the Histoire des Puissons as the " Rovetto [Rovettus
acanthodermay of the Mediterranean. The name Escolar occurs, more-
over, in a list of Teneriffe fishes by Mr. Diston, a resident and highly
intelligent observer in that island. It is found again in several passages
of the Historia Insula7ia,* indicating the principal fishes of the Azores.

Although this fish has thus been evidently taken in the Mediterranean,
it would appear to be in that sea but a rare and casual visitor : for it has
escaped the notice not only of the older naturalists of the Sixteenth Cen-
tury, but of Risso, Rafinesque, Laroche, and many others, who have re-
cently so diligently laboured in this field. In Madeira, on the other
hand, it is a common well-known species ; which, if less abundant at any
season than many other fishes, is yet altogether absent from the market
long at none. Its capture is, however, so far dependent on the season,
that being taken only in deep water, and at a considerable distance from
the shore, it is not caught except in fine and steady weather. It is taken
with an ordinary bait, at a depth (the fishermen affirm) of from twelve to
fourteen linhas-\ ; living habitually near the bottom, in company with the
Cherne (Polyprion cernhim^ Val.), Coellio {Prometheus atlanticus), &c.
It is sold in the market in pieces or slices by the pound; and the tail
end is the most esteemed. Large fishes are said to weigh from twenty
to thirty pounds, measuring about five feet in length.

* Ilibtoria Iiisulana das Ilhas, pelo Padro Antonio Cordcyro ; Fol". Lisboa, 1717.
+ Each linfia, or line, is from twenty-five to thirty fathoms {brofas) long.

APLURITS SIMPLEX. 123

The flesh when cooked is delicately white, and flaky ; bnt soft and
insipid : and both before and after it is dressed, abounds, as if it had
been steeped, in a pure limpid oil, which is not, however, at all rank
or strong in taste. On this account, and from the unsightly colour of
its skin, and general coarseness, it is but rarely seen at English tables :
and, eaten incautiously, it is moreover said to cause speedy diarrhoea. It
may, however, certainly be eaten moderately with impunity : and the
effect in question is sometimes ascribed to a peculiar oiliness or richness
in the bones. Dogs are, indeed, affected violently for some time, ap-
parently by feeding chiefly on the bones and skin : but in any case the
effect seems merely that of a strong dose of oil ; being unaccompanied
with any other symptoms.

The Portuguese name, Escolar, or Chicolar, seems, in allusion to this
property, to be corrupted or derived from assacolar, a^acolar, or a^i-
colar, a word of Spanish origin, which signifies to scour or burnish ; and
particularly gun-barrels or weapons ; for though disguised to the eye
by the usual spelling, it is scarcely so at all in pronunciation. The
more obvious supposition of identity between the name Escolar and the
common Portuguese word signifying a scholar or student, fails altogether
to explain the origin or reason of its application to the present fish. But
taken in the sense of Scour-fish, according to the etymology proposed,
there may be found in the properties above described, and in the file or
sand-paper-like roughness of the skin, at least a plausible solution of the
matter.

The generic name Aplurus, Plain-tail, is composed of a-TrXovg., plain
or simple, and ovpa, a tail ; in contradistinction to Tetragonurus, Square-
tail. There is, indeed, a pecvdiar general plainness or simplicity, both
of form and colour, in this fish ; contrasting strongly with the elaborate
details of structure, and the gaudy hues of the Scorptenida^. This is,
however, strictly in accordance with its natural alliance to the Mackerel-
tribe (Scovibrido') ; of which it is a genuine representative.

Shape oblong, compressed throughout, not much attenuated towards the tail,
and of nearly equal depth from the eyes to the origin of the second dorsal or the
anal fin ; but deepest at the nape or shoulders, vv^here the depth is one sixth part
of the whole length : the thickness is also greatest from the eyes to the same part,
and equals half the depth. From the origin of the second dorsal and the anal fins
the lines of the back and belly slightly converge in an equal degree : but tlie
fleshy base of the tail is not slender, but thickish and subcylindric, and its depth
is one fourth part of the depth at the shoulders. It also retains more or less of
compression, being scarcely so thick as deep ; and it is perfectly simple, without
any lateral keel or crests. The ventral line from the ventral fins to the vent,
which is situated close before the anal fin, is sharp or carinate, and irregularly and
obsoletely serrulate.

The head is large, remarkably compact, plain, and unarmed, with flat and even
sides ; yet with a heavy and clumsy look, at least compared with Prometheus,

124 SCOMKRID.E.

from the thickness of tlie sliort muzzle, and great breadth and strength of the
lower jaw. Its length is about one fourth of that of the whole fish, exceeding con-
siderably the depth. The eyes are round and large, their diameter equalling one
fifth of the length of the head. The margins of their orbits, which are quite plain
and flat, are formed by a sharp simple edge of the hard skin, not of bone. They
are placed a little below the outline of the head above, which descends with a very
gradual and equal curve from the origin of the dorsal fin to the tip of the muzzle.
The top of the head between the eyes is very broad, flat, and even : the space
across, measuring from eye to eye, equalling nearly a diameter and a half of the
eye. The muzzle or upper jaw extends about once and a half its own diameter
before the eye : the lower jaw is rather longer, and still more broad or thick and
clumsy : both with rather broad flat lips. The anterior nostril is a small round
simple orifice, half way between the eye and tip of the upper jaw : the hinder is a
mere vertical or lunate slit, opening only as the skin gi'ows dry, nearer the eye.

Mouth and gape enormous : the latter descending obliquely as far back as be-
neath the middle of the eye, where it is overlapped by the narrow exposed ends of
the maxillaries. The teeth are strong, but not nearly so long or large in proportion
to the size of the fish as in PronietheKs or Thyrsites : and considerably larger on the
edges of the lower than of the upper jaw. Each jaw is furnished all round the
edges or intermaxillaries with a row of nearly equal subrecurved and sharp teeth,
growing somewhat two and two together towards the front, particularly in the
upper jaw : but for the most part, and especially in full-sized fishes, pretty regu-
larly and distinctly placed. Of these the upper jaw has from fifty to sixty; the
lower about forty. Close behind these in the upper jaw, but nearly at its tip, and
growing out of the intermaxillaries where they dilate to form their symphysis, is a
group of from three to five, but often of two pair of larger teeth, set one behind
the other along the edges of the symphysis ; those of the hinder pair being the
largest, and further apart laterally from each other. At some distance behind this
gi'oup, there is a second group of generally three, but sometimes only two, much
smaller teeth, more slender and recurved, placed in a lunate transverse line : these
are belonging to the vomer. And again, beginning a little behind the outermost
of these, the palatinal teeth extend backwards in a single line or row of from
fifteen to twenty small but distinct and equal slender close- set equidistant recurved
teeth, the size of those round the edges of the upper jaw, or rather smaller than
tlie vomerine teeth. The tongue is large, free, prominent, and flat in front ; and
like the gullet perfectly smooth and even : the latter being merely furnished with
the usual pharyngeal plates, which are, however, armed with strong thick-set re-
curved teeth.

The opercle, preopercle, and interopercle are perfectly plain, flat, and unarmed :
with the edges quite entire. There is no trace externally of the humeral or super-
scapulary bones : but the whole shoulder is like the rest of the head, singularly
plain and simple. The branchial opening is enormous : but the branchial mem-
brane, which is seven-rayed, is narrow, and does not appear externally. Its rays
are somewhat weak or slender.

The first dorsal fin begins forward on the nape, in a line above the hinder edge
or point of the opercle ; and ends opposite the vent ; extending thus in length a
distance equal to one third the whole length of the fish. It is remarkably low,
and even, or of nearly equal height throughout, which in no part exceeds one
fourth or one fifth part of the depth of the body below it. The rays are thus,
except the two first and two or three last, nearly equal : the last of all being
almost prostrate and buried in the skin ; the whole being seated in a groove.
All the rays are decidedly spinose, but weak and flexible, or scarcely pungent.
They are striate longitudinally : but the whole fin is otherwise quite smooth.

APLURUS SIMPLEX. 125

The second dorsal fin begins about two thirds the distance from the tip of the
muzzle to the root of the caudal tin, immediately behind the termination of the
first, with which it is quite unconnected. It is triangular and high in front, ex-
ceeding in elevation half the depth of the body below it at this part, but short in
extent, and only reaching half way from its beginning to the origin of the caudal
fin. Its first three or four rays are simple, the first branched ray or two being
also the longest. Its last ray is a little remote from the rest, elongated, and only
partially connected by the web to the preceding ; thus assuming somewhat of the
aspect of a spurious finlet. This latter character is, however, completely that of a
pair of rays placed further back, at one third, or nearly half the distance between
this last partly detached ray and the root of the caudal fin. These two are com-
pletely detached and remote from the rest, but connected perfectly together by a
web. They are twice as long as the last semi-detached ray of the second dorsal fin.

The anal fin commences opposite the origin of, and corresponds precisely in all
other respects with, the second dorsal. It has the hinder two or three rays par-
tially detached, and succeeded at some distance by a spurious finlet composed of
two longer rays completely wel)bed together, opposite the spurious finlet of the
dorsal line.

The front rays of both these fins are close set, obscure, and difficult to count :
the fins are indeed altogether somewhat thick and coriaceous, as in the Tunnies or
the Swordfish.

Pectoral fins triangular or ovate, rather small, their length being only from one
eighth to one ninth of the whole length of the fish. The two first rays are simple.
All the rays are broad and rough externally in front of each, having a somewhat
coarse and rude appearance. The inside of the fin is altogether smooth.

The ventral fins are subequilaterally triangular, much smaller than the pectorals,
their first ray placed immediately beneath the last ray of the same. They are
situate close together on the belly, and fold back into a slight groove or hollow,
running a little way back from their fore axil on each side of the body, a little
aljove the ventral keel. Their length is only about one fifteenth of the whole
length, or little more than half that of the pectoral fins. Their spine, although not
pungent, is very strong, and grooved or striated longitudinally like the spines in
Beri/x : and their last ray is connected altogether to the body by a web. Their
rays are rough in front on the outside of the fin, like those of the pectoral fins.
They are altogether smooth inside.

The caudal fin is very large, forked, and powerful : the lobes are broad, and the
upper is conspicuously larger and longer than the lower.

The structure of the skin is highly curious. To the naked eye it appears per-
fectly scaleless, but with a scurfy or branny look : and to the touch it is exces-
sively harsh, rough, rude, and echinate or prickly when the finger is drawn towards
the head, and has a hard stiff feel. The only smooth parts are the top of the
head and muzzle, except a little space or band above each eye, which is rough,
like the lips, the maxillaries, and the lower jaw. The tip however of both jaws,
the fore-corner of each eye, and the space between the fore and hind nostril are
smooth. Examined more closely, the whole remainder of the head and body, ex-
cept the fins, is found to be thickly covered with minute and inconspicuous closely
adherent or even partly imbedded cycloid scales, which are simple, round, oval, or
elliptic, entire, and finely striated concentrically like the lines at the ends of the
fingers : these arc very thin and soft or membranous, and appear crowded and con-
fusedly placed, without regular imbricated arrangement, giving a general furfura-
ceous aspect to the whole skin. But besides these, and at regular distinct inter-
vals, arranged quincuncially in rows, the whole skin is armed with series of sharp,
glassy, adpressed, forked, or double points or prickles, of which the structure is

12:6 SCOMBllID.E.

very complicated and peculiar, presenting some analogy to the spines with their
two or three-forked roots of the Diodons. Externally nothing appears but from two
to four rather strong firm-fixed, short glassy points directed backwards like a fork,
causing the peculiar harsh roughness of the skin, and rising from amongst the
almost invisible small proper scales. Extracted from the skin, which can only be
done by boiling or maceration, they are found to be fixed by means of a widely
two or three-forked root, the branches or forks of which extend deeply forwards
obliquely into the skin, lying almost horizontally, and nearly in the same plane
with the outward part, between its coats, and crossing or interlacing with the roots
of the prickles immediately adjoining them in a reticulated manner. These forks
or branches of the root are much longer than the externally projecting fork, and
are themselves most curiously connected together by very fine and slender flexible
but bony irregularly anastomosing or cancellated complicated branches and cross-
ribs. One of these prickles isolated, with its root, may be described as resem-
bling the letter X, with the lower forks or roots however much produced : and in
situ it is buried in the skin up to the crossing or hour-glass-like constriction in the
middle. The root, however, in the larger prickles on the sides of the body is gene-
rally three-forked.

The skin, upon dissection, proves much thinner and easier to cut than could be
judged from its hard or harsh feel to the touch : and when boiled is easily separa-
ble from the flesh.

The lateral line, on removal of the skin, is found to extend in a straight and
nearly central course along the sides, commencing from the top of the opercle : and
the flesh of which it is composed towards the tail is dark brown when boiled, and
softer than the rest. Except towards the tail, where it is more or less slightly
tumid like a wheal or varix, its situation outwardly is only indicated to the eye
by a slight change in the direction of the longitudinal rows or lines of the prickles
of the skin ; which once observed is sufficiently obvious, though it may not strike
the attention until pointed out. Those below it on the flanks and belly have a
slightly oblique direction upwards ; whilst those above it have a straight one
horizontally.

The fins are all, with the exception of the first dorsal, and the inside of the
pectoral and ventral, strongly shagreened or rough.

The colour of the whole fish is an unifomi dusky mulberry-brown, or coffee
colour, with a purplish or vinous tinge ; darker upon the head and back, somewhat
paler, and sometimes so in irregular patches, clouds, or blotches, towards the belly.
The fins are darker and blackish towards their tips. The mouth is dusky and
purplish inside, varied with pale or whitish : the tongue black. Iris pearly
grey or silvery-iridescent, whitish, clouded with dusky. Pupil green-opaline.

In the dissection of two male individuals and one female, the stomach was
found to be long, slender, and cylindric, reaching nearly to the vent. The caeca
were from eleven to fourteen in number, large and long, of nearly equal size and
length, coadnate by means of cellular tissue into a thick palmate fascicle or bundle,
partly enveloped by and adnate to the liver, which was pale and large. The gall-
bladder was also enveloped by the liver, very large, and of a deep green colour.
The intestine was also very large or thick, and perfectly simple, or proceeding
straight from the pylorus without any fold or volution to the vent. There is no
air-bladder. The ovaria in the female individual (captured in June) were very
long, distinct, cylindric, tumid, and vascular; but filled only with a grumose

The first of the sixteen abdommal vertebraj is very short ; a mere ring: tlio
last five or six are furnished with short, simple apophyses beneath, forming an
arch, notched at the top, and giving off two short ribs from the notch. The first

APLURUS SIMPLEX. 127

caudal vertebra has the top of the arch simple, and gives off only a single com-
pressed recurved swordlike lamina. The vertebrae are all, except the first, of
nearly equal length ; and both the upper and lower caudal single apophyses are
short and feeble.

The top of the skull is very flat ; the interparietal crest being remarkably low,
and scarcely higher than the lateral crests. All the bones are rather soft and
fragile, readily splitting longitudinally.

The female fish above alludccl to, measuring three feet and one inch in
length, "weighed nine pounds and half an ounce.

The figure is reduced from one of a male example, which measured
three feet four inches in length, and six inches and a half in depth. The .
left-hand figure above the fish represents four of the small crowded scales ;
the right-hand figure, the same numdDer of the prickles with their roots,
separated by maceration from the skin, but placed in their relative na-
tural position : both these figures are considerably magnified. The middle
figure of the three is a view of the under surface of a portion of the skin,
in its natural state and size. The white forked parts are the roots of the
prickles.

^■•

..0t

W'.r

r:

A CANTIIOPTERYGII. SCOMBRID^.

TAB. XIX.

TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS, Nob.

Escolar de natura.

The Square-tail, or Sea Raven.

Char. Gen.

Corpus subelongatum, fiisiforme, subcylindricum, capiteque squamosum ; postice tetragonum,
utrinque bicarinatum.

Caput tetragonum, simplex, inerme. Rostrum breve, tnincatum ; maxillis antice emarginatis ;
inferiore lateribus s. parietibus valde elevatis, pyxidatim intra superiorem claudente. Operculum
et praeoperculum inennia, plana, squamosa. Dentes pectinato-uiiiseriati, minuti, posterioribus
longioribus : palatinis uniseriatis. minutis : vomerinis paucis.

Pinnae dorsales duse ; antica angusta, longiore ; secunda brevi, triangulari, antice elevata : pinna
anali secundae dorsali simillima. Pinnae ventrales parvae normales, subabdominales. Pinna caudalis
furcata. Membrana brancbiostega quinqueradiata.

Obs. — Squama magna;, arctissime adnata, concinniter spiraliter dispositae, durae, striatae, pectinatae,
ciliatae. Carince caudales breves, cristiformes, lacerato-serratae. Pinnulse spurise nullse. Abdomen
ecarinatum.

Pisces regionis temperatae, oceanici, rarissimi, soUtarii, erratici, minores, luiicolores, fusco-nigri-
cantes : Thi/rsiti, Promaihei, Apluri, &c., affines ; fonna, orisque caudaque structura, deutibus, ac
squamis insignes.

Chak. Spec.

T. capite subproducto : corpore subcylindrico vix corapresso : oculis maximis.

7 -\- VIII
!■»» D. 15 ; 2'!=' D. 11 ; A. 11 ; P. 16 ; V. I + 5 ; C. I Z yu '

M. B. 5 ; Sq. liu. lat. 90 ; Vert^e.

T. atlanticus, Suppl. Mad. Fish, iu Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1830, p. 79.

Lonyit. = 9^ poll. = 7^ X alt.

Tempus, aestate.

Locus, in profundis : rariss.

In the work of Rondelet, so early as tlie year 1554, we find at page
423, the first record of a fish allied generically, possibly specifically, to the
subject of this chapter ; accompanied by a figure., rude indeed, yet not
entirely devoid of character. This figure is described to have been taken
from an example communicated by an individual at Pisa named Fortius,
of eminent acquirements and liberality : and a remark on its excessive
rarity is prefaced by the statement, " undis nostris incognitus est." This
author notices its resemblance in the aspect of the body to the Grey

VOL. I.

130 SCOMBRID/E.

Mullets (Mugiles) : and adds that on account of its uniform blackness,
and the black longitudinal lines from the gill-openings to the tail-fin,
which, according to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, are observable in
their dried specimens, he has called it Mugil niger. In this idea he
was followed by Aldrovandi ; who, according to MM. Cuvier and Va-
lenciennes, for I have not access to his work, figures the same fish under
the name of Corvus niloticus, supposing his example to have come from
Egypt. His representation is described by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes
to be much superior to that of the Provencal Ichthyologist.

The rarity of this most curious fish may be collected from the fact,
that from this latter period to the beginning of the present century, an
interval of two hundred years, it had entirely escaped fresh observation :
and was perhaps on this account wholly neglected by Linnreus, and the
system-framers of the Eighteenth Century, though Willughby* had given
both an abstract of Rondelet's account, and a copy of his figure. It is
singular that its rediscovery, after so long an interval, should have been
made in that very country to which its first observer had remarked it was
unknown ; and by his countryman. In 1810 Risso, the well-known Ich-
thyologist of Nice, again supplied a brief but original description ; and
established it as a genus under the name of Tetragomirus Cuvieri. And in
his Histoire Naturelle, he has subsequently raised this genus to the rank of a
Family (Les Tetragonuridcs), which he places in immediate proximity to
his Mugilidcc. MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, describing it again in 1836
in the eleventh volume of their Histoire, with their accustomed accurate
fulness of detail, have placed it also, as it had been previously placed by
Cuvier in the Regno Animal, in a separate chapter at the end of the
Mugilid(B.

Five or six examples only seem to have occurred of this fish, besides
the two described by Rondelet and Aldrovandi : and these were taken at
Nice, Genoa, and Toulon. " Another proof of its rarity in the Medi-
terranean," add MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, " is, that it is neither
mentioned in the works of Rafiuesque and of the Prince of Musignano,
nor makes part of the collections formed by M. Savigny." At Nice
its common name appears to be Courpata^ or the Raven.

It was, therefore, with peculiar satisfaction that I recognised at once
in a fish brought to me, in June 1838, a true example of a genus, which,
from the mere description in the Regne Animal, I previously had so
little understood as to refer to it, though not without a mark of hesi-
tation, a fish rather rcferrible to Thyrsites, Cuvier ; namely, Aplurus
simplex^ supra t. 18. An approach, however, to the right position in
the system of the true Tetragonurus was indicated by this very error :
for the Madeiran fishermen, by calling it a kind of Escolar, ai)pcar to
have a more just notion of its true affinity than the above-cited Ich-

* Iclitli. p. 27fi. t. R. 4. f. -i.

TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS. 131

tliyologists. Tlie close alliance naturally of Tclragomirus with tlie
Scombridal genera Thyrsites, or Aplurus (Escolar), may be inferred
both from its being called vernacularly Escolar de nature, and from the
true Scombridal Escolar having, though erroneously, been supposed to
belong to the same genus.

Indeed there seems little either of external character or inward struc-
ture to warrant the arrangement of this fish amongst the Mugilida;.
These have few C(Eca, Tetragonurus having many : in the true Grey
Mullets the ascending branch of the stomach dilates into a sort of giz-
zard ; in Tetragonurus it is simple : they have few vertebrae ; Tetra-
gonurus has many : they have minute and feeble or setaceous teeth ; it
has them distinct and bony: they have the palatines and vomer normally
unarmed ; it has them armed : they have smooth and apparently entire
scales*; it has them rough and pcctinato-ciliate. In Tetragonurus the
form of the fins, especially of the two dorsal fins, and the nature of their
rays differ remarkably from the usual character of these parts in the Mu-
gilidce ; and the anatomical structure of the pharynx, mouth, and teeth,
has nothing whatever of the peculiar organization which characterizes so
singularly the Grey Mullets. The pseudo-abdominal or backward posi-
tion of the ventral a little behind the root of the pectoral fins, is a very
trifling, Mlacious character j- when resting as here, and in many other
Acanthoptcrygious fishes,^ on mere external appearances : and if insuf-
ficient for a ground of association with the Grey Mullets, it is absolutely
of no value whatever as a mark to separate Tetragonurus from the Scom-
bridee, Cuv. ; for the ventral fins, or their rudiments, in a crowd of
these, § are equally behind the pectoral, and are vastly more so in Nota-

* A. high power of the microscope shows, indeed, that the edges of their laminae in Mugil are
finely creniilate : in which, if not sui generis, Xhey may be perhaps considered to approach rather to
the ctenoidal, than to be of the true cycloidal structure. But if this serve not for a caution against
employing too absolutely the intimate formation of the scales in founding or defining the main ich-
thine divisions, it shows at least the liability to practical uncertainty attendant on these characters.
In the Scombridce, nonnally the scales are truly cycloidal : in the Mugilidee, they are only so ap-
parently, or ambiguously : in Tetragonurus, otherwise Scombridal, they are eminently and distinctly
ctenoid. Thus the character in which Tetragonurus approaches, according to this theory, nearest to
the MugUidcB, is the very point in which it most appears, except on microscopical investigation, to
differ from them. And even after appeal to the microscope, it might truly be affirmed that there is
no stronger discrepancy between the scale of a true Scombridal fish and of a Muyil, than between
one of the latter and of a Tetragonurus. This genus may, however, be considered as in several re-
spects connecting MugilidcB with Scombridal,

t See Cuv. and Val. Hist. iii. G7 ; il. xi. 195. — The ventral fins in Tetragonurus are not truly
abdominal or unconnected with the bones of the shoulder, as in the Abdominal Malacopterygians,
or the Acanthopterygian Sphjrasnidoe.

% The ventral fins are quite as abdominal, apparently, in the typically thoracic genus Perca, as in
Tetragonurus and the Grey Mullets.

§ E. g. Iiampris, Scomber, Tlnjrsiles, Genipiilaa ]>ruper, Lepidopus, Aplurus, some species of Liclda,
Caranoe, &e.

132 SCOMBRID.E.

cant/ius and Alepisaurus.* The " slendemess and concealment of the
maxiUary, and thickness of the upper lip" (Cuv. and VaL Hist. xi.
173) are equally inconsequential ; or, when compared with certain genuine
ScombridfE, absolutely null as differential characters, however they may
have aided in suggesting to the older Ichthyologists the approximation
above mentioned. In short, the relation of Tetragonurus with the Mu-
gilidae is at most one only of transition, if indeed one of more than mere
analogy: whilst with Scombrida, Cuv., through Aphirus and Thyrsites^
it agrees no less in all essential points of structure both internal and
external, than it does in habit, form, and colouring.

To speak more definitely, Tetragonurus is Thyrsitoideo-Scombridal,
or allied to the Thyrsitoid Scombridse, in its elongated form, large
branchial opening, mouth, and gape ; in its uniformity of colour, and
large opaline dark eye ; in the number of accessory rays above and be-
neath, and the lateral keels, at the root of the caudal fin ; in the po-
sition, shape, and character of the dorsal and anal fins ; in the whale-
bone-like nature and strongly barred or knuckled structure of the soft
rays in all the fins ; and lastly in the long, simple stomach, numerous
vertebra and caca. The teeth also in their shape, and in their pre-
sence on the palatines and vomer, agree, like the anatomy, precisely
with Thyrsites.

Thus, on this cumulative evidence, and with the exception of the ctenoid
scales, Tetragonurus proves, as from the discovery of the cognate Aplurus
I suspected-f- long before seeing (as it appears) a genuine species, at least
as properly Scombridal as Thyrsites, Cuv. : and since Aplurus^ scarcely
differing generically from Thyrsiles, offers in the dermal characters, already
so remarkable, an instance of anomaly amongst the Scombrida, there
seems no occasion, after Risso, to consider it the type of a peculiar family,
" les Tetragonvirides,"" Risso.

The only individual of the Madeiran fish which has occurred, was
taken by a fisherman of Camera de Lobos, a village three or four miles
to the westward of Funchal, on the 28tli of June 1838 : who assured me
that he had caught it swimming on the surface, with his hand ; an ac-
count which, corroborated by the absence of all injury from the hook
about the mouth, better corresponds with M. Risso's statement of the
feeble swimming powers (" faible natation") of his fish, than with M.
Laurillard's of its activity (" vivacite de ses mouvements'''').| Since
all about its history and structure indicate, however, a pelagic fish, whilst
nothing either in its organisation or affinities would denote departure from
the usual habits of its tribe, it is extremely probable that the alleged cir-

* Tlie affinities of both these genera arc doubtful : yet the fonner is, like Lunipris, included in
!Scombrkl<B by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes : which is suilicient t'tn- the j)resent argument,
t Sec Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1833, 1, 143. X Cuv. and Val. Hist. xi. ltJ4.

TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS.

133

cumstances under -wliicli the Madeiran fisli was captured, might be owing
to mere accidental weakness and disease. The nature of its food in MM.
Cuvier and Risso's fish, proves that it takes at least its prey upon or near
the surface.

Nothing is further known about the habits, qualities, or breeding-
season of the Madeiran fish. Risso relates of that of the Mediterranean,
that it " lives solitary and single at great depths, which it prefers ; only
approaching the shore in summer (June, September), when it is in spawn."
" Its flesh,'' he adds, " though white and tender, is injurious at this
season, because the fish feeds upon Stephanomia. and other floating Ra-
diata (Jelly-fish), which, from their extreme causticity and acrid pro-
perties, are no doubt the cause of this peculiar quality."* From MM.
Cuvier and Valenciennes' fuller account, this author seems to have been
adventurous enough to test himself, and more than once, its dangerous
properties ; which produced in him all the usual symptoms of an acrid
poison : namely, a burning heat in the throat and tonsils, nausea, vomit-
ing, sharp pains in the bowels, ending with tenesmus, and with lassitude
in all the limbs during two days. They confirm this Ichthyologist's
account of the food of the Tetragonurus ; having found the stomach,
in the example which they describe and figure, and which they state
to have been captured in the month of February, filled with the remains
of such Acalepha ; and they agree with him in ascribing to this poison-
ous food of the fish, the deleterious efiects produced upon the human
system by its flesh. -f-

The question of the specific identity or difference of the Madeiran and
Mediterranean fishes will be best entertained after a full description of
the former.

This fish in shape is elongate and subfusiform ; and is characterized no less to
the eye by a remarkable neatness and general plumpness or roundness of form
throughout, than by a peculiar flexibility combined with fulness and compactness
to the touch. The regularity and distinctly spiral distribution of the scales,
together with the absence of all spines or prominences, contribute to the general
impression on the eye of plainness, elegance, and symmetry. The head is some-
what compressed, but the body scarcely so at all, and that only from the shoulders
to the vent. Behind this it is quite cylindric, and as broad as high ; becoming
however towards the tail distinctly square or isotetrahedral, with the angles obso-
lete, but the upper (dorsal) and under (ventral) sides especially flattened. At
the origin of the caudal fin these four equidistant angles rise suddenly into four

* Riss. Hist. iii. 382, 383.

t The case of the Hedgehog feeding -with impunity upon Cantharides, of which a " single insect
is sufficient rapidly to kill a good-sized dog," does not seem to be much in point. It only is an
instance of a common well-known fact, exemplified in the case of the Brazilian hogs feeding on the
poisonous wild Cassava-roots. The curious phenomenon is not that the fish should find its food in
what is poisonous to man, but that its flesh should be in this loay rendered deleterious. Is this last
the case with a Cantharides- fed Hedgehog ? It is not so with the Cassava-root-fed hogs.
VOL. I. L

134 SCOMBRID.E.

short elevated lacerato-serrate crests or ridges of produced toothed scales, forming
on each side the root of the tail-fin, in a side-view, a pair of distinct, abrupt, and
high but sliort keels converging backwards, and meeting in the middle of the fork
of the tail-fin. The dorsal and ventral outlines are similar and equal ; and the
curvature of each is very trifling throughout ; the truncature of the muzzle and the
depth at the root of the tail-fin not requiring much approximation or convergence
of the extremities of these lines. The top of the back towards the middle of the
body is broad but rounded, becoming flattened towards the head as well as the
tail. The belly underneath is rounded : with a fine closed groove, or line, like a
cut with a sharp knife, formed by the meeting of the scales of each side the body,
and extending from the ventral fins to the vent. Towards the tail the ventral
face is flat, or even slightly hollow : with a similar raj)he or groove from the hinder
end of the anal fin, becoming obsolete towards the origin of the lower lobe of the
caudal fin.

The greatest depth is from the nape or shoulders to the tips of the pectoral fins ;
scarcely diminishing from thence to the origin of the second dorsal or the anal fins :
and it is contained from seven to nearly seven and a half times (7-?-) in the whole
length of the fish. The thickness, which is greatest at the same part, and de-
creases also vmiformly and proportionately with the depth, is three fourths of the
depth. The thickness at the origin of the caudal keels or fin is however only one
sixth less than the depth at the same place, and is contained nearly thirty times
(29-|) in the whole length. The depth at the same point is contained nearly
twenty -five times (24f) in the same. The length of the caudal crests or keels
themselves equals the diameter of the eyes : their height being one fifth of their
length. ^

The length of the head is contained little more than four times (4j\ or nearly
4-^) in the same : or exactly four times in the length from the tip of the muzzle
to the middle of the fork of the caudal fin. It is oblong and four-sided, but
deeper than broad ; the sides or cheeks are flat and plain like the top, which is
also extremely broad between the eyes ; the breadth here nearly equalling their
diameter, which is itself contained between fifteen and sixteen times in the whole
length, or a little more than three and a half times (3-j^^) in the length of the
head. Hence the eye is very large, occupying considerably more than half the
depth of the head ; and though placed a good deal above the middle of the sides,
the upper edge of the orbit falls quite within and indeed a little below the profile.
It is almost perfectly round, with the edges or orbits peculiarly flat and plain :
their hinder half however being crenate, wrinkled, or radiato-striate, like the edge
of a sphinctral orifice : reminding one of Vompilus Rondeletii, Will.

The muzzle is deep, short, and obtuse or truncate ; its length before the eye
equalling the diameter of the same. The jaws are of equal length : the upper lip
is broad and smooth : the maxillary is externally indistinguishable from the inter-
maxillary; and when the mouth is closed, it is in great measure concealed beneath
the broad, entire, even-edged anterior suborbitary : its end not appearing at the
corners of the commissure or gape. There is no lower lip, at least externally.
The anterior nostril is a moderately large, round, simple orifice, situate about one
quarter of the distance along an oblique line from the tip of the upper jaw to the
upper edge of the eye or orbit : the hinder is a plain lunate slit, a little behind the
fore-nostril, along the same line.

The mouth is large and broad, but the gape is moderate, not extending back
beyond the fore edge of the eye : and though the lower jaw is sufficiently extensi-
ble, yet the excessive height of its sides quite countervails its mobility, and must
prevent the grasp or seizure of any large unyielding substance.

When closed, nothing appears about the mouth unusual or peculiar : but upon

TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS. 135

opening it, the lower jaw presents a most remarkable appearance from the extraor-
dinary elevation of its sides, resembling enormously high gums,* and shutting into
or within the upper jaw, like the high-raised sides of a box, or the arched ends of a
trunk with a round top, within its lid. Each side in fact forms a thin but higli and
convex arch within the mouth ; highest in the middle, and from thence descending
gradually towards the corners of the mouth, but falling much more rapidly and
steeply forwards towards the front, which is deeply notched : the greatest height
of these internal gum-like sides or walls in their middle, rather exceeding half the
length of the jaw from its tip to the canthus of the mouth. Thus the lower jaw
resembles the hollow square stem of a ship or boat, with steep high sides. All
this vertical internal part or wall is smooth and shining : below, from the canthus
to the tip, there runs a narrow horizontal band of imperfect scales, rough like
shagreen ; and this is all that appears externally of the lower jaw when the
mouth is closed. The notch in front is very deep ; the walls or gums being here
cut down quite to the rough external band. The tip however of the jaw below it
is still broad and truncate, flat and smooth. The upper jaw exhibits none of this
peculiarity of structure. It is however retuse or slightly notched in front, and the
teeth, as in the lower, are divided into two sets or divisions, by a little gap in
front.

The teeth in the upper jaw are in a single row, divided as above explained into
two sets of from forty to fifty on each side, in ail from eighty to a hundred. They
are minute, conic, close-set, or regular, and finely pectinate : the front ones more
produced, and sharp or conico-acuminate, and somewhat incurved ; the hinder
ones becoming gradually smaller. Their points project forth from a band of semi-
transparent skin, which sheaths their base, through which their roots or lower
parts are distinctly traceable : this resembles perfectly a true gum, only it is free,
and not adnate or cohering to the roots of the teeth. The same kind of gum is
found in the similarly finely pectinate-toothed Blennies. Hence the supposed
analogy with the dentition of the MugiUdcB is not real, but in appearance only.

Chevron of the vomer in front of the palate feebly armed or furnished with a few
fine teeth : its line behind running backwards in the middle of the palate between
the palatines, raised, and finely sermlate, like the palatines themselves.

The lower jaw is similarly furnished on the edges of the high-arched sides or
branches with a single row of from eighty to a hundred teeth, divided into two
sets of forty or fifty each, by a much deeper-cut-down notch or gap than in the
upper jaw. The teeth also themselves are generally larger, and even more regu-
larly and beautifully pectinate than in the upper. Also they are not conic, but
much compressed, like little narrow lancets, with the points slightly recurved : or
they may be described as nari'ow-oblong, parallel, and close-set, like the teeth of a
comb, with the points of each cut off obliquely, but so as to present a generally
even cutting edge, like that of a fine and long-toothed saw. Contrary to those of
the upper jaw, they are smallest and shortest in front, increasing rapidly in length
and size towards the middle or high part of the side, and scarcely again diminish-
ing till quite at the hinder end of the jaw. Their base, as in the upper jaw, is
covered by the same sort of gum or band of thin transparent skin, tightly em-
bracing but not adhering to their lower half or base ; which can be seen through it
as far down as to the edge of the high-raised wall or sides of the jaw, in which
their root is fixed.

The teeth in both jaws are distinctly bony, white, and glassy ; and they are
fixed firmly in their places ; thus offering in no respect analogies of structure with
the MugilidcB.

* Wliat may be called more properly the gimis will be presentlj' described.

136 SCOMBRID.E.

The tongue is large, free, boat-shaped, with the sides high and raised like ver-
tical walls, cut down aljruptly in front, and with the tip obtuse : in short, a
miniature model of the lower jaw. It is quite smooth ; and its tip lies in a hollow
between the raised points of a curious horseshoe- shaped fleshy cushion placed within
the teeth at the bottom of the tip of the lower jaw, with its points or concavity
directed backwards.

Nothing peculiar of structure w^as apparent in the pharynx, or the branchial
arches at the back part of the mouth.

The preopercle is plain, unarmed, broad, and flat ; its hinder edge descending
straight and vertically to the lower angle, which is nearly a right angle, and on
which is just discernible a faint short ridge running out to its point. This hinder
edge is also finely striato-denticulate. Its lower edge lying over the narrow
interuperde is nearly horizontal or but very slightly convex.

The opercle also is unarmed, flat and plain. It is extremely broad and large ;
and its hinder edge is equably and regularly rounded, forming almost the segment
of a circle, and descending in a spiral curve under the throat ; being without trace
of angle, point, or sinuosity. The scales upon it leave merely the edge bare,
which is finely and remotely striate ; the strise excurrent into minute ciliate teeth
or spinules. There is no skin or membranaceous border underneath or extending
beyond its edge, which on the contrary is like that of the preopercle perfectly clear,
and sitting peculiarly compactly and closely to the shoulder : on which there are
discernible externally no traces of the humeral or scapulary bones.

The gill-opening is very large, extending forward underneath the lower jaw,
where the two gill-membranes of the opposite sides unite : the latter being each
five-rayed. Thus there is great freedom of play afforded to the opercle. The
lower edges of the interopercles meet or overlap beneath the throat. The two
lowest of the five branchial rays are shagreened or rough.

The pectoral fins are placed about one third of the height up the side and very
forward ; the edge of the opercle touching their fore axil. They fit into a sliglit
hollow of the side : and are rather small, their length being one ninth of that of
the fish. Their shape is narrow-oblong, or obcuneate, and pointed at the tip.

The ventral fins are small, and ovate ; only half the length of the pectoral, and
fitting into a deep groove or hollow in the middle of the belly, in which they can
lie almost concealed. Their base is a little behind that of the pectoral fins ; liut
yet, when turned back, their tips do not reach to the level of those of the pectoral
fins. Their spine is weak : the last branched ray is free.

The first dorsal fin begins rather far back, opposite the tips of the ventral fins
when turned back, or at about one third of the length from the tip of the muzzle
to the middle of the caudal fork : and its extent, or the length of its base, is equal
to one fourth of the same length, ?. e. to the length of the head. It is generally
low, but highest towards the front, where its depth is about one fourth of that of
the body beneath. Its base throughout is in a narrow groove, within which it can
lie perfectly concealed. It is composed of fifteen distinctly pungent spines, which
become shorter and more crowded backwards. The first is extremely short, feeble,
and obscure ; and placed close before the base of the second, which is only a little
shorter than the nearly equal five or six succeeding spines. The rest behind
become gradually stronger as well as shorter, and they are only webbed half way
up : the last of all being very short, and nearly free.

The second dorsal fin begins at a very little interval behind the last spine of the
first, with which it is completely unconnected. It is not seated in a groove : that
Avhich receives the first dorsal fin closing immediately behind its last short spine.
It is high in front, triangular, and short ; the length of its base only equaling the
depth of the body beneath it, and its greatest height being two thirds of the same.

TETRAGONURUS ATLANTICUS. 137

Thus a considerable space, nearly equal to the length of the head, or one fourth of
that of the body, is left between its hinder end and the root of the caudal fin. It
consists of eleven rays, of which the two or three first are simple ; and the fourth
is the longest. The last ray nearly equals half the length of the fourth. All of
them are soft, distinctly barred, and very fragile ; being of a substance like whale-
bone.

The anal fin corresponds in structure, form, and termination, precisely with the
second dorsal ; but begins a little backwarder, and is altogether lower and smaller.
Its last ray is the length of the fifth or longest ray. The two first rays are simple.
Though the bases both of the second dorsal and the anal fins are not seated in a
proper groove, the scales rise a little on each side. The web of these fins is how-
ever perfectly naked. The last ray of both is free behind ; and not double as
usual, but branched like the preceding. There are no spurious finlets behind
either ; but the last ray of each is a little produced or apiculate, as in most fishes.
The two dorsal fins occupy a middle space on the back, rather greater than one
third of the length of the body, from the tip of the muzzle to the termination of the
lateral line or point of the scaly part in the middle of the caudal forks : leaving a
space before the first ray of the first dorsal fin exactly equal to that behind the last
ray of the second.

The caudal fin is large and forked, with the lobes broad but rather short ; the
upper one being the largest. Their outer base both above and beneath is raised or
convex (as is usual in Scombridce) by a number of short accessory rays : and all
the rays, like those of the second dorsal and the anal fins, are extremely fragile, of
a whalebone-like substance, and strongly barred or knuckle-jointed, as in Alepi-
sanrus. From their fragility, the points of the lobes can rarely be preserved
entire. They are in length about equal to the greatest depth, or one seventh of
the whole length of the fish.

The whole body, the opercles, and the cheeks are covered with a peculiar kind
of hard and compact armour of large close-set scales, elegantly and beautifully dis-
posed, like neatly-plaited braids of hair, in regular oblique subspiral rings, or arcu-
ated lines, descending oljliquely forwards from the dorsal to the ventral edges. Of
these lines there are eighty-three from the origin of the lateral line on the shoulder
to that of the upper of the two keels at the root of the tail-fin, beyond which they
are confused and indistinct : on the opercle there are ten, and nearly the same
number on the preopercle. At the root of the tail-fin and on the nape these rings
or rows of scales are consideral)ly narrower : but on the sides of the body they
preserve great uniformity of size. On the caudal keels the scales rise abruptly
into jagged or ragged crests : and they are continued over the whole breadth of the
caudal fin in the middle of its forks to the tip of its shortest ray into a point,
exactly as in Beryx. To this point, which is the termination of the lateral line,
the two keels converge : and the scales of the fleshy part thus intercepted by them
on the caudal fin are quite small and confused. They are all so firmly fixed that
they can scarcely be removed without laceration ; tearing off in spiral belts, and
adhering strongly laterally to each other. The exposed part of all the scales is
exactly rhomboid, and strongly longitudinally striate, with the edge also finely
pectinato-ciliate. Examined with the compound microscope, these striae are
found to be composed of rows of distant imbricated spines or teeth ; the angles be-
tween which, laterally, are not acute as usual, but widely arched or rounded.
The outer edge of the scale is deeply pectinate or scalloped ; and the whole
resembles a Pecten, with imbricato-spinose ribs. Hence the surface is very rough,
when the finger is drawn from the tail forwards : though it is peculiarly smooth,
and has a silky feel to the touch, when the hand is passed in a contrary direction.
The lateral "line is nearly straight ; descending very gradually to the middle of

188

SCOMBRID^.

the body, which it attains at about the origin of the second dorsal fin. It is
marked out by several of the middle striae of its scales being more raised or pro-
minent, or with deeper grooves between them, than the rest.

The webs and rays of all the fins are perfectly naked or devoid of scales.

The scales extend forwards on the nape or top of the head to a line with the
hinder edge of the orbit ; and on the cheeks under the eye in a band to the
corners of the mouth or gape : leaving a narrow space behind and underneath the
eye, the angle and lower border of the preopercle, the whole interopercle, the ex-
posed part of the lower jaw, the muzzle, and the top of the head naked appa-
rently, but very rough as if sanded or shagi'eened.

Colour of the whole fish an uniform rusty or brownish black, with a slight vinous
tinge and glossy silken lustre : the fins darker, and all uniform. When somewhat
dry, the ciliated edges of the scales, and especially the caudal crests, appear
greyish-white or glassy (hyaline). The eye is dark and subopaline. The tongue
and whole inside of the mouth and gill-openings are blackish. The high-raised
sides of the lower jaw, as far down only as they shut within the upper jaw, are
pale brown : the gums and teeth are pale or white.

The leading points in whicli the Madeiran fish differs from the Medi-
terranean Tetragonuriis Cuvieri, as described by MM. Cuvier and Va-
lenciennes, Hist. xi. 176, t. 318, are the much larger eyes, and less
breadth in proportion to the eyes between them at the top of the head
the body thicker at the shoulders, thinner at the base of the tail-fin
the somewhat longer head, and pectoral fins ; the higher first dorsal fin
the inequality of its spines ; and lastly the much greater number of the
teeth in the upper jaw. The exact value of these differences will be
best estimated from the following table :

Diameter of eves =

Teir. Atlanticus.
length of head

3.

whole length

or zz 5__

15f.

Space between eyes =: nearly diameter of eyes.

Thickness of body at shoulders = ^ X depth

T. 1 4. V c 1. •^ n whole lensrth
Uo. do. at base oi tau-nn ■= 2 —

T .1 ft, 1 whole length whole length

Length 01 head ZZ _5 =^ £__

4t7 » 4^ nearly.

T ti, r J. 1 c whole length
Length ot pectoral fins = 2 —

Longest (•2d.— 8th.) spines of dorsal='lHP^ll^i!^

3^
Number of teeth in upper jaw 40 or 50 on each

side.
1''. D. 15;2<'. D. 11;A. 11 ;P. Ifi ; V. 1 -H 5;

C.7jLllIi;B.M.5.
7 -h VII

Tetr. Cuvieri, Risso.

T-.. ^ p length of head
Diameter oi eyes = — 2

/■, J^^ r- \ whole length
or ( by the figure ) =z 2 —

Space between eyes := 1-i x diameter of eyes.'

Thickness of body at shoulders =: ^ X depth.

T> J ^1, f ^ -1 n whole length

Do. do. at ba^e ot tail-fan in

Voh.

Length of head =

whole -length

Length of pectoral fins by figure iz. —

Longest (2"^. — ?) spines of dorsal ::= — —

7.

Number of teeth in upper jaw 24 or 25 on each

side,
pt. D. 15 ; 2'!. D. 1 -f 13 ; A. 12 ; B. M. 5 ;

VertsB 3'G abd.-f 22 caud. = 58 ; Cuv. and Val.f
pt. D. 18 ; 21. D. 1, 12 ; A. 1, 1 1 ; P. 16 ; V.
1, 5 ; C. 36 ; Risso.

* This difterence however may be only due to the greater size of the eye in the Madeiran fish.
+ These authors have omitted giving the number of rays in the pectoral, ventral, and caudal fins
of their fish.

TETRAGONUEUS ATLANTICUS. 189,

The above discrepancies, it must be remembered, refer only to MM.
Cuvier and Valenciennes'' account of the Mediterranean fish. With
Risso's brief description, as far as it goes, the Madeiran fish agrees so
well, that its identity might not have appeared questionable. But it
must be remarked that he omits all the proportions and comparative mea-
surements, in which chiefly the differences consist.

MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes having furnished a complete account of the
anatomy of their fish, it seemed needless to sacrifice an unique example for the
purpose. According to these authors, the peritoneum in the Mediterranean fish is
blackisli-brown (brun noiratre) : the liver of a fine yellow, and divided into two
equal lobes, embracing the oesophagus and stomach. The cesophagus is long and
blackish, furnished within with numerous long, pointed j^O-jnUce, which are quite
soft; not hard, as stated formerly by Cuvier in the Regne Animal (2*^. Ed. ii.
233). The stomach is a very long conic pointed sack, extending to the ex-
tremity of the ventral cavity. Its ascending branch springs from about the mid-
dle of the cone formed by the cesophagus and stomach together ; and here, near the
pylorus, its parietes are somewhat thickened, without however dilating into a
bulbous gizzard. The ca:ca are numerous, unequal in length, and arranged sym-
metrically. The intestine is rather long, making one complete volution, and two
half ones. There is no air-bladder : and the spine consists of thirty-six abdominal
and twenty-two caudal vertebrae, making fifty-eight in all. The sex of the in-
dividual examined was indeterminable.

The unique example of the Madeiran fish here figured was nine inches
and a quarter long. The right-hand lower figure is a three-quarter view,
the size of life, of the mouth ; showing more perfectly than when seen
in profile the peculiar mode in which it closes, and the form of both
the jaws. The lower extreme left-hand figure is a magnified fore portion
of the lower jaw, to show the teeth and gums. The middle figure is the
bottom or inside of the fore part of the lower jaw, with the fore part of
the tongue in sitti ; its tip lying between the points of the fleshy horseshoe
inside the tip of the jaw.

ACANTHOPTERYGII. SCOMBRW.E.

TAB. XX.

PROMETHEUS ATLANTICUS, Nob.

Coelko.

The Rabbit-fish.

Chab. Gen.

Corpus subelongatuin, compressum, cum capite laeve, nudum s. squamis inconspicuis, membranaceis,
parvis ; postice utrinque ecarinatum.

Caput elongatum, simplex, inerme. Rostrum productum, maxilla inferiore longiore, apertura
branchiali rictuque vastissimis. Operculum et praeoperculum inermia, plana, integerrima. Dentes
compressi, ancipites, acuti ; extemi in utraque maxilla uniseriati ; intemis quibusdam antice ad
apicem praelongis ; palatinis uniseriatis, parvis ; vomere inermi.

Pinnaj dorsales duas, numero radiorum subsequali : antica angusta, continua, sequali, longiore ;
secunda breviore, triangulari, antice elevata, postice in pinnulas spurias vix secedente ; pinna
anali secundae dorsali simillima. Pinnce ventrales rudimentariae, in adulto obsoletffi, ad stipites
squamiformes redactse. Pinna caudalis furcata. Membrana branchiostega septemradiata.

Ohs. — Omnia Thyrsitis, Cuv., pra;ter vomerem inennem, pinnas ventrales in adulto obsoletas,
secundamque dorsalem in pinnulas spurias pauciores vix secedentem.

Pisces oceanici, regionis teniperatae, unicolores, voraces, edules. Dentes maximi, longiores quam
in Apluro, Nob.

P. Atlanticus, Syn. Mad. Fish. 181.

1™'' D. 18 ; 2<la D. 3 + 16 v. 17 + II. ; A. 1 v. 2 + (2 4- 14 + II.) ; V. I ;

P.14;C.^-'^ + ^- + ^"^-
' 4 V. 5 + I. + VII.

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. indefinitae. Vert*. 20 abd. -f 14 caud. = 34.

Longit. = 1^ — 2i ped. =r 6 — 7 X alt.

Tempus, se state.

Locus, in imo profundiore : vulg.

The genus Gempyhis was originally constituted by Cuvier in the
Regne Animal for the sole reception of the Scomber serpens of Solander ;
the " Serpens marinus compressus, lividus" of Sloane's Natural History
of Jamaica, t. 1. f. 2. Although this fish appears more properly to be
a West Indian species, the individual described by Solander was taken
near the Canary Islands : which renders its occurrence in Madeira by no
means improbable.

In the eighth volume of the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, by
MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, this genus (Gempj/lus) reappears, with
the addition of the three following species : viz. G. coluber, Cuv. and

VOL. I.

142 ■ SCOMBRID.E.

Val., a Tahitan fish, brought from the Pacific by MM. Garnot and
Lesson; G. Prometheus, Cuv. and Val., a fish which, being cap-
tured by MM. Quoy and Gaimard its discoverers, near St. Helena,
had been previously published by these naturalists under the generic
name of Prometheus, in fanciful allusion to the noted captive of the
neighbouring rock ; and thirdly, G. Solandri, Cuv. and Val., founded
upon the Australian Scomber macrophthalmus, Sol. The first of these
appears, indeed, to be a genuine addition to the genus, as originally
formed and typified by Cuvier. The second and third have been less
happily associated with Gempylas ; and might perhaps have been more
advantageously united with Thyrsites, Cuv.

It is proposed therefore to restrict the genus Gempylus to the two
species G. serpens and coluber, Cuv. and Val. ; dismembering it of the
heteromorphous G. Prometheus and G. Solandri, Cuv. and Val. Thus
remodelled, or rather restored to its strict original Cuvieran form or ac-
ceptation, it is well distinguished from either Thyrsites, Cuv., or Pro-
metheus, Quoy and Gaimard, by the long, thin, SAvord-like form of body,
the unarmed palatines, the total want of ventral fins, and the many-rayed
first dorsal fin, continuing far down the bach ; in all these points, ex-
cept the second, approaching rather to Lepidopus of Gouan. No species
of the genus thus restricted has, however, yet been taken in Madeira :
although, as it Avas mentioned, G. serpens {Scomber serpens, Sol.) has
occurred near the Canaries.

The claims, however, to generic distinction of Prometheus, consisting
of the eliminated part of Gempylus, and the subject of the present chapter,
are less easily adjusted. Its members are undoubtedly improperly asso-
ciated wiih Gempylus as originally constituted by Cuvier : disagreeing
with the genuine or typical species of that genus in the form of body,
which is that of the more ordinary fishes ; in the relative proportion of
the first and second dorsal fins ; and in the armed palatines. But from
Thyrsites they only differ in the following far less essential points : viz.
the rudimentary, or indeed in old or adult fishes, wholly obsolete con-
dition of the ventral fins ; in the fewer, scarce developed, spurious fin-
lets ; and the unarmed vomer.

The value of the first of these characters is much affected by the fact
of the existence of the ventral fins in at least a partially developed state
in young examples of the subject of this chapter:, and that of the second
is no less diminished by an evident approximation on the part of certain
species of Thyrsites to the same formation, through T. lepidopoides^
Cuv. and Val.

The fishes comprehended in Prometheus, therefore, — viz. Gempylus
Prometheus, and G. Solandri, Cuv. and Val., together with the subject
of this chapter, might well have been considered a mere group or section of

PROMETHEUS ATLANTICUS. 143

Thyrsites. But when a genus has been once proposed, and any tolerable
ground remains for its retention, and that particularly in a part of Ich-
thyology in which both the distinctions and the correlative value of the
groups are little understood, it seems, upon the whole, most prudent to
make everything subservient to practical convenience, which always suffers
by a change of names. The genus and the nomenclature, therefore, are
adopted here of MM. Quoy and Gaimard ; who have at all events done
better in forming a new genus for their fish, than if they had united it
with Gempylus serpens, Cuv.

The settlement of the specific relations of the three fishes properly
belonging to the group Prometheus, is a point of no less difficulty than
this of their generic claims. I formerly considered Gempj/lus Solandri,
Cuv. and Val. (Scomber macrophthalmus, Sol.), to be the adult of their
G. Prometheus ; and the Madeiran fish to be the intermediate stage be-
tween the two : but both these suppositions are incapable of demonstra-
tion ; and the wide difference of locality renders their distinction, prima
facie, probable. It is better, therefore, to abstain from any such con-
jectural union ; and, on the other hand, to await further and fuller ob-
servations both on the Australian fish of Dr. Solander, and on Messrs. Quoy
and Gaimard's St. Helena kind, before attempting a specific character ;
furnishing, meantime, a full accovmt of the Madeiran species, to preclude,
at least, all future doubt regarding its identity and characters.

The fishermen relate that the Coelho is a very cunning wary fish,
which snatches at the bait (a piece of Mackerel or other fish) and takes
it with a sudden snap, cutting it often from the lines with its sharp teeth,
and swimming off with it together with the hook : and hence, they add,
its name Coelho, Rabbit. It lives habitually at the bottom, and is taken
at most seasons in a depth of from one to three or four hundred fathoms.
In the summer months it is generally one of the commonest and cheapest
fishes in the market, where it is sold in bundles, chiefly to the Portu-
guese ; being held in little estimation by the English, though when fried
in slices, whilst quite fresh, it is rich, flaky, firm, and not unpalatable. Its
flesh, when boiled, is dry, soft, and insipid : and there are then few fishes
less deserving to be styled edible. Even to the eye these fishes have a
lean and hungry, famished look, and their flesh or body has a peculiarly
soft and flabby feel. And thus, though living at so great a depth, they
require to be cooked as speedily as possible after capture.

This fish is considerably compressed throughout, slender and elongated ; yet
writhout that extreme development of these characters which gives so peculiar an
aspect to the true Gempyli or to Lepidojms : that is, it is neither serpentiform nor
swordblade-like ; nor is it carinated either on the back or belly. The greatest
depth is at about the middle of the body, from the tip of the muzzle to the base
of the caudal fin, and ranges from near one seventh to one sixth of the whole

144 SCOMIiRID.E.

length ; becoming for the most part proportionately greater as the fish grows
larger, but varying somewhat according to the condition of the individual exa-
mined in respect to repletion or pregnancy : the abdominal region being peculiarly
flaccid and extensible. Hence the less proportionate depth (one seventh and a
half, or, by the figm-e, one seventh of the whole length) in G. Proniet//e?ts,
Cuv. and Val.j than that which usually is found in the full-grown Madeiran fish,
may fairly be ascribed to the small size (ten inches long) of their individual, and to
the decomposed condition of its viscera. It is also worth remarking, that the adult
Madeiran fish, from one foot and a half to two feet and a half long, is precisely in-
termediate in the relative proportions of its depth and length between MM. Cuvier
and Valenciennes' G. Prometheus of ten inches, and their G. Solandrl of three
feet long, in which the depth is said to be one fifth and a third of the whole
length.*

The greatest thickness of the Madeiran fish is close behind the eyes below the
nape ; and is contained from two to sometimes nearly three times in the greatest
depth. The length of the head is about one fourth of the whole length ; and the
diameter of the large eye is from one fourth and a half to one fourth of the length
of the head. In a young example only five inches and three eighths long, the eye
was between one fifth and one sixth of the length of the head : in MM. Cuvier
and Valenciennes' G, Prometheus of ten inches, it was one fourth of the same.
The eyes are rather prominent ; but the upper edge of their orbit does not rise
above the outline of the profile : they occupy more than half the depth of the head.
The space between them is broad, nearly equaling the diameter of the eye, and
remarkably flat like the top of the muzzle ; with a wide shallow hollow or de-
pression, running up into a point towards the nape. Head long and pointed :
the upper and lower lines of the profile converging equally and evenly, ex-
cept a slight elevation over the eye, from the origin of the dorsal and ventral
fins to the tip of the elongated muzzle, which extends one diameter and a
half before the eye. The anterior nostril is half way between the fore edge of
the eye and the tip of the upper jaw : the hinder nostril half way between
the fore nostril and the eye. Mouth and gape large, extending obliquely down-
wards under the fore quarter of the eye : the lower jaw considerably longer
than the vipper, and obtuse at the tip : both with a single outer row all round the
edges of about twenty-five compressed, triangular, strong, short, intermaxillary
teeth, irregular in size and distance, with sharp points, and cutting fore and hinder
edges. In front of the upper jaw, at the symphysis or junction of the intermaxil-
laries, there is a group of from four to six similar, but vastly longer and more
slender formidable teeth arranged in pairs behind each other, and locking behind
and within a single pair of smaller less elongated teeth at the tip of the lower jaw.

* In G. Prometlieus, Cuv. and Val. 10 inches long, depth = — ;:^ — or — ~ — by figure.

„ P. Atlanticus, 5-| inches long, depth = — ;

55 55 ^'' 5' » "

55 55 -'" 55 55 5!

55 55 "5 5, 55 ,;

55 55 "" 55 55 5'

„ G. Solandri Cuv. and Val. 3(1 inches king, depth = —

L.

L. .

H

L.

PROMETHEUS ATLANTICUS. 145

Within the group of large teeth in the upper, lying unfixed and moveable amongst
the loose skin at their base, may generally be discovered two or three replacement-
teeth, full sized, but yet unfixed by ossification of their base. These are provided
no doubt to supply the place of any sudden loss of the larger teeth : an accident to
which from their habits and the size and nature of their teeth these fishes must be
very liable. Both the vomer and the ethmoid are c^uite unarmed : the palatines are
furnished with a single row of small close-set teeth, like the edge of a fine saw. All
the teeth are slightly recurved. Thus the dentition is precisely that of Alepisaurus ;
resembling also that of Thyrsites in every respect except the unarmed vomer.
The tongue is free and pointed ; smooth behind, but rather rough in front with
several rows of small round whitish scabrous plates or flattened tubercles, like
nail-heads. The edges of the jaws or lips are thin and very even. The maxil-
laries are entire, simple, and rounded at the ends.

Branchial openings very large, and extending considerably forwards : the mem-
brane is seven-rayed. The opercles like the cheeks and whole head are quite
plain, unarmed, thin, or membranous, and a little wavy at the edges ; that of
the preopercle being somewhat rivulose or veiny, whilst the opercle has a deep
broad notch or sinus just above the axil of the pectoral fin. The angle of the
preopercle is obtusely rounded. The humeral or scapulary bones are not per-
ceptible to the eye : the sides of the tail or fleshy base of the caudal fin are
simple, or without any keel ; and the whole fish is peculiarly plain in fomi and
structure.

The first dorsal fin begins upon the nape, a little before the fore axil of the pec-
toral, and extends about two thirds the length of the body without the head or
caudal fin, along the back, ending opposite the vent. It is low, and nearly even
throughout : its height scarcely equaling half the depth below it of the body ; and
the rays, except the three or four last, being all of nearly equal length. They are
decided spines, but rather weak and slender ; the last is often very short, and
webbed down to the back behind. The web is excessively fragile or tender.
The base of the whole fin is seated in a groove. On the left side of the fish,
the fourth, sixth, eighth spines, and so on alternately, appear broader than the
rest.

The second dorsal fin begins immediately behind the end of the first, but falling
short considerably of the base of the caudal fin, is much shorter in extent ; reach-
ing only two thirds of the remaining one third of the body. It is triangular,
aljruptly elevated in front, and somewhat higher than the first dorsal ; at its
higliest point its height is three fourths or four fifths of the depth of the body
beneath. Its two last rays are abruptly produced to twice or thrice the length of
the last one or two preceding : from which they are also detached by a space or
interval of one ray, and by a great sinus in the web, which is only connected to
the base of the foremost of the two ; though they are themselves webbed perfectly
together ; and thus they fonn a single two-rayed spurious finlet, the latter ray of
which is free or not webbed to the back behind, and longer than the first.
Though the connection of this finlet with the rest of the second dorsal fin is so
slight, yet it is raised a little whenever the hind rays of the latter are pulled for-
ward. The three first rays of this fin are simple and obscure ; but barred and
not pungent : the fourth or first branched ray is the longest.

The anal fin is lower and smaller : but of equal length, and in every other
respect, particularly in its two-rayed spurious finlet, precisely resembling the
second dorsal. Its two first rays are simple but barred or flexible : the third or
first branched ray is the longest of all. Close before its origin are generally two,
almost detached and free, often extremely short, and generally inconspicuous, half-
buried spines : the first of which is sometimes reduced to a minute, triangular mere

146 SCOMBRID.€.

sharp scale, not more than half a line or a millimeter long, and sometimes wholly
wanting : the second is a stronger, more decided spine, partly connected behind by
a web to the base of the first simple ray of the anal fin.

In MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes"' figure of G. Prometheus, t. 222,
the anal fin is represented larger than the second dorsal ; and there are
three detached one-rayed spurious finlets to each, which have no connect-
ing web.

Pectoral fins rather small and weak, oblong or subtrapeziform, and obliquely
truncate. They are placed at about one third of the height up the side, close
behind the edge of the opercle ; and are about one eighth of the whole length of
the fish.

Ventral fins reduced in the adult fish to two minute, short, and blunt scale-like
stumps or warts, almost buried in the skin, placed close together on the abdominal
line a little before a line drawn vertically through the fore axil of the pectoral fins.
But when the fish is very young, each consists of a single, straight, rough, sharp,
and pretty strong spiny ray, which is rather longer than the pectoral fins, its tip
reaching back as far as theirs m situ, though its base is situate a little forwarder
than theirs : and in this case there is no trace of web or of other rays. Thus it
appears that the short scale-like ventrals of the adult fish are the worn or broken-
down stumps only of these spines in the young. This mutilation appears to take
place constantly and very early. The single example in which I found the ventral
spines thus perfect, was five inches and three eighths long : MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes' G. PrometheKs was only ten inches long, and yet the ventral fins
were " infinitely small : " there was moreover " beside the spine some trace of
soft ray ; " which I also find to be the case in adult fishes.

It would be interesting to discover what peculiarity in the habits of this
fish leads to this regular and early mutilation : for in some allied fishes
(Histiophorus and Tetrapturus) in which the ventral fins are reduced to a
similar single and even much longer and more slender ray, no such effect
takes place. The mere absence of the groove which protects them in
Histiophorus^ will not entirely account for this. It is, however, perhaps
partly explained by the consideration that the Coelho is wholly a ground or
bottom fish ; whilst Tetrapturus is a surface or pelagic one.

The caudal fin is forked ; its lobes are rather broad and short : the upper
being a little the longest. It is from one sixth to one seventh of the whole
length.

At first with the exception of the lateral line, the whole fish appears quite
smooth and naked, or devoid of scales. But examined more closely, the opercles,
cheeks, body, second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are found to be minutely, though
to the unassisted eye obscurely scaled : the scales being small and close-pressed,
very soft, thin, or membranous, smooth, and deciduous ; varying in shape from
round to oval.

The lateral line begins very high up, at the junction of the opercle with the
body, on the nape ; and running straight a little way, makes an abrupt oblique
descent about the middle of the pectoral fins ; continuing in a straight line below
the middle of the sides from their tips to the root of tlie caudal fin. It is some-
what raised and very distinct throughout : narrower, but not more tumid towards

PROMETHEUS ATLANTTCUS. 147

the tail than elsewhere ; and it is not carinated or gelatinous in any part. It re-
sembles a chain with oblong links ; and is composed of a row of narrow, oblong
scales, each with a very wide tube, of nearly the width and length of the scale
itself. The upper edge of the line thus formed is more abrupt and prominent or
defined than the lower.

Colour of the whole fish an uniform pale, bright, silvery-lead or platinum,
tinged more or less with lilac, and with a steely or violet iridescence towards the
back : externally black only in flecks here and there upon the body, and towards
the edges of the fins, top of the head, membranous edge of the opercle, the lips or
bony edges 'of the jaws, tip of the lower jaw or muzzle, and on the anterior spiny
dorsal fin. The inside of the opercles and branchial opening, mouth, gullet, tongue,
and whole internal lining of the abdominal cavity are a deep purplish or mul-
berry black. The teeth are a pale flesh-colour. The irides are silvery iri-
descent, spotted or clouded with dusky-brown. The second dorsal, the anal,
caudal, and pectoral fins are dusky, more or less inclining to black.

This is the uniform appearance of P. Atlanticus in the market or on shore :
and therefore, when first present at its capture, I was quite unprepared to find
the whole fish of a rich coppery or cinnamon-brown, generally of a full dark tint,
but varying in different examples in intensity, and reflecting brilliant pink or
green metallic iridescence, especially about the throat beneath the pectoral fins.
The belly, usually, is scarcely paler than the rest. The iris is brown Avith golden
stains ; the pupil violet-black, not opaline.

In the course of half an hour after death, all the brown disappears upon the
body, except a few dirty flecks or stains, which look as if they could be rubbed
off, but are permanent : leaving the whole fish, except the fins and parts about
the head or mouth, which retain their brown or blackish colour, like burnished
silver or block-tin, reflecting all over the most brilliant iridescent, chiefly violet
and azure, tints.

On opening the abdomen of a female fish in fine condition, the \N\io\e peritoneum
is found to be purplish black. The stomach is an enormous, long, and simple sack,
extending the whole length of the abdominal cavity, and of a livid purplish colour.
The intestinal canal was adnate to it. Cceca eight or ten, finger-shaped, very
large but not long, pale ochre-yellow, adnate to the middle-sized and livid-pur-
plish liver. The air-l)ladder is large, very long and simple, oblongo-lanceolate,
pointed forwards and much attenuated backwards, or produced into a long, slender
point. In this example the abdomen was nearly filled with two enormous elong-
ated masses of distinctly formed but very small eggs or roe, of a pale yellow
colour. In other male individuals examined, there appeared no difference, except
the presence of the milt in place of these.

The first of the tw^enty abdominal vertebrse is extremely short ; indeed a mere
ring : the ten last are furnished beneath with vertical apophyses, directed down-
wards in the middle.

The individual figured measured nineteen inches and a half from the tip of the
lower jaw to that of the upper longer lobe of the caudal fin.

This is a voracious fish, which chiefly feeds on other species of its race.
I have taken sometimes fishes five or six inches long out of the stomach of
a Coelho of two feet in length.

The female fish, of which the anatomy is given above, was captured in
the month of August : and that month with the following is the proper
breeding season of the species. It was in a particularly plump condition

148 SCOMBRID.E.

as to flesh : to which perhaps it might be owing that no trace appeared
of the ventral fin-stumps, except a dark scar-like spot, like an imperfectly
healed wound, with a fistulose orifice. The flesh had overgrown them, as
it also had completely the first of the two free anal spines. This indivi-
dual measured two feet and a half in length.

^

k

N

^

h

A CA \THOPTER YOII. P EEC I DAI.

TAB. XXL

APOGON REX.

Akoraz, Alfonsin de rolo, ou A. da cosfa, ou Salmonete da casta.

King of the Mullets.

Char. Gen.

Corpus ellipticum, compressum, in caudam oblongam pone pinnam secundam dorsalera et analem
abrupte contractum. Caput supra planum ; oculis distantibus magnis ; rostro aciitiusculo lato.
Rictus magnus ; raaxillaribus nudis ; dentibus minutis scobinatis. Operculum inerme. Praioper-
euium limbatum, bimarginatum ; limbo tenui nudo serrulato. Squamae maximae, caduciie.

Pinnae dorsales du.-B distinctae separatae. Pinna caudalis retusa s. emarginata ; lobis abbreviatis
latis. Membrana branchiostega septem-radiata. Cffica pauca.

Obs. — Pisces pusilli, aureo-rubescentes, pulchelli, victui vix servientes, solitarii, rariores. Species
pleraeque Indico-orientales, vix occidentales (Americanaj) ; una Mediterraneo-europaea et Maderensi-
atlantica. Genus AMlo analogum.

Char. Spec.

A. coccineus, cfasciatus, arenulato-punctulatus : pinna dorsali secunda analique apice nigri-
cantibus.

3 V. 4 + VIII.

l-"*. D. 6 ; 2<i^ D. 1 + 9 ; A. 2 + 8 ; P. 12 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C.

3 V. 4 + VII.

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. 25 ; Vertae. 10 abd. + 14 caud. - 24.

Apogon rex mullorum, Cuv. (Mem. du Mus. 1815) R. An. ii. 136. — Cuv. et Val. ii. 143.

ApogoTi ruber, Risso, iii. 383.

Mullus imberbis. Will. p. 286.— Art. Syn. 72 ; Gen. 43. no. 3.— Linn. Syst. 1. 496, n". 3:
haud Rondeletii.

" Corvuhis, Gesner ; Amia, Gronov. ; Centropoimts rvbens, Spinol. ; Dipterodon ruber, Rafin ;
Apogon rouge, Lacep." Cuv. loc. cit.

Longit. 4 poll. = 3 — 3^ X alt. capitisve longit.
Tempus, sestate, autumno ; sed per totum fere annum.
Locus, littoralis : rarior.

From Willugliby, tlie able ichthyologist, who furnishes from indivi-
duals obtained at Malta an excellent though brief description of this
pretty little fish, has been derived its imposing title of " Rex Mullorum,"
King of the Mullets ; which is a translation of the name " Re di Triglia,"
applied to it at Valetta, as he tells us, by the Maltese fishermen. Having
neglected at the time to make exact inquiry, he is unfortunate in proceed-
ing to surmise, that, although the individuals he saw were scarcely a

VOL. I. M

150 PERCID.E.

liand's-breaJtli long, the above lofty-sounding title might have been given
to this fish on account of its pre-eminence in size (ob magnitudinem
eximiam) ; meaning, of course, amongst the Mullets. Such names, however,
down from Homer's aVa| ocvhgcov to the Roman satirist's " Rupilius rex,""
and whether given in the way of compliment or sarcasm, relate by no
means necessarily to the above-named quality. In this little fish's gene-
ral resemblance to the Red Mullets, combined with its comparative rarity,
or at least solitary habits, to say nothing of its truly regal gold, and scarlet
or purpurascent mantle, will be found a real and sufficient clew to its
elevation to the titular dignity of their monarch.

The same author also is the first to call it Mullus imberbis ; though,
as he remarks himself, this name had been applied already by Rondelet
to a very different fish, the Trigla lineata, L. Bl.

This little fish seems to be generally dispersed throughout the Medi-
terranean ; but does not appear to have been often noticed on this side the
Straits of Gibraltar. In their sixth volume, MM. Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes remark, however, that it has been received from Teneriffe.* At
Nice, Risso relates that it is called Sarpanansa: and MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes collect from other authors that it is known at Genoa, where
it is rare, by the names of Castagnena rossa, or Castagnau rouge ; at
Ivi^a by that of Cagna-vieja-rosa ; and in Sicily by that of Munacedda
russa.

In Madeira, although generally known to the fishermen, it has not
acquired any fixed or certain name ; and it is certainly one of the rarer
fishes. It is taken, however, in the shore-nets, or fish-baskets, at all
seasons ; yet scarcely more than two or three ever occur together. I have
captured it myself in a small net worked at night upon the scant sandy beach
in the little bay of Machico in the month of August; and I have also
had it brought to me caught by a hook baited with shrimps {Palamon
SqiiiUa, Fabr., or Pontophilus Pristis^ Risso,) off the rocks by night at
Magdalena : but it is rarely, if ever, captured in any way by day. It
breeds from August to November ; and the spawn before exclusion is of a
peculiarly bright orange or red-lead colour, like that of a boiled crab or
lobster : yet is its appearance on these shores most certainly not, as sup-
posed by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes in regard to the Mediterranean
fish, confined to this its breeding season : nor can I here discover any
evidence to prove that at any part of the year " il se tient dans des pro-
fondeurs inaccessibles ;" though it is unquestionably a night-feeder ;'|' a
habit which accounts, perhaps, sufficiently for the great size of its eyes,
no less than for its rarity.

* Cuv. et Val. Hist. vi. 493.

t The fishermen see them occasionallj' by day, but cannot tempt them to take the bait.

APOGON REX MULLORUM. 151

When fresh, or yet uncooked, this fish has a peculiar mouse-like odour,
resembling that also of the common Hounds-tongue iCynoglossum
officinale, L.). Risso speaks of its excellence for eating; a remark which
MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes on his authority repeat. In Madeira it
has the same character with the fishermen, though it is scarcely cooked
except by accident.

The average length of this diminutive monarch of the Mullets is three
or four inches. Risso speaks of nearly five, and MM. Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes of six inches, as the extreme length of the Mediterranean fish ; but
in Madeira I have not observed it to exceed four and a quarter. In
colour, in the deciduous large scales, and, above all, in the shape and sepa-
ration of the two dorsal fins, it has sufficient general resemblance to the
Red Mullets to account for the reference expressed in some of its ver-
nacular titles : but this relation systematically is evidently, as Wil-
lughby acutely first remarked, one only of analogy.* In its more
essential characters, both outward and internal, it agrees with the Per-
cid<s.

Its scientific name Apogon is derived from an obvious character of
difference when viewed in contrast with the Mullets ; being formed of
the privative a, and xajyajv, a beard.

Though by no means elegantly shaped, this is a peculiarly frail
or delicate fish, both to the eye and touch : the flesh being at once
almost transparent, and singularly soft or flexible; exposing by collapse
the arrangement of the ribs and muscles on the outer surface of the
sides, in oblique lines or forks, diverging from the lateral line.

The shape of the fore-part of the body, cutting off the tail, is oblong-oval or
elliptic, suddenly contracting at the end of the second dorsal and the anal fins to
one half the depth of the body forwarder. The fleshy part of the tail, beginning
from this point, is considerably produced, and of nearly equal depth ; or oblong,
w^ith the dorsal and ventral outlines almost parallel : those of the elliptic fore-part
of the body being of moderate and nearly equal curvature. Both the depth and
thickness are considerable in proportion to the general dimensions : the foraier^
greatest from the origin of the first to that of the second dorsal fin, being from one
third to one third and a half of the whole length ; and the thickness close behind
the eyes, equalling one half of the depth, or one sixth of the whole length. Still
the whole fish is compressed. The profile descends gradually in a straight line
from the origin of the first dorsal fin to the tip of the muzzle. The length of the
head equals the gi'eatest depth : it is broad and flattened at the top, with a slight
central ridge. The space between the eyes is very wide, and nearly equals their
diameter, which is about one third of the length of the head. Their orbits are
nearly circular, and quite plain or entire, and unarmed ; but raised and prominent

* " Quantum memini, capitis figura cum MuUo non convenit : barbulis autem caret. Veram cum
piscatores MuUorum regem eum appellaverint, plurimisque accidentibus cum MuUis conveniat, ut
descriptiones utiiusque conferenti patebit, rectius me judice MuUus imherbis dicetur quam is quem
Rondeletius sub eo titulo exhibet, cuculis congener, nee quicquam fere prseter colorem cum Mullis
commune obtinens."

M 2

152 PERCID.E.

all round like a rim. The muzzle Is rather short, scarcely equalling the diameter
of the eyes in length ; somewhat pointed in profile, but flattened, broad, and obtuse,
when seen from above. It has nothing whatever of the peculiar physiognomy
of the Red Mullets: the lower jaw, which is sometimes a little longer than the
upper, is without any beard at the tip or symphysis. The nostrils are two simple
orifices in the usual place ; the anterior smaller one being halfway from the
eyes to the tip of the muzzle, and the hinder one close to the orbit. The
mouth, or at, least the gape, is large; the latter reaching back beneath the eyes,
with the maxillary long, distinct, and broad at the ends, but altogether plain
and naked. The teeth are fine and velutine, set in a narrow band round both
the jaws and on the palatines, and ,in a horseshoe patch upon the vomer.
The tongue is smooth, and its tip free or distinct.

Preopercle somewhat rounded or not at all angular below ; its Ijorder naked,
broad, lamellar, very thin and pellucid, finely striate, and irregularly dentate at
the edge, running parallel to and some distance within which is a thick raised
bony rim or inner more entire margin.* Opercle rather broad, unarmed or
without any spine, but with the angle just above the pectoral fins distinct,
and firm or laony : its margin rounded, thin and membranous. The humeral bone
is indistinctly visible as usual in the axil of the pectoral fins, but forms no spine.
The superscapulary is a distinct bony parabolic scale or plate, with a longi-
tudinal ridge or keel, at the junction of the opercle with the body, or origin
of the lateral line, high up the shoulder.

The pectoral fins are large, broad, and oblong; obtuse at the tips, which
reach to the origin of the anal fin. They are placed about one third of its
height up the side. Their first ray is short : the second long and barred, but
generally unbranched.

The ventral fins are placed close together on the belly, beneath or a little before
the pectoral, and are large, equilateral, and triangular, with the spine strong,
compressed, and sharp at its fore-edge. The other rays are very strong and
very copiously branched, and the last is partly webbed to the body. They
have no scaly appendage at their fore-axil ; but a large distinct one on the
ventral line between their base.

The first dorsal fin begins at the commencement of the back, at one third of the
whole length of the fish, and over the fore-axil of the pectoral or ventral fins. It
is short and subtriangular, and as high as long ; its height or length being con-
tained twice and a half in the depth of the body beneath it. The first ray is
short ; the second and third are strong, the longest of all, and equal to each other
in length and strength : the remaining three are weaker and gradually shorter;
and the last is webbed behind to the back.

The second dorsal fin begins where the body first contracts in depth, and is
separated from the first dorsal by an interval of two or three scales' breadth. It is
short and triangular, but considerably higher in front, and rather longer than the
first dorsal. Its height equals the depth of the body beneath it. The first ray or
spine is strong, and half the length of the two or three following branched rays,
which are the longest of all : the last of these is free behind.

The anal fin corresponds in size, shape, and position, with the second dorsal ;
but is neither, perhaps, quite so high, nor so pointed or angular. Its first spine is
very short : the two first branched rays are the longest, and are twice the length
of the second spine ; the last ray is free. The base of the second dorsal and of the
anal fin is tumid, raised, and fleshy, forming a sort of ridge.

Caudal fin large and deep, but short, and rather emarginate than lobed, or

* Or, as MM. Cuvier and Valencicmies express it, " line crcte saillaute, qui forme iin double
rebord en uvant du bord ordinaire."

APOGON REX MULLORUM. 153

with the lobes very short and broad. Its accessory rays are flexible and weak.
The spines of all the other fins are rather strong and glassy.

Scales very large, and easily coming off with handling : their edges rough and
ciliate. They cover the opercle, and cheeks or preopercle, except its border : but
the top of the head, the maxillary, muzzle, and lower jaw, like all the fins, are
quite naked.

The lateral line is moderately arched throughout, beginning high on the
shoulder and descending gradually to the middle of the body, which it attains
at the end of the second dorsal fin : thence running straight and in the middle
of the tail to its end. Each of its scales in situ has the appearance of being
marked with a raised lance-like point.

Colour a bright cherry-red, or scarlet washed with delicate carmine or purple,
and reflecting the most brilliant golden tints, which, however, soon disappear after
capture : inclining to dusky on the back, paler on the belly ; and sprinkled all
over, but more especially behind the eyes and about the edges of the opercles,
when attentively observed, with minute dusky or blackish dots or pores, as if
sanded; otherwise without markings, spots, or bands. The golden lustre on the
sides appears in oblique flexuose S-like lines, following the direction of the muscles.
The fins are uniform red, like the rest : the second dorsal and the anal being
tipped only with black, and the outer rays and tips or angles of the caudal fin
also tinged more faintly with the same. The eyes are peculiarly beautiful and
brilliant : the iris silvery, tinged with copper-red, and clouded more or less with
dusky. The mouth inside and tongue are pale or whitish.

There is no trace of the black spot on each side at the base of the caudal fin,
insisted on by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes ; but, without specimens of the Me-
diterranean fish for comparison, it is impossible to judge whether this difference
is of any value. In other points, except the number of the vertebrae, the descrip-
tion by the above-named authors sufliciently accords with the Madeiran fish.

The liver is large : the stomach small or moderate : the caeca four in number,
large, definite, distinct. The intestine is large but short, making only one short
volution, and then going straight to the vent. Air-bladder large, simple, oval-
oblong. Peritoneum beautifully perlaceous-white.

In the Mediterranean fish the vertebrse are stated by MM. Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes to be twenty-five in number, of which nine only are abdominal. In the
Madeiran fish the whole number of vertebrse is twenty-four, of which ten are
abdominal ; and of these, the five last are furnished with divergent apophyses
beneath, whicli unite at the base in the two last into a stalk to their fork.

The scull is extremely curious, and remarkable in structure ; with large post-
orbital cavities, and with the supraorbital margins excessively dilated, broad, and
prominent, as if winged. The cerebral cavity is very large, convex, smooth, and
even ; without any central keel or crest, but with a pair of little spinules, pointed
forwards, above in front, and another pair behind, farther apart from each other, at
its broadest part, on the hinder end of the supraorbital wings.

There is a peculiar sort of glassiness or lightness in the aspect of tliis
fisli which is very difficult to express by the pencil, in its combination
with high colouring.

The figure is the size of life.

i\v

'^

% "^X ^ )i '^ * f" ^ ^''' j/y^ A^j^'

%. %.

^«i^^

ACANTHOPTERYGII. MUGILIDJE.

TAB. XXII.

MUGIL CORRUGATUS, Nob.
Tainha, ou Muja.
Common or Rough-lipped Grey Mullet of Madeira. .
Char. Gen.

Caput subquadratum, depressiusculum, supra planum ; operculis subtumidis ; rostro retuso ; ore
rictuve transverse, horizontali ; labio superiore incrassato, lato ; dentibus (setaceis) uniseriatis,
aliquando nuUis ; maxillte inferioris costa antice elevata extante. Pylorus ventriculiforuiis,
parietibus cartilagineis incrassatis.

Ohs. — Pisces magnitudine mediocri, agillimi, vafri, edules, cosmopolitse, littorales ; junioribus
aestuariis s. subfluviatilibus.

Char. Spec.

M. subellipticus : labro superiore lato, crasso, inferne rugifero s. alveolato ; inferiore simplici,

margine tenui : dentibus inconspicuis : niaxillarum extremitatibus (ore clauso) expositis : suborbi-

tariis baud emarginatis, minutissime crenulatis : naribus approximatis : pinna dorsali prima altiore

quam longa.

5 _|_ I _|_ VI
1"^ D. 4 ; •2d«. 1 + 8 ; A. 3 + 9 ; P. 1 + 17 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. —

5 + I + V.

M. B. 6 ; Sq. lin. lat. 43 ; Vert. 11 abd. -f 13 caud. = 24.

M. eorrugatus, SjTi. Mad. Fish. p. 1 84.

Longit. = 1 — 2 pedes = 4 X alt. r= 7 — 8 X lat. = 5 — 6 X long. cap.
Ternpus, autumno, hieme : sed per totum fere annum.
Locus, in littore cestuariisque : vulgatiss.

People acquainted only with the common English names of fishes,
are apt to be confused by the modern vernacular application of the same
generic name of Mullet to the Red or Sur-Mullet {Mulhis barbatus, or
surmuletus^ L.) and the Grey Mullet {Mugil cephaliis, or capito, Cuv.) ;
as if they were distinguished mainly by the characters expressed in their
respective affixes. It adds to the confusion, that some real ground for this
community of name assuredly exists in a certain similarity of shape, in the
large scales, the feeble teeth, and more particularly in the form, the nature,
and position of the two dorsal fins. In other tongues, however, there appears
no trace of this confusion or relationship : the Red and Grey Mullets being
called respectively in Greek, r^iyXri, and Kzar^ivg or zi^pakog ; in Latin,
Mullus and Mugil ; in Italian, Triglia or Tria, and Cefalo ; in Spanish,

VOL. I.

156 MUGILID.E.

Salaionetc and Mugel ; and in Portuguese, Salmonete and Tainha, or
more rarely in Madeira, Muja.

The Grey Mullets {Mugiles) of Europe, reduced by Linnseus and
other naturalists of the last century to a single species {M. cephalus, L.),
were certainly much better understood both by the ancient Greek and
Roman writers, and by several ichthyologists of the sixteenth and seven-
teenth centuries ; who, following the lead afforded by the common names
and popular distinctions of the fisherman, have arrived at more correct
conclusions than their successors ; though they failed in placing them on
record, or establishing the species, with the precision of close modern
definition, or with a systematic accuracy of comparative detail. The
researches of the last ten or fifteen years, supplying these defects, have
also ascertained again the species to be very numerous ; those of different
countries possessing under a strong general resemblance in habits, form,
and colouring, minute but permanent and easily appreciable marks of
difference.

Thus Aristotle, with some variation, and indeed confusion in their
specific titles,* records the existence of three or four sorts at least of

* E.ff. In lib. E. cap. ^. sect. 6. (edit. Schneid.), after mentioning the xiffT^iu; proper by
itself, he enumerates these four as kinds of xnrr^ihs {ruv xnrr^iav or xicrr^cciav) : viz. the ^ikaiy
(some read ;);;aAAa;»: Athenaeus, vii. 77, Dindorf, 2. p. 667, quoting the passage, x^^^*'') '■> — the
ffa^yo; (some have tra^yo; or trti^'yuv) ; — the f^v^uv (some read most erroneously //.v^av or afji.v\oiv.
Athena3us, loc. cit. iJi.v\oi) ; — and the ki^oXos. In another place (0. §. 2) he speaks again, besides
the xiirr^ihs, of two kinds of Ki^aXo; ; and says, that one of these, w^hich some call x,''^^^')
lives near the shore {-Tr^offyuos) ; but that there is another sort, living remote from the shore
(Ts^a'iu;), which feeds alone on its own slime {fAiS,a.) ; so that it is always with an empty sto-
mach as from fasting (§/o »ai whttU iirriv an). Hence Cuvier, after Rondelet, conjectures with
much plausibility that this is the sort which Aristotle elsewhere calls the fiv^cov -. whilst it is also
very likely Dorion's vmri; (Athen. vii. 77). In Z. //3. 1, the Kitrr^ih; and Ki(paXi>; alone are
mentioned together: and in Z. tr. 1 and 2, the x^XcHv and /ji.v?,tav first together (;^£X<i<va Taiv
xta-r^iaiv ko.) fjiv^uva) ; and then presently the Ki(pukos and xso-Tgsuj separately. It is observable,
that these two latter passages, taken together, make up four out of the five sorts mentioned in
the passage first above referred to (E. 6. 6). And since, moreever, the insertion of the ffd^yo; in
this list, which has so much puzzled editors and commentators, rests only on this single passage,
it may well be either a mere lapsus, or no more intended for a formal recognition of the (rd^yo;
as a genuine kind of Kiffrpius, than tiie similar citation of the ah^lvtj with the K%<pa,Xoi as of the tribe
in a single passage (z. tr. 2) seems to be. Indeed, such occasional associations of very different
fishes, founded on some passing conventional character of agreement, or on some point of slight
or general relation (such as mode of capture (E. ^. 1), colour, quality, or certain habits) are
not unfrequent in our author : of which the following is a fair example ; being also one in point
as to the present fishes : ^'aoroxoZiri Tt Tavn; ol XiTiharo'i, olov Xa/5ja|, xiiTT^ivs, x'iipaXo;, inXi;,
xai ol Xtuxoi xtt.Xovf/.itot ^ravTSj, xa'i oi Xiiei, -ptXyiv iy^iXvo;'''' (Z. //3. 1). That the idea of asso-
ciation in the present case was more particularly colour, might perhaps be argued fi'om the word
XiuKo) in this passage, taken in connection with tlie generic name of Xivxiirxos, under which
Hicesius, in Athenajus, enumerates the Grey Mullets. At all events, the ad^yo; is abundantly
distinguished from the xiffr^iis in tlie following passage : " Id^yo; xuia-xtTui /Av tei^i tov lioiru-
oiaiva (ti^va, xvu Se rifii^a; T^'iaxoiTO,' xa) ov xaXovri ol Tims X'^^""* ''■'*''' xiffT^iuv ( xiO'T^ctitiiv, Schn.),
xai iJLv\iaitt., '-»► auT?iv lopav xvovai tcu ta.pytu.'''' Arist. Z, *r, 1.

MUGIL CORRUGATUS. 157

genuine pciffT^iv^ in tlie Mediterranean : the word Kzar^zvg seeming to
be employed by him sometimes generically, like Ki(paXog in 0. §. 2, or
our Mullet * Oppian and ^lian speak only of the ziipaXog and KSffr^sug;
the latter, however, distinguishing a sharp-nosed sort of KS<poc,Xog from the
ordinary kind (lib. i. cap. 12). But Hicesius again, in Athenseus,
(vii. 77, Dindorf, 2. p. 667,) mentions under the generic name Xivxiffzog
four kinds : viz. %B(pakot, Kiar^zig, yp^ung^ and f/jV^7voi. And this is
the conclusion which long after, in the sixteenth century, Rondelet
adopts : calling his first sort zi^ocXog or Cephalus, and Capito ; his second
xifTT^&vg or Cestreus, which he very inaccurately observes is also called
v}j(Trig,-f' and (Sa/c^o?,:}: and "Trs^cciag,^ and (ragyTvog ;\\ his third XiXcuv,
Labeo or Chelon ; and his fourth fiv^ajv, or ^hZpov, or f/juB,ivog, Myxon.
From this conclusion, as it has been mentioned, Willughby, Artedi,
and Linnaeus, with their followers in the eighteenth century, fell back ;
and it was only at its close, or from the beginning of the present century,
that juster views began to reappear.

By the successive labours of Laroche, of Risso, Savigny, the Prince of
Musignano, and, above all, of the illustrious Cuvier, six common Medi-
terranean species have been ascertained, and accurately by the last-named
author and his able coadjutor, M. Valenciennes, defined. Of these, two
only until recently had been discovered m the British seas ; but Mr.
Yarrell has with his accustomed exactness and research been enabled
to detect a seventh European or third British kind. Whether the pre-
sent species, perfectly distinct among the three inhabiting these coasts^
from all of these, may be considered as an addition also to the European
race, will depend upon the views held of the proper geographical rela-
tions of Madeira.

Of the three Madeiran species of Grey Mullet, one, M. cephalus,
Cuv., is so rare and local, that the fishermen are wholly unaware of its
existence ; but the other two are recognized in Funchal, if not generally

* Schneider reads in two places (E. ff. 6 and z. it. 1 ), where the word is plainly used generically,
xitTT^aios for KKFT^iu; : but this seems scarcely necessary. In the beginning of ©. S. 2, KiffT^thi is
also unequivocally used generically without the article ; and then, in the next sentence, with the
article. " ' AXXnXeKpayoviri Ss •^ravris /*lv -rXiiv xiffT^iois, fJuaXiSTO, oi oi yoyy^oi. 'O di xn^aXoi xai
0 Kiffr^ius oXais f^ivoi oil <ra.pxe(p6tyeu(ri.'''' But even in this latter sentence xirr^ihs is not neces-
sarily used specifically, as at first it seems to be : for, presently after, the author speaks of " •ra;
x£o-T|su;," and of two sorts of xi^aXos : so that both words may be used alike generically in both
sentences of the above quotation.

t Dorion, in Athen. vii. 77. Confer Arist. 0. S. 2 ; et supra, p. 156, note.

+ Hicesius, in Athen. loc. cit. : who says that the ;^;£XX&;v, not the xirr^iis, is so called.

§ This is rather a descriptive epithet than name ; and it is besides applied by Aristotle to a
xiifaXos, not xiffT^ih;. See Arist. ©. 2. 2, or note at p. 156, supra.

II This is merely Rondelet's conjectural emendation for trd^yos in Arist. E. 6. 6.

Tl Viz. M. corncffatus. Nob. ; M. auratus, Risso ; and M. cephalus, Cuv.

158 MUGILID.E.

elsewhere, by the more experienced of them ; and are brouglit alike into
the market, though with very far from equal regularity or abundance :
the subject of the present chapter, M. corrugatus, constituting the main
supply, and being generally, at least upon the southern coast, the com-
mon staple species of the market. It is caught more or less throughout
the year ; but chiefly in the autumnal and winter months, and in shal-
low water (three to five fathoms) near the shore, in nets. It varies
much in excellence or quality ; but, speaking generally, it is more rank
or muddy-tasted in the spring or summer, as Rondelet observes of
M. cephalus, than late in autumn or in winter.

Old fishes, which are very common, should be carefully avoided : for,
when boiled, the skin and muscles become strongly contracted, sepa-
rating from the bones, which they leave bare ; and the flesh is very
tough, hard, and tasteless. Such fishes may be known in the market,
not so much by their size, as by the largeness of their scales and scurfy
look. This fish may be kept well, and often with advantage, till the
second day ; and it is much improved, after transport up into the country,
by immersion in cool spring-water for a few hours before cooking. It
is best boiled; but, if scored across soon after capture, it may be also
broiled, when not too large. When not exceeding six or eight inches in
length, the young are peculiarly delicate, if fried. The full-sized fishes,
of from one and a half to two feet in length, weigh five or six pounds ;
but those which are from one foot to a foot and a half are perhaps the
best. This fish rarely exceeds two feet in length, and then only by a
few inches. Its breeding season is in the winter, as Aristotle long ago
observed of the other species ; and the male is found in milt from
December to April, and even as early as November;* in which month
and the following this Mullet is perhaps in best season for the table.
The female is full of eggs in a forward state of development in De-
cember.

This, like its congeners, is a plain-coloured but peculiarly neat-look-
ing fish, remarkable for its small head, large scales, and a certain com-
pactness or solidity of form and neatness of aspect, caused no less by its
general soberness of colouring than by the absence of all sculpture or
appendages about the head or opercles. Its singularly corrugated upper
lip will serve for its immediate discrimination from all other European
species. In this character it approaches M. cirrhostoynus of Forster
(Cuv. and Val. xi. 127. t. 312), M. crenilabts, Forsk, and their allies:
but it is at once to be distinguished by the non-concealment of the
maxillarics under the suborbitaries when the mouth is closed, besides dif-
fering abundantly in many other points. It is again remarkable, that so

* I luavc found the male at the end of April with the milt still large, soft, and crcaniy.

MUGIL COREUGATUS. 159

well-marked a species, abounding in the market almost at all seasons,
should have so long remained unnoticed by the naturalist.

Shape elongate, elliptic rather than oblong, or deepest in the middle, and
pointed towards each end : very thick, broad, and flattened above, forwards at
the head and shoulders ; thence gradually backwards more compressed. The
greatest depth, which corresponds with the middle of the body, or the first dorsal
fin, is one fourth of the whole length ; and the greatest thickness at the shoulders
is about one seventh of the same. The curvature of the dorsal and ventral lines
is nearly equal ; and it is also regular and uniform.

The head is small, roundish, broader than deep, and with the nape and fore-
part of the back behind it flattened above : its profile from the nape descends
rapidly, but continuously with that of the back from the first dorsal fin, to the
tip of the muzzle. Its length is from one fifth to one sixth of the whole length.
The muzzle is rather long, extending fully a diameter and half before the eye,
and equalling between one third and one fourth of the length of the head. It
resembles strongly, like the whole head and profile, that of M. chelo, Cuv. and
Val. t. 309. The nostrils are two small oval orifices close to one another, a
little before the eye on a line with the upper part of its orbit. The eyes are
round, of a moderate size, their diameter being one fifth the length of the head :
the space between them is flat, and equals nearly three times their diameter.
They are devoid of any particular gelatinous covering membrane, veil, or eyelid,
but are surrounded by a narrow smooth gelatinous space or ring. Before their
lower fore-comer appears the bony, hard, triangular suborbitary ; the lower
rounded or obliquely truncate end of which is very finely and minutely crenulate,
with the fore-edge nearly straight and but slightly concave, as in M. capita
or chelo, Cuv. : not distinctly hollowed out, or notched, as it is in M. saliens, Risso,
or labeo, Cuv. Owing to the length of the maxillaries, which are twisted like
the letter S, their ends appear below the corners of the mouth, reaching altogether
below a horizontal line drawn backwards along the lower edge of the orbit from
the comers of the closed mouth ; exactly as described in M. labeo by MM. Cuv.
and Val. vol. xi. p. 56, and figured at t. 310 ; although the suborbitary itself
in its figure and crenulations perfectly resembles rather that of M. chelo, Cuv. and
Val. t. 309.

Upper lip excessively broad, fleshy, thick, and prominent, or convex ; forming,
when the mouth is closed, an abrupt and truncate termination vertically to the
muzzle. Two thirds of its surface are perfectly smooth and even : but the lower
third part bordering the mouth is, as it were, frilled and honeycombed, or
singularly corrugate, with little short obliquely lunate flaps or plaits of skin
disposed quincuncially in close-set oblique rows: its lower edge remaining per-
fectly entire. Within its lower edge, and as it were imbedded in its substance,
so as to be discernible with difficulty and very inconspicuous, are several rows,
or rather an in-egular narrow band, of excessively fine, short, minute, bristle-like
teeth. Tlie lower lip is quite thin at the edge, and toothless : it is strongly
notched in the middle ; and within the notch, inside, there is a strong projecting
cartilaginous or bony tubercle, which is the termination of a prominent soft ridge
or keel within the mouth. The palatines and vomer are distinctly but very
finely scobinate or rough. The tongue is small, and also faintly rough.

The opercles and cheeks are covered with large scales concealing their divisions,
and the former are unarmed and simple, close-pressed and compact. The preo-
percle is triangular, with a subacute angle, which is rather prominent backwards ;
and its edge, like that of the opercle, subopercle, and interopercle, is perfectly
entire. The edges of these three last form an even curve, resembling a quadrant

160 MUGILID^.

of a circle : and the edges of the interopercles meet under the throat, concealing
the six-rayed branchial membrane ; and, running straight and parallel from the
level of the eyes quite to the tip of the lower jaw, leave only a narrow straight
and even line or commissure, fui'nished with five or six pores on each side forwards
towards the front.

The first dorsal fin is placed in a slight groove halfway between the tip of the
muzzle and the base of the caudal fin, but a little behind the centre of gravity.
It is abrupt, short, and high, or vertically oblong ; its height more or less * exceed-
ing the length of its base, and nearly equalling half the depth below it of the
body. The bases of the three first spines, which are of nearly equal length and
strength, are very close together, and placed sublaterally to each other, so that
they fold together very curiously and compactly ; the first shutting in between the
second and third. The fourth spine is remote, and much weaker and shorter than
these three : it is webbed down to the back behind ; and in this web there is
often, probably from injury, a notch or sinus. On each side its base is a long
acuminate adpressed fi-ee lamina, formed of a row of gradually naiTOwer and more
pointed imbricated scales, the tip of which reaches a little beyond the end of the
base of the fin, or to the tip of the fourth spine, when recumbent. It resembles
that which is found at the fore-axil of the ventral fins in this and so many other
fishes. The first spine, like the web, is naked : but the second and third are
minutely scaled alternately on one side only ; the second on the right, the third
on the left side of the fish.

The second dorsal fin begins halfway between the commencement of the first
dorsal and of the caudal fins. It is high, short, and subrhomboidal, with the
outer margin arcuato-concave, and the front edge convex : twice as high in front
as behind, yet with the last ray longer than the one or two before it. Its height
in front exceeds the length of its base ; equalling the distance from the base of
its first to the tip of its last ray. Its first ray is obscure, simple, but not pungent ;
and the second, or longest, partakes more or less of the same characters. The
remaining rays, like those of all the other fins, are peculiarly broad or stout, and
copiously branched. Its base is thick and fleshy, not in a groove, or furnished
with any appendage like the first dorsal, but with scales extending up between
the rays in imbricated lines. The last ray is neither double nor webbed to the
back behind.

The anal fin begins and ends a little forwarder, and is longer, with both ends
more pointed in proportion to its height ; but nearly coiTesponds with the second
dorsal in its characters. It has however three instead of one obscure simple ray
in front, and its last ray is double or distinctly bifid.

The pectoral fins are short or broadly ovate, being only one seventh of the
whole length of the fish. They are placed halfway up the side, and have a sort
of skinny sheathing pouch or membrane at their upper or fore axil ; but no elongate
or enlarged scale, like M. cepJicdus, Cuv. The first ray is simple or unbranched.

The ventral fins are not much shorter than the pectoral ; but are proportion-
ately broader, or nearly equilaterally triangular. The first ray or spine is often
scarcely pungent, but rather flexible. The five next rays are copiously branched ;
and the last of them is webbed completely to the body. These fins are placed
decidedly behind the pectoral, not quite halfway between them and the first dorsal
fin. They have a long acuminated imbricate appendage, formed of pointed scales,
originating from their front axil, and forming a slight horizontal ridge along the
side, beneath which they lie, when reclined or folded up. The first dorsal fin

* It is not perhaps uniformly so high or vertically oblong as in the individual figured, but is
sometimes more triangular.

MUGIL CORRUGATUS. 161

corresponds with the middle point between them and the beginning of the anal
fin.

The caudal fin is large and powerful, but rather lunate than forked ; its lobes
being very broad and short. Their longest rays, reaching to the points, are
simple : and the rays between these are peculiarly stout and copiously branched,
with rows of conspicuous pointed imbricated scales running up between them.

The scales are very large, quite smooth to the touch, and with apparently entire
edges, i. e. to the unassisted senses cycloidal (Agassiz) : yet, when examined with
a high power of the microscope, they prove to be neither properly cycloidal nor
ctenoidal ; having the edges of the superimposed laminae finely and minutely
denticulate or rather crenulate ; being in fact completely intermediate between
the two above-named structures.* They are disposed in regular longitudinal
rows of from forty-three to forty-five in number, from the edge or axil of the
opercle at the upper axil of the pectoral fins, to the base of the caudal fin, where
they become smaller, softer, and confused. There are about sixteen or seventeen
scales in a vertical line at the first dorsal fin. The elongated scales at the base
of the same, and at the fore-axil of the ventral fins, have been already described :
there is neither elongated nor pointed scale at the upper axil of the pectoral fins.

The lateral line is indistinguishable either by the eye or by the structure of
its scales from the rows above or beneath its usual place.

Colour a bluish grey, becoming blackish, dark, and dusky on the top of the
head and back, and paler down the sides, which are striped longitudinally in
regular straight lines along the middle of each row of scales with ten or eleven
narrow equidistant dusky streaks, becoming faint and evanescent on the belly.
Each scale in situ appears also bordered near the margin with a dusky crescent.
The belly, throat, lower jaw, and cheeks up to the lower edge of the orbit, are
pure opaque or milky white. The ventral fins are white, except the first ray,
which is somewhat dusky or greyish. All the other fins are dark grey. The
upper part of the upper lip is dusky grey or blackish : its lower part is white or
flesh-colour. The iris is dark rich brown, varied with golden, and with the inner
edge golden.

The fry have a distinct brassy or metallic yellow spot or patch on the opercle,
which they for the most part lose when they attain the length of eight or ten
inches. It is, however, now and then retained, though in an evanescent state,
in full-sized fishes.

On opening the abdomen, it seems to be filled with the large and extremely
voluminous intestine, which makes three or four volutions, and is singularly and
beautifully punctate or reticulated, like fine lace, especially towards the vent. The
stomach is rather small, and singularly shaped, being exactly pear-shaped, or coni-
cal and clavate at the top. The entrance from the oesophagus is in its middle ;
and the ascending branch, or pylorus, which forms its fore or upper part, swells
out into a sort of hard gizzard, with thick cartilaginous parietes ; at the top of
which, out of a hollow like a navel, issues the intestine, surrounded at its origin by
six distinct and large but short finger-like e«m, of a pale colour, and rosy at their
pointed tips : the upper part of the stomach being also shining, pale, or whitish.
The liver is of moderate size, but short, and of a dark colour. The air-bladder
is large, oblong-elliptic, extending the whole length of the abdominal cavity, but
adnate throughout to the upper part of the same, from which it is not separable.
The whole peritoneum is dark or blackish.

The intestines are of a very tender substance, easily ruptured ; and, like the

* See also Annales des Sciences, xi. 347, 3C9 (June 1839) : xiii. 61 (Jan. 1840) ; and xiv. 108
(Aug. 1840).

162 MUGILID.E.

stomach, generally gorged with a semi-fluid or pulpy uniform mass of an olive-
green colour, and a very fetid smell.

All the eleven abdominal vertebrae have very large triangular and winged or
dilated widely divaricate apophyses beneath ; of which the anterior, except the
first pair of all, are the longest : the hinder being gradually shorter, except the
last pair or two, which are again a little longer than those immediately before them.
The superior (nuchal) apophyses of the first five or six vertebrte are almost con-
nected by thin vertical crests or lamince. The two apophyses of the first of the
caudal vertebrae form an arch uniting at the tip into a single apophysis, which is,
however, much shorter than the following. The resemblance of the whole to the
vertebrse of M. cephalus, Cuv., is almost perfect.

When the scales are removed from the top of the head, it is found to be marked
with a few pores, and with certain short curvato-linear smooth shining marks or
hollows, disposed subsymmetrically.

The individual figured measured twenty inches in length. Fig. I. in
the plate is a representation of the under-jaw and the throat, seen from
beneath, and showing the commissure of the fore-part of the branchial
membrane, with its pores. In most examples the edges of the branchial
membrane are even more straight or parallel, as well as more approximate,
than in this figure. The corrugated lower part of the upper lip is seen
to the left of the dark shaded part or hollow of the mouth. Fig. II. is a
view of the top of the head and muzzle from above, the scales having been
removed ; the upper lip is protruded.

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ACANTHOPTERYGIL MUGILIDJE.

TAB. XXIII.

MUGIL AURATUS, Risso.

Tainha de moda, ou Muja.

Gilt-cheeked Grey Mullet.
Char. Gen. ; vide tab. xxii.

Char. Spec.

M. gracilis, oblongus, dorso recto : labro superiore laevi ; dentibus pectinato-setaceis conspicuis
distinctis ciliato : maxillaribus rectiuscidis, vix flexuosis, tenuibus ; extremitatibus (ore clauso)
fere expositis, .raro omnino celatis : suborbitariis integris, angustis, grosse crenatis : macula oper-
cular! utrinque aurea : naribus approximatis : pinna dorsali prima vix altiore quam longa.

l"*. D. 4 ; 2^\ D. 1 + 8 ; A. 3 + 9 ; P. 1 -f 17 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. ^ ^'- '^ + I- + VJ.-

3 V. 4 + I. -f VI.
M. B. 6 ; Sq. lin. lat. 45 — 47 ; Vertae. 1 1 abd. + 13 ca,ud. = 24.
M. miratus, Risso, iii. 390. n°. 306. — Cuv. at Val. xi. 43. t. 308, lower figures.
M. cMo, Sjn. Mad. Fish. (1837), p. 184 : nee alionim.

M. Maderensis, Suppl. Mad. Fish, in Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 82. — Trans. Zool. Soc. iii. p. 8.
Myxon, Rondel. 265.— Will. 276.

Longit. 1 — 2 ped. =4^ — 6 X alt. = 8 — 9 X lat. =: 5 — 6 X. longit. cap.

Tempus, hieme, vere.

Locus, in littore : adultus rarior.

This second and rarer Madeiran species of Grey Mullet is at once
distinguished from the ordinary rough-lipped sort, no less by its more
shapely slender form, and perfectly smooth or even upper lip, than by
the more conspicuous or permanent gold or brassy-yellow patch on its
opercles. Deceived by M, Cuvier's too broad or unqualified assertion,
that in M. auratus, Risso, " the maxillary is concealed under the sub-
orbitary, as in M. cephalus^'''' (R. Anim. ed. 2. ii. 232,) an assertion
repeated and expressed more strongly in the " Histoire des Poissons,"
(vol. xi. pp. 43 and 46,) I have been twice prevented recognizing in
this Mediterranean species the true synonym of the Madeiran fish : in
which, although the maxillaries are capable of such concealment, and are
in fact, especially in adult full-sized fishes, such as that here figured,
sometimes quite concealed (" entierement cache," Cuv. and Val. xi.
p. 46) when the mouth is closed, yet just their lower ends or tips more
frequently, and especially in young or small examples, remain exposed ;

VOL. I.

164 MUGILID.E.

appearing like a little knob or button at each corner of the mouth ; as,
in fact, represented in the lower left-hand figure of M. auratus in
t. 308 of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes' Histoire. The discovery of this
variability of character, not only in the Madeiran fish, but in the Me-
diterranean M. auratus, by the reception of MM. Cuvier and Valen-
ciennes"* plate subsequent to that of their 11th volume, when this very
discrepancy appeared at once between their figure and description, has
led to the correction of an error occasioned by a too strict attention to
their text.

These fishes, in their adult state, must, as regards Madeira, be con-
sidered very rare comparatively with the rough-lipped sort ; though some-
times there occurs a glut of them. In February, 1885, for the period
of a fortnight or three weeks, amidst a great profusion daily in the market
of this species in its full-sized state, there was scarcely a rough-lipped
one to be seen. I have, however, taken it myself, about half-grown,
in company with this last-named species, in a sean, upon the beach
of the Praya Fermosa, a little to the west of Funchal, in the month
of June. The Funchal fishermen speak of it usually as captured in
winter with the common kind, and near the shore, in about two fathoms'
water : adding, that it is taken always by a net, and never by the lines.
But, in other places, only one sort of " Tainha" or Grey Mullet seems
to be recognized. And from the following observations, this smooth-
lipped kind would seem more exclusively to haunt the northern than
the southern coast.

The shore below the remote village of Porto Moniz, situate near the
extreme north-west point of this island, is guarded from the fury of the
great Atlantic by an extensive reef of black trachytic rocks of most
fantastic shapes and rugged forms ; but for the most part disposed in
lines or crests coincident and parallel, or nearly so, with the general out-
line of the coast, or range of the breakers rolling majestically on it.
Between these successive crests or ridges, over which the sea, under
the influence of the prevalent north-east trade-winds, for the greater
part of the year, bursts with wild and impetuous grandeur, run inter-
mediate deep rifts or channels, of which some are thirty or forty yards
wide or more ; abounding in the only sort of Tainha or Grey Mullet
with which the fishermen of the neighbouring village profess to be ac-
quainted, and of which they affirm, that full-sized individuals are taken
off these very rocks, by a hook baited with the flesh of a small kind
of crab, called " Jaca," (Grapsus varius, Latr.) in the winter season,
whenever the sea is somewhat calm or moderate. At all events, when
I was staying some days at this place early in July, for the purpose
of examining its fishes and inhaling its pure breezes, whilst feasting
eyes and soul upon the grandeur of a view embracing in one wide

MUGIL AURATUS. 165

majestic sweep the lofty cliffs and iron-bound shores of one half of
the north coast of the island, the lesser pools and branches of these
channels abounded exclusively with the fry of this species. These were
from two to five or six inches long ; and, swimming in shoals, were taken
by a hoop-net placed in the seaward outlet of the pools or channels.
They were not only wonderfully swift and active, but extremely wary^
vigilant, and cunning : rushing immediately, upon the slightest disturbance,
towards the seaward entrance ; which it is therefore necessary to approach
and close with haste and caution in the first instance ; and then the
whole shoal is driven from above, and generally inclosed at once within
the net. Amidst a large supply thus taken, there did not occur a single
M. corrugatus.

On the other hand, at Machico on the south coast, towards the east
end of the island, during the two following months, the fry of both
species occurred simultaneously * in about equal proportion and pro-
fusion. These were taken indifferently by hook and line, or by a small
net worked at night upon the open beach, and for a hundred yards up
the river in pure fresh water.

This evidence is merely negative orl either hand as to the adult full-
sized fish ; yet, taken in connexion with its rarity in the market at
Funchal, it appears to warrant the conclusion, that the present species
has a greater predilection for the north coast than the common Tainha
(J/, corrugatus).

From the various names of " Cefalo dalla garza cToro'''' (garza sig-
nifying operclc), " Cefalo chiaro " or " rigato,'''' " Muggine ori-frangio^'''
" Badigia cToro^'' and " Musano daW oro,'''' which MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes mention as the vernacular names of the M. aurattis of
Risso in different parts of the Mediterranean, this fish appears to be,
as in Madeira, perfectly distinguished from the other sorts. Hence it
is probably one of the four kinds intended by Rondelet : and, though any
peculiar abundance of mucosity is not observable in the Madeiran fish, its
straighter back, and shorter or blunter muzzle, would determine, inde-
pendently of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes'* similar decision with respect
to the Mediterranean M. auratus, its reference to his Myxon rather
than to his Cestreus ; the latter being supposed by MM. Cuvier and
Valenciennes to be the M. saliens of Risso. Its identity with Aris-
totle's u,vt,cov is even still more problematical. However, as to any
difficulty on this head, founded upon Hicesius' postponement of his
f/jV^Tvog in point of gastronomic excellence to the Ki(pccXog or KZGT^zvg

* It is not meant to be asserted that the two sorts did not keep in separate shoals. At Mag-
dalena, also on the south coast, live leagues to the west of Funchal, both sorts were taken with a
cast-net off the rocks at the same time ; but separately, three or four of each together, not inter-
mingled in the same haul.

VOL. I. N

166 MtJGILlDE.

(Athcn. Z. 77. p. 667), whilst by Risso, and the Prince of Musignano,
the M. auralus is preferred to the more common sorts, — if we may
judge from other instances of ancient taste in these matters, there may
not after all be much discrepancy between the Greek and modern authors,
except in their attaching opposite senses to the terms good and bad eat-
ing. In the absence of an opportunity to form a comparative estimate
with other species, I can only add, that the Madeiran fish is not ap-
preciably better, although reported by the fishermen to be so, than the
common M. corrngatus ; and, indeed, the two are indistinguishable by
the taste. Its fry, abounding on the shore, and in the estuary of the
river at Machico, equally with that of M. corrugatus^ is alike excellent,
when fried entire, without removing anything except the scales.

I have never yet been able to detect amidst the multitudes examined
of the fry of these two species, varying from four to eight or nine inches
in length, any fish clearly answering to the M. saliens of Risso ; dis-
tinguished principally, according to MM. Cuvicr and Valenciennes, " par-
ceque son sous-orbitaire a sur le bord antcrieur une echancrure bicn
marquee, dans laquellc est recu Tangle du maxillaire plie en chevron,
et qui laisse voir, meme dans Fetat de repos, le bout de cet os derriere
la commissure." * How^evcr, from what has gone before, this latter part
of the character loses its distinctive value : and the Prince of Musignano
seems indeed not to have distinguished this M. saliens specifically from
the M. aurahis.-f

The Madeiran M. auratus will be best described by continual com-
parison with the common Grey Mullet {M. corrugatus) of the island.

It is a more shallow oblong elongated graceful fish in shape ; being especially
more slender or drawn out towards the setting-on of the caudal fin, which is
itself also more spreading, forked, and shapely. The back is altogether lower
and straighter, or more horizontal, and much flatter between the top of the
head or nape and the first dorsal fin ; instead of being convex, and tending to
a ridge, as in the common rough-lipped sort : whilst on the other hand the belly
is more arched or prominent. The head is smaller, and the muzzle shorter:
hence the eye appears set rather forwarder, and it is smaller than in M. cor-
rugatus. The space between the eyes is flat, and scarcely exceeds in width
twice and a half their diameter. There is a most marked distinction in the
upper lip, which is smaller, narrower, and thinner than in the sort just named,
and quite smooth and even ; wanting entirely the fleshy ridges, plaits, or cor-
rugations on its lower part, which are so remarkable in M. corrugates ; and
its edge is very distinctly pectinate or ciliated, even in the smallest-sized in-
dividuals, by a row of fine soft bristly points or teeth, partly as it were im-
bedded in its substance. In M. corrugatus the upper lip or muzzle is protruded
to its full extent by merely drawing down the lower ia\v : in M. auratus it is not,
perhaps, less capable of equal protrusion, but can scarcely in the same way be

* Cuv. et Val.IIist. xi. y. 47. t Sec Cuv. et Val. xi. \\ 4(i, note.

MUGIL AURATUS. 167

drawn out to its full extent, requiring to be pulled out of itself: hence, on a
cursory examination, it appears much less protractile, as it is represented in
fig. II. of the accompanying plate. The lower lip and jaw are as in M. corruga-
tus, and there is no appreciable difference about the opercles and interopercles
as to shape and size ; but the edges of the interopercles, instead of nearly meet-
ing underneath continuously in straight and parallel lines, touch only in one
point below the hinder edge of the eye ; receding mutually forwards, and then
again meeting at the tip of the jaw, so as to include a wide distinct elliptic
space ; with only one or two obscure, instead of five or six distinct pores on each
side the symphysis in front.

The mouth is much less strong in all its parts than in the common Grey
Mullet of Madeira. The suborbitaries are narrower and weaker, yet much more
coarsely crenulate at their obliquely truncate ends : their front margin is generally
perfectly straight and even; but sometimes, in adult fishes, faintly waved or
sinuate.* The maxillaries are much finer or more slender, and straighter ;
scarcely at all twisted, and with their lower ends not sensibly recurved : when
the mouth is closed, these ends most frequently remain exposed, like little knobs
or buttons, just below and obliquely behind the corners of the mouth ; but occa-
sionally, both in young and full-grown fishes, they are quite concealed beneath the
edge of the suborbitary.t The palatines far back, in adult fishes, feel slightly
rough, or scobinate, with a few minute teeth ; but the vomer, with all the rest
of the roof of the mouth, and the tongue, are quite smooth, though appearing
often in young fishes granulose or pustulose. The tongue has a raised ridge or
keel down the middle, fitting into a con-esponding hollow in the palate. This
ridge is neither particularly sharp, nor the palatinal groove for its reception
deep.:}:

The eye, except in being rather smaller, and having the top of the eyeball
not so black or dark-coloured, resembles that of M. corrugatiis ; having the orbit,
especially in front, gelatinous, but without any particular obducted veil or
eyelid.

The nostrils are close together, but considerably forwarder, or farther from
the eye, than in the common rough-lipped Grey Mullet ; and, in adult fishes,
the anterior round orifice has frequently a beautiful bright lilac-coloured lining,
projecting a little, like a funnel.. In M. corrugatus there is the same funnel-
like projection ; but the lining is dusky or plain-coloured, and the orifice is not
so exactly circular.

The fins, as to their shape and position, resemble generally those of M. cor-
rugahis : but they are altogether more pointed, slender or elegant, and shapely ;
especially the pectoral, the ventral, and the forks of the caudal fin. The pec-
toral fins, indeed, are considerably longer, and inclining to lanceolate: being
contained only from five to six times, instead of seven, in the whole length of
the fish. The first dorsal fin is lower and more triangular; its height but
little exceeding the length of its base, and being contained from twice to twice
and a half in the depth of the body below it. The three first spines are of gra-
dually decreasing length ; and the fourth, though much weaker, is not dispropor-

* I find nothing about the siiborbitary, eitlicr in the present fish, or in M. corrugatus, answer-
ing to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes' expression (Hist. xi. 43) " releve d'une arete." It appears to
me quite flat or simple. See M. hreviceps, Cuv. et Val. xi. 106.

•f* A large majority in young examples has them exposed. Of five full-grown fishes, three had
them exposed ; which was the case also with a sixth half-grown example.

X Confer M. falcipiimis, Cuv. et Val. xi. 1 05. — It would seem questionable, whether either M.
hreviceps, or M. fulcipinnis, Cuv. et Val., is really distinct from at least the Madeiran M. auratus.

168 MUGILID.E.

tionately shorter, whilst the web, by which it is connected to the back behind,
is usually entire. The acuminate scaly laminae, or appendages, at each side the
base of this fin, and at the upper axil of the ventral fins, resemble those of
M. corrugatus, but are broader, less acuminate, and not quite so long ; those be-
longing to the dorsal fin not reaching nearly to the end of its base, or little more
than halfway from the base to the tip of its fourth spine when reclined. The
second dorsal and the anal fins are set on forwarder, or further from the root
of the caudal fin, than in M. corrugatus.

The scales are large, and in general, perhaps, more rounded than in M. cor-
rugatus ; but clothing the head, opercles, body, and fins, precisely in the same
manner. Several above the upper axil of the pectoral fins are more pointed
than the rest ; but not larger, or otherwise peculiar. On their removal fi'om the
top of the head or nape, it is found to be marked, much in the same way as in
M. corrugatus, with curvato-linear scars, or hollows, placed somewhat symme-
trically. The second and third spines of the first dorsal fin are scaly alter-
nately on opposite sides. The second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are scaly
at the base ; and the latter especially is scaled a long way up between the
rays in imbricated silver rows.

The general tint, especially of the fins, is paler and browner than in M. cor-
rugatus ; and the scales have no dark border or crescent. Of the six or eight
longitudinal stripes along the sides, the lowest four or five are brown, not black ;
and the pure pearly or milk white of the belly reaches higher up the sides. The
top of the head, nape, and back, is dark grey rather than black. But from
its earliest stage to its full size, this fish is permanently characterized by a
large spreading conspicuous brassy or golden patch on the opercle or cheeks be-
hind the eye ; reflecting beautiful metallic iridescent tints, and not, as in M. cor-
rvgatus, evanescent.

The edge of the lips, particularly of the lower, is rose or flesh colour. The
inside of the mouth is white, tinged with lilac. The iris is at first dark cop-
pery or golden brown, with the inner edge next the pupil light or pale brassy :
in less fresh examples it is beautifully clouded with lilac, passing into blue and
red, mixed with a little golden, on a pearly ground.

Fins in general pale brown (drab), especially the pectorals : the caudal bluish -
grey, with silver rows of scales between the rays. The hind parts of the anal
fin, and whole of the ventral fins, are white. The web of the first dorsal fin
is pellucid, the spines are dusky brown.

In the dissection of a female individual, which measured two feet three inches
in length, and v/eighed five pounds and three quarters, taken in the middle of
March, the peritoneum was observed to be brown, speckled with black : in small
examples it is generally altogether coal-black. There were six or seven very
large and thick, but short conical caeca. The air-bladder was very large, lanceo-
late, pointed behind, simply obtuse or truncate forwards, and attached completely
to the spinal column. The ovaries were empty.

In another female, two feet two inches long, taken at the end of May, the
liver was observed to be pale and large ; the gall-bladder large, but with a short
duct, not reaching beyond the lobes of the liver ; the intestine large and volumi-
nous, as in M. corrtigatus, and of the same green or brown colour ; the sto-
mach hard, bulbiform or clavate forwards, like a gizzard ; the ovaria long and
cylindric, filled only with a grumose jelly ; the air-bladder as before. There
were eight cceca.

In a third full-grown female, taken in the beginning of October, measuring two
feet three inches and a half in length, and weighing nearly seven pounds, the
ovaries were full of small but well-formed eggs. There were nine ciL'ca ; the

MUGIL AURATUS.

169

peritoneum was speckled with black; and the abdominal and caudal vertebrae
were equal in number, or twelve each. It proved a very old fish, with the bones
quite cellular or almost carious. The gold patch on the opercles was diffuse and
rather faint ; the mamillaries were quite straight, and in this example entirely con-
cealed when the mouth was closed. The hinder part of the preopercles exhibited
three hollow smooth white scars or grooves between the scales, of different lengths,
and running backwards to the edge, which thus appeared excised, or three-notched,
as in Dr. Riippell's M. macrolepidotns (Atlas zu der Reise, 140. t. xxxv. f. 2 a).
I am ignorant at present whether this is a constant character in the Madeiran fish,
having only recently observed it.

The vertebrae do not differ appreciably from those of M. corrugatus.

The parallel longitudinal lines or stria? on the anterior or basilary
triangular compartment of the scales in this fish vary from zero to ten in
different parts of the body.

The top of the head and nape in large fishes resembles strongly tliat
of a snake or lizard.

The example figured, taken in the middle of February, was twenty
inches and a half long ; and its greatest depth and thickness at the first
dorsal fin were respectively four and a half and two and a half inches.

Figure I. is a view of the under jaw and throat from beneath.

Figure II. is a view of the top of the head, with the muzzle protruded,
as above explained.

'urn ^

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A CA NTHOPTER YGII. SCORP^ENIDJE.

TAB. XXIV.

SEBASTES IMPERIALIS, Cuv.

JHoca negra, or Pai de Gato.

The CatVeye, or Black-mouthed Hou-fisu.

Char. Gen. ; vide supra, tab. xvii.

Char. Spec.

S. suboblongus, laciniis nullis, raber ; corpore fasciis subquinis latis dorsalibus, perpendiculatis,

saturatioribiis, fiisco nebulosis ; operculo gulaque intus nigricante : rostro breviusculo, acuto : sub-

orbitario antice subsinuato, obsolete bidentato ; carina subocularia subinermi : praeoperculi spinis

subaequalibus, validis, horizonti snbparallelis : pinnarum pectoraliixm axilla inermi, radiis octo in-

ferioribiis simplicibus ; dorsulis parte posteriore basi maxillaribusque squamatis.

7 V. 8 + VI.
D. 12 + 12 ; A. 3 + 5 ; P. -2 + IX. + 8 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C. ^_^-^r^

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. 29 v. 30 ; Vertas. 10 abd. + 15 caud. = 25.

S. imperialis, Cuv. R. An. ii. 167.— Cuv. and Val. iv. 336.— Syn. Fish. Mad. p. 175.

ScorpcBna dacti/loptera, (Laroclie) Risso, iii. 369.

" Malaharka, Bloch," fide Cuv. and Val. 1. c. 340.

Longtt. = 10 — 15 poll. = 3^ X alt.

Tempus, vera, autiunno ; sed per totum fere annum.

Locus, in nipibus profundissimis : rara.

CuviER has expressly stated,* tliat he derived the generic name *S'e-
bastcs from the Greek form {pz^ccarog) of the Majorcan epithet impe-
rial, by which this particular species of the genus is distinguished at
Ivi^a. His writing it Sebastes, instead of Sebastus in conformity with
the established form of termination in the Latin tongue for all words
ending like az^aarog in the Greek, is however perfectly defensible, if
it be considered as immediately or independently derived from gz^oc-

It seems extraordinary -f- that so distinct and remarkable a species
should have escaped the notice of all the older Mediterranean ichthy-
ologists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries ; being, as M. Risso

* Cuv. and Val. Hist. iv. p. 327.

t The solution suggested by MM. Cuv. and Val. that it was possibly confounded with the
Cotlus Massilicnsis of Forskal (Scorpana parens, L.) or with the Perm marina of authors, does
not apply to Rondelet, Salviani, and Willughby, &c.

VOL. r.

172 SCORP^NID^.

asserts, a very common fisli at Nice ; and, according to MM. Cuvier
and Valenciennes, not rare in any part of the Mediterranean. M. de
Laroche, who first observed it at Ivi^a early in the present century,
speaks of it, however, according to MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, as
very rare wherever fishing is not carried on at great depths : and though
this last condition can be scarcely anywhere more perfectly fulfilled than
in Madeira, this fish, though generally well known by the fishermen, is
certainly of but occasional and somewhat rare occurrence ; and that prin-
cipally in the spring and autumn. Its breeding season I have only ne-
gatively ascertained to be at neither of these periods : which serves,
however, to confirm M. Risso's observation, corroborated by the analogy
of its cognate species, that the female is in spawn in summer.

From its rarity, the Boca negra is but as it were by accident
brought to the table. Its flesh is much inferior in quality to that of
even the Carndro ; being generally both insipid and soft, without being
flaky.

Besides the name of Serran imperial, by which Laroche informs us that
this fish is designated in Majorca, he also mentions that at Barcelona
it is called Panegal. At Nice, Risso relates that it is called Cardoii-
niero ; in probable allusion to its spines. Its Madeiran name of Boca
negra, or Black-mouth, is highly characteristic : that of Pai de Galo, or,
perhaps, more properly Pai de Gatas, seems equivalent to Tom-cat in
the English idiom ; and, according to the fishermen, is given in allu-
sion to the eyes, which glisten strongly in the dark.

In a list of the popular names of fishes in Teneriffe, I find a " Boci-
negro,'''' which is perhaps this fish. But proper evidence is wanting to
establish its existence further south : Bloch's references of his Scorpana
Malaharica to the coasts alike of Coromandel and of South America
being, as MM. Cuv. and Val. justly observe, equally suspicious.

The black mouth serves immediately to distinguish the subject of
this chapter from the Requeime and Rocaz, with which it is generically
allied ; and the entire absence of lacinise on the head or body serves
further to prevent its being taken for a large state of the latter fish, to
which it has in coloured markings some resemblance. From the Car-
neiro it is further distinguished by the generic character of the scaly
head.

The shape of Boca negra is like that of the Requeime, though the back is
usually less gibbous at the nape, in which case it approaches more to the form
of the Carneiro. The gi'eatest depth at the nape or shoulders is contained about
three and a half times in the whole length : and the thickness, which is greatest
behind the eyes, is about half the depth. The length of the head is one tliivd
of that of th(; whole fish : and the diameter of the eyes is contained from rather
more than three to not quite four times in the length of the head ; they are very

SEBASTES IMTERIALTS. 173

large, but, like those of the Requeime^ do not project above the profile. The
space between them is very deep and strongly ribbed, but narrow ; scarcely in
width equalling half their diameter.

The head is altogether less conspicuously anned and more distinctly scaled
than in the Requeime, with the eyes much larger. The muzzle is much shorter,
scarcely equalling in length the diameter of the eye ; but still pointed and com-
pressed, and with the hump before the nostrils altogether obsolete. The longitu-
dinal suborbitary ridge beneath the eyes is less prominent, and scarcely at all,
or very feebly and inconspicuously, aculeate ; with generally only one slight spine :
and the two spines of the fore suborbitary over the maxillary, which are so con-
spicuous in the Requeime, are reduced to two obsolete small teeth or angles, the
anterior or uppermost of which is the largest. The marginal spines of the pre-
opercle on the other hand are very large, distinct, equidistant, and nearly equal ;
with the uppermost but one, however, largest: all having the same horizontal
or parallel direction; being nearly straight, or but slightly hooking upwards.
The scapulary and the two superscapulary spines are small and crowded ; form-
ing the usual triangle. There is no humeral spine or bone externally discernible ;
but merely a triangular loose scaly skin in the upper axil of the pectoral fins.
The disposition of the other spines is similar to that of the Requeime : but they
are generally much smaller and more inconspicuous ; and those immediately
behind the eyes (of the posterior frontal bones), together with the strong one in
the Carneiro and Requeime between these and the two superscapulary spines,
are quite obsolete or wanting. The spines above the nostrils and orbits, and the
pair at the nape, are precisely similar to those of the Requeime ; but instead of
being more conspicuous in large examples, as in that fish, they become more
obsolete in full-grown individuals.

As in the Requehnc, I have observed sometimes about the muzzle other pores
or orifices, besides the two usual nostrils on each side : and the lower jaw has
the same sort of tubercle at its tip beneath.

The pectoral fins are even broader and larger than in the Requeime, covering,
when expanded, the whole depth of the side, and they are more abruptly truncate.
The two first rays are barred, but simple : the last eight only are fleshy, simple,
thickly barred or annulate, and with the connecting web reaching only halfway
up ; their ends being free :* the nine intermediate rays are branched, with merely
their tips free.

The ventral fins resemble those of the Requeime. They are a little shorter
than the pectoral fins.

The anterior portion of the dorsal fin resembles rather that of the Carneiro :
the three or four first spines being even less unequal than in that fish. The
hinder soft-rayed portion having three more rays, is longer and more oblong:
and its last forked or double ray is merely connectea by a shoil web in its axil
to the back, instead of in its whole length.

The anal fin in size and position is like that of the Requeime, but is more
abrupt or truncate. The vent is situate considerably before it ; and its last ray
is forked, and altogether free from web behind.

The caudal fin is simple, and completely truncate.

The head is perhaps somewhat more conspicuously scaled than in the Re-
queime ; the scales advance rather forwarder under the eyes, and there is an
evident band or triangular patch of them on the ends of the maxillaries. How-
ever, the muzzle and the lower jaw are naked, like the borders of the maxillaries.
The scales of the body advance quite up to the point of the throat, and end in two

* Like fingers : whence Laioclie's name, " dadyloptara,''' finger-finned.

174 SCORP.ENID.E.

slightly convex lunules or arches at the base of the caudal fin. The scales are rough
or ciliate. and larger than in the Requeime, but smaller than in the Carneiro ; and
in their disposition resembling the former. The spiny portions both of the dorsal
and the anal fins are naked ; but the hinder soft-rayed parts of both are scaly at
the base between the rays : the former for one third, the latter for one fourth
of its height. The pectoral fin has also a rather high and convex arch of scales
covering its base.

I have been imable to discover any trace of lacinise on any part of either the
head or body. Each spine, however, of the dorsal fin is tipped with a short
filament.

The lateral line is nearly straight, as in the Requeime ; and consists of twenty-
nine or thirty scales, each marked, as in that fish, with a little spine-like point
directed towards the tail. The first two or three of these points are strong and
pungent, resembling the scapulary spine, from which they commence. The hinder
scales appear composed of a small one, free behind, fixed upon a larger by its ante-
rior edge or portion.

The general tint of this fish is usually a paler scarlet than in its allies ; the
ground being a pale flesh-colour. On this are disposed five darker or brighter
scarlet irregular broad bands, often mottled or suffused with dusky, running down
the sides from the dorsal ridge, and disappearing on their middle. The first and
smallest of these is at the origin, the fourth at the end of the dorsal fin ; and
the fifth at the root of the caudal. All the fins are scarlet and without any spots
or bars : but the spiny part of the dorsal fin is mottled, the points of its spines
and filaments are tipped, and its soft part, like the front of the ventral and anal
fins, is edged with white. The head is bright scarlet ; the opercle clouded by
a suffused large patch of leaden or pale violet-black, caused by the shining through
of the lining of the gill-opening, which is deep mulberry-black. The back part
of the mouth or palate, as of the tongue, together with the gullet, is of a more
or less deep lead-colour, approaching to black ; the front of the mouth and tongue
being pale or whitish. The iris is golden or topaz, shaded with brown ; and
the pupil has a violet or bluish opaline, not brassy, lustre.

In several examples from twelve to fourteen inches long, captured in August, the
colour, whilst the fish was yet alive, was of the most brilliant scarlet imaginable,
with the bands deeper, but pure intense scarlet. The eye was singularly beau-
tiful. The anal fin was broadly edged in front with white.

On opening the abdomen, the whole peritoneum, like the lining of the branchial
and thoracic cavities, is found to be of the same intense shining inky or mulbeny-
black. There is no air-bladder. The liver is large and pale. There are from
five to seven cseca : Laroche found six ; MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes five in
their example ; I have generally observed six or seven of moderate size and length.
They are in general loaded and coadnate with fat.

The whole number of vertebra; is assuredly only twenty-five,* including that,
as usual, from which originates the caudal bony fan. Of the ten abdominal
vertebra;, the first is neither ossified nor bent at an angle with the skull, as in
the Sebastes KuJdii ; but is articulated to it in a straight line by a flexible soft
cartilage as usual, and differs not in length from the next vertebra; : the five
last are furnished with broad and strong apophyses beneath, of wliich the three
last pair unite into a single strong bone, forked or notched only at the tip, and

* In one or two instances the vertebrae were 10 alnl. -|- 14 caud. = 24 ; the deficiency being
in the caudal vertebra! : but twenty-five is tlie number in tlie great majority. However thus, in
any case, tiiis fish has one abdominal vertebra more than either the Ueiiueime or Uocaz ; and nor-
midli) one more on tiie ivholc.

SEBASTES IMPERIALIS. 175

winged or dilated behind ; but not so remarkably as in the Requeime. The first
caudal vertebra is only indicated by its simple lower apophysis^ not notched at
the tip.

The figure is taken from an example measuring about half an inch
more than a foot in length. The largest I have ever seen was fifteen
inches long, and weighed two pounds. The anterior suborbitary, from
an individual fourteen inches long, will be found figured in tab. xxv. —
at f. 3.

This fish is only captured in Madeira, as in other places, at enor-
mous depths^ viz. from eight or nine to fourteen linhas, and off rocky
bottoms. It is taken at all seasons ; though chiefly in the spring and
autumn, and only occasionally at any period.

A CA NTHOPTt:R YGIL SCORPJENID^E.

TAB. XXV.

SEBASTES MADERENSIS, Nob.

Rocaz, ou Papa-Jaca.

Little Rock-fish, or Suck-Jack.

Char. Gen. ; vide supra, tab. xvii.

Char. Spec.

S. obloiigus, laciniatus, pallide olivaceus, fiisco raarmoratus vel 3 — 4-fasciatus, nibroque
alboque irrorato-variegatus : capite latissimo, magno, aculeatissimo : rostro abbreviato, obtuso :
suborbitario antice spina unica valida : carina subocularia postice aculeata : spinis pragoperculi
insqualibus, superioribus majoribus : pinnarum pectoralium axilla spina hmnerali valida, hinc
infra apicem dente aucta ; radiis decern inferioribus simplicibus, ramosis paucis : dorsalis spina
quarta ceteris longiore analisque parte posteriore basi squamatis.

D. 12 + 10 ; A. 3 + 5 ; P. 1 -f IV. V. V. -f 10 V. 9 = 15 ; V. 1 -f 5 ; C. ~^'

o. "r V.

B. M. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. 28 — 30 ; Vert». 9 abd. + 15 caud. = 24.

S. Maderensis, Syn. Fish. Mad. p. 1 75.

Scorpana Madurcnsis, Cuv. and Val. 9. 463.

Longit. = 4 — 6 poll. = 3^ X alt.

Tempus, per totum annum.

Locus, in rupibus littoralibus : vulg.

This elegant and well-marked little species of Sebastes abounds close
off the rocky reefs and islets of the coast on all sides of the island ; and
is a frequent inmate of the numerous pools, or natural rock-basins, left
by the receding tide amidst the crevices and hollows of the rude tra-
chytic or basaltic masses, which, on these iron-bound shores, guard from
the further inroads of the waves the lofty cliffs of which they often are
the partial ruins. Here, in association with the rainbow-like Julis Tur-
cica and unimaculata^ the more subdued in tint, but not less beauti-
fully varied tortoiseshell-like livery of this little Rockfish, forms an
agreeable contrast with the splendid gem-like brilliancy of these La-
brid<£, and with the. sober-tinted plainness of the Blennies, which divide
with them the empire of these microcosms of the ocean's animal and vege-
table stores. Thus, in Madeira, this little Sebastes in locality and habits

VOL. I.

178 SCORP.ENID.E.

occupies the place precisely, which its allies, the Father-lasher {Cottus
huhalis, Euphr.) and Sea-scorpion (^Cottus scorpius, Bl.), fill on our Bri-
tish shores. It appears, however, more strictly confined to the immediate
neighbourhood of rocks than either of these European species ; for I
have never seen it taken in a net worked upon any sort of beach. It
is, indeed, merely caught by boys for their amusement ; biting readily at
a hook baited with a crushed Periwinkle, Trochus, or Limpet ; and is
not often used for food. Its second Portuguese name of " Papa-Jaca,"
or Suck-Jack, it has earned by its troublesome addiction to hooks baited
with the little crab called " Jaca"" (Grapsus varius, Latr.) ; and hence,
although its teeth appear ill-suited for the purpose, and that it also may
be captured with a fish-bait, its more favourite food plainly consists of
the hard-shelled molluscous or crustaceous animals.

In differing from authority so high as that of MM. Cuvier and Va-
lenciennes regarding the generic allocation of this fish, I do but follow
the example which these authors have themselves afforded in the case
of a nearly allied species of the Indian Archipelago, their Seb. minutus^
Hist. iv. 348, in considering the presence of true scales upon the head,
opercles, and cheeks, decisive of the question. Indeed this character
affords the only safe and practically useful mark of distinction between
Scorp^ena and Sebastes. A greater degree of armour, and a redun-
dancy of the fleshy lacinise, might at first appear to favour MM. Cu-
vier and Valenciennes'* position of the Madeiran fish ; especially if the
two genera were compared only in their respective types, Scorpacna
Scrofa, L., and Sebastes novegicus, or imperialism Cuvier : but when
we take a wider view, these characters are found to be subordinate ; as
these authors have themselves virtually acknowledged, by placing in Se-
bastes their own species, ^S*. minutus, and S. Bougainvillii. I might
refer, in further illustration of this view, to the Madeiran Sebastes Kuhlii,
t. xvii. ; which, with the head almost as distinctly scaly as in the typical Seb.
imperialism Cuv., has it even more conspicuously armed than in Scor-
p(£na Scrofa, L, : whilst, on the other hand, we find placed in Scor-
pa:na a fish (^Sc. inermis, Cuv. and Val.), of which it is remarked " que
les epines et les cretes de sa tete, d'ailleurs les memes en nombre que
dans le Scrofa ou le Porous, sont tellement effacees, qu'il faut de Tat-
tention pour les remarquer." * And as to fleshy lacinise, it has " tres-
peu sur le corps, et aucuns sur la tete :" whilst in Sc. porous they are
also " infinimcnt moins nombreux" than in Sc. Scrofa on the head ;
there arc absolutely none upon the sides of the body ; and " scarcely
any, and those very small, on the lateral line." Hence I think it Avill
sufficiently appear, that in resting mainly the distinctions between the

* Cuv. and Val. iv. 31.1.

SEBASTES MADERENSIS. 179

genera Scorpeena and Sebastes on tlie naked, or obvionsly scaled head,
and in placing in the latter gcnns MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes^
iScorptena Madurcnsis {Madcircnsis), I have merely followed out these
authors' general rule of practice in other cases.

If, however, in Seb. Maderensis the aspect, width, and armour of the
head, projecting eyes, and the more copious lacinise, remind one of
Scorpeena Scrofa, L., there are other characters, besides the scaly head,
which indicate as great a tendency at least towards the typical Sebasto'.
Such are the small size and disposition of the scales, their presence on
the hinder portions of the dorsal and anal fins, the form, and the single
large deflexed spine or tooth at the lower angle of the first suborbitary,
which is otherwise entire, plain, and without the radiating ribs, ending on
the fore-edge in two diverging pairs of spines, of the Scorptrna Scrof'a,
L. ; and, lastly, in its strongly gibbous back. The humeral spine is even
much larger than in Seb. Kuhlii : and the colours evidently approximate
to those of Seb. imperialis. Hence, in subordinate characters alone, the
balance of affinity inclines upon the Avhole from Scorpana to Sebastes.

The general form and proportions of this little fish are rather those of Seh.
imjjerialis than of ^S'e*^. Kuhlii : but it is generally more gibbous than the former,
close behind the nape ; larger examples being still more strongly so than smaller
individuals. In one such of six inches -long, in consequence of the great prominence
of the dorsal hump, the length only contained the depth three times : in smaller
individuals it approaches near to four times the same quantity. The greatest
thickness from the eyes to the nape exceeds half the depth ; and the length of the
head again a little exceeds the greatest depth. The diameter of the eyes is gene-
rally one fourth that of the length of the head, but in large individuals only one
third and a half of the same. Hence the eye is as large as in Seb. imperialis ;
whilst in its prominence above the profile it resembles rather the Scorpeena Scrofa.
This latter character is not, however, nearly so much developed as in that fish.
The space between the eyes is very deep and channelled, but nan-ow ; only
equalling in width the semidiameter of the eyes. The edges of the orbits are
raised and prominent.

The head in size and degree of ai-mour most resembles the Sebastes Kuhlii ;
whilst in breadth and shortness of the muzzle it is most like the Scorjicena Scrofa.
The mouth and gape are enormously wide, and like a frog's. The muzzle
is broad, short, and very abrupt or obtuse, equalling in length the eye's diameter ;
generally arched and convex rather than having any distinct or decided hump.

The number and the general disposition of the spines are perfectly according to
the usual Scorpsenidal model : but the suborbitary is quite entire and merely
notched in the middle, with the lower angle produced downwards into a single dis-
tinct large flattened tooth, rather than spine, lying parallel with the border of the
maxillary ; and the longitudinal ridge or keel across the cheeks, beneath the eye,
is aculeate only towards its hinder end, or behind the eye, wdth three or four
well-marked spines behind each other ; the last of these, a very large spine, being
the uppennost and strongest of the five usual preopercular spines, which increase
in size from the lowest upwards : the lowest being so inconspicuous that I had
formerly overlooked it altogether. There is tl^e usual erect spine above the
nostrils; the single one over the anterior, and the three together, one behind

180 SCORPiENID.E.

another, over the posterior canthus of the eye ; and then again after a little
interval, still backwarder, the two together on the nape ; all being recurved, and
the five last acute. Immediately behind the middle of the eye, on the posterior
frontal bone, there is, as in Scorpcena Scrofa, a rather strong spine : and Ijehind
this again, another, halfway towards the lower, and rather stronger, of the two
small superscapulary spines. The scapulary spine, forming the apex of the tri-
angle of which these latter are the base, is again a little stronger and more
conspicuous : and in the upper axil of the pectoral fins there is a remarkably
conspicuous strong oblique flat spine, belonging to the humeral, which is as it
were doubled by the addition of a side-tooth on its upper edge.

The lower jaw is not longer than the upper, and has the usual callous tuber-
cle at its tip beneath.

The pectoral fins are large and broad, but rounded and not truncate ; most
resembling those of Seb. Kit/ilii in shape and proportion, but still more those of
Anthias formosus, Bl., in having also merely the points of the lower fleshy simple
rays free. The first ray, and now and then the second also, is simple; the
next two to six are branched ; the lowest eleven to eight simple : the whole
number of rays remaining generally constant at fifteen, but sometimes being
sixteen. Hence, notwithstanding their variableness in number, the fewness of
the branched rays in these fins is characteristic of the species ; evincing also an
approximation to Sebastes KuJdii.

The ventral fins are large, and as long as the pectoral. They are rounded at
the tips ; and their last ray is webbed by nearly its whole length to the body.

The anal fin is rather larger in proportion than in the other Scorptenidous
iishes before described ; but differs not in shape or structure. Its last ray is
quite free behind, or with merely a slight inconspicuous web quite in the axil.
The vent is situated nearly halfway between the origin of the anal and the root
of the ventral fins.

The only peculiarity of structure in the dorsal fin compared with that of
ScorpcBna Scrofa, is, that the fourth spine is longest, being rather longer than
the third. Hence the whole anterior portion of this fin has a more regularly
arched or rounded outline. Behind the tip of each spine the membrane forms
a rudimentary point or lacinia. The last soft ray is webbed completely to the
back.

The caudal fin is simple, and fan-shaped rather than truncate.
The scales, from the small size of the fish, appear much smaller than they
really are ; for in their proportion they are the size of those of Seb. imperkdis, which
they resemble also in their disposition. They are not less distinct or conspicuous
on the head and opercles than in the Requeime {Seb. Kuhli'i) ; and advance
forwards on the cheeks in a narrow band, beneath the suborbitary ridge, quite
to the anterior canthus of the eyes : but the maxillaries are perfectly naked
and smooth. The top of the head and muzzle is rough or furfuraceous, but
not distinctly scaled. The whole of the lower jaw is naked. The breast, and
fleshy base of the pectoral fins, are minutely but distinctly scaled quite up to the
point of the throat ; but the pectoral fins themselves are wholly naked.

The soft portions both of the dorsal and the anal fins are minutely scaled
a little way up at their base ; but their spiny parts, like all the other fins, are
quite naked.

Out of the water, at first sight, or on cursory observation, this fish appears
to be devoid of membranous lacinite : but, on close examination, it is found to
be furnished very copiously with them on the head and shoulders ; which, when
the fish is alive in the water, appear quite mossy with them. There is a larger,
stalked, and toothed, or dilatato-lacerate one at the tip of the muzzle, on each side

SEBASTES MADEUENSIS. 181

of the upper jaw in front ; another rather large one at the hinder edge of each fore
nostril ; and a similar one behind the last of the five orbital spines : the edge of
the preopercle and suborbitary is fringed with similar but very short laciniae. The
orbit, or eyebrow, is copiously fringed with short and simple ones, like filaments :
and the broad ends of the maxillaries have a single longer one of the same kind; of
which there are also two or three, ranging backwards in a row, along the branches
of the lower jaw, beginning from their symphysis behind the lip. Of these the front
ones form a large conspicuous pair ; being, while the fish is alive and in the water,
stretched constantly straight forwards, like two horns, beneath the chin, and
reaching beyond its edge. The body is usually unfm^nished, even on the lateral
line, with either of these kinds : but the flanks, together with the base and upper
axils of the pectoral fins, are copiously furnished with little triangular flap-like
laciniae of a brilliant white ; in some parts one almost to each scale ; whilst the
rest of the sides, the lateral line, and branchial membrane, are more thinly
sprinkled with the same. Towards the tail these disappear.

The lateral line is nearly straight, as usual ; and consists of from twenty-eight
to thirty scales, each marked with an adpressed spine-like point, especially to-
wards its origin.

In the general disposition of its colouring, this fish most resembles the Se-
bastes imperiaUs, Cuv. The ground-colour of the sides is a pale hom, or oli-
vaceous ochre-yellow, marbled with large irregular distinct dark patches of rich
brown ; descending from the back, and forming three distinct broad wavy bands
behind the middle, reaching quite down to the ventral line : the first of them
covering the front also of the soft hinder portion of the dorsal fin ; the second
passing like a bar across the fleshy root, and the third across the middle of the
caudal fin ; the tip of which shows' traces of a fourth. The back, forwarder, is
like the head dusky, and irregularly mottled with darker brown. The belly
and breast are pale and immaculate. The whole is variegated with dots and
touches of clear white and scarlet, or vermilion. The cheeks are spotted with
brown. The lower jaw, throat, and branchial membrane are most beautifully
freckled or mottled with rose-colour and white. The lips are clear yellow, or
tawny-yellow (fulvous). The inside of the mouth, tongue, and gullet are white
and immaculate ; pale flesh-colour only towards the front. The iris is golden,
nearly covered with large rich brown patches and some garnet-red.

The spiny part of the dorsal fin is mottled like tortoiseshell with rich tawny-
yellow, white, and dark brown. The fore-part of the soft-rayed portion is co-
vered by the first of the three bands, having the tips of the rays bright red or
rose. The anal fin is less mottled, with the tip bright red or rose-colour. The
ventral fins are deep rosy-red, immaculate. The rays of the pectoral fins are
barred with dark brown, red, and white ; the tips of the lower fleshy rays
being rose. The caudal fin, with a broad dark brown band in the middle,
is also tipped with the same colour, and with rose-red.

These are the usual colours shortly after death. Whilst alive and in the water,
it has a different aspect : so closely imitative of the coral-incrusted rocky shelves
and sunny shallows upon which it loves to bask, that the eye fails often to discern
it ; and, even in a shallow pool of only two or three feet in diameter, may search
for it some time without discovery. Under these conditions, it exhibits less of
red or rosy, and more of a richly mottled tortoiseshell or brown, of varying shades
and intensity, freckled, like the flower of a Stapelia, with light and dark, drab
and coffee-colour : the whole being thickly speckled with clear white, and with
here and there a little red; the white specks being chiefly the short flap-like
laciniae. After death the red, deep rose, or scarlet gi'adually more and more

VOL. I. O

182 SCORP.ENIB.E.

prevails ; and in some few examples, during summer, it is very brilliant and pre-
dominant, even whilst the fish is still alive.

On dissection, the liver is found to be large, and very pale in colour: the
gall-bladder large : the stomach rather long and cylindric, with the pylorus or
ascending branch lateral, and furnished with five distinct and nearly equal cseca,
disposed palmately or like the fingers of a glove, but in two sets, of three and two
each ; the former on the right or upper side ; the latter on the left or lower, and
with the outermost of the two the longest. The intestine is very large in diame-
ter, and makes two bends or one short volution. There is no air-bladder. Some-
times, but rarely, there are six cseca, in two sets of four and two.

The four last only of the nine abdominal vertebrae are furnished with apophyses
beneath : and of these the three last are united nearly to their tips into single
processes, strongly winged behind, and forked, or notched, only at their tip. The
first two caudal vertebrae are similarly winged behind, but not notched. The
point of the first interspinal of the anal fin, which is both very long and strong,
being formed of the interspinals of the two first spines of the fin, united longi-
tudinally into one, is inserted into the notch of the last (ninth) abdominal inferior
apophysis.

The figure is the size of life : being taken from an individual of the
more usually occurring length. The largest example which has occurred
measured only six inches.

f. 1. represents the anterior and second suborbitary in Sebastes

Maderensis, from an example four inches long.
f. 2. do. do. in Sehastes KuJilii, t. xvii. supra^ from an example

eleven inches long.
f. 3. do. do. in Sebastes imperialism t. xxiv. supra, from an example
fourteen inches long.
All the figures in this plate are of the natural size. ff. 1, 2, and
3 are brought into their natural position relatively to a fish placed horizon-
tally with its head to the left hand of the spectator, by holding t. xxv. so
that the fish engraved thereon becomes vertical, with the head downwards.

Si

^:

ACANTHOPTERYGII. SERRANIDM.

(PERCIDM, Cuv.)

TAB. XXVI.

POLYPRION CERNIER.*

Cherne, ou Chernotta.

The Shernv, Shern, or Wreck-fish.+

Char. Gen.

Corpus oblongum abbreviatum, incrassatiim ; capite rictuque amplo ; dentibus scobinatis. Oper-
culum superne carina longitudinali echinato-serrata, in spinam excurrente : praeoperculo capitisque
humerique cristis ossibusve prominentibus echinato-serratis.

Pinnae dorsalis (unicae), analis, ventralisque spinis striatis ; plus minus ecliinato-serratis. Pinna
caudalis simplex, tnincata. Squamae asperse, parvae. Membrana branchiostega septem-radiata.

Obs. — Pisces ingentes, alticolae : juniores vagabundi, ipiXoo-xmi, navium fractarura materi;eque
fluitantis sequaces ; edules, moesticolores. Species adhuc unica, fere cosmopolita.

Polyprion cernium, (Val.) Cuv. R. An.,ii. 145. — Zool. Journ. ii. 120. — Cuv. et Val. iii. 21.

t. 42.— Yarr. Suppl. 1.— Syn. Mad. Fish. 174.
Serranus Cotichu, Yarr. Brit. Fish. 1.12.
Holocentrus Gvlo, Risso, Hist. iii. 367.
Scorpcma Mussiliensis, Risso, Ichth. p. 1 84.
" AmpMprion Amcricanus et Australis, Schn." Cuv.
CluBtodon Leackii, Bowd. Exc. in Mad. p. 124, partim.

6 + Vllf-
5 + VII.

D. II + II V. 12 ; A. 3 + 8 V. 9 ; P. 17 v. 18 ; V. 1 + 5 ; C.

M. B. 7 ; Sq. lin. lat. indefinitae ; Vertae. 13 abd. + 14 caud. = 27.
a. si/nus ; rostro brevi lato obtuso, ore largo.

" Cherne de boca redonda."
/3. rostratus ; rostro producto acuto.
" Cherne Bicuda."

Longit. =2 — 4 ped. = 3 X longit. capitis = 3 X alt. fere.
Tempus, per totmu fere annum, sed hieme praesertim.
Locus, in profundis, sive in alto.

A FISH, remarkable both for its size and rarity, had been for some
years known imperfectly to English naturalists ; having been occasionally

* The usual name " Cemium'" is erroneous in its termination, whether taken classically or
vernacularly. One of the common names is therefore here adopted in its simple fomi : having the
further recommendation of agreeing in its termination with the masculine of a common class of
Latin adjectives.

f It is often called Jew-fish by the English in Madeira, under the notion that it is the West
Indian fish so called, which is, however, of the " Pargo " tribe.

VOL. I.

o 2

]84 SERRANin.K.

taken, following pieces of floating wreck or timber, in the mouth of
the British Channel, or upon the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall.
By Mr. Couch, the Cornish ichthyologist, it had been supposed identical
with the Stone-basse of Sloane, a Jamaican fish ; which is, however,
some species of Gerres (see Cuv. et Val. vi. p. 460) : and subsequently,
by Mr. Yarrell, who was then unacquainted with it, except through
the drawing and description of Mr. Couch, it was referred, with close
approximation to the truth, to the genus Serranus of Cuvier, under
the name of S. Couc/iii. On the first view of the rude but characteristic
figure of it, copied in the British Fishes (1st edit.), vol. i. p. 12, from
Mr. Couch*'s drawing, I was at once struck with its resemblance to the
common Cherne of Madeira, the Polyprion cernium of Valenciennes:
and this identification has, by Mr. Yarrell, since been perfectly established.
(See Brit. Fish. Suppl. 1. p. 2.)

Although this fish is stated* to be very common in the Mediterranean
at the present day, it seems to have escaped entirely the notice of the
ancient Greek and Roman naturalists. It is still more strancfe that no
trace of it appears in Rondelet, Salviani, Willughby, or Linnseus : and
its first record by Schneider is said, by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes,
to have been derived from a drawing, communicated by the English
naturalist Latham, of an American example. By the earlier writers
above named, if occasionally seen, it might be easily confounded with
the Basse {Lahrax Lupus, Cuv.), or the Umbre (Corvina nigra, Cuv.) ;
with wdiich it offers considerable agreement, both in habits and in general
aspect : and this may perhaps account for its omission also by the later
writers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The Sliern or Sherny has an extensive geographic range : for, without
following it into the Pacific ocean with MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes,
on the less perfectly conclusive authority of Forster''s drawing and de-
scription of his Perca prognathos from Queen Charlotte's Island, it has
been taken not only in the British Channel and' the Mediterranean, but
at three points of an equilateral triangle embracing almost the whole of
the Atlantic Ocean ; viz. at the Madciran and Canarian Islands, at the
Cape of Good Hope, and more recently by D'Orbigny at the mouth
of the great estuary of La Plata, on the opposite shores of South
America. ■{• In Madeira, where it occupies the place of the Mediter-
ranean Corvina nigra,^ or Sciana Aquila, it is one of the commonest
and best known fishes in the market ; being in general more highly
esteemed for the table than it deserves, probably because it is the only
tolerable fish of proper size and shape to form what people call " a

* Cuv. et Val. iii. 21, 2,<). f See Cuv. et Val. viii. 475.

J This fish is sometimes seen, but liitlieito has not l)eon captured, in Madeira. It is well
known at Lisbon by the name of" Corvina."

POLYPRION CERNIER. 185

handsome dish." Its flesh, indeed, is beautifully white, but somewhat
coarse, and without any particular excellence of flavour ; being altogether
of too firm or tough a fibre to allow it to be called of first-rate quality.
Possessing a high degree of muscular irritability,* it requires to be kept
at least twenty-four hours before boiling ; and the tail-end is the best
part of the fish. The epicure's portion is the gelatinous skin and more
tender flesh amongst the interspinals at the root of the fins. It is sold
in the market by the pound throughout the year ; but is perhaps in most
abundance about Christmas. The price varies from half a bit (twopence-
halfpenny) to a bit (fivepence) the pound. I have taken it in spawn in
August ; but have not been able to detect any superiority of flavour in
it at one season above another.

The Sherny in Madeira is only captured by the hook ; and though
shoals of small fishes, weighing from five to twenty pounds, and called
Chernotta, are said to be often taken near the surface, in the neigh-
bourhood of floating wreck or logs of wood, the proper habitat of the
full-sized fish, weighing from thirty to one hundred pounds, is from one
to two or three leagues from shore, and at the enormous depth of from
twelve to fifteen or sixteen linhas, or from three hundred to four hundred
fathoms. With a strong line-f- of this length, to the bottom of which
is tied a stone (called the '■'' pendida'') of three or four pounds'* weight,
and having attached immediately above the stone, at intervals of eighteen
inches, from twelve to fifteen strong hooks, baited with pieces of Ca-
vallo (Mackerel) or Chicharro (Madeiran Horse-Mackerel), I have been
frequently assisting at their capture. Coming up from these enormous
depths, the fish becomes so distended with gas, expanding upon the
removal of the vast pressure below, that it rises to the surface, not indeed
entirely dead, but wholly powerless, and in a sort of rigid cataleptic
spasm : the stomach is usually inverted, and protruded into the mouth ;
and the eyes in general are forced so completely from their sockets, stick-
ing out often like two horns, that " eyes like a Cherne " is a common
phrase amongst the fishermen for a prominent-eyed person. Sometimes,
from the same cause, it rises faster as it approaches the surface than the
line can be hauled in ; shooting quite out of the water at some distance
from the boat upon its first emergence, like a cork or bladder, from the
lightness caused by its great distension. The usual size of these was
from two and a half to three and a half feet long, weigliing from twenty-
five to forty or fifty pounds. Fishes from fifty to a hundred pounds in

* The fishermen affirm that its heart beats two days after capture. I have seen it beating six
or eight hours after apparent death.

+ Each boat is generally furnished with two such lines, each worked by a single fisherman, wlio
is, however, assisted by others in the labour of hauling in the line, wjiich takes from twenty to thirty
minutes.

186 SERRANID/E.

weight, arc, however, by no means exceedingly uncommon ; but they
are rarely seen of greater size.

The fishermen pretend to distinguish two kinds of Sherny, one with
a long and pointed, the other with a broad and short muzzle : but I
have ascertained these to pass by such imperceptible gradations from
one to the other, whilst the characters themselves are even in extreme
cases little appreciable, besides being accompanied by no other constant
marks of difference whatever, that, except for a safeguard against future
error, it were scarcely worth while recording them as varieties. The
" Chernotta" is confessedly, as it is obviously, merely the young or small-
sized fish.

The Portuguese name Cherne seems to be but another form of Cernio
or Cernia* the Nicene, or Cornier the Marseillaise name of this fish :
and MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes trace up these words through their
Italian representatives of cerna, or cernua, to cernere. According to
this account, it would appear that the name cerna or cernua, being ap-
plied to the small refuse fishes in the market, which are picked out or
set apart from others to be sold separately, has come to be used more
particularly to designate in different places different species of the Perch-
tribe,-|- which often form indeed the mass of such rejectamenta ; and
hence (?), to designate emphatically the Percidous Sherny. It must be
owned, this reasoning is not very clear : but I am unable to supply a
better etymology ; only hinting a suspicion that the Spanish language
might afford one. The lists of Canarian fishes contain a " Cherna :""
which throws light at least upon the following passage in Pennanfs
history of the Common Cod-fish (Gadus viorhua, L.) " There are,
nevertheless, certain species (of the Cod-fish genus) found near the Ca-
nary Islands, called Cherny, j of which we know no more than the name ;
but which, according to the unfortunate Captain Glass, are better-tasted
than the Newfoundland kind." §

The Sherny is a plain, dull-coloured, and clumsy, coarse, or heavy-
looking fish ; of an ungainly or unwieldy figure and proportions, being
much too thick and deep for its length ; with the mouth or gape and
gill-opening very wide, and an enormous head. Its resemblance and
generic affinity to Serranus are much greater than would be apprehended
from a mere inspection of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes'* figure (t. 42), j]

* Risso, by a manifest misprint, has Lernio or lernia.

■\ Hence perhaps Belon's use of it to designate the Ruffe. {Acerma vulgaris, Cuv. ; or Perca
rernuu, L.) Gaza had long before arbitrarily applied it as a translation of the o^(p«; of Aristotle.

X " Hist. Canary Islands, 198." $ Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 17;{.

II It is to be regretted that these authors do not state the size of the example from wliith their
figure was derived. This should always be done ; but espoiially in the ease of large fishes, which
are apt to vary considerably at dilfcrent stages of their growth.

POLYPRION CERNIER. 187

in wliicli tlie crests and echinulations about the head and fin-rays are
either much exaggerated, or at least much stronger tlian in any state of
the Madeiran fish. The nearest approach to it was in the small example
excellently figured by Mr. Yarrell in his Supplement. But larger adult
fishes are uniformly very plain about the head, and have the fin-spines
nearly unarmed : and under this their usual aspect, they can only be dis-
tinguished from Serranus generically by their short deep unwieldy shape,
by the subserrate opercular keel ending in a single strong spine, and by
the grooved or striated fin-spines.

Shape oblong, suddenly contracting at the end of the dorsal and anal fins, short
or deep in proportion to the length; compressed, but thick and bulky. The
greatest depth equals the length of the head, and is contained about three times
in the length. The greatest thickness equals, or exceeds a little, half the depth.
The curvature of the dorsal and ventral outlines is moderate and equal. Head
very large, with both the mouth and gape enormous : the muzzle a little varying
in length or sharpness, but always blunt and broad. The lower jaw projects
beyond the upper, when the mouth is closed, as in Serramis ; but is neither
distinctly notched nor tubercled at the tip. Both jaws are furnished round the
edges with bands of fine brush-like teeth ; the bands are broadest in the upper
jaw. The palatines have a broad ' band, and the vomer a patch of the same ;
and at the root of the tongue there is also another triangular rough patch. The
tongue is broad, and flat or thin ; and otherwise quite smooth. There is a dis-
tinct veil inside, in front of both jaws.

The nostrils are two simple orifices, close together, in the usual place.

Eyes of moderate size, rather small ; their diameter about one sixth, sometimes
approaching to one fifth, of the length of the head ; often by spasmodic action,
or expansion after capture, singularly protruded from their sockets like two blunt
horns. Low^er half of the orbit bony, ridged, and roughly serrate : the upper
half plain, but with a sort of naked bony echinato-striate eyebrow^ above.

The upper and lower edges of the suborbitary underneath the eye form two
bony echinato-serrate ridges : the former compassing the lower half of the eye,
of which it forms the orbit.

The limb or border of the preopercle is both confusedly scaly and echinato-
granulate or striate, with its outer edge spinoso-serrate, and its raised inner rim
nearly entire, or only here and there echinato-granulate or serrate.

The lower part of the edge of the subopercle, like the upper of that of the
interopercle, is striato-dentate ; but the remainder of their edges is entire.

Opercle towards the top with a strong horizontal bony ridge or keel, which is
more or less and irregularly echinato-serrate, and is produced into a strong adpressed
spine. The upper point or angle of the opercle, and its ridge, are very obsolete.

The top of the head betw'een the eyes is plain, broad, and flat ; nearly equal-
ling in width twice the diameter of the eyes. It is mostly granulato-scabrous,
and has two pencils of bony striae converging inwards from a point on a line with
the hinder edge of the orbits. Close behind, and almost upon the nape, is a short
bony crest-like hump, or ridge, forming a little keel, beginning at a point halfway
between the line of the fore-edge of the orbit, and the beginning of the dorsal fin,
but extending a very little way towards the latter.

These ridges, crests, or keels about the head, are more prominent and rough,
or cchinate, in young than in full-grown examples. But in all cases the head
has a plain unarmed appearance, like Serranus rather than Scorpcena.

188 SERRANID.E.

The superscapulary of Cuvier is a parabolic bony plate, at the origin of the
lateral line, with the edge striato-dentate. In the upper axil of the pectoral fins
there is a partly smooth or naked triangle, formed by the upper part of the
humerus (n". 48) and the upper coracoid (n°. 49) of Cuvier.* The borders of these
bones are naked, and striato-dentate.

The ridge of the back in front of the dorsal fin, with the exception of the short
nuchal crest, is not keeled.

Scales small, rough-edged, and ciliate, harsh but not rigid. The only parts
about the head that are quite smooth, or naked, are the broad lips (foraied by
the intermaxillaries in the upper jaw), and the tip of the lower jaw.

The lateral line follows the curvature of the back, and is not very conspicuous.
Its scales are too confused or numerous to be worth counting : at the base of the
caudal fin they are altogether indeterminable.

The dorsal fin begins over the point of the opercular spine, or fore-axil of the
pectorals. The distance from the tip of the muzzle to its origin equals that from
the end of its base to the edge or tip of the caudal fin ; and the whole length
of its base occupies more than the middle third of the whole length of the fish.
Its spiny fore-part, which is about two thirds of the whole, is low and even,
with the spines of nearly equal length. The fourth and two or three following
spines are the longest, but scarcely exceed one fourth part of the depth of the body
below them. The web between them is deeply notched. The last spine is rather
longer than the last but one, and forms the fore-edge of the soft-rayed portion of the
fin, which is short, abrupt, and rounded, and twice the height of the spinous fore-part.

The anal fin corresponds in position with the hinder soft-rayed portion of the
dorsal, but is somewhat more produced and truncate behind. Its third or last
spine is the longest.

The spinous part of both these fins is seated in a deep groove : their soft-rayed
part is thick and fleshy at the base, and covered nearly halfway up with scales,
which extend also further still between the rays. Their last ray is double or
forked to the base, and free behind.

Ventral fins rather large, one seventh of the whole length of the fish, placed
on a line with the commencement of the dorsal fin. Their last ray is partly
connected with the body by a w^eb.

Spines of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins very strong, and gi'ooved or striate
longitudinally in waved lines. In adult full-sized fishes of three feet long and
upwards, they are all unarmed : but in small or young examples some or all are
more or less regularly dentato-serrate, or coarsely echinate in front ; those of the
ventral fins, and the fore ones of the dorsal and anal, being the most remarkably
or copiously armed in this way. Between these two conditions, various inter-
mediate states occur : the spine of the ventral fins retaining the character the
longest.

Pectoral fins ovato-triangular, small, about the size and length of the ventral.
Their rays have a coarse rough shagreened appearance, and they are scaly at the
base between the rays. They are placed on a line with the ventral or origin of
the dorsal fin, about one third of the height up the side.

Caudal fin large, equilaterally triangular, short, evenly truncate, with the angles
acute, scaly at the base all over, and further up between the rays.

Colour dull leaden-ash or grey, varying to pale drab-brown ; paler or whitish
on the throat and belly and about the gill membrane, darker towards the back,
and blackish at the top of the head and nape. Sometimes the whole is washed
with a faint violet or vinous tint. Only young examples below two feet in length

* This is woll rcj)ri'seiiti'd in MM. Cuvier .iiid \'ak-iKii'iiiii's' jihito, t. 4'2.

POLYPRION CERNIER. 189

are occasionally varied on the sides with paler and darker clouds. The dorsal,
anal, pectoral, and caudal fins are always uniform dark-brown approaching to black.
The borders or edges of the ventral, anal, and angles of the caudal fin, are gene-
rally one or all pure white ; and the web of the spiny part of the dorsal, anal,
and ventral fins is paler than the others, and somewhat clouded or mottled with
white. The cornea of the eye above is coloured like the back : the iris is, on
capture, dark rich brown and gold, or sometimes coppery, with bright violet
streaks : but it soon turns uniform dead silvery white. The pupil is black, and
not in the least opaline.

On dissection, the cavity of the abdomen proves to be large, with the mass
of viscera proportionably small, and altogether pale or whitish. The liver is rather
large, with a remarkably long duct. The stomach, though the fish is a voracious
feeder, is rather small, conico-cylindric, and with a thick hard coat. The caeca are
short and slender, but extremely numerous, and indefinite in number,* fonning
a thick double conglomerate bunch, or bundle, like the glandular pancreiform mass
of the Tunnies ; nearly as large as, though shorter than, the stomach. Each of
the two portions of this bundle is again subdivided into several conglobate groups,
or fascicles, with a common trunk or stalk. Intestine large and voluminous,
making five or six volutions, amongst which is involved the dark-red spleen. Air-
bladder large and oblong, attached completely to the spine, fi:om which it is not
separable without rupture.

The vertebrae are twenty-seven in number, of which fourteen are caudal.t Of
the thirteen abdominal vertebree, the six or seven last are furnished with widely
divaricate apophyses beneath : the three last pairs of these being partly combined
at the base by a transverse rib. The vertebrae are all strong, thick, and short ;
the first being rather shorter than the following. The bony crest, or short keel
on the back of the scull, or nape, is formed by a prominence at the fore-end of the
interparietal.

It lias been remarked already, that, in point of quality or flavour,
there is no appreciable or constant difference in this fish at different
seasons of the year. I have taken the female with two enormous yellow
masses of eggs, well developed, in August. The individual was of large
size, measuring tliree feet four inches in length ; but it possessed no
peculiar excellence, though a good fish. Other examples, taken at the
same season, of both male and female fishes, were equally good eating,
though not in milt or roe.

The individual figured, taken early in April, measured about an inch
more than two feet in length. The spines of the dorsal, anal, and ventral
fins were almost even or unarmed, with only a faint tooth or prickle here
and there.

* MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, probably from the partial decomposition of the viscera in their
example, say, " There are only two cajca, one very short, the other very long."

t MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes say that there are thirteen abdominal, and thirteen caudal
vertebrae.

!l» i »

,— ^"^
;,^^«'«^''

MALACOPTERYGIL GADID.E.

SUBBRACHIALES.

TAB. XXVII.

PHYCIS MEDITERRANEUS, Lab.

Abrotea.

The Sea-Tench, or Madeiran Whiting.

Char. Gen. ; vide supra tab. vii.

Char. Spec.

P. pinna dorsali prima subdeccmradiata rotundata humili brevi, secundam analemque altitudine
hand superante : veiitralibus capite subloiigioribus.

ima. D. 9 — 1 1 ; 2<'^ D. G5 ; A. 6-2 ; P. 18. v. 19 ; V. 1 ; C. 5 + XX + 6
M. B. 7 ; Vertse. 14 abd. + 33 vel 34 caud. - 47 v. 48.

P. Mediterraneus, (Lar., P. tinea, Schn.) Cuv. R. An. ii. 33.5.— Risso, iii. 222. — Syn. Fish.
Mad. 189.

P.furcatus, Bowd. (nee aliorum) Exc. in Mad. 122. f. 28 ; male.
Blennius Plit/eis, Linn. i. 442. n°. 7.
Phjcis, Art. Gen. App. 84. no. ,5.— Rondel. 186.
Pliycis, /3. Art. Syn. App. 111.

Asellus Callarias Bellonii, Salviani ; Tmca marina, Aldrov. ; Phycin Rondeletii, Gesn. p. 84.5 ; Tl/w*-
telce qffiuis. Will. 205. t. N. 12. f. 3 (copied from Salviani).
Callarias sive Tenca mayina, Salv. 231. t. 93 ; opt.
a. cinerea ; corpora cineraceo, pallido.
Salv., Will, Bowd., 11. cc.

An P. Gmelini, Risso, iii. 223 ? Confer Cuv. R. An. ii. 33fi, note.
Vulgatiss.
Ii. coffeacea ; corpore fusco-nigrcscente.
Rondel., Art., Risso, 11. cc.
Rarior.

Lotic/it. = I — 2-pedalis =; 4 X alt.

Tempus, autumno, liieme ; sed per totum annum.

Loeiis, in raediis profundis : a. vulgatiss : (3. rarior.

RoNDELET seems to have been mistaken, although he has been fol-
lowed in the notion by Artecli, in referring Aristotle's ipv/c}g to this fish ;
which is rather the Callarias of Pliny, the ovog %.ccXXci^icig of Arche-
stratus in Athenseus, Z. 99,* and the ;cuKkcc§inig of Oppian, A. 105;

* Ed. Dindorf, ii. 688. The ovktxos yaxy.oc^iu; of Dorion iu Athcn. Z. 90. d. (Dindorf, ii. 680),
is even still more doubtful ; and, from his associating and comparing it with his " Rivcr-Mura;na"

VOL. I.

192 GADID.E.

though this supposition rests upon no very clear or certain grounds.
However, the true (pvz}g of Aristotle, which, from report, he characterizes
as the only sea-fish which makes nests and brings forth in them,* ap-
pears to be much more safely identified with a little Mediterranean Goby
i^Gobius), in which Olivi has observed, according to M. de Mertens,
this peculiar habit. *f* And it is remarkable, in confirmation of this view,
though it has escaped notice, that Rondelet himself had long before, on
the authority of Pelicer, Bishop of Montpellier, attributed this habit
also both to Gobies and to Hippocampuses ; without inferring from the
fact, however, the identity of the former with Aristotle's (puK.lg.'l His
observation, moreover, in reference to the subject of this chapter, passing
over its equivocal phraseology^ and deficiency of detail, has never been
confirmed ; and, though the fish is taken in abundance at the proper
season in Madeira full of spawn, the fishermen are unaware of any such
peculiarity.

Other fishes in which a similar economy has clearly been detected,
are the Hassars of Demerara (certain fresh-water species belonging to the
mailed Siluridse), and the celebrated Goramy of Java and the Mauritius,
Osphromenus Olfax, Comm.||

The Codfish tribe is, in its geographic range, almost confined to the
colder or more temperate regions of the globe ; and, in the absence of
much positive information relative to their existence in the corresponding
parallels of southern latitude, the focus of its species may be stated to
extend from about forty to sixty degrees of north latitude, and its prin-
cipal genera to be composed of fishes from the northern hemisphere.
Such are the common Cod, the Haddock, Whiting, Coalfish, Ling, and
Tusk, or Torsk. The genus Phi/cis, with the Hake {Merliicius vul-
garis, Cuv,), passes further south : and, as in this direction the former-
mentioned fishes disappear, the Phycides become more numerous ; taking

(t»jv •xora.fji.'ta.t f^v^ctivav), on account of the latter having only " one spine" da/an aKctiSw), which cannot
possibly mean, as Rondelet and Salviani understood it, not attending to the exact force of the word
(/.iav, a continuous {avx^^^os) or an exappendiculate backbone, may be referred more safely to the
tribe of Siluridaj. Confer Salv. p. 74 and Rondel, pp. 401 and 414. The former labours to prove of
the Hake, that it may be said to have only one spine, because its ribs are connate to the vertebrae,
not separable by boUing, retuse at their tips, and veiy short ; so that they cannot properly be called
spines ! To such reasoning it can be only needful to reply that there were many other fishes well-
known to the ancients in the same condition ; whereas the character in question is surely rather to
be sought for in some external peculiarity belonging to the fins. Rondelet absurdly thinks that this
onfico; was the Sturgeon. Salviani subsequently (back of p. 232) thought it was the Sea-tench.

* Arist. 0. xL 3. t See Cuv. et Val. xii. 7. X Vide Rondel, pp. 187, 19G.

§ " In media alga niJificantem vidi." It may be doubted whether he ever actually saw the fisli
doing more than lurking amongst the seaweeds.

II See Dr. Hancock's and General Ilardwicke's interesting impers in tlie Zoological .Jounuil,
vol. iv. pp. 245, 309.

PHYCIS MEDITERRANEUS. 198

in Madeira and in the Mediterranean their place, but very inefficiently
supplying it both in regard to quality and numbers.

The Sea-tench, however, in Madeira, when in season, that is, from
October to December, when it is also in milt or roe, is a delicate, good
fish ; often compared, as it was long ago by Willughby, to the Whiting,
which it resembles in taste, but more in the tenderness, transparency, and
lightness of its flesh when boiled. Thus in its season, both of breeding
and of finest order for the table, the Sea-tench does not depart from the
general habit of its tribe. Mr. Yarrell says of the common Codfish
(Aforrhua vulgaris, Cuv.), that it spawns about February, and " is in
the greatest perfection as food from the end of October to Christmas.
It may, in fact," he adds, " be said of the whole family of the Gadidae,
that they are in the best condition for the table during the cold months
of the year." *

The Sea-tench is, according to Cuvier, called in the Mediterranean
Molle, or Tanche de mer. Rondelet gives Mole for its Proven9al, Sal-
viani Tenca marina and Pesce Jico (which Rondelet reporting, and pre-
disposed to find in it Aristotle''s (pvKig-, has spelled phi/co) for its Roman
name : both the first and last being probably derived, as these authors
have themselves observed, from the softness of its flesh. An enthusiastic
etymologist might be sorely tempted, following this lead, to look at once
for the origin of its Portuguese name, Abrdtea, in the Greek aBporrjg,
or a^^og, ob carnem delicatam, friabilem, mollem. The wild Asphodel
{Asphodelus ramosus, L.) is, according to Brotero, also called Abrotea :
and it is possibly from some fanciful or unexplained connection with this
plant that the fish has come to be so called. I find a " Brota," which
is said to be the same fish as the Madeiran, in a list from TenerifTe. At
Nice, Risso reports that it is called " Moustella bruna."" On the British
shores it is unknown ; the only kind of Phycis they possess being the
true P. furcatus, Cuv.

The Abrotea, or Sea-tench, is taken in Madeira from a depth of two
or three fathoms, close in shore, to one of two or three " linhas," or
a hundred fathoms ; and if never in profusion, like the Mackerel or
Bonito, being a solitary, not gregarious fish, it is scarcely ever absent
altogether from the market.

The late Mr. Bowdich was misled, by an accidental monstrosity or
mutilation in the example which he figured, into the formation of a
species ; to which he gave a name pre-occupied by a very distinct mem-
ber of the genus, which has not yet occurred in Madeira, though it is
found both in the Mediterranean and Britain, the P. furcatus of Cuvier,
the Great Forked Beard, Forked Hake or Hake's Dame of YarrclFs

* Brit. Fish. ii. 14iJ.

194 GADID.E.

British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 201. This fisli is chiefly characterized by its
long ventral beards or rays, which arc twice the length of the head, and
by the high and pointed first dorsal fin, which resembles in shape and
elevation that of P. Yarrellii, t. vii. supra, but is ten-rayed.

Shape elongated, thickish forwards at the head and shoulders, much compressed
and thin towards the tail : the dorsal fine is nearly straight and horizontal, with a
rather abrupt and marked depression at the nape ; the ventral line is rather pro-
tuberant, ascending from the commencement of the anal fin. The greatest depth
is at about one tliird of the whole length of the fish, or at the origin of the second
dorsal fin, and is one fourth of the whole length ; but at the root of the caudal fin
it is scarcely one sixteenth of the same. The greatest thickness is from the cheeks
nearly to the tip of the pectoral fins, and a little exceeds half the greatest
depth.

The head in length equals the greatest depth. It is small and depressed, or low
and flat at the top between the eyes ; and the cheeks behind these are very fleshy,
thick, and tumid. The eyes are small and round, with plain flat fleshy orbits : the
space between them exceeds but little their diameter, which is from one fifth to one
sixth of the length of the head. Sometimes, as in the Cherne, they are spasmodically
protruded from their sockets. The mouth and gape are large and wide : the muzzle
short, broad, and depressed Uke a frog's : the lower jaw is shorter than the upper,
with a short flexible beard at its tip or symphysis beneath. The teeth are small, but
sharp, and thick-set in rather broad bands around the edges of both jaws, and in a
heart-shaped patch upon the vomer; but there are none whatever on the palatines:
the rest of the roof of the mouth being, Uke the broad and thin or flattened tongue,
quite smooth.

The whole head is quite plain and unarmed. The edge of the opercle is thin
and membranous, and that of the preopercle is covered and concealed by the skin.
The humeral bones are also indiscernible externally.

The pectoral fins are oblongo-spatulate or ear-shaped, rounded at the tips,* rather
small or narrow, and placed halfway up the side. They are in length about one
seventh of the whole length of the fish.

The ventral fins consist each of a single forked and fleshy compressed filament,
placed considerably before the pectoral fins low down on the throat, halfway
between the base of the pectoral fins and the eye. They are a little longer than
the head.

The first dorsal fin is placed forward, beginning over the upper or anterior end of
the base of the pectoral fins. It is small, low, and triangular, with the tip or apex
rounded and not pointed. Its height about equals the length of its base ; and the
third and three following rays are the longest.

The second dorsal fin begins close behind the first, and continues of nearly equal
height or breadth, with a straight and even edge, to the root of the caudal fin. Its
height does not exceed that of the first dorsal fin ; being from one third to one
fourth of the gi-eatest depth of the body.

The anal fin commences a little behind a point opposite to the origin of the
second dorsal, with which it corresponds in every other respect, being only a little
narrower.

The caudal fin is small, and fan or wedge-shaped.

All the fins are soft and fleshy or rather leathery, with the rays indistinct, or
obsolete. The dorsal and anal fins are very thick and fleshy at their base.

* By an error in engraving, they are incorrectly represented to be pointed in the accompanying
figure. Their fonn is better given by Salviani or Willughby : but still not quite correctly.

PHYCIS MEDITEREANEUS. 195

Whole body reticulated v/ith rather small and indistinct, vertically lunate scales,
which when removed are found to be longitudinally oblong, soft, entire, and of the
cycloidal structure. Only the muzzle and lips are naked. The fins, especially the
first dorsal, are apparently naked ; but really are reticulated halfway up or more
from their base with small obscure scales.

The lateral line is narrow, distinct, and somewhat chain-like. It runs nearly
straight to the tips of the pectoral fins, and then, descending gradually to the middle
of the sides, continues again in a straight line to its termination. It is generally
even ; but sometimes, as in the example figured, has a festoon or sinus in some part
of its course, or else is a little wavy at its origin.

The usual colour is an uniform light greyish-brown or pale ash, with sometimes
a leaden, sometimes an olive tint ; the back, head, lips, and fins towards the
borders being darker and approaching to black, with the edges of the second dorsal,
anal, and caudal, and the tips of the pectoral fins white. The ventral forks or fila-
ments are pale or whitish, sprinkled with grey specks. In the variety j3, which is
however comparatively rare, the whole fish is of a rich deep coffee-colour, relieved in
parts on the sides of the head and shoulders with brighter saffron or golden-brown
tints, paler under the throat, but scarcely so on the sides or belly : the fins are
almost black towards their tips or edges, and fimbriated with pure white and orange
flesh-colour : the whole in colouring reminding one somewhat of the Tench ( Tinea
vzdcfaris), or the Mero of Madeira, (Sen-amtsjimbriatus). Intermediate or transi-
tion states as to colour between these two varieties occur : some having the head
coffee-coloured and the body of the usual pale ash ; whilst others are pale ash,
clouded or mottled with coffee-brown : and I have not observed them to correspond
with any regularity to particular seasons, or to either of the sexes.

The iris is either pale brassy, or iii /3, rich coffee-brown on a golden ground, the
inner edge being clear brassy. Its upper part is darker than the rest. The pupil
is bluish or rather violet-black, not opaline. The vent is surrounded by a broad
livid-black ring, or rather may be said to be in the middle of a round black spot.
The bands or groups of teeth are red or flesh-colour : the rest of the mouth inside,
with the tongue, being pale or white.

On dissection, the liver is found to be pale-coloured, and very large, having both
its lobes excessively elongated, and reaching even beyond the vent. The stomach
is large, oblongo-pyriform, or simply pear-shaped. The caeca are very distinct and
numerous, being upwards of thirty in number. They are long and slender or ver-
miform, and somewhat stiff or fiiTn in substance. The intestine makes one long
complete, and then two short half volutions ; proceeding afterwards straight to the
vent. The air-bladder is singular from its constriction into three confluent cham-
bers or compartments, placed one before the other ;* the hindmost being large and
oval, the middle one much smaller and globose, and the foremost again larger and
cross-shaped or transverse, like the head of the common Hammer-fish {Zygcena
malleus, Val.), or bilobed with a wide and deep sinus in front. The parietes of
each of these are very thick, strong, and fibrous : yet they are almost always found
ruptured upon capture.

As in the Cheme and some other fishes, the stomach by spasmodic action
becomes very frequently inverted, rising up into the mouth ; in which state it was
mistaken by Mr. Bowdich for the air-bladder. The mouth is also generally gaping,
and the branchial membrane and the muscles of the throat and jaws are left spas-
modically outstretched in a state of rigid tension after death.

There are fourteen abdominal, and usually thirty-three, but sometimes thirty-

* These were figured by Willughby, p. 205, long ago, and are well described by Laroche in his
" Observations sur la Vessie aerienuc des Poissons," p. 70.

196 GADlD.f:.

four, caudal vertebrae. The two first abdominal are very short, with short oblique
lateral apophyses : the third is short, with two short convergent approximate ver*
tical apophyses beneath in its middle : the eight or nine last have long divergent
rib-like apophyses. In the six or seven first caudal vertebrae, the apophyses form
very mde arches ; especially those of the two or three first, whose arches are
almost circular. All the bones are peculiarly white and sub-opake, comparatively
with those of most fishes.

The Sea-tench in Madeira rarely exceeds the length of two feet, or
the corresponding weight of four or five pounds. The example figured
was nineteen or twenty inches long, which is about the usual size. It was
of the pale or ash-coloured variety.

An Abrotea is said once to have occurred here weighing ten pounds.
It was accounted quite a curiosity ; but, when cooked, proved wholly
worthless. Possibly, however, it might be a straggler of some other larger
species of the tribe, such as the Ling, Molva vulgaris, Cuv.

No. I.— 1st July, 1843. Plain . . 2«. 6c?.

Coloured . . 5s.
Plain and coloured 6s. 6d.

A HISTORY

OF

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA,

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE, M.A.

BRITISH CHAPLAIN.

WITH ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF

ALL THE SPECIES,

THE HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M. YOUNG.

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1843.

S. BENTLEY, AND CO., BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. II. will be published on the' 1st of September.

1

PROSPECTUS.

The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the
scientific Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of
character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril-
liancy and splendour of their colouring.

Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one
fourth part, are either new or have been hitherto imperfectly
described ; and of the others, there are few the history of
which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity.

A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir
by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society
of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither-
to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared.

To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and
furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the
main objects of the present undertaking; the materials for
which are the result of several years' patient investigation and
continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved
and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with
the Author, have originally drawn them — a combination much
in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the
Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former
valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the
Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently
on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant
History of British Fishes.

No systematic order will be followed in the course of pub-
lication ; each plate, M'ith the corresponding letter-press, will
form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a
systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given.

The Work will be published in Numbers, each containing
four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal
8vo. 2s. 6d. plain, 5s. coloured; or in Demy 4to. 5s. plain,
7*. 6d. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6s. 6c?.
Royal 8vo., lOs. 6d. Demy 4to.

LONDON : PRINTED BY S. & J. BENTLEY, WILSON & FLEY,
BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. II. — 1st September, 1843. Plain . .2s. 6d.

Coloured . . 5s.

A HISTORY

OF

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA,

BY

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE, MiA.

BRITISH CHAPLAIN.

WITH ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF

ALL THE SPECIES,

i

HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M. YOUNG.

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1843.

S. BKNTLEY, AND CO., BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. III. will be published on the 1st of November.

PROSPECTUS.

The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the
scientific Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of
character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril-
liancy and splendour of their colouring.

Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one
fourth part, are eith* new or have been hitherto imperfectly
described ; and of the others, there are few the history of
which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity.

A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir
by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society
of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither-
to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared.

To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and
furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the
main objects of the present undertaking; the materials for
which are the result of several years' patient investigation and
continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved
and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with
the Author, have originally drawn them-— a combination much
in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the
Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former
valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the
Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently
on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant
History of British Fishes.

No -systematic order will be followed in the course of pub-
lication ; each plate, with the corresponding letter-press, will
form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a
systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given.

The Work will be published in Numbers, each containing
four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal
8vo. 2s. 6d. plain, 5*. coloured; or in Demy 4to. 5*. plain,
7s. 6d. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6s. 6d.
Royal 8vo., 10s. 6d. Demy 4to.

LONDON ; PHINTHD BY S. & J. BKNTLEY, WILSON, AND PLKY,
BANGOR HOUSE, SHOB LANK.

NoOII.— IstJa&fEMBER, 1843.

Plain
Coloured

. 2s. 6d.
. 5s.

A HISTORY

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA,

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE, M.A.

BRITISH CHAPLAIN.

WITH ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF

ALL THE SPECIES,

THE HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M, YOUNG.

LONDON:

JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER, ROW.
1843.

S. BENTI.EY, AND CO.,

BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

J^

No. IW. will be published on the \st of ^^»^asiAa:

^^

■ ^ ,.^^.-^ ^.-V,,. ... . ■;-.. .

PROSPECTUS.

The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the
scientific Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of
character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril-
liancy and splendour of their colouring.

Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one
fourth part, are eith* new or have been hitherto imperfectly
described; and of the others, there are few the history of
which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity.

A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir
by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society
of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither-
to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared.

To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and
furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the
main objects of the present undertaking; the materials for
which are the result of several years' patient investigation and
continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved
and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with
the Author, have originally drawn them — a combination much
in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the
Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former
valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the
Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently
on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant
History of British Fishes.

No systematic order will be followed in the course of pub-
lication ; each plate, with the corresponding letter-press, will
form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a
systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given.

The Work will be published in Numbers, each containing
four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal
8vo. 2*. 6c?. plain, 5^. coloured ; or in Demy 4to. 5s. plain,
75. 6c?. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6*. 6c?.
Royal 8vo., 10^. 6c?. Demy 4to.

LONDON : PRINTED BY S. & J. DENTLEY, WILSON, AND PLEY,
BANOOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. Iir=-lst S«PTBMBER, 184<^ Plain . . 2*. 6c?.

Coloured . . 5s,

A HISTORY

OP

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA,

BY

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE, M.A.

BRITISH CHAPLAIN.

WITH ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF

ALL THE SPECIES,

BY

THE HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M. YOUNG.

LONDON: ' j»
JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW. ▼

1843. '^

S. BENTLEY, AND CO., BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. III. will be published on the 1st of November.

PROSPECTUS.

The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the
scienti6c Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of
character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril-
liancy and splendour of their colouring.

Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one
fourth part, are either new or have been hitherto imperfectly
described ; and of the others, there are few the history of
which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity.

A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir
by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society
of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither-
to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared.

To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and
furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the
main objects of the present undertaking; the materials for
which are the result of several years' patient investigation and
continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved
and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with
the Author, have originally drawn them — a combination much
in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the
Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former
valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the
Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently
on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant
History of British Fishes.

No systematic order will be followed in the course of pub-
lication ; each plate, with the corresponding letter-press, will
form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a
systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given.

The Work will be published in Numbers, each containing
four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal
8vo. 2s. 6d. plain, 5^. coloured; or in Demy 4to. 5*. plain,
7s. 6d. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6s. 6d.
Royal 8vo., 10*. 6c?. Demy 4to,

LONDON : PRINTED BY S. & J. BENTI.EY, WILSON, AND FLEY,
BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

No. K— 1st Jnnrj \'^4i0 Plmim ■ ■ gg. 6c?.

Plaim a$iA^»imu'od 6oi 6d.

A HISTOEY

OF

THE FISHES OF MADEIRA,

KICHARD THOMAS LOWE, M.A.

BRITISH CHAPLAIN.

WITH ORIGINAL FIGURES FROM NATURE OF

ALL THE SPECIES,

BY

THE HON. C. E. C. NORTON AND M. YOUNG.

LONDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.

S. BENTLEV, AND CO., B.4NG0R HOUSE, SHOE LANE.

PROSPECTUS.

The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the
scientific Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of
character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril-
liancy and splendour of their colouring.

Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one
fourth part, are either new or have been hitherto imperfectly
described ; and of the others, there are few the history of
which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity.

A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir
by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society
of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither-
to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared.

To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and
furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the
main objects of the present undertaking ; the materials for
which are the result of several years' patient investigation and
continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved
and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with
the Author, have originally drawn them — a combination much
in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the
Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former
valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the
Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently
on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant
History of British Fisl^es. »►

No systematic order will be followed in the course of pub-
lication ; each plate, with the corresponding letter-press, will
form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a
systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given.

The Work will 1>'e published in Numbers, each containing
four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal
8vo. 2*. 6d. plain, 5s. coloured ; or in Demy 4to. 5^. plain,
7*. 6d. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6*. 6c?.
Royal 8vo., lO*. 6d. Demy 4to.

LONDON : PRINTED BY S. & J. BENTJ.EV, WIJ.SON & FJ.EV,
BAN<iOR HOUSE, 5H0K J.ANE.

Date Due

Oo Aj or <^

ec^c c /VTET

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