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NATIONAAL HATUURHISrORISCH nuSEUH Postbu* 95ir 2

BIBLIOTHEEK

Nsderland

Dr. GEORGE WILLIAM STAEMPFLI

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THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OP

BRITISH FISHES.

y5IOT;

I

• *< .

Tnis Natural History of Brltisn Fishes
Was originally publisnecl in five voluiiies,

'^ut the fishes were not. atrrangeh systematically.

The five volumes iu this case have been
t>ouncl up in two, and before binding the
Tishes were arranged systematically according
^■-o the order laid down in the advertisement
the ooiniaencement of volume 1.

Although it may appear at first sight,
the original numbers of the plates being
out of sequenc^, that the work is not complete,
is really so, and is in more systematic

order than vmen originally published in
^ive volumes, wiiich is a considerable

advantage.

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

I

BRITISH FISHES,

INCLUDING

scientific and general descriptions

OF THE

MOST INTERESTING SPECIES,

AND AN

EXTENSIVE SELECTION

OP

accurately finished coloured plates.

lAKBN ENTIRELY FROM

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS,

purposely Made from the specimens ix a recext state,

AND FOR THE MOST PAllT WHILST LIVINO.

IN FIVE VOLUMES. BOUND IN TWO.
VOL. I.

by E. DONOVAN, E.L.S.

author Of Tilt NATURAL HISTORIES OF ERIIISH BIRD!,
INSECTS, SHELLS, &C.

K-onUon:

printed for THE author,

AND FOE

F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON, N® 62 , ST. PAUL’S CIIURCH-YARD.

ISOS.

RtJs' -.MUSHUM VAN
N'AfUU:- ,-|(sro»IE
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fEWTED 3Y LAW AND GILBERT, ST. JOIw’s SiyjARE,

CIERK£N\V£I,L»

r^i^.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The present Volumes are submitted witli defereuce to
the Public taste as a splendid illustration of the Ichthyo-
logy of Great Britain; and as a work, which, from the
interest of its nature, and extent of design, no less than
the superiority of its embellishments, may be considered
as a valuable addition to the library of the English
reader.

This work contains a descriptive account of those fishes
Avhich are usually denominated natives of the British
Isles, either from constantly residing in our streams, and
livers ; oui seas, and the vicinities of our coasts, or those
occasional wanderers from other climates, which either
visit us at stated seasons, or are accidentally discovered
near ourshoies. -The author has throughout endeavoured
to render it a work of general utility both to the scientific
and general reader, and as he trusts, not altogether with-
out success. Ihe plates have also been executed with the
utmost care, and it is apprehended will not be found
in any respect inferior to those included in either of his
former Zoological undertakings. Those embellishments
indeed form no inconsiderable portion of the present work ;
as they consist altogether of one hundred and twenty
plates, the whole of which are correctly finished in colours

ADVEETISEAIEXT.

in imitation of the original drawings ; which latter, with
few exceptions, it should be observed, were taken from
living or recent examples of the respective fishes for the
express purpose of this publication.

1 he outline of our design is sufficiently developed in
the foreping observations, but it may still be necessary
to enter into a further explanation : — something more than
a genera! notice of its leading object will be naturally
expected as an introduction to an undertaking of such an
extensive nature. With respect to the general merits of
Its execution the author will forbear adducing any obser-
vation. The progre.ssive manner in wbich it lias been
brought before the Public must have enabled every reader
to form his own conclusion on that subject, and it is not
therefore for the author to interfere in their decision,
vhether favourable to his endeavours, or otherwise. He
niay nevertheless be allowed to mention, that the attention
it has obtained was sufficiently flattering to induce him to
extend the work to its present bulk, or at least to add the
fifth volume to the four originally proposed j and this he
is inclined to think may be considered as some criterion of
public countenance and approbation,

When the author first conceived the idea of producino-
a woik on J3iitish Fishes in part of his engagements to
elucidate the Natural History of the country, *tiiedi%ulty
of procuring the subjects requisite for such a work seemed
to present an inaurinoimtablc obstacle to the undertakino-.
He clearly saw the impropriety of ]>roceedi!ig a single step
till he became possessed of the whole, or greater part of
them. But in this instance he was content to solicit the

ACvERTISEMENT-i

kind communications of those friends of science who had
favouied him with subjects in other departments; and who,
from their local situations in various parts of the country,
might be enabled to assist him. But in this particular
blanch of iSatural History it must he acknowledged their
best endeavours proved ineffectual : the number of species
so piocnred were inconsiderable, and it became necessary
to visit those coasts where the more rare and local kinds
aie sometimes found, in order to possess them.

his task was not exempt from difficulty ; it w'as not
enough to visit those coasts, but to seek the objects in re-
quest in the depths and recesses of the ocean ; and in the
accomplishment of wliich he could only avail himself of
suer opportunities of venturing to sea as the accommoda-
n of the tishing craft, or ojien boats of such remote and
> icquented places, would allow. Those, it may be con-
ceived, Meie not at all times calculated for comfort or
even convenience, nor wholly free from peril. This mode
piocuiing the specimens proved, however, in th.e end,
sncccsstul, in the space of a few months, devoted at
eient peiiods to this purpose, many extremely scarce
cm ions articles were obtained, not only of the
c ithyology kind, but in every other class of marine pro-
ductions; and with repect to the fishes of the country in
particulai, it afforded the best, if not the only means of
ascertaining with accuracy the precise characters of those
peiishablc beings. By this means also the author was
enabled to delineate a variety of the more brilliant species
in the highest state of perfection, and while they ye,t
glowed with the vivid hues of life. This was assuredly a

a 2

ADVEHTlSEirENT.

nutter of serious importance, as it is obviously known
that nothing can be more fugitive in general than the
colours of the more resplendent creatures of this tribe
many of which while alive and vigorous display the most

fascinating emanations of colour; but snatched from their

i^ative dement, those fervid hues alternately fade and

rZri ' H of life, and, evanescent

dL h ’ ''' '' expiring gasp of

i he Public will be aware of the advantages which
materials so collected have afforded the author in perfect-
mg ins design. Those who have hitherto treated on British
r.slies, however respectable, it is not to be denied, have
sometimes been induced to describe species they have
never seen, or ascertained from sufficient authority ; and
errors have been thus foisted upon the public, without
peihaps any latent motive for imposing on them, Of the
t anger resulting from this, the author was so fully con-
vinced in tlie outset of the present work, that he pro-
posed to omit every kind which had not fallen under his
own immediate observation, and of which examples even
did not remain m his Museum, in order to remove every
c oubt of scepticism as to the actual existenccof such splen-
did and unusual creatures. To this intention he has in-
variably adhered tliroughout, with the solitary exception
of a single fish, the Cj/c/op/erus represented

as will appear in tlie body of the work, on the authority of
a drawing, communicated from a very respectable friend;

* Plate 68.

advertisement.

an which, as the specimen itself could not be obtained,
was thought sufficiently interesting to justify such a de-
viation from our first resolution.

At the commencement of the publication of this work
n parts, the number of fishes in preparation was stated
out one hundred subjects. This extensive number, it
line ei stood, included all the more common and abun-
in s of fishes, in addition to such a selection of the
laiei species as had been procured through the exertions
le authoi and the medium of his friends. Possessing
lose, t ic work ivas undertaken with the design of being
volumes, or in the event of obtaining
ahi? and the publication itself being favour-

vohimf 1 ^ ^ *®’^'ainder. The addition of a fifth
time fin accordingly ; but in the course of

so on the publication began, the author has

sitio enriched his collection with new acqni-

the found inadequate to comprise

altnlltT ^ number of those latter additions amount

tl. em . " “■'‘I i" “ ind«l<=

pionosed witiiout exceeding, tlic utmost limits

the mns/f conceived advisable to exclude some of
rari.r “"'I tl.ose

tile cause o “cvelu'"'' ■ '>tplaiu

fishes iu the present ‘

lie cousWered a neeulL^ ‘T

thus rendered „,me- ‘“'“'tuge. tlie work itself heiug

subjects tlnn *“ l»u"t of rare and beautiful

; that the omission of the commoii Eel, the

ADVERTISEMENT.

Sahnon, and the Sprat, is amply compensated by the in-
sertion of the Toothed Gilt-head, the Opah, and Saury
Pike; and thzt the Starry Ray Salvelian Gharr ; or
tl)e Trumpet Fish, and variegated Sole, will certainly be
admitted as interesting equivalents for the common Skate
and the Herring.

The works that have hitherto appeared professedly on the
subject of British Ichthyology arc very few. Among the
principal of those may be mentioned the leones Piscium of
Albin, an inconsiderable work, but one of remote date ; the
Catalogues of Ray, and Piscium Anglicorumo? the same
author; the Ichthyological Observations to be found in
the Miscellaneous Works of Dale, and Borlase; a few de-
tached papers in the Transactions of the Royal Society ;
that curious production, the Complete Angler of old
Walton ; and the third volume of Mr. Pennant’s British
Zoology. It may be superfluous to add, that neither
of those are on the same plan as the present illustration.

The following systematic arrangement of the British
Fishes included in this work will serve more fully to ex-
plain its nature and contents:

SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT.

VOLUME.-I,

APODES.

Mursena Conger, Conger Eel
Anarhichas Lupus, ravenous Wolf-fish,
Ammodytes Toblanus, Sand Launce

Plate

- 119 -/

24-2
S3 -3

advertisement.

JUGULARES.

Callionymus Lyra, Gemmous Dragonet
allionymus Diacunculus, Sordid Dragonet
rachinus Major, Greater Weever, or Sting-bull
I radiinus Draco, Common Weever

GadusaEglefinus. Haddock

Gadus Morhua, common Cod-fish
Gadus Luscus, Bib ' _

Gadus Merlangius, Whiting

Gadus Carbonarius, Coal-fish

Gadus Pollachius, Pollack

Gadus Merluccius, Hake

Gadus Molva, Ling

Gadus lota. Burbot

Gadus mustella, luve-beardcd Cod

Gadus tncirratus, Three-bearded Cod, or Rockling

Gadus Brosme, Scotch Torsk

Blennius Gattorugine, Gattorugine Blenny

Blennius pholis. Smooth Blenny

Blennius gunnellus. Spotted Blenny

Blennius viviparous, Viviparous Blenny

THORACICI.

Cepola rubescens, Rubescent Band-fish
Gobius niger, Black Goby
Gobius minutus, Spotted Goby
ottus Cataphractus, Pogge, or armed Bull-head
^ottus Scorpios, Father Lasher

Gortus gobio. River Dull-head •-

jeus Luna, Qpah, or King-fish
Aeus kaber, Doree

Pleuronectes Hippoglossus, Hollibut
Pleuronectes platessa, Plaise

Bleuronectes flessus. Flounder
I learonectes microcephalus, Small-headed Dab

Plats;

9 — A

85 —■ 5“
107 — 4 '

23-7'
59 - i
106 -
19 - /O
S6 — //
13 - /T
7-/3
28 ///
102 - / S'
92-/6

14-/7'
2 — /f
70 -

86 -
79-5/
27 - 32
3^ — 2 3

>05 -
104 - 3 5 "
3 S - 36
16 - 2 V
35 - ■?«'
80 -
97

8 ^ 3 /

75 -33

6 <- S’,
94 —

42 - 5 S'.

ADVERTISEMESTT.

Pleuronectes limanda, Dab
Pleuronectes Solea, Sole
Pleuronectes variegatus, Variegated Sole
Pleuronectes maxiraus, Turbot
Pleuronectes rhombus, Brill
Pleuronectes megastoma, WhifF
Pleuronectes Cyclops, Cyclops Flounder
, Sparus aurata, Lunulated Gilt-head
Sparus dentex, Four-toothed Sparus
Sparus Raii, Ray’s toothed Gilt-head
Labrus Tinea, Old Wife Wrasse
Labrus variegatus, Striped Wrasse
Labrus lineatus, streaked Wrasse
Labrus Julis, Indented-striped Wrasse
Labrus trimaculatus, Tiimaculated Wrasse
Labrus Cornubiensis, Gold-finny
Perea fluviatilis, Common Perch
Perea labrax, Basse

Perea cernua, Ruffe - _ ,

Gasterostens aculeatus, Three-spined Stickleback

Gasterosteus pungitius, Ten-spined Stickleback

Gasterostens spinachia, Fifteen-spined Stickleback

Scomber Scomber, Mackarel , ,

Scomber Thynnus, Tunny

Scomber Trachurus, Scad

Mulius surmuletus, Striped Surmullet

Trigla Lyra, Piper

Trigla Gumardus, Grey Gurnard

Trigla Hirundo, Sapphirine

Trigla lineata, Streaked Gurnard ,

VOLUME. 2. - ,

ABDOMINALES.

Cobitis barbatula, Bearded Loche
Salmo Fario, Trout ^

S.'Jmo Cambricus, Sewen

m

Plats .

3 ^

44- •
62- 2>1
in - 3 ?

46. 3^

95.

90.

37-
83 -
21-^1

95 -A 'll

49 - ffd*

72 - i"!
52 - 5 '^
43 -^,'3
39~fU

32 - 3 '^
45 -

120 -S 6

5- fC\
3 ~L 0
12-^1
118- (^2
30'

I -

4 - 65 ’

85 -< jO

ADVEnTlSEMENT,

Salmo alpimis, Alpine Charr

Salmo Salvelinus, Salvelian Charr

Salmo eperlanus, 'Smelt

Salmo Thymallus, Grayling

Esox Lucius, Common Pike *

_ ' Common Gar-fish

X saurus, Saury, or Skipper Pike
thenna Hepsetu's. European Atherine
^lugil ccphalus, Mullet
Exocoetus VoHtans, Flying-fish ’

'-lupea pilcardus. Pilchard
Clupea alosa, Shad
Clupea alosa, young, White Bait
'“lupea encrasicolus. Anchovy
Cyprinus Barbus, Barbel . .

Cyprinus Carpio, Carp
Cyprinus Tinea, Tench
• Cyprinus gobio. Gudgeon '

Cyprinus Jeses, Chub

Cyprinus Lcuciscus, Dace
Cyprinus phoxinus, Minow
Cyprinus ritulus, Roach
Cyprinus erythropthalmus. Red-eye
'-yprinus alburnus, Bleak

Cyprinus Brama, Bream . '

PLiTB ~
61
112
48
88

- 109
100

64 -
115
87

” 15

31

- 69 '

£7
98 ■
50 .

- 29
110
118

71

^ . 115 •-

77 -
60 -
67 -
40 -
18 ^
93 -

branchiostegi.

Pelagic Vfi*

entriKcus Scolopax, Snipe, or Tumpet-fisli

b

66

25

41

55

58

63

ADVERTISEMENT,

G

AA.Jwv.Oul>

lUtwX^cci

juA

Cyclopterus Luinpus, Lump sucker, or Lump fish

1 -/oo

Cyclopterus liparis, Unctuous Sucker

47-

Cylopterus ocellatus, Ocellated Sucker

m.

76 - J

Cyclopterus bimaculatus, Bimaculated Sucker -

78-'g5

Cyclopterus Montagu!, Diminutive Sucker

68- 1

Lophius Fiscatorius, Fishing Frog, or Common Angler

-

101 . loi

CHONDROPTERYGII.

Acipenser Sturio, Common Sturgeon

Pr

65-Io6

Chimera monstrosa. Sea Monster

55. id

Squalus Catulus, Lesser Spotted Dog-fish

Squalus Cornubicus, 'Porbeagle Shark

Squalus Acanthias, Spine-backed Shark*

-

108 . 1 Ot)
S2.[lO

Squalus Squatina, Angel Shark

17-111

Raja 'Forpedo, Electric Ray

53-1 1^

Raja miraletus, Mirror Ray

103-1 1>

Raja rubus, Rouglt Ray . - _

20.11^1

Raja Pastinaca, Sting Ray * -

99 • M i

Raja clavata, 'I'hornbaCk - - _

26 -uii

Raja radiata. Starry Ray - _

ii4-n1

Petromyzon marinus,' Great, or Sea Lamprey

81-11?

Petromyzon fiuviatilis, Lesser Lamprey

54-H^I

In the above arrangement we have adhered to the Lin-
nfean mode of classification, and of course excluded the
cetaceous mammalia, or animals of the whale kind, from
tlie class of fishes, to which some writers erroneously refer
them'.

From the enumeration of those fishes it will be found,
that many species are introduced into the present work
which have not been before recorded as natives of the
country, and others that are perfectly undescribed. It

ADVERTISEMENT.

^ill be fuithermore perceived, that, independently of a
ew of the more abundant kinds of the fish tribe, wliich,
as aheady intimated, were purposely omitted, others,
considered lare, aad described as such by several writers,
jiave een excluded. The latter omissions, we feel some
t,iatifieation in stating, have rarely arisen from the want
o the particular subjects intended, or even in many in-
stances the individual specimens, or drawings, to which
t le respective writers refer, but because there appeared
some weighty or sufficient reason for believing them inad-
missible into a work of this nature.

There is indeed too much cause to apprehend, that our
e^ historians on the subject of British Ichthyology have
fm ^^^^•^'iselves in various instances to be misled, and
n tie want of opportunity, or inclination in their suc-
s to investigate the truth, the mistakes of one writer
ve lecome confirmed by the subsequent testimony of
lers, and thus varieties, or even species, are established,
1C 1 have existence only in the writings of the authors by
■'v om they are described. Errors of this kind are immedi-
ate y within our knowledge, and which we cannot hesitate
to consider of such serious moment as to require particular
mention in this place. M'e really disclaim every allusion to
t e general veracity of the respectable writers involved in
t us explanation, but feel at the same time that we ought
not, consistently with our desire of promoting science, lend

oui countenance to error when it remains in our power
to correct it.

Eroni the time even of the illustrious Ray it is strongly
suspected that some few of the errors alluded to have

b 2

ADVJCRTISEMIiNr.

obtained their currency. There are two or three ambi-
guous tishes described by that author, but of which at
this remote period Ave can procure no very correct infor-
mation. We can neither comprehend the Cook cornu-
biensmm (or Labrus Coquus) of that writer, nor the
Black iisJC of his friend Mr. Jago, the minister of
Loo.— Perhaps the observations of future naturalists on
the Cornish coasts may confirm the accuracy of those
WTiters; we only mean to infer, that they are either ob-
scurely described, or fishes unknown to us.— The “ Lon^
Fisla/ig Frog^’ of Mount’s Bay, an account of which is
given by Dr. Borlase in the Natural History of Cornwall,
•we are not at present acquainted with ; but arc inclined
to think the description might be taken from a dried
example of the common Angler, which would assume
the linear appearance he describes;— and the Zaieni Sole
ot Borlase is also another fish we have never seen.

I he author of the British Zoology introduces all the
species abovementioned on the authority of Ray and Bor-
lase, and it is not without regret we may add, has included
others on less authentic obsci vation, The Trifurcated
Hake ol this writer, communicated, as his Avork informs
us, by the Rev. Mr. Hugh Davies, of Beaumaris, we
have been enabled to testify, on the most indubitable
authorit^^, is not in being;— the description Avas taken
from a damaged skin of the forked Hake, which latter
is also described by the same author, avIio thus con-
stitutes two species of the same fish * The Beaumaris

* Vide Donov.Tour of South Wales and Moninoulhshire ; wherem
file circuinstiinces attending the origin of this error is detailed at Icneth
cn the authority of the Ktv. .Mr, Hugh Davies.

advertisement.

S/iarko{ Pennant is also tlie same species as hisPorZ»efl’^/e*;

• Wrasse f, a variety only in colour of his

icie 7 it rasse, by which means two other supposed species
' erroneously added to the tribe of fishes. — We arefurther-
the called the Morris in

■works of G (which first obtained a place in the

and since that time in the Gmelinian
That \ ^ genus, under the title of Leptoce-

evam ^ lueans correctly ascertained. From an

uernlf ^ Museum, and an acquaintance with the
it we which Mr. Pennant describes

4. ’ 1 pretty Avell convinced it will eventually prove to
of a young and mutilated example

S“n„ellust, Tl.c mile Bai, is aL
norarr f^ ” ^ the young of the common Bleak,
but clLdv tl

other fishes of eommon Shad. Some few

we susnerr r obscure, and will be found,

^^-cribeda;Ii::^l;:J^^^

above tnlmin^^T^ besides the adoption of those

Works of Dr.^Shaw'''' l^btl.yological
larly aonfir .1 • •’ to wliich ^ve allude particu-

and have been ^"^turalists’ Miscellany,
— repeated in the General Zoology

ctvditofwhidiMr ^tr. -Morris, upon tl,e

speciiiu.n was found iiuTie 'l! ''

in which place ;he Blor • ' ' ^ Anglest-a, near Holyhead,

P ^t.e Blemuus gu.iiidlus was formerly very abundant.

ADVERTISEMENT.

of the same author. The Rosy Flounder (Pleuronectes
loseus) of Dr. Shaw, is certainly only an accidental va-
riety in colour of the common Flounder, examples of
which the river Thames affords in amazing number
during spring, and summer f. The Pyramidal Limp~
sucker (Cyclopterus pyrainidalis) of the same writer, is
only a distorted subject of the common LAimp-sucker'j' j
and his Sparus Formosus, a fish, not of the Sparus, but
Labrus genus, being no other than the striped Wrasse of
1 ennant, and Lcdjrus xariegatus of Gmchn and other
writers -j-.

The oblong Sun-fish of the Ixveriau Museum was not
an authentic specimen, but an ill-preserved skin of the
round or common Sun -fish, and which has misled some
authors so far as to consider the oblong Sun-fish a mere
variety of the other.

We could have wished also, that Dr. Turton, who has
favoured the English reader with a valuable and useful
translation of the Gmelinian System, had occasionally
consulted the various publications, from whence his addi-
tions to that work were selected, with greater caution ;
for by inserting those, the species have, in some instances,
been improperly multiplied, Gmeliu having before de-
scribed the same fishes under other names. A strikine:
example of this occurs in the genus Gadus, to which Dr.
Turton adds as a new species the Scotch Torsk of Pennant,
under the trivial appellation of Scoticus, not being aware
that the same species is immediately before described by

i-ff The specimens described by Dr. Shaw, formerly preserved in the
Leverian Museum, are at present in the collection of the author.

abvertisement.

his author under the name of Brosme *, and by this means
wo inds of the Torsk are described, though in reality
t ey are both the same fish. Dr. Turton, it should be
e likewise, admits the whole of the before-mentioned
ceptionable fishes as distinct and genuine species.

va ^ proceed further, but what has been ad-

nce alieady may be sufficient to show, that some few of

b ’ ^.inbiguous kinds of British fishes, recorded

to 1 ' when attentively examined, may prove

lave no better claim to the distinction of species than
ose already mentioned, and that it is therefore better to
pass over such in silence than involve ourselves in similar
ors y introducing any account of them. The amount
o those ambiguous fishes, which we have had no oppor-

«• ^ examining, may be stated altogether at about

eight or ten species.

As a sequel to our remarks, we can only repeat our for-
mer assuiances that our motive for noticing the above cir-
umstances aiose entirely from the considerations imposed
an irripaitial investigation of facts, which cannot, we
are o opinion, be too generally known to the Naturalists
th ^^'^otry , and even of Europe, in order to enable

I^riti ^ tiie native products of the

not important department of nature. — It is

TP 1 p- *^^^'^^"^^^’^‘^^mpelled to make such a material
on th J^ritish Fauna; it would have proved,

could ^ source of infinitely greater satisfaction

we rave been enabled to encrease its number in the

osuie, plate 70.

See our descriptiou of Gadus Bn

ADVERTISEMENT

same proportion we are obliged to reduce it ; but we are
satisfied of its necessity, and must in truth submit. Our
assertions have not been incautiously advanced : they are
the result of mature deliberation, and authentic evidences;
our inferences being for the most part taken from the origi-
nal drawings and manuscripts, to which those very writers
were indebted for their information, or from the indivi-
dual specimens described in ditferent collections, which
have been since concentrated in our possession, and at
present constitute a part of our own Museum.

^ 4

i

*r

%

CONGER EEL.

lotuicn difttU-^yr^oiui^rntTkCUHih-ij^n d^VtSo;.

PLATE I

PLATE CXIX.

mur^na conger.

CONGER EEL.

* PISCES JPODES.

generic character.

Head smooth: nostiils tubular: gill-membrane •with ten rays:
eyes covered with a common skin : body round and mucous : caudal,
dorsal, and anal fin united. '

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

» AND

SYNONYRIS.

Snout with two tentacula ; lateral line whitish with a row of dots.

^ Mura;na Conger ; rostro tentaculis duobus, linea laterali ex
puncto albida. Gmcl. Linn. Sj/st. Nat, T. 3.
P- l-p. 1135. sp. 9.

Mursna supremo margine pinnse dorsalis nigro. Art. Gen. Sj/n.
< 24. si/n. 40.

Murana pinna ani caudse dorsique coadunata, linea laterali alba.

Bloch. Ausl. Fisch. 2. p. 37. t. 155.

Conger Eel. Wilt. Ichth. ll\.—Raii. Syn. pise. 37.

Penn. Brit. Zool. Vol. 3. p. 147.

« 2

V

y.ivy

'f'A J ‘{

c!’;w. rliil 1 -.:- puj srij ■ -i* r

i:its:»l5 iijoa/^uij c.'r ■ Lsia.ij— 3 ^^" .A>?-d •-

i. Vt. geirl .;; ;.;.'-'^'i \c( hi^hoc.;.

,5^019 f fni ,.- a.j lyi// fci^Lia f iis .ojiir# / ‘fif rifciw ,-'uy"

^r'j yjoi!'-,/ u "o .gtixfor "-J' i» iaoittsJ.iJTn;

y-

JF

■■ . ■* . . ' '“■•.■:<.■■■•
*i:r ■^ -.. -■ ..

* . . ^,.'1 i -

• J • . « » \

I

■

I

fl.

a4

STRIPED
SEA WOLF.

PLATE 2

plate XXIV.

anarhichas lupus var ?
striped sea wolf,
apodes.

generic character.

obtuse . fore teeth in each jaw, conic, divergent, six in

mber, or more : grinders in the lower jaw, and palate rounded ;

ostegous membrane with six rays : body roundish ; tail fin
distinct.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

* AND

SYNONYMS.

usky ash colour, with irregular transverse browm streaks.
hichas Lupus, Wolf Fish. Pemi. Brit. Zuol. V. 3.

I

n. 65 . p. 151 .

Rhichas Strigosus : strigis irregularibus fere transversis fuscis.
^ Gmel. Syst. T.l.p.Z. p. 1144 . sp. 4 .

iCHAs Lupus : ex cinereo niger, lateribus, pinnis anali
caudalisque et abdomine albis ? Lmn. Syst.
Nat. 1 . p, 430 . n. 1 .

ether the Linnaean definition of Anarhichas Lupus be sufGci-
y expressive, may admit of doubt ; yet we cannot still believe

PLATE XXIV.

row of smaller teeth, which in the upper jaw makes the whole
amount to about eighteen, and in the lower one to twelve i the
giinding teeth join to the canine teeth in the lower jaw, but in the
upper one are separated from them ; and in the centre are two rows
of strong flat teeth, fixed upon an oblong basis, upon the bones of
the palate and the nose. These grinding teeth, or some resembling
them, are sometimes found in a fossil state, and are called cramp
stones, bufonites, and toad stones, and were formerly supposed to
possess many secret virtues, for whiclr reason tliey were set in
gold, and worn upon rings, &c.

This is a fierce and most voracious fish, and it requires both
caution and address to escape its fury when taken. Schoneveldc
relates, that its bite is so hard that it will seize an anchor, and
leave the marks of its teeth in it; and the Danish and German
names of Steenbider and Steinheisser, express the sense of its great
strength, as if it were capable of crushing even stones with its jaws.
The fishermen therefore endeavour, as soon as possible, to beat out
its fore teeth, and then kill it by striking it behind the head *.

>

It is sometimes taken with a hook and line, and sometimes by
spearing ; tlie latter mode of capture is successfully practised by the
Norwegians, who use a kind of trident for the purpose, and when
they observe the AV olf Fish prowling about the shore in search of
lobsters and shell fish, can take them by that means with little diffi-
culty. The Greenlanders eat the flesh raw, and make bags and
other articles of the skin. The aspect of this creature is so truly
hideous, that it is no matter of surprize it is seldom eaten in England,

* Pennant.

plate XXIV.

t«p. by the S*en„,„ ^

> oi e . The smell, when raw, h pcc„lia,iy sickly ; but we once
overcame our prejudice so far as to taste the flesh of it when dressed,

wl ’ 7 ’ ““ ""I -y i' 'vo» -ielioioos: it

was entirely divested of everv imr 1 j .

delicate, like that of ^ unpleasant odour, the appearance was

_ . . niackarel, and the flavour not unlike it, though

opinion it was far superior.

June, ZZ^L the shore in the months of May and

yoong, according to Z7

'lie sea wrack ' ^ greenish cast, resembling

birth. ^ nmongst which they reside for some time after their

PLATE a

plate XXXIII.

ammodytes tobianus.

SAND-LAUNCE, or sand-eel.

* APODES.
generic character.

lower ‘a ^ ’^^irower than the body ; upper lip doubled,

of sevL = teeth sharp pointed. GUI membrane

fays: ody long, square. Tail fin distinct.

SPECific CHARACTER.

AND

SYNONYMS.

Sand-Launce, . . • f • • . ,

Ammodytes Tod >trfenor jaw pointed.

ianus. ^rt. gen. 16. ^n. 29. spec. 35.—

Ammodytes maxilk * P' 1*

mfenore acuminata. Bloch Fisch. Deutschl.

S-aelsorLaunce

Sand-Launce. p’ Z

nn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 156, n. 65. t. 25.

discover d ^^"'^'Launee is the only species of its genus hither
e • It inhabits most of the sandy shores in the northe

PLATE XXXIII.

parts of Europe ; and is considered as a fish of excellent flavour j yet
it is seldom taken, except for baiting the hooks by the fishermen, t®
catch other fish.

At the ebb of the sea it buries itself at about the depth of a foot
in the sand, and there remains concealed till the .returning tide:
sometimes at low water its nose may be just perceived above the
surface of the sand, and in general its lurking place may be discovered
by a little dimple or bubbling in the sand.

These fish grow to the length of ten or twelve inches : on our
coasts they are more frequently observed about two or three inches
less. They feed on worms, and are the prey of the Porpesse, and
other voracious creatures : in the month of May they deposit their
spawn in the sands.

In the dorsal fin of one specimen in our possession are fifty-four
rays : in the pectoral fin fifteen : anal twenty-eight ; and caudal six-
teen.

t

4

GEMMOUS DBAGONET.

Zcnticn M iAr.irtdi/t>ir tv Ji.,

PLATE 4

plate IX.

CALLIONYMUS LYRA.
gemmous dragonet.
JUGULARES.

Generic character.

>Rembrar^ -‘doubled ; eyes approximate. Six rays in the gill,

naked aperture for breathing in the neck. Body

® • Ventral fins very remote.

OI-J'.CII-IC CHARACTER.

y of the first dorsal fin as long as the body.

Callionymus Lyr A • 1- . .

• noi sails prions radils longitudine corporis
r ,,, GwieL Linn. Syst. Nat. 1 1 5 1 . 1 5 1 , so. 1 .

Mous Dragonet. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 164. n. 69. A 27.

This *

the name of formerly known amongst English naturalists by
much propriet ^“’’nard, but which Mr. Pennant altered with
with that ^ could not certainly have been confounded

^'he extreme 1 ^ authors attended to its essential character.

guishes thi dorsal fin at once distin-

eature from any other found on our coast.

PLATE IX.

■We believe the Dragonet is far from common, at least it is a local
kind. The specimen from which the annexed figure is taken, was
caught on the western coast, among Smelts.

The predominant colour of this fish, when living, is a fine pellucid
brown, with marks and spots of pale blue, white, yellow^, and black,
disposed with peculiar elegance, and especially about the head and
dorsal fin : the ventral fin is dark purple, which finely contrasts with
the pellucidity and whiteness of the pectoral fin. The throat is
black.

The ventral fin consists of five rays : pectoral of twenty : first
dorsal fin of four rays, the first very long : second dorsal ray of
nine ; the last doubled up : anal fin nine rays, and caudal ten.

S'

V

ft

SORDID DRAGONET.

4

L<m(U>n:l^f thf thf Aet diretbt.h^ BJiffrwvnn&F^ C£-JJiMr^lT>n^fn

PLATE 5

plate lxxxiv.

L^ALLIONYMUS DRACUNCtJLUS.

SORDID DRAGONET.

* PISCES JVGULARES.

GEOTTlic CHAR.\CTEIt.

Superior lip double,! • „ . . > ,

Membrane ' * approximate. Six rays in the gill-

uaked V ^ aperture for breatliing in the neck; Body

entral fins very remote.

specific character

AND

SYNONYMS.

- first doisal fin short, and fc'ur iri number;

CaLHony^^jj T)n ,

' * '^unculus. C. radius quatuor in prima pinna

Jorsali brevibus. Bled,, Just. Fisch. 2 . y. 84 .

Wliony™s.Do,sl’“^'*'!'

Jspriorisiadiis corporebrevioribus 0, F, Miiller.
-^ool. Aan. t. 20. — Gmet. Lmn, S^st. Fat. p.

Sr::’:: «.

gonet. Penyi. Brit. Zool. v. S. p. 167. sp. 70.

£ 3

PLATE LXXXIV.

Tlie length of this fish is from five to six or eight inches, which
last it rarely exceeds: the body is somewhat pellucid, varied with
livid brown, and. yellowish, and marbled with white. Tlie first
dorsal fin is remarkable for having the anterior part white, and the
rest black. All the otlier fins are singularly pellucid, whitish,
and have the rays marked with a few brownish dots. The head is
broad, pointed, slightly convex above, and flattish beneath ; the eyes
prominent, and the upper jaw advanced beyond the lower one.

This species is of the marine tribe of fishes. It is found chiefly in
the South of Europe. Miiiler includes it among the Danish fishes,
and Duhamcl as an inhabitant of the coasts of Normandy. Mr.
Pennant received it from Mr. Travis, who, as we understand, met
with it on the coast of Scarborough. We have observed it on the
^ sandy shallows of the sea, on the coast of Wales. The French
fishermen conceive this to be the female of the Gemmous Dragonet,
Callionymus Lyra ; they bear a remote resemblance to each other/
but are, we think, certainly distinct.

The first dorsal fin in our specimen contains four rays, the second
tfen ; the pectoral fin sixteen : the ventral fin is subdivided into lobes,
and contain in each, five principal ribs, from which arise a number
of lateral rays, as in the ventral fins of the Gemmous Dragonet.
The anal fin contains ten rays, the posterior one of which is furcated
like the posterior ray in the second dorsal fin ; and the tail contains
eight rays, all which, except the exterior one on each side, are

ramose.

PLATE a

plate ipvil.

I

trachinus major.

<^REATER IFEEFER, or STING-BULL.
* PISCES JVGULARES,

CJIARACTER.

Head smooth, compressed- Rr u-

rays : Inferin i membrane with sis

j «ucrior lamina of thp ,vai

breaft. ^ -covers, serrated. Vent near tht

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AMD

SYNONYMS.

Front of the head
prominent spines before

tip.

sloping downwards, and armed with two
the eyes; pectoral fin cmarginate at the

Trachinus Major • f

ronte declivi ante oculos bispinato,
F>raco Maior , omarginata.

Great Weever P ^<^otland. n 69 . Octavo

r. 3. p. 171.

'Hiis particular
or fmall Wg

s IS very generally confounded with the com-

achinusDiaco. Some few writers, among

PLATE evil.

markets, being in some esteem for the table, but those exposed
for sale are generally in a mutilated state, being deprived as soon as
taken by the fishermen of tlie first dorsal fin, and the strong spine
at the posterior part of the gill-covers.

I

COM^:ON WEEVER

io

Cl

Pl-AIt 7

plate xxiil

trachinus draco.

COMMON WEEVER,

^ CEXERIC. CHARACTER,

‘ iiif • ‘-“^PTessed : branchiostegous membrane with six
treast of the gill-covers, serrated. Vent near the

SPECIFIC Character.

Trac ^"ferior jaw longest, destitute of cirri.

^«iNus Draco. G^nel. Linn. Sj/st. Nat. T. l.p. 3. p. 1157.

Tra ^53. Sp, I,

iRaxilla inferiore longiore, cirrhis destituta. Mrt. gen.

Trach’

axilla inferiore longiore, radiis quinque in pinna dorsali

prima. Block. Fisch, Deutschl.2. p. 131,

A 61 ,

Tile ^Vccvcr pT

inches* anri ' v, to the length of ten or twelve

sand on The

above the surfac ^ only the nose and first dorsal fin

reatly dreaded =1 dangerous creature, and

y fishermen and others, who necessarily walk bare.

F 2

PLATE XXIII.

footed upon the sands, for should they happen to tread upon it, the
Weever never fails to inflict a deep and grievous wound with the
erected spines of this dorsal fin : in the first Instance it is exceedingly
painful, attended with a violent burning, and sometimes a dangerous
jnflamation of the whole limb almost immediately ensues.

Mr. Pennant observes, it is a common opinion that these symp-
toms proceed from something more than the small wound this fish
is capable of inflicting ; and that there is a venom Infused into it ; at
least such as are made by the spines that form the first dorsal fin,
which is dyed with black, and has a most suspicious aspect. The
'flame writer likewise remarks, that the remedy used by the fishermen
on tlie coast of Flintshire is the sea-sand, witli which they rub the
wounded part for a considerable time ; at Scarborough, stale urine
warmed has been used with success ; and in the Universal Museum,
for November 1765, we find an instance of a person who was reduced
to great danger by a wound from one of this species, and was cured
by the application of sweet oil, and taking opium and Venice trea-
cle*. — ^The fishermen in the South of France, apply leaves of the
Lentisque, or Mastic Tree, which grows in that country.

As the flesh of the Weever is excellent ; they are caught in
great numbers on the coast of Holland, and, to prevent accidents,
the dorsal fin is cut off before they are brought to market : this is
but a necessary precaution, as the fish will live a considerable time
out of the water ; Weevers thus deprived of their noxious weapon
of offence, are sometimes exposed for sale in the fish-markets of
London also.

* Penn, Brit, Zeo!,

plate XXIII.

^ *^*^^*^^ species represented in the annexed plate are

/ sonte writers describe it as having six : the second dorsal
twenty-five rays ; the pectoral, fifteen ; ventral, six :
^tity-five ■ and tail, ten ; with three short ones on each

'y.

■■n

1

I

I

iPLAft 8

plate lix.

gadus aeglefinus.

HJDDOCK.

* PISCES JUGULARES.

generic character. ‘ •

niooth. Seven slender rays in the branchlostegous mem-^
ody oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with

* Skin, 1

tral c ^ dorsal and anal fin ; rays unarmed. Ven-

poi„Bd.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AKD

SYNONYMS. i

Whitish, tail forked : upper jaw longest.

Oad

•A-Eglefinus : albicans, cauda biloba, maxilla superlore

longiore. Lmi. Fn. Suec. 306. — Gmel, Si/st.

, -^aM159. j;,. 1.

^^uus K.olia Tf

scan. 325. — Gadus dorso tripteryglo, ore papil-
^ ^ '“SO. It. Wgoth 178.

Hipterygio, oreclrrato, corpore alblcante, maxilla supe-
riore longiore, cauda parum bifurca. Art, Gen.;
■ 36. spec. 64.

PLATE LIX.

Callarias barbatus ex terreo albicans, in laterlbus macula nigra, cauJ*
parum tllvisa, inandibulis minutis, sed acutissinii*
dentibus asperls. Klein miss. pisc. 5. p. 6. n-

Aeglefinus JBellon. aq. p. 127.

Asellus major Aldrm. pisc. p. 282.

Callarias Asellus minor. Jonst. de pisc. p. \. t. i. f.l.

Gadus cirro unico, linea lateral! nigra. Bloch Fisch. Deutschh^'
p. 138. (f. 62,

Aigrefin, & Eglefin. Belon.Wi. tcc.

Hadock. Will. Jchth. 170 . — Raii Syn. pisc. SS.’—Penn. Bril-
Zool. 3. p. 179,

At a certain season of the year, the Haddocks assemble togetliel"
in immense shoals in the Northern seas, preparatory to their annual
migrations to the southward, in the course of which they visit the
coasts of the British Isles. Some short time after their appearaflC®
in the German sea, they are equally abundant upon the coasts oi
Sweden, Denmark, and Holland, as on the shores of Britain, bul^
after passing down the channel to the southward, as far, as the coa^^
of France, it is not certain that they proceed any further In that
rection. It has been observed, that in those periodical migration*
which take place in the winter season, about the end of NovembeTi
or beginning of December, that it never enters the Medlteiranean '
neither does it appear in the Baltic, or even pass the sound toward*
that sea : Copenhagen, and other markets on the coast of the Baltic*
and also Hamburgh, being supplied with the Haddock by the fisher*
men, who take them in vast quantities in the sea, off Heiligeland.

plate lix.

The

beca productive season for the Haddock fisheries,

IHddock may be taken in great abundance
fpj. > IS a so common at most other seasons, on our coasts,

constantl ^ ^ riamed among the small number of fishes, that ij
markets ^ tbroughout the year, to the London

"Phc Haddocks • r II

*^omber * arrival in Da-

that wh' ] faring directed them to seek a milder region than
“r^ler to'^d summer, as the winter approaches, in

L;males a ^ ®P^rvn. The old fisliermen affirm, that the

®ggs. areT^^^

hnmediat same places by shoals of the males, who

y pioceed to fecundate the eggs deposited by the former.

^'he i

Ihe Yorkshirt q II“dtlocks, Mr. Pennant tells us, “ comes periodically on

December, and lemarkable that they appeared in 17C6, on the 10th of

®^ore, near tht' y l^e same day, in 1767 : these shoals extended from the

Castle, and length from Flamborough head, to Tinmouth

^ers, by the f n'^- farther northwards. An idea may be given of their num-

borough harbo ^ r'shemien, within the distance of a mile from Scar-

each time about '^’’®“*'^y ^°»<led their coUe, or boat, with them twice a day, taking

'''fee miles from y *^*'*^^ down their lines beyond the distance of

exactly these fill eaught nothing but dog fish, which sliows how

i “ese fish keep their limits.”

“ The best Haddocks were sold frn -i

poet had the smaller to a shilling per score, and th»

penny, and sometimes a halfpenny per score.”

“ *"ge Haddocks quit the .» e

plenty of small *^oast as they go out of season, and leave behind great

• * ^^es, Jt js Said 1

*® the summer.” ’ Ilaiiihurgh, and Jutland,

€ 4

PLATE LIX.

Hacldoclcs of a large size are only esteemed good for the tabl*
during the winter : those of a small size, before they begin to breed*
are considered in perfec tion at all times, but these even are best
winter. The flesh of tliis fish when boiled, is not so firm as th®^
of the Cod, to which it must also yield in the excellence of flavour!
some, however, think it preferable. When salted, and cured liJr®
the Cod, the Haddock is by no means indifferent eating. SornC'
times the Haddock attains to the length of three feet, one of whic^*
size in good condition, will weigh about fourteen pounds, but these
are deemed much inferior to those of about half die size,
eighteen inches in length.

Upon the first approach, or appearance of a storm, the Haddock
sinks to the bottom of the sea, to seek shelter till the danger is overt
and when they again appear near the surface, on the return of fi'r®
weather, they are observed to have their backs soiled with mud, o’’
sea weeds, and other maiine refuse lodged at the bottom of th®
water. In the North seas, the fishermen are most successful in
fisheries for the Haddock in the night time, those fishes lurking
the bottom of the sea in the day time, but rising near the surfac®*
as the evening closes, in onest of food.

The same mode of capture is pursued for the Haddock, as
adopted in the cod fisheries. They lay down in the water several
lines of considerable length, to which a number of hooks are soS'
pended, at proper distances from each other : the most tempting ba'^
for the Haddocks, are pieces of the herring, a fish of which tbcl
are remarkably fond, for it is in pursuit of the herrings often-timcs*
as is well known, that the Haddocks are met with in such imineus*
shoals traversing the ocean.

plate lix.

jat opinion, that the black or dusky colour of the

^ ine, in addition to the little cirrus, or beard, at the lower jaw,
fficient specific criterion of the Haddock. There is also
^ remarkable character of the Haddock, a large square

r. 1 ‘insky spot on each side of the bodv, near the head, or a
kittle below thf* fir-i- i i r /•

norsal fin, from whence, in the legends of ere-

orion, it has been admitted to be the same fish, as St.
^ tribute money in its mouth. The two spots

iias ever' ' rnaik of St. Peter’s thumb and finger, which

Hadd k ^‘n^ined impressed on the sides of the whole race of
withom the circumstance. But the Haddock is not

Dory b ^ reputed sanctity: the sides of the

eing even more distinctly marked, than those of the Haddock.

the s ec‘ on the back of this fish, the first containing In

twenty s' examined for this purpose, fourteen rays : second,
and eighteen rays ; pectoral fin nineteen rays,

taini

^ enty-two rays, the second twenty, and the tail forty-one.

Hadlck Linnaeus in It. Wgoih, speaks of a

an,.,k ’ twenty-three rays in tlic tail, and Bloch of

“"Other, with twenty-seven.

I

rn ,(i«j ' I

f,'! o;! i'

.■ '

j.V! ’ .

».'•) '};> J-i} ■ \r,‘

l- "I-' lA!'*- iJ.;-

. r 'i.i rmi .

-iv.-.i ii\ i .r:

i i;t

; ■ :.A. , ,

.TTJ rTT^V.T?

' •• .... !;••., j i,:

■ :a itn-T- «.!!., >i

’• r'^FiO'.; ■ ■ . .on if;j.

■ -
’1. , i.. <•! ,. fnj n

f • ' ■ . '

. t^I Oi /

'Jill;:; rJ4?iJ ^'..<.1

fi'i' ■ >• ! gi ,^...

' *' 'i>sr* J

■nytA . - -j

■ V . ’ • i-

\

i

Ki:tt 9

plate cvl

gadus morhua.

COD-FISH.

** PISCES JUGULARES.

generic character.
smooth. Seven qU a
Body oblong.

slender; ported. J »ays unarmed. Venn

SYNONYMS. ,

Scales large : first ray of the ventral fin fpiny.
Morhu. .

Moaau/.

■ -auda subaquab, radio primo anali s
P Tp ?i 6

^adus ‘ ^P- 3.

'"‘''"yEio, ore dr,„„, c.„J, fere cun

sordide „1 "° 9"‘- “■

‘vaceus; maculis flavicantlK

C Kr -‘ba. laein " ’-e

. ^‘'om.,ondm. 3n ' 5- «• 1 •

‘-“^•Fish. mil . . ,

^nt.Zool -x P- 53. ». 1.-

3 . p. n 2 _

PLATE CVI.

The history of the common Cod-fish is amply detailed by manf
writers. It is known to be a general inhabitant of all the Norther''
and American seas, and is found in very high latitudes, though
less abundance and perfection than in regions somewhat more tei»'
perate. The great resort of the Cod-fish are the immense sand'
banks on the coast of Newfoundland, and others off tlie coasts oi
Cape Breton, Nova .Scotia, and New England; and also upo"
those of Iceland and Norway, the Dogger Bank, and the Western
Isles.

' Before the discovery of NewfoumHand, the principal fisheries fnf
the Cod were carried on upon the coasts of Iceland and the Scottish
islands, which were then the places of rendezvous for all comine'’'
cial nations engaged in those concerns. In the year 1388 the city
Amsterdam received pennission from the Crown of Sweden to foil"
an establishment upon the isle of Schonen for the fishery of the Co^
in the adjacent seas. The English resorted to Iceland for the p"*'
pose of fishing before the year 1415, as it is recorded that HeorT
the Fifth of England was disposed to give the King of Denmark
satisfaction for certain irregularities committed in tliose seas by I
subjects. Under Edward the, Fourth the English were excluded by
treaty from this fishery, under pain of death, and confiscation
property; notwithstanding which Mr. Pennant observes, that n"'
narch gave licence to a ship of Hull to sail to Iceland, and thel*
relade fish and other goods, without regard to any restrictions to tb®
contrary. In later times. Queen Elizabeth condescended to ask P®'''
mission to fish in those seas from Christian the bourth. King
Denmark; though it appears she afterwards repented her reqw«*'’
and instructed her ambaffador at that court to insist on the right ot
free and universal fishery. The issue of this application is uncerta'”’

PLATE CVI.

th James, having espoused a princess of Denmark,

g ish were afterwards permitted to fish In those seas without
Molestation.

great view, the Importance of the Cod fishery is very

^ object of national consequence to a maritime country
P'itain, its advantages are peculiar, and of still greater

div-TT being an article of trade for the benefit of in-

* ual adventurers, the fishery a nursery of seamen for the state.

excent°"*''T**°" considerable,

and so ^ parts of Scotland, than in Iceland, Norway,

stitutes™^ — " in many parts of which it con-

intren^ P>‘-pal article of food. The English, from their hardy
own * Mdustry, hold a great share of this fishery in their

exce French, Spaniards, and Portuguese, also,

P m time of war, take an active share in this concern.

the c earned on at all seasons of the year on

British n some parts of America, and also on the

>^bence\r^'’ and Western Isles, from

>'iice, for'T well-boats, or packed up fresh

commonly inh hT'^ London, and other markets. This fisii

polypes and '1''^

clpa • crab ^ '---S ^ ‘^e prin-

i X "7r

at that se " «l™, and it

observe thrt^V productive. The fishermen

rbe fish or t] pawning varies according to the age of

VO,, : ■•"£'» of cold. I,. E„E,.„a they

< PLATE CVI.

usually begin spawning about January, in Iceland about February, and
on the banks of Newfoundland not till April. The greatest fishery for
the Cod in Europe is therefore from the month of February to the
end of March, or middle of April, but in America in May and June.
They disappear after this time, and again return to their former
haunts in September, at which time, however, the severity of the
northeni winters begin to take place, and when the waters become
frozen the fishery is altogether precarious. The Cod-fish is taken
by the hook and line, baited with pieces of fish, aquatic birds,
clamps, or other food upon which this fish in common subsists.

The mode of preparation adopted by different companies and na-
tions for the curing the Cod-fish is various: in the north they distin-
guish different kinds by the name of Stock-fish, Laberdan, KlipP‘
fesh, &c. the principal difference of which consists in preparing the
flesh with a greater or less portion of salt, and In either drying it in
the air, or preserving It moist, packed up in barrels. The sounds are
considered delicate, and it need be scarcely added that an isinglass
is prepared from this part of the fish. An oil is likewise extracted
from the liver-pf the Cod by the Norwegians and Icelanders, which
for many useful purposes is preferable to that of the whale.

It is raiely that the Cod-fish attains to a large size in the Britisl>
.seas. Mr. Pennant speaks of one which measured five feet in length,
and five In the girth round the shoulders ; the weight seventy-eight
pounds : this was taken on the coast of Scarborough, in Yorkshire.
T'hose of twenty or thirty pounds weight are esteemed of good size
in England ; but they occur of far greater magnitude on the coast oi
Newfoundland.

i

plate cvi.

The colour of the Cofl i

«»-"■ -g-. or s.a.. of

the upper part. j ^ S^^eral hues are cinereous

yellowish marks' wh'^ht

fish. In vi ^ more obscure in the full-grown

beautiful. The t^olours are remarkable vivid and

eighteen j contains about twelve rays, the second

s'Hceii, and the thlr^i . ,

seven: the fi . . Pe^toral fin fourteen, ventral

ana fin twenty, second sixteen: and tail thirty. six.

If 2

■5

PUT£ to

PLATE XIX.

GADUS LUSCUS.

BIB.

generic character.

slender rays in the branchiostegous mem-
* skin M ^ Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with

‘> al in si T" Ven-

an slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHAR.I.CTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

First ray of the ventral' fin setaceous,

radio ventrahuin primo setaceo. Linn.—^Gvieh

dcrso ’ • P‘ ^ ^P- 4-

I* ygioj ore cirrato, ossiculo pinnarum ventralium

pnmo in setam longam, producto. Arted.

B,e. r, _ 35.

Bra. Zool. V. 3. p.

p. 184.

kaving; onW uncommon fish on the British coasts

mot with a single specimen of it, and that in the

sea to

PLATE XrX.

the north of Caernarvonshire : the fishermen in those parts knot*"
it by the name of the Miller's Thumb, Deilliom

The body, like that of the Whiting Pout, is deep, and the sides
compressed j the colour along the back olive, and the sides beauti-
fully glossed with gold. There is also a loose membrane over the
eye, which the creature can blow up at pleasure like a bladder. In
the first dorsal fin we counted thirteen rays, in the second twenty,
and in the third nineteen : pectoral fins sixteen : ventral five : first
anal twenty-three, second anal twenty : tail thirty-three.

11

WHITING

PLATE tl

plate XXXVI.

GADUS MERLANGUS,

WHITING.

JUGULJRES.

generic CHARACTEK.

Head

rr*’ branchlostegous mem-

All the fins covered witiv

slender Ventral

pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

V^hite , back brownish : upper jaw longest.

Gad

ANGUS . albus, dorso subfusco, maxilla superiore

p . longiore.

^adus Merlangus r II.

Vj. albus, maxilla superiore longiore. Fn.

Stiec. 310 — Gmel.Linn. Syst. Nat. 1167.

Gadus dors • •

o tnpterygio, ore imberbi, corpore albo, maxilla s«pe.

nore longiore. Art. gen. 19. syn. 34.

Gadus

^sellus mollis ’ imberbi, maxilla superiore longiore. Slack.

' 2./. S.-Asellus major L. albus.

''"siting p „ ”• 8-

• Bnt. Zool. V. 3. so.

'"Ot. II.

PLATE XXXVL

To the history of the common Whiting wc can add nothing tha^
is not already known. The Whiting is a fish sufiSciently abundant
in all the temperate parts of Europe. We are told it is found in tb®
Baltic, Mediterranean, and Northern Seas ; although less frequent
those, than in the seas which wash the shores of Holland, Francc»
and England, where at most seasohs of the year it is found in tb®
greatest plenty; One circumstance should be observed, the princip®^
fisheries for the Whiting commence upon the French coafts as early
as January or February ; but on the coasts of Holland and those of
our own country the Whiting fisheries do not take place much befor®
April or May.

Ouring the summer months the Whiting haunts our coasts in
shoals, hovering at the distance of one, two, or three miles froU*
the land. As they feed on the young of other fishes, especially
Sprats and Herrings, the hooks with w'hich they are taken are coi*'
monly baited by the fishermen with pieces of these fishes : they at®
also very fond of crabs and marine worrns.

The Whiting spawns In the beginning of the winter ; the youO?
fry make their appearance shortly after : these increase rapidly in si2®'
till they become ten or twelve inches in length, after which th®'^
growth is observed to be much slower. Pennant^ and after hi*’^*
Bloch and other writers, speak of Whiting weighing from four ^
eight pounds each, that have been taken in the deep water at the edg*
of the Doggerbank. This is not very improbable, although we
naturallyconclude,theyarenotcommonly taken there of that enonnf*^*
magnitude j it is well known that the largest Whitings brought t®
our markets, are caught in that part of the Dutch sea, in which t'’®
Doggerbank lies. There are likewise considerable fisheries upon

plate xxxvt.

first Upon the back of this species are three fins, the

d in the specimen we have figured, fifteen rays, the

‘^ys • third twenty-one. In the pectoral fin are seventeen

e ventral one has six. There are likewise two anal fins, in
j "^nich we find thirty-two rays ; and in the second,

^ Those in the tail amount to thirty-three.

:r

w

y.

I •

I'

• \

‘ ^

3 * ^ ,

fr

•iY^irz 3TA.r'f -

ri:l- ,-.;ift cl-"-:-’ yis »V-; :r- .:'.,j 'Hj: vjbH n,xj'.7 .-,'^,'o» ^

otii .'i-.,. ‘.rt ,!jw j ji* ^. •,■><! -JYjj norri!:;'!';^. hi gotrir.'

/tjalftsv^tarr .if} ii.u j-.--- aii; ju . 'r-y.v jcvv; ,\tmwl

> ■>

(- - 'irr.'E .r.'.Vl 3 ~.fl St;'; . ■ .lf.h t^Sli v-ao -

,■ ■. '■•?2 ni-: ; ! i>n6 ; iv-'j . oviN.';;..:; '..lii Gv.- ifatffvr To J'lfi!®*

.1 iir:: -.-f: m »ofJT .v.'f

>-C' '

iH 'J'- ';;;y, .^. w

r ^

i

.X

I

COAL FISH.

LonJon.fubluh'd the Act directj. by HDonoi-<uu^I''leCJUfuuftoiu-dprU i.idos.

PLATE 12

PLATE XIII.

GADUS CARBONARIUS.

COAL FISH.

* JUGULARES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays in the branchiostegeous mem-
Hane. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
^ skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin j rays unarmed. Ventral
slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Lower jaw longell ; lateral line flraight.

At)Us Carbonarius : maxilla inferiore, longiore, linea lateral!

recta. Gmelin. Syst. Nat. T. 3. p. 1.
p. 1168. sp. 9.

^idus dorso tiapterygio imberbis, maxilla inferiore, linea lateral!

recta. Art. gen. 20 syn. 34.

^oal Fish. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 152. n, 7.

This species inhabits many of our rocky coasts ; towards the
Northern part of the island it is abundant, as it is also in the whole

PLATE Xril.

cf the North and Baltic seas, and according to Ginelin of the Pacific
Ocean also.

In different stages of growth the colours of this fish vary so ex-
ceedingly as to be often mistaken for distinct species, and hence they
have been called Pans, Billets and Coal fish. ^Vhen young there is
a certain duskiness of colour about this fish, which becomes darker
as they grow older, and when very large tlie back, nose, dorsal fins
and tail sometimes become of a deep black. Under the pectoral fin
is a black spot: the mouth also is of the same colour, and the tongue
silvery.

The young fry, according to Mr. Pennant, swarm about the
Orkneys, and are the great support of the poor. They begin to
appear on the Yorkshire coasts in vast shoals in the early part of July*
and are then about an inch and an half in length. In August they
are from three to five inches in length ; are then very abundant, and
esteemed a delicacy. They grow very coarse after that time, and
when from eight to fifteen inches in length few people will eat
them ; at that time they arc about a twelvemonth old, and appear
dusky about the back and gills. They are sometimes salted and
dried for sale when taken of a larger size.

The Linnsean charafter is perhaps too concise, though it may be
correct ; Block thinks the blackness of the mouth and ftraight whits
lateral line is sufficient to descriminate the species.

This fifh is covered with very small oblong scales. It has three
dorsal fins, in the first are fourteen rays, in the second eighteenf
and in the third twenty ; in the pectoral fin eighteen: ventral five-

PLATE XIII.

anal fin twenty-six, second twenty-one, and in the tail thirty-

beside ten very short ones on each side j the tail is broad and
forked.

fr.t-

>;

iltz

*7^ rih i:i i)t-:. ...-i, . -
u:J 7 : 9b;a 'kt

MX A J'!

-iT ' r. jTwSaV :

‘ f # 1^51 '^IjS

-■X. .

■4 n.^'ViV

;

/ * v:

■; ■ n ■

I

I

I

i

■ .>v

'■-4

>*v

^i*-' *

WHITING POLLACK.

r.ondort.fubUjh'd oj the^ict directs by KDonoyarukPttCJtM'in^tvn^ApriLxiJjSog.

Plate /3

PLATE ATI.

GADUS POLLACHIUS.
WHITING POLLACK.
JUGULARES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

^ smooth , seven slender rays in the branch iostegeous mem-

^ Body oblong, scales deciduous. All the fins covered with a

than one dorsal and anal fin ; raysunarmed. Ventral
■t slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Lower jaw longest ; lateral line bent.

Q

s PoLLACHius : maxilla inferiore longiore, linea lateral! curva.
. Gynel. Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 1 169. sp. 10.

^ us Huitingo-Pollachius. Will. Icth. 167.

biting Pollack. Raii. syn. pise. 53.

“uh. Penn. Br. Zool. p. i88. sp. 79.

tlors 1 of the Whiting Pollack has twelve rays in the first

total fi second, and fifteen in the third ; the pec-
an 1 E first anal twenty-three, second sixteen,

*fie tall forty-two.

PLATE VIL

This species is frequeat on several of our rocky coasts, and is in
some esteem for the table. The largest we have seen did not exceed
eighteen inches in length. Pennant speaks of some that weighed
six or seven pounds, and mentions others that weighed near twenty-
eight pounds, that were taken at Scarborough, which place they
frequent during winter.

HAKE.

PLATE XXVIII.

GADUS MERLUCCIUS.

HAKE.

« JUGULARES.

GENEKIC CHARACTER.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays in the branchlostegous mem-
'^tane. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
^ skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin : rays unarmed. Ventral
fill slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Beardless : inferior jaw longest.

Gadus Merluccius: imberbe, maxilla inferiorc longiore. lAnn.

Mus. Ad. Fr. 2. p. 60.— Fn. Suec. 314.—
Gmel. p. 1169. sp.-ll.

Gadus dipterygius ore imberbi. Bloch. Aus. Fi'sch. 2. p 93, t.
1S4.

■^sellus, Plin. hist. mund.

Asellus primus. IVill. ichth. p. pise. p. 56.

Hake. Brit.Zool. Vol. 3. p. 156. n. 10.

PLATE XXVIir.

M. Bloch acquaints us in his history of this species, that it tnay bd
easily distinguished from the other fishes of the Gadus genus by
having two fins on the back, and the lower javv beardless : by both
these characters this fish may be perhaps distinguished, but it ought
not to escape remark, that this is not the only species which has
two fins on the back ; the Gmelinian species Molva, Albidus, Tau,
Lota, Mustclla, and several others, possess the same character. These
are, however^ uniformly to be distinguished by having one or more
beards on the chin, whilst that part in Gadus Merluccius, as Blech ob-
serves, is perfectly smooths

This fish Is a native of the North and Mediterranean seas. It is
t)f the migratory kind, frequenting our shores in immense shoals,
during the Mackrel and Herring seasons, appearing for the first time
in June, and then again in September, in pursuit of those fish. Mr.
Pennant acquaints us that there was formerly a vast stationary fishery
of Hake on Nymph Bank off the Coast of Waterford, and that it
was no unusual thing for six men, with hooks and lines, to take a
thousand Hake in one night, besides a considerable quantity of otlier
fish. The flesh of the Hake, although firm and white. Is so little
esteemed for its flavour in England, that it is seldom eaten, even by
the lower class of people. They are caught chiefly for the purpose
of salting and drying ^hem for exportation. Vast quantities, it is
said, are sent every year to the port of Bilboa, and other parts of
Europe. When cured, It is well known by the name of Poor John,
or Stock Fish.

On the coast of France the Hake Is also taken In great abundance,
and IS cured as in England, for exportation. By one of the French
writers it has been remarked, that since the great naval engage-

PLATE XXVIII.

m 1759, between the French and English, the Hake has been
^°un<l in vast numbers at all seasons of the year, in the sea that
''ashes the shores of Belle-isle. He conjectures that they were at
first attracted principally to this spot, by the number of dead bodies
fi'at vt'ere here committed to the deep. Some of the Hake on that
'^oast, we are told, measure six or seven feet in length.

The Hake is a most voracious fish, and feeds on the Mackrel and
^^erring, as before observed : it feeds also on other small fish ; on
'^rabs and worms. For its carnivorous mode of life its teeth are
Perfectly well adapted : tliey are numerous, strong, sharp, and much
^acurvcd, which gives it no small degree of advantage in securing its
The eggs found in the body of the female are of an orange
r>lour, and about the size of a grain of millet, as ichthyologists have
fiefore mentioned.

The form of this fish is not inelegant : thread is long, and ratiter
pressed. In the first dorsal fin are nine rays ; in the second, thirty-

; pectoral fin fifteen rays : ventral eight : anal thirty-six : and in
tail, eighteen.

t

vot. ir

' the Jet dirccLt.hy liJ>9nevantill:CkJ.J&MffCcn.Ai^fi’^So^:

FLAffe- 15

PLATE CII.

*

GADUS MOLVA.

LING,

»*» PISCES JUGULARES.

GENEUIC CHABACTEB.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays In the branchiostegous mem-
fci-ane. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered vrkh
skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin ; rays unarmed. Ventral
slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHAEACTEB

AND

SYNONYMS,

Mouth bearded j upper jaw longest.

m

Gadus Molva : cirratus, maxilla supeiiore longiore. Gmel,
Linn. Syst. Nat. ino.

Gadus dorso dipterygio, ore serrato, maxilla superiore longiore.

Anted, syn. 36.

Langa. Faun. Succ. N. 313.

Ling fische. Belon, 130.

Ling. Will. Ichth. ins.-^Raii. syn. fisc. b^.—Penn. Brit. Zool.
V. 3. p. 197. 85.

The Ling is abundant in the northern seas of Europe. On the
coasts of Ireland, and those of Scotland in particular, the fishery of

i

plate cir.

Ling i.

,»»nt,l,es of ., bmg ,.l,ed o„d cured for errporBUon, be.ider what
IS consumed fresh by the inhabhanfc u

narr, nf R V , ^ habitants. It appears m the southern
parts of B„,..„ only aoout Spring. I„ p„i„, of j

™ unlihe the Cod Hsh, hut is longer i„ proportion t andft is
from.h,s cncu™s«„cc ,t derives its name, Ling being only a cor-
niption of Long, or Long fish. ^

t

lenrh of '7 “ '» 1-

S ve, SIX, or even seven fcetr those of three or four feet

rn lengd. are by no means uncomnron. They feed on crabs and

.her crustac^us ammals, and are in d.e highest season from the

month of February tiU May: in J„„e

menca. atwhrch tune it approaches the shore and deposits iB eggs
m moist ground, near the entrance of rivers. The colour of the

the fish but in general they are paler than in d,e common Cod-fish •
when first Biten out of the water dre head. bach, und sides L
nearly IB white.. he belly, but become darher from exposure to

thisll T I " '■‘“•fior of

fish. In the specimen we have delineated. ,h. firs, dorsal fin

«ns thirteen rays, the second fifty-six: pectoral fins twenty: ve„.

tral SIX : anal fifiy-three . and the tail thirty-m-ne

PLATE XCII.

GADUS LOTA.

BURBOT.

*»» PISCES JUGULARES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays in the branchiostegous mem-
brane. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
a skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin ; rays unarmed. Ventral
slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER '

AND

SYNONYMS.

Bearded: jaws equal: dorsal fins two: tail nearly oval

Gadus Lota: cirratus, maxillis squalibus, pinnis dorsalibus duabus,
cauda subovah.

Gabus Lota: cirratus, maxlllis aqualibus. Linn. Fn. Suec. 315.

Omel. Linn. Si/st, Nai. T. 3. p- inz.

11 . 14 .

Gadus dorso dipterygio, ore cirrato, maxillls requallbus. Art. Gen.
22. sy». 38.

Mustella fluvlatllis. Will Lchth. p. \^S.—Kay. pise. p. 67.
Burbot. Penn. Brit. Zool. v. 3. p. 199.

G 4

PLATE XCII

The Burbot Is the only fish of the Gadus genus that refides con-
stantly in fresh waters, the rest of this numerous tribe inhabiting the
sea. This species prefers clear waters and rivers not greatly exposed
to the agitation of winds and currents, at the bottom of which it
lurks for better security in hollows and cavities between stones,
vihere it can watch the smaller fishes and aquatic insects, on which
it preys as they swim over it, and dart, unperceived, upon them from
Its hiding place. The greatest enemy of the Burbot is the Perch, but
uithelakcofG.eneva, where those fish abound, and in other lakes
and rivers on the Continent, the Silure Churns Gla7iisJ is to be
numbered among its most ferocious destroyers. When pressed by
hunger, the Burbot attacks the Stickleback, but to no small dis-
vantage, and he is even sometimes beaten off by the resistance tin's
little fish is able to make with Ae strong aculeated processes on its
back and sides.

This fish is natural to all the countries of Europe: it is also found
m the lakes of Siberia, and, according to some writers, the same
species occurs in the East Indies. In England it is a local fish, being
found only in a few of our rivers. Pennant says in the Trent, but
m greater plenty in the river Witham, and in the great East Fen in Lin-
colnshire. The Burbot is known to live to a great age, and to attain to
a con iderable size. Pennant says, the largest he ever heard of being
ta-en in our waters, weighed between two and three pounds, but
that abroad they are sometimes found of double that weight. Other
writers speak of those found in the North of Europe growing to the
length of three feet, and weighing twelve or fourteen pounds. This fish
is in great repute for the excellence of its flesh, which is white and
delicate; the liver also is esteemed a delirious morsel, but the eggs,
on the contrary, ate deemed unwho.esome, or even poisonous. As

PLATE XCII.

this fisli is tenacious of' life, it will subsist for some time on small
fishes and raw meat, if kept In a cold and damp fituation. The spawn,
ing season is in December and January. It bears tiie character of
^ fertile, cunning, and voracious fish.

Tl'e head of this species is large, flattish, and shaped in some degree
like chat of a toad ; the body is long, and bears a distant resemblance
to that of an Eel, but is broader in proportion to its length than
that fish. It is from the latter circumflance this fish has derived
the trivial English appellation of Eel-pout, and for the same reason
fire Dutch call it Putael. The colour of the body varies from a
dark to pale brown, and is marked with greenish olive, fuscous, and
yellowish, disposed in blotches and bands, and is sometimes thickly
spotted with blackish. The surface is smooth, the scales being very
ntinute, and the body covered with a slimy mucous. The teeth are
Very numerous, small, and disposed in about seven rows in each jaw:
the lateral line is straight, and parallel with the back : the first dorsal
fin is of a sub-nangular form, and contains eleven rays; the second
dorsal fin, which commences immediately behind the firft, continues
close to the recrion of the tail, and consists of sixty-one rays . in the
pectoral fin are sixteen rays : the ventral fin, which is ileshy, con-
tains seven rays, the exterior one of which, is short, and the next
longer than either of the others ; the anal fin includes fifty rays ;
and the tail, which is nearly of an oval figure, and very slightly
pointed, thirtv-five ravs.

I

(7

FIVE BEARDED COD.

1

XcnJon.. Aji.?

PLATE 17

PLATE XIV.

GADUS MUSTELA.

FIFE BEARDED COD FISH.

** JUGULARES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head smootli. Seven slender rays in the branchiostegeous-inem.*
^nine. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
^ skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin ; rays unarmed. Ventral
fin slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Five beards. First dorsal fin obsolete-

Gadus Mustella : cirris quinque, pinna dorsal! priore exsoleta.

Gniel. Syst, Nat. T. 1. p. 3. p. IITS.
sp. 25.

t)ors(5 dipterygio, cirris maxlllEe superloris 4, inferiorls 1. Mus.
Ad. Fr. 1.

Eive bearhed Cod. Fenn. Brit. Zool. T ol. 3. p. 202. sp. S8.

This, and the small species of Gadus, tricirratus, have been con.
sldered by some as varieties of the same species. Our reason for dis-

PtATE XIV.

scntlng from that opinion has been already given iri the descriptmri
of the latter, plate 2. of this work. Its greateft length Is mentioneci
at nineteen inches, and our specimen is much smaller j it feeds on
shell fish and crabs, and inhabits moll of the European shores ; but
at the same time it must be observed that on those of Great Britain it
is very uncommon!

In the course of our enquiries respecting the Cornish fisheries we
cannot learn that it is known on that coast. Mr. Pennant observes,-
that the Cornisli fishermen are said to whistle and make use of the
•words Bacf, Bod Vean, when they are desirous of taking this fish, as
>f by that they facilitated the capture; in the same manner as the
Sicilian fishermen repeat their Mamussu dipajmu, &c. when they
are in pursuit of the Sword fish.

The first dorsal fin consists of one ray, and many very obsolete;
the second of forty. nine rays ; the pectoral fin of fourteen rays : ven-
tral of SIX rays ; anal of forty rays ; and tail of twenty-four.

three bearded cod, or rockling.

PLAJl 18

PLATE 11.

GADUS TRICIRRATUS.

THREE BEARDED COD, OR ROCKLING.

** JUGULARES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays in the branchiostegeous mem-
Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
a skin. More than one dorsal and anal fin j rays unarmed. Yen-
hal fin slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYAIS.

Three beards : first dorsal fin obsolete : body spotted.

Hadus TRICIRRATUS : cirris tribus, pinna dorsali pnore exsoleta,
corpore maculato.

Hadus mustella Gmel. Linn. Sj/st. Nat. p. in4. sp. 25.
^ustella vulgaris. Rondel. 28 \ . Gem. pise. 89.

Sea Loche Cestria, Whistle fish Cornuhee. Will. Icth. 121
Raii. sj/n. pise. 61.

Ruckling, Jago. Rail. syn. pise. 164. fig. 9.

^'hree bearded Cod. Penn. Br. Zool. p. 201. sp. 81.

A 3

plate ir.

Bloc’i and Gmelin have followed Willughby in making this kind
a mere vanety of the Gadus Mustella, or Five bearded Cod ; but we
must agree with Pennant, who donsiders it as a disdnct species.

Pennant says, he has always observed the number of the beards in
te spotted kind not to exceed three, nor the number in the brown
k.nd to be less than five; that the first ray of the dorsal fin is longer,
and that there is some difference in the form as well as colour; the
Five bearded Cod being thicker in proportion than the other. Having
both kinds before us, we cannot hesitate to believe they are distinct

species, and have assigned the present a specific character in con-
sequence.

Our specimen is Sfeen inches in length. The bmnehiostegenns
rays seven. In ,he fi„, dorsd (in, distinct my, the „st minute
am numerous. Second dors.l fin ofi iif,y.f„„r „ys. psctoml fin

tv»ty my. Ventml fins fleshy,- second „y longest. An-sl fin
forty-six. Tail twenty^four.

t

(

brosme, or scotch torsk.

19

lt<nft/>n.rul>^a.t (Af ^Ct.day:ctf /yT:jionrve.

PLATE LXX.

‘ GADUS BROSME.

BROSME, OR SCOTCH TORSK.

** PISCES JUGULARES.

GEJTERIC CHARACTEK.

Head smooth. Seven slender rays in the branchiostegous mem-
^tane. Body oblong. Scales deciduous. All the fins covered with
* ®kin. More than one dorsal and anal fin ; rays unarmed. Ven-
fin slender, pointed.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AMD

SYNONYMS.

Lower jaw longest: tail rounded, and with the dorsal and anal fin
^‘^ged with white : ventral fins fleshy, with five cirri.

G

G

Brosme: maxilla inferiore cirroso, cauda rotundata pinnis
ventralibus carnosis cirrls 5 : pinnisque dorsali
analique albo-marginatis.

Brosme, ore cirroso, cauda ovali acuta, Gmel. Sj/st. Nat,

T, J. ^. 3 . p. ins. Sp. 21.

PLATE LXX.

Brosme. Strom, Hist, of So ndnior. v. I. p. 272. t. '1. f 19-
Ascan. ic. rer. nat. t. 17. PontoppidaW-
Norv. 2. p. 1788.

1 ORSK. 2 CXll^* Pvit. tiiOol. V. 21. p, 203. sp. 8^.

The Torsk of the Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes, is a yery
different fish from that known in Scotland under tlie same name ;
a circumstance that has given rise to much misunderstanding among
English writers respecting those two fishes. The Torsk, or Dorsk,
of the north of Europe, with the exception of Scotland only, is the
Gadus Callarias ofLinnjEus,afishdistinguishKl in a particular manner
from the Scotch Torsk, by having three fins upon the back, as vve
find in onr common Codfish and Haddock, while the latter is fur-
nished With only one dorsal fin : they are also materially distinct in
other respects, but these are the most decisive and unerring cha-
racters that prevail in those two species.

1 he same name being common to both those fishes in different
countries, it was long supposed, and admitted without further in-
vestigation, that they must be both of the same species. Pennant,
in an early edition of the British Zoology, was le<l into this error
through that circumstance ; he had learnt that there existed a fisli called
the Torsk, in the Orkneys, and northern parts of Scotland, and not
having seen it concluded it to be of the same kind as Linnaeus describes
under that name in his Fauna Suecica. At a subsequent period this
mistake was corrected, on the information of Mr. Low, who sent
Mr. Pennant the description, and drawing from which the plate was
engraven, that appears in the last edition of the British Zoolog)''

PLATE LXX.

Mr. Low was then minister of Birsa In the Orkneys, and in m4,
itndertook the voyage of Shetland at the request of Mr. Pennant.
This gentleman was enabled, from his own immediate observations,

determine that the Torsk of the Swedes is not the Torsk of the
Scotch, which renders his remarks not a little interesting. The
Torsk it seems, from his account, or as it is called in the Shetlands,
Tusk and Brismak *, is a northern fish, which as yet has not been
discovered lower to the southward than the Orknies, and is even
rather scarce there. In the seas about Shetland it swarms, and forms
cither dried, or salted and packed in barrels, a considerable article of
Commerce.

Strom, a Norwegian clergyman, in his History of Sondmor,
Speaks to the same effect : he informs us in the north it is called
fitosme ; and being found in great plenty in the seas adjacent to
Sondmor, it constitutes an article of extensive trade there, either salted
tind barrelled, or dried. His specifical defcriptlon of Brofme is in latin
^adus Monopterygius, ove cifroso, caudci ctmU acuta, and a figure
cf the fish, veiy well agreeing with this description, is given in the
tttiscellaneous plate that accompanies the first volume.

There arc three different varieties of the Danish Torsk in the works
cf Ascanlus, all which agree with the Linnrean description of Gadus
Callarias. According to Ascanius these are all well known to the
l^anish fishermen by the name of Torsk, and to the Germans by
*^at of Dorsk : they are taken in abmrdance in the sea between the
island of Borhholm and the north of Bergen, in the Categat, and the

Perhaps corrupted from BrosTnCf its Norwegian name.

plate lxx.

Baluc. This writer also figures, and describes the Brosme* in a
manner so far correct at least, as to leave no doubt of its being
the same as the Torsk of Scotland: the latter species, he observes,
connects the Gadus with the Blennius genus, and is. from its re-
semblance to the Blenny, called Brosme by the fishermen; that
being the name by which the Blenny is generally distinguished
amongst them; We have also the authority of Bloch to shew, that
the Gadus Callarias is the Torsk of the Baltic, and the Brosme a
different fish.

The result of those remarks will be sufficient to prove that the
Toisic of Scothnei agrees in no respect, except in „a,„e, ,xit|i
the Totsk of the other northern parts of Europe, and that the
Scotch Torsk is beyond a doubt the Btosme of those countries.

linnasus was constrained to form anew section in his Gadus genus
for the reception of his species Mciil.rra„e.m, the only one he was
acquainted with that has but one dorsa] S„. Gmelin retaining this
scot, on of the Gadus, describes our fish after G. Meditetoanewt, te, a
second species of the same family, upon the authority of Muller,
Strom, Ascamus, and others t aud in adopting this species he is cer-
sinly coweet. But besides those two species in the section .• Finn.
M.unuar a third occurs in Dr. Turton's translation of
Gmchns work, which does t.otappearin the origin.,. We could
have wished for the sake of perspicuity. Dr. T.rton had con-
ned himself in this patttcular to the trvo species mentioned by
Gmelm, for by the introduction of tin, third kind the ttanslator has
fallen into the lamentable error of describing our Fish under different

* Ic. rer. pi. ir.

PLATE LXX.

^i^rnes, as two distinct species ; first following Gmelin in the defcriptioii

Gadus Brosme, and then placing the Scotch Torsk immediately after

as a new species, under the name of Scofuus, not being aware that
iheGmclinian Gadus Brosme, and the Scotch Torsk are the samel

Dr. Shaw takes occasion to remark, in his account of the Torsk*,
that in the Gmelinian edition of Systema Naturae, this species is
described from Muller as having an ovate-acute tail, but that the
descriptions and figures of other authors uniformly represent that
part as of a rounded shape. The description and figure of this Fish
•n Strom’s History of Sondmor, must then have escaped Dr. Shaw’s
notice, for in that work it is represented as Gmelin mentions,
'vith an ovate-acute tail ; and it is also described by Strom as being
nf that form. It is probable that this circumstance, as well as the
authority of Miiller, might Induce Gmelin to describe the tail as
above mentioned. But should this be true, Gmelin is not altogether
Excusable ; for in the works of Afeanius, to which he refers as ex-
plicitly as to Muller and Strom, the tail is represented of a rounded
^nrm ; and surely it would have been more advisable, between two
such authorities, for Gmelin to have avoided mentioning the shape
the tail in his specific definition (presuming that the fish was
'Jnknown to him) than to have given an unqualified assent to either
of those authorities. We even suspect it might be this cir-
cumstance that misled Dr. Turton; Gmelin having expressly de-
scribed the tail in his species Brosme, to be ovate-acute, and Pen-
dant describing the Scotch Torsk with the tail rounded. We arc
®titisfied the different statements of writers in this respect may have

* Sh&w’sGeo. Zool. V. 4. p. I. p- 162.

PLATE LXX.

arisen from the condition of the Fish at the time they describe It ; the
tail of this Fish, wlien alive or very recent, being certainly rounded,
ut becoming somewhat pointed as it dries In our specimen it is
*0 : m Pennant's figure it is the same, and so also in that of Asca-
nius ; we cannot therefore upon the whole but be Inclined to think
that the figure In Strom, and Miiller's description, were taken from
the dried fish rather than from recent subjects.

Although the Brosme, or Scotch Torsk, swarms In the North
eas. It IS scarcely ever seen more to the southward of Britain tlian

Caithness, m Scotland, and even there very seldom f. It is some-
times brought from Shetland to London for sale, with other salt-fish,
n this state it is without the head, that part being taken off previous
o sa ting; but It is easily distinguished from other salt-fish even
then by its single dorsal fin. Some short time ago a friend, who had
an opportunity of visiting Shetland and the Orknies, obliged us with
a specimen of this interesting fish, which was brought alive in the

* This .singularity may be explained «ith liule difficulty: the tail like

rrr

0 conceal a great measure the number and situation of the rays that lie within
u m drying, tins fleshy skin perishes, or shrinks so materially, as to leave the ray
aW bare: the tail thus divested of its fleshy skiu, assumes the more pointed for«

they IppI “T"

they appear so only m a very slight degree in the receut fish.

t Ihe Torsk, we arc informed in the Swansea Guide has l,een r a

of Glanmro , I ' • o . ’ “ “ *6

01 Ulamorganshire, in South Wales, most likelv

calls itGadwO M ■ . ^ erroneous authority; the writer

It Gadus Callarias, but no doubt moans the Torsk of Fnvii I, u
Biosmel vu n T, English authors, our (Gadus

osrae). KWe Donovan’s Tour t/i„„g4 South Wuks, Vol. H. p. ,o8.

PLATE LXX.

1

"^cll-boat of a fishing smack' to London, with the view of enabling ms
make our observations on tlie fish In its most recent state, and it
'''as from this specimen our drawing was immediately taken.

Our figure will render any very copious description of this fish
superfluous, its form and colours being represented with accuracy.

length of this specimen is twenty-five Inches. All the fins while the
fish was recent were fleshy, and, as Mr. Low observes in his account
*^omrnunicatcd to Mr. Pennant, the skin so thick, and the rays so
that they could not be counted without difficulty ; but as the
fifii dried, they appeared snlficieutly visible even in the ventral
fins, which were thicker, and more fleshy at first than the others,
dorsal fin contains forty-nine rays : pectoral twenty-one:
''entral five: anal thirty-seven; and caudal thirty-five. One pecu-
fiarity, wliich we observed in our recent specimen, was a narrow
"'hite fillet, extending the whole way along the edge of tlie dorsal,
^nal, and caudal fin. This, we are informed by the Scotch fishermen,
characteristic of theTorsk ; and it is indeed observable, even in the
halted specimens : Mr. Low speaks of this white margin, and upon tlie
"'hole we think it right to include it in the specific character of the
fish. The singular shape, and fleshy consistency of the ventral fins,
IS also a strong character, but these last are invariably very badly
expressed in all the figures of the fish that have occurred to our
observation.

"OL. in.

u

t

I'

HI. ■

■

d i.

'/■ ■■-•

FLAr. 20

PLATE LXXXVI.

BLENNIUS GATTORUGINE,

GATTORUGINE.

* PISCES JUGULARE!}.

. GENERIC CHARACTER,

Head sloping: six rays in the gill-mennibrane : body UnceoUie;
ventral fins of two united rays : anal fin distinct.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Over each eye, and on the hind head a paliuated membrane. .

?L£nnius Gattorugine : pinnulis superciliorum nuchaeque pal-
matis. Linn. Mus. Ad. Fr. 2. p. 61. Gmel'
Linn. Syst. Nat. T. S.p. in7. Sp. 5.

Blennins pinnulis duabus ad oculos, pinna ani ossiculorum 23. Art.
gen. 26. syn, 44.

Blennius capite cristato ex radio simpllci Inermi supra utrumque ocu-
lum. Gronov. Zooph. p.l6. n. 264.
Cattorusine. IVill.ichth.p. 132. t.H. 2./. 2 .—Eay,pisc.p.'t 2 .

n. 14. — Penn. Brit. Zool. v. 3.p. 207, n. 91.

The Gattorugine is an inhabitant of the Mediterranean and Atlantic
Seas : Willughby, Brunniche, and other writers, mention it as a na-

PLATE LXXXVI.

tive of the Southern parts of Europe; Gronovlus received it from the
Cape of good Hope, and according to Pennant, it was discovered to
be a Bnttsh fish on the coast of Anglesea. It appears to be one of
the most local and uncommon of our littoral fishes, and has much
the same habits as Blennius Pholis, the smooth Blenny.

^ h,s species seldom attains to a greater length than six or eight
mches, the colours are variable in different specimens according to
most authors. In general, however, the back and sides are an inter-
mixture of reddish, and cinereous, marked transversely with irregular
waves o brown, and the lower parts white and silvery. The head of
this fish IS rather small in proportion, with the eyes remarkably pro-
minent, and of a fine scarlet colour, and the palmated membranes on
, the head red. The body is rather compressed on the sides. The
anterior half of the lateral line is double, its lower limb extending in a '
straight direction from the gills to the tail, and midway between this'
and the back is an arched lateral line originating at the hind part of
t e head, and curving down to the former, with which it is united a
bttle behind the tip of the pectoml fin. In our specimen the first

dorsal fin contains thirty-two rays: pectoral fin thirteen rays; ventral

wo rays of nearly equal length, with a very small lateral appendage :

the anal fin are twenty rays, and in the tail twelve: the rays
o tie tai are branched, all the rest are simple, or undivided.

2

SMOOTH BLENNY.

2

PLATE LXXIX.

BLENNIUS PHOLIS.

SMOOTH BLENNY. >

• PISCES JUGULARES.

■I

GENERIC CHAIUCTEIC

Head sloping : six rays in the gill-membrane : bt dy lanceolate .
^®ntral fins of two united rays : anal fin dUtinoln r

r

* Section. Head not crested.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AMD

SYNONYMS.

Lateral line curved, and somewhat bifid : nostrils tubular, arJ

fimbriatad.

®LEnnius Pholis : Hnea laterali curvata sub-bifida ; naribus tuba-
losis fimbriatisque.

^EEnnius Pholis : linea laterali sub-bifida. Linn. Mns. Ad.

Fr.2. p.Q2.r—Gmel. Linn. Si/si. Nat. 1180,

sp. 8.

^^ennlus capite summo acuminato, maxilla supei iore longiore. A) i.
gen, 21. syn. 45, eni6

• c 3

plate lxxix.

Blevnius Pholis: naribus tubulosis fimbriarisquc. Blech. Fisch-
Deutschl. 2. p. 184. n, 1. t. 'll. y, 2,
Mulgranoc et Bulcard Cornuhia: Will. Ichth. p. 133. t. h. 6-
fig. 2. 4. — Rail syn. pisc. 73.

Cataphractus laevis CornubienRs, Smooth Shan. Jago apud lid
syn.pisc. \e4.fig. 10.

Smooth Blenny. Penn. Brit.Zool. T.3. p.208. 92.

The Smooth Blenny Js a very local fish. Willughby, Ray, and
Jago, speak of it as a species inhabiting the coast of Cornwall,
where we are informed it is still observed occasionally, but is con-
sidered as a rare fi*. Pennant mentions finding this fish on the
coast of Anglesea as a remarkable incident, presuming most probably
that It had not been noticed before on any other of the British coast*
than that of Cornwall. « We discovered (says Mr. Pennant) this
species in plenty, lying under the stones among the tang, on the
rocky coasts of Anglesea, at the low water-mark. It was very
active and vivacious, and would, by the help of its ventral fins,
creep up between the stones with great facility. It bit extremely
hard, and would hang to ones finger for a considerable time. P
was very tenacious of life, and would live for near a day out of
water.” The exact situation in which Mr. Pennant found the
Smooth Blenny in such plenty, lies on the south side of the is W, 1
extending from the town of Beaumaris, along the skirts of Beau-. H
mans bay, in a westerly direction through the straits of Menai to ]
Bangor ferry, or Plas Newydd. This is not stated by Mr. Pennant
himself, but was kindly communicated to us by the Rev. Hugh
Davies, of Aber, who fisted that writer in collecting material*

PLATE LXXIX.

his British Zoology. I'he time to which Mr. Pennant alludes,

'n which the Smooth Blenny was so abundant on this coast, is now
^hove thirty years ago ; and we may venture to affirm, on th«
^surance of Mr. Davies, and from our own repeated observation,
that it is no longer an inhabitant of that part of the coast of Anglesca.
"^he importance of the article tang, in which this species, and a
Variety of other littoral fishes, were known to secrete themselves, ^
'vas then unknown : its utility in making glass, and other useful
*tts, has been since discovered ; and for the last ten or fifteen years, ^
*he tang has been so frequently gathered by the landholders, foi
Aose purposes, that the broods of those fishes are now destroyed.
The same reason may be assigned, most probably, for the rarity of the
Smooth Blenny on the Cornish coast at this time.

. In a recent tour round the maritime parts of the island of An-
glcsea, we ascertained one satisfactory point, to tlie surprise
*f Mr, Davies, namely, that the Smooth Blenny still inhabits the
shore of a small rocky extremity on the north-west side of the
•sland. We discovered it among the recesses of the shelving rocks,
close to the low- water mark, in a situation nearly opposite to the
Skerry Islands. In this spot we met w’ith several specimens of
Various sizes, and had an opportunity of observing that, in their
itatural state, it is almost impossible to find two fishes alike in their
Colours and variegations. Some were dark brown speckled, and
spotted with black, and whitish ; the irides of the eye a bright
scarlet, and fins deep orange ; others olivaceous clouded with grey,
3nd Some blackish variously mottled. The most elegant among
*hem is that selected for our figure, the perv iding colour of which
a fine green, very beautifully marked with irregular and some-
C 4

plate lxxix.

what transverse marks of sHvery .,hite. changeable to yellowish:
the belly silvery, and fins orange spotted with greenish. One pe-
culiarity in those fishes we could not avoid observing j throughout all
the varieties, though so stiikingly dissimilar, in other respects the
eyes were scarlet, the lips white, or slightly tinged with reddish, and
theextremity ofeveryray in the anal fin perfectly white. The posterior
nostrils in all the specimens were tubular and fringed with small fibres,
or dilations, as Bloch observes, and which appears to be one of the
most invariable characters of the species, though it was not so greatly
protruded in any of the specimens we examined as the drawing of his
fish represents. The teeth are ofa slender form, long, and set remark-
ably close andeven. Those fishes are so tenacious oflife, thatseveral
of them lived more than thirty hours out of the sea. They subsist
on small crabs, testaceous vermes, and other worms We also

discovered this local species of Blennius on the coast of Pembroke-
shire *.

^ The general size of this fish varies from three, to four, or five
inches. The dorsal fin, which extends from the nape close to the
tad, is nearly divided into two parts, and contains in our selected
specimen thirty-one rays : the pectoral fin twelve rays ; ventral two :
anal twenty: and caudal thirteen.

* Vide Donor. Tour South Walei, A.D. 1804.

I

V

22

SPOTTED BLENNY, OR BUTTER FISH.

PLATE 22

PLATE XXm

BLENNIUS GUNNELLUS.

SPOTTED BLENNY, or BUTTER FISH,
*JUQULABES,

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head sloping: six rays in the gill-membrane : body lanceolate:
ventral fins of two united rays : anal fin distinct.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Dorsal fin with about ten black ocellated spots.

Bleknilts Gunnellus: pinna dorsah ocelhs decern nigns. Mus.

Ad. Ft. /. V- 69.— Fr. Suec. 318. Linn.
—Gniel. Syst. Nat. 1181. sp.9.

Blennius maculis circiter decern nigris, limbo albo, utrln<iue, ad
pinnam dorsalem. Art. 27. 45.

Blennius occllls plurimis in pinna dorsali.— Le Papillon de Mer.

Block. Fisch. Beutsch. 186.

Photis maculis annulatis ad pinnam dorsalem, pinnis ventralibus ob-
soletis. Gronov. mus. I. n. 77.

Gunnellus Cornuhiensium, nonnullis Butterfish—Hp^'^^'
lughhy, Ray, He.

Spotted Blenny. Penn. Brit. a>ooI. 3. 210. 93.

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23

VIVIPARUS BLENNY.

PLATE 2 3

PLATE XXXIV.

I

BLENNIUS VIVIPARUS.

VIVIPAMJS BLENNY.

*JUGULABES.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

^cad sloping : six rays in the gill-membrane : body lanceolate .
ventral fins of two united rays ; anal fin distinct.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Mouth with two tentacular dorsal, anal and .caudal fins united.

^LEKnius Viviparus : ore tentaculis duobus.

^eenkius Viviparus: ore tentaculis duobus. Linn. Fn. Suec.

317. — Gmel. p. 1182. sp. 11.

^^nchelyopus corpore llturis varlegato pinna dorsi ad caudam smuata.

. Gron.mus. 1.65. n. 145. ^

Siennlus capite dorsoque fusco-flavescente lituns nigris, pmna am
flava. Art. syn. 45.

^iennlus naribus tubulosis, Bloch Fisch. Deutschl. 2. p. 183. 7i. j.

t. 12.

^USTELLA Vivipara. TVill. ichlh. p. 122. Rail. pise. p. G9.
''Viviparous Blenny. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 112. n. 5. t. 10.

plate XXXIV,

TTie Viviparous Blenny is a most prolific creature, producing ac-
cording to some naturalists from two to three or four hundred young
at a tune. It grows to the length of twelve or fifteen inches, and

feeds on worms, crabs, and small fish. The fiesh is coarse, and
scarcely eatable.

^ Whether they are common, except in the mouth of the river
Esk, at Whitby, Yorkshire (as Mr. Pennant acquaints us) we a.®
not informed. It appears to us to be a rare, or at least a local kind,
and It was not without some trouble we procured a specimen of it
tor the present work.

In the dorsal fin are 92 rays: pectoral 48 : ventral 2: anal 6S:
and in the tail 48.

§24

RUBESCENT BANQ-Fisa.

PLATE 24

tLATE cr.

CEPOLA RUBESCENS.

RUBE SCENT BAND-FISH,

•** P/SCES THORACIC I.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

subiotund and compressed : teeth curved, and usually in a
row : gill-membrane with about six rays : body ensiform,
: abdomen scarcely the length of the head.

SPECIFIC CHAR.1CTER,

Rubescent: caudal fin tapering: jaws pointed.

RUBESCENS, Rubesccns, pinnae caudae attenuata, maxil-
lis acutis.

^EPola RUBESCENS: pinna caudae attenuata maxillis acutis. Mus.
Ad. Fr. 2. p. 63.

^phidium macrophthalmum. Linn. Sj/st. Nat. X. p, 259.
"^^enia serpens rubescens dicta. Art. Syn. 115?

^'cheloyopus totus pallide rubent, 'in imo ventre albescens, See.

Klein, miss. pise. 14. p. 57, n. IQ ?

^enia rubra. IVill. Ichlh. p, 117. — Eaj. pise. p. 71. n. 10.
^^Pola rubescens. Mont. Linn, Trans, v. 7. p. 291.

■^n interefting account of this beautiful and curious species appears
^ paper written by G. Montagu, Esq. in the seventh volume of

the Linna;an Transactions, accompanied by a coloured representatioil
of the fish in its natural size. The specimen from which the de-
scription and figure were taken, was caught in Salcomb Bay, on tlic
touth coast of Devonshire, on the 25th of February, 1803; and
since that period another was captured in the same place, which Mr-
Montagu has kindly favoured iis with for the purpose of investig^'
tion, and with permission to delineate in the present work.—
deem It a species of considerable rarity^ and are happy in being en-
abled to present it to our readers.

The specimen firft cauglit, and described in the Linnaean Trans-
actions, Is supposed to be a female ; it measured ten inches in length,
the depth beliind the head rather more than three quarters of an inch?
and the breadth half an inch. The colour pale carmine, darkest
above and towards die tail : the gill-plates and undulated transverse
lines along the sides silvery, and the fins the same colour as the
body, except the ventral, which are nearly white. That which vfC
have figured (presumed to be the male) is eleven inches in length?
not quite so deep, and rather of a darker colour.

From the observations of Mr. Montagu, in the paper above-
metioned, it is obvious he considers the Gepola rubescens to be alto-
gether a different species from CepolaTasnia; while Ganelin, on the
contrary, thinks the rubescens may be only a variety of the other
kind.— 'We muft confess ourselves not entirely satisfied whether
ought to be admitted as a distinct species, or a variety ; for it ap-
pears to us that the precise characters of the two fishes are nof at pre-
sent distinctly understood;— It certainly still remains a point on whic^
a difference of opinion may be maintained.

“fLATE GV.

If the definition of the two fishes are inexplicit, the Cepola
®gured by RondeletiuSj Gesner, and Jonston are likewise to be con-
sulted with caution; late writers these are referred to the species
"^^nia; should this be correctj we must express our doubt how far
Ihey are authorized in placing the Tanut rubra of Ray and Wil-
loughby, and the EUchelyoinis of Klein, with the same species;
The latter we suspect to be the Cepola rubescens, an<l think ought
father to be placed with the “ Taenia serpens rubescens dicta” of
^‘'tedi than as synonymous with Cepola Taenia. — The Cepola ru~
^escens is decribed in the tenth edition of the Linnffian Systemet
Under the appellation of “ Ophidion macrophtkalnmm, maxillis im-
herbibus pinna caudae acuminata.” In the last edition of that work
the description is different) it occurs in the new genus Cepola under
the specific name rubescens, and is thus described : “ pinna caiidee
^^^iienuata ■ maxillis acutis — the Cepola Taenia, to which it is
So closely allied, appears under the character of -pinna caiula at-
^^nuata maxillis acutis.”

Rlbch seems to he the first wfiter who describes the’ Cepola with
Accuracy, and he only speaks of one specie®} the Cepola Taenia, the
‘description of which very nearly corresponds with our rubescens^
und would almost incline us to believC them both the same ' species.
In the first place, according to this writer) Cepola Taenia is known
Uy having the head truncated in front ; Gmelin says it is very obtuse,
’‘t’hils'that of rubescens has the jaws sliarp-pointed. This being re
garded as tlid most material character, deserves attention. — ^'fhe figure
the head' in Bloch, though obtuse, does not deserve the appelia-
fion of obtiisissima, lieither are the jaws of the fish before lis so
pointed as to accord wdth that of dcmiiindfa ; it is in a very slight
^ogree of a more lengthened form thart the figure of Bloch represents;

’^OlC. V,

Q

PLATE CV.

the difference is scarcely perceptible, and the head is so much flattened in
front as to be really truncated ; in tlris respect, therefore, so far as we
can judge, the two fishes are not very, if at all, different. Accord-
ing to the Gmelinian Systema, this is the only distinction between
the two fishes ; for although he mentions, besides this, the form of
the caudal fin, he describes it as being attenuated in both species, and
which consequently therefore ceases to be a decisive character of either.

“ Gmclin (says Mr. Montagu) is inclined to think the Cepola
lubescens a variety of the Cepola Taenia, but that is out of all
question, as the body of this species is not carinated on each side,
nor has the lower jaw a double row of teeth ; and in other respects

diffeis. These observations are worthy of further consideration*
1 he most material objection arises from a supposed difference with
regard to the sides of the two fishes, those of the Cepola Taenia
being conceived to be carinated, while in rubescens the sides are per-
fectly smooth.

This conclusion is not correct, and the error seems to orio-inatn
with Gmelin, who in his general description of the Cepola Taenia
employs the terms, » utrhique carmata;’ from which it may be
inferred, that the fish is carinated at the sides, in the literal accept-
ance of the words, but this is not the fact; what is’usually understood
by the sides, being depressed instead of carinated. Bloch, from
whom Gmelin evidently takes his description, aftbrds a satisfactory
explanation on this point. » Le tronc (says this author) est tcr-
mine en tranchant a sa partie superieurc ct inferieure. Les coteS
sont fort comprimes, et se retrdcissent en approchent de la queue.”
The true character of the cari nation is thus unequivocally explained;

It IS not the middle of the sides which is carinated, that pan being

PLATE CV.

Compressed, but their extreme edges above and beneatl), occa-
®‘oned by the upper and lower part of the fish being slightly flat-
^®ned, and appearing somewhat truncated. Tliis character, ob-
®®tvable in Cepola Taenia, is equally obvious in rubescens, and may
^ at once perceived when the dorsal and anal fins are expanded.

Th

^ commencement even of the carinations along the upper part
*^g>ns before the dorsal fin, taking their rise from the back of the
^®^d in an oblique course, gradually approximating towards the
ray of the dorsal fin, and thence continuing pretty near the
of that fin at each side throughout the whole length of
fish. The carinations beneath are likewise contiguous, and
close to the base of the anal fin on each side. — The la'st dif-
ference alluded to, consists in the number of the teeth ; those in Ce-
P°la rubescens constituting only a single series in each jaw, while

Cepola I'asnia the lower jaw has a double series. We cannot
®urcly admit this as an absolute distinction, when it is remembered,
the number of teeth increases in many fishes as they advance
iti age; and that the lower jaw of our C. rubescens presents a
broader space than the upper ; it is possible the latter may have more
one row of teeth when full grown, and that our fish has not
yet attained to perfect maturity.

s.

Every circumstance considered, it will be allowed that neither of
*^^6 above characters are sufficient to authorise us in forming two spe-
of C.Tamia and C.rubescens ; the characters proposed accord with
^eth. 'WTe are still, inclined to allow that the difference between
colour of the two fishes is very remarkable ; and that, hould
delineation of Cepola Taenia given by Bloch be correct in all
*^®®pects, we ought not too hastily decide on their being of the

G 2

PLATE CV.

same species. His figure represents the fish of a silvery grey colour
with the fins red, and several equidistant spots or patches of red on
the cheeks, and along the side below the lateral, line ; his description
accoids with this, and so far deviates very materially from C. ru-
besccns, which is throughout of a pale carmine colour, and enr
tiiely destitute of those remarkable spots so conspicuous in the above-
mentioned figure.—- This is a strong character, but still insufiicient
to induce us at once to pronounce them different ; the colours of
some fishes are extremely fugitive and variable ; the young of various
kinds are decorated with spots, which disappear in the adult state ;
and again m others, spots and marks appear in the fish at maturity*
which in the younger state are invisible ; as is abundantly proved
in many instances of the Salmon tribe. Sometimes likewise it is the
criterion of a sexual difference, as in the Torpedo, a young male of
which, in our possession, exhibits those characteristic marks in thpmost
singular manner, In the figure ofCepola Tasnia, giv'en by Bloch, the
tips of the rays of both the anal and dorsal fin are bifurcated, while
in our fisli they appear single; and tliis we imagined to be a striking
character, till on expanding the fins of our fish they proved to be bi*
furcated likewise. We should observe, that both those fins in our
fish are very entire, while in Bloch’s figure the edges of them
appear to have sustained some injury, as the tips of the rays extend
much beyond the connecting membrane. — Mr. Moptagu thinks the
two fishes he has met with male and female; could this be deter^
mined, it wopld remove from pur own minds a strong suspicion that
the Taenia and ipbescens ar-e in reality only the two. sexes of the
saws species. If we admit them as distinct species we have more
reliance on the difference of their colours than any odrer character tloO
two fishes appear to exhibit; and this, upon the whole, inclines
to believe they may be distinct.

PLATE CV.

We have only to add our regret, that the Cepola Tsnia of Bloch
never fallen under our own observation, and that our inferences
for this reason necessarily drawn from figures and descriptions,
'''^lich, however correct, are not sufficiently satisfactory to inspire
*^onfidence, and authorise us in determining whether the two fishes
specifically distinct or not.

In the specimen of Cepola rubescens now before us, the dorsal fin
*^nntains seventy rays: pectoral twelve; ventral six: anal sixty -nine;
*nd tail nine.

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BLACK GOBY.

PLATE 25

PLATE CIV,

GOBIUS NIGER,

BLACK GOBY.

***BISCES THORACIC 1.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head small. Eyes placed nearly together, with two pores between
GilUmembrane, with four rays, ^ody small, compressed at
^oth sides, and covered with small scales ; behind the vent a tubercle,'
Ventral fins united into the form of a funnel. Dorsal fins two.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS,

Varied : white and fufcous ; second dorsal fin with about fourteen

fays.

G

°t!itjs Niger: ex albo et fusco varius, pinna dorsal! secunda
radiis xiv. Bloch. Fisch. Deiitsch. 2. p. 5. t. 38./'
J, 2, 5.

^OBius Niger : pinna dorsal! secunda radiis quatuor decim. Mus.

Ad. Fr. 2. p. &^.—Gmd. Linn. Syst. Nat. T. I.
p. 3. fl. 1196.

■ eotris capite catheto plateo, pinnis ventralibus concretis. Gronov,
Zooph. iVb. 281?

pobms Niger, Sea Gudgeon, Rock fifii. Will. Ichth. 206.— Bait
syn. pise. IS.

^°ulereau, or Gougeon de Mer. Lacepede, Sic,

Goby. Fenn. Brit. Zool. v. Z.p, 213. 21.

PLATE CIV.

This little fifli is not entirely of a black colour, as its trivial ap-’
pellatioq may imply ; the ground colour js dusky above, beneath
white, and the whole of the upper part and sides varied with pale
testaceous, dark streaks, and spots of black ; the head and darker parts
glossed with blucish, and the fins partaking of the same colour. In
the first dorsal fin of our specimen are seven rays, in the second twelve,
pectoral eighteen, ventral eight, anal twelve; and caudal fixteen-
The rays of all the fins are spotted with black. One pecularity in
the structure of the ventral fins should be observed ; thefe unite and
form a kind of funnel, by means of which this filh affixes Itself fn
firmly to the rocks as to require fome force in removing it, an4
has hence acquired the synonymous title of rock filh.

The Black Goby seldom exceeds the length of five or six Inches ;
it is of the voracious kind, preying on smaller fishes and aquatic in-
sects. Except in the spawning season it remains in the sea; about
May or June it ascends rivers for the purpose of depositing Its spawn,
which it generally secretes under stones near the shallows, and
then returns again to the marine element. The Black Goby is taken
in great abundance in the North Seas, and is esteemed delicate and
wholesome as an article of food. Upon the coast of France this fish
appears to be very common, but we have reason to apprehend that Jt
cannot be frequent in the vicinity of the British shores. Our speci-
men is from the coast of Devonshire.

SPOTTEa GOBY.

I

V

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PLATF 26

-PLATE XXXVIII.

GOBIUS MINUTUS.

SPOTTED GOBY,

'fHORACICL

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head small. Eyes placed nearly together, with two pores between
them. Gill-membrane, with four rays. Body small, compressed
both sides, covered with, small scales, behind the vent a tubercle.
Ventral fins united into the form of a funnel. Dorsal fins two.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND ,

SYXO?jYMS,

Whitish, spotted with ferruginous ; rays of the dorsal, and caudal fin
obscurely streaked with the latter colour. •

Gobius MINUTUS : albicans ferrugineo-maculatus, radiis dorsalibus,
et caudalibus ferrugineo obsolete striatis.
Pall. S’pic. Zool. 8. p. 4. Gmel. Linn.
Sj/st. Nat. p. 1199. sjj. 13.

Gobius Minutus. G. albidus, ferrugineo maculatus, oculis cseruleis.

Shaw. Zool. V. 4. n. 2. p. 36.

Sbotted Goby. Penn. Brit. Zool. V. 3. sp.

PLATE XXXVIII.

Mr. Pennant acquaints us, that he saw several of this species taken
on our sandy coasts, in the summer of the year 1775, in the shrimp
nets : he does not cettainly mean by this to say, that tliey frequent
the sandy shores of our island during the summer months only, as
some have imagined; or if he does, the idea is unfounded. We have
received them from various parts of the sea coasts in all seasons of the
year, where they seem to be not less common during the winter, than
the summer months. In the wide sweep of sands, called Traeth
Levan, that extends along the south side of Beaumaris bay, opposite
the island of Anglesea ; upon the shores of the Severn, and Indeed on
many other of our sandy coasts, this fish has attracte4 our remark
lurking or swimming with the shrimps, in the sliallow pools of
water left by the sea at ebb-tide. The same species also is not
unfrequently taken with the shoals of sprats captured at a littlq
distance from the shore.

The spotted Goby is a pretty, delicate little creature, whose usual
length very rarely exceeds two inches, or two inches and a half ;
three inches or rather better is the length of that from whence our
figure is taken, but that is of an uncommon size, Pallas, who
describes this species, has defined its character with much precision ;
he speaks especially of the obsolete streaks across the rays of the
dorsal fins, and tail, which are sufiiciently distinct, except when the
fins happen to be expanded, at which time they indeed appear as
unconnected dots : the same may be said also of those across the anal
fin, which he does not notice. These dots or streaks, are pniformly
constant on all the specimens of the fish that have fallen under our
observation, varying a trifle only in their tint of colour.— In the first
dorsal fin are six rays, in the second are eleven ; the pectoral fin has
tw'enty, the ventral nineteen, anal eleven, caudal sixteen.

PLATE XXXVIII.

Bloch does not include this species in either of his works on fishes.
Bennant considers it as the Gobius Aphya of Linnaeus, in which
particular, later writers are persuaded he is mistaken ; it must be con-
fessed, however, that there still remains some little doubt as to the
precise difference between the Aphya and Minutus ; Linnaeus tells us
Ae former has the body and fins barred witli brown, which will in a
t^ertam degree apply to the characters of minutus likewise. That our
fish it the minuttis of Pallas, will not admit of doubt.

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27

POGGE, OR ARMED Bai-HEAD

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icndcu.TuJff aj the^lft cUrtcls by KIionoyaji.it K ScC-Ru-i/igtvn.. Oct.'>.

PLATc 27

PLATE XVL

COTTUS CATAPHRACTUS.

POGGE, OR ARMED BULL-HEAD.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head broader than the body, and spinous : eyes vertical, and far-
’’•shed with a nictitant membrane : six rays in the gill membrane :
round, without scales, and tapering towards the tail ; one or
dorsal fin.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Loi icated or mailed, beak or upper jaw warted, and furnished with
"'o Upright bifid spines : under jaw and throat beset with cirri.

^TTus Cataphractus : loricatus, rostro verrucis 2 bifidis, capitc
subtus cirroso. Faun. Suec. 324. — Gmel.
^ Linn. Syst. Nat. T. 1. p.Z. p. 1207. sp. 1

°hus cirris plurimis, corpore octagono. Mus. Ad. Fr. l. p. 70.
^°gge. Will. Icth. 211. — Raii. Syn. pise, 'll-

Bull-Head, or Pogge. Renn. Brit. Zool. Vol. 3.
p. 217. sp. 98.

*T'| *

j. species frequents the British shores in some plenty, and is
^d on most other coasts of Europe. It feeds on crabs, and other
insects, worms, &c.

■ ''OL. I.

E

PLATE XVI.

Tlie usual length is four or five inches, but it sometimes, though
rarely, encreases to above the length of six inches. In our specimen
the first dorsal fin contains five rays, the second seven : the pectoral
fin eighteen, ventral three ; anal six ; and the tail ten.

1

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FATHER LASHER, OR SEA SCORPION,

28

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/JT"" 28

PLATE XXXV.

COTTUS SCORPIUS.

FATHER LASHER, or SEA SCORPIOH.

* THORACIC I.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head broader than the body, and spinous : eyes vertical, and fur*
ttlshed with a nictitant membrane : six rays In the gill membrane .
'^‘ly round, without scales, and tapering towards the tall: one or
*Qore dorsal fin.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Head armed with many spines : upper jaw rather longer than the

under one.

^ottus ScoRPIUS : capite spinis pluribus, maxilla superiore paulo
longiore. Linn. Fn. Suec. 323.

Cottus alepldotus, capite polyacantho, maxilla superiore paulo lon-
giore. Mus. Ad. Fr. I. p. 70.

Scorpene Belon, 242.

Scorpang similis Comub. Father-lasher. Will, ichth, 133.

— Raii SI/71, pise. 145.

Scorpion Edw. glean, t. 284.
f^ATHER-LASHER. Pe7vn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 213. sp. 99.

PLATE XXXV.

Tills fish Is a very general inhabitant of rocky shores in all the
northern parts of Europe and Siberia. On our coasts it is seldom
found above six or eight inches in length, but we have seen them
rather exceeding the length of a foot; and in the North Seas, the
Greenlanders, with whom it is a principal article of food, in general
take them of a far greater size.

The Sea Scorpion is a very variable fish In its colours, lurks under
stones or among the sea weeds, and feeds on crabs and small fish.
The head is furnished with many strong and sharply pointed spines,
which it is capable of exerting in a very formidable manner. It
will follow Sharks and other voracious fish with the greatest temerity,
lashing and wounding them with these spines, and effectually drive
them from those places where it is accustomed to haunt itself. To
the Blenny, as before said, it is a desperate enemy.

When the mouth is closed the upper jaw projects considerably be-
yond the lower one, but this latter it is capable of advancing in order
to take its prey. In the first dorsal fin are eight strong rays : in the
second fourteen: pectoral nine; ventral three; anal eleven: ami
caudal fourteen.

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PLATE 29

PLATE LXXX.

COTTUS GOBIO.

RIVER BULL HEAD.

* PISCES THORACIC!.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head broader than the body, and spinous ; eyes vertical, and fuf-
*''shed with a nictitant membrane.: six rays in the gill membrane:
body round, without scales, and tapCrmg towards the tail ; one or
•Dote dorsal fin.

BPECmC CHARACTER

AN1>

SYNONYMS.

Smooth ; body tapering : head broad; gill covers armed with two
®Pines each.

Lottos Gobio : Isevis, corpore attenuate ; caplte lato, operculis
bispinosis.

CoTTus Gobio: spinis curvatis duabus ad utrumque operculum.

Bloch. Fisch. Beutschl, 2. p. 12. 7i. 1. t. 38.

fig. 1. 2.

Cottus Gobio : Isevis, capite spinis duabus. Mull, prodr . xjsoI,
Dan. p. 44. M. 368.

CoTTus Gobio. Linn, Fn. Suec. 322.

Cottus alepidotus glaber capite diacantho. Art, Gen. 48. syn. 76.
spec. 82.

Cobius fluviatilis alter, Bel.nq, p. 321.

^olUhead, Miller’s Thumb, Will. Ichth. \2>I.-^Rausyn. pisc.'lQ,

Bull.head. Fen. Brit. Zool. v. 3. p. 216. sp. 97.

PLATE LXXX.

The ordinary size of this fish is from three to four, or rarely five
inches. In the northern parts of Europe, and in Siberia, it some-
times attains to the length of half a foot, or even seven inches }
which latter appears to be the utmost^size of any individual of this
species hitherto discovered. “

V *. Vw V „

This fish inhabits most fresh water streams and rivers, where it
is commonly observed lying at the bottom, lurking upon the
gravel, or among stones, beneath which it oftentimes secretes itself
when closely pursued by otlrer voracious fishes. The spawning
season is in March and April. It has been affirmed, though cer-
tainly without probability, or sufficient authority, thj.t ,the female
deposits her eggs in holes, which she purposely forms for their recep-
tion, and that she v/ill not quit the spot even at the peril of her life.
Marsigli asserts that the female rests for the space of a month on the
eggs. This species subsists chiefly on aquatic insects, pid the egg? '
or fry of other fishes. ^ ‘

The prevailing colours are nearly the same in all the individuals of
this species, namely, a livid brown, more or lefs speckled with
yellow, and spotted with dusky or black, the belly silvery white,'
and fins varied with brown. The anterior dorsal fin is of a darker
colour than the others, and is sometimes edged with white, or
whitish ; this fin, in the largest specimen delineated in our plate,
contains eight rays ; the second dorsal fin, seventeen : pectoral fin,
eleven : ventral four : and the anal and caudal fins, twelve each. ’ '

l^rAV- 30

mi:

NATURAL HISTORY

or

BRITISH FISHES.

PLATE XCVII.

ZEUS LUNA.

OPJIf, OR KING riSlI.
** PISCES TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTEil.

H

caj compressed, sloping ; upper lip arched by a transverse mem-
fi'atie T

1 ongue subulate : gill membrane with seven perpendicular

fL 1

’ ne lower transverse : body compressed, thin, shining: rays of
^'^'I'al fill in general filamentous.

SPECinC CHARACTER
and

SYNONY'MS.

^'fiated . body smooth: back violaceous, and sides green, with

obi

Silvery spots : fins falcated, and scarlet.

^EUs T , '

NA ; cauda luiiari, corpore lasvi, dorso violacco, laterlbui

viridibiis argcnteo guttato, pinnis falcatis coccineis

''OL. V

PLATE XCVIt.

■Zeus Luna ; cauda sublunari, corpore rubentealbo-guttato.

Linn. Syst. Nat. T. 1. 3. 1225. n. 7.

Zeus Opah : cauda sublunari, copore nunc rubente, nunc viridi s ■
nunc purpureo, albo-guttato. Fivarium NaliiT*-
— Sha-dO Nat. Miscel. v. 4. p. 140.

Zeus GuxTAtus. Brunnich.

Poisson de Lune. Duhamel des peches. 3. p. 74. t. IS.
Chrysostose Lune. Lacepede, Sic.

Opah. Phil. Trans, abr. l\. p. 879. t. 5. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3'
n. 101.

Opah or King-Fish. Turt. Linn. Syst. v. 1. p. 760. n. 3.

Opah Dory. Shaw Gen. Zool. v. 4. p. 2. 287.

Opah or King-filh. Sowerby, Brit. Miscel. p. 22.

The Opah claims a distinguished place in the Iiistory of Brith'*
fishes : it is admitted by writers as one of the most beautiful example*
of the finny race hitherto discovered in the European seas, nor is
less deserving our attention for its rarity than beauty.

That this splendid fish has at various times been observed in ,
northern seas of L irope we have the authority of several naturalist*
of respectability ; it is in particular dc.scribcd as a northern fish
Strom in his History of Sondmor. According to Duhamel, Lacepe‘i®'
and other French writers, it is likewise found, though rarely as
to the southward as the coast of Normandy : its occasional appct>t''
ance in the British seas Is sufficiently well attested ; and if Dr.
timer was not misled by the information obtained from the Prince o(
Anamaboo, it is also a native of the seas of Africa, and in the
fer more abundant than it appears to be elsewhere.

PLATE XCVII.

Several specimens of this splendid fish have been captured or cast
ashore upon our coasts, notwithstanding which we cannot hesitate to
*^nsider it as a scarce fish. Its appearance on our coasts has been
periods very remote from eacli other, and we think it not impro-
■^We that it has seldom occurred without being duly noticed by some
^telligent, if not very scientific characters. We are inclined to
*’tspect that several of the British species of fish much less rare than
'fie Ppah have hitherto been considered more uncommon, eitlier
^^cause they are deficient of beauty, singularity, or magnitude, to
‘^^eornmend them to the immediate attention of general observers,
^*>d that, from their localiry, they have rarely occurred to the obser-
''®hon of naturalists. The Opah is, on the contrary, a superlatively
P’Jtnd and striking object, such as would naturally arrest remark, and
" ts therefore not unlikelythat in almost every instance of its being
'•^ptured on our coast, it has excited so much curiosity as to be re-
'-°rded in some of the diurnal prints ; and the description of such a
^*fi> if only slightly accurate, could not easily be mistaken.

The Opah is described by Sibbald, in his History of Scotland, under
^fic title of Pisces maculis aspersus nan sct'iptus pollices, 42 longus,
^''d figured in the sixth plate of that work. Mr. Pennant tells us,

•I

have only five instances of this fish being taken in our seas,
^'^ur of them in the north, viz. twice off Scotland, once off Nor-
'fitiiTiberland, one in Fileybay, Yorksire, and a fifth at Brixhain
Torbay, in 1772 .”

The first account we have of the Opah that merits paiticular ob-
^''^ation appeared in the Philosophical Transactions for the year
"^■^0. This was drawn up by Dr. Mortimer, from a specimen of
fish, captured on the shore of Leith, and submitted about that
1^'iod to the inspection of the Royal Society. Dr. Mortimer’s

PLATE XCVII.

description is at some length, and deserves, for irs accuracy, to be
repeated in this place. — “ This fish,” says Dr. Mortimer, “ i*
smootir skinned, has no scales, or teeth : it has one erect fin on
its back, ■which arises below its neck, and runs within a little of it®
tail : on each side, about the middle, between its back and belly, 3
little forward of the vent, ar ,e a pair of fins : from behind the vent
runs one fin, within a little of the tail : the tail-fin is large and
forked : the eyes are large ; the irides are scarier, encompassed with
a circle of gold-colour, verged with scarlet : its nostrils are placed
above its eyes : the back and upper part of the body, quite to the
tail, was of a dark blue or violet-colour ; these and the sides of the
body, whrch were of a bright green, were all speckled with oblong
white spots : the chaps were of a pale red ; the nose, gills, and belly>
were of a silver-colour, and all the fins of a bright scarlet. It was
three feet seven inches long, and three feet ten inches round, in the
thickest part : it weighed eighty-two pounds : its mouth was small t
its tongue thick, almost like the human tongue in shape, but rough,
and thick set with beards or prickles, which pointed backwards ; so
that any thing might easily pass down, but could not easily slip back
again: therefore these might serve instead of teeth for retaining it*
prey or food : its gills resembled those of the salmon : its body grows
very taper towards the tail ; and from being compressed to ten inches
thickness, becomes near the tail almost round, and about three inches
thick : the whole shape of this fish much resembles that of the sea-
bream, but it differs in size, being much larger, and in not having
teeth nor scales : the fin standing erect on the back has some acule*
next the neck, and rises up to eight inches; but in the middle di-
minishes to one inch ; and near the tail rises again to about three
inches, the belly-fin, opposite to this, spreads three incites near th^
,,ail, and diminishes towa ds the vent : the tail-fin is forked, and
spreads twelve inches : the gill fins are nine inches long and three

PLATE XCVIL

■'^iJe at their basis : the two belly fins were eleven inches long and
wide at their basis : it seems to be a new species of fish, not yet
‘^^scribcd by any author.” Dr. Mortimer adds, that the Prince of
•^oamaboo, a country on the coast of Africa, being then in England,
^^cognized the fish immediately as a species common on that coast,
^nd said it was good to eat.

In the year 1769, another specimen was taken near Newcastle,
of which the following account was written by Mr. Robert Harrison,
"f that place.

“ Newcastle, Sept. I2th, 1769. On Saturday last was thrown

’^Pon the sands at Blyth, a very rare and beautiful fisb, weighing
between seventy and eighty pounds ; shaped like the Sea-Bream : the
*®ngth was three feet and a half ; the breadth, from back to belly,
^huost two feet ; but the thickness, from side to side, not above six
'nches : the mouth small for the size of the fish, forming a square
opening, and without any teeth in the jaws : the tongue was thick,
’■esembling that of a man, but rough, and thick set with beards or
prickles, so that any thing might easily pass down, but could not
easily j-gi-m-jj back; therefore these might serve instead of teeth to
retain its prey : the eyes remarkably large, covered with a membrane,
^rrd shining with a glare of gold; the cover of the gills like the
Salmon ; the body diminishes very small to the tail, which is forked,
^rrd expands twelve inches : the gill-fins are broad, about eight inches
^°rig, and play horizontally : a little behind their insertion the back
Irrt takes its original, where it is about seven inches high, but slopes
^cry suddenly, running down very near the tail, and at its termination
becomes a little broader ; the belly-fins are very strong, and placed
r'*^<ir the middle of the body : a narrow fin also runs from the anus

PLATE XCVII.

to the tail: all the Jins, and also the tail, are of a fine scarlet; but
the colours and beauty of the rest of the body, which is smooth and
covered with almost imperceptible scales, beggars all description : the
upper part being of a bright green, variegated with whitish spots,"
and enriched with a shining golden hue, like the splendour of ^
peacock’s feather : this by degrees vanishes in a bright silvery, and
near the belly the gold again predominates in a lighter ground than
on the back.”

t f

Tire third specimen, which, as before observed, was taken in
Torbay, in the year 1772, is thus described by Mr. Pennant, upon
the authority of a gentleman who saw the fish soon after it was
taken, and transmitted an account of it to be inserted in the British
Zoology, — “ This fish weighed a hundred and forty pounds. The
length was four feet and a half : the breadth two feet and a quarter :
the greatest thickness only four inches. Its general colour was a
vivid transparent scarlet varnish over burnished gold, bespangled with
oval silver spots of various sizes : the breaft was a hard bone, re-
sembling the keel of a ship. The flesh looked, and tasted like beef.”

Several of the French Naturalists describe the Opah either under
the name of Poisson de Lune, after Duhamel, or the more mo-
dern appellation of Chrysosiose Lune, (Chrysostosus) which latter
was assigned to it by Lacepede, when he separated it fiom the Zeus
genus, in which it stands in the Gmelinian Linn. Syst. and constituted
a new genus for the reception of this single species, Bose, one of
the latest of those writers, affords a lively description of the Opah,
in the following words. “ C’est un magnifique poisson. Des reflet®
d’azur, de vert clair, d’argent, se jouent sur un fond d’or, au milieu
d’un grand nonibre de taches couleur de pole ou de saphir. Le®

PLATE XCVII.

^^igcoires sont d’un rouge cclatant. II a la I6vre sup6rieure cxten-
sible ; la machoire inferieure plus longue ; la nageoirc dorsale en
lorme de faulx, avec un ou deux rayons aiguillonnes et quarante-six
articules ; un rayon aiguillonne et trente-cinq articul^s a Tanale ; la
'^audale fourcbue j" ses dcailles sont unies. Le Chrystose lune se
P^chc, mais tres rarement, dans les mers d’Europe: il acquiert
*luatre a cinq picds de long.”

Since the publication of Mr. Pennant’s Zoology, three specimens
tbe Opab have been caugbt on tbe coast of Scotland ; two in tbc
J’irtb of Forth, and tbe third at no very considerable distance from
'hat place. One of the latter, a fish in fine preservation, is at pre-
"^nt in our collection. Another, rather smaller, was discovered
shanded on the coast, by some labourers employed in the colliery
'I'ade, and was eaten at a neighbouring cottage ; and the fate of the
'bird is not correctly knovvn. Besides those Scottish specimens, an-
other was caught some time ago on the western coast of England,
hy the fishermen of those parts ; who afterwards disposed of it in a
'mutilated state to S. P. Bryer, Esq. of Weymouth ; some account of
"'hich lias recently appeared in a work entitled the British Miscellany *.

* '’!■ 22. Brit. Misc. It iniglit be improper to conclude our account of the Opah
"itliout adverl'mg to a few observation* that hare recently appeared in the work above
“■entioued. The compiler informs us, “ he knows of no coloured figure of this fish,”
from the tenor of which it is possible the reader might conclude that no such figure had
been previously published, which would not be correct, as a coloured plate of it does
actually occur in tlie Xaturalist’s Miscellany of Dr. Shaw, vol. iv, pi. 140. This is an
«vetsigl,ttliat might easily be committed, though it were belter to have been avoided.
IVith regard to the other remarks they appear, to us at least, incomprehensible. V, e are
fold, for injtance, '• jt is rather astonishing that Linnaeus, Omdtn or Turton, do not men-

plate xcvir.

*

The hkory of ,hi, fish is so highly i„,„es,i„g, ,I„, svo have beeo
tempted d, gross at more that, usual length, in order to insert whatever

it !--C.n the Se „,g ^

servations are too paarile and presuming to merit criticism.

L-t however an assertion so conndemiv advanced, might tend to mislead the unin-

nnned, it will be inenniheat to say that the Opah is very fully described by Gine.in in
edition of the Systeina Natura-, and it is equally eertain that Dr. Turton speaks of it

To

fro th " ‘''’""“'"S

n other source.s: the author of Virarno. Katur. it is very evident, though Dr.

iurton does not mention it. has furnished him with the .specific character which he ha,s

adopted preference to that propo.sed by Gmeiin. Ile likewise adds, that tbe Opal, is

n te Ttoh coasts, a circumstance omitted in the Graelinian description. VVv

conceive it may no, he amiss to transcribe the words of G.nelin at length, and also those
of iurton. in order to remove the slightest possibility of doubt on this subject th.at may
e occasioned by the unqualified assertions of the British Miscellany.

Zeus Luna: cauda subluuari, corpore ruheute allio-gullato. Du Uumd despCchesS-
p- 74. t. 15. Pois.soii dc lune.

Huiitm mari Normaneiiiain aUueute. ultra 3 pedn tau,.., diu caira a^a^uUaa,

gentco, Cixlesti spl^.7i.iore Tefulgens.

_ Caput hreve,

•smn; rictus ampins; pmnm ruhre, cauda /ere alba- Ga^cl. Linn. Spst Aar. T. 1 p. 3.
1225. n. 7. ^

Gmeiin is correct in describing the scales of tin's fish as being very small : in our spe-
cimen they may be observed on close inspection, but at the first glance the skin appears
perfectly smooth. The figure of the Opah ia the British Miscellany is inaccurate there-
fore m this respect, for although it does not exceed the length of four or five inches, the

scales are rcirrcsented more conspicuous than they appear in a specimen that nicasure.s
twq or lluce feet in length.

PLATE XCVII.

appear in the slightest degree material, from the observations
Pteceding authors. We shall now proceed to offer an accurate
thougjj concise account of the specimen before us, with the view of
Pointing out in the clearest possible manner, those particulars in which
onr fish accords, or disagrees, with the descriptions those authors have
Previously afforded.

The total length of our specimen, from the extremity of the jaws
the tip of the tail, is three feet two inches ; and the greatest depth,
foot five inches. The relative proportions of the respective
P^rts are delineated with sufficient accuracy to render any minute
^otail in this respect superfluous. The same may be observed with
*^ogard to the general aspect and disposition of its colours, allowing
for the imperfection of the imitative art for the inability of the
Artist to convey that precise idea of its matchless combination of
changeable, vivid, and metallic hues, with which the splendid original
adorned by the hand of nature !— The prevailing colours on the
is deep blue inclining to regal purple, below which the piiiple
glossed in various directions of light with a reddish and golden hue,
blending into green upon the sides, and the green fading to yellow
Approaches the silvery white of the abdomen. In some speci-

" 5!eu8 Opah. Z. cauda subluuari, corpora nunc rubente, nunc yindi, nunc purpureo,
^^Suttato.’* V tuariuTn Wcitum. Ndt- IVfiiCti. 4. t. 140.

" Zeus Luna. Opah-King-Flbh. Tail somewhat lunate ; body beautilid'y S''®®®
^ Purple, with oval white spot*.

“ Inhabits the coast of Normandy : rarely found on the British : above three feet
■*“'‘8 ; is of all the European fish the most rich .and splendid in its colours ; body very
fton, the back to the chest, and tapering very small to the tail, covered with hardly
scales. Head short, rouBded, red, with golden patches; eyes large; teeth
®ty Small ; mouth large ; fins scarlet.” V urton, f. 1. p. 760.

'^OL. V.

e

PLATE XC^TI.

mens we rather suspect the general ground colours are darker, of
more inclining to purple, or reddisli, instead of green, on the sides.
1 lie whole of the body is covered with a great number of large diftinct
eval silvery spots, which produce an appearance no less sin<^ular than
grand in the aspect of the fish ; and what still more contributes to
Its beauty, is the brilliant colour of the iins, all of which are a hnc
scarlet. The surface of the skin is remarkably smooth, and covered
with scales that are scarcely perceptible: the lateral line is irre-
gular, and somewhat incurvated at the commencement.

It will be observed, on a slight insiiection of our drawing, that
some material difference exists between our specimen and those
represented by former writers. That this difference may have
arisen from the less perfect condition of the fish examined by those
writers, rather than from any oversight, we may possibly admit-
But to say the least, if we are to rely on the figures and description
that have previously appeared, the specimens they have examined
must have been defective. In proof of this we need only adduce
one particular, the preposterous length of the pectoral fins, a circum-
stance which none of the British writers have mentioned. Those fins,
in the perfect fish are, so remarkably long, that when placed erect,
they reach even above the back, insomuch that the tips of both those
fins are seen in this position, rising above the dorsal fin towards
the middle of the back. This is a most striking character of the
fish, and does not appear in any of the figures at present extant that
we are acquainted with. It should however be remembered, that very
few of those figures W'hich do occur are original : that which first
appeared in the Philosophical Transactions, to illustrate the descrip-
tion given by Dr. Mortimer, is the subject repeated in the British
Zoology of fvir. Pennant, in the General Zoology of Dr. Shaw, and

PLATE XCVII.

'^^lious other works, all which represent the pectoral fins much too
*^ort : those fins were probably mutilated in the fish examined by
Mortimer, and having been so represented in his drawing, would
of necessity be represented in the same manner in other figures
Copied exclusively from it. The dorsal fin at the commencement,
die Ventral fins, and the extreme tips of the tail, are also longer and
^'^ore falcated than are usually represented. 1 he dorsal fin contains
^fty-four rays : pectoral, twenty-eight rays : ventral, ten rays : anal,
^'■''enty-six rays ; and tail, thirty.

-31

DOREE.

fUiorLoywt,kI’'t:€,fijyinffton.--ipriLiii6o3.

< a

31

PLATE VIII.

ZEUS FABER.

DOREE.

THORACICI.

GENEPIC CHARACTER.

^Cad compressed, sloping : upper lip arched by a transverse mem-
brane. Tongue subulate.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ANO

SYNONYMS.

Tail rounded, a large brown ocellated spot on the sides. Two

anal fins. '

2eus Faber : cauda rotundata, lateribus medius ocello fusco, pinnis
analibus duabus. Gmel. Li7in. Syst, Nut. p. 1223.
sp. 3.

I^orec. Will. jeth. 294. — Eaii. s\)n. pise. 99.

<^ree. Penn. Br. Zool. p. 221. sp. 100.

The Doree, notwithstanding its hideous aspect, is in much esteem
its delicious flavour. It is said we are indebted to the epicurean
Quin for overcoming those prejudices which its peculiar defor-

had excited, and introducing it to the table.

1. B

PLATE VIII.

Like the Haddock, this species, according to Pennant, was for-
merly an object of superstition. Some credulous authors believing
that St. Christopher, in wading through an arm of the sea, caught
a Doree, and, as a memorial to posterity of the fact, left an impres-
sion on its sides. Others believe it is the identical species, out of
whose mouth St. Peter took the tribute money.

The colours of this fish when living, are olive, or lead colour, varied
with blue and white, and the whole appears finely glossed with a
golden hue, as its significant names, Faber and Doree, imply.

The first dorsal fin contains ten rays, which are strong, and fur-
nished at the end with a long filament ; the second twenty-four short
rays; pectoral fourteen, ventral seven; in the first anal fin four
spiny rays, second twenty-two soft ones, and in the tail fourteen.

S 32

HOLIBUT.

i

PLATE 3^

PLATE LXXV.

tLEURONECTES HIPPOGLOSSUS.

EOLIBUT,

* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head^
^'I'l near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal,
^ill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated : upper side sub-con-.-
: beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Body entirely smooth : caudal fin lunated.

^^Epronectes Hippoglossus : corpore toto glabro, pinna caudali
lunulata.

^■Leuronectes Hippoglossus corpore toto glabro. Fn. Suec^

329. Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. T. \.p. 3. 1227.

sp. 4.

Pip

^uronectes oculis a dextra, totus glaber. Anted, gen. 17. syn. 31.
^l<^uroneetes pinna caudali lunulata. Bloch Fisch. Dcutschl, 2,
p. 47. n. 6. t. 47.

^^olibut, Benn, Brit. Zool, 3. p, 226.

PLATE LXXV.

The Holibut is beyond comparison the largest of the Pleuronecte*
tribe ; some say even of all aquatic animals with the exception only
of the whale tribe, but to this we cannot give our entire assent ; there
are other monsters of the ‘‘ vasty deep” that may vie in magnitude
with the Holibut. This fish is commonly found of seventy, eighty*
or one hundred pounds in weight : individuals of this size are not very
unfrequent in the London markets in the spring, or early in the sum-
mer, at which time they quit the deep recesses of the ocean, and ap-
proach the shores, with the view of depositing their spawn in places of
safety. We have seen them even ot two hundred pounds weight, or
more, at that season of the year, in the niarkets of ou- metropolis*
where they obta n a ready sale among the lower omers of society at
about the average price of six-pcnce or seven-] cncc per pound. The
fiesh is hot held in very high estimation, being hard, dry, and of
mdiiFerent flavour] the head, and fatty part beneath the pectoral fi**
excepted. In Holland, where those fish are common, the head
and shoulders are admitted to the tables of the great, but no other
part. Some think the smaller ones, weighing from five, or six, to ten
pounds, better than tliose of a larger size, but this is not a very
general opinion.

Pennant speaks of the Holibut being caught in the British seas of
considerable magnitude, namely, from one to three hundred weight-
On the coast of Iceland, and other northern regions, it is said to
grow much larger, or from four to five hundred pounds each what
indeed must be the weight of that Holibut which Olafsen tells us he
has seen, that measured five French ells in length !

I'hese fish are very abundant in the North Seas. On the coast
Greenland the natives cat it fresh in summer, and prepare a latg®

PLATE LXXV.

♦liJantity of it during that season as an article of their winter store of
P''ovisions by a very simple process, first cutting the fish into long
slips of moderate thickness, and afterwards allowing them to dry gra-
dually in the sun. Upon our coasts it does not appear to be a very
•Common species except towards the southern parts of the k ingdom. It
is found on the western coasts we believe most frequently. We have
received small specimens from Scotland, where it is also taken occa-
sionally of a vast size. On the coast of Wales we are inclined to
*innk it cannot be very common. The appearance of a Holibut some
years ago in the straits of Menai, between the northern extremity
Caernarvonshire and the island of Anglesea, was considered as
^ very extraordinary incidence by the Rev. Hugh Davies, of Beau-
•’laris, who informed us of the circumstance, in one of our visits
*0 that country, and pointed out the spot on which it was stranded,
Pot far distant from Portaethwy.

The Holibut is a voracious fish, but from its habits of prowling,
tind swimming near the bottom of the sea, or close under the shelter of
vocks, subsists chiefly on the smaller kinds of flat fish, on crabs, lob-
®ters, and other Crustacea ; and on the lump sucker, which latter they
abundantly common, attached under water to the rocks by means
of their adhesive organ, or sucker. 1'hese are the chief objects of its
IP’oy- In its turn it has many enemies ; when young, or in the egg
®tate, the Holibut is the prey of all the various species of the ray tribe,
it Is of the propesse and sharks when full grown. The Holibut
i* taken on the coast of Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, by means
of strong hooks and lines, similar to those employed in the cod
^slieries, but for the capture of the larger fishes the spear, or harpoon
generally used with most success.

PLATE LXXV.

The whole of the superior surface of this fish is perfectly smooth t»
the touch, the scales being small, and soft, and the body covered
with a peculiar sort of mucous. Its colour is dusky brown, most
commonly inclining to a liver colour, and free from spots : the tint
of colour is variable, and it has been remarked that in proportion as
the fish is in poor condition it becomes blackest, or more dusky : tire
lower surface is uniformly white. The Holibut is of a more elon-
gated figure than almost any other fish of its genus, and tapers much
towards the tail, the crescent form of which is a very distinguishing
criterion of this species. The specimen now before us contains one
hundred and one rays in the dorsal fin : pectoral fin fourteen : ven-
tral fin five : anal fin seventy-three ; and tail seventeen.

y '

I

t

- ^

» y,

,*<

» r

PLAISE.

'~£>

33

I

J.«>rtdonJ»uh *,

Plate 33

PLATE VI.

PLEURONECTES PLATESSA.

PLAISE.

* TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

. Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
and near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal.
Gill -membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con -
'’ex ; beneath fiat and pale. Vent near the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Body smooth, a row of six tubercles on the head.

Peeuronectes Platessa : corpore glabro, tuberculis sex capitis.

Gmel. Linn. Sj/st. Nat. p. 1 228. sp. 6.
Plaise. Will. Icth. 90. — Uaii. syn. pise. 31. — Plaise. Penn.Br.

Zool. p. 228. sp. 103.

Phis very common species has been taken upon our coasts of the
Weight of fifteen poifnds. The principal fishery of them is off the
coast of Holland, from which circumstance they derived the name
Dutch Plaise.

PLATE VL

The dorsal fin of the specimen we examined, contained seventy-
two rays, pectoral fin ten, ventral five, anal fifty-four, and tail
eighteen.

Spawn in February and March.

I

\

FLOUNDER.

I

. by EJDorvrvan^ & T.C t: J.Bit'Ulfftoi

Plate 34

PLATE XCIV.

PLEURONECTES FLESUS.

FLOUNDER.

**• PISCES THORACIC!.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
^nd near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal.
Hill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Eyed side with the scales at the base of the pectoral fin, and late-
-al line larger, and somewhat asperous.

Eleuronectes Flesus : latere oculato ad basin pinnae pectoralis
lineaque lateralis squamis majoribus subaspc-
ris.

i’lEURONECTEs Flesus : linca lateral! aspera spinulls ad pinnas.

Lmi. Fn. Susc, Z'll.—Gmel. Linn. Sy$t. nat.
1229. sp. 7.

PLATE XCIV.

Pl-EURONECTES spinuHs plurimis in latere superiore. Bloch. Fisch.
Deutschl. 2. p. 39. 71. 3. t. 44.

Pleuronectes linea lateral! aspera, spinulis ad radices pinnarum in la-
tere oculato. Art. spec. 59.

Pleuronectes oculis a dextra, linea lateral! aspera, spinulis superne ad
radices pinnarum in latere oculato. Ai't. Gen.
17. Syn. 31.

Passer fluviatilis. Ro7idel, Gesn. Kc.

Flounder. Brit. Zool. Vol. 3. ,p. 229. n. 104

The Reuronectes Flesus, or true Flounder, approaches in
the general appearance so nearly to the Plaise, Pleuronectes Pla-
tessa, and is so frequently confounded with it, that it will not
be amiss to advert to both, in order to point out the precise cha-
racter by which they are to be distinguished. The Plaise is usually
of a much larger size than the Flounder; the body rather wider, and
its thickness proportionately less. The head of the Plaise is beset
behind the left eye with a row of distinct tubercles, that reach to the
lateral Ime, none of ^vhich appear on the head of the true Flounder.
Tne upper surface of the body and fins, are marked with large roundish
•pots of a bright orange colour, which are paler or deeper in different
fishes, but are almost invariably present, and those are never, or very
rarely seen on the Flounder, although this fish is subject to more consi-
derable variations, than almost any other. I’he flesh of the true Floun-
der is firmer, and of a flavour far superior to the Plaise ; it Is also
much less frequent, the Plaise being the fish commonly sold for
Flounders in the London markets.

PLATE XCLV.’

The Flounder inhabits both the salt and fresh waters, and is found

‘^'Itially in the North and Baltic Seas, and in the larger rivers that have

^'-'oess to the sea. It inhabits likewise, many parts of the British Seas,

rivers, the Thames especially, where at certain seasons, asspring,

autumn, they are taken in great plenty. Those ibund in the

are larger and more robust than such as are caught in the rivers,

the latter are preferable for the table. It is observed, that the
Pi

Sunder never attains to any considerable size in the rivers, or even

Ae open sea ; the largest mentioned by Pennant, Bloch, and others,

'''Sighed no more than six pounds ; we once saw a Flounder that

''’righed between four and five pounds, after having a great portion

file lower half of the back bitten off by a shark, or some other

''°tacious fish : it was caught on the shore of the Irish channel, and is

largest we ever saw. In the beginning of November 1800, a
Pi

lounder of uncommon magnitude is said to have been captured upon
1^ tluddon sands, I..ancashire, that weighed forty five pounds, and
''measured fre m the nose to the extremity of the tail, four feet and an
*'^t;h. Whether this enormous fish differed specifically from our
^°tT»nion Flounder cannot be determined, we repeat it on popular
‘^Port, admitting only the probability of such an extraordinary cir-
'^“‘lastance.

Tl • •

lie varieties of the common Flounder, in point of colour, are

numerous beyond example, than in any other species, insomucli

it is scarcely possible to find even two exactly corresponding.

prevailing colour on the upper surface is brown, and the lower

Sometimes the former is marbled with silvery white : with,

fe tinged with yellowish, or of a rosy hue: in others, either of the
latter t’

nnts constitute the ground colour, and the spots are brown of
*°ns hues. Those having either the anterior or posterior half of a
IV. H

P.LATE XCIV.

deep brown, and the rest of a light colour are frequent. Others of ^
more uniform appearance, have the whole of the superior surface oli-
vaceous brown, and the lower white. The variety called by th®
fishermen the Sea Flounder, is nearly as dark on the lower surface aS
■above, and is more variegated with livid and yellow, than in the fresh
wafer Flounders. This marine kind instead of being being dark i®
sometimes pale on both surfaces, the pervading colour partaking
either of a yellowish, or rosy hue. — ^The specimen selected for deli-
neation, is one of that singularly beautiful variety of fresh watet
Flounders which is often taken in the Thames, the ground colour
which varies from whitish to deep rose colour, and is elegantly mot-
tled, or otherwise variegated with brown : the length of this fish was
six inches and a lialf. A Flounder rather exceeding this in size, an*^
perfectly of a rose colour was taken a few years ago in the riv^t
Thames, and preserved in the lateLeverian Museum. This fish wa*
first described by Dr. Shaw, in the Naturalist’s Miscellany, as a ne''^
species under the name of Pleuronectes roseus, rose coloured FlouO'
der; and is again repeated in the General Zoology of that author* ■

* This fish is described specifically by Dr. Shaw, as the “ Pleuronectet rose «•
cqluiircii Flounder, witli the eyes towards the right.” — “ General proportions, those of *
Flounder : length about nine inches : colour most delicate rose, slightly tinged in ‘00^‘
parts with yellowish, and in other with silvery white : lower surface paler, or very
white : fins and tall pale yellow-brown : skin apparently destitute of scales, though mart®'*
by vdry minute, scale-like reticulations, and void of all asperity, cither on tlie side I*"®’

at the origin of the tins.” Shaw’s Nut. Mk. v. 7. pi. 238. — Gen. Zool, v. 4. p. t.

0

'l^he individual specimen thus described, being at this time before us, we are enal'l*^**
to advert to a few circumstances, which attentively considered, will suSiciently
monstratc that the supposed species Pleurojiectes roseus, is only a variety of the coinW°®
Flounder. — The description corresponds in most particulars with the fish in questi°‘‘'
but not entirely, and b one e.sseutial pobt, there is an evident oversight which «>*S**'^

PLATE XCIV.

introduced as a new British species in Dr. Turton’s edition
tile Gnielinian Systema Nature upon the authority of the work
^''st mentioned. This fish is certainly not specifically distinct from
Common Flounder, Pleiironr.ctes flesus of Linnseus, but is one of
varieties before enumerated. I'here is finally another variation of
fish that merits particular remark, this is the reverse kind, in
^hich the eyes and lateral line are situated on the left side instead of
*‘^>5 right, as they appear in common. The reversed P'lounder is dc-
®^rtbed by Linnaeus, Bloch, and a number of Ichtliyological writers,
a distinct species. Pennant considers it a variety only, and we

to be

''“id of a
*'oto
fin.

■corrected ; this relates to the extreme smoothness of the skin, which is stated to be

all asperity either on tlie side line, or at the origin of tlie fins. If by this we
toiderstaud the large subasperous scales which occur at the base of the pectoral
“dd whicli descends in a linear series a short way down on each side tlie lateral line, as
'i*® common Flounder, the observation is inaccurate. The skin Dr. Shaw observes,
PPears to be only marked with scale-like reticulations without asperities, but in fact
'hetely this appearance at the first glance, (except in those places where the true
have been rubbed olf,) and tliis is owing to the transparency of the scales assf
with the pale colour of the skin to which they are attached : when attentively
■ttined the remaining scales are apparent; dicy are perceptible to the touch, and per-
y visible willi the aid of a glass. Those scales have not the asperity that is to he
^Pveted from the expression “ spinulh ad radices piimarnm,” adopted in the specific
®^®oter of the common Flounder, neither have we scarcely ever observed the scales at
^ ‘ise of Uie fins in the latter so spinous as to merit this appellation. Bat they are as
in Pleui'onectes roseus, as general in tiie common Flounder, being of a superior
the rest, a circumstance determined by lliose scales wliich sBll adhere to the ifkin,

at wj.

^ commencement of the lateral line, and at base of the pectoral fin; and even where

Scales are obliterated, tlie region of the skin usually occupied by those larger scales,

, ^*^ked with larger scale-like reticulations than tlie rest of tlie body, as is observable

part of the common Flounder when deprived of the scales. There is besides a

Slight .

Appearance of asperity in the scales at the base of the tail, as in the co .ni.on

PLATE XCIV.

rather incline to his opinion. Such reverse Flounders occur mote
numerously with the ordinary sort than is commonly imagined : we
have observed many. The fishermen maintain that it is by this cha'
racteristic circumstance, the two sexes of the common Flounder
to be distinguished.

In the dorsal ray of the fislr selected for our figure, there wet®
fifty five rays ; in the pectoral fin, eleven : ventral, five : anal, thirty
nine: and tail, eighteen.

Flounder. This is the only character by which Ploiicoucctcs roseus could be specific®''^
distinguished from PIcuroiioctcs flesus, the colour of the body, as before shewn, coiisd'
tuting no criterion whatever of the species. — The only (igurcs extant of the PIcuroncctf*
roseus, is that in tiie Naturalist’s Miscellany, pi. 233, and the same repeated in
General Zoology. This ligme is ambiguous and very indiflVrcnt, the drawing of
head is lost; the ey'cs in particular arc represented Imthof equal sire, large, proiuinenb
and placed e.xnctly parallel to each other, while in the fish the very structures of I*’®
scull would prevent such a disposition of the eyes. In the fish itself they are dispo^®*^
obliquely, one lower than the other, and differ in no respect from those of the coiiiu'®'*
Flounder. The lateral line also, which is curved at the base, as in all the varieties
this fish, is delineated in the above mentioned figute as almost straight throughout.

SMALL HLADEO, OR SMEAR DAB.

^35

iy H.fii

PLATE 35

PLATE XLIL

'tv

PLEURONECTES MICROCEPHALUS.

SMALL HEADED, OR SMEAR DAB.

* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Pead small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
^'^d near each other. Month arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal.
^*ll-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
: beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

^°‘ly oblong, head small, mouth diminutive, lateral line somewhat

incurvated.

Pt

^^URoNECTES MicROCEPHALUs : corpore oblongo, capite parv®
ore minimo, linea lateral! subincurvata.

Y^'aie Limandelle. Duhamel Traits des Peek, T. 3. p. sect. 9.
pi. 6. fig. 3, 4.

This is a kind of Flounder that appears to form an intermediate
between the Sole and the Dab, partaking In some measure of the

G 3

PLATE XLII.

characters of both. We first observed one of this species in ^
trawling net, on the sandy shore of South Wales, among a parcel of
Soles and other flat fish. Since that period we have seen it occa-
sionally exposed for sale in the London markets, to which we are
informed it is brought from Brighton, and other ’places on the coast
of the Western counties.

The form of this fish is oblong : above, the colour is obscure,

blackish, or dusky brown ; beneath white, and both above and beneath

is perfectly free from spots. In comparison with the size of the body
the head is small, but in particular the mouth is remarkably so, and
the lips are a little protruded. Exactly over the pectoral fin, the
lateral line takes a very gradual curvature, after which it proceeds
along the body to the tail in a straight direction. — ^This being the
true Smear Dab, Mr. Pennant was certainly misinformed at the fish-
mongers in London, which he speaks of, where he was told a fis^
corresponding with the lilt of the Cornish fishermen, was commonly
known in the Menopolis, by the name of Smear Dab. The Cornish
Kit is not unknown to us, and we have reason to believe it to be one
of those kinds of flat fish, that is scarcely ever brought to the London
markets. So far also as our own enquiries have extended, the fish-
mongers call the species we are now describing, the Smear Dab, a^d
do not seem to recognise any other fish by that name.

Neither of the described species of the Pleuronectes genus,
Gmelin’s Systema Nature, answers to the description of our fish*
That to which it appears to approach the nearest, is the P. liman<5id^®
of that Author, but in one verj' striking particular our species diffh'^*
so essentially from that fish, that if it be described correctly, we hav®
no hesitation in admitting them to be distinct. The mouth in limat^^'

PLATE XLII.

is stated to be of a large size, the upper-lip consisting of two
l>ony parts, which may be protruded or retiaeted at the pleasure of,
creature. In our fish there is no such contrivance in the upper
; the mouth Is small, and the fish does not possess the faculty of
®5£tending it to any very considerable length. Besides this, the fish is
no means distinguished by such an uncommon degree of roughness
‘'i the scales that invest the body, as to merit the appellation of “ cor-
Pt>re aspero,” for they are comparatively smooth. In the French
^‘^ition of Bloch’s Fishes, this kind is represented under the name of
Plie rude. This figure shews the scales to be both large and
’^°Ugh ; the head comparatively of a great size : the eyes large and
Pfominent : opening of the mouth wide, and the jaws furnished with
tnany teeth.

Duhamel in his Traite des Peches, is the only author whp seems
to have known this fish, and described it with accuracy. He notices
^^0 strong affinity it bears both to the Sole and the Dab, observing
^®ty justly, that the body is wider in proportion to Its length than that
the Sole, and on the other hand of a more elongated form than
^hat of the Dab : his figures are w’dl expressed, especially that of the
'^PPer surface, in which the characteristic diminutiveness of the
tttouth is well exemplified ; the curvature of the lateral line over the
pectoral fin is indeed rather faulty, in being too widely extended in its
Progress towards the head. Duhamel acquaints us that this is a scarce
“Pecies on the coasts of France, being in many places entiiely

^'iknown.

In our fish the dorsal fin contains ninety rays : pectoral fin seven
: ventral six rays : anal seventy-three rays : tail seventeen.

G 4

<9

3

PLATE XLIV.

f'i.ATE 36

PLEURONECTES LIMANDA.

DAB.

* PISCES THORACICL

\

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
and near each other. Mouth arcuated- Jaws dentated, unequal,
^ill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ANQ

SYNONYMS.

^<^ales ciliated, spinules at the root of the dorsal and anal fin
with obtuse teeth.

^^euronectes Limanda; squamis ciliatis, spinulis ad radicera
pinnarum dorsi anique, dentibus obtusis.
Linn. Mas. ad. Fr. 2 . p. 68 . — Gmel. 1231 .
sp. 8.

Hab Penn. Brit. Zool. p. 230 . sp. 105 .

N

Tire common Dab is an inhabitant of all the sandy shores in the
°tthern Seas of Europe. In England, as in other places, it is ob-

PLATE XLIV.

served to be less abundant than the common Plaise, to which it
approaches in some respects very nearly. The form in both is almost
the same, but the colour of the common Dab is generally of a lighter
colour, and invariably destitute of tlrose remarkable red spots, which
are usually found on the upper smface of the Plaise. Sometimes the
Dab is dappled obscurely with dark brown. The under-side
is white.

This fish is in the highest state of perfection for the table during
Spring, when they are preferred by some to the Plaise, or even to the
Flounder. Late in the month of May, or beginning of June they
spawn, and after that time the flesh becomes flabby, soft, and of an
ill flavour. The Dab feeds upon the young of other fishes, and on
crabs and other marine insects which inhabit sandy shores. Its usual
length is five, six, or seven inches. In one specimen which wc
examined, the dorsal fin contained seventy-three ravs : pectoral fin
eleven : ventral six : anal fifty-three ; tail fifteen.

i'

..C'

' ' . V-'

t

V- '

.b"'

£.„• .

“..b. ,

-■ - , -

£1?

•: -

COMMON SOLE.

37

PLAtt 37

PLATE LXIL

PLEURONECTES SOLEA.

COMMON SOLE.

* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER,

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head, i
“^tid hear each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws deiitated, unequal.
Hill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
piates in general. Body compressed, carinatcd ; upper side sub-con-
: beneath flat and pale. Vent near the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Body oblong, rough ; lower jaw longest.

^LEuronectes Solea : corpore aspero oblongo maxilla superiore
longiore. Limi. Fn. Suec.—^Gmel. Si/st. Nat-
1232. sp. 9.

Heuronectes Tunga. It. JVgotk. 178.

Heuronectes maxilla superiore longiore corpore oblongo, squainis
utrinque asperis. Art, Gen. 18. Sj/n, 32,
spsc. 60.

m

a

I

PLATE LXIi.

Pleuronectes squamis asperis, maxilla superiore longiore. Blochs
Fisch. Deutschl. 2. p. 42. n. 4,

Pleuronectes solea, coi pore aspero oblongo, maxilla superiore lon-
giore, oris latere albo cirroso. Biiln. pisCi
mass. p. 34. n. 47.

Solea squamis minutis. Klein, miss. pise. 4. p. 31. n. 1.

Solea. Pliti. Hist. Mund. lib. 19. c. 16. 20.

Tungen, Schonevelde. 63.

La Sole. Belon. 142. (ic.

Buglossus. Rondel. 320. — Gessi. pise. 666.

Buglossus, the Sole. Will. lehth. p. 100.

Sole. Penn. Brit. Zool. Z.p. 231. sp. 107,

I ■ 1 4

This common Fish is readily distinguished from all the other spe-r
cies of the Pleuronectes tribe, by the oblong form of the body, th«
roughness of the scales, and the protrusion of the lower jaw beyond
the upper one, as Linnaeus mentions. The mouth is besides fringed
on the side with veiy fine cirri. Above, the colour is an olivaceous
brown, sometimes dark, and obscurely spotted with black : specimens
do occasionally occur, in which the black spots are intermixed with
others of a pale grey, or whitish hue. The tip of the pectoral fih
on the upper side is black, Under surface of the fish dull white.

Except the turbot, the Sole is held deservedly in much greater
estimation for the table than the pther kinds of flat fish, and is by
many considered superior even to that oF'the turbot. The flesh
firm and whitCj and when in high perfection, of a most delicious
flavour,

PLATE LXn.

The quality of this fish appears to vary with the nature of its
^ood, for we cannot otherwise account for the difference in the Soles
caught at the same season of the year, on different parts of our
Coasts, The old fishermen affirm, that the far greater number of
^he soles resort to particular spots or beds in tlie sea, itt which they
Itawl with more success than upon any other. They further say,
that the fish which haunt particular spots, differ from those they
^od elsewhere in quality ; sometimes they are much superior, both
size and goodness, and at others greatly inferior, which seems
"odoubtedly to depend upon the nature of the food, that attracts
to those particular haunts. Even the Soles found in the
®ame place in the following season, doi^ not Invariably prove of
same quality, as those caught before. Thus for Instance, in the
London markets, the fishmongers make the distinction of Brighton
Brixham Soles, West country Soles, Thames Soles, Slips, &c.
When a new bed, or haunt of Soles, happens to be discovered,
®3mples of the fish arc transmitted to the markets, in order, by trial,
s^certaln the relative goodness of the sort, which not always de-
fending upon the size, cannot otherwise be well determined. A
^ind of criterion is thus established, by means of which even the
^“ctuating price of this article is In a certain measure governed after-
'vards. The Brighton Soles brought by land carriage have main-
*^incd the superiority for some years past in the London markets.

Tile most considerable fisheries for the Soles is carried on upon the
'''estern coasts, where they are found of a mucli larger size than on
other part of our coasts. These, we are informed, aie not un-
^''oquently taken of five or six pounds weight. Pennant speaks of
even rather larger. It is remarkable, that upon the eastern coast
ftey are rarely taken of a size by any means so considerable ; seldom,

1»LATE LXIf.

ever, exceeding a pound, or a pound and a half in weight- Aboof
three years ago, a bed of very large Soles was however found at i
distance from land in the Yorkshire sea : they were remarkably
but soft, and of an indifferent flavour. Soles of an excellent quality
are found on the sandy shores of the Severn, and other coasts of
Wales, but tliey are generally of the middle size. The Bristol market
is supplied chiefly with the Soles caught in the Severn sea. Thames
Soles are very delicate ; the Slips are only those of a small size, seldotrt
exceeding five or six inches in the length, and differing a little in the
elongated form of the outline, a variation to which Soles are often
liable. The excellent flavour of the Sole has obtained it the name of
JPerdix de Mer with the French.

This is a general inhabitant of various parts of the world, being
found in the North, and Baltic seas : in the Mediterranean, and also
those of both North, and South America. It delights in a fin®
shallow, sandy bottom, and feeds on the eggs of other fish, on
crabs, and testaceous vermes, or shell-fish. They are commonly
taken with other flat fish in the trawling net.

The dorsal fin, in the specimen we have represented, contain*
ninety-seven rays : pectoral fin ten ; ventral eight : anal eighty'
three : caudal seventeen. The number of rays in the fins of tb®
Sole, it should be observed, are extremely liable to vary ; for in'
stance, Linnteus describes one with seventy-one rays in the dorsal
fin : another mentioned by Bloch, had eighty rays in that fin »
and a third by Artedi, ninety-one ; the number of rays in all tb®
other fins, differed likewise materially.

i

VARIEGATED SOLE.

3 s

PLATE CXVIL

PLEURONECTES VARIEGATUS.

^ VARIEGATED SOLE.

*»*PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARu^VCTER.

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal,
^’h-tnembrane with fiom four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
Plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHAR-ACTER.

Sody oblong ; pale, clouded or marbled with fuscous : scales

^i-Suhonectes Variegatus : corpore oblongo, pallido fusco-ne-
buloso: squamis magnis.

This interesting acquisition was caught on our coast in die month
April 1807, and brought by the fishermen with other flat fish
sale to the Billingsgate market. The fish is very curious, and
'^Jistitutes an intermediate species between several of the described
of die Pleuronectes genus, being allied in some particular

N 2

PLATE CXVII.

respects to three or four different species, though not according
altogether with either.

The species bears the nearest resemblance to the common Sole,
it differs in its general outline, being rather shorter and of a some-
what more ‘rounded figure. In the form of the mouth and perfect
straightness of the lateral line it agrees with the Sole, but it agai**
differs in the extremity of the dorsal and anal fin not reaching

near the tail as in the common Sole, and in having the scales con-
siderably larger than in that fish. It is the comparative magnitude of it*
scales in particular that at once removes it from the common Sole*
which Klein so well defines by the appellation of Solea squainis w**
nutis ; and yet they are not of sufficient size to authorise us iii refen ing
the species to the large-scaled Sole of Rondeletius. The scales m
the common Sole are remarkably diminutive, m the large-scaled Sol®
of considerable size, and our present species forms a medium be
tween the two. In order that no doubt may remain on this subject
it should be observed, that independently of the scales in our present
fish being rather less than half the size of those in the large-scaled
Sole, the latter species is of a more lengthened form, with the hea^
long, pointed, and destitute of scales; and the mouth very wide an
armed with large teeth : on the contrary, the form of the head
our fish agrees with the common Sole, is covered with scales, an
has the mouth of a small size. — ^The marbled appearance of d
upper surface seems to correspond in some degree- with the
marhri of Cepede, the scales of which are, however, scarce'^
•perceptible, which immediately determines that it cannot be of th
species. — In the disposition of the principal fuscous marks ^
the body of our fish, forming as it were a series of interrupt^
bands, there appears to be some affinity between this fish and

PLATE CXVII.

2ebi‘a Sole, anJ of which indeed it might be mistaken for a variety
Ae first view. The resemblance, however, merely consists in
Ais fasciated appearance ; on examination it will be found that
Ae Zebra Sole the dorsal and anal fins are united by a common
^^nabrane at the posterior extremity to the tail, while in our fish
is perfectly detached. — The Linguatula of Bellonious and Wil-
ioughby bears some resemblance likewise to our fish, so far as the
Accounts afforded of that ambiguous species assist opinion ; but the
^'^outh of Linguatula is said to be very wide, which is not the case
'vith the fish before us. — ^These are the only species of Pleuronectes
^escribed by authors that seem to accord with our present species,
^nd which we therefore presume must be considered as a non-
descript.

The specimen is represented nearly in its natural size, the length
^eing nine Inches. Its upper surface, as appears in the figure, is
P^le, clouded with fuscous, the lower white. The dorsal fin contains
*ixty.eight rays : anal fifty-three : and the tail sixteen.

/

i

t

«39

TURBOT.

PLATE 39

PLATE XLVI.

PLEURONECTES MAXIMUS.

TURBOT.

* PISCES THORACICI.

\

GENERIC CHARACTER.

tlead small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
®tid near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal,
^jll-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
: beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ANI>

SYNONYMS,

Body rotundate, above griseous, variegated with fuscous, and tuber*

culated.

Bleuronectes Maximus: corpore rotundato supra griseo fusco-
variegato tuberculato.

Beeuronectes Maximus : corpore aspero. Linn. Fn. Suec. 325.

—3fus. Ad. Fr. 2. p. 69. — Gmel. Sys(,
Nat. p. ]236. .‘ip. 14.

Beeuronectes tuberculis osseis scaber. Bloch Fisch. Deiitschl, 3,
p. 53. n. 8. t. 49.

H 3

PLATE XLVI.

Rhombus aculeatus nigricans, See. et Rhombus cineritius, aculeis
asperrimus, See. Klein, Miss. pise. 4.
p. 34. 11 . 1. et 35. 11 . 2. t. 8. y. J, 2.
t.O.f.l.

The Turbot is to be easily discriminated from the analogous kinds
of flounders, by the many sub-acute tubercles, with which both the
upper, and the under surface of this fish are beset. There is besides a
remarkable rotundity in the outline of this species, by which it may
be known. The colour on tlie upper surface is yellow, varied, clouded
and spotted with darker brown. The skin is covered with scales,
but those are extremely small. It should be also oberved, that the
tubercles on the upper surface are larger and more numerous than
those on the under-side, the colour of which is perfectly white.
The peculiar excellence of the Turbot is so very generally acknow-
ledged, that it might be thought superfluous on our part to speak in
commendation of it.

Tliere is a species of this tribe of flat fishes, called by English
writers the Pearl, the Pleuronectes Rhombus of Linnaeus, which very
much resembles the Turbot, but the surface of it is uniformly des-
titute of the prominent tubercles, which are so very obvious on that
fish. The flesh of this is inferior in point of firmness, delicacy and
flavour to that of Turbot, for which it is sometimes sold.

Upon the information of Bloch, and various other Ichthyologists,
who have entered minutely into the history of this fish, we may con-
ceive the Turbot to be a very general inhabitant of all the Northern
Seas, and also of the Mediteiranean. Many of our own coasts

PLATE XLVI.

abounds with them, yet upon the whole there are few fisheries esta-
blished for its capture, that are carried on with any proper degree of
®Pint ; those on the eastern side of the island perhaps excepted. At
Scarborough, we are assured by an intelligent friend, Mr. Travis *

»■ — ,

* To the reader who may be desirous of obtaining information respecting tlie Turbot
fishery, the following extract from a letter communicated by tlie father of this gentle-
•"au to Mr. Pennant, and afterwards in.scrted in the Itritish Zoology, may not prove
’tttacceptable, as bemg the most correct and ample' we have been able to obtain upon
tins subject.

" When they (the fishermen) go out to fish, each man is provided with three lines :

®®ch man’s lines are fairly coiled upon a flat, oblong piece of wickerw'ort : the hooks

baited, and placed very regularly in the centre of the coil : each line is furnished

'^tth fourteen score of hooks, at the distance of six feet two inches from each other : the

ooks are fastened to the lines upon sneads of twisted horse-hair, seventeen inches in

®*'gth ; When fishing, there are always three men in each cobble, and consequently

of these lines are fastened together, and used as one line, extending in length near

^^ee miles, and furnished with S520 hooks ; an anchor and a buoy are fixed at the

end of the line, and one more at each end of each man’s lines, in all four anchors,

'''*'ich are commonly perforated stones, and four buoys made of leather and cork : tlie

is always laid across the current : the tides of flood and ebb continue an equal time

Pon our coast, and when undisturbed by winds, run each way about six hours : they

so rapid that the fishermen can only shoot and haul their lines at each turn of the

and therefore the lines always remain on the ground about six hours : the same

Rapidity of the tide prevents their using hand-lines, and therefore two of the people

'ommonly wrap themselves in the sail and sleep, while the other keeps a strict look-out,

t of being run down by ships, and to observe the weather ; for stonns often rise

^ ddeiily, that it is with extreme dilEculty they can escape to shore, leaving their

. _ ^^lilnd. 'Pile cobble is twenty feet six inches long, and five feet extreme breadth :

^ bout one ton burthen, rowed with three pair of oars, and admirably constructed

the purposes of cncounteriug a mountainous sea : they hoist sail when the wind
suits_»

PLATE XLVI.

of that place, that the Turbot Fishery is considered there as a very
important concern.

The Turbot grows to a large size, being sometimes caught of
fifteen or twenty pounds weight; there are instanees of its being
found even of thirty pounds weight, but Turbots of this size are fat
from common.

In the dorsal fin of one specimen we counted sixty rays : pectoral
fin twelve : ventral six ; anal forty-three : and in the tall seventeen.

The Turboti it may be added, is commonly taken with the hook and line, baited prio'
cipally with small pieces pf other fish, especially herrings. The Dutch fishermen make
use of the smaller Lamprey, that is found in the river Thames, about Mortlake, vast
quantities of which they purchase of the English fishermen for this purpose, as well as
for baiting the apparatus employed in their extensive Cod-Fisheries in the North Seas.

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40

RAY'S TOOTHED GILT-HEAD.

PLATE 40

PLATE XXXVII.

SPARUS RAIL

RAY’S TOOTHED GILT-HEAD^
THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Fi

strong; grinders rather obtuse and crowded ; lips doubled,
‘ays in the gill-membrane, the cover scaly. Body compressed ;
line cjarved on the posterior part ; pectoral fins rounded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ADO

SYNONYMS.

Sp

“cish M

‘-Silvery : fins covered with scales ; two teeth larger than
the rest in the lower jaw.

Raii; subargenteo-cserulescens, pinnis squamatis; maxilla
Sp inferiore longiore dentibus duobus majoribus.

■‘'■All. S. pinnis squamatis. Bloch,

^ “larina cauda forcipata. D. Jonston. Raii s^^n. pise. llS.

U Q Gilt-he AD. Penn. Brit. Zool. n. 1 14.

®®^agnole. Ihihamel Trait de Peek. T, 3. p. 26.pl. B.f. I.

Breme dentee. S. Brama. S. pinn^ caudal!

PLATE XXXVII.

forcipata pinnarum dorsi et ani radiis sept®*®
prioribus elongatis. Bonaterre
Ichth. f. 104- n. 36. pi. 50. Jig. X92.

The toothed Gilt-head is to be considered as the rarest of the
tribe hitherto discovered on the British coasts, with the exception
two or three very doubtful species mentioned by Pennant, after Ray a®
Willughby. A fish of this kind (the toothed Gilt-head) was cotno’*’
nicated to Mr. Ray by Mr. Jonston, a gentleman of Yorkshire,
informed him it was found at the mouth of the Tees, on the 1®'’^
of September, 1681 ; and a figure of it was in consequence
in Willughby’s work, where it appears under the following
nation, Brama marina cauda forcipata. To this account a®
figure Mr, Pennant refers ; whether he ever saw the fish itself
uncertain : for he does not speak of it as a native of our seas, **P°''
any other authority than that of Ray above quoted.

fiance the time of Ray there is no instance within our knowl®^^*

on record, to prove that the toothed Gilt-head has been taken, ®

seen upon our coasts till the year 1192, when a fish of this sp®*-

V. as caught at St. Andrew’s, Scotland, and presented by

Lupisdaine, Esq. of Innergellie, to the late Mr. Weeks, Prop*'*®’’®

1 all ■

of the Edinburgh Museum, who caused it to be finely preserved,
exhibited. After the dissolution of the Museum the subject
into our possession, and thus enabled us to submit a figure o*
extraordinary creature to our rpaders, tire drawing of Plate 3l,
taken from it.

PLATE XXXVIL

have reason to believe that our specimen is the only one of
species that has been found on the British coasts since the year
^*681 ; aijj jf jjg allowed to judge from the figures given

Ray, is far more complete than his was at the time his drawing
taken. The execution of his figure, however bad, is certainly
excusable, when we consider the state of the imitative arts in this
Country at those days in which he lived ; but there are several misre-
presentations in the character of the fish itself that can only be ac-
r^eiinted for by supposing the specimen in his possession had sustained
^etisiderable injury. For example, the dorsal and anal fins are
divided into a number of smaller fins, or rather tufts in a whimsical
rrtanner ; a mistake that seems to have arisen from the mutilated state
the fins, the membranes of which were most likely split in various
places, and might suggest to the artist the idea that they were really to be
®hewn as distinct fins : all the scales with which the fins are imbricated
®^^rn to have been rubbed off, and the spinous rays are also wanting.

omission of the lateral line may be an oversight : the teeth
P^rtiaps were mutilated, or at least are very carelesly expressed : they
Appear perfectly setaceous, and at the same time the two teeth which
larger than the rest in the under jaw, are entirely omitted, Iti
^finnant’s figure, which seems to be an improvement upon that of
the divided portions of the dorsal and anal fins are connected
a proper manner, they are slightly imbricated with scales, and the
'^'taine teeth are represented, but still the lateral line is wanting,

This species has been captured on the coast of France as well as
^^gland ; in the former it is observed to be scarcely more frequent
-with us. Duhamel, in his history of fishes, delineates it, as
also Bonaterre, but the drawing of the latter is confessedly a
'^“Py from Pennant’s. The figure of Duhamel is defective, wanting

PLATE XXXVII.

the scales upon the fins. Bloch has given an incomplete representa-
tion of it also, his specimen not having the two canine teeth in the
inferior jaw ; a circumstance which this author does not pass over m
silence. He animadverts upon Pennant, for having represented two
such teeth, observing that they were not found either in his own
fish, in the figure of Ray, nor in that given by Duhamel ; and hence
infers that Pennant is in an error. This remark of Bloch is
equally vague, and contradictory, for Duhamel shews them very
distinctly as well as Pennant ; and it is only evident that they were
accidentally wanting in the specimen in Bloch’s collection, for in that
which we possess they are perfectly distinct.

I

Neither Linnsus, nor Gmelin after him, speak of this species!
perhaps they were unable to asccrtala its characters from Ray, an^
having never seen the fish, did not think proper to hazard any
opinion concerning it. Bloch, who mentions this, assigns to it the
specific name of Rail, in memory of Mr. Ray, who first introduced
the species to our observation; a name, we feel it highly proper to
retain : the character which Bloch has oflFered for its specific dis-
tinction, with some addition, we have adopted likewise ; we agree
with him that the imbricated scales on the fins, are a striking cha-
racter of the species, at the same time that the canine teeth which
were not visible in his specimen, are in our mind of too much con-
sequence to remain unobserved.— dentex, Sparus Cpnodffn,
&c. are furnished with canine teeth, but in those species they are
situated in both jaws, and in other respects they are quite different
from the toothed Gilt-head. Duhamel calls our fish La Castagnole,
a title, it will be proper to apprise the reader, under which three
distinct fishes are known in France ; the Castagnole of the Genoese
and Sardinians, is another fish likewise.

PLATE XXXVII.

The dorsal fin in our specimen, contains thirty-seven rays ; the
pectoral fin ttventy-four j ventral fin seven ; anal fin tliirty-one ; tail
fio twenty-five.

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PLATE 41

t

PLATE XCV,

PLEURONECTES RHOMBUS.

BRILL, OR PEARL.

*»* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal.
^*H-membrane witli from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
Plates in general. Body compressed, carinated; upper side sub-
‘■onvex : beneath fiat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECII'IC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYAIS.

Body broad, and glabrous : above fuscous with black spots, and
^^Rierous pale dots : beneath white.

P

P

^Euronectes Rhombus: corpore lato glabro supra fusco nigro-
maculato punctis pallidis numerosis ; subtus albo.
^^Uronectes Rhombus; corpore glabro. Linn. — Mus. Ad.

Pi

Pi

Pi

Fr. 2 . p. G9.—Gmel. T. 3. p. 1235 . sp. 12 .
euronectes Piggvarf. Linn. It. Wgoth. 178 .

^^tonectes arenarius. Strom sondm.

'^lonectes corpore lato et glabro. Bloch. Fiscli, Denischl. 2,

p. 36 . n. 2 .

PLATE XCV.

Rhombus Imvis : Jonst. pise. p. 99. t. 22. — liaiipisc. p. 32. «•
WiU. ichth. p. 96.

"Rhombus alter gallicu.Si Bell, aqiiat. p. 141.

Pearl. Penn. Brit. Zool. v. 3. p. 238.

Tlie Brill, or Pleuronectes Rhombus ranks among the most cotO'
mon kinds of fiat fish, being found in abundance on many of tb®
sandy shallow’s in the North and Mediterranean seas, as well as
those on the coasts of Britain.

This species resembles the Turbot in its general appearance and out'
line ; it is a firm and well-fiavoured fish, though Inferior to tb®
former, and may be easily distinguished from it by the extreiu®
smoothness of the skin, for it is destitute even of the slightest trace of
those tuberculated aculeations which appear so conspicuous on tb®
surface of the Turbot. In point of colour they differ also, the
surface of the Brill being of a darker hue, or more inclining
fuscous, and having the spots of deep brown more numerous au*^
diffused ; besides which, there is an intermixture of livid yellu'’'^
blotches, and a number of white dots besprinkled over the surfs'-®'
The fins arc nearly the same colour as the body, and are spotted aU
dotted in a similar manner. The lower suiface of the body is wbb®’
as appears in the smaller tpccinien introduced m our plate. ^
dorsal fin extends fir m the upper jaw to which it is connected,
to the region of the tail. This fin contained, in one specimc*’
examined, sixty-five rays: In the pectoral fin w'cre eleven rays'
.ventral fin included six rays; the anal fin forty. eight rays; and
tail si-vieen.

PLATE XCV.

The Brill and Turbot are considered the broadest of the Flounder
bibe, but in this particular they are both inferior to our n.'.v species
Pleuronectes Cyclops, which is distinguished by a greater proportional
^feadth than eitlier. The ordinary size of this fish is commonly less
Aan that of the Turbot. There are instances of Its attaining to a
^tich larger size than any of the Turbot hitherto discovered, not to
*tiention the individual, supposed to be of this species, that was cap-
tured in the Italian Seas in the reign of the Emperor Domitian,
^hich Is reported to have measured twenty feet, or, as some say,
many ells in length* 1 From the coast of Cornwall we have ob-
tained it of a large size, by the name of Kite, or Kit Fish.

Mr. Pennant describes this fish under the English name of Pearl,
e rather prefer that of Brill, the latter being the appellation by
tvhich it is known in the markets of the metropolis.

* The enormous fish alluded to, is mentioned by Pliny, under the name of Rkomius.
■^ttedi believes it of the same species as our fish, and his opinion is received by most
itiodern authors. Prom the writhigs of Pliny it may be learned, hovrever, that the eyes
the fish known among the ancient Romans, by the name of Rhombus, were on the
t%lit side, as in the Sole, instead of the left, as in the Plcuronectes Rhombus of modern
Authors. Whether, therefore, tliis "fish was an individual of our species, admits of doubt,
domitian is said, by Juvenal, to have ludicrously ordained a senatus comuKuni to
'determine on tlie best mode of bringing this enormous fish to table.

V

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PLATE 42

PLATE 'll

PLEURONECTES MEGASTOMA.

WHIFF.

PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
®Rd near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal,
■^ill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con*
*. beneath flat and pale. Vent nearest the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Body oblong, livid variegated with blackish : mouth large, inferior
advanced : lateral line incurvated

^^-Euronectes Megastoma : corpore oblongo livido nigricante-
variegato, ore magno : maxilla inferiore porrecta,
llnca lateral! incurvata.

Ray Syn. p. \&2. pi. \.f. 2.

Penn. Brit, Zool. 3 . p. 1 1 1 .

PLATE LI.

This Fish appears to be described for the first time by Pay, in tfic
Appendix to his Synopsis, under the provincial of Whiff; the
name by which it is commonly known in the maritime parts of
Cornwall, Mr, Ray speaks of this Fish only on the authority of
Mr. George Jago, by whom it is said to have been originally disco->
vered ; or, in other words, discriminated with sufficient accuracy to
be considered as an undescribed species. It is thus defined specifically =
" Passer Cornuhiensis asper, magno oris hiatu and in the Plate
which accompanies the description, the Whiff is represented with
tolerable fidelity,

Tire author of the British Zoology (Mr. Pennant) next includes thi*
species among the fishes of this country. The resemblance which he
perceives between the Whiff and the Holibut is by no means obviods
to us; but although no figure is annexed to the account given of his fish,
we have no hesitation in admitting it to be the same as that before de-
scribed by Mr. Ray under the name of Whiff. Mr. Pennant says one
was brought to him by his fisherman, October 31, 1775, and gives the
following description of it. — “ Its length was eighteen inches, the
greatest breadth not seven, exclusive of the fins. The mouth extremely
large : teeth very small : the under jaw hooks over the upper : tire
eyes large, and placed on tire left side. The scales great and rough :
the side-line uncommonly Incurvated at the beginning. After makirfg
a sharp angle, goes strait to the tail, and is tuberculated : the tail i*
rounded. The colour of the upper part of the body is cinereous
brown, clouded in parts, and obscurely spotted : the under side whiftt
tinged with red.” This is all that Mr. Pennant relates respecting ths
Whiff in the British Zoology, but the same fish is again mentioned it'
his Tour through North Wales, wherein he informs us, that “ in th®
year 1 777, (about the month of November) that rare species

I

PLATE LI.

Sounder, the WhifF, was taken in the estuary of the Dee, in Flint-
shire;” and a figu re of it, from the pencil of his artist, Moses Grif-
Sths, is subjoined to that remark.

Some time ago, in a visit to Aber, Caernarvonshire, we were very
^tindly presented with the drawing of a Whiff, found upon that coast
on the 6th of August, 1787, by the Rev. Hugh Davies, now of Beau-
*Oaris, Anglesea. This drawing proved the more valuable, as it
exemplified some peculiarities that had escaped the cognizance of Mr,
J*ennant. The tongue Mr. Davies found to be of a subulate conic
form, and white ; the eyes placed on the left side, having the pupil
^lack, and the iris yellowish. Ten or twelve large dusky circular
®Pots on the back, eight of which formed a circle not very indiffer-
ently represented by Mr. Jago in the figure given by Ray. The
in Mr. Pennant’s figure he observed to be too much rounded, and
lower jaw extended further than it ought to be. We think it
incumbent to be thus minute in relating the particulars of this com-
^t^unication, in return for the friendship and liberality of this gentle-
man’s assistance. Since that period, we have learnt that the fish
itself is by no means so unfrequent on the British coasts as we were
first Induced to imagine. From the coast of Cornwall we have
more than once received it in fine condition, and are thus enabled to
add still further to the history of this curious fish. Besides the local
^ame of Whiff, it is called by the Cornish fishermen the Merry-sole,
ftom the extreme activity of its motions in the water.

are convinced that this is not the Pleuronectes punctatus of
®'och, as Gmelin describes it. The Whiff of Ray, of Pennant, and
selves, are strictly the same, but the Pleuronectes punctatus of
^^och and Gmelin is of another species, altogether distinct. The

PLATE LI.

latter Is “ h Targuer” or » Grosse Plk" of Duliamel, and
other French writers. Dr.. Bloch describes P. punctatus with accu-
racy, but he is certainly fnistaken in believing that fish to be the
Whiff of Ray, and Pennant, as his synonyms imply. Gmelin adopts
the same reterences as Bloch, most probably relying in confidence on
his authority. Dr. Shaw has been also misled in this respect, as well
as Gmelin, for he describes minutely as the same species both the Whiff
of Pennant, and the Pleuronectes punctatus of Dr. Bloch.

^ Thus we perceive two very different species of the Pleuronectes
genus are confounded under the provincial English name of Whiff,
and it is to be regretted that Dr. Turton increases that confusion by
describing even a third species under the very same appellation. The
latter writer, m his Translation of Gmelin’s Systeina Naturse, contrary
to tire letter of his author, assigns the name of Whiff to the Pleuro-
nectes Passer of Gmelin, and Linnaeus. The figure of the Pleuro-
nectes Passer, as it appears in the History of Fishes published by
Dr. Bloch *, accords, we must observe, pretty nearly with the
Wliiff of Ray, and Pennant, in its general form, and might have in-
duced Dr. Turton to call it the Whiff, in preference to the Pleuro-
nectes punctatus to which Gmelin refers. But upon the whole, ws
are persuaded, notwithstanding this apparent degree of similarity,

Whetlier the figure in Bloch’s Fishes, inscribed Pleuronectes Passer, be really the
same as Linuieus means, is doubtful ; we rather think it is not. The Pleuronectes Passer
of Linnmus is so nearly allied to the common flounder (Flesus) except in having the eyes
placed towards the l^ft side of the head instead of tlie right, that Gronovius and Pennant,
with some other Ichthyologists of repute, believe it to be only an accidental variety of
that fish; and certainly Bloch’s figure does not convey any very striking idea of it®
wmilitude to the coiumou founder.

PLATE LI.

Aat tlie fish described by Bloch under the specific name of Passer,
on no account to be confounded with our Wliifi".

In the conclusion of these remarks, it will not be deemed improper
^0 draw a slight comparison between the English Whiff and the Pleu-
J'onectes punctatus, in order to point out the characters of both with
due precision. The form of our fish is oblong, the body being much
*^ore elongated than that of P. punctatus. The singular rotundity
nf appearance that prevails in the latter fish, is Increased by the cur-
vature of the dorsal and anal fin near the posterior extremity, where
dtey.are wider than in any other part, becoming gradually narrower
as they proceed towards the head; on the contrary, in the Whiff,
fins are widest across the middle, and slope gradually in breadth
towards the head and tail : the mouth is full of large teeth in P.
Ptutetatus : in our fish the mouth is large, and furnished only with
®tnall teeth. The body and fins are marked alike with large black
®Pots, having the intermediate spaces interspersed with red spots of a
^tnaller size in P. punctatus : our fish, though marked with spots, have
them neither so numerous, nor of such a black colour, and there is not
the least trace of the scarlet specklings and spots that appear profusely
Scattered over the surface of the other. Duhamel’s figure is not so
darkly spotted as that of Bloch, but the obtuse rotundity of outline by
^hich this species is distinguished from our Whiff, is as apparent in
the figure of Duharoel as in that of Bloch.

The dorsal fin in our Whiff contains eighty-five rays : pectoral
*'teen ; ventral five : anal sixty-one : and tail nineteen.

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PLAT 43

\

PLATE XC.

PLEURONECTES CYCLOPS.

■ CYCLOPS FLOUNDER.

*** PISCES THORJCICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER-

Head small. Eyes spherical, both on the same side of the head,
3nd near each other. Mouth arcuated. Jaws dentated, unequal.
Gill-membrane with from four to seven rays. Gill-covers of three
plates in general. Body compressed, carinated ; upper side sub-con-
beneath flat and pale. Vent nearer the head.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Left eye sub-vertical, and visible both sides.

1*eeuronectes Cyclops : oculis sinistro subvcrtlcali, in utro latere

visu.

Our Pkuronectes Cyclops was discovered a few years since by
Gapt. Merrick of Aberfraw in Anglesea, North Wales, on ’the sea
coast near his own residence : he observed it in a shallow .cavity of
®ne of the rocks at a small distance below high water mark, where it
J apparently been recently left by the retiring tide. . The fish, wa<

1

PLATE XC.

alive when he perceived it, and particularly attracted his attention hj
being inveloped in a froth similar to that occasioned by the larva of the
Cicada in which they conceal themselves on the leaves of plants, oi
what is generally denonimated the Cuckow-spit . — Captain Merrick
had the curiosity to preserve this little acquisition in spirits, and
in our visit to that part of the Island some time ago very libe-
rally favoured us with the fish, and the above particulars relative
to its capture. — We are the more minute in stating those circum-
stances as we consider it as a new fish, and not merely so as an inha-
bitant of the British Seas, but as a species of Pleuronectes.

Neither Linn$us, Gmelin, Bloch, Laccpede, or any other of the
Ichthyological writers within our knowledge mention any species
that can apply to the present. Tire specimen in our possession is
'small, the figures in the annexed plate which exhibit both the supe-
rior and lower surface being enlarged to admit of greater accuracy in
delineation. The fish is an inch and three eighths in length, measuring
from the tip of the jaw to the extremity of the tail : in other respects
those figures convey a correct idea of the species.

- It Is highly probable this fish has by no means attained to its ordi-
nary magnitude, the smallness of its size suggests that it is rather
the young of some larger species, than a fish arrived at full matu-
rity. This cannot Indeed be adduced witli any certainty of a species
with which we are unacquainted except from one solitary specimen.
As a species we can speak with more decision, notwithstanding its
diminuteness, for it is sufiiciently ascertained that fishes, unlike manf
other prpductions of the animal kingdom, receive in their first forma-
tion the figure of the parent brood so completely that from the smallest
to those of the largest size, the naturalist has little difficulty in tracing

PLATE XC.

particular species through all its gradations and varieties. With
impressioii we shall endeavour to point out a few charadlers in
"'hich our present species difFers specifically from either of those
■already described.

Our fish is of the section “oculisa latere sinistro^' or such as have
*he eyes placed on the left side of the head. Thofe species of the Pleu-
^Onectes genus that have the eyes on this side, amount to about twelve,
exclusive of one or two varieties, which some authors think distinct.
Of these, the only species that resembles it, even in a remote degree,
P. Maximus, P. Rhombus, P. Argus, P. Punctatus, P. Mancus,
Lunatus, and P. Japonicus ; and it agrees with neither of those,
lu the general contour, one of the strongest characters in fishes, it
approaches nearest to the two first mentioned, those being the
i^toadest of the Flounder tribe : — fi'om P. Maximus, (Turbot) it
‘iiffers, in having the surface perfectly smooth, and free from those
tuberculations which are obvious in the smallest of that species. It
approaches P. Rhombus, (the brill) more closely than the Turbot,
’u having the skin free from all asperities, but it is broader than
fish, being even more so than the Turbot; it also dlifers in
i^aving the middle rays of the dorsal and anal fin longer than the rest,
the lateral line being much more incurvated over the pectoral fin,
^ttd having a number of the dusky spots on the superior surface of
body, surrounded by a whitish ring. — ^Though, in this last par-
*'cu!ar, it seems to agree rather with P. Argus, it difFers from
*^tat fish altogether in the deeper rhombic figure of the body. — P.

ttnetatus is somewhat broader, and is spotted, but does not still nc-
^°rd with this. — P. Mancus is spotted on the under surface as well
above, like our fish, but is of an oblong elliptic form, and is
Covered with rather large scales, while in our fish, the scales arc

PLATE XC

inconspicuous, the skin appearing entirely smooth. — The tail t®
rounded, which distinguishes it sufficiently from P. Lunatus, the
latter having the tail lunated ; — and the smoothness of the tongue
removes it from P. Japonicus, in which the tongue is rough. The
other fpecies are too remote to require comparison.

Should either of those dissimilar circumstances be attributed to the
immaturity of our fish, in which the true character of the species might
be supposed to be not entirely disclosed, there are one or two other par-
ticulars in which it differs so materially as to silence every doubt ; this is
the protrusion of the head, and situation of the left eye, the head being
much further advanced than in either of the above mentioned fishes,
and the left eye most singularly placed in the middle of the lateral
edge or forehead. In a swimming position, therefore, as shewn in
the figure, representing the lower surface, this eye appears nearly
veitical, and from its situation, a very slight inclination of the body
is sufficient to give the fish a perfect view of the objects on both side*
of It, while its appearance directly in front, or when viewed on the
lower sui face, conveys precisely the idea we have of a Cyclops ani-
mal. So singularly different is this from the rest of the pleuro-
ncctes that it seems to militate even against the character of the ge-
nus, which requires that both the eyes should be placed on one
side : we vVere almost tempted, from this consideration, to consti-
tute a new genus of this curious fish.

Owing to the elongation of the head and subverticaf situation
of the left eye, the commencement of he dorsal fin takes place be-
hind the eye, a character of itself sufficient to remove it from either of
the fiflies above mentioned; for in all of those, the dorsal fin com-
mences close to the upper jaw-, and is, in fact, in a greater or les»
degree, connected with it. Tliis is fully exemplified in the Turbot

PLATE XC.

\

"'d the Brill, In both which the cloisul fin commences close to the

^’Pperjaw*.

Tl

lus It appears the advancement of the head, and situation of
® eyes sufficiently determine this to be a nondescript species, inde-
P icent of other circumstances in which it dilFers from the species
efoie described. To this it may be added, as secondary characters,
the body is of a greater proportional breadth than in any other
the Pleutonectes genus ; and that the elongation of the middle rays
th., dot sal and anal fin contribute to give it the appearance
still greater breadth than It really possesses. The whole contour
the fish is somewhat quadrangular. Tlie lateral line is pretty much
'^titved over the pectoral fin. The first dorsal fin contains sixty-six
pectoral fin eleven; ventral seven; anal fifty-two; and tail

sixfeen.

^ s

lower surface of tlie Brill, in plate 94 of this work.

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V»

»

5

LUNULATED GILT-HEAD.

s^44

lanAtin. 1‘uA'la* the^ Art Kjyorwvan i r^C* JJiMruttm AprU uiAnff.

PLATE 4'4

PLATE LXXXIX.

SPARUS AURATA.

' ■ i ■

LUNULATED GILT-HEAD.

** PISCES TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth strong, those in front disposed in one series, or more:
Senders somewhat obtuse and crowded; lips doubled inmost spe-
^■'es ; branchiostegous membrane five-rayed, cover scaly : body com-
P^'essed ; lateral line incurvated behind: pectoral fin rounded. ’i

SPECIFIC CHARACTER i.

JIND

SYNONYAIS.

^ '

ver the eyes two pale semilunar spots edged with gold ; side*
a blackish spot intersected by the base of the lateral line. •

Sp

ARus Aurata : lunuhs duabus pallidis aureo-cinctis supra oculos,
linea laterall basi maculam nigricantem disse- •

Sp

cante.

aRus Aurata ; lunuli aurea inter oculos. Zmn. Mus. Ad. Fr.

2. p. 72. — Gmel. Linn. Sj/st. nat. T. 3, p.
^ ] 270. sp. 1 .

'"us dorso acutissimo, linea arcuata aurea inter oculos. Ari. geji.

25. syn. 63. i

V

PLATE LXXXIX.

possibly occur in which they are not perceptible. Those marks,
however, as before intimated, do not occur precisely as Lin-
nasus mentions ; several specimens that we had an opportunity of
inspecting on the coast of Wales, almost immediately after their
capture, enables us to speak more decidedly on this point, than if our
observations had been confined to less recent specimens. Immediately
over each eye, is a plain, semi-lunar, or crescent formed space, scaly
like the rest of the fish, but rather of a paler colour, and which nearly
approximate in the middle of the forehead ; those two species are
circumscribed by a brilliant shining margin of a filmy texture, free
from scales, of a moderate breadth, and possessing the colour as well
as lustre, of burnished gold. Other parts of the head are glossed
with this metallic splendour, and especially at the lower sutures of
the gill covers ; but the margins of the spots abovementioned are the
most conspicuous. The dusky spot at the base of the lateral hne
Was of a rich purplish hue. Linnaeus notices a black spot in the tail
of this fish, which we think Bloch may be correct in deeming ac-
cidental. Catti could not perceive any such mark, neither did anV
such spot appear in either of the specimens that have fallen under our
observation. '

- The figure in the annexed plate is copied from a specimen twenty- '
one inches in length. In the dorsal fin, which extends nearly the whole
length of the back, are thirteen spiny rays, and eleven soft ones ,
the pectoral fin is long and pointed, and contains eleven rays ; tbe
ventral six rays ; the anal three spines, and eleven soft rays ;
the tail, which is furcated, twelve long rays, and four short ooc®
laterally.

PLATE 45

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

BRITISH FISHES.

PLATE LXXIII.

SPARUS DENTEX.

TOUR-TOOTHED SPARUS.

4 PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth strong, those in front disposed in one series, or more:
g''inders somewhat obtuse and crowded : lips doubled in most spe-
^'es : branchiostegous membrane five-rayed, cover scaly : body com-
pressed : lateral line incurvated behind : pectoral fin rounded.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Tail furcated : body reddish, variegated with fuscous : four teeth in
^ach jaw larger than the others.,

?Parus Dentex : cauda furcata, corpore rufescente fuscoque
varlegato, dentibus quatuor majoribus.

A 2

PLATE LXXIIL

Sparus Dentex. Lmn.—Arted. Gat. 36. Sjjn. ZO.-^Bioch'.
t. 268,

On the 9th of April, 1805, we were agreeably surprised at receiv->
ing from one of our assiduous correspondents, a fresh specimen of
tills curious Sparus, as a supposed oyergrown individual of the Lunated
gllt-head, Sparus lunatus. This acquisition is of the more import-^
ance, as the species is pot mentioned by Pennant, nor any other
writer on Ichthyology, as having before appeared in the British seas;
neither do we recollect a specimen of it as a foreign fish in any collec-
tion of natural history we have. seen. The particulars of its capture
are few, and of little interest : it was caught in the sea off the coast of
Hastings, in Sussex, and brought by one of the fishing-smacks, with
other fish, to Billingsgate for sale, where our correspondent met with
it. As a Mediterranean fish, Sparus Dentex is perfectly well known
to the continental naturalists: its importance rests upon its being
British, and in this point of view we shall be allowed to consider it as
a valuable accession to the British Fauna,

Generally speaking, this is a fish of large size. Willughby observes,
that small fishes of this species are rarely taken, and the same circum-
stance has been mentioned by later writers. The smallest of those
that occur in common, according to Bloch, are seldom less than three
®r four pounds in weight. In the environs of Rome they usually
exceed that size by at least one half. Our specimen was. considerably
larger, weighing about sixteen pounds; but this even is comparatively
trifling to some occasionally found in the warmer parts of Europe. If*
tliefislt-roarkets at Narboqne, where this species of Sparus infrequently

fLATE LxXlil.

*Xposed for sale, they have been often seen of twenty^ or ihi'rty
pounds each. The largest on record was, however, far superior
those, weighing no less than Seventy-six pounds * : it is mentioned
Duhamel, on the authority of Gortier> who sent him an account of
this gigantic example of Sparus Dentex.

A more voracious fish is scarcely known ; and when we consider
ferocious intliilatioh, and the strength of its formidable canine
^eth, -vve must be fully sensible of the great ability it possesses in
^hacking other fishes, even of a. superior size, with advantage. It is
^^serted, that, when taken in the fishermen’s nets, it will seize upon
other fishes captured with it, and mangle them dreadfully. Being
Swift Swimmer, it finds abundant prey, and soon attains to a con-
^^'^erable size. During the winter it prefers deep waters, but in tho
01 about May, it quits this retreat, and approaches the en-
^’"‘ince of great rivers, where it deposits its spawn between the crevices
°f stones and rocksi

I’lie fisheries for this kind of Sparus is carried on upon an extensive
*cale in the warmer parts of Europe, In the rivers of Dalmatia and
Levant, the capture of this fish is an object of material considera'

An

»ftl,

inadvertency of expression, tliat may possibly mislead, has escaped from the peii
t- Shaw, in treating of Sparus Dentex in his Gen. Zoology. This fish, he observes, is

general she mid shape of a carp ; but, from the preceding remarks, it will evidently
Ppear, that its ordinary size is much superior to the carp, at the same time tliat its figure
nut a very remote resemblance indeed to that well-known fish. Vide Gen. ZooU

PLATE LXXIII.

tion, both to the inhabitants generally, as a wholesome and palatable
food, when fresh ; and to the mercantile interests of those countries as
an article of commerce. They prepare the fish according to ancient
custom, by cutting it in pieces, and packing it in barrels v/ith vinegst
and spices, in which state it will keep perfectly well for twelve
months.

The plate accompanying this description may render any minute,
or copious detail of the general appearance of this fish superfluous : the
drawing was made, and the colours copied with fidelity, from the
specimen, within two or three hours after we became possessed of it"
We are aware, however, from the descriptions given of this fish by
other writers, that in the last particular it is liable to considerable
variations, not only in dilFerent stages of its growth, but at different
seasons of the year. The back and sides, to a short depth below the
lateral line, is generally reddisii, .more or less tinged with yellow, and
varied with obscure spots, or clouds of fuscous. The highly metallic
gloss, or silvery splendour, which Bloch speaks of, was scarcely visible
in our specimen : he also speaks of the ventral and anal fin being deep
yellow, the pectoral bordering upon red, and the dorsal fin and tail
yellow, edged with blue or bluish, neither of which circumstances
were observable in our specimen. He allows, that the fish assumes »
purple colour as it grows old, and that it is said to become white it*
winter. These particulars are therefore variable, and cannot well b®
said to constitute any part of its specific character, with tbe
exception of the back colour, which appears to be more con-
stant than any other : this even might perhaps be omitted in de-
fining the. species, for the four large distinct canine teeth in
front of each jaw, sufiiciently distinguishes this fish from every
other species of Sparus at present known.

PLATE LXXIII.

The length of our specimen is two feet six inches t in the dorsal
fin are eleven spiny rays and nine soft: the pectoral hn contains
twelve rays : ventral five rays : anal ten rays, the three anterior ones
®f which are spinous : and tail nineteen.

46

ANCIENT WRASSE. OR OLD WIFE.

j

Londt>t\^ib'‘ af thf

PLATE 46

PLATE LXXXIir.

LABRUS TINCA.

ANCIENT IFRASSE, or OLD JFIFE.

* PISCES TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute : lips simple : branchiostegous membrane with about
rays, and scaly covers : dorsal fin with a slender skin beyond the
^*Ld of each ray : pectoral fin acuminated : lateral line straight.

\

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS. '

l^orsal fin ramentaceous ; body yellowish, variegated with blue
^^d spots of red : fins red with fuscous margins, and dotted with
'^hite.

^■^br,us Tinca: pinna dorsali ramentacea, corpore flavescente
cceruleo variegato rubroque maculato, pinnis
rubris fusco marginatis albo-guttatis.

Labhuj Tinca : rostro sursum reflexo, cauda in extremo circularly

Art.Ge 7 i.a. sy71.BG.

^■^BRus Vetula. Bloch. 29^.

"^^Rdus VuLGATissiMus. Will. Ichth. 319.

PLATE LXXXIII.

Vieillc, Poule de Mer, Gallot. Belon.
Wrasse, or Old Wife. Raii sx/n.pisc. 136
Penn, Brit. Zoel. v, 3. p, 244. 115.

This charming species of Wrasse cannot but be considered as one
of the most beautiful of the fish tribe observed to this time on tlie
coasts of Britain : it is distinguished in general by a peculiar richness
of colouring, and such a happy diversity of spots and markings, as
we rarely see excelled in the more splendid productions of hotter
climates; and, with the exception of a very few species, stands
wholly unrivalled in this particular among the fishes of this country.

Wc have obtained this species from Scarborough, and other
Eastern coasts of England, more than once : we have received It
also from Cornwall ; from the Skerry islands, north of Anglesea ;
and from Scotland; but have been uniformly led to believe it ®
species not very common on either of those coasts, except near
Scarborough. The specimen chosen for our figure is from Corn-
wall, this exhibiting a greater variety of brilliant colours than either
of the others. The usual length of this species is about fifteen or
eighteen inches, and its form rather bulky in proportion to h*
length. The prevailing colour is yellowish, inclining to greenish or
olivaceous on the back, and white towards the belly : the marking*
variable in form, and differing much in colour. The whole of rh®
back and sides are spotted with red, varying in different specimen*
from a deep or purplish crimson to a reddish orange; and even
in some varieties almost to fulvous, and curiously marked wid*
irregular lines, dots, and specklings of cceruleati blue, especially

PLATE LXXXIII.

^bout the head : the fins are red, with a broad dusky border inclining
*^ore or less to purple, and elegantly marked with numerous roundish
‘Jots of white. — Bloch considers the dusky border of the fins (which
‘*1 the specimen he delineates is black) as a sufficient indication of the
Species. In his fish the black border was distinct only in the ventral,
®Oal, and caudal fins to which may be added that the dorsal fin is
‘Commonly dusky or purplish as well as those before mentioned. The
number of rays is variable ; the dorsal fin in our Cornish specimen
uontained twenty spiny rays and ten soft ones ; pectoral fin fourteen
rays : ventral one spiny and five soft rays : anal three spinous
nnd nine soft rays, and the tail fourteen rays, all which are soft.

Sloch describes this fish under the title of Labrus vetula, as a native

Ae coafts of Brittany, Normandy, and the North Sea, from the
of which he received it thi ough the medium of his friend M.
^Pengler. Gmelin mentions it as an inhabitant of the British coasts,
Nobably on the authority of Ray and Willughby, But the species

Uot confined to Europe, a specimen of it taken among a variety of
uffier fishes by Capt. Cook in the South Seas is at this time in our

Possession.

The haunts of this fish are deep waters on the boldest rocky shores,
'^here it subsists chiefly on crabs and testaceous animals, for the ma-
‘^oration of which the three tuberculated bony processes of its throat
^^0 admirably constructed. This fish takes bait eagerly, and is more
'^ouiihonly caught with the hook and line, than in the|net, or by any
°^her mode of capture.

, T appears Mr. Pennant had not considered the varieties of this fish
ttively, or we think the Ballan wrasse would not have been de-s

YOL. IV,

£

PLATE LXXXIII.

scribed as a species distinct from Labrns tinea. The Ballan wrasse
of that writer, is certainly the same as our fish, from which it differs
only in being of a paler colour, and in having the body marked with
yellowish, instead of orange, or red. Such pale coloured varieties
occur prettv freauently', and are indeed mors common then those of
deeper, or more lively colours. Dr. Turton suspects the Ballan wrasse
to be a variety only of the Labtus tinea of Linnseus, though he de-
scribes it as a species with this distinctive character : “ body velloW
spotted with orange ; above the nose a deep sulcus : farther gill-cover
with a deep depression radiated from the center.” In those particu-
lars, Dr. Turton was misled by the account given by Mr. Pennant,
w'ithout reflecting that the same characters apply precisely to Labrus
tinea. Mr. Pennant informs us, his Ballan “was the form of tbo
common wrasse, only between the dorsal fin and tail was a conside-
rable sinking : above the nose was a deep sulcus : on the farthest
cover of the gills was a depression radiated from the center.” It i*
already shewn that the spots on this fish vary considerably, to which
may be added that the sinking between the dorsal fin and tail is con-
spicuous in all the varieties of Labrus tinea, and so also is the sulcus
above the nose. With regard to the last characteristic the radiated de-
pression on the gill-covers, one, two, or more such depressions are app^'
rent on those parts when divested of the large scales that adhere to tliem ;
every scale, of which there are several on tlie gill-covers, leaving such
a radiated depression on the thin membranaceous skin when taken off-
-—Those particulars inclined us to believe Mr. Pennant was in soin^
measure misled by the imperfect state of the Scarborough specimen h®
examined*, and our opinion has been since confirmed by various cit'

* The figure of the Ballan wrasse in plaTe 44 of the British Zoology, seems to
teen taken from a fish in a mulitated condition : the scales especially, which to ^

/

PLATE LXXXm.

^umstances. Mr. Travis, the son of the medical gentleman who fur-
^ished Mr. Pennant with the specimen he describes, informs us, the
Lallan wrasse is the fish commonly known by the name of the old
'''ife among the fishermen on the Scarborough coasts where it ap-
pears in shoals in the summer, and that there is only one sort usually
found in those parts ; this we have examined, and have no hesitation
*u saying it is the Ballan wrasse of Pennant, and the Labrus tinea
*^f every other Ichthyological writer.

fish are seraicireular appear of no determinate figure, scarcely two being formed
ij, V. 4. p. 2. 499. is merely a repetition of

same figure, and of courfe exhibits the same defect. In the last mentioned work it is
’^®corded as a species on liie authority of Pennant. ^

small degree of ambiguitj' is attached likewise to the figure and history of the ancient
"''asse in Pennant’s British Zoology. His description accords with the common ivrasse, hut
figure given of the ancient wrasse is entirely at variance with it. This latter is referred
as doubtful, but we are surprized the author copld have entertained tlie least eoncep-
of Its being the same, if that figure be correct. In Brit. .tool. v. 3. pi. 4:7. n. li5.
a describes the ancient wrasse as having sixteen spiny rays, and nine soft, wliilc in his
Sure of that fish there are no less than twenty five spiny rays, and thirteen soft ; the tail
contains sixteen rays instead of fourteen as described, and tlie anal fin thirteen soft
‘‘Js besides the spiny ones in lieu of the nine enumerated. It is furllier observable that
figurfe there is neither a sinking between the dorsal fin and tail, nor any sulcus
the nose. It might be therefore from a comparative view of this figure with the
^^Ballan wrasse,” that Mr. Pennant was induced to consider the latter as a species
*tmct from the ancient wrasse, which last, it is probable, he copied from the work of
“Pother author.

«»

X 2

47

STRIPED WRASSE.

PLATE 4 7

PLATE XXL

LABRUS VARIEGATUS.

STRIPED IVRASSE.

* PISCES TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute: lips simple: branchiostegous membrane, with six
^ys, and scaly covers : dorsal fin, with a slender skin beyond the
®nd of each ray ; pectoral acuminated ; lateral line straight.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Red, with four lateral parallel olive stripes, and an equ^ number
blue ones.

Labrus Variegatus : ruber, striis lateralibus parallelis olivaceis 4,
totidemque caruleis. Gmel. Linn. Syst.
Nat. T.\. p. 3. p. 1294. sp. 58.

^1'Riped Wrasse. Penn. Brit. Zool. T. 3. p. 207. n. 4.

Tile Striped Wrasse does not appear to be described by any of

continental writers on Natural History, except Gmelin, in the
I . . ^

t edition of the Linnsan Systema Naturae, and even there it is

PLATE XXI.

mentioned on the authority of the British Zoology only ; we there-
fore conclude it has not been hitherto discovered on any other than
the British coasts, where it is perfectly local and very rare.

To Mr. Pennant we are indebted for the first account of this fish :
he was so fortunate as to discover it some years ago on the coast of
Anglesea, off the Skerry Islands. The lengdi of his specimen was
ten inches ; but we procured both sexes at the same place, and of a
size rather larger, the female measuring fourteen Inches in length,
and the male twelve.

\

STREAKED WRASSE.

-48

PLATE 48

PLATE LXXIV.

LABRUS LINEATUS.

STREAKED WRASSE.

* PISCES THORACIC!.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute : lips simple : branchiostegous membrane with about
six rays, and scaly covers : dorsal fin, with a slender skin beyond the
*nd of each ray ; pectoral fin acuminated : lateral line straight.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

f'ins greenish, dorsal one ramentous : body green, with numerous
yellowish longitudinal lines.

Labrus LINEATUS : pinnls viridescentibus dorsali ramentacea, cor-
pore viridi lineis longitudinalibus flavescentibus
numerosis.

behave sought in vain among the best Ichthyological writers
a satisfactory description of our Labms lineatus. It is a fish of
^^autifui figure, and eminently interesting, if considered only as a
British acquisition ; but when it is further ascertained to be in all
*®^onable probability a nondescript species, we are still more disposed

PLATE LXXIV.

to congratulate the reader and ourselves upon its discovery. At first
It was imagined this might be the species Lahriis viridis of Artedij
but whicli we are now persuaded it is not. Neitlier is it of the same
kind as the Japanese fish called by Bloch Labrus viridis. If it h®
mentioned by any author it must be Pennant. We are not indeed
entirely free from suspicion but that it really may be the pale grerfi
Jbrasse alluded to by that author in his concluding observations on the
genus Labrus, in his British Zoology, although the description left
of that fish is confessedly too ambiguous to authorise any opinion.
The passage in which we conjecture that it may be mentioned is as
follows : “ Besides these species,” says our author, “ we recollect
seeing taken at the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, a most beautiful kind
of a vivid green spotted with scarlet, and others at Bandooran in the
county of Sligo of a pale green. We were at that time inattentive
to this branch of natural history, and can only say they were of ®
species we have never since seen.” This is the only instance i't
which the pale green Wrasse is mentioned in his work, so that no-
thing certain can be inferred from it.

Our Labrus- lineatus is an occasional visitor, as we are credibly
informed, to the coast of Cornwall, where it is provincia-lly knoWi*
b y the name of green-fish : it usually appears In the summer, and i*
esteemed the rarest species of its tribe by the fisliermen in those parts*
The specimen now in our possession, and from which the figure I''
the accompanying plate is delineated, was taken on this coast a fevV
yetus ago by Captain Bray. This specimen is seven inches Jong'
and having been carefully divested of the flesh while perfectly
fresh, and the skin well prepared, the natural colours of die fish at®
admirably well retained. Besides this genuine British specimen,
possess another in excellent preservation from the Mediterranean sesr

PLATE LXXIV.

dilFers only in being smaller, and having the head, back, and
®ides of the body of a brighter green.

The dorsal fin in the Cornish specimen contains twenty bony rays
md ten soft ones : pectoral fourteen : ventral eight : anal eleven : the
first three of which are spinous ; and the tail fifteen.

INDENTED- STRIPED WRASSE,

49

Lon^msPuh^a^ A* Ae£ Jir«etr,hy K.T)o7uivan&F.C.i\lfiivir^t

49

plate xcvi.

LABRUS JULIS.

JNDENTED-STRIPED WRASSE.

** PISCES TIIORACICL

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute : lips simple : branchiostegous membrane with about
six rays, ami scaly covers: dorsal fin with a slender skin beyond the
^td of each ray : pectoral fin acuminated : lateral line stiaight,

a-ECiFtC CHARACTER

AK0

SVNOA'AilS-

Above fuscous and green : beneath white, with a fulvous dcntatcd
stripe each side : two fore-teeth longest,

|ueis: supra fuscus viriJisque subtus albus vitta fulva
utrinque dentata, dentibus duobus piiraoiibus su-
pra longioribus,

i-AjiRus JuLis : lateribus coerulescentibus, vitta longitudinali fulva
utrinque dentata, Linn. Mus. Ad /)', 2. p. 15,
— Gmd. Linn. SyA, Nat. 1288 , sp. 15 .

PLATE XCVI.

Labrus palmaris varlus, dentibus duobus majorlbus maxilla superioris.

Jirt. gen. 34. s^/n. 63.

Labrus Juris. Bloch, t. 287. f. 1 ?

We are happy to introduce this elegant species of Labrus into the
British Fauna upon indubitable authority. In the summer of the
year 1802, we received a specimen of it in a recent state, among
other fishes caught upon the coast of Cornwall, where they were
procured from the fishermen by Miss Pocock, and obligingly com-
municated to us. As a native of the Medirerreanean sea, this fish is
mentioned by various writers, but as a British species it is perfectly
new, not having been recorded as such by either Willughby, Ray,
Borlase, Pennant, or any other writer on the Zoology of this country.
The Cornish fishermen, we understand, call those fishes young Sturgeons.

The specimen sent to us rather exceeded tlie length of seven
inches ;»it was of a slender, or elongated form, and remarkable for
the elegant distribution of its colours, which were changeable in
various directions of light; but the most striking peculiarity was the
broad dentated stripe, extending along each side, from the head nearly
to the tail, the colour of which was silvery and fulvous, and with
the rest of the colours, produced an effect equally singular and beau-
tiful. The dorsal ray contained nine spiny rays, and thirteen soft
ones : pectoral fin twelve rays : ventral one spiny ray, and five soft
ones ; anal two spiny and thirteen soft ones ; and the tail thirteen rays<

This fish has arrested the attention of many ichthyologists among
the ancients as well as moderns, the former of whom, pronounced it

PLATE XCVI.

ttie most beautiful of European fishes. It may be collected from the
''^’orks of Elian, Aristotle, Salvian, Aldrovandus, and others, that tl^is
fish is common at certain seasons in tlie Mediterranean. Elian speaks
,®fit, however, as a poisonish fish, and of such a veneinous nature,
that it would he unsafe to eat it, or even the flesh of any other fish
that had been touched by it. Galen mentions it, on the contrary,
as wholesome food. The male of this species is distinguished ac-
cording to some writers, by having the back of a black colour instead
of green, as in the female ; but it appears in this, and various other
r espects, to be an extremely variable species. Neither are its habits and
manners coiTCctly known ; ifis generally asserted, that it swims in
Small shoals ; Aristotle speaks to this effect, but this is contradicted
by Salvian and others, who describe it as a more solitary fish. It
must be. Indeed, confessed, that the history of the Labrus Julis alto-
gether, as related by the different writers above-mentioned, is ob-
scure and contradictory, and that little reliance can be placed in tlreir
observations till we become better convinced of their accuracy, through
the medium of modern ichthyologists.

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NATURAL HISTORY

BRITISH FISHES.

PLATE XLIX.

LABRUS TRIMACULATUS.
TRIMACULJTED WRASSE,

PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute: lips simple: branchiostegous membrane with six
and scaly covers : dorsal fin, with a slender skin beyond the end
each ray 5 pectoral fin acuminated : lateral line straight.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ANJi

SYNONYMS.

lied ; on each side at the base of the dorsal fin two dark spots, and
^ third between the dorsal fin and tail.

A 2

PLATE XLIX.

LabrUs TRiMAcutATUs : ruber, maculis 2 utrlrwjue ad basin pinnse
dorsalis, tertiaque inter hanc et caudam. Crnial'
Syst. Nat. 1294. Sp. 51.

Labrus Carneus, Le Paon Rouge. Bloch t. 289.

Trimaculated Wrasse. Penn. Brit. Zool. V. 3. p. 207. n. 4.

In the month of June, 1801, Mrs. Wyatt, a lady resident in Devon-
shire, most obligingly favoured us with a fine specimen of this inte-
resting Fish, that had been caught on the south coast of that county*
near Exmouth.

The length of the specimen is almost twelve inches : its form i®
graceful, and the colours, when recent, were peculiarly elegant an^
lovely. A fine orange varying to red upon the back, and becoming
paler and whiter towards the belly, is the chief and most pervading
colour. The dorsal fin and tail were of a rich orange : die former
was also strongly marked with dark purplish black, and prettily edged
with blue ; and the rest of the fins were of a paler hue. The thre?
dark spots at the posterior extremity of the back, which principsliy
constitutes the specifical. distinction of this kind of Wrasse, were of ^
rich blackish purple. There were also four other spots of a delicate
rose colour, situated contiguous* to these, which do not appear tr)
have been mentioned by any writer. Two of these spots a'C
disposed -in the space between the three darker ones before spoke''
of, and the third and fourth' are placed ‘one at each extremity
of the outermost ones, so as to form together a series of seven
spots, which are alternately of a pale rose colour, or a very deep
purple.

PLATE XLIX.

The Fish above described has thirty rays in the dorsal fin : in
Ae pectoral fin sixteen, ventral fin six, anal fin fourteen, and tail
fourteen.

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'’GOLDFINNY. ,

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• PLATtSI

PLATE LXXII.

LABRUS CORNUBIUS. .

GOLDIlNJsY.

** PISCES THORACICI.

GENEEIC CHARACTER.

Teeth acute: lips simple: branchiostegous membrane with six
^^ys, and scaly covers : dorsal fin, with a slender skin beyond the end
each ray ; pectoral fin acuminated : lateral line straight.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Body variegated with green : near the tail a large fuscouo spot .
fin yellow obliquely banded with fuscous.

Labrus Cornubius ; corpore viridi-variegato, macula prope
caudam magna fusca, pinna anali flava fusco
oblique fasciata.

Laerus CORNUBIUS ; macula prope caudam magna, pinnaque dor-
sails radiis primis nigris, cauda aaquali. Gmel,
Si/st. Nat. T. I. p. 2. p. 1297. Sp. 67.
Goldfinny. BaJ. pifc. p. 163. J. 3.

^oldfinny. Penn. Brit. Zool. p. 2bi. Sp.l2l.

M 4

PLATE LXXIt.

Ozir enquiries after this curious anJ most interesting British Fish^
has ultimately proved successful, for we have lately obtained a spe-
cimen of it in fine condition, that was caUghtofFthe Lizard point on
the coast of Cornwall. The acquisition of this rare article is an
object of no small importance, the species itself being not only ex-
tremely uncommon, but the very existence of such a species having
rested for almost a century, from the time of Ray to the present
crisis, upon the sole autliority of Mr. Jago, the person by whom
Jt IS recorded to have been discovered. He found it on the coast
of Cornwall. A drawing of this Fish, made by Mr. Jago, wa*
communicated by him to Mr. Ray, who inserted it, upon the
credit of Mr. Jago, in his Synopsis of Fishes, and it does not seem
to have been observed by any writer since that period till th®

, present.

Mr. Pennant speaks of this Fish in his British Zoology, confess-
ing however, at the same time, that he never had an opportunity of
examining it*, and is therefore obliged to have recourse to the
description given of it by Mr. Jago, who thus describes it. « In the
whole form of the body, lips, teeth, and fins, it resembles the Wrasse :
Jt IS said never to exceed a palm in length : near the tail is a remarkable
black spot : the first rays of the dorsal fin are tinged with black.”-^
“ The Melanurus of Rondcletius takes its name from the black
spot near the tail; but in many instances it dtfters widely from

• This expressions explicit, and in the words of Mr. Pennant; but in another part
of the same description he tells us, ho suspects tjus species was sent to him from Cor»-
'ralL See VoLS. p. 252. Brit. ZpqI,

PLATE LXXII.

this species ; the tail of the first is forked, that of the Goldfinny is
even at the end.”

From the above account, and from a reference to their figures, it
will be apparent that the Fish we have met with is the same as the
Goldfinny, of Jago and Ray, and consequently of Pennant. This
point ascertained, we may conceive an accurate drawing of the Fish,
likely to prove acceptable to the Ichthyologist, since it will be found
to exhibit various characteristic features of this beautiful creature that
Jtre not been mentioned by Mr. Jago. None of the continental
naturalists seem to be acquainted with it, so far as we have been able
to ascertain. Gmelin it Is evident relies upon Ray and Pennant, but
had Gmelin feen the Fish, or a figure of it, that could be depended on
for its fidelity, it is scarcely probable he would have adopted the
■vague specific character that appears for this species in the last edition
of the Systema Naturie. It will be right to observe, that from the
name of Goldfinny which it bears, some writers have been led to
*uppose that all the fins are yellow, which is not the case : it is only
the anal fin which appears confpicuously of that colour 5 the pectoral
and ventral fins are of a much paler hue, and the rest are green.
Variegated with darker lines of the same, and spots of ferruginous
t^nd rufous brown. The jaws are richly tinged with golden yellow,
*nd the sides are yellowish, and silvery.

1

Our figure represents this Fish in its natural size. In the dorsal fin
there-- are twenty-five rays, the first sixteen of which are soft :
pectoral twelve rays, ventral one spiny ray and six soft ones : anal,

■ three spiny rays and. ten soft ; and in the tail fourteen l ays.

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PLATE 52

plate LII.

PERCA FLUVIATILIS,.

PERCH.

• PISCES THORACICI.
generic character.

Jaws unequal. Teeth acute, and incuryated. Gill covere of three
plates, scaly ; the upper plate serrated. 'Seven rays in the gill mem-

rane. Lateral line arched with the back, 'scales hard and rough.
Pins spinous. “

specific character

AND

SYNONYMS.

^ive, with black bands ; dorsal fins olivaceous, the rest sanguineous.

Perca FLUVIATILIS : ollvacea nigro-fasciata, pinna dorsali olivacca,
caeteris sanguineis.

PeRca FLUVIATILIS: plnnarum dorsalium secunda radiis 16. Linn.

0 Fn. Suec. ZZ2.—Gmel. Syst. Nat. p. 1306. 168.

sp. 1.

Perea pinna ani radiis 11. Bloch Fisch. Deutschl. 2.p. 66. n. 2.
t. 52.

orsthng, Barschling. Marsigl. Danub. ^.p, 65. t. 23./. 2 .
Perch. Ray, pise. p. 91.

Will, ichth. p. 291.

Brit. Zool. p. 2U.

PLATE LIL

The Linnsean specific character of the Perea fluviatilis being taken
exclusively from the number of rays in the second dorsal fin, is liable
to objection, because the amount of these rays is not always precisely
sixteen, as that author states them. Bloch mentions this, and observes,
for instance, that in the specimen he describes there were only fourteen
rays in the second dorsal fin. The specific character of this fish he
considers, perhaps with an equal degree of impropriety, may be de-
fined from the number of rays in the anal fin, which he says amount
to eleven. These being as liable to vary in point of number, as the
rays in the dorsal fin, a much more constant criterion rray be
observed by attending to the dark transverse bands, which descend
from the back across the sides, and point towards the abdomen ;
the Perch, though liable to variations in colour like all other fishes,
being never found entirely destitute of these bands. Beside these, it
may not be amiss to speak of the pectoral, ventral, and anal fin, toge-
ther with the tail, which are always observed to be of a bright red
colour.

The Perch remains in those rivers, lakes, and other clear waters,
whirJi it inhabits, all the year: affording delicious food, and excellent
sport to those fond of tlie amusement of angling. The manners of
this Fish are whimsically described by old Walton, In the Complete
Angler he tells us, “ The Perch is a very good, and a very bold biting
fish ; he is one of the fishes of prey, that, like the pike and trout,
carries his teeth in his mouth, which is very large ; and he dare to kill
and devour several c ther kinds of fish ; he has a hooked or hog back,
which is armed with sharp and stiff bristles, and all his skin armed or
covered 6ver with thick, dry, hard scales, and hath, which feW‘ otliO'
fishes have, two jins on his back ; he is so bold, that he will invade one
of his own kind, which the pike will not do so willingly, and you may
therefore easily believe him to be a bold biter.” From this writer vve

PLATE LII.

learn that the Perch is very abstemious in vi'inter, and will not readily
take the bait except in the middle of tlie day when the weather proves
■'varm and fine. He says they love to accompany one another, and
go together in troops, and “ that if tliere be twenty or forty in a hole,
they may be all caught at one standing, they being like the tvicked of
the world, not afraid though their fellows and companions perish in
their sight.”

“ The baits for this bold fish (continues Walton) are not many;
I mean he will bite as well at some or at any of these three, as at any,
or all others whatsoever: a worm, a minow, or a little frog, of
which you may find many in hay-time ; and of worms, the dunghill-
Worm, called a brandling, I take to be best, being well scoured in
moss or fennel ; or he will bite at a worm that lies under cow-dung.
With a blueish head. And if you rove for a Perch with a minow,
Aen it is best to be alive, you sticking your hook through his back-fin ;
or a minow with the hook in his upper lip, and letting him swim up
^nd down about mid-water, or a little lower, and you still keeping him
m about that depth by a cork, which ought not to be a very little one :
^nd the like way you are to fish for the Perch with a small frog, your
hook being fastened through the skin of his leg, towards the upper
Part of it ; and lastly, 1 will give you but this advice, that you give the
^*erch time enough when he bites, for there was scarce ever any angler
^kat has given him too much.”

The months of May and June are the spawning season for the
^^rch, when a single female of this prolific race, of a moderate si/c,
kave been known to lay between two and three hundred thousand
; these are all retained together by means of a glutinous sort oi
m. V.

PLATE LIT.

jelly, which renders them the favourite food of the smaller kinds of fishes.
’The Perch is so tenacious of life, that it will live many hours, or
even two, three, or four days, after being taken out of the water, and
may be easily transported alive, with proper care, to any distance not
exceeding sixty or eighty miles. Perch of six or seven inches in
length are esteemed of good size for the table, but in many waters
where they are suffered to remain unmolested they become much
larger. The biggest we have seen was one taken in the Great Pool
of iTala, or Pimblemere, near North Wales, that weighed almost five
pounds. \Vc have also caught them in the Dee, near its junction
with that Pool, of a large size, though much inferior in that respect
to the fish abovementioned. Mr. Pennant speaks of one that was
taken in the Serpentine River, Hyde Park, that weighed nine pounds,
but this writer intimates, that Perch of such magnitude arc very un-
common, The Author of the Angler’s Sure Guide says, he once
saw the figure of a Perch drawn with a pencil on the door of a
house near Oxford, that was twenty-nine inches long, and was in-
formed ii was the true dimension of a Perch then living *. In the
lakes among the mountains of Lapland and Siberia, the Perch is often
found of a monstrous size. Bloch assures us, that in one of the
churches in Lapland, the dried head of a Perch caught in a contiguous
river is preserved as a curiosity, and such it may very truly be consi-
dered, that part alone measuring almost twelve inches in length. The
enormous fish to which this head belonged when living, may be esti-
mated in length at between four and five feet.

An accidental variety of the species called the crooked, or hump-
backed Perch, having the back more elevated near the first dorsal fin>

* P. Ian.

PLATE LIT,

3nd the lower part of the back bone near the tail very strangely dis-i
Ported, is mentioned by Linnteus as being sometimes observed in the
rivers of Sweden. Pennant records this variety also, stating that it is,
found in a lake called Llyn Raithlyn in Merionethshire. This variety,
must be acknowledged candidly, we have never had the opportunity
of inspecting? but since Dr. Bloch has intimated his suspicions that
toth Linnaeus and Pennant are mistaken, we must add, that there can
^0 little doubt of the existence of a variety so distorted, however its
‘deformity may be occasioned. We are credibly informed by some
experienced old fishermen in Merionethshire, that it is still found in
^'^ore than one of the lakes near the Arrenig mountain.

In the first dorsal fin of our fish there are fifteen spiny rays ; and
fifteen soft rays in the second dorsal fin: pectoral fin fourteen:
Central eight : anal twelve : and caudal twenty-onei

1

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BASSE.

53

I

PLATE 63

PLATE XLIII.

PERCA LABRAX.

BASSE.

* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

/

Jaws unequal. Teeth acute, and incurvated. Gill covers of three
plates, scaly ; the upper plate serrated. Seven rays in the gill-mem.
I’tane. Lateral line arched with the back. Scales hard and rough.
J'ins spinous.

SPECinC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONA'MS-

Second dorsal fin with fourteen rays : back dusky, blueish, belly

silvery.

1’erca labrax : pinna dorsalis radiis quatuordecim dorso subfusco
cserulescenti abdomine argenteo.

J*erca Labrax : pinnas dorsalis secunds radiis 14. Linn. Syst%
Nat. Mus. Aid. Fr. 2. p. 82.

^erca punctata. Gmel. Si/st. Nai. 1311. sp. 4.

PLATE XLIir.

P£RCA radlis pinns dorsalis secutids 13, ani 14. Art. Gen. syn. 69.
SciAiNA Laerax, Le Loup, Bloch.

During the summer months, this delicious fish is caught on several
of the sea coasts, in the southern parts of England, At different
times we have received this kind both from Devonshire and Corn-
wall, and also from the coast of Wales. Near the entrance of the
Loughor river, that bends its course from the Bristol channel, along
the westward of Glamorganshire, we have seen them in some
abundance-

The Basse, we believe in. point of size, very rarely exceeds the
length of eighteen or twenty Inches. The largest among those
which have occurred to our notice, at least did not exceed those
dimensions, and generally speaking, they were seldom above a foot
or fifteen inches in length. That the Basse does sometimes attain
to a vast size need not be disputed : Writers assure us, that it i*
known to grow to the length of several feet. Willughby speaks
of its weighing fifteen pounds, and Duhamel tells us, that it is taken
occasionally of double that weight, near the Isle of Noirmoutier,
upon the coast of Brittany.

This fish is a native of the temperate parts of Europe. In the
Mediterranean sea, the Basse is caught on the coast of Egypt»
and the Grecian islands, and it is also met with as far north as
Greenland, On the coast of Holland, there are stated fisheries for
this species, which they call See-Snoeck. Ancient writers distin-
guish it by the name of Labrax and Lupus, or the Wolf, in allusion
to its voracious appetites, its strength, activity, and general man-

PLATE XLIII.

ners. Worms of the testaceous tribes, and the smaller kinds of
fish, are the principal food of this species.

Our specimen of the Basse has nine sharp spinous rays in the
first dorsal fin : and fourteen soft rays in the second one : in the
pectoral fin are eighteen rays : ventral six ; anal fourteen : and caudal
twenty-one.

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RUFFE.

lUr^eti C-Riftn^ian^ Se^tX

PLATE 54

PLATE XXXIX.

PERCA CERNUA.

RUFFE.

THORACICI.

GENERIC CIIARACTEU.

Jaws unequal. Teeth acute, and incurvated. Gill covers of three
plates, scaly ; the upper plate serrated. Seven rays in the gill mem-
brane. Lateral line arched with the back, scales hard and rough.
Fins spinous.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Dorsal fin with twenty-seven rays ; the first fifteen spinous.

Perca Cernua : pinnre dorsalis radlls 21, spinis 15. Linii. Fn.

Suec. 335. Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. 1320.
sp. 30.

IluFFE. Penn. Brit. 2ool. T. 3. n. 114.

This kind of Perch proves to he a general inhabitant of all the
countries in the north of Europe : its haunts are chiefly clear streams,
lakes, and rivers, where it delights in the deepest waters ; and pre-
ferring cold to warm situations, appears to be most abundant in
those of mountainous places, Mr. Pennant observes, that it is

t

PLATE XXXIX.

found in several of the English streams, which may be the fact.
So far as we are acquainted with its haunts, and history as a British
fish, there is reason to conclude, it is at least local. In the river
Virny, which flows through the eastern confines of Merionethshire,
and some contiguous streams in Shropshire, we have perceived it to be
not very uncommon.

The flesh of this fish, like that of the Common Perch is excellent,
particularly in the spring or autumn. The Ruffe is a small creature,
seldom attaining above five or six inches in length: the form is
slender; and more graceful than the common Perch, at the same
time, that in point of beauty, the Ruffe is far beneath the other.

This species feeds on smaller fishes, worms, and aquatic insects,
and is in its turn, the food of larger voracious fishes ; or of the wild
fowl that frequent its haunts. The Ruffe spawns about the month
of March : multiplying prodigiously in many of the vast lakes upon
the continent of Europe; and assembling in shoals in the deepest
parts of the water. The number of rays in the dorsal fin, is the
character by which this fish is usually distinguished : in the pectoral
fin are thirteen rays ; in the ventral one spinous and six soft rays ; the
anal fin contains seven rays : tail nineteen.

w<

three spined stickleback.

55

PLATE 55

PLATE XL

GASTEROSTEUS ACULEATUS-

THREE SPINED STICKLEBACK.

* THORACII.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head oblong, smooth ; jaws armed with small teeth : tongue short,
^>id obtuse : palate smooth : eyes moderate, very little prominent and
lateral. Branchiostegeus membrane with three, six, and sometimes
Seven rays : operculum of two pieces, rounded and striated. Body
marinated on each side and covered with bony plates : distinct Spines
l>efore the dorsal fin : lateral line straight t ventral behind the pector^
but above the sternum.

. SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Three spines on the back.

^asterostEus ActJLEATUS .' spinis dorsalibus tribus. Amrt.

■ Suec, 336. Gmel. T. 1.^.3. p. 1323.
^enbriscus duobus In dorso arcuato aculeis, totidem in ventre. Kleiut
miss. pise. 4. p. 43. n- 2. 1. 14./. 45.
"^Hree-spined Sticklebaok : Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 217.
tickling, Stachelfisch. Wulff. ichth. p, 30. n. 37.

PLATE XL

The thrce-spineJ Stickleback is a very common species in many of
our rivers, as in those of Europe in general; and, as Mr, Pennant
writes of those in the fens of Lincolnshire, sometimes appear in tlie
rivers on the continent in such amazing quantities that they become
a perfect nuisance, and are taken to manure the lands. “
Spalding,” says the author, “ there arc once in seven or eight years,
amazing shoals that appear In the Welland, and come up the river m
the form of a vast column. They are supposed to be the multitudes that
have been washed out of the fens by the floods of se\‘eral years, and
collected in some deep hole, till overcharged with numbers, they ate
periodically obliged to attempt a change of place. The quantity is
so great, that they are used to manure the lands, and trials have been
made to get oil from them ; a notion may be had of this vast shoal,
by saying that a man employed by the farmer to take them has go*
for a considerable time four shillings a day by selling them at a half-
penny per bushel.” Gineliii says they are also used to fatten ducks
and pigs, and otliers observe that they are taken in great quantitis®
about Dantzig, by people who press an oil from them.

This fish is certainly not entirely peculiar to fresh water, for
have known it taken at a great distance out at sea in the Sprat and
Herring fisheries : such however we observed differed a little i*^
colour, being of a greener and morC silverly cast than those found in
the fresh watei's-, but they are undoubtedly in no respect specifically
different from them. The colours of those In fresh water also vary
at certain seasons, and it cannot have escaped remark, that when the
female is in full roe, the chin and breast assumes a lovely red colour-

T he length of this species rarely exceeds two inches ; in this coun-
try, it is usually when full grown about an inch and an half, or at

PLATE XL

most an inch anJ three quarters ; but it arrives apparently at a greater
size in other parts of Europe, as its length is commonly described by
continental writers at about three inches.

It is esteemed a very short-lived creature, compared with others of
the finny tnbes, and has been called the “ Ephemera of Fishes” for
that reason : it commonly dies in the first or second year, and rarely
indeed lives through the third. The spawning season is in April and
June, when it deposits a number of very minute eggs upon the stalks
of aquatic plants, and at the bottoms of rivers. It is a voracious little
creature, and feeds on worms and insects. Frisch, Pallas, and M.
Pabriclus, who have each entered into its history, observe, that it is
greatly tormented with worms at certain seasons ; a fact sufficiently
obvious to every common observer.

The head of this fish is rather compressed, and the eyes remark-
ably prominent : the sides are covered with a scries of hard bony
plates as in other species of the same genus ; near die tail the body
IS square, and beneath the vent is a short spine. The dorsal spines
''vhich characterise the species may be erected or depressed at plea-
sure : the dorsal fin, which is near the tail, consists in our specimen
of eleven rays, pectoral fin of ten rays, the ventral fin of a plate-
lilte spine of three parts: anal fin one spiny and nine soft rays,
and twelve rays in the tail.

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LESSER OR TEN SPINEO STICKLEBACK.

56

PLATt 58

PLATE XXXII.'

GASTEROSTEUS pungitius.

LESSER OR TEN SPINED STICKLEBACK.

• THORACICI.

GENERIC CHAR.VCTER.

Head oblong, smooth; jaws armed with small teeth: tongue
short, and obtuse.: palate smooth . eyes moderate, very little pro-
minent and lateral. Branchiostegeous membrane with three, six, and
sometimes seven rays ; operculum of two pieces, rounded and stnated.
Body carinated on each side and covered with bony plates : distinct
spines’ before the dorsal fin: lateral line straight: ventral behind the
pectoral fins, but above the sternum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS,

Dorsal spines about ten ; and the sides destitute of plates.

Gasterosteus Pungitius; spinis dorsalibus sub-decim, lateribus
absque scutis.

Gasterosteus Pungitius; spinis dorsalibus decern. Fn. Suec.

Zyi.—Gmel. Sj/st. Nut. 1326. sp. 8.
Centriscus spinis decern vel undecim non perpendiculanter erectis,
Sec. Klein, pise. miss. 4. 48 , n. 4.

PLATE. XXXII.

Pungitius alterum genus. Aldro. pise. p. 628.

Spinarella Pusillus. Bell. La petite epinoche de mer. Block.
Lesser Stickleback. Willughby Ichth. p. 342.

Ten spined Stickleback. Penn. Brit. Zool. Z. p. 219. n. 2.

1 he lesser Stickleback is allowed to be the most diminutive of
Ae fish tribe known : very rarely exceeding, when full grown, an
inch and a half in length, and is even seldom found of that size.
Some specimens in our possession we should however add, that
were taken in the open sea, are full as large as the G. Aculeatus,
or three spined Stickleback found in our fresh waters : the colours
were remarkably dear, greenish on the back, and silvery on the
belly and sides, but in other particulars they agree, with such as we

have found occasionally of a smaller size in little creeks on the sea
shore.

This species is of a rather more slender shape than the common
kind, and the jaws a Ijttle longer in proportion : colour on the back,
ohve; sides, yellowish, and beneath silvery. The number of the
dorsal spines Linnaeus and Gmelin admit as the principal distinction
of the several species in this genus : so far as relates to the kind
before us, we may venture to say the number of them is not always
Ae same. We have them with ten spines, as those autl^rs describe
It; we have it also with nine; and one specimen with only eight.
This has induced us to make a small, and it is conceived an allow-
able addition to the specific character given by those authors. They
resemble in a general manner the common kind as before remarked,
but are destitute of those remarkable plates on the sides so conspi-

PLATE XXXII.

<^Uous In the others, and this is, in our opinion, a strong and unerring
particular, by which this kind may be distinguished.

In the dorsal fin of one specimen wc found ten rays, and in the
pectoral fin the same number : in the anal fin nine rays ; and twelve
in the tail.

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PLATE §?

PLATE XLV.

GASTEROSTEUS SPINACHIA.

FIFTEEN SPINED STICKLEBACK.^

* PISCES TIIORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head oblong, smooth ; jaws armed with small teeth : tongue short,
and obtuse; palate smooth : eyes moderate, very little prominent and
lateral. Branchiostegous membrane with tliree, six, and sometimes
seven rays: operculum of two pieces, rounded and stiiated. Body
carinated on each side and covered with bony plates : distinct spines
before the dorsal fin : lateral line straight : ventral behind the pector;d
fins, but above the sternum.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYSIS.

Dorsal spines fifteen.

Gasterosteus Spinachia : spinis dorsalibus q^ulnq^uedecim. Linn,
Fn. Suec. 338 . Gmel. Sysf. Nat. 1327 .
sf. 10.

Gasterosteus pentagonus. Muf. Ad. Fr, p. 34. Llein. miss,
pise, 4. p, 48. n. 1.

PLATE XLV.

Aculcatus vel pungitius marinus longus. Ra^. pifc. p, 145 . n. 15 .

Will. Ichth. p. 340 . t. X. 13 ./. 2 . app.
p. 23 .

Grande dpinodie. Rloc/t. Fifteen spined Stickleback. Penn. Brit.
Zool. p. 263 . sp. 131 .

Three species of this genus are natives of this country, the most
common of which are the aculeatus and pungitius, two kinds that
are found chiefly in rivulets, brooks, and other fresh waters. Gas-
terosteiis spinacliia, the third species, is an inhabitant of the sea,
and is never found in flesh waters, except by accident when it
happens to stray to a short distance up rivers, that have an imme-
diate cominunicatioh with the marine element. We have observed
the fry of this latter species on the sea coast of Anglesea, especially
in the bay of Holyhead, from whence we may conclude, that it
breeds contiguous to the shore. A specimen of the full grown fish
about five inches in length occurred also in this spot.

Tiiere is every reason to presume that this species, although
abundant in the northern parts of Europe, is very far from common
on the sea coasts of this country. In the' Baltic and the North Sea,
they are observed to be most frequent : Upon the coast of Holland,
they appear sometimes in such vast numbers, as to be made use of
for manuring the land. They are also caught for the sake of an
oil that is expressed from them, which is used for burning in lamps,
and other domestic purposes. The fish itself is seldom eaten except
by the lower orders of people.

PLATE XLV.

The head of this fish is of a remarkable tubular form ; the body
slender : back armed with fifteen shark spines, and the lateral line
composed of small, fomewhat prominent, and pointed scales.
General colour above olive, variable, and tinged with gold, beneath
■white. In the individual specimen, we are describing the second
dorsal fin, or that situated at the extremity of the dorsal spines,
contains seven rays : pectoral fin ten rays ; the ventral fins, or
rather spines, consists each of an acute bony process : in the anal
fin are eight rays, the first of which is short and spinous ; and the '
tail contains twelve rays.

VOL. II.

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Loiydt>n.ftiii*uM A^Atttiirtdu ^£2)<mw«n

PLATE 58

PLATE CXX.

SCOMBER SCOMBER.

MACKAREL.

«»* PISCES THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head compressed, smooth : branchiostegeous membrane of seven
rays. Body smooth ; lateral line carinated behind. Generally some
Spurious fins near the tail.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Spurious fins five both above and beneath.

Scomber scomber : pinnulis quinque In margine utroquc caudae.

Bloch Fisch. Deutschl. 2./?. 8S. n. 1. /. 54.
Scomber scomber : pinnulis quinque. Linn. In. Suec. 339. Gmel.

Linn. Syst. Nat. T.l.p. 1328. sp. 1.

Scomber pinnulis quinque in extreme dorso, spina bievi ad anum.
Art. gen. 30. syn. 48. spec. 68.

Palamis corpore castigate, &c. Klein, miss. pise. 5. p.V2. n. 5.
t. 4./. 1.

^lackarel. Pise. p. 58.

Willlchth.p.\9:\.

Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 221.

\

PLATE CXX.

The great resort of the Mackarel is within the polar regions*
where it is found in immense shoals, and of a larger size than in any
other part of the world.

Besides the polar regions, this highly elegant and splendid fish is
an inhabitant of the European, Atlantic, American, and Mediterra-
nean seas, in all of which it appears at particular seasons of the
year in vast shoals, bending their course, it is commonly supposed,
from the frozen seas of the arctic circle in search of climates more
favourable to the fulfilment of the great ordinance of nature, — the
deposition of their spawn, and providing in an efficient manner fot
the security of the future brood.

This was the popular opinion long entertained, not only relative-
to the Mackarel, but also the Herring, and various other fishes which
are known to inhabit high northern latitudes, and appear at stated
seasons annually in the European seas. A contrary idea is at present
maintained. Bloch, Lacepede, and some other late Ichthyologists*
believe that those fish never leave the respective seas in which they
appear at those regular intervals, but merely quit the vicinity of the
shores at the approach of winter, and retire to the deep recesses of
the sea, at some short distance. At those times it is imagined they
conceal themselves in the mud and sand, and remain in a quiescent
state till the warmth of the returning spring revives them to their
Wonted activity, when they again seek the shore to deposit theit
Spawn, and after the breeding season is over, return as before to
their hiding-places at the bottom of the sea.

The general size of the Mackarel Is from twelve to fifteen or
-eighteen Inches in length ; it is reported to attain sometimes to th<^

PLATE CXX.

length of two feet. Mr. Pennant speaks of one that weighed five
pounds and a quaiter. This fish is of an inconceivable splendour
when alive and first taken out of the water, at which period it
it emits a vivid phosphoric light. The male is of a more slender
form than the female, and is also distinguished by having the trails-
verse fascise or bands of black on the back and sides nearly straight,
while in the female those bands are elegantly undulated.

The excellence of the Mackarel as an article of food is so gene-
rally admitted as to require no comment. Most commonly it is
eaten fresh ; in the county of Cornwall, upon the coasts of which
it appears in immense shoals during the summer, it is occasionally
salted. The Mackarel maintained considerable reputation among
the epicures of ancient Rome, who, among other articles of luxury,
prepared a celebrated garum or pickle ot this fish, which they
distinguished, according to Pliny, by the title of Garian Sociorum.

The number of rays in the fins of the specimen of the Jvlackarel
selected for representation were as follow : jn the first dorsal fin
ten rays; second thirteen: pectoral thirteen: ventral six: anal
eleven ; and caudal twenty-two.

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PLATE 59

PLATE V.

SCOMBER THYNNUS.

TUNKY.

* THORACICL

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head compressed, smooth ; branchiostegeous membrane of seven
rays. Body smooth ; lateral line carinated behind. Generally some
spurious fins near the tail.

SPECIFIC CHAR-iICTER.

Eight spurious fins on the back, and an equal number on the belly.

Scomber Thynnus ; pinnulis utrinque octo. Gmel. Linn. Syst.
Nat. p. 1330. sp. 3.

Scomber pinnulis 8 seu 9. in extreme dorso, sulco ad pinnas ven-
trales. Art. gen. 31. syn. 49.

Thunnus. Rondel. 241. — Gesn. pise. 951.

Tunny fish, or Spanish Mackrell. Wil. Icth. 176. — Rail. syn.

pise. 51 . — Sibbald Scot.

Tunny. Renn. Br. Zool. p. 266. sp. 133.

This is a very generally diffused species, being found in different
seasons in all parts of the world. They enter the Mediterranean
sea in immense shoals, swimming with great swiftness, forming a

PLATE V.

regular parallelogram, and making a loud hissing noise. On the
coasts of Sicily there are established fisheries for the Tunny, where
they are taken and salted, or dried, and form a considerable article
of trade with the adjacent kingdoms.

Tunnies sometimes frequent the most northern parts of the British
coasts in pursuit of herrings, but not in shoals ; and were not known
to visit the southern parts of the kingdom till the summer of 1801,
when three were captured near the entrance of the river Thames,
and brought to Billingsgate market for sale.

The usual length of diis species is about two or three feet ; those
of six or seven feet in length are not common, and it is very rarely
that they exceed ten feet.

The flesh is tolerable : when raw, it looks like beef, but becomes
of a much paler hue in boiling. Its flavour is between that of salmon
and mackrel, though certainly inferior to either.

LondoTuBuh^of^AAt directs by E.JionovaTL !tF./eCJiii'ingtt>ruApril2j8oa.

PLATE 60

PLATE III.

SCOMBER TRACIIURUS.

SCAD.

* TIIORACICI.

GENEKIC CHARACTER.

Head compressed, smooth. Branchiostegeous membrane of seven
rays. Body smooth. Lateral line carinated behind. Generally
some spurious fins near the tail.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

ANO

SYNONYMS.

Dorsal spine recumbent, lateral line a series of spinous plates.

Scomber Trachurus : spina dorsal! recumbente, linea lateral! lon-
cata. Chiiel. Linn. Syst. p. 1335. sp. 6.
Jmoen. Acad. 4. p. 249.

Scomber linea lateral! squamis latis pinnata.

Scad, Horse-Mackrell. Will. Icth. 290. Raii. syn. pise. 92.
Scad. Penn. Br. Zool. p. 269. sp. 134.

A specimen of this scarce fish was taken upon the western coast
in tire month of June ; that which Mr. Pennant saw, was taken rn

October.

A 4

PLATE III. •

The first dorsal fin contains eight strong rays, the second forty-
tvvo rays, the pectoral fin twenty, ventral fin seven, anal fin forty,
and in the tail twenty-two rays.

i

I

I

STRIPED SURMULLET.

ty£.litni„tmJHXkCSir:>^Un.AprUia,

PL^^Tfc' 61

PLATE XII.

MULLUS SURMULLETUS.

STRIPED SURMULLET.

* TII0R.4CII. '

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head compressed, sloping, covered with scales : eyes oblong,
placed near each other, vertical, and furnished with a nictitant mem-
brane : nostrils double and minute ; mandibules and palate beset with
small teeth : tongue short, narrow, smooth and immoveable. Branchii
ostegous membrane with three rays : the covers of three plates veiy
finely striated; aperture moderate. Body round elongated, red;
scales large and very deciduous.

SPECIFIC CIIARACl’ER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Two beards : body marked with longitudinal yellow lines.

Mullus Surmulletus : cirris gemminis, lineis luteis longitudi-
nalibus. Gmel. T. 1. p. 3. p. 1339.
sp. 2.

Trigla capite glabro, lineis utrinq^ue quatuor luteis longitudmallbus.
Art. gen, 43. syn. '72.

Mullus corpore argenteo luteo longitudinaliter lineato, desquamato
rubro. Br'unn. pise. mass, p.ll.n.88.
Striped Surmullet. Penn. Brit. Zool. T. 3. p. 229. n. 2,
t. 13.

c 4

PLATE XII.

There Is a singular discordance of opinion amongst the ablest
naturalists concerning the two kinds oi Mullus described by Linnaus
under the specific names of Surmulletus and Bcirbatus, some con-
ceiving them to be varieties only, or rather differing at a certain age,
and others with Linnaeus believing them to be distinct species.

Linnsus, in the early editions of the Systema Naturae, seems to
have adhered in some measure to the opinion of Artedi, and in de-
fining these species observes, that Barbatus ha's two beards, and bodv
red, and Surmulletus two beards and body marked with longitudinal
jrellow lines. Artedi states the number of those yellow lines on the
latter to be four on each side, but from the subsequent observations
of other naturalists, it is evident these vary exceedingly in different
specimens, Block remarks that his agrees with that of Salvianus in
having only three of them : in a MS. of Father Plumler five are
mentioned ; Mr . Pennant speaks only of two, and these, he adds,
“ with the red colour of the dorsal fins and the number of rays,
Mr. Ray makes the character of the Cornish Surmullet.” It is
theiefore evident, the number of yellow lines can hv no means assist
us in defining the species, and it has been doubted whether the total
absence of* them, as in Barbatus, is a sufficient proof of a specific
difference.

That which is uniformly red, we have not seen. Mr. Pennant
says he heard of the Red SicnnuU^t being taken on the coast of
Scotland ; and a little further remarks, that Salvianus makes it n
distinct species, as it was of a purple colour, sniped with golden
lines. By this oblique allusion to the fish described by Salvianus, it
is probable he meant one of the striped kind only ; tor it is apparent
he was not well acquainted with cither of the Surmullets when ho

t

PLATE XII.

T\ rote the British Zoology ; the striped sort we know is found on
several of oUr coasts, and probably on those of Scotland also.

The Red Surmullet is said to be smaller than the other, and some
have conjectured, that after a certain age these lines appear.
Block hints that the male may be that which is striped, and the
other the female ; Gronovius and some others are of opinion that
they are merely varieties of each other. Having seen sm.all ones of
five or six inches in length that were striped, as in the larger sort,
and having the assurance of the fishermen on the western coast, where
they are most abundant, that they have no other than the striped
sort, we cannot assent to the first opinion : the second is equally inad-
missible, because we have both sexes of them so characterized ; and as
to the last, it is most probable ; but not having seen the red kind, it
would be improper to offer any further opinion respecting it.

If either is it more clearly ascertained which of the two kinds was
^0 highly valued by the Romans, or whether they made any distinc-
tion. Both kinds, it is said, are found in the Mediterranean ;^they
inhabit the Italian shores, and might have had an equal claim to that-
honour. Or, indeed, since the striped kind is said to be the largest,
this should have the preference, for those prodigal epicures always
valued them in proportion to the size. Linnaeus and Gmelin think,
otherwise, and say it was the Red Mullet ; and Block, who prudently
forbears to separate the two kinds, tliinks however that it was the
largest, and consequently the Striped Surmullet.

The excess to which the Romans carried their extravagance for this
fish, is scarcely to he credited in our days. From Horace, Juvenal,
Pliny, and others of the ancients wc learn, that one of six pounds was

, P L A T E XII.

deemed a prodigious rarity, and fetched a price truly enormous : six
thousand pieces, a sesterce for each pound. Callidore is reproached
for having paid twelve hundred sesterces for four Surmullets to put
into a Angle dish of soup. Pliny says, Asinius Celer gave eight
thousand nummi * for one ; and Suetonius afterwards bought three
of the same fishes for 30,000 sesterces. The delicacy of its flesh
was not the only incitement to pay such excessive prices ; they had
also a high degree of pleasure in watching the changes of its vivid
colours while it lay expiring, and at their sumptuous feasts, the
Mullets were brought from a vessel under the table in which they
were kept alive, and put into transparent vases for that purpose.
Seneca says it was worth, nothing unless it died in the hands of the
guests.

It is usually about a foot in length : the colour the finest red,
whitish on the belly, and striped with vellow. It feeds on other
fishes. Crabs, See. and approaches the shores in spring to deposit%hc
spawn. Our specimen has in the first dorsal fin seven rays, in th*
second nine : fixteen rays in the pectoral fin : seven in the ventral
fin ; eight in the anal fin, and twenty in the tail.

« £■ 64. Its. 8d.

m

PIPER.

62

tondot' U\r At dirrrU .fy KlionmrmtF JtC^J'.lU'finalrin Atft-i'fh9o7 •

PLAft 62

PLATE CXVUI.

TRTGLA LYRA.

FJPER.

**• PISCES THORACIC!.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head large, mailed and marked, with rough lines. Eyes large, round,
placed vertically. Mouth large. Palate and jaws armed with sharp teeth.
Nostrils double. Gill-cover, a single piece, radiated and spined.
Seven rays in the gill-membrane. Body wedge-shaped, and covered
with small scales. Back straight, with a longitudinal groove serrated
on the margins. Lateral line nearer the back, and straight. Abdo-
men thick. Ventral and pectoral fin large, with articulated appen-
dages before them.

' SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Appendages three : nostrils tubular.

%

Tricla Lyra ; digitis ternis, naribus tubulosis. Gmel. Linn,
Sj/st. Nat. T. l.p.S. 1342. sp. 2.

Trigla rostro longo diacantho, naribus tubulosis. Art. Gen. 46.
sj/n. 74.

PLATE CXVIII,

Pipes, Will. Ichth. p. 9.82.

Rai/, Pisc.p. 89.

Penn. Brit. Zool. 3 . p. 234 . n. 3 . t. 14 .

I’he Piper appears to be a local fish on the British coasts, and
is far more rarely brought to the London markets than any' other
of the Gurnard tribe known to be natives of our seas, the Trigla
lineatus excepted. Mr. Pennant received this species from Mr.
Pitfield, of Exeter, and says he has been informed this fish is found
at all times of the year on the western coast, and is taken in nets.
If this Information be correct, it is possible this fish may have
become more scarce of late ; for we must observe, that our en-
quiries after the species on the western coasts have not hitherto
proved successful, although Gurnards in general are abundant in
that part of Britain. Neither have we met with this fish in
Anglesea, upon the coast of which, the same writer informs us,
it is also found. It does not appear, upon the credit of the best
w'riters, to be common in other parts of Europe: Gmelin speaks
of it only as a native of the British seas.

Our specimen of this fish is about eighteen inches in length; it
is said to grow to the length of two feet, and three pounds and a
half in weight. The general colour is a pale flesh-colour, rosy or
darker on the back, and the belly white ; the fins bluish at the
base, and tinged with reddish towards the extremities ; the eye*
full, with the irides of a fine golden yellow, and the pupil purplish
black.

PLATE CXVni.

The rays of the first dorsal fin are bony, serrated anteriorly, and
eight in number ; the second dorsal fin contains twenty soft rays ;
the pectoral fin twelve, ventral nine, anal eighteen, and caudal
eighteen. The dentated tubular processes into which the front of
the head is elongated, forms a striking character of this fish ; it may
be also added, that neither of the other British species of Gurnards
have the gill-covcrs armed with spines of such considerable strength
^nd size as the Piper.

VDl . V*

o

PL AM 63

PLATE XXX.

TRIGLA GURNARDUS.

GREY GURNARD.

* THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head large, mailed, with rough lines. - Eyes large, round, placed
vertically. Mouth large. Palate and jaws armed with sharp teeth.
Nostrils double. Gill cover, a single piece, radiated and spined.
Seven rays in the Gill membrane. Body wedge-shaped, and covered
with small scales. Back straight, with a longitudinal groove serrated
on the margins. Lateral line nearer the back, and straight. Abdo-
men thick. Ventral and pectoral fins large, witli articulated ap-
pendages before them.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYlSrONYMS.

Appendages three ; back cinereous with white spots : lateral line
broad and aculeated.

Trigla Gurnardus : digitis ternis, dorso cinereo albo-maculato,
linea lateralis lata aculeato.

Trigla Gurnardus: digitis ternis, dorso maculis nlgris rubrisqtie.
Gviel. p. 1342. sp, 3.

voL. ir.

D

PLATE XXX.

Trigk varia, rostro diacantho, aculels geminis ad utrumque oculum.
Artedi gen - 46. syn. 74.

Gurnatus seu gurnadus griseus, the grey Gurnard, Will. Ichth. 219.
— Hail, Syn. pise. 88.

Trigla lateribus nigro alboque punctatis, linea laterali lata aculcato.

Bloch Fisch. Deutsch. 2. p. 121.

Grey Gurnard, Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p . 216.

The Grey Gurnard is usually from ten, or twelve, to eighteen
inches in length, and according to Mr. Pennant and others, is some-
times taken of nearly double that size. The colour of the back
varies from a pale to a deeper ash, and the spottings of black and
white, or yellowish, seem liable to variation in a similar degree.
Gmelin characterizes it specifically as being spotted on the back
with black and red, to which M. Bloch objects, that none of those
he has seen were spotted with the latter colour ; and we must confess
that although we have seen them tinged with red on that part, it was
not in any instance disposed in spots so as to merit the epithet, dorso
maculis nigris rubrisgtie. The lateral line in this species is marked by
larger scales, and is more strongly serrated than in the other Gurnards,
as Bloch observes ; and in the opinion of that naturalist is a distinctive
character of the species. The nose is bifurcated, and each side
armed with smaller spines, a circumstance remarked by Artedi, but
being by no means peculiar to this kind, ought not, as that writer
imagined, be considered as a character of the species ; and the same
may be said of the two spines near the eyes which Artedi mentions.
It is rather of a slender shape : the bones of the first dorsal fin strong*

PLATE XXX.

and seven in number : in the second dorsal fin arc nineteen rays : ia
the ventral, six : pectoral, eleven : anal, twenty ; and tail, fourteen.

This, like the rest of the Gurnards, feed on crabs, testaceous
animals, and the fry of fish. Its flesh is excellent. The Grey
Gurnard is taken with the others in nets ; but will eagerly take bait ;
it is said that they are either so voracious, or so wanton, that they will
even bite at a piece of red cloth put into the water, and suffer them-
selves to be taken rather than lose their hold. It is found in most of
the northern parts of Europe.

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PLATE 64

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

BRITISH FISHES.

PLATE I.

TRIGLA HIRUNDO.

SAPPHARINE GURI^fARJ?.

* THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head large, mailed, with: rough lines. Eyes large, round, placed
vertically. Mouth large. Palate and jaws armed with sharp teeth.
Nostrils double. Gill-cover, a single piece, radiated and spined.
Seven rays in the gill-membrane. Body wedge-shaped, and covered
with small scales. Back straight, with a longitudinal groove serrated
on the margins. Lateral line nearer the back, and straight. Abdo-
men thick. Ventral and pectoral fins large, with articulated appen-
dages before them.

A 2

PLATE 1.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYMS.

Three appendages. Lateral line pricklv- Pectoral fins large, green

and blue.

Trigla HiRUNno ; digitis ternis, linea lateral! aculeata. Gnid-
Linn. Syst. Nat. j). 1344. Sp. 6. — Mull-
prodr. Zool. dan. p. 47. n. 400. — Fn. Sv.
3 iO.— It. Wgbth. p.\16.

Trigla capite aculeato, appendicibus utrinque tribus ad pinnas pecto-
rales. Art. gen. 4:\. syn. 13.

Ilirundo prior. Aldr.pisc. p. 135.

Tubfish. Cornub. Wil. Icth. 280. — Eaii. syn. pise. 88.

Few genera of the fish tribe are more distinguished by a peculiar
brilliancy of colours than that of Trigla in general. Of this genus
we have five species on our coasts, and of those the Sappharine
Gurnard is certainly the most remarkable, if not the most beautiful-
This kind is, in particular, distinguished by the magnitude of the
pectoral fins, which, when expanded, might seem capable of support-
ing it in such little aerial flights as some kinds of fishes are known
to undertake when pursued by enemies in their native element.

The first dorsal fin consists of nine rays, the second of seventeen,
the pectoral fin of nine, ventral six, anal fourteen, and caudal sixteen-

This species is found on the southern shores of Wales ; and we
have also seen it from Devon.shire, It is usuallv from ten to eiditeen
inches in length;

" 65

STREAKED GURNARD,

PLATE 65

PLATE IV.

TRIGLA LINEATA.

STREAKED GURNARD. ,

* THORACICI.

GENERIC CHARACTER.

Head large, mailed, with rough lines. Eyes large, round, placed
vertically. Mouth large. Palate and jaws armed with sharp teeth.
Nostrils double. Gill-cover, a single piece radiated and spined.
Seven rays in the gill-membrane. Body wedge shaped, and covered
with small scales. Back straight, with a longitudinal groove serrated
on the margins. Lateral line nearer the back, and straight. Abdo-
men thick. Ventral and pectoral fins large, with articulated appen-
dages before them,

SPECIFIC CHARACTER

AND

SYNONYaiS.

Striated transversely, red ; beneath white.

Trigla LINEATA : Striata rubra, subtus alba. Lmn. Si/st. Nat.
Gmel. p. 1345. sp. 12.

Cuculus lineatus. The Streaked Gurnard. Raii. syn. pise. 165.

fg. 11. — Penn. Br. Zool, 3, p. 236. n. 5.

PLATE IV.

This is an extremely rare species ; and hitherto, it appears, has
been only found on the British coasts. It is one of the Cornish
fishes communicated to Mr. Petiver by Mr. Jago, and described and
figured by Mr. Ray.

Mr. Pennant describes it upon this authority, having only seen the
figure, and Gmelln arranges it from the same authors as a new
species, under the name of Lineata.

The most prevalent colour of our specimen is retl, except on the
belly, -which is -white. The transverse streaks are very remarkable,
and at once distinguish it from the other species : they consist of
little thread-like ridges, that pass from the back through the lateral
line, in a direction nearly parallel with each other, and become ra.
mose or branching upon the belly. Pennant observes, that by the
figure above quoted, the nose seems not to be bifurcated, which,
in our specimen, is particularly characteristic, though the spines are
small and obtuse.

This is the only species of Trigla, described by Gmelin, in which
the number of rays in the fins and tail is not mentioned ; and no
other author seems to have ascertained them. In our specimen, the
first dorsal fin has ten rays, and the second seventeen ; pectoral fins
ten rays ; ventral fin six rays ; anal fin fifteen, and caudal sixteen.—
'I'his specimen was taken upon the eastern coast.

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