338 THE SEA SHOBE 



oxidation and the maintenance thereby of a body temperature 

 several degrees higher than that of the surrounding water. We 

 would also call attention to the five or six small fins behind the 

 dorsal and anal fins as characteristic of the Scomberidcs. 



Our next family (the Cyttidce) contains the John Dory (Zeus- 

 faber), concerning which some superstitions are still prevalent in 

 parts. It is brightly coloured, but not graceful in form, and is 

 often caught in large numbers off the coasts of Devon and Corn- 

 wall. Some fishermen call it the Cock, on account of the crest on 

 the back ; while others know it as St. Peter's Fish, and will point 

 out the impression of the Apostle's finger on each side a black 

 spot surrounded by a light ring. 



The Horse Mackerel (Caranx trachurus) is found principally 

 in the same parts, where it devours the fry of other fishes. It is 

 not a very close relative of the common mackerel, but belongs to a 

 distinct family (Carangidce), of which it is the only British repre- 

 sentative. It is a carnivorous fish, easily distinguished from 

 Scomber by its conical teeth, as well as by the bony plates of the 

 lateral line, the posterior of which are keeled or spined. 



While the last-mentioned families contain only fishes of truly 

 pelagic habits, the next (Sparidce), formed by the Sea Breams, gene- 

 rally keep near the coast, and often enter fresh waters. In these the 

 body is much compressed laterally, and is covered with large scales; 

 the first half of the dorsal fin is also spinous. The Common Sea 

 Bream (Spams auratus), characterised by its red colour with 

 brilliant golden reflections, and by a dark spot on the shoulder, may 

 often be angled from rocks and piers. The young, in which the 

 dark spots have not yet appeared, are known as Chads, and are often 

 regarded as a distinct species. The Black Bream (Cantharus 

 lineatus) is an omnivorous feeder, and will take both animal and 

 vegetable baits. 



The Eed Mullets (family Mullidce) may be distinguished from 

 the grey mullets previously described by the two long erectile 

 barbules on the lower jaw. The scales are large and thin, with 

 serrated edges, and the front portion of the dorsal fin has weak 

 spines. The common British species (Mullus barbatus) frequents 

 our south and east coasts, being specially abundant round Devon 

 and Cornwall, where they often occur in vast shoals, and the young 

 are often to be caught in estuaries and harbours. 



Our last example is the Common Bass or Sea Perch (Morone 

 abrax), of the family Serranidce. It is also known locally as the 



