THE RUDDER-FISH. 249 



on the head which characterizes the Dolphin of the ancients. Ancient authors do not give 

 much attention to the Coryphene ; hence, to the cetacean rightfully belongs the place in art. 

 Poets have celebrated the beauties of Coryphene. The colors are beyond description, and the 

 changeable hues are surprisingly beautiful. As seen from the side of a vessel, as the Cory- 

 phene playfiilly accompanies it, the gleam of golden and silvery lights, changing now and 

 again to rich metallic tints emerald, sapphire, and many gorgeous colors it is a never-failing 

 source of wonder and enjoyment. Two species are seen near our shores in the warmer seasons, 

 though they are essentially pelagic. 



A VERY remarkable fish is allied rather closely to the preceding species, in spite of the 

 great difference in form, and by some writers was placed in the same genus as that fish. 



The EYED PTERACLIS is a good example of the curious genus to which it belongs, and 

 which can always be recognized by the extreme depth of the dorsal and anal fins, and their 

 delicate tenuity of structure. The dorsal fin is, moreover, remarkable for the bold sweep of 

 its extent, passing in an unbroken curve from the forehead to the tail. Owing to the develop- 

 ment of the anal fin, the two ventrals are placed very far forward, and are seen under the 

 throat. The members of this genus are spread over the Indian Ocean, the Sea of Marmora, 

 and some of the American coasts. 



The Eyed Pteraclis is found on the Mozambique coast. It is a very beautiful fish, the 

 general color being shining white, as if made of polished silver, with a wash of gold upon 

 the pectoral and tail fins, and a deepish tint of blue-gray upon the others. On the dorsal fin 

 there is a round spot of dark blue. It seems to be a small species. About four members of 

 this genus are known to naturalists. 



These fishes form a small family called Bramidce, the Bramoids, included in four genera 

 and about ten species. Pteraclis Carolina, a small fish, inhabits the waters of the Carolinas. 



BEFORE quitting this family, we must briefly notice the handsome OPAH, or KING-FISH 

 (Lampris luna}. 



This beautiful species seems to be the sole representative of its genus, it having been 

 separated from the genus Zeus, in which it had formerly been placed, in consequence of its 

 single dorsal fin. It sometimes attains to a considerable size, a specimen having been taken 

 which measured five feet in total length, and weighed about one hundred and fifty pounds. 

 The flesh of this fish is red, very good, and is said to resemble that of the salmon. 



The color of the Opah is bright green on the upper part of the back and sides,. with reflec- 

 tions of purple and gold in certain lights. The fins and eyes are scarlet, and a number of 

 round spots of pale gold are scattered upon the sides. 



The Opahs (family Lampridldce) are fishes of large size and gorgeous coloration, inhabit- 

 ing the open Atlantic. A single genus is known. Lampris guttata is sometimes seen off 

 Newfoundland. It is estimated as one of the most gorgeously colored fishes known. Sun-fish 

 is a local name. 



WE now arrive at a rather large family of fishes, which has been separated from the 

 mackerels on account of certain anatomical variations, which will be mentioned at the end of 

 the volume. 



The CORDONNIER, or COBBLER-FISH, has derived its popular name from the long sharp 

 spines of the dorsal and anal fins, which are thought to resemble the awl and bristles employed 

 by cobblers in their trade. This fish is a good example of the large genus to which it belongs, 

 and in which no less than seventy species have been classed. It is found in various localities, 

 from the Red Sea throughout all the Indian seas, and is tolerably common. The form of this 

 fish is sufficiently curious to render it a conspicuous species, and it maybe easily distinguished 

 from its many congeners by the oblong spot on the operculum, and the six black bands that 

 are drawn across the body and reach nearly to the abdomen. 



ANOTHER species of this genius is the RUDDER-FISH, (Caranx carangus), so called because 

 it is fond of hovering about the rudders of vessels, apparently for the sake of picking up the 



VOL. m.-8S. 



