PERCIM3. 15 



B. vii, D. {J, P. 15, V. 1/5, A. T 2 , C. 15, L. I. 80-90, L. tr. 9/25. 



Length of head 3 to 3j, of caudal fin 6 to 7, height of body 3^ in the total 

 length. Eye diameter 4^ in the length of the head, 1| diameters from the end 

 of the snout, and 1 diameter apart. Posterior border of the preopercle serrated, 

 most coarsely so at its rounded angle. Nostrils patent, the posterior the larger. 

 Lower jaw the longer : the posterior extremity of the maxilla reaches to beneath 

 the hind edge of the eye. Teeth of moderate size, the outer row enlarged : 

 villiform ones present on vomer and palatines. Fins dorsal spines lower than 

 the rays, increasing in length to the fifth, which equals 2^ in the height of the 

 body below it. Pectoral as long as the head excluding the snout. Caudal slightly 

 emarginate. Scales ctenoid, 10 rows between the lateral-line and the commence- 

 ment of the soft dorsal fin. Golotors orange-yellow, lightest about the head, 4 or 

 5 stone-gray longitudinal narrow bands commence below the eye, two of which 

 become lost on the head ; while three going backwards become of a gray-blue 

 colour, the middle one passing above the pectoral fin, reaches the middle of 

 the side of the base of the tail, to which the two others likewise extend. 

 Fins yellowish, the dorsal with numerous blue spots, which however become 

 smaller posteriorly, and have a narrow black edge : similar spots on the caudal 

 fin : while there are some larger but less distinct ones on the anal. Frequently 

 transverse bands descend from the back ; these may be unnaturally dark, which 

 would give the appearance figured in Serranus novemcinctus, Kner. Some 

 confusion has occurred respecting this species, due to Linnaeus having described 

 the Sebastes Norivegicus, under the head of this fish : while Bonnaterre, pi. 54, 

 f. 210, reproduced Pennant's figure of the Bergylt as that of Ferca marina, 

 p. 128, probably a slip of the pen, it being evidently intended for the succeeding 

 Ferca Norvegica, the very reference to this figure under Ferca marina being to 

 pi. 56 whereas it is on pi. 54. 



Names and their origin. It is sometimes termed " The gaper," because when 

 in its death agony it erects its fins and opens its mouth, and thus stiffens, as is 

 commonly seen in many of the spiny-rayed or acanthopterygian fishes. Bulls, 

 Mevagissey in Cornwall. Smooth serranus. 



Habits. Mr. Dunn observed in Cornwall that this fish is "plentiful in deep 

 rocky gullies, and the very rough ground off our coast. It is most common in 

 summer. Its food appears to be small fishes and crustaceous Ophiuraa (slender 

 snake star-fishes) and encrusting corallines (Lepraliaa)." 



Means of capture. Frequently taken in wicker crab-pots, which it probably 

 enters to eat the baits. 



Breeding. End of the summer or in the autumn months of August and 

 September. 



Hermaphrodites. Cavolini and Cuvier have, after repeated examinations, 

 described this fish as a true hermaphrodite, one portion of each lobe of roe being 

 stated to consist of true ova, the other part having all the appearance of perfect 

 milt, and both advancing simultaneously to maturity. Yarrell, however, having 

 obtained some roe, examined it in conjunction with Professor Owen, and they 

 observed nothing equivocal either in its structure or appearance. 



Uses. Albertus Magnus advises that its tongue and a small portion of its heart 

 should be removed and then infused in water, and assures us that the mixture will 

 cause a multitude of fishes to collect together. Likewise should you have a law 

 suit, it should be placed under your arm and the judge will become your friend. 



As food. Seldom even brought to market, but usually cut up into baits. 

 Still it is good eating, and said to be delicate, but too small to be of much value. 



Habitat. From the south and south-west coasts of England, also of 

 France and Portugal and throughout to the Mediterranean. It has likewise been 

 taken at Madeira, Teneriffe, as far south as the Cape of Grood Hope, and the 

 Island of St. Paul in the Southern Indian Ocean. 



Although this fish is common at Plymouth, also at Mevagissey, in Cornwall, 

 and was first observed by Couch at the intermediate locality of Polperro, it 

 becomes rare at Penzance. Mr. Cornish observed in 1866, having obtained 

 a specimen there, that it was only the second he ever saw from Mount's Bay 



