SHORT SUN-FISH. 465 



was estimated to weigh four hundred pounds. Mr. Dillwyn 

 has recorded the capture of a Sun-fish, weighing about ninety 

 pounds in Carmarthen Bay. Mr. M'Coy of Dublin sent 

 me notice of the recent occurrence of this species on the 

 coast of Ireland, and others are also recorded. Lastly, Dr. 

 Storer includes this species of Orthagoriscus in his Cata- 

 logue of the Fishes of Massachusetts ; one example had been 

 secured near Boston, and others had been taken at no great 

 distance. 



When observed in our seas, they have generally appeared 

 as though they were dead or dying, and floating along on 

 one side, presenting the broad surface of the other side to 

 view. Dr. Neill says, of one that was brought to him, 

 " The fishermen informed him, that when they observed it, 

 it was swimming along sideways, with its back-fin frequently 

 above water. It seemed to be a stupid, dull fish : it made 

 little or no attempt to escape, but allowed one of the sailors 

 to put his hands under it, and lift it fairly into the boat. 

 The Sun-fish has been generally mentioned as remarkable 

 for its phosphorescence ; but this specimen did not exhibit 

 that phenomenon so distinctly as a Haddock or a Herring." 

 Pennant repeats Brunnich's account, that between Antibes 

 and Genoa he saw one of this species lie asleep on the sur- 

 face of the water : a sailor jumped overboard and caught it. 



Mr. Couch says the Short Sun-fish is migratory, keeping 

 probably at the bottom, and feeding on seaweeds in its ordi- 

 nary habits ; but in calm weather it mounts to the surface, 

 and lies, perhaps asleep, with its head and even its eyes 

 above the water, floating with the tide. Mr. Couch lias 



* O 



known the Sun-fish make powerful but awkward efforts to 

 escape when attacked, bending and directing its motions in 

 various ways. 



The representation at the head of this subject is from an 

 adult fish, the Scarborough specimen, which measured, from 



VOL. II. 2 H 



