BONITO. 



159 



fin eight and three-quarter inches, the fin pointed, four 

 inches long, received into a depression. First dorsal fin 

 seven inches long, four inches high, lodged in a groove ; the 

 first two rays stout, the others low. The body is most solid 

 opposite the second dorsal, which fin and the anal are falcate : 

 tail divided and slender ; ventral fins in a depression. Colour 

 a fine steel blue, darker on the back ; sides dusky, whitish 

 below. Behind the pectoral fins is a bright triangular section 

 of the surface, from which begin four dark lines, that extend 

 along each side of the belly to the tail. Scales few, like 

 the Mackerel. 



This fish was taken in a drift-net in July, at which time 

 the roe was abundant. It had no air-bladder ; intestines 

 simple ; the muscle the colour of beef, greatly charged with 

 blood. It rarely takes a bait, and is too wary to be often 

 taken in a net. 



Dr. Scouler states that a specimen of this tropical fish was 

 taken in the Frith of the Clyde in July 1832. The speci- 

 men referred to by Dr. Fleming was taken in the Forth. 

 The number of fin-rays are, 



D. 15 1 + 12. VIII : P. 27 : V. 1 + 5 : A. 2 + 12. VII : C. 35. 



