195 



SERRANUS. 



This genus has a single dorsal fin, although two classes of rays 

 support its two divisions. Rays of the gill membrane seven in 

 number. First gill-cover serrated, the hindmost with one or more 

 points or spines. Covering of the jaws smooth. 



COMBER. 



SMOOTH SERRANUS. 



Serranus Gahrilla, 



Channe, 

 Clianna, 

 Perca Cabrilla, 

 Holocentre serran, 

 Perca channus, 



Cuvier. 



Yarrell; Br. Fishes, vol. i, p. 11. 

 Gunther; Cat. Br. Museum, vol. i, p. 106. 

 Jonston; Articulus 8. 



WlLLOUGHBY, p. 327. 



Linnaeus. Jenyns; Manual, p. 332. 



Risso. 



Loudon's Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. v, p. 20. 



This is a common fish in the west of the kingdom, and 

 probably also along the south coast of Ireland; but it was 

 long overlooked by naturalists, and supposed to be confined 

 to the Mediterranean, where it appears to have been con- 

 founded, under the name of Sea Perch, with, another species 

 which it much resembles both in appearance and habits, the 

 Serranus scriba, a species that has not been found in Britain. 



The Comber usually keeps in rocky ground at a small dis- 

 tance from land, and is well known to fishermen, who often 

 find it in their wicker crab-pots, which it enters for the sake 

 of the baits that are hung up to entice the crabs and lobsters; 

 but the result is that they become the bait they sought to 

 devour. They are seldom brought to the market, and when 

 caught on the line are usually converted into bait for other 



