GILTHEAD. 245 



These beautiful colours are described in somewhat similar, 

 although more subdued terms, by Willoughby and Risso; but 

 they may be expected to be far more faint when this fish 

 comes to our coasts, if they be not then altogether changed 

 in their aspect. There are, indeed, two species of this genus 

 closely allied to each other, which are inhabitants of the 

 Mediterranean, not readily to be distinguished, and both of 

 them may, perhaps, be found to pay us an accidental visit. 

 But, however this may be, I find it difficult, on the score of 

 colour alone, to assign to either of them the species of which 

 the figure is here given, but which is a correct representation 

 of an example which fell under my own inspection speedily 

 after it was taken from the sea. The form and arrangement 

 of the teeth are proofs of its being a member of this genus; 

 of which no more than the two species above referred to have 

 been recognised in Europe. 



Fin rays dorsal eleven spinous and fourteen soft, pectoral 

 sixteen, ventral one spinous and five soft, anal three spinous 

 and twelve soft, caudal seventeen. 



END OF VOL. I. 



B. FAWCETT, ENGRAVER AND PRINTER, 1>RIFFIELP. 



