26 STREAKED GURNARD. 



less frequently caught than from its numbers might otherwise 

 be supposed likely. Except in one or two rare instances, I 

 have only obtained it from trammels set to catch Surmullets; 

 but it is also taken with the trawl. In its stomach I have 

 found remains of small crabs and other crustaceous animals, 

 and small stones; but Mr. Thompson found what appeared to 

 be vegetable matter, with a young sole and several sorts of 

 crabs. William Thompson, Esq., of Weymouth, who obtained 

 this fish at that place, found several dwarf swimming crabs and 

 small stones in the stomach. 



It reaches the length of from twelve to fourteen inches; the 

 head moderate in proportion to the body, which is throughout 

 round and plump. The eyes elevated and near together; the 

 front sloping rather suddenly to the snout, which is not pro- 

 truded, and but slightly toothed; under jaw a little the shortest; 

 teeth just enough to give a slight roughness; cheek plates 

 regularly and finely radiated. Front of the orbit with four 

 short spines; a ridge behind the eye, followed by another 

 ending in a blunt spine; a slight spine on the hindmost plate 

 of the gill-cover the largest above the pectoral fin. Lateral 

 line straight, having a serrated ridge, the points directed back- 

 ward. First dorsal high; the first spinous ray with rough 

 tubercles of small size along its anterior margin, and so with 

 the second where it rises above the first; both dorsals enclosed 

 in a groove formed by projecting ridges of thin tubercles 

 which have toothed edges. Pectoral fins large, reaching con- 

 siderably beyond the vent. The separate fingers rather short; 

 caudal fin straight, except the outer rays, which are slightly 

 lengthened. Colour of the head, mouth, back, dorsal and 

 caudal fins, vermilion, but in some examples dusky red, the 

 dorsal fins with bars more or less strongly marked, and with 

 some clouds of pink. The ridges which pass round the body 

 are strongly j^encilled with deeper red, and anteriorly below, 

 sometimes with reticulations. The fingers barred with alternate 

 rings of yellow or green and red; along the back some dark 

 spots. Pectoral fins red, with spots and lines of green and 

 blue, bordered with blue. 



Fin rays first dorsal ten, second dorsal seventeen, anal 

 seventeen, pectoral ten (divided,) ventral six. The two last 

 rays of the anal fin from one root, but subject to variation. 



