80 SPANISH MACKAREL. 



the J28th. of June; when it was taken in a net in comjiany 

 with many of the Common Mackarel. In its stomach a mass 

 of pulp of the colour of lead, together with a considerable 

 number of parasitic worms. It measured scarcely as long as 

 the Common Mackarel caught at the same time, but was more 

 round and plump; the length from the snout to the end of the 

 middle of the tail twelve inches and a half; the body growing 

 slender near the tail, but less abruptly than in the former 

 example. Snout more produced than in the Common Mackarel, 

 and pointed; jaws equal, with moderate teeth; head less heavy 

 than in the former example of the Spanish Mackarel. Eye 

 large; scales well marked on the back and sides, not visible 

 on the belly; nor did I perceive any on the upper portion of 

 the gill-covers. First dorsal fin in a chink; the rays much 

 higher than in the Common Mackarel, and extending along 

 the back more than equal to the space between its termination 

 and the second dorsal; so narrow at its extremity that the two 

 last rays are hid in the chink. Second dorsal and anal less 

 angular than in the other specimen of the Spanish INIackarel, J 

 and their terminal rays lengthened out. Five rather long finlets 

 above and below; tail forked with a keel above and below at 

 its root; ventral fins broad. Lateral line passes onward to sink 

 midway between the two dorsals. The general colour fine 

 lively blue, with deej^er stripes as numerous as in the Common 

 Mackarel; sides and belly covered with dark spots, some of 

 them ocelated; and gyrations, of various sizes, on a brilliant f 

 white ground; smaller and more numerous near the tail. No 

 tint of yellow behind the eye as in the Common Mackarel. 

 Pectoral, ventral, and the lower finlets, tinged with yellow; as 

 the tail in a slight degree. The first dorsal fin has eleven 

 rays. No air-bladder. 



