MACKAREL. 77 



pectorals, a situation which caused Linnseus to class this fish in 

 his Thoracic Order. A considerable separation between the 

 first and second dorsal fins, the latter opposite the anal fin; 

 and between this second dorsal above, and the anal below, and 

 the tail, there are five separate finlets. The tail forked, with a 

 small ridge at the root, above and below. Between the anal 

 fin and vent a small separate spine. Pectoral fins pointed. The 

 usual length is about sixteen inches; and the largest I have 

 ever seen measured half an inch short of two feet. Colour 

 of the back a varying blue, tinted with green; darker on the 

 head; pearly white along the belly; the latter reflecting tints 

 of purple and crimson when fresh from the sea; but these soon 

 pass ofi" after death. A series of irregularly-waved stripes of a 

 much darker colour pass from the back downward and obliquely 

 forward, ending above the lateral line; and usually from the 

 pectoral fin to near the tail, there is an obscure row of dusky 

 spots. Behind the eye a light yellow tinge. 



The number of the fin rays are the first dorsal twelve, firm, 

 and received into a chink, second dorsal eleven; pectoral nine- 

 teen; ventral six, of which the first is spinous; anal, eleven: 

 but these numbers are subject to some variation. 



