464 



Characteristics of a Kind qfTrigla 



involved in great confusion until the appearance of Mr. 

 Yarrell's History of British Fishes, which has satisfactorily 

 settled the specific differences of six species, with the five first 

 of which I am well acquainted. But that the species 1 have 

 now to announce (fg. 65.) as an addition to the British 

 fauna is really as distinct from the latter, Trigla BlochzV 

 (Br. Fishes, vol. i. p. 50.), as it certainly is from all the former, 

 will appear from the following description : — 



The length of the specimen was 26 in. ; the girt, where 

 thickest, 15 J in. Its figure was much like that of the common 

 tub-fish (T. iiZirundo Br. F. 9 vol. i. p. 41.) ; but from eye to 

 snout it is more elongated and pointed, consequently, less 

 abrupt. The head is more roughly marked with similar 

 stellated lines, and is far better armed. The snout (a) is deeply 

 bifurcated, and each section is formed of three roundish dis- 

 tinct teeth : in this respect, the fish more closely resembles the 

 piper (T. lyra Br. F. 9 p. 44.) than any other British species. 

 From the snout to the centre of the eye, measured 4 in. The 

 under jaw is pointed, and has a fleshy tubercle at the sym- 

 physis. The jaws are rough with beds of fine teeth. The sum- 

 mit of the head is wide and flat, resembling, in this respect, but 

 not quite equalling, that of the tub-fish. The gill rays are 7. 

 The cheek-plates and gill covers are very rough and striated, 

 more so than in the tub-fish, or in the elleck (T. Cuculus 

 Br. F., p. 34.) ; the usual spines being stouter, and that on the 

 upper portion of the hinder gill-plate much longer than in 



