VAKIETIES OF BREAM. 



27 



The Spams auratus is the most common in British 

 waters. It is the most brilliant of the breams, and it is 

 readily distinguished by a large dark spot on the shoulder. 

 Its colour is flesh-red, with golden yellow reflections ; the 



SEA-BEEAM {Sparus ccntrodontus). 



usual size is fi'om sixteen to twenty inches. It is most 

 abundant in summer, when the young approach the 

 shore in multitudes, and, as they readily seize a bait, 

 they are taken by anglers from the rocks. In the im- 

 mature state they are called "chads," and are without 

 the dark spot on the side. 



The Bogue {Box hoops) is a very rare British fish. 

 In August, 1870, I received a specimen from Mr. 

 Matthias Dunn, of Mevagissey, Cornwall. It was taken 

 to the eastward of Chavays Castle, whither it had pro- 

 bably wandered fi'om the Mediterranean. Mr. Dunn 

 wiites : "Our oldest fisherman never saw a specimen 

 like it before." This specimen measm-ed eleven inches, 

 and was of a most brilliant colom-. It is now in my 

 museum. 



The Braize, or Becker, or King of the Sea-Bream, is 

 of a beautiful red colour, and is said by Mr. Couch to be 

 not uncommon on the Cornish coasts in summer and 



