126 GREATER FORKBEARD. 



with nerves from what may be termed an axiHary plexus, 

 situated in the axilla of the fin, one branch of which passes 

 along the conrse of the firm rays and sends off a branch to 

 penetrate throngh it; while the other, which anastomoses 

 with the first branch "in the axilla, is carried along the posterior 

 maro'in. These nerves are the lar^'cst I have found in the 

 body of this fish, and their S2)ecial function is shown by their 

 proceeding from the spinal cord to their termination without 

 communicating with any other nerve. 



Considerable confusion and doubt have existed with regard 

 to two or three sjiecies of this genus which bear a resemblance 

 to each other; nor has the difficulty of distinguishing them 

 been as yet cleared up. Rondeletius had long since given a 

 figure of a fish of this genus, but as he was not acquainted 

 with more than one species, and his plate is far from a good 

 representation, there is little dependence to be placed on it 

 as an authoritv on the question. But he gives a reason for 

 the Latin and Greek name it bears, and which has now 

 become the generic designation ; and if we may dej^end upon 

 the accuracy of the interpretation, which refers to the Avceds 

 of the sea, it will give us some information regarding its 

 habits, of which otherwise little is known. He informs us 

 that it was well known to fishermen that this Forkbeard was 

 in the habit of forming a nest for the hatching of its young, 

 among or of sea-weeds, and himself affirms that he was a 

 witness of the truth of the fact. It is perhaps to this that 

 the translator of Oppian refers when he speaks of fishes, that 



"Tliey too, wlio like tlie mournful halcyons breed, 



B. 1, 



And form a floating nest of slimy weed." 



But there is not a word of this in the original, where the 

 Phycis is mentioned without any additional remark. The 

 halcyons are excluded, and the sea-weed does not float, but 

 lies at the bottom. And it is not improbable also that the 

 observations of Rondelctius may be intended for another fish 

 of the same genus; for it was ]\Ir. Swainson's opinion that in 

 the ^Mediterranean there were perhaps several Avhich closely 

 resembled each other, and Dr. Ciunth'-r mentions one of thcxU 



