BECKER. 



229 



this fish said to be mistaken by Mr. Yarrell for the true 

 Pagrus of the okler and continental authors. The above- 

 named distinsruished British naturalists inform us that the 

 Pagrus they are describing is the same that was known by 

 the name of Pagrus to Rondeletius, Belon, Aldrovandus, and 

 Gesner, and that it was known in England as (at least a 

 species of) Sea Bream. 



The figure they give, Tab. v. 1, f. 5, is certainly different 

 from that of the fish familiarly known to us as the Becker; 

 and indeed if I felt myself compelled to resort to some 

 already published likeness for a representation of the species 

 known to our fishermen by the name of Becker, it would 

 not be this, but rather to the original of Mr. Yarrell's figure, 

 at least in its outline, to which I would assign the preference. 

 The distinctions drawn by Willoughby and his friend between 

 the species he knew as Ergthrmus, and that which he de- 

 nominates the Pagrus, besides the wide difference of form, is, 

 among others, that the Pagrus so much exceeds it in size as 

 to attain the weight of ten pounds, while that of the Ergthri- 

 nus rarely amounts to a pound and a half. Willoughby is 

 particular in mentioning the sinus or gathering up, which is 

 so conspicuous at the end of the dorsal and anal fins, in his 

 Pagrus and our Becker; but he unfortunately adds that there 

 is a strongly-marked iron-coloured spot on the side, at the 

 origin of the lateral line, which does not exist either in our 

 Becker or the two species he names, as represented in his 

 figures, and which, in our British Sea Breams, is only seen 

 in Pagellus centrodontus and P. curtus, if the latter should 

 prove to be a separate species. 



Amidst so much apparent doubt and confusion it therefore 

 becomes necessary that no further mingling of synonymes should 

 take place; and hence, as regards the present species and one 

 or two more that will follow, my intention is to confine myself 

 to such a representation, both of resemblance and description, 

 as shall present a satisfactory account of the species as it is 

 found with us, without mingling it with the authority of British, 

 and still less with that of foreign writers. 



The Becker is common on the south and west of England, 

 but it does not appear to be of frequent occurrence in the 

 north of England or Scotland. It probably will be found in 



