230 BECKER. 



Ireland also, but it is not mentioned in Thompson's natural 

 history of that country. Its habits are migratory, and its visits 

 are confined to the summer and autumn, leaving us on the 

 approach of colder weather in the beginning of winter. It is 

 a solitary fish, so that it is not usual to find more than one 

 or two at once in a boat, and those only of the full growth: 

 for it has never been our chance to obtain an individual in 

 the earlier stage of its growth. Its residence is at the depth 

 of scA'eral fathoms, where its food is like that of the other 

 Sea Breams. The mussel appears to be a favourite bait, but 

 the smaller fishes, crustacean animals, and sea vegetables are 

 eagerly devoured. 



This fish is found from fourteen to sixteen inches in length, 

 and a usual weight is five or six pounds. The head and body 

 compressed, sloping from the origin of the dorsal fin to the 

 mouth; lips fleshy; jaws about equal; eyes rather small, lateral; 

 nostrils near the eye, large, and o]3en; scales on the body and 

 gill-covers large. The body deep, narrower towards the tail. 

 Dorsal fin, and also the anal, expanded towards their termi- 

 nation; their posterior rays bound down, without much freedom 

 of motion, and the skin at the sides is gathered up, so as to 

 leave a considerable chink below. Lateral line rising in a 

 gentle sweep, depressed near the termination of the dorsal and 

 anal fins. Tail concave, pectoral pointed, ventrals large. 

 Colour of the back bright red, with a tint of pink, and 

 sometimes of green before the dorsal fin. The red paler 

 towards the tail; fins generally red, except the ventrals and 

 anal, which are dusky. Iris yellow or red, sometimes with 

 tints of green. 



Fin rays — dorsal nine, anal three. 



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