240 



COMMON SEA BREAM. 



One of tlie angry fishermen had taken the offending toad with 

 him on his return; and he threw it with some exclamation into 

 the house of the supposed agent of the evil one. It was during 

 a war with France; and presently afterwards this man with 

 others was taken prisoner by the enemy. In an attempt to 

 escape he fell before the balls of his guard, and he was the 

 only one that did so. 



The Bream feeds on small fishes, crustacean animals, and 

 sea-weeds, and it takes a bait freely; but it makes only a low 

 price in the market; and when abundant I have known it sold 

 for two shillings and sixpence the hundredweight. This un- 

 worthy price, however, is not a criterion of its true value for 

 the table; for it is by no means to be disregarded as food, 

 and Risso speaks favourably of it. But soon after it is caught 

 it loses its freshness, and therefore will not bear that slow 

 carriage which has been usual to a distant market. The rail- 

 road will remove that difficulty, and convey a palatable food 

 of moderate price to places at which before it was unknown. 



DENTITION OF THE COMMOx\ 8EA BREAM. 



A,— Upper jaw, vvithin. B.— Under jaw, within. 



C— Outside, side view. 



