UMBRINA, 51 



unknown to the oldest fishermen had been taken in the River 

 Exe, weighing one hundredweight, and proving indentical with 

 that known at Gibraltar by the Spanish name of Umbrina, 

 (Scicena cirrhosa, Linnaeus;) but a particular description of 

 this example does not appear to have been published or 

 taken. For its habits, therefore, as also for a figure, we are 

 compelled to have recourse to writers who have possessed 

 better opportunities of observing it than ourselves have been 

 so fortunate as to meet with. 



It was well known to the ancients, who appear to have 

 been more observant of its habits than the moderns, for the 

 latter have often confounded it with other fishes; and by the 

 former it obtained the name still applied to it, and which 

 signifies a shade, whether because of the shadowy tints it 

 sometimes bears, or from the dusky colour it sometimes 

 assumes; on which account Ovid describes it as Corporis 

 umbra It cent is. But the Umbra of Ovid must be distinguished 

 from a fish of the same name mentioned by Ausonius, and 

 which inhabits fresh water, — in fact the Grayling, which, says 

 Izaac Walton, was called Umber from his swift swimming or 

 gliding out of sight, more like a shadow (which the word 

 umbra signifies) or a ghost than a fish. 



According to Pliny and others, copying Aristotle, the Umbrina 

 was supposed to be quick of hearing, and also sensible to 

 cold, which the first-named philosopher believed to be pro- 

 perties that belonged to all fishes which were in possession of 

 ear-bones: a supposition, however, which does not appear to 

 be universally correct. If we may trust Oppian, an occasional 

 method of taking it would shew it to be possessed of a low 

 amount of intelligence, for he represents them as falling an 

 easy prey to the diver, and only defended by the erected 

 spines of what we must suppose their dorsal fins, from the 

 formidable nature of which Ovid terms the Umbra the Horrid 

 Fish. 



"The Shade Fish swift with conscious fear implores 

 The kind protection of his native shores; 

 Some hollow cave or sea-green weed he seeks, 

 Delves in the slime, or nuzzles in the creeks. 

 But studious only to conceal his eyes, 

 Careless of other parts, exposed he lies, 

 Ii-rational! and hugs th assuming pride, 

 To think he gives the night to all beside. 



