51 



SCLffiNA. 



This genus differs from Umbrina in having the jaws equal, and 

 the lower jaw without a barb. Spines of the anal fin weak. 



It may seem unnecessary to divide these fishes, so very like each 

 other, into separate genera, especially on grounds which appear to be 

 bo slight and indistinct. But it should be considered that in the 

 warmer portions of the ocean, the species in both of them, as well 

 as of other genera of this family of which no examples have been 

 known on our coasts, are numerous, and that therefore it suits the 

 convenience of naturalists to have them divided into acknowledged 

 groups, although the characters on which such a division is founded 

 would under other circumstances be deemed insufficient. 



SCI/ENA. 



SHADE FISH. MAIGRE. 



Linnaeus. Ouvier; Animal Kingdom, but 



8. aquila in his History of Fishes. 

 Lacepede. Kisso. 

 Fleming; British Animals, p. 213. 

 Jenyks; Manual, p. 352. 

 Yabrell; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 104. 

 Guxthes; Cat. Br. M., vol. ii, p. 291. 



In our account of the Umbrina w r e have hinted at the 

 confusion which exists, especially in the w r ritings of the more 

 modern naturalists with regard to that fish in connection with 

 the Sciama, as well as in reference to others nearly related, 

 or to themselves in different stages of their growth. There can 

 be little doubt that one source of this confusion is to be found in 

 the similarity of the names applied to these fishes, for although 

 Umbra and Sciaena have a difference of sound, they possess 

 a similarity of meaning; and when a distinction of meaning 

 is applied to them, the difference has been made to apply to 

 the stages of their age and growth, rather than to the natural 



