MAIGRES. 91 



and caudal fin are frequently inclined upwards in 

 a slight degree : and finally, there are in general 

 a few scales on the basal part of the dorsal or 

 dorsals, of which fins, as in the Percadce, some 

 genera have one much lengthened but continuous, 

 others indented by a depression more or less deep, 

 and others completely divided into two. 



Some of the Maigres attain a great size, and 

 some are adorned with rich colours and brilliant 

 metallic reflections ; but elegance of form is not, 

 in general, one of their characteristics. Their 

 flesh is highly esteemed for the table. 



Genus Sci^na. (Linn.) 



The head in this genus is large, and as it were 

 inflated, supported by cavernous bones : there 

 are two separated dorsal tins ; the spines of the 

 anal are weak and slender, and that fin is short ; 

 the operculum terminates in one or more spines, 

 and the pre-operculum is serrated ; but the notches 

 are apt to be effaced by age. There is a single 

 row of strong teeth in each jaw, and a narrow 

 line of small ones in the upper ; but none on the 

 vomer or palate : there are seven gill-rays. The 

 whole head is clothed with scales ; the two strong 

 bones of the ears are larger than in most other 

 fishes ; the chin is not furnished with cirri or 

 beards ; the air-bladder is often curiously fringed. 

 The species inhabit the Mediterranean^ Atlantic, 

 and Indian seas. 



The waters that lave our own coasts occasion- 

 ally produce specimens of a noble Scicena which 

 attains a length of six feet, and a bulk propor- 

 tionate. It is the Maigre of the French [Scicena 



