144 ACANTHOPTERYGII. CEPOLAD^. 



rals small, rounded ; ventrals small, pointed, situ- 

 ated immediately beneath, or rather before the 

 pectorals, composed of stiff rays, attached b}^ a 

 membrane at their base ; teeth prominent, curved, 

 and sharp; stomach and intestines very short, 

 terminating a little way behind the head ; air- 

 bladder very long, reaching to the tail. 



About nine species of this genus have been 

 described, perhaps, however, not sufficiently dis- 

 tinct from each other, most of which inhabit the 

 Mediterranean. One or two are occasionally 

 seen on the Atlantic shores of Europe, and one 

 species inhabits the Chinese seas. They differ 

 very little in form ; the shape of the caudal fin, 

 the number of its component rays, and the posi- 

 tion of the pectorals and ventrals with respect to 

 each other, — constituting the distinctions which 

 have been relied on as specific. In colour their 

 resemblance is equally exact ; a delicate tint of 

 pink, in some specimens, even of the same species, 

 deepening to a light vermilion, in others fading 

 to a carnation or flesh-colour, is the universal 

 hue, adorned in life with pearly, or silvery, or 

 metallic reflections ; the fins are party-coloured in 

 bands. 



The Eleven-rayed Band-fish {Cepola rubescenSf 

 Linn.) has been found on the shores of this 

 country ; numerous specimens having occurred 

 of late years (if indeed all of them were of this 

 species) principally on the coasts of Devonshire 

 and Cornwall. Some of these attained the length 

 of twenty inches; all were of the tender hue of 

 pale red, varying in intensity, described above, 

 and some displayed the brilliant colours of the 

 long fins, which Mr. Swainson informs us, from 



