SPINOUS PIPE-FISHES. 195 



dorsal spine with the fore parts. The under side 

 of the body forms a sharp ridge, running along 

 the abdomen. 



Only one species is recognized, Centriscus scolo- 

 pax, Linn., two or three specimens of which have 

 been taken at different times on the southern 

 coasts of this island. The earliest example re- 

 corded is that of one five inches long, which was 

 cast ashore by the waves, in St. Austle's Bay, 

 Cornwall, in the year 1804. It is commonly 

 known as the Snipe-fish, or Trumpet-fish ; and 

 we learn from Mr. Yarrell's Synonymy, that in 

 Cornwall it has received the title of Bellows-fish, 

 an appellation pointing to its obvious similarity 

 in form to that useful article of household eco- 

 nomy, the caudal fin representing the handles, 

 and the tubular snout the pipe, of the bellows. 



The Snipe-fish rarely exceeds the size of the 



SNIPE-FISH. 



specimen already mentioned. When full grown 

 the back is red, somewhat paler on the sides, and 

 passing into silvery white, tinged with gold-colour, 

 on the belly. All the fins are greyish-white. The 

 young are of a brilliant silvery lustre, without the 



