ANTHIAS SACKK. 25 



points insufficient in tliemselves to establish any permanent specific dis- 

 tinction. 



The Madeiran fish is most abundant at all seasons. That of the Medi- 

 terranean, however general, appears not to be common ; and Willughby 

 expressly mentions, that he had never seen it. It has not yet been taken 

 in the British seas. Pennant long since appears to have sent Bloch a 

 drawing, taken from a Gibraltar specimen. Cuvier says, " Toute la Me- 

 diterranee parait le produire; nous I'avons de Nice, de Naples, et de 

 Sicile." At Nice, Risso informs us it is called " Sarpanansar Its 

 French name of " le Barhier,'' by winch Rondelet originally mentions it 

 is called at Montpellier, may have been given it, in fanciful allusion to the 

 produced spine of the dorsal fin resembling, with its pennon-like ap- 

 pendage towards its point, a barbers pole. 



The flesh is delicate enough when fried. Yet are the large bones and 

 spines so troublesome, that its chief consumption is amongst the poorer 

 classes, to whom it offers an abundant and continual supply. 



The figure is the size of life. 



