118 THE MEDITERRANEAN APOGON. 



Palermo, and Malta, during the spawning season, 

 in June, July, and August, when it approaches 

 the shores. At other times, like similar migratory 

 fish, it most probably withdraws to the deeper 

 recesses of the ocean. It is much esteemed at 

 table. 



This little fish scarcely exceeds six inches in 

 length. Its body is short, moderately compressed, 

 somewhat swollen in the centre. The preopercle 

 has its edge finely serrated; but the peculiar 

 character in these fish is the double edge, or kind 

 of second ridge, which rises on the preopercle, 

 and of which a slight trace was observable in the 

 Centropomus undecimalis of Plate IV. On the 

 opercle there is a small spine on the posterior 

 edge. The colours of this gaudy little fish are in 

 general a crimson red, paler on the lower parts, 

 and relieved by three deep black markings, one 

 at the base of each dorsal fin, and a third about 

 midway between the last and the insertion of the 

 tail. The tint of the general colour is sometimes 

 of a much yellower hue, according to the season, 

 sometimes almost yellow ; and there is little 

 doubt that the brilliancy is much heightened at 

 the time when the spawn is near its perfection. 

 The whole surface is scattered over with small 

 black spots or dots, most conspicuous on the 



