LETTERED SERRANUS. 133 



i\pon the membrane, and have a regular appear- 

 ance ; the pectoral fin has the ground colour of a 

 gamboge yellow. 



These fish can never be seen in perfection, 

 except when newly taken from the water ; then 

 their beauty is fresh and delicate, but in a few 

 minutes it changes, even as soon as the fish dies, 

 and the keeping for a day, or preservation in 

 spirits, destroys all but the traces of where the 

 delicate markings existed. They appear very 

 different, also, according to their age, and the 

 season at which they are taken. The present 

 species scarcely ever exceeds half a pound in 

 weight, and is to be seen in the markets at almost 

 all seasons, being esteemed as an article of food. 

 It feeds on small fish, and marine animals ; but a 

 species of cuttle fish, (^Sepia octopoda,^ is said to 

 be among its most favourite prey, being even 

 watched for, and the tentacula seized so soon as 

 they are protruded from the hole where it is hid. 



There is a circumstance in the economy of 

 this fish, which merits observation, and even 

 farther examination. It is asserted by Cuvier, 

 who cites, in addition to his own observations, 

 those of Cavolini, that the milt and roe are com 

 bined in one individual, and that the fish are in 

 fact hermaphrodites. The milt, or body supposed 

 to be so, is placed at the lower part of each roe or 

 ovarium, growing and increasing with that organ, 



