GEN. SERRANUS. SMOOTH AND DUSKY. 131 



species was composed only of females, or rather 

 tliat it was hermaphrodite ; and M. Cavolini stated 

 that all the specimens he had examined contained 

 both roe and milt. This, however, must have been 

 a mistake, since both Mr. Yarrell and Professor 

 Owen, who employed his microscope, agree that 

 the roes transmitted to London bv Mr. Couch con- 

 tained only true ova, in which tliere was nothing 

 equivocal either in structure or appearance. The 

 last named gentleman mentions, that the singular 

 spasm which seizes this fish, when captured, never 

 leaves it ; and that it is found long after death in a 

 «tate of rigidity and contortion, with the fins preter- 

 naturally erect. Gesner long ago remarked, that 

 in dying it was remarkable for its gasping and 

 belching. 



(Sp. 4.) S. gigas. The Dusky Serranus. (PI. I.) 

 This second species of Serranus has acquired its spe- 

 cific name from the gigantic size it frequently ac- 

 quires in the Mediterranean, regarded at present as 

 its most frequent abode, and where it is held in con- 

 siderable estimation as an article of food. Its usual 

 weight is between 10 and 20 lbs., and it has been 

 observed to reach 60 lbs. One specimen alone has 

 been detected in the British Isles, and it was taken, 

 as stated by Mr. Couch, with a line. It weighed 

 1 6 lbs., and measured tliree feet in length and seven 

 inches in depth, the body being thick and solid. 

 The other specific characters will be found else- 

 where, and the general appearance as beautifully 

 depicted in our Plate. Nothing, according to Cu- 



