180 ACANTHOPTERYGII. SEA-BREAM FAMILY. 



fresh, and as an important article of commerce ; it is 

 divided, packed in barrels with saffron, &c. and 

 keeps well for months. 



(Sp. 40.) D. vulgaris. The Four-toothed Sparus. 

 (PI. IX.) In each jaw of this species, as implied in 

 the name, there are four strong hooked canine teeth, 

 those behind being smaller ; the form of the head 

 is obtuse ; the back is brownish red, mottled with 

 some darker coloured spots; the sides are paler, 

 inclining to yellow ; the abdomen almost white ; all 

 the fins pale reddish brown. The fish is said to 

 become of a purple tint with age, and paler in 

 colour during winter. Only one individual has 

 been recorded as captured on the British coast. In 

 April 1805, this specimen, two feet six inches long, 

 caught off Hastings, was brought to the London 

 market, and fell into the hands of Mr. Donovan. 

 Small fishes of this species are seldom taken; the 

 smallest, according to Bloch, being seldom less than 

 3 or 4 lbs. ; at Rome, their average weight is 

 about 5 or 6 lbs. Mr. Donovan's specimen weighed 

 16 lbs., but this size is trifling in comparison with 

 some occasionally found in the southern seas : in 

 the South of France they are often 20 or 30 lbs., 

 and Duhamel mentions one which weighed no less 

 than 76 lbs. A more voracious fish, remarks Mr. 

 Donovan, is scarcely known ; which will be readily 

 credited by those who examine its formidable teeth. 

 When taken in the fishermen's nets, it is asserted that 

 it will seize upon the other fishes which are captured. 



