FOUR-TOOTIIED SPARITS. 118 



estuaries of Dalmatia and the Levant, the capture of this 

 fish is an object of material consideration, botli to the inha- 

 bitants generally as a wholesome and palatable food when 

 fresh, and to the mercantile interests of those countries as an 

 article of commerce. They prepare the fish, according to 

 ancient custom, by cutting it in pieces, and packing it in 

 barrels with vinegar and spices, in which state it Avill keep 

 perfectly well for twelve months." 



The fin-rays, according to Cuvier, are as follows : — 



D. 11 + 11 : P. 14 : V. 1 + 5 : A. 3 + 7 : C. 17. 



The form of the head is obtuse ; the character of the teeth is 

 shown in the vignette, which is taken from Bloch"'s figure ; 

 the eyes are rather small, the irides yellow; the back is of a 

 brownish red, slightly mottled with some darker spots ; the 

 sides paler, and inclining to yellow ; the belly almost white. 

 This fish is said to become of a greenish purple tint by age, 

 and to be paler in colour during winter. The lateral line 

 takes the curve of the back at an equal distance throughout 

 its whole length, and at about one-fourth of the depth of the 

 fish. All the fins pale reddish brown ; the rising edges of 

 the skin and scales on each side the base of the dorsal and 

 anal fins form grooves from which these fins appear to issue. 



vol.. I. 



