170 



ICHTHYOLOGY. 



Percidae. 



Acanthop. along with other species which seem to be constantly de- 

 jterygii. prived oF these organs. They also possess close-set teeth 

 in the jaws, and dentations on the sub-orbital, the pre- 

 opercle, and not unfrequently on the shoulder bone ; none 

 has more than six branchial rays ; no scales are visible 

 on the cranium, muzzle, or maxilla? ; the dorsal spines 

 are folded back into a groove of the back ; and the swim- 

 ming bladder is constantly divided by a restriction into 

 two distinct sacks, as in Ci/prhtus, Choracinus, and Myri- 

 pristis, — a character somewliat remarkable in any group 

 of the acanthopterygian order. 



c. With (wo dorsal Jins.^ 



Genus Trichodon, Steller. Pre-opercle with several 

 strong spines ; opercle terminating in a flattened point ; 

 no scales ; mouth almost vertically cleft. 



Of this genus only one species has been yet discovered, 

 the T. Stelleri of Cuv. It was found by the unfortunate Stel- 

 ler near Cape Cronock, and especially at the island of 

 Unalaschka. It inhabits sandy shores, in which it con- 

 ceals itself on the ebbing of the tide, and is there collected 

 by the natives with their hands. The females deposit their 

 eggs in little hollows in the sand, and offer, it is said, an 

 exception to the ordinary instinct of fishes, in attending 

 to their young ones after they are hatched. 



Genus Sillago, Cuv. Head somewhat drawn to a 

 point ; mouth small ; small crowded teeth on the jaws, 

 and before the vomer ; opercle terminating in a small 

 spine ; six branchial rays ; dorsal fins contiguous ; — the 

 spines of the first slender, of the second long and low. 



The species occur in. the Indian Seas, and are held in 

 high esteem for the delicate flavour and brightness of their 

 flesh. The most noted species is the peche madame of 

 Pondicherry {S. domino):, of a brownish colour, and re- 

 markable for the first ray of the dorsal fin being elongated 

 to a filament as long as the body. Another species, called 

 Soring by Russell (the Sciana malabarica of Bloch), mea- 

 sures about a foot in length, and is of a fulvous colour. 

 It is regarded as one of the best fishes in India. 



D. With more than seven branchial rays. 



The genera of this group, besides possessing eight bran- 

 chial rays, are distinguished by this further peculiarity, 

 otherwise unexampled among the acanthopterygian tribes, 

 that they possess, besides the spine, seven soft rays, or even 

 more, to each of the ventral fins. Many of the species are 

 remarkable for their beauty. 



Genus Holocentrum, Artedi. Scales brilliant and 

 dentated ; opercle dentated and spinous ; pre-opercle not 

 only dentated, but furnished at its angle with a strong 

 spine directed backwards. 



The species of this genus are widely distributed, occur- 

 ring in the warmer portions of both the Pacific and Atlan- 

 tic Oceans. Few species are more remarkable, either for 

 the magnificence of their integuments, or the strength of 

 their spines. The lustre of their scales equals that of a 

 mirror, and is rendered still more brilliant by bands of red 

 and spots of brown variously distributed. They bear a 

 close resemblance to each other. That which we have se- 

 lected as an illustration (Plate CCXCVIII. fig. 8) is the 

 H. hastatum of Cuvier, which exists in the Royal Mu- 

 seum of Paris. Its native country is unknown, although 

 it is presumed to have been brought from the African 



Percidae. 



coast, and seems identical with specimens more recently Acanthop- 

 collected by MM. Quoy and Gaymard at the Cape de Verd i^'^yg"- 

 Islands. 



Genus Myripristis, Cuv. Resembles the preceding 

 in splendour, form, aud scales ; but the pre-opercle has 

 a double dentated margin, and wants the spine at the 

 angle. 



This genus is remarkable for its swimming bladder being 

 divided into two portions, of which the anterior is bilobed 

 and attached to the cranium in two places, where it is 

 merely covered by a membrane, and which correspond to 

 the cavities of the ears. 



The genera Beryx and Trachichtys are nearly allied 

 to the preceding. The latter was originally characterised, 

 and somewhat vaguely, by Dr Shaw, from a specimen re- 

 ceived from the New Holland seas. 



All the percoid fishes to which we have hitherto alluded 

 are characterised by having their ventral fins inserted be- 

 neath the pectorals. But in several genera these import- 

 ant organs are otherwise placed. Thus, in the ensuing 

 group, their position is in advance of the pectorals, that is, 

 upon the throat. They are hence called 



Jugular Pebcidje. 



Genus Trachinus, Linn. Head compressed ; eyes ap- 

 proximate ; mouth oblique ; first dorsal very short, the se- 

 cond very long ; pectorals large ; opercle furnished with a 

 strong spine. 



Several of the species occur in the European seas, and 

 two species, known in our own country as the greater and 

 lesser weevers ( T. major and draco), occur occasionally on 

 the English coasts. They remain concealed in the sand, 

 and the wounds inflicted by their spines are not only pain- 

 ful, but dangerous. 



" That the greater weever," observes Mr Yarrell, " pre- 

 fers deep water, that it lives constantly near the bottom, 

 that it is tenacious of life when caught, and that its flesh 

 is excellent, are four points that have been already noticed ; 

 but this subject, in reference to fishes generally, may be 

 farther illustrated. It may be considered as a law, that 

 those fish that swim near the surface of the water have a 

 high standard of respiration, a low degree of muscular ir- 

 ritability, great necessity for oxygen, die soon, almost im- 

 mediately, when taken out of water, and have flesh prone 

 to rapid decomposition. On the contrary, those fish that 

 live near the bottom of the water have a low standard of 

 respiration, a high degree of muscular irritability, and less 

 necessity for oxygen ; they sustain life long after they are 

 taken out of the water, and their flesh remains good for 

 several days. The carp, the tench, the various flat fish, 

 and the eel, are seen gaping and writhing on the stalls of 

 the fishmongers for hours in succession ; but no one sees 

 any symptom of motion in the mackerel, the salmon, the 

 trout, or the herring, unless present at the capture. These 

 four last named, and many others of the same habits, to 

 be eaten in the greatest perfection, should be prepared for 

 table the same day they are caught;" but the turbot, de- 

 licate as it is, may be kept till the second day with advan- 

 tage, and even longer without injury ; and fishmongers 

 generally are well aware of the circumstance, that fish 

 from deep water have the muscle more dense in structure, 

 — in their language, more firm to the touch, — that they are 



' In the indication of this group in the Regnc Animal, t. ii. p. 149, there seems to be a typographical error where the words 

 " a moins des six rayons branchiaux" are used, instead oi sept. The mistake has been copied as a matter of course into all the Eng. 

 lish and American translations. 



•ur'r^''^ '^^^^ swims near the top of the water, and is caught with a fly, a -moth, or a grasshopper, upon the surface; and Isaac 

 Walton sa,ys, " But take this rule with you— that a chub newly taken and newly dressed is so much better than a chub of a day's 

 keeping after he is dead, that I can compare him to nothing so fitly as to cherries newly gathered from a tree, and others that have 

 been bruised and lain a day or two in water." 



