156 



It is otil}' of late tlmt this species lias been reco2;nizefl as 

 British : the first on record bavins? been taken in Mount's 

 bay. Another has come to my knowledge, that was pur- 

 chased in the market at Falmouth in 1B41 ; but in July 1814, 

 on the first adventure to sea of a trawl vessel from the 

 port of Penzance, a very considerable number of this fish 

 was taken. My Son, who was present, counted and ex- 

 amined sixty of tliem; and the fishermen informed him that 

 they had tlirown some overboard, as worthless. Tlie 

 followinfj description was taken from some of tliose spe- 

 cimens, and compared with others. Length varying from 

 five -to seven inches. In one of the latter size, depth in 

 front of the first dorsal spine tlirce inclies, girth sevea 

 inches. Snout prolonged, and capable of still greater ex- 

 tension, to the length of seven eighths of an inch. AI)ovc 

 the eye it is narrow, and it tlien is arched concavely upward 

 and backward, in a waved form to the origin of the first 

 dorsal, which is the highest point; from whence it slopes 

 backward to the stalk of the tail. The eye large, round, 

 fjve eighths of an inch in diameter, and the same from the 

 snout when the month is closed. Wlien extended the snout 

 is membranous, and surrounded anteriorly with a rim of 

 bone, forming the jaws ; on the upper part of which is a 

 long stout bone which passes into a conspicuous socket 

 between the eyes; and anteriorly it expands on each side 

 like two wings, which terminate in two horns. From the 

 orifice of the socket posteriorly a small slight bone passes 

 obliquely downward and forwards to meet another from the 

 rim of the month : thus forming a nearly equilateral triangle 

 with the base above. The rim of the lower jaw is attached 

 loosely to the anterior side of the triangle; and when the 

 month is closed the whole of this mechanism resembles a 

 moustache. Teeth small. Scales numerous, large, finely 

 serrated and ciliated ; so that tlie surface has a beautiful 

 silky appearance. Passing the hand backward it felt smooth, 

 but rough in the reverse. The lateral line, though not well 

 marked, was very apparent through the first third of its 

 length, and might be traced throughout. It arose about the 

 fourth of an inch behind the eye, arching upwards near the 

 dorsal fin, and then bending dovvn. Origin of the dorsal, 

 ventral and pectoral fins nearly in a straight line, that of the 

 latter being rather in advance. First ray of the first dorsal 

 very stout, very short, and almost unconnected with tiie 

 others. Second ray five times as long as the first, and 

 curved posteriorly, as are all the others. The third is the 

 longest, all the remainder growing shorter. All the rays are 

 stout, and with the exception of the first three, are stoutest 



