200 REV. R. T. LOWE’S SYNOPSIS OF THE FISHES OF MADEIRA. 
racterized by the commoner appearance of the splendid-coloured Beryz in the streets ; 
attracting notice no less by its form and hues of silver, scarlet, rose and purple, than 
by the extraordinary size, and opaline, or rather brassy lustre of its enormous eyes. 
With this, or even earlier, appears abundantly the common Herring of Madera (Clupea 
Maderensis) ; and as the season advances the Mackerel (Scomber scombrus, L.) ; the 
scarlet Peixe Cao, or Dog-fish of Madera (Crenilabrus caninus) ; Carneiro, or Mutton- 
fish (Scorpena Scrofa, L.), and Requieme (Sebastes Kuhlit); the Pike-like Bicuda, or 
Spet of the Mediterranean (Sphyrena vulgaris) ; the Sargo (Sargus Rondeletii, Cuv. & 
Val.), with teeth resembling the human; the elegantly golden-striped but worthless 
Saléma (Bow Salpa, Cuv.) ; and the plain-coloured Dobrada (Oblada melanura, Cuv.). 
The Herring and the Alfonsin (Beryx splendens) attain the climax of their season 
about March or April; the Mackerel in May and June; but the whole, except the 
Herring, continue throughout most part of the summer and autumn. In May the 
magnificent Lampris lauta, the beauty of which in the water excites the admiration even 
of the fisherman, begins to make its occasional appearance in the market ; and what is 
of far more importance in an economic point of view, the Tunny fishery begins. This 
last is at its greatest height in June or July; and to it succeeds the capture of the 
Gaiado (Thynnus Pelamys, L.), which is pursued with such success, that I have some- 
times watched a single boat, furnished with scarce half a dozen rods, pulling them in 
at the rate of three or four a minute. With the Gaiado appears in almost equal plenty 
the Coelho, or Rabbit-fish (Prometheus atlanticus) ; and these continue till the close of 
the summer by the equinoctial rains of October. The winter months of January and 
February are chiefly characterized by the presence, close along the shores, of the little 
Guelro (Atherina presbyter, Cuv.), or Sandsmelt of Madera, of the common Maderan 
Herring (Clupea Maderensis), and Sardinha (Clupea Sardina, Cuv.?) ; the two last being 
captured principally after violent gales and storms, when the swollen rivers or torrents 
carry down much mud into the sea. 
The following species occur in great profusion, more or less, throughout the year, 
but still most plentifully in the spring and summer ; viz. Garoupa (Serranus cabrilla, 
Cuv.) ; Cherne (Polyprion cerniwm, Cuv. & Val.) ; Goraz (Pagellus centrodontus, Cuv.) ; 
Bezugo (Pagellus acarne, Cuv.) ; Pargo (Pagrus vulgaris, Cuv.) ; Boga (Bow vulgaris, 
Cuv.) ; Bocairao (Smaris Royeri, Bowd.) ; Ranhosa or Tronbeta (Lichia glaycos, Cuv.) ; 
Chicharro or Maderan Horse Mackerel (Caranr Cuviert); Bodiaéo (Scarus mutabilis) ; 
and Abrotea (Phycis mediterraneus, Lar.). The well-known John Dory, or Peixe Gallo 
(Zeus Faber, L.), and delicate Red Mullet or Salmoneta (Mullus surmuletus, L.), are also 
taken at all seasons, but more sparingly. The Grey Mullet, or Tainha, is captured 
very plentifully throughout the year, but most abundantly perhaps in June. 
