114 



Part second. 



of the rocks and from there darts out on its prey with rapid and 

 unerring aim. All its habits characterize a cautious, timid fish, 

 loving safe hiding-places; and with this view the observations 

 of the fishermen agree. It is greatly valued and sought after in the 

 Italian markets, going by the name of Cernia, and fetches good 

 prices. — The small Lettered-perch, Serranus scriba, (fig. 71) with 

 a brilliant colouring, resembles in shape, though not in appearance, 

 its larger relation. It has received its name from the marking like 

 Arabic writing upon its gill-covers, — Anthias also belongs here. 

 It lives mostly in depths of 100 to 300 metres on a rocky bottom 

 and it has therefore taken considerable trouble to accustom it to 

 life in the Aquarium, where it gladly hides itself in clefts in the 

 rocks. — We may also mention in this connection the fine rose- 

 coloured Apogon (fig. 33). For reasons unknown, the Maltese 

 fishermen have given it a nick-name which the zoologists have 

 also adopted, that of King of the Mullets {rex mullorum). 



Much more lively than the "giant" Serranus is the Bass or 

 Sea-dace, Labrax lupus (fig. 54). It is a predacious fish, occurring 

 in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and was well known in 

 Roman times. It attains a length of three feet and is one of the 

 most delicate fishes in the market, where it is known as Spinola. 

 It is usually found near the coasts and sometimes proceeds some 

 way up the rivers. In stormy weather it approaches the coast in 

 large numbers to feed on the crabs which are carried away by the 

 waves. It is generally caught with the line, large specimens offer- 

 ing very energetic resistance. In the Aquarium it lives for years 

 and will spawn freely. 



Perhaps the most common fishes in the Bay are the different 

 species of Grey Mullet, Mugil (fig. 45). They are easily distinguished 

 by their slender, silvery-grey bodies, and their curious lips. The 

 upper lip is provided with a notch into which fits a process of the 

 lower lip. They swim around ever5rwhere along the coast in 

 shoals and feed on soft and decaying substances. In the Aquarium 

 they will be seen feeding on the sea-weeds and on decaying animal 

 and vegetable products, so that they are distinctly useful animals. 

 Two specimens of Mugil chelo have lived here for 20 years. Their 

 flesh is very good, and as they are very common they form a 

 staple article in the Italian markets {Cefalo). 



Almost always there are in the Aquarium (tanks 2, 7, 10, 13, 

 especially 5) a number of pretty fish about which the same is true 

 as of good women: nothing interesting can be told of them! 

 After one has amused oneself by looking at the swarm in tank 5 

 for a while, suddenly this or that fish attracts the attention; and 

 one says: "Surely I know that face!" and some good friend is 

 remembered of whom the fish reminded one — which, by the 

 way, is no flattery for the said friend, for if the shapes and ex- 

 pressions of the faces of these fish be varied, yet there is some- 



