142 



CAPEOS. 



The body compressed, deep, covered with rougli scales. Mouth 



capable of great extension. Dorsal fins two, close together; base of 



the dorsal and anal fins without spines. Ventral fins thoracic. 



BOARFISH. 



Aper, JoNSTON; pi. 1, f. 8. Willoughbt; p. 296. 



Zeus aper, Linn.^us. 



Caprus aper, Cuviek. 



" nanglier, Lacepede. Risso. 



« " Jenyns; Manual, p. 368. 



" " Yarrell; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 190. 



•• *♦ Zoologist, vol. i, p. 191. 



•• " GuNTHEK; Cat. Br. M., vol. ii, p. 495. 



This fish obtains its name from the shape of its sno;it, 

 which is turned up, and capable of being greatly protruded. 

 The spines also of its first dorsal fin are stiff and long, added 

 to which it exudes a strong and unpleasant smell, and, if the 

 Boarfish mentioned by Pliny as being found in the River 

 Achelous be the same, is accustomed to utter a grunting sound; 

 all of which were supposed to point out a sufficient resemblance 

 to a boar to warrant the appellation. 



It is known in the Mediterranean, and usually has been 

 regarded as a species of rare occurrence. But it is only 

 necessary to find its haunts to be able to pronounce it locally 

 abundant. It was first discovered to be a British fish by Dr. 

 Henry Boase, who obtained a specimen at Penzance; and, in 

 the second place, an example was procured at Bri(lgc^vater, by 

 Mr. William Baker. In the first volume of the "Zoologist," 

 page 191, is an account, with a figure, of one that was found 

 on the shore at Brighton, and which was thought worthy of 

 the notice of royalty. Since these I have known two caught 



