130 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



sidered beyond the average length. It feeds on Crustacea 

 and small fishes, and is taken generally with hooks baited 

 with muscles ; it spawns in May and June, when it is 

 out of season for the table. As food, it is considered by all 

 fishermen to be richer and sweeter than most of the other 

 gurnards, although in the market it is less sought after than 

 the red srurnard, which is the drier and worse-flavoured of 

 the two. 



This fish when a foot in length is distinguished by hav- 

 ing short pectoral fins not reaching beyond the vent ; the 

 dorsal ridge and lateral line crenated but not serrated, allow- 

 ing the finger to pass as freely from tail to head as in the 

 contrary direction; and in having the first three dorsal spines 

 granulated ; the pectoral fins in all the other species (except 

 T. Blochii of Yar.) reach to or beyond the first ray of the 

 anal fin. In a specimen nine inches in length the dorsal 

 ridge is partly crenated and partly serrated, the granula- 

 tions appearing first on the back of those scales nearest the 

 tail ; each scale forming the lateral line has a small sharp 

 point directing backwards, with two or three granulations 

 pointing outwards; the first dorsal fin with a faint dark spot. 

 If a specimen seven inches in length be examined, we shall 

 find the dorsal ridge and lateral line strongly serrated, al- 

 lowing the finger to be readily passed down, but not in the 

 opposite direction ; the first dorsal spine granulated in front, 

 the second on the right side, and the third on the left ; a 

 distinct drtrA: spot on the first dorsal fin, and a dark band 

 down the middle of the second dorsal. In a specimen six 

 inches long, the base of the three first dorsal spines is but 

 very faintly granulated ; and in one five inches long the 

 granulations are not apparent, and the pectoral fins reach to 

 the vent. 



