224 ACANTHOPTERYGII. MACKEREL FAMILY 



another, in August 1835, was caught in the weir- 

 nets, Conway, North Wales ; in 1 838, a fine ex- 

 ample was taken near Burlington, Yorkshire ; in 

 July 1839, one three feet long, on the Norfolk 

 coast, which was procured for the Wisbeach Mu- 

 seum ; and another, obtained in the Dee, was 

 reported to Mr. Yarrell by Lord Cole ; and lastly, 

 during the current year, 1842, a fine specimen has 

 been added to the Edinburgh University Museum. 



The King-fish is not altogether a stranger in the 

 Mediterranean; M. Risso having noticed it, as stated 

 in the second edition of his work ; and two having 

 been captured, in 1829, on the coasts of Provence. 

 Cuvier states that there is no trace of its existence 

 on the coasts of America ; although, as indicated 

 by Dr. Richardson, it has been suspected to have 

 been seen there. The idea of its belonging to the 

 coasts of Guinea or Brazil, or to the China seas, 

 rests solely upon the most vague and improbable 

 suppositions. 



Notwithstanding these numerous historical no- 

 tices, and the various opportunities they necessarily 

 imply, we regret to say, that little or nothing has 

 hitherto been ascertained concerning the habits of 

 this most valuable and beautiful fish. Once seen, 

 it can scarcely afterwards be mistaken; and its 

 specific characters are very distinct, as will be ex- 

 pressed in the Synopsis. Its colours are magnificent. 

 Its whole back is of a steel blue, which on the 

 flanks becomes rich green, reflecting, in different 

 lights, purple and gold, and a lovely rose-colour on 



