242 FLAT-FISH TRIBE. 



pounds. The body is compressed on the sides, and of a 

 somewhat oval shape. The head is large, and the snout 

 very much projects. There are two anal fins, and the tail 

 is rounded. The first dorsal fin consists of ten strong 

 spiny rays, with long filaments, reaching far beyond the 

 ends of the rays. The colour of the sides is olive, varied 

 with light blue and white, and appearing, whilst the fish 

 is alive, as if gilt. 



Opah or King-fish. Such are the beauty and the 

 splendour of this fish, that a French writer has observed, 

 that he considers it " as a nobleman of the court of Nep- 

 tune, in his gala habit." It usually swims near the sur- 

 face, and sparkles with the resplendence of gold ; it also 

 reflects various tints of red, azure, and bright green. The 

 Opar has occasionally been caught on the British coasts, 

 but respecting its habits of life, little is hitherto known. 



It is a fish of large dimensions, sometimes measuring as 

 much as three feet in length, and weighing from a hundred 

 and twenty, to a hundred and forty pounds. Its general 

 shape is oval, but more slender towards the tail than the 

 head and compressed at the sides. The mouth is small, 

 and the tail somewhat crescent-shaped. All the fins are 

 of a rich scarlet colour. The upper part of the body is 

 bright green, variegated with silvery spots, and enriched 

 with a shining golden hue. This, by degrees, vanishes 

 into a bright silvery appearance ; and near the bel$ the 

 gold again predominates, but in a lighter ground than 

 on the back. 



9. FLAT-FISH TRIBE. 



These fish are remarkable, from the circumstance of 

 their eyes being both on one side of their body. They 



