SHORT SUN-FISH. 269 



Bream. In slow and deep rivers, as well as in lakes, 

 where the bottom is of marl, clay, or plants, these fish are 

 most commonly found. They grow quickly, and are very 

 tenacious of life. Their flesh is but little esteemed as 

 food. 



Instances have been known of Bream attaining more 

 than two feet in length. Their body is deep, and the back 

 is much curved. The head and mouth are small. The 

 anal fin has twenty-seven rays, and the tail is crescent- 

 shaped. The back and fins are of a dusky colour; and 

 the sides and belly are yellowish. 



ORDER V. ERANCHIOSTEGOUS FISH. 



20. TETRODON TRIBE. 



The Tetrodons are inhabitants principally of the Indian 

 Seas. There are about fourteen species. 



Short Sun-fish, or Diodon. The form of these fish is 

 so extremely singular, that in Germany they are called by 

 a name which implies the Swimming Head, and in some 

 other parts of the continent are denominated Mill-stone 

 Fish. They are sometimes, though rarely, found in the 

 seas near the British coasts ; but they are not uncommon 

 in the Mediterranean. 



These fish have been known to weigh as much as four 

 or five hundred pounds. The body is broad and flat, and 

 the head is scarcely distinct from the body. The mouth 

 is small, and somewhat curved, like the beak of a bird. 

 The fins are small ; and the pectoral ones have a direction 

 very different from those of other fish, for they are hori- 



