154 DOLPHIN OF THE ANCIENTS. 



hues. Above it is silvery-blue, with markings of 

 deeper azure, and reflexions of pure gold; the 

 lower parts are citron-yellow, marked with pale 

 blue ; the pectoral fins are partly lead colour, partly 

 yellow; the ventral fins are yellow on the under 

 surface, and black above; the anal fin is yellow; 

 the insides are of bright golden. Its colours vary 

 and fade after it is taken out of the water, so that 

 but a faint notion of its original brilliancy can be 

 formed from the inspection of the dried specimens 

 preserved in our Museums. 



But though possessing this splendid brightness of 

 colouring, and far-famed for it in ancient story, 

 there are perhaps other fishes which, from the de- 

 cided marking out of their brilliant hues, and the 

 contrast in which they are sometimes placed in 

 regard to each other, are more striking, and have 

 attracted much attention. 



The Spari) Labri, Scari, Chcetodons, Acanthuri^ 

 &c., all present numerous examples ; and as one, 

 we have selected the 



