436 Fishes. 



and not unlike those ancient fragments of Roman pave- 

 ments often found in this island. 



This variegated fish is found in the rivers of Amboyna 

 and Japan ; its flesh is white, firm, and well tasting, like 

 our perch, but it does not grow so large ; it is of a very 

 voracious disposition, feeding on the young of other 

 fish, some of which, two inches in length, have been 

 found in its craw. The skin has both the appearance 

 and smoothness of parchment. To the tremendous 

 armour of its back, fins, and tail, this fish owes the 

 name of Scorpion. 



THE LUMP-SUCKER, OK SEA-OWL. 



(Cydopterus lumpus.) 



THIS odd-shaped fish derives its name chiefly from the 

 clumsiness of its form ; it is also called the Cock Paddle. 

 Its colour, when in the highest perfection, combines 

 various shades of blue, purple, and rich orange; the 

 abdomen is red ; it has no scales, but on all sides sharp 

 black tubercles, in shape like warts; on each side are 

 three rows of sharp prickles, and on the back two 

 distinct fins. The great resort of this species is in the 

 Northern seas, about the coast of Greenland ; it is also 

 caught in many parts of the British seas during the 

 spring season, when it approaches the shore for the 

 purpose of depositing its spawn ; and in the month of 

 March it may be seen at the stalls of the London mar- 

 kets. This unseemly fish is usually about a foot in 

 length, and ten or more inches in breadth, and some- 

 times weighs seven pounds. The flesh is but indifferent. 



