The Bun Fish. 441 



THE SUN FISH, (Orihagoriscus mola,) 



APPEARS like the fore part of the body of a large fish, 

 which has been amputated in the middle. The mouth 

 is small, with two broad teeth only in each jaw. Its 

 nearly circular form, and the silvery whiteness of the 

 sides, together with their brilliant phosphorescence dur- 

 ing the night, have obtained for it very generally the 

 appellations of sun or moon fish. While swimming, 

 it turns round like a wheel, and sometimes floats with 

 its head above water, when it appears like a dying fish. 

 It grows to a large size ; sometimes being four or five 

 feet in length, and weighing from three to five hundred 

 pounds. The back of this curious marine animal is of a 

 rich blue colour. It frequents the coasts of both the 

 ancient and new continent, and has been found on tho 

 shores of England. 



