444 Fishes. 



only spring from the water to a considerable height 

 (sometimes as much as twenty feet), and fly about a 

 hundred and fifty, or two hundred yards; most com- 

 monly, however, it does not rise above two or three feet 

 from the water, and remains fluttering over the surface 

 for about a hundred yards, when it again drops into its 

 native element. There is another Flying-fish (Exoccetus 

 exiliens) in the Mediterranean. 



THE GURNARD. (Trigla cuculus.) 



THIS genus is divided into several species. The Red 

 Gurnard has fins and body of a bright red colour ; and 

 the head is large, and covered with strong bony plates. 

 The eyes are large, round, and vertical ; the mouth is 

 large ; and the palate and jaws are armed with sharp 

 teeth. The gill-membrane has seven rays. The back 

 has a longitudinal spinous groove on each side. There 

 are slender articulate appendages at the base of each 

 pectoral fin. This fish is not unfrequently met with on 

 the southern shores of England ; and is often seen ex- 

 posed in the fish-markets of the maritime towns of 

 Dorset and Devonshire, as well as in Cornwall. It is a 

 pleasant-tasting fish, when properly stuffed and baked, 

 the flavour being similar to that of the haddock. 



Whilst in the water, the colours of the Red Gurnard 

 are almost inconceivably brilliant and beautiful, particu- 

 larly in the broad glare of sunshine, as they then vary, 

 in the most pleasing manner, with every motion of the 

 fish. 



