The BlepharisThe Opah. 



447 



THE BLEPHAEIS. (Blepharls ciliaris.) 



THIS species of the Dory is of a bright silver colour, 

 with a cast of bluish-green on the back. Several of the 

 last rays, both of the dorsal and anal fin, extend beyond 

 the membrane, reaching even farther than the tail itself. 

 It has been supposed that the smaller kind of fishes may 

 be attracted with these long flexible filaments, and mis- 

 take them for worms, while the Zeus, concealed among 

 the sea-weeds, lies in wait for its prey. It is a native of 

 the Indian seas. 



THE OPAH, OE KING FISH. (Lampris guttatus.) 



THIS is a most splendid fish, of a fine green colour on 

 the back, and yellowish green on the belly. The back 

 and sides exhibit brilliant purplish and golden tints, the 

 whole surface is covered with numerous white spots, and 

 the fins are of a beautiful vermilion colour; so magnifi- 

 cent is its costume, that it has been justly remarked that 

 it looks " like one of Neptune's lords dressed for a court 

 day." The King Fish is found apparently in the seas 

 of all parts of the world ; it is nowhere common, but 

 seems to be more abundant in warm climates. 



