492 PISCES (OSSEI) SCLERODERM1. [BALISTES. 



ORDER V. SCLERODERMI. 



GEN. 70. BALISTES, Cuv. 



181. B. Capriscusy Gmel. (Mediterranean File-Fish.) 



B. Capriscus, Gmel. Linn. torn. i. part iii. p. 1471. Cuv. Reg. An. 

 torn. n. p. 372. Capriscus Rondeletii, Will. Hist. Pise. p. 152. 

 tab. I. 19. Le Baliste Caprisque, Lacep. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. 

 torn. i. p. 372. Mediterranean File-Fish, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. v. 

 partii. p. 411. pi. 168*. 



LENGTH. From one to two feet. SHAW. 



DESCRIPT. (Form.) Head very much compressed: mouth small: each 

 jaw armed with eight large, broad, strong teeth, forming a continuous 

 series : eyes round, placed high : first dorsal nearly in the middle of the 

 back, consisting of three strong spines connected by a membrane, the 

 first three times as large as either of the other two ; when at rest, con- 

 cealed in an osseous furrow on the ridge of the back ; these spines are so 

 articulated as only to admit of being elevated or depressed all together : 

 second dorsal long, reaching nearly to the caudal : anterior portion of the 

 abdomen armed with a sharp strong recurved bone, the extremity of which 

 projects out of the skin in a backward direction ; between this and the 

 vent are several other much smaller, but moderately strong, serrated 

 spines: anal similar to the dorsal, commencing behind the vent: tail 

 becoming suddenly narrow, and terminating in a broad fin : pectorals 

 small and round: ventrals wanting. WILL. (Colours.) " General colour 

 violaceous gray, sometimes variegated both on the body and fins with blue 

 or red spots : irides yellow ; pupils blue." SHAW. 



A single individual of this species, which is a native of the Mediter- 

 ranean, as well as of the American seas, is recorded by Mr. Children 

 to have been captured on the Sussex coast in August, 1827*. Not pre- 

 viously known as a British fish. Most of the species belonging to this 

 genus inhabit the Tropics. 



* See his Address to the Zoological Club of the Linncean Society, p. 6. 



