RUFOUS SCORPuENA. 



size, and armed with various protuberances and 

 spines. Among the most common of the European 

 species is the Scorprena Porcus, which is frequently 

 seen in considerable numbers in various parts of 

 the Mediterranean, where it chiefly frequents the 

 shores, lying in ambush among stones, sea-weeds, 

 &c. and preying on the smaller fishes and sea-insects : 

 the head is large, the mouth wide, with many rows 

 of small sharp teeth ; the eyes large ; the gill- 

 covers armed with strong spines intermixed with 

 cirri ; the body covered with small rough scales, of 

 a dusky colour, varied with black on the back, and 

 beneath pale, with a reddish cast : the dorsal fin is 

 furnished with very strong spiny rays, which the 

 fish, when caught, erects, and thus wounds its 

 adversary : its general length is about twelve or 

 fifteen inches. 



RUFOUS SCORPjENA. 



Scorpaena Scrofa. S. rufafusco variata, linea latcrali cirrosa. 

 Rufous Scorpaena,, with brown variegations and cirrose lateral 



line. 

 Scorpaena Scrofa. S. arris duobus ad labiwn inferius. Lin. Sysf. 



Nat. p. 453. 

 Scorpaena squamis magnis, linea lateral! cirrosa. Block, t. 182. 



IN general appearance so nearly allied to the 

 preceding, that at first view it might be mistaken 

 for the same species; but differs in its superior 

 size, as well as in its larger scales ; and particularly 



