HORRID SCORPJENA. 269 



in having several cirri or processes disposed along 

 the lateral line : the colour also is rather rufous 

 than brown as in the former kind. Of this species 

 it is reported that it preys not only on the smaller 

 fishes, but even occasionally seizes on such of the 

 marine birds as happen to swim in its way. It 

 grows to a very considerable size, and is said to 

 have been seen of the length of four feet : it must 

 consequently prove a very formidable enemy to the 

 smaller marine animals. Notwithstanding its for- 

 bidding appearance, it is considered as an edible 

 fish. 



HORRID SCORP^ENA. 



Scorpaena Horrida. S.fusca alepidota, tuberculis callosis adspersa. 

 Brown Scorpaena, without scales, and scattered over with callous 



tubercles. 

 Scorpaena horrida. S. tuberculis callosis adspersa. lAn. Syst. Nat. 



p. 458. 

 Scorpaena horrida. Sc. alepidota. Block, t. 183. 



OF all the species yet discovered the present 

 exhibits the most uncouth and forbidding appear- 

 ance; resembling rather some imaginary monster 

 of deformity than any regular production of Nature-. 

 The head is very large, perfectly abrupt in front, 

 and marked by numerous tubercles, depressions, 

 and spines : on the top is a semilunar cavity : the 

 mouth opens from the upper part, and is large 

 and of a shape somewhat resembling a horse-shoe ; 



