ACANTHOPTERYGII. 



agree in the toothed or comb-like edges of the scales, and in 

 having serrated or spined gill-covers, and fins destitute of scales. 



The ROCK-FISH, or STRIPED-BASS, Lalrax Uneatus, is a fish 

 that has the tongue covered with teeth or prickles; the oper- 

 cula are somewhat different from those of the Perches proper, 

 but in other respects it closely resembles them. It is much es- 

 teemed, especially when taken in autumn. These fishes are 

 brought into market, (dead,) during the winter, and sold in great 

 numbers. Like the shad, with which they are taken, they run 

 from the salt waters into the fresh for the purpose of spawning. 

 (For other genera and species of this numerous family, see 

 Chart.) 



(2) TriglidcR. (Gr. trigla, a surmullet.) 



The GURNARDS, or MAILED CHEEKS. These have enormous 

 pectoral fins, yet live near the shore. The name Gurnard is 

 supposed to he derived from the French word grander, to grumble 

 or emit sounds. Cuvier called them " Fishes with hard cheeks," 

 referring to the encasement of the head and face in a solid buck- 

 ler of bone, which is their most obvious character. Like other 

 bottom fish, they live for some time out of the water. 



The PIPER, Trigla lyra, is rather an uncommon European 

 species. The RED GURNARD, T. cuculus, a well flavored fish, 

 occurs 6n the coast of the United States. Other American spe- 

 cies are found in the genus Prionolus, which closely resembles 

 Trigla. Among the Gurnards is included the Flying-fish, Dae- 

 tylopterus (Gr. finger-wings) voUtans^ (Lat. flying,) having very 

 large pectoral fins divided into two portions and serving as wings; 

 but it is not so good a flyer as the Flying-fish, Exocatus, belong- 

 ing to the Pike family. To this family also belongs the genus 

 Gasterosteus, (Gr. bony-belly,) including quite small, but very 

 active and voracious fish, found in both fresh and salt water, and 

 popularly called STICKLEBACKS. They are only from one to two 

 and a half inches long, butso elastic is the Three-spined Stickle- 

 back, (represented half the usual size, Plate XIV. fig. 2,) that^. 

 it leaps nine times its length, in perpendicular height, from the 

 water. Its extraordinary voracity is shown by the fact that it 

 has been known to devour in five hours, seventy-four young dace, 

 and on the following day, sixty-two ; (some dace, it should be 

 mentioned, are exceedingly small.) Several species of Stickle- 

 backs are found in the waters of the United States. In some' 

 parts of England, these fish are so numerous as to be used for 

 manure. They are so pugnacious as to destroy each other ; and 

 yet some of them manifest great care in building and watching 

 their nests. 



