300 THE GLORT OF THE MACKEREL FAMILY. 



an olive-brown tinged with yellow, reflecting in different 

 lights blue, gold, and white. When the fish is taken, the 

 varying tints of these beautiful colors pass in rapid succes- 

 sion over the body. Though flat in form, the fish swims 

 erect, and both surfaces being thus equally exposed to the 

 light, are alike of a coppery hue. 



The Boar-fish, a relative of the dory, is of inferior preten- 

 sions as regards shape and color, the mouth having some 

 resemblance to the snout of a hog, which doubtless originated 

 the name. The eyes are very large and prominent, and the 

 bod}^ of a pale carmine color, with orange bands on the 

 back. 



But the glory of the Mackerel family, at least for splen- 

 dor of appearance, is the Opah, or King-fish, an inhabitant 

 of the seas of high northern latitudes, and occasionally found 

 on the British coasts, sometimes five feet long and one hun- 

 dred and fifty pounds in weight. The colors are, indeed, 

 magnificent. The whole back is of a steel blue, wdiich, on 

 the flanks, becomes rich green, reflecting in different lights 

 purple and gold, and a lovely rose-color on the abdomen. 

 Numerous oval spots, some milk-white, others of a beautiful 

 silvery lustre, adorn this groundwork, while small ones orna- 

 ment the head. The gill-covers are very brilliant, and the 

 iris of its large eye is of a beautiful golden color : all the fins 

 are vermilion. 



Among marine members of the perch family, we may 

 mention the Red Mullet as very beautiful in its delicate rose- 

 color, striped with yellow j which colors, however, soon fado 

 after death. 



"On fish a different fate attends, nor reach they long the shore 

 Ere fade their hues like rainbow tints, and soon their beauty's o'er." 



It was one of these mullets which was so celebrated among 

 the Romans for the excellency of its flesh, its great beauty, 

 and the extravagant prices it brought. In the days of 



