TRACHINID-E ; WEEVER, STAR-GAZER ; MULLID^E. 



is a species of this genus ; as is also the Suleah-fish of Bengal, 

 to which attention has been directed, as affording in its air 

 bladder a large supply of excellent isinglass. 



610. TheTRACHiNiD^E, or Weavers, which are included amongst 

 the Percidce by many authors, have the ventral fins placed on the 

 throat, and the scales smooth. In this group we find the Tra- 

 chinus, or JVeever, which has the first ray of the dorsal fin ex- 

 tended into a very long spine, and has also a strong spine on 

 each operculum. This fish lies in the mud, and inflicts severe 

 wounds with its dorsal spine, which the fishermen believe to 

 have a poisonous power ; the bad character of the wound, how- 

 ever, merely results from the rugged nature of the instrument 

 which inflicts it. Something of the same kind is the case with 

 the Perch ; the sharp spines in its dorsal fin having been known 

 to lacerate the fingers of those who handle them incautiously. 

 Another curious genus of this group is the Uranoscopus, or 

 Star-gazer ; so called because the eyes are situated on the upper 

 surface of the nearly cubical head, and directed towards the 

 heavens. Within the mouth, behind the tongue, is a long nar- 

 row slip, which the fish can protrude ; and which serves as a 

 bait to attract the small fishes on which it preys, whilst it is it- 

 self concealed in the mud. One species inhabits the Mediter- 

 ranean ; but none of them are eaten. 



611. The MULLID^E, or Surmullets, resemble the Perches in 

 the position of their fins ; but their scales, which are large and 

 easily detached, are nearly smooth ; their opercula are unarmed, 

 and their branchiostegal rays are only four in number. They 

 are marine fishes, some of them inhabiting our own coasts, and 

 others of larger size being natives of tropical seas. The Mullus, 

 or Surmullet, which has been in great repute among epicures 

 from the time of the Romans, who used to feast tbeir eyes upon 

 the changes of colour which the Red Mullet undergoes in dying, 

 before they devoured its flesh, belongs to this family. This 

 genus is quite distinct from that of the Mullets properly so called. 

 The common Red Mullet is taken abundantly upon our coasts. 



612. We may pass over the next three families with but little 

 notice. They are all nearly allied to the Perches. The SPHY- 



E '2 



