I2O GENERA AND SPECIES. 



a spine and 5 rays in its ventrals. The fourth and fifth dorsal 

 spines are the longest ; the pectorals are as long as the head. In 

 the lateral line the scales number 75. The hinder nostril is oval and 

 oblique, and larger than the other. This fish attains a length of 

 15 inches. It lives among rocks and seaweed, and feeds on sea- 

 weed, small fishes, and crustaceans ; it is very sensitive to cold, and 

 sometimes appears in shoals. The characteristic black spot is a 

 mark of maturity. 



The Spanish Bream has 12 spines and 12 rays in its dorsal, 3 

 spines and n or 12 rays in its anal, 17 in its caudal, 17 in its 

 pectorals, and a spine and 5 rays in its ventrals. The fourth and 

 fifth dorsal spines are the longest ; the pectorals overlap the anal. 

 There are 71 scales in the lateral line. There is a dark base to the 

 pectorals, as well as the axillary spot, and the body is spotted with 

 blue. In length this rather rare species measures about 12 inches. 

 It has never been observed in shoals. 



The Axillary Bream has 12 spines and u or 12 rays in the 

 dorsal, 3 spines and 10 rays in the anal, 21 rays in the caudal, 17 in 

 the pectorals, and a spine and 5 rays in the ventrals. The fourth 

 and fifth dorsal spines are the highest ; the last 2 dorsal rays are in 

 a sheath. The third anal spine is the longest, and the last 2 rays 

 are in a sheath. The pectorals are two-thirds as long as the head, 

 and the ventrals three-quarters as long as the pectorals. There are 

 from 68 to 70 rays in the lateral line. There is a rosy tint on the 

 sides, and the fins are of a beautiful pale rose. The length is 14 

 inches. It is not a common species. 



No. 17 is also a rare species in our waters. In its dorsal it has 

 12 spines and n or 12 rays, in its anal 3 spines and 10 rays, in its 

 caudal 17 rays, in its pectorals 17, and in its ventrals a spine and 

 5 rays. The third spine in the dorsal and anal is the longest, and 

 in both fins the last 2 rays are in a sheath. The pectorals reach to 

 the anal spines. The lateral line has from 70 to 72 scales. The 

 length is about 13 inches. 



The Pandora has 12 spines and 10 rays in its dorsal, 3 spines 

 and 8 or 9 rays in its anal, 17 rays in its caudal, 15 in its pectorals, 

 and a spine and 5 rays in its ventrals. The third dorsal is the 

 longest, the hindermost rays are not sheathed ; the second and third 

 anal spines are equal in length. The lateral line has from 56 to 60 

 scales. In length this fish reaches 16 inches. It is not found in 

 shoals, and appears in our waters during the summer months, 

 retiring to the deep sea for the winter. 



Pasrus. Plate ii. SPARID&. 



12. vulgaris, COUCH'S SEA BREAM. Colour, red. 



13. auratus, GILT-HEAD. Colour, silvery. 



Couch's Sea Bream has 12 spines and 10 rays in its dorsal, 3 

 spines and 8 rays in its anal, 17 rays in its caudal, 15 in its pec- 

 torals, and a spine and 5 rays in its ventrals. In the lateral line are 

 from 53 to 58 scales. The lower jaw is the larger, the teeth in the 

 outer row are conical and conspicuous, and on each side of the 

 mandible are 2 large canines. This fish varies in colour, but is 



