GENERA AND SPECIES. 133 



base of the pectorals is not overlapped by the gill covers ; the 

 nostrils are close in front of the eye, the hinder being the larger, and 

 there being no flap between them. In colour this char is green 

 above, and the red underparts are minutely dotted with black. 



Schedophilus. Plate v. CORYPH&NIDAL. 



34. medusophagns, Head greenish yellow ; body greenish, with dark 

 olive stripes and spots more or less united. 



There are 3 spines and from 45 to 50 rays in the dorsal, 2 spines and 

 from 27 to 29 rays in the anal, 21 in the caudal. 18 in the pectorals, 

 and a spine and 5 rays in the ventrals. The scales are cycloid and 

 small ; the gill openings are large. This is a Mediterranean species, 

 of which only two have been caught in British waters. 



Sciaena. Plate iii SCI&NID&. 



20. aquila, SHADOW FISH. Lateral line continued through the caudal 

 fin. 



The first dorsal has 9 or 10 spines, the second one spine and 

 from 26 to 29 rays ; the anal has 2 spines and 7 rays, the caudal 15 

 rays, the pectorals have 17, the ventrals a spine and 5 rays. The 

 first dorsal, of which the third and fourth spines are the longest, is 

 united at its base to the second dorsal, the tip of the pectorals being 

 just below the junction. In the lateral line are from 52 to 55 scales ; 

 it curves above the pectoral, and then runs straight along to the 

 outer edge of the tail, which is either rounded or truncated. The 

 scales are ctenoid and large, and in oblique rows. The mouth is 

 horizontal, and extends beyond the middle of the eye ; the stronger 

 teeth are in the upper jaw; there are 9 on the vomer, palatines, or 

 tongue. In colour this species is grey, darker on the back, with a 

 grey blotch on the spiny gill-covers, the caudal being grey and the 

 other fins red. It ranges up to 6 feet in length. It is called the 

 Shadow Fish, from its passing like a shadow through the 

 water ; sometimes it is known as the Meagre, though it is 

 anything but meagre, being, on the contrary, particularly robust, 

 active, and audacious. From it originated the myth of the songs of 

 the sirens, for under water it bellows, and buzzes, and purrs, and 

 whistles. It can be heard 20 fathoms down, and its whereabouts 

 thereby known, so that it has been netted in shoals ; for it is gre- 

 garious, and rather sought after as food, though not in so much 

 esteem now as in the days of ancient Rome. 



Scomber. Plate vi. SCOMBRIDJE. 



36. vernalis, MACKEREL. Back with bands ; abdomen without spots. 



37. punctatus, SPECKLED MACKEREL. Back with small spots or thin 



streaks ; abdomen without spots. 



38. colias, SPANISH MACKEREL. Back with bands; abdomen 



with spots. 



The Mackerel has from n to 14 spines in its first dorsal, a spine 

 and 10 or n rays in the second dorsal, and behind it are 5 finlets. 

 The anal has a spine and 1 1 rays ; before it is an isolated spine, and 



