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bending from the neck to the pectoral fins on 

 each side, and thence in a straight line to the 

 tail. On the back are two fins, of which the 

 first is much shorter than the latter, and fur- 

 nished with stronger spines ; the pectoral fins 

 are large, with soft rays; the ventral fins are 

 small ; the tail of a moderate size, and rounded 

 at the end. The colour of the body is brown, 

 with a whitish or silvery cast towards the abdo- 

 men ; the head, pectoral fins, and the tail, have 

 a strong ferruginous cast, and the first dorsal 

 fin, towards its hindpart, is marked by a large 

 black spot. 



The Star-gazer is an inhabitant of the Medi- 

 terranean and Northern Seas, chiefly frequenting 

 the shallow parts near the shores, where it lies 

 concealed in the mud, with the tip of the head 

 alone exposed. In this situation it waves the 

 beards of the lips, and particularly the long 

 cirrus of the mouth, in various directions ; thus 

 alluring the smaller fishes and marine insects 

 which happen to be swimming near, and which 

 mistaking these organs for worms, are instantly 

 seized by their concealed enemy. The usual 

 length of this fish is about twelve inches. It is 

 in no esteem as an article of food, being generally 



