68 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



Ireland they are prized in some localities, as co. Down, but 

 hardly esteemed in Belfast. 



Habitat. In Great Britain it ranges from one extremity 

 to the other, abounding along the southern and western 

 coast, but diminishing in numbers towards the north. It 

 has, however, been taken in very large quantities in the 

 Moray Firth, where it is known as the siller-fish. In Ire- 

 land it is common all round the coast. It is captured up to 

 5 Ib. weight. 



2. Spanish Bream (Pagellus bogaraved). 



B. vi., D. -IS V. i, A. ^ 2 , L. 1. 71, L. tr. -fr, Caec. pyl. 5, 

 Vert. 22. 



Length of head, 3|- to 4 ; height of body, 3 to 3^ in the 

 total length. Eye. Diameter 3 to 3^ in the length of the 

 head, ^ of a diameter from the end of the snout, and about 

 I diameter apart. Preorbital much narrowest posteriorly, 

 its greatest height somewhat less than half its length. The 

 maxilla extends to beneath the first fourth of the eye. 

 Teeth. Rather fine, the anterior ones in the outer row in 

 the upper jaw rather larger than the others ; posteriorly 

 two or three rows of molars, having rounded crowns in the 

 upper and two in the lower jaw. Fins. Dorsal spines of 

 moderate strength, the fifth the longest, pectoral reaches 

 to opposite the first third of the anal fin. Scales. Six or 

 seven rows between the eye and the angle of the preopercle. 

 Colours. Pinkish or silvery, the pectoral fin having a dark 

 base and a dark spot in the axilla. During life numerous 

 small blue spots are seen on the body. Fins pinkish. 



Habitat. This is one of the best .known forms along our 

 southern coast, and is taken during the summer and 

 autumn. It attains to scarcely more than two-thirds of the 

 size of the common sea-bream. 



