GREAT BRITAIN. 69 



3. Erythrinus Sea-bream (Pagellus erythrinus). 



Names. The snapper, Devonshire ; King of the breams ; 

 pandora. 



B. vi., D. H, V. -i A. si,, L. 1. 56-60, L. tr. 6 ^, Oc. pyl. 

 4, Vert. 44. 



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

 the total length. Eye. Diameter 3f to 44. in the length 

 of the head, from 14 to 2 diameters from the end of the 

 snout, and the same distance apart. Preorbital high, its 

 height equalling from \ to f of its length. The maxilla 

 reaches to nearly beneath the front edge of the eye. 

 Teeth. Anteriorly cardiform, with two rows of molars 

 posteriorly in either jaw, occasionally three rows in the 

 upper in large examples ; none on the vomer, palatine 

 bones, or tongue. Fins. Dorsal spines of moderate 

 strength, the third the longest ; the last two rays not 

 enlarged nor scaled. Pectoral as long as, or even longer, 

 than the head. Second and third anal spines of about the 

 same length and strength. Scales. Six rows between the 

 eye and the angle of the preopercle. Colours. Of an 

 orange scarlet, becoming lighter beneath ; in some 

 examples the body is silvery, only just tinged with red or 

 rose colour. Fins coloured externally with orange. In 

 some large ones there are often blue spots over the body, 

 and which may even be seen in the " chads." 



Habits. It is a migratory species, not uncommon, but 

 most usually found during the summer and autumn, 

 retiring to deep water as the winter sets in. Its habits 

 appear to be somewhat solitary, while it is generally taken 

 at a depth of several fathoms. 



Bait. Mussels are mostly employed, but small fishes, 

 crabs, and even vegetables, are consumed by it. 



