GREA T BRITAIN, 233 



total length. Eyes. On the right side, scarcely i 

 diameter apart, and \\ diameters from the end of the snout. 

 The upper eye one-half in advance of the lower. Teeth 

 Very minute. Fins. Dorsal commences above the front 

 edge of the upper eye, and nearly reaches the base of the 

 caudal fin ; its rays are branched, and the highest are 

 opposite the middle of the length of the body. Right 

 pectoral fin very short, not equalling the length of the 

 orbit ; left pectoral still more minute. Ventral not attached 

 to anal, which latter fin terminates similarly to the dorsal. 

 Caudal somewhat rounded at its extremity. Scales. 

 Ctenoid extending on to the fin rays. Lateral-line. Nearly 

 straight. Free portion of the tail about three times as 

 high as long. Colours. Of a rich chestnut brown, with six 

 or seven vertical dark bands, which are a little more than 

 one-third the width of the interspace between each. These 

 bands become broken up with advancing age, but may 

 even be seen in large specimens mostly as dark marks at 

 the bases of and passing on to the dorsal and anal fins. 

 Caudal with a dark band in its last third, having a light 

 outer edge. Dorsal and anal fins usually edged with white. 



Habits. On the south coast of Great Britain it appears 

 in the spring and continues through most of the year. 



Means of capture. Trawling, and is often taken in very 

 great numbers along the south coast. 



As food. Largely consumed in Devonshire and Corn- 

 wall, where it is held in great estimation. 



Habitat. From the British coasts to France and the 

 Mediterranean, and common off Italy ; frequent along the 

 coasts of France, and extends into the Mediterranean. Met 

 with occasionally off Banff, off Rothsay and the Isle of 

 Bute in Scotland. During August, 1881, they were being 

 landed in thousands at Plymouth from the trawlers and 



