THE GURNARD FAMILY 



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tubercles on the upper surface of the head, and a row 

 of similar tubercles or two rows along the sides. 



II. Gurnards, species in which the head is strongly armoured 

 with bony plates, and has an angular wall-sided shape ; spines 

 along the lateral line and along the bases of the dorsal fins. The 

 three lowest rays of the breast fins separate and independently 

 movable, used as fingers. 



5. The Grey Gurnard. No spines along the bases of the 

 dorsal fins, spinous points along the lateral line. Grey in 

 colour with white spots. 



6. The Red Gurnard. A ridge along the base of the dorsal 

 fins with about twenty-seven spines ; scales on the lateral 

 line without spines, but having the form of narrow plates 

 across the line. 



7. The Tub-fish, Tub, Sapphirine Gurnard, or Latchet. 

 Spines along the base of the dorsals. Pectoral fins 

 much enlarged, reaching behind the commencement of 

 the ventral fin, and coloured with rich blue colour on the 

 hinder surface, which in life is displayed upwards. 



8. The Piper. Bones of the head above the upper jaw pro- 

 jecting in two large flat plates, which are toothed along 

 their front edges. Pectoral large as in the tub, but not so 

 broad and not brilliantly coloured. 



9. The Long-finned Gurnard. The second spine of the 

 dorsal fin much elongated ; a shining silvery band along 

 each side of the body. 



10. The Streaked Gurnard. Lateral line with saw-like 



spines ; spines along the bases of the dorsals. Raised 



ridges passing from the back in a direction slanting 

 forward down the sides. 



The habits and development of the sea-scorpions are very 

 different from those of the gurnards, and perhaps it would be 

 more reasonable to consider them as belonging to distinct families. 

 The former are found in very shallow water, being often found 

 above low water-mark, lurking among stones, rocks and sea- weed, 

 and darting out at any prey which comes near them. The eggs are 

 large and adhesive, and are 'deposited in clumps which adhere to 

 stones "or other objects on the bottom. The gurnards on the 



