314 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Where found, and how caught. 



sometimes with red; and, according to the fish- 

 ermen, the males are distinguished by a variety 

 of colors, while the females are confined to two, 

 brown and red. When in full perfection, how- 

 ever, this fish generally corresponds with Mr. 

 Pennant's description; the pupils of the eyes 

 being rich sapphirine blue ; the irides, fine fiery 

 carbuncle; the pectoral fins light brown; the 

 side line straight; the colors of the fish yellow, 

 blue, and white, making a beautiful appearance 

 when fresh taken; the blue is of an inexpressible 

 splendor, the richest cosrulean, glowing with a 

 gemmeous brilliancy; and the throat black. 



The gemmeous dragonet is found in the Medi- 

 terranean, in the British seas, and German ocean r 

 It grows to the length of twelve or fourteen 

 inches ; its flesh is white, and of a good flavor. 

 The season for catching it is summer. It is 

 caught by net, and in North America at the 

 same time with the herring. Muller asserts, 

 that it lives upon, small leeches, and stellae ma- 

 rinas. 



We are told by Pontoppidan, who, as he 

 never saw the dragonet alive, was, no doubt, 

 misinformed, that these fish raise themselves in 

 troops some yards above the surface of the sea, 

 and that they can fly the distance of several 

 gun-shots. But the pectoral and ventral fins are 

 too small, in comparison with those of other 

 flying fish, to enable the dragonet to support it- 

 self for any length of time in the air. 



