116 



SPARID.E. 



descend to the upper edge of the operculum, enclosing 

 between them a space covered with scales ; preoperculum, 

 suborbital ring, nose, and the part over the eye, smooth ; 

 cheeks, operculum, and interoperculum, covered with scales ; 

 irides reddish orange ; lips and region of the mouth pale 

 reddish brown : the prevailing colour of the body is bluish 

 grey, marked with alternate dark and light narrow longitudi- 

 nal bands, the centres of the scales being darker than the 

 edges ; the lateral line darkest of all, and receding from the 

 dorsal line as it approaches the top of the operculum : dorsal 

 fin pale brown, and lodged in a groove throughout its whole 

 length : the pectoral fins in colour resemble the body, as do 

 also the rays of the ventral, anal, and caudal fins ; but the 

 membranes of these fins are much darker, approaching to 

 dusky lead colour : the upper division of the tail the largest. 

 The vignette of the teeth was drawn from the large speci- 

 men of seventeen inches before mentioned as obtained in 

 the London market. 



