FISHES. 97 



popularly called the king of the herrings, which is ten feet 

 long and not more than six inches in diameter, is a northern 

 example, — also occurs in the Indian seas. The Russelian 

 gymnetrus, described by Dr. Shaw from a drawing in pos- 

 session of the gentleman after whom it was named, was 

 taken near Vizagapatan. 



The Indian remora {Echencis neiccrates) appears to occur 

 in many different quarters of the world. According to 

 Commerson, it is common about the coasts of Mozambique, 

 where it is used for the catching of turtles. A ring is 

 fastened to the tail of the fish, and a long • cord inserted 

 through the ring. It is then carried to sea in a vessel of 

 salt water ; and as soon as the boatmen perceive a turtle 

 asleep upon the surface, they endeavour to approach as 

 close to it as possible, and then throwing the remora into 

 the sea, they give it the proper length of cord. If it per- 

 ceives the turtle, it inunediately attaches itself to its breast, 

 where it adheres so firmly as to enable the fishermen to 

 draw the turtle within their reach. This species, according 

 to Bloch, sometimes attains to the length of seven feet. 



The Corj'phene, or dolphin (C. Hipjmrus), distinguished 

 by the splendour of its varying hues, occurs occasionally 

 in the Indian seas. The gradual disappearance of its gor- 

 geous colouring when about to die is regarded by the rude 

 sailors with as much delight as were the changes of the ex- 

 piring mullet by the luxurious Pomans. The dolphin is a 

 strong and vigorous fish, a voracious eater, and extremely 

 rapid in its movements. Flying-fish constitute its favourite 

 food. Its flesh is excellent. 



The genus Scorpmia presents some singular and uncouth 

 forms of animal life. The truncation of the head, its 

 enormous size, and the remarkable processes with which it 

 is furnished, bestow on several of the species a pecuhar as- 

 pect. The horrid scoipsena {S. horrida) may be presumed 

 from its name to present a somewhat unamiable appearance. 

 It resembles, in truth, rather some imaginary or fictitious 

 monster, than the legitimate production of nature. We 

 shall not venture to describe it at present. 



The insidious dory {Zeus insidiator) inhabits the rivers 

 and other fresh waters of India. Its colour is bright silvery, 

 with a bluish-green tint above, speckled with black spots. 

 The body is apparently without scales. The mouth is of 



Vol. III.— I 



