88 



VERTEBRATA. PISCES. 



taken out of the water, which, in one species, the 

 Red Gurnard, ( T. Cuculus,) is said to resemble the call 

 of the Cuckoo. The Sapphirine Gurnard (T. Hirundo) 

 is remarkable for its very large pectorals, almost like 

 a butterfly's wings, the upper surfaces of which are 

 of a brilliant blue. Both these species are caught on 

 our own coasts, and are eaten. 





ORIENTAL FLYING-GURNARD (Dactylopterus Orientalis). 



Some of them, distinguished by the rays before 

 the pectorals being increased in number, and united 

 by a membrane into a supernumerary fin of greater 

 length than the body, have the power of supporting 

 themselves in the air for some seconds, in the man- 

 ner of the true Flying-fish. A species (Dactylo- 



