ACANTHOPTERYGII. 115 



the head, took the form of a stout horn, with several 

 free filaments at the end. These fishes in tropical 

 climates, are said frequently to forsake the water, 

 and live two or three days on land. They have a 

 habit of filling their immense stomachs with air, thus 

 blowing themselves up into a globular form, like a 

 balloon. Some of them attain a large size, our com- 

 mon Angler, mentioned above, sometimes being 

 found five feet in length. 



FAM. XIV. LABRID.E. 



The members of this family are recognized by 

 their oblong body, covered with large scales ; a sin- 

 gle dorsal, partly spinous, and partly flexible ; re- 

 markably thick fleshy lips ; strong teeth varying in 

 form ; and a strong air-bladder. 



Labrus,* the Wrasse. 



This is an extensive genus, strongly marked, and 

 readily distinguished by the family characters given 

 above ; the teeth of the jaws are sharp, but those of 

 the throat resembling little paving stones ; cheek and 

 gill-cover scaled; gill-rays five. The Wrasses are 

 generally noted for their bright and beautiful co- 

 lours, often arranged in stripes or other variega- 

 tions ; their beauty is greatest, just previous to spawn- 

 ing. Their flesh is not in high estimation. 



We have several native species, but we prefer to 



* Labrum, a lip 



