ICHTHYOLOGY. 



699 



La Cepede formed this genus from 9*icri>><, dtfilus, 

 and iro{, pinna, for the reception of two species of 

 fishes formerly included in the genus Trigla. The D. 

 priapoda is one of those fishes capable of flying for a 

 hort distance in the atmosphere. Hence it has been 

 termed the sea-swallow, by sailors. It is found princi- 

 pally near the tropics, but is also met with in the Me- 

 diterranean. The other species, D. Japonicus, was first 

 described by Houttuyn. It is the Trigla alata of Gmelin. 



GENUS CI. PRIOXOTUS. 



Soft rays near each pectoral fin separate ; serrated 

 pines between the dorsal fins. 



There is but one species belonging to this genus, a 

 native of the American seas. It is the Trigla volitans 

 minor of Brown. Jamaica, 453. tab. 47. fig. 3. 



GexcsCII. TmctA. Gurnard. 

 Soft separate rays near each pectoral fin ; no spines 

 in the interval between the dorsal fins. 



The name of the genus is from T ? , V .,.<, terparient, in 

 reference to the fecundity of the fish. Many of the 

 specie* have the power of raising themselves into the 

 air, when the sea does not afford them a safe asy- 

 I'hi-ir flesh is white and insipid ; and in seldom 

 ought after when other fish can be obtained. 



rsCIIF. PEISTniOX. 



Soft separate rays near each pectoral fin ; one dona) fin ; 

 one or more bony plates on the under side of the body. 



This genos) was formed by Lacepede, and contains 

 two specie*. They are readily distinguished from the 

 specie* of the genui Trigla by the osseous plates, which 

 form coat of mail on their under side. The P. malar- 

 mat of Lacepede, the Trigla cataphracta of Graelin, 

 i found in the European andjlndian seas It is sought 

 after as food, although its flesh is said to be dry and m- 

 -rniil. It swims with great rapidity, and is very active 

 in all its movement*. The P. chabrontera is found in 

 the Mediterranean, and was first described by Osbeck. 



GEHUS CIV. ISTIOMIORITS, 



Two dorsal fins, the first very long elevated and round- 

 ed ; two rays to each ventral fin. 



The T. gladifer is the only known species. It is an 

 inhabitant of the tropical seas, and its appearance is con- 

 sidered by sailors as the presage of a storm. It resembles 

 in many respect* the sword-fish. It grow* to a great 

 be. swims with great velocity, and posse**e* undaunted 

 courage. It often strikes its imoutagainst vessels with *uch 

 force a* to break it ; and, in consequence of its boldness, 

 proves dangerous enemy to finbei equal to itself in size. 

 When young, its flesh is considered as agreeable to the 

 taste ; bat when old, it is oily and indigestible. 



GENUS CV. GYM VETRUS. 



No anal fin ; one dorsal fin ; the rays of the ventral 

 fins elongated. 



This genus contain* only one specie*, which was in- 

 stituted by Bloch, the G. Hawkenii, a native of the In- 

 dian sea*, and occasionally in those of Europe. 



Gluts CVI. MI-LIU*. Surmullet. 



Scale* large, and easily detached ; summit of the 

 head bluntly elevated ; under jaw with a beard. 



There are fourteen known species in the genus. The 

 most remarkable of these i* the Red Surmullet, Mullus 

 b*rbatu* of Linnaeus. This fiah, when alive, presents 

 some of the most brilliant colours exhibited in nature, 

 and the change* which they experience as the fish ex- 

 pire* are singularly various. The luxurious Romans 

 nought this fih alive to table in a glass vessel, and, 

 suffering the fiah to expire, contemplated with delight 

 the successive changes of colour. After pleasing the 



eye by this fine display, the fish was removed and dress- Classifies. 

 ed for the feast. "on of 



Fishes. 

 GENUS CVI I. APOGON. ^ - - ' 



Scales large and deciduous ; head bluntly raised ; no 

 beard on the under jaw. 



The generic name is from aTy, imberbis. The 

 only known species is the A. ruber of La Cepede, the 

 Mullus imberbis of Willoughby. It is found chiefly 

 on the rocky coast of Malta, and differs from the sur- 

 mullets in wanting the beard or cirrus on the lower 

 lip. It is of a fine red colour; the opening of the 

 mouth is large, and the palate and jaws very rough. 



GENUS CVIII. LONCHURUS. 



Pectoral and caudal fins equal at least to a fourth of 

 the whole length of the body : dorsal fin long and in- 

 dented. , 



Bloch instituted this genus for the reception of a fish 

 brought from Surinam, which he termed L. barbatus. 

 La Cepede changed the trivial name into diaiiema, in- 

 stigated apparently by no other feeling than the love of 

 change. The nose or upper lip is produced into an 

 o!)tn-e short snout, so as to cause the mouth to appear 

 as if placed somewhat beneath. The head is covered 

 with scales like those on the back, and the jaws are 

 furnished with small sharp teeth. 



GENTS CIX. MACROPODUS. 



Ventral fins the length of the body, caudal fin fork- 

 ed, its length equal to a third part of the body : head 

 and gill lid covered with scales similar to the back ; 

 opening of the mouth very small. 



This genus from */{, lonput, and vj, pea, con- 

 tains only one species, M. viridiauratus, an inhabitant 

 of the fresh water lakes of China, but whose history is 

 little known. 



GENUS CX. LABRUS. Wrasse. 



Lips thick ; upper lip protrusile ; no teeth in the Wntse. 

 form of grinders or incisors ; rays of the dorsal fin ter 

 minated by a filament. 



The name of the genus is expressive of the thick lips 

 with which the species are furnished, and is a term 

 iiM'il by Ovid. La Cepede describes 130 species. Some 

 of these, however, rest on very doubtful authority, and 

 a few may be considered as varieties. The characters 

 by which they are separated depend, in a great mea- 

 sure, on the number of the rays of the fins. They are 

 all remarkable for the brilliancy of their colours, the 

 size of their scales, and the strength of their teeth, and 

 we may add, for their extensive distribution. In all 

 the seas of the globe some species belonging to this 

 genus have been found. Few of the species are esteem* 

 ed as foot), and although some are reputed poisonous, 

 the evidence on which the belief rests is unsatisfactory. 

 Many of the species are solitary, while a few appear to 

 be gregarious. The Labrus julis is said to live in vast 

 troops; and, if we may credit yKlian, will attack and 

 bite men bathing in the water. The flesh of the La- 

 niaxlus is soft, tender, and easy of digestion, and 

 suitable for the young and weak. 



GEN-US CXI. CHEH.INUS. 



Lips thick ; rays of the dorsal fin terminating in a 

 filanit'iit : large scales, with appendages at the base of 

 the caudal fin. 



This genus of I .a Cepede contains two species, viz. 

 C. scarus and C. trilobatus. The first appears to be the 

 true Scarus of the ancients. It inhabits the shores of 

 the Mediterranean, and has been often examined. It is 

 of a whitish colour mixed with red. The scales are 

 large and transparent This species lives in ahoals, and 

 such is the attachment which is said to prevail among 



