52 



neither very abundant nor highly esteemed for the 

 table. 



The Gadideae or Cod family are somewhat nu- 

 merous, and are represented by some four or five 

 varieties. These are the Pecorella or Ballottra, the 

 Merluzzo or Marloz, and the two varieties of the 

 Lipp or Sea Tench. The famous Eemora or Pesci 

 Tmun, with its curious sucker must be included in 

 our list. 



Of the Pleuronectideae or Flat- Fish Dr. Gulia enu- 

 merates four species as belonging to the fish of 

 Malta. The Rhombus Laevis or Barbun is the most 

 plentiful. The Rhombus Maximus or Turbot is very 

 rare. Two kinds of Sole are also caught, the com- 

 mon variety being styled by the natives Linguata. 

 The Order of the Acanthopteri furnishes many a 

 dainty for the table. 



The Trachini or Weever Fish, which it is said de- 

 rive their name from their tenacity of life, are repre- 

 sented by three varieties. They are edible, but are justly 

 dreaded by the fishermen on account of the wounds 

 inflicted by their dorsal fins. Hence the great Weever 

 is often called by English fisher folk the Sting-Bull. 

 The Percideae or Perch family are numerous- The 

 Basse or Spnotta is rare, but is a very handsome 

 fish. Apogon rex mullorum or Beardless Mullet which 

 is much esteemed by eaters of fish, really belongs to 

 this family. The Kock Cod or Cerna, and the 

 Thorny Perch or Hanzir grow to a large size, 



