54 



delicacy, but the Plain or Striped variety is rarely 



eaten, nor is the Horse Mackarel highly thought 



of. The John Dory or Pesci San Pietru deserves 



mention. 



The Cepolideae are represented by the Bed and 

 White varieties of the Snake Fish, and by Trachy- 

 pterus Spinoloe which last was caught at Marsa- 

 sirocco in 1871. 



The Blenny tribe is not of any great value 

 as food, and two varieties of the Sea Devil or 

 Petricia are caught, together with two several kinds 

 of Hippocampus or Sea- Horse. 



The Plagiostomi are numerous. One of the 

 varieties of the Scyllideoe is the Catfish, which is 

 very plentiful, but its flesh has a disagreeable odour, 

 which is only partially removed by being steeped 

 in water. The poorer classes eat it, and its native 

 name is Kattus. The Lesser Spotted and the 

 Black Mouthed Dog Fish are caught. 



The Pesce Cane or Penny Dog which whilst 

 young is called the Miller Dog is common, the 

 female producing from 60 to 80 young every year. 

 The Blue Shark which the Maltese style the Sea 

 Dog is still more ferocious. 



The White Shark is the most terrible of his 

 tribe, but is fortunately a somewhat rare visitant. 



The Lamna cornubica or Smeriglio which some- 

 times attains the length of 24 feet is edible, but 



