532 



uisroaY OF 



Prickly -finned Jugular Fish. 



4. The Trachinus or Weever. The body oblong ; the head 

 obtuse ; the bones covering the gills jagged at the bottom ; the 

 /ins covering the gills with six spines ; the anus near the breast ; 

 buries itself in the sands, leaving only its nose out ; and if trod 

 upon, immediately strikes with the spines that form its dorsal 

 fins, which are venomous and dangerous. 



5. The Uranoscopus. The body wedge-like; the head almost 

 round, and larger than the body j the mouth flat ; the eyes on the 

 top of the head ; the fin covering the gills with six spines ; the 

 anus in the middle of the body; an inhabitant of the Mediter- 

 ranean Sea. 



6. The Callyonymus or Dragonet. The body almost wedge- 

 like ; the head broad, and larger than the body ; the mouth even 

 with the body ; the bony covering of the gills close shut ; the 

 opening to the gills behind the head ; the fin covering the gills 

 with six spines ; an inhabitant of the Atlantic Ocean. 



7. The Blennius or Blenny. The body oblong; the head 

 obtusely bevel ;' the teeth a single range ; the fin covering the 

 gills with six spines ; the ventral-fins have two small blunt bones 

 in each ; a species of this animal is viviparous. 



Prickly-finned Thoracic Fish. 



8. The Gobius or Gudgeon. The body round and oblong ; 

 the head with two little holes between the eyes, one before the 

 other ; the fin covering the gills with four spines ; the ventral- 

 fins joined together.* 



9. The Cepola. The body sword-like ; the head blunt ; the 

 mouth flat ; the fin covering the gills with six spines ; the fins 

 distinct ; an inhabitant of the Mediterranean Sea. 



♦ There is another species, called the Scorpio or Father.Iasher, which is 

 not uncommon on the rocky coasts of this island ; it lurks under stones, and 

 will take a bait. It seldom exceeds eight or nine inches in length. The 

 head is large, and has a most formidable appearance, being armed with vast 

 spines, which it can oppose to an enemy that attacks it, by swelling out its 

 cheeks and gill.covers to a large size. The nose and space contiguous to the 

 eyes are furnished with sharp spines ; the covers of the gills are terminated 

 by exceeding long ones, which are strong, and very sharp-pointed, llie 

 mouth is large : the jaws covered with very small teeth : the roof of the 

 mouth is furnished with a triangular spot of very minute teeth. 



