Jv3:2 (orc ll's SKA 15 UK AM. 



the coui'se of the lateral line. At the vent the body appeared 

 as if constricted. Cok)uv of the front and top of the liead 

 brownish red; of the back and fins as if formed by a mixture 

 of lake and vermilion; the fins of the same colour, except the 

 anal, which is pale yellow; sides jiale red; belly whitish. Iris 

 of the eye yellow. As the colours faded there appeared a 

 yellow margin at the angles where tlie scales met. 'i'here was 

 a gathering up at the termination of the dorsal and anal fins, 

 as in the Becker, but less conspicuous, and more decidedly at 

 the anal than the dorsal fin. The tail concave, but less regu- 

 larly so than in most of the sparoid fishes. Third ray of the 

 l^ectoral fin the longest. 



Fin rays — dorsal twelve firm and ten soft, pectoral thirteen, 

 ventral four, anal three firm and eight soft. 



The remarkable shortness of the head, with the roundness and 

 steepness in the declivity of the front, equality of the jaws, 

 stoutness and interlocking of the teeth, and singular form of 

 the chin, are sufficient to distinguish this species from every 

 other recognized as British; and at the same time it so nearly 

 agrees with the figure and description of Orphc, as given 

 by E-ondeletius, that I have little hesitation in believing it to 

 be the same fish. The only difference I can find is, that he 

 represents the vent as being very small; Avhich is the contrary 

 to what Avas perceptible in my example; but a variety of 

 circumstances will explain this slight discrepency. 



Among ancient Avriters there appears to be much disagreement 

 reu^ardiuij this fish, but the difference of their accounts will be 

 explained when we call to mind that Avith them several very 

 different species bore the same name, and even that one so 

 denominated — the E,ud — is a fish of the fresh-Avatcr. Oppian 

 appears to represent it as devouring shell-fish, Avhich is not 

 improbable Avdien avc take into account the form and solid 

 structure of its grinding teeth; but he further states Avhat 

 ■would be highly remarkable, if true: — 



-slow-dyina; Orfs, 



Whose bodies long will stubborn life retain. 

 Ecpeated wounds the tortured wretches feel, 

 Yet dare the cruel hand and ruttini; steel; 

 The parts disjoined and niani^led as they lie. 

 Still pant and move, and will at leisure die. 



