142 



CAPROS. 



The body compressed, deep, covered with rough scales. Mouth 

 capable of great extension. Dorsal fins two, close together; base of 

 the dorsal and anal fins without spines. Ventral fins thoracic. 



BOARFISH. 



Aper, JONSTON; pi. 1, f. 8. WiLLOUGHBY ; p. 296. 



Zeus aper, Linn-^us. 



Capros aper, Ctjvier. 



" sanglior, Lacepede. Rrsso, 



" " Jenyns; Manual, p. 368. 



" " Yarrell; British Fishes, vol. i, p. 190. 



" " Zoologist, vol. i, p. 191. 



" " GuNTiiER; Cat. Br. M., vol. ii, p. 495. 



This fish obtains its name from the shape of its snout, 

 which is turned up, and capable of being greatly protruded. 

 The spines also of its first dorsal fin are stiff and long, added 

 to which it exudes a strong and unpleasant smell, and, if the 

 Boarfish mentioned by Pliny as being found in the River 

 Achelous be the same, is accustomed to utter a grunting sound; 

 all of which were supposed to point out a sufficient resemblance 

 to a boar to warrant the appellation. 



It is known in the Mediterranean, and usually has been 

 regarded as a species of rare occurrence. But it is only 

 necessary to find its haunts to be able to pronounce it locally 

 abundant. It was first discovered to be a British fish by Dr. 

 Henry Boase, who obtained a specimen at Penzance; and, in 

 the second place, an example was procured at Bridgewater, by 

 Mr. William Baker. In the first volume of the "Zoologist," 

 page 191, is an account, with a figure, of one that was found 

 on the shore at Brighton, and which was thought worthy of 

 the notice of royalty. Since these I have known two caught 



