84 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



pectoral region, but the mucus system of the head is well developed. The soft dorsal fin is much more 

 developed than the spinous dorsal, or than the anal fin. The air-bladder', which is sometimes 

 absent, usually has greatly elongated appendages. 



In the British seas there are two representatives of this family, the Umbrina cirrhosa, which 

 ranges into the Mediterranean, where it is common, and extends as far south as the Cape Seas, and 

 secondly the Scicena aquila, commonly known as the Maigre. It rarely attains a length of three 

 feet, but has been taken more than six feet long. It is a strong fish, and difficult to get into small 



MAIGRE. 



boats. The otolites, or ear bones, are larger in proportion to the size of the fish in this species than in 

 any other. Its head has always been highly valued by the epicure, and was formerly presented as 

 a tribute to the magistrates of Rome. Yarrell quotes the history of the head of one of these fishes. 

 This head was presented to the nephew of Pope Sixtus X., and he in turn gave it to one of the cardinals; 

 from him it passed to his banker, to whom he was under obligations ; and the banker presented it to 

 his mistress. Its wanderings were followed by a man whose industry was rewarded at last by a 

 share in the feast. This story forms much of the underplot of Beaumont and Fletcher's Woman- 

 hater. The air-bladder in this species, as indeed in the whole genus, gives off processes all round its 

 margin, which branch and subdivide into a perfect fringe. The fins are brown, the body bluish-white 

 below, and greenish-brown above. 



The division Xiphiiformes includes only 



