THE PIPER. 45 



at least, of the Cornish species ; consequently it is sometimes 

 common, and at others somewhat rare." It is chiefly obtain- 

 ed on the western shores of Devonshire and Cornwall, occa- 

 sionally off Anglesey, and is also said to have been taken in 

 Belfast bay. It attains the length of two feet, weighing 

 then three and a half pounds, and is supposed to have gained 

 the name of Piper from the sound which escapes from it when 

 taken in hand from the sea. All the species, however, emit 

 a grunting noise at intervals for a considerable time ; which 

 may probably have given origin to the name that distinguishes 

 them by some corruption from the Latin grunnio or the 

 French grander. Perhaps a little assisted by its rarity, its 

 flesh has been considered superior to that of the other 

 Gurnards ; even Quin has borne testimony to the merits of a 

 West-country Piper. 



D. 916 : P. 11 3 : V. 1 + 5 : A. 16 : C 11. 



The head is large, but the body declines rapidly to the tail ; 

 eyes large, irides yellow, pupils dark blue ; one strong orbital 

 spine in front, a smaller one behind ; anterior lateral portions 

 of the muzzle very much produced on both sides, and notched, 

 the central indentation deep in proportion ; under-jaw the 

 shortest ; gill-openings large ; both opercular and the scapu- 

 lary spines large and strong. In one of my own specimens, 

 twenty inches long, the scapulary spine measures two inches 

 and a quarter ; pectoral fins reaching beyond the vent ; the 

 arming on the ridges of the back more conspicuous in this 

 than in any other British species ; lateral line slightly ele- 

 vated above the general surface, and rising gradually to the 

 upper edge of the operculum : scales of the body small, 

 oval, and ciliated ; the general colour a brilliant red ; belly 

 white, fins red. Mr. Donovan's figure, otherwise very good, 

 is much too pale in colour. 



