9TONE BASSE. Pnlyprion cernium. 



This beautiful fish inhabits the warm Caribbean sea, and is plentiful upon the West 

 Indian coasts. Its colour is bright red, and the head, body, and sometimes the dorsal fin, 

 are profusely powdered with small blue spots, edged with black. Just by the joint of the 

 lower jaw there is a pair of largish black spots, and on the back of the tail, immediately 

 behind the dorsal fin, is another black spot. Of its habits nothing interesting is told. 



The STONE BASSE is an inhabitant of the British seas. It is otherwise known 

 as COUCH'S POLYPEION, in honour of the eminent naturalist who first made it known as a 

 British species, and as JEW-FISH and WKECK-FISH the last title being given to it on 

 account of its habit of frequenting drifting timbers, apparently for the purpose of feeding 

 upon the various marine creatures that swarm about such localities. In Madeira it is 

 called CHEENE, when full grown, and CHEENOTIE when young. 



Barnacle-laden timber seems to have great attractions for the Stone Basse, and it is 

 mentioned by Mr. Yarrell that a becalmed vessel was surrounded for a fortnight with 

 these fish, probably on account of the trailing barnacles with which her planking was 

 covered. Their presence was most valuable, as they were caught in great numbers, and 

 the men fed almost wholly upon them for twelve or fourteen days. 



From examination of the stomach, the Stone Basse seems to feed mostly on small fish 

 of various kinds, sardines having been found in its interior in large quantities. Molluscs 

 also form part of its food. It lives mostly in the deeper waters, preferring a rocky 

 bottom, and generally remaining deeply immersed, unless attracted to the surface by the 

 presence of i!s food. 



