BRAIZE. Pagrus vulgaris. 



Another variety of this fish is marked in a very singular manner. The front portion 

 of the body is black, diversified with two white longitudinal bands, one drawn from above 

 the eye to the beginning of the soft dorsal fin, arid the other running obliquely from the 

 cheek just below the eye to the lateral line. On each side of the tail there is a large 

 black spot. About twenty species of this genus are known, all belonging to the warm or 

 seas, and for the most part marked with bold stripes or spots. 



THE family of the SPARID^E is represented by the BEAIZE, otherwise known as the 

 BECKER, PANDORA, and KING OF THE SEA-BREAM. 



This is a common fish in the Mediterranean, and has occasionally, though very rarely, 

 been taken on the British coasts. 



On leaving the precincts of its native sea, it seems to take a north or north-westerly 

 course. It is on some occasions a rather sociable fish, swimming in little shoals ; approach- 

 ing the shore in the spring and retiring into deep water towards the middle of summer. 

 In habits it resembles the common sea-bream, of which Mr. Couch writes as follows : 

 " In its general habits it might be considered a solitary fish, as where they most abound, 

 the assemblage is formed commonly for no other purpose than the pursuit of food. Yet 

 there are exceptions to this, and fishermen inform me of instances in which multitudes 

 are seen congregated at the surface, moving slowly along, as if engaged in some important 

 expedition. This happens most frequently over rocky ground in deep water." 



There are several varieties of this fish, the teeth and number of fin rays differing iu 

 certain individuals. Its colour is uniform red. According to Dr. Giinther, Mr. Y&rrell 

 has mistaken the Spanish Sea-Bream (Pagellus erythrinus) for the present species, 

 giving the figure and description of one and the vignette of the other. 



The COMMON SEA-BREAM (Pagellus centrodontus), so well known on our coasts, is a 

 handsome fish, notable for its large round eyes, and the reddish grey hue of its body. II 

 is sometimes called the GILT-HEAD, because part of the head looks as if it were silvered, 

 and when young, it goes by the name of CHAD. 



