SAPPHI1UNE GURNARD. Trigla MruncU, 



LYRIE. 'Agonus cataphractus. 



This seems to be the most valuable of the nine species that inhabit the British seas, 

 being, like all the others, excellent for the table, and exceeding them considerably in size. 

 The name of Hirundo, or swallow, has been given to this fish on account of the great size 

 of the pectoral fins, which are almost as proportionately large to the dimensions of the 

 fish as the wings of the swallow to the bird. Putting aside the great development of these 

 members, and their rich blue colour, the Sapphirine Gurnard may be distinguished from 

 the other species by the extreme smoothness of the lateral line, which may be rubbed with 

 the finger in either direction without exhibiting the spiny roughness which is found in 

 other Gurnards. In consequence of this structure, the fishermen sometimes call the fish 

 the Smoothside Gurnard. 



All the scales of this species are very small. The head is armed with spines, some 

 springing from just before the eye, and others from the operculum and the shoulder. Its 

 head is very large and flattened, and carried in a rather peculiar style, best understood 

 from seeing a specimen or examining the illustration. The general colour of the body and 

 head is reddish brown, the pectoral fins are very long and wide, and their colour is deep 

 blue on the inside and brownish red on the exterior. The rays are white. When full 

 grown it sometimes attains the length of two feet. 



Several other species of Gurnard inhabit the English seas, among which may be 

 mentioned the CUCKOO GUENAED (Triyla pini), sometimes called the KED GUENAED from 

 the colour of its body. This is a very common species, and when young may be found in 

 the rock pools at low water, measuring only a few inches in length, but perfectly exhibiting 

 the characters of its genus. The specific title of " pini," or belonging to the pine-tree, is 

 giver to the Cuckoo Gurnard on account of the peculiar aspect of the lateral line, which is 



