276 



THE COHYPHENE. 



print of liis finger and thumb as a perpetual remembrance of the event. Some persons, 

 however, contend that the marks are due, not to St. Peter, but to St. Christopher ; and the 

 Greeks, who hold to the latter tradition, call the fish Christophoron. 



It is a very voracious creature, feeding upon various marine animals and fishes of 

 inferior size to itself. It will even catch and devour a cuttle-fish of great size in spite of 

 the strength and agility of the prey, and is fond of following the shoals of pilchards for 

 the purpose of feeding upon the young and weakly. In consequence of this habit, it is 

 frequently captured in the same nets which are employed to take the pilchards. The flesh 

 of the Dory is remarkably excellent, and as it is rather improved by the lapse of twenty-four 

 hours after the fish has been taken from the sea, it is peculiarly valuable to those who live 

 far inland, and cannot hope for the more delicate fishes, which must be eaten almost as 

 soon as caught. Although a common fish, it always commands a high price, and as, when 

 cooked, the head occupies so large a space, it never affords an economical dish. 



JOHN DORY. Zeus faber. 



The shape of the Dory is -very peculiar. The body is very deep, and greatly compressed. 

 The head is oddly shaped, and the mouth can be protruded to a surprising extent. The 

 spines of the first dorsal fin are much prolonged, and behind each ray is given off a very 

 long waving filament, three times as long as the ray in front of it. Along the base of the 

 dorsal and anal fins are arranged two rows of spiny scales, their points being directed 

 backward, and one row being set at each side of the fin. 



The colour of this fish is very beautiful, especially if seen immediately after its removal 

 from the water, when golden brown, olive, white, and azure are reflected from its surface 

 in changing tints, that rapidly vanish after death. 



WE now come to a most beautiful and interesting fish, the COKYPHENE, so often 

 erroneously spoken of as the dolphin. 



This splendid fish is found in many of the warmer seas, inhabiting the Mediterranean 

 Sea, and the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. The reader has, in all probability heard 

 the old story respecting the lovely and changeful colours of the dying dolphin, and is quite 



