SUN-PISH. Orthragnriscvs raoia. 



Several specimens of tins odd-looking fish have been captured in British waters, and, 

 in almost every case, the creature was swimming, or rather floating, in so lazy a fashion, 

 that it permitted itself to be taken without attempting to escape. In the seas where this 

 fish is generally found, the harpoon is usually employed for its capture, not so much on 

 account of its strength, though a large specimen will sometimes struggle with amazing 

 force and fury, but on account of its great weight, which renders its conveyance into a 

 boat a matter of some little difficulty. 



The flesh of the Sun-fish is white and well- flavoured, and is in much request among 

 sailors, who always luxuriate in fresh meat after the monotony of salted provisions. In 

 flavour and aspect it somewhat resembles that of the skate. Its liver is rather large, and 

 yields a considerable amount of oil, which is prized by the sailors as an infallible remedy 

 against sprains, bruises, and rheumatic affections. 



One of the most curious peculiarities of this fish is the structure of the eye, which is 

 oedded in a mass of very soft and flexible folds belonging to the outer membranous coat, 

 while it rests behind on a sac filled with a gelatinous fluid. When thp creature is alarmed, 



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