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THE COMMON SEA-BREAM. 



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



The family of the SPARID^E is represented by the BRAIZE, 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 ; 

 approaching the shore in the spring and retiring into deep water towards the middle of 



BROIZE.-Pa^rus vulgarls. 



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 prsuuit 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 in 

 certain individuals. Its color is uniform red. According to Dr. Giinther, Mr. Yarrell 

 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 gray hue of its body. 

 It 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. 



