272 



UTILITARIAN ZOOLOGY 



point Gunther remarks (in The Study of Fishes): " The Romans 

 prized it above any other fish; they sought for large specimens 

 far and wide, and paid ruinous prices for them. . . . Then, as 

 nowadays, it was considered essential for the enjoyment of this 

 delicacy that the fish should exhibit the red colour of its integu- 

 ments. The Romans brought it, for that purpose, living into the 

 banqueting-room, and allowed it to die in the hands of the guests, 

 the red colour appearing in all its brilliancy during the death 

 struggle of the fish. The fishermen of our times attain the same 

 object by scaling the fish immediately after its capture, thus causing 



a permanent contrac- 

 tion of the chromato- 

 phores containing the 

 red pigment." 



iMfrZ^ THE J HN DoRY 



miiijj2^ FAMILY (CYTTIM:).- 



The members of this 

 family inhabit tem- 

 perate seas, and, so 

 far as known, lay 

 floating eggs. The 

 body is greatly flat- 

 tened from side to 

 side. Other fishes 

 constitute the food. 

 Only one species re- 

 quires notice, i.e. the John Dory (Zeus faber, fig. 1199), which 

 may be of considerable size (up to 18 Ibs. in weight). Its narrow 

 body is very deep, while the elongated first dorsal fin and large 

 staring eye give it an extraordinary appearance. The colour is 

 greenish-brown, banded with yellow, and on either side of the 

 body there is a large round black patch with a yellow border. 

 Gunther says (in The Study of Fishes]'. " The fishermen of 

 Roman Catholic countries hold this fish in special respect, as 

 they recognize in a black round spot on its side the mark left by 

 the thumb of St. Peter when he took the piece of money from 

 its mouth". (See also p. 267.) The John Dory ranges from 

 the Mediterranean to Madeira and Norway. It is trawled in 

 considerable numbers in the English and Bristol Channels. 



THE GURNARD FAMILY (COTTID^E). Here are included widely 



Fig. 1199. John Dory (Zeus faber] 



