SNAPPERS. 209 



)Scyllarus cequmociialis), that had found his way into 

 the prison among the fishes. A few shrimps, and 

 other creatures of smaller size, were seen in some of 

 the pots as they were drawn up ; but these waited 

 not to be lifted out of the water, darting through the 

 interstices of the wicker-work as it approached the 

 surface. The others were left disconsolate, to mourn 

 their imprudence, in getting in, without first inquiring 

 how they were to get out. Poor things ! as they 

 roamed round their narrow walls, and looked through 

 the grating at their fellows enjoying freedom, perhaps 

 they philosophically repeated, in piscine phrase, the 

 poet's reflection : — 



" Facilis descensus . . . . ; 



Noctes atque dies patet atri janua coi-bis ; 



Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad undas, 



Hoc opus, hie labor est. 



The most esteemed fishes for the table, and the 

 most common, are the Snappers, Yellow-tails, Silks, 

 and Hinds (various species of Serranina, or Marine 

 Perches), and the Grunts and Squirrels (species of 

 Scicenadce). Many of these are fishes of brilliant 

 colours : the Yellow-tail {Mesoprion chrysurus), for 

 example, is pale azure on the back, and pearly white 

 below, with a broad band along each side, of the 

 richest yellow, which is the hue also of the dorsal and 

 caudal fins. The Dog-tooth Snapper {Mesoprion 

 cynodon ?) is white, with six transverse dark bands ; 

 each scale on the belly has a border of golden lustre; 

 and all the fins are rich yellow. The Spotted 

 Snapper {M. uninotatus) is white, traversed by longi- 



