SHE DRAGONET. 



173 



often found in the ftomach of the cod-fifh. It breather 

 in the manner of the cetaceous fiQies, by means of two 

 orifices in the crown of the head, through which it forces 

 the water received by the mouth *. 



The ventral fins are jugular, and placed before the pec- 

 toral, a circumftance by which all the fifti of this divifioa 

 are diHinguifhed ; they are placed at a dillance from each 

 other, are broad, and of one piece. The peftoral fins are 

 round, of a light brown colour, the rays aculeated, and ex- 

 tending beyond the membrane that connects them like 

 launces. The dorfal fins are two ; the firft of a form fo Angu- 

 lar, that it at once diftinguilhes this fpecies from every other. 

 The firft ray is cetaceous, and extends in a curvated dl- 

 reftionj almoft as far as the tail. The rays of the fecond 

 dorfal fin are of an equal length, except the laft, which 

 extends a confiderable way beyond the reft : The anal 

 Sn is placed exaftly oppofite to it, and refembles it very 

 nearly, both in ftiape and fize. 



The tail of this fpecies is long, rounded, and fupport- 

 ed by ten rays. It has obtained the name of the gemme- 

 ous dragonetj from the variety and brilliancy of its co- 

 lours : When taken out of the water, the yellow, the 

 white, and rich caerulean blue, with which it fparkles, 

 make a fine appearance ; the laft colour in particular 

 glows with inexpreflible fplendour. 



The fordid dragonet is inferior in fize, as well as beau- 

 ty ; being only about fix inches in length ; and about 

 two in thicknefs. It is of an olive colour above, and 

 white below, The fides are marbled with fmall fpots of 



filverj- 



" Brit. Zoal, clafe iv. gen, 17, 



