THE DOREE. ^69 



tranfparent varnidi of fcarlet, burnlfhed over with gold, 

 and befpangled with oblong filver fpots of different fizes* 

 The breaft confiftcd of a hard bone, refembling in fhape 

 the keel of a fhip j and the flefli had the tafte and appear- 

 ance of beef *. 



The opah has only been four or five times caught oa 

 the Britijh (hores ; and as no mention is made of it bjr 

 Linnceus or Wilhughby, is probably every where a rare 

 fiih. The fins, as well as the body, are of fine fcarlet ; 

 and from the high encomiums lavilhed by thofe who 

 have feen it, on its brilliant colours, we are led to fup- 

 pofe that it is one of the mod beautiful of the tenants of 

 the deep, and to regret its fcarcity f . 



• Brit. Zoologf. f Vide Sibbald. Hift. Scot. Tab, 6, 



Vol. III. jD d 



