^KE ARGfENTINE. Z6j 



Genus L. — Ihe Argentine *. 



Of this genus there are two fpecies ; the one peculiar 

 to the Americmi feas, termed by Linnxus the Argentina 

 Carolijia \ and the other found in the European and fome- 

 times in the Britijh feas. The Em-opeati argentine is 

 moll frequently feen in the Mediterranean : Willoughhy, 

 who examined one at Rome, fays, that the outfide of the 

 air bladder confids of a foliaceous filvery ikin, which 

 was made ufe of in the manufavilure of artificial pearl f. 



The fnout of this fmall fiili is fliarp and prominent; 

 the body round and tapering, feldom exceeding two inches 

 in length. The back and fides, as far as the lateral lines, 

 are a pale afh colour, mixed with green : The belly, and 

 parts below thefe lines, are exactly coloured as if covered 

 with lilver leaf. The mouth is fmall, without teeth, ex- 

 cepting fome afperities refembling them upon the roof of 

 the mouth, and the tip of the tongue. The eyes are 

 large ; the irfdes filvery ; and on the forehead is a patch 

 of dark purple. The dorfal fin is placed near the equili^ 

 brium of the fi(h, and fupported with ten foft rays. 

 There are two pectoral, two ventral, and an anal finj 

 near to the tail, which is bifurcated. 



* Argentina Sphyrsna, Lin. Syft. Pifciculus Roms, Argentina diftuSs 

 WilL t Willough. 22^. 



L 1 2 



