BEARDED UMBRINA. 



95 



ACANTHOPTERYGII. SCI/ENID.E. 



THE BEARDED UMBRINA. 



Umbrina vulgaris, Cuv. et Valenc. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. t. v. p. 171. 

 ScicBiia cirrosa, Linna;us. 



,, ,, Block, pt. ix. pi. 300. 



Generic Characters. — The Umbrina, besides the characters common to Scias- 

 na, has a barbule, or cirrus, at the angle of the lower jaw ; the spines of the anal 

 fin strong and sharp ; the teeth smaller and more numerous. 



The Bearded Umbrina is a beautiful and excellent 

 fisli, which, though not attaining the size of the Maigre, is 

 frequently taken two feet in length, and has been known to 

 weigh forty pounds. It is very common on the coasts of 

 Italy, France, and Spain. The flesh is white and of good 

 flavour, and in considerable request, even at the best tables. 

 Its food is small fishes, mollusca, and a particular sort of 

 sea-weed, which have been found in its stomach. 



On the British coast it appears to be a very rare visiter. 

 In 1827, a fish, unknown to the oldest fisherman, was taken 

 in the river Exe, which proved to be identical with that 

 known at Gibraltar by the Spanish name of Umbrina, the 



