202 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



become its master. High, though of course imaginary, vir- 

 tues were formerly attributed to the bones which occur in 

 the ear of this, as of other osseous, fishes. They were worn 

 on the neck set in gold ; and Belon says they were called co- 

 lic-stones, being renowned for the cure, and even prevention 

 of that complaint. It was necessary, however, that they 

 should be received as a gift, — such as were purchased being 

 found to lose their virtue. As an article of food this fish 

 is considered good as well as wholesome. Mr Yarrell 

 states, that a specimen some time since was brought to the 

 London market ; part of the flesh was eaten by several per- 

 sons, and by all reported to be good, particularly by those 

 who prepared their portions by stewing ; when boiled, it 

 was rather dry and tasteless. 



This fish very much resembles the bass in appearance, 

 but is readily distinguished from it in having no teeth on 

 the vomer or tongue ; these parts in the bass being well fur- 

 nished with teeth. 



Although I have affixed the name of aquila to the present 

 fish, yet I am doubtful whether it be the aquila of Cuvier 

 or a different species. The fish described by Cuvier has 

 the preoperculum strongly serrated ; the middle rays of the 

 first dorsal fin the longest, and the anterior rays of the se- 

 cond dorsal fin shorter than the terminating ones. In the 

 present example the preoperculum is nearly entire, very 

 slightly notched on the inferior border; the second, third, 

 and fourth rays of the first dorsal the longest ; and the an- 

 terior rays of the second dorsal longer than those succeeding. 



Family IV. SPARIDiE. — Preoperculum and opercu- 

 lum without denticulations or spines; palate without teeth ; 

 vertical fins without scales. 



