L<* 



210 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



rather small, placed under the base of the pectorals. Under jaw the 

 longest ; each jaw furnished with a number of sharp slender teeth, 

 those on the outer row longer than those behind ; palatines also fur- 

 nished with small card-like teeth. Lateral line commencing over the 

 upper part of the operculum, taking its course parallel to the dorsal 

 curve to the base of the tail ; nearly the whole surface of the vertical 

 fins covered with small scales. Number of fin rays — 

 D. 36 ; P. 19 ; V. 7; A. 29 ; C. 26 ; Branchial rays 7. 



Cuvier supposed that this fish was peculiar to the Medi- 

 terranean, and never found to enter the Atlantic. It has, 

 however, not only been captured several times on the Bri- 

 tish coast, but has been observed as far north as on the 

 coast of Denmark. Mr Couch has obtained two or more 

 specimens on the coast of Cornwall. Colonel Montagu 

 has recorded it as taken in Devonshire, and another at 

 Swansea. It is known at Belfast and said to be not un- 

 common on the western shores of Scotland. In the Firth of 

 Forth it has occurred frequently, and two or three speci- 

 mens are now in the College Museum of Edinburgh taken 

 from that locality. This bream seldom exceeds the length 

 of eighteen inches. According to Cuvier it spawns in sum- 

 mer. Its flesh is said to be good and wholesome, particu- 

 larly in the winter months, when in season. 



Family VI., SCOM BRIDGE.— Vertical fins without 

 scales ; operculum and preoperculum without spines or den- 

 ticulations ; scales small, entire. 



Genus SCOMBER. — Dorsal fins two, widely separate ; 

 sides of the tail raised into two small cutaneous crests ; fin- 

 lets behind the second dorsal and anal fins. 



Scomber scomber.* — The Mackerel. 



Specific Character. — First dorsal fin with twelve rays. 

 ■ Scomber scomber, Linn., Yar., Jen. ; Scomber vulgaris, Fleia. 



