SPARINE. 35 



Genus XI — Pagellus, Cuvier and Valenciennes. 



Branchiostegals six : pseudobranchiai present. Operates unarmed. The teeth in 

 the anterior part of either jaw cardlilce tvithout canines, the outer series being some- 

 what enlarged; posteriorly two or more rows of rounded molars in either jaw. The 

 spines of the dorsal fin (11 to 13) are receivable into a basal groove : three anal spines. 

 Scales of moderate size, some present on the cheeks. Air-bladder simple. Pyloric 

 apptendages few. 



The molar teeth, in the genns Pagellus are much smaller than what are seen 

 in those which belong to Pagrus, C. V., including Ghrysophrys, C. V. 



Geographical distribution. — From the seas of Scandinavia, along the British 

 shores to the Canaries, the Cape of Good Hope, as well as the Atlantic coast of 

 Tropical America. Also throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea. 



These fishes are commonly known as sea-breams. One form termed silver eyes 

 is said to pursue small fishes in Cardigan Bay, and Mr. Dunn, of Mevagissey, 

 informs me that sea-breams frequently come in shoals at night-time to feed on the 

 pilchards entangled in the fishermen's nets, and which they often rapidly clear : 

 this seems to be most common on moonlight nights, as at other times they are 

 ground feeders. 



In Cornwall when two-thirds grown they are known as grobman, if younger 

 as chads. Mr. Dunn has observed at Mevagissey that " sea-breams " leave the 

 coast in November when they have no spawn, returning in April, whereas at 

 Land's End they arrive in March : on their arrival they seem to have concluded 

 spawning. The chads appear the first week in July. 



In considering the number of species recorded from the seas of Great Britain, 



1 observe that Tarrell (Ed. 3) mentions three, irrespective of his braize or 

 becker, winch is in reality a Pagellus. Couch also has the becker, three Pagelli, 

 and one variety. The number of species from these shores which I have obtained 

 or examined and figured is five, one being that of a skin existing in the British 

 Museum from Parnell's Frith of Forth collection as P. acarne, other examples 

 of which from Tarrell's collection have also been seen. 



Couch mentions a tale of the common sea-bream showing how superstitious 

 the fishermen of Cornwall were at the commencement of this century. An old ■ 

 woman whose appearance and language were similar to what those of witches 

 were supposed to be, came to a seine boat and requested the gift of a few pilchards, 

 but received a curt refusal. With expressions of anger and wishes for their ill- 

 luck she left the beach. When the fishermen returned to their nets for the purpose 

 of obtaining the remainder of their capture they found only chads instead of 

 pilchards and likewise a drowned toad, the last being considered as unmistakably 

 a proof of the witch's power, which was further shown by transforming their 

 pilchards into worthless chads. One of the fishermen took the toad to the 

 supposed witch's house into which he flung it, uttering exclamations the reverse 

 of friendly to the agent of the evil one. The war with France was then going on, 

 and among the prisoners captured was this very fisherman who in attempting 

 to escape fell before the bullets of his guard, he being the only one who was 

 shot. 



The following is a synopsis of the British sea-breams as at present 

 recognized : — 



1. Pagellus centrodontus, D. -ff, A. ^, L. 1. 75. Length of head 3f to 4 in 

 the total. Normally 2 rows of rounded molars in both jaws or 3 in the upper. 

 Last 2 dorsal and anal rays not scaled. A black shoulder spot at commencement 

 of lateral-line. 7 rows of scales across the cheeks. 



2. Pagellus bngaraveo, D. Jflxr? A. yy-tt' ^- !■ 71. Length of head 3f to 4 

 in the total. 2 or 3 rows of rounded molars in upper, and 2 in lower jaw. Last 



2 dorsal and anal rays not scaled. A dark axillary spot, 6 or 7 rows of scales 

 across the cheeks. 



3. Pagellus Ou-enii, D. yy-Va' A. t 3 q, L. 1. 68-70. Length of head 3^- to 3| in 

 the total. 3 or 4 rows of rounded molars in the upper, and 2 or 3 in the lower 



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