OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 61 



about an inch and a quarter long, and from 200 to 300 

 are usually found within an adult female fish. Large adult 

 examples of this species measure as much as two feet, but 

 a length of about one foot or fifteen inches represents the 

 more ordinary size. The still larger dimensions of from 

 two to three feet long, is said to be attained by an allied 

 American species, Zoarces anguillaris. 



FAMILY XXII.— Band-Fishes (Cepolidce). 



Body very elongate, compressed, clothed with minute 

 cycloid scales ; teeth moderate in size, pointed ; preoperculum 

 without a bony stay ; dorsal and anal fins very long, more 

 or less continuous with the caudal fin ; branchiostegal rays 

 six in number. 



The Red Band-fish, or Red Snake-fish {Cepola rubescens), 

 No. 82, an elongate form with an attenuate tail not 

 unlike that of Trichiurus, is the only British representative 

 of this small family group. Although generally regarded as 

 a rare fish, few winters pass without one or more specimens 

 being washed up by the storms upon our shores, from the 

 deeper waters which they normally inhabit. Its colours 

 when living are very attractive, the ground hue being 

 bright red or even carmine, intermixed with yellow, and 

 the fins being more or less tinged with rose-colour. A 

 length of twenty-two inches represents the longest recorded 

 British example. It is a common form in the Mediter- 

 ranean. A preserved specimen, captured at Exmouth, is 

 included in the Day Collection. 



