Class IV. O P A H. 225 



The body diminifhes very fmall to the tall, 

 which is forked, and expands twelve inches : the 

 gill fins are broad, about eight inches long, and 

 play horizontally : a little behind their infertion 

 the back fin takes its original, where it is about fe- 

 ven inches high, but Hopes away very fuddenly, 

 running down very near the tail, and at its ter- 

 mination becomes a little broader : the belly fins 

 are very ftrong, and placed near the middle of 

 the body : a narrow fin alfo runs from the anus to 

 the tail. 



All the fins, and alio the tail, are of a fine fear- 

 let ; but the colors and beauty of the reft of the 

 body, which is fmooth and covered with almoft 

 imperceptible fcales, beggars all defcription; the 

 upper part being a kind of bright green, variega- 

 ted with whitifli fpots, and enriched with a fhi- 

 ning golden hue, like the fplendor of a peacock's 

 feather. This by degrees, vanifhes in a bright fil- 

 very, and near the belly the gold again predo- 

 minates in a lighter ground than on the back. 



Vol: IIL q: Body 



