136 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



on the top of the head, which plays such an important 

 part in the economy of the fish, begins to appear about 

 the fifth day after the larva escapes from the egg. 



The Gurnard Family. 



This family includes two small inedible fishes — the 

 Sea-scorpion (fig. XXVI., 1) and the Father-lasher — both 

 of which are common at extreme low tide and in the 

 shallow water just beyond, and three species of Gurnard, 

 the Yellow or " Sapphirine," the Red, and the Grey. The 

 Yellow Gurnard is one of the most brilliantly coloured of 

 British fishes, and is most esteemed as food. While not 

 common, it is an occasional visitor to Port Erin Bay, and, 

 though it does not bear confinement well, is occasionally 

 to be seen in our tanks, where the beautiful sapphire-blue 

 edges of the large, spreading fins always attract attention. 

 The Eed and Grey Gurnards are more abundant, but not 

 so much esteemed as food. 



The Sea-Bream (Fig. XXX., C). 



This fish, known locally as " Carp," approaches our 

 shores from the deeper waters in June, and numbers are 

 caught on hand lines by visitors during the summer 

 months. It is edible, but little esteemed, though 

 quantities are sold in the poorer districts of some 

 Lancashire towns under the name of " Bull's eyes." It 

 is very susceptible to cold, and always retires to deep 

 water on the approach of wintry weather. 



