23 



The fish feeds only on Alga, and is caught principally in localities, 

 where there is an abundance of sea- weed. Amongst the latter, the 

 Ecklonia buccinalis (Zeebamboes) and our large Sargassa (S. longifo- 

 lium and S. integrifolhim) are its usual haunts, and hence the vernacular 

 name of Bamboo-fish. On account of its vegetable nourishment, it 

 exhibits at times a particular smell, when embowelled, and is for that 

 reason called Stink-fisJi by some of the fishermen. It is a rich and 

 delicate fish, and though scarce on the Cape Town market, is common 

 in Saldanha Bay, were it is dried and salted for home consumption. 



SQUAMIPENNES. 



24. Pimelepterus Puscus. Cuv. & Val. {Bastard 

 Jacob Evertsen). — Body oblong, bulky; bead small; 

 snout obtuse ; teeth strong, cutting, singularly ranged in 

 one row ; eyes large, protruding. Pins thick ; covered 

 by scales, whence the scientific name (Pat-fin). Two 

 dorsal fins, united at base. Length, two feet. 



This fish is of a uniform dusky brown colour. Its flesh is well 

 flavoured and very nice. Caught chiefly in Simon's Bay and along the 

 East coast. Feeds on shell-fish. 



25. Dipterodon Capensis. Cuv. & Val. (Galjoen- 



visch, Galleon-fish.) — Body oval ; outer teeth strong, 



large, trenchant, resembling those of Sargus. Lips 



fleshy ; mouth proportionally small. Two dorsal fins ; 



the second as well as the anal, and part of the caudal, 



thick, covered by very minute scales. — Head, back, and 



fins ash-coloured grey, or faint brown ; sides with six 



silvery vertical bands reaching the middle of the belly, 



which is silvery-white and tinged with purplish-red. 



Length, from fifteen to twenty inches. 



This fish, more plentiful in the Western Division of the Colony, is 

 highly esteemed as food, and always fetches a good price. It is, how- 

 ever, disliked by some, on account of the many black veins, traversing 

 its flesh, and is at times rather unwholesome, from being too rich, and 

 requiring good digestive organs. It is caught with the drag-net during 

 summer. 



SCOMBERIDiE. 



26. Scomber Capensis. Cuv. & Val. (Hal/cord.) 

 Body oblong, adipose ; muzzle obtuse ; lower jaw some- 



