21 



back aurora-red, mottled with blue and gold on a silvery 

 ground. Sides of the body crossed by five or six sky- 

 blue, broken, longitudinal stripes. Lower mandible and 

 belly white. All fins faintly rose-red ; apex of the tail 

 orange. Iris purplish. Length 12 — 14 inches. Dor- 

 sal \\. Anal g. Caudal, 11. Pectoral, 15. Ventral, J. 



One of the best fishes in the market. Its flesh is white and delicious. 

 Superficially examined, it bears some resemblance to the Cape Silverfish 

 (Dentex Argyrozona) , from which it is easily distinguished, not only 

 by its broader form, and less vivid hue, but also by the absence of the 

 six rose-red longitudinal bands, and by the formation of its teeth. 

 Caught w'ith the hook during winter, and pretty common on the market. 



19. Dentex Rupestris. Cuv. & Val. {Bastard 



Silverfish ; Seventy -four?) — Body large, bulky ; teeth of 



the outer row large, cylindrical, curved and pointed ; 



the four front ones of its jaws strongest. Scales large ; 



lateral line broken. Back and sides above the lateral 



line aurora-red, clouded by ultra-marine, blue, green, 



and faint purple, with an orange tint towards the tail. 



Lower parts of the body aurora-red, tinged with orange, 



and shaded with ultra-marine blue (A. Smith). Length, 



about two feet. 



Barely found in Table Bay, but considered one of the very finest 

 fishes in the Colony. It is chiefly confined to the east of the Cape, 

 where it is caught with the hook or net in great abundance. It is also 

 cured for foreign markets. 



20. Dentex Argyrozona. Cuv. & Val. (Silverfish.) 

 Body oblong ; eyes large ; mouth of a moderate size ; 

 teeth like those of the preceding species. — Head, back, 

 and sides above the lateral line aurora-red on a silvery 

 base ; hue below that line faint flesh-red, striped with 

 five to six narrow, longitudinal, pale, rose-red bands. 

 Belly white, silvery ; fins purplish-red ; Iris scarlet. 

 Length from 16 to 20 inches. 



This very voracious fish feeds principally on small fish and crabs. It 

 is common on the Cape market throughout the year, and forms also an 

 article of export. 



21. Cantharus Blochii. Cuv. & Val. (?) (Wwdtoy.) 



