19 



middle teeth smaller than the lateral. Rows of sharp 

 pointed teeth inside the mouth, followed by bands of 

 round, granular molars. Soft rays of dorsal fin higher 

 than the spiny ; caudal nearly truncate. Scales large. 

 Liver divided into two unequal lobes of an ochreous hue, 

 and with the gall-bladder proportionally small ; gullet 

 dilated into a big, strong, muscular stomach, of an oblong 

 shape ; pylorus supplied with four short ccecums of 

 different length. Swim-bladder large, simple and firm. 

 Intestines a little longer than the whole fish. Head faint 

 purple with aurora-red ; back dull greyish-green ; sides 

 and belly slightly flesh-red, on silvery ground. Groove 

 between the maxillary and intermaxillary bones, safFron- 

 vellow. Fins reddish. 



This bulky fish often exceeds 3i feet in length and 14 inches in 

 breadth. It is very voracious and feeds generally on crabs and cuttle- 

 fish. (Sepia and Loligo.) As food, it is much prized and is also 

 cured for exportation. — Not very common in Table Bay, but caught 

 abundantly in False Bay and on the shores of Hottentots' Holland. 



14. Chrysophrys Cristiceps. Cuv. & Val. (?) 

 {Roman.) — Body of a beautiful orange colour, shaded 

 by silver. Head and jaws of a deep orange hue. Between 

 the eyes a falcated band of pure indigo blue, and a 

 narrow stripe of the same colour, running along each 

 side of the dorsal ; a broad, silvery line extends from the 

 dorsal nearly to the anal fin. All fins crimson, with a 

 shade of silver. Iris red. Young specimens do not 

 exhibit the vivid hues, so remarkable in adults. Head 

 and back reddish-brown ; flanks and belly orange. An 

 azure dot stands in the centre of the middle line. 



One of the prettiest and most delicious fishes on our markets. Its 

 flesh is generally acknowledged to be a superior dish. It is common 

 in the waters east of Table Bay, and especially near the Roman Rock, 

 where it is caught with the hook and drag-net in great numbers. — A 

 strayed individual, caught "in Table Bay on the 14th of June 1849, 

 measured 16 inches in length, and 7 in breadth. 



15. Chrysoblephus Gibbiceps. Swains. (Baaische 

 Boode Stompneus ; Pbeskop). — Head very large, broader 



