84 SPAROID FISHES. 



enabled us to procure abundant information on 

 this branch of the natural history of Lycia. 

 Such of it as is of general or classic interest 

 we have thrown into this chapter. 



The fishes especially claim attention. They 

 are as numerous on the Lycian shore as else- 

 where in the Eastern Mediterranean ; but very 

 few attain any considerable size. In the shelter- 

 ed bays and gulphs numerous species of Spa- 

 roidece, a tribe very characteristic of the Medi- 

 terranean region, resort ; forms of Sargus, Pagrus, 

 Chrysopkris, Cantharus, Spams, Dentew, Boops, 

 and Oblada. They may be seen swimming in 

 shoals around the vessels at anchor ; their broad 

 silvery sides glancing in the water, in some 

 striped with regular bands of gold, in others 

 marked with one or two dusky clouds, or tinged 

 with brilliant ultramarine and dark purple. 

 They are abundant in water from five to seven 

 fathoms deep where the bottom is muddy and 

 weedy. Many of them are fair eating, but, as 

 may be said of the fishes of the Mediterranean in 

 general, not to be compared with the common 

 fishes of the British seas, though handsomer than 

 most of them. 



One of these fishes is the aaXim of the ancients. 



