ENGLISH FISHES. 



459 



cate genera, so that we may with more certainty 

 identify the individuals. Every information, 

 therefore, which proceeds from actual exami- 

 nation, must conduce to enlighten the subject. 

 With this view, I shall shortly describe what 

 appears to me to be a common variety of Trigla 

 cuculus. 



The forehead is more sloping than that of the 

 Grey Gurnard ; the nose armed with three spines 

 on each side : the spine on the operculum of the 

 gills, and that behind it, are long and rough : 

 lateral line, and ridge of the back, each side ser- 

 rated : a large black spot on the first dorsal fin at 

 the margin, extending between the third and fifth 

 ray. 



The whole body is rough : the spine on the 

 gill-covers, extends nearly as far as the spine be- 

 hind it : the lateral line, and ridges on the back, 

 more strongly serrated, than on the Grey Gur- 

 nard : the first dorsal fin has seven spiny rays ; 

 the second ray scarcely longer than the third 

 when reclined, the two first rough, the webs 

 tinged rosy : second dorsal fin nineteen soft rays, 

 rosy towards the margin : pectoral fins not very 

 large, with ten rays, of a bluish tinge, scarcely 

 reaching to the vent ^ : ventral fins six rays, 

 G g4 



Pennant says the pectoral fins are edged with purple. 



