ENGLISH FISHES. 



461 



the transverse lines are confined to the region, of 

 the lateral line, which they intersect nearly at 

 right angles, do not exceed three quarters of an 

 inch in length, and are cut nearly in half by the 

 lateral line, so that their lower extremities do not 

 reach above half way down the sides of the fish, 

 and are destitute of divarications. It must also 

 be observed, that these lineations are scarcely ob- 

 vious in a fish recently taken, but become more 

 definable as the skin dries. The lateral line is 

 yery slender, and not more rough to the touch 

 than the rest of the fish, when the finger is rubbed 

 in reverse ; the scales being serrated, occasions 

 1|he roughness. Perhaps the following leading 

 characters may be advantageously applied to thi$ 

 fish : 



Skin rough, with joint transverse striae across 

 the lateral line : nose slightly bifid and crenated : 

 above the anterior angle of the eye, two short 

 spines : pectoral fin not extending beyond the 

 anus : first dorsal fin with the second spinous ray 

 very superior in size to the adjoining, and ex- 

 ceeding them in length nearly half an inch 

 when erect, and when reclined, extending as far 

 as the base of the third ray of the second dorsal 

 fin. 



This fish is frequently of a beautiful deep rosy 

 red on the sides ; the back clouded with browji or 



